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Hart and Mercy #2
La Ballade fabuleuse de Twyla et Frank
Quand Twyla Banneker décida de rejoindre les rangers de Tanria, après la mort de son mari, les habitants d'Eternity furent choqués. Huit ans plus tard, contre toute attente, cette mère de famille ordinaire patrouille toujours ces contrées dangereuses et sauvages, ancienne prison des dieux anciens, aux côtés de son voisin et ami Frank.
Un travail récemment devenu très tranquille... Aussi, lorsque tous deux découvrent le corps couvert de paillettes d'un collègue et que Frank devient accidentellement le père adoptif d'un bébé dragon, ils sont heureux de reprendre du service ! Mais, très vite empêtrés dans un complot qui les dépasse, et à mesure que leur enquête se complique, Twyla et Frank voient l'amitié qui les unit prendre une autre tournure.
Et si leur âme soeur était sous leurs yeux depuis toujours ?
Une nouvelle comédie romantique magique dans l'univers de La Ballade funèbre de Hart et Mercy !
« Romance, Fantasy et humour se mêlent dans ce roman merveilleux. Les fans de La Ballade funèbre de Hart et Mercy seront aux anges ! » Booklist
« Cette romance fantastique est un Quand Harry rencontre Sally avec des demi-dieux et un cadavre. Après huit ans au poste de ranger, Twyla et Frank, dont la relation est purement platonique, trouvent leur vie trop fade. Un corps couvert de paillettes plus tard, ils sont tous les deux plongés dans une enquête palpitante pleine de tension amoureuse et de dragons. » The Boston Globe
« Megan Bannen livre une comédie romantique Fantasy drôle et pleine d'esprit. Les dragons crachent des paillettes ! Que demander de plus ? » Kirkus Review
« La prose pleine d'esprit de Bannen et son habileté à mélanger les genres - romance, mystère et aventure - brillent ici. Cette histoire drôle et cosy est une célébration de l'amour à n'importe quel âge. » Publishers Weekly
« Une romantasy charmante pleine d'humour et d'aventure. » Library Journal
Un travail récemment devenu très tranquille... Aussi, lorsque tous deux découvrent le corps couvert de paillettes d'un collègue et que Frank devient accidentellement le père adoptif d'un bébé dragon, ils sont heureux de reprendre du service ! Mais, très vite empêtrés dans un complot qui les dépasse, et à mesure que leur enquête se complique, Twyla et Frank voient l'amitié qui les unit prendre une autre tournure.
Et si leur âme soeur était sous leurs yeux depuis toujours ?
Une nouvelle comédie romantique magique dans l'univers de La Ballade funèbre de Hart et Mercy !
« Romance, Fantasy et humour se mêlent dans ce roman merveilleux. Les fans de La Ballade funèbre de Hart et Mercy seront aux anges ! » Booklist
« Cette romance fantastique est un Quand Harry rencontre Sally avec des demi-dieux et un cadavre. Après huit ans au poste de ranger, Twyla et Frank, dont la relation est purement platonique, trouvent leur vie trop fade. Un corps couvert de paillettes plus tard, ils sont tous les deux plongés dans une enquête palpitante pleine de tension amoureuse et de dragons. » The Boston Globe
« Megan Bannen livre une comédie romantique Fantasy drôle et pleine d'esprit. Les dragons crachent des paillettes ! Que demander de plus ? » Kirkus Review
« La prose pleine d'esprit de Bannen et son habileté à mélanger les genres - romance, mystère et aventure - brillent ici. Cette histoire drôle et cosy est une célébration de l'amour à n'importe quel âge. » Publishers Weekly
« Une romantasy charmante pleine d'humour et d'aventure. » Library Journal
380 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 2, 2024
480 people are currently reading
31914 people want to read
About the author
Megan Bannen
9 books1,961 followersMegan Bannen is a USA Today bestselling author of award-winning speculative fiction. Her work has been selected for the RUSA Reading List, the Indies Introduce list, and the Kids’ Indie Next List, along with numerous best-of-the-year compilations. As a former public librarian, she has spent most of her professional career behind a reference desk, but she has also sold luggage, written grants, collected a few graduate degrees from various Kansas universities, and taught English at home and abroad. She lives in the Kansas City area with her family and more pets than is reasonable.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,383 reviews
September 5, 2024
Wow! A second chance at love couldn’t be more entertaining than in this unique, adventurous fantasy universe of Twyla and Frank, the sequel we’ve been eagerly anticipating after the unputdownable, heart-throbbing adventure and epic love story of Hart and Mercy!
Thankfully, Twyla Banneker and Frank Ellis return in their own sequel, still working as partners in crime and next-door neighbors. They're middle-aged widows, best friends, and colleagues as Tanrian Marshals. Who can resist the charm of a fantasy rom-com with a friends-to-lovers theme blended with action-packed thriller sequences and dragons in this sequel? If you've read the first book, you'll enjoy this upcoming installment even more with its witty banter between characters, mind-bending plot twists, and well-executed world-building in Eternity, with its unique law enforcement and lovely creatures.
After the drudges have gone, there’s a peaceful setting in Eternity town, but both Twyla and Frank are bored to death, counting down the days until their retirements and the realization of their plan to open their bed & breakfast place. However, their boredom comes to an abrupt end when they find one of their irritating fellow marshals dead near an enormous footprint, possibly belonging to a dragon that, centuries ago, the founders of the town were said to have ridden. Could dragons be real? It seems so, and fortunately, Frank finds himself as a foster dad to one of the baby dragons. This means their long and uneventful days are over. As Twyla and Frank get back into action, they also have to confront their unresolved feelings for each other. Could they be open to a second chance at love at age 53, close to retirement, while watching over their own kids as they follow their own life paths? It’s never too late to find your soulmate, is it?
Overall, this unique, creative, action-packed rom-com fantasy is a must-read and highly recommended!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Orbit Books for providing me with a digital review copy of this unique book in exchange for my honest opinions
Thankfully, Twyla Banneker and Frank Ellis return in their own sequel, still working as partners in crime and next-door neighbors. They're middle-aged widows, best friends, and colleagues as Tanrian Marshals. Who can resist the charm of a fantasy rom-com with a friends-to-lovers theme blended with action-packed thriller sequences and dragons in this sequel? If you've read the first book, you'll enjoy this upcoming installment even more with its witty banter between characters, mind-bending plot twists, and well-executed world-building in Eternity, with its unique law enforcement and lovely creatures.
After the drudges have gone, there’s a peaceful setting in Eternity town, but both Twyla and Frank are bored to death, counting down the days until their retirements and the realization of their plan to open their bed & breakfast place. However, their boredom comes to an abrupt end when they find one of their irritating fellow marshals dead near an enormous footprint, possibly belonging to a dragon that, centuries ago, the founders of the town were said to have ridden. Could dragons be real? It seems so, and fortunately, Frank finds himself as a foster dad to one of the baby dragons. This means their long and uneventful days are over. As Twyla and Frank get back into action, they also have to confront their unresolved feelings for each other. Could they be open to a second chance at love at age 53, close to retirement, while watching over their own kids as they follow their own life paths? It’s never too late to find your soulmate, is it?
Overall, this unique, creative, action-packed rom-com fantasy is a must-read and highly recommended!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Orbit Books for providing me with a digital review copy of this unique book in exchange for my honest opinions
May 11, 2025
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 cozy fantasy lovers.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
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 “cozy” is far greater than the “fantasy” in this cozy 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 cozy 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.
Book Three – The Undercutting of Rosie and Adam – has already been announced with one of the minor characters from this book. I am not that excited about it because I can see it going the more predictable and typical larger-than-life-fantasy-romance way. But I will still give it a go because the male love interest hasn’t popped in the series yet except by name. So colour me curious!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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 “cozy” is far greater than the “fantasy” in this cozy 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 cozy 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.
Book Three – The Undercutting of Rosie and Adam – has already been announced with one of the minor characters from this book. I am not that excited about it because I can see it going the more predictable and typical larger-than-life-fantasy-romance way. But I will still give it a go because the male love interest hasn’t popped in the series yet except by name. So colour me curious!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
Want to read
November 16, 2023Oh so there ARE dragons in Tanria, huh Ms Bannen?!
September 3, 2024
Cozy and unconventional, but very tame
This was a totally different kind of book than the first in the series. It was slow moving, tame with cozy vibes. It had baby dragons and some pretty cute moments but seriously lacked emotion and romance.
There wasn’t anything particularly wrong with this book, other than that it was on the boring side, but as a follow up to an extremely creative, emotional and exciting first book, this was pretty lacking.
I enjoyed that the MCs in this book were in their fifties, I felt for Twyla and her path of self-discovery after years of losing herself in motherhood and wifedom, and Frank was super sweet and adorable, but I did not feel much for them. The first book was a tear jerker, this book was a yawn jerker.
I dunno, it’s three stars but I can’t say I actually recommend it. The dragon stuff was fun.
This was a totally different kind of book than the first in the series. It was slow moving, tame with cozy vibes. It had baby dragons and some pretty cute moments but seriously lacked emotion and romance.
There wasn’t anything particularly wrong with this book, other than that it was on the boring side, but as a follow up to an extremely creative, emotional and exciting first book, this was pretty lacking.
I enjoyed that the MCs in this book were in their fifties, I felt for Twyla and her path of self-discovery after years of losing herself in motherhood and wifedom, and Frank was super sweet and adorable, but I did not feel much for them. The first book was a tear jerker, this book was a yawn jerker.
I dunno, it’s three stars but I can’t say I actually recommend it. The dragon stuff was fun.
August 25, 2024
✨How could a book with pink sparkly dragons that spit glitter be this long and ~frankly~ boring???✨
*minor spoilers below (nothing major or in detail)*
I love pink and I love sparkles and I love that the dragons gave me Jurassic Park vibes but MAN I didn’t love the love triangle and slooooowest friends to lovers burn ever.
Plus if you’re going to market this as When Harry and Sally—which it really wasn’t—you’ve GOT to have the secondary relationship. Here, she broke UP a secondary relationship instead and then added a love triangle???? Excuse me??? I rely on the secondary relationship to fuel me during WHMS books since the payoff takes so long. The You’ve Got Mail influence of book one was so strong and delightful, but this one fell pretty flat.
The world was still enjoyable and duh DRAGONS, but that only went so far. Literally, there were not enough dragons and the end was rushed with the whole villain thing and I was just frustrated all around. Like talk about a disappointing villain reveal…and WHAT KIND OF MOTIVE WAS THAT??? The whole crime plot line just felt entirely half baked. Like the bombs were so random??? Fireworks??? The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy literally wrecked my soul, only for this one to be almost farcical??? Like it wasn’t the endearing kind of screwball at the end. It was the “what do you MEAN I just read 500 pages for that reveal???” kind. Like ditch the crime plot altogether and give me more dragons!!!
I do also enjoy Bannen’s writing, but man there was a lot of repetition and some scenes were just way too long. Whereas those two did NOT bang long enough. As a Minnesotan, even I think Twyla said “ope!” just too much. The frequency may work in actual real life, but when you’re reading, it’s just soooo noticeable that she’s always saying it.
I think I wanted Frank to give me a bit more personality? This is definitely a Twyla book. The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy was dual POV I believe, but this one was just single and I did feel like I was needing more from Frank to keep me invested in the romance. It was obvious how he felt from the beginning, so there was nothing left to surprise me or excite me really. I was highly anticipating their love scene and while I understand why Twyla needed to take…I really wanted to see Frank GIVE. I mean we kinda did, but I wanted his penis to send her into orbit. Like the reward for waiting 80% of a nearly 500 page book was just not big enough.
But on the topic of Twyla taking, I did really enjoy her POV, as both her and Frank were 50+ years old and had children and past marriages. It was definitely a book less about dragons and more about being a wife and a mother and how she gave SO MUCH of herself with little return until she’s finally had enough. Great message, but I do agree with some other reviewers that it was a bit heavy handed and repetitive. I do love the double meaning behind “undermining” in the title though, like that’s so clever. I also loved her mom-shaming one of the henchmen at the end; the “what would your mom think if she could see you right now?” of it all.
Overall, I’m just very disappointed. The book tried to go in several directions and never had me fully with any of them. It was fun and readable, but maybe my expectations were just too high. There wasn’t a note about a third book, but I do hope we get one!
⭐️⭐️⭐️.25/5 🌶️.75/5
I received an eARC via NetGalley. All opinions are honest and my own.
*minor spoilers below (nothing major or in detail)*
I love pink and I love sparkles and I love that the dragons gave me Jurassic Park vibes but MAN I didn’t love the love triangle and slooooowest friends to lovers burn ever.
Plus if you’re going to market this as When Harry and Sally—which it really wasn’t—you’ve GOT to have the secondary relationship. Here, she broke UP a secondary relationship instead and then added a love triangle???? Excuse me??? I rely on the secondary relationship to fuel me during WHMS books since the payoff takes so long. The You’ve Got Mail influence of book one was so strong and delightful, but this one fell pretty flat.
The world was still enjoyable and duh DRAGONS, but that only went so far. Literally, there were not enough dragons and the end was rushed with the whole villain thing and I was just frustrated all around. Like talk about a disappointing villain reveal…and WHAT KIND OF MOTIVE WAS THAT??? The whole crime plot line just felt entirely half baked. Like the bombs were so random??? Fireworks??? The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy literally wrecked my soul, only for this one to be almost farcical??? Like it wasn’t the endearing kind of screwball at the end. It was the “what do you MEAN I just read 500 pages for that reveal???” kind. Like ditch the crime plot altogether and give me more dragons!!!
I do also enjoy Bannen’s writing, but man there was a lot of repetition and some scenes were just way too long. Whereas those two did NOT bang long enough. As a Minnesotan, even I think Twyla said “ope!” just too much. The frequency may work in actual real life, but when you’re reading, it’s just soooo noticeable that she’s always saying it.
I think I wanted Frank to give me a bit more personality? This is definitely a Twyla book. The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy was dual POV I believe, but this one was just single and I did feel like I was needing more from Frank to keep me invested in the romance. It was obvious how he felt from the beginning, so there was nothing left to surprise me or excite me really. I was highly anticipating their love scene and while I understand why Twyla needed to take…I really wanted to see Frank GIVE. I mean we kinda did, but I wanted his penis to send her into orbit. Like the reward for waiting 80% of a nearly 500 page book was just not big enough.
But on the topic of Twyla taking, I did really enjoy her POV, as both her and Frank were 50+ years old and had children and past marriages. It was definitely a book less about dragons and more about being a wife and a mother and how she gave SO MUCH of herself with little return until she’s finally had enough. Great message, but I do agree with some other reviewers that it was a bit heavy handed and repetitive. I do love the double meaning behind “undermining” in the title though, like that’s so clever. I also loved her mom-shaming one of the henchmen at the end; the “what would your mom think if she could see you right now?” of it all.
Overall, I’m just very disappointed. The book tried to go in several directions and never had me fully with any of them. It was fun and readable, but maybe my expectations were just too high. There wasn’t a note about a third book, but I do hope we get one!
⭐️⭐️⭐️.25/5 🌶️.75/5
I received an eARC via NetGalley. All opinions are honest and my own.
August 23, 2024
✩ 3 stars ✩
What to Expect:
➼ Mature MC’s (50’s)
➼ Fantastical Creatures
➼ Unique Fantasy World
➼ Best Friends-to-Lovers
➼ Slow Burn
➼ Baby Dragons
➼ Danger & Mystery
➼ Third Person POV
Look, I’m not gonna sugar coat it, the first half of this book was so dull that I almost DNF’d. I kept asking myself how a book that featured literal baby dragons could be this boring? 🤔 The world this author has created is very unique and quirky, but very few of those details were included in the first half of the book. The plot was essentially about a couple of 50 something wilderness rangers and an animal expert observing a wild animal. Yes, that animal was a dragon but that tidbit wasn’t enough to carry my interest for 200+ pages.
When they came back to town and began to interact with other people, my interest started to pick up. Twyla and Frank were very clearly perfect for each other and it was sweet to watch their relationship unfold. The friends-to-lovers trope can be a hard one to get right, but I was very satisfied with the reasons the author gave for them not becoming a couple sooner. The author also did a great job of writing heartfelt scenes between these characters that didn’t feel overly cheesy.
In the second half, this world’s unique creatures finally started to make an appearance and their presence made it even more apparent that they had been MIA. I think my biggest issue with this book was that a large portion of it did not feel like fantasy at all. I didn’t love the first book in the series but I thought the main story details were a little more interesting. In that book I felt the author’s character details were lacking, particularly her portrayal of Hart, but in this one I think she got the characters right but unfortunately she paired them with a very bland plot.
Maybe in book three, she will find a way to do both things well…🤞🏻
✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼
Pre-read: Desperately in need of a fun weekend read!
Please deliver 🙏🏻
What to Expect:
➼ Mature MC’s (50’s)
➼ Fantastical Creatures
➼ Unique Fantasy World
➼ Best Friends-to-Lovers
➼ Slow Burn
➼ Baby Dragons
➼ Danger & Mystery
➼ Third Person POV
Look, I’m not gonna sugar coat it, the first half of this book was so dull that I almost DNF’d. I kept asking myself how a book that featured literal baby dragons could be this boring? 🤔 The world this author has created is very unique and quirky, but very few of those details were included in the first half of the book. The plot was essentially about a couple of 50 something wilderness rangers and an animal expert observing a wild animal. Yes, that animal was a dragon but that tidbit wasn’t enough to carry my interest for 200+ pages.
When they came back to town and began to interact with other people, my interest started to pick up. Twyla and Frank were very clearly perfect for each other and it was sweet to watch their relationship unfold. The friends-to-lovers trope can be a hard one to get right, but I was very satisfied with the reasons the author gave for them not becoming a couple sooner. The author also did a great job of writing heartfelt scenes between these characters that didn’t feel overly cheesy.
In the second half, this world’s unique creatures finally started to make an appearance and their presence made it even more apparent that they had been MIA. I think my biggest issue with this book was that a large portion of it did not feel like fantasy at all. I didn’t love the first book in the series but I thought the main story details were a little more interesting. In that book I felt the author’s character details were lacking, particularly her portrayal of Hart, but in this one I think she got the characters right but unfortunately she paired them with a very bland plot.
Maybe in book three, she will find a way to do both things well…🤞🏻
✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼
Pre-read: Desperately in need of a fun weekend read!
Please deliver 🙏🏻
June 21, 2024
I can't help myself. I fell in love with this world and the characters and the Nimkilins and the dragons (like how can you not?? And also, suck on that (ikyk)) and I want a part 3 sooo badly 🥹❤️ Please please please be about Duckers 🫶🏻
I don't think I have ever read a story with this much cute, entertaining, and still action-packed fantasy with two over-50-year-old best friends. I'm so here for romance stories about "older" couples in my sea of romances with people in their twenties 😅
The characters are so special and always dig themselves into my heart... This part was softer and slower than Part 1, and the plot with Hart and Mercy was hard to beat, which is why I could not give the same rating. This is the perfect book for anyone who fell in love with Eternity just like I did. It has dragons. So what else do you need? It also has Duckers, and he is probably the character I love the most, but that is just for the moment 🙈 (Fuck yeah (iykyk)), and I really want him to be the main character and get his own book. So please, Megan Bannen tell me that there will be a part 3, and please make it about Duckers?? Pretty please 🥹
⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕
Review of Part 1:
The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy 5 shining ⭐
⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕
Pre-read:
It's time to get into the arc of the sequel! I loved part 1 and can't wait to read part 2 👀❤️
⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕
Thank you, NetGalley, Little, Brown Book Group UK and Megan Bannen for the arc! The Undermining of Twyla and Frank will be out 4 July 2024 🥳
I don't think I have ever read a story with this much cute, entertaining, and still action-packed fantasy with two over-50-year-old best friends. I'm so here for romance stories about "older" couples in my sea of romances with people in their twenties 😅
The characters are so special and always dig themselves into my heart... This part was softer and slower than Part 1, and the plot with Hart and Mercy was hard to beat, which is why I could not give the same rating. This is the perfect book for anyone who fell in love with Eternity just like I did. It has dragons. So what else do you need? It also has Duckers, and he is probably the character I love the most, but that is just for the moment 🙈 (Fuck yeah (iykyk)), and I really want him to be the main character and get his own book. So please, Megan Bannen tell me that there will be a part 3, and please make it about Duckers?? Pretty please 🥹
⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕
Review of Part 1:
The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy 5 shining ⭐
⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕
Pre-read:
It's time to get into the arc of the sequel! I loved part 1 and can't wait to read part 2 👀❤️
⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕
Thank you, NetGalley, Little, Brown Book Group UK and Megan Bannen for the arc! The Undermining of Twyla and Frank will be out 4 July 2024 🥳
July 14, 2024
2.5 stars
A whimsical and cosy fantasy romance with dragons and glitter
It took me a while to get into The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy, but once I did, I loved it. This one also took me a long time to get into, but it didn't deliver like the first book, which was quite dark in places. Other early readers loved this, but for me, it shoulda been called the underwhelming of Twyla and Frank...😂
Things I liked:
🎉The characters were older! It was refreshing to read a romance featuring characters in their 50's.
🎉I like this wacky and unique world.
🎉The discussion on marriage and motherhood.
🎉Friends to lovers is one of my favourite tropes, and the two of them had a great friendship.
Having said that, this book was so long and boring in parts, yes a book about dragons was boring, and also very silly at times...
Twyla's single pov got old fast, and Frank didn't always feel like a fully fleshed out character, dual pov would've worked better for me.
Then there was the ridiculous plot and villain reveal and the motivation behind it..it felt cartoonish, and it just wasn't it.
My other main gripe was the love triangle. I hate it when a character dates someone who is not the main love interest for a chunk of the story, and it didn't help that I strongly disliked the guy...
So yeah, this was cosy and fun in parts, but I feel like the magic of book one was missing. This was definitely a little too quirky for me!
Available now.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Little Brown Book for the ARC, in exchange for my honest review
A whimsical and cosy fantasy romance with dragons and glitter
It took me a while to get into The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy, but once I did, I loved it. This one also took me a long time to get into, but it didn't deliver like the first book, which was quite dark in places. Other early readers loved this, but for me, it shoulda been called the underwhelming of Twyla and Frank...😂
Things I liked:
🎉The characters were older! It was refreshing to read a romance featuring characters in their 50's.
🎉I like this wacky and unique world.
🎉The discussion on marriage and motherhood.
🎉Friends to lovers is one of my favourite tropes, and the two of them had a great friendship.
Having said that, this book was so long and boring in parts, yes a book about dragons was boring, and also very silly at times...
Twyla's single pov got old fast, and Frank didn't always feel like a fully fleshed out character, dual pov would've worked better for me.
Then there was the ridiculous plot and villain reveal and the motivation behind it..it felt cartoonish, and it just wasn't it.
My other main gripe was the love triangle. I hate it when a character dates someone who is not the main love interest for a chunk of the story, and it didn't help that I strongly disliked the guy...
So yeah, this was cosy and fun in parts, but I feel like the magic of book one was missing. This was definitely a little too quirky for me!
Available now.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Little Brown Book for the ARC, in exchange for my honest review
June 17, 2024
I want to so badly give this three stars but OPE, I just can’t freaking do it and my disappointed scathing review is loading right now.
AHHHHHHHH!!! *screaming in disappointment*
I loved Hart and Mercy. That book has a grip on me in unspeakable ways and when I saw Twyla and Frank my expectations of returning to this world were way too damn high for what was delivered to me.
A single POV friends to lovers love triangle.
The absolute horror.
I’m not saying this cannot be done, I’m saying it was not done in an engaging and amazing way here. The romance feels nonexistent in this book until it just suddenly appears, at which point I was so annoyed with having to watch the heroine date someone else I was more exasperated than giddy excited.
And then we get to the dragons.
In this story, we are faced with this half baked crime with dragons that is so boring I put the book down more times than I could count. Its DRAGONS. How is it possible for them to be so…lame? They felt very jokey and glittery and pink and I just couldn’t take this book seriously in a bad way.
And then has the most disappointing let down of an ending, I kid you not, I was absolutely fuming. Is this an adult book or is it a Scooby Doo middle grade book?!
AHHHHHHHH!!! *screaming in disappointment*
AHHHHHHHH!!! *screaming in disappointment*
I loved Hart and Mercy. That book has a grip on me in unspeakable ways and when I saw Twyla and Frank my expectations of returning to this world were way too damn high for what was delivered to me.
A single POV friends to lovers love triangle.
The absolute horror.
I’m not saying this cannot be done, I’m saying it was not done in an engaging and amazing way here. The romance feels nonexistent in this book until it just suddenly appears, at which point I was so annoyed with having to watch the heroine date someone else I was more exasperated than giddy excited.
And then we get to the dragons.
In this story, we are faced with this half baked crime with dragons that is so boring I put the book down more times than I could count. Its DRAGONS. How is it possible for them to be so…lame? They felt very jokey and glittery and pink and I just couldn’t take this book seriously in a bad way.
And then has the most disappointing let down of an ending, I kid you not, I was absolutely fuming. Is this an adult book or is it a Scooby Doo middle grade book?!
AHHHHHHHH!!! *screaming in disappointment*
November 17, 2025
The narration on this was top tier! I'm off to find out what other audiobooks this narrator performs!
This is the kind of cozy fantasy I enjoy! Medium stakes and plenty of plot to keep me engaged plus a great romance.
I enjoyed seeing the realistic everyday struggles (of a 50+ grandmother) combined with a little mystery and a big giant friends to lovers romance.
There were some that commented the first book lacked world-building and had a few holes because of it, I think the author rectifies that in this book and does a great job giving us a bit more insight into the world - without overdoing it.
I can't wait to start the next book!
4.5⭐️| IG | TikTok |
This is the kind of cozy fantasy I enjoy! Medium stakes and plenty of plot to keep me engaged plus a great romance.
I enjoyed seeing the realistic everyday struggles (of a 50+ grandmother) combined with a little mystery and a big giant friends to lovers romance.
There were some that commented the first book lacked world-building and had a few holes because of it, I think the author rectifies that in this book and does a great job giving us a bit more insight into the world - without overdoing it.
I can't wait to start the next book!
4.5⭐️| IG | TikTok |
June 25, 2024
Older couple, friends to lovers, and glitter spitting dragons? Sign me in! The MMC has acne scars? I’m not sure my heart can take all this normalcy! Megan Bannen, are you telling me that real people can find love as well??
The undertaking of Hart and Mercy is one of my favorite fantasy romances and I was ecstatic to be back to Eternity and Tarnia. Hart and Mercy remain my favorite couple, and I wouldn’t be honest if I didn’t say that seeing them get married was my favorite part of this book. However, Twy and Frank are beautiful characters and I loved every single minute I spent getting to know them.
I loved to see Twy navigating through her life and job, overcoming her fears in love and relationships.
Frank is everything that is good in the world. He has such tenderness in him, I just wish he had more voice in the story and more time to show his steady and quiet love.
I’ll be anxiously waiting for more books in this world.
I would like to thank Little, Brown Book Group UK | Orbit and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
- - - - - - - -
Pre review:
I got it and I'm ecstatic!
Thank you, thank you, thank you Little, Brown Book Group UK | Orbit and Netaglley for the eARC!
The undertaking of Hart and Mercy is one of my favorite fantasy romances and I was ecstatic to be back to Eternity and Tarnia. Hart and Mercy remain my favorite couple, and I wouldn’t be honest if I didn’t say that seeing them get married was my favorite part of this book. However, Twy and Frank are beautiful characters and I loved every single minute I spent getting to know them.
I loved to see Twy navigating through her life and job, overcoming her fears in love and relationships.
Frank is everything that is good in the world. He has such tenderness in him, I just wish he had more voice in the story and more time to show his steady and quiet love.
I’ll be anxiously waiting for more books in this world.
I would like to thank Little, Brown Book Group UK | Orbit and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
- - - - - - - -
Pre review:
I got it and I'm ecstatic!
Thank you, thank you, thank you Little, Brown Book Group UK | Orbit and Netaglley for the eARC!
July 12, 2024
3 Stars (Outliner)
One Liner: Sadly, underwhelming
No one expected a middle-aged and widowed Twyla Banneker to become a marshal. But Frank Ellis, her friend and workplace partner, helped her find the footing she needed to survive. Eight years later, they have settled into a rhythm at the job. The land of Tarnia is less dangerous and safer, which doesn’t bode well for their job but gives them some relief.
However, things start to spiral out of control when they find a dead body. Soon, Frank becomes a foster parent for a baby dragon! There’s something sinister going on, and the Marshalls have to solve the case. Life gets harder when Twyla realizes Frank could be much more than a best friend.
The story comes in Twyla’s third-person POV.
My Thoughts:
So, I admit I pretty much forgot the previous book and remember only vague stuff about some letters. Thankfully, I could recollect a few more details as I read this one (not a lot but enough to follow the story and visualize the setting).
I like that the lead characters share a great friendship. This is hard to write without making the whole thing sound off in a friends-to-lovers romance. However, the transition isn’t smooth. It comes a bit too late and is a bumpy ride (much like the battered ducks used in the book).
I also like that the couple are older and in their 50s. This should make them more mature, right? Not always! Still, it’s good to read books with different age groups.
Why do we get only a single POV in this one? The book (desperately) needs Frank’s POV. Instead, we have Twyla going on and on for 400+ pages, which gets repetitive (annoying and boring). I understand Twyla’s situation. I truly do. But she needs to be more than someone who goes on a rant whenever possible. Moreover, the lack of Frank’s POV means we are stuck with being in the FMC’s head throughout.
The book has dragons but the cutesy type. They release glitter (and not fire). This is actually cool. However, the dragons are underutilized in the plot. There’s so much to do with them (observing how they eat, swim, and poop is not enough!) but except for a little in the climax, the rest doesn’t explore their potential. The baby dragon is adorable, though!
The book is a drama. There is supposed to be a mystery but forget about it if you want to enjoy this one. Mystery is used as a plot device for more drama (angst once, humor next). The reveal made me laugh at the absurdity of the whole thing. I think that’s what the author was aiming for. If not, well… *shrug*
At least there’s an epilogue, so bonus points for that. No denying that the book tackles some important themes about marriage and motherhood. But, TBH, don’t hit the readers on the head with it. We understand soon.
There are quite a few F-bombs scattered in the book. Some might find it excessive. I ignored them mostly. Duckers is fun when he is not being too goofy. His love track has some developments, so we are likely to get more details in book three.
The pacing is a bit uneven due to the repetition. Trimming down the content to 330 pages and then adding Frank’s POVs for some 20 pages would make this a great read and feel more like romance.
To summarize, The Undermining of Twyla and Frank is a decent read but ends up underwhelming when it could have been a lot better. Read this as women’s fiction with a wee bit of mystery and a touch of romance.
My thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK (Orbit), for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #TheUnderminingOfTwylaAndFrank
One Liner: Sadly, underwhelming
No one expected a middle-aged and widowed Twyla Banneker to become a marshal. But Frank Ellis, her friend and workplace partner, helped her find the footing she needed to survive. Eight years later, they have settled into a rhythm at the job. The land of Tarnia is less dangerous and safer, which doesn’t bode well for their job but gives them some relief.
However, things start to spiral out of control when they find a dead body. Soon, Frank becomes a foster parent for a baby dragon! There’s something sinister going on, and the Marshalls have to solve the case. Life gets harder when Twyla realizes Frank could be much more than a best friend.
The story comes in Twyla’s third-person POV.
My Thoughts:
So, I admit I pretty much forgot the previous book and remember only vague stuff about some letters. Thankfully, I could recollect a few more details as I read this one (not a lot but enough to follow the story and visualize the setting).
I like that the lead characters share a great friendship. This is hard to write without making the whole thing sound off in a friends-to-lovers romance. However, the transition isn’t smooth. It comes a bit too late and is a bumpy ride (much like the battered ducks used in the book).
I also like that the couple are older and in their 50s. This should make them more mature, right? Not always! Still, it’s good to read books with different age groups.
Why do we get only a single POV in this one? The book (desperately) needs Frank’s POV. Instead, we have Twyla going on and on for 400+ pages, which gets repetitive (annoying and boring). I understand Twyla’s situation. I truly do. But she needs to be more than someone who goes on a rant whenever possible. Moreover, the lack of Frank’s POV means we are stuck with being in the FMC’s head throughout.
The book has dragons but the cutesy type. They release glitter (and not fire). This is actually cool. However, the dragons are underutilized in the plot. There’s so much to do with them (observing how they eat, swim, and poop is not enough!) but except for a little in the climax, the rest doesn’t explore their potential. The baby dragon is adorable, though!
The book is a drama. There is supposed to be a mystery but forget about it if you want to enjoy this one. Mystery is used as a plot device for more drama (angst once, humor next). The reveal made me laugh at the absurdity of the whole thing. I think that’s what the author was aiming for. If not, well… *shrug*
At least there’s an epilogue, so bonus points for that. No denying that the book tackles some important themes about marriage and motherhood. But, TBH, don’t hit the readers on the head with it. We understand soon.
There are quite a few F-bombs scattered in the book. Some might find it excessive. I ignored them mostly. Duckers is fun when he is not being too goofy. His love track has some developments, so we are likely to get more details in book three.
The pacing is a bit uneven due to the repetition. Trimming down the content to 330 pages and then adding Frank’s POVs for some 20 pages would make this a great read and feel more like romance.
To summarize, The Undermining of Twyla and Frank is a decent read but ends up underwhelming when it could have been a lot better. Read this as women’s fiction with a wee bit of mystery and a touch of romance.
My thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK (Orbit), for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #TheUnderminingOfTwylaAndFrank
October 14, 2025
DNF @82%. Ive seen enough
This book just reinforces my idea that friends to lovers is the worst trope to exist.
She spent 80% of the book denying her feelings for him aka NO ROMANCE, they finally admit to mutual attraction and then start arguing the next day.
I can’t do it anymore.
I just wanna giggle and kick my feet damn it!
This book just reinforces my idea that friends to lovers is the worst trope to exist.
She spent 80% of the book denying her feelings for him aka NO ROMANCE, they finally admit to mutual attraction and then start arguing the next day.
I can’t do it anymore.
I just wanna giggle and kick my feet damn it!
July 15, 2024
The best part was Hart and Mercy’s wedding. Or no wait, actually the best part was pink baby dragons. The second best part was the wedding.
This was fine. I liked the characters just fine. Everything thing is just fine. FINE. Just plain ol’ fine damnit.
This was fine. I liked the characters just fine. Everything thing is just fine. FINE. Just plain ol’ fine damnit.
July 9, 2025
It’s official: Twyla and Frank have me converted to older protagonists being just as (maybe more?) sexy than younger characters! It was already refreshing to see the characters in book 1 of this series being in their 30s, but seeing these in their 50s coping with their identity changes and life after marriage…I was really engaged with this book in a way I didn’t expect. I am typically not a big fan of best friends to lovers, but Megan Bannen makes this work in such a sweet and satisfying way. Plus, dragons. Easy 5⭐️.
December 10, 2024
5 Reasons I despise both the main character and main ideas of this book:
1. The entire book Twyla never once stops complaining and whining about her life long enough to notice anyone around her. She's so self centered that her best friend has been in love with her for years and she's oblivious. Fine, maybe she just can't take a hint. But honestly she spent a good chunk of the book rehashing over and over how everyone made her do stuff for them, how she's such a martyr, how horrible her marriage was, etc. Her husband has been dead for over 7 years and she can't stop complaining about him long enough to move on. She doesn't grow throughout the book. Instead of trying to have tough conversations or establish healthy boundaries, her solution to feeling taken advantage of is to throw hissy fits and stomp off. This is a woman in her 50s.
2. When she finally admits she is attracted to Frank, she demands literally everything from him and doesn't want to give him the time of day in return. He tries to give her the world. This man would lay down his life for her. He is devoted and loving. And when he asks for literal crumbs, she won't even acknowledge him. All he wants is for her to tell him that she doesn't regret sleeping with him the next morning, and all she can say is, "I don't know?!" SHE ****ing went to HIM. And she can't even give him a yes or no???! Not only that, but she then accused him of taking advantage of her. Girl, you LITERALLY ASKED him to sleep with you. I ****ing hate this b****. Frank deserves so much better. I applaud him for walking away and not consenting to be her doormat. The hypocrisy of Twyla is INSANE.
3. Perhaps my biggest ick of all: throughout the whole book Twyla continuously talks about how men never do anything to help raise kids, men never do dishes, men can't be trusted, men take advantage, men use marriage to trap you. She acts like her son folding laundry or making his kids breakfast is life changing. He is literally just being a decent human and father. She has to "hold herself back" from helping him with it so he does it "right." Does she honestly think the son that she raised is that incompetent? If he doesn't know how to load a dishwasher, whose fault is that? She complains over and over that people assume women know how to care for kids "because they have the equipment." (I wish that weren't a real quote.) But then turns around and acts like her son can't possibly do anything without her interfering to fix it. You think anyone, male or female, will want to keep contributing if every time they do they get told they did it wrong? Wow. Twyla, stop telling men they are incapable if you're tired of doing it for them. I know it's supposed to be because her husband never helped her. But seriously? Why was this whole book so obsessed with throwing hate at men?? It's 2024. What is this shit? Twyla, YOU ARE THE PROBLEM. Go read Drop the Ball by Tiffany Dufu and get some therapy.
4. The way she reacts to her daughter announcing her engagement is to tell her that marriage is a trap, she's going to have kids and become his servant, and men are awful. Twyla, I don't even know where to start. You just took what should have been a joyful moment for your daughter, made it all about you, and then hurt her by basically telling her she was too dumb to make her own choices. Mother of the year. How self centered can she be?
5. The dragons were stupid. We went from book 1 with actual danger and crime and interesting world building, to tame dragons who spit glitter. What the actual ****. Not apologizing, this book was the biggest let down.
I just cannot express how much I have come to loathe Twyla. DNF'd at 90%. I wanted to push through, just to finish, but honestly I so strongly objected to Twyla ending up with Frank in a "HEA" I couldn't bring myself to keep going. Twyla needs to grow a pair, set some boundaries, stop thinking about herself all the time, and start treating men like actual people. This was icky start to finish (or rather, 90%). Don't come back, Frank.
1. The entire book Twyla never once stops complaining and whining about her life long enough to notice anyone around her. She's so self centered that her best friend has been in love with her for years and she's oblivious. Fine, maybe she just can't take a hint. But honestly she spent a good chunk of the book rehashing over and over how everyone made her do stuff for them, how she's such a martyr, how horrible her marriage was, etc. Her husband has been dead for over 7 years and she can't stop complaining about him long enough to move on. She doesn't grow throughout the book. Instead of trying to have tough conversations or establish healthy boundaries, her solution to feeling taken advantage of is to throw hissy fits and stomp off. This is a woman in her 50s.
2. When she finally admits she is attracted to Frank, she demands literally everything from him and doesn't want to give him the time of day in return. He tries to give her the world. This man would lay down his life for her. He is devoted and loving. And when he asks for literal crumbs, she won't even acknowledge him. All he wants is for her to tell him that she doesn't regret sleeping with him the next morning, and all she can say is, "I don't know?!" SHE ****ing went to HIM. And she can't even give him a yes or no???! Not only that, but she then accused him of taking advantage of her. Girl, you LITERALLY ASKED him to sleep with you. I ****ing hate this b****. Frank deserves so much better. I applaud him for walking away and not consenting to be her doormat. The hypocrisy of Twyla is INSANE.
3. Perhaps my biggest ick of all: throughout the whole book Twyla continuously talks about how men never do anything to help raise kids, men never do dishes, men can't be trusted, men take advantage, men use marriage to trap you. She acts like her son folding laundry or making his kids breakfast is life changing. He is literally just being a decent human and father. She has to "hold herself back" from helping him with it so he does it "right." Does she honestly think the son that she raised is that incompetent? If he doesn't know how to load a dishwasher, whose fault is that? She complains over and over that people assume women know how to care for kids "because they have the equipment." (I wish that weren't a real quote.) But then turns around and acts like her son can't possibly do anything without her interfering to fix it. You think anyone, male or female, will want to keep contributing if every time they do they get told they did it wrong? Wow. Twyla, stop telling men they are incapable if you're tired of doing it for them. I know it's supposed to be because her husband never helped her. But seriously? Why was this whole book so obsessed with throwing hate at men?? It's 2024. What is this shit? Twyla, YOU ARE THE PROBLEM. Go read Drop the Ball by Tiffany Dufu and get some therapy.
4. The way she reacts to her daughter announcing her engagement is to tell her that marriage is a trap, she's going to have kids and become his servant, and men are awful. Twyla, I don't even know where to start. You just took what should have been a joyful moment for your daughter, made it all about you, and then hurt her by basically telling her she was too dumb to make her own choices. Mother of the year. How self centered can she be?
5. The dragons were stupid. We went from book 1 with actual danger and crime and interesting world building, to tame dragons who spit glitter. What the actual ****. Not apologizing, this book was the biggest let down.
I just cannot express how much I have come to loathe Twyla. DNF'd at 90%. I wanted to push through, just to finish, but honestly I so strongly objected to Twyla ending up with Frank in a "HEA" I couldn't bring myself to keep going. Twyla needs to grow a pair, set some boundaries, stop thinking about herself all the time, and start treating men like actual people. This was icky start to finish (or rather, 90%). Don't come back, Frank.
August 30, 2024
Honestly, I didn't enjoy this as much as I did the first book in the series. In the first book, the fantastical elements melded pretty seamlessly with the romance for me. In this book, there was more time spent on modern technology and dating culture which felt discordant against the fantasy backdrop which I found distracting. And for being pitched as When Harry Met Sally with dragons...I don't know how similar it really is aside from the fact that long time friends fall in love. I liked the characters and the fact that it was older protagonists, and I was rooting for them by the end. But I couldn't just sink into this one in the same way. That said, I will read more from this author and I generally enjoyed it. I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher, all opinions are my own.
April 27, 2024
This is such an interesting series to me!! It's a quirky fantasy romance set in one of the most original worlds I have read. This is a standalone and honestly is one I would say you do not have to read the first book BUT I would recommend it. The characters in these books are so fun!! This one introduces us more to Frank and Twyla. They are marshalls like Hart was on in book 1. They work with Duckers who is also from book 1. Anyways Frank and Twlya have been friends for the past 12 years. They are inseparable. They have retirement plans together. This is the story about how all of that changes and it involves DRAGONS!! The buildup in this was really cute. I liked that both of these characters were at a different phase in their life. I had a huge smile through most of this book but it was mega wattage by the end.
Twyla and Frank have a plan. They are going to work their rounds for a few more years and then retire and start a B&B somewhere. Twyla has no room for romance. She doesn't need a man after how her husband made her feel. She has her kids and Frank and the future. All that changes when they find none other than a baby dragon on tour. Not only have they found a baby dragon, but the baby dragon has bonded with Frank. It will not leave his body. Now a dracologist is called in to learn more about this species that everyone thought was extinct. The dracologist is handsome and to Twyla's shock asks her out. And this is when things start to change with Frank. Now he is acting weird around her. He makes Twyla wonder why I man would ask her out. Then one night Frank's life is in danger. All thought leaves Twyla's head- she is thankful he is alive. And then she has the best most erotic kiss of her life with FRANK. The same Frank who she can't not have in her life. The same Frank who she can't ruin his friendship with. So she backs off- calls it a mistake. But was it? What if she really feels for him? She is starting to think he feels for her too. Like loves her and wants to be with her feels. But she is scared. What if he treats her how her husband treats her? What if they don't work? Or what if he takes away her choice and doesn't give her a chance because she has hurt him?
This book is a true slow burn. I don't think anything ended up happening between Frank and Twyla until like the 60% mark on my Kindle, but it was worth it. We get to see the quirkiness of all of the other characters. We get to see Hart and Mercy get married. We get to see the transformation and realization that Twyla loves Frank and would do anything for him. This was a wonderful story about friends that turn to lovers and how their dream changes together and now involves a dragon refuge. If you haven't picked up this series, I highly recommend it!! I hope there will be a book 3- not sure who it would be though- any thoughts??
Twyla and Frank have a plan. They are going to work their rounds for a few more years and then retire and start a B&B somewhere. Twyla has no room for romance. She doesn't need a man after how her husband made her feel. She has her kids and Frank and the future. All that changes when they find none other than a baby dragon on tour. Not only have they found a baby dragon, but the baby dragon has bonded with Frank. It will not leave his body. Now a dracologist is called in to learn more about this species that everyone thought was extinct. The dracologist is handsome and to Twyla's shock asks her out. And this is when things start to change with Frank. Now he is acting weird around her. He makes Twyla wonder why I man would ask her out. Then one night Frank's life is in danger. All thought leaves Twyla's head- she is thankful he is alive. And then she has the best most erotic kiss of her life with FRANK. The same Frank who she can't not have in her life. The same Frank who she can't ruin his friendship with. So she backs off- calls it a mistake. But was it? What if she really feels for him? She is starting to think he feels for her too. Like loves her and wants to be with her feels. But she is scared. What if he treats her how her husband treats her? What if they don't work? Or what if he takes away her choice and doesn't give her a chance because she has hurt him?
This book is a true slow burn. I don't think anything ended up happening between Frank and Twyla until like the 60% mark on my Kindle, but it was worth it. We get to see the quirkiness of all of the other characters. We get to see Hart and Mercy get married. We get to see the transformation and realization that Twyla loves Frank and would do anything for him. This was a wonderful story about friends that turn to lovers and how their dream changes together and now involves a dragon refuge. If you haven't picked up this series, I highly recommend it!! I hope there will be a book 3- not sure who it would be though- any thoughts??
June 3, 2024
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!
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!
April 10, 2024
This was so disappointing and the EPITOME of self-insert millennial writing with a dash of boomer. Twyla was insufferable. My girl did not shut the fuck up ONCE. She constantly complained about her life, her kids and her body which was repetitive, unoriginal and boring. She’s a 53 year old WOMAN and acts like a 15 year old. It’s honestly even annoying because what does that mean for aging women that’s we’re destined to be nothing? BLAH!
Also girl was on some drugs because the plot was all over the place and the plot twist was so Scooby Doo (without the charm). In addition, if you’re gonna have characters in their 50’s make them act like it PLEASE. This only gets two stars because of the dragons, Duckers and Frank.
Also girl was on some drugs because the plot was all over the place and the plot twist was so Scooby Doo (without the charm). In addition, if you’re gonna have characters in their 50’s make them act like it PLEASE. This only gets two stars because of the dragons, Duckers and Frank.
Want to read
July 12, 2023bish now she's doing one inspired by 'when harry met sally'....
THEE pinnacle of romcoms (& my absolute FAVORITE)!?
take my money immediately.
THEE pinnacle of romcoms (& my absolute FAVORITE)!?
take my money immediately.
October 1, 2024
omg i loved this so much!
August 1, 2024
I think I loved this one even more than The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy!
Friend-to-lovers (if done right) is the superior trope in my mind, and I loved that our main characters were a bit older - it's rare to see a fantasy romance with two leads that are in their 50s. I do wish we could have had a little bit more pining from both of them, though, but that's essentially my only complaint.
I loved the plot of this - learning about these dragons were so much fun, and I love seeing the evolution of Tanria throughout the books. These books were also the perfect escapist reads: the world was so interesting, and different, and weird. The lore of this world is also fascinating to me, and I thought the worldbuilding was well done!
I will definitely be on the look-out for more from this author in the future. Highly recommend!
Friend-to-lovers (if done right) is the superior trope in my mind, and I loved that our main characters were a bit older - it's rare to see a fantasy romance with two leads that are in their 50s. I do wish we could have had a little bit more pining from both of them, though, but that's essentially my only complaint.
I loved the plot of this - learning about these dragons were so much fun, and I love seeing the evolution of Tanria throughout the books. These books were also the perfect escapist reads: the world was so interesting, and different, and weird. The lore of this world is also fascinating to me, and I thought the worldbuilding was well done!
I will definitely be on the look-out for more from this author in the future. Highly recommend!
January 26, 2024
(This review was originally posted on Queen's Book Asylum.)
I can always, always depend on Megan Bannen to give me:
- Witty banter
- Warm romance
- Straight-faced, absolutely bizarre, absolutely delightful world-building
- Ugly tears
Which makes this the sixth book that has ever made me cry. (Bannen's Hart and Mercy also makes this list.)
Let me back up.
The Undermining of Twyla and Frank is a secondary world portal fantasy with a strong best friends-to-lovers romantic subplot—and a baby dragon. The romantic leads are a middle-aged widowed mother and a middle-aged divorced father who patrol another world. And if everything I've just said makes you sit up and take interest, please let me assure you that this book is even better than your wildest expectations probably suggest.
Somehow, Megan Bannen always manages to deliver a wrenching commentary on far-too-real issues, wrapped up in an absurd but touching fantasy plot. Twyla and Frank gets into the weeds on the ways in which women end up minimising themselves in favour of their partners and their children. It also feels like the best fever dream you've ever had, full of fuchsia dragons, talking hedgehog mailmen named after Mesopotamian deities, Old Gods, New Gods, and men who voluntarily do the dishes.
Bannen’s writing is so delectably smooth that you just end up devouring her books, nodding along with all of their strangeness as though it’s the most natural thing in the world. Her utterly bonkers world-building is so neatly delivered as to be barely noticeable—a subtle but confoundingly skilful trait that I appreciate more and more as time goes on.
Bannen had already cemented her place on my shelf with The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy. But The Undermining of Twyla and Frank proves that she just keeps getting better and better. Truly, I adored this book—and I can’t wait for everyone else to read it.
I can always, always depend on Megan Bannen to give me:
- Witty banter
- Warm romance
- Straight-faced, absolutely bizarre, absolutely delightful world-building
- Ugly tears
Which makes this the sixth book that has ever made me cry. (Bannen's Hart and Mercy also makes this list.)
Let me back up.
The Undermining of Twyla and Frank is a secondary world portal fantasy with a strong best friends-to-lovers romantic subplot—and a baby dragon. The romantic leads are a middle-aged widowed mother and a middle-aged divorced father who patrol another world. And if everything I've just said makes you sit up and take interest, please let me assure you that this book is even better than your wildest expectations probably suggest.
Somehow, Megan Bannen always manages to deliver a wrenching commentary on far-too-real issues, wrapped up in an absurd but touching fantasy plot. Twyla and Frank gets into the weeds on the ways in which women end up minimising themselves in favour of their partners and their children. It also feels like the best fever dream you've ever had, full of fuchsia dragons, talking hedgehog mailmen named after Mesopotamian deities, Old Gods, New Gods, and men who voluntarily do the dishes.
Bannen’s writing is so delectably smooth that you just end up devouring her books, nodding along with all of their strangeness as though it’s the most natural thing in the world. Her utterly bonkers world-building is so neatly delivered as to be barely noticeable—a subtle but confoundingly skilful trait that I appreciate more and more as time goes on.
Bannen had already cemented her place on my shelf with The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy. But The Undermining of Twyla and Frank proves that she just keeps getting better and better. Truly, I adored this book—and I can’t wait for everyone else to read it.
May 1, 2024
If you are a romantasy reader you might wonder where are all the people over 30? Do they ever fall in love? Well, the answer is they are in this book! Twyla and Frank's story has the same sweetness and humor from Hart and Mercy's story and adds in cute dragons!
I love when a book can be set in a completely different world, but still feel completely relatable. One thing Twyla deals with is feeling like she has to sacrifice her wants for her family and is expected to do certain tasks just because of her gender. She may be patrolling a world with magic but I think most women will still relate to her.
I also really loved Frank's character. He cares about Twyla so much and is such a great friend to her! He's also an excellent dragon daddy and overall a good person. We get some glimpses of Hart and Mercy in this one as well as some of our other favorite characters from the first one.
One thing I will note though is some younger readers (late teens or early twenties) may not relate to this one as much as the first one. However, I think it's a great story and there are so many romantasy books with younger characters if that is your preference. I highly recommend this one to romance and fantasy readers! If you are like me and like a fantasy world but also need your HEA this one is for you!
🌶️🌶️🌶️- There are a couple open door scenes in this one. One including a toy.
Thanks to Orbit for providing me with an eARC all opinions are my own.
I love when a book can be set in a completely different world, but still feel completely relatable. One thing Twyla deals with is feeling like she has to sacrifice her wants for her family and is expected to do certain tasks just because of her gender. She may be patrolling a world with magic but I think most women will still relate to her.
I also really loved Frank's character. He cares about Twyla so much and is such a great friend to her! He's also an excellent dragon daddy and overall a good person. We get some glimpses of Hart and Mercy in this one as well as some of our other favorite characters from the first one.
One thing I will note though is some younger readers (late teens or early twenties) may not relate to this one as much as the first one. However, I think it's a great story and there are so many romantasy books with younger characters if that is your preference. I highly recommend this one to romance and fantasy readers! If you are like me and like a fantasy world but also need your HEA this one is for you!
🌶️🌶️🌶️- There are a couple open door scenes in this one. One including a toy.
Thanks to Orbit for providing me with an eARC all opinions are my own.
December 10, 2024
has anyone told romance authors that it is, in fact, legal now to write books without gratuitous cringe?? WHO IS GOING TO BE BRAVE ENOUGH TO TELL THEM?
I absolutely adored The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy and I even forgave it its light cringe factor because hey who among us, etc. etc. I think I gave it nearly 5 stars because it was THAT cute and THAT special.
This book... did not hit. And I'm more than a little sad about it.
What I Loved:
Older FMC representation (50+) with an age appropriate partner ✅
Sparkly pink dragons ✅
Friends to lovers ✅
Zeddy and Duckers cameo ✅
Centers mothers and the experiences of married women ✅
What I HATED:
Smut was so cringe I almost passed away 🙅🏻♀️
Plot was nonsense and rushed at the end 🙅🏻♀️
So many of the interactions were corny as hell 🙅🏻♀️
Literally limitless missed opportunities to actually create a sense of longing/yearning/pining
At the end of the day, it was fine. I'm not mad I read it, I just had high expectations. All I really need to know is if Zeddy and Duckers are getting their own book because that's literally all I want in my life atp.
I absolutely adored The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy and I even forgave it its light cringe factor because hey who among us, etc. etc. I think I gave it nearly 5 stars because it was THAT cute and THAT special.
This book... did not hit. And I'm more than a little sad about it.
What I Loved:
Older FMC representation (50+) with an age appropriate partner ✅
Sparkly pink dragons ✅
Friends to lovers ✅
Zeddy and Duckers cameo ✅
Centers mothers and the experiences of married women ✅
What I HATED:
Smut was so cringe I almost passed away 🙅🏻♀️
Plot was nonsense and rushed at the end 🙅🏻♀️
So many of the interactions were corny as hell 🙅🏻♀️
Literally limitless missed opportunities to actually create a sense of longing/yearning/pining
At the end of the day, it was fine. I'm not mad I read it, I just had high expectations. All I really need to know is if Zeddy and Duckers are getting their own book because that's literally all I want in my life atp.
July 11, 2024
I saw someone else describe this as “when Harry Met Sally but with dragons” and truthfully, yes. It’s such a fun friends to lovers with a fantasy spin and both of them are in their 50’s!! More of these please! I thoroughly enjoyed this.
June 5, 2025
“I’ve spent most of my life being useful, and when a person has been useful for as long as I have, they come to believe that useful is all they are. But then you came along and wanted to spend time with me, for my own sake.”
This series is definitely a must read for me! I loved the first book and this second one just solidified what I thought: the quirky and bizarre world of Tanria is absolutely perfect for me and my need for escapism! 💜
Although this is mainly a romance series, I still think it holds up its own spot in the fantasy genre as well. These books have one of the most unique settings I have ever encountered and it is weird, and bizarre and strange. But it's also so well crafted and interesting, that it becomes a huge asset for the narrative, in my opinion! And of course now there are pink dragons in Tanria. That are vegetarian. And mostly like people. Yup, you read that right!
I also love the fact that the author doesn't shy away from writing about older characters: Twyla and Frank are both in their 50s! In between a strong and pure friendship, the funniest banter and witty situations they deal with as Marshals, Twyla and Frank have a beautiful bond and it was really sweet to read the development of their relationship! I love it when friends-to-lovers is done right! 🩷 Megan Bannen also doesn't shy away from writing about hard topics, situations in life that all people deal with, sooner or later. And this story also shines in those moments, because they allow the reader to not only know the characters so much better, it also allows a moment to think, and I enjoy that a lot!
I really do love this series! I know the next book is going to focus on Rosie and I can't wait to read it!!
P.S. Hart and Mercy's wedding was so sweet omg
P.P.S. Pen and Zeddie 😭
P.P.P.S. What do you mean Hermia did it 🤣
This series is definitely a must read for me! I loved the first book and this second one just solidified what I thought: the quirky and bizarre world of Tanria is absolutely perfect for me and my need for escapism! 💜
Although this is mainly a romance series, I still think it holds up its own spot in the fantasy genre as well. These books have one of the most unique settings I have ever encountered and it is weird, and bizarre and strange. But it's also so well crafted and interesting, that it becomes a huge asset for the narrative, in my opinion! And of course now there are pink dragons in Tanria. That are vegetarian. And mostly like people. Yup, you read that right!
I also love the fact that the author doesn't shy away from writing about older characters: Twyla and Frank are both in their 50s! In between a strong and pure friendship, the funniest banter and witty situations they deal with as Marshals, Twyla and Frank have a beautiful bond and it was really sweet to read the development of their relationship! I love it when friends-to-lovers is done right! 🩷 Megan Bannen also doesn't shy away from writing about hard topics, situations in life that all people deal with, sooner or later. And this story also shines in those moments, because they allow the reader to not only know the characters so much better, it also allows a moment to think, and I enjoy that a lot!
I really do love this series! I know the next book is going to focus on Rosie and I can't wait to read it!!
P.S. Hart and Mercy's wedding was so sweet omg
P.P.S. Pen and Zeddie 😭
P.P.P.S. What do you mean Hermia did it 🤣
November 4, 2024
Rounded up to a 4! Silly goofy, but not as much focus on the romance as i wanted!
October 31, 2024
Welp, this turned out to be quite disappointing. I was excited to read a friends/neighbors-to-lovers fantasy where both MCs are in their early 50s. In fact, I’d still read the hell out of that book. Unfortunately, all I got here was uneven characterization and pacing issues. Twyla has a personality change at 30%, going from badass marshal to someone with massive internalized ageism and fatphobia, in addition to self-esteem issues. She felt invisible in her marriage and as a mom…and yet she never does anything to disabuse her adult children of that notion. She never calls Wade out or demonstrates that she knows how to set boundaries with her family. if she’s so pissed off at her deceased husband for the way he treated her and railing about it to her daughter, why does she let Wade treat her the same way?
Still, I could have overlooked some of this had there been a strong emotional arc and the romance was good. Instead, the author lobbed in a love triangle for no reason. We don’t ever get Frank’s POV, which is a disservice to both him and this story. By the end, I wanted him to want better for himself than Twyla. He gave so much more than he got.
The plot went off the rails at the end. The villain reveal was ridiculous enough to make me contemplate rating this one star instead of two. Despite thoroughly enjoying Hart and Mercy, this turned out to be not my cup of tea at all. The plot became repetitive and the sense of humor was immature. Worst of all, it was pointedly gender essentialist and riddled with gay stereotypes. Duckers was both inappropriate and unprofessional. Such a letdown.
Characters: Twyla is a 53 year old white Marshal and widow. She has three adult children (Wade, DJ, and Hope) and several grandchildren. Frank is a 53 year old white Marshal. He has two adult children Lu and Annie. He also takes care of a baby dragon named Mary Georgina. This is set in Eternity and Tanria.
Content notes: FMC kisses MMC when she’s dating someone else (they only went and on two dates and she doesn’t view this as infidelity), murder, bomb, abduction, physical assault, ageism, internalized and overt fatphobia, diet culture, misogyny (secondary character), past death of FMC’s husband (autoduck accident), past divorce (MMC’s wife left 12 years ago), past death of MMC’s mother, MMC’s father was an alcoholic who didn’t work, family estrangement, gambling debt (secondary character), dragon poop, incontinence, past zombies (drudges), on page sex, sex toy, alcohol, inebriation, hangover, pipe (secondary character), “manhood” as euphemism and equating genitalia with gender, gay stereotypes, gendered pejoratives, gender essentialism, ableist language
Still, I could have overlooked some of this had there been a strong emotional arc and the romance was good. Instead, the author lobbed in a love triangle for no reason. We don’t ever get Frank’s POV, which is a disservice to both him and this story. By the end, I wanted him to want better for himself than Twyla. He gave so much more than he got.
The plot went off the rails at the end. The villain reveal was ridiculous enough to make me contemplate rating this one star instead of two. Despite thoroughly enjoying Hart and Mercy, this turned out to be not my cup of tea at all. The plot became repetitive and the sense of humor was immature. Worst of all, it was pointedly gender essentialist and riddled with gay stereotypes. Duckers was both inappropriate and unprofessional. Such a letdown.
Characters: Twyla is a 53 year old white Marshal and widow. She has three adult children (Wade, DJ, and Hope) and several grandchildren. Frank is a 53 year old white Marshal. He has two adult children Lu and Annie. He also takes care of a baby dragon named Mary Georgina. This is set in Eternity and Tanria.
Content notes: FMC kisses MMC when she’s dating someone else (they only went and on two dates and she doesn’t view this as infidelity), murder, bomb, abduction, physical assault, ageism, internalized and overt fatphobia, diet culture, misogyny (secondary character), past death of FMC’s husband (autoduck accident), past divorce (MMC’s wife left 12 years ago), past death of MMC’s mother, MMC’s father was an alcoholic who didn’t work, family estrangement, gambling debt (secondary character), dragon poop, incontinence, past zombies (drudges), on page sex, sex toy, alcohol, inebriation, hangover, pipe (secondary character), “manhood” as euphemism and equating genitalia with gender, gay stereotypes, gendered pejoratives, gender essentialism, ableist language
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