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What happens when a Highland witch falls for the Loch Ness Monster?

When Cam Walker, the last remaining Witch of the Highlands, heads to Loch Ness to investigate a potentially dangerous monster, the last thing he expects is to wind up working WITH that monster… let alone end up attracted to him. But the friendly, cheerful Lachlan is hard to resist, and turns out to be a powerful ally in the hunt for the real monster behind the killings around Loch Ness…

M/M paranormal romance with a sweet relationship and medium spice. This novella is the first in a trilogy following the same characters: it has a HFN conclusion and NO cliff-hanger!

116 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 21, 2023

80 people are currently reading
296 people want to read

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Edwina Lindsey

6 books42 followers

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5 stars
83 (25%)
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136 (42%)
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89 (27%)
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11 (3%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
Profile Image for Kristina .
1,051 reviews933 followers
May 5, 2023
Did I just 4 ⭐️ a shifter romance about the Loch Ness monster? You’re fucking right I did!

This was surprisingly good and original. It had more plot than I expected for 98 pages and the author did an amazing job describing the setting. Cam and Lachlan were so sweet together, I would have loved more than merely an HFN for them. Also, even the Loch Ness Monster needs lube, boys, the smut was a bit uncomfortable to read 😬.
But this was short and sweet with a great Highland setting. I want to go there now and sit in a tea shop and eat ginger cake.
Profile Image for Stacy.
339 reviews155 followers
July 15, 2023
4.5 Stars

I loved this novella! It was so cute and steamy. I appreciated the unique take on a shifter romance.

Cam heard him gulp for air, and reflexively pressed his lips into Lachlan’s throat. He was answered with another audible gasp. Delicious.

The Loch Ness setting along with all of the Scottish folklore was really fantastic. Lachlan runs The Lucky Teapot, which is a favorite spot among the locals. The scenic descriptions of the Scottish settings were extremely well written. I felt as though I was there with Cam and Lachlan. These two manage to get into a bit of trouble while investigating some mysterious deaths in the area, but these interactions bring them closer together.

‘I’m all right,’ Lachlan murmured, tipping Cam’s head down to meet his gaze. His eyes were a clear blue, like the waters of Loch Ness on a sunny day. And, just like the loch, they held shadowed depths. Sorrow flicked its tail before sinking out of view again. ‘I’m glad you were there.’

Lachlan is such a sweet heart. He's really intriguing to me and I look forward to reading more about him. He is unexpectedly very physically strong, yet also somewhat shy, but also super friendly. I think there are some very interesting things to discover about the histories of both Cam and Lachlan.

Like the loch, Cam sensed hidden depths under the calm surface. He thrilled at the thought of Lachlan’s arousal penetrating impossibly and intimately deep.

I thoroughly enjoyed the Bonus Scene and the Author's Note that was included after that. I can't wait to read more about Cam and Lachlan. And Cam, you better call him next time.

Check on my review for Hiding Nessie, the next book in the series.

***I received an ARC of this book from the author and this is my honest opinion.***
Profile Image for ~Nicole~.
851 reviews405 followers
February 28, 2023
I swear to God I started this on a whim and with no expectations whatsoever because I didn’t know the author, I’m very picky about my pnr reads and it’s very short (and that’s almost never a good thing). And yet, what a freaking good story!!! Excellent novella with two endearing characters, a quirky fresh and original plot, some Scottish folklore and settings, pretty good writing and a totally lovable Loch Ness monster. Ah , and some 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥! Very enjoyable , I recommend it and I hope we’ll hear more from this author.
Profile Image for ivy.
639 reviews361 followers
February 26, 2023
Look, since I was a kid I have been a little in love with the idea of the Loch Ness monster “Nessie”. Reading this was a give in.
Here the author plays with the idea that Nessie is a shapeshifter!

Cam- flirtatious witch mechanic (mechanic witch?🤷🏻‍♀️) who rides a motorcycle. Probably one of the only people in the world to ever have sex with the Loch Ness monster.
Lachlan- sweet and charming cafe owner with a secret

It gives you exactly what you are told in the plot summary. Cute for a quick read.
Profile Image for Audi♡.
762 reviews77 followers
August 20, 2024
I'm glad there's another book bc I need some answers. What's going on with Cam's arm!?
The plot had my full attention.
They spend a lot of time on or by the water looking for a monster that's killing people. It had me on edge! They go on a boat AT NIGHT!! Google pictures of the Cirein-croʻin. That's what they're looking for. So scary.

I'm excited to see how their relationship unfolds...Their sexual chemistry is great. I love verse couples 🥵

Hfn. Off to the next one.
Profile Image for Susan.
2,349 reviews457 followers
July 21, 2023
I reaaaaally wanted to like this. A shapeshifting Nessie? Yes please!

But there wasn't much I liked unfortunately. I thought the writing stayed a bit superficial and that's why I didn't connect to these guys. We also only got Cam's POV and I never warmed up to him.

The story itself felt underdeveloped to me. It had so much potential, but we got so little.

A lot of people seem to like this though, so it could be totally me. 🤷🏻‍♀️
Profile Image for Alex (HEABookNerd).
2,441 reviews
May 10, 2023
FINDING NESSIE was a cute novella introducing Cam, a witch, and Lachlan, the Loch Ness monster. Cam is investigating some mysterious murders around Loch Ness and while he knows its a supernatural creature, he never expects to find the actual Loch Ness monster. Both the MCs are perfectly likable but I admit that they're story was somewhat forgettable for me. Also, I'm not sure how Lachlan has managed to run the same business, which has frequent regulars, for decades and no one has noticed he's not aging. Overall, this was cute and a quick and easy read but I don't know that I'd read more in the series.
139 reviews5 followers
March 2, 2023
Low angst
Witch/ Shifter
Paranormal age gap
Mystery
Single third person POV
HFN

Did I love this book? You bet I did.

The Loch Ness monster as a shifter who is sweet as pie?
Yes, please.

A witch who never wanted to join the family legacy yet commits to it anyway because it's the right thing to do?
Be still my heart.

A mystery in the Scottish Highlands where magic is practically a living, breathing thing?
Sign me up!

Cam, the lead protagonist, is incredibly endearing. He is this adorable mix of confident and insecure, which sounds messy but is instead very relatable. The type of guy who is willing to put himself out there for romance but still needs to give himself a pep talk before casting magic. I kept waiting for him to let me down but he didn't! Sure, he fumbles and trips himself up a little here and there, but he's just so relatable! How could I not root for him?

And Lach 🥰 Oh, Lachlan is pure sunshine. The sweetest cinnamon roll with the softest heart. I loved him the moment he showed up and I still love him after finishing this novella. Another mix of incredible contradictions, he is gentle yet strong in both of his forms. I can't decide if I want to wrap him in a blanket and cuddle him or beg him to throw me over his shoulder and have his wicked way with me.

Side Note-- I loved the meet cute, which is a ridiculous thing for me to dwell on since it was the tiniest part of this entire novella but... it was adorable! The first few times Cam and Lach are together it's a really fun mix of adorable and chaotic which had me giggling and smiling throughout the rest of the story. The relationship felt genuine and I am 100% invested.

This book relies on mystery and insta-attraction to move the story forward, not insta-love, which I'll admit was incredibly refreshing. Flirting. Blushing. Talking. All the best parts of romance are thrown into a fast moving plot set in the Scottish Highlands. Rich world building that set the scene and kept me interested without interfering with Cam and Lach's budding romance, and a story that pays tribute to Highland lore without making me feel like I was missing something by being unfamiliar with such creatures. Incredibly, this novella gave me that "complete story" feel I usually get from a 200+ page novel and I finished knowing (hoping?) there's more to come while still feeling satisfied.

As a low angst reader, I rely heavily on novellas to get my happy fix. I'll gladly admit that I asked for an ARC of this story because it sounded like something I'd enjoy (true story- I did not promise the author a review 🫣 but I'm writing one because I honestly did enjoy the book). Not only did this story deliver, I am now excitedly waiting for the next book.

Unnecessary drama? No
Crazy miscommunications? No
Sweet men finding their place in life and love? Yes
Do I recommend? Yes
Profile Image for S.S. Genesee.
Author 5 books56 followers
February 19, 2023
4.5⭐
This was a really neat read! I liked the character interactions and Lachlan was super cute, he always had a lot of adorable funny things to say. The lore behind it all was pretty interesting too, I felt we got just the right amount of backstory without it being too overbearing or infodump-y. Because it made me want to keep reading and figure out more! Though I do think it it would be cool to learn more of Lachlan's past, and what happens after the story, it has a HFN ending so I need to learn what's next!!
Profile Image for Brooke.
509 reviews11 followers
May 5, 2023
This was so good??
I let my husband pick my next book and when he said Loch Ness Monster I figured I was in for a strange read.
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. The story was entertaining and kept me interested. Cam and Lachlan were adorable! I can’t wait to see where they go next!
Profile Image for Ella Bishop.
264 reviews2 followers
January 25, 2024
As my roommate said upon the completion of this book “I just think it’s so funny that the Loch Ness monster is just some twink” 😌

This is a highly silly and highly fun book that I downloaded for zero dollars on Stuff Your Kindle day and it did exactly what it said on the tin. Is this high literature? No! Will this improve your mood and make you snort? Yes, and that is not nothing.
Profile Image for DLB2572.
3,252 reviews26 followers
February 19, 2023
This started off a bit slow for me but it soon caught my interest. I am very much looking forward to next book in the series.

I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion
Profile Image for T.J. Rose.
Author 9 books300 followers
February 21, 2023
I absolutely adored this shape-shifter action-packed romance!

Cam, our resident Scottish witch, follows up on a string of murders near Loch Ness. After a brief encounter with the hot barista - Lachlan - from The Lucky Teapot cafe, he summons more than he bargains for when he pulls the Loch Ness Monster out of the lake...

In addition to tidbits of information about the history of the infamous Loch Ness Monster, I found that the author's descriptive language painted the most beautiful scenes of rural Scotland. 😍

Exhilarating battles, scorching steam and heart-warming moments await you in this fantastic debut novella by Edwina Lindsey.
Profile Image for Sidonie.
420 reviews9 followers
August 17, 2025
You know, for a 100-page novella about romancing the Loch Ness Monster with at least three involved sex scenes and a bit of external plot, this was way more solid than I expected! The relationship happens very quickly because it has to, so there’s not much foundation beyond mutual desire, but that’s par for the course with this sort of story so it didn’t bother me much. This is also clearly a part one, with a number of questions left open, and I liked that it didn’t try to lock the characters into an intense commitment by the end. It mostly delivers on the things it sets out to do, and it does a good job of evoking the setting in a very limited space. A pleasant surprise.
Profile Image for la review bleu.
209 reviews3 followers
February 17, 2025
I loved it. The story is original! The characters are wonderful, the plot intriguing. I want to visit Nessie now. I started and couldn't put I down. Had to read all books. Love Edwina Lindsey's writing.
Profile Image for Shelba.
2,693 reviews99 followers
March 27, 2023
A 3.5, rounded up. It delivers exactly as promised in the blurb. If I had one complaint, I wanted more witchy stuff. And I think I have a better grasp on Lachlan’s character than Cam, but we will see if that gets sorted in subsequent books.
Profile Image for ☾⋆⁺ Nurse After Dark.
1,034 reviews15 followers
February 28, 2023
Midnight found Cam standing in a clearing on the wastern shore of the lock, staring out over the flat water. Stars winked back at him, a serene reflection of the night sky above. In this tranquil silence, with these still waters, it seemed far too peaceful to be hiding a killer monster in its depths.

This story was a pleasant surprise! A generational witch with , a monster who , and a cute, lush setting in the Scottish Highlands. How could I not immediately read this book?

"May I join you?"
"Sure- Oh." Lachlan climbed nimbly up the bank, once again clothed only in water and moonlight. Cam dragged his eyes away, but felt his nerves rattle as Lachlan sat next to him by the fire.

Cam and Lachlan were delightful. This author managed to fit a well rounded history for both characters into this way-too-short novella without bogging us down with information that we didn't have time for. The quirk of Cam was fresh and fun to read. And of course, I've never read a I liked Lachlan's tea shop and the regulars he clearly enjoyed seeing day to day.

The fantasy and folklore feel of this book was a nice escape, and I'll be watching for this author's next publication! I hope the next book is longer and more detailed, I need more of the witch and the monster! I was worried it might not be the same characters returning, but then I remembered that Cam has to and I know we'll see these men again!
Profile Image for DMCechak.
1,790 reviews23 followers
February 21, 2023
Loving Lachlan and Cam (and The Lucky Teapot)

‘You’re cursed,’ he supplied. Lachlan nodded, curling up more tightly in his seat. ‘Human to start with?’ ‘Yes?’ ‘And that was… how many years ago?’ ‘Three hundred and eleven. I was twenty-four at the time.’ ‘A good age to be cursed with longevity.’ ‘You think so?’ Cam flashed a grin, hoping to lift Lachlan’s spirits. ‘Sure. You look fine as hell for three hundred.’ It worked. Lachlan blushed, a small smile tugging at his mouth. ‘I suppose that’s one silver lining.’

I had a fabulous time reading Edwina Lindsey’s debut novella, Finding Nessie!

I was transported to Loch Ness, where I had tea at Lachlan’s quaint little shoppe, The Lucky Teapot. I watched a sweet and melty love bloom from a put-upon witch, who needed to find a way to stop some awful happenings, yet was drawn to a lovely young man who was, maybe, not quite as young as he seemed.

I am very excited to know that this is just the beginning of our journey with these two handsome Scotsmen and that the challenges they will face to keep themselves together will be overcome.

This story takes place in current society, yet has the feel of magic that makes it so otherworldly. Edwina writes with glowing descriptions that create a love of Scotland that I want to see myself!

Well Done!!!
Profile Image for Tam.
Author 21 books104 followers
March 31, 2023
I'm giving this 4* with one caveat which I'll address later. Basically Cam is the last Highland witch in his family and is out at Loch Ness to discover what/who is killing people along the loch. In his attempt to capture the creature he captures.... Lachlan, AKA the Loch Ness Monster and the guy who runs the tea shop selling tourist tat about the monster. There is attraction but Cam is wary, however Lachlan wants to help him catch the creature to keep the loch safe. You get to know more about Lachlan and he has some interesting traits and the monster was something I'd never heard of before so that was cool. This is just the first book in which they just agree to start dating so I assume they will work together to solve more mysteries in the future and we'll get a bit more information about Cam and his abilities and family.

My only niggle was the first time they have sex Lachlan says he doesn't need lube. Okay, maybe Nessie is special and can get away without lube, but when they use no lube with human (witch) Cam as the bottom? Um. No even much spit to speak of? I kept thinking "this is not good, get some lube guys". So I found that a bit distracting but on the whole I loved the idea of the Loch Ness Monster being a shifter and the story behind it. So I'll check out more and hope they decide to start keeping lube nearby in future.
Profile Image for Jen.
278 reviews8 followers
March 9, 2023
Finding Nessie is an enthralling romance between a Highland witch and the creature who inhabits Loch Ness, and it makes for a fantastic quick read.

Cam Walker is the last of his family line of witches, and he protects humans from supernatural threats — including whatever is threatening campers around Loch Ness. Everyone knows the monster is just a myth — or is it? While investigating the murders, Cam comes across intriguing cafe owner Lachlan, who turns out to be more than he appears. Although the two are attracted to each other, it’s soon clear there is something dangerous out there, and it’s not Nessie. They work together to make Loch Ness safe again, and they can’t resist their attraction, but can a monster and a witch make it work?

This was a fun twist on the Loch Ness legend, and Cam and Lachlan had incredible chemistry. (Who knew Nessie could be so sexy??) At 98 pages, this story managed to squeeze in a lot of wonderful detail and some fantastic spice, making it very satisfying, even though it’s the first book in a planned three-book series and ends on a HFN. I can’t wait to read more about these two — from their mysterious pasts to their promising future together. Definitely recommend.
Profile Image for Katherine.
2,866 reviews13 followers
July 17, 2023
Magical history

Interesting little novella of magic and monsters.

Cam has magic in his blood and his family has always used it to protect Scotland. He ran from that family heritage until his parents died and he had to take over. Now he is hunting one thing his parents always thought was fake, the Loch Ness monster, and finds out some unexpected things along the way.

Lachlan is very sweet and though he hides some things he is quick to reveal when it is clear it is safe. There is quite the history with Lachlan and it opens Cam's eyes to more of this magical world as well as some questions. It seems that witches are not exactly looked upon kindly in the magical world and it will be interesting to learn if that is simply because people fear them for being in charge, or if those in charge have often been cruel.

There are some interesting monsters in this book with old folklore and new magic. It made for a very fun read and promises to have more about the curses and magic that could cause more problems down the line. There is much to learn about this world, from how Cam's magic works, to why he felt he had to come back and use it, and even what is up with magical curses. There are plenty of avenues to discover moving forward in this little series!
Profile Image for Finah  Reads.
76 reviews
February 25, 2023
Sweet and steamy book that could be the start of a fun series! Cam and Lachlan find instalust at their first meeting. There's a slight road bump to them having a sexy encounter when Cam discovers that Lach is a shifter, the Loch Ness monster to be specific. And with vicious murders leaving humans dead around the Loch, it places Lachlan on Cam's suspect list.

The hunt for the real creature culprit moves at a great pace. We find out more about Cam and Lach as they learn about each other and work together to stop the creature. Edwina gives them depth and personality within the natural flow of the story. And she also gives us some steamy sex as their relationship grows past lust to caring. I really enjoyed Edwina's storytelling pace and style. This isn't a drawn out, angst and inner monologue filled story.

Finding Nessie is a fulfilling read with characters that you care about. They both finally find a man they can be real with. No hiding who they are or what their life entails. Cam has a lot of growing and learning to do as a witch. Lach has a curse to live with. I can easily imagine, and would greedily read, more books about Cam and Lach. Hint hint.
Profile Image for Nicola Day.
128 reviews2 followers
March 18, 2024
4.5*

Wow, am I surprised by this one!?

I picked this up on SYKD thinking it would be a bit of a trashy read (based on the cover), but wanting more Queer books and intrigued by the Scottish element (being Scottish) which I could be extra critical of.

What I got was a sweetly blossoming romance, interesting story, Scottish folklore I had never heard of and some EXCELLENT spicy scenes.

I wish there was more than the short 98 pages because I was desperate for more, yet I really enjoyed how concise the story was. Within the first chapter I was thinking "oh well its very obviously going to be coffee shop guy as Nessie" and when it was revealed a chapter later I was pleasantly surprised and intrigued with where the story would go next.

One thing I would have liked was more I depth lore to add to the story. But I'm being picky. The Scottish descriptions were quite vague so it didn't need picked apart. That made it enjoyable because it wasn't inaccurate, but it would have been nice to have some more specifics to notice (there's no pleasing me).

I very much enjoyed the spicy scenes but did wince a little at the lack of lube 😂
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Jeanette Waters.
2,005 reviews5 followers
February 19, 2023
Finding Nessie is an absolute charmer of a story. Far too short (novella), it offers glimpses of Scottish folklore (kelpies, the bean nighe, red caps)in the telling of a story about a witch, a shifter and a series of grisly murders.
The Loch Ness Monster is a Plesiosaur shifter named Lachlan. During the day he runs a cozy tearoom. But is he a murderer at night? That's what Cameron Walker, last of a line of Highland witches, needs to find out.
There's a sweet chemistry from their first meet up. Cam and Lach agree to work together to stop the paranormal killer.
It was a fun, quick read. There's little angst and some steam. The actual murders are not described in gruesome detail as that isn't the story's focus. The takedown is exciting.
And we can look forward to two more stories featuring the pair as the author plans a trilogy. Which is good news.
19 reviews
February 23, 2023
I love this story so much! I fell in love with Lachlan immediately, and will probably never get over him. Cam is exactly the kind of narrator to make you want to know more about the story, the other characters, and most of all himself. This really ended up being an exciting, well-paced read with interesting, lovable characters, and I can't wait for the second book in the series. What a punch to pack into only 98 pages!
As an extra note, I am usually not too keen on setting descriptions as I often find them boring, but this author is incredibly skilled at painting a vivid picture without overdoing the exposition. I felt like I could visualize the beautiful scenery so well without ever getting bored. Lovely writing on several levels, and worth a read just for that if you ask me!
Profile Image for Rachel Emily.
4,464 reviews378 followers
February 26, 2023
What a fun and sexy novella and debut for this author!

I really loved the Scottish lore and the setting in this book - all centered around Loch Ness and the infamous myth of Nessie. Turns out Nessie is actually a cutie who owns a cafe named Lachlan!

Cam, the last witch in his family, comes to Loch Ness to try and put a stop to whatever is killing people. He doesn't expect to discover that Nessie is real.

I loved the chemistry between Cam and Lachlan. They were great together, as they worked to stop the true culprit of the deaths.

It ends very HFN for the two of them, but I do hope that the author maybe keeps writing this couple? I feel like there is definitely more story to tell for the two of them, what with Lachlan's curse and what happened to Cam with his magic.
Profile Image for ShelfLife.
555 reviews
September 19, 2024
Cute novella.

This was a cute and quick read. It intrigued and entertained me enough to continue to book two. I want to see where Lachlan and Cam's relationship goes, learn more about Cam's work, and hopefully see them find a cure for Lachlan's curse. I hope book two also develops these characters and the world more as well.

The writing is decent, but needs improvement. There are missing words as well as misused commas. The choice to use the British form of quotations ('...' Instead of "...") is highly unusual. I read a ton (mainly romance) and this is only the second book I've come across that's done this. It takes some getting used to, and I honestly don't like it, but I was able to acclimate okay (and my dislike of that choice didn't impact my rating).
Profile Image for Raven and Chris.
3,280 reviews30 followers
February 21, 2023
I love a story about an unusual shifter and it doesn’t get much more unique than the Loch Ness Monster. Lachlan is actually very sweet and Cam certainly misjudges him very harshly at first. I enjoyed the book and the overall mystery, even though Cam is a bit stubborn in regards to doing his job alone. I wonder if we will see more of these two? Their relationship is just getting started and there is a lot of potential here. Again, a good little story and worth a quick read. There is some Scottish lore here too which is something that has always fascinated me.
Profile Image for Maaren.
1,446 reviews10 followers
October 5, 2023
A delight

Now this was a delight of a story. Cam, a solitary witch, is investigating a bunch of gruesome deaths at Loch Ness. Can it be the legendary monster that is causing this? He also runs into a sweet cafe owner Lachlan and sparks fly. But the loch holds a lot of secret.

I absolutely loved this story and how it weaves history, folklore and monsters into a cute love story. I adored Cam and Lachlan and was rooting for them from the start. The story wraps into a nice HFN and I hope these two get their HEA and can figure out the obstacles in their way.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews

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