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

This is my first ever paranormal/monster romance and I absolutely loved it! I already knew I enjoyed Lana Ferguson's writing as I've read a couple of her other books, and Under Loch and Key was no exception. It was such a cosy, perfect read for fall and I couldn't put it down!

Under Loch and Key follows Keyanna (Key), who returns to Scotland after her fathers passing to spread his ashes in a place she heard many stories about. She's confronted with her estranged grandparents and a grumpy man named Lachlan. This story has so much discovery and growth between not only their relationship but hers with her family.

I had such a fun time reading this book, with my only critique being that I wish I had a bit more time to get invested in the characters. Things moved pretty quickly at times, and while I did find myself interested in the characters and their goals, I didn't feel a deeper connection that I hope for in a book.

Thanks so much to Netgalley and Berkley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

3 Stars

I have adored every Lana Ferguson I’ve ever read (The Game Changer is one of my favorite books this past year). I was so excited for Under Loch and Key as I love paranormal/monster romances and anything related to Scotland. I liked this book, but it just didn’t hit the same as Lana’s other novels. The writing seemed a little less tight and a bit repetitive. Despite that, Lachlan and Key have great chemistry and banter and the story is fun.

If you are looking for a cozy paranormal romance (and with the absolutely stunning backdrop of Scotland) be sure to pick up this book.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

2.5 stars

Under Loch and Key has an interesting premise, and potential to be a story I could have enjoyed.. but ultimately it fell flat for me for a number of reasons.

The characters:
- Key and Lachlan felt very surface level for me. I never really got invested in either of them or felt any sort of connection to them or their stories, despite having experienced a loss similar to Key's.

The romance:
- Sadly, I just didn't sense any chemistry.. yes, the spice was good, but there didn't seem to be any tension or real feeling between them other than in those scenes. Both their internal monologues were constantly just commenting on the others appearance, and it was repetitive... Even the banter left me a bit underwhelmed. It also felt like they went from 0 - 100 way too quickly for my taste. It was hard to root for a couple I didn't find all that believable.

The plot/pacing of the story:
- The pacing felt off to me.. we lingered in places that weren't necessary and then would zoom through things I felt needed more development.

- The plot of the story itself was intriguing, but I lost interest due to some of the pacing. It was a bit too predictable for me. I found myself wanting to skim near the end.

Overall, I think a lot of my issues are based on personal preference, and I wouldn't discourage anyone from picking this up if the premise sounds like something they'd enjoy. I can see people loving it, but sadly, I didn't.

Ultimately, I think the authors writing style just doesn't mesh with my reading tastes. I had a similar experience, with almost the exact same issues, with The Fake Mate, so I think this might be my last book by the author.. at least for a little while. I'm sad about it!

Thank you to @berkleyromance @lanafergusonwrites for the #Gifted early e-copy of this fun book!

ᴇᴍᴏᴊɪ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ:: 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏰🐑🚙🌧️👩‍🦰🥵🍵💞

ᴏɴᴇ ᴡᴏʀᴅ: ᴍᴀɢɪᴄᴀʟ

Read if you like:
𝙀𝙣𝙚𝙢𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨 • 𝘽𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧 • 𝙈𝙖𝙜𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙢 • 𝘾𝙧𝙮𝙥𝙩𝙞𝙙𝙨 • 𝙎𝙩𝙚𝙖𝙢 🌶️ • 𝘿𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙨 • 𝙁𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙮 𝙨𝙚𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙨 • 𝙈𝙖𝙜𝙞𝙘 • 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙭 𝙛𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙮 𝙙𝙮𝙣𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙘𝙨 • 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙨 • 𝙁𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 𝙛𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙮 • 𝙃𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 • 𝙂𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙘𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙚𝙨 •

˚ ˚ ˚ ˚ ˚ ˚ ˚ ˚ ˚ ˚ ˚ ˚ ˚ ˚ ˚ ˚ ˚ ˚ ˚ ˚ ˚ ˚ ˚ ˚ ˚ ˚ ˚
💭:
This was such a fun read for me, I devoured it pretty quickly.

I’m a fan of Lana Ferguson’s work, so when I saw this title was available, I just had to request it!

If you enjoyed her other two books, you’ll love this one too!

If you haven’t read anything by this author, I still suspect you’ll enjoy it.

Keyanna “Key” MacKay travels to Scotland on a whim after her father’s passing. He spoke very little of his past or of his family’s Scottish heritage, so it has long been a source of mystery to her.

When he did speak of it, however, the only thing he’d mention was the “monster” that once saved his life - a monster that is believed by most to be but a myth.

Under Loch and Key checked ✔️ all the boxes I look for in rom coms.

⤷ There was a unique plot with just the right amount of spice 🥵.

⤷ Some character development so I felt a connection to the characters.

⤷ Witty and fun banter with swoon-worthy moments.

I’d recommend this to anyone looking for the perfect comfort read with a little depth.

Read this book in one sitting! It was a super fun atmospheric read, perfect for fall. The main character Key is so lovable and fun to follow and Lachlan has secrets that come to light in interesting ways. 👀 Overall, I enjoyed this steamy, silly, and entertaining book a ton! Thank you netgalley for letting me read it!

What a fun read! Lana always delivers with a quick and fun read. I enjoyed the curse and never thought I would be this invested in a Nessie story. Please read this so we can talk about it.