Coming August 23, 2022 (US) and August 25, 2022 (UK). Available for preorder from Hachette Book Group, Bookshop, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and your favorite local bookstore.
For a signed copy, you can preorder from Rainy Day Books. Please make a note in the comments section of your order if you would like a personalized copy. Signed editions with sprayed edges will be available through Bookish Signs and More.
Request an advanced reader's edition here.
For a signed copy, you can preorder from Rainy Day Books. Please make a note in the comments section of your order if you would like a personalized copy. Signed editions with sprayed edges will be available through Bookish Signs and More.
Request an advanced reader's edition here.
“A uniquely charming mixture of whimsy and the macabre that completely won me over. If you ever wished for an adult romance that felt like Howl's Moving Castle, THIS IS THAT BOOK” Helen Hoang, author of The Kiss Quotient
The Princess Bride meets You've Got Mail in this enchantingly quirky, completely refreshing fantasy with a rom-com-worthy premise, perfect for readers of The House in the Cerulean Sea and The Invisible Library. Hart is a marshal, tasked with patrolling the magical wilds of Tanria. It's an unforgiving job, and Hart's got nothing but time to ponder his loneliness. Mercy never has a moment to herself. She's been single-handedly keeping Birdsall & Son Undertakers afloat in defiance of sullen jerks like Hart, who seems to have a gift for showing up right when her patience is thinnest. After yet another exasperating run-in with Mercy, Hart finds himself penning a letter addressed simply to "A Friend". Much to his surprise, an anonymous letter comes back in return, and a tentative friendship is born. If only Hart knew he's been baring his soul to the person who infuriates him most - Mercy. As the dangers from Tanria grow closer, so do the unlikely correspondents. But can their blossoming romance survive the fated discovery that their pen pals are their worst nightmares - each other? Set in a world equally full of magic and demigods as it is donuts and small-town drama, this utterly unique fantasy is sure to sweep you off your feet. |
Praise for The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy:
“THE UNDERTAKING OF HART AND MERCY broke my heart, put it back together, then tucked me into bed with a forehead kiss. Packed with earnest characters, wit, action, and reluctant yearning, this is easily my favorite fantasy romance of the year.” Jen DeLuca, author of Well Met
“Romantic, wildly creative, and utterly charming, The Undertaking of Hart & Mercy is a fantasy unlike any I’ve read before. Come for the banter, chemistry, and flawless enemies-to-lovers vibes, and stay for the gorgeous worldbuilding and beautifully depicted emotional landscapes. An absolutely stunning story.”
Lana Harper, New York Times bestselling author of Payback’s a Witch
“With its wonderfully unique setting, lovable characters, and engaging mix of humour and spice, The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy is a truly outstanding romantic fantasy. I loved both its kookiness and its deep authenticity. An instant favourite!” India Holton, author of The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels
“If Lewis Carroll and Nora Ephron teamed up to write a magical Western, this would be the result. An unabashedly offbeat adventure full of dead gods and mostly-dead zombies, family drama, swoon-worthy love letters, and a Very Good Dog, The Undertaking of Hart & Mercy oozes romantic fun like a corpse oozes dubious fluids.” Freya Marske, author of A Marvelous Light
“Megan Bannen remains the queen of swoons upon swoons upon swoons! THE UNDERTAKING OF HART AND MERCY is a playful, quirky gem--full of feels and guaranteed to deliver the perfect grumpy/sunshine fix!” - Sierra Simone, USA Today bestselling author
“THE UNDERTAKING OF HART AND MERCY is warm, compassionate, and compelling ... It's a deeply charming, intelligent exploration of the macabre that brings with it solid worldbuilding and characters you want to cheer for.” Vivian Shaw, author of Strange Practice
“Megan Bannen broke me, made me laugh, then put me back together again. At turns hilarious, sexy, and ugly cry poignant, it's a romance, wrapped in a western, wrapped in a fantasy that also manages to reimagine You've Got Mail in the best possible way. The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy is one of those books you'll be thinking about long after you've read the last page.” Manda Collins, author of A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Mayhem
“Perfect for readers who love enemies-to-lovers mashed up with a touch of secret penpal romance. I showed up for the fantastic, fun fantasy setting but it was Hart and Mercy that kept me reading.” Ruby Dixon, author of Ice Planet Barbarians
“A lovely, macabre fantasy romance about life, death, and Actually Living. I cried twice and smiled plenty.” Olivia Atwater, author of Half a Soul
“This book is a gooey (and hot!) romance immersed in a tasty layer of quirky fantasy, like some decadent chocolate treat. A little sweet, a little spicy, a little sharp and entirely moreish!” Davinia Evans, author of Notorious Sorcerer
“THE UNDERTAKING OF HART AND MERCY broke my heart, put it back together, then tucked me into bed with a forehead kiss. Packed with earnest characters, wit, action, and reluctant yearning, this is easily my favorite fantasy romance of the year.” Jen DeLuca, author of Well Met
“Romantic, wildly creative, and utterly charming, The Undertaking of Hart & Mercy is a fantasy unlike any I’ve read before. Come for the banter, chemistry, and flawless enemies-to-lovers vibes, and stay for the gorgeous worldbuilding and beautifully depicted emotional landscapes. An absolutely stunning story.”
Lana Harper, New York Times bestselling author of Payback’s a Witch
“With its wonderfully unique setting, lovable characters, and engaging mix of humour and spice, The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy is a truly outstanding romantic fantasy. I loved both its kookiness and its deep authenticity. An instant favourite!” India Holton, author of The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels
“If Lewis Carroll and Nora Ephron teamed up to write a magical Western, this would be the result. An unabashedly offbeat adventure full of dead gods and mostly-dead zombies, family drama, swoon-worthy love letters, and a Very Good Dog, The Undertaking of Hart & Mercy oozes romantic fun like a corpse oozes dubious fluids.” Freya Marske, author of A Marvelous Light
“Megan Bannen remains the queen of swoons upon swoons upon swoons! THE UNDERTAKING OF HART AND MERCY is a playful, quirky gem--full of feels and guaranteed to deliver the perfect grumpy/sunshine fix!” - Sierra Simone, USA Today bestselling author
“THE UNDERTAKING OF HART AND MERCY is warm, compassionate, and compelling ... It's a deeply charming, intelligent exploration of the macabre that brings with it solid worldbuilding and characters you want to cheer for.” Vivian Shaw, author of Strange Practice
“Megan Bannen broke me, made me laugh, then put me back together again. At turns hilarious, sexy, and ugly cry poignant, it's a romance, wrapped in a western, wrapped in a fantasy that also manages to reimagine You've Got Mail in the best possible way. The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy is one of those books you'll be thinking about long after you've read the last page.” Manda Collins, author of A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Mayhem
“Perfect for readers who love enemies-to-lovers mashed up with a touch of secret penpal romance. I showed up for the fantastic, fun fantasy setting but it was Hart and Mercy that kept me reading.” Ruby Dixon, author of Ice Planet Barbarians
“A lovely, macabre fantasy romance about life, death, and Actually Living. I cried twice and smiled plenty.” Olivia Atwater, author of Half a Soul
“This book is a gooey (and hot!) romance immersed in a tasty layer of quirky fantasy, like some decadent chocolate treat. A little sweet, a little spicy, a little sharp and entirely moreish!” Davinia Evans, author of Notorious Sorcerer