REVIEW: Under Loch and Key by Lana Ferguson

Under Loch and Key by Lana Ferguson: Keyanna has always wondered about her families history and now with her father’s recent passing she has the opportunity to reconnect with her long lost grandparents in Scotland. With only an old bedtime tale of how a monster apparently saved her dad and her estranged grandmothers name to go off, Key heads to Scotland with high hopes and an open heart. She didn’t however expect to get a frosty reception from her grandmother or to almost fall face first into the Loch, only to be saved by a rather grumpy but hot Scotsman named Lachlan.

The last thing that Lachlan needs is an overly bonnie lass with the most captivating eyes distracting him, while he hunts for answers to a few secrets of his own. But the more time the two spend together the harder it becomes to want to keep a distance between them, especially when they both realize that they might just be able to help each other uncover a few mysteries that have been plaguing both of them…

A romcom with a touch of fantasy, yes please! Personally I love the mystery and legend that surrounds the Lochness Monster and to have a romcom based on this was a total must read for me, and let me just to you Ferguson did not disappoint one bit! This romantasy perfectly combines the enemies to lovers trope with grump meets sunshine and a bit of fantasy mystery. There was so much to love about this book, starting with the super cute cover that perfectly sets the mood for what was a steamy cute read. I loved that while this was a romcom at heart, there was a nice dose of Scottish inspired legend and lore thrown in to give the story a nice captivating base.

Before you read any further, I have to warn that there will be spoilers below!

I loved Key to bits, she was such a determined and sweet leading lady. I really liked the fact that throughout the novel we get to see how see feels and that she wasn’t the type of character to brush her feelings aside. At the heart of it all Key really just want to keep a part of her dad close and I loved that she was willing to open herself to reconnecting with her grandparents. Now for our hero, well Lachlan was easily the most loveable grumpy hero ever. While he might have come across as a bit of an ass at first, he was more snarky and sarcastic than anything. I loved that while he knew that getting involved with Key was a bad idea, he just couldn’t stay away, our guy was totally smitten with his girl. I absolutely loved the subplot that Lachlan was actually the monster that saved Keys father and that he has to hide his identity all this time while trying to break the cruse put on him. Also can we take a moment to mention the fact that Lach was easily the sweetest monster ever!

I love me a good enemies to lovers romcom and this was so the story of our leading couple. These two did not like each other right off the bat, but gosh did this only make the build up and tension all the more divine to follow. There was bucket loads of banter between these two, they literally could not help but rub each other up the wrong way at first but good gosh once they let their guards down did thing turn steamy! I really enjoyed getting to see them work together to uncover a way to lift the cruse put on Lachlan, but also for Key to learn more about herself and her powers. As much as I loved the romance element to this story, I also absolutely loved following along as these two figured out a way to break the curse and learning a bit about Lach and his family.

Under Loch and Key was a brilliantly cute and heartwarming romantasy play on the Lochness Monster. This book has loads of steam, banter for days and one heck of a cute love story. If you like a bit of fantasy in your romcoms then this is the prefect book for you! A definite must read from me!

Book Info:

Publication: December 3, 2024 | Berkley |

Keyanna “Key” MacKay is used to secrets. Raised by a single father who never divulged his past, it’s only after his death that she finds herself thrust into the world he’d always refused to speak of. With just a childhood bedtime story about a monster that saved her father’s life and the name of her estranged grandmother to go off of, Key has no idea what she’ll find in Scotland. But repeating her father’s mistakes and being rescued by a gorgeous, angry Scotsman—who thinks she’s an idiot—is definitely the last thing she expects.

Lachlan Greer has his own secrets to keep, especially from the bonnie lass he pulls to safety from the slippery shore—a lass with captivating eyes and the last name he’s been taught not to trust. He’s looking for answers as well, and Key’s presence on the grounds they both now occupy presents a real problem. It’s even more troublesome when he gets a front row seat to the lukewarm welcome Key receives from her family; the strange powers she begins to develop; and the fierce determination she brings to every obstacle in her path. Things he shouldn’t care about, and someone he definitely doesn’t find wildly attractive.

When their secrets collide, it becomes clear that Lachlan could hold the answers Keyanna is after—and that she might also be the key to uncovering his. Up against time, mystery, and a centuries old curse, they’ll quickly discover that magic might not only be in fairy tales, and that love can be a real loch-mess.