title: Under Loch and Keyauthor: Lana Ferguson
published: 12.3.2024
publisher: Berkley
genre(s): paranormal, romance
pages: 386
source: library
format: eBook
buy/shelve it: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | BookBub | BookHype | StoryGraph | Goodreads
rating:
the blurb
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.
a few notes
trigger warning: ❗some graphic violence, graphic sex❗
POV: 1st person; dual
setting: Scotland
keywords/phrases: magic, family, curses, shapeshifter
tropes: magical artifacts, magical creatures, unlikely allies, enemies to lovers, fated mates
spice: 5🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
language: 5🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬
cover notes: so sweet
mood reading: in the mood for steamy romance with a unique paranormal twist
bonus points: Bethie the Cow, a sweet confidante for Key!
my review
My favorite thing about this book was the shifter aspect. I’ve not read anything before that focused on this type of shifter, which I won’t spoil, but I loved the take on the mythology/legend. This was my first by this author, and I enjoyed her attention to detail when it came to building the setting and creating the paranormal elements. It was richly and vividly done, which made for a fun reading experience. And, yes, the romance was STEAMY, but there was a great story around it, too. The mystery elements were engrossing as Key and Lachlan unravel the truth of his family’s curse.
My only issue was with one of the sex scenes. This truly could just be a me thing, but it crossed the line into cringe for me. Partial-shift intimate scenes just leave me utterly separated from the story. It really just turned me off from the whole scene. But aside from that, I really enjoyed this read.
| Rating Report | |
|---|---|
| plot | |
| characters | |
| writing |  |
| pacing |  |
| Overall: | |
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 2025 52 Books Reading Challenge
Leave a Reply