I could not put this book down! Every tike I had to take a break, I found my mind drifting to the world of Loch and Key. This story is fun and with the splash of something fresh that kept me hooked. I’m so glad I read this because now I’m obsessed with paranormal romance.

Keyanna was so strong yet vulnerable that I connected to her. Lachlan has to be the hottest monster/Scottish man ever and his monologues and things he said to Key were positively swoon-worthy (and also him being an ass which we love). I think the plot was executed perfectly, and it kept me interested all the way through. I did think the part where she breaks the curse could have been more monumental since they worked toward it the entire book. Still loved how it was done with a sweet moment but it fell a bit flat. Other than that Brodie being a little crazy checked out and I loved Rhona’s character.

The epilogue was adorable! Lachlan holding a mini key is actually everything. Seeing them finally be together as a big family was the perfect end.

I am BEYOND grateful for NetGalley and Berkley Romance for granting me this phenomenal opportunity.

LET ME TELL YA'LL this book is beyond words amazing. I fell in love with Lana Fergusons writing when I read 'The Nanny' and ever since then each book is a 5 ⭐️! IF YOU THOUGHT you loved her paranormal romance in 'The Fake Mate' ... 'Under Loch and Key' will literally blow your mind.

Keyanna (Key)MacKay and Lachlan Greer start off rocky... (literally though, they meet in a cave) and the tension is STRONG right off the bat. As much as Lachlan tries to avoid Key to keep his secrets his... he can't seem to keep his eyes off her. The problem? She's the last lass he wants to grow attached to based on passed events between their families.

This book has a lot of "Hear me out" moments & I absolutley love that for me & all the other paranormal lovers who read this masterpiece. This book had me blushing, giggling, screaming, and holding my chest in anticipation for what was to come! It's true what they say; sometimes love can be a real loch-mess.

Lana Ferguson switching effortlessly between monsters and regular old guys in her romances is certainly a talent! I loved her last book, THE GAME CHANGER, that came out earlier this year, and was exceptionally pleased with her follow up, UNDER LOCH AND KEY. Perfect for fans of Katee Roberts and DO YOUR WORST by Rosie Danan, Ferguson offers up a fun and quick romp through Scotland.

enjoyed this so much more than i thought!!! this is one of my first paranormal romances and i love every twist and turn

Please read! It was excellent. Love Lana Ferguson's supernatural romances so far. Love the teasing and banter between the main characters.

This was okay. I'm beginning to see that Lana Ferguson just isn't for me.

I was drawn in by the Scottish accents and the kilt (Jamie Fraser lover here) and of course the Loch ness monster, skeptical as to why it was a male but creators choice. I would have loved to see if it had been Key who was the monster but---alas---maybe another story. The back story for both of them was interesting, but the romance was just... meh. They hate each other, then ofc they realize how attractive the other is, and suddenly, they don't hate each other. Which yes is most romance books but it's so blaringly obvious in Ferguson's work the pattern it chases. I personally hate when in a character's chapter they just start talking about the other for no reason, just to acknowledge whatever happened the chapter before (which was nothing). The self-awareness is too much and takes away from the tension, IMO. I also hate when the side characters' sole purpose is to meddle. They exist for nobody and nothing aside from to drive their relationship along, and, welll... there needs to be better development on that front. For a fourth novel, I expected a little bit more.

I think this book had a very unique plot but overall the book was just not for me. The main characters kind of fell flat for me and I was not able to really connect with them. Also I think that pacing in the book was off.

3.5 / 3 chili peppers

As a self proclaimed Lana Ferguson Stan, thank you so much for introducing me to omegaverse I am FOREVER grateful, I had high hopes for her next paranormal romance. I fear, this is where I went wrong. This book is paranormal but I think it was also based too much in reality that I struggled with the storyline. It's mostly magical realism than paranormal.

We have Key who is going back to her parents homeland, Scotland, and trying to understand her roots after the death of her father. Lachlan, who is trying to figure out how to break the generational curse that was placed upon his family before he falls victim to it.

Although it is hate to lovers, the book very much gave Insta love and no true action really happened until around the 75% mark. I felt myself putting this down more often than wanting to pick it up. Overall, I think if you're a lover of paranormal romance this might be a bit too realistic for you but if you love magical realism then this is perfect.

Read if you love:

- Hate to Lovers
- Insta Love
- Magical realism (but paranormal kinda?)
- Quest to break a curse
- Fluffy reads

ARC Review!

Under Loch and Key blends Scottish folklore, romance, and family secrets into an engaging paranormal adventure. It follows Keyanna "Key" MacKay as she uncovers the hidden history of her estranged family in Scotland. Along the way, she encounters Lachlan Greer, a man with his own secrets and a family curse that ties them both to a dark and mysterious past.

Character Dynamics
The main characters are well-developed, though each has their own set of complications. Keyanna's estranged family, especially her grandmother, adds tension, while her cousin Brodie’s suspicious behavior heightens the mystery. Lachlan is mysterious and brooding, with a background that makes his connection to Key full of conflict. The tension between Keyanna and Lachlan is palpable—there’s attraction, but also wariness due to their family histories. Keyanna’s internal dialogue feels a bit overdelveloped at times, but once her relationship with Lachlan begins to develop, their chemistry really shines.

Plot and Pacing
The story unfolds slowly at first, as Keyanna navigates her family struggles and begins to unravel the curse that ties Lachlan and her family together. The plot really gains momentum around the halfway point. The mystery surrounding Lachlan's curse and Keyanna's newfound powers keeps you invested as they try to uncover how to break it.

Paranormal and Mythical Elements
One of the standout aspects of the book is its integration of Scottish mythology. From the Loch Ness monsters to Keyanna’s Kelpie Witch heritage, the paranormal elements add a fresh and intriguing layer to the story. While the magic system isn’t always fully explained, especially when Keyanna’s healing powers first appear, the lore surrounding Lachlan’s family curse and Keyanna’s ties to the mystical creatures keeps the story compelling.

Romantic Elements
The romance between Keyanna and Lachlan is a slow burn at first, with tension building throughout the story. Lachlan’s reluctance due to his curse and Keyanna’s growing feelings for him create a push-pull dynamic that’s both engaging and emotional. There is paranormal spice (think Bride by Ali Hazelwood!!) and it reached a 3.5-4 out of 5 spice rating in certain points.

Mystery and Suspense
The central mystery—why the curse came to be and how to break it—is engaging, and the twists and turns involving Brodie and his mysterious behavior keep you on edge, particularly as his true motives are revealed.

Tone and Writing Style
The writing style is atmospheric and descriptive, which works well for the setting of a mysterious Scottish loch. The inclusion of Scottish slang adds authenticity, though it may require some effort to follow for readers unfamiliar with it (Google helped me a lot!).

Final Thoughts
Under Loch and Key is a fun and engaging paranormal romance that brings Scottish folklore and mystery to life. Though it has a slower start, the combination of mythical creatures, romance, and family secrets kept me hooked, especially in the latter half. If you’re a fan of folklore, magic, and romance, this book is worth picking up.

Final Rating: 4.25/5. A captivating read for fans of Scottish lore and paranormal romance, with a satisfying blend of mystery and romance.

Lana Ferguson continues her streak with another charming, smart and very sexy romance . This marriage of convenience made me laugh and swoon. Both characters were developed so well and I loved the setting and supporting cast .

I have been so excited to read this one since it was first announced. Spicy Loch Ness monster romance? Yes please! This story is an interesting take on the Loch Ness monster I haven't see before and the spice readers of Lana's books are accustomed to is her and delightful.

While I did really enjoy Lachlan and Key's story but this one took me a bit longer to get into than some of Lana Ferguson's other books. I struggled a bit with Key's lack of connections. It would have been nice to see her have someone to talk stuff over with other than Lachlan. I also felt like their connection was a bit overly reliant on physical attraction.

That being said there is a fun mystery aspect to this one and a bit of paranormal danger which can be a fun twist. Also for anyone that loves a Scottish setting, you'll adore this!

Was I ready to read a spicy monster romance book? Yes, I was. And did it live up to my expectations? Yes, it did. It's literally made for us!

Expect this spicy monster romance book just for the vibes rather than the plot. It's such a fun read that will make you giggle and blush at the same time. Plus, there is a bit of family drama going on that will keep you entertained. 

I will say that the two characters, Keyanna and Lachlan, may not make sense, but the chemistry between them is off the charts. You can tell that they want to jump each other but also fight each other as well. Thankfully, Keyanna and Lachlan chose to be with each other and make us as readers blush so much. Those spicy scenes were off the charts!

This was an unexpected delight. A bit of a mystery, grumpy/sunshine, enemies to lovers... And Nessie? Yes pls! I may be biased because of my family background but I really loved this. It was definitely a fresh take on the Loch Ness Monster, one that I didn't know I needed. The characters and the plot are definitely interesting but I had a hard time with the ending, or at least the speed of how the ending came together. Definitely something I'll recommend!

This was such a surprise, I was not sure what to expect when I saw this book, but the Scottish vibes pulled me in.

This turned out to be a silly and very enjoyable supernatural-esque rom com, with fun Scottish characters.

Keyanna heads to Scotland to see her dad’s family she’s never met, upon his passing. She wants to learn more about the stories he always told and the history in Scotland, and when she meets the Scottish boy next door Lachlan she finds that maybe it’s all just trouble she’s searching for.

Lachlan was silly and the magical elements in this story were actually done well for a romcom I enjoyed this a lot and it had perfect fall/ spooky vibes!!

I've read all of Lana Ferguson's books as ARC's and was so excited for her take on true monster romance. As usual her spice is SPICY and the story is so fun. Without giving spoilers, I think the "mystery" in this story is perhaps more suited to a book with a darker tone. I found this one a little tough to get into at first and wish the conflicts tone matched Ferguson's writing more. Overall I enjoyed reading it and LOVED the setting/dialogue/found family vibe. Another win for Lana Ferguson and her fans.

After her father dies, Key travels to Scotland to meet her estranged family and to put her father to rest. She receives a cold welcome from her grandmother and the groundskeeper Lachlan also tries to scare her off. Determined to learn more about her father's early life, Key tries to uncover the secrets everyone is keeping and finds that legends are sometimes true.

This was a lightly magical rom-com with Nessie. I didn't like it as much as some of Lana Ferguson's other novels, but it was pretty unique for the genre. As always, your mileage may vary.

thank you for this arc! my first dabble into monster romance. i enjoyed the scottish mythology of this book - however I did not feel that connection with characters I love to have, i think there were a few tropes and mostly predictable plot line that had me not absolutely in love with this book.

3.5 ⭑ super fun and creative paranormal romance!!

before this, I had never read a monster romance, but I ATE this up. the storyline and the setting was intriguing, as was the spice!!! I did find that the story kind of lost steam around the midway point, but it definitely picked back up in the last 30%. lachlan and key were very entertaining!

tbh, I do love lana’s writing, but I’m always scared to read one of her books because she seems to LOVE a third act breakup. however, I’m very pleased to announce that this one didn’t make me want to toss my kindle across the room!!! instead, I found it to be incredibly valid and handled rather maturely.

definitely give this a read—even if it’s just to say you read a loch ness monster romance!!!!

Ok i think this may be the last Lana Ferguson book i read. I’ve continued to find her stories to be mostly mediocre but i was so hopeful when i saw this book and the premise. A little paranormal and a little romance all rolled into one seemed like such a fun time. And the Loch Ness Monster of it all?! Sign me up! Unfortunately though, like all of her books to me, it seems like the only scenes given any thought are just the spicy ones. I can never feel a connection between her MC’s or any real interest in the plot. But since this book read like all of her other ones to me i do think fans of hers will like this. She seems pretty consistent.

3 stars.

Honest Review:

The first 45% is a tad slow, the interest in the lochness monster is built up minimal at best, the tension for the couple is a bit better but could’ve had more anticipation, I needed MORE rivalry to really feel the hate or dislike, it felt just like a huge miscommunication trope extended. I feel like the book lacked plot a little in the beginning, like this could’ve been a short novella really. Once I was 67% in I got really into it and started flying through the book but for book lovers who give a book only a few chapters and DNF — this would not make the cut.

The spice was a solid 3.5/5 ⭐️
The swooning for the couple 3.25/5 ⭐️

Would I recommend? Probably not, but not because it was bad but because it was a tad boring and drawn out. I love this author, this book and mythical story turned romance just wasn’t executed as well as her others.

*Author mentions puppies a lot as metaphors lol, idk it was just a small thing that bugged me.*

*FMC is a witch and the story doesn’t really touch on it as much as they should until the very end, the author could’ve played more with the witch part in my opinion.*

#UnderLochandKey #NetGalley