Under Loch and Key

It's really good, actually, it's better than I was expecting.

I've never read a book before where the third act break up made sense, at least not that I can recall off the top of my head.

4.25/5

I loved it, it's one of my favourite books I've read this year. I love all things mythical, and while I'm not the most knowledgeable about Scottish folklore (even if I know of Nessie), I find it magical and inviting.

All characters were well-written and I loved them. Especially Lachlan - a sassy man in a kilt and a divine accent? Yes, please And he's a monster too? That just makes it better!. And Key was a great character too, I loved how she grew into herself and her magic and I love that she saved the day at the end.

I loved all the relationships. It was as much as a romantic love story, as a platonic one. Key reconciling with the family she didn't know about was amazing and heartwarming and heartbreaking and warm and I loved it. Finlay, who loved her immediately and was excited to get to know her, Rhona who was very cold but she wasn't a villain which I found refreshing, Brodie who kept to himself but accepted her too - utill the end where he completely lost it. Lachlan and the twins, who had always accepted him for who he was and who were always there for him, even when, or maybe especially when they made jokes to make him feel better. And then we have Lachlan vs McKays, with Lachlan finally accepting all of them.

And of course, the love story between Key and Lachlan. They had so much in common and so many differences and they learned to work together. I loved their bickering and their chemistry, and how they couldn't help but be drawn to each other.

I loved the paranormal side of things too, Nessie, and kelpies, and curses and how it all came together at the end.

The book wasn't perfect; I predicted some things and while it's not bad, I have to say I'm disappointed in Brodie. I was hoping that he was a red herring and he only wanted to help. I didn't think the book needed a villain - the curse was bad enough as it was.

And speaking of curse, I didn't really feel like Lachlan was in any danger of never turning back into a human? I don't know, I wasn't exactly on the edge at the end, wondering how they're going to save him. It didn't feel like it was something so urgent, maybe because Lachlan's father was the only person they knew that it happened to? I'm not sure if it was the way it was written, or something else, but I didn't really feel that suspense and anxiety at the end that Key and Lachlan did. Also, what happened with the bridle was anticlimactic and I didn't feel like the tension about whether or not they found it.

Also, the way Key broke the curse felt really weak for me. So she had to forgive him that he lied to her? I thought she'd have to forgive his ancestor for the way he abused and treated her ancestor. That she'd have to use the bridle in a ritual to reverse the curse. idk, something about it felt anticlimactic and weak to me.

But the last few chapters were a tearjerker for me. I got emotional about reading how everything ended and overall, I loved it.

I loved the epilogue too. With all the elements from the book making an appearance (all important characters, even the windows from the castle, and their daughter's name).

And, can I just say, now that I read this book, I love what it looks like. The cover (although part of me wishes they kept the original where his shadow in the water is Nessie), him wearing a kilt and her in her pink wellies (although I wish THAT was a scene in the book, come on, Lana, so close), and the violet lettering and graphic. I LOVE it. And the hardcover as Tavis's journal was just brilliant.

And I love the drawings inside the book, they're so pretty and show those scenes really well!

my favourite quote is still definitely:

"Yeah, but I just thought you were being a dick."

"No, I was trying to tell you that Nessie has a dick."

Okay, I kept putting this book off and really was hesitant about it, but it ended up being so much fun! This might be the author's best book yet???

I do wish it dived more into the Kelpie aspect and aren't kelpie's usually horses? So yeah that felt light and the paranormal bit besides for the two of them is pretty much null. Oh and Brodie I wish he had a better ending. A psych ward??? Bro just needed therapy! He did go too far in the end, but I wish there was more hope for redemption.

Overall though, once I got 5 chapters in or so I didn't want to put it down. Looks like I will be reading the next book by this author.