A woman discovers that not all monsters are her enemy—the opposite, in fact—in this new paranormal romance by Lana Ferguson, author of The Fake Mate.
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.
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.
Title: Under Loch and Key
Author: Lana Ferguson
Publisher:
Expected Publication Date: December 3, 2024
Review:
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing me with an egalley of this book to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
I've become a pretty big Lana Ferguson fan. I love that she can write contemporary but also can venture into the mythical realm of the paranormal without batting an eyelash. I've honestly not seen this with many romance writers and she does a fabulous job with it. I venture to say I may like her paranormal romances more than her contemporary ones! Bring on all the monster romance for me to read. Plus, this one is new to me. Who would have thought to use the Loch Ness Monster as the monster in a romance story?
I don't know much about Scottish folklore when it comes to The Loch Ness Monster. Just what I've heard here and there about Nessie having been spotted at some point and the grainy pictures I've seen that really don't tell much. I love that Ferguson took this lore and expanded it to make it more relatable. I won't get into too much as I don't want to spoil it, though I think the reader figures out pretty early on something is amiss!
Keyana McKay is a great character. She spunky but also a bit shy and unsure of where she fits in the world. With no immediate family left, she jumps over the pond to Scotland to find her roots, and also her family that her father left behind. Of course she doesn't understand why he left and why his family (especially her grandomother) is so cold to her. That is until she starts to unravel her family's part in the lore of the monster deep in the loch. I cannot imagine the loneliness Key must feel from having lost the only person in the world who meant anything to her. But Ferguson does a great job of helping us with this. I was definitely rooting for her to have a HEA from the very start. I enjoyed how Ferguson also wove some magic into Key's past.
Lachlan Greer is a secretive character. Secrets he carries because he has no other choice. Secrets that were thrust upon his family long ago by the McKay's. Ferguson weaves a feud between Loch and Key's families that rivals the Hatfields and the McCoys. But when his secret is revealed and he sees he's not cast out by Key for it, things start to heat up a bit between them. Enemies to lovers quickly changes into something with burning and hot. He's definitely the grumpy to her sunshine (which he has no problem talking about) but she also wins him over and softens him.
And let me just tell you about the side characters! I loved the twins so much. They were super supportive of Loch and were not inclined to give away any of his secrets, lest people persecute him. I can see how they might have their own little stories in the future
Ferguson does a great job keeping the pacing going in this story, especially considering how long the book is. I was never bored. I kept wanting to pick the story up and see what would happen next. I love the mystery woven into the romance. I figured out early on who the "villain" was but it was interesting to see how and why it was that person. She inserts spice where it's needed and doesn't overdo it. And the banter! I caught myself laughing out loud on numerous occasions. This author knows how to do it and do it right. She does a nice job with the world building and back story. I love the use of the journal entries to help this story along.
The only thing I would have liked to see more of is the actual country of Scotland. I feel like Ferguson tried to put some of it in the story through the farm and a visit to an adjacent town, but for the most part I did have a hard time picturing the Loch and how it was situated to the surrounding areas. I needed a bit more description of what I know from friends/family who have visited is a beautiful country.
Overall this is just a fun story intermingled with mystery, romance, folklore, curses, and a bit of the paranormal. Ok, not a bit, but you'll see what I'm going on about. I am definitely a lifelong Lana Ferguson fan and cannot wait to see what she has in line for the future! If you enjoyed The Fake mate by this author, this one will reel you right in!
Author:
Lana Ferguson is a USA Today bestselling author and sex-positive nerd whose works never shy from spice or sass. A faded Fabio cover found its way into her hands at fifteen, and she’s never been the same since. When she isn’t writing, you can find her randomly singing show tunes, arguing over which Batman is superior, and subjecting her friends to the extended editions of The Lord of the Rings. Lana lives mostly in her own head but can sometimes be found chasing her corgi through the coppice of the great American outdoors.
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