The Undermining of Twyla and Frank builds on the swoony, fantastical world Megan Bannen created in The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy in all the best ways! There is deep friendship, steamy romance, and glitter vomiting dragons, so I couldn't have asked for anything more!

WHY DID IT TAKE ME SO LONG TO GET TO THIS?!? I knew going into this book that I was likely to enjoy it because I really liked book one, and I have no excuses as to why I kept putting this one off. Because I LOVED this! This book was so cute and sweet, and it was a really nicely done second-chance romance featuring Hart and Mercy from book one occasionally.

I don't find middle-aged main characters in fantasy books too often, and I think that this book did such a great job portraying life's struggles such as losing your identity after becoming a wife and mother or navigating through life post-breakup. This was not something I was expecting to read about, but I loved it all the same. I feel like these characters were charming and relatable and I loved every second spent with them.

I CANNOT wait for book three, and I will pick it up immediately when it releases!

Thank you to Orbit for my review copy. My opinions are my own.

I have to admit, this one caught me by surprise. I really enjoyed the first one and only a book slump prevented me from reading this on time. Once I started reading this one, I couldn't put it down and literally stayed up until midnight to finish it. Frank and Twyla are no spring chickens, in fact, they have full grown children, and are best friends. I love the relationship that they have, and the growth that Twyla goes through, mainly because she needs to let go of some lessons that no longer serve her.

Also there's a pink dragon - how can you not fall in love with this story.

Highly recommend, cozy western style fantasy with demigods, dragons, and donuts.

Well this was a fun fun read. I read it as a standalone, and went back and read the first. It was better having read that first - that said this one is way lighter, which was a bit surprising but in a nice way. Can't emphasize how different it was than the first one. I will say it was a bit long and slower than I like generally, but also it was a fun read, and I'm looking forward to the next installment.

I'm obsessed with Megan Bannen and this world that she has created. While this was a bit slower to start for me than Hart and Mercy's story, I soon fell hard for them and rooted for them the entire time. This Western/Fantasy world is so cozy and entertaining at the same time and I hope we have books upon books ahead of us.

Wonderful story, great character development, great writing! Highly recommend this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it

The Undermining of Twyla and Frank, is a charming, whimsical read that’s a delightful escape. The story follows two older characters as they embark on a fantastical adventure, complete with playful and imaginative dragons. It’s a cozy, lighthearted and blends fun and fantasy, proving that age is no barrier to having an exciting time. A perfect pick for anyone looking for a feel-good, magical time!

3.5 stars

Plot summary:

In Eternity, widowed Twyla Banneker and her neighbor Frank Ellis shocked everyone by joining the Tanrian Marshals. Eight years later, they’re still patrolling the dangerous land of Tanria, far from the small-town life Twyla once knew.

Though she seems like a typical mom, Twyla thrives in her law enforcement career, even if her grown kids have doubts. With recent quiet times making work dull, Twyla and Frank welcome the excitement when they find a glitter-covered marshal’s body and a baby dragon in need of care.

As they delve into a dark conspiracy, the danger tests their friendship—and Twyla starts to see that her perfect partner might have been right next door all along.

My thoughts:
This book offers a light and entertaining read, though it starts off slowly and features a weaker core plot compared to its darker, more complex predecessor. The fantasy romance elements are well-executed, and the story focuses on the gradual transformation of Twyla and Frank’s friendship into love. While the slow burn romance might take time to develop, the quirky supporting characters and heartwarming moments, like Hart and Mercy’s wedding, add charm. However, some readers found certain aspects, particularly around traditional gender expectations, uncomfortable or unnecessary. Despite these issues, the book’s enjoyable narrative and unique elements, like the dragon refuge, make it a satisfying read overall.

Loved this! Possibly even better than book 1, though that could have been my mood while reading: it was less dark/dramatic, full of sweet moments and laughs and moments of tragedy. Both beautiful and fun!

Thank you NetGalley for the book. I loved the banter of the book but I just couldn’t get into the story and enjoy it. 4 stars for me cause just because I didn’t get into the story doesn’t mean it’s a terrible book.

If you liked “The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy” you will love this book set in the same world. We met Twyla and Frank in book one and now we get to learn about them and follow their story!

I would consider this a fantasy romcom just like
hart and Mercy. It is friends to lovers, second chance love, with witty banter.. There are plot twists and it is action packed, but still gave off cozy vibes!

This book can be read as a standalone, but I highly recommend reading the series in order for the best experience!

This book has pink sparkly dragons. Need I say more?

Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Overall, a cute cozy fantasy. I enjoyed the first one a bit more and this one felt vastly different. Some of it was a bit far fetched. I loved the dragons and Twyla and Frank were sweet.

I loved going back to Tarnia! I love this world Megan has created and how you feel right at home and also homesick. A cute friends-to-lovers story with a dragon-mystery twist! I really liked how Twila and Frank's friendship is portrayed and how they both struggle to whether or not take the next step because they do not want to jeopardize and lose the beautiful relationship they already share!
I would definitely recommend and would absolutely re-read!
Many thanks to NetGalley and HBG for providing me with this ARC to share my honest thoughts!

This book was solidly fine but didn’t have the heart of the first one- which was so close to being a a perfect book! I think it’s bc the couple didn’t land the same way for me, and it suffered from 2nd book syndrome. BUT I’ll still absolutely read book 3!

Thank you so much Netgalley and Orbit for the eARC!

Thank you, Netgalley, the author, and Orbit for the gifted e-book! ❤️ #gifted. My review is comprised of my honest thoughts.

Ugh. It started out strong then, and it got so boring. If I read "salt sea" again, I'm gonna rip my eyes out. I enjoyed the first book. This one wasn't it for me.

Free Netgalley review copy turned library copy, lol, because I'm a bit behind on my reviews.


I really loved the first book of this series but this one took me months to get through. Ok, not really once I started, but I just didn't enjoy Twy and Frank's story as much. Which is a shame cause I'm all down for second chance romance, older protags, and friends to lovers. Buuut, the mc was stuck in her head way too much, a lot of non-communication between supposed adults, and I couldn't help but feel sorry for her rebound option which is never a good sign.

So, Duckers was also seriously annoying (I hope the third book is not focused on him if there is one, but I'm betting it will be) in this and let's not get started on the mystery 'plot.'

There were some decent moments, it wasn't all bad, (a full star for the animals) and take my review with a grain of salt because I'm more of a fantasy reader than a romance reader. This one just wasn't for me. ~

...Bye!

i am HERE for a second chance at love plus some adventure sprinkled in. it’s a romantasy with dragons so uhhh..ya, read it! duh!

I love this series! A cute friends to lovers small town vibe romance. Very magical and I can't wait to continue.

Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for this advanced copy.
Absoulutely a fun read. I really love the romance and banter of the characters

3.5/4 The first book in this series stays as first place for my favorite romantasy book. When I saw this one I knew I needed to read it. Loved their small cameo in this book.
I was underwhelmed compared to the first book. It wasn’t bad. Wasn’t amazing. I liked the older aged characters.