I love this world and reading about the lives of the people that live there. The writing is light and witty. Devastated that this is the last of the books but excited to see where Megan takes us next.

Confession: I was maybe even more invested in Pen and Zeddie's romantic arc than Rosie and Adam's. I've just adored them as side characters over the course of these three books, and it's been amazing watching their growth.

That doesn't mean I didn't care about Rosie and Adam, though. I love characters who are tough on the outside but super soft within, and they both fit that description, but both in very different ways. I loved seeing their connection deepen once they figured out they shared some of the same struggles.

And of course it was wonderful to be back in this whimsical world, and to revisit the previous main characters. One of my favourite things about the world building is that you're steadily being fed new small facts that make the world brighter and more detailed, and even in the third installment, I figured out so many new things about the world.

I love these books so much! The perfect balance of cosy romance and fantasy.
Everything I love in a book.
I really hope there will be more!

Rosie is a demi god, cursed with immortality.. she can die but always comes back. And as you can imagine this becomes a bit tiresome.

One such death happens when there are strange plants growing in and around the Portals and Rosie ends up dying... again.... so Adam, the inventor of the portals, is brought in to help

The plants keep taking over and soon Rosie and Duckers (how does he keep getting wrapped up in things like this) along with Duckers ex Zeddie and also Adam, get stuck on the wrong side of the portal.

With time running out, the two new acquaintances and the two old exes much learn to work together if they are to be free...

I actually love this world a whole lot, this is the third book in the series now and I guess you could read as a standalone but to get the full picture of the world I would recommend you read them all.... Best way to get fully invested.

You've still time to read books 1 and 2 before this comes out 08 July.

Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit for the review copy, all opinions my own.

⭐ 5 stars ⭐

What a wonderful conclusion to a perfect cosy fantasy trilogy!

This third instalment focuses on Rosie and Adam’s story and it is a delightful read. The writing is mostly witty and hilarious, though it can also very touching when the plot requires it. Megan Bannen’s prose is as cosy as a comforting hug that, sometimes, squeezes a tiny bit too much (in the best way).

I aspire to have the same level of self-confidence as Rosie. Her constant quips made me laugh so much! Adam takes a while to come out of his shell, but he is amazing when he does. And what can I say about Duckers? He steals the show every time he is on page, as he has been doing in the previous books. This series should be called The Underlying Story of Duckers (and Zeddie), because he is such a fundamental aspect of this trilogy. I’m going to miss him so much.

The world-building is phenomenal. It expands upon what we already know and delivers such a unique god system and religion that intertwines with the everyday life of the characters fascinatingly.

Regarding Rosie and Adam’s relationship, I loved how it started and how it developed because of the forced proximity. I found beautiful how much impact could a small act of kindness have in the life of an immortal and how that life without and end in sight changes how it is viewed. I also found the banter between the couple exquisite.

Overall, this is one of my favourite reads of the year and it cements Megan Bannen as one of my top authors. If you’d like to read a quirky, cosy and utterly enthralling romantasy, please, give this a try!

Thank you to NetGalley, Little, Brown Book Group UK | Orbit and Megan Bannen for the eARC of this book. My opinions are my own.

3.5 Stars
One Liner: Had some fun moments!

Rosie Fox, the immortal demigod, had been patrolling Tanria for decades, but there are only so many times she can die and be born again before the newness wears off! When it happens yet again in a portal, the portal’s inventor, a grumpy Dr Adam Lee, arrives to repair the damage.
However, the portal breakdown and the duo ends up stuck in the Mist by a thorny plant. With nothing much to do, Rosie realizes that their personal histories are tangled. Maybe they can find a way to fix the issues while also ensuring they don’t end up stuck in the Mist forever.
The story comes in Rosie’s third-person POV (mostly).

My Thoughts:
I was rather excited to read this one since Rosie is a demigod and all that. Of course, I hoped for the Ducker & Zeddie subplot too, since I was rooting for them from the first.
There’s a time leap between the previous books and this one. It makes sense once you delve a little into the story.
The FMC is a tall, curvy, and loud character, an immortal demigod who is more than a century and a half old but with the personality of someone in their twenties. I like her quirkiness, though it sometimes feels forced. The repetition about 'soft intimates' did get boring.
The MMC is a short, composed, and efficient inventor with an interesting backstory. This reveal was my favorite part of the book. And it was well-written.
The last quarter is the strongest, where quite a few adventures take place. The setting and the old gods come alive in this section. Compared to this, the rest of it feels a little bland despite the sprinkling of OOT humor and a heavy dose of profanity.
For those eager to know about Duckers and Z, yes, they have a subplot. It could have been better, though! Two very important developments happen off-page since the book is from the FMC’s POV, and she is not present during those events. This diluted the impact. I was looking forward to their scenes.
We meet the dragons again! The scenes with the pink dragons that chirp like birds and sneeze sparkling goo are always a treat. Can I ride a dragon, too, please?
Meeting the side characters again is one reason I like the standalone series. They have tiny roles, enough to make series readers happy, but not enough to confuse someone picking the book at random.
The romance is where things get a bit off. It is both insta-love and slow-burn. I appreciate the theme chosen – height differences in couples, where the woman is much taller than her guy (the FMC is 6’5”). You can see this on the cover too!
The pacing is slow, as it is in this series. However, combined with the repetition, it doesn’t have the same impact as the first book. The setting also doesn’t stand out any longer until the last quarter, when it comes alive.
There’s an epilogue of sorts, which is good. The book has many moments. I would be lying if I said I didn’t laugh. I did! I laughed, chuckled, and snorted many times, even when I rolled my eyes.

To summarize, The Undercutting of Rosie and Adam is a slow-paced but entertaining read. While the book has some flaws, it should still leave you with a smile. Rounded up the rating as I enjoyed it.
Thank you, NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK (Orbit), for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

✨4 stars✨

This was such an enjoyable enemies-to-lovers book, and I found the dynamic between Rosie and Adam to be heartfelt and the banter between the two was amusing!

I also really enjoyed the cameos of the characters from the previous books, especially Duckers and Zeddie (I’m gutted that it seems that we won’t be getting a book on them!).

I would definitely recommend, especially as this seems to be the final book in the series as everything wrapped up in a satisfactory manner.

I received an ARC from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

I really enjoyed The Undercutting of Rosie and Adam! Megan Bannen once again delivers a heartfelt story that blends romance, emotional depth, and rich world-building. The romance between Rosie and Adam is beautifully developed—slow-burn, layered, and filled with vulnerability. You really feel their connection grow over time, and their emotional arcs are both compelling and satisfying.

The world of Tanria continues to be fascinating, with its unique blend of fantasy, bureaucracy, and magical realism. I appreciated the way Bannen expands the setting and lets us see a different side of it through Rosie’s perspective.

One of the most touching elements of the story was Rosie’s relationship with her father. The emotional complexity there added real depth, especially toward the end, which I found both powerful and moving.

That said, the pacing in some parts felt a little slow—particularly in the middle—where the plot seemed to stall a bit before picking up again. However, the strength of the characters and their development kept me engaged throughout.

While The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy is still my favorite in the series, this one is a very close second. It's tender, funny, and full of heart. If you enjoyed the first book, this one is definitely worth reading!

Rosie and Adam make for an unconventional pairing, which makes their romance all the more intriguing. I enjoyed the continuation of the world from the previous two books and the fact that Rosie is such a marmite character. There were some parts that didn't work for me - penny d and rofo - I found that the intimacy between the characters felt awkward.

What an incredible series this has been! Three wonderful books. I read an eARC of this book on NetGalley so thank you to the author and the publisher.

I have absolutely loved every book in this series. The world building is so fascinating, the novels perfectly blend cosy fantasy with genuine jeopardy and problem solving for the characters. All three books feature romances with love interests that are interesting, nuanced and not your typical romance characters. In the third book we have a six foot five Demi-god ranger with red eyes and a penchant for fine fabrics curious about a taciturn, guarded, much shorter and very well dressed engineer. They are thrown together when portals stop working correctly and their connection grows as they find each other understands experiences they’ve both had which they didn’t think anyone would ever be able to empathise with.

This is such a wonderful blend of quirky and charming characters with an incredible world that evokes both western adventure and cosy fantasy. Plus throw in some dragons for good measure!

All of the books can be read standalone but since they follow on from each other and characters feature in multiple books, reading them in order is recommended for maximum enjoyment.

I loved this series so much! It is one I will definitely read again and enjoy every time!

I love this series so much and the conclusion to it did not disappoint! Both of the main characters were like able and quirky while still being relatable. The fantasy world that this author has built grows with each book and getting to know more of the pantheon in this one was so great! It was so fresh and creative and I loved reading it!

The Undercutting of Rosie and Adam.

Rating: 4

This book and this series has been such a fun ride from start to finish

Picking up ten years after Frank and Twyla's story, this focuses on Rosie, an immortal demi god.

Funny and heartfelt, this story takes you on a quirky path which leaves you rooting for the characters. This will be a series I will absolutely be rereading soon.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing an ARC of this book!

My first and most consistent thought throughout this book: I would love to be Rosie’s friend - she’s hilarious, thoughtful, no nonsense and a complete kook. I love that she fell for a 5’3” (in shoes) man when she’s over 6’ herself; as a tall woman with my own hang ups, I love that for her. I love her obsession with “intimates”, the way she loathes her uniform, and her dynamic with her partner. She is everything I want to be when I grow up.

Adam was a great MMC for her, and the lore behind his secret identity was interesting. His shy nature was incredibly endearing and his constant attempt at self sacrifice was lovely. They truly made a great pair.

On top of that, the predicament they found themselves in was interesting, and. I was really rooting for them to succeed. Even so, the way it played out was not one I saw coming, and that left me gripped to the page as it unfolded.

Thank you to Bannen and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and honestly review The Undercutting of Rosie & Adam prior to its release.

I am absolutely obsessed with the world building. It's unique and a bit unhinged, consistent and somehow just works and you accept that glitter snort is a normal thing, and autoducks and dragons. I love the willy wonka vibes on what the world would be like in Tanria! This was a cute wrap up to the series - pulling back in characters from previous books and leaving you with everyone's HEA. It's light and hopeful and a lot of fun.

Another delightful jaunt through Tanria - well, maybe not as delightful for our protagonists, who are stuck in Tanria. But delightful for me as a reader!

One of the standout aspects of this series (aside from the cuteness and the fun of it all) has been the world. It's generally second to the plot and the relationship-building, but has always been what sets these books apart to me. And in this one, the world of Tanria steps into the spotlight in quite a major way.

I feel like Megan Bannen has done an excellent job across the three books of making it feel like a neighbourhood with the characters, and the cameos never feel forced. I quite loved the appearances of Hart in this book, which is growth for me as he was testing me in the first book with all his "she's so hot she's making me sexist" bs (not a direct quote) (is a direct quote from Flight of the Conchords). There's so much personality injected in all the side characters, I love it.

I'm never a reader for the romance, and these books are more romance-forward in the plot than my usual reads, but they're just such a good time and there's a lot of other things to enjoy on top of some romance. So all that to say, I do think the romance of this one was a bit underbaked and one of the weaker aspects. They've truly known each other for - let me check my hypothetical notes here - 5ish days? And they're professing their love for one another? It's okay to slow down a bit, my dudes. You can be horny for one another without declaring yourselves soulmates and never being out of each other's sight again!

I had been very excited to get a Rosie book, as I loved her as a side character in the previous two books, though there were times that I thought perhaps she worked better as a side character overall - but I still really did adore her as a character. And Adam was wonderful as well! They did have chemistry, I got their attraction to one another, but I do wish it had a bit more time to just breathe in the back half of the book.

I ultimately did have a slight preference for the other two books, but all three did put a smile on my face even if this third book wasn't the Duckers/Zeddie-led book that we deserved.

All in all, a very cute, super fun series that has a fully-realized world and if you need a happy little romance read, then I would very easily recommend any of the three books in the series.

Thank you to the publisher, Orbit, and to NetGalley for the ARC.

R E V I E W

The Undercutting of Rosie and Adam by Megan Bannen

☆☆☆.75

Advanced Reader Copy graciously provided by Little Brown Book Group UK | Orbit via Netgalley

Megan Bannen has done what she does best here; combining a second-world fantasy with whimsy, spice, and unwavering love.

Unlike the last two books in the series, The Undercutting of Rosie and Adam begins a decade after the last, with everyone's favourite Tanrian marshal Penrose Duckers now in his thirties and partnered up with the Immortal demi-God Rosie Fox. When trouble with the portals once again prevents easy access into Tanria, portal-inventor, small-king and taciturn doctor, Adam Lee is called in to try and rectify the problem. But when the problem is something it seems only Rosie can see, the 150 year old Marshall and her partner find themselves thrust into Tanria alongside Dr Lee to find a solution.

Whilst many readers may be disheartened to learn that it is Rosie's love life at the fore of this final instalment, they can relax in the knowledge that Duckers and his ex Zeddie Birdsall feature heavily throughout. This book, whilst focusing on Rosie in her quest for meaning in a life with no end, also provides us with a peek into the lives of Hart and Mercy and Twyla and Frank, ten years after we first met them, turning this fantastical narrative into a figurative hug.

The Undercutting of Rosie and Adam may not be my favourite of the series, as I found the protagonists' overall journey slightly drawn out, but it was lovely to while away some more time in Eternity and Tanria, to fly some dragons, reunite with old friends and be reminded of the power of love.

Yet another third instalment of a favourite trilogy being released this year and my god it was good! Keeping the same tone and feel as The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy and The Undermining of Frank and Twyla, this book focuses on Rosie Fox, an immortal demi-god that has popped up for brief appearances in the previous instalments but now takes centre-stage and her Tanrian Marshall partner - DUCKERS!! Thank god because this guy is the heart of the whole thing and always willing to give his friends a nudge if he think's they're being too shy or wilfully ignorant!

We pick up 10 years after book two and the dragon reserve in Tanria is thriving. Instead of corraling lost souls the marshalls are now mainly involved with general lawmaking and safety in the mist shrouded area, which after 157 years of life is wearing a bit thin to Rosie. Unfortunately the portals into and out of Tanria start having problems so it's time for Dr Adam Lee, inventor of said portals to come and sort out the problem! Hilarity ensues. Well not quite, but there are certainly plenty of laugh out loud moments in this book and I felt that Rosie and Adam's personalities played off one another really well. It was of course great to catch up with our other past main characters and see what they were upto after a chunk of time had passed, as well as get more of a background into the mythology of the Old Gods and New.

All in all I thought this was a perfect end to one of my favourite and hardest to explain fantasy trilogies in a while and I'm going to miss this world a lot!

The Undercutting of Rosie and Adam is the last installment of the Hart and Mercy trilogy. This is a good conclusion to one of my favorite romantasy series! The Undercutting of Rosie and Adam takes place about ten years after the conclusion of The Undermining of Twyla and Frank. This book explores what it would be like to be immortal. Rosie is a demigod and can’t die, and hates it. She’s a ranger who works with Duckers when she sees these thorns that are invisible for everyone else. When this leads to her electrocution, and semi-death, Rosie and Duckers are tasked with guarding Adam, who is going to fix the portal Rosie broke.

The romance between Rosie and Adam is a slow burn, but I loved it a lot. The sparks between the both of them were there from the beginning, but they both had their own stuff to deal with first. I loved seeing their romance blossom while they were trapped trying to fix the portal and the thorns. I also really liked seeing Duckers and Zeddie reuniting.

The plot is well-paced, and most of this book took place of the course of 2-3 weeks. I absolutely loved being back in this world and seeing old characters. But the new characters were also great. Rosie was my absolute favorite this book, and I am glad we get to read the story from her perspective.

I would highly recommend this series to everyone!

Thank you Netgalley and Little Brown Book Group for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review!

I enjoyed this very much ,the way I've enjoyed the other Bannen books. It's a smidge predictable in its broad general structure: there's no surprise that a character who begins the book moping about being immortal is probably going to find a mortality-making solution by the end. I figured out the general etiology of the problem before the characters did, too; but the eventual solution was very nicely integrated in with the previously set up bits of Tanria-lore and general mythology of this world. None of the challlenges, conflicts, tensions or misunderstandings were contrived. Everything flowed naturally from the world-building.

I also loved the focus on luxury underwear. Such a lovely bit of characterization.

I love the world that Megan Bannen has created. The magic, the romance and the humour makes this such a fun book to read. While I still think I love the Undertaking of Hart and Mercy the most, this may officially be my second favourite out of the Trilogy. To some extent there is some "insta love" but in the context of the book (being trapped together in the mist, and other things I won't spoil) it does make sense. I also love that in each of these books we get a continuation of what is happening to previous characters and how they have evolved. The demigod angle keeps this story fresh and the fact that Dr Adam is a new character to the story is a nice addition too. I did guess the twist but that doesn't mean it is a bad story - it just means all the context clues lined up nicely!

also for the fans of Zeddy and Duckers - they are also a key element of this story too!

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.