not my favorite by this author but was still a fun read, you can honestly never go wrong with a monster romance they’re just so fun

Under Loch and Key is a fun take on the myth of the Loch Ness Monster. I don't think it is going to be a romance book for everyone, but those who like paranormal and want to try something besides werewolves and vampires should give it a shot.

Lana Ferguson, the woman that you are. From cam girl to literally loch ness monster smut, i’m here for it. This was so fun and silly and just downright enjoyed every moment of it.

What a fascinating idea! I didn't find "Under Loch and Key" a very engaging read, but I continue to appreciate the variety of stories Lana Ferguson writes.

I found the mystery/curse storyline interesting, but it was too in the background to be intriguing. Lachlan & Key are both good characters and their relationship is the highlight of this story. Their story starts quite slow but burns hot.

Overall, "Under Lock and Key" doesn't stand out to me, but I look forward to Lana Ferguson's next idea!

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

I enjoyed the unique take on the Lochness monster and all the beautiful descriptions of the Scottish highlands setting. Learning more about the magic system of this world was fascinating and I truly felt for the struggles of both Key and Lachlan. Their banter was fun and I could see why they were attracted to each other. However, I would have loved to learn more about Key's backstory and what we later discovered about her. Thank you to the publisher for early access to this book.

This book was such a fun, unique take on magical realism. It had plenty of great spice, high emotions, and tensions between the two main characters. Although I found myself getting a little fed up with the extreme amount of miscommunication throughout.
Over all though, I was giggling and kicking my feet and enjoyed this book.
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for sharing this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🔥🔥🔥

Quick Breakdown

Paranormal Romance
Set in Scotland
Enemies to Lovers
Grumpy x Sunshine
Mysteries & Curse Breaking
Family Reunions
No 3rd Act Breakup
Duet Narration 🤌🏻
Open Door - Moderate

THANK YOU @berkleyromance for the eARC & finished copy & @prhaudio for the gifted ALC in exchange for my honest opinion #berkleypartner

Raised by a single dad in America, Keynna “Key” MacKay heads to home to Scotland after he passes, only to find a grandmother she’s never met who doesn’t seem to want to know her, a grumpy Scotsman who thinks she’s an idiot, and a centuries-long feud with the clan next-door.

I went into Under Loch and Key pretty blind & I recommend you do the same. It was such a trip! All I knew was that this was written by Lana, set in Scotland, and has something vaguely to do with the Loch Ness monster. Filled to the brim with Scottish folklore, It features a grumpy x sunshine, enemies to lovers romance between two MCs that can’t stand each other but can’t seem to stay away. The banter was sublime, the chemistry & inevitably Lana spice burned me alive, all while the mystery woven in kept me on the edge of my seat. There is also so much vulnerability & softness to love, too. The undertones of grief & loss, coming home & finding yourself were entirely relatable.

While I technically went back & forth between the ebook & audio, the audiobook stole the show. It’s performed in DUET by Samantha Summers & Flint Park & they absolutely knocked it out of the park.

Trust me 🙏🏻 Add it to you TBR. Set your Libby notifications.

It was an intriguing start!!! I loved the mystery, but wished there was more of it. It was a fun romance with a splash of mystery! Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for the opportunity to read in exchange for a review!

The story was cute, but I found myself skipping the romance scenes because they were all the same. I also did not really think it was necessary to switch back and forth between Key and Lachlan. I would have liked just Key's perspective. Was a cute romance novel set in Scotland. Lacked a little bit of detail around the storyline that I felt was just filled in with love scenes.

There were some unexpected surprises, but it was predictable for the most part. I expected more overall. The spice was okay, some parts I enjoyed and some made my eyes roll.

I was not expecting, well, <i>that</i>. I did enjoy this book and thought it was fun (though maybe not as fun as I'd hoped), but I'm honestly not sure how I feel about the inclusion of the more fantastical elements. There is a found family element, a bit of a mystery, and a couple of surprises, but overall, I just didn't really get that invested in the characters' stories.

Key was raised by a single father who very rarely spoke of his past. Other than a story about how a monster saved his life and the name of her grandparents she doesn't know much about her fathers history. After his death Key decides to travel to Scotland to scatter his ashes and meet her estranged grandparents. The last thing Key expects is to be rescued by a handsome Scotsman who clearly thinks she is an idiot. Lachlan Greer is no stranger to secrets and is keeping quite a large one especially from the girl he pulls to safety off the slippery rocks of the loch who bares the last name McKay, a name that he has been told to be distrustful of. Both Key and Lachlan are searching for answers and while they get off to a rocky start it seems that neither of them can deny their attraction. Maybe if the two can work together they can both find the answers they are seeking.

Keyanna MacKay was raised in the United States by her single-Scottish father. Her Dad was tight-lipped and didn't share a lot about his past, family, or where he came from. One of his final wishes before passing was for Key to bring him home, to the country he left decades before. Thus, with this wish weighing heavy on her heart, Key decides she must make it happen, no matter the cost.

Her only real info is the name of the area in Scotland he is from, as well as her estranged Grandmother's name; a Grandmother she's never met.
Even though she's scared and it may blow up in her face, Key is still determined to find out where her Dad came from and return him there. Maybe it will help fill the void in her heart he's left behind. Unmoored by his passing, this could be exactly what Key needs to help her move forward.

What she doesn't expect is the run-in she has on her very first day with the handsome, Lachlan Greer, who stops Key from tumbling down the slippery rocks of a loch-side cliff. Lachlan has answers of his own he's searching for, and Key may be just that, the 'key' to finding them. That'll only be possible though if the two can stop fighting long enough to work together.

The longer the pair spend together, the more buried secrets come to light and that's when the real magic happens.

I've read a lot of cryptid-focused stories in my life, but certainly nothing like this. I'm in all new territory here and I had such a fun time taking it all in. While I can recognize that this isn't a perfect book, and for more experienced Romance Readers, maybe it's not great, IDK. For me though, I gotta give props to Lana Ferguson for creating likable characters, a unique plot, as well as hard-hitting, emotional moments.

I loved both of the MCs, particularly Key and the journey she was on to find a sense of place after the passing of her father. That hit me hard and I respected the hell out of the risks she took in making that trip. It was a big deal. I was also surprised and pleased by the direction the romance went in. I'm not sure if all of this author's works are a bit fantastical like this one, but I'm definitely interested in picking up more. This was just so cute.

Admittedly, the steamy bits weren't 100% to my tastes, but I was willing to overlook some moments that made me cringe due to all the moments that made me swoon. The banter between Key and Lachlan made it worth it. I also liked that the author included a bit of a mystery that the two have to work together to solve. I thought that was a nice touch, instead of focusing solely on romance.

Additionally, I adored the setting and the side characters. The audiobook featured dual narration that was a perfect match for how I pictured Key and Lachlan. I absolutely recommend that format. Overall, I found this to be a pleasant surprise. It's much more than just a gorgeous cover.

Thank you to the publisher, Berkley, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I'm excited to pick up more from Lana Ferguson!

I do think that at some point Lana Ferguson should be stopped and I think that point may have been two books ago.

Did I know that my life and the paranormal romance genre were missing a spicy yet heartwarming tale where the Loch Ness monster is actually a cursed hot Scotsman? I sure didn't, but boy am I happy Lana Ferguson's brain in all it's infinite creativity and wisdom knew . Her whimsical and banter-filled tale is utter perfection!

Overall, the premise was really cool but I did find it a little tedious to get through. For those who are looking for a fun, smutty read; this might fit the bill. But the characters and the romance between them did fall a little flat for me.

A supernatural romance featuring a Scottish highlander who shapeshifts into the Loch Ness Monster is a wild yet fun concept. I was hoping to be entertained and for the first half of the book I was. But then I stopped being entertained. The main issue I have with Under Lock & Key is that the supernatural plot was not a consistent through line in the narrative. Oftentimes, the monster and the mystical lore of these two families would not arise until it was convenient for the characters. Rather than a cheeky, modern fantasy set in Scotland, this felt more like the author lost track between the supernatural and the contemporary, resulting in a disruptive pace and inconsistent narration. Overall, a disappointment.

Oh, Lana. May you forever be an auto-buy author for me! Give me all the enemies to lovers and grumpyxsunshine vibes, please!!! Such a fun read.

I loved the way this was a light monster romance. I think Lana does an excellent job building tension and romance. I think her paranormal worlds are ones I’d love to be part of

One Sentence Summary: Spicy enemies to lovers fairy tale monster romance.

Reminds Me Of: Beauty in the Beast but with SPICE with wonderful Scottish Accents

Three Reasons You Should Read This:
1) I must admit, the cover was a big draw for me
2) Scottish accent - audiobook a must!
3) Cute and spicy and fun!

One Thing You Should Know Before You Pick This Up:
Spicy monster romance for readers 18+. Definitely detailed, open-door romance scenes in this one!

Content Warnings:
Sexual Content, Death of a parent, Grief, blood, violence, kidnapping/confinement