This is one of my favorite worlds to read about. While the second book remains my favorite, I love that Rosie got everything she wanted in the end. I LOVE that Duckers is such a prominent character in all three books and he’s hands down my favorite character!

this book series holds such a special place in my heart, & book 3 did not disappoint. 🩷 there is something really beautiful about the quirky, unstereotypical, & unexpected love stories that Megan Bannen writes, & I would read them ALL.

I’m just obsessed with the world of Tanria & all the unique people & adorable creatures that live there (equimaris, dragons, nimkilim, graps, all of them!). I’ll be honest — I wasn’t expecting the final book in this series to be a story about a brash, wild, badass, 150-year-old immortal demigod like Rosie, but I adored her right away. even quiet & stony Dr. Lee was overall quite charming, & I liked seeing their story unfold. don’t worry, there are also plenty of appearances from our favorite characters from books 1 & 2 have grown & evolved since we saw them last.

it’s wacky, it’s hilarious, it’s heartwarming. it’s everything I want in a cozy romantasy. I’m sad to leave Tanria, but will be on the lookout for whatever Megan Bannen does next. ✨ thank you TONS to Netgalley & Orbit Books for the ARC!

⭐4.7⭐

Thank you so much to Orbit Books for sending me this early on Net Galley!

The third and final book in the Hart and Mercy universe! I think this book is my second favorite in the series. I love Rosie so much; she and Adam seem to fit so well together.

Things I Loved: (quotes coming later)

I just love the universe of Hart, Mercy, and Tanria so much that I am sad to leave it! There were so many things I loved in this book, from the references and inclusion of the previous books' couples to Mary Georgina being back and cute as ever!

This book takes place 10 years after Twyla and Frank's story, with Rosie straight up dying in the first chapter. She is, of course, a demigod with her father being the Trickster God and her mother being the sweetest woman ever, so she does come back to life.

<i>"Are we in fourth grade right now?" Duckers folded his arms and treated her to his best shit-eating grin. "I will have you know that I had this exact same conversation with Hart Ralston re: Mercy Birdsall, and I was right. And I called Twyla Banneker and Frank Ellis getting together."</i>

Rosie is also partnered up with Duckers, everyone's favorite marshall! I love that this series follows Duckers and his journey while focusing on the beautiful stories between his partners falling in love on the side.

There is a lot of bantering between Zeddie, who has returned and now works in Tanria, and Duckers, which I loved! I was so sad when they broke up in the last book, and now they are reunited, not romantically, for the first time in years.

<i> "I hate to break this to you, but you're stuck with me, literally and figuratively. I hereby declare myself a Person Who Is Important to Adam Lee, no matter where we end up."</i>

<i>"How is this hard to understand? I'm in love with you, you soft cantaloupe."</i>

Adam and Rosie are so different but similar at the same time! I love that they both dress up and look nice when they can, but Adam struggles to get close to people while Rosie appears to know everyone and care for them.

Final Thoughts:

This was such a great ending to the series, while I am sad that it is over, I'm so happy I decided to pick this up randomly two years ago at Barnes and Noble! Who knew that this series would start my love of romantasy after so many years and inspire me to get back into reading! Adam and Rosie are perfect together and fell in love so fast and hard, which I loved. I hope they spend the rest of their lives together riding dragons and being around those they love!

Tropes:
🧡Demi-God romance🧡

🧡Tall Queen and Short King🧡

🧡Strangers to Lovers🧡

🧡He Falls First🧡

🧡Age Gap🧡

Such a sweet end to this trilogy and world. The PINING between Rosie and Adam was top tier. Definitely a slow burn. I also just love the unique world that the author built.

The ten year time jump and the. Seven year time jump were actually so well executed and I think really added to the experience of being able to see where all of these side characters ended up.

The side characters and relationships are so good. I was kind of hoping that duckers and zeddie would get their own book but I’m glad they got their happy ending still.

Every book in this series has been different and wonderful in its own way! It was fascinating to learn more about Rosie and what makes her tick, and to watch her fall in love with Adam, who is who she least expected!

In particular, I loved the wholehearted embracing of their physical differences - Rosie is a demigod, super tall and strong and Adam is a short king who blossoms over the course of their relationship (IYKYK.) Learning more about each of their back stories, and the formation of their world only added to the wonderful story telling.

<spoiler>
I also loved seeing Duckers and Zeddie get their happily ever after! </spoiler>

I'm sad to see the series end!

Thank you to NetGalley, Megan Bannen, and Orbit Books for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars

I adore this series. I was hoping we would get more books in this world. But it sounds like from the acknowledgments, this will be the last book in this series. Thankfully, we get to see where all the characters are now. I loved Rosie and Adam's story. They are complete opposites in the best way. Rosie says everything she thinks and is bold. Adam is reserved and serious. They complement each other—my favorite kind of love story. My only complaint is that the romance was slow initially, then it suddenly took off. I'm fine with a story being one or the other, but it did feel a little jarring. I’m glad we got their story. I can’t wait to read more books from Megan Bannen. I highly recommend this book and this series!

Unfortunately, this is the weakest installment in the series. While Rosie and Adam are themselves lovely, the story itself is retreading a LOT of ground from the first book. Bannen had such an intriguing world here, and she hints at other parts of it EVEN MORE in this book than in the others, but then she doesn't choose to USE them, which is immensely disappointing. And even though I liked Rosie and Adam, this book isn't as strong of a ROMANCE as the other books, either. The two of them are just kind of into each other right away, and then as soon as the opportunity presents itself to actually be together rather than running around Tanria looking for a way out, they are. There's very little tension built over the course of the story and so not a lot of emotional payoff at the end...particularly as it feels very familiar to the end of Hart & Mercy.

I ADORED Hart & Mercy and liked Twyla & Frank. This one was just okay. I think Hart & Mercy really showed how much Bannen can do with a cool world (even though, yes, I know, the plot was basically You've Got Mail) and I wish she had utilized it more rather than staying in one little safe (aka already done) bubble of it.

This series has been such a joy, and this book did not disappoint. Rosie is a brilliant character, and getting to revisit some old favourites was like coming home. The plot was as bonkers and adorable as usual, and I will never stop wanting more!

Thank you to the publisher for sending a copy for review

Believe me when I say I was super excited to get the chance to read this ARC, and it did not disappoint! This is a fantastic third installment in Megan Bannen's Tanrian Marshall series, and it follows Rosie Fox (a Tanrian marshal and an unhappily immortal demigod) and Dr. Adam Lee (the uptight and enigmatic architect of the portals to Tanria). Adam is called in to repair the portals when they start malfunctioning, and Rosie and her partner (the irrepressible and lovable Duckers!) are tasked with accompanying Adam in Tanria as he troubleshoots the portals during a mass evacuation. However, the repairs turn into a larger and more dangerous mystery when they get stuck on the Tanrian side of the portal with seemingly no escape.

This story was a wonderful mix of humor and poignant sweetness and angst, which by now I know to expect from a Megan Bannen novel. It's very imaginative with a nice mix of whimsy and tension/danger which, again, is typical of this series. I really enjoy this author's romances (romantasy?), she's got a knack for subtlety and for writing yearning and slow burn. And as someone who doesn't often read fantasy, I find the world building elements easy to follow since they enhance the plot rather than distract from it. This is a great story for fans of opposites attract and forced proximity romance, with elements of found family and even a second chance romance aspect. Even though this book takes place 10 years after Twyla and Frank's story, it's not a standalone. Each book in the series relies heavily on prior knowledge from previous books and there are recurring characters so read these books in order for peak enjoyment. (But honestly, you should read them all because they're just so fun, and the characters worm their way into your heart so seeing them pop up in successive books is like an extended epilogue for each of their stories.) I keep falling more in love with this series with each new installment, but I think this is the last in the series. Which makes me sad to see the last of these characters and setting, but I'll read anything this author writes so I'm looking forward to whatever comes next! 4.5 stars rounded up to 5. Publishes July 8, 2025. My thanks to NetGalley and Orbit Books for providing the eARC upon which this review is based, all opinions are my own.

I was so excited to get an early copy because I absolutely loved the first two books in this series and this one did not disappoint at all. The banter was top notch and I just love the visuals of the world. I did think there was a bit of instalove but Adam and Rosie’s story was beautiful in the end. Highly recommend!

Thank you to Netgalley and Orbit Books for providing me with an ARC for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

The third and final installment of the Tanria novels might well be my favorite. The world setting and characters have been well established by this point, and the author did a lovely job of bringing it home with this final farewell.

Rosie and Adam are simultaneously characters that seem to be in opposition while remaining deeply analogous to one another. Two vines that grew out of similar soil but flowered in completely different ways.

The writing is Bannen’s familiar banter-y chatter, filled with sarcasm and affection. However, like the characters, the writing is similarly in opposition to the content at times. Funny and lighthearted while the characters grapple with the concept of loss and the precious nature of impermanence. The tone kept those moments from feeling oppressive without taking away their impact.

I enjoyed the first two books in the trilogy, but this book is definitely my favorite and a very satisfying end to a delightful series. If you’re looking for a book that will scratch that cozy itch while still giving you something substantial to sink your teeth into, look no further. I will definitely miss visiting Tanria, but look forward to anything the author writes in the future.

Every time I think Megan Bannen has closed the door on Tanria stories, I find another wonderful novel. I really enjoy her lighthearted style and tone for these cozy fantasy novels, with western flair.
This latest novel, “The Underdutting of Rosie and Adam,” may be my favorite. I particularly like how Rosie is tall and brash and has a take no prisoners type attitude. She is fiery and fun, with relatable vulnerability behind her tough girl armor. Meanwhile, Adam seems like her polar opposite. He is Darcy-esque, with a reserved nature and shutter gaze. Through the novel, the quiet genius is revealed to be equally passionate, with a an even more complex than Rosie, the Demi God, daughter of the Trickster himself.

It was fun to see series favorites again and to dive deeper into the story of Penrose Duckers. I always enjoy a good Saltkicker cameo in these books.

While it seems Tanria has finally found its happy ending, I hope Bannen sets more books in this quirky, wonderful universe!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for The Undercutting of Rosie and Adam by Megan Bannen.

Why are all her books so heartwarming and adorable??? I don't get how she does it. This book was one big shoutout to the short kings, Rosie and Adam were super cute, and I love a grumpy sunshine. The dragons were back, the world building was expanded on, and we got major insights into past characters including Hart, Mercy, Twyla, and Frank. I do think it was a bit instalove, but it just feels like the kind of book and the kind of world where I would consider that acceptable and even cute.

This book managed to fix my one big complaint of the last book. While I wish there was an entire book on Zeddie and Duckers, I would say I'm pretty satisfied with the conclusion of their story in this one.

While I subtract the usual one star from Megan Bannen for cringing at a couple parts of the book that were just too much (rosie's cat), I really have very few complaints and I would have read 1000 more pages in this world. 4 Stars. Incredibly enjoyable.

This book was kind of the best way to say goodbye to Tanria and Eternity.

The story of Rosie and Dr. Adam Lee was one of absolute frustration yet also delightful giddiness. Rosie feeling stuck in her immortal life needed the disruption of the uptight Adam Lee to enter her life (again).
this book is filled with lore, opposites attract, and even a bit of second chance (Duckers and Zeddie I'm looking at you!).

this book is also filled with the touchy sticky thing that are family relationships, especially one with a parent. Megan does an amazing job of spinning that rough, deep topic with her quirky humor that lets us laugh through the uncomfy of it all.
But with that, there is emotion, and Megan doesn't hide from that, I will say that I cried (which really shouldn't surprise anyone as I am a Cancer moon) and it was for a scene/interaction I didn't think I would have the will/want to cry. But I did.

This book tied up the whole world of Tanria and Eternity in a beautiful package and I was so very content at the end. Sad to say goodbye, but glad to be able to go back and revisit old friends.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Megan Bannen will be an auto-read author of mine for all Eternity. It was a joy to finish this whimsical trilogy and I can’t wait to read whatever comes next!

This is the third book in the Hart and Mercy series by Megan Bannen. This series is playful and fun, with heartwarming romances and focus on friendship as well. I adored book 1. Book 2 was slightly more bland for me (it featured older MMCs which I don't read often). In this book, Rosie and Adam are grumpy meets grumpy goodness and I really enjoyed it.

Any book that unapologetically drops you into a world with little to no explanation and understands that the reader is intelligent enough to figure it out is a book I consider aces. Make it a trilogy where the connective tissue is a person named Penrose Duckers and mores the better!!

The Undercutting of Rosie and Adam is the final in this trilogy and I'm sad to say goodbye to Eternity and Tanria (and Duckers and Saltlicker and nimkilim, and the DRAGONS!). In this outing, Duckers is partnered with Rosie - an immortal who often "dies" due to her adventurist nature - or perhaps the point that she doesn't really care about safety anymore. We find out that she's died over 100 times in 150 years and is maybe floundering a bit. The portals into Tanria are acting up, and the Marshal service has called in Adam Lee (the inventor of the portals) to help fix them. Duckers and Rosie are to escort Adam wherever he needs to go. And they find that there's a shadow plant that only Rosie can see, but not touch, that's invading Tanria.

The Marshal's decide it's time to evacuate Tanria and while they are able to get the majority of the humans out of the mist, our 2 Marshals and 1 inventor get stuck - due to a slow walking Zeddie (Ducker's former flame). Hey, he had a soufflé he was trying to save - priorities. Now the 4 need to figure a way out using the remaining portals. Of course we have a nimkilim mail person - Gobbo - who brings supplies to our stranded team - keeping Zeddie in food and Rosie in clothing that is a bit more her style over the Marshal uniforms, while they try to sort out a way home.

I laughed, I cried, I cheered our hero's on. My only complaint is that it got a bit long when the team was stuck in Tanria, a chapter or 2 less would have done wonders for the pacing, but that wasn't really enough to make me love this series any less. Hart and Mercy will always be my favorite entry, but I am so glad we got more of this work with Frank & Twyla and Rosie & Adam. Now someone get me a Duckers and Zeddie spin-off... PLEASE!

OMG I was so excited when I was approved for this ARC. I loved it from the first freaking chapter! I mean, we get more Duckers. How can you not love it? He’s has to be one of my favorite characters of all time. Penny-D ❤️

I knew Rosie was going to be fun from the last book but I loved her. I can’t imagine being in her situation (I’m short and not immortal) but I could definitely empathize with her. And Adam. I’m here for our short king! Loved finding out his story over time. I don’t want to spoil anything but damn, Adam!

I loved being back in this world. Spending more time Tanria almost felt like coming home. With how things are progressing in Tanria it was giving me some Jurassic Park vibes. Like the park itself (not the man eating dinosaurs part lol).

It was cool getting more lore and a look into the history of the gods. I know Hart and Mercy’s book talked about what it’s like to be a demigod and the potential for immortality but you really dove a lot more into that in this book.

This was one of those books where you want to read it but also you don’t because you don’t want it to end. It was a good wrap up to the series but I would love more books in this world.

DNF 25% in. I just couldn’t get into this book. Keep trying to read another chapter and another, but just wasn’t feeling it. If you read the previous books in this series I’m sure you’ll enjoy this one though!



Thank you so much Orbit Books & NetGalley for this eARC.

I was so excited to receive a NetGalley copy of The Undercutting of Rosie and Adam. This series has been one of my favorites in recent years, and this final installment did not disappoint. The world that the author has created is quirky, funny, and interesting - but at times a bit scary. The way this series is wrapped up, however, is satisfying in that you know the characters from all the books are living their happy and best lives.

What I enjoy most about this series is that while the books all contain romance, they also shine a light on the importance of friendship. The bonds between the characters are continually highlighted and are very apparent at the end of the story.