Under Loch and Key

I received a free copy of this e-book from the publisher (via NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review.

A monster romance from Lana Ferguson? I'll follow wherever she leads.

The mythology behind this novel was new and interesting to me. I'm familiar with the story of Nessie, and I can't say I ever thought about that story being woven into a romance novel. Lana Ferguson did it, and readers looking for something different should give this one a try.

I must admit this is my first foray into monster romance, and some of the spicy scenes are unique in a way that only a monster romance could be.

Recommended for readers looking for something sweet, spicy, and paranormal in a way that doesn't include the typical supernatural creatures.

Thank you to @prhaudio for an advance copy of the audiobook.

This was an absolute delight to listen to despite what I’m going to say in my next paragraph. If you’re sensitive at all to Alzheimer's/Dementia storylines, give yourself a pass on this one.

It starts out rough. I wasn’t expecting to dive immediately into the death of her father. She was his carer as he started losing his memory and felt pretty aimless afterwards when she was alone. She rolls into Scotland to scatter her father’s ashes and drop in on her family there that she’s never met. It does not go great.

I loved watching her get her feet under her with her grief and her relationships. Normally in a romance, she knows most or all of the background characters and show more the relationship with the main is a focal point. In this one, she doesn’t know anybody at all and it was really cool.

Now, there is a Loch Ness Monster situation which we know from the cover and I was cackling at some of the situations they found themselves in because he was so grumpy and she was so underwhelmed by it that she was showing up anyway.

Now finally, the audiobook is in duet format which is one of my favorite ways to listen. He says his lines and she says her lines and it flows great especially when there’s quick banter. I loved listening to it. show less

I was sold the moment I met Grandpa Finlay. But the rest of them are all equally delightful in their way, and I absolutely adored Lachlan. Big hulking protective Scottish boyfriend and oh by the way he’s also THE LOCH NESS MONSTER?? Yeah cool cool I’m down.

Loved the magical stuff woven in!

Lana Ferguson continues to impress!

The Plot:
Key has returned to her late father's family home in Scotland to spread his ashes and find a new footing.
Lachlan has a secret identity and his family has been feuding with Key's for generations. Now he's met Key and he's willing to risk it all for a chance to be with her.

My Thoughts:
First of all, what a clever title. I love it. I love the play on words. Lachlan and Key had the perfect grumpy/sunshine relationship at the beginning that had me swooning. I really liked that their relationship grew as they found out more about themselves. I do wish Lachlan had a few more building blocks to better understand him.
The story of Lachlan and his monster was easy to understand and not too filled with show more convoluted magic.
I loved this and I cannot wait for her next book. I will be finally reading The Fake Mate while I wait. show less

A paranormal romance with a fresh twist rather than the usual monsters, this is light, bright, and unchallenging, which is sometimes just what you need. Ferguson's occasionally clunky prose and obvious foreshadowing don't hinder the fun characterizations and frankly very hot sex scenes. Definitely some spice here! It might not be prize-winning material but it's an enjoyable read, for sure.

Def has a lot of cheese but was enjoyable for an easy, albeit quirky read about a loch Ness d*ck

Spice was