ARC Review: Under Loch and Key by Lana Ferguson
Pub Date: December 3, 2024
Thank you to @berkleyromance for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I loved this book so much!! I am a huge fan of paranormal romances but haven't delved too deeply into monster romance yet outside of the typical werewolf shifter romance. But I knew Lana would be the perfect author for me to continue this journey with. This book is hot, funny, and full of lore! I will always love a Scottish setting/Scottish character. I loved quite literally everything about it and can't wait to read what Lana writes next!

Lana Ferguson’s Under Loch and Key was such a treat! Keyanna has never has lost her dad—the only family she has left—so to find connection to him, she goes to Scotland unannounced to meet her estranged grandparents for the first time, but when a slip leads her to a Loch Ness monster sighting, she’s questioning everything, and when her grandparent’s farmhand and her keep butting heads, she isn’t sure how much she can take—but as family secrets unravel, it seems Lachlan and Keyanna might just be the key to each other’s futures. Magic, monsters, Scotland, steam, I mean, this is a fun book. It’s an enemies to lovers, family rival, grump/sunshine, monster romance. The banter and chemistry is outstanding, the unraveling of the family secrets and the Loch Ness monster story is all so well developed, and it’s just a great paced romance. I have been in a slump, and this, this book I was excited to read. I was addicted to the heart of this story, to the love of each other and the family in this. It’s heart warming and has a lot of steam and the magic fit the story. Couldn’t recommend this one more!

Lana Ferguson’s Under Loch and Key is an enchanting, light monster fantasy romance that sweeps readers into the misty hills of Scotland and the tales surrounding the Loch Ness Monsters. The story follows Keyanna, or “Key,” an American seeking her roots after her father’s passing. When she encounters the brooding Lachlan at the Loch Cave, sparks fly—first with animosity, then with undeniable chemistry. Their enemies-to-lovers dynamic unfolds beautifully as they join forces to break the curse plaguing Lachlan’s family for generations.

Ferguson deftly weaves together themes of family rivalries, forgiveness, and hidden monsters, all while keeping the romance blooming. The blend of folklore, mystery, and sizzling romance makes Under Loch and Key a captivating read for fantasy romance lovers who love light, monster romances. Key and Lachlan’s relationship is heartwarming and filled with banter, making their journey together a delight to follow.

This was a delightfully funny, sexy read. A few months ago, if you told me I'd be reading a romance book featuring the loch ness monster as the love interest I would have laughed. But Lana Ferguson takes this age old tale of "Nessie" and makes it fresh, interesting, and fun. I loved the setting, as well as the language and Scottish culture included in the book. I also really enjoyed the main characters., Key and Lachlan, and their journey, as well as all of the side characters, like Finlay and Rhona. This was a great story about love, loss, and finding your place in the world with a side of magic and fantasy that kept me guessing and entertained the whole way through.

I thoroughly enjoyed this one from Lana Ferguson - which wasn't necessarily a given based on my feelings about her previous book which just didn't hit all the right notes for me. I don't necessarily love shapeshifter romance so I was tentative going in, but this one was quite enjoyable and a bit of escapism that worked for me. Definitely looking forward to see what Ferguson delivers next because as a reader her stories have been all over the place for me but one thing is consistent - good writing!

THanks for the chance to read this early!

Under Loch and Key by Lana Ferguson was a fun read. As always, reading Lana Ferguson books will guarantee you have an entertaining time. I giggled, I enjoyed it all. It's definitely one of the most unique books I've read in a while and I think this will hit for a lot of people.

This book was great to curl up with on a fall day. I love a good enemies-t0-lovers trope and with the Scottish setting this one did not disappoint. I really enjoyed the twist on the Loch Ness Monster, but wish we could have spent a little more time with Key and her learning about her powers.

I really liked Lana Ferguson’s book Game Changer, so when I saw she had a book set in Scotland, about Nessie no less, of course I needed to read it. This was a fun book of magic, lochs, family secrets, and cryptids. Although enemies to lovers isn’t my favorite trope, who could say no to this?? Very fun!

The Loch Ness monster but make him HOT. Alright, I'm back with my findings!!

Rating: 4 ⭐️

For anyone who loved The Fake Mate, you're gonna love this too.

Under Loch and Key follows Key, an American woman, who moves to Scotland after her father's death in order to reconnect with her estranged family. There she meets Lachlan who is her family's asshole-ish farmhand, among.... other things 😏 She is quick to uncover secrets, an ancient prophecy, a curse, and magic powers. All while falling in love, of course.

In most cases, I hate when an MC is advertised as an "asshole," because... like, just be polite please. You don't even know this person. But luckily, Lachlan's brand of asshole is more banter and flirting, which is how it should be in my book. I just want to have a good time and not think about the male ego.

Under Loch and Key is lighthearted, has some good banter, and managed to keep my attention really well. And in terms of spice... I will say that ridged penises do make an appearance. Is it ever explained? No. But it is a fun addition nonetheless 😂

Overall, this book was a good time and I will definitely look out for more Lana Ferguson books in the future!

Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group for for providing me early access to Under Loch and Key in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

A Loch Ness monster paranormal romcom set in Scotland? Say less. I’ve had this on my TBR since I heard about it this summer and I’m happy to report it did not disappoint.

Answering the question, what if the Loch Ness monster was a cursed, hot Scot, Under Loch & Key was a fun and spicy read (which I’ve come to expect with Lana Ferguson’s books!).

There was supposed much I loved about this book: the setting (Scotland is high on my travel bucket list!), the dynamic between Lachlan and Key, the multi-dimensional characters, the spice and the unraveling of family secrets. It was funny, it was heartfelt, it was sexy— what more could you want?

If you liked Bride and the Fake Mate, you’ll love this one. If you’ve always been a little monster smut curious (like me!), I think this is a good one to dip you toe in (before jumping into the loch, so to speak!) 😂

Read this if you like:
- Enemies to Lovers
- Star-crossed Lovers
- Paranormal Romcoms
- He Falls First
- Banter
- Men with Accents

Ultimately this was 4.5 stars for me, but until Netgalley gives us half stars, I’ll continue round up as I see fit! 😂

Thank you to Netgalley & Berkley Romance for the ARC.
(The way I squealed when I got this arc!)

No one is doing romantasy like Lana is. This was a delightful read.

Under Loch and Key was a fun but also emotionally charged monster romance about a girl trying to help a man that is actually the Loch Ness monster from Scottish legend. It's silly. Its funny. But it's also incredibly serious at times. It's heartwarming. Not only are you watching Key and Lachlan fall in love but you get to watch Key fall in love with her family and the history her family line holds. It was incredibly emotional at times and I ate it up. One of the things I loved most was actually watching Keyanna fall in love with the Scottish hills and the country her dad grew up in. It's a well written and very fun read that had me up till 2am to see where it went.


This is going to be the next romance I obsess over and I will be first in the door of my local Barnes and Noble to buy my copy on release day. Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

this book is truly for the monster romance girlies!!🦕🙂‍↕️ i loved it so much and especially appreciated its unique spin on the genre!
(side note: i also think this book would be perfect for those that are curious and want to dip their toe (get it? loch ness monster reference hehe) into the monster romance genre!)

the mystery was fun and intriguing, the banter and chemistry between lachlan and keyanna was off the charts, and the found family aspect will absolutely make your heart squeeze.
i already can’t wait to reread via the audiobook!

read if you love:
🦕 a little mystery
🗝️ family dynamics and complex history
🌊 enemies (a la romeo and juliet) to allies to lovers
🦕 open door spice with chemistry 🥵
🗝️ found family
🌊 monster romance
🦕 scottish heroes with dimples (the brogue!! it melted me🫠)

only keep reading if you want a mini spoiler!! you’ve been warned.

i only have one other thing to say and it is said in mourning. RIP to the ridged 🍆. i was really hoping that would stick around!

thank you, Berkley and Netgalley, for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!!

This paranormal romance was also a good mystery. The characters were likable and had chemistry. The Scotland setting was appealing. It had just the right amount of spice. It was a fast, fun read!

Thank you for the chance to read this one early. I read The Fake Mate and enjoyed it but sadly this one really wasn't for me. I really wanted to love it and the setting was awesome. For some reason though I struggled to connect to the characters or the romance. I just never could get really invested. I think others will love it but for me it wasn't one I was eager to read. This one had all the elements I love but just missed the mark for me personally.

3.7/5⭐️ - this is going to be very hit or miss with people.

Very different than a typical Lana Ferguson book! I thought this was a fun time. It’s not my favorite book of hers, but I did enjoy the humor, banter, and the spice!

I do find myself comparing this to her other two books I’ve read that I LOVED! So because of that, this one fell a little short for me and I found myself not as engaged as I typically am in a Lana Ferguson book.

I still think it’s worth a read because I did have an overall fun time reading this, but I also think I discovered that maybe I’m not a monster romance gal. But for those who love those kinds of books, I think this will hit all the right notes for you!

Tropes:

🐉 monster romance
🐉 magic & mystery
🐉 one barn
🐉 enemies to lovers
🐉 Scotsman X American girl

Thank you to Berkley Romance and Net galley for the digital ARC!

3.5 Stars!

Under Loch and Key is a super cute mythical/paranormal/magical realism romance. I loved the characters, the setting, and the hate-to-lovers vibes. I found myself thoroughly entertained. My only complaint is that the pacing was a bit slower than I would have liked. Thankfully, the pacing picked by the second part of the book.

Overall, this was a fun read to spend my day getting swept up in.

5 ⭐
2.5 🌶️

Brb, moving to Scotland to find my own Lachlan Greer...!! Under Loch and Key is another wonderful tale from Lana Ferguson!

Under Loch and Key is a perfect book for readers who want a splash of paranormal with their romance (pun intended), and it'll make you wish you had a loch of your own to take a dip in to cool off. Because Lachlan and Keyanna are hot hot hot.

Fantastic side characters, Scottish charm and wit, and a story that will tug on your heartstrings at times and make you blush at others.

A bit predictable? Yes. But a perfect, quick little romance snack nonetheless.

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Thank you NetGalley, Berkley, and Lana Ferguson for a copy of Under Loch and Key and the opportunity to leave my honest, voluntary review! All thoughts and opinions are my own <3

I will never not beg for a Lana love story! 😍 and this one has a Scot in a kilt?! AND he’s a monster?? yes please. I had such a good time watching this unlikely couple fall for each other. it’s laced with intrigue and tension and suspense. and the twists had me squealing and excited to turn the next page! I want anything Lana writes!

This was SO FUN!!!! The mystery! The angst! The family dynamics! The romance! I loved reading this. It was sexy and wild and I will never complain about a cryptid book.

I am now ready to devour ANYTHING that Lana Ferguson writes!! I loved this so much - I have never been anywhere in the UK, but I really felt like I was at Key's family's farm when I was reading this, and I just loved the character development so much. This was really fun, and I will absolutely be recommending it!