The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy is my perfect book, mixing fantasy, romance, mythology, grief and humor to create a story that’s impossible to put down. I tried to stretch my reading out to a few days but eventually gave in to flying through the pages. I’m always surprised when I discover another book that captures my imagination so completely. The world is so interesting, filled with all manner of societal customs, not-so-hidden realms, and, of all things, zombies (of a sort). It would be enough to travel through such a world on the back of any story, but coupling it with a perfectly timed and executed romance made it all the more enjoyable. I came into this book knowing nothing about it and now I’ll be telling anyone who will listen to run to the bookstore and devour every page.

The Best Bits
Everything about this book was a best bit in my opinion
The queerness of the supporting characters and everyone’s unquestioned acceptance
Hart’s grumpy persona and the softness below the surface

A Few of My Favorite Things

Death (And Everything That Comes With It)
The title led me to believe death would be an obvious part of the plot, but I was surprised to find how deeply the book dove into it. While it started as a story about an undertaker and a Warden, it dove deeper into the meaning of life and death and the struggle we have as mortals to accept when things end. There are zombies, again of a sort, but they’re not animated by a virus or something malicious. Instead, they’re inhabited by terrified souls who are lost from the realm of death, trying desperately to latch back onto the life they believe they’re still meant to live. It’s tragic to imagine these remnants of the living who would rather live for a few minutes in a rotting corpse than go through Death’s door. I was further fascinated by all of the beliefs and rituals that went with preparing bodies and sending them into the afterlife - a mix of salt, sailcloth and incantations along with wooden boats and journeys facilitated by the undertakers. Death is a key part of the society, leaving me surprised at how shocked people are when they do die. It’s a brilliant examination of the one fact we all know, and the one we all avoid.

Enemies to Lovers Done Perfectly
I love an enemies to lovers romance, especially when it involves a grumpy, brooding guy who has no idea what he wants from life. It’s a deeply traveled genre, and Bannen stands in the upper echelon of entries. Their hate has stewed over years and, when they finally find themselves falling for each other, they’re equally surprised at these feelings rushing into them. It was masterful to start their story as an epistolary back and forth, adding an element of yearning that I didn’t expect. It was clear this would be the big second act conflict, and it was done tragically for both parties involved. Seeing Mercy find love was heartwarming, but it was Hart’s part in the relationship that really got to me. He had spent his whole life believing himself unloveable and his embrace of all things Mercy was as heartwarming as it gets.

Effortless Dialogue
This is where Bannen’s skill really shines. The dialogue and relationships between characters felt so effortless, imbuing a sense of familiarity that reeled me into the narrative. I wanted to see every character advance and cared deeply about each and every one of them. Mercy’s family is the kind everyone wishes they had, and watching them exist was a true joy.

And a major spoiler, but I have to talk about it…

The Tragic (And Eventually Happy) Ending
I was deep into flying through the book when the ending hit me like a ton of bricks. I knew, deep down, that there was no way he had actually died, but it plays out so tragically and perfectly that I felt every paragraph of it. It’s rare that we see a main character engage so deeply with the permanent loss of her lover, and the book doesn’t shy away from it. We see her clean him up, remembering every moment with him, trying to hold it together as she acknowledges that he’s dead, and it’s just shattering. And the moment when his final letter comes into play - I couldn’t have imagined a more perfect reveal. It’s a slow building of tension that I admire as a writing-obsessed reader.

I really enjoyed this book. It took me a bit to get my bearings, but once I did I was really invested. The leads had great chemistry and the world-building was pretty cool.

Another day, another book that took me too long to read and that I loved. Honestly this happens too often and I hate being a mood reader, BUT I've now read this one and I can say that I enjoyed every second of it.

I first gave this a 4 star because I felt like the romance itself was a little too quick and then I didn't like the 3rd act breakup reason - but the overall book was so damn good that I just had to up it to 5 stars even with those small issues.

I really did love the characters - everyone had their own distinct personalities, even all the side characters, and it made for such a fun story because all the different dynamics were so interesting and kept me reading. The main characters, Hart and Mercy were so delightful too, I just really liked getting to know each of them individually and seeing how they were with each other. As I said before I do think that we went from enemies to lovers wayyyy too fast, so if that bothers you then beware, but I could get past it because they're both just so damn lovable. I can't pick a favourite side character either, I loved them all and they all played a really good part in the overall story.

What really made this book such a winner for me was the world and overall vibes. The kind of sci-fi, fantasy world was so complex but didn't feel it because it was well explained and just so vivid. I also love that it gave a kind of old west feeling? I can't properly explain it but I adored it and I can't wait to read the next books in the series.

This book was everything and more. The characters, the letters, the worldbuilding - just everything was *chefs kiss*.

You can bet your bottom dollar that I'll be following Bannen's writing career after this one.

4.5 rounded down.

Mercy and Hart are so charming in this book. The two don't like each other but thanks to a mix up with a letter they start to talk to each other. To me it is like You Got Mail and The Cinderella Story where the two exchange letters and learn about each other before knowing who they are. I loved this story a lot.

Ok! This book is both weird, campy, and cute? If you love "You Got Mail", and also love Tim Burton (I know... weird combo), this might be for you. An undertaker, meets a zombie hunter, (they're enemies, but also secretly have the hots for each other), and they exchange letters!

Personally, I am a sucker for an epistolary novel. I also love a "non traditional hero", in any form.... give me non traditional jobs, non traditional jobs, I love it all!

Is this the most fleshed out, in depth fantasy you will ever read? No. Was this unique, fluffy, and fun? Yes.

Kicking myself for being so late to this party. Epistolary perfection with immaculate You've Got Mail vibes--like Hart reading this world's version of P&P and the cafe meet up kerfuffle. UGH too cute. All of that + some well placed spice + a some really unique world building = a fab read.

Beautiful, interesting, macabre, and a totally immersive read. I loved this book. Hart and Mercy were gorgeous characters to get to know!

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I LOVED THIS BOOK. The hero, Hart, is so, so cute. SO CUTE. The tallest, grumpiest, loneliest, most adorable grump ever to be an enemy turned lover. I knew this book was special when, while in his POV in the very beginning of the book, he chastises himself and thinks, 'stop oggling her, that's enemy cleavage!' and I was like 'yep, I'm about to stay up all night reading this book.' When he writes his anonymous letter, not expecting anything to come of it, and she writes back (also anonymously) and he's like 'omg I have a friend. I have a friend.' I AUDIBLY LOST CONTROL. This book is so shockingly adorable and genuinely funny. It took me way too long to get around to read it and then when I did, I swallowed it in one sitting. Slow burn, enemies to lovers, secret anonymous pen pals, he falls first, tall curvy FMC, dual pov, super indepth fantasy world building and !zombies!, and she's an undertaker which is the least likely romance heroine job I've ever heard of and I LOVE IT. Mild spice, but it IS spicy and makes the slow burn worth the wait.
I've read about a hundred books this year and after I read a library copy of this one I kept thinking about it for a month and then bought myself a physical copy.
If you like any of the above tropes, read this ASAP. Bump it to the top of your tbr.

What a fresh, delicious and completely original romance with a wonderful dollop of magical chemistry.


I really applaud Bannen for her unique and inimitable voice and style. I would love to see film treatment of this and cannot wait to follow her wherever she takes us next.

A wonderful premise and an enjoyable read. I'm looking forward to reading what comes next from this author! Especially if they continue to write characters such as this.

I absolutely adore this book!!!! Hart and Mercy have the perfect hate to love relationship!!!! So sweet and funny and bizarre at times. This story is so unique and quirky that I can’t help but fall in love with the story and its characters!!

The two are perfect for each other and you can’t help but root for them every step of the way. I’ll admit that I laughed, I cried, and I loved every moment of it. This is definitely going to be one of my favorites from now on.

I recommend this to romance lovers who like a lot of otherworldliness in their stories. These two definitely hold the show, but the entire book is one enjoyable ride!!!

Thanks so much to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this for my honest and unbiased opinion.

Cozy paranormal that’s swept up so many for a reason :) Reminds me a bit of Darcy Coates meets “Just Sign”.

The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy was an unexpected rollercoaster of emotions for me. From the first chapter I was pulled right in and was unable to let go. It has fantasy and dystopian mixed with an enemies to lovers romance. Plus, the two main characters actually become pen pals without realizing who the other one is.

Mercy and Hart had me rooting for them from their first bickering session. I loved the way they got each other on edge. The angst was so well done. Although there were a couple of times that I wanted to bump their heads together and tell them to just figure it out, I was always along for the ride. There really is a well thought out gradual shift for them from enemies to potential friends to eventual lovers. It was so just good and took my emotions on a ride.

Both Mercy and Hart are easy to root for by themselves as well. Each of them is coming from a unique world that is very interconnected. Hart is responsible for finding the drudges who are in need of being taken out while Mercy helps them go to the other side after they have been taken out. These drudges add in some suspense to the romance without overpowering it. They force the characters to actually work together for a common cause. The close proximity between the characters also forces them to be honest with each other and turn to each other for support. Plus they invite in some side characters who are absolutely hilarious.

The Understanding Of Hart and Mercy is so many things all mixed into one wonderful book. When I started I definitely didn't expect to get as attached to the characters as I did but, I simply could not let them go. I was fully emotionally invested in everything. From the world building to the side characters to the bickering main characters who are secretly actually writing each other, it had everything I needed but never knew I actually wanted. It's a bit of a wild ride but it is all so worth it!

I loved the dynamic between Hart and Mercy. I also loved the letters. Pen Pal. Omg I LOVED IT. I would recommend this book to my romancing loving readers.

A near perfect balance of plot, romance, humor, sadness, death (she is an undertaker after all), spiciness, and warm fuzzy feelings.

You guys. This book

The worldbuilding was fantastic but for me it overwhelmed the romance. It’s more of a fantasy with a romantic story. Apart from that, Hart and Mercy were lovely characters. I felt their antagonism toward each other and then slowly fall in love through letters. A beautiful love story.

I loved this book! I can't wait for the next one. Hart is so misunderstood and once has a chance to open up, is quite loveable. Mercy is so overwhelmed and just needs a shoulder to cry on. Such a great pair.

aw. damn. i've been taken in my superior romantic vibes and one of my favorite setups (parfumerie 1937). very very charming. cannot believe i'm so predictable

I knew I had to read this when I saw it had Jen DeLuca's stamp of approval!
I loved the plot so much and I was anxious for the characters the entire time (in a good way lol). I don't know if there will be a sequel but I really hope this is, I would love to read Hart and Mercy going on adventures!