Lochbound

by Rebecca Templeton

For fifty years, Iris has accepted the curse that blighted her life. By night, she is a lonely immortal in human form, destined to walk the shores of the place that was once her home. By day, she is Moireach, a terrifying sea creature imprisoned in the murky depths of Loch Moine.

But when bodies begin appearing on the misty banks of the loch, Iris suddenly finds herself in mortal danger. The residents of Kilmara fear that the monster, which for centuries has been rumoured to haunt the deeps of the loch, has awoken again. And so a hunter - the rugged, ruthless Henry Carver - is summoned to find the monster, and to slay it.

Iris has to find a way to break her curse before she is killed for crimes she cannot, will not, believe she has committed. But Moireach's dark influence over her grows more powerful day by day, whilst Iris finds herself falling for the very man sent to annihilate her in an impossible attraction. And as bodies keep appearing on the loch, and she and Henry are drawn closer together in a dangerous game, Iris is forced to question who she really is and what - or who - she is willing to sacrifice to break the curse.

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

400 pages, Hardcover

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

[Books_and_Crafts]

10/10 no notes. Perfect blend of fairytale, celtic lore, historical fantasy and the little mermaid!

[bee ⭑.ᐟ]

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]

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.

[Kha (kha.fantasyrealm)]

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.

[Adri]

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.

[jlreadstoperpetuity]

“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]

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.

[mo • lesmotsdemo]

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.

[booksellerreads]

I want to thank Jonathan Ball Publishers for a proof copy. All opinions are my own.

This was an interesting, gothic reimagining of The Little Mermaid. It has its own twists and flares with Scottish myths🥰

There is no fairy tale ending when you are the monster.

I enjoyed the writing style. It was easy to read.

This is written in dual POV. I sometimes found the pacing a bit slow, and only about page 186 did the plot grip me completely.

Some parts of Iris' POV felt dragging, and I wanted to read more about Moireach and how everything happening affected her... she battled to survive.

Duncan, I had my doubts...

Henry felt a bit underwhelming😅

The last few chapters... Truth unveiled, and the betrayal😮 I couldn't flip the pages fast enough.

Learned a new word, Laird. My mind each time, Lord.

Sometimes, we have to accept that there is darkness in each of us.

If you love a gothic atmosphere and The Little Mermaid, this one might be right up your alley🤩📚

[Morgan-Rose]

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.

[Gen]

"The darkest places never speak of the things they know. In that way, they're just like people."

4⭐

This was a really captivating story and I am so glad I picked it up. Set in Kilmara, Scotland in 1725 Iris has accepted the curse that has destroyed her life for fifty years. 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 peaty depths of Loch Moine. When bodies begin appearing on the shore, the villagers become convinced Moireach is responsible, and a hunter, Henry Carver, is summoned to slay the monster of the loch. I was drawn to this because it felt like it would be a dark and romantic story, a twist on star-crossed lovers and secrets kept from each other, never knowing when it's safe to reveal the truth. In the end, this was historical fantasy mystery, mixing fairytale mythology like The Little Mermaid with Scottish folklore, the Loch Ness monster, and even a little bit of Shrek and Fiona's story with the transitioning into a beast at certain times of the day. The twists just kept coming, some shocking and others a little predictable, but together they made for a really compelling and interesting story.

I really loved the atmosphere of this book. The foggy, dreary town beside the loch, with the castle looming over it, reminded me so much of my time exploring Scotland, and I could absolutely imagine the real life Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness being the inspiration for the setting. Even though it's a ruin now, I could see it in my mind so perfectly. The poignant way Iris sings her mourning song and haunts the caves and shores of the loch was perfectly spooky, and I loved the mix of kelpies, seelies, changelings, and witches. This book was spot on for aesthetic vibes, and that was definitely one of my favourite things about it. The characters were fascinating, not entirely likeable but definitely readable. Everyone in this story has an ulterior motive and almost everyone is morally grey. All of the men supporting Iris do so because they're attracted to her, while the women are guarded and untrustworthy, and a bit male-centered, making it difficult to know who could be relied on. The only character who seemed truly pure of heart was Iris herself. When she wasn't being tormented by Moireach, she just wanted to be loved and to love, despite her father's wishes for her to marry someone better off than a mercenary soldier. The worst was definitely Duncan, his obsessiveness and bitterness over being rejected slowly morphing into hatred and violence was also so twisted, particularly because it reflected the way some men really do act towards women and rejection in reality, feeling entitled to a woman's affection simply because they were friendly to her. It was almost a "friend-zone" origin story, and I thought that was a really interesting and uncomfortable aspect.

I sadly didn't feel as connected to the characters as I would've liked. I was rooting for Iris and Henry the entire way through, but I did feel like their relationship was a little shallow at times. I needed a bit more depth, tension, and passion to really sell this as a soulmates, one true love type of story. It needed to be more heartwrenching, with declarations of love and moments where they really bared their souls and feelings to each other. I think the POV changes might've played into this a little bit. The book switches between first person with Iris and third person with everyone else, and I think it might've worked better if it had stuck to one perspective, or perhaps used third person throughout. That might have given the story a little more room to breathe and explore the characters rather than getting stuck in Iris' internal monologues, which could feel repetitive at times. I also don't know that we needed quite as many POVs. Iris and Henry would've been enough for me, although getting inside Duncan's head was definitely creepy, and Moireach's thoughts were fascinating. I just don't think that particular plot point was pushed as far as it could've been. I wish we'd had more tension between Moireach and Iris, perhaps with Iris seeing through the monster's eyes more often and really building the doubt over whether she was responsible for the murders or not. The voice in her head and the compulsion/possession were good, but I wanted them pushed further, with some more intense scenes that verged on horrifying. I also wish there had been a bit more feminine rage in this story. I wanted to see Iris get angry at how everyone uses and deceives her, rather than defaulting to Moireach's rage. I wanted to see her unleash the monster and work together with her to get revenge and justice.

Ultimately, I really enjoyed this book, even if I didn't quite connect with it as deeply as I wanted to. The writing was lovely, and although it occasionally fell into a bit of a "and then and then and then" style of narration that stalled the pacing, it was otherwise really nicely crafted and everything came together in a beautiful way. The atmosphere, folklore, mystery, and twists kept me invested, and I loved the idea at the heart of this story. I just think there was so much potential here for it to have been even more emotionally devastating and passionate than it ultimately was. I wanted more from Iris and Henry, more from the relationship between Iris and Moireach, and more exploration of the horror lurking beneath the surface. With just a little more depth and tension, I think this could've easily been a five-star read for me, because all the ingredients were there. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who loves dark historical fantasy, Scottish folklore, Gothic-esque settings, and slow burn romances with a healthy dose of mystery and secrets. If you're looking for something atmospheric and beautifully spooky with a fairytale feel, this is definitely worth picking up.

"Men always blame witchcraft for female behaviour they can't understand."

[Sophie H]

Lochbound had potential as a Scottish folk tale, Little Mermaid fantasy retelling but it was a poorly plotted, muddled mess of a story that got progressively worse.

Plot holes galore, rushed storytelling, immature FMC, repetitious, poorly realised characters with underdeveloped backstories and an unbelievable insta-love yearning between the FMC and MMC which made no sense and held little interest.

I wouldn’t recommend - at all.

[Lana | lanas.little.library]

⭐️ 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!

[Helen Ashley]

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.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[inpageswithlouise]

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.

[Olivia]

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!

[Georgia]

This was a tremendous debut and everything I love in a historical fantasy! Lochbound is an atmospheric historical fantasy retelling of the Loch Ness monster and The Little Mermaid, described as ‘Outlander meets Spellbound’ , and it couldn’t be truer.

Little Mermaid retellings and Scottish settings always jump straight to the top of my TBR. The Loch Ness monster inspired element was so interesting and refreshing to me. It was unique and such a joy to read.
The gloomy moody atmosphere was absolutely perfect. I eat up settings like this every time.

Gorgeous writing that was easy to digest made this a story that I flew through SO quickly. Multiple POV’s and a mystery/crime element made this so addictive and impossible to put down.

This also had a small subplot of romance running through it, so if you are a romance girly you should definitely give this a try!

I enjoyed my reading experience with this immensely. I’m so lucky to have received an early copy of this so thanks again to Sphere/LBBG!
I will definitely be reading everything Rebecca Templeton writes after this!
Lochbound releases April 16th so there’s still time to pre-order a copy!
🌊🌑🧜🏻‍♀️✨

[Amy Weston]

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.

[Juls]

Whimsical and folkloric within a Scottish atmosphere.
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 (usually 2 or 3 am depending on your reading stamina. Ah!)

This book is a delight, perfect for romantasy readers!

[Ceri]

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

[Sue]

Kilmara, Scotland. 1725. For fifty years, Iris has been living with a tragic curse. By night, she may walk the shores of Loch Moine in human form, unmarked by the years that have passed, though still plagued with the heartbreak that brought about the cruel twist in her fate. By day, she exists only as rage-driven Moireach, a monstrous creature of legend trapped beneath the waters of the Loch.

When mutilated bodies begin appearing around the village, with the hearts torn from their chests, the villagers believe Moireach must be responsible. To placate the villagers, the laird hires a sullen monster hunter, Henry Carver, to slay the monster. Iris now faces an impossible choice: to hide away hoping Henry will not discover her secret, or try to break the curse.

Taking inspiration from her fascination with Han's Christian Anderson's The Little Mermaid, Rebecca Templeton spins a dark and delicious retelling that makes the most of its setting in eighteenth century Scotland.

The novel unfurls in misty Kilmara, a placed steeped in folklore and scarred by Laird Crawford's witch-burning campaign, through the perspectives of Iris/Moireach, as she wavers between her two identities; Iris' childhood friend, and sole confidant, Duncan; and the hunter, Henry Carver. The voices of these characters weave around each other, following Iris' quest to break the curse before Henry can slay Moireach; Duncan's desperate attempts to protect Iris; and Henry's single-minded pursuit of the task he has been set. But things are not as straightforward as they first appear.

Iris' quest seems impossible in a land where witches have been burned to ashes, and to delve into magic leads to suspicion and danger. Her only hope is to get closer to Henry, who she feels a strange connection with, even though he has been summoned to kill her - while Moireach fights to gain control. Meanwhile, Henry becomes fascinated with the beautiful, red-headed girl he keeps bumping into at night beside the loch, as he searches for Moireach, and starts to question what he has been told about what is going on in Kilmara. In parallel, Duncan's over-protectiveness, driven by the unrequited love he feels for Iris, warps into obsession.

With dark and delicious, slow-burn loveliness, the threads of the story weave into a spell-bound knot that takes a very enjoyable mix of enchanted fairy tale, heart-rending love story, and rip-roaring historical adventure to unpick. Love, loss, family drama, jealousy, betrayal, and darkness within all have a part to play as the plot builds in pace and tension, and the twists around who are the real monsters in Kilmara come thick and fast at the climax of the tale - many of which had me gasping out loud. Brava, Rebecca!

I alternated between the gorgeous hardback edition, and the spectacular audio book for this one, skilfully narrated by Susie Riddell and Norman Bowman - which I highly recommend if audio books are your bag, as this story is a perfect vehicle for the spoken voice.

Fabulous from start to finish! I cannot wait to read more from Rebecca Templeton!

[Nicki Markus]

Lochbound was a book with a exciting premise that blended folklore and fairy tale, and at the start I was ready to get behind Iris and through myself into her story. There was a lot that worked for me in this book: the setting, the premise, the atmospheric prose. What I couldn't quite fall in love with, though, was the romance between Iris and Henry. It seemed to come out of nowhere. It was really more insta-lust than true love, and so it was hard for me to accept the important role that relationship played in events. I would have liked to have had that connection fleshed out a little more so I could find it more believable. That was my only gripe though. Other than that, I found the story compelling and one that kept me turning the pages each night, keen to know what would happen next. In the end, I would give this one four stars. Aside from the romance not working for me, it was an enjoyable read.

I received this book as a free eBook ARC via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

[Bethany (whatsbethanyreading)]

This book was awesome!! It was essentially a mix between The Little Mermaid and the legend of the Loch Ness Monster. When Iris was 20 years old, she was cursed by a witch because she asked to live eternally with her true love. Every night at midnight, she can live as a human, but as soon as dawn arrives, she transforms into a sea monster. Fifty years later, bodies start appearing in the town and locals blame the monster in the loch. As Iris tries to break her curse, she meets the mysterious hunter hired to kill her.

I was shocked multiple times throughout the book. The writing was exquisite, the imagery was beautiful, and the emotion was so real. It was such a great read! I love The Little Mermaid, so I was excited to read this once I heard the summary. It was such a dark retelling and it was definitely different than the Disney version, but it aligned pretty well with the original tale by Hans Christian Anderson. Instead of a mermaid, she was cursed to live as a sea monster inspired by the Loch Ness Monster, so that was definitely different! Overall, I loved it!

[Todd]

It took a bit to wrap my head around this, but as it galloped to an unpredictable and pleasing climax, I was hooked. The author's descriptions of scenes and characters was especially well done.

[Nicole Kusi]

lmao everyone in this book was within 100 ft of each other the entire time

[Katherine Jade]

I didn't know I needed a Scottish version of the Little Mermaid...but damn am I happy I picked it up.
It reads like a Greek retelling, I'm a sucker for those and I know it; it was a joy to read this! I LOVE a good standalone fantasy book and this has quickly earned a place on my bookshelf.
This was such a breath of fresh highland air and now I need to re-evaluate if I have a new obsession with Scottish folklore.
One women's battle with the monster inside that she is cursed to become every day, murdered men appearing on the shore of the Loch, a monster hunter is called into town...but is it only in the depths of the Loch do monsters lie?

Really good Debut, look forward to seeing what Rebecca writes next.

[Mahalia Balp]

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!!

[Suzanne R]

Like many of us ‘millennials’ there’s always one Disney movie that we link most to childhood and have as a favourite - mine was The Little Mermaid. Of course I knew the original Hans Christian Andersen story, but always stuck with the singing crustacean crab!

But when you then tell me theres a dark reimagining, set in Scotland in the 18th Century…well I had to give this a go!!

Being Scottish, books set in Scotland can be hit or miss for me. Playing too much into the stereotype or attempting to write the accent can be an irritation. This book did none of it, thankfully! Set in fictional village, Kilmara, around Loch Mòine gave the full Nessie legend vibes and with the timings inline with the Witch Trials starting to come to an end - the scene is set.

I loved the different POVs, found the chapters of a great length so when I hit the end of one I just wanted to keep reading…and had a few late nights due to this!!

The story pulls you in, mystery surrounding it all. Twists and reveals I did not see coming had me audibly gasping out loud and getting strange looks from the family!!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book - one of my tops reads so far this year.

I’ll definitely be picking up whatever Templeton releases next after this incredible debut.

[Katie]

I really enjoyed this haunting, lyrical, folk-lore inspired fantasy. It’s a slow build, and combines wisps of genres - mystery, romance, fantasy - to create a truly unities read.

I loved Iris, caught in a curse of unknown origin, battling a monster within. It took the breadth of the story to really know her, adding to the mystery and unpredictability of the read. Her romantic relationships with carry an epic and tragic weight, and I found myself just as caught in the characters of her ‘suitors’.

I was intrigued by the Little Mermaid inspiration, and thought it was really well done. It plays into the story but is anything but predictable, and is adapted well into this gothic tale. Templeton’s writing is beautiful, and immerses readers into the plights of these characters, and a town stuck in time.

Thank you to the publisher for an advance copy of this book via NetGalley. Opinions expressed are my own.

[L. Garrison]

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.