The Undermining of Twyla and Frank follows Tanrian Marshalls Twyla and Frank, who have been partnered for over eight years. The two are the best of friends, and honestly, the entire town thinks they are together romantically (not that they realize that). When patrolling Tanria, which has gotten mighty boring since the events of The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy, they come across a dead Marshall. Through their investigation, they discover that dragons are not extinct. However, they learn that the hard way when one of those dragons imprints on Frank. Trying to make sense of their new reality, while also trying to stay alive, the two begin to slowly realize that there might be more to their friendship than they realized.

This book was SO CUTE. There is something so wholesome about friends-to-lovers. The development between them feels natural and does not contain this insta-love feeling to it. Their love story takes place while trying to solve a case and a mystery, giving the romance a more realistic feel. The story itself is not centered around them falling in love, but rather it occurs as they are trying to determine what is going on and figure out how they are going to approach the not-so-extinct dragon situation. Bannen does an outstanding job balancing what is arguably a slow-burn romance story with a fantasy plotline that runs alongside the romance. I highly recommend this book to all fantasy romance lovers. While you do not have to read The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy to understand what is happening in the story, it will greatly increase your enjoyment. However, if you were not a fan of the first book, I suggest trying out The Undermining of Twyla and Frank, as it is a companion novel that stands on its own. Give it a shot!

I liked The Undermining of Twyla and Frank more than the first book, but frankly…I was still bored. Which blows my mind because I love dragons. And honestly that’s probably why I liked it more.

Things I enjoyed:
MCs were in their 50s
Friends to lovers/second chance
Dragons

I loved this book so damn much! Twyla and frank are friends to lovers perfection. the dragons made me so emotional too. i love them together. I am so excited for the next book. this series is so cozy and amazing.

The concept of Harry Met Sally with DRAGONS. This book just absolutely nailed it! I loved it! This book was kind of different than all the dragon craze we see lately and I mean that in the best way. The NORMAL characters!!! This book was cozy and whimsical, and a great follow up to the first book (though you don't need to read it, I recommend you do). Megan's done it again!

Thank you to netgalley for the e-arc!

I enjoyed this book more than I expected after LOVING the first book. The relationship and chemistry between Frank & Twyla was organic and SO natural. Getting a romance novel that has main characters in their 50s isn't as common as it should be & a welcomed breath of fresh air! The comedy in this book is ON POINT and I love a good twist near the end. Crossing my fingers for a third book in the series because I'm falling in love with Tanria.
Thank you so much to Orbit Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for a review.

I really seriously enjoyed this story. This is such a unique universe and a wonderful follow up to The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy. I would definitely call this a slow burn and highly recommend it if you enjoy that. These characters and their lives are so heartwarming while also keeping you on the edge of your seat with their tension and mystery. Twyla and Frank are an age demographic we don’t see often in romance novels like this and at first I was nervous thinking I wouldn’t be able to relate to a female main character that wasn’t a twenty-something or a teenager working on finding herself in the world. Twyla is a strong woman confident about her place in the world. She’s a mother, a friend, and eventually a lover, but by no means perfect. She argues with her daughter, ignores her own faults, and gets defensive quickly but this dimension is something you really don’t see from characters like this, I found it really refreshing.

I would consider this to be pretty minimal world building. Maybe that’s because it’s a sequel and relying a bit on what was previously established but Bannen manages to convey a fantastical landscape like Tanria so casually through her characters that it almost feels contemporary. Even with talking hedgehogs and a sparkly pink dragon, Frank and Twyla feel like a small town second chance romance.

Things I Loved:
Conversation around marriage you don’t usually hear
The theme of women’s knowledge and spirituality
Twyla’s Evolution
The Ending
The Humor! So cute
Twyla’s Spirituality
Frank’s Heart
The Purposeful Spice

Overall, I recommend this and really enjoyed it. It was so unique and adventurous while giving you that feet kicking, high tension romance you crave.

This was so much fun to read! I loved the dragons and how different they are from your run of the mill dragons. I also really loved that the MCs were not the typical late teen or early twenties year old characters, but instead were in their 50s and we need more of that.

The idea of fantasy rom-com had me sold, but I really got into all parts of this story, from the fantasy setting that seemed somewhat mixed with some more modern things to the fun dynamic between Twyla and Frank who seem to the only ones that don’t know they should be together.

Nicol Zanzarella brings the world of Tanria to life, providing unique voices for the characters. I found myself laughing out loud at times because of the delivery of the lines.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

"Aw, look at Dragon Daddy. Isn't that sweet?"

I love this series, so cozy and fun.

What I liked:
- Twyla & Frank are in their 50’s, with a true second shot at love.
- Duckers is hilarious. I hope he gets his own book.
- The dragons - I love that they were cute and friendly. Reminded me a bit of my little ponies for some reason.

What didn’t work for me:
- I wish we got more time with Twyla and Frank as a couple.

Unfortunately I dnf’d it at 30%. It just didn’t have the same feel to me as Hart and Mercy did. Maybe I just wasn’t in the right mood. I’d like to pick it back up again sometime.

I adored The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy so I was incredibly excited to revisit their universe with this book and it completely exceeded all of my expectations.

It was so refreshing to see a middle-aged couple represented in all of their complicated glory. Watching Twyla find herself and take time for love in the midst of kids and grandkids and work and life was magnificent. She’s nobody’s chair and I love that for her!

Frank was just dreamy with his rugged exterior and his soft heart. Bonus points for being such a great father figure to all the kids, especially Mary Georgina.

Absolutely read this if you love:
🐉 Friends to lovers
🐉 Dragons!!
🐉 Solving mysteries
🐉 Cozy fantasies

Thank you so much to Orbit and NetGalley for this eARC. All opinions are my own.

The Undermining of Twyla and Frank picks up where book one left off except this time we get to know Twyla and Frank in the same world that we got to know Hart and Mercy in.

Twyla is a 53 year old woman with grown children and has lost her husband. She has kept busy for the last eight years as a marshal patrolling the lands with her best friend Frank. He’s also lost his spouse and they spark up a friendship in the midst of grief and finding themselves before he convinces Twyla to join the marshals with him. Fast forward through those eight years and a handsome doctor comes to gather research on something amazing they’ve found. He shows interest in Twyla but she has been out of the dating game for a while! We get to see her find her confidence, boundaries, and needs for the first time. I was not expecting tears in this book but I think many women will relate to Twyla so hard that the tears are inevitable. This series has my whole heart and I could read about it forever!

Thank you so much to Netgalley, Megan Bannen, and Orbit Books for providing this free ARC. This is my honest review! This published on July 2nd.

I have posted my review on Goodreads, in my Facebook book club, and will absolutely rave about this on TikTok!

I wish I enjoyed this as much as I loved Hart and Mercy... The characters being 50+ made it feel like I couldn't connect too well to them
3.5 Stars

I really enjoyed this one, but it had a much different vibe than the first book. This is a sloooow burn, friends to lovers romance set in a futuristic world. The first book in the series dealt with some pretty dark topics and this one sets the complete opposite tone with much more fun surprises!

Twyla and Frank are terrific friends and work partners, and they are totally there for each other in every way. The book is told from Twyla’s POV and I really wish we had gotten some of Frank’s perspective as well. He was a very stoic character and Twyla was pretty oblivious to his feelings for a long time.

The story details a very unusual discovery at work for Twyla and Frank, but also deals with Twyla’s middle-age self discovery. I loved that at 53 she was finally standing up for herself and finding out what she wanted out of life, even if we did have to put up with a romantic interlude with another character. Poor Frank.

I don’t want to spoil anything so, suffice it to say that this one is worth a read especially if you liked the first book!

"The Undermining of Twyla and Frank," from the author of "The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy," brings a heartwarming fantasy with a best friends-to-lovers rom-com twist, set in the delightful demigod and donut-filled world of Tanria. Think "When Harry Met Sally," but with dragons!

The entire town of Eternity was shocked when widowed, middle-aged Twyla Banneker partnered up with her neighbor and best friend, Frank Ellis, to join the Tanrian Marshals. Eight years later, Twyla and Frank are still patrolling the dangerous land of Tanria, the former prison of the Old Gods. Fortunately (or unfortunately), a recent decrease in on-the-job peril has made Twyla and Frank's job a lot safer ... and a lot less exciting. So when they discover the body of one of their fellow marshals covered in liquid glitter—and Frank finds himself the inadvertent foster dad to a baby dragon—they are more than happy to be back on the beat.

While the premise is charming and the world-building remains delightful, "The Undermining of Twyla and Frank" didn't quite capture the same magic as its predecessor. The entire story is told from Twyla's point of view, which I found to be a significant detriment to both the story and the impact of the romance. In "The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy," the dual perspectives of Hart and Mercy enriched the narrative, providing depth and a more balanced view of their relationship. Here, Frank’s perspective is sorely missed, and the story feels one-sided as a result.

The climax and big reveal of the mystery within the story were also less compelling than I had hoped, with some twists feeling more eye-roll-inducing than exciting. The investigation, while initially intriguing, loses steam and becomes a bit of a bore.

However, the book still has its strengths. Twyla is a relatable and endearing protagonist, and her dynamic with Frank has genuine moments of warmth and humor. The setting of Tanria, with its unique blend of fantasy elements and modern sensibilities, continues to be a standout aspect of the series.

Overall, "The Undermining of Twyla and Frank" is a pleasant read with charming characters and a cozy fantasy setting. However, it falls short of the engaging narrative and emotional depth found in "The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy." Fans of the first book may still find enjoyment in this installment, but it may leave some wishing for a more balanced and compelling story.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

Twyla is a middle aged mom, widow, and Tanrian Marshall. Now that Tanria is free of drudges, her job along with her partner and best friend Frank, is a lot less dangerous and a lot less exciting until they make the discovery of a lifetime.

I had a little trouble jumping back into the world of Tanria, but I really enjoyed Twyla's perspective as a middle aged mom who doesn't feel very appreciated by her family. I also loved the updates on Hart and Mercy.

The Undermining of Twyla and Frank
Book #2 of The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy

By Megan Bannen
read book #1 gave it 5 *

Format
Kindle 464 pgs.

Publication date
7/2/2024

Genre
fantasy, paranormal, rom-com, mystery

Tropes
law enforcement, dragons, best friends to lovers, middle aged(both H/h 53), 2nd chance at love

⚠️ murder, divorce, OM

POV
3rd person

Summary
Twyla and Frank are BFFs and partners assigned to the murder of one their own marshals Herd. They discover a den of cute dragons which may have been the culprits. Being together all the time blurs the lines between them as they see each other differently.

Heroine:
Twyla Banneker-widowed mother of 3 adult kids(DJ, Hope, Wade) w/ 3 g-kids. Has been a Tanrian Marshal for 8 years partnered with Frank Ellis. Her husband Doug died 12 years ago.

Hero:
Frank Ellis-divorced father of 2 adult kids Lu and Annie. Set to retire w/ Twyla and start a B&B together.

Side cast:
Duckers-was partnered w/ Herd who has been murdered.
Quill Vanderlinden-a dracologist hired to figure out what brought the dragons out.
Mercy and Hart-the undertaker and demigod getting married.
Zeddie Birdsall-Mercy's brother, Ducker's boyfriend.
Rosie Fox-an immortal demigod and famed Tanrian Marshal
Hermia-the hedgehog mail deliverer

My Thoughts:
Even being a little silly with sparkly dragons, the romance between Twyla and Frank shines most. I love a BFF to lover trope where everyone else knows they belong together except them. Adamant that they are strictly BFFs, Frank has dated many nameless women, and after 12 years Twyla finally has a new guy. There's plenty of angst and jealousy between them but when they are put in life and death situations, they are fiercely protective of each other. I even liked Wade's attempt at having a built-in babysitter, and his cluelessness about not appreciating his wife or Twyla. Twyla and her daughter Hope have a heart to heart after she visits them and announces her engagement. I hated Frank's sorrow over losing his kids when his wife walked out on him. Twyla helped him pick up the pieces, and her kindness during that time just adds to their love story.

Thanks to NetGalley and Orbit for this ARC! I voluntarily give my honest review and all opinions expressed are my own.

Rating 5/5*

Oh. My. Gosh. This book was such a delight. If you loved The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy, do yourself a favor and pick up this book. It was such a pleasure to revisit this world.
Twyla and Frank are Tanarian marshals and best friends. When a mysterious huge footprint appears in one of the sectors, they investigate. Could there be dragons in Tanria? The mystery was fun as well this being such a wonderful friends to lovers romance.

Thank-you to Orbit books for the advance reader copy. I loved this book and highly recommend it.

Twyla and Franks friends to lovers story was very adorable. Although this book wasn’t as captivating as the first installment I still enjoyed myself. There were times that Twyla’s inner monologue dragged on for too long. I loved the element of dragons and learning about how they interact with each other in Tanria. Twyla’s journey to find herself after motherhood and becoming a “chair” was very realistic and I’m sure will resonate with many readers.

This is book two of The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy and it is absolutely amazing. The premise is so fun and unique. I adore the world building in here too!

Both MCs are over 50 which is not something I read but it made my heart melt. Twyla and Frank have been friends for over a decade. While on tour they discover a mystery that baffles everyone. I felt like the characters growth was really great. The progression from their friendship to more was 🤌🏻 I couldn't put this book down.

Absolutely recommend this series if you're looking for a unique romantasy! Thank you @netgalley and @orbitbooks_us for this arc.

I was excited to see we were getting a follow-up book to The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy. We follow Twyla and Frank, two best friends, and Tanrian Marshals close to retirement. When baby dragon which hasn't been seen before bonds to Frank the friends wind up ensnared in a nefarious plot that goes far deeper than any lucrative Tanrian mineshaft. But as danger closes in and Twyla and Frank's investigation becomes more complicated, so does their easy friendship. And Twyla starts to realize that her true soul mate might be the person who has lived next door all along.

I'm not gonna lie. I had a slow start to this book. Between forgetting a lot of the background info you need for a fantasy series, and I feel bad saying this, but the age of the main characters I had a hard time staying connected. While I believe everyone deserves a love story at any age, I came in expecting the characters to be the same age as Hart and Mercy. Once I got this in audiobook format, the story picked up quickly. The narrator was captivating and the resolution of who was breeding these dragons and why was fun and not who I expected!

However, I did enjoy Frank and Twyla's love story. Frank divorced and Twyla a widow. Frank assumed Twyla would never date after her husband's death, while Twyla comes to terms with the fact that the marriage everyone thought was perfect wasn't as perfect as everyone thought. But when their lives are on the line, they realize that their feelings aren't quite as platonic as they thought.

Read if you like fantasy, dragons, friends to lovers romance, with mature (50 years+) characters. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review. This book releases 7/2.