This book was created from so many things. From every story my mom and dad created for me before bed （Say hi to Mark and Jolie, everyone! They’re crying as they read this）。 It’s made of every laugh I had over the years with my brothers and many, many, many beloved cousins. My characters are the kindness in my Sitto Georgann’s smile and the strength in my Grandmother Rosalie. Their wit I’d like to think came from me, but I must credit my Grandfather James, who helped pioneer a whole new generation of quick-witted grandchildren （some of the many beloved cousins）。 It’s made of my Giddo Richard, who passed away long before I could pick up a pen but whose dreams of being an author I carry on for the both of us.
I am lucky in the way that I can think of so many people to include here, who supported me that uplifted me, who made me feel like the things I created mattered. People like the wonderful artist Brittany Torres, who was one of the first people to bring my character to life.
My best friend Lexi, who always listens faithfully to every story I have to share, whether she’s heard it before or not. For all our laughter that led me to this story, and all the support you’ve shown me along the way, love you lex.
Every person on TikTok who followed this journey, whether you were here from the beginning or jumped in at the end, thank you. To everyone who ever told me I made them smile, you all made me smile every day, even when I thought I couldn’t. It’s a priceless gift I could never repay.
I found someone else who made me smile along this journey: my Michael, who not only loves me through every up and down, but also freely offers his back every time I want “The Villain” for a video. He carried me away, every time I asked, without a complaint. I love you.
A huge part of writing this book was about feeling less alone in the world. My characters became my family, my found family. What I didn’t anticipate was finding a group of outrageously talented women that made me forget what loneliness was. They cheered me on through every victory. To Stacey, Kaven, Amber, Maggie, and Sam…thank you for destroying my loneliness and replacing it with a lifetime of warmth. You were all well worth the wait.
And finally, thank you to Evie Sage. I found her and this story when I was in one of the lowest places with my mental health, and she became my safe space. Every moment of doubt, we shared. She made me braver, bolder, stronger, when I didn’t think I had any strength left. She made me want to fight, want to feel, want to laugh. Evie Sage saved me, and so did all of you. Thank you to everyone who picked up this book. I hope it made you smile.
About the Author
Hannah Nicole Maehrer—or as TikTok knows her, @hannahnicolemae—is a fantasy romance author and BookToker with a propensity for villains. When she’s not creating bookish comedy skits about Villains and Assistants, she’s writing to Taylor Swift songs. Her biggest passions in life include romance, magic, laughter, and finding ways to include them all in everything she creates. Most days you can find her with her head in the clouds and a pen in her hand.