MoodReads - Romance Book Discovery
The Stacks
DiscoverMy ShelvesReading Stats
Sign upLog in
MoodReads - Romantasy Book Discovery

because goodreads doesn't
have a spice filter

Discover

  • Discover Page
  • Reading Stacks
  • Tropes
  • Moods
  • Creatures
  • Spicy Books

Get MoodReads

  • so what is it.
  • iOS App
  • Browser Extension
  • MoodReads Premium
  • Gift a Subscription
  • For Creators
  • Share MoodReads

Go Deeper

  • FAQ
  • Roadmap
  • Request a Feature
  • vs Goodreads
  • vs StoryGraph
  • Who Built This?

The Serious Stuff

  • Values
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Support

get emails when something big happens. no spam, just news.

© 2026 MoodReads. Built by a romantasy reader for romantasy readers.

rattle the stars, bitches.

Cover of The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy

The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy

by Megan Bannen

🌶️🌶️mild·Hart and Mercy #1·Ongoing Series
4.0 on MoodReads (1 rating)4.0 on Goodreads (49,151)

Rate this book

sign in to add to shelves, track reading status, and see your stats

find similar →
ReportSpoiler settings

Ending

reveal ending

Why Read This?The one-sentence sell. What do you get for showing up to this book, even when it's hard?

Two stubborn rivals who loathe each other by day are unknowingly pouring their hearts out in anonymous letters by night—the You-Got-Mail-meets-Howl's-Moving-Castle energy is irresistible, the worldbuilding is wonderfully weird (zombie drudges, talking mail carriers, amphibious horses), and the slow-burn payoff hits hard.

Synopsis

Hart is a marshal, tasked with patrolling the strange and 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?

book details below may contain spoilers. some hidden

At a Glance

Fantasy romance / cozy fantasy. Not strictly romantasy (no SJM-style fae courts or epic quest arcs) but the fantasy-world romance places it firmly in the romantasy-adjacent sweet spot. Readers who love T. Kingfisher, Travis Baldree, or cozy romantasy will eat this up. Strong emotional gut-punch in the final act—do not let the cozy label fool readers expecting zero tears. Series has companion novels (Twyla & Frank, Rosie & Adam) set in the same world—each standalone. Audiobook dual narration by Gallagher/Lumayno is excellent.

trope onetrope twotrope threetrope four

Book Details

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal

Goodreads RatingThe crowd's verdict. Take it with salt, though. Some masterpieces are polarizing.

4.04 ★ (49.2k)

Page CountHow long the commitment is.

449 pages

PublishedWhen this hit shelves. Helpful for tracking vibes by era.

2022

Primary GenreWhat type of book this is. Romance? Fantasy? A 400-page therapy session disguised as a thriller?

Cozy Fantasy

PairingWho's falling in love? The gender makeup of your main romance. Helps you find your specific flavor of love story.

M/F

POVWhose head are you in? First person = deep in the feels. Third = watching from above. Dual = emotional whiplash (affectionate).

Dual POV

Romance PacingHow long until they kiss? Slow burn = 300 pages of tension. Insta-love = page 12 and it's already chaos.

Slow Burn

CliffhangerEnding type: HEA = forever happy (you'll cry happy). HFN = happy for now (open to interpretation). Bittersweet = complicated feelings. Know what you're signing up for.

reveal ending

AudiobookCan you experience this book while driving? Washing dishes? Working out while emotionally destroyed? Check here.

AvailableCan you experience this book while driving? Washing dishes? Working out while emotionally destroyed? Check here.

Yes

FormatHow fancy is the audio? Standard = one narrator. Full cast = theater kids went off. GraphicAudio = a MoViE iN yOuR mInD.

Dual Narration (M+F)

NarratorThe voice in your ears.

Michael Gallagher, Rachanee Lumayno

Narrator Count

Dual

TropesPlot devices and story situations that drive the romance. These are the circumstances that throw characters together or create conflict, not how they personally relate.

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal
enemies to loversforced proximitymeet cutehurt/comforthidden identitysecret relationship
RomanceMagicActionAngstWorld
Theme Constellation

Mood & Vibe

MoodWhat you felt reading this. Swoony? Gutted? Deliciously unhinged? The emotional fingerprint.

cozywhimsicalromanticheartwarminghumorousquirkyatmospheric

Writing StyleHow the author writes - prose style, dialogue approach, and narrative voice. This is about craft and delivery, not emotional effect.

wittywhimsicalwarmbanter-heavyconversational

Story PacingDoes the story sprint or saunter? Fast = you'll miss sleep. Slow = you'll savor every word. Medium = balanced chaos.

medium

Emotional WeightHow much are you gonna cry? Light = fun feels. Moderate = real stakes. Heavy = bring tissues. Devastating = call your therapist.

moderate

Energy RequiredCan you read this on a Tuesday after work, or do you need a full Saturday and three cups of coffee? Low/Medium/High.

medium

VibesOne perfect sentence that captures the essence. Like: 'Fae politics meets forbidden romance with zero chill.'

comfort read vibesYou Got Mail meets Howl's Moving Castle

Characters

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal

FMC ArchetypeWho is she? The female main character's core identity/role. Assassin? Healer? General Badass?

snarky/sarcasticcaretakerprotector

MMC ArchetypeWho is he? The male main character's core identity/role. Your exact flavor of book boyfriend.

grumpy protectorsecretly softwarrior/fighter

Relationship DynamicsThe interpersonal dynamic between the main characters. How do they relate to each other? This is about character energy and connection style, not plot situations.

enemies to loversgrumpy sunshinebantermutual pininghe falls firstfound family

Spice Details 🌶️

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal
🌶️
🌶️
🌶️
🌶️
🌶️
🌶️
🌶️
Spice Level 2

Spice StyleNot just how much spice, but what kind. Emotional intimacy? Explicit but vanilla? Plot-driven heat? Know your flavor.

romantic / sweettension / anticipation focusslow burn with late spice

Getting SteamyGentle kinks. Fun but nothing too crazy. The appetizer, so to speak.

longing glancestouch starvationplayful banterforehead touchingjaw holding / face cupping

Bringing the HeatFor those who know exactly what they came for. This is where you find your exact brand of chaos. The good stuff.

None
Browse more books by spice level →
This stuff might hit different. No shame in needing to know what's coming. (10)▼
spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal
deathviolencedeath of a parentanimal deathgoregun violencegriefmisogynypregnancy / childbirthsuicidal ideation
Browse books by content warning →

World & Setting

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal

World TypeWhat kind of world are you stepping into? High fantasy = full secondary world. Urban fantasy = magic in modern cities. Portal = starts here, goes there.

high fantasy

Primary SettingWhere does the story physically take place? Court intrigue = palace. Dark academia = campus. Cozy witch vibes = small town. This is about location, not world rules.

small town / village

Fantasy CreaturesWhat supernatural beings populate this world? Fae courts, vampire covens, dragon riders, or just regular humans doing their best.

gods/deitiesghosts

Reading Context

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal

Emotional PayoffWhat you get for showing up. The catharsis, the growth, the 'I'm a different person now' moment. This is why the hard books are worth it.

comfort reread materialfeel-goodfound family feelsthe swoon

Best Time of YearSeasonal mood rings for books. Summer romance reads different than winter gothic.

anytime

When & Where to ReadContext matters. Some books are Beach Trip energy, others are 3am Bedtime spiral-reads. Trust.

cozy eveningrainy weekendlazy Sundaybedtimepalate cleanser read

Hart and Mercy

The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy

#1 The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy

The Undermining of Twyla and Frank

#2 The Undermining of Twyla and Frank

The Undercutting of Rosie and Adam

#3 The Undercutting of Rosie and Adam

this page is just the start

  • import your Goodreads or StoryGraph TBR. we tag every book with spice, tropes, CWs, mood, all of it
  • tell us a vibe (“enemies to lovers fae, high spice”) and BookMatch finds the book
  • 4,000+ romantasy books searchable by 45 fields
  • book clubs, reading challenges, and a community of readers who get it
free account

Quick Facts

Spice LevelThe heat scale. 0=wholesome, 1=kisses, 2=fade-to-black, 3=tasteful spice, 4=explicit, 5=you need a cold shower. Know thyself.🌶️🌶️mild
PagesHow long the commitment is.449
PublishedWhen this hit shelves. Helpful for tracking vibes by era.2022
GoodreadsThe crowd's verdict. Take it with salt, though. Some masterpieces are polarizing.4.04 ★ (49.2k)
EndingEnding type: HEA = forever happy (you'll cry happy). HFN = happy for now (open to interpretation). Bittersweet = complicated feelings. Know what you're signing up for.reveal ending

SeriesThe series this book belongs to and where it falls in the reading order.

Hart and Mercy #1
Similar picks →

My Notes

Loading...

Short Takes

quick 280-character reactions for this book. drop a thought, rate the vibe, keep scrolling.

Sign in to share your take.

Loading...

Book Chat

live reactions, hot takes, screaming into the void about The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy

Similar Books

Cover of Story of My LifeKU

Story of My Life

Story Lake, #1

Lucy Score

🌶️🌶️·dual POV
forced proximityhomecoming / small town returnfake dating
Cover of The Spellshop

The Spellshop

Spellshop, #1

Sarah Beth Durst

🌶️🌶️·third person
forced proximitysecret relationshiphidden identity
Cover of Riley Thorn and the Dead Guy Next DoorKU

Riley Thorn and the Dead Guy Next Door

Riley Thorn, #1

Lucy Score

🌶️🌶️·dual POV·✓
forced proximityneighbor romancehidden identity
Cover of Good Spirits

Good Spirits

Ghosted, #1

B.K. Borison

🌶️🌶️·dual POV
forced proximitygrumpy sunshinefated mates
Cover of Serpent & DoveKU

Serpent & Dove

Serpent & Dove, #1

Shelby Mahurin

🌶️🌶️·dual POV·✓
forced proximityforced to marryhidden identity
Cover of The Ex Hex (The Ex Hex, #1)

The Ex Hex (The Ex Hex, #1)

Graves Glen, #1

Erin Sterling

🌶️🌶️·third person
second chanceforced proximitycursed love interest
Cover of The Love of My Afterlife

The Love of My Afterlife

Kirsty Greenwood

🌶️🌶️·first person·✓
fated matesfake datingonly one bed
Cover of Mr. Wrong Number (Mr. Wrong Number, #1)

Mr. Wrong Number (Mr. Wrong Number, #1)

Mr. Wrong Number, #1

Lynn Painter

🌶️🌶️·dual POV
brother's best friendenemies to loversforced proximity