💭 ⓂⓎ ⓉⒽⓄⓊⒼⒽⓉⓈ
I first need to thank my friend Dara (@booksgardenhappiness) for pushing me to read this book. I wasn’t sure if paranormal romance was totally my thing, but I ended up getting really invested in this story. Who knew the Lochness Monster could be such a swoon worthy MMC?! The only thing I couldn’t get behind was the constant use of the word “c*nt.” I’m not sure why, but that word just gives me the ick. Besides that, this book was the perfect mix of mystery and romance. I loved the atmospheric descriptions of Scotland and I’m ready to hop on a plane to go visit! If you’re like me and unsure if paranormal romance is for you, give this one a try and you might be pleasantly surprised.

📚 𝚁𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚒𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎:
⚔️Rivals to lovers
☀️Grumpy x sunshine
❌Family curse
🔎Mystery
🪄A touch of magic
🦕The Lochness monster
🌶️Steamy
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿Scotland
🗣️Dual POV

⚠️ 𝙏𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙜𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨: death of a parent

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿𝕄𝕐 ℝ𝔸𝕋𝕀ℕ𝔾🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

💕Q U O T E: “𝒴𝑜𝓊 𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝓃𝑜𝓉 𝓌𝒽𝑜 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝒷𝑒𝒸𝒶𝓊𝓈𝑒 𝑜𝒻 𝓌𝒽𝑒𝓇𝑒 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝒸𝑜𝓂𝑒 𝒻𝓇𝑜𝓂; 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝓌𝒽𝑜 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝒷𝑒𝒸𝒶𝓊𝓈𝑒 𝑜𝒻 𝓌𝒽𝑒𝓇𝑒 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝒸𝒽𝑜𝑜𝓈𝑒 𝓉𝑜 𝑔𝑜.”

🙏 I was lucky enough to have the eARC and the finished signed copy from @aardvarkbookclub. Thank you NetGalley, Berkley Romance, and Lana Ferguson for the ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts. 💕 #BerkleyPartner

Did I think I was going to read a romance about the Loch Ness monster? No. Did I read it because Lana wrote it? Yes. Was it amazing and now I want more cryptid romances? Also, yes. 
 
There are very few books that I reread as quickly as Lana's - and I read this one three times before it even came out. There's just something about Lana's writing that is so immersive and engaging - it's so easy to get invested in her characters and the stories she tells (and stay up way too late to finish them). In particular, I really loved the mystery / curse element of this book - it kept me guessing right until the reveal. 
 
If you're an audiobook girlie - I highly recommend listening to this one - it's performed in duet and has two really great narrators!! And who doesn't want to listen to a Scottish accent for a few hours?  
 
Enemies to lovers will always be a favourite trope of mine and this rendition was delicious - right off the bat Key and Lachlan were butting heads - and getting dual POV added a lot of dimension to their conflicts (and the chemistry during them). Their banter was also top notch - it had me giggling and kicking my feet (once again, I highly recommend listening to the audiobook - banter WITH AN ACCENT).  
 
Both leads were so interesting and complex - Key was dealing with the grief of losing her father and the hope of connecting with newfound family, while Lachlan was also dealing with grief and the strain of handling a multigenerational curse all on his own. Together they had insane chemistry (I am still not over some of the scenes on the shore of the loch) - even when they were at odds, I was rooting for them to just kiss already. As always, the steam was impeccable. 
 
Whether you're a seasoned paranomal romance reader or if this is your first dip into the genre - I cannot recommend Under Loch and Key highly enough! It has it all - an engaging mystery, excellent banter, fun side characters, and chemistry and steam for days! I loved this one, and I can't wait for whatever Lana writes next!! 
🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟

I’ve been loving paranormal romances lately and Lana Ferguson really delivers with her latest novel, Under Loch and Key. The idea of cryptids, particularly the Loch Ness Monster, has always fascinated me, so the concept of this book, where the Loch Ness Monster is actually a young man who is the victim of a generations-long curse just really called to me.

What called to me even more though is that this paranormal romance features two of my favorite tropes, enemies-to-lovers and grumpy-sunshine. So not only is the Loch Ness Monster really a hot young man named Lachlan Greer, who turns into Nessie at night, but he’s also bit of a grump who has a grudge against the MacKay family and is more than happy to let Keyanna MacKay know about it when they first cross paths and he has to rescue her before she falls into the dangerous loch.

I loved watching the sparks fly between Keyanna and Lachlan when they first meet, but both of their stories just tugged at my heartstrings once I got to know more about them. Keyanna’s story was especially heartbreaking, as she has come to Scotland to spread her father’s ashes. He was the only family she had and she is hoping to connect with his estranged family in Scotland.

When Keyanna discovers Lachlan’s secret and starts to develop strange powers of her own and realizes that she might be able to help Lachlan, I loved that the two of them learn to trust each other enough to put aside their differences and work together to try to break this curse. I was really rooting for the two of them in every possible way.

If you enjoy paranormal, enemies to lovers romances, Scottish settings and lore, and heartwarming family stories, you can’t go wrong with Under Loch and Key.

I did a lot of travelling this year around the UK and this book brought back all of the vibes for me. Lana Ferguson is such an easy author to dip into and her books have always gotten me out of a reading slump. This book had perfect banter and the setting was just tot die for.

3 Stars
I didn't really care for the mystery in this and I wish we got a bit more insight on Keyanna's magic but I still found this story to be a lot of fun to follow. I liked these characters but I wasn't as invested in their romance compared to past books I've read by this author. I really enjoyed the lore and the setting of this and though it was a bit slower paced for me, I still found myself engaged enough in the story.

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC!

I was really excited about this cause I loved Fake Mate by Lana. I just really didn’t connect with these characters and struggled to get through the book. It sounded like a really cool plot but I think it was just drawn out too much. First 30% was too many secrets between characters and even kept from the reader.

Oh how I loved this book! Such a unique read and I loved the lore and family dynamics that played out. Lochlan and Key were just so good together. The verbal sparring that started out less friendly but continued even once they realized they wanted each was top notch. The way Key supported Lochlan in trying to help him break his curse and their chemistry...it was all just too good!

Under Loch and Key is a enemies to lovers paranormal romance set in the beauty of Scotland. "Key"anna is an American who comes to the famous Loch Ness to spread her dad's ashes and find some closure with the family she never met she meets "Lach"lan, a hand who has some deep resentment towards her family. After saving her from drowning in the Loch, the tension between the two just gets worse. But both have secrets that are connected and keep forcing them into proximity with the other.

I enjoyed this one, but honestly I expected to like it more than I did, The characters were just a bit too cookie cutter and immature for me so instead of finding the banter funny I found it more silly. And that was before Lachland's big secret is revealed! There is a lot of suspension of disbelief needed for this one, and I couldn't quite get my head in the right space to make it work. It is also well over 400 pages and I felt that! The pacing just seemed to slow and meander at times. A shorter story would likely have been better. Even so if you like paranormal romance with a good bit of spice, this will likely be an enjoyable read for you. I just wish there had been a bit more depth to the characters and a bit less of the silliness that kept me from fully investing in the story.

I unfortunately did not like this book. The characters were all insufferable and had the emotional maturity of a goldfish. I disliked the main guy the most. He was so rude and grumpy and hated Kay for no good reason. I didn't appreciate the extra drama. It was a little too much for me. The characters just weren't very lovable and hard to relate to. I didn't like this one at all.

If you like The Swan Princess but sexy, here ya go.

I started out really unsure how this was going to go, but I had all the faith and trust in Lana. If anyone can do paranormal, she can. And it worked out! Somehow, she made me fall in love with the Loch Ness monster, scales and all.

Key and Lochlan were two fantastic characters. They were both tenacious and complex, but in different ways that complement each other so well. And the tension in their relationship built in the most delicious way. I was ready to revolt if they didn't kiss by a certain point in this book.

I loved the mystery of it all. Figuring out why Key's dad left Scotland, what was going on with Lochlan and what he was looking for, etc. It all built up to this culmination of until the secrets and answers were spilling out. And it was so fun to see Key and Lochlan investigating together.

The family dynamics were another great part of this book. Both Key and Lochlan had complicated relationships with their Scotland family members. Key was trying to learn more about who was there while Lochlan was trying to hold onto what he had. It was all very touching in the end when I was able to see how far everyone has come.

Overall, I loved this book! I think this might be Lana's best book to date, which is kinda crazy to say about a nessie romance, but here we are.

I really enjoyed this enemies to lovers story with some fun supernatural fantasy elements. It completely transported me to Scotland.

I loved the legend and back story of the mystical family, which was quite emotional at times.

I loved this book! The story was different and intriguing. The fact that the MMC turns into the Loch Ness monster instead of the regular vampire or werewolf trope was really interesting. The banter between the two main characters kept me wanting to read more and more. I kinda wish it was a little longer because I would’ve liked more information on the fantasy aspect (seriously who doesn’t want more information on the Loch Ness monster?!) such as the background and old history that was passed down through the years. Lana did an amazing job making it all seem so real and pulling you in with the characters. Also the FMC was one of the sweetest ever, at one point I wanted her to be a bit meaner and hold a grudge more as I was angry on her behalf. Seriously if you see a Lana Ferguson book just buy it, it’ll be great and it’ll make you smile.

POV: Dual
Spice: 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️

I didn’t know that I needed a Lochness Monster romance, but Lana knew and wrote a book that I am now obsessed with and has me wondering why this wasn’t really a thing until now!

We find out that Nessie is actually passed down to males, thus giving us Lachlan in all his glory. Perhaps the best surprise of the book was Key, in her journey to Scotland to connect with her family, she finds out so much more about her history than she could’ve ever expected.

It’s hard not to give too much away, but these two literally and figuratively save each other, and I even teared up in the end. It’s funny and heartwarming and full of spice (some that includes some monster-ish parts) and I really wish it never ended. Is this being made into a movie yet?!

Love, love, love. The banter, the atmosphere, the monster. What’s not to love. It is the fun and spicy writing I have come to expect from Lana Ferguson, a guaranteed good time.

I like that this one you really know what you are getting. The Fake Mate... I really thought was about veterinarians when all of a sudden they knot and turn into wolves. This one I knew what I was getting out the get-go. It delivers on the premise.

Keyanna’s father never told her about his life before her, so when he dies, she sets out on an adventure to learn more about him and her family. She arrives in Scotland where she meets Lachlan. Their family histories are intertwined in a way they never expected and they come together to help each other out.
Somehow I missed that this was a paranormal/monster romance (that’s what I get for not ever reading a synopsis) so that was a bit of a surprise for me. Once I got past that major surprise, this was a fun story with the mythology woven in seamlessly. Lachlan and Key were great together and I loved watching them heal from their traumas in the process of helping each other.
Thanks to Berkley Publishing and Netgalley for the advance copy.

Under Loch and Key is a small town romance following a woman determined to find closure for herself and her late father as she returns to his hometown, only to find that her dad's recount of the Loch Ness monster may not just be a bedtime story but instead a happening of magic, curses, and adventure. This romance was so unique and charming, I loved the Scottish setting and tone, not to mention all the fun banter between Lachlan and Key! The hate-to-love trope is one of my favorites, and they played it out so well together, their chemistry was unmatched. The plot was very engaging and I loved the lore and history behind the story and magic. I think this would be a perfect beginner monster romance for anyone wanting something a little light and fun with the added bonus of some monster smut!

We love a sexy paranormal romance!

Key and Lachlan don't exactly have a meet cute but that doesn't stop them from forming an unlikely romance.

Key returns to her fathers home in Scotland to honor his wish of returning home after his passing. It is there that she is reunited with her estranged grandparents and cousin and also meets a mysterious man named Lachlan Greer who works on her families property.

After learning a secret about Lachlan, Key makes it her mission to help him in any way she can and to make old wrongs right between their families.

I loved this story so much. It was magical and dangerous with the perfect amount of spice. I like that the main characters don't instantly fall in love and they take time to understand each other before jumping into a relationship. I think they are a really great match and I was rooting for them the whole time.

The pacing of the story was perfect and I LOVED the setting! It was so atmospheric and made the story even better.

I recommend this to anyone who likes paranormal romances and rom-coms!

4.5/5!

Review will be posted on 12/11/24

Keyanna MacKay's father has died and she doesn't know much about their family in Scotland. Key decides to go to Scotland to get to know her father's family, and in turn, honor his memory a bit more. But when she gets there, her father's family, including her grandmother, is not exactly welcoming. She also meets Lachlan Greer, who works for the MacKay's and that got off to a bumpy start. He thinks she is an annoying American, but slowly he starts to feel bad for her as she is a fish out of water in Scotland. Under Loch and Key by Lana Ferguson isn't just a contemporary romance; there is also a paranormal twist involving a family curse that is explored throughout the novel.


I do think Ferguson did a good job with the grumpy/sunshine trope between Lachlan and Key; I enjoyed their romance in addition to the memorable setting. The Scottish setting made me want to plan a trip to Scotland ASAP. The paranormal twist was also a lot of fun and involved The Loch Ness Monster. However, I will say that I felt there was a bit too much going on in the story. The "monster romance" portion, the family estrangement, the death of a family member, and the family curse made for a lot of different story threads. That's pretty ambitious in a romance novel and I can't say that Ferguson entirely pulled it off. Nonetheless, a fun romance unlike any I've read this year.

Is this my new favorite paranormal yet contemporary romance of all time? I'm leaning towards yes. Such an unexpected five star read!

I liked it more than other paranormal romances because it focused on folklore and various themes besides just the romance. When her father passes, the FMC travels to the small Scottish farm, where he grew up, to reconnect with his side of the family. She initially has a tenuous relationship with her grandmother—the complex family dynamics added so much to the story. And one of the farmhands is hiding a big secret...

I absolutely LOVED (it's a long list): the folklore element, the uniqueness, the emotional depth, the pacing, the familial relationships, the curse/mystery element, the small Scottish town vibes, the grumpy sunshine, and the spice. The concept of going back to her familial roots and the history between the FMC and MMC's families was so intriguing. Under Loch and Key is one of those books where I read the Kindle version, and now I absolutely have to buy the paperback because it's going to be a reread for sure.

Thank you so much to Berkley Romance for sending me an ARC of Under Loch and Key. As always, my reviews are one hundred percent voluntary and all opinions are my own :)