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Lochbound: The Little Mermaid meets Scottish folklore in this brand-new, spell-binding fantasy romance
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 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
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 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
399 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 16, 2026
About the author
Rebecca Templeton
1 book10 followersRebecca 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
“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
🗓 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
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 7, 2025
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
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.
February 14, 2026
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.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 29, 2025
Lochbound is a standalone historical fantasy romance that felt like a dark fairytale. It was an easy read which 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.
I found that the protagonist, Iris, made some frustrating choices at times though and the way ending played out didn’t quite work for me, but I did enjoy my time reading Lochbound and would read from this author again.
I found that the protagonist, Iris, made some frustrating choices at times though and the way ending played out didn’t quite work for me, but I did enjoy my time reading Lochbound and would read from this author again.
Review of advance copy received from Publishers Weekly
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Author
“‘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.”
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.”
April 9, 2026
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.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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!
**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!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
"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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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!
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!
April 17, 2026
"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.
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.
February 4, 2026
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 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.
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 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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
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.
March 23, 2026
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!
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!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A beautiful, dark, mysterious and atmospheric tale, this read like a folklore telling.
Iris is cursed, forever doomed to be a woman by night but by day she is the monster who resides in the Loch. Henry is hired by the townsfolk to hunt and kill the monster after a string of murders. However, he finds more than just a monster.
The whole time I was reading I was pulled into the book as if I was there, it was wonderfully written in terms of creating that dark, eighteenth century Scotland atmosphere. The mystery behind the killings gave it a dark, almost thriller intensity, mixed with the monster in the loch and the fairytale creatures, such as the seelkies and the witches, really gave it a dark folklore vibe which I loved!
The story really grabbed my attention, it was like a dark little mermaid retelling but with well thought out twists. I liked that I thought I knew where it was going as I’ve seen the little mermaid, but then you are completely thrown off as there’s things you definitely don’t see coming. I was really enjoying it and as i got into the last 20% it really amped up with the reveals and how intense it got, I literally couldn’t put it down.
I highly recommend this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Iris is cursed, forever doomed to be a woman by night but by day she is the monster who resides in the Loch. Henry is hired by the townsfolk to hunt and kill the monster after a string of murders. However, he finds more than just a monster.
The whole time I was reading I was pulled into the book as if I was there, it was wonderfully written in terms of creating that dark, eighteenth century Scotland atmosphere. The mystery behind the killings gave it a dark, almost thriller intensity, mixed with the monster in the loch and the fairytale creatures, such as the seelkies and the witches, really gave it a dark folklore vibe which I loved!
The story really grabbed my attention, it was like a dark little mermaid retelling but with well thought out twists. I liked that I thought I knew where it was going as I’ve seen the little mermaid, but then you are completely thrown off as there’s things you definitely don’t see coming. I was really enjoying it and as i got into the last 20% it really amped up with the reveals and how intense it got, I literally couldn’t put it down.
I highly recommend this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 stars
Lochbound is a strong standalone debut full of complex characters and a moody atmosphere set in an isolated Scottish village in 1725.
Iris is part human, part monster having fallen for a witch’s curse 50 years prior whilst trying to save her lover. By day she is the monster in Loch Moine and by night she is a human trying to figure out if she is responsible for some recent murders in her village. The book had a strong dark and broody atmosphere and there were many tense moments throughout the plot. I found the characters all to be quite complex but not particularly likeable aside from Iris (although this is by design). Iris was also quite frustrating as an FMC - very naive and trusting considering she was previously betrayed by a witch!
I enjoyed the folklore that is packed into the novel as well as the mythical creatures we encountered including kelpies, changelings and of course the monster of the loch. I did find it a bit jarring that Iris’ pov chapters were all first person whilst the rest were third person including her monstrous side. Some plot points also felt a bit loose (characters seeming to know information they shouldn’t with no explanation as to how they found it out) and the ending was little bit rushed.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher Sphere for access to this ARC.
Lochbound is a strong standalone debut full of complex characters and a moody atmosphere set in an isolated Scottish village in 1725.
Iris is part human, part monster having fallen for a witch’s curse 50 years prior whilst trying to save her lover. By day she is the monster in Loch Moine and by night she is a human trying to figure out if she is responsible for some recent murders in her village. The book had a strong dark and broody atmosphere and there were many tense moments throughout the plot. I found the characters all to be quite complex but not particularly likeable aside from Iris (although this is by design). Iris was also quite frustrating as an FMC - very naive and trusting considering she was previously betrayed by a witch!
I enjoyed the folklore that is packed into the novel as well as the mythical creatures we encountered including kelpies, changelings and of course the monster of the loch. I did find it a bit jarring that Iris’ pov chapters were all first person whilst the rest were third person including her monstrous side. Some plot points also felt a bit loose (characters seeming to know information they shouldn’t with no explanation as to how they found it out) and the ending was little bit rushed.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher Sphere for access to this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I am grateful to have a chance to read this early copy of Lochbound, but unfortunately, I didn't connect with it as much as I had hoped.
Here we have a retelling of the little mermaid and I did enjoy the Scottish village setting for this. As someone who has lived in Scotland over half her life, I can be quite critical of these things. Here, it did feel natural and authentic.
I found parts in the middle a little slow and repetitive, with the push and pull of Iris getting closer to Henry, her hunter, without revealing she is the monster he seeks. On the flip side, I also found a lot of the magical parts were introduced too quickly and could have used a bit more world-building and backstory.
The book is written in the present tense, and Iris's POV is in the first person, which works well. For the other POVs, it's written in the third person, and my brain honestly struggled with the format of those chapters.
Part of the mystery I had seen coming and was waiting to be revealed, but one twist genuinely surprised me, which I always enjoy.
I found the exploration of different forms of love, lust, jealousy, and unrequited love very interesting. We had brief moments of some great banter between Iris and Henry that I wished had been explored more. Overall, it was an enjoyable book, but it just didn't quite meet my expectations for it.
Here we have a retelling of the little mermaid and I did enjoy the Scottish village setting for this. As someone who has lived in Scotland over half her life, I can be quite critical of these things. Here, it did feel natural and authentic.
I found parts in the middle a little slow and repetitive, with the push and pull of Iris getting closer to Henry, her hunter, without revealing she is the monster he seeks. On the flip side, I also found a lot of the magical parts were introduced too quickly and could have used a bit more world-building and backstory.
The book is written in the present tense, and Iris's POV is in the first person, which works well. For the other POVs, it's written in the third person, and my brain honestly struggled with the format of those chapters.
Part of the mystery I had seen coming and was waiting to be revealed, but one twist genuinely surprised me, which I always enjoy.
I found the exploration of different forms of love, lust, jealousy, and unrequited love very interesting. We had brief moments of some great banter between Iris and Henry that I wished had been explored more. Overall, it was an enjoyable book, but it just didn't quite meet my expectations for it.
February 22, 2026
Strong start, repetitive middle, chaotic ending. A retelling of The Little Mermaid, only darker. A hunter, a lost love, betrayals, murders, and witchcraft against a Scottish backdrop. Oh, and it's a standalone - big thumbs up.
Templeton has a beautiful writing style - the beginning in particularly is very lyrical, and it was a pleasure to read, but as the plot thickens the lyricism fades. The middle section could have been trimmed down a little, as it felt repetitive in places, and it might have made space for a less-pacey ending. The chaotic feeling tied well to the plot, but there was too much happening in too short a time period - like it was in a rush to tie up loose ends. Some huge revelations in there that went as quickly as they came.
Grief is a major theme and there are some powerful paragraphs and observations there, and how Iris' pined for her lost first love was very relatable - they stick with you even when you know you should let them go.
I would have liked to see more attention paid to the historical setting and social restrictions, but that's a history nerd thing - and this is a fantasy book. That and the pacing aside, this is a solid, engaging read.
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I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Templeton has a beautiful writing style - the beginning in particularly is very lyrical, and it was a pleasure to read, but as the plot thickens the lyricism fades. The middle section could have been trimmed down a little, as it felt repetitive in places, and it might have made space for a less-pacey ending. The chaotic feeling tied well to the plot, but there was too much happening in too short a time period - like it was in a rush to tie up loose ends. Some huge revelations in there that went as quickly as they came.
Grief is a major theme and there are some powerful paragraphs and observations there, and how Iris' pined for her lost first love was very relatable - they stick with you even when you know you should let them go.
I would have liked to see more attention paid to the historical setting and social restrictions, but that's a history nerd thing - and this is a fantasy book. That and the pacing aside, this is a solid, engaging read.
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I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5⭐️
This was a moody, atmospheric and mysterious story with some excellent dark fairy tale vibes.
The Scottish setting was gorgeous, and very well described so I was able to build up a real image in my mind. And the characters were equally well drawn with many-layered motivations and believable actions and responses.
There were some interesting twists and turns to the story, some of which I suspected ahead of time and some of which were complete surprises which gave a great mix of both having an enjoyable shock and of feeling smugly proven right!
The main things that I felt slightly detracted from my enjoyment were that the pacing felt too heavily loaded towards the background and buildup end which led to events feeling rushed at the end. And this wasn’t helped by some extra and unnecessary plot points being thrown in right at the end, such as the whole which didn’t seem to add anything at all to the story.
Overall however, this was an interesting and enjoyable read and I would read more by this author in the future.
Thanks to NetGalley & the publishers for this gifted eARC.
This was a moody, atmospheric and mysterious story with some excellent dark fairy tale vibes.
The Scottish setting was gorgeous, and very well described so I was able to build up a real image in my mind. And the characters were equally well drawn with many-layered motivations and believable actions and responses.
There were some interesting twists and turns to the story, some of which I suspected ahead of time and some of which were complete surprises which gave a great mix of both having an enjoyable shock and of feeling smugly proven right!
The main things that I felt slightly detracted from my enjoyment were that the pacing felt too heavily loaded towards the background and buildup end which led to events feeling rushed at the end. And this wasn’t helped by some extra and unnecessary plot points being thrown in right at the end, such as the whole which didn’t seem to add anything at all to the story.
Overall however, this was an interesting and enjoyable read and I would read more by this author in the future.
Thanks to NetGalley & the publishers for this gifted eARC.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Lochbound by Rebecca Templeton is a standalone fantasy romance that reads like a dark fairytale. It’s inspired by Scottish folklore and The Little Mermaid but felt more reminiscent of a retelling of The Swan Princess.
Our story starts in the 1700s in a small Scottish town where witches are persecuted and magic is forbidden but lingers in the air. By day Iris is cursed to transform into a monster bound to the loch. She returns, unaging, to her human form for six hours at night. When the Laird turns the village against its monster by blaming the mysterious creature for the town’s recent murders — he hires a hunter to kill her and Iris must decide how much of a monster she’ll allow herself to become in order to survive.
This atmospheric standalone is lyrical and fast paced. I would’ve liked for Iris’ romantic relationships to have a bit more substance, though. I enjoyed the world building and lore but found the plot twist towards the end a tad rushed. The unrequited love element was really well written, though!
Lochbound comes out April 16th. Fantasy romance fans of multiple POV, monster x hunter, fairytales & folklore, unrequited love, curses, secrets & betrayals and slow burn to light closed door spice will enjoy this one!
Our story starts in the 1700s in a small Scottish town where witches are persecuted and magic is forbidden but lingers in the air. By day Iris is cursed to transform into a monster bound to the loch. She returns, unaging, to her human form for six hours at night. When the Laird turns the village against its monster by blaming the mysterious creature for the town’s recent murders — he hires a hunter to kill her and Iris must decide how much of a monster she’ll allow herself to become in order to survive.
This atmospheric standalone is lyrical and fast paced. I would’ve liked for Iris’ romantic relationships to have a bit more substance, though. I enjoyed the world building and lore but found the plot twist towards the end a tad rushed. The unrequited love element was really well written, though!
Lochbound comes out April 16th. Fantasy romance fans of multiple POV, monster x hunter, fairytales & folklore, unrequited love, curses, secrets & betrayals and slow burn to light closed door spice will enjoy this one!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A Haunting, Lyrical Masterpiece of Love, Curse, and Identity.
Just finished Lochbound by Rebecca Templeton and I’m still thinking about it… 🌊✨
This dark, gothic fantasy completely swept me away to 18th-century Scotland, where curses, folklore, and forbidden love collide.
The story follows Iris — cursed to live as a woman by night and a terrifying creature by day — and honestly?? The emotional depth HURT in the best way.
The atmosphere is EVERYTHING: misty lochs, eerie villages, and that constant feeling of dread mixed with longing. It’s giving haunting fairytale with a sharp edge. And the romance? Tense, complicated, and so beautifully tragic.
I loved how it reimagines The Little Mermaid but makes it darker, richer, and way more emotionally complex.
If you’re into: 🖤 gothic vibes
🌊 folklore & sea legends
🔥 enemies-to-lovers tension
🗡️ morally grey characters
…this is a MUST read.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Absolutely a five-star read for me — haunting, romantic, and impossible to put down.
Absolutely loved it!
Cannot wait to see what comes next from
Rebecca 😊
big thanks to little brown books & hannah for sending me this absolutely stunning read
AD-PR *
Just finished Lochbound by Rebecca Templeton and I’m still thinking about it… 🌊✨
This dark, gothic fantasy completely swept me away to 18th-century Scotland, where curses, folklore, and forbidden love collide.
The story follows Iris — cursed to live as a woman by night and a terrifying creature by day — and honestly?? The emotional depth HURT in the best way.
The atmosphere is EVERYTHING: misty lochs, eerie villages, and that constant feeling of dread mixed with longing. It’s giving haunting fairytale with a sharp edge. And the romance? Tense, complicated, and so beautifully tragic.
I loved how it reimagines The Little Mermaid but makes it darker, richer, and way more emotionally complex.
If you’re into: 🖤 gothic vibes
🌊 folklore & sea legends
🔥 enemies-to-lovers tension
🗡️ morally grey characters
…this is a MUST read.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Absolutely a five-star read for me — haunting, romantic, and impossible to put down.
Absolutely loved it!
Cannot wait to see what comes next from
Rebecca 😊
big thanks to little brown books & hannah for sending me this absolutely stunning read
AD-PR *
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.5 ⭐
An atmospheric story set in 18th century Scotland with inspirations from Little Mermaid and the Loch Ness Monster. I absolutely loved this character driven story as Iris the FMC tries to break a curse that a witch placed on her 50 years ago where she doesn't age but instead is forced into the body of Moireach a loch monster only returning to her human body at night.
The mystery surrounding the plot was what I really enjoyed as everything slowly started to unravel and to learn how it came to be that Iris was cursed. At times it was an emotional story as it portrays the greed of others and the lengths they will go to accomplish their goals. There is a romance but it was more of a subplot to the overall story but it was so beautiful and bittersweet.
I also really loved the multiple PoVs as I think it added the insight into the motives behind the actions of some of the characters and helped move the plot along at such a good pace. I had such a wonderful time with this book and highly recommend it.
An atmospheric story set in 18th century Scotland with inspirations from Little Mermaid and the Loch Ness Monster. I absolutely loved this character driven story as Iris the FMC tries to break a curse that a witch placed on her 50 years ago where she doesn't age but instead is forced into the body of Moireach a loch monster only returning to her human body at night.
The mystery surrounding the plot was what I really enjoyed as everything slowly started to unravel and to learn how it came to be that Iris was cursed. At times it was an emotional story as it portrays the greed of others and the lengths they will go to accomplish their goals. There is a romance but it was more of a subplot to the overall story but it was so beautiful and bittersweet.
I also really loved the multiple PoVs as I think it added the insight into the motives behind the actions of some of the characters and helped move the plot along at such a good pace. I had such a wonderful time with this book and highly recommend it.
December 21, 2025
3.5 rounded up for goodreads and netgalley.
It was a very solid read. The atmosphere was grim and gloomy, which I loved, and the plot was well thought-out with some good reveals. I really liked to learn about the monster and the main character, about their similarities and differences. The main character was quite naive at times but she was charming. The male characters sometimes felt too similar to one another at the beginning, but slowly grew into their own character. The main character’s relationships with the male characters were at times tough to read about (I wanted to tell her they were being manipulative in some ways) and they were not my favorite part of the story. Also, I believe the ending did not match the rest of the story, the tone was too different and I wanted another kind of ending. I would still highly recommend this dark and haunting story.
Thank you to Netgalley for an e-ARC in exchange for a honest review.
It was a very solid read. The atmosphere was grim and gloomy, which I loved, and the plot was well thought-out with some good reveals. I really liked to learn about the monster and the main character, about their similarities and differences. The main character was quite naive at times but she was charming. The male characters sometimes felt too similar to one another at the beginning, but slowly grew into their own character. The main character’s relationships with the male characters were at times tough to read about (I wanted to tell her they were being manipulative in some ways) and they were not my favorite part of the story. Also, I believe the ending did not match the rest of the story, the tone was too different and I wanted another kind of ending. I would still highly recommend this dark and haunting story.
Thank you to Netgalley for an e-ARC in exchange for a honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Lochbound is a dark and atmospheric gothic fairytale set in 1700s Scotland about a girl bound by a curse and the hunter meant to destroy her.
After falling in love with the wrong man, Iris has been trapped for half a century. She is cursed to spend her days human and her nights as a monster bound to the loch. After bodies start to appear wit their hearts missing, the monster of the loch is blamed and Henry is hired to kill her.
Lochbound is such a incredible reimagining of the Little Mermaid, one of my favourite fairytales. It is so beautifully written and weaves magic, heartbreak and romance perfectly. The setting was so moody and made for a wonderfully dark backdrop to the story. I absolutely adored Iris and Henry and their slow burn romance made me extremely emotional at times.
Lochbound was such a good standalone but I would definitely be interested to read more books featuring Iris and Henry!
Thank you so much to Little Brown Book Group for sending me a proof of Lochbound!
After falling in love with the wrong man, Iris has been trapped for half a century. She is cursed to spend her days human and her nights as a monster bound to the loch. After bodies start to appear wit their hearts missing, the monster of the loch is blamed and Henry is hired to kill her.
Lochbound is such a incredible reimagining of the Little Mermaid, one of my favourite fairytales. It is so beautifully written and weaves magic, heartbreak and romance perfectly. The setting was so moody and made for a wonderfully dark backdrop to the story. I absolutely adored Iris and Henry and their slow burn romance made me extremely emotional at times.
Lochbound was such a good standalone but I would definitely be interested to read more books featuring Iris and Henry!
Thank you so much to Little Brown Book Group for sending me a proof of Lochbound!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Have you ever read a book where the monster is telling the story? No?
Then you definitely should grab this book.
I absolutely devoured this book from start to finish. It was easy to read with an interesting storyline. Let alone having a cursed protagonist who doesn’t age while her old love interest does was a nice twist that brought problems that I didn’t think of at first but were absolutely convincing after thinking about them.
Yes, the enemies to lovers was expected and the love story was nothing new anymore but given that the rest of the story was kinda unique in some ways I was absolutely willing to „overlook“ the rushed love story.
I just take off one star because for my taste the worldbuilding could have been more complex so sometimes the book lacked some depth but generally it’s a recommendation!
Thanks to Netgalley for the eARC!
Then you definitely should grab this book.
I absolutely devoured this book from start to finish. It was easy to read with an interesting storyline. Let alone having a cursed protagonist who doesn’t age while her old love interest does was a nice twist that brought problems that I didn’t think of at first but were absolutely convincing after thinking about them.
Yes, the enemies to lovers was expected and the love story was nothing new anymore but given that the rest of the story was kinda unique in some ways I was absolutely willing to „overlook“ the rushed love story.
I just take off one star because for my taste the worldbuilding could have been more complex so sometimes the book lacked some depth but generally it’s a recommendation!
Thanks to Netgalley for the eARC!
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