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.

This was actually such a silly, goofy, fun time! I did not really know what to expect from this book & honestly did not have very high expectations but I flew through it! It was very much unserious most of the time with a few deep moments throughout. The characters were enjoyable & I loved watching them progress from disliking each other to becoming so important to each other. I actually would recommend this one for funsies!

Under Loch and Key was one I was excited to read, especially with the current hype surrounding "mystical creatures" in romance novels. However; with the recent allegations coming out of the wood work concerning Lana's fanfiction (Holocaust museum erections), I have chosen to not review/finish this book.

I want to start off by saying thank you so much for the arc of this book! I really just don't think this one was for me. I don't think I have every really read monster romance before and i'm not sure yet if it is for me because I unfortunately did dnf. I was intrigued at the beginning but as time when on I became uninterested. This might be for others but I just don't think it was for me! Thank you again for the arc!

Keyanna is yearning to uncover her past, but with her only connection now lost, the only path to reconnecting leads her to Scotland—toward a family that might not welcome her with open arms. "Under Loch and Key" beautifully intertwines Scottish lore with gripping family drama, crafting a mystery love story that tugs at the heartstrings. Keyanna, a fierce and determined protagonist, embarks on a quest to bridge the gap with her father and unexpectedly finds love along the way. Lachlan, with his brooding presence, serves as a perfect counterbalance to Keyanna’s fiery spirit, creating a dynamic that resonates deeply. The side characters add richness to the narrative, infusing it with humor and emotional depth. However, there’s a slight absence of depth in the lore and a rushed conclusion that leaves one longing for more clarity. A deeper exploration of the family rivalry would have added even greater intrigue to this compelling journey.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing company for this Advanced Readers Copy of Under Loch and Key by Lana Ferguson!

Another hit for Lana Ferguson! I loved this novel and all of its cute Scottish charm.
Following Key as she travels to her fathers homeland after his passing to attempt to bridge the gap between her estranged family, she discovers a handsome (annoyingly so) Scotsman named Lachlan who is *gasp* actually the Loch Ness monster! Oh- and he hates her…. Lachlan and Kenyanna start attempting to solve a centuries old curse that put their families against each other, but find love instead.
This was so adorable, and although it took a while to get there, very steamy! The setting felt lush and real, and the culture was bursting off the page.
My biggest critique was that it felt a tad long.
4 stars

I have really liked both of Ferguson's romance paranormal/fantasy-esque books. I love how they are rooted in the real world but have their unique otherworldly/magical elements.

I read this very quickly in two days and it was a great escape from reality. I liked the enemies-to-lovers trope (my favorite) and the dash of mystery too. The ending with the cousin was a bit reaching, but I was able to get over it.

Some things happened regarding Lochlan and the Loch Ness Monster that weren't ever really explained. At times it felt like they were included for a bit of shock factor. I wish there had been clearer reasoning behind some of the things that happened, or some explanation as to how it worked.

At the end of the day, I'll keep reading these paranormal books Ferguson writes. They never fail to be entertaining.

This is great on audio – the male narrator and his Scottish accent were A++++.

I'm reading minimum one unhinged book a month and this one definitely fit the bill. There are lots of reallly interesting themes throughout this book with family dynamics and tracing your roots that are extremely well done, which doesn't take away from the fact that Key is sort of sleeping with the Lochness monster? I really did enjoy Lachlan and Key's relationship and the twist of the curse was really good.

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc for an honest review.

Who needs vampires and werewolves when you have the Loch Ness monster? But seriously, I love seeing such creative romance. Lana Ferguson is a talented writer who helps you suspend your disbelief and get sucked into a magical world. I loved Lachlan and Key. They were adorable together and their banter was so relatable. I highly recommend to any monster romance lovers. Sweet and spicy.

Thank you Berkley and Netgalley for the ARC!

I did not see it going there. I know that probably makes me a little slow considering the name. But just the same I like when a book takes me by surprise. I’ve become a fan of the light or cozy fantasy. And maybe this is one of my first Romantasies?

Key and Lachlan are characters I just naturally rooted for. I connected and wanted them together from the start.

Enemies to lovers combined with grumpy sunshine kept me wanting more. And I loved the Scotland setting.

I’m not normally a fan of mythology but it works here.

This is the one to choose if you are looking for a little something different in your rom com.

4.5⭐️

This one was so good!! I loved the Scottish MMC and the mystery/suspense that the plot had. The spice was also HOT. Never in a million years did I think a Lochness monster romance would be so enjoyable but it was. It gave beauty and the beast vibes and the Scottish slang reminded me of outlander, so how could I not love it!

This is my second Lana Ferguson book and I really enjoyed it. I love how different each book has been. Under Lock and Key is definitely like no other romance I have read. There were some things I just did not see coming, and I would love to ask the author some questions. I look forward to more of her books.

Thank you to Berkley and PRH Audio for the advanced reader/listener copies of this book. All thoughts are my own!

I went into this with little expectations and an open mind as I very rarely read monster romance. And I was shocked by how much I absolutely loved this!

Lana writes such fantastically smutty books with just the right amount of romance. I thought this was such an interesting and fun concept; never would I have thought to make Nessie a man! It made for such an unique read and I loved how the family rivalry between these two really tied things together.

I listened to this via PRH Audio and I HIGHLY recommend it. Samantha Summers and Flint Park did such a fantastic job with the narration. They say sometimes you can't put a book down, but I couldn't stop listening to this one and I truly think the narrators played a big part in my overall enjoyment of the book.

This book was everything??? Was such a unique concept, pulled at my heartstrings while also making me blush. I love the two main characters so much as well as the plot. It made it more than your typical romance. The family drama had me hooked and the ending had me on the edge of my seat.

I’ll be thinking about this book for a long time.

I feel like this was a cute story overall, but there were certain parts where the pacing was a bit lacking. I love the setting against Scotland, such a beautiful place, and the inclusion of a well known Scottish legend. This book could have definitely benefitted from a change in pace or some added scenes to liven it up a bit. Overall a cute storty.