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A review by kassielovestoread
The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy by Megan Bannen
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Wow. I feel so silly having just read this novel when it's been on my TBR since it published! This book was so good! What a refreshing read as well- I can honestly say nothing I've read in the past was anything like this book. There's so much to love about this story, I think I could recommend this to just about anyone and be confident that they would love it as well.
My favorite thing about this book might be a little niche, but here goes nothing. You know how in romance centered books the author has to come up with a nickname for the love interest? It's always on the nose and kind of overdone; if you've ever felt tired of that trend (for lack of a better word) then read this book. In short: this author comes up with the most hilarious play on nicknames for Mercy and Hart that are perfectly timed to their feelings toward each other. I won't spoil any of them, they're meant to be enjoyed as you read!! But just know no other author doing that trend will be able to out-do Megan Bannen on this one.
It actually surprised me as to how much depth there was to this book. Especially in Hart, whom I desperately wanted to hug. The man was going through it. It seemed like his loneliness and grief were everlasting and I found so much solace in his qualms. It's what makes the plot so fluid; him writing a letter hoping to reach a likeminded soul really spoke to me. I cried several times! As for Mercy, I felt so much catharsis in her POV's. She had to handle so much of her families expectations, opinions, and secrets and it truly felt like the weight of the world on her shoulders. She handled it with grace when I probably would've imploded from the stress alone! Even though the resolutions weren't always the best way to go about it, I admired it all nonetheless. It was deeply gratifying to read her draw boundaries and release her feelings freely. It also helps when you have an awesome family receptive to that, LOL.
The romance in this novel was amazing! Hart and Mercy's connection was undeniable even when they disliked each other on page 1. I wouldn't call this an enemies to lovers though; more like dislike at first meet. Regardless, I thoroughly enjoyed their banter and love story. The one thing I will say is that perhaps the world building could've been introduced for better initial understanding. I could not, for the life of me, understand what the hell a drudge was until it dawned on me (embarrassingly to say, a little late into the book): zombies. I still have no idea what an auto duck is, I'm guessing a version of a truck?? And the talking animal mail carriers was both a delight and a source of major confusion as well. It could just be me or a world building issue.
The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy is definitely one of my new favorites!! I gotta get my hands on book two ASAP!
My favorite thing about this book might be a little niche, but here goes nothing. You know how in romance centered books the author has to come up with a nickname for the love interest? It's always on the nose and kind of overdone; if you've ever felt tired of that trend (for lack of a better word) then read this book. In short: this author comes up with the most hilarious play on nicknames for Mercy and Hart that are perfectly timed to their feelings toward each other. I won't spoil any of them, they're meant to be enjoyed as you read!! But just know no other author doing that trend will be able to out-do Megan Bannen on this one.
It actually surprised me as to how much depth there was to this book. Especially in Hart, whom I desperately wanted to hug. The man was going through it. It seemed like his loneliness and grief were everlasting and I found so much solace in his qualms. It's what makes the plot so fluid; him writing a letter hoping to reach a likeminded soul really spoke to me. I cried several times! As for Mercy, I felt so much catharsis in her POV's. She had to handle so much of her families expectations, opinions, and secrets and it truly felt like the weight of the world on her shoulders. She handled it with grace when I probably would've imploded from the stress alone! Even though the resolutions weren't always the best way to go about it, I admired it all nonetheless. It was deeply gratifying to read her draw boundaries and release her feelings freely. It also helps when you have an awesome family receptive to that, LOL.
The romance in this novel was amazing! Hart and Mercy's connection was undeniable even when they disliked each other on page 1. I wouldn't call this an enemies to lovers though; more like dislike at first meet. Regardless, I thoroughly enjoyed their banter and love story. The one thing I will say is that perhaps the world building could've been introduced for better initial understanding. I could not, for the life of me, understand what the hell a drudge was until it dawned on me (embarrassingly to say, a little late into the book): zombies. I still have no idea what an auto duck is, I'm guessing a version of a truck?? And the talking animal mail carriers was both a delight and a source of major confusion as well. It could just be me or a world building issue.
The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy is definitely one of my new favorites!! I gotta get my hands on book two ASAP!