Hart and Mercy was one of my favourite books of last year, so I was super excited about getting the arc for this one!! And in many ways, it met my expectations - the plot has some stakes, the writing and dialogue is fun, and I'm still really the worldbuilding. Also, it had some ADORABLE dragons that I absolutely fell in love with!!
The reason for the four stars is just a me thing honestly - sadly I found that the middle focused on stuff I personally wasn't really that interested in (Quill....), and I wish that structurally we'd have some chapters from Frank's POV just so that I could feel more connected to the dragons and his side of things. This is just me being very nitpicky though, I think that for most this will be a hit just like Hart and Mercy was!

I loved this book! I am a huge fan of romance books focusing on people who have messy lives finding love when they are not looking for it. Twyla and Franks relationship was beautiful and I would love to learn more about their retirement jobs! Plus dragon dad Frank was so wonderful!!

In a Nutshell: An entertaining romantasy featuring a middle-aged lead pair and dragons. Second book in the Hart & Mercy series. Can be read as a standalone but better if read in series order. Not as dark as the first book, but enjoyable enough. Recommended to cosy fantasy lovers.

Plot Preview:
Twyla & Frank, both fifty-three-year-old Tanrian Marshals whom we briefly met in the first book, have been best friends & neighbours since ages and job partners since eight years. Motherly Twyla finds her job a welcome change from her domestic life, though no one can picture her as a tough Marshal. Frank, though, is somewhat bored of his work. With the dangerous drudges eliminated, it has become far less exciting. Or that’s what he thinks.
When the body of a Tanrian Marshal turns up covered in glitter, the last thing Twyla and Frank expect to pop up is a dragon. But that’s not the only danger they have uncovered. Soon, their friendship is tested in more ways than one.
The story is written in the third person perspective of Twyla.

This book is the second in ‘The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy’ series. While the story is standalone, there are several characters who continue their arcs from the earlier book. I’d recommend reading this series in the right order.

Bookish Yays:
🐉 Twyla is not a model character. She’s a traditional mom who would rather be quiet about her needs and silent about her doubts than vocalise her protests and confront her loved ones. Her journey of self-realisation over the course of the book is mostly great. Though she isn't always likeable, she's always believable, and that makes her journey convincing. Her thoughts on "the invisibility of being a middle-aged mother" really resonated with me. I also love how her mom habits come into play even in her role as a marshal. Then again, those who want likeable FMCs might not connect with Twyla.
🐉 Frank is a more loveable and sensible character, albeit with his own foibles. The strong silent type, the best friend with secret feelings, the grumpy marshal who does everything necessary for his “foster child”. He was the perfect counterfoil to the impulsive and underconfident Twyla.
🐉 Fabulous to see a lead pair in their early fifties still rock their jobs as marshals. The portrayal of the two felt very realistic. They are mature in some ways and naïve in others, and often bumble and stumble their way through the trickier aspects of personal and professional life, just as we do.
🐉 Romantasy is considered a young reader’s genre. I honestly don’t know how the YA/NA crowd will feel about a middle-aged couple getting it on in a fantasy setting. But I love the age rep. It is a pleasure to see middle-aged romance being depicted without treating the characters like they are in their sunset years. There is a proper build-up to the romantic feelings, there are other relationships along the way, there is lack of confidence about their physical attractiveness, there is even steamy passion. In all honesty, I am not at all fond of steamy scenes in fiction, even when the couple is younger. But I just appreciate the true-to-life depiction of all aspects of a relationship in this book, including certain things that aren’t my cup of tea but still realistic.
🐉 The first book had insta love based on the enemies-to-lovers trope, which isn’t my favourite. This book has a slowburn friends-to-lovers romance. No wonder I liked this better! Slowburn love always works better than insta romance for me. Moreover, this is also a second chance romance, so the uncertainties of the couple’s feelings added further depth to the love story.
🐉 Wonderful to see characters from the earlier book! Mercy is in a limited role, and Hart gets a slightly longer page space. But Alma Maguire and Pen Duckers have a strong appearance. Duckers especially makes a mark as he is away from under Hart’s huge shadow.
🐉 There are a few new characters as well, some of whom are entertaining. The nimkilim (postal worker) in this book is a vast improvement over the alcoholic rabbit from Book One.
🐉 Twyla and Frank being best friends means that their relationship is full of banter. There are many funny scenes as well.
🐉 The worldbuilding is better in this book. There’s more explanation about the autoducks and the equimares, and also a clearer detailing of the Tanrian geography.
🐉 Dragons! I'd have considered the mention of dragons to be a spoiler but if you've read the first book, you would remember that it hinted at the presence of dragons in the next one. Plus, the blurb mentions dragons, and the cover also has dragons! So I happily announce: the book has dragons! I love dragons! Moreover, the portrayal of the dragons in the book is not at all like you see in typical fantasy; that’s a bonus. I wish there had been even more of the dragons, but there’s another book coming in the series, so there’s always hope.


Bookish Mixed Bags:
🔥 The book takes a while to get going, but once it does, the proceedings are entertaining. That said, the core plot is somewhat weak. The book is marked as a fantasy romance, and both those aspects are handled well. However, the first book felt much darker and more complex because of its themes and also because of the zombies. This book is very easy-going in comparison. There is a minor mystery in the book, but its resolution felt almost cartoonish (which, I think, was deliberate.) I didn’t mind all this much because I was looking for a light and entertaining read when I picked this up, and it delivered.
🔥 I have mixed feelings about the epilogue. I loved the kind of HEA depicted for the couple, but the “Look-at-us-all-We-are-like-the-Brady-Bunch” scene felt like an overkill.
🔥 This book is about 60 pages lengthier than the first book, even though the plot isn’t correspondingly intricate. Some part of the book could have been trimmed without any issue. However, I didn’t find the book dragging at any point, so the extended length wasn’t a major problem for me.

Bookish Nays:
💥 The title gives equal billing to Twyla AND Frank. Then why do we not have any chapters from Frank’s perspective? I get that the book is more a journey of Twyla’s self-development,, but even a few interludes from Frank would have made a difference.
💥 As with Book One, there is a generous sprinkling of cuss words throughout the book. I ignore cuss words when they are required to establish the characters’ personalities. In this book, they weren’t required at all.


All in all, despite some reservations about a few writing choices, I enjoyed the book to a great extent, even more than Hart and Mercy’s story. Though the “cosy” is far greater than the “fantasy” in this cosy fantasy, it creates a unique experience by having middle-aged romantic leads and making them feel convincing. The book isn’t just a romantasy but about the self-realisation journey of a middle-aged woman who finally learns to let go and also to live life on her own terms.

If you have already read the first book, I suggest you don’t compare this with the first book nor expect a similar reading experience. The two novels might have the same Tanrian setting, but have very different, almost contrary vibes. Better to read each as independent books.
Recommended to romantasy lovers looking for cosy fantasy vibes through a middle-aged love pair.

4 stars.

My thanks to Little, Brown Book Group UK, Orbit for providing the DRC of “The Undermining of Twyla and Frank” via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC.

I enjoyed the return to this world! The book was fun, smutty and with good discussions about marriage and relationships. I hope we'll get a third book in this series!

I loved returning to this world Bannen had created, and Twyla and Frank are fantastic characters! I felt so frustrated for Twyla and was screaming for her to get her second chance, and then I wanted to scream AT her before she finally figured it all out 😂

I read book 1 & 2 back to back and ooft I did not want to leave this fictional world.
A new auto-buy for me.

A delightful story full of whimsy and humour like Terry Pratchett's Discworld but with romance and a little spice. I raced through these books and cannot wait to return.

What a joyful ride! After „The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy" became one of my favourite books of 2022, I was happy to discover new sights (or sides) of Tanria. Megan Bannen's worldbuilding is unique and quite simply fun. Her way of reimagining certain mythological creatures made me laugh out loud while it fit perfectly in that quirky world.
Twyla and Frank are lovely protagonists I enjoyed watching overcome their own personal struggles while dealing with unprecedented external circumstances. I was cheering for them the whole time.
If you want a cosy, fun read which warms your heart, then read "The Undermining of Twyla and Frank". Loved every second of it. 💖

A book full of so much joy, heart warming giggles that I dare you not to smile like a Cheshire Cat at while you read it.

Megan Bannen’s "The Undermining of Twyla and Frank" is a delightful, heartwarming tale blending fantasy and romance. Set in Tanria, the story follows widowed Twyla and her best friend Frank as they patrol a land once home to the Old Gods.
Their mundane routine is upended by a glitter-covered corpse and an unexpected baby dragon, plunging them into a deeper conspiracy. As their friendship deepens, Twyla realizes her true soulmate might be Frank.
This engaging rom-com with dragons offers relatable themes of love and duty, making it a must-read for romantasy fans, especially those seeking mature characters and a happy ending.

Review to follow. Love this series it’s unique and interesting and the characters are well written. 3. 5 ⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital copy to review. All thoughts are my own.

When I received this ARC, I hadn't read The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy, but I soon devoured the first installment of this series, and therefore I adored this world in The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy so so much, and I'm so glad Megan Bannen returned to Tanria a second time to deliver this tale.
Twyla and Frank - both now in their early fifties - have been neighbours and Tanrian marshalls together for a very long time. I instantly enjoyed the approach to this book. With the characters being mature in age compared to most fantasy characters, there were new elements of character development or storyline to enjoy and it was a breath of fresh air. The pacing of this book matched well with the slow navigation Twyla, the main protagonist, shares throughout.

I loved the addition of Duckers (he was a favourite in the first book of mine), he helped the story along and gave the two mains some relief and help along the way.

It took me a little while to read this series, but I am so glad I did. I enjoyed the whimsical side of this world, it adds the elements that I love to see in storytelling. Ive come to read many books where the main characters are older (40 - 50) and I have to say that it allows the story to be more mature, without the finicky state of someone who is younger.

If you like whimsy, magical, friends to lovers with a good sense of humour, then this world and book is for you. Please get your hands on it immediately.

I had promised myself I wouldn't do it anymore. I wouldn't request a copy of a sequel before reading the first book. However, I couldn't stop myself with this book. Before I could remind myself of the promise I had made I had already pressed the request button. And, publisher Orbit was so kind to send me a copy! Which meant that I had to finally start the first book, which had been rotten away on the shelves for quite some time already, so I could start this second book!

In this case it's possible to read this second book without having read the first. We're following a new couple, there is a new plot and although the characters of the previous book do cameo you will still be able to follow without knowing their story. However, the main reason I'm really glad that I read the first book, is that now the "wait, you two aren't a couple yet?" from every other character makes so much sense. After reading the first book I thought this was gonna be a prequel!

What I also absolutely love is that the characters in this book are a little older than the average romance couple. Both Twyla and Frank are over 50. They each have a family, they each have lost a romantic partner and therefore they have different dreams and different wants. The result is a refreshing romance where everything is a little less perfect and way more realistic. They're at a point in life where they need and want something different from a partner.

The author also did an amazing job to have the fantasy plot fit the general theme of the story. Because the fantasy plot, which is about dragons as the cover already gives away, is about family, about caring for others, about allowing the other to be free and themselves. It's about being a parent and a partner and trying to protect your children from your own mistakes. It's about love. For people, for dragons, in a romantic way and in a platonic way.

I hope the author will write another novel in this world. I will for sure check it out as soon as possible!

The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy was one of my favourite romance reads last year. A lovely surprise of cozy fantasy, romance, friendship and family I adored everything about my visit to Tanria.

The second instalment in this series had a lot of life up to, but thankfully Twyla and Frank did not disappoint.

Best friends, Twyla and Frank have been by each other’s side for the past eight years. Widowed and wanting a change from her domestic life, Twyla joined the Tanrian Marshals to protect her home town of Eternity, where she partnered up with Frank.

Following the events of the previous book Twyla and Frank’s jobs have become a lot less exciting. That is until they find a glitter-covered body and a dragon-sized footprint. But dragons are believed to be long dead so Frank and Twyla being their investigations. Throw in a handsome scientist, the duo find themselves caught up in a criminal plot they must race to solve.

I loved everything about Twyla and Frank and it was so nice to see a portrayal of romance for characters in their 50s. Bannen explored this period of life, navigating divorce, adult children, grand children and trauma with aplomb and I adored it all.

Cozy fantasy is becoming one of my go to genres and this series is a must read for anyone who is looking for similar recommendations. Tanria is a wacky, developed and beautiful written world that jumps so visually from the page.

I can’t wait for Rosie and Adam’s story next year!

I found The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy charming, but I fell in love with The Undermining of Twyla and Frank. I just loved Twyla and Frank from the start, bless their hearts. They’re both pretty content being friends, and they are such good friends. Twyla doesn’t really think of herself as someone worthy of desire, but she’s not spending all her time bemoaning it. She has this whole great speech about being a chair which had definite America Ferrera in Barbie vibes.

Things start to change when a sexy-legged dragon expert in shorts is called in for advice and takes notice of Twyla. The dragons are so cute, sparkly vomit and all! When Frank is left holding a cracked dragon’s egg, you know exactly what’s about to happen. And they have to keep the whole dragon situation hush hush, which is hard to do when a baby dragon won’t let go of you.

The villain was the best! I don’t want to spoil it for you at all, but just know, I was cackling at the motive. Loved it.

As I get older, I’m starting to appreciate more middle-aged characters in fantasy. Not everyone in fantasy lands are young and nubile, and sometimes they have trouble getting up off the ground. With a lot of romantasy getting spicier these days, I thought the sexual content was just about right. A touching (ahem) sex scene and a few hot and bothered thoughts, were just what it needed and didn’t get in the way of the story.

I’m so happy they’ll be more in this series. I just saw the cover reveal for The Undercutting of Rose and Adam, and I’m thrilled at the character choice.

TW: death, divorce, violence, grief

I was so excited to read the latest novel in this universe, as The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy was my favourite book last year!

As with anything I hype up too much, I was disappointed.

The novel reads well and retains the same quirky charm of the previous book. Secondary characters and supernatural elements were just as fun as last time. The plot was less compelling than the first novel but I was still on board with it. What let this book down was Twyla and constantly reading her internal monologue.

From what I remember of Hart and Mercy, we visited both these characters at different points. We had insight into how both of them were feeling, what they were up to and what their motives might be when they were apart from each other. This worked really well, so I was confused to find we spent the entire time with Twyla. Yes, Twyla and Frank were often together anyway but that doesn't mean we can't read from his POV as well (it's still 3rd person POV just to be clear).

Had Twyla's inner dialogue been more interesting and diverse, perhaps this wouldn't have been an issue. Mercy was an interesting, well-rounded, confident, body-positive female character, so I was surprised to see that the author decided to make Twyla so self-conscious and lacking in confidence. It seemed too easy for the author to play into the 'old, unhappy, sexless widow' trope who feels unloveable because of her body shape. It seemed at odds with the attitudes and female empowerment she had set up in the first novel. I'm sure this narrative has its place, but I don't think it belongs in this universe. Placing an older woman at the centre of this novel could have been an exciting opportunity to change things up.

I also found the plot twist a bit gimmicky and cartoonish. Throughout the novel, the stakes feel a lot lower than Hart & Mercy because of something that happens at the end of the first one. Ultimately, Hart & Mercy was just too tough of an act to follow.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review

I adored The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy so was really excited for Twyla and Frank's story.
I was a bit disappointed to be honest. Frank was great, loved him, the dragon plot was great, fun and a cute twist, Duckers was his usual awesome self I love that guy. Pace and writing good, adorable front cover. Ah but Twyla, who's pov seemed to take over and dominate everyone else's, grated on me. I struggled quite a bit with her thoughts and actions for most of the book and when things were finally explained a bit more I got it, but it didn't really make up for the tone she'd brought so far. And I didnt feel our middle aged mc's got the spice they deserved either. The world building is fab though and side characters great fun so I'll definitely read the next book in this world if we're lucky to get more.
Thanks to Orbit and Netgalley for the arc, all thoughts are my own and left voluntarily.

You don't need to have read The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy to enjoy this book, but if you enjoyed that book, you'll enjoy this one.

We're back in the world of Tanria, all magical wild west of it. And honestly? I think the worldbuilding is just fantastic. It's so imaginative and fun, and filled with vibrant characters. Megan Bannen is talented at inserting personality into secondary characters, and that shouldn't be underestimated.

But for primary characters, Twyla and Frank are lovely. Twyla maybe goes a bit overboard with the internal monologues about how old she is and how uncomfortable she is with her body, but you know what? What woman hasn't thought the same at some point in her life? So I'll give it to her.

It was refreshing to have mature and established characters - in their 50s! - as the romantic leads. And Twyla and Frank's friendship was so lovely and respectful of one another, I only want good things for them.

The best thing that I could give them - or the author could give them, but that's a nitpick - is a baby dragon. Mary Georgina (the baby dragon's name is Mary Georgina , I am awash in delight) is a treat.

So we have strong characters, we have fabulous world building, we have a baby dragon - and we also have a good plot outside of the romance! A mystery, which is always super fun.

Honestly, I don't know what else I can say beyond this being delightful. The romance may be principal in the plot, but it's secondary in my enjoyment because there are just so many other things to adore here.

Thank you to the publisher, Orbit, and to NetGalley for the ARC.

When I started this story, I hadn't noticed that there was a first part, now I'm looking forward to reading it.
This story has surprised me with the mix that makes it up and how it develops, I didn't think it could work. But since it's a sequel, I had to have a little more confidence when I read it.

It's been a lot of fun to see the interaction between the friends and this paranormal atmosphere, even dragons....
and mafia...

Like I said it's all a potpourri but it works. Twyla is a very peculiar character that works so well, seriously, you should meet her so you can see why so much works so well and how someone can go through all of this JEJEJEJEJEJEJE

Read it, you're sure to have a great time during your reading.

#TheUnderminingofTwylaandFrank #NetGalley

After absolutely loving The Untertaking of Hart and Mercy, I couldn't wait to read the second book in the series, which is a return to the quirky and magical world created by Bannen. This book sees a more peaceful Tanria, but are things really what they seem in the Mist? While the Marshalla may not be hunting Dredges anymore, the discovery of Dragons, which were supposed to have been extinct for a long time, along with a smuggling ring, complicates things. We get the return of Duckers (who I really hope gets his own book!), appearances by Hart and Mercy and a whole new cast of characters as well! This is a friend's to lovers romance that proves you are never too old to find yourself and love. I absolutely adored this cosy, fun romantasy and look forward to more in the future. Also, how I would love my mail delivered by nimkilim!

The Undermining of Twyla and Frank


I enjoyed the first book about Hart and Mercy and while it wasn’t my all time favourite read I had to try this to see if I could get more into the world building which threw me a little in the first book as it was so different. At the very beginning of the book I was a bit worried I wouldn’t like it, but then I got into the book, got to meet the wonderful and fierce Twyla and her best friend and partner marshal Frank. The difficulties I had with getting immersed into the world building in the first book were nonexistent in this, because the warm friendship between Twyla and Frank and their goofy, but wholesome personalities shone through and made me forget where it all happened. I just enjoyed their interactions and adventure so much. No, that’s not accurate, I freaking love it!
I, a 38 year old mum of two, who usually dream myself away into a fantasy world where the heroine is a young, fierce and headstrong warrior princess or something equally epic instead identified with Twyla and her life.

Second chance love, pink, glitter-spewing thing that may or may not be dragons, a mob ring doing nefarious business in the shadows, an unexpected villain and a few of the old characters plus a bunch of new ones makes for such a fun read and I’m really enjoying it.
If you liked The undertaking of Hart and Mercy and want to explore Eternity and Tania further, you’ll have to read this one.
If you love tropes like second chance love, dragons, found family, fantasy with a dash of romance and a little mystery, then you will LOVE this book.