What a great gothic, eerie story about the life of Lord Derek Drummond who was cursed, immortal, and even turned into a raven. It follows a man who spends far too long just existing before finally learning how to actually live.

What really stood out to me was how his entire fate was shaped by betrayal and jealousy. He wasn’t just randomly cursed he was wronged. The way he was treated so unfairly, out of pure jealousy, added a whole different layer to the story and made everything that followed feel heavier and more personal.

We follow him from 1897 all the way to 2020, which I honestly loved. It was really cool seeing how the world kept evolving while he stayed the same, stuck with this curse. The whole raven part was especially haunting… he’s there, aware of everything, watching life happen around him but not really able to be part of it during the daytime. That loneliness made this so powerful, it really felt like it was just him and his diary against the world.

Throughout the story, he forms connections and relationships, but it’s always temporary. People he loves grow old and die, and he just keeps going. You really feel how heavy that is losing people over and over again, knowing you can’t live a normal life. It’s not just dark though. Over time, you see him slowly start to understand what it actually means to live, not just exist.

When he finally gets a second chance at love, at being human again it actually feels rewarding. It’s not rushed.

We laughed with Derek, we were sad with Derek. The writing is beautiful, the concept is honestly really unique, and that ending… wow. Just perfect.

A parannomal romance entirely from the MMC's POV. Derek ends up cursed and immortal and waits over a hundred years for his soul mate to return to undo the curse. What he didn't expect was falling in love with her. So, the life he thought he was running from, he found it was the one he was looking for this whole time.

A cozy read for my gothic romance girlies who like period pieces, second chance, lost soul found again with twist and turns that leave you hooked.

A paranormal romance told completely from the perspective of the male main character.
Derek is cursed with immortality enduring centuries in hopes of reuniting with his soulmate to lift the curse. He never anticipated developing feelings for her.
As he travels, you can see the world changing around him, but you also notice his personal struggles and the understanding that he can't run away from who he is. This book has a dark mood, a Scottish backdrop, and deep emotions, making it feel like a movie. At its heart, it's a tale about self growth and finding the true meaning to life.

A brilliantly gothic and eerie story! The way the author makes you feel every emotion alongside Derek is amazing. I raced through this one and loved every minute,

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for this arc.

An extremely eerie book that takes you through an emotional, sad but meaningful journey of Derek. A cursed man who experienced loss and heartbreaking love which made him angry, sad and trapped. I loved that the book took you through the elements of his immortal life and didn’t show living eternally as a positive like most other books do. It showed the loneliness perfectly. I also liked that it followed Derek through the different years of life and the changes from the 1800’s to the 2000’s. Lovely book that I lapped up in days.

Devoured would be an understatement! I loved going on this journey with Derek; I felt it right there with him. The journal stylings were a great touch too. It was dark and addictive.

I sat down at 9 p.m. planning to read for just an hour. I didn’t put it down until 7 the next morning, simply because I had to get ready for work. All day, I couldn’t wait for the evening to come so I could carry on reading.

After almost two sleepless nights and just two and a half days, I had finished the whole book.

I truly did not expect the story to be this gripping. What impressed me most is how beautifully it blends different genres. This is not just fantasy it also explores deep psychological trauma in a way that feels incredibly thoughtful and powerful. I especially loved how the author unfolds so much of the story through a psychological lens.

One thing I would genuinely recommend to other readers: keep a pen or pencil nearby while reading. It was only after I had already read most of the book that I realised how many striking thoughts and ideas were hidden in its pages the kind you want to underline, come back to, and reflect on properly later. In many ways, it felt like more than just a novel. At times, it almost read like philosophy woven into fiction, with a strong psychological depth.

There were so many passages I wanted to mark and revisit, just to sit with those thoughts a little longer. I already feel I will have to reread the book simply to find them all again.

All in all, this book is absolutely incredible. I wholeheartedly recommend it to everyone both men and women. It is a rare kind of book, and honestly, it feels like a phenomenon.

If you’re looking for a gothic, cosy romance book girlies, this one is for you.

I really appreciated to start off with, how originally the plot of the book actually is. I loved how we followed him throughout the years and the fact that we got to see the world change with him.

I felt so deeply connected to Derek and when he finally got his second chance at love… oh it was just beautiful.

I cried, i laughed, i giggled. It was everything x

This is an absolutely gorgeous story of betrayal, love, loss, and redemption, and I adored everything about it. Lord Derek Drummond has been alive for over a hundred years, it is a curse from an angered and betrayed woman. She cursed him to live forever, spending the days as a raven and the nights as a man.

The author spends a good amount of time on Derek, and the story is written mainly from his perspective in the form of his diary entries. This is a great idea as it gives the reader a way of progressing through time with Derek, his activities, the things he has seen, and how he has lived. Then there is the chance of being changed back to a mortal man. After so long living this double life, he is at a crossroads in his life.

This is a mix of historical fiction and fantasy, but it is done in an absolutely brilliant way. The author has brought Derek through the years of his life to bring him to a modern setting. There is tension as the threats from current situations which causes unrest. Also, he has fallen head over heels in love with a woman who reminds him of his past. To continue and break the curse, he has to reveal himself.

A beautifully written story of despair and then hope, of accepting fate, wanting to move on and change, and ultimately allowing himself to be his true self, with all that it entails. Historical fiction mixed with fantasy that I would definitely recommend.

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I found The Diary of Derek Drummond to be a really interesting and unexpectedly enjoyable read. It’s not my usual genre, but I embraced something a little different and I’m so glad I did.
Told entirely from Derek’s perspective the narrative feels deeply personal, reflective, and immersive. His voice carries the story melancholic, sharp, and full of quiet emotion which really draws you into his long, complicated existence.
The gothic atmosphere is beautifully done with the Scottish setting and darker tone adding depth and mood throughout. There’s a strong sense of loneliness and longing woven into the story, balanced by moments of hope and connection, particularly through Megan’s presence.
While the pacing is more reflective than fast mmoving, it suits the story being told and allows Derek’s journey to unfold in a meaningful way.
Overall, a unique and atmospheric read that steps outside my usual preferences but completely worked for me. I’m really glad I gave it a chance 📚✨
Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for this read

Venture, if you dare, through a panoply of gothic experiences. Scottish castles, mists, standing stones, folklore, murderers, potions, crypts, secret rooms and passages, but over everything “THE CURSE”. A wildly imaginative love story flows through the writing and reading of a diary.

Wow what a journey! A fantastic story of a changed man, and immortal curse and love.

Absolutely love this from start to finish and can’t wait to read more from this author.

It’s a really gripping story, I had to read some parts again. But it’s not just a fantasy book it’s a gothic fantasy with some themes of the past is never gone. It gives you a look inside all the multi layers to humans.

A really interesting read and not like anything I’ve read before. You follow the MMC as he deals with being wrongfully cursed, there is a lot of emotion and depth and you see him really grow as a character. I liked the twists and turns towards the ends, however I did feel it was a little long winded in certain places. But nonetheless an enjoyable read!

Really enjoyed this. Fantasy is not my usual go to genre but was hooked from the outset and totally invested in the charismatic protagonist and his journey through time. Beautifully written and very evocative. Loved the ending.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review and to the author for an excellent piece of work.

Firstly, thank-you to netgalley and the author/publisher for allowing me to review this arc. This review, does contain spoilers.

Ratings:
4.8 STARS

Onto the review, this is a perfect gothic yet cozy romance. We meet Derek, who we start off with following him throughout the years and seeing the world change around him; but then he finally got his chance (a second chance) at love and it was truly beautiful. This isn't just your typical supernatural/romance, but explores more psychological trauma as well. There is so much to this story, not just love and loss, but also betrayal and redemption. From the curse from an angered woman, causing him to live forever - during the day as a raven and as night as a man.

The story isn't your typical type, because its primarily in the form of diary entries but it was truly hard to put down. A truly gripping story, there was just so many layers to digest and even now, I'm like I need to re-read because there is so more lore within the lines.

Some parts were long, and felt like they dragged but overall an enjoyable read and was hooked. The ending was just chefs kiss.

This book is a mix of a male fantasy/ witch's tale/fairy story. The sort of book that I do not normally read.
There were some brilliant passages/chapters.
The characters were mostly good.
The story was repetitive in places, the same thing happening (not again).
The narrative of life in Scotland had a mix of humour/witchcraft/Scots character and I thought that this was generally excellent.
I did not get on with the fantasy element.

This had a really interesting concept and I liked the gothic atmosphere running through it. An immortal Scottish nobleman trapped by a curse for over a century already had me interested, and the Scottish setting added a lot to the mood of the story.
The book is written entirely in Derek’s voice, which definitely gives it personality. He’s dramatic, sarcastic and quite reflective, which worked well most of the time, although it could feel a little repetitive in places.
I liked the mix of romance, fantasy and gothic elements, and there are some genuinely emotional moments around loneliness, regret and wanting a second chance.
The pacing is a bit uneven at times and it leans heavily into poetic writing, which will work better for some readers than others, but overall I still enjoyed the atmosphere and the general story.
A dark, emotional gothic fantasy with strong vibes and an interesting main character.

This gothic tale is hauntingly beautiful and deeply moving—a story that lingers long after the final page.
At its heart, it follows Lord Derek Drummond, a man burdened by a cruel curse that grants him immortality and transforms him into a raven. What begins as a life of mere existence slowly evolves into a profound journey of learning how to truly live. The curse itself carries extra weight because it stems not from random misfortune, but from betrayal and jealousy, making every shadow of his long existence feel intensely personal and tragic.
I was completely captivated by the sweeping timeline, which stretches from 1897 all the way to 2020. Watching the world transform around him while he remains unchanging creates a powerful sense of isolation. The raven element is especially eerie and poignant—he’s present for everything, acutely aware of life unfolding, yet forever separated from it during the daylight hours. That deep, aching loneliness is portrayed so vividly it becomes one of the story’s most memorable strengths.
Throughout the centuries, Derek forms connections with people who matter to him, but nothing can last in the usual way. The weight of watching loved ones age and pass while he continues on is portrayed with heartbreaking realism. Yet the story isn’t purely dark. There are moments of warmth, humor, and quiet hope as he gradually discovers what it really means to embrace life rather than simply endure it.
The writing is elegant and atmospheric, the concept feels refreshingly unique, and the emotional payoff is deeply satisfying. We laugh with Derek, we grieve with him, and by the end we’re fully invested in his hard-earned chance at something more.
A beautifully written, eerie gothic romance that blends darkness with hope and delivers a perfect, rewarding conclusion. Highly recommended for fans of sweeping, atmospheric stories with immortal heroes and emotional depth.

The Diary of Derek Drummond The Story of My Cursed Life by Katelyn Emilia Novak

This book is atmospheric and gothic and I really enjoyed it. We follow Derek in his cursed immortal life as he navigates the changing time periods. Living forever might sound great to some but this book might make you reconsider. It deals with loss and shows Derek's loneliness in and yet there is lightness and love there too. It is a very well written book and I really connected with Derek and I loved following him through the different eras. It is a nice twist on the romantasy genre. If you like gothic romances then I'd recommend this one. Thank you to the author, the publisher, and to Netgalley for this ARC.

I received a copy of this from Netgalley

This was an interesting book. It popped up as I was browsing on Netgalley and the cover drew me in but then looking at the description of the book it is a gothic romance written entirely from the perspective of the MMC which is so rare.

The main character is a lord of a Scottish castle back in 1897. He runs afoul of a curse that causes him to lead a long and split life. The story is about him and how he deals with the curse and how that shapes him and the woman that he falls in love with. It is written in diary form and therefore we get a lot of his thoughts and feelings on the events that he comes across.

I really enjoyed this book, it was written from a character that I dont feel is done that often and in such a way that you really feel his pain and loneliness. The dark, gloomy scottish setting added another layer to this books tragic story and I really enjoyed it. Im so glad that I took a chance on this one.

I love a gothic, mysterious and hot older mmc. This was great and very enjoyable to read. Anything set in Scotland with eery vibes is right up my street.

The Diary of Derek Drummond is a beautifully atmospheric gothic romance told entirely through the MMC’s diary entries, which made it feel incredibly personal and emotional. Following Derek, a cursed Scottish laird trapped between human and raven form for over a century, the story explores loneliness, redemption, love, and grief against a dark, haunting Scottish backdrop.

The diary format worked surprisingly well and really pulled me into Derek’s thoughts and pain. While parts of the story felt a little drawn out, the gothic atmosphere, emotional depth, and tragic romance made this a really memorable read overall.

Wow, if I had more stars I would give them! The Diary of Derek Drummond, is an absolute gothic masterpiece.
Once a proud Scottish nobleman, Derek has spent 124 years cursed, raven by day, human by night, trapped in isolation and guilt. Told entirely from his own diary entries, the singular POV is brilliant: you’re right there on the journey with him, feeling every shadow and spark of hope.
This darkly poetic gothic love story ignites when Megan MacKenzie sees the man behind the curse. Their connection is tender, intense, and deeply moving, weaving themes of redemption and love that truly rewrites fate. I didn’t want it to end.
A haunting, romantic, and beautifully written gem. I can’t recommend it highly enough!

What an epic saga this book is. It could easily be split into at least a trilogy. I can even imagine it serialised on TV. It may have taken me hours to read it, but it was well worth my time.

If you love a good romance mixed with witches, seers, shapeshifters, ghosts, curses and a healthy mix of drama and skullduggery, this book will be perfect for you.

I enjoy that it was written as a diary, especially as it was written over many years by Derek, who had a lot to say! He certainly went through a lot, and at times I wondered how he could have a happy ever after. Did he have one? Well, you will have to wonder for yourself until you read his story. It's an absolute page turner.

Arc review: opinions all my own:

This is one of the most interesting, dramatic and moving books I have read in a long time. It had me laughing one minute and crying the next. If anything about this book appeals to you, you must read it. It has instantly become one of my favourites and I can’t wait for the sequel!