This is my first foray into Monster romance and I don't think that it is the genre for me. While the authors writing and characters are just as amazing as always, the monster aspect is definitely not for me.

4 stars for writing
3 stars for plot
3.5 stars total

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing me with an egalley of this book to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
I've become a pretty big Lana Ferguson fan. I love that she can write contemporary but also can venture into the mythical realm of the paranormal without batting an eyelash. I've honestly not seen this with many romance writers and she does a fabulous job with it. I venture to say I may like her paranormal romances more than her contemporary ones! Bring on all the monster romance for me to read. Plus, this one is new to me. Who would have thought to use the Loch Ness Monster as the monster in a romance story?
I don't know much about Scottish folklore when it comes to The Loch Ness Monster. Just what I've heard here and there about Nessie having been spotted at some point and the grainy pictures I've seen that really don't tell much. I love that Ferguson took this lore and expanded it to make it more relatable. I won't get into too much as I don't want to spoil it, though I think the reader figures out pretty early on something is amiss!
Keyana McKay is a great character. She spunky but also a bit shy and unsure of where she fits in the world. With no immediate family left, she jumps over the pond to Scotland to find her roots, and also her family that her father left behind. Of course she doesn't understand why he left and why his family (especially her grandomother) is so cold to her. That is until she starts to unravel her family's part in the lore of the monster deep in the loch. I cannot imagine the loneliness Key must feel from having lost the only person in the world who meant anything to her. But Ferguson does a great job of helping us with this. I was definitely rooting for her to have a HEA from the very start. I enjoyed how Ferguson also wove some magic into Key's past.
Lachlan Greer is a secretive character. Secrets he carries because he has no other choice. Secrets that were thrust upon his family long ago by the McKay's. Ferguson weaves a feud between Loch and Key's families that rivals the Hatfields and the McCoys. But when his secret is revealed and he sees he's not cast out by Key for it, things start to heat up a bit between them. Enemies to lovers quickly changes into something with burning and hot. He's definitely the grumpy to her sunshine (which he has no problem talking about) but she also wins him over and softens him.
And let me just tell you about the side characters! I loved the twins so much. They were super supportive of Loch and were not inclined to give away any of his secrets, lest people persecute him. I can see how they might have their own little stories in the future
Ferguson does a great job keeping the pacing going in this story, especially considering how long the book is. I was never bored. I kept wanting to pick the story up and see what would happen next. I love the mystery woven into the romance. I figured out early on who the "villain" was but it was interesting to see how and why it was that person. She inserts spice where it's needed and doesn't overdo it. And the banter! I caught myself laughing out loud on numerous occasions. This author knows how to do it and do it right. She does a nice job with the world building and back story. I love the use of the journal entries to help this story along.
The only thing I would have liked to see more of is the actual country of Scotland. I feel like Ferguson tried to put some of it in the story through the farm and a visit to an adjacent town, but for the most part I did have a hard time picturing the Loch and how it was situated to the surrounding areas. I needed a bit more description of what I know from friends/family who have visited is a beautiful country.
Overall this is just a fun story intermingled with mystery, romance, folklore, curses, and a bit of the paranormal. Ok, not a bit, but you'll see what I'm going on about. I am definitely a lifelong Lana Ferguson fan and cannot wait to see what she has in line for the future! If you enjoyed The Fake mate by this author, this one will reel you right in!

This book captivated me. I loved every single second of it! I hope that there will be another book that moves me the way this one did.

Thank you to the author, publisher, & to NetGallet for early access to read this book.

The premise was actually quite promising, but unfortunately I did not care for the fmc as she seemed like another manic pixie dream girl character type, that was overly kind to this random rude man. The relationship between the characters didn’t even have any sort of romance, I mean there was smut, but besides that they didn’t really have any chemistry. The one thing I actually liked was her budding relationship with her newfound family, and her self discovery which I found really interesting, but also very convenient for the plot. Regardless, it was a short and cute paranormal romance, unfortunately it was not for me.

Thank you to Netgalley & Berkley Publishing Group for the arc in exchange for my honest opinion .

4.5 ⭐
First and foremost , I love Lana Ferguson and her writing . The banter in this book is absolutely incredible . I laughed so much . The writing was so well done - definitely felt the Scottish vibes . I really enjoy the characters and the plot was great . Im newer to monster romance and I found this one so unique and fun . And I think the audio to this will be amazing . Loch ness monster who is also a Scottish grump ? Don't mind it if I do

Please give this a go if youre a fan of magic and mystery , monster romance with enemies to lovers , and touch him and die vibes !!

cool premise, but the kind of a slog

This had an interesting beginning, but it really dragged in the middle. It took me almost a month to read this because I completely lost interest. I picked it back up because I did want to know how the mystery would turn out. The ending was pretty good and worth sticking around for but this seriously needs a good edit of the centre to tighten up the story and keep the momentum going.

The lore was decent, the premise interesting and the characters likeable. I just think the author spent way too much time in their heads and thoughts. Even in the big fight scene at the end they are both musing about what their opponent is thinking and why things are happening instead of describing the action sequence.

I think I’m going to put this author aside as her style of writing just does not engage me even though her story concept are solid.

Oh, Lana. I think at this point you could have me reading anything mixed with a romance and I’d say, well Lana wrote it so of course I’m going to read it!

Read if you like:
🐉 Loch Ness Monster Lore
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland Setting
⚔️ Enemies to Lovers
✨ Curses
🏠 Found Family (sort of)
❤️ Monster Romance (ish)

Technically this is my first monster romance and I think it was a good place to dip my toe in, especially considering Lana also introduced me to the Omnaverse so I’ll just keep letting her introduce me to sub-genres of romance in the future, okay... 😉

I really loved the relationship between Key and Loch and how the natural and fated enemies was there for them simply from their last names (very Romeo and Juliet meets monster romance) because it’s a love story, with tails. 😂

Anyway, from their enemies I really enjoyed their tension as they clearly had the hots for each other but obviously shouldn’t act on it, especially from Loch as he knows the lore between their families that since Key didn’t grow up in Scotland with her family and after her dad’s passing this is her first trip there and first time meeting her extended family she clearly does not.

I also really loved how the Nessie reveal happened and all the ensuing Nessie jokes because you just can’t not make them 😂

I also loved the hunt for information on the curse and trying to break it that Loch and Key went on all while getting some great banging in because come on, you have to right?!

Well, that’s enough from me… just know I love it and keep it coming Lana… and what will be next?!

Thanks so Berkley for my ARC and PRHA for my gifted audiobook! Btw the audio is amazing and absolutely loved the duet narration as it was so damn good!

Thank you, @berkleypub, for an advanced digital copy of this book!

Lana Ferguson's Under Loch and Key is a delightful surprise, especially for readers like me who were drawn in by the Scottish setting. The story follows Keyanna, an orphan who returns to her Scottish roots to uncover lost family connections. Along the way, she meets Lachlan, a brooding Scotsman with a mysterious past and a family curse.

Though paranormal romance isn't typically my genre, this novel is a refreshing departure from my usual reads. Ferguson's skillful incorporation of Scottish mythology added a fascinating layer, immersing me further into the story. Her vivid descriptions of Scotland's rugged beauty made me feel like I was walking alongside the characters, experiencing the land's magic.

The relationship between Keyanna and Lachlan is charming and fun, with an endearing "grumpy vs. sunshine" dynamic. Their banter was one of the book's highlights, and while the mystery aspect didn't entirely captivate me, the evolving romance kept me hooked. The heat between the characters was well-written and undeniably steamy, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the monster romance element.

Overall, Under Loch and Key is an enjoyable, adventure-filled, and steamy read that's as enchanting as entertaining. The twists and pacing kept me engaged from start to finish, making it a thoroughly enjoyable ride.

This was my 1st Lana Ferguson novel and now I have to read the rest of her books. I went into this book blind, just knowing a girl goes to Scotland - which say no more. I thoroughly enjoyed this book so much that I can't wait to buy a physical copy. I never thought I'd love a loch Ness monster romance so much but I did and I can't stop thinking of Lachlan. I thought the story flowed seamlessly and didn't feel rushed. I felt very connected to Key and the family struggles. Needless to say, I loved this book!

Under Loch and Key⁣:
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Thanks for the free book @librofm @prhaudio @berkleyromance #BerkleyPartner #PRHAudioPartner ⁣
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“she tastes like honey and sunshine and every good memory I’ve ever had, however few.”⁣
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Honestly, Lana Ferguson, it took me an entire year to actually read your stories, and I’m kicking and screaming about it. Immediate an auto-buy author, immediate top of the TBR. I didn’t know how I’d feel about “monster” (cries “he’s not a monster mom!”) romance, but I loved this book and think it’s a good way to tiptoe on into it. ⁣
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Let’s talk about because, duh, me. Holy shite. The amount of times I told my husband I’d “lay down for a spell” like channeling my great-great x5 on my dad’s side. Definitely a keep your headphones on kind when the kids are around, but it was done so well. One of the best audios of the year for sure. ⁣
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We got romance, we’ve got a curse (LFG) needing to be broken, grumpy/sunshine, one barn (like a bed and a horse but very countryside), and a touch HIM and cry (love you Key), strong and caring FMC, oh did I mention monster?⁣
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I loved Lachlan and Keyanna’s story. Did I end up watching 4 Scottish Holiday movies after this? Yes. Can we get this as a holiday movie? Please? ⁣
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Out December 3rd, such a good audio and print read! I know some of our faves, @aardvarkbookclub had sign copies for their December pick, so best grab it up! (Also the epilogue 🥹🥹 AND the sneak of Overruled? We won) ⁣
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QOTD: Happy December AKA my birthday month! What’s the one material gift you wish for this holiday season? If a book (duh) which one??

* Scottish setting/Loch Ness
* Paranormal/monster romance
* Enemies to lovers
* Centuries-old curse
* Found family

After the death of her father, Keyanna "Key" MacKay travels from New York to Scotland, her father's birthplace, to spread his ashes and reconnect with her estranged grandparents. She wants to learn more about her family and why her father left Scotland and never came back. On her first day, after almost falling into the lake, she is saved by a grumpy Scotsman, Lachlan Greer, who is not impressed by the clumsy American invading the lake and his space. Lachlan doesn't want anyone, especially a MacKay, to discover his monstrous family secret.

Under Loch and Key is a funny, emotional, and captivating paranormal/monster romance. I've never read a romance about the Loch Ness monster and found it new and refreshing. Key and Lachlan have scorching chemistry, and their sexy times were very steamy. I loved how their relationship grew from disdain to friendship and love and how they joined forces to break Lachlan's family curse. Following them to solve the puzzle and discover century-old secrets was intriguing. I also enjoyed Key's journey of reconnecting with her family and her Scottish roots.
I thoroughly enjoyed Under Loch and Key. I recommend the book to all romance and paranormal romance fans.

I received this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. This was a fun take on the Loch Ness Monster legend so there were mystical elements integral to the story. It was a fun book but was still able to grapple with issues like how much of who we are results from those who came before us and how much is determined by our own choices. The side characters were great, definitely added to the story.

I’ve been loving a good paranormal romance lately and while most of the ones I’ve read are usually witchy in nature, this is the first one I’ve read (or even stumbled across) that had a loch mess monster as a love interest (or character LOL). This made it a unique and fun read for me with lovely Scottish vibes and an interesting plot that kept me engaged throughout the story, though I absolutely knew who the villain would be from the beginning. There was a decent amount of spice, some including a partially shifted Loch Ness monster if that’s something that intrigues you 😂

Thank you to Berkley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

"You are not who you are because of where you come from; you are who you are because of where you choose to go."

Under Loch and Key is set on a farm in Scotland, where Key MacKay ventures to her father’s hometown to uncover the truth about why his father left his own parents and hometown.

The first few chapters felt dull to me. I almost DNF’ed it, especially since I found it difficult to keep up with Scotland’s terms. I wish the author had avoided using so much jargon or at least explained it in a way other readers could understand. Despite that, somewhere in the middle of the book, my curiosity got the best of me, especially as I read about the Loch Ness Monster.

The story had a promising plot, although it was too predictable for my taste. I was hoping for some jaw-dropping plot twists but ended up a little disappointed. I also didn’t feel any chemistry between Key and Lachlan, it seemed too rushed and shallow. And while I’m okay with spicy scenes, this was on a whole new level of Fifty Shades of Grey. Coitus with a monster? That’s intense! I felt like the ambiance and overall tone didn’t really suit the story's theme. It seemed as though multiple genres such as Urban Fantasy, War, Romance, Historical Romance were thrown together, with the addition of powers, making it feel disjointed.

I also found the reason behind Rhona and Duncan’s estrangement too shallow. With all the anger Rhona pent up, I just didn’t see why their family feud persisted for so many years.

Honestly, I think Sorcha and Tavish’s love story might have made a better narrative. But anyway, that’s just my opinion.

Overall, this was a wild and steamy read for me. Definitely not my cup of tea, but if you’re into this level of spiciness combined with adventure, you’ll probably enjoy it.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for giving me the chance to read Key and Lachlan’s story.

✨WHAT I LIKED:
📌 Rhona finally opening up
📌 Finlay accepting his granddaughter and crying
📌 Key discovering the truth
📌 Lachlan saving Key for the first time
📌 Key rescuing Lachlan
📌 Tavish writing his letter to Sorcha

✨TROPES:
📌 FORBIDDEN LOVE
📌 FAST-PACED ROMANCE
📌 MYTHICAL CREATURES
📌 FAMILY ESTRANGEMENT
📌 SMALL - TOWN SECRETS
📌 INCREDIBLY PASSIONATE AND STEAMY SCENES

🖥️ GOODREADS REVIEW: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7045830687

💻 BLOG REVIEW: https://kimthebookdragon.wordpress.com/2024/12/01/arc-review-under-loch-and-key-by-lana-ferguson/

My first Lana book and it did not let me down! 🥹
This one was soooo fun and the perfect mix of spicy! 😍 I was a bit nervous going in since I’ve never read a lochness monster romance but it took me by surprise!!!🤭

It was so cute watching Lachlan and Keyanna’s develop from hating each other to him being down bad for her!!😭🩷 I love seeing a grumpy, name-calling MMC who eventually shows their cutie soft side and this was definitely Lachlan!!🩷 I also absolutely loved how Keyanna still stuck around to get to know her dad’s family no matter how mean she was treated at first by her grandmother, and I also enjoyed the characters’ backstories as it helped me get to know them better and understand their feelings and attitudes throughout the book!

Overall this was such a fun read!! And the audiobook was AMAZING!!!😍 the male narrator has the hottest Irish accent 🥵😍

Thank you so much to Berkley for the ARC and PRH Audio for the ALC! 🩷

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing the ARC.

I absolutely loved this book.

I am no stranger to Lana Ferguson. I have liked/loved books of hers in the past and this book intrigued me. I loved the idea of a centuries-old family curse being the reason there was a Loch Ness Monster. It felt like a refreshing take in the paranormal romance world, and Ferguson did not disappoint.

Key and Lachlan were so dynamic, you can't help but fall for them as you learn more about them and their families. While this is technically a PNR, there were so many other themes woven throughout that made it into something incredibly poignant. Key is dealing heavily with the loss of her father and trying to foster the only connection she has to him, even if they're unwilling. Lachlan has been dealing with this curse his entire life, starting when his father disappeared into the loch and didn't resurface. The loss felt by both of them is so integral to their stories and it is seamlessly woven into the story, making this not just a love story but a story of forgiveness and acceptance of each other and of ourselves.

This was an amazing book. 10/10 perfection.

3.5 stars. I was very excited about the possibility of a fantasy romance centered around the Loch Ness monster. The premise feels so creative and of course the cover is adorable. I ended up slightly underwhelmed - there were things that just didn't quite feel like they came together with the two MCs and I found some of the book a little slower paced and harder to keep engaged.

Overall, the story is interesting - the connections of the FMC to this area of Scotland and her interactions with the village and side characters was endearing at times. I enjoyed seeing her build her own relationships and roots to this particular place and group of people. The MMC was grumpy and a bit of a teddy bear underneath. His relationship with the FMC was a little lackluster at first, but as it grew - it did have some good elements.

Overall, I enjoyed this one. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the eARC.

Under Loch and Key was such a fun read!!!

The writing was phenomenal. Lana has a beautiful vocabulary and her writing is truly flawless. She paints a beautiful picture through her words.

This is a romance book set in our modern setting with a little monster fantasy sprinkled in and I have to say I loved it!! This was such a unique and fun story!

Oh and the 🌶️?! Was 🥵🥵🥵

I highly recommend this amazing read!!

Posted to Goodreads:

Keyanna’s father always told stories about his life in Scotland. Keyanna decides to take his ashes to his childhood home. Once in Scotland, Keyanna connects with family members she had never met, learns about family secrets, and meets Lochlan, a mysterious man with family secrets that have ties to Keyanna’s father’s past.

I had a mixed reaction to this book. I liked Keyanna and parts of her romance with Lochlan were filled with sizzle and fun. Also, I truly enjoyed the setting. Ferguson did a great job of crafting descriptions of Scotland. However, the “twist” didn’t work for me. Even in a paranormal romance, it felt ridiculous. Plus, many aspects of the paranormal felt underdeveloped. The book is written well and I think people who are fans of this paranormal romance subgenre will enjoy it but it wasn’t for me.

Keyanna “Key” MacKay heads to Scotland to uncover the truth about her late father’s hidden past but ends up being saved by Lachlan Greer, a grumpy Scotsman who doesn’t trust her. As they deal with family drama, strange powers, and a centuries-old curse, their growing connection might be the key to solving the mysteries they both face.

Lana Ferguson is one of my favorite romance authors and I love that she branches out into different subgenres of romance! I had never read a monster romance before, but if Lana writes it, I’m game! I enjoyed the premise of Under Loch and Key and loved how bingeworthy it was. The history behind the curse was the most fascinating part of the story and I was hooked on the mystery the characters were trying to solve. I also enjoyed learning more about Key’s family especially her grandparents, who added depth to the story. The book struck a great balance between contemporary romance and paranormal elements which worked well for me as someone new to monster romance. While I liked Key and Lachlan as individual characters, I found their romance a bit weak and wasn’t entirely sold on the monster romance aspect. The pacing dragged slightly in the middle, but the action-packed final quarter more than made up for it. Overall, this was a solid 4-star read and I’m glad Lana’s writing pushed me out of my comfort zone!