4.5⭐️

THIS WAS DELIGHTFUL. This was so cozy, funny, and wonderful older characters (which we love to see) and has dragons. Truly everything I could ever want.

The only devastating thing is now we have to wait for Megan to announce her next book and I might simply die with anticipation.

Truly, pick this series up if you haven’t yet! The first is definitely more of a fantasy romance, the second is as well but it has a cozier feel.

Thank you to orbit and NetGalley for an e-book in exchange for my review.

Megan Bannen can just go ahead and take all my money at this point. Whether she's doing dark YA that's breaking my heart into shreds, or giving me incredible romantasy banter and hilarious characters with tons of excitement, she can do no wrong. This book can definitely be read as a standalone, as it is a companion and not a direct sequel. That said, you will miss the awesomeness of all the characters that pop in from Hart & Mercy, and frankly, you owe it to yourself to read them both. When I started, I was like "well sure it's good but I shan't love anything as much as H&M". And reader, I was wrong. I may even love it more. It's funny, heartfelt, extremely high stakes, features dragon babies (another thing I may have said was along the lines of "harumph I do not like dragons" and again, wrong.

Anyway, I can't even begin to tell you all the reasons I loved this book, but in addition to all of the above, the protagonist is a fifty-something single mom and it is magical. I mean, how often to we see older women get any story, let alone getting to be a kickass protector, love interest, and still be totally relatable? That alone won me over, and then you add in all the other awesomeness, and yep, I'm in love.

Bottom Line: Honestly I have nothing else to tell you except pre-order this book right now and thank me later.

Twyla Banneker and Frank Ellis have been friends and neighbors for decades. He encouraged her to join the Tanrian Marshals when her husband died and she needed to support her family. She comforted him, when his wife ran off. For the past eight years, Twyla and Frank patrolled the dangerous land of Tanria, the former prison of the Old Gods.

An unexpected rescue on a recent patrol of a baby dragon, and a dead coworker has left their partnership on a new footing... just when they need to rely on each other more than ever.

Why I started this book: I eagerly requested this ARC from Netgalley because [book:The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy|58510253] surprised and delighted me so much.

Why I finished it: There is so much to recommend this book, it's celebration of friendship and partnership, the deep insights into people's skills, fears, and motherhood. Plus glitter, dragons and sing-a-longs.

Although this book had a bit of a slow start, I finished it in a day! The fantasy world of Tanria is unique and quirky, and I appreciated that we were able to explore more of it in this book! I enjoyed watching the relationship between Twyla and Frank grow from friends-to-lovers - especially because I love a good happily ever after! I appreciated how Megan Bannen incorporated dragons in this book! Tanrian dragons are definitely different from most dragons I've read about - in the best way!

Thank you NetGalley and Orbit Books for this eARC!

🎶 I’m looking for a love story in a romantasy,
She’s not pushing 20, he’s not low-key creepy.
Love story.
They’ve lived life. Now they’ve got it right.
Love story after your 30’s. 🎶

Thank you, thank you.👏🤣 little millennial here trying her best.

BUT in seriousness, When Harry Met Sally + Dragons + the amazing writing of Megan Bannen + mid-life love and friendship and there is life after your 50’s messaging?!? Equals absolute smile and tear inducing perfection. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Thank you to Orbit Books, Megan Bannen, and NetGalley for an electronic advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. The Undermining of Twyla and Frank comes out on Tuesday, July 2nd. 🐉

2.5 to 3 stars (not sure yet)

Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was genuinely so excited about the continuation of this series and diving back into Tanria/Bushong, since I really enjoyed The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy. However, this book was really disappointing. I was bored for a large portion and honestly did not feel that the plot could keep my attention. There are dragons in this book… and I was bored. How? 😭 The mystery aspect was also extremely predictable, and I was just confused as to why what happened actually happened. At several points around 60-85%, I thought of DNF-ing, but I was trying to give it time to redeem itself.

I also enjoyed in the first book how there was dual POV. In this one, we’re only given Twyla’s POV in 3rd person. I would’ve enjoyed getting Frank’s thoughts and perspectives. Also… they were literally not around each other for so much of the book! ???!!!??? Like I get they’ve been best friends for 12 years but I need to believe their love for one another other than what they say about each other to other people.

There’s more I could complain about but I’m going to stop here.

CW: sexual content, cursing, violence, vomit, death, injury/injury detail

This was a sad follow up to one of my favorites from last year.

I was bored. I felt no chemistry between the leads. I have never read two leads so entrenched in the FRIEND ZONE with no sparks to show at all than these two. I understand slow burns but you gotta give me something to want me to keep going with the story.

I was told after I started that this is a "When Harry Met Sally" re-telling. That is not a movie or plot line that I like. So that tracks. If you don't like the heroine taking a detour to explore feelings with someone else before she ends up with the hero... I don't recommend this one.

And on top of that the wacky was really WACKY. I got excited about dragons... but the plot of the "Whodunit?" was pretty dumb and I was rolling my eyes so hard.

This one was a big bummer for me. I really wanted to love it.

This book as utterly ridiculous yet an absolute delight. From the pink, glitter spewing dragons to the mail delivering hedgehog, there’s just something ridiculously right about this book. I also loved the dynamic between Twyla and Frank even if I wanted to shake Twyla few times to get her to open her eyes to what was in front of her. At this point, who doesn’t need a man like Frank — for real, get you a guy that will go to his lengths to make sure his companion is having a good time. He may be my new favorite character after how he handled the baby dragon. I also thought Bannen did a great job with how she showed different relationships stages from new love, to engaged, to marriage, to heartbreak. Love isn’t easy and has to be worked for. With that, I also appreciated that Bannen wrote a book featuring middle aged MCs as they navigate love. There was such a realistic feel to Twyla debating between heels and flats, granny panties and sexier undergarments. It was truly refreshing to read about. We also need to talk about the villain and the motivation behind said villainy. I could not stop laughing - it just added to the over the top nature of this book, and I’m here for it. If you love cozy reads with an air of mystery and romance, make sure you read this book. Seriously once you pick up, you’ll realize what’s not to love.

I had been waiting to read this book since I finished The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy in September 2022 and I was not disappointed. Megan Bannen has once again woven an absolutely delightful story, with wonderful characters, expanding her fascinating world. And it was really lovely to have the main characters be middle-aged, with all that entails. I genuinely loved this book and Duckers must be protected at all cost.

This is the one to bring me out of hibernation and recovery that’s for sure!

I don’t think this is technically a sequel to the authors earlier work The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy, but it is written in the same world and hosts some of the same characters. It also carries the same vibe and themes. All of which makes it one of my most anticipated reads for 2024.

I’ve been pretty sick this year and had to stop blogging. So as a result I just don’t ask for ARC’s anymore, but once this came up on the radar I absolutely could not resist and made a commitment to get my hands on this and be sure to write a review. I hope everyone I recommend this to will pick it up. While it’s nice to have read the first book it isn’t necessary to your enjoyment of this volume.

This cozy adjacent series features women who are not the usual stick thin, fighting fit, young battle hardened girlies. They are older, fuller-figured, and beset with the same insecurities we all pick up on our life’s journey and I love them for it. Twyla is a wonderful character, she is so courageous while also unfortunately hampered by the same old fears that have hindered her from growing as a person for so many years. However, she is fortunate in her best friend, neighbor and co-worker Frank, who is the darlingest man ever! LOVE him. They will see each other through many dangers.

Mix in some adorable secondary characters as well as a plot featuring dragons and this is a must-read for all fantasy or cozy fantasy readers. I’m really hoping that the author will continue writing books in this world. These are not only a auto-buy, but a cozy reread for me as well. I really love them and they have pride of place on my small bookshelf.

Megan Bannen did it again! The Undermining of Twyla and Frank was absolute perfection. 🤩

This whole story was so cute and there was so much to love about it: 1. Friends to lovers trope 2. Baby dragons 3. Unexpected spice 4. DUCKERS 5. A mega twist - I mean what more could you want?? I will say, much like my experience with Hart and Mercy, it took me quite a bit of time to get interested but once I was, I was HOOKED and I can’t wait to see others love this as much as I did.

Now I can only hope that Ms. Bannen will grace us with a third book and let Duckers be the star of it. 🥹🤞

Thank you NetGalley and Orbit Books for an advanced copy of the ebook!

I loved this book just as much as the first book. Fantasy romcom, friends to lovers, and so much adventure. This book is so unique, creative and fun filled. I loved being back in this world!

4.5 ⭐️ 1.5 🌶️

I loved this book so much! It was hilarious and had me laughing out loud so many times. The banter and friendship between Twyla and Frank were something to be envied. I loved that they were middle aged and had some very real and relatable problems (minus their dragon troubles).

Twyla especially struggled so much with being seen as herself and not just what she could do for others. Her challenges as a mother were particularly relatable.

Everyone in this book is was amazing and the side characters were no exception. If Duckers doesn’t get his own book next I’m going to revolt. I fell in love with him in The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy and this book has only cemented my love for him. I’m also hoping to see more of Rosie Fox too!

I love the world building in this series. It was like the Wild West with dragons, aquatic horses and talking humanoid animals. The world was so unique and fleshed out without the details being cumbersome.

I can’t wait to see what Megan writes next!

I’ve been waiting on this book ever since I read the first one. This was a delightful read. I’m not normally a fan of friends to lovers, but I’ll make an exception in this case because it was phenomenal. I’m so glad I got a book about Twyla and Frank.

The dragons? The love? Everything about this book from the plot to characterization was amazing. This is an instant read author for me forever.

Second chance romance, MMC & FMC in their 50’s, love triangle, dragon rom-com fantasy
Trust me, those things don’t sound like they go together, but they do! It would be best to read the first book in the series, Hart & Mercy show up again here and most of the world building is done in the first book.
I loved the characters, and seeing them again – Tanria and the nimkilin were even better this time around.
Give Duckers his own book!

I hope Megan Bannen continues to give us all the Tanrian Marshals. I swooned over Hart and Mercy early this year and truthfully, again in this one! I'm not sure swoon is the right word for Twyla and Frank, but the steadiness of their relationship was equally wonderful. My only complaint is I would have enjoyed seeing Frank's POV in this one, like we got Hart's in the first book. This one was much more Twyla centric.
My favorite thing about these books is the wonderful nods to classic rom-coms but mixed in with some of the most fantastical, goofy elements, ie. Nimkilims, dragons, and drudges. The world of Eternity, Tanria, and the Federated Islands is well thought out and I want to go back there again and again. I'm so found of many of the secondary characters and would love to see them get their own books too, especially dear, beloved Duckers! I think Marshal Fox would also be a great book focus. Hint, hint!

This book gave me all the same vibes and joy as Undertaking of Hart & Mercy. It gets a 4.25-4.5 from me but deserves the round up, I just adore Megan and this world. We get a little more whimsy and fantasy, with some lighter story line in this one, and I loved it!

One refreshing part of this story is we focus on two older MCs who have already loved others, had families, and lost the love they had in different ways. What starts as a friendship of two neighbors, who have supported each other through many trials and phases of life, slowly (emphasis on slowly) shifts to more. We also get some crazy adventures, lots of glitter, and some of our favorite characters making an appearance again from book 1!

Overall I think I still like book 1 more but this one wasn’t far off. I will warn you that the romance between the two MC, while there, feels less front and center. But it is still heartwarming and beautiful. I love how Megan brings us stories that are relatable but whimsical. We watch characters deal with fantasy world problems while also figuring out love and motherhood and the mundane parts of the real world!

Another winner in my book and a continuation of my obsession with Megan and her writing!

It’s so incredibly refreshing to read about a couple aged 50 plus instead of late teens or early 20s. Bannen has done it again with The Undermining of Twyla and Frank. If you loved Hart and Mercy, then Twyla and Frank will be up your alley. The mythological creatures steal the show (hello, there are dragons!), and the banter between the two MCs will leave you in stitches. A huge thank you to NetGalley and Orbit for an arc of this novel. All opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this book (4.5 stars). I liked the previous book about Hart and Mercy though felt it was lacking a little something. This book did not have that problem at all for me. (And for those who loved the first book, there are a few scenes in this one that you'll quite enjoy.)

I think I especially liked the two main characters being middle aged and "ordinary." And although I don't typically care as much for friends to lovers as a romance trope, this story and friendship felt very grounded, realistic, and believable.

Also, baby dragon!

CONTENT WARNING: mention of divorce, mention of separation of father from his children, murder attempt, explosion

I have been loving the trend of cozy fiction branching into genres other than mystery, and Megan Bannen was on the forefront of cozy romantasy with The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy. So I had some idea of what to expect with this book, and I still had my mind blown.

Twyla and Frank won me over so quickly. To start with, a book that specifically features a pair of protagonists older than their thirties is basically guaranteed to melt my heart since (a) I’m older than my thirties, and (b) it’s something I don’t get to see in books as often as I’d like. Twyla and Frank are best friends who have the most fun dynamic, and both of them seemed like such cool people that I wanted to be friends with them. Throughout the book, I got to see how they responded in different and stressful situations that showed various sides of their characters, and it only made me love both characters even more. Twyla cares so deeply about her family, and that includes not only her children and their families, but her chosen family as well. Frank is so protective of his chosen family, and they are everything to him. While their quirky banter kept things so fun, the way that they knew how to be there for the other when they needed the support was what really endeared these two to me.

There are cameos of characters from book one, and I was thrilled to see Duckers play such a big role in this story. Mercy and Hart obviously show up in this story as well, and I loved to see them as well, but the baby dragon, Mary Georgina, stole the show in this story.

Speaking of the show, the story kept me hooked. Although there was a strong romantic storyline, there was also a very involved mystery that kept me fascinated and turning pages late into the night. The plot manages to follow both a traditional romance and mystery storyline without losing anything or feeling rushed. Making use of the friends to lovers trope to perfection, Twyla and Frank transition from besties to lovers in this book, and they make a perfect couple because nothing feels forced, and there isn’t even really much of a change (except the spicy times).

Overall, this is a wonderful book and the perfect addition to the series. The audiobook narrator, Nicol Zanzarella did a wonderful job with this story, and made everything feel so believable and immersive. I really enjoyed reading about both Twyla and Frank, and seeing their lives through their own eyes. For such a big guy, Frank could easily be an intimidating character, but he turned out to be such a cinnamon roll, while Twyla wound up being the fierce mama bear for the people in her circle. Plus, the fact that Twyla and Frank are actual relationship goals, AND there are baby dragons in the book? Yeah, this is a keeper that I’ll be recommending to everyone I know.