The Undermining of Twyla and Frank returns to the magical world of Tanria. Twyla and Frank are Tanrian marshals who, after the events of book one, find themselves looking for things to do to keep them busy. Soon they are paired up with rookie Duckers, when they come across a magical mystery. As Twyla and Frank investigate the mystery, their friendship is tested like never before.

I really enjoyed The Undermining of Twyla and Frank! Twyla and Frank have such a strong friendship and positive dynamic. The two partners work together seamlessly; they’ve seen each other at their worst and their best. Frank and Twyla are also an older couple who have children and grandchildren, which I appreciated. I loved how Frank and Twyla are always there for each other no matter what. The dialogue is hilarious and heartfelt.

Megan Bannen excels at telling a cozy fantasy that also has very real stakes and excellent pacing. The world-building of Tanria is also excellent and expanded upon in this sequel. Readers who enjoy found family, well-developed romance, and fantastical mysteries will love The Undermining of Twyla and Frank.

Thank you to Megan Bannen, Orbit Books, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For publisher: My review will be posted on Instagram, Goodreads, Amazon, Storygraph, and Barnes & Noble etc.

This book... this series... it takes me a minute to find my footing because Tanria and surrounds are so absurd and everything just a little bizarre, but I'm so strangely entranced by the setting, plot, and characters. I stayed up way too late just because I couldn't put it down. It's sweet, mysterious, fantastical and overall just a quick, enjoyable read.

5 ⭐ 2 🌶

I am absolutely obsessed with Eternity, Tanrian and everyone of their inhabitants. Megan built such a wonderfully quirky world and with Undermining's introduction of dragons it only got better. Twyla and Frank are best friends to lovers and I couldn't stop swooning, and laughing, and loving on these two.

I'll be honest, I forgot how old Frank and Twyla were and if you told me I was going to enjoy a grandma getting it on I probably would have raised an eyebrow. But there was something so perfect about this older couple finding their soulmates after their failed marriages. I also really related to Twyla as a mother, when she spoke about being a default parent I felt so seen. I loved how much I connected with them both, way more than I do my college romances.

Frank had me all gooey, that man was so wonderful. My heart broke as I realized his unrequited love for Twyla, especially as she wavered in what she wanted and while she dated Quill... He was so perfect for her and I adored how he treated her, especially in the bedroom.

I need more from this world and I'm especially hoping for Duckers story. But regardless of what comes from Megan's brain next, I'll be reading it and I'm sure absolutely loving it.

We love a friends and neighbors to lovers. Can we also make some noise for love stories set later in life and not teens or young adults? Part of why I loved Twyla was that in The Undermining of Twyla and Frank she has to figure out who she is. Who is she if not a mother, if not a widow? How can she get back to who she was as a woman, as an individual? In marriage, and relationships, how do we do more than just be in love? How do we make sure our dreams are always being respected, that the daily tasks are always talked about?

I had such a fantastic time reading this book! I loved the first and I loved this world, and I believe we briefly met them in the first book. So I was really excited to continue on with this series! I had such a great time reading about these two! Though it was interesting, we were fully in Twyla's perspective, instead of alternating between her and Frank.

After the events of the first book, things are pretty different, especially for these two and their jobs. The fact that he's in love with her, and she doesn't know it, they're best friends, and she doesn't see it, and doesn't want to the ruin the relationship. But it was pretty hilarious, seeing how many people think that they were a couple, and the way that he reacted when she started a new romance.

The big plot of this book besides the romance is dragons, which was really freaking cool! The history of them, and how they were different, and how one of them latches onto Frank as a foster parent was just so adorable and I loved to read it! That it gets entangled into other things, including an interruption of a certain special night, well...so entertaining to read!

Watching Twyla deal with the baggage that her marriage left her,and how that's affecting her currently relationship, oh, that hurt! That she was only considered by her use and not that she was a person herself, that was hard. Loved how it played out!

This was a really fantastic read and I can't wait to continue on with this series, each one has done something big for the world and I can't wait to see what happens next!

I really enjoyed this friends to lovers romantasy. It was a lot of fun and I just adored being back in the world of Tanria. But as much as I enjoyed it, it still seemed to be missing that certain something that made me fall in love with the first book. Not sure what that something was, but it was still missed.

One of the best things about this book was that it was about a middle aged couple. Both Frank and Twyla are in their fifties and have had very full lives. They have known each other for a long time, but only became friends after Frank’s divorce and Twyla’s husband dying. I really enjoyed their friendship and the very slow burn romance between them.

The story is only told through Twyla’s perspective, which I enjoyed, but it would have been nice to have seen it through Frank’s as well. As a woman of a certain age, I was really able to relate to Twyla and all of her feelings and emotions about her life, marriage and raising kids. She had a great sense of humor about it as well, which was nice. Even though we didn’t get Frank’s perspective, you could still relate to him and his feelings about Twyla. Frank comes off as such a sweetheart and a very kind man. He also was a great dragon daddy.

Speaking of dragons, I just adored this version of them. I loved that they were pink and spewed glitter instead of fire! It was hilarious and they just sound scary and cute all at the same time. The storyline of the dragons and the theft ring that was happening in Tanria, was a little far fetched and at times overshadowed by the romance, but it was still fun.

We had some characters from the first book making appearances in this one, some had more of a role than others. I loved Duckers in both books, but he really stole the show in this one whenever he was on page. His comments were quite amusing and his issues with his boyfriend Zeddie, were a nice counterpoint to what was going on with Frank and Twyla. Hart and Mercy do make appearances, but are not central to the story.

The writing was wonderful, the world just comes alive with the descriptions and dialogue. The pacing was a bit slow, especially in the middle, and it would have been nice to have their slow burn romance, heat up a little sooner than it did. The steamy sex was just about perfect with its being steamy without a lot of explicit explanations of what was going on. I really enjoyed how attentive Frank was to Twyla’s needs throughout the book, but especially in that scene. The conclusion of the the whole theft ring and the big villain reveal was a bit of a let down, and seemed awfully silly. But I loved how Twyla and one of the dragons saved the day.

Overall this was a solid read and one that I enjoyed. If you enjoyed the first book in the series, you will probably enjoy this one as well. I you have not yet read the first book, now’s your chance before this book comes out in July. I really hope there are more books set in this wonderful world, maybe one with Duckers as the main character please!

Thank you to Netgalley for an opportunity to read this eArc.

I absolutely love this goofy little world. I loved Hart & Mercy and was so excited to jump onto Twyla and Frank’s story.

We have a fun friends to lovers slowest burn in the world + crime and sparkly pink dragons?? Absolutely yes.

I do think that the romance portion came out of nowhere. Like there wasn’t a lead up, they were happily best friends and then BAM sexual tension and love! I think having Frank’s POV would have done wonders on this!

I also think that this one was a bit sillier than the last. The crime, the motivator to commit the crime, the adorable dragons that are really giant, harmless puppies. Like it’s cute, but silly silly. The stakes were a little nonexistent here.

Also hello what happened with Z and Duckers?? That felt incomplete.

I’m a HUGE fantasy reader, but one subgenre I struggle with a bit is cozy fantasy. I tend to like more stabby stabs or morally grey in my fantasy. But once in awhile I love the no-stakes feel of a cozy read and Megan Bannen delivers beautifully.

The romance in this was so refreshing as it centered around characters in their 50s with adult children and grandchildren. Their love just made you feel all gushy and warm. And any book with any dragons. That breath glitter is a winner to me.

What You’ll Find:
🐉 Baby Dragons
👵🏻 MCs in their 50s
💕 Romance
👫 Friends to lovers
2️⃣ Sequel to The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy

The Undermining of Twyla and Frank was so delightful. This is one of my favorite series because it is adorable but filled with depth as well as funny and witty with amazing character development and plot points. It felt like sunshine. Amazing book with a gorg cover.

*contains profanity*
I think Duckers would agree with me in giving The Undermining of Twyla and Frank an enthusiastic FUCK YEAH!
I loved Hart & Mercy’s story and wasn’t quite sure if the sequel would be able to live up to it. I was wrong to doubt Bannen. I love the world that has been built in these stories, it is very unique and sets itself apart from other popular fantasy worlds! (The key-crank operated vibrators were *chefs kiss*) I was hesitant at the beginning of the book because I didn’t realize that the main characters were middle aged. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book where the FMC was older than in her 20s but I loved Twyla and all of her 53 year old glory. This book has definitely encouraged me to branch out by reading books about people that don’t necessarily reflect my own age and stage of life. Watching the friendship between Frank and Twyla evolve and change throughout the story felt like a treat and a privilege. I don’t want to spoil any of the fun elements of the book, but I really think you’ll love this book! I’m not sure if it’s just me but the Tanrian Marshalls (specifically Frank Ellis) just scream cowboy to me. We love a man with a drawl who can ride a mean equimaris and calls you darlin’.

Thank you so much to Orbit Books and Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review, but more importantly thank you to Megan Bannen for writing this lovely book!

The Undermining of Twyla and Frank was such a charming read. I loved that we got a FMC of a certain age. Twyla and Frank’s story was so heartwarming and special. I loved reading about their trepidation into becoming something more serious when they obviously love each other. The dialogue was hilarious just like The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy. The small town charm was still there and the dragons just added another wonderful fantasy element. There were some parts where I found myself a bit bored and some scenes were a bit repetitive but overall it was a cute story. I love the worlds Megan Bannen creates.

This book was a whole bunch of cute. Just like The Undermining of Hart & Mercy, this story is a quirky, whimsical romcom with a sprinkle of fantasy. To me, these are more romance forward which makes them feel cozier and less high stakes. I personally loved that the main characters were both in their fifties and the topics this book touched on (and there’s dragons). The “chair” metaphor hit me right in the chest and these characters deserve a huge collective hug. Also, I didn’t think it was possible but I love Duckers even more after this book💜

Thank you Megan, Orbit Books, and NetGalley for an eARC of this book!

Immensely charming. I’ve loved a middle age love story since Adama and Roslin and this one is particularly well done. The dragons were also extremely charming.

Weeeeelllllll. This was no Hart and Mercy, lol.

We've got Twyla and Frank, two Marshalls who have been partners for 7-8 years now. They are the yin to each others yang, the mac and cheese, PB&J, but just friends, not lovers.

This had to have been one of the slowest friends to lovers slow burns ever...and I'm not sure the "burn" ever really happened because the friendship chemistry was so strong. In fact, there was hardly even an inkling of attraction between these two for the first 30%, to the point that I thought I might have the love interests confused. Marketed as a When Harry Met Sally trope, but the secondary relationship was also pretty weak, so the whole jealousy aspect was barely a blip because these two had put each other in the friend zone sooooo hard. So that was disappointing. And slow.

What I did enjoy was the older, more mature characters as Twyla and Frank are both in their 50's. This is a second chance at love (not with each other) and I like that. There is a whole other side message about women in relationships, women as mothers, and women not being chairs, (dang it!) and I'm here for it. We are worthy! There is a super cute glitter spewing pink baby dragon. And Duckers. And Hart and Mercy's wedding, sigh.

The ending and the "villain" was just so off the wall. Didn't love it.

So while I did enjoy being in Tanria again and reuniting with this crew, I just needed more from this relationship than what I got. Still would read another book set in this world though. Holding out for a Duckers story!

I wanted to like this, but it just didn’t live up to the first one. Maybe it was me trying to read it in the summer! I would definitely revise this in the fall and try a reread!

With a delightfully charming cast of dragons, a grumpy middle aged love interest, and absolutely hilarious prose, I ADORED this book. The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy was one of my favourite reads last year but it has to be said - I think Twyla and Frank may have just beaten them out. It may be because I’m absolutely weak for friends to lovers or that I simply cannot resist a good adventure plot, but this book was impossible to put down.

It follows the story of longtime best friends Twyla and Frank as they investigate their co-workers mysterious death seemingly at the hands of dragons, but dragons are extinct… right? As they encounter a dashing, short-short wearing naturalist, an unexpectedly clingy pink baby and a slowly building tension, the two friends must decide what shape their relationship will take next. It was so refreshing to see MCs who were in their 50s and had the life experience to prove it. I loved how naturally these two fell into love and how much their years of friendship impacted their romance. The dragons were adorably perfect, the side characters as charming as ever, and the romance a perfect mix of sweet and spicy. Easily one of the best books I’ve read this year. Megan Bannen can do no wrong!

I received an ARC of this book by the publisher via Netgalley in an exchange for an honest review.

The Undermining of Twyla and Frank is Bannen's second book in her Tanria series. The first book, The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy, was excellent, however I feel like Twyla and Frank is even better. It has a different vibe compared to Hart and Mercy, due to spoilers for the first book that I'm not going to delve into here but I would highly recommend that you read the first book before picking up Twyla and Frank.

Bannen has created such a unique and magical fantasy world in both of these novels. She expands on this world in Twyla and Frank and it felt alive and fascinating. I'm really blown away by her worldbuilding. I love Bushong, Eternity, and Tanria, and I wanted to spend more time in this world. I was surprised when I saw the page count for this book is almost 500 pages long, but I inhaled this book and I relished getting time to steep in this world. I hope Bannen writes another book in this setting.

Another thing that I applaud about this book is that the romance is between two people in their 50s. It was SO refreshing to read a POV of someone who has been through life and all that entails. Bannen explores issues such as the invisibility in society of older women and the way our bodies change as we age (as well as many more). Twyla felt like a living breathing person, and I loved every moment of it.

Twyla and Frank isn't a perfect book. The criminal investigation subplot felt a little underbaked, and I kind of wish that Twyla and Frank was a dual POV book like Hart and Mercy was. Frank's characterization is nowhere near as strong as Twyla's. But honestly none of these things bothered me.

I rate The Undermining of Twyla and Frank 5 out of 5 stars. If you're in the market for a cosy fantasy slow burn romance set in a highly imaginative world, this is the book for you.

Hart and Mercy is one of my favourite romances of all time. The world is so unique and I just feel like I was there when I read it. When I found out it was a series I was so excited!

Frank and Twyla had a lot to live up to for me after the first book so I am happy to say it met my very high expectations.

After the events of the first book the Tanrian Marshals are really trying to figure out what their role is in the world. We quickly get into the main mystery (dragons!) and meet our main characters all of whom I loved. I was so happy to see Duckers in this book and I really loved Rosie Fox (her book next?) even though we got very little of her.

I loved that Twyla was really struggling her whole life of being a chair (her word). We see so many strong female characters who take charge in books that it's really nice to see a different personality. Twyla had a rough time in an unsupportive marriage. She ended up raising the kids and doing all of the household chores as if it was just expected of her with no support from him. He passed away 13 years ago and she still struggles with setting boundaries for herself with her now grown children.

Her best friend, neighbour and work partner is Frank. He struggles with why his first marriage failed and having to live away from his children. Frank is perfect.

Twisted with the mystery we see Twyla and Frank work through their own personal demons and see them truly communicate their wants and needs of themselves and each other. I can't say much more without spoilers, but if you loved the first one I think you will love this one too.

I will read (and buy) any more set in this world without hesitation.

Thank you to Orbit for a free advance review copy! Opinions are my own.

Ahhhhhh so so good!! I had a goofy grin on my face for a large portion of the book, and I laughed out loud several times. It was just a pure delight.
It’s so nice to see middle aged MCs, granny panties and all. Frank and Twyla are such good friends, and their relationship is so caring and sweet. Obviously there’s some frustration as they (mainly Twyla) reject their feelings initially. But it’s a sweet slow burn, and Frank is the biggest cinnamon roll.
And DRAGONS! There are dragons, and they are sparkly and glittery, and let’s be honest, dragons make everything better!
Highly recommend the book, especially if you liked the first one.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and Libro.fm for the preview. All opinions are my own.

Wow! I laughed. I cried. I had so much fun! My heart is so full.

I love Twyla and Frank!! There are just no two ways about it. We briefly got to see these best friends in The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy and I am so glad we got to experience this world with them. Even though Twyla has lived and experienced quite a bit more in her life, I still felt so connected to her. She is just such an absolute badass at every turn and she doesn’t even see it in herself. I just wanted to give her a big hug. And Frank was there at every turn, reminding her of how badass she is. They both just deserve everything.

We got treated with some familiar faces throughout the story. Especially one Penrose Duckers. Always a delight. The new faces were also an absolute delight! Even if a few of them I wanted to punt right into The Mist.

I forgot how much I absolutely loved being in this unique cozy world. Through all its complexities, it was so easy to slip right back into it. Tanria and Eternity have become some of my favorite fantasy worlds to visit.

The story this time around was a bit more cozy, but still packed quite a punch. I didn’t really know what to expect, but I had an absolute blast!


Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.