The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy by Megan Bannen

An enemy to lovers romance, with interdimensional zombies and a talking rabbit with a drinking problem.

In an alternate world, similar to ours, but different in some key ways, Mercy runs her family’s funeral home and is a ray of sunshine and optimism. Hart, who is dark and broody, is a Deputy whose job it is to keep the interdimensional zombies away from the town. Both characters are lonely in their own way, and start a correspondence with each other over letter (delivered by the rabbit with a drinking problem) without realizing they’re speaking to each other.

I loved this dark, yet whimsical love story, with zombies. Also I totally cried at the end and I don't cry! But for this book I do. I'm glad I didn't read the description before jumping into the book, it's best to go into this without knowing too much about the plot. The characters are all super lovable. The fantastical world building feels lived in and beautiful.

Also, I’m having an in-depth discussion with my husband about if interdimensional zombies count as sci-fi or fantasy? Because I think this book falls into sci-fi, but GoodReads is tagging it under paranormal fantasy. All that to say, this book defies categorization in the best possible way. It’s a slow burn romance, but also has folklore vibes. It’s a zombie action-adventure and it’s a heartwarming small town, found family story.

Read this if you like romance.
Read this if you like zombie stories.
Read this if you liked the show six feet under or pushing daisies.
Read this if you're kinda weird.

This book is best read while camping under the stars.