From the Publisher
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
"Hilarious, heartfelt, and irresistibly charming." —Stephanie Burgis, author of Wooing the Witch Queen
"A charming romantasy full of humor and adventure."—Library Journal
"Bannen’s witty prose and skillful genre blending shine as she seamlessly weaves together elements of romance, mystery, and adventure. The mature protagonists, particularly the wonderfully complex Twyla, offer a refreshing perspective on love and self-discovery in midlife. Bannen’s heartfelt exploration of second chances and the transformative power of friendship resonates. Perfect for fans of T.J. Klune and Alix E. Harrow, this cozy, humor-filled romp celebrates the enduring magic of love at any age."
—Publishers Weekly
"A delightful story worth every minute of your time. Fans of cozy fantasy will find a lot to love here, from glitter-breathing, poodle-esque dragons to a down-to-earth romance between two middle-aged heroes on the brink of retirement. Seriously, the dragons breathe glitter. What more could you want?"
—Kirkus
"Romance, fantasy, and humor blend together in a mature yet whimsically romantic story." —Booklist
"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
JULY 2024 - AudioFile
Nicol Zanzarella brings heaps of charm to her narration of this engaging fantasy romance. Twyla and Frank have been neighbors, then best friends, then partners in the Marshals, where they spent eight years patrolling the dangerous Tanrian world together. Now peril, dragons, and a handsome dracologist with eyes for Twyla have them examining their friendship in a new light. Zanzarella portrays Twyla's wonderful blend of boldness and sweetness, with a dash of a Midwestern "ope!" when she takes a tumble. Frank has a rumbly, deep voice and an appealing tone; his warmth for Twyla always shines through. 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. E.E.C. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Reviews
2024-05-17
Two middle-aged law enforcement partners finally fall in love in this slow-burn fantasy romance.
Twyla Banneker hasn’t had a date in the 13 years since the death of her husband, Doug. That’s not to say she hasn’t been busy, though. In that time, Twyla has built an illustrious career as a Tanrian Marshal, the people’s guardian and the undead’s bane. Now, a year after another marshal purged the undead drudges from Tanria, she and her partner, Frank Ellis, find themselves reduced to monitoring children’s water-pony rides. Following a dragon attack and the curious case of the dragon hatchling that attaches itself to Frank, mother-duck style, a visiting professor and dracologist shows up—with a major interest in taking the self-professedly "frumpy" Twyla out. Only after she accepts his offer of a first date does she learn the truth: Everyone, from her friends to her own children, thinks she and Frank are an item. But the two of them are just friends...right? Cue the will-they-or-won’t-they shenanigans as the marshals investigate what brought the supposedly extinct dragons out of hibernation. Bannen delivers a quippy and fun fantasy rom-com here. Although some of the dialogue tags feel a bit ham-fisted, the conversations themselves are crisp and well thought out. Readers who picked up the series’ previous installment will almost certainly have an easier time acclimating to Twyla and Frank’s world, where the cars are amphibious inventions called “autoducks” and people distinguish between the Old Gods and the New. The first few chapters may read headily to newcomers, as Bannen pulls no punches when introducing these concepts in rapid succession, but readers who can go with the flow will soon uncover a delightful story worth every minute of their time. Fans of cozy fantasy will find a lot to love here, from glitter-breathing, poodle-esque dragons to a down-to-earth romance between two middle-aged heroes on the brink of retirement.
Seriously, the dragons breathe glitter. What more could you want?
