Guys, this book was EVERYTHING. Lana has a way of writing about the most off the wall random situations and just making magic. I swear, this book had me in its grips. Lachlan and Keyanna were such engaging characters that I just wanted to live in their world. I loved discovering her family history and magic and chaos with Keyanna and I loved watching Lachlan fall into his snarky, jerky, guarded ways. These two played off of each other so well and it was so fun to live in their heads. I will admit that the Loch Ness Monster being a man was a bit of a stretch at times, but Lana pieced it together so perfectly. This book was the perfect balance of steam and spice and mystery and drama and romance and fantasy and I cannot wait to read it again,

When I saw that Lana Ferguson had a new book coming out, and that it was set in Scotland, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it! This book is about Keyanna, an orphaned young woman who is returning to her Scottish roots to reconnect with long lost family. Along the way, she meets Lachlan, a grumpy Scotsman who has a secret of his own and a family curse that he’s bound to.

This book was definitely out of my comfort zone. I’m not a regular reader of paranormal romance, but I’m a fan of Lana’s and I love Scotland so this was a fun journey out of my normal reading. I loved the Scottish setting and some of the Scottish family folklore that was incorporated into the story. I actually took a tour of Loch Ness when I visited Scotland, and there is definitely interesting information out there related to all the Nessie sightings and conspiracies. I definitely found myself surprised by some of the spicy scenes and learned that maybe I’m more of a contemporary rom com girl, but it’s fun to read something out of the box every once in a while! I still enjoyed Lana’s classic banter, humor, and appreciate her ability to write all types of romance. I also enjoyed a sneak peek of her upcoming book that sounds like it will be amazing- an enemies to lovers lawyer office romance!

Thank you so much to Lana Ferguson and Berkley Romance for the arc and opportunity to be an early reader and reviewer.

Arc review: 4 ⭐️
Lana Ferguson is an auto buy author for me at this point. I love how she can jump around different romance subgenres successfully. I really liked this book. I enjoyed how it followed the plot line of breaking a curse and uncovering the complicated relationship between two families’ ancestors. The romance and spice definitely hit for me 👌
There was a slight lag in the pacing in the middle of the book, but overall I really enjoyed it!

A book set in Scotland recently captivated me, and I couldn’t put it down! Scotland, with its breathtaking landscapes and rich history, was brought to life beautifully in this story, which masterfully combined romance, fantasy, and mythology.

The relationship between Lachlan and Kay was one of the highlights for me. When they first met, Lachlan saved Kay and, in a moment of exasperation, called her an idiot. That unexpected exchange set the tone for their interactions—full of witty banter and genuine warmth. Watching their connection deepen as the story progressed was both delightful and heartwarming.

The way the author wove Scottish mythology into the narrative added an enchanting layer that made the story even more compelling. The vivid descriptions of Scotland’s rugged beauty made me feel like I was right there with the characters, experiencing the magic of the place.

Lachlan and Kay’s journey, from their fateful meeting to the deep bond they developed, was a joy to follow. This story is a perfect blend of romance, adventure, and a touch of magic, and it’s left me eager to explore more from this author.

How are her books always so good? The world may never know.

I am very particular about my monster romances. But this, THIS, was a monster romance I fully can get behind.

Keyanna was a fantastic FMC. She was sweet and kind but FIERCE and I loved watching her constantly handing Lachlan his balls. On a platter. And Key’s grief for her dad was so PALPABLE. God, it made my heart ache so much.

My favorite thing about Ferguson’s paranormal romances is that they fit in so naturally with the regular world. In The Fake Mate, werewolves were widely accepted, but even though the magic was secret in this book, it wasn’t over the top. They weren’t all powerful, and the magic was deeply ingrained into their history in a place where magic is deeply ingrained into the land’s history.

The romance was also perfect. It was such a well done, well paced, enemies to lovers. And I always appreciate it when they don’t run from their feelings. They both knew they were in love and both planned to tell the other.

The spice was top notch, as it always is, and their chemistry was perfect and off the charts.

I loved this book and I am SO HAPPY I was able to get an ARC of it.

First, I was sold from the moment I found out this book was set in Scotland. Second, I loved Key’s character and the adventure she’s went on. Third, Lachlan is insanely hot. Like who knew monster romances could be so hot??

Overall, this was such a fun book by Lana and if you haven’t read her other books - you definitely need to. Thank you so much to NetGalley and Berkley for the arc <3

3.5 stars - Characters felt flat despite well fleshed out backstories, but the plot was very fun and entertaining. Bonus points for a cryptid shifter MC

I first found Ms. Ferguson through Fated Mates and was hooked. I enjoy the banter and flow of the "monster' books, and how it's part of the story without being the whole story. I was also sold on the story being set in Scotland, and I fully enjoyed the side characters, even when there were ups and downs with the extended family. I was iffy about Lachlan for a bit, which way was he going to go, and then Keyanna as a character I felt so much because I also lost a parent. I could feel what she was going through and really connected with her character.

This is the first I've ever read by Lana Ferguson and certainly won't be the last. I loved the way she handled the romance and the backstory with cryptids and her father's past. I think patrons will really enjoy this grumpy-sunshine romance so we will purchase for the collection.

An entertaining monster romantic comedy. This is my first novel from Lana and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I avidly love cryptids and any books that revolve around them. Admittedly I thought this was going to be a romance of two loch ness monster hunters who fall in love while searching for Nessie and that they would eventually find the evidence they had been searching for.
I was way off but in a good way! If you are tired of werewolves, vampires, or dragon shifters, I definitely recommend this novel. A loch ness monster shifter was not on my bingo card for books I was going to read this year, but I found it to be fun and unique.
I would really love to listen to this audio because Lana Ferguson brought so much life and realism to these characters.

I’m genuinely convinced that there is nothing that Lana Ferguson could write that I would not absolutely adore.
This book was a super easy read that I enjoyed every second of. I could tell where the story was going and honestly that was good in this case!! I thought both of the characters were easy to love, the plot moved at a good pace, and the when the spice happened, it was goooood (I wish we got one more scene!!).
I also think the fanart will be sooooo good for this one (I’m looking at you chapter 24).
One of my favorite things about Lana’s books is that I get so immersed and truly can enjoy every second of it. And she’s the one author whose third act breakups don’t scare me!!
Also the teaser for the next book…yes please!!

This was my first read by Lana and I really enjoyed it. Key is on a mission to get to know her late father better which takes her to Scotland. There she meets family, some who are not so excited she's turned up on their doorstep and others who are elated to have a piece of their family back. Key meets Lachlan, the broody farm hand who thinks she's all parts frivolous and naive. Lachlan on a mission of his own, is searching for answers within the MacKay family and to his dismay will need Key to solve the riddles and puzzles they will face in order to get answers they both seek. This was full of fun banter, all the tension (yum), culture and adventure. I had a really fun time reading this. I love that we get a nessie shifter and that this nessie is a man. Very fun twist on the cryptid. It was easy to read and definitely a page turner. Lachlan is absolutely delicious and such a grump but in the end a huge softie (that's my type!).

Another stunning book by Lana Ferguson! Lachlan and Key were absolutely fantastic. I loved their immediate enemies to lovers chemistry. Their spark was literal FIRE! Literally, there was fire involved :) and of course, the unique monster twist was so different and creative. I loved the acknowledgments where Lana talks about settling on these characters. I laughed, I cried a few times. Lana just continues to shine with Under Loch and Key! Can’t wait to take this book with me to Scotland in a couple weeks, this book put me in the mood for some Scottish romance!

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for an early copy!

This is Lana Ferguson's paranormal follow-up to "The Fake Mate", and in this installment she reimagines a twist on the loch ness monster, as a cursed, shapeshifting man. This book is centered around Key visiting Scotland for the first time and uncovering her recently passed dad's past, while seeing how her family plays a role in Lachlan's curse. While the mystery elements are simple and straight-to-the-point, I felt that they were a nice complement the romance and gave space for Key and Lachlan's relationship to develop. I also enjoyed how Lana Ferguson established the Scottish setting.

Her other books had a little better writing but this one felt kind of wacky. I usually like paranormal/monster romance a d while this had some good spicy scenes the plot fell short. I didn’t particularly like any of the characters and did not root for their romance.

This was a lot of fun! I think it was a really fresh take on monster romance. There was humor, spice, and magic.

I enjoyed all the Scottish-isms that were throughout. I feel like I’m now fluent 😂 I loved the relationship between Lachlan and Key and how it progressed really naturally. I’m also a big fan of the whole “she’s mine” and “he falls harder” tropes, so I was eating this upppp. And the spice is goood!

Sure, it was a little predictable and I think the drama between Key and Rhona was dissolved too easily, but I don’t think that takes away from the overall story or the characters.

I absolutely adore Lana Ferguson's paranormal romances, and this one is just as great as The Fake Mate. Amazing banter + enemies to lovers romance + a mystery to solve = perfection. Who knew Nessie was just a hot Scotsman with a curse?

Okay, I think I might be an idiot because I wasn't expecting an actual monster romance with spicy monster scenes. I thought it would be like ha ha he turns into the Loch Ness monster, isn't that funny. Actual spicy monster content is not for me, I fear. Onwards and on to something else for me, sorry Lana.

WHEN I TELL YOU THIS IS LANA’S BEST BOOK YET, I MEAN IT (but stay tuned for 2025 😉)!!!! I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Lana Ferguson is an author who delivers every Single. Time. Her ability to suck you into her stories is unmatched, and she finds a new way to reinvent the wheel with every tale she creates. Under Loch & Key was a story full of adventure, mystery, rediscovering your roots, and a romance that was so hot I felt like EYE was the one being set on fire.

Lachlan and Keyanna were amazing MCs with chemistry that you could just FEEL from the beginning. The push/pull nature of their relationship (with them being alleged mortal enemies and all) delivered some amazing banter that had me laughing and smiling every time they were in the same room. Their connection was one for the ages, and I loved every minute of it.

Now that being said, I’m a true lover girl through and through, but I found myself invested in more than just the romance of the story. Outside of the relationship between Lachlan and Key, the adventure, the discovery, and the growth of the relationships the characters had in their lives overall really made the book what it was for me! The Scottish setting, the magical elements, and the entire cast of characters made this a very well rounded story that delivers in every aspect. I can’t wait to see what’s next 💚

Sidenote: I’m not a big audiobook person, but I feel like this is one I NEED to listen to. It’s going to be a duet narration and I just KNOW it will be good 😭

So unbelievably excited that Lana Ferguson gave Nessie a penis.

This was fun. The spice in Lana's books is always top notch and if I'm being honest its the reason I keep picking up her books. Lochlan has a dirty mouth and I'm here for it. I'm mad they didn't have makeup 🌶️, this book could have used another scene at the end to really drive it home.

The mystery was pretty predictable and I was annoyed that he didn't tell her everything. It seemed a silly thing to withhold. I also thought the urgency was flimsy at best and I needed a better reason for the "we still have time, it's not too late" panic.

Overall entertaining.