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organizedxchaos's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Medical content, Cursing, Gore, Violence, and Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, Death, and Pregnancy
Minor: Misogyny and Cancer
renpuspita's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
To quote Horatio, " I do love a happy ending!" and amended what Bassareus said while he wept in the end "F*cking beautiful."
The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy (quite a handful title, eh?) is my first book by Megan Bannen. The cover hooked me up. The premise of enemy to lover that become secret pen pal without realize each other identity at first sold me out. Nope, I don't watch You've Got Mail and while other readers said the vibe is like Ghibli, I admit I also never watch their anime movie. For me, I have a warm and fuzzy feeling reading about Hart and Mercy. Especially Hart. Bannen seems like want to incorporate grumpy x sunshine, although while like a yellow color, Mercy is not that sunshine, lel. Her struggle to maintain the family undertaking business seems plausible. Her first fight with Hart that lead to their animosity for 4 years maybe a little bit silly at first and you can said that Mercy was overreact facing Hart's barbed venom, not knowing that Hart was grieving after his dog died. Not an excuse for Hart, tho. I admit, he was a jerk too. But, what can you said about hate and love is the different side of same coins? Although 4 years is a LONG time to hold a grudge, lel.
I'm very sure that the MVPs of this book must be granted to both the nimkilim, Horatio the Owl and Bassareus the Rabbit (he's my personal favorite with his unapologetic cursing toward Hart, lel); and also to the unfortunate drugde (aka zombie like creature that roams Tanria) whom attack Mercy so Hart can be her knight (or Marshal) in shining armor, therefore giving chance to their blossoming romance. My favorites scene is of course the letter exchange between Mercy and Hart, cute but also endearing to read, although I read it with a sense of dread knowing that finally they will know their real identity. Sure their fighting in the "enemy phase" can be too tiring to read, but well, that 4 years of grudge did to you. While reading their budding romance make me grinning from ear to ear and said "awww" for many times. The angst also well written and boy.. the scene when Hart crying after he thought that his chance to have a romantic relationship with Mercy vanishing when Mercy finally knowing that Hart is her secret pen pal make my heart feel a little bit pained. I did like with the way Bannen write about Hart, his hard personality in the surface is seems pretty hard to crack, but deep inside he's a softie. His emotions were well written, show that even it's okay for a man to crying and show his emotions.
The family theme is a delight to read, especially from Birdsall family. I can't emphasize how much well written the struggle that Mercy had. She love the undertaking business but her family think she deserve other and well, what a surprise that it was Hart that understand her. Yep, I know, this is a romance written by woman author, lel. But, hey, I read romance for escapism! The secondary romance between Mercy's brother, Zeddie and Penrose Duckers whom happen to be Hart's apprentice is so CUTE, with capital C. And its funny to read how different Zeddie and Duckers compared to Hart and Mercy, but they also help our MCs in their own way.
If I have a complaint, then it's the fantasy setting. THERE'S NO MAP. That, I said it! No map whatsoever so I don't know where is Tanria, where is Bushong, or Eternity? Is it England? But, there's no queen??? I think maybe Bannen didn't want to info dumping in the first and my patience got rewarded after hundred pages of so when through Mercy I learned the mythology behind the world. A little explanation in the first will be nice. A MAP will be better. The fantasy time setting also seems like mismatched. I got a modern feeling, since there's a cab called autoduck but also have a medieval feeling too? Lol, I can't explain well so I assume the time setting happen in modern times but with fantastical elements. Though, Hart said there's no dragon in Tanria, I think otherwise!
If you like your fantasy light with a pretty much low stake (heh, if drudge attacks can be categorized into low stake) and heavier on romance, The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy is a must read! Also, it make me grinning and sad, also have adorable nimkilim, although the fantasy settings is a little bit weak.
The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy (quite a handful title, eh?) is my first book by Megan Bannen. The cover hooked me up. The premise of enemy to lover that become secret pen pal without realize each other identity at first sold me out. Nope, I don't watch You've Got Mail and while other readers said the vibe is like Ghibli, I admit I also never watch their anime movie. For me, I have a warm and fuzzy feeling reading about Hart and Mercy. Especially Hart. Bannen seems like want to incorporate grumpy x sunshine, although while like a yellow color, Mercy is not that sunshine, lel. Her struggle to maintain the family undertaking business seems plausible. Her first fight with Hart that lead to their animosity for 4 years maybe a little bit silly at first and you can said that Mercy was overreact facing Hart's barbed venom, not knowing that Hart was grieving after his dog died. Not an excuse for Hart, tho. I admit, he was a jerk too. But, what can you said about hate and love is the different side of same coins? Although 4 years is a LONG time to hold a grudge, lel.
I'm very sure that the MVPs of this book must be granted to both the nimkilim, Horatio the Owl and Bassareus the Rabbit (he's my personal favorite with his unapologetic cursing toward Hart, lel); and also to the unfortunate drugde (aka zombie like creature that roams Tanria) whom attack Mercy so Hart can be her knight (or Marshal) in shining armor, therefore giving chance to their blossoming romance. My favorites scene is of course the letter exchange between Mercy and Hart, cute but also endearing to read, although I read it with a sense of dread knowing that finally they will know their real identity. Sure their fighting in the "enemy phase" can be too tiring to read, but well, that 4 years of grudge did to you. While reading their budding romance make me grinning from ear to ear and said "awww" for many times. The angst also well written and boy.. the scene when Hart crying after he thought that his chance to have a romantic relationship with Mercy vanishing when Mercy finally knowing that Hart is her secret pen pal make my heart feel a little bit pained. I did like with the way Bannen write about Hart, his hard personality in the surface is seems pretty hard to crack, but deep inside he's a softie. His emotions were well written, show that even it's okay for a man to crying and show his emotions.
The family theme is a delight to read, especially from Birdsall family. I can't emphasize how much well written the struggle that Mercy had. She love the undertaking business but her family think she deserve other and well, what a surprise that it was Hart that understand her. Yep, I know, this is a romance written by woman author, lel. But, hey, I read romance for escapism! The secondary romance between Mercy's brother, Zeddie and Penrose Duckers whom happen to be Hart's apprentice is so CUTE, with capital C. And its funny to read how different Zeddie and Duckers compared to Hart and Mercy, but they also help our MCs in their own way.
If I have a complaint, then it's the fantasy setting. THERE'S NO MAP. That, I said it! No map whatsoever so I don't know where is Tanria, where is Bushong, or Eternity? Is it England? But, there's no queen??? I think maybe Bannen didn't want to info dumping in the first and my patience got rewarded after hundred pages of so when through Mercy I learned the mythology behind the world. A little explanation in the first will be nice. A MAP will be better. The fantasy time setting also seems like mismatched. I got a modern feeling, since there's a cab called autoduck but also have a medieval feeling too? Lol, I can't explain well so I assume the time setting happen in modern times but with fantastical elements. Though, Hart said there's no dragon in Tanria, I think otherwise!
If you like your fantasy light with a pretty much low stake (heh, if drudge attacks can be categorized into low stake) and heavier on romance, The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy is a must read! Also, it make me grinning and sad, also have adorable nimkilim, although the fantasy settings is a little bit weak.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Death, Cursing, and Violence
Moderate: Abandonment, Pregnancy, Animal death, Toxic friendship, and Death of parent
Minor: Cancer and Sexism
allingoodtime's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I listened to the audiobook version of this book and I feel I have to give two separate reviews here—one for the actual story and writing and one for the narration. In many ways, it wouldn’t be fair to tie them completely together. If you’re coming to this review to try to decide if this book is worth reading, the short answer is yes, but not in audiobook format.
Let’s start with the good…the actual story and writing. This story flowed well and kept me engaged. Mercy and Hart are both lovable characters, even if Hart is a curmudgeon in the beginning. It’s obvious he is a good person even though he’s cranky. Mercy is a caring person who borders on having a sunshine personality, yet I could tell that persona was often a way for her to make it through the day. Poor Mercy had a lot on her shoulders and though her family thought they realized how much they put on her they really didn’t.
This book starts years after Hart and Mercy meet, but their initial contact is shown in a short flashback. These two definitely got off on the wrong foot and have been sniping at one another ever since. While I wouldn’t say they are enemies because there is no central point they argue over, I would still classify this story as enemies to lovers. Once the letter writing started, my heartstrings were tugged. These are two lonely individuals who are so much alike that they cannot see what is in front of their noses. The path from foes to friends to lovers is my favorite part of this book. I am not a fan of big secrets, but the secrets these two keep from each other and their loved ones made sense and weren’t kept from the reader. Every time I would start to think one of the secrets was going on too long, it would come out. Not always in the way I would have liked, but the secrets were revealed no matter what.
Mercy’s family is very loving, but they frustrated me beyond belief. The way these people thought they knew Mercy and knew what she wanted and needed, yet never truly listened to what she was saying. Mercy has been taking care of her father and siblings since she was a teenager so I understand them thinking it was her time to be free and stop holding everything up for everyone else, but they never really asked her what freedom and happiness meant to her. I love that the author included a family blow-up along with some conflict resolution instead of glossing over what happens between them all.
As for the narration, it wasn’t great. The female narrator barely changes her tone of voice for any of the characters, even Mercy’s dad. She did an okay job at portraying Mercy, but her dad and brother should not have sounded the same as Mercy and her sister. It didn’t seem consistent either. The male narrator was much better and I kind of wish he had narrated the whole thing. I honestly think I would have had a different rating for this story had I read the eBook instead of listening to the audio. There were too many times I didn’t know who was supposed to be talking because of how much alike the character’s voices were portrayed.
Overall, the world-building and storyline are spot on. And even when I was annoyed with the things they were doing, the characters were all well-written and fleshed out. This was a very hyped book (and still is) in the book blogging community so I tried to go in with my expectations in check. I’m glad the story lived up to the hype.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death of parent, Violence, and Abandonment
Minor: Cancer
imds's review against another edition
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Body horror, Gore, Death, Death of parent, Blood, Abandonment, Body shaming, and Grief
zias's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
I laughed, I cried, I loved this book. I loved the relationships built throughout the story between different characters, the unique concept of this world and undead zombies, and the adventure this book took me on. I also really appreciate the authenticity of this story and the representation of LGBT.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Abandonment and Pregnancy
booksalacarte's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The undertaking of Hart and Mercy- 3.5⭐️ 3🌶️
Fantasy Romance
Dual POV
Undertaker
Mythical Beasts
Letters
Rivals to lovers
Demi-gods
Sherif/cowboy vibes
Grumpy/sunshine
Curvy FMC
30’s MC’s
🏳️🌈 Side Characters
Tw: death, dead bodies, grief
The plot was a fantasy version of You’ve Got Mail… only with undead, undertakers, sheriffs and funeral homes? But the romance was good. The nicknames were top notch.
Thank goodness the pets didn’t die!
from the beginning, the story took place in a different world. Instead of introducing the world in little snippets, there was one giant info dump that took up more than half a chapter, around 32% that explained a lot of the history of the world. I really disliked that. But a lot of the world was unique, but because it went so long to give any world building hints, often I was overly confused by what was described with absolutely zero explanation.
The side characters were all delightful! The FMC was level headed, loyal and it was really nice to see her passion and love for the work she was doing. The MMC was pretty bland, but I like how his feelings developed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Sexual content, Violence, Alcohol, Blood, Cursing, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Vomit, Sexism, Cancer, and Terminal illness
katiekeske's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This is a very well written, unique romance. The world building flows well and is so interesting. The characters all feel real. I appreciate a lot about the book, but the miscommunication and angst made it take longer than normal for me to read.
I wouldn't describe this as exactly enemies to lovers since enemies seems like too strong of a word. They have a strong dislike for each other before things change. I don't enjoy when the love interests are mean to each other, so it was hard for me to get through.
This is a romance with a HEA, but be warned that you will most likely cry a lot before you get there.
I wouldn't describe this as exactly enemies to lovers since enemies seems like too strong of a word. They have a strong dislike for each other before things change. I don't enjoy when the love interests are mean to each other, so it was hard for me to get through.
This is a romance with a HEA, but be warned that you will most likely cry a lot before you get there.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Animal death, Violence, Death, Grief, Medical content, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexism
The heroine's sister is pregnant during most of the book, not the heroine. There's lots of death and dead bodies mentioned and described in detail since Mercy works at a funeral home.katievallin's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Animal death, Medical content, Pregnancy, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Sexism, Vomit, Abandonment, Blood, Cancer, Infidelity, and Sexual harassment
meggy1967's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book made me cry hard at 4am but also laugh so hard I nearly woke up my partner. Definitely a darker read at times. *wish there was more sex scenes, but that’s because they were so good. But the sex didn’t take away from the plot.**
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Blood, Grief, Death, and Abandonment
popquizliz's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Gore, Abandonment, Medical content, and Violence
Moderate: Pregnancy, Animal death, Chronic illness, and Infidelity