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Druid Cursed
One week of freedom. One cursed druid. One woman who could break the spell or doom them both.
Every fifty years, Kellen Ravenwood escapes his magical prison for seven days. This Samhain is his last chance to break the curse, or he’ll be bound forever. All he needs is a sacrifice: the blood of Maggie O’Malley, the last living descendant of the witch who cursed him.
Maggie, desperate for cash after a brutal divorce, jumps at the chance to win a $500,000 prize at a mysterious Irish estate. She never expected ancient rituals, strange magic, or Kellen, the dangerously charming man who claims she’s the key to his freedom.
But Maggie won’t be anyone’s sacrifice. And if there’s another way to break the curse, she’ll find it.
Because some destinies are meant to be rewritten.
And some love stories are worth defying fate for.
Every fifty years, Kellen Ravenwood escapes his magical prison for seven days. This Samhain is his last chance to break the curse, or he’ll be bound forever. All he needs is a sacrifice: the blood of Maggie O’Malley, the last living descendant of the witch who cursed him.
Maggie, desperate for cash after a brutal divorce, jumps at the chance to win a $500,000 prize at a mysterious Irish estate. She never expected ancient rituals, strange magic, or Kellen, the dangerously charming man who claims she’s the key to his freedom.
But Maggie won’t be anyone’s sacrifice. And if there’s another way to break the curse, she’ll find it.
Because some destinies are meant to be rewritten.
And some love stories are worth defying fate for.
400 pages, Paperback
First published October 7, 2025
177 people are currently reading
7180 people want to read
About the author
C.J. Burright
21 books382 followers***Sign up for C.J.'s newsletter!***
Once upon a time, a girl with flat hobbit feet dreamed of adventures in the woods with an elven hero, fighting off orcs and saving magical rings. All grown up now, C.J. Burright resides in Oregon (at least she got the trees). While she faces her duties at the law office day job, she avoids writing legal thrillers and instead turns toward romance—contemporary (sometimes with a supernatural flair), paranormal or fantasy. With a 5th Dan Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do, it’s no surprise she prefers feisty heroines who aren’t afraid to jump into the fight. Her slivers of spare time are spent working out, gardening, playing the latest Assassin’s Creed, and rooting on the Seattle Mariners, always with music. She shares a house with her husband (not elven, alas, but a fine alternative) and a devoted cat herd while missing her daughter from afar. C. J. is represented by Brittany Booker of The Booker Albert Literary Agency. Find her on Facebook, Twitter (@CJBurright), Instagram, Bookbub, and Goodreads.
Once upon a time, a girl with flat hobbit feet dreamed of adventures in the woods with an elven hero, fighting off orcs and saving magical rings. All grown up now, C.J. Burright resides in Oregon (at least she got the trees). While she faces her duties at the law office day job, she avoids writing legal thrillers and instead turns toward romance—contemporary (sometimes with a supernatural flair), paranormal or fantasy. With a 5th Dan Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do, it’s no surprise she prefers feisty heroines who aren’t afraid to jump into the fight. Her slivers of spare time are spent working out, gardening, playing the latest Assassin’s Creed, and rooting on the Seattle Mariners, always with music. She shares a house with her husband (not elven, alas, but a fine alternative) and a devoted cat herd while missing her daughter from afar. C. J. is represented by Brittany Booker of The Booker Albert Literary Agency. Find her on Facebook, Twitter (@CJBurright), Instagram, Bookbub, and Goodreads.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 172 reviews
October 2, 2025
This book was an okay read for me entertaining, but not without its bumps. The premise itself is really fun: a cursed druid, spooky castles, witches, and a magical competition in Ireland. I loved the setup and the mix of atmosphere, magic, and humor (especially the fish-out-of-water moments with Kellen trying to adjust to modern life). Maggie, the FMC, was strong and determined, and I enjoyed her character the most.
That said, the pacing didn’t always flow smoothly. Some scenes dragged while others flew by too quickly, which pulled me out of the story at times. The romance leaned heavily into insta-love, which isn’t my favorite trope. I did think it was done better than some books I’ve read it had sparks and chemistry but I still struggled a bit to fully buy into the depth of their connection given the short timeline.
Overall, Druid Cursed wasn’t perfect, but it was an entertaining, lighter paranormal romance with curses, druids, and some fun spooky vibes. If you enjoy magical twists on the “true love breaks the curse” trope, this could be a good pick for you thanks to Entangled publishing for the gifted arc.
That said, the pacing didn’t always flow smoothly. Some scenes dragged while others flew by too quickly, which pulled me out of the story at times. The romance leaned heavily into insta-love, which isn’t my favorite trope. I did think it was done better than some books I’ve read it had sparks and chemistry but I still struggled a bit to fully buy into the depth of their connection given the short timeline.
Overall, Druid Cursed wasn’t perfect, but it was an entertaining, lighter paranormal romance with curses, druids, and some fun spooky vibes. If you enjoy magical twists on the “true love breaks the curse” trope, this could be a good pick for you thanks to Entangled publishing for the gifted arc.
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September 8, 2025
I would like more romantasy like this - the hero isn't an alpha-hole. He communicates well, he knows how to show affection, love it.
August 8, 2025
Alrighty this was FUN and so intriguing. Is the bare bones of this book of “someone being cursed and only their true love can save them” common? Yes. But did the author do a fantastic job of giving it to such a unique setting and interesting characters that the commonality of it is forgotten? YES.
Love when we have an FMC who isn’t 18. The writing was beautiful to say the least. Between the scenery, the dialogue, and the character descriptions I felt like I was actually IN the book. Once again a side character is my fave character: Ask Jeeves anyone?
The only thing that didn’t do it for me was the pacing. Some of the book dragged on and on and on while other parts felt like I blinked and went through 3 scenes.
Thank you to C.J. Burright, Entagled Publishing, and Net Galley for the eARC!
Love when we have an FMC who isn’t 18. The writing was beautiful to say the least. Between the scenery, the dialogue, and the character descriptions I felt like I was actually IN the book. Once again a side character is my fave character: Ask Jeeves anyone?
The only thing that didn’t do it for me was the pacing. Some of the book dragged on and on and on while other parts felt like I blinked and went through 3 scenes.
Thank you to C.J. Burright, Entagled Publishing, and Net Galley for the eARC!
October 7, 2025
This book had me in a chokehold for two days.
Druids, witches, hot brothers, Irish estate....I mean, what more could you ask for?
I immediately fell for Kellen, the main male character. His old world charm and witty banter were adorable. Maggie, the female main character, was a bada$$.
I was obsessed with this story and will shout it from the mountaintops so everyone picks it up!
Thank you to Entangled Publishing and Netgalley for the advanced reading copy.
Druids, witches, hot brothers, Irish estate....I mean, what more could you ask for?
I immediately fell for Kellen, the main male character. His old world charm and witty banter were adorable. Maggie, the female main character, was a bada$$.
I was obsessed with this story and will shout it from the mountaintops so everyone picks it up!
Thank you to Entangled Publishing and Netgalley for the advanced reading copy.
September 28, 2025
I received an eARC from Entangled Publishing and NetGalley. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
Druid Cursed had a promising start. Our FMC Maggie is lured to a mysterious estate for a competition with a chance to win enough money to solve her problems and recover from a nasty divorce. Little does she know that she is actually the key to breaking a centuries old curse on one of the Druid twin brothers who own the estate. Unfortunately, I don’t think the plot and the writing held up. I wish the book had leaned in more towards the gothic, mysterious vibes but it actually ended up straddling a line between the darker fantasy and a cozy light story in a way that I don’t think worked very well. Throughout the book we have the juxtaposition of Maggie’s use of modern language and Kellen’s old world dialect, Maggie is focused on this competition and scavenger hunt while Kellen and Caedmon are running out of time to break a life and death curse. I honestly wasn’t sure what mood I was supposed go be in at any given moment. I think the idea was good, but the execution was lacking.
I enjoyed the unexpected friendship between Cara and Maggie and also how Maggie never once doubts Wendy and their friendship. I love some good stories of female relationships.
The competition I mentioned at the beginning of this review - don’t worry about it because it’s not actually very relevant to the plot. The other competitors? We hardly see them.
The romance was underwhelming. I found that I wasn’t very invested in any of the characters or in the romance between Maggie and Kellen. At the end, Maggie faces a choice of leaving with a ton of money or staying to fight for love and I actually found myself thinking that if I were her I would take the money and go. That’s not usually how I feel when I’m reading a good romance. I was much more invested in the familial relationship between Kellen and Caedmon than anything else.
Overall, this was an easy to read cozy-ish romantasy that lacked the depth and heart to make it truly memorable.
Druid Cursed had a promising start. Our FMC Maggie is lured to a mysterious estate for a competition with a chance to win enough money to solve her problems and recover from a nasty divorce. Little does she know that she is actually the key to breaking a centuries old curse on one of the Druid twin brothers who own the estate. Unfortunately, I don’t think the plot and the writing held up. I wish the book had leaned in more towards the gothic, mysterious vibes but it actually ended up straddling a line between the darker fantasy and a cozy light story in a way that I don’t think worked very well. Throughout the book we have the juxtaposition of Maggie’s use of modern language and Kellen’s old world dialect, Maggie is focused on this competition and scavenger hunt while Kellen and Caedmon are running out of time to break a life and death curse. I honestly wasn’t sure what mood I was supposed go be in at any given moment. I think the idea was good, but the execution was lacking.
I enjoyed the unexpected friendship between Cara and Maggie and also how Maggie never once doubts Wendy and their friendship. I love some good stories of female relationships.
The competition I mentioned at the beginning of this review - don’t worry about it because it’s not actually very relevant to the plot. The other competitors? We hardly see them.
The romance was underwhelming. I found that I wasn’t very invested in any of the characters or in the romance between Maggie and Kellen. At the end, Maggie faces a choice of leaving with a ton of money or staying to fight for love and I actually found myself thinking that if I were her I would take the money and go. That’s not usually how I feel when I’m reading a good romance. I was much more invested in the familial relationship between Kellen and Caedmon than anything else.
Overall, this was an easy to read cozy-ish romantasy that lacked the depth and heart to make it truly memorable.
October 7, 2025
"There is nothing wrong with being afraid. Fear is merely a sign that you found someone precious enough to fight for."
Druid Cursed has everything you could ever need in a spooky read: gothic castles, curses, magic, and all the spooky Halloween vibes.
Kellen Ravenwood only gets to escape his prison every 50 years for only seven days, the last time being in the 1970s. He's definitely a little old-fashioned and not up to the times. It's entertaining seeing him struggle with technology and today's language. Even though he's old-fashioned, I think it adds to his charm. I loved the chivalry that he showed Maggie.
Maggie is descended from a line of witches. She came to Ravenwood estate in hopes of winning prize money, not knowing the mess she was stepping into. We sadly don't get to see much of the competitions or other competitors, but we do meet Cara. Maggie forms an unlikely friendship with Cara, which I enjoyed.
Caedmon is Kellen's twin brother but opposite in every way. Where Caedmon is flirty and social, Kellen is broody and keeps to himself. I really enjoyed Caedmon's character and would love to see more of him in the future.
The only thing that I would have changed is the pacing. At times it dragged on, and at other times I wanted more details. However, I loved the storyline. It was giving Romeo & Juliet vibes because Kellen and Maggie's relationship seemed doomed. They were both willing to sacrifice themselves for the other's well-being.
Druid Cursed has everything you could ever need in a spooky read: gothic castles, curses, magic, and all the spooky Halloween vibes.
Kellen Ravenwood only gets to escape his prison every 50 years for only seven days, the last time being in the 1970s. He's definitely a little old-fashioned and not up to the times. It's entertaining seeing him struggle with technology and today's language. Even though he's old-fashioned, I think it adds to his charm. I loved the chivalry that he showed Maggie.
Maggie is descended from a line of witches. She came to Ravenwood estate in hopes of winning prize money, not knowing the mess she was stepping into. We sadly don't get to see much of the competitions or other competitors, but we do meet Cara. Maggie forms an unlikely friendship with Cara, which I enjoyed.
Caedmon is Kellen's twin brother but opposite in every way. Where Caedmon is flirty and social, Kellen is broody and keeps to himself. I really enjoyed Caedmon's character and would love to see more of him in the future.
The only thing that I would have changed is the pacing. At times it dragged on, and at other times I wanted more details. However, I loved the storyline. It was giving Romeo & Juliet vibes because Kellen and Maggie's relationship seemed doomed. They were both willing to sacrifice themselves for the other's well-being.
October 12, 2025
3.75 stars 🌟
This is the perfect read to get you into spooky season - gothic atmosphere, abandoned castle, curses and spells all leading up to Samhain.
Maggie, recently divorced and left with her house in foreclosure, escapes to Ireland with her best friend for a chance to win a cash reward. The money could finally allow her to get her house back and start the business she’s always dreamed of. But strange things start occurring as Wendy disappears and Maggie is sent on a task to retrieve mysterious items. Kellen, one of the hosts of the estate, has only a few days to break his curse before he finally succumbs for good. Maggie is the key to breaking the curse and Kellen isn’t sure he can go through with his plans knowing what she means to him.
I absolutely loved the setting and all of the gothic vibes. Maggie is strong, fierce, and loyal. Even with all of trials she faces and the heartbreak she’s endured, she still manages to be brave. Kellen can be growly but I appreciate that he always expressed his feelings to Maggie. There was no guessing as to how he felt for Maggie. What he shares will absolutely make you swoon!
The plot is fast paced but sometimes the switch between modern and old English made me stumble. There were points where it felt a little forced but I could quickly recover and get back in to the story. I enjoyed the bits of Gaelic woven in and felt like it was the perfect touch.
If you’re looking for a stand alone, gothic romantasy to read for the fall, definitely pick this up!
Thank you to Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
This is the perfect read to get you into spooky season - gothic atmosphere, abandoned castle, curses and spells all leading up to Samhain.
Maggie, recently divorced and left with her house in foreclosure, escapes to Ireland with her best friend for a chance to win a cash reward. The money could finally allow her to get her house back and start the business she’s always dreamed of. But strange things start occurring as Wendy disappears and Maggie is sent on a task to retrieve mysterious items. Kellen, one of the hosts of the estate, has only a few days to break his curse before he finally succumbs for good. Maggie is the key to breaking the curse and Kellen isn’t sure he can go through with his plans knowing what she means to him.
I absolutely loved the setting and all of the gothic vibes. Maggie is strong, fierce, and loyal. Even with all of trials she faces and the heartbreak she’s endured, she still manages to be brave. Kellen can be growly but I appreciate that he always expressed his feelings to Maggie. There was no guessing as to how he felt for Maggie. What he shares will absolutely make you swoon!
The plot is fast paced but sometimes the switch between modern and old English made me stumble. There were points where it felt a little forced but I could quickly recover and get back in to the story. I enjoyed the bits of Gaelic woven in and felt like it was the perfect touch.
If you’re looking for a stand alone, gothic romantasy to read for the fall, definitely pick this up!
Thank you to Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
October 24, 2025
Druid Cursed caught my eye twofold at the store - 1 being the title. Druid Cursed sounds like a fantastic fantasy full of magic and mayhem. And then 2 - the sprayed edges are stunning!
I throughally enjoyed this book! Maggie is a recently divorced woman who is in need of a new start. Her trip to the ravenwood castle is suppose to be the new beginning. But she finds herself caught in a centuries long feud between a witch and the druids. She finds herself drawn to Kellen, in ways she wasn't ready for, and finds herself in a whole new world.
I really liked that Maggie was independent, intelligent, and ready to do what she needed to do. I felt as if she makes all the correct choices when faced with the challenges that show up.
I liked Kellen - although I do wish he did not have a gotee. He's self sacrificing and a bit of a martyr, but he is a good guy. And he communicates!! Amazing
Overall, a very good read and romance
I throughally enjoyed this book! Maggie is a recently divorced woman who is in need of a new start. Her trip to the ravenwood castle is suppose to be the new beginning. But she finds herself caught in a centuries long feud between a witch and the druids. She finds herself drawn to Kellen, in ways she wasn't ready for, and finds herself in a whole new world.
I really liked that Maggie was independent, intelligent, and ready to do what she needed to do. I felt as if she makes all the correct choices when faced with the challenges that show up.
I liked Kellen - although I do wish he did not have a gotee. He's self sacrificing and a bit of a martyr, but he is a good guy. And he communicates!! Amazing
Overall, a very good read and romance
December 9, 2025
3.25 stars. I liked the overall premise of this book and it was entertaining. But overall it fell a little flat for me. The cover is pretty though!
December 20, 2025
Good writing, but I've seen this plot several times and nothing new really stood out for me. 3.5 ⭐
October 7, 2025
This was like a 3.75 for me.
I’d say this is a paranormal romance book. It leans heavily into the insta-love trope and that’s not a favorite of mine. The book had some fun ideas like a “scavenger hunt”. Idk the book was just okay for me. For me, there wasn’t really a standout moment that occurred that would have pushed me to rate this higher.
Basically, the book is about Kellen, who has been cursed by a witch. He needs Maggie’s help to remove his curse, but a couple unexpected things pop up and threaten to thwart the curse removal. I will say that it was fun to learn more about the past and Sorcha because so much of that is shrouded in mystery in the beginning.
The juxtaposition of Kellen and Maggie really made the romance feel off putting to me. The romance between the two just didn’t feel authentic to me. Kellan’s dialogue consisting of old vernacular was also not something that I enjoyed. I did end up getting used to it, but he was literally the only one talking like he was in the medieval times.
Thanks to Entangled Publishing for the gifted early copy via NetGalley!
I’d say this is a paranormal romance book. It leans heavily into the insta-love trope and that’s not a favorite of mine. The book had some fun ideas like a “scavenger hunt”. Idk the book was just okay for me. For me, there wasn’t really a standout moment that occurred that would have pushed me to rate this higher.
Basically, the book is about Kellen, who has been cursed by a witch. He needs Maggie’s help to remove his curse, but a couple unexpected things pop up and threaten to thwart the curse removal. I will say that it was fun to learn more about the past and Sorcha because so much of that is shrouded in mystery in the beginning.
The juxtaposition of Kellen and Maggie really made the romance feel off putting to me. The romance between the two just didn’t feel authentic to me. Kellan’s dialogue consisting of old vernacular was also not something that I enjoyed. I did end up getting used to it, but he was literally the only one talking like he was in the medieval times.
Thanks to Entangled Publishing for the gifted early copy via NetGalley!
November 15, 2025
DNFing at “She was so cooked, and Kellen was the master chef.” 45% I can’t with the dialogue in this book.
October 22, 2025
3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ It was good, but kind of boring? So the premise and plot were good, and there was always something going on, but maybe it was the chemistry between the two characters that just wasn’t doing it for me. They said the right things and did the right things, but it felt like watching two actors play the part. I didn’t FEEL it.
October 16, 2025
2.5⭐️
i felt like the writing was cringe at certain points and the pacing towards the middle of the book dropped off, BUT i liked the premise of the book and it wraps up nicely!
i felt like the writing was cringe at certain points and the pacing towards the middle of the book dropped off, BUT i liked the premise of the book and it wraps up nicely!
November 3, 2025
First, I want to give a big thank you Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for giving me an ARC in exchange for my honest review. I was excited to receive this because the cover and sprayed edges are stunning. But also because the premise sounded right up my alley, and it was a standalone fantasy novel.
Now unfortunately Druid Cursed execution wasn’t completely there. It definitely had a real promising start. The beginning did hook me right away as soon as Maggie was introduced. Our FMC was lured to a castle for a competition in hopes of winning the giant prize money so she can start over after her disastrous divorce. I liked Maggie from the start she’s smart, focused and caring. Everything I love in my FMCs. So watching her untangle the curse of the Druid brothers was fascinating.
My main biggest issue with the book fell with or MMC Kellen. I don’t know about everyone else but I found his character to be extremely boring. Plus to top it off the romance connection between him and Maggie I just was never feeling it. Then to make matters worse watching him and Maggie speak with a mix of modern language and Kellen’s old world dialect was awkward and frustrating.
Besides Kellen, the other big glaring issue I had was the overall plot. The whole point of the book was to be a competition. But it’s hardly ever mention or even relevant after its first mention in the beginning 7 chapters. Plus we hardly ever see any of the other competitors. Believe I understand there was more to the story than just the competition but don’t use it and then completely forget about it.
Overall, the Druid Curse was ok, it’s an easy standalone fantasy read that I think anyone could enjoy. Even though it wasn’t my favorite I’d still recommend it!
Now unfortunately Druid Cursed execution wasn’t completely there. It definitely had a real promising start. The beginning did hook me right away as soon as Maggie was introduced. Our FMC was lured to a castle for a competition in hopes of winning the giant prize money so she can start over after her disastrous divorce. I liked Maggie from the start she’s smart, focused and caring. Everything I love in my FMCs. So watching her untangle the curse of the Druid brothers was fascinating.
My main biggest issue with the book fell with or MMC Kellen. I don’t know about everyone else but I found his character to be extremely boring. Plus to top it off the romance connection between him and Maggie I just was never feeling it. Then to make matters worse watching him and Maggie speak with a mix of modern language and Kellen’s old world dialect was awkward and frustrating.
Besides Kellen, the other big glaring issue I had was the overall plot. The whole point of the book was to be a competition. But it’s hardly ever mention or even relevant after its first mention in the beginning 7 chapters. Plus we hardly ever see any of the other competitors. Believe I understand there was more to the story than just the competition but don’t use it and then completely forget about it.
Overall, the Druid Curse was ok, it’s an easy standalone fantasy read that I think anyone could enjoy. Even though it wasn’t my favorite I’d still recommend it!
November 29, 2025
Druid Cursed
C.J. Burright
I am so happy I got the chance to read Druid Cursed. This story is such a cool, emotional, magic-filled romance that felt fresh and nostalgic at the same time. I loved the lore, the ghosts, the witches, the druids, all wrapped in those delicious Halloween undertones. There is something about the old-fashioned dialogue that Maggie adores, paired with Kellen’s broody charm, that makes their chemistry stand out beautifully.
The fated mates, soul-touched connection was wonderfully earned. I love a good slow burn, and this one delivered. The tension, the yearning, the quiet heartbreak, and the beautifully timed spice all worked together to make their relationship feel meaningful and inevitable. It almost reads like a dark fairy tale, one filled with curses, shadows, and the kind of love that refuses to bow to fate.
Some of my favorite moments were the lines I kept rereading:
“Whether we have two minutes, two hours, or two million days, I’ll spend them with you.”
“I want you so badly I fear my heart may pound its way out of my chest and crumble to ash at your feet. I will always want you.”
This was magical, emotional, and so easy to get swept away by. If you want a romance full of atmosphere, myth, and a love story that feels fated in every way, this is for you.
💞 Tropes:
* Fated mates
* Cursed hero
* Only one week together
* Irish folklore
* Broody MMC
* Slow burn romance
* Modern heroine meets ancient magic
* Brought together by destiny
* Dark fairy-tale vibes
* Ghosts and witchcraft
* Sacrifice versus survival
* Destiny rewritten
⭐️ 4 stars
🌶️ 2
Thank you Entagled and Netgalley for the gifted copy all opinions are my own.
C.J. Burright
I am so happy I got the chance to read Druid Cursed. This story is such a cool, emotional, magic-filled romance that felt fresh and nostalgic at the same time. I loved the lore, the ghosts, the witches, the druids, all wrapped in those delicious Halloween undertones. There is something about the old-fashioned dialogue that Maggie adores, paired with Kellen’s broody charm, that makes their chemistry stand out beautifully.
The fated mates, soul-touched connection was wonderfully earned. I love a good slow burn, and this one delivered. The tension, the yearning, the quiet heartbreak, and the beautifully timed spice all worked together to make their relationship feel meaningful and inevitable. It almost reads like a dark fairy tale, one filled with curses, shadows, and the kind of love that refuses to bow to fate.
Some of my favorite moments were the lines I kept rereading:
“Whether we have two minutes, two hours, or two million days, I’ll spend them with you.”
“I want you so badly I fear my heart may pound its way out of my chest and crumble to ash at your feet. I will always want you.”
This was magical, emotional, and so easy to get swept away by. If you want a romance full of atmosphere, myth, and a love story that feels fated in every way, this is for you.
💞 Tropes:
* Fated mates
* Cursed hero
* Only one week together
* Irish folklore
* Broody MMC
* Slow burn romance
* Modern heroine meets ancient magic
* Brought together by destiny
* Dark fairy-tale vibes
* Ghosts and witchcraft
* Sacrifice versus survival
* Destiny rewritten
⭐️ 4 stars
🌶️ 2
Thank you Entagled and Netgalley for the gifted copy all opinions are my own.
October 20, 2025
Thank you to @cjburright and @entangledpublishing for the #gifted book.
Once I started reading, I was captivated by this book.
This story is a whirlwind of action, featuring a cursed druid, an eerie castle, witches, and a magical competition set against the enchanting backdrop of Ireland.
As Kellen Ravenwood escapes his magical prison for seven days, this is his last opportunity to break free from the curse that binds him. He seeks the blood of Maggie, the last descendant of the witch who imprisoned him. Unbeknownst to her, Maggie enters a contest at an enchanted Irish estate owned by the Ravenwood brothers with her friend Wendy. When Wendy is taken over by a vengeful witch, Maggie bravely fights back, proving that some love stories can defy even the most entrenched destinies.
I loved the setting and the rich gothic atmosphere. Maggie is a character to admire as she is strong, fierce, and loyal. Despite the heartache she endures, her bravery shines through. The Ravenwood twins add a delightful dimension to the narrative, and the dynamic between the brothers, Caedmon and Kellen, is both entertaining and engaging. Maggie and Kellen’s meeting sets the stage for a quick romance that feels quick but perfect. The plot unfolds at a brisk pace, and the dialogue between Kellen and Maggie sparkles with wit. I enjoyed the seamless switch between modern (Maggie) and Old English (Kellen) along with the thoughtful inclusion of Gaelic as it enriched the story.
This book is a blend of romance and fantasy, wrapped in a gothically witchy ambiance. Don't miss out on this thrilling romantasy!
Once I started reading, I was captivated by this book.
This story is a whirlwind of action, featuring a cursed druid, an eerie castle, witches, and a magical competition set against the enchanting backdrop of Ireland.
As Kellen Ravenwood escapes his magical prison for seven days, this is his last opportunity to break free from the curse that binds him. He seeks the blood of Maggie, the last descendant of the witch who imprisoned him. Unbeknownst to her, Maggie enters a contest at an enchanted Irish estate owned by the Ravenwood brothers with her friend Wendy. When Wendy is taken over by a vengeful witch, Maggie bravely fights back, proving that some love stories can defy even the most entrenched destinies.
I loved the setting and the rich gothic atmosphere. Maggie is a character to admire as she is strong, fierce, and loyal. Despite the heartache she endures, her bravery shines through. The Ravenwood twins add a delightful dimension to the narrative, and the dynamic between the brothers, Caedmon and Kellen, is both entertaining and engaging. Maggie and Kellen’s meeting sets the stage for a quick romance that feels quick but perfect. The plot unfolds at a brisk pace, and the dialogue between Kellen and Maggie sparkles with wit. I enjoyed the seamless switch between modern (Maggie) and Old English (Kellen) along with the thoughtful inclusion of Gaelic as it enriched the story.
This book is a blend of romance and fantasy, wrapped in a gothically witchy ambiance. Don't miss out on this thrilling romantasy!
October 7, 2025
✨𝒜𝑅𝒞 𝒫𝓇𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌 𝑅𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌✨
📖: Druid Cursed
Strapped for money, Maggie finds herself competing to win a grand prize at a mysterious estate in Ireland. She crosses paths with Kellen, who believes she’s the key to breaking his curse. Since his curse, Kellen has only been allowed freedom for one week. But this year, he must break the curse or be forever trapped. And he’ll need Maggie to break it. But when he meets Maggie, all bets are off.
Tropes:
👀Dual POV
💫Cursed Druid x Witch
📖Ancient Rituals
🏫Mysterious Irish Estate
🩸Blood Sacrifice
🌶️: open door
Maggie is such a relatable and endearing character. After being taken advantage of, she decides to cast her own fate. Kellen cannot help but be drawn to her and admires her values. The banter between them is so much fun and I loved seeing their relationship develop and deepen. But with time running out, can they overcome the curse and odds against them?
Druid Cursed is a delightful tale of ancient curses and finding a love worth sacrificing everything for.
Huge thanks to the author, Entangled Publishing, and Netgalley for the review copy opportunity! This is my honest and voluntary review.
📖: Druid Cursed
Strapped for money, Maggie finds herself competing to win a grand prize at a mysterious estate in Ireland. She crosses paths with Kellen, who believes she’s the key to breaking his curse. Since his curse, Kellen has only been allowed freedom for one week. But this year, he must break the curse or be forever trapped. And he’ll need Maggie to break it. But when he meets Maggie, all bets are off.
Tropes:
👀Dual POV
💫Cursed Druid x Witch
📖Ancient Rituals
🏫Mysterious Irish Estate
🩸Blood Sacrifice
🌶️: open door
Maggie is such a relatable and endearing character. After being taken advantage of, she decides to cast her own fate. Kellen cannot help but be drawn to her and admires her values. The banter between them is so much fun and I loved seeing their relationship develop and deepen. But with time running out, can they overcome the curse and odds against them?
Druid Cursed is a delightful tale of ancient curses and finding a love worth sacrificing everything for.
Huge thanks to the author, Entangled Publishing, and Netgalley for the review copy opportunity! This is my honest and voluntary review.
October 18, 2025
Probably 3.5 ⭐️
Pros: Loved the different writing styles of both POVs, it truly fit the main characters and showed how they were from different centuries. I liked Cara, though I wish we would have seen more of her. I liked the witchy irish vibes, the descriptions of smells and eery settings, though it sometimes lacked proper details to truly imagine what the author had in mind. Kellen is a big old green flag, but a bit of a wet blanket. I somehow was more intrigued by Caedmon, and if he gets a book I just might read it.
Cons: The plot felt like an excuse for smut, though there isn't a lot of it. The characters were very two dimensional, lacking proper personalities other than cliches of a modern woman and a man from centuries past. I couldn't care less about what happened to Wendy since we never actually met her on page. And the insta-love/insta-lust was INTENSE. It made so little sense that sometimes it felt cringy. Instead of developing a relationship, it was more of a "oh, I have these carnal desires for you so you are the love of my life I would die for you and hump you even though I know nothing substantial about you". Yep.
Pros: Loved the different writing styles of both POVs, it truly fit the main characters and showed how they were from different centuries. I liked Cara, though I wish we would have seen more of her. I liked the witchy irish vibes, the descriptions of smells and eery settings, though it sometimes lacked proper details to truly imagine what the author had in mind. Kellen is a big old green flag, but a bit of a wet blanket. I somehow was more intrigued by Caedmon, and if he gets a book I just might read it.
Cons: The plot felt like an excuse for smut, though there isn't a lot of it. The characters were very two dimensional, lacking proper personalities other than cliches of a modern woman and a man from centuries past. I couldn't care less about what happened to Wendy since we never actually met her on page. And the insta-love/insta-lust was INTENSE. It made so little sense that sometimes it felt cringy. Instead of developing a relationship, it was more of a "oh, I have these carnal desires for you so you are the love of my life I would die for you and hump you even though I know nothing substantial about you". Yep.
November 24, 2025
She expected the adventure of a lifetime, not a cursed druid looking to end her life. Of course, love finds a way to ruin the best laid plans and he has to choose between saving her or damning himself.
Druid Cursed combines ancient Druid mythology in a modern setting. It has a gothic and atmospheric vibe, with the manor house, a crumbling castle (held together through centuries by Magic), lovely gardens and an ominous forest. There is plenty of banter and a cast of quirky and lovable side characters brought together to try to give Kellen one last chance of beating his curse.
I love roguish male leads, there's something about that Irish accent, the unruly hair and adorable confusion when it comes to women. I especially love a man who yearns and burns and Kellen is a master. I think every woman has had the fantasy of an immortal man coming to sweep them off their feet to live in a gently crumbling castle, just me? You can admit it, I won't tell.
Thank you Entangled for the ebook, I loved it!!
Druid Cursed combines ancient Druid mythology in a modern setting. It has a gothic and atmospheric vibe, with the manor house, a crumbling castle (held together through centuries by Magic), lovely gardens and an ominous forest. There is plenty of banter and a cast of quirky and lovable side characters brought together to try to give Kellen one last chance of beating his curse.
I love roguish male leads, there's something about that Irish accent, the unruly hair and adorable confusion when it comes to women. I especially love a man who yearns and burns and Kellen is a master. I think every woman has had the fantasy of an immortal man coming to sweep them off their feet to live in a gently crumbling castle, just me? You can admit it, I won't tell.
Thank you Entangled for the ebook, I loved it!!
December 16, 2025
I immediately did not like this book when it was set in present day. I hate contemporary fantasy… it negates the point of fantasy ENTIRELY. Nevertheless I persisted because I don’t like DNFing. The FMC is annoying as all hell, wears the same clothes every single day of this entire book, doesn’t listen at all, and was very cringe. What really pissed me off off rip was her wearing jeans and a sweater to a cocktail attire dinner like she, nor her friend she brought, doesn’t own a single dress at all???? And then is confused and offended people are staring at her and giving her dirty looks???? The writing was childish most of the time and just lacked nuance.
For a book called ‘Druid Cursed’ and the two male main characters being Druids one would expect more Druid action… yet the entire book was basically witch magic and shenanigans. And TECHNICALLY the curse is on a Druid done by a witch so is it not therefore witch cursed???? I really wanted this to get better and had high hopes because Druids are highly underrepresented in the fantasy realm (imo) but it just really fell flat for me.
For a book called ‘Druid Cursed’ and the two male main characters being Druids one would expect more Druid action… yet the entire book was basically witch magic and shenanigans. And TECHNICALLY the curse is on a Druid done by a witch so is it not therefore witch cursed???? I really wanted this to get better and had high hopes because Druids are highly underrepresented in the fantasy realm (imo) but it just really fell flat for me.
September 14, 2025
Druid Cursed is a charming, easy-to-digest read with a whimsical premise and just enough magic to keep things interesting ✨If you’re looking for something light, cozy, and filled with curses, druidic lore, and a fast-burn romance, it could be just what you need for a weekend escape.
Our FMC is newly divorced. FINALLY! 🙌 An older FMC, it’s genuinely refreshing 🥳 to see a protagonist who is older and dealing with real-life concerns like financial stress, housing insecurity, and emotional burnout. That age range and stage of life is so relatable 🙃 Proof that adventure and romance don’t have an expiration date 🫶. She’s relatable, grounded, and trying to rebuild her life, but..
She falls in love in less than a week (yes its to do with the plot) buuut its right after a difficult divorce and while teetering on the edge of homelessness. Emotionally, it was hard for me to buy into that 😬
That said, the book excels in creating a magical, seasonal atmosphere (samhain🎃!). The small-town vibes, the cursed items, and the light exploration of druid folklore give it a cozy, witchy feel that’s perfect for autumn or Halloween reading.
Thank you to @cjburright , @entangled_publishing , and @netgalley for the eARC!
Our FMC is newly divorced. FINALLY! 🙌 An older FMC, it’s genuinely refreshing 🥳 to see a protagonist who is older and dealing with real-life concerns like financial stress, housing insecurity, and emotional burnout. That age range and stage of life is so relatable 🙃 Proof that adventure and romance don’t have an expiration date 🫶. She’s relatable, grounded, and trying to rebuild her life, but..
She falls in love in less than a week (yes its to do with the plot) buuut its right after a difficult divorce and while teetering on the edge of homelessness. Emotionally, it was hard for me to buy into that 😬
That said, the book excels in creating a magical, seasonal atmosphere (samhain🎃!). The small-town vibes, the cursed items, and the light exploration of druid folklore give it a cozy, witchy feel that’s perfect for autumn or Halloween reading.
Thank you to @cjburright , @entangled_publishing , and @netgalley for the eARC!
October 8, 2025
This is a story about Kellen, an Irish druid down to the last days he has to break a curse banishing him to a centuries-long imprisonment, and Maggie, a recently divorced woman down on her luck and out of confidence. Maggie enters a terrifying contest at the spooky Ravenswood estate in a last ditch effort to win the prize money so she can save her home.
Of course they are both totally gorgeous 😮💨 and they fall hardddddd.
“I want you so badly I fear my heart may pound its way out of my chest and crumble to ash at your feet” ❤️🔥
Favorite parts: Kellen navigating the world after 50 years of technological changes he missed, and Maggie gaining back her confidence 💕
I took my time and savored this book which was wonderfully spooky for ushering in autumn! 💀 🍂 🖤
Thank you to Entangled for the ARC 🙏🏻
Of course they are both totally gorgeous 😮💨 and they fall hardddddd.
“I want you so badly I fear my heart may pound its way out of my chest and crumble to ash at your feet” ❤️🔥
Favorite parts: Kellen navigating the world after 50 years of technological changes he missed, and Maggie gaining back her confidence 💕
I took my time and savored this book which was wonderfully spooky for ushering in autumn! 💀 🍂 🖤
Thank you to Entangled for the ARC 🙏🏻
September 28, 2025
This was such a fun mix of dark magic, curses, and slow-burn romance. The atmosphere pulled me right in, and I loved how the mythology was woven into the story without weighing it down. The chemistry between the characters had me hooked, and the tension kept building in the best way. Definitely one of those reads you fly through and don’t want to put down.
December 2, 2025
This was a fun quick read . The MFC gets an invitation to take a chance at winning a large monetary prize which would take care of all her problems. She and her best friend go to Ireland to stay at a large estate with other competitors. There she meets the two Druid brothers and a witch who is out to get her . There are spells and sorcery and curses !
November 24, 2025
3.5 rounded up. This was pretty fun!
September 8, 2025
First off thank you to Entangled for the arc!
My thoughts:
The concept sounds great! A Druid is cursed and he must sacrifice a woman to become cured, if he doesn’t he’ll go back to his prison for eternity.
Where the concept was great the actual writing of it wasn’t.
The writing is very YA. I wouldn’t have thought it was adult if not for the spice.
The insta list/love was a lot as well. The FMC Maggie just got divorced from a terrible man and is instantly in love with the Druid. I could get it if she was going for the whole “I’m free! I’m going to celebrate by sleeping with whoever I want.” But the character was very anti man, anti love.
Tbh I just could not get into this story. With the juvenile writing and the no chemistry between the main characters I just wanted to be done.
The MMC brother nicknames the FMC Little Sparrow. Can we please please please get rid of this trend of “little” something as a nickname. It’s so tired and why is the not love interest naming her that after a 5 minute meet that has nothing to do with being bird like.
Synopsis:
A Druid needs to break a curse by sacrificing the ancestor of Sorcha, the witch that cursed him. During his only week long release he realizes that Maggie the descendants is his soul mate which makes things even more difficult. Maggie doesn’t believe in any of this and wonders why her best friend is acting like a total crazy person while trying not to fall for the man that claims he’s over 300 years old. Can Maggie survive this Druid and his curse?
Conclusion:
The plot just was not plotting. I found myself skimming. This book just wasn’t for me.
I appreciate the arc. Thank you so much!
My thoughts:
The concept sounds great! A Druid is cursed and he must sacrifice a woman to become cured, if he doesn’t he’ll go back to his prison for eternity.
Where the concept was great the actual writing of it wasn’t.
The writing is very YA. I wouldn’t have thought it was adult if not for the spice.
The insta list/love was a lot as well. The FMC Maggie just got divorced from a terrible man and is instantly in love with the Druid. I could get it if she was going for the whole “I’m free! I’m going to celebrate by sleeping with whoever I want.” But the character was very anti man, anti love.
Tbh I just could not get into this story. With the juvenile writing and the no chemistry between the main characters I just wanted to be done.
The MMC brother nicknames the FMC Little Sparrow. Can we please please please get rid of this trend of “little” something as a nickname. It’s so tired and why is the not love interest naming her that after a 5 minute meet that has nothing to do with being bird like.
Synopsis:
A Druid needs to break a curse by sacrificing the ancestor of Sorcha, the witch that cursed him. During his only week long release he realizes that Maggie the descendants is his soul mate which makes things even more difficult. Maggie doesn’t believe in any of this and wonders why her best friend is acting like a total crazy person while trying not to fall for the man that claims he’s over 300 years old. Can Maggie survive this Druid and his curse?
Conclusion:
The plot just was not plotting. I found myself skimming. This book just wasn’t for me.
I appreciate the arc. Thank you so much!
November 28, 2025
I was already doubting if this book was for me, but it looked so pretty and I got so curious. I just gave it a go. Although the book is entertaining, it missed that little something to really make it special. The magic was sometimes overwhelming and there were moments when things happened quite fast and I had some issues keeping up. The romance was also very instant, although that is explained at some point. I enjoyed reading the book, but I simply missed a real connection with the story and characters.
August 14, 2025
Review – Druid Cursed by C.J. Burright
This is not a literary masterpiece—so keep that in mind before diving in. The premise is fun and full of potential, but the execution had a few bumps for me. The language sometimes felt forced, especially with Kellen’s “old world” speech contrasted against Maggie’s contemporary voice—it didn’t always mesh smoothly.
The romance? Let’s just say I had a hard time buying it. Maggie falls in love in less than seven days—right after a brutal divorce and while teetering on the edge of homelessness. Really? Does she even know his favorite color? It felt rushed and a bit tacky, which made it hard for me to invest in their connection. Lust I could by for sure.
That said, the Druid curse aspect was enjoyable and gave the story a unique twist. I even spotted the big reveal early on—it had a definite Sister/Sister or Parent Trap vibe. My favorite moment (and a perfect nod to The Princess Bride) was:
“Hello again, my name is Maggie O’Malley. You possessed my best friend and cursed Kellen. Prepare to bite it, Grandma.”
While this is a standalone, I can’t help but wonder if we’ll see Wendy and Caedmon’s story someday. I think that could be a lot of fun.
Overall, Druid Cursed is a cute, easy read with an entertaining premise. Not perfect, but if you’re looking for something light with a dash of magic, curses, and a fast-burn romance, it might be worth picking up.
All thoughts are my own. Thank you to NetGalley, C.J. Burright, and Entangled Publishing Group LLC for the opportunity to read and review this story.
This is not a literary masterpiece—so keep that in mind before diving in. The premise is fun and full of potential, but the execution had a few bumps for me. The language sometimes felt forced, especially with Kellen’s “old world” speech contrasted against Maggie’s contemporary voice—it didn’t always mesh smoothly.
The romance? Let’s just say I had a hard time buying it. Maggie falls in love in less than seven days—right after a brutal divorce and while teetering on the edge of homelessness. Really? Does she even know his favorite color? It felt rushed and a bit tacky, which made it hard for me to invest in their connection. Lust I could by for sure.
That said, the Druid curse aspect was enjoyable and gave the story a unique twist. I even spotted the big reveal early on—it had a definite Sister/Sister or Parent Trap vibe. My favorite moment (and a perfect nod to The Princess Bride) was:
“Hello again, my name is Maggie O’Malley. You possessed my best friend and cursed Kellen. Prepare to bite it, Grandma.”
While this is a standalone, I can’t help but wonder if we’ll see Wendy and Caedmon’s story someday. I think that could be a lot of fun.
Overall, Druid Cursed is a cute, easy read with an entertaining premise. Not perfect, but if you’re looking for something light with a dash of magic, curses, and a fast-burn romance, it might be worth picking up.
All thoughts are my own. Thank you to NetGalley, C.J. Burright, and Entangled Publishing Group LLC for the opportunity to read and review this story.
October 2, 2025
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest and voluntary review. I was in no way compensated for this review.
Druid Cursed is my first book by C.J. Burright but it will not be my last! This was just want the doctor ordered for a paranormal fantasy lover like myself. I loved that Burright took on a lesser seen character type for this story, that along with witches and century long curses this is a book sure to delight every paranormal reader!
Maggie O'Malley is coming out of a rough divorce, so when her best friend, Wendy, decides to take her to Ireland for a contest/competition, Maggie sees this as her chance to get her life back on track. She's about to lose the house her father built because of her ex and she wants to open up her own business to help her start over and the cash prize that comes from this competition will help do just that.
Then we have Kellen Ravenwood, the man of mystery and a Druid at that. He's been cursed to a dark place for centuries now, only being released for a week every fifty years thanks to a spell his brother concocted. This year will be the last time he can taste freedom unless he can break the curse placed upon him by a witch. The only thing he has to do is kill a witch of his curser's bloodline, which should be easy since she just walked into his brother's mansion to enter a competition for a cash prize. The next kicker is that he is completely infatuated with her.
I initially thought that Kellen was going to be this big brute who would stop at nothing to break his curse, even if it meant killing an innocent. But as it turns out, Kellen is a big ol' marshmallow! He wasn't keen on killing an innocent just to set himself free, so he was ready to resign himself back to the darkness that he lived with for years, but his brother is determined more than ever to help set him free.
The storyline was very intriguing. I enjoy a good simplistic goal but with many twists and turns and that is what we got here. A curse needs to be broken, hopefully without death and dismemberment involved. And then we have Kellen and Maggie...sigh...
Maggie had decided to swear off love entirely after her nasty divorce but of course meeting Kellen changes that, but not right away. Again, we're dealing with a week of time for the most part, so yes, in a handful of days the two are falling for each other, but we get reasoning for that but you'll have to read this to find out because I'm not saying what it is! Lol. But needless to say the brief time the two spend together was hot and fierce!
There were plenty of secrets and puzzles to solve in this one and I get the sense that Burright is leaving a tiny crack in the door to lead us to a possible companion novel. While things wrap up nicely in this one leaving us with a satisfying ending, there was definitely room for more with the other characters and I am salivating to find out what that could be! I have guesses, but as to the next heroine, I'm left with two possibilities and I cannot decide which one I want to see more of! So a third book may even be possible! Lol.
If you're looking for a read filled with paranormal goodness, mystery, romance and incredible characters than Druid Cursed is the read for you! This was a breath of fresh air for the paranormal community and I cannot wait to read more from this author in the future!
Overall Rating 4.5/5 stars
Druid Cursed releases October 7, 2025
Druid Cursed is my first book by C.J. Burright but it will not be my last! This was just want the doctor ordered for a paranormal fantasy lover like myself. I loved that Burright took on a lesser seen character type for this story, that along with witches and century long curses this is a book sure to delight every paranormal reader!
Maggie O'Malley is coming out of a rough divorce, so when her best friend, Wendy, decides to take her to Ireland for a contest/competition, Maggie sees this as her chance to get her life back on track. She's about to lose the house her father built because of her ex and she wants to open up her own business to help her start over and the cash prize that comes from this competition will help do just that.
Then we have Kellen Ravenwood, the man of mystery and a Druid at that. He's been cursed to a dark place for centuries now, only being released for a week every fifty years thanks to a spell his brother concocted. This year will be the last time he can taste freedom unless he can break the curse placed upon him by a witch. The only thing he has to do is kill a witch of his curser's bloodline, which should be easy since she just walked into his brother's mansion to enter a competition for a cash prize. The next kicker is that he is completely infatuated with her.
I initially thought that Kellen was going to be this big brute who would stop at nothing to break his curse, even if it meant killing an innocent. But as it turns out, Kellen is a big ol' marshmallow! He wasn't keen on killing an innocent just to set himself free, so he was ready to resign himself back to the darkness that he lived with for years, but his brother is determined more than ever to help set him free.
The storyline was very intriguing. I enjoy a good simplistic goal but with many twists and turns and that is what we got here. A curse needs to be broken, hopefully without death and dismemberment involved. And then we have Kellen and Maggie...sigh...
Maggie had decided to swear off love entirely after her nasty divorce but of course meeting Kellen changes that, but not right away. Again, we're dealing with a week of time for the most part, so yes, in a handful of days the two are falling for each other, but we get reasoning for that but you'll have to read this to find out because I'm not saying what it is! Lol. But needless to say the brief time the two spend together was hot and fierce!
There were plenty of secrets and puzzles to solve in this one and I get the sense that Burright is leaving a tiny crack in the door to lead us to a possible companion novel. While things wrap up nicely in this one leaving us with a satisfying ending, there was definitely room for more with the other characters and I am salivating to find out what that could be! I have guesses, but as to the next heroine, I'm left with two possibilities and I cannot decide which one I want to see more of! So a third book may even be possible! Lol.
If you're looking for a read filled with paranormal goodness, mystery, romance and incredible characters than Druid Cursed is the read for you! This was a breath of fresh air for the paranormal community and I cannot wait to read more from this author in the future!
Overall Rating 4.5/5 stars
Druid Cursed releases October 7, 2025
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