Under Loch and Key by Lana Ferguson – a Review

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play / Apple / BAM / Bookbub

Description:
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.

Review:

Under Loch and Key by Lana Ferguson is standalone romantasy novel set in Scotland.  We meet Keyanna “Key” MacKay, who recently lost her father, and wants to honor his last wish, to spread his ashes in Scotland.  Key flies to her father’s hometown in Scotland, and is determined to meet her estranged family, where he had never returned to Scotland; and needing to learn more about his past.  Key will meet her grandparents, as they learn that her father passed away; her grandfather welcomed her with open arms, but her grandmother still held grudges, having never seen her son again; in time her grandmother will openly love Key. Key will try to mend the broken ties between them; and her cousin, Brodie.

Lachlan Greer has his secrets, which he keeps quiet, with only two friends at the pub, who have known his secrets for years.  He meets Key, and tends to be nasty to her, with Key not liking him at all.  Lachlan, works for Key’s grandparents, gets a view of the lukewarm welcome from her grandmother. When Key attempts to spread her father’s ashes, she slips and comes face to face with the Loch Ness monster.  

Key learns that Lachlan is affected by an old curse that affects all Greer men in a Scottish urban mythology revolving around the Loch Ness monster. Key begins to understand that Lachan has been trying to find clues to end the curse. They will begin to work together on trying to find the clues behind the curse; and their attraction brings them even closer and they fall very much in love.  Key needs to help save Lachlan and find a way to break the curse.  She also discovers that she has been developing strange powers, such as fire from her hands, as well as opening windows and stopping rain.  

I really loved Key, as she was great heroine; and learning to love her grandparents.  Lachlan turned out to be great, as he had fallen hard for her.  I will say I thought there was a lot of smut throughout the last half of the book. Under Loch and Key was fun, lighthearted, family oriented, heartwarming, forgiveness, with a mystery that Key might be able to solve. Under Loch and Key was very well written by Lana Ferguson. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher