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.
Life for the Tanrian Marshals has quieted down since Hart Ralston solved the drudge problem in The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy. Budget cuts are looming and the Marshal leadership is trying to make a case for keeping the program around. Twyla and Frank, best friends, neighbors, and partners, are sticking around for a few more years until they can retire and open a seaside bed and breakfast together. Frank could retire now, but Twyla has two more years before she can retire with a pension. Things get a lot more exciting when an attempted dragon egg theft leads to a baby dragon attaching itself to Frank. First of all, dragons are real?!?! Secondly, dragon daddy Frank is adorable. Thirdly, the discovery of dragons adds enough stresses to Twyla and Frank’s friendship/partnership that they are jolted out of their comfort zone.
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.
I received this as an advance reader copy from Orbit Books and NetGalley. My opinions are my own, freely and honestly given.