The Undercutting of Rosie and Adam is an age gap, opposites attract fantasy rom-com and the third and final installment in the Hart and Mercy series. It serves as a satisfying conclusion to this series, set in the same universe but several years after the events of “The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy.”

When portals that allow mortals to enter the mist start failing, the cheeky demi-god Rosie and the dull but formidable portal inventor Adam Lee join forces. In this book, romance takes a backseat to the plot and family dynamics. The slow-burning romance between Rosie and Adam is not angsty but rather heartwarming. Their banter flirty and witty. Rosie provides your typical unfiltered humor, while Adam delivers dry, witty, and snappy remarks; both styles perfectly complement their characters.

From the outset, we learn that Rosie is not entirely content with her existence. In fact, she grapples with the weight of her immortality. The loss of her loving mother and the resentment she feels towards her absentee and narcissistic immortal father have left her feeling isolated and alone. The fact that she outlives friends and others cannot cope with her frequent deaths and revivals further contributes to her inability to form deep connections with anyone.

The longer Rosie is around Adam, she is learning he is not what he seems…

Their individual stories are bittersweet, filled with yearning and suffering. That is until Adam witnesses one of Rosie’s many deaths. Will they have a chance together and can they fix this portal problem?

Many of the prior fun and quirky characters make guest appearances. Hart makes a special guest appearance. Duckers and Zeddie are secondary characters in this book.

I love the world building and the story of how the world came to be.

The audiobook was narrated by Jim Frangione and Kacie Rogers in duet fashion? I appreciate the variation in character voices. None of the voices were offensive. The performance was fantastic. The pacing is perfect. I would highly recommend the audiobook.

Lastly, I want to express my gratitude to Megan Bannen, Hachette Audio and NetGalley for providing me with an ALC, which allowed me to listen to the book and voluntarily provide an unbiased review.

TROPES/ THEMES: portals, opposites attract, fantasy rom-com, tall MFC and short MMC, family, MM, FM, age gap, gods/ goddesses, immortality, sacrifices

This book is like the edgy cool kid of fantasy romance. It’s whimsical and weird in a way that’s fun to read but still has a lot of depth to it. The narration is amazing too, somehow managing to capture everyone’s vibe perfectly so that they came to life rather than just floated there. Thank you to Netgalley and Hachette Audio for giving me this one. I hadn’t known about these books before now so I’ll definitely be picking up the previous two.

Megan Bannen knocked it out of the park with this book!!!!

I loved every moment of this book. First of all, this series has been one of the most unique reading experiences I’ve ever had. It is a big ball of weird and hilarity — and I am here for it.

I never thought I could love a couple more than Hart and Mercy but that was before I met the dream girl that is ROSIE FOX. RoFo is hilarious, reckless, loving, beautiful - truly the entire package. Having her and Duckers paired up is my ultimate dream team of besties who banter. Plus having Zeddy back and getting to know the dry-witted dreamboat of Adam Lee — this book was a gem.

The plot and adventure of this book was so engaging. Combine that with the hook that the characters presented by merely existing, and I couldn’t put it down. This book has a beautiful commentary on what it means to love, to lose, and the delicate privilege of mortality. <3

The audiobook production was stellar. Kacie Rogers had an immaculate performance bringing to life every feeling and experience these characters had. The additional depth added with Jim Frangione presenting the ~*~lore drop~*~ was spectacular. Thank you Hachette Audio for a chance to listen and review this beauty <3

1⭐️

Thank you to Orbit Publishing for the audiobook arc in exchange for an honest review!

This was a tough read with embarrassingly cringey dialogue, zero chemistry with the romance, and a cat named, I kid you not....blammo tinky fartface.

The Undercutting of Rosie and Adam is the final installment in this trilogy of interconnected standalones. While the first two books were not the best, they were still enjoyable with a semblance of a plot. In this book, we center around Rosie, who was one of the most insufferable main characters I have ever had the displeasure of having the misfortune of entering their pov. Everything she said made me physically recoil and question how I got to this point in my life.

I wish I were the person I was before reading this book.

One nice note was that the narration was good, so good job to them!

3.5⭐
Such a good conclusion to that cute series,I loved the unique setting and vibes of these books and this one was no different.Rosie was such a sweet character to follow she has a big personality and she jokes around a lot and sometimes the jokes will make me cringe but you can't help but love her and Adam is amazing he is very quiet and I wish we got his pov but his actions and his rare words will always awww me he is so sweet and both of them were very cute together I loved how emotional this one and kind of slow burn more than the others it made me connected more to the romance and to them obv.
This was so fast paced and thrilling I listened to it in one setting LOVED the plot in this one and the narrator did such a great job,and having duckers as a side character omg he is so funny and all the sprinklings of hart and mercy I loved how all the books are connected to each other very sad that the series in over

This was a really enjoyable book. I’m leaving 3 stars, but it’s more like 3.5 stars. The narrator did a great job with the various voices. The pacing of the book was much better than the second book in this series. I really liked Rosie, her passion for quality undergarments and surround herself with feminine flair was endearing. Adam was a short king, and I absolutely loved how comfortable he was with himself. Their relationship was very sweet. I recommend this to all fans of the series and anyone who enjoys a good romantasy.

Megan Bannen delivers again in The Undercutting of Rosie and Adam, the third book in her utterly charming fantasy romance series. This installment follows Rosie, an immortal demigod with a sharp wit and big heart, and Adam Lee, the man responsible for creating the portal. Their slow-burn, emotional romance is deeply satisfying, full of tenderness, banter, and genuine connection.

One of the series’ biggest strengths is how the world continues to expand with each book as the reader discovers more nuance and details about Tanria. However, Bannen never loses sight of the heart of the story: the relationships.

Fans will also be delighted to revisit a few favorite couples from previous books. Their cameos add warmth and continuity, while never taking the spotlight away from Rosie and Adam. There is also another very prominent romance that develops in this book for fans who maybe would have had this book follow a different couple!

If you’re a fan of swoony romances wrapped in clever, immersive world-building, The Undercutting of Rosie and Hart is not to be missed. It’s heartfelt, fun, and a beautiful continuation of the series.

The audiobook of The Undercutting of Rosie and Hart, narrated by Jim Frangione and Kacie Rogers, is a delightful listen. Both narrators bring Rosie and Adam to life with warmth and personality—Frangione’s grounded delivery balances perfectly with Rogers’ expressive performance. Their chemistry enhances the emotional beats and banter, making the romance even more engaging. A fantastic way to experience this charming installment in Megan Bannen’s magical series.

Returning back to Tanria in the 3rd instalment Hart of Mercy. This time following Rosie Fox, a demigod who patrols Tanria for decades and dying from time to time (this most recent time from electrocution... again, from poking inside one of the portals... again.) Resulting in the portals inventor being called in to make repairs as this time the poking around was not for nothing. Dr. Adam Lee is called and Rosie is trying to describe these shadowy thorns like things she is the only one able to see that she feels is not right.

With this adventure not only is Rosie dealing with having to interact with Dr. Adam (who she seems to be just a touch infatuation, but also her immortality and how she'll deal with losing all the friends she has grown to care greatly for in their lives together. She is also dealing with her father (the God who gave the immortality and the ability just not stay dead) and his inability to get the gist she is not happy with him and she still hates him from her childhood.

I greatly enjoyed all three books and especially with one. I loved how this gave us more of the mythology of the world and Back story of the Tanria this go around. I loved the world building that grew and changed with the time changes as well. As always just loved this series from the start, will always recommend this.

Thank you Netgalley for allowing me a chance to listen and review this book.

This is a fun, unique, and enjoyable read. I loved Rosie and her fiesty-ness and when Adam actually came out of his shell... perfect!

Tanrian Marshal Rosie Fox dies in chapter one of The Undercutting of Rosie and Adam, but that’s not her biggest problem. He biggest problem is that she comes back to life. She’s immortal and she doesn’t like it. Rosie’s death happened when she tried to touch something inside a malfunctioning portal device. The portal device also died in the incident, requiring Dr. Adam Lee to visit Tanria to fix the portal. Marshal Fox and Dr. Lee met five years earlier, and she bound his wounded hand with her handkerchief, while pocketing his. This means they have been pining for each other in a very Jane Austen manner. He is a short, sharp-suited man in slutty little glasses* with a big brain and a dessert dry sense of humor. She is a tall, garnet-eyed immortal red head, whose personal motto is “act now, think never because in 50 years, no one will remember” and she knows if it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing in really good lingerie. Throw into that mix some dragons, a reunion of former lovers, a magical dik dik, many gods, a squid, and a trip to the land of the dead to clean up dad’s mess.

If none of that made any sense to you, you will need to read The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy and then The Undermining of Twyla and Frank, but you should read those anyway. I love that in each of these books, the romance is a catalyst for a major change in the world. And in each book, a variation on a journey to the underworld is necessary. Bannen does such a great job of layering light and dark. Rosie is such a delightful character. I love the way she lusts after Adam, the delight she takes in her lingerie, and the way she loves her friends. The joy she finds in life illuminates her grief, and her uneasiness with the unending years before her. The Undercutting of Rosie and Adam wraps up the the Tanrian Marshals’ trilogy beautifully. The series has surprised me by becoming a favorite that I anticipate listening to many times.

Kacie Rogers narrates the bulk of the book, and she does it ably. She gives Rosie her full range as well as voicing all the other characters, plus the dragons. Jim Frangione narrates a discrete story within the story and gives it more pathos. I’m looking forward to being able to binge all three books on audio.

I received a reader arc and a listener arc from Orbit Books and Hachette Audio via NetGalley. My opinions are my own, freely and honestly given.

*TM Blakely Thornton

The Undercutting of Rosie & Adam was a lovely end to this series that I have adored so much. Rosie Fox is one of my new favorite heroines. She was so funny and snarky with a beautiful heart. The romance between Rosie & Adam felt like the B story to the mystery of what was happening to Tanria, but I didn't mind that. We also get lots of my favorite side character, Penrose Duckers. And of course, the dragons! While it's bittersweet to be leaving this series, Bannen tied things up so nicely for all of our beloved characters.

I listened to the audiobook and Kacie Rogers did an excellent job with the narration. I particularly loved her Duckers voice. Also, and I can't explain how, her voice for Rosie felt like a person who had been alive so long they were weary of losing everyone they'd known. 5 stars for the audio!

This series is so fun and out-there that makes for an enjoyable read. This is book three but you can read it as a stand-alone without being too lost. ( I had read book 1 but missed 2 and it didn't affect my experience.) The book felt slow in the middle but it did not prevent me from wanting to finish and see how everything resolved. It was nice to see some characters from book 1 and I enjoyed the updates. The

The dual narration by Jim Frangione and Kacie Rogers is excellent. They handle the different words and names and accents so my reading enjoyment did not stutter as I sorted things out myself. The differentiated well between characters, giving Rosie a wonderful level of snark that suited her character well and Adam a softness and distance in his voice that was perfect.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Story: 3.5 ⭐ (Rounded up)
Spice: 1.5 🌶️
Narration: 4 ⭐

I really enjoyed the narration for this book so much. Kacie Rogers was perfectly casted for the role of Rosie. The way she was able to bring her to life, and I could picture her right in front of me, was something to behold. She just really made the story so much more fun. This was a dual narration with Jim Frangione and Kacie Rogers. Jim only had 1 chapter (POV) so to me; it was more of a single narration.

I love Rosie. She a 6'5, demi-god, bull of a women, an utter confident queen and her polar opposite, Adam 5'5 with shoes, pocket king who's serious, and has a dry sense of humor. Who says opposites don't attract. They are forced to work together to fix the portals into Tanria. They get stuck alongside Rosie's work partner, Duckers and his ex-Boyfriend and have to find their way out. There are dragons too!

The narration really saved this book for me. It brought my rating up a lot higher. I just wasn't feeling the romance itself, and truthfully wanted more of Penn & Z, but it was funny and so many innuendos my chest hurt from laughing. It was also great getting cameos from the other couples and a few other characters.

This is a fun romantasy with action, love, dragons, some despair and a lot of yearning. The main character is a positive demigod with daddy issues and complicated feelings towards her own immortality. It’s quite the mix but I enjoyed the somewhat strange story and the plot made me want to read it in the first place. I was sadly not a fan of the narrator. After a couple of hours I got used to her accent, which I must admit worked well with Rosies voice, but the male voices never did. I don’t need the narrator to make different voices, it became more annoying than a help. Most dialog also ends with “said…” so you are well informed. Dr. Lee sounds like he has a sore throat and poor Ducker reminds me of Goofy, minus the cursing..
The Big “plot twist”, or what to call it, was not very hard to guess but a lot of romantasy and romance are a bit predictable. You read it for entertainment. I realise this sounds like a quite negative review but I liked most parts. Would probably give it 3,5 stars but I think it deserves to be rounded up to a 4.

3.5 ☆

A cute end to a whimsical series! It took me a bit longer to get into this one than I would've liked, but I had a decent time overall. Whatever Bannen put in book 1 that made me adore it felt forced in this one so I can't say I fell in love with it. The writing was overly descriptive (I don't care to read about the quality of a character's underwear) and much of the dialogue was meme-ish.

The narrators did a good job bringing the characters to life! Kacie Rogers perfectly captured Rosie's rasp and Jim Frangione's haunting voice added a layer of wistfulness to the story of the Briar Thief.

I loved Adam's dryness. His subtle humor was more enjoyable than when a character is supposed to be lighthearted and funny but it reaches the point of annoyingness (sorry, Rosie). The story especially became more interesting as he began to peel back his layers as much of what he was hiding pertained to the plot.

I understood Rosie's struggles and felt her pain and that's where our connection ends. She's got a big personality, I get that, but she was a bit too much for me. And that was one of the things she stated as having been to past partners, but damn she really was. She got a joke off here and there that was funny but trying to be funny 95% of the time gets old fast. And the cat being named "Blammo Tinky Fartface"... that's all I'm gonna say about that.

Rosie and Adam's romance was a bit insta-lovey and I didn't care for that so it made it hard for me to connect to that part of the story. They had a single instance five years prior that they were both holding on to and while I understand that (believe me, I do), it wasn't enough to build a relationship on. I get they were forced to be in close proximity to one another due to their circumstances but one instance half a decade ago + one week shouldn't equal an 'I love you'. This isn't to say I hated their relationship; they were adorable! It just took me a while to care about them together.

I enjoyed the plot and Duckers more than anything. The stakes were high those last 10ish chapters and the closer we got to the end, the more emotional I got. I would've liked a little <i>more</i> from the epilogue, but I think the cameos sprinkled throughout the story made up for it. This world means so much to me and I'll forever miss it.

This fantastical world includes lovable, multilayered characters, humor, and strange happenings. While I enjoyed some bits more than others, they're still decent reads overall and I'd definitely recommend!

The Undercutting of Rosie and Adam is a cosy romance with charming moments and gentle humour. While the setting and premise were sweet, I struggled to fully connect with the characters and their story. I read as a standalone book and I don't think you need to read the first two books, though I may have connected with the story better if I did.

Rosie was confident and brash, in contrast to Adam's quiet and considered nature. Despite not fully connecting with them, I thought they were a great balance to each other. I listened to the audio and Adam's voice did give me a bit of an ick, though the chemistry was still there between the characters.

Overall, the book has heart, but for me, it didn't fully draw me in.

I listened to an ARC audiobook and the expected release date is 8 July 2025.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for providing me with an ALC of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

5/5 stars

The whole trilogy is a big 5 star series for me! I love every single book and this last one was no different. I would read endless books set in this world if I could.

Rosie and Adam were ✨chefs kiss✨ and for people worried that there won’t be a book about a certain couple iykyk, don’t fret: you’re being fed as well!

The audio production was fantastic and the narrators did a wonderful job of bringing these characters to life! 10/10 would/will listen again.

The Undercutting of Rosie and Adam by Megan and Adam by Megan Bannen
Narrators, Jim Frangione and Kacie Rogers
I may have done this book a slight disservice because I came late to this series and had just finished book two, which I really loved, when I started this book. This story is kind of slow to take off and I might not have stuck with it except for having loved book two so much. Which is good because when it finally does get some momentum it is like a roller coaster ride, or should I say flying on a dragon?
My only real gripes are with the narration. First, why do they not stick with the same narrators throughout the series? I hate this because you get a certain voice in your head for a character and suddenly it’s completely different. Very annoying! Second, although Jim Frangione is a favorite narrator, his part was pretty limited. Kacie Rogers was not a bad narrator but she completely changed the way Duckers sounded and she had some odd mispronunciations.
Overall, I have really enjoyed these books, world building, dragons, friendship, community, and romance. What’s not to love?

This series snuck up on me! I always go into them thinking it's going to be a silly goofy time and the last 20% rips my heart out EVERY time! Megan Bannen has done it again! I have no idea how she convinces me these people are my best friends in less than 400 pages! I particularly loved Rosie, As a very tall lady I could relate to her a ton. I was lucky enough to get an arc of the audio book and I loved the narrator! She had great voices for each character. Shout out the Nimkilim in this book. The narrators performance of him had me laughing out loud every time! To cut a long story short I would absolutely recommend The Undercutting of Rosie and Adam!

So I’ve been just a so-so fan of this series since the beginning. I’m sad to learn at the end that I should’ve been listening to this series in audiobook format instead of reading a physical copy. Because let me tell you the audiobook was such a better reading experience.

Now even with that said. I still give this a 3 ⭐️ but I do believe Rosie & Adam’s story was my favorite. Partially because it was also Duckers and Lee’s story. And like I said after finishing every previous book in this series I will go to war for Duckers. I cannot say enough good things about this man.

But I digress, in terms of the premise I found it so much more interesting than Frank and Twyla’s book. We have failing portals and only Rosie can see what’s impacting them. Adam, the portals inventor is brought in to fix the problem. He realizes that it can’t be fixed and calls for Tanaria to be evacuated. Just when they think they got everyone out a straggler appears. Causing them to delay. Leaving Rosie, Adam, Duckers and Lee stranded. The four must uncover the secrets causing the portal collapse and somehow make it home.

Like I mentioned earlier my favorite character throughout this entire trilogy is Duckers. My man literally carried this book. His sarcasm and witty banter had me busting out laughing multiple times. Plus his compassion, love and loyalty towards Rosie pulled on my heart strings. Watching him teach Rosie valuable life lessons about the importance of living even if she’s immortal. Is something we should all appreciate and never take for granted. I also loved seeing small glimpses into Duckers & Lee’s relationship. We didn’t get as much as I would’ve liked but what we were given had me cheering that our boys finally got a happily ever after.

My least favorite part of this book was probably the romance between Rosie & Adam. Now don’t get me wrong in the end I love them and I think they are perfect for each other. However, I think their relationship started out with way too much insta-lust. Like I get that they are both going through inner turmoils and feel very isolated because of that. But way too many times they both came across as horny teenagers. When in reality Rosie for example is 157. So minor ick. My only other complaint is the epilogue. Since this is the last book to my knowledge I wish we would’ve gotten more of tying our other previous book characters into the ending. We got a little tease with Hart & Mercy, but nothing from Twyla and Frank. But that’s just me nitpicking.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a unique romcom experience. Lastly Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for this advanced reader copy. My review is my own thoughts and feelings