“𝑰 𝒕𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖,” 𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒂𝒚𝒔, 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒅𝒆𝒆𝒑 𝒃𝒓𝒐𝒈𝒖𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒗𝒐𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒚. “𝑰 𝒅𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒍.” 𝑯𝒊𝒔 𝒍𝒊𝒑𝒔 𝒔𝒌𝒊𝒓𝒕 𝒂𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒂𝒕 𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒍 𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒌𝒊𝒔𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒔𝒑𝒐𝒕 𝒃𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒉 𝒎𝒚 𝒆𝒂𝒓. “𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒎𝒆 𝒇𝒖𝒄𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒐.”

Lana, honey, we need to talk because how DARE YOU make me attracted to the Loch Ness Monster?! 🐉✨ Yes, I found the scales attractive, and don’t even get me started on the tongue 🔥🔥

This book was cute and entertaining! I loved how the author took her time to build the world, develop the characters, and create a perfect introduction to monster romance 💚 For someone new to the genre (like me), this was the ideal balance of contemporary romance and monster intrigue.

Lachlan and Keyanna relationship was so fun to follow because they absolutely do not like each other at first. She travels to Scotland to spread her dad’s ashes at the Loch and meets the grumpiest farmer ever, Lachlan 🥴 As she tries to learn more about her family and her dad’s stories, she constantly butts heads with Lachlan... until she discovers his true identity: he’s the monster 😱
TA TATAAAAN !!

Let me just sayyyyy THE BANTEEEERRRR!!! LIKE PLSS LANA NEVER DISAPPOINTS!

“𝑫𝒊𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒌 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒌𝒊𝒔𝒔 𝒎𝒆 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒅𝒐 𝒊𝒕 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏?” “𝑰 𝒅𝒊𝒅𝒏’𝒕 𝒔𝒂𝒚 𝒊𝒕 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒃𝒆 𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒚,” 𝑰 𝒉𝒖𝒇𝒇. “𝑰 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒔𝒂𝒊𝒅 𝒊𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈.”

The dislike eventually turns into attraction, love, and everything in between, giving us the best trajectory to a Happily Ever After. 🥹💕 I also loved how both characters, from their own perspectives, are mourning their parents (especially their dads). It adds so much depth, allowing us to understand the root of so many of their previous feelings and actions.

Another thing I absolutely loved about this book was the hint of mystery elements stitched into their love story 💗 Both characters are on a mission throughout the book, and when all their secrets come to light, it just elevates everything to another level. SO. GOOD. 🔥

This WENT DEEP, and I absolutely loved it. 🫶✨

I recommend this book to anyone looking for a "light" monster romance and use this book as a way to decide if the monster romance genre is for you. TRUST ME you’re going to like it 🫣💚

Tropes
🗝️ monster romance
🗝️ found family
🗝️ enemies to lovers
🗝️ only one barn
🗝️ magic & mystery

Thank you Netgalley & Berkley once again for giving me this eARC in exchange for my honest review

Predictable, but mostly entertaining.

I’m starting to think Lana Ferguson might not be for me.

I wanted to love this book. Romance, mystery, monsters, what’s not to love?

But alas, this book lacked a certain spark. I can’t pinpoint exactly what it is that it’s missing. I can only say that I felt the absence of something—feeling, chemistry, something of the like.

Key and Lachlan were likable enough. However, I don’t think they were well-fleshed out as characters. I didn’t feel their pain and struggle the way I should have, and I never fully connected with them. There was a disconnect, which kept me from fully immersing myself in their story.

That being said, this was a quick and easy read. Does it sometimes feel like a budget Hallmark movie? Yes, but hey every story has its time and place and for those looking for that type of vibe, this book serves its purpose.

Anything written by Lana is easy to love! And this was no different! I am not a monster romance girlie but again if Lana writes it I’ll read it. This was full of so much love and hurt and grief and so much mystical mystery!! It’s the perfect balance of so many things that made it so easy to read!

I loved Lachlan and Keyanna so much. Two people who immediately dislike each other, one who has been taught to not trust the other, one who’s keeping a BIG secret!! But somehow find a way to fall for each other anyway!!! I thought their chemistry was so good, and the tension and the banter! Key ALWAYS stood up for herself even when she was so unsure of all of her choices!! And let’s be honest…Lachlan wouldn’t have had it any other way!!

And I LOVED all of the family reconciliations! There was a lot of hurt and grief written into this one and it wasn’t easy to move through. But I thought tie was written so well, and watching Key be able to reconnect with her family after losing her dad, and after they lost him many years before, was so beautiful. It was the healing that they all needed!

Thanks to Berkley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!!

At the beginning of this book, I found myself tearing up during a scene with the female main character, Keyanna, as she dealt with the loss of her father and the circumstances that led her to that moment. As someone who has lost a parent, this resonated with me on many levels. However, the book offers so much more than just this emotional moment.

I enjoyed the suspense surrounding Keyanna and Lachlan's family history and the magical moments that Keyanna experienced. Her connection with Lachlan, who is under a curse, adds depth to their story. As I read about them, it felt like they were destined to be together. I appreciated how they were irresistibly drawn to each other despite their significant mistrust. The intimacy between the two of them was so good. It had me so enthralled. Think of monster and human mixed! Spicy! 😉😘

ᖇEᗩᗪ Iᖴ YOᑌ ᒪIKE:

Monster Romance
Enemies to Lovers
Magic/Suspense

Is the Lochness monster on your “hear me out” list? Then boy do I have the perfect book recommendation for you!

This Under Loch and Key has everything I wanted. It was sad in parts (does talk about parental death), the banter was HILARIOUS and the spice was spicing.

The narrators were cast perfectly to bring Keyanna and Lachlan to life. Lachlan’s character is narrated in an accent which really made the character feel more real.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Following her father's death, Keyanna travels to Scotland to connect with his estranged family and discovers there are many secrets hidden in this small town.

This was such an interesting combination of elements, but for some reason, it worked for me. I quickly embraced Key's need to connect to her remaining family as Lachlan dealt with his own family issues. The story really took off for me when they decided to join forces. He would help Key form those connections in the community while she worked with Lachlan to find some answers regarding his generational curse.

Scotland is a bucket list place for me, so it was a delight to visit via this tale. The incorporation of farm life, highland games, Scottish legends, and a twirl through some ruins was fantastic. I absorbed all the details and fully bathe in this setting. The curse ended up being a high point of the story for me as well. It had layers, and there were some really surprising reveals that had me wide-eyed and eager for more.

There was one storyline I could have done without, but the ending totally overshadowed any ill feelings I had. It was so precious, and anyone who knows me understands my need to have things wrapped up with a peek into the future. It was perfect and left me with a huge smile on my face.

Overall, this was a fun, interesting, and entertaining grumpy-sunshine romance that was elevated by a bit of mystery, a paranormal touch, and a family focus that warmed my heart.

This author's witty writing style jumps off the page on page 1 and doesn't slow down from there. How can you possibly go wrong with a sheep avalanche on page 1 that is written in a way you can almost picture. The ability to evoke an image in the mind of the readers also seems to be very strong with this writer. Even the title and the FMC names play into that same wit. After reading this story, I went to do a bit of digging on this author and found her other stories are very well received and now I know why.
Another big plus with this story is how it takes myths we avid readers are familiar with and spins it completely on its heel with a new twist. Reading about shifters isn't new but honestly a shifter Loch Ness monster is a unique twist. From there we throw in a few common tropes such as enemies to lovers and family curses. Again, nothing new but it is the way the author uses these elements that makes the story magical and enchanting. It might have been a touch too long which took away from the magic a bit but no enough to stop a readers from turning the pages.
I would give this book a sold 4.4 stars.
Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the opportunity to read this ARC.

As a monster romance girlie I'm so happy that Lana Ferguson is pushing it more in the mainstream. I enjoyed the Fake Mate and was so excited when this was announced! I really enjoyed this one, it's not only funny and sweet but I felt myself getting emotional for multiple characters throughout the book. The elements of mystery were also well balanced as I always found myself trying to figure out their families history myself as I read, but it never felt like it took away from the unfolding romance. I loved that Lana embraced the monster romance of it all (...even in the spice scenes 👀) I do feel like the book had a slow start so it took me a while to get invested and care but once I kept reading I really started to want to know where their story was headed!

A magical tale!

The world in this story was so enchanting, it made me believe in the magic within it. This book was everything I didn't know I needed and more--I'm now a devoted fan of all things Lana Ferguson!

With family curses and hidden magic, this story weaves its spell straight into your heart. The dual narration was absolute perfection, and I was genuinely sad when it came to an end. I'll definitely be revisiting Under Loch and Key again soon!

What is it about Lachlan Greer that makes me act like a twelve-year-old?

It should come as no surprise that a romantic comedy featuring a Loch Ness Monster shifter and his enemies to lovers love interest checked every single one of my boxes. I have yet to meet a novel by Lana Ferguson that I didn’t immediately adore, and Under Loch and Key is no different. Keyanna and Lachlan’s romance starts off as enemies to lover’s but quickly turns into the swooniest and romantic romance in the Highlands. When there’s a curse that has lasted hundreds of years, can it withstand a love that is seemingly destiny?


Photo by
Léon McGregor
on
Unsplash
Readers start Under Loch and Key by meeting our FMC Keyanna, aka Key. After the death of her father, Key is determined to fulfill his dying wish: to have his ashes sprinkled in the cove where he claims he came face to face with the Loch Ness Monster as a young man. This also means that Key surprises a family that she’s been estranged from since birth. An American in a small Scottish Highland town doesn’t necessarily mesh well.

"So have you always been..." She waves her hand in a circle as if searching for the word. "A monster?"

"No," I answer dryly. "A witch gave me a magic apple after I pissed in her roses."


Loch Ness Monster gif via Tenor
Key’s welcome is less than warm. Her grandmother has as much bite as unaged Highland whisky, while her grandfather is a bit warmer in her welcome. Their farm helper, Lachlan makes his feelings well known to her, and even the local pub gives her the run around when she looks for help. It’s only when Key has her own run-in with the Loch Ness Monster that her standoff with Lachlan eases into a partnership determined to break a curse.

As fun as Under Loch and Key is, there is also a more serious aspect to it as well. The theme of grief is a big undertone and there is a suspenseful storyline as well. Altogether Under Loch and Key is fast-paced, full of banter that made my heart so happy, and spicy scenes for which Lana Ferguson has become known.

I hate how fucking lovely she looks when she's being a pain in my arse.


If you loved The Fake Mate, there is no doubt in my mind that you will adore Under Loch and Key as well. Full of fun, so swoony, and finished with a heartfelt HEA, Under Loch and Key will be your next favorite read.

I really enjoy Lana’s books so it’s very disappointing for me to be giving this one such a low rating. I went in expecting a fun, steamy time and was instead met with boredom and 2 characters with no chemistry. the dialogue was honestly getting on my nerves and i found the plot to be so predictable from the start. This book lacked everything that makes the author’s usual reads so enjoyable. I had a hard time motivating myself to finish this cause while it started off okay, by the end i was just over it to be honest.. not for me unfortunately.

Listen, I went into this blind and did not know what I was in for...but I kind of liked it? On the surface, you get a enemies to lovers story set on an idyllic Scottish farm and you think there is some underlying family drama. What you actually get is a monster romance and a family curse going back generations...and I loved it?

The monster romance aspect of the novel can definitely throw you off if you're not prepared - particularly the spicy scenes - but they weren't too absurd that it distracted from the romance and the plot around trying to break the family curse.

The cast of characters is fun, the fantasy element is expertly woven in so it still feels realistic, and you get a fun adventure through family lore and history!

This book was so much fun! I really enjoyed the loch ness monster plot and the curse causing it. I really enjoyed Lachlan and Key together. They started as complete opposites, but I loved how they ended up together. This book was fun and a magical adventure.

Under Loch and Key by Lana Ferguson is a charming and cozy mystery that combines light romance with a strong sense of place, set against the scenic backdrop of the Scottish Highlands. The book’s premise, centered around a hidden treasure and a small-town investigation, is intriguing, and Ferguson does a lovely job of creating an atmosphere filled with quirky characters and local intrigue. However, the pacing at times feels uneven, with certain sections dragging on without significant plot progression, while others feel rushed. The romance, while sweet, follows familiar tropes and could benefit from a bit more emotional depth to truly make the connection between the leads feel earned. Despite these minor flaws, Under Loch and Key is an enjoyable read for those who love cozy mysteries with a touch of romance, offering plenty of warmth and charm.

I didn’t like this very much at all. I’m confused how a book about um banging the Loch Ness monster… is boring. I actually ended up listening to most of the book on PRH Audio and the audiobook saved the book for me. I would have DNFd the book. The narrators were excellent. The book was so so underwhelming though.

I'm gonna be honest, I picked this up because I love Lana Ferguson's books. I didn't read the synopsis and barely looked at the cover. Am I the only one who didn't put the 2 & 2 together to realize this was a monster romance? I mean looking back it's so clear! It's literally on the cover I just didn't look close enough.

I enjoyed the mystery subplot of breaking the curse and figuring out the real story behind Key and Lachlan's entwined family history. The spice was spicy y'all. Lana is not afraid to bring up the heat. No matter what kind of book she's writing whether it's in a magical realism book or her straight romances, the steam is always on point. Am I a converted monster romance reader? Probably not. But I still enjoyed the book as a whole. Another enjoyable read by Lana Ferguson.

Read if you like enemies-to-lovers romance with magical realism/fantasy aspects. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review. This book releases 12/3!

This unfortunately was just not for me. I feel like Lana Ferguson might have been a one hit wonder for me at this point. I apparently am not a fan of monster smut and honestly her smut scenes just are too much. They don’t feel sexy they just seem extremely over the top every time. Not for me.

Lana Ferguson really delivered on an fun, adventure packed, steamy, monster adjacent romance! It was such an enjoyable ride. I enjoyed the various twists that happened and the book pacing definitely kept me intrigued and interested the whole time.

While reading it, it absolutely gave me “Do Your Worst” by Rosie Danan vibes - Scotland, curses, enemies to lovers, magic. Overall, I really enjoyed it and think it will appeal to a lot of readers.

This was so unexpected! I went into this book thinking it would be a cute small-town romance with found family and a grumpy x sunshine dynamic. I avoided reading the synopsis to keep things unspoiled, so you can imagine my surprise at what I found! It was such a pleasant twist. I had so much fun reading this, the banter, the story, and the unexpected paranormal vibes were all absolutely fantastic.

I haven’t read any Lana Ferguson books, so I went into this with no expectations other than a fun paranormal romance involving Scotland and the Loch Ness monster.
I thought it was fun and cute. I enjoyed the enemies to lovers aspect, as Lachlan was an utter dick to Keyanna and also their families were enemies.
I enjoyed the mystery aspect.. why was Lachlan trying to uncover secrets on the MacKay farm? Why did Key’s dad move her to the US? Also why was Brodie so weird? I was here for the mystery and the romance.
Like most cartoon cover romances lately, this definitely had some ramped up spice and it took awhile to get to it, but it was there. I can see why some reviewers felt it was jarring, particularly on the shore, where the author decided to dabble in some monster romance tropes out of nowhere. I didn’t mind, but the pacing did seem off between the rest of the book and the spice, so if it is important to you for everything to mesh well, be warned.
I loved the concept of the book and I had so much fun reading it, so I definitely recommend, especially if you’re the type of reader who enjoys various subgenres of romance, some comedy, some enemies to lovers, some puzzle/mystery vibes, some monster romance, and a little bit of family drama to spice it up.