The Undermining of Twyla and Frank

By: Megan Bannen

Narrated by: Nicol Zanzarella

From the author of The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy comes a heartwarming fantasy with a best friends-to-lovers rom com twist set in the delightful demigod and donut-filled world of Tanria.

The entire town of Eternity was shocked when widowed, middle-aged Twyla Banneker partnered up with her neighbor and best friend, Frank Ellis, to join the Tanrian Marshals. Eight years later, Twyla’s rewarding career patrolling the strange land of Tanria remains a welcome change from the domestic grind of mom life, despite the misgivings of her grown children.

Fortunately (or unfortunately) a recent decrease in on-the-job peril has made Twyla and Frank's job a lot safer ... and a lot less exciting. So when they discover the body of one of their fellow marshals near an enormous footprint—and Frank finds himself the inadvertent foster dad to a baby dragon—they are grateful to be back in action.

Soon, the friends wind up ensnared in a nefarious plot that goes far deeper than any lucrative Tanrian mineshaft. But as danger closes in and Twyla and Frank's investigation becomes more complicated, so does their easy friendship. And Twyla starts to realize that her true soul mate might be the person who has lived next door all along...

Critic reviews

“One of the coziest, most whimsical fantasy reads I’ve ever come across! Megan Bannen has created a world that you’ll never want to leave and characters that will carve a spot into your heart. This series is playfully unique, delightfully steamy, utterly romantic, and overall unmissable!”
—Ali Hazelwood, New York Times bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis

"Bannen manages to seamlessly blend fantasy, romance, and modern family dynamics, all while making you laugh until you (literally) cry. Not only is it sweet without being saccharine, it’s also jam packed with whimsy around the kindest, biggest heart. I love this book so much that I would bury bodies for Twyla and Frank so deep no one would ever find them." —Lish McBride, author of the Uncanny Romance series

“Megan Bannen’s writing is deeply adorable and heartbreakingly hilarious. Life is hard. Do yourself a favor and read The Undermining of Twyla and Frank. It’s a bear hug of a book full of wonders and pink dragons.” —Jayci Lee, author of Nine Tailed and That Prince is Mine

"Truly outstanding romantic fantasy."

—India Holton on The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy

"An unabashedly offbeat adventure."

—Freya Marske on The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy

"I cried twice and smiled plenty."

—Olivia Atwater on The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy

"A little sweet, a little spicy, a little sharp and entirely moreish!"

—Davinia Evans on The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy

"I showed up for the fantastic, fun fantasy setting but it was Hart and Mercy that kept me reading."

—Ruby Dixon on The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy

"Nicol Zanzarella brings heaps of charm to her narration of this engaging fantasy romance. Zanzarella's narration is utterly delightful, as is the story, which includes an intriguing mystery, a fascinating fantasy world, and a heartwarming slow-burn romance."—Audiofile Earphones Award Winner

Adorable Friends to Lovers Romantasy

This book is adorable. A second chance at love story. Twyla and Frank's relationship is so wholesome and overall healthy that it's refreshing compared to a lot of romantasy stories I've read recently. A friends to lovers story. A close to retirement couple with dragons and all the insecurities that come with getting older and maneuvering relationships at that age was done so well and again refreshing.

I liked it even better than Hart and Mercy!

This was a delight. It's silly and sweet, and it has a lot of heart. I liked the first, but I loved the second adventure in this world.

This series is awesome! Loved this book!!

The characters are unique and wonderful in these books, especially this one. So nice to have grown up characters that are more fresh for older romantic couple. The baby dragon is so cute and the other animals here are precious!! Definitely already bought the next book and hopefully another book will come along.

Wonderful world building and excellent over 50 rep.

Twyla and Frank are both 53 years old. They are solidly middle aged protagonists who look and act like people in their mid 50s. As a mid 50’s person myself, I loved this. Love, love, loved it! There were also other things I loved, but I really need you to know that a 53 year old woman is wooed by two men, befriends dragons and saves the day.

In Hart and Mercy, we spent time in Hart and Mercy’s heads. In Twyla and Frank, we only get Twyla’s point of view. Initially, I was a little disappointed, but it works for what Bannen is doing in this book. Twyla has some fixed ideas about herself and her life that she’s going to need to get past before she can get a happily ever after with Frank. It is very clear that she is the only thing standing in her own way. Within a few pages we know with certainty that Frank is in love with her. Everyone knows that Frank is in love with her and that she loves Frank. But it takes a baby dragon, a hoity-toity academic in short shorts and an ascot, a few near death experiences, and an open door spice scene with toys for Twyla to let go of the resentments from her marriage and her fear of change.

Nicole Zanzarella’s narration is great.

These Two were perfect!

This is one of my most anticipated releases for the month of July I finally got the time to sit down and read it, at first I didn’t think I’d live it as much as the first book but boy was I wrong! I love that the couple is older didn’t think they’d be this old but I still love the story.