Review: The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy by Megan Bannen

The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy by Megan Bannen
Published by Orbit on August 23, 2022
Pages: 453
Format: Audiobook
Narrator: Michael Gallagher, Rachanee Lumayno
Length: 12 hrs and 15 mins
Genres: Fantasy, Romantic Comedy


Amazon Audible

Hart is a marshal, tasked with patrolling the strange and magical wilds of Tanria. It’s an unforgiving job, and Hart’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, who seems to have a gift for showing up right when her patience is thinnest.

After yet another exasperating run-in with Mercy, Hart finds himself penning a letter addressed simply to “A Friend”. Much to his surprise, an anonymous letter comes back in return, and a tentative friendship is born.

If only Hart knew he’s been baring his soul to the person who infuriates him most—Mercy. As the dangers from Tanria grow closer, so do the unlikely correspondents. But can their blossoming romance survive the fated discovery that their pen pals are their worst nightmares—each other?

The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy is a whimsical romance set in an alternate universe. I don’t read much fantasy, and I certainly had no idea that fantasy romantic comedy was a thing, but apparently it is. This book is quirky, for sure, and I liked it.

There isn’t a great deal of world-building—just enough to get the gist of the characters’ lives but not enough to create a full image in my mind. One thing I dislike about fantasy is being drowned in details. I guess you could say this book is a happy medium for me.

Mercy Birdsall is the temporary undertaker at Birdsall and Son until the “son” (a.k.a. Mercy’s brother) completes his studies in mortuary science. She is passionate about caring for the deceased, but women aren’t really allowed to pursue undertaking as a career.

Part of Marshall Hart Ralston’s job is to deliver dead bodies to Birdsall and Son. Unfortunately, each interaction between Hart and Mercy is laced with animosity. Hart pours out his feelings of loneliness in an anonymous letter to a “friend,” which unknowingly gets delivered to Mercy, who then writes back. A unique friendship forms between the two throughout the course of exchanging letters, without either knowing that their pen pal is their arch nemesis.

This enemies to lovers fantasy is full of sass. I love how it’s sexy it is despite some closed door scenes and without being graphic. The book feels longer than it should because it has a tendency to drag. However, the story is original and charming. I also found the side characters entertaining.

 

Recommended for fans of:
Romantic comedy
Fantasy
Close families
The color yellow

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