This was my third Ferguson book but first monster smut book and I’m glad Lana wrote it. I loved the family mystery aspect so much

For my first read of 2025, I really enjoyed this book! The pacing was great, and the characters were solid. I loved the overall plot, and following the stories of the two families kept me guessing what would happen the whole time.

I really rooted for the couple, and I thought their relationship was sweet. The relationship between the two main characters and their families were also really genuine, and it was nice to see how they developed throughout the book.

I would have loved if Key had a slightly stronger connection back to New York. She seemed to completely uproot her life and move away with very little struggle, and had no issue staying. I think adding an element of that would have added to the story.

The setting was, of course, stunning, and it was nice to see the Scottish slang being used in a way that felt immersive without being confusing. The supporting characters really added to the depth of the story and the culture. I would have loved to see more of an explanation into Brodie's background, and how he got to where he was, why he was taking time off work, etc.

Overall, really loved the story and the characters! It was a great read!!

✨🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿✨🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿✨🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿✨🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿✨🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿
𝘼𝙍𝘾 𝘽𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙍𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬
𝙐𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝙇𝙤𝙘𝙝 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙆𝙚𝙮
𝙇𝙖𝙣𝙖 𝙁𝙚𝙧𝙜𝙪𝙨
4.25/5 ⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

•𝘗𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘭 𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦
•𝘚𝘤𝘰𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘴𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨
•𝘌𝘯𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴
•𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘹𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘺

Lochness monster inspired paranormal romance? Sign me up 👏🏼 this was a great blend of mystery, romance, and magic…all set in one of my favorite places in the world where a lot of my family traces roots - Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

The audio was superb (Scottish accents, ye can’t go wrong, ye ken?) from both of the narrators and helped the flow of the story. Had a smile on my face the entire time. Highly recommend 🎧

A new monster romance from a go to author! Head to Scotland to encounter the Loch Ness Monster! Key travels to the country to find her estranged grandparents after her father dies to attempt to reconcile with them. While there she meets their farm helper, Lachlan. They get off on the wrong foot, but over time discover they might be able to help each other.

Key and Lachlan’s family history’s are deeply intertwined and she may be the exact person he needs to help break his family’s curse. This has the perfect amount of magical realism and plenty of steamy scenes! I loved it!

I love how diverse these different romcom genres are from nanny to an omega verse to a hockey platter and now we get this delightful monster story ! It took some time to get into for me (I feel she could have found out he was ol Nessie earlier on in the story) I like the “mystery » aspect too- I did guess it had something to do with her breaking the spell, they whole story was super cute romcom vibes - could’ve used a touch more build up with the chemistry but overall it got thereand started to feel it more once the 50 percent mark hit - Solid 4 star read

My first book of hers & it was fine. BUT…really wish I had known that this was a monster romance! That should be clear up front & I may have rated it a bit higher had I been aware.

I did like the audio because the narrator’s Scottish accent for Lochlan was great!

And why were there like 27 separate references to puppies??

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I liked this romance - I didn't love this romance. I had a hard time at the beginning getting into the story. But, I loved the Scottish vibes and setting!

Lana Ferguson is such a gem of an author. Her contemporary romances are so good (SO HOT) and her monster romances are a gentle introduction to the subgenre. Such a fun way to solve a puzzle, and the romance was actually moving.

I loved these two silly kids. Also the amount of crying i did when she talked about her dad. Im like damn it why didnt the author mention how emotional this book is. Then again anytime i read a book about a parent that has passed away i immediately start bawling. I very much recommend the audiobook for this because the accent is top tier. I freaking knew this character without spoiling was shady after they had a certain convo. It makes me kinda sad to see thats how he turned out but also realizing he was always struggling that just kind of hit it off. Also the reunion with Lachlan and his dad had me sobbing so much. I was equally happy for him that he was getting his dad back and just emotional period. Im just happy Key was able to connect with her family.

Honestly, I had no idea what I was getting into when I picked up this book. I went in expecting a cozy story about Key taking a trip to Scotland, diving into her family history, and maybe uncovering some long-lost secrets. But, oh boy, did this book throw me for a loop.

Enter Lachlan, the grumpy (but ridiculously hot) farmhand who clearly can’t stand Key. He’s got this chip on his shoulder because she’s a MacKay, and apparently, his dad drilled into him that MacKays are nothing but trouble. Naturally, sparks fly as they bicker, and of course, there’s that delicious slow burn as they start to actually get to know each other.

Then came the plot twist of all plot twists: Lachlan and his entire family are cursed. And not just your standard curse—nope, these guys turn into the Loch Ness monster every night from sundown to sunrise. Let me tell you, I was not ready for the “monster” elements to take over the story. The curse? Wild. The stakes? High. And Key? Turns out she’s the only one who can break this centuries-old curse.

This book was honestly a rollercoaster. I didn’t hate it, but I wasn’t expecting it to veer so sharply into the paranormal. If you’re into grumpy/sunshine romance with a dash (okay, more like a bucket) of monster lore and an unexpected amount of family drama, this might be the wild ride you’re looking for.

I loved this book! The concept was super fun (seriously - the Loch Ness Monster?! Obsessed) and I really enjoyed all of the characters. I loved the romance and the banter. The familial focus was also great.

If you love all things Scottish, the legend of the Loch and believe in romance this story is captivating. A twist on the stories we've read this is filled with magic, mystery in an enemies to lovers story that has plenty of tension, banter, and secrets.

I love the storytelling, the pacing, the imagery, and the spice. What a great way to spend a few hours being transported into a world that I wish existed.

So excited to have read an early copy and can't wait to see what Lana Ferguson brings us in 2025

I requested this for consideration for Book Riot's All the Books podcast for its release date. After sampling several books out this week, I decided to go with a different book for my review.

I wasn’t expecting to love this so much, but Lana made me fall in love with the Loch Ness Monster! If you’re a fan of Erin Sterling’s Ex Hex series, you’ll love this book. I loved all of the magic and fantasy elements that were so easy to follow along with but made it more fun than your typical rom com. It’s silly & predictable but I enjoyed it for a quick feel good

Under Loch and Key is the second novel I have read by Lana Ferguson. This book checks the boxes of several tropes I enjoy reading - enemies to lovers and forced proximity. This book also has the grumpy sunshine trope which I haven't read much of. This book is the first monster romance I have read. There are steamy parts in this book.

Under Loch and Key is written in dual POV alternating back and forth between the perspectives of Key and Lochlan. I liked the back and forth banter between these two characters and the history and magic woven through the book was an interesting touch with the poem. The magical element to the story did get a bit over the top at one point, but it was short lived.

Under Loch and Key is about found family, family history and long kept secrets that are finally unearthed and revealed.

I look forward to reading more by this author including her next book, Overruled.

𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢; 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙜𝙤.”

This book was a lot deeper than I was expecting and I loved it so much more for that. It’s not just a cute rom com but it’s also about recognizing who you are and how choices are really what shape us.

I loved Key so much. She’s vulnerable and strong and not afraid to stand her ground although she feels things so deeply. And I resonate with that a lot. Lachlan has secrets and he’s rightfully secretive with anyone and yet it’s adorable to watch him fall so hard for Key while proclaiming that he hates her when it’s so obvious he doesn’t. 🤣

I really enjoyed this book and recommend it for fans of fantasy, paranormal and enemies to lovers!

Book Review: Under Loch and Key by Lana Ferguson

Looking for a quick, binge-able read to break up your towering TBR? Under Loch and Key by Lana Ferguson might just do the trick! This book brings a delightful mix of paranormal shenanigans, grumpy-sunshine banter, and swoony romance—what’s not to love?

The Scottish lore adds a charming twist that feels like a warm cup of tea on a rainy day. Sure, it’s not the kind of story to rock your literary world, but who says every book has to be? Sometimes, you just need a little magic, a little love, and a lot of fun.

The paranormal element gives the story its unique edge, and the grumpy-sunshine dynamic keeps the pages turning. The romance? Sweet, swoony, and paired perfectly with a backdrop of broody castles and misty lochs.

While it didn’t leave me breathless, Under Loch and Key was a solid palette cleanser—an ideal escape between those heavier, brain-melting reads. If you’re in the mood for something light, quirky, and charming, give it a go!

Thank you, Netgalley and Berkley Publishing, for allowing me the opportunity to enjoy this advanced reader copy.

⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

As far as I know, this is my first Lana Ferguson - seems like folks already have strong feelings about her writing, which I didn't going into it - and it was definitely an experience. Monster/shifter romances are hit or miss for me, and this one was more of the latter than the former unfortunately. Most of the things that irked me I might've found charming on another day, so I think this is more user error than issue with Ferguson as an author. From the first page I was annoyed by the shoehorning in of a character called "Key" (Keyanna) to fit into the title scheme. The characters ostensibly had compelling backstories but in reality fell a bit flat for me. The plotting/pacing were off for me, and I think really she could have cut out about 100 pages in the middle and made this better paced and more digestible. I do admire Ferguson for really going there with the monster aspect of it in the steamy scenes. But overall, this one was just okay for me.

After loving The Fake Mate, I was thrilled to receive an ARC of Lana Ferguson’s newest book. Unfortunately, this one didn’t grab me in the same way. The premise was undeniably fun—girl moves to Scotland, gets saved by the Loch Ness monster, and discovers that Nessie is actually the sexy/grumpy farmhand who’s been driving her crazy. Together, they’re breaking curses. You know, classic romcom vibes.

But for me, the execution fell flat. A big issue was how mean many of the supporting characters—and the MMC, Lachlan—were to Keyanna in the beginning. She was grieving the loss of her father and was constantly mocked, pranked, and made to feel unwelcome. It left a bad taste in my mouth and made it hard to root for them later on.

I also struggled to feel the chemistry between Keyanna and Lachlan. It didn’t have enough heat for an enemies-to-lovers arc, but they were too mean to each other for it to be anything else. If that makes sense? On top of that, none of the cast really stood out to me, except maybe the grandfather.

That said, I didn’t hate the book—it was fine. I just didn’t feel invested in it. If you’re into paranormal romcoms, it might work for you! I just found myself getting through it, rather than truly enjoying it. I’ll still continue to look forward to more of Ferguson’s work!

I’ve read all Lana Ferguson’s books and liked them all, so when a new one became available, it was a no brainer to pick it up. Unfortunately, this book didn’t have the same spark as her other books. The plot was predictable and slow. I felt myself getting tired/bored of the story. The antagonist reveal was far too obvious and the hidden secret at the end was kind of lame. No magic to undo the curse, just love. So if she already felt it, then why didn’t the curse end earlier? Why wait until they were in a graveyard? The ending felt poorly planned out. Any why would he hate the sight of a McKay woman when he KNEW that she could break the spell? He should have convinced her to come to Scotland as soon as he knew she existed. Too many plot holes. What even was Key’s magic? Flames and turning electrical items on and off are not the powers of the mythological Kelpies. They were said to be tricksters who would drown humans. Just didn’t make a lot of sense.