I have really enjoyed Megan Bannen’s trilogy, which explores the worlds of Tanria and Bushong and the stories of Mercy and Hart, Twlya and Frank, and now Rosie and Adam.

I’ll start with the bad, and end with the good – The Undercutting of Rosie and Adam is perhaps my least favourite book of the trilogy. I took more time to get through this story, which I think was partly due to the overly descriptive detail and partly because I didn’t resonate with the lead characters, Rosie and Adam.

While not my favourite story, there is still much to enjoy. Bannen delivers the humour and eccentricities I’ve expected from this series. I also enjoy that Bannen writes relatable and rational characters, which is especially appreciated with the immortal Rosie. I struggle with books with immortal, yet highly immature characters – it feels unrealistic and disingenuous. While Rosie is perhaps abrasive, she has depth that adds well to the story and her connection to Adam. This book also delivers a satisfying conclusion to the series as it gives space for closing loops on other characters and side plots.

I look forward to reading more from Megan Bannen.

3.5 stars. Thank you, NetGalley and Orbit Books, for this ARC.

This series is just so good. I not really a romance fan, but have read all the books in this series. No complaints from me. This series is perfect. I would recommend them to any who is an avid romance reader or even a casual one like me. Five out of five stars. Just as good as the first which is rare for a third book a series in my opinion.

Thank you NetGalley and Orbit for this eARC!

What a truly wonderful ending to a truly wonderful series. I would list the Undertaking of Hart and Mercy as one of my most favorite books and I was so excited but also devastated to read the final installment.

Rosie and Adam are truly compelling and interesting characters. This book takes place a decade after the second book and deal with mysterious vines growing around Tanria which eventually trap Rosie, Adam and others. There’s a lot of mystery, lots of romance and even more humor. I really enjoyed this book and I feel like it truly concluded this amazing series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really wish Goodreads would let us give half ratings because I’d give this a 2.5. Im only giving it a 2 instead of a 3 because a 3 feels just a *tad* too generous.

This book made me sad and not in a good way. :/ I did not like the fact that it takes place 10 years after the second book. This is probably unfair but it felt like the only reason the author did that was so she could have that specific character’s funeral at the beginning of the book.

I think my biggest problem with this book (which is related to the time jump) is that I didn’t feel connected to Rosie or Adam like I did the other characters in this series. Focusing on brand new, unknown people when all I wanted was more of the known people made for an okay story but it wasn’t what I personally wanted out of the last book in this trilogy. (Honestly, this should have been Duckers and Zeddie’s book, with Rosie and Adam’s story being a 4th book, a sort of standalone sequel to the trilogy.)

Because I didn’t quite connect to Rosie or Adam as much as I’d hoped**, I felt robbed of all the good moments we could’ve gotten from the other characters. And having the end of their story take place another 7 years later meant we missed out on even more! We don’t even get to see Duckers and Zeddie get married. 😑

**Their story also felt very instalust/instalove-y to me, which made it not quite as interesting as the love stories in the previous two books, which were slightly more slow-burn and drawn out in a more realistic way.

I liked getting more info about the Old Gods in the book, but I don’t remember ever hearing about the Briar Thief before this. I could be wrong about that, but having this new (to me) character introduced right before we meet Adam felt very obvious in who Adam was supposed to be. And I wish the last scene with the Trickster had gone a bit differently, personally. 1) I knew Rosie was going to lose her immortality, just not how, and the Trickster just taking some of her years with him felt a little anti-climactic and 2) the way the Trickster acted in the last scene didn’t seem to quite line up with how he expressed his feelings in his last letter to Rosie so that came across as a little retcon-y.

I don’t know. I really wanted to like this book and I realize my disappointment is due to personal issues with the book and not so much the writing itself. (Rosie is a very fun character.) But it’s not what I wanted in the ending to this trilogy. 🤷🏻‍♀️

I really liked this as an end to the series! I thought the plot points and the overall ending were incredibly satisfying as a conclusion. I LOVE that the author has managed to find a way to keep Duckers in this story and every story in this series in a way that felt so incredibly natural and easy. It made sense that he was there and it allowed for an update on the previous two books that again felt incredibly natural and realistic rather than just shoved in there awkwardly. I think that’s not done enough in these kind of stand alone interconnected series so I REALLY appreciate that. The setting yet again was so well done and the stakes felt real.

Rosie… as a character sometimes I liked her and sometimes I don’t. I don’t super love how much she talked about her “intimates” as it made her feel a touch flat or distant when she’s had this crazy life. Just made her a touch surface level. Same kind of idea with Adam. I also felt their romance bloomed a bit too fast and it didn’t make it feel realistic enough and sometimes the chemistry seemed a touch forced. But I did still like them together and enjoyed the conclusion of their story overall.

Overall, really did enjoy this book and this series as a whole.

Thanks to NetGalley and Orbit Books for the ARC for an honest review. Book releases July 8!

The Undercutting of Rosie and Adam is the latest and third from Megan Bannen in the Hart and Mercy series. The series can be read in order or enjoyed individually. This is a "fantasy rom-com with an opposites-attract twist set in the delightful world of Tanria." Publication is slated for Jully, 8, 2025.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced digital review copy.

I have so enjoyed getting to know this quirky world and it's wild cast of characters. I'm sad that this is the final book exploring Eternity and Tanria. The Undercutting of Rosie and Adam tells the story of demigod Rosie Fox and inventor Dr. Adam Lee. When the portals into Tanria start going on the fritz, Dr. Lee, a renowned expert on portal science, is called in to investigate. Rosie remembers Dr. Lee well, although they only met in passing 5 years before. Suffice to say, chaos ensues, and Rosie and Adam must adventure together in hopes of restoring balance to the world.

This book has great banter, top notch humor, and a whole lot of heart. This series has been my introduction to Megan Bannen, and I've liked it so much, I plan to seek out her backlist. I really only had a few small issues, one was that it takes FOREVER (approximately 70% of the book) to get to the actual spice. I never knock a romance because it's not steamy enough, I know that's not everyone's cup of tea. But if you are going to include spice, please don't get to the very end of the story before you add it. I like having to work for it a little, but this is taking it too far. Also, some of the phrases and internal monologue were a tad repetitive. Those tiny things are my only complaints, and there's definitely more to love than to hate. 4 stars! Thank you to Netgalley and Orbit Books for the gifted copy.

I love to see letters in the Hart and Mercy series and The Undercutting of Rosie and Adam is no exception. Okay let's just get it out of the way. The romance in this is swoony as there's this element of forced proximity as they are stuck together. It's easy to fall into the romance, the ways Rosie has to see through Adam's exterior and the cards he holds close to his chest. We also love a woman who loves her lingerie! But I think what I loved most was Rosie's exploration with mortality and family.

A theme we've been witnessing ever since The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy were the ideas of mortality. For Rosie this is even more apparent as her immortal status means she has this scope to her life. First of all, she's died, but she also realizes that she loses everyone she would love. I loved the way the world feels like it expands in The Undercutting of Rosie and Adam in terms of the gods and the lore. If you love the idea of the stories and the crumbs Bannen has been leaving about the 'beyond' this is for you!

The Undercutting of Rosie and Adam is the literary equivalent of comfort food with a little kick. It’s cozy fantasy done right — soft edges, low stakes, and just the right amount of worldbuilding flair to keep things feeling fresh and fun, not like you’re cramming for a magical geography test.
Like the first two books in the series, this one swooped in as a perfect palate cleanser between heavier, more intense reads. It's like the book gently patted me on the back and said, “You’ve been through a lot. Let’s just vibe.”

One of my favorite things about this series is that each book tells its own story — no cliffhangers, no homework, no rereading book ones because you forgot who the Duke of Shadowcreek was. But at the same time, all three books connect just enough to let you revisit familiar faces (looking at you, Zeddie — you delightful little scene-stealer). That balance is so satisfying and honestly kind of rare.

And bless Megan Bannen for giving us main characters who don’t feel like carbon copies of every other romantasy couple. Rosie and Adam are wonderfully unconventional — believable, endearing, and real in a way that made me want to high-five the author through the page. It’s not often you get a love story that doesn’t rely on one character being a dainty fairy waif and the other a walking mountain with emotional constipation. This felt human, and that made it even more magical.

That said… I have to admit, the romance itself felt a little fast. Like, one moment they’re cautiously teaming up, and the next they’re emotionally spiraling over each other like it’s been years — when it’s been, what, a few intense days? I liked them together! I just wanted a bit more buildup before the feelings cannon fired at full blast.

But even with the slightly-too-quick emotional arc, this was such a satisfying end to the series. The world wraps up beautifully — all the little “but how does this work?” questions are answered in a way that’s clever, unique, and totally enjoyable. It’s rare to get closure that feels this complete and fun.

Final thought? This book — and the series as a whole — is warm, weird, and wonderfully refreshing. If you need a breather from heavy world-ending epics or emotionally draining romances, pick this up. You’ll laugh, you’ll smile, and you’ll maybe roll your eyes at the romance pacing — but you’ll have a great time doing it.

What a wonderful ending to what has become one of my favorite trilogies. The Undercutting of Rosie and Adam continues the exploration into the importance of death, this time through the eyes of the immortal Rosie.

“...a reminder that while everlasting life may appear tempting, it comes with pain and tribulation. And that is why death is as precious as life.”

The romance is a slow burn, and flips the script on the typical pairing of big, strong guy and small woman. Rosie is tall, while her love interest is a short king and they are so well matched. The banter between them is hilarious, plus we are treated once again to the wit of Penrose Duckers.

A fantastic line from Dr. Adam Lee that I can’t stop thinking about:
“You enjoy a man’s yearning and suffering? Fictionally speaking?”
Yes, yes we do.

The mystery takes center stage in this story and we learn so much more about the myths and gods that shaped their world. And of course, I cried at how poignant the character’s relationships are beyond the central romance. We’re treated to cozy updates on Hart & Mercy, and Twyla & Frank and all the rest.

The incredible world of Tanria is one big found-family that I am sad to leave!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy.

This series is just the best. I hope the series continues with more books, because this is an auto-buy author for me!

This is the book series I have always needed as a romantic older woman. The world the series is in is so different from anything I have read before and I love that. I love that the main plot is not just the romance but an action packed mystery. The women in this series are all kick ass strong women the men compliment their lives not complete it. The mystery is always fun because I never know here it is going. I read a lot of mystery and usually figure it out very early on. I don’t with these books and it makes me want to read more.

Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book would be great for anyone who likes fantasy, romance, quirky, unique, main characters, and humor. This novel does forced proximity very well, and I was all about it. The story follows Rosie and Adam, who work with others to fix portals in Tanria. Rosie is quirky, funny, and a demigod who doesn't love that she's love and lost a lot of people over her 150+ years. Adam is the portal's inventor, and he initially comes across as cold and detached. However, shenanigans ensue and the two are forced together to solve the mystery of the portal's breakdown.

What I enjoyed: I loved learning about Adam's backstory, and I enjoyed seeing him slowly open up. His dry humor had me laughing out loud, and I loved watching the connection between him and Rosie grow. The mystery was interesting and there were definitely some bittersweet moments at the end that I'm still thinking about. I really like Bannen's writing style. She has a great way of interweaving quirky humor with insight and meaning, and that really hits home for me.

That being said, the switch from, "I'm into this person" to "I love this person" was a little too quick for me. I think immediate (or seemingly immediate) love isn't my cup of tea. I enjoyed this book a lot, but didn't love it like the first one. I think this could definitely still work for folks who loved the first one, and it's still a book that I'd recommend to others! I probably won't re-read it though.

Thank you again for the opportunity to read and review this book!

E-ARC Book Review—The Undercutting of Rosie and Adam by Megan Bannen—Spoiler Free

“While everlasting life may appear tempting, it comes with pain and tribulation. And that is why death is as precious as life.”

Rosie is a Demi-god that cannot permanently die, much to her chagrin. She’s lived for 150 years and has had to watch those she loves grow old and die while she’s left physically somewhere in her 20s. When one of the portals to Tanria is broken and a rescue mission is necessary her boss calls in Adam, the creator of the portals to help fix them. Rosie and Adam had an encounter years earlier and Rosie was not quick to forget it. Now she’s working side by side the solemn man and might be catching some strong feelings for him while they try to save Tanria.

Fans of cozy romances with a little bit of spice will adore this story and characters. This is the third and final book in this interconnected stand-alone series, and while the book can be read on its own it would probably be helpful for the world building and back story to be read as part of the series. I love a good grumpy/sunshine slow burn. I did feel like the romance took a bit of a back seat to the overall story, but it was very sweet. I feel like this book wrapped up the series nicely, the only downside being we don’t get a book with Duckers and Zeddie because Duckers stole the show as a side character. The world built here is unique and a bit quirky, but somehow feels like a warm hug reading it. I really enjoyed the sarcastic humor from Rosie and the reality of her coming to terms with her immortal existence.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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2.5 stars. Not enough Duckers--I need more Duckers. I was confused about the whole portal problems and found it boring. Adam Lee was dull and I really could not rally for the romance with Rosie. I liked Rosie but Rosie and Adam as a couple didn't work for me. It made me think of Spruce and Brandi in Trolls Band Together. The humorous banter between Duckers and whomever he was talking to is what kept me reading. Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC

This series is such a gem! Megan Bannen continues to astound me with her wildly imaginative and hilarious world.

In line with its predecessors, <i>The Undercutting of Rosie and Adam</i> was a wild ride. Both the story itself and the expansion of the Tanrian lore were great, and I loved seeing Duckers and Zeddie again! However, the romance between Rosie and Adam, our titular characters, was severely underdeveloped.

I am just utterly smitten with Tanria and it’s Marshals.

Getting to know Rosie a bit in the last installment (The Undermining of Twyla and Frank) I was super intrigued by our immortal Demi-goddess. I liked her quirkiness and her appreciation of her intimates. The relationship that she developed with my best friend Penny-D was heartwarming. (Can you tell Duckers was my favorite character?). I was a little surprised by the time jump but it was fun jumping into such a solid partnership when previously we only saw Duckers as a baby marshal kind of tagging along. Their friendship is just *chefs kiss*. I also enjoyed getting some tidbit updates on our other beloved couples (Hart & Mercy, Twyla & Frank et al) Also thank you Megan for the slivers of second change flirtations with Duckers & Zeddie. That was desperately needed.

I also loved Adam being pocket-sized… such a refreshing take on the heroes we see in a lot of Romantasy/Fantasy/Romance genres. He was dry and stoic and trying not to seduce the girl… and that just made him easier to fall for, right RoFo?! *swoon* I do feel like we sped through their insta-attraction though. Reflecting back there wasn’t much deep or meaningful conversation until it was blatantly obvious to Pen, Z, and us that they were pinning. I am glad that they had their alone time in Tanria for us to actually see/feel their relationship grow.

If we’re getting picky, I do think this plot was the most predictable of the trilogy. There were a couple surprises for me along the way but unlike the previous two installments I could tell right from the get-go how this story was going to progress and how the characters would interact. It was still delightful to read and I still wanted to know all the details along the way but yea, just pretty obvious.

The world of Tanria has captured my heart with its uniqueness since I’ve read the first book. So to experience it again with new amazing characters was such a delight.

I love Rosie. She is my absolute favorite FMC in the series. The way she cusses had me laughing out loud. I love her sass. Adam on the other hand is all serious and quiet, the total opposite of Rosie but I truly adore him. Their romance is very sweet and it has captured my heart.

It was as entertaining as the first two books. I loved it. The perfect conclusion to the series.

This book is the perfecting ending of a trilogy, but more than that, it is a fabulous story in its own right. The continued world building is excellent, the character development for both new personalities and old friends is phenomenal, and the writing itself is exquisite. Full of laugh-out-loud moments of both incredibly dry humor and hilarious commentary, The Undercutting of Rosie and Adam will hook readers on the first page and reel them all the way across the Salt Sea to the end.

Wow. I love this book. I love this series. I'm incredibly sad this is the final book in the series. That's honestly my only complaint. I want there to be more books. I want to stay in this world with these characters that I've grown so fond of. But, as sad as I am to say goodbye to this series, it wrapped up perfectly. One of my favorite things about each book is getting to see characters from all the previous books again. Getting so many scenes with Mercy, Hart, Frank and Twyla made me so happy. I was especially happy to spend plenty of time with Duckers and Zeddie in this book. Penny D is one of the best side characters ever. I also can't forget to mention the nimkilims who steal the show every time they're on page. They are so lovable and sassy. Speaking of incredible characters, I had so much fun getting to know Rosie and Adam. Rosie has a huge personality and zero filter, she is hilarious and I adore her. Adam is more reserved and has humor so dry you can't help but laugh. The more he revealed his past the harder I was rooting for him to be happy. The banter between Rosie and Adam was great and I loved watching their connection blossom. I'm so glad their romance was slow burn. It made it that much sweeter when the spice finally hit. The plot was mysterious and kept me intrigued. I liked that we learn even more about the New Gods and the Old Gods. The ending had me in tears, I wasn't prepared to be that moved. The themes of abandonment, loss and grief were well done and handled with care. I was so captivated by the characters and the story that I couldn't bring myself to out it down. I don't think I need to say it again but just in case I wasn't clear, this book is amazing. This series is easily one of my all time favorites. Oh, and there's super cute dragons! Thank you Megan Bannen for putting this story out into the world. Thank you Orbit Books for providing me with an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.