Lana Ferguson does a Loch Ness monster book and it exactly delivers in the ways you want it to and expect it to.

I thought this was a great romance and that the shock of Lach(lan) being the Loch (Ness) monster was insanely obvious and how Key didn’t get it immediately is beyond me. It was a fun and sexy monster romance.

Where it got away from me a little bit was with all of the lore and the ending. I didn’t need all of the mystery and the ticking clock. But overall, I thought this was fun!

Under Locke and Key by one of new favorite authors, Lana Ferguson was a quick and entertaining read.

A mysterious curse, loads of angst and family drama, plus the Loch Ness monster — what could be better, right?

Under Loch and Key was so much more than I expected. The hit to my heart was kind of glorious! I recommend this interesting and unique take on Scottish myths.

Such a fun read! I really love Lana Ferguson’s books and this one was such a great read! I guess I would consider this my first monster romance and I really enjoyed it! Funny, sweet, spicy and fast paced!! Definitely recommend for all romance readers even if you don’t think monster romance is your thing!

Keyanna 'Key' MacKay was raised by a single father in the US, a man who never shared anything from his past. After his death, the only thing she remembers is a story about a monster who saved his life, and the name of her estranged grandmother. She decides to head to Scotland with his ashes and spread them in the Loch where he was saved when he was younger. When she is walking on the rocks, she almost slips and is rescued by a swoon worthy, angry, Scotsman. Lachlan Greer is keeping a huge secret. When he pulls Key to safety, he is shocked to find out that she is a MacKay, someone he has always been told not to trust. He can't ignore the pull he is feeling towards her. He takes her to her grandmother, and she tells her to leave. Not the welcome she was hoping for. The more time they spend together taking care of the farm, their attraction grows. When she falls into the Loch, he rescues her from a monster, but who or what was it? When she begins to develop powers, they decide to work together to end Lachlan's family's curse.

Under Loch & Key is a fun romantasy, with a swoony MC that turns into the or maybe just a, Loch Ness Monster every night. He has been trying to find a way to break the Greer curse, but he's not having a lot of luck. When he meets Key, there is instant chemistry. She finds out his secret, but promises to keep it to herself, while she helps him figure out how to break the curse. They are sure it has something to do with her father and some old journals. Can she find them? This is a quick moving story that has a very entertaining plot. My only concern is the open door romance. Because I listened to this one, it is harder to skim, but I tried to fast forward and not miss anything. Overall, if you enjoy a fun romance with fantasy and shapeshifting, and don't mind some steamy scenes, then I definitely recommend this one to you.

This started off as a bit of a slow burn for me, but once all the pieces began to fall into place, I found myself more invested in both the story and the characters. The banter was fun and I enjoyed the dynamic between Key and Lachlan, though at times their chemistry felt a little forced. While the plot was fairly predictable, I still had a good time reading it. You def need to have an appreciation for romance with a hint of paranormal to fully enjoy this one. The pacing felt a bit uneven—shifting from cozy romantasy vibes to monster spice a bit too abruptly for my taste. I don’t usually mind that kind of shift, but here it didn’t quite flow naturally. That said, this is a lighter, cozier romantasy with a touch of spice, perfect for those wanting to dip their toes into the genre without diving into anything too dark. It wasn’t entirely for me, but I can definitely see it being a hit for others!!

▫️what I liked:
-the premise
-dynamic of the characters

▫️what I didn’t like:
-slow (esp at the beginning)
-predictable
-style/formatting of the writing I can’t explain it but just wasn’t how I like it
-third act break up (so unnecessary)

Loved Under Loch and Key—a unique blend of mystery and atmosphere that pulled me in right away. The setting was eerie in the best way, and the twists kept me hooked. Highly recommend

This wasn't an awful book, but it wasn't fantastic either. I enjoyed the puzzle/riddle/curse aspect but that doesn't mean it needs to take over the entire book itself. I had a hard time staying interested, though I really really wanted to. Otherwise, cute read and a good intro to monster romance.

One thing about me is I’m going to read every Scottish rom com I come across. This one was no different and I loved every second of it! The plot and setting were so much fun. I loved the two main characters so much. Give me a Scottish man please.

I love Lana Ferguson. Her books are just fun. This was a nice lil romp in Scotland that had really great writing and a truly silly plot. Did I read the whole thing and enjoy it? Yes. Would I suggest this to everyone? Definitely not. Glad to tick a Monster Romance box, but oh boy this a goofy one.

I didn't know this was a monster romance. I read about 2/3, but just struggled with it -- because I wouldn't have started it if I knew it was paranormal.

I wanted to love this and honestly I was a little disappointed.
While entertaining I just felt like I was missing something! It was however lighthearted and funny! Maybe I would’ve enjoyed this better if I read it at a different time !

Thank you NetGalley for this review copy.
Wow. This was a really wonderful book and I really did not see this coming. I thoroughly enjoyed the journey this book sent me on and all the emotions it made me feel.

I have always been a fan of Lana Ferguson's books. I love everything from the covers to the rom com-ish type storylines. Her books are consistent and I always feel like I know what I'm getting into when I start a new one. This story was a mix of fantasy, romance, and oddly...monsters. I must say I wasn't sure I would like it but as usual Lana captured my attention and sucked me right in. I ended up picking it for my book club pick for February!

If Lana writes it, I know it's going to be good. As someone who read a lot (A LOT) of monster romances, I can tell you I've never read a loch ness monster romance and this filled a void I didn't know I had! Lana always writes the funniest stories, and this one balances some heavier topics so well.

An absolute delight to read something fresh from Lana - every single genre she writes is gold!

I obviously couldn’t resist wanting an ARC for a book with such a fun plot. Falling in love with the lochness monster! Please! Lana never fails me with her steamy scenes and wow did she turn it up in this. FMC is playful, confident, and never give up attitude. She wins over the heart of our MMC who is grumpy with a magic 🍆 (no literally). It was a truly fun read, but I did find the pacing a little hot and cold. Giving this one a 4⭐️ just because I wish the characters journey had picked up pace a little quicker in the beginning.

OBSESSED. Lachlan and Key are everything! This was spicy and funny and I absolutely loved everything about it! Lana Ferguson has done it again! Easy 5 stars!

It’s the messy tale of Nessie that Scottish lore was missing. A heartfelt toe-dip into a whimsical world of witchcraft and curses.

Lana Ferguson’s Under Loch and Key tells a tale of love and lasting family grudges when a bonnie lass named Keyanna falls head over heels into a loch for her father’s ancestral home and for Lachlan, the Scottish grump tending to her grandparent’s farm. Key doesn’t know that Lachlan is hiding more than a sense of humour behind his fridge demeanour; he has a monster-seized secret that could doom them both. The two soon share a slippery and passionate fall into each other’s embrace as they navigate similar losses and secrets.

It’s a sweet story that showcases Scotland’s mysterious and mystical highlands lovingly through a sweeping family-driven mystery and a love story that prospers despite their torrid history.

The audiobook is especially tantalizing, painting a steamy portrait of Lachlan through his rich Scottish narration. The book itself lends space to Key’s exploration of her lost family, which in turn helps flesh out the sweeping highland hills of her new home. Reconnecting with her scorn grandparents is as much a hurdle as the monsters in the loch nearby and that gravitas of a complicated family dynamic lends humanity to the supernatural tale.

From the devious twins running the local pub to the adorable grandpa tearing up at the sight of his long-lost grandchild, this romance knows it needs to romanticize the setting as much as the characters. In doing so, it offers us a chance to fall in love with a fictional town of cozy exchanges and quirky cottages against a backdrop of drizzling rainswept greenery.

Rarely does it feel like a rom-com is an unfulfilling genre for a story. Yet, Under Loch and Key constantly has to reel in its world-building and fantasy exploration to focus on the romance and with a setting as grand as fictional Scotland, that can be frustrating.

Constricted in how much time the romance can spend on world-building, a chunk of the story is left unfilled and the climactic ending is rushed in favour of an all-to-ordinary happy ending for our unusual couple. It’s too bad because paranormal romances can balance the scale effectively. Ali Hazelwood’s Bride kept itself rooted in romance while allowing the supernatural world to unfold organically with the love story.

Under Loch and Key has the potential to do the same effectively. It has the opportunity to be a lot more than a perfect, fluffy read—more romantic, more fantastical, just more.

That said, for what it is, this book is a delight. We need more romance concepts like this, which are fun, creative, and out there. They are low-stakes mythological shenanigans that deliver an entertaining premise regardless of whether other elements fall short. We don’t necessarily need to give every creature from mythology a six-pack and a penis. Nonetheless, this author is clearly on to something when it comes to readers’ niche wants and needs.

Ferguson’s foray into the lochness lore is an enchanting, well-meaning romp for those who seek the cruel mistress of Scotland’s beauty through stories.

I am a sucker for anything to do with Scotland and I love me a lake monster, so I was thrilled to get my hands on this book! Iy's grumpy meets sunshine with a splash of enemies to lovers! Key has travelled all the way to Scotland after recently losing her father, she's hoping to find family and roots while fulfilling his last wish - having his ashes spread in the lake where he was once saved by a monster, or so he claims. In her quest to fulfill his request she almost dies and is saved by the gorgeous and grumpy Lachlan. This was mysterious and heartfelt, I loved the lore and family secrets, it was a delightful mix for this rom-com! Some of it was fairly predictable but there were a few things that took me by surprise which was pleasing!

Unfortunately this is one I wont be reviewing as I learned stuff from the author and I’m not supporting them anymore.

Under Loch and Key by Lana is an intriguing mix of family drama, mystery, and supernatural intrigue, set against the eerie and mystical backdrop of Scotland. From the moment the title captures your attention with its clever play on the character’s names, you know this is going to be a story full of twists and surprises.

The plot centers around Key, who is grappling with the recent loss of her father. In her search for closure and connection, she discovers that her father’s past—and his family—are rooted in Scotland. Key’s journey to reconnect with her roots quickly turns into a series of unsettling revelations, as she’s welcomed by a family that is far from warm. She uncovers secrets about her father’s departure, his silence about Scotland, and the complicated relationship that remains, all while trying to piece together her own sense of self.

But just when you think you’ve got the family drama figured out, the story takes a sharp turn—enter the Loch Ness Monster. This unexpected twist adds a whole new layer to the mystery, propelling the story into uncharted territory. The supernatural elements are undeniably thrilling, and Lana’s ability to keep readers on their toes is one of the novel's greatest strengths. You’ll find yourself constantly questioning what could possibly happen next.

That said, there are moments where the pacing can feel a bit "eh," but these moments align with Lana’s signature writing style—outlandish and unpredictable, which fits the tone of the novel. It’s clear that Lana enjoys throwing readers into the deep end, and while not every plot point may land perfectly, the overall sense of suspense and surprise is hard to deny.

It’s also worth noting that Under Loch and Key is not your typical romance. The relationship dynamics are unconventional, and this is definitely not a closed-door romance. It's in-your-face, and let’s just say, it’s a human/sometimes human situation. If that’s a dealbreaker for you, then this might not be your cup of tea. But for those who are open to something a little bolder and more fantastical, it’s a story that will keep you hooked.

All in all, Under Loch and Key is a wild ride that blends family drama, mystery, and supernatural elements in a way that’s both unexpected and exhilarating. It’s a book that might leave you thinking, “What just happened?”—and that’s exactly what makes it worth the read.