Book Smart Kate

Under Loch and Key by Lana Ferguson (Dec 3, 2024) A huge thank you to @berkleyromance and @prhaudio for the #gifted advanced digital and audio copies of Under Loch and Key! #berkleypartner #prhaudioinfluencer

After the death of her father, Keyanna “Key” MacKay travels from the U.S. to Scotland to find the family her father never spoke of—except in bedtime stories about a monster that saved his life. Her father’s dying wish was to have his ashes spread in the loch where the monster saved him, and Key is determined to honor that request. What she doesn’t expect is to land in the middle of a centuries-old family feud or to meet Lachlan Greer—the disturbingly handsome, secretive farmhand with ties to her family and a devastating curse.

As Key reconnects with her father’s homeland, she and Lachlan uncover hidden messages, ancient magic, and buried secrets that tie their families together in unexpected ways. With time running out, Key and Lachlan must race to unravel the origins of the curse while discovering strength in themselves and each other. Along the way, their bond grows deeper, and Key begins to realize she may hold the dormant power to end the curse once and for all.

This story is a wildly fun mix of mystery, magic, and romance. With an ancient castle, hidden objects, a touch of magic, some monsters, and Lana Ferguson’s signature spice, Under Loch and Key is a fun adventure. If you enjoyed the spice level in Fake Mate, you’ll know exactly where this is headed! But beyond the steam, it’s a heartfelt tale about family, grief, and love.

I especially loved how Ferguson crafted a fast-paced, high-stakes mystery that also delivered deeply emotional moments as Key and Lachlan learned to trust themselves and each other. Their journey to break the curse felt both magical and empowering. And yes, there’s monster sex.

The audiobook (12h and 18m) is a fantastic duet narration by Samantha Summers and Flint Park with great accents and pacing.