Series: None
Author: Megan Bannen
Published August 23rd 2022 by Orbit
Goodreads 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?
Set in a world full of magic and demigods, donuts and small-town drama, this enchantingly quirky, utterly unique fantasy is perfect for readers of The House in the Cerulean Sea and The Invisible Library.
Goodreads
Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher. This in no way impacted on my view.
Mercy and Hart have been enemies ever since their first meeting. As the daughter of one of the only undertakers who will take unkeyed cadavers, unfortunately Mercy has to see Marshall Hart more than she would like. Singlehandedly keeping Birdsall & Son Undertakers going, Mercy finds she needs a friend, so when a letter is unexpectedly delivered to her, signed only 'A Friend', she soon relies on the letters more than she could ever imagine. Hart is a grumpy and sullen person, who's had to rely on himself for so long, but realises he is lonely, and would like someone to talk to. Never expecting to receive a reply to his spontaneously written letter, the replies are the best part of his day, but when the person on the other end wants to meet up, and it's revealed it's Mercy he's been communicating with, he mucks it all up. Can he reveal his feelings, and let someone in for once, or will he be forced to be alone after ruining everything?
Well, this book took me by surprise. I've tried to read it about three or four times since my copy was approved, but never got past chapter 2 for some reason. However, one winter morning, I decided to try again, and I was hooked. Honestly, I didn't do much but sit and read with a nice blanket until the book was finished. Hart was grumpy, but as Mercy, Pen, and the rest of the gang started to get beneath his skin, it was clear he had a softness hiding. Mercy had all the pressures of her family on her shoulders. She was keeping secrets from each other, for each other, and had everything to do herself. Being able to vent her frustrations to her mysterious friend was a blessing, but soon the feelings of friendship changed, for both her and Hart. I loved the way they opened up to each other in their letters, and though I hated the secret keeping in the middle of the book, I felt like their relationship progressed perfectly for them. The last quarter of the book had me on the edge of my seat, and I nearly wept at some of the events which occurred. A fantastic book which I wish I'd read sooner - if only I'd persevered earlier!
Dates Read:
December 3, 2022
Rating
4 Stars
