This sequel to the Undertaking of Hart and Mercy fully lived up to expectations and, for me, was even better.

Pink glitter spewing dragons are a delightful addition to the fantastical creatures of Tanria. It’s a wonderfully unique world with engaging characters to follow. The second chance romance feels very authentic and is skilfully handled.

I devoured the book in one sitting and could happily have read more. The pacing is perfect with some action interspersed with family life.

I thoroughly recommend this book to any fun fantasy lovers.

Thank you to Netgalley, Little Brown Book Group UK | Orbit, and the author, Megan Bannen, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Undermining of Twyla and Frank by Megan Bannen
Rating: 4/5
Release Date: 4 July 2024

The tranquil town of Eternity experienced a seismic shift when Twyla Banneker, a widowed middle-aged woman, decided to break free from the monotony of suburban life by teaming up with her best friend, Frank Ellis, to join the Tanrian Marshals. Now, eight years later, her career offers a refreshing departure from the mundane routines of motherhood.

However, the once-thrilling job has become considerably safer, if not a tad less exhilarating. That is until Twyla and Frank stumble upon a glitter-covered corpse next to a footprint the size of a dragon's, reigniting their craving for action.

Their investigation takes an unexpected turn with the arrival of the charming Dr. Quill Vanderlinden, a scientist eager to lend his expertise. While Twyla finds herself captivated by Dr. Vanderlinden, Frank is less than thrilled by the distraction from their professional duties.

As they delve deeper into a web of deceit and danger, with more twists than the tunnels of a Tanrian mine, the bonds of their friendship are tested.

I find this series fascinating! It's a charming mix of fantasy and romance, set in a truly unique world. While this book stands alone, I'd still suggest reading the first one for a fuller experience.

The characters are incredibly enjoyable and add so much to the story's charm.

“The Undermining of Twyla and Frank” was truly refreshing. While the fantasy elements and dragons were delightful extras, it was the love story that stole the show. I devoured every bit of it, leaving nothing behind but sheer satisfaction!

Thank you so much to Netgalley, Little Brown Book Group UK | Orbit, and the author, Megan Bannen, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.

A romantasy with middle-aged characters and a dragon? Count me in!!!!

I approached this book as a huge fan of "Undertaking of Hart and Mercy," so my expectations were high. I'm happy to report that this book lived up to all my hopes. It's a great sequel - it retains everything we loved about the first book and introduces new elements that make it even more compelling.

This book follows Twyla and Frank, two friends in their 50s who work as Tanrian Marshals, similar to law enforcement officers in this universe. Since the previous book dealt with the elimination of zombie-like creatures, the characters don't have much to do and find themselves questioning their purpose. Everything changes when dragons appear in Tanria, and Frank becomes the keeper of one of them.

While the dragon subplot adds an exciting element to the story, "Undermining of Twyla and Frank" remains primarily a character-driven book. The relationship between the two protagonists, who are reluctant to risk a romantic relationship for fear of losing their friendship, is excellently portrayed. I truly enjoyed the friends to lovers trope, which is handled masterfully here. The book is essentially written from Twyla's point of view, allowing us to delve into her dilemmas. Twyla, a 53-year-old widow, mother, and grandmother, has never experienced much care in her life; she's always been the one taking care of others. As a result, she struggles with low self-esteem and doubts that she will ever be more than a useful helper to anyone in her life. Additionally, Twyla grapples with the less glamorous aspects of life after 50, including body issues and societal expectations. I believe that many of these dilemmas resonate with the universal challenges faced by middle-aged women, making this theme a refreshing addition to the romance genre, especially in the realm of fantasy romance. While I wish there was a bit more of Frank's perspective in the book, what we got was so well done that I have no complaints.

Interestingly, the friends to lovers romance in this book is complemented by several motifs that I generally dislike, such as the love triangle or the miscommunication trope. However, the author handles these tropes authentically, seamlessly integrating them into the plot. They don’t feel like checkboxes to be ticked off a list, but rather genuinely make sense in the context of the story.

Overall, I am enchanted by this book. Megan Bannen's duology remains my favorite romantasy, and I find criticism of it hard to accept. I hope the author continues to write more books in this universe.

I wholeheartedly recommend this novel to all fans of non-conventional romances that blend speculative plots with authentic dilemmas faced by adult characters. And, of course, any fan of "Undertaking of Hart and Mercy" should not miss out on this sequel.

My review will be published on Goodreads and on retailers' websites within two weeks prior to the release day.