The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy by Megan Bannen

The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy (The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy, #1)

by Megan Bannen

'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

The Princess Bride
meets You've Got Mail in this enchantingly quirky, completely refreshing fantasy with a rom-com-worthy premise.

Hart is a marshal, tasked with patrolling the magical wilds of Tanria. It's an unforgiving job, and he's got nothing but time to ponder his loneliness.

Mercy never has a moment to herself. She's been single-handedly keeping Birdsall & Son Undertakers afloat in defiance of sullen jerks like Hart-ache Hart, the man with a knack for showing up right when her patience is thinnest.

After yet another run-in with Merciless Mercy, Hart finds himself penning a letter addressed simply to "A Friend". Much to his surprise, he receives an anonymous reply, and a tentative friendship is born. Little does Hart know he's baring his soul to the person who infuriates him most. . .

Set in a world equally full of magic and demigods as it is donuts and small-town drama, this utterly unique fantasy is sure to sweep you off your feet.

Praise for The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy:

'Romantic, wildly creative, and utterly charming, The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy is a fantasy unlike any I've read before' Lana Harper, author of Payback's a Witch

'The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy broke my heart, put it back together, then tucked me into bed with a forehead kiss. Packed with earnest characters, wit, action, and reluctant yearning, this is easily my favourite fantasy romance of the year' Jen DeLuca, author of Well Met

'A uniquely charming mixture of whimsy and the macabre that completely won me over' Helen Hoang, author of The Kiss Quotient

'Megan Bannen remains the queen of swoons upon swoons upon swoons! The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy is a playful, quirky gem-full of feels and guaranteed to deliver the perfect grumpy/sunshine fix!' Sierra Simone

'An unabashedly offbeat adventure' Freya Marske, author of A Marvellous Light

'A lovely, macabre fantasy romance about life, death, and Actually Living. I cried twice and smiled plenty' Olivia Atwater, author of Half a Soul

'Megan Bannen broke me, made me laugh, then put me back together again. . . The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy is one of those books you'll be thinking about long after you've read the last page' Manda Collins

'A truly outstanding romantic fantasy' India Holton, author of The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels

'A little sweet, a little spicy, a little sharp and entirely moreish!' Davinia Evans, author of Notorious Sorcerer

'I showed up for the fantastic, fun fantasy setting but it was Hart and Mercy that kept me reading' Ruby Dixon, author of Ice Planet Barbarians

'Megan Bannen has found her voice with this incredibly smart, and hilariously weird debut. A must read' Nisha Sharma, author of Dating Dr. Dil

'Warm, compassionate and compelling' Vivian Shaw, author of Strange Practice

Reviewed by Hilarye on

5 of 5 stars

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This book. THIS BOOK!!!!! 15/10, highly recommend. The best book I've read in 2023.

It’s 'Six Feet Under' meets 'You've Got Mail', set in a unique and immersive fantasy world. If you take one part zombie movie, one-part enemies-to-lovers romance, one part mystery novel, one part fantasy, and a pinch of a western; shake them all up, and you'll get the magic that is 'The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy'.

This book ripped my heart out, smashed it into a million pieces, and then put it back together again (better than before) in one fell swoop. All while making me laugh. Buckle up for a cozy, intriguing, romantic ride & prepare yourself to fall head over heels in love with Hart and Mercy (and every single one of their friends and family).

You get Old Gods, New Gods, demigods, zombies & anthropomorphic animals. Side characters you want to be BFFs with, some serious MC growth, a little bit of spicy-spice & some witty banter that will make you chortle and swoon. There is nothing about this book not to love.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 14 August, 2023: Finished reading
  • 14 August, 2023: Reviewed