More time in Tanria with both old and new characters? Um - yes, please, and thank you!
Rosie is the firecracker of all firecrackers! She’s confident, unabashed, and irreverent, which comes naturally, being 150 years old and immortal. I suffered from second-hand embarrassment all throughout the book from her “Act first, think never” motto, and I wouldn’t have her any other way. That was the only way for her to force her way into Adam’s life and get him to renew his will to live.
That’s not to say that she didn’t have depth! We got to see the real Rosie and the burden that her immortality placed on her throughout the book, making her even more real and lovable. Her relationship with her father added even more dimensions to her, and the way that part concluded was very satisfying.
Also satisfying? Duckers and Zeddie making their way back to each other! I loved seeing how these two grew and matured in every book of the series! I don’t want to leave Tanria, please don’t make me!

📣 a great conclusion to this series!

Thanks to the author & Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.

The Tanria-set series by Megan Bannen has overall been lovely, & The Undercutting of Rosie & Adam is a return to the great way the series began.

In this book, demigod Rosie & mysterious genius Adam are stuck together in Tanria, taking turns sweetly wearing their hearts on their sleeves for moments at a time & then immediately trying to pretend those moments didn’t happen. It’s a sweet sweet dance & the reason why this book is so soft & special.

As they tumble into love, Rosie & Adam have to
deal with the mysterious vine taking over Tanria, watch a second chance romance reunion, & deal with the question of mortality versus immortality.

Romance is a big part of this book but so is friendship & the ending gives a fitting goodbye to these wonderful characters 🤩.

5 ⭐️, out 07/08

[ID: Jess holds the ebook in front of bookshelves with orange & blue spines.]

First, thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I'm going to start by saying I'm not much of a romance reader, so the fact that I like 2/3 of the books in this series is really saying something. I sort of accidentally fell into the first book in the series, liked it way more than I expected, and so here we are on book 3. I thought this one was not as good as book one, but much, MUCH better than book 2, which I found just too light and silly. I like these books better when there are real stakes and problems for the characters to deal with. This one has those, though not quite to the extent that the first book did.

I was pleasantly surprised that Bannen chose to go with immortal Rosie as the focus for this book, a fun character to read about and explore. Mercy, Hart, Duckers, and Zeddie and many others from prior books all make frequent appearances here as well, which was nice. The story is the main focus here, much more than the romance, especially for the first half/two thirds of the story, which is how I personally like any romances. However, if you're someone who just wants the whole story to be about the romance, this might not be quite your style.

I thought the premise of getting the characters stuck in Tanria was a good way to build up tension. There was plenty of humor, but also heart too. Sure, some of the characters made some stupid decisions (I was frustrated with how they actually get stuck in Tanria, but no spoilers), and when someone is immortal, I do think there would be a bit more to the start of romance than just the fact that guy is really hot, but overall this was a fun ride. Despite the fact that I generally avoid romance novels, I'll probably keep an eye out for Bannen's future books, because 2/3 ain't bad. ;)

First, we love a short king. Second, Rosie is a 6-foot 5 demigod with no filter, and I imagine talking with a mid-Atlantic newsies accent. Adam and Rosie together are just so funny, I love their banter and the build-up in their relationship. One thing Megan Bannen does well is an underrepresented romance book. The previous two books in this series also had couples that aren't typically represented in popular media. This book is the third and what seems like final book in a series. Technically, you could probably get away with just reading this book, but I'm not sure why you would want to.

Demigods in this world typically have one power, Hart can see souls, Alma can start fires, and Rosie can't die. Well, she can die, she just comes back to life. Rosie is over 100 years old and still looks like she's in her late 20s. She doesn't have much to show for her long life except trauma, a penchant for expensive lingerie, and a knack for dying. When the portals to Tanria start going on the fritz, Rosie can see shadows clogging the machines. Adam, the engineer who built the portals, arrives to repair the machines, but somehow the damage is only getting worse. Of course, they get stuck in Tanria together (with another favorite couple from the previous books Penrose Duckers and Zaddie). Of course, there is more to the story then just mysterious vines and a very stoic engineer.

The story between Adam and Rosie as well as the secondary plot between Penrose and Zaddie, is cute and the banter is adorable. I love that Rosie just constantly says inappropriate things to Adam and their physical reactions to each other were fun to read. I also like that there was a time jump from the second book to the third book; it made the other background plot points make more sense and the story flowed better. I did think the romance was rushed in this book. There's a past event that is mentioned as being formative between Adam and Rosie. That event is the catalyst for the whole book, but it just felt kind of rushed to me. Like something happened between these two characters five years ago and they both still carry a torch? Maybe I believe that, but I don't believe that Rosie didn't tell someone about the connection she felt.

I also wish there would have been more development between Rosie and her father, the Trickster. I could easily see why they were estranged, but it felt like in Rosie's 100 years of life she would have had more than one conflict with her dad. It seemed like she just let the relationship be stagnant, when really, she wanted to scream at him. It just didn't fit the character very well in my opinion.

I liked this book, but I thought there could have been more development of the romance between the main characters. The second book remains my favorite in the series.

Thanks to NetGalley and Orbit books for the advanced copy. All opinions

I can't believe this series is coming to an end. This one tugged on my heartstrings more that the others, but it was a perfect conclusion. We get to see how life is going for all the characters In the previous books while focusing on the new budding romance between Rosie and Adam. Their story was definitely a slow burn that almost turned into insta-love if that makes sense. They could barely talk to each other through the first half of the book and then suddenly they were saying They love each other. I'm heartbroken to see this ending but it was absolutely perfect

The Undercutting of Rosie and Adam was a fantastic conclusion to the strange and vibrant world readers got to live in for three books. While I’m not sure I was incredibly convinced of how quickly Rosie and Adam were attracted to one another, I think the author made some narrative choices that helped explain it since it wasn’t the first time they had met. I do, however, wish that it was perhaps a deeper connection or just a bit more than the brief interaction they had. The characters were perfectly suited to one another though and I enjoyed their banter.

The story was well developed, thoroughly enjoyable, and had just the right balance of new things versus subtle callbacks to the prior books in this world. Overall, this was a lovely cozy fantasy.

These books - the 2nd in particular - are my go to rec when I see people asking where the fantasy and adventure books are with main characters who aren’t still in their teens and twenties
This one *might* stretch that a little further than the others in the trilogy
She’s 157 and he’s <redacted> but I’m still recommending it!
At the end of the day, they’re people who have been around the block a time or two saving the day

“Thanks” to her father the Trickster, demigod Rosie has been living with the gift/burden of immortality
Being able to return to life repeatedly has helped in her work with the Martials, but her partner Penrose Duckers isn’t the only one wishing she didn’t die so frequently 

When the portals between Bushong and Tanria begin malfunctioning she and Pen are tasked with escorting their inventor around Tanria to see what can be done. Introverted to the point of nearly recluse, Adam might know more than he’s letting on about the problem but unfortunately that’s not helping him fix it

Things go from bad to worse as the last portal goes down, leaving them trapped in Tanria, along with Pen’s ex Zeddie who couldn’t evacuate in time…can I interest anyone in some potentially awkward forced proximity?

This book had me in my emotions - swoony over handkerchiefs, anxious while they were trapped in a land getting more dangerous by the second, sad parental feelings, excited for more dragon flying adventure. It also has all sorts of humor - Dry, Cheesy, Laugh out loud ridiculous? There’s even a cat named Blammo Tinky Fartface, and I’m immature enough to find that hilarious

Even though the storyline does wrap up neatly as a trilogy, a selfish part of me wishes this series could continue forever. I’m just not ready to give up this world that I’ve loved so much! I’ll definitely be coming back to these books again (and again) 
I would also accept pages upon pages of Penny D and Z curtain fic if anyone has any of that laying around…

Thank you NetGalley and Orbit for the arc!

I love this series. I love this world. I love this extended cast of characters. I’m so so sad this is the final book in the trilogy 😭.

The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy was one of my favorite books of 2023, and The Undercutting of Rosie and Adam is on track to be one of my favorites of 2025! I didn’t realize Rosie’s was the story I wanted, but I’m so glad we got it. She’s a FMC unlike any other I’ve read, and in particular I love how her physicality turns the tiny lead/big strong lead on its head. The banter was delightful, the supporting characters lovable, and the romance perfectly paced. Like the others in the trilogy, the world-building is just enough to feel really different and exciting, but doesn’t at all bog the story down. Honestly I want the religious practice to be real because I find it really thoughtful.

MEGAN BANNEN PLEASE REVISIT THIS WORLD!!!!!

The perfect ending to a delightful trilogy! I cannot express how much I love these books, these characters, this zany world. And I really adored Rosie and Adam. And Zeddie and Duckers. What a way to end it!

Since the other 2 books in this trilogy are loosely based on Meg Ryan rom coms, I spent the entire book trying to figure out what this one was based on. And I think the answer is that it's not! But I still had so much fun with it.

Read it for the vibes and worldbuilding. Read it for the slow burn romance and the opposites attract pairing. Read it for the side characters stealing the show and the fabulous glitter breathing dragons.

Underneath all the zaniness is a complex and thoughtful theme about mortality. Brilliantly executed.

I'll miss Tanria and these characters, but feel completely satisfied with how this series closed out!

I loved this series so much! I am so sad that this series has come to an end with book 3. I have loved seeing the series start with Hart and Mercy, then progress to Twyla and Frank, and end with Rosie and Adam's story. I loved that we got even more of the background and world with the demigods and the gods. I loved Rosie's character. She had little to no filter and called things exactly as she saw them. Rosie and Duckers' one-liners had me laughing out loud so many times. I lost it when I found out what Rosie named her cat. This book took the reader on quite the journey, including the peril that Tanria is now facing, and how Rosie, Adam, Duckers, and Zeddie navigated their new, unfortunate, or maybe not so unfortunate, situation. It made me so happy that we also got to have Duckers and Zeddie as a primary focus in the last novel, as they had some unfinished business to work through. Duckers is probably one of my favorite characters in this series. I was getting very emotional towards the end of this book, with it being the last book in the series, but I loved how everything ended for the characters and how their storylines wrapped up. I am very excited to read more from Megan Bannen!

Thank you, NetGalley and Orbit, for the gifted copy of The Undercutting of Rosie and Adam (Hart and Mercy #3) by Megan Bannen.

Thank you to Megan Bannen, Orbit, and NetGalley for giving me an eARC of The Undercutting of Rosie and Adam in exchange for my honest review.

The Undercutting of Rosie and Adam takes place about 10 years following the conclusion of The Undermining of Twyla and Frank. This book explores what it would really be like to live forever, to make connections just to see them die after a handful of decades. Rosie is one of those people who will live forever, and she hates it. She is working with her partner Duckers (my favorite) when she sees these shadowy thorns that she is the only one capable of seeing. When this leads to her electrocution and subsequent death, Rosie, along with Duckers, is tasked with guarding Adam, who is coming to fix what Rosie broke.

This is the slowest of all slow burns, and let me just say, I absolutely loved it. The sparks between Adam and Rosie could be felt from the very beginning, however, they both had their own things to process. I loved that we got the see the evolution of their romance and how they both tackled some difficult concepts as they are trapped and trying to fix this thorn thing that Rosie is able to see. The plot of this book is just as fun, and we get to see Duckers and Zeddie reunite while also watching Adam and Rosie truly get to know each other. While the majority of this book only took place over the course of 2-3 weeks, the plot itself is well-paced. There is the appropriate amount of rush when necessary, with equal time spent trying to breathe in a tense situation. I loved being back in this world and being reunited with old characters while also getting to know new ones. I truly loved Rosie as a character, and I am glad that we got a book from her perspective. I would highly recommend this book to all, and you do not need to have read every other book to understand the bulk of this one, though it will help with world-building.

I love this world of whimsy! I really enjoyed Adam and Rosie's story and I'll miss this series. The balance of humor, whimsy, and actual life is done so well.

At this point, I'll read ANY Megan Bannen book! She is an auto-buy author for me, especially her Hart & Mercy series! These are some of my most FAVORITE romance books of all time. They're quirky and cute and fun and unserious in ways that matter. But they tackle important topics in a thoughtful manner as well. Please pick up this book! Rosie Fox is a FMC to die for! I was hoping to get a book with her as the main character, and this book did not disappoint!

Megan Bannen is one of my all-time favorite authors, and this series holds such a special place in my heart—it’s hard to believe it’s really over. I devoured The Undercutting of Rosie and Adam and loved every second, but I’m genuinely heartbroken that this is the last time we’ll be in this world.

Rosie and Adam completely charmed me. Their romance isn’t the main focus, which I actually appreciated—I’m not a big romance reader, and I liked that their connection felt real and tender without being overdone. I especially loved how they both found someone who saw them. Rosie, who never quite fits the mold, and Adam, who’s quieter and a bit physically mismatched with Rosie in ways that just made them feel all the more right together. There was something really sweet and validating in that.

Also… the cat. IYKYK. I actually laughed out loud when the name was revealed 😂

And I swear, Rosie’s hilarious obsession with her undergarments had me grinning every time it came up. It’s such a weirdly specific but lovable character quirk that made her feel even more alive on the page.

The world-building continues to be top-tier. The magic, the mythos, the mist, the portals, the delivery nimilkin, autoducks (?? forever amazing), and DRAGONS (Mary Georgina!!!) made it such a joy to come back to this universe. It’s cozy and weird and full of heart. The found family element is strong as ever, and the tone walks this perfect line between whimsical and emotionally grounded.

Also, as a total daddy’s girl… that letter at the end hit me hard. I teared up. It was such a quiet, lovely, gut-punch of a moment that stayed with me after I finished.

I’ll miss this world so much. But what a beautiful, bittersweet way to say goodbye. If you haven’t picked up this series yet—please do. It’s truly something special.

I hadn't read the other books in the series, but I don't think it was necessary to appreciate the story. Apparently they are interconnected, standalone novels. I liked the characters of Rosie and Adam and the circumstances that brought them together. The world was unique and the side characters and fantastic animals were fun. What brought this down to 3 stars for me was the length. As it was, there were parts that seemed to meander and I struggled with the last 1/4th of the book. Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit for the digital arc in return for my honest opinion.

The 3rd and final entry in the Hart & Mercy series and it did not disappoint!

I do wish there would be more books in this world just because I love it so much (especially the furry frogs), but I also really like where we ended up with all of the main characters and their families.

Rosie was a side character I was always very intrigued by in the first 2 books so it was a lot of fun to finally get her point of view and backstory. I liked Adam for Rosie but I do wish we had gotten to see some of his point of view. Their romance plot felt a bit rushed to me, not so much that I didn’t buy the characters together, just that it felt like they started calling it love very quickly.

Overall I really loved this series and will be looking forward to whatever Megan Bannen publishes next!

The perfect end to this series!! Loved that each book we got more lore and world building while also getting different romance tropes!
Such a good conversation on what being immortal might actually be like. Seeing loved ones die over and over again, plus being able to revive on death seeing how other people react to yourself dying even when you might be used to it.
My only minor complaint/ sad thing is that we won't be getting a Duckers/Zeddie book. Their romance was always just added as a side plot to everyone else's and I would've loved if they got their own book with second chance as the trope but I still love those two and am very happy we got to see them again and watch them deal with each other!

4-4.5 stars. The Undercutting of Rosie and Adam was a return to the world of Tanria to follow a demigod ranger and the inventor of the world's necessary portals. Rosie has been alive for over a century and dies on a regular basis. Adam enters her life when the portals needed to travel to Tanria are damaged. The two get stuck in the mist accompanied by Rosie's partner and his ex. Rosie slowly chips away at Adam's facade and we learn how complex he really is.

I really enjoy this world! I love the dragons and their glitter, the demigods, the reapers, etc. It was fun to follow the romance of these two. I liked that she is taller as well since you don't see that often in romance books. I definitely recommend this book for a fun fantasy romance.

Thank you to Orbit Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

AAAAAAHHHHHHH this was so good!! I wasn't expecting it to go the way it did AT ALL! But I loved it so much! Absolutely can't wait to get my hands on a physical copy (in July!) so that I can have all 3 books!! What a fun, quirky series and I can't wait to go back and read them again! Can't wait to see what Bannen writes next!! Thank you sooooooo much to NetGalley and to the publisher for my digital ARC!! ❤️❤️❤️

Oh how I love this weird little series! I enjoyed Rosie and Adam and their adventures in Tanria. It was very sweet and heartwarming. Rosie was hilarious (and Karlach from BG3 in my mind??) and Adam was so quiet and a pocket-sized king! It’s very much grumpy/sunshine with dragons, personal growth, and of course our favorite character - Duckers!!!! Hart and Mercy is still my fav, but this one was entertaining, a quick read, and has all the unique quirky vibes you could want!