YES! Bannen does it again! This sequel is another absolute delight. Twyla and Frank’s friends-to-lovers journey is so sweet and full of emotional depth, which is made richer by their shared history and bond as working partners. Also, not many romance stories feature older adults, which I found so refreshing and necessary. I just adore the world-building of this series - it's wildly creative and keeps getting better. Can't wait for the next book to be released July 2025.

Sincere thanks to NetGalley and Orbit for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Absolutely fantastic sequel. I loved reading this one. Imaginative, wild, and so much fun. I highly recommend this whole series, and I am eagerly awaiting more. Can't wait for book 3. So much fun.

I absolutely DEVOURED this book. It was definitely a little different than what I'm used to reading being an older couple but I wound up really enjoying the different perspective. And the story! I don't even know how to talk about my favorite parts without spoilers but. Just read it. It was a delight.

This was such a fun continuation to this series. I really like romances with older couples, and watching Twyla and Frank evolve from best friends to something more was so wholesome and sweet. Some more details of the world were revealed, while the main focus still being on the characters and their relationships.

I absolutely adored this book!! I think it can stand alone since the characters and setting have minimal overlap with the first, but the world the author has built is so much fun that I’d recommend reading both. This book was so fun and unique. I’ve recommended it to so many people.

This book was such a ride: murder, mystery, and two best friends who are absolutely *not* in love with each other (except, yeah, they totally are). Twyla and Frank’s dynamic is everything—witty, warm, and just the right amount of exasperated. Megan Bannen nails the balance of humor and heart, and the world of Tanria is as cozy and chaotic as ever. If you’re into slow-burn friends-to-lovers, quirky fantasy settings, and banter that *actually* delivers, you need this book ASAP.

Tanria is such a unique fantasy world in that it is so unserious and yet so breathtakingly filled with color and life. The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy was one of my favorite reads in 2023, so getting to experience the world again, with even more silliness, was more than I could have hoped for.

This book is stuffed full of the friends to lovers trope, but I was even more in love with a hedgehog in her little rainbooties and a baby dragon that projectile vomits glitter. What else could a girl ask for? Oh, and more Duckers obviously!

This did not emotionally destroy me as much as the first book, but surprisingly that's okay with me! This was just good fun. Megan Bannen knows exactly what she's doing.

Thanks to NetGalley and Orbit for sharing the eARC of The Undermining of Twyla and Frank in exchange for this honest review.

I absolutely love this town and the characters! The slow burn was amazing. I will forever recommend this series! Such a beautiful and funny romance!

Megan Bannen has created a truly unique and wildly entertaining world that I have grown to love. A fantasy setting with old west style action and contemporary romance banter? Sign me up for all the things. Twyla and Frank are, in my opinion, the perfect duo for this foray into Tanria. I LOVED that they were middle aged (50s) and that this was a second chance romance in its own way. The chemistry between the two was palpable from the beginning, but I had such a good time on their journey to realize it for themselves. This book had me giggling and on the edge of my seat in turns and I simply couldn't put it down. I thought the characters were very well developed and the plot was light and fun, even when it slowed toward the middle. To be 'Frank,' I didn't think there would be any topping the Undertaking of Hart and Mercy, but this one will definitely be living rent free in my head for the foreseeable future.

What stands out in this book is Bannen's ability to craft lovable, relatable characters. Twyla and Frank's bond is the heart of the story. Their friendship feels genuine and grounded, despite the fantastical elements around them. As they navigate their investigation, their dynamic shifts, evolving into something more profound and layered. The romantic development is slow and steady, with moments of humor and tenderness that make it all the more satisfying.

Bannen’s writing is sharp, blending moments of suspense with lighthearted, witty exchanges. The world-building is rich and detailed, yet accessible, creating a magical landscape that feels both grand and familiar. The baby dragon is, of course, a standout, providing moments of comic relief and tenderness amidst the darker moments of the story.

While the plot may seem straightforward, it’s the emotional depth of the characters and their growth throughout the story that truly makes this book shine. The themes of self-discovery, loyalty, and the complexities of relationships are explored with nuance and care, making it a rewarding read for fans of fantasy, romance, and character-driven stories.

Loved this book. It was exactly what the description suggested it would be! Cozy, cute, romantic. Slow burn. Every moment had a purpose and I couldn’t get enough of this story.

This was cute! I recommend this to any lovers of cozy fantasy. It can be read as a standalone, but I still recommend you read the first book in the series before going in. This one was definitely more light hearted! The slowburn was lovely, and it’s second chance / friends-to-lovers romance. It was really well written :) but I still prefer the first book overall.

4⭐

I fell in love with this world in The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy, I was so excited to see Twyla and Frank come back with their own book! The whole vibe of the book is whimsical, cozy, and wacky with an underlying romance. It did take a while for this book to feel interesting to me. There were a lot of repetitive themes, specifically Twyla's experience, but I did love the resolutions that happened in her life.

The two of them being best friends and coworkers who get a second chance at love was my favorite. They both lead separate lives, but both are connected and thrive in the company of the other. That's honestly my favorite. I wish there was a bit more yearning and conflict relating to the love triangle.

The dragons were... alright. I honestly didn't care much for that, but it was definitely a goofy addition.

💜friends to lovers
💜second chance romance
💜slow burn
💜mature mcs
💜baby dragons!!

Thank you NetGalley and Orbit Books for providing me an eARC of The Undermining of Twyla and Frank for my honest review.

I adore these books. I can’t wait for the third. This one took me longer to get into compared to the first. But I absolutely was rooting for Frank and Twyla. As someone older with kids, it pulled my heart strings!

Twyla and Frank were best friends. This was definitely not what I was anticipating going into the story. I went in blind and was pleasantly surprised how much this fantasy romance turned out.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers Copy of The Undermining of Twyla and Frank by Megan Bannen!

After LOVING The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy, I was so excited to find out there was a second book set in the same universe. The premise of The Undermining of Twyla and Frank sounded so interesting - I love that it explored the relationship between an older couple. However, I felt like the pacing was off in this book and decided to put it down for now. I am eager to read the next book set in the same universe!

4.5☆

This was cute and wholesome! You're never too old to feel beautiful, and find love, and ride dragons.

I loved that the main characters were older with lots of life experience. Exploring their romantic relationship as well as their roles as friend, mom, dad, grandma, etc. was heartwarming. I wasn't sold on the "bad guy", but this was fun and quick.

I'd recommend reading The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy first! The worldbuilding is quirky and the romance is so gooood.

Oh how excited I am for another Megan Bannen book! Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

After the Undertaking of Hart and Mercy, I was a little scared to be disappointed by this book. I also didn't know much about Twyla and Frank. However, I had such a great time with TUOHAM that I knew I needed to read this book.

Twyla and Frank are older, in their 50s-60s, with adult children/grandchildren. We don't often see main characters in that age range, especially in fantasy. It brought a unique spin on the story. And, it made their hesitance toward romance a lot more understandable. We get to learn about them, see their fears, and work through these together. I really enjoyed their relationship. You truly see friendship first between these two which I really enjoy in romance.

We get to see our well-loved characters from TUOHAM again and Duckers is here for this new adventure. New nilkilims (animal mail carriers) too, who are just hilarious! And, Dragons!! And, let me tell you, Megan Bannen puts a fun spin on dragons.

I felt the plotline was okay. I think it was somewhat predictable and not too high stakes. But, I think this is just a cozy book, so I'm okay with the storyline being a bit less. This really focuses on the characters and the relationships in their lives. There's an aspect to the book that makes you reflect on life and love that also made me feel a bit emotional. I feel like I learned some things about life.

Overall, really enjoyed reading this book. I can't wait for the next one.

I really liked Megan's first book and was excited to revisit this world. This one was fun and sweet too. It just feels different than anything else!