Lochbound: The Little Mermaid meets Scottish folklore in this brand-new, spell-binding fantasy romance

by Rebecca Templeton

There is no happily-ever-after . . .

Kilmara, Scotland. 1725. For fifty years, Iris has accepted the curse that blighted her life. By night, she is a heartbroken woman, destined to walk the misty shores of Kilmara without growing older. By day, she is Moireach, a terrifying monster imprisoned in the murky depths of Loch Moine.

When bodies begin appearing on the shore, the villagers are convinced Moireach is responsible. So a hunter - the rugged, ruthless Henry Carver - is summoned to slay the monster of the loch.

Iris must break her curse before she is killed for crimes she cannot believe she has committed. But as Kilmara's hunt for the monster becomes ever more fevered, she and Henry are drawn together in a dangerous game of impossible attraction.

And when a figure from Iris's past suddenly reappears, she must choose what - or who - she is willing to sacrifice to win her freedom.

. . . when you are the monster.

A glitteringly dark reimagining of The Little Mermaid set in eighteenth-century Scotland, this enchanting and gothic historical fantasy is perfect for fans of Rosie Andrews's The Leviathan, Georgia Leighton's Spellbound and anyone who loved Outlander.

✨Real readers loved Lochbound✨

'Lochbound was crafted so well, weaving in folklore [alongside] the moving parts of the fates of each person...I really enjoyed!' NetGalley Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'As soon as I started reading, I knew Lochbound was going to be a five-star read. And when I cried at the 11% mark, that cemented it. It was a great mashup of its inspirations, The Little Mermaid and Scotland's loch monsters...really emotional and I liked all the twists' NetGalley Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Whimsical and folkloric, this standalone felt so immersive and the storyline was gripping until the very end. So many mysteries, plot twists and romantic tension that will keep you awake at nonsense o'clock...This book is a delight, perfect for romantasy readers!' NetGalley Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'The worldbuilding was amazing!...I really liked the protagonist and the love interest' NetGalley Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Lochbound is a standalone historical fantasy romance that felt like a dark fairytale... [it] kept me gripped throughout and had some surprising twists. I absolutely loved the setting, a small village in the Scottish highlands bordering a loch, and the creepy, unsettling atmosphere of the story' NetGalley Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Retellings, Mythology, Historical, Folklore, Historical Fantasy

399 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 16, 2026

About the author

​Rebecca has had a love of books from a very early age and had lofty childhood aspirations of being a writer, though she ended up joining the legal profession instead. When her husband encouraged her to start writing again, she re-discovered her creative outlet and hasn’t looked back since.

When not writing or working, Rebecca can usually be found crocheting giant blankets, baking or watching Gilmore Girls. She is also owned by a couple of very energetic children.

Reviews

[bee ⭑.ᐟ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5^
this had me hooked! from the very beginning i knew i was going to enjoy this, the writing was beautifully haunting at times. the multiple pov’s was nice and at first i thought this was going to be very similar to other monster x hunter romantasies i’ve read before but it felt more than that. the slow burn really was slow but i appreciate that and it felt genuine. henry was so likeable and pure and always treated iris with respect. around the final 20% i couldn’t put it down, even though plot twists were being thrown at me left right and centre some of them genuinely caught me by surprise. some pretty obvious, but regardless! i was shocked 0-0. the blend of scottish folklore and the tale of the little mermaid was the reason i picked this up and it did not disappoint. if you like fairytales but a little darker, i would highly recommend.
i’d definitely read from this author again!

thank you netgalley for providing me with an arc.

[Kathlyn-Nicole Milne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lochbound was a perfect blend of Scottish Folklore and Fairytale and a genre I never knew I needed.

This Standalone book is definitely worth a read and gave me beautiful nostalgic vibes of Scottish stories from when I was younger. This was dark and eerie and I liked the Romance in this however the folklore and intriguing plot is what really drew me in.

A couple of things I would have made this a 5 star read are
1- I felt the romance wasn't as epic as I would have liked and I needed more of a bigger intensity and yearning build up. However it was a lovely romance
2- the middle felt a little slower in pace and slightly repetitive. However, the rest of the pacing was spot on.
The final 150/100 pages were perfectly paced.

I love when the twist finally happens and I didn't even have it on a radar. This book certainly delivered on that the twist had be gasping outloud. However, thinking back I should have noticed the sign, this to me is a sign of a very well written suspenseful story.

[Adri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was crafted so well, weaving in folk lore which is still told in Gaelic traditions of Kelpies and mysterious Lochs. But also wisps and Seelie/Unseelie. Whilst this part added some aspects to the story, it didn’t become a Fae fantasy story.

But there were also the moving parts of the fates of each person, differing life lines and each individuals back story and part in the culmination of the story.

I feel this is more a fantasy mystery, with romance adding to the context and relationships. And in saying this, I remember that there was a love star? Pentagram? Pentagon? Some 5 pointed/cornered shape. But it just didn’t feel like the part of the story that I concentrated on.

I really enjoyed and would read a book by Rebecca again.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting book.. a folklore retelling of the Loch Ness Monster legend. Unfortunately, I didn’t feel very connected to the characters and couldn’t fully immerse myself in the story. Some parts also felt a bit repetitive. However, if you enjoy folklore-inspired stories, this book may still interest you.

Thank you to the Author & Little Brown Book Group via NetGalley for this ARC.

[jlreadstoperpetuity · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Sometimes the monster isn’t outside… it’s the part of you everyone fears.”

🗓 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲 April 16, 2026
📚 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: Lochbound
👑 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Rebecca Templeton

✨️𝗤𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆 & 🍵𝗧𝗲𝗮 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀
In 1725 Kilmara, Scotland, Iris has lived with a haunting curse for fifty years. By night she wanders the misty loch shores unchanged by time; by day she is Moireach, a terrifying creature lurking in the depths of Loch Moine. When bodies start turning up on the shore and villagers point fingers at the loch’s monster, a rugged hunter named Henry Carver arrives determined to kill the beast he believes responsible. Iris must find a way to break her curse before she’s hunted down for crimes she’s not sure she committed, all while an impossible attraction builds between her and the very man sent to slay her.

This book gives dark fairytale energy with gnarly atmosphere and a slow burn that hits in all the weird feels. The loch setting is spooky and gorgeous in a fog-and-bones kind of way, and Iris’s battle with isolation, shame, and what it means to be labeled a monster kept me invested. A few plot beats feel familiar if you’ve read folklore retellings before, and the pacing leans into mood more than non-stop action, but the slow-build chemistry and eerie mystery made it a cozy haunting read.

🫶 Thank you to @littlebrownbookgroup_uk for this gifted copy!

🌊 Gothic historical fantasy
🧜‍♀️ Fairytale retelling vibes
🔥 Slow-burn tension
⚔️ Monster vs humanity themes
❤️ Impossible attraction
✨ Rich Scottish folklore atmosphere

[Faye Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

As soon as I started reading Lochbound, I knew this was going to be a 5 star read for me! And when cried at the 11% mark, that cemented it. 

It was a great mashup of its inspirations, The Little Mermaid and Scotland's Loch Ness Monster. It had an emotional, character-led story with a lovely romance and a strong mystery plot too, as FMC Iris tries once and again to break the curse that a witch placed on her 50 years ago. Her human form doesn't age, but every day she is forced into the body of Moireach, a loch ness monster, only returning to her human body at night. I found the story really emotional and I liked all the twists.

My only critique was that it used first person for Iris' chapters, and third person for Henry and Duncan's chapters. I would have preferred if it was all first person or all third person, rather than switching. It was still a 5 star read for me, but it was something I noticed each time it happened.

Disclaimer: I received an Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley but this is my voluntary and honest review.

[Morgan-Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Little Brown Book Group for the arc!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Lochbound gave ALL of the dark, gothic fairy tail vibes and told the story immaculately. The inclusion of folklore and attention to detail was exquisite, and I loved how dark and gloomy the setting was. It really set the tone for the story, and created the perfect atmosphere for it. Each twist was so well written and constantly kept you guessing what was going to happen. My personal favourite was the final twist with the witch- genuinely did not see this coming and had to put the book down in shock! The romance was also just the perfect amount of slow burn- delicious, reeling and overall just a delightful reading experience.

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of early finished copy received from the Publisher.

4⭐️ | OUT now!

This is a dark retelling of The Little Mermaid and a murder mystery. By day Iris is Moireach a terrifying monster and by night she returns to her human form destined to wander the misty shores of Kilmara.

When bodies begin appearing on the shore, the villagers are convinced Moireach is responsible. Iris must break her curse before she is killed for crimes she cannot believe she has committed..

This was full of Scottish folklore and intrigue. I think Rebecca Templeton sets the scene of Kilmara, Scotland so well and also Loch Moine which is integral to the story. Iris is such a headstrong FMC and her determination and persistence to break her curse was what gripped me to the story initially and also kept me hooked and rooting for her. I loved the inner conflict that existed within Iris and fighting against Moireach, I won't go into the MMCs too much as it's hard not to without spoilers!

However in this dark retelling Rebecca does tackle some important themes like grief, feminism and what happens when love is unrequited and festers instead..

I thought the first third and last third of the book were paced well. However I felt the book lost itself in the middle.

I would recommend this if you love stories about mermaids, morally grey characters and Scottish folklore!

[Helen Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow wow wow… what a book.

From the very beginning I was completely drawn into Lochbound. Inspired by The Little Mermaid, this is a darker, more haunting retelling set in early 1700s Scotland. A story of love, loss, longing and a curse that refuses to let go.

Iris has spent fifty years living between two worlds… human by night, and by day the monster in the loch.
“I am no longer the princess in the castle. I am now simply the monster in the loch…”

The story is beautifully told through multiple perspectives. Iris in first person, alongside Duncan, Henry and even the monster itself. It adds so much depth and really allows each character’s story and emotion to shine.

Duncan absolutely broke my heart. A childhood friend who has carried Iris’s secret for fifty years… loving her quietly, selflessly.
Henry Carver, the monster hunter, brings tension and intrigue, and the dynamic between him and Iris had me completely hooked.
And Thane… a reminder of love lost and everything Iris has endured.

One of my favourite moments early on was when Henry first hears the monster’s haunting song – it genuinely gave me goosebumps. The writing is so vivid and atmospheric, I could almost hear it myself.

This is one of those books that slowly pulls you in… and then suddenly refuses to let you go. I found myself thinking about it constantly, picking it up at every spare moment, and from around 70% onwards, I could not put it down.

The tension builds so well, with twists that genuinely caught me off guard. Just when I thought I had a sense of where things were going… I didn’t. The final stretch had me completely gripped, shocked, emotional, and honestly just sitting there like what did I just read?!

This is a mesmerising, beautifully written story full of heartache, danger, and longing. A tale of love that isn’t always returned, of grief, jealousy, and the consequences of choices made long ago.

I feel incredibly lucky to have had the opportunity to read this early. Lochbound is one that will stay with me.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Amy Weston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lochbound is a The Little Mermaid retelling with a Scottish folklore twist.

I always enjoy a historical setting and I loved the inclusion of witches and folkloric beings. I also really loved how feminism was entwined, one quote I really loved was "men always blame witchcraft for female behaviour they can't understand."

There is also an exploration of so many different types of love that I found fascinating: first loves, unrequited loves, forbidden loves and being in love with the idea of something more than the actual person themself.

The book definitely picked up for me moreso in the second half, and when the plot twists started hitting I was hooked.

I did hope for a more atmospheric feeling when reading this, as I was super excited for the historical Scotland backdrop, and sometimes the writing felt a little surface level.

Thank you Little Brown for the early proof copy of this book.

[Ceri · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did enjoy it for the most part but the end felt a bit rushed and dramatic sadly :(

[Lana · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️ 5/5
🌶️ 1/5

This book is a soft, slow and beautifully written story that feels like you're being pulled under water until you can’t find your way back up. This is a Little Mermaid retelling set in 18th-century Scotland, a small town romantasy with OG folklore fairytale vibes that is perfect for people wanting a whimsical read with just a hint of darkness. And as always, I have way too much praise I need to get off my chest.

Set along the dark shores of a Scottish loch in the town of Kilmara, the story follows Iris, a woman living under a terrible curse that divides her existence between human and something far more monstrous. During the waking hours, she is ‘Moireach’ (the monster under the loch), and when night falls she becomes herself again, a human trapped in a cursed immortal existence. That is, until bodies start dropping and the laird hires a hunter, Henry Carver… who awakens the monster inside Iris, and the two start to blend to the point where she doesn't know who or what she is anymore. Iris is desperate to break her curse before she’s discovered and killed for crimes she doesn’t know if she committed, all while an undeniable attraction builds between her and her hunter.

The beautiful way this story was written made the setting, the loch, seem like a character itself. Gorgeous and spooky, it felt almost alive and brimming with heavy secrets. It leans fully into its gothic atmosphere with fog-covered water, an isolated village, superstitions and the lingering threat and dread of magic. With the mystery surrounding Iris’ curse, there is a steady tension that lingers and the interactions between Iris and ‘Morieach’ show their deep and dangerous relationship, built on the impossible premise that one of them may have to destroy the other to survive. It is steeped in folklore, making it feel like a dark fairytale.

Iris is a hauntingly compelling heroine. She is resilient, sharp-willed and quietly defiant in the face of a curse that has stripped her of control over her own body and reputation. She’s both feared and vulnerable, monstrous and deeply human, carrying so much on her immortal shoulders. Her determination to uncover truths so convoluted and reclaim her agency, whilst suffering in her loneliness, makes her feel achingly real. She’s got that soft strength, where she still viscerally believes her true love will come save her whilst being devastatingly heartbroken and hopeless. A beautifully crafted character.

Then we’ve got Henry, a man so much more than the archetypal hunter. He is thoughtful, determined and perceptive enough to question the easy narrative he’s been handed. Beneath his controlled, duty-bound exterior is a man capable of empathy and is utterly filled with a deep, painful sense of grief. His slow shift from suspicion to understanding adds so much depth to his character and his quiet integrity makes him an utterly compelling counterpart to Iris.

Both Iris and Henry’s relationship is a slow-burning, tension-filled connection that thrives on mistrust, curiosity and reluctant understanding. Although both of them are stuck in the throes of grief, surviving day by day rather than living, their connection feels rather inevitable and their growing friendship never feels easy. Every moment of closeness is shadowed by the knowledge that he’s meant to kill her, and that she might be exactly what he fears. Their bond grows through small, hard-won shifts in perspective, turning suspicion into respect and then into something deeper, dangerous and utterly magnetic. It’s intimate without losing its edge, balancing tenderness with underlying risk. By the end, their love feels both fragile and fiercely earned.

With the story, the last 20% was just plot twist after plot twist, I predicted absolutely nothing. The way everything tied together was perfectly crafted, I was left in pure awe. I cannot say anything without giving away major spoilers, but just know MY JAW WAS CONSTANTLY DROPPING!
Rebecca Templeton has created a beautiful story that I will think about for a very long time. It is definitely one of my new favourites, and I cannot wait to see what she writes next!

[inpageswithlouise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review 🫶🏻

Quote: “I am trapped in this eternal fairy tale that is, in fact, no fairy tale at all.”

Lochbound is a standalone book - it’s a ‘The Little Mermaid’ retelling but definitely a unique one. I literally ATE this one up and read it in one sitting. I couldn’t put it down.

It’s set in 1725 Scotland in a small town - Kilmara. Iris lives under a cruel curse. By night, she walks as a human along the misty shores, forever young and heartbroken. By day, when dawn comes, she’s transformed and becomes ‘Moireach’, a feared monster trapped beneath Loch that the villagers fear - along with witches, fae and magic in general. This is also a dark reimagining of the Loch Ness legend, whilst also a story where ‘Ariel’ and ‘Ursula’ are the same soul.

When bodies begin appearing, near the Loch, the monster within is blamed. A ruthless hunter, Henry is summoned to end the monster once and for all. But as forbidden attraction sparks between hunter and hunted, Iris is forced to confront her past. She has only one chance to break her curse before she is killed for crimes she does not remember committing.

What I enjoyed about this book is Rebecca’s writing - I could really feel Iris’s longing for connection just as deeply as her isolation and her hope fighting against the weight of everything she has lost.

I highly recommend this book if you’re after a standalone fairytale retelling. You can expect a haunting atmosphere, misty landscapes and Scottish folklore.

[Mahalia Balp · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wonderful surprise! When I say “surprise,” I mean that I stumbled upon this book kind of randomly, without having heard of it before, so I didn’t really have any particular expectations—aside from the fact that the blurb immediately intrigued me, as a fan of Celtic folklore in general. Celtic folklore set in Scotland, with a dark atmosphere centered around a monster in a lake? On paper, it was perfect for me, and I didn’t hesitate to request it. But since I had no specific expectations, I truly went in blind—and honestly, that’s often how I discover hidden gems, and Lochbound is definitely one of them!

To start with what I loved most: the settings and atmosphere. The descriptions of the loch, black as oil, the surrounding mountains—magnificent yet suffocating—the wildflowers of the moor, the blend of the forest’s dark magic with the luminiscent and fairy-like quality of its creatures… it’s all incredible. I felt completely immersed in these settings. The writing really captures the contradictions within the village of Kilmara—something raw and harsh, yet hinting at the mystery and magic that fully envelop it. That’s exactly what I felt through both the settings and the writing style, and it’s precisely what I love in fairytale retellings and folklore-inspired stories.

What’s more, this atmosphere only strengthens the plot. The immersion in this world, along with the blending of multiple myths, creatures, and fantastical characters, makes the story feel rich—even though the main storyline remains fairly classic. And I don’t mean “classic” in a negative way at all—quite the opposite! For this kind of folktale retelling, I actually think it’s the best approach, and Lochbound delivers it perfectly. Despite that “classic” structure, the balance between atmosphere and plot is so well handled that I never once managed to anticipate the twists. I had theories, of course, but right up until the last 50 pages, the author expertly sprinkled clues while maintaining the suspense all the time. At first, I was slightly thrown off by the narrative choice—only Iris is in first-person POV, while the others are in third—but in the end, I think this mix of perspectives is exactly what allows the mystery to hold until the very end. Ultimately, none of the characters are entirely reliable.

Speaking of the characters, I found them all incredibly intriguing. They never fully reveal themselves, yet you still feel a deep emotional connection to them (which is no small feat for a standalone novel). Sadness, longing, regret, hope, hatred, jealousy—so many emotions radiate from these characters, even those who appear only briefly. I’d say the real success here is that I was particularly moved even by the “villainous” characters. The author never judges them and manages to create distance from their actions and emotions, which makes it impossible not to understand them as well. As for the romance, it’s simply beautiful—full of vulnerability, desire, and tenderness, perfectly balanced.

My only tiny criticism—more of a “I wish there had been more”—is that the revelation surrounding Thane and Mhairi could have been developed a bit further. It didn’t detract from my reading experience at all; on the contrary, I think this “betrayal” is brilliant for the plot. But exploring their past a little more would have made the reveal even stronger in my opinion.

I think I’ve said enough! In conclusion, this is an incredibly strong debut, with rich, dark folkloric writing, powerful fantasy storytelling, and complex, moving characters that feel straight out of the finest fantasy gothic and atmospheric stories—and it definitely makes me want to read more. I highly recommend it and it needs to be talked about more!!

[L. Garrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

A dark, moody, and perfectly atmospheric story of a woman cursed to spend the bulk of her time trapped in the body of a monster in a Scottish loch, and her attempts to finally find a way to free herself.

First of all, I loved that Iris is only human for six hours during the night, and that dawn heralds her transformation back into her monstrous self. That she also doesn't really experience her time as the monster (which is treated as a separate entity entirely), and is an unaware passenger in her own mind, lends the narrative a sense of immediacy and claustrophobia. Iris's attempts to find a cure for her curse are hurried and frantic, not only because she has only 6 hours a night as herself, but because the monstrous side of her tries to prevent her from breaking the curse.

The connection between Iris and Henry, the hunter hired to kill the loch's monster after a series of brutal murders, was also palpable. I appreciated that an enemies-to-lovers dynamic wasn't forced here when it easily could've been (thus cheapening the narrative), and instead we get to experience two characters at cross-purposes who nurture feelings for each other despite both knowing (or at least suspecting) that the other might mean them ill. Running beneath this romance subplot is Duncan's feelings for Iris, and how what once started as innocent, juvenile love 50 years ago (when both he and Iris were only 20-years-old) has become something twisted and toxic as Duncan ages naturally and Iris remains as she was when cursed. Through Henry and Duncan, we see both ends of the spectrum.

Without trailing too far into spoiler territory, I did find the final twist (the who and why of Iris's curse) to be a bit forced. The motivations for the individual who cursed Iris were fairly thin and weak, though did, to an extent, feed into overall themes of how healing love can so easily become damaging obsession. I wish there had been more ambiguity to this final twist, rather than a blunt good-vs-evil.

Overall, I enjoyed my time with this book. It was exactly the kind of misty, murky, folkloric tale I was looking for. It perfectly balances plot with romance, and its central idea (Iris's curse) was interesting and engaging.

Thank you to the publisher for my review copy.

[cosylittlereadingcorner · Rating 5 out of 5]

“‘All lovers were strangers to each other once,’ says the seer. ‘And yet, she understands you better than you think.’”

Can an ache so deep that it leaves an unhealed wound on your heart connect you to another one with a similar scar? What if that unexpected connection released everything you’ve tried hiding and controlling for so long?

For fifty years, in the darkness of the night, Iris has wandered the shores of Kilmara, in the shadow of the castle she once called home. But when each new dawn breaks, her body transforms into a monster called Moireach and she is returned to the dark depths of the loch. Only her childhood friend Duncan knows of her existence and for fifty years, his unfailing love has protected her. But as dead bodies begin appearing on the shores of the loch, there are rumours Moireach is to blame and a hunter is called in to find and kill the monster.

As the hunter looks for his prey, we slowly start to unravel the story of Iris and Moireach and what a wonderfully atmospheric tale this is! I wanted to read this both as fast as I could, because I didn’t want to be outside the story and as slowly as possible at the same time, because I knew I didn’t want it to end!

What a beautiful debut novel by the author and I can’t believe I was so lucky to win a stunning proof copy of this one. Set in 1725, this story is haunting, eerie, full of longing, love, danger but also hope too. And the setting couldn’t be more fitting: a Scottish loch incorporating folklore, myths and magic.

Whether you are into romance or fantasy, I’d say put this high up on your reading list this year.

Without a doubt, this will be one of my top reads of 2026 and even though I have a stunning proof copy, given my love for the story, I have actually preordered the Goldsboro special edition. Self indulgent maybe but Rebecca is such a lovely author, I wanted to support her as much as treat myself! Cannot put into words how much I loved this book!

To finish with another quote I jotted down from the book: “… love is not something to be understood but something to be embraced.”

[Anna Lauren Clements]

’’The day he saw her was the day the monster began to sing each dawn,’ he says.’

A retelling of The Little Mermaid, that twines Scottish folklore with a murder mystery.

The protagonist, Iris, is cursed to live as a monster by day, bound to the loch beside her village until night falls, where she regains her human form for a matter of hours. She survives this way for fifty years, never aging, until bodies start to appear by the loch, causing the frightened village folk to hire a monster hunter. Unable to believe herself the killer, a desperate Iris tip toes around the hunter, striving to discover who is really killing the people of her village.

I enjoyed the rhythm of this debut, with the daytime-nighttime cycle of monster and maiden feeling like an old fairy tale.

The prose is clean and without too many frills, so will suit readers who enjoy a smooth pacing. I liked the stylistic choice for the switch in narratives (first person for Iris, third for everyone else) and the different angles it offered for the protagonists.

The plot itself is a lot of fun. I love a mystery, so enjoyed piecing together the clues, and found the revelations a satisfying conclusion to the puzzle.
Similarly, the romance subplot was handled patiently and leading to some really charming moments. For any who would appreciate the warning, this book contains “open door” scenes.

I was drawn to pick up this book more for the curse and monster elements than The Little Mermaid retelling; with this preference, I would have liked to see a lot more of the physical monster itself (beyond reading about its mind, which felt akin to the ‘Dark Urge’ plot line in Baldur’s Gate 3), but still found it satisfying to recognise elements or twists inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s story as they emerged.

This debut would be well-suited for those who love the fairy tale that inspired it, and are looking for a new and unusual take on it.

[Rina | Worldsbetweenpages · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much Little, Brown Book Group UK | Sphere for the arc!

**4,25/5**

„In a strange way, I hope my sadness never leaves me. It is what reminds me that she was real.“

- Scotland 1725
- cursed monster x monster hunter
- possession
- Little Mermaid retelling
- Loch Ness folklore

What to expect:
Iris lives under a cruel curse that turns her into a feared monster by day and a woman by night. When villagers blame the monster for a series of deaths and summon a hunter to kill it, Iris must break her curse before the hunter discovers who she is. As Iris grows closer to the man sent to kill her, she is forced to face the monster she may truly be.

What I liked:
- The worldbuilding was amazing! The story is set in a secluded Scottish village beside a deep loch. Above it stands the laird’s castle. Both he and his predecessor are obsessed with ridding their land of witches and the village is now avoided by outsiders. While witches are brutally burned at the stake, other creatures like seelies, kelpies and will-o’-the-wisps still roam the area.
- I really liked the protagonist Iris and the love interest. They both have troubled pasts, and I enjoyed seeing them grow closer. I found it especially gripping to read about Iris’s inner struggles and how she locked her trauma away in the monster. They each have different mindsets and goals and you never know which side will be in control.

What I didn’t like:
- Besides the protagonist and the hunter, I wished for characters who were a bit more complex, ones who weren’t entirely evil. Especially since the curse began fifty years ago a lot of time has passed. I found it a bit unrealistic that no one seemed to have moved on.

Writing style: 4/5
Characters: 4,5/5
Worldbuilding: 4/5
Story & Plot: 4/5
Vibes: 4,5/5

Will I buy a physical copy: yes!
Will I read more books by the author: yes!

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to thank Little, Brown Book Group and Rebecca Templeton for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is dark historical fantasy set in 18th century Scotland. It follows Iris, a woman cursed to live as a human by night and a feared creature in the loch by day. The pacing is quick and the mystery and twists keep it engaging. I personally found the emotions played a bigger part than the plot itself and it was heavy into mood and character rather than action.

The setting sometimes feels cold, isolated and the folklore elements are handled well without being too gruesome. It’s easy to immerse yourself and imagine living in such times where superstition can lead to pitchforks at dawn and persecution. Despite this I felt at ease in the characters company and their world which is rather beautiful. The author does a wonderful job of describing it in detail so you get the full experience of 18th century Scotland.

Iris is a strong lead, torn between guilt, fear, and the need to survive. I enjoyed the inclusion of the ‘monster’s’ point of view it was a nice treat. The supporting cast are equally as fascinating and have their own stories and secrets to tell which is done expertly by switching between them and diving into their thoughts and emotions (a little too often for my taste). The romance adds tension rather than softness, which fits the darker tone but doesn’t overwhelm the story and turn it into complete mush.

Overall, it’s a solid, moody, atmospheric read with a gothic feel. I think this book is best if you like dark fairy tale retellings with romance, emotions and feelings abound in every chapter and a strong sense of place. When you read this book you can’t wait to see what will happen next, for me I was hoping ‘next’ would mean less emotion and feelings and more adventure. Still an interesting plot and rich characters.

[i · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Rebecca Templeton, Little, Brown Book Group UK | Sphere, and NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Lochbound is a historical fantasy romance following the plot beats of The Little Mermaid but reimagined in the witch-hunt craze of 18th century Scotland. Cursed for 50 years to fester at the bottom of the loch as a fat serpent by day and sulk as an ageless beauty by night, Iris is now threatened by the arrival of a monster hunter, Henry. As bodies begin to pile up with their hearts missing, Henry must face his past and secure his, and Kilmara’s, future by dispatching the monster that allegedly killed the men.

Whilst the premise was interesting and I liked the plot beats for the most part, the narrative style was a little jarring as it flopped between first-person and third-person and multiple-POV when I don’t think it was necessary.

The book felt very YA to me: the writing style was very plain and basic with little description, the characters were stereotypical, one-dimensional, and surface-level, and the romance felt very insta-love. The smut was unnecessary and also detracted from the book.

Some characters’s actions didn’t feel in keeping with their characterisation and there were times when a character disappeared in a scene and it was not mentioned at all, only to be circled back to later on as if a plot hole was realised and it needed to be cleaned up. The story also felt like the characters had been nicked from modern day and plonked into 1725 rather than from actually being from there.

The pacing was also a little off and I would have liked to have seen the book edited down a little to tighten it up. I wish the book that focused more on the fairytale creatures and fantasy plot over the romance. Overall, I really liked the premise so was disappointed the execution wasn’t there.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in 1725 Scotland, Lochbound follows Iris, a woman cursed to live as two beings. By night, she is human, frozen in time and unable to age. By day, she becomes Moireach, the monster trapped in the depths of the loch. For fifty years, Iris has lived like this, until bodies begin appearing on the shore and the villagers decide the monster must be responsible.

This book clearly draws inspiration from Scottish loch folklore and The Little Mermaid, and I really enjoyed how those elements were woven together. Iris was a strong and interesting FMC, especially when it came to her inner conflict. Reading about her struggle with the monster side of herself, and how her past choices led to this curse, was one of my favourite parts of the story. Watching those two sides fight for control genuinely had me on edge.

The plot twist absolutely got me. I’m not a reader who tries to predict twists, so when it happened, I was fully shocked. Some readers might see it coming from YARDS AWAY, but I definitely didn’t, and I loved that moment. Honestly felt betrayed during the moment HAHA.

That said, I did have a couple of small nitpicks. The romance between Iris and Henry felt a little rushed, with strong feelings developing over just a few days. I enjoyed their interactions, but the pacing of the romance didn’t fully work for me. I also found the POV changes slightly jarring, since Iris’s chapters are written in first person while the others are in third person. I would have preferred a consistent style throughout.

Overall, I really enjoyed this story. It was atmospheric, emotional, and engaging, with a compelling protagonist. I’m definitely excited to read more from this author.

Thank you to Little Brown Book Group | Sphere and NetGalley for this ARC.

[Martin Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

A solid tale of love gone wrong and fates made good.

"Lochbound" opens in the small village of Kilmara, in the Highlands of Scotland. It's 1725 and for fifty years, Iris has lived under a curse - by night, she is a young woman haunted by a lost love; by day, she is Moireach, a terrifying monster imprisoned in the depths of Loch Moine. But when bodies start turning up on the shore of the loch, horribly mutilated, she fears the monster is taking over. The villagers live in fear of the monster, and so the laird hires a monster-hunter, Henry to hunt down and slay the monster of the loch.

And so the story unfolds, of a love lost, a hatred born and a curse hanging over a village. Told from three viewpoints - that of Iris, Henry and Duncan, Iris's childhood friend, the reader slowly learns of events fifty years ago, which led to the terrible lochside murders. Iris turns out to be an unreliable narrator, not being aware of the full story surrounding her curse. But in places the three strands blend and overlap and the reader is rewarded by the slowly unveiling of a long ago tragedy.

The story moves along quickly, in places unbelievably quickly, but there's still time to get to know Iris, Henry and Duncan, as well as a few other key characters. There's sufficient atmosphere to paint a believable picture of the village, it's laird, and the prevailing attitudes of 18th century Scotland. And it's hard not feel sorry for most of the characters, as they fight to deny their fates.

Astute readers of historical fantasy will probably work out the various twists and turns well before they are revealed, but that's OK. This is a good story, well told.

Recommended.

[Alyson · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is 1725, in a small Scottish village by a loch. Iris lives here under a curse - by day she is confined to the loch as a monster, but by night she returns to to be a girl, remaining as young as the day she was cursed. The village has recently employed a hunter to track down who or what is killing and mutilating the menfolk of the village, leaving their bodies without hearts. Iris finds herself drawn to the hunter, but her long time friend, Duncan, who has stood by her side for the fifty years she's been cursed, is not so pleased by their friendship and tries to warn both of them off.
The novel is a standalone fantasy romance, with some gothic elements and a very creepy and gloomy setting, with misty woods, the dark, deep loch and uncomfortable knowledge that everyone knows everyone else's business.
Iris, as the main character, comes across as rather naive, especially she's been tricked in the past, you'd think, given another fifty years, she'd think more carefully about trusting people. The male characters are all flawed and need Iris to fix them, while the other female characters are fey of some sort.
I found the plotting a bit slow and certainly didn't devour the book, but on the other hand I didn't see the plot twists coming (barring Duncan) so was pleasantly surprised by the action. It was the setting and the atmosphere of this story which were the best element for me.
I feel sure lovers of fantasy will love this, however, and I would certainly be happy to try another novel by this author.
With thanks to Netalley, the author and Little Brown UK for an arc copy in return for an honest review.

[mrsandersonreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was an unexpected delight! I saw pictures of the proofs circulating on Instagram, and after learning what the story was about, I know I had to read it. I was not disappointed!

It is 1725, and the remote village of Kilmara in Scotland has been stung by a string of brutal murders. But Kilmara is not your average village - it is home to Moireach, the terrifying monster that inhabits Loch Moine. But even Moireach isn't all she seems - she is none other than Iris, a woman cursed to be a monster by day and a heartbroken woman at night.

The villagers, angered by by the murders and believing them to be the work of the loch monster, hire Henry Carver to slay Moireach. If Iris is to survive, she will need to find a way to break her curse and prove she was not the murderer - something she is not certain of herself. With her growing attraction to Henry and the return of a figure from her past, Iris is running out of time. Can you secure her freedom?

The atmosphere in this book is perfection - dark, oppressive and mysterious. The characters are intriguing and compelling, and I found myself desperate to know more about them all, especially Henry and Iris. I adore the folklore aspects of the story too - and the fact that it is set in Scotland was amazing - it is my favourite place on earth! And the end?! I was not expecting all the twists and turns we were presented with, and I love that I didn't guess what was going to happen!

Really well written and evocative book, if you like Scottish folklore this one is for you!

[Gemma · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I am no longer the princess in the castle. I am now simply the monster in the Loch."

Cursed by a witch but is not the little mermaid. Lochbound is a much darker tale wrapped with Scottish folklore, curses and monsters. 50 years have passed since she was bound to the Loch and her only companion during her human hours has aged where she has stay young and beautiful. Duncan has done everything he can to protect Iris over the years but as their story turns even more dangerous, can he keep protecting her? Henry has been summoned to slay the monster in the Loch. But there is something drawing him and Iris together that neither of them can explain. Can she break the furse before he find out just who and what she is?

This dark tale had such dark and moody energy that lingers throughout the book. The amazing world building and atmospheric writing from this author truly transported me back to 18th Century Scotland and I could paint such a vivid picture in my mind using her words. I loved the use of Scottish folklore and history of witchcraft to really make this a unique read.

The only thing that I would have liked is that even through the story was told from multiple POVs it was only Iris's that was written in the first person. I would have loved to know more about how Henry, Duncan and especially Moireach felt through the story. Although, when it came to Duncan's words, I just couldn't help read them in a thick Scottish accent.

Thank you to the author and NETGALLERY for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in return for a honest review.

[Katharine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group for the ARC

3.75 stars

Lochbound is a dark and atmospheric historical romantic fantasy inspired by Scottish folklore and The Little Mermaid.

From the description, this sounded right up my alley, as I adore historic fantasies inspired by Scottish folklore. The story follows Iris, who was cursed many years ago by a witch to spend her days as Moireach, a dangerous monster that dwells deep in the loch. When villagers start turning up dead along the shores of the loch, the local laird hires monster hunter Henry Carver to kill the beast.
The eerie remote village setting is well done, though I felt that the 18th-century Scottish setting was very surface-level. The middle portion of the book dragged a bit, but I really enjoyed following Iris as she unravelled the mystery of the curse. As we slowly unpicked the secrets of the village, the twists of the final chapters kept me turning the pages.

I wasn’t so interested in the Little Mermaid elements of the story or the romance. I would have liked Iris to have matured more in the fifty years she spent cursed; instead, she still seems immature and driven by lust like a teenager. Similarly, the motivations of many of the characters lacked depth or evolution; it was unrealistic that no one had really grown up over the course of the fifty years.

Overall, I enjoyed the vibes, plot twists and multi-POV elements of the story. I’d recommend it for people who enjoy atmospheric historical fantasy with a large dollop of romance.

[Acantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fairly entertaining stand alone fantasy set in an isolated village beside a mist filled loch.

Henry is however, a *terrible* hunter. He nearly gets himself killed a handful of times, all in stupid, avoidable ways. He's a lovesick fool and he's sweet, but he's not this feared hunter he's made out to be. I wish we'd done more with his past, it was a painful, awful past and deserved more time spent on it.

The romance didn't quite land for me, it started well, the first few scenes were wonderful, they captured the mystical elements of the story and the Little Mermaid elements. But then they sort of rushed towards true love with very little after those first scenes.

What was great however, was the exploration of twisted love, of the lengths in which people will go, the way in which they will justify themselves and the truly wicked things they will do in the name of 'love'. A certain character was utterly disgusting and the fact that even at the end they were blaming their victim for what they were being 'forced' to do to them... we all know someone like that, and they made my skin crawl. I'm glad they got their comeuppance.

Some of the twists were not given the time they deserved, the pacing was all over the place. It was so slow and then so fast, we raced towards the ending, throwing characters, motivations, twists, deaths, and more barely pausing for breath.

The ending was good, and overall this is worth the read.

~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~

[Kate O'Shea · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not for me. Far too much romance in the fairy tale for my taste.

Lochbound is a sort of re-telling of the story of The Little Mermaid with various twists. In the original tale the mermaid falls in love with a human and trades her voice for human legs so that she may be with the Prince. However she fails to win his love and chooses to end her own life rather than kill him for picking the wrong woman.

In Lochbound Iris was mortal but has been cursed to live her days as the monster, Moireach, in the loch. Unfortunately someone has been killing local men, the monster is blamed and a hunter arrives to end Moireach's life.

And this is where the novel begins a long and circuitous route to the end. The hunter is obviously handsome and kind etc, the villagers are obviously superstitious, Iris obviously has to break the curse but noone knows how. We go round and round in ever increasing unlikely scenarios until the end.

Theres lots of faerie types, there's lots of unrequited love, several witches, lots of misunderstanding and wrongful accusations.

I am afraid I wasnt engaged in the second half of the book and skim read quite a lot of it - especially the romance bits.

The book was simply not for me. Definitely in the romance half of the romantasy genre. I would have liked a different end and fewer heaving bosoms, so to speak.

All my fault. I chose badly.

Thankyou to Netgalley and LittleBrown for the digital review copy.

[Alexandra (Ally) Francis Jakobsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

This was such a strong start for me—I was completely captivated in the beginning. The story opens with immediate intrigue, and Kilmara is established so vividly as a setting. I loved the darker Little Mermaid retelling set in a Scottish loch—it felt atmospheric, fresh, and just a bit haunting in the best way.

Throughout the book, the mystery really kept me engaged. I was constantly trying to figure out what was going on, especially surrounding the witchcraft and how everything tied together. There were definitely moments where I couldn’t put it down.

That said, as I got further in, some parts of the story started to feel a bit flat. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what was missing, but the overall vibe didn’t always fully land for me, and certain plot elements lacked impact.

Character-wise, I connected well with the FMC, but the rest of the cast felt harder to engage with. Duncan, in particular, frustrated me at times with his overly “protective” attitude—though I do think that was intentional.

The writing style is very direct and to the point. You can almost sense the author’s legal background in how clearly everything is structured—it’s not overly flowery, but instead precise and grounded.

Overall, this is a solid and unique retelling with a compelling premise and some really engaging moments, even if it didn’t fully deliver all the way through for me.

Thank you to Little, Brown Book Group UK and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Michelle Ryles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness, I adored this beautiful book; it is as stunning inside as out. Lochbound is Rebecca Templeton's debut novel and it is exceptional. It is a retelling of The Little Mermaid but it also reminded me of Beauty and the Beast.

Iris has been cursed to spend her days as Moireach the monster in the loch but by night she becomes Iris again. The curse can only be broken by true love's kiss but the boy Iris loves disappeared when she became a monster and she is still searching for him. With mutilated bodies turning up by the loch, time is running out for Iris as the laird has tasked a hunter to find the monster before any more villagers are killed.

The enchanting story is told from various points of view: Iris, her old friend Duncan, Henry the hunter and Moireach. It is deliciously dark and, with witches, curses and monsters, it is one of the best adult fairy tales I have ever read. The writing is so beautiful and spellbinding that I had to double check that Lochbound is Rebecca Templeton's debut - it really is! Put this exciting new author on your watchlist, readers!

Haunting, mesmerising and atmospheric, Lochbound is a breathtaking debut novel that captivated, entertained and delighted me from the first page to the last. I couldn't put it down and I will definitely be reading it again. I would give it more than five stars if I could; it's absolutely exquisite and I can't recommend it highly enough.