Under Loch and Key by Lana Ferguson was a fun read. As always, reading Lana Ferguson books will guarantee you have an entertaining time. I giggled, I enjoyed it all. It's definitely one of the most unique books I've read in a while and I think this will hit for a lot of people.

This book was great to curl up with on a fall day. I love a good enemies-t0-lovers trope and with the Scottish setting this one did not disappoint. I really enjoyed the twist on the Loch Ness Monster, but wish we could have spent a little more time with Key and her learning about her powers.

I really liked Lana Ferguson’s book Game Changer, so when I saw she had a book set in Scotland, about Nessie no less, of course I needed to read it. This was a fun book of magic, lochs, family secrets, and cryptids. Although enemies to lovers isn’t my favorite trope, who could say no to this?? Very fun!

The Loch Ness monster but make him HOT. Alright, I'm back with my findings!!

Rating: 4 ⭐️

For anyone who loved The Fake Mate, you're gonna love this too.

Under Loch and Key follows Key, an American woman, who moves to Scotland after her father's death in order to reconnect with her estranged family. There she meets Lachlan who is her family's asshole-ish farmhand, among.... other things 😏 She is quick to uncover secrets, an ancient prophecy, a curse, and magic powers. All while falling in love, of course.

In most cases, I hate when an MC is advertised as an "asshole," because... like, just be polite please. You don't even know this person. But luckily, Lachlan's brand of asshole is more banter and flirting, which is how it should be in my book. I just want to have a good time and not think about the male ego.

Under Loch and Key is lighthearted, has some good banter, and managed to keep my attention really well. And in terms of spice... I will say that ridged penises do make an appearance. Is it ever explained? No. But it is a fun addition nonetheless 😂

Overall, this book was a good time and I will definitely look out for more Lana Ferguson books in the future!

Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group for for providing me early access to Under Loch and Key in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

A Loch Ness monster paranormal romcom set in Scotland? Say less. I’ve had this on my TBR since I heard about it this summer and I’m happy to report it did not disappoint.

Answering the question, what if the Loch Ness monster was a cursed, hot Scot, Under Loch & Key was a fun and spicy read (which I’ve come to expect with Lana Ferguson’s books!).

There was supposed much I loved about this book: the setting (Scotland is high on my travel bucket list!), the dynamic between Lachlan and Key, the multi-dimensional characters, the spice and the unraveling of family secrets. It was funny, it was heartfelt, it was sexy— what more could you want?

If you liked Bride and the Fake Mate, you’ll love this one. If you’ve always been a little monster smut curious (like me!), I think this is a good one to dip you toe in (before jumping into the loch, so to speak!) 😂

Read this if you like:
- Enemies to Lovers
- Star-crossed Lovers
- Paranormal Romcoms
- He Falls First
- Banter
- Men with Accents

Ultimately this was 4.5 stars for me, but until Netgalley gives us half stars, I’ll continue round up as I see fit! 😂

Thank you to Netgalley & Berkley Romance for the ARC.
(The way I squealed when I got this arc!)

No one is doing romantasy like Lana is. This was a delightful read.

Under Loch and Key was a fun but also emotionally charged monster romance about a girl trying to help a man that is actually the Loch Ness monster from Scottish legend. It's silly. Its funny. But it's also incredibly serious at times. It's heartwarming. Not only are you watching Key and Lachlan fall in love but you get to watch Key fall in love with her family and the history her family line holds. It was incredibly emotional at times and I ate it up. One of the things I loved most was actually watching Keyanna fall in love with the Scottish hills and the country her dad grew up in. It's a well written and very fun read that had me up till 2am to see where it went.


This is going to be the next romance I obsess over and I will be first in the door of my local Barnes and Noble to buy my copy on release day. Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

this book is truly for the monster romance girlies!!🦕🙂‍↕️ i loved it so much and especially appreciated its unique spin on the genre!
(side note: i also think this book would be perfect for those that are curious and want to dip their toe (get it? loch ness monster reference hehe) into the monster romance genre!)

the mystery was fun and intriguing, the banter and chemistry between lachlan and keyanna was off the charts, and the found family aspect will absolutely make your heart squeeze.
i already can’t wait to reread via the audiobook!

read if you love:
🦕 a little mystery
🗝️ family dynamics and complex history
🌊 enemies (a la romeo and juliet) to allies to lovers
🦕 open door spice with chemistry 🥵
🗝️ found family
🌊 monster romance
🦕 scottish heroes with dimples (the brogue!! it melted me🫠)

only keep reading if you want a mini spoiler!! you’ve been warned.

i only have one other thing to say and it is said in mourning. RIP to the ridged 🍆. i was really hoping that would stick around!

thank you, Berkley and Netgalley, for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!!

This paranormal romance was also a good mystery. The characters were likable and had chemistry. The Scotland setting was appealing. It had just the right amount of spice. It was a fast, fun read!

Thank you for the chance to read this one early. I read The Fake Mate and enjoyed it but sadly this one really wasn't for me. I really wanted to love it and the setting was awesome. For some reason though I struggled to connect to the characters or the romance. I just never could get really invested. I think others will love it but for me it wasn't one I was eager to read. This one had all the elements I love but just missed the mark for me personally.

3.7/5⭐️ - this is going to be very hit or miss with people.

Very different than a typical Lana Ferguson book! I thought this was a fun time. It’s not my favorite book of hers, but I did enjoy the humor, banter, and the spice!

I do find myself comparing this to her other two books I’ve read that I LOVED! So because of that, this one fell a little short for me and I found myself not as engaged as I typically am in a Lana Ferguson book.

I still think it’s worth a read because I did have an overall fun time reading this, but I also think I discovered that maybe I’m not a monster romance gal. But for those who love those kinds of books, I think this will hit all the right notes for you!

Tropes:

🐉 monster romance
🐉 magic & mystery
🐉 one barn
🐉 enemies to lovers
🐉 Scotsman X American girl

Thank you to Berkley Romance and Net galley for the digital ARC!

3.5 Stars!

Under Loch and Key is a super cute mythical/paranormal/magical realism romance. I loved the characters, the setting, and the hate-to-lovers vibes. I found myself thoroughly entertained. My only complaint is that the pacing was a bit slower than I would have liked. Thankfully, the pacing picked by the second part of the book.

Overall, this was a fun read to spend my day getting swept up in.

5 ⭐
2.5 🌶️

Brb, moving to Scotland to find my own Lachlan Greer...!! Under Loch and Key is another wonderful tale from Lana Ferguson!

Under Loch and Key is a perfect book for readers who want a splash of paranormal with their romance (pun intended), and it'll make you wish you had a loch of your own to take a dip in to cool off. Because Lachlan and Keyanna are hot hot hot.

Fantastic side characters, Scottish charm and wit, and a story that will tug on your heartstrings at times and make you blush at others.

A bit predictable? Yes. But a perfect, quick little romance snack nonetheless.

--

Thank you NetGalley, Berkley, and Lana Ferguson for a copy of Under Loch and Key and the opportunity to leave my honest, voluntary review! All thoughts and opinions are my own <3

I will never not beg for a Lana love story! 😍 and this one has a Scot in a kilt?! AND he’s a monster?? yes please. I had such a good time watching this unlikely couple fall for each other. it’s laced with intrigue and tension and suspense. and the twists had me squealing and excited to turn the next page! I want anything Lana writes!

This was SO FUN!!!! The mystery! The angst! The family dynamics! The romance! I loved reading this. It was sexy and wild and I will never complain about a cryptid book.

I am now ready to devour ANYTHING that Lana Ferguson writes!! I loved this so much - I have never been anywhere in the UK, but I really felt like I was at Key's family's farm when I was reading this, and I just loved the character development so much. This was really fun, and I will absolutely be recommending it!

I did not realize I would be seeing some monster dick in this book, but I was not disappointed. If that's not for you, skip certain parts in the book LOL.

This book had classic Lana banter between our MCs. I am obsessed with Nessie as a sexy, brooding Scottish man stuck in the grasp of a family curse only to be broken by Key MacKay. Their chemistry was off the charts! I'm not normally open to human x monster romance, but this one worked for me.

Thank you so much to @berkleyromance for giving me the chance to read this anticipated new release by Lana Ferguson!

I was enamored with Under Loch and Key immediately after its announcement. I mean it’s genuinely MEANT for me. It had the makings of being one of my favorite books this year and it did not disappoint! I loved the dynamic between Lachlan and Key! Their banter was so incredible and did a wonderful job of building up the tension between until they finally gave in to the mutual feelings between them. The romance was fully developed and it had so much to offer!

I thoroughly loved being able to spend time in Scotland, the atmosphere was incredible. Being able to watch Key and Lachlan work together to try and break the curse. The way the mystery was interwoven with the romance was actually so great.

I had so much fun reading this one! I mean seriously, who would’ve thought the Loch Ness Monster could be so hot?! 🥵

Thank you to Berkely and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for a review!

I was really excited to be approved for this title, and I was intrigued by the plot, setting, and characters. The writing style had me hooked, and I breezed through the first half. Unfortunately, the book was a bit too spicy for me and I had a hard time picking it up for the back half. I'm sure this book will be well loved and find its audience upon its release, but it wasn't for me.

Under Loch and Key was a fun time! It wasn’t exactly what I expected, but Lana Ferguson has once again written a captivating book.

I couldn’t tell you exactly why I didn’t love this book more. The writing was great, the magic made sense, the plot was cohesive, and I liked the characters. But I don’t think all of those things added up to the romance I wanted. Lochlan and Keyanna have chemistry, but it doesn’t feel earned to me.

That being said, I still had a great time! Read this book if you love
🩶 monster romance
🩵 family mysteries
🩶 Scottish folklore
🩵 “enemies” to lovers

3.5 stars. I’ve enjoyed Lana Ferguson’s previous books, but this one wasn’t my favorite. Despite the fun premise—the Loch Ness monster is actually a cursed (hot) man—it just didn’t hold together as well as I might have hoped. The mystery is convoluted and the pacing is off. The main characters have scorching (sometimes literally) chemistry, but it wasn’t enough to sustain the book.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC to review. All opinions are my own.