This book was such a magical, heartfelt, and steamy read! It had some of my favorite tropes—enemies to lovers, that classic grumpy x sunshine clash, and a SUPER unique twist on the Loch Ness legend set in the gorgeous Scottish Highlands. And can we talk about the broody hero with a hidden heart of gold? Yes, please!

Not only is it spicy (and I mean spicy), but it’s also layered with so much heart, family drama, and the struggle of healing old wounds. Keyanna heads to Scotland to honor her dad’s last wish and learns there’s a lot more to her family history than she thought. She’s hoping to reconnect with family, but instead finds herself getting tangled up with a rugged, gruff stranger who’s way too good at pushing her buttons. The pull between them is undeniable, and the tension is off the charts!

Read if you like ⬇️:
•Enemies to Lovers
•Grumpy x sunshine
•Smalltown romance
•Forced proximity
•Hidden family secrets
•Magic/supernatural elements
•Legends/folklore

This had the perfect blend of romance, Scottish folklore, and high-stakes mystery. Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for letting me dive into this one early. (Not to mention I was over the moon to receive this one since it was my FIRST ARC from Berkley!!)

Oh, and this was also my first “monster” romance, but it definitely won’t be my last! The Scottish Highlands setting made it even more amazing!

My favorite explanation ever of the existence of the Loch Ness Monster, sometimes referred to as a water horse, is not that it’s a mythological being, but it’s a plesiosaur–a now-extinct prehistoric beast, simply out of its own time. In Voyager, part of, Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series, heroine Claire glimpses Nessie and understands at once that it is a marine reptile, most likely drifting through some underwater cavern that happens to be a portal from the past to the present.

Lana Ferguson’s Under Loch and Key goes the mythology route: generations of men are forced to become a water horse at night, existing in the Loch until they emerge, human again, at dawn. Lachlan, the current Greer male under this curse, is working as a hired hand at Rhona and Finley MacCay’s sprawling farm when the granddaughter they’ve never met, Keyanna MacKay, comes–uninvited–to this family seat in Scotland to scatter her father’s ashes and trace the roots of the only tale he remembers at the end of his life–being saved by something that kept him from drowning in the loch.

Strapping Lachlan, secretly on premises to find a the bridle to break the curse, is both attracted to and infuriated by red-headed daughter of MacKay, and the feeling seems mutual. Meanwhile, Key’s cousin Brodie, a historian on sabbatical, is also lurking about, looking for some family history, even as he claims most papers and books were lost in a fire in the 1800s.

Everyone knows what a selkie is… right? It’s a seal shape-shifter that can be controlled by holding onto their pelt. Ferguson borrows from kelpie legend, here: Lachlan is a water-horse shapeshifter that can only be controlled by capturing it’s bridle. Once Key recognizes what Lach is, both are determined to break the curse, but neither is sharing the full story with the other. Oh, and Key may have some mythical magic of her own. Descended from the lineage that cursed the Greer family, she discovers it’s within her power to halt a rainstorm, conjure fire, and track an injured lover.

The span of the novel is not just Key and Lach falling for one another in spite of their families’s long-standing animosities, but a modern myth includes complete world-building, complex family dynamics, Scottish history, family genealogy, and a lot of emotion. There’s coping with guilt and grief, and loss of a parent from several point of views: Key’s grandmother Rhona has missed her son since he left for America, and she still doesn’t understand why after Key’s mother died in childbirth, he never came back. Key misses her deceased dad, and Lach misses his very-much-still-alive mother and his dad, who entered the loch one night after accidentally hurting–and never changed back, and has never come out. And any interaction Lach has with his dad, at night, in the loch, is nothing but battle.

The narrative alternates point of view, so we get both inside of Key’s head, and Lach’s. Enemies to lovers and grumpy/sunshine fans will love the sarcasm as flirting, bickering, and Key thinking Lach is just a dick, albeit, a hunky one. Their banter brings to mind both Star Wars and The Princess Bride, in that he calls her princess (first with some snideness, then with reverence and affection), and he IS a farm hand, and as one point, even utters, “As you will,” (pretty close to “As you wish.”)–commence the swooning.

Under Loch and Key is clever on so many levels, including the intricate plotting, weaving in of legend, and the mystery and secrets that pull the reader into the story. Key’s trip to a local museum about that Loch Ness Monster is aimed at children; and it adds to her character that she sticks out the self-guided tour, even as she realizes she is not the intended audience for this tourist trap. Her reflection on her dad and wondering whether he came this way, once, too–saw the same exhibits, touched the same artifacts– is a way for the author get Key in touch with her grief and to impart background information by having Key discover it, instead of the author conveying it. When editors and readers scream, show, don’t tell! THIS is what we mean. And the title alone is masterful: a play on the names Lachlan and Keyanna, it’s also sexual innuendo, a metaphor of fitting tab A into slot B, and it’s a reference to the long-buried secrets of the family’s history and the Loch Ness Monster that must be “unlocked.”

The story could potentially be read on another level: it’s about loving someone, across time passing and shape changing, for who they are, no matter how montrous they feel (I’m thinking about loving someone in recovery, someone who atoned for past misdeeds) or even loving someone whose body has changed but their essence remains the same (everything from loving an aging spouse to someone who has gained or lost significant weight, gone bald, lost a limb, or transitions from their assigned at birth gender). Key’s willingness to make love with Lach during a stage somewhere between human and beast is about radical acceptance. Okay, SOME of the monstrous features turn out to be to her benefit…

Under Loch and Key boasts a complex plot, perfect pacing, strong dialogue, magical realism, fully developed peripheral characters, and a beautiful setting, from the cow-speckled farmland to the loch’s rocky shores to the charming local pub and the fascinating museum of curiousities. And, it’s a detailed steamy read. The consummation of the relationship scene includes play by play and lots of vocalization; it goes on for two chapters and ends with every light bulb in a Lach’s tiny cabin exploding. And yet: I kept picking up this book and putting it down, instead of reading straight through, because while I like paranormal romance, it’s not my immediate go-to in the way that books with men in kilts on the cover are. If you look closely, Lach’s shadow on the cover indicates that this is not just a traditional Scottish romance. I missed it, but after devouring Bull Moon Rising by Ruby Dixon, and hearing that Under Loch and Key is also a monster romance, I was intrigued. Truly, it is wonderfully conceived, spectacularly executed, and comes to a satisfying conclusion, and is sure to appeal to readers across genres.

I received a free advance reader’s review copy of #UnderLochAndKey via #NetGalley, courtesy of #Berkley. This review will post 11/1/24 on HLBB.

This was perhaps one of the cutest romances I've ever read! Lana did an amazing job with this one! She is one of my auto buy authors for sure!

A fun foray into paranormal romance for lovers of Fourth Wing and Outlander. What secrets does broody Scottish hunk Lachlan Greer hold? Will Keyanna solve the mystery while keeping her own secrets safe? What will happen when secrets collide?

My ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I’m always onboard for a Lana Ferguson novel and I love the Scottish cryptids in this one!

I don't know what Lana Ferguson has to do for me to not adore one of her books - but I'm eager to read every other book she ever writes to see if I can find out. <wink> While her "real-life" rom-coms are awesome, I must say her monster rom-coms are beastly perfection. Her monster books boil down to this they are a new modern, egalitarian take on the classic monster romance perfected with witty banter and sarcasm. Really what's not to love?

Quick Synopsis: After her father passes away, Key searches for the only family she has left. Her father's estranged parents. Hoping to find a place to belong, Key uncovers not only the truth behind a centuries-old family feud, but also how to break a curse, and with some luck, the family she's been missing.

Stars: 5/5
Steam: 4/5

What to Expect: Loch Ness Monster RomCom, Magic & Mystery, Multi-Generational Enemies to Lovers, Only One Barn, Never waking up in bed next to each other, Sarcasm As Flirting, Touch Him and Die Vibes.

Thank you to Lana Ferguson, Berkley, and Netgalley for an advanced copy to read and review. (Opinions are my own).

PS: Post on Instagram at @bedsport.books will go up about 2 weeks before pub date.

TW/CW: Death of a parent, childhood abandonment, estranged family

Lana is the only person that i trust to write monster romance for me because she does it so well!! i never thought i would find myself reading something like this but here we are

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for this arc in exchange for an honest review!

Another entertaining read from Lana! I'm quickly learning that I'll read whatever she writes (although I still need to go back and read The Nanny 😅)
But her books are very engaging and easy to read and the spice sure doesn't hurt either 🔥

Lachlan was a great MMC. Moody and dickish at first but he grew to be such a teddy bear. I was pretty okay with Key as the FMC, although I wish she had a little more spine when it came to her grandmother in the beginning.

And I feel like Lana tried to not have a third act breakup in this one, which I guess there technically wasn't, but it still was as ridiculously dramatic and over the top as these they tend to be. Key finds out information toward the end and just implodes and walks away, not leaving him necessarily, just needing time. But I'm still looking for a book where this scenario comes up and the FMC doesn't lose her shit. I get being blindsided, angry, emotional, the whole thing, but none of these FMC's ever take the time to ask why something happened or didn't happen, and I really wish it would.

I also called the ending a mile away, so a little disappointed that wasn't hidden a little more as that causes some feelings of frustration when you can clearly see what's going on but the FMC has absolutely no idea 😖

But overall this was a really entertaining read and would recommend for any romance readers.

A woman moves to Scotland after her dad dies to reconnect with her estranged grandparents. She immediately meets a man who has some big secrets, and we soon discover that their stories are intertwined. There's a mystery to solve, answers to find, and a centuries-old curse that needs breaking. I'm a big fan of Lana Ferguson so I tried really hard to love this book, but ultimately this just wasn't a match for me. Some of the storylines were just ridiculous, and there were several scenes that had me rolling my eyes. Key and Lachlan had good chemistry but with so much time spent on the curse there was less time to spend on developing quality character arcs. That said, it's a fun and spicy paranormal romance that other readers will likely enjoy.

Thank you Berkley for the ARC - I will sell you my soul for more of Lana's ARCs in the future!

Nessie is not a girl?! This book presents a refreshing and captivating twist on beloved lore, featuring a swoony romance between Key and Lachlan that masterfully combines forbidden romance, mutual pining, and elements of paranormal fantasy. I adored the exploration of the Loch Ness Monster, who is undeniably hot in this tale. Key’s journey of self-discovery, along with her playful sass, is perfectly complemented by Lachlan’s fierce protectiveness and charm.

Under Loch and Key is a five-star read! The hot and swoony dynamic kept me hooked, and Lachlan easily earns his spot as a dreamboat fictional boyfriend. I loved Key’s determination to mend her relationship with her long-lost family, which added depth to her character. With a mix of curses and charming monsters, this book had me captivated from start to finish! If you enjoyed Fake Mate, this one is a must-read!

Honestly I loved this book, monster romance is definitely Lana Fergusons genre !! After the death of her father ,Key goes back to him home town in Scotland where she tries to reconnect with her estranged grandmother , in doing so Key meets Lachlan. Lachlan is the male main interest , he doesn’t like Key basically because of her last name … we find out mid way through the book the Leys family ancestor cursed Lachlan’s family and he is forced to change into the Loch Ness monster .. it’s a very interesting plot line .! I read it within a day and honestly wish it never ended !

This was such a cute romance! I love this author and everything she has written. This has such cute banter, and the atmosphere was perfect! The couple in here was one of my favorite couples in any romance of the year so far. So relatable!

I really wanted to love this because how often do we get the Loch Ness Monster as a main character in monster romance?? Unfortunately, this did not work for me at all. Mostly because our FMC is just trying to grieve and spread her dad’s ashes and reconnect with her dad’s family and everyone is so MEAN to her from the jump. For no reason!

Thank you Lana Ferguson for giving me the opportunity to say “I just finished an amazing romance book. Oh, it’s about the Loch Ness Monster–”

Under Loch and Key was well-paced, perfectly spicy, and even had some really beautiful representations of grief. I loved the idea of Nessie being a cursed human, and the mystery element to the story was really interesting. I’m definitely excited for more cryptid romances from this author.

One minor detail that bugged me was that the cover art doesn’t match the book’s description of the MMC, so I kept glitching every time he’s referenced being blonde.

Thanks Berkley and NetGalley for the eARC!

This was my first Lana Ferguson book, and it won't be my last! Under Loch and Key was the Scottish Highlands grumpy x sunshine, enemies to lovers monster/paranormal romance I didn't know I wanted. This book was a delightful combination of mythology/folklore, magic & curses, complicated family dynamics, humor, intrigue, and romance. Can't wait to read more from this author. I will be recommending this book to fans of steamy contemporary romance who don't shy away from slightly bonkers plot lines!

Combining enemies to lovers and grumpy Sunshine will always be a fabulous combination in my book, but then you add a little bit of monster romance/ paranormal romance and I am in!

This book was so good!! Loch and Key are both very haunted individuals by their past and are trying to work through it in very different ways, but the more time they spend together the more they see the deeper emotions behind the walls that both of them have built up.

I love the way that this book really details the curse and how truly important it was. It never felt like a side element or something added on just for dramatic effect. But the ending of this book got me. I found myself actually tearing up when I finished. It was just such a beautiful ending to an amazing book.

The juxtaposition of such a beautiful ending with a very smut-filled book was amazing and I love how this book captures so many different emotions. Lana Ferguson is definitely becoming an auto read author for me.

The second Scotland romance was on the table, I WAS HERE FOR IT! Then, after further investigation, he is the Loch Ness monster…AHHHH.

This whole story was so adorable, grumpy and sunshine at its finest! We follow Lach and Key, as they bicker and argue, to a point where they are just flirting (hee hee).

The plot of the story turns into both protagonists finding a way to break the mmc's curse, before it is too late! I really enjoyed the lore behind everything, the history of the event causing the stakes to be higher. I also loved the banter and watching these characters genuinely care for each other!

All in all, I loved my first Lana Ferguson book!! Thank you so much for this arc <3

"Under Loch and Key" is a delightful and whimsical romance that whisks readers away to the enchanting landscapes of Scotland. The story follows an American girl, Keyanna, on her heartfelt journey to uncover the mysteries surrounding her late father. What begins as a quest for family history quickly spirals into a charming adventure filled with Scottish lore, a hint of magic, and, of course, romance.

When Keyanna meets Lachlan, they instantly fall into a perfect grumpy/sunshine dynamic. She thinks she has him all figured out until she discovers that Lachlan and the men in his family are cursed to transform into the Loch Ness Monster at sunset.

Lana Ferguson weaves Scottish culture and cryptid folklore seamlessly into the narrative, enriching the backdrop against which Keyanna and Lachlan's romance unfolds. The vivid descriptions of the Scottish highlands and the local customs immerse the reader in the setting, making it feel alive and inviting.

"Under Loch and Key" is a fun, lighthearted read that balances humor, romance, and a touch of mystery. It's a perfect escape for anyone who enjoys a good grump-sunshine tale, with lovable characters and an unforgettable twist. This book had me longing for a trip to the Scottish lochs. I highly recommend this for fans of contemporary romance and those with a penchant for folklore! I really enjoyed this one!

This book was fantastic. I absolutely loved the Scottish setting and learning fun new words. I enjoyed the characters and of course cried at the end because it was just so sweet. I loved it!

This was a fairly successful mash-up of the mythological and modern. The characters were believable and I did not get annoyed by any of them like often happens in romance books. It was definitely spicier than I thought it would be based on the cover and the beginning of the book, a slow burn that turned into something a lot more than expected. So if you are looking for something cozy and mild, I might pass on this.

3.5 rounded up to 4

I received a copy of this book in exchange for a review, all opinions are my own.