Series hub
Hart and Mercy
Hart and Mercy is Megan Bannen's connected fantasy-romance series for readers who want banter, letters, unusual fantasy-world jobs, emotional warmth, and a different couple focus across books. Orbit and Megan Bannen currently list three adult romances in the world: Hart and Mercy, Twyla and Frank, and Rosie and Adam.
Author: Megan Bannen | Last checked: August 21, 2026.
Books in the series
| Book | Type | Where it fits |
|---|---|---|
| The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy | Main book | Book one; start here. |
| The Undermining of Twyla and Frank | Main book | Book two; connected-world romance. |
| The Undercutting of Rosie and Adam | Main book | Book three; connected-world romance. |
Reading path
Start with The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy. The books are connected fantasy romances rather than one single-couple epic, so publication order gives the cleanest introduction to the world and tone.
Reader fit
Choose it if you want romance-forward fantasy, banter, epistolary energy, older or more grounded adult leads in later books, and a softer route than epic-war romantasy. The first book's official hook is enemies-to-lovers by anonymous letters: a lonely marshal in Tanria and an undertaker who cannot stand him become pen pals without realizing who they are writing to.
What readers tend to notice
The series works because the world is strange without becoming homework: demigods, drudges, marshals, undertaking work, humor, and big feelings all sit in the same emotional register. Readers who love it tend to mention the softness beneath the macabre setup, the older-couple appeal of Twyla and Frank, and the way each book gives a different romance shape. Readers who need epic stakes or hard magic systems may find it too rom-com leaning.
Before you start
The series is warm and funny, but not pure fluff: death-work imagery, grief, responsibility, and fantasy-world danger are part of the texture.
Best browsing paths
This fits cozy romantasy, fantasy rom-com, and standalone-friendly browsing when you want romantic payoff without a giant mythology chart.
Choose this over...
Choose Hart and Mercy over Emily Wilde when the reader wants more explicit romance structure, and over Saint of Steel when they want banter and letters rather than paladin-world adventure.
Quick decision guide
| Reader question | Best answer |
|---|---|
| Choose it if | You want connected fantasy romances with warmth and banter. |
| Skip it if | You want one couple across a long epic. |
| Best mood | Letters, jobs, grief, humor, and grown-up romantic softness. |
| Best next click | Cozy Romantasy Books. |
Audiobook format
| Format | What it means | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Standard audiobook | Retailer listings present the series in dual-narration-style audio routes by title. | Listeners who want both romantic lead voices represented. |
| Dramatized adaptation | No GraphicAudio romance listing verified for this hub. | Use standard audiobook, ebook, or print for now. |
Where to buy or listen
Check current editions for Hart and Mercy. Availability, narration, price, and retailer listings can change by country.
Some links may be affiliate links. Always confirm the exact edition and format before buying.
Reader FAQ
Where should I start Hart and Mercy?
Start with The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy.
Do the books follow the same couple?
No. They are connected fantasy romances with different couple focus across books.
Is this cozy romantasy?
It is cozy-adjacent and romance-forward, but it still includes death-work imagery and emotional weight.
Who should read it?
Readers who want banter, letters, emotional warmth, fantasy-world professions, demigods, drudges, and adult rom-com structure.
What to read next
Try Emily Wilde, Saint of Steel, or Cozy Romantasy Books.