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The Diary of Derek Drummond: The Story of My Cursed Life
An immortal soul. A forgotten curse. A love that rewrites fate.
Once a proud Scottish nobleman, Derek Drummond has spent 124 years caught between day and night, hiding from the world — and from himself. A shadow among shadows, he has watched time unravel, love vanish, and hope fade into myth.
Until Megan MacKenzie looks at him — and sees more than she should.
With haunted eyes and a quiet, stubborn kindness, she stirs the man he used to be. But the past never stays silent. Some curses won’t break. And some ghosts refuse to let go.
Told entirely in Derek’s voice — darkly poetic, sardonic, and painfully human — The Diary of Derek Drummond is a gothic fantasy of redemption and reckoning.
From the storm-lashed cliffs of northern Scotland to the rain-soaked rooftops of London, it is a story of immortality, forgiveness,and the terrifying hope of being truly seen.
If you believe in second chances — even after death — open the diary.
Once a proud Scottish nobleman, Derek Drummond has spent 124 years caught between day and night, hiding from the world — and from himself. A shadow among shadows, he has watched time unravel, love vanish, and hope fade into myth.
Until Megan MacKenzie looks at him — and sees more than she should.
With haunted eyes and a quiet, stubborn kindness, she stirs the man he used to be. But the past never stays silent. Some curses won’t break. And some ghosts refuse to let go.
Told entirely in Derek’s voice — darkly poetic, sardonic, and painfully human — The Diary of Derek Drummond is a gothic fantasy of redemption and reckoning.
From the storm-lashed cliffs of northern Scotland to the rain-soaked rooftops of London, it is a story of immortality, forgiveness,and the terrifying hope of being truly seen.
If you believe in second chances — even after death — open the diary.
543 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 20, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
March 24, 2026
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.
~Pre-read~ Always on the hunt for my next fav gothic fantasy!! Received an ARC copy.. (the list continues to grow) lol
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.
~Pre-read~ Always on the hunt for my next fav gothic fantasy!! Received an ARC copy.. (the list continues to grow) lol
July 13, 2026
This book was pretty long but I really enjoyed the story! I loved the overall gothic vibe and I am always a fan of a book written in diary format. 4.5 stars!
June 12, 2026
I really enjoyed this book!
A fascinating premise, I was so excited to dive into this one.
I found the writing style perfect for the book- the setting, characters and plot all shone with the gothic feel. The author definitely knows how to write this timeline well and it is very impressive for her debut.
The Diary format was fantastic, and I love books written this way.
Thank you to Love Books Tours for my gorgeous print copy.
A fascinating premise, I was so excited to dive into this one.
I found the writing style perfect for the book- the setting, characters and plot all shone with the gothic feel. The author definitely knows how to write this timeline well and it is very impressive for her debut.
The Diary format was fantastic, and I love books written this way.
Thank you to Love Books Tours for my gorgeous print copy.
June 14, 2026
3.5 ⭐
The Diary of Derek Drummond is an enjoyable and interesting read that follows Derek Drummond who is cursed and immortal who has just existed in the shadows for so long, then he meets Megan and his life changes as you read through their slow burn romance, as it grows into something deeper and together they seek to lift the curse.
This was a dark and unique read that has you gripped and pulled into the storyline. The author's writing has that special uniqueness about it that makes you feel all the emotions and really connect to the storyline while reading.
Overall, this was a really incredible and memorable read that I would recommend.
The Diary of Derek Drummond is an enjoyable and interesting read that follows Derek Drummond who is cursed and immortal who has just existed in the shadows for so long, then he meets Megan and his life changes as you read through their slow burn romance, as it grows into something deeper and together they seek to lift the curse.
This was a dark and unique read that has you gripped and pulled into the storyline. The author's writing has that special uniqueness about it that makes you feel all the emotions and really connect to the storyline while reading.
Overall, this was a really incredible and memorable read that I would recommend.
July 12, 2026
My god. This. Was. PHENOMENAL!!!
I haven’t been sucked into a book like this in so long. I was hooked immediately from page 1. (That sounds dramatic, but it’s genuine.)
The writing was absolutely *chefs kiss* beautiful. The pacing was perfect. The story was incredible. I am floored by how wonderful this was.
Katelyn, darling, do a girl a favor and write 5 more. Pretty please.
I haven’t been sucked into a book like this in so long. I was hooked immediately from page 1. (That sounds dramatic, but it’s genuine.)
The writing was absolutely *chefs kiss* beautiful. The pacing was perfect. The story was incredible. I am floored by how wonderful this was.
Katelyn, darling, do a girl a favor and write 5 more. Pretty please.
June 12, 2026
Derek is a 19th century Scottish Laird who, after sowing his wild oats, wants to settle down and marry Margaret from a neighbouring estate. But one night something happens and his witch fiancee curses him to immortality and the transformation into another creature during daylight hours. But then in the noughties he meets Megan who is of the same family as his Margaret and, through their love for each other, they seek to lift the curse. I loved this novel. It's sad and funny and philosophical and it's about life, love and being human.
June 2, 2026
the diary of derek drummond
This is as the title suggests, the Diary of Derek Drummond (Lord Drummond) -a captive in his own Scottish castle re-telling what led him to be so after a curse was placed upon him then his travels and life in the shadows.
This is a story of grief, despair, love and loss all told from a man’s perspective set in a time when men were to show no emotion.
Imagine only being able to live during the night and never growing old whilst watching people you love age and die?
I enjoyed the way this book was written, it felt very intimate as was written as though we were reading a diary and the times changing as being set across very different decades (1897-2020) was an interesting take.
This is as the title suggests, the Diary of Derek Drummond (Lord Drummond) -a captive in his own Scottish castle re-telling what led him to be so after a curse was placed upon him then his travels and life in the shadows.
This is a story of grief, despair, love and loss all told from a man’s perspective set in a time when men were to show no emotion.
Imagine only being able to live during the night and never growing old whilst watching people you love age and die?
I enjoyed the way this book was written, it felt very intimate as was written as though we were reading a diary and the times changing as being set across very different decades (1897-2020) was an interesting take.
March 30, 2026
I really enjoyed The Diary of Derek Drummond. The diary format makes the story feel very personal and emotional, and Derek is a deep and sympathetic (yes, YES) character. The mix of mystery, romance, and supernatural elements creates a dark but beautiful atmosphere!
Overall, it is a touching and memorable novel about love, loneliness, and second chances. I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy emotional and atmospheric stories.
Overall, it is a touching and memorable novel about love, loneliness, and second chances. I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy emotional and atmospheric stories.
June 3, 2026
This story is so unique, for me. Obviously told through diary entries (hence the title), I felt every emotion alongside our MC Derek. This is dark, gloomy, hopeful, romantic, all the emotions are in here, and I loved it.
I don't even know how to describe the way reading this made me feel, and i know it'll be a re read for me soon.
This is a longer read, over 500 pages. In my opinion it could have been a little shorter, but im not mad because I genuinely loved it. And now that this is over, I fear a book wont top this for me
I don't even know how to describe the way reading this made me feel, and i know it'll be a re read for me soon.
This is a longer read, over 500 pages. In my opinion it could have been a little shorter, but im not mad because I genuinely loved it. And now that this is over, I fear a book wont top this for me
July 11, 2026
This book was very well written and I'm glad I read it! The story line was good but I just felt it could have been half the length. It definitely felt like it drug along at times and I had a hard time connecting to the characters. With that said it was a sad and beautiful story.
July 12, 2026
4 ⭐️ beautiful book, could’ve been a 5 but way to long
April 2, 2026
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 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.
June 2, 2026
This is a gothic fantasy romance that combines immortality, grief, redemption, and psychological depth into an unusually intimate narrative. Told entirely through the voice of Derek Drummond—a Scottish nobleman cursed to spend his days as a raven and his nights as a man—the novel leans heavily on atmosphere, character introspection, and emotional storytelling rather than action-driven fantasy.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is it's narrative voice. Writing the entire story from Derek’s perspective creates a sense of closeness that many gothic romances struggle to achieve. Derek is melancholy, sardonic, reflective, and often painfully self-aware. His diary entries allow readers to experience more than a century of loneliness, regret, and longing from the inside, making his emotional journey feel authentic rather than merely dramatic. Novak has described the decision to rewrite the novel from Derek’s perspective as the change that gave the story its emotional core, and that choice clearly pays off.
The romance between Derek and Megan MacKenzie gives the novel its emotional momentum. Rather than presenting love as an instant cure, Novak treats it as a difficult process of trust, vulnerability, and self-forgiveness. Megan functions as more than a love interest; she becomes the catalyst that forces Derek to confront his past and consider whether he is still capable of hope.
Overall, The Diary of Derek Drummond is a captivating gothic romance with a distinctive narrative voice, an atmospheric Scottish setting, and strong emotional depth. While its slower pace may not suit every reader, its exploration of love, loss, and redemption makes it a memorable and rewarding read.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is it's narrative voice. Writing the entire story from Derek’s perspective creates a sense of closeness that many gothic romances struggle to achieve. Derek is melancholy, sardonic, reflective, and often painfully self-aware. His diary entries allow readers to experience more than a century of loneliness, regret, and longing from the inside, making his emotional journey feel authentic rather than merely dramatic. Novak has described the decision to rewrite the novel from Derek’s perspective as the change that gave the story its emotional core, and that choice clearly pays off.
The romance between Derek and Megan MacKenzie gives the novel its emotional momentum. Rather than presenting love as an instant cure, Novak treats it as a difficult process of trust, vulnerability, and self-forgiveness. Megan functions as more than a love interest; she becomes the catalyst that forces Derek to confront his past and consider whether he is still capable of hope.
Overall, The Diary of Derek Drummond is a captivating gothic romance with a distinctive narrative voice, an atmospheric Scottish setting, and strong emotional depth. While its slower pace may not suit every reader, its exploration of love, loss, and redemption makes it a memorable and rewarding read.
August 31, 2026
Never read anything from this perspective before, so personal, witty and emotional. Every ebb and flow of Dereks journey from the moment his life changed to all the ups and downs in between to finally finding his salvation and a life he never thought possible 🥹 beautiful read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 7, 2026
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'The Diary Of Derek Drummond' by Katelyn Emilia Novak.
This may be the first book I have read by this absolutely INCREDIBLE AUTHOR but it most certainly will not be my last!! What an absolutely gorgeous, gothic and unique page-turner!!
WOW!!!! Just flipping WOW!!!! What an absolutely SPECTACULAR page turner!!! Well done Katelyn!!! HOW on Earth have I never read any of your books before? Absolutely smashed it!!!!!!!
SERIOUSLY PEOPLE IF YOU LOVE FANTASY, GOTHIC ROMANCE OR JUST LOOKING FOR AN UNPUTDOWNABLE AND UNIQUE PAGE TURNER THEN YOU NEED TO RUN AND GRAB YOUR COPY OF THIS BOOK TODAY!! YOU MAY JUST DISCOVER A NEW FAVOURTIE AUTHOR JUST LIKE I MOST CERTAINLY HAVE!!
This book is extremely well written with vivid descriptions creating the perfect atmosphere for the storyline. The book cover and synopsis works perfectly with the book plot and I am most definitely looking forward to reading more books by this extremely talented author!! I will start by admitting that with this book coming under the genre of fantasy on Amazon it wouldn't be my usual choice of book so I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about the storyline. However I was fascinated by the absolutely intriguing title and synopsis and was looking forward to trying it out. I will also say that I am not usually a reader of longer books! This book most definitely comes under that with the kindle version having 543 pages and the paperback being 552 pages. I was even a bit intimidated by the length, heft and sheer size of the book when it arrived. However, if you are not usually a fan of fantasy or bigger books then please, please DO NOT let either put you off!! Expand your literature choices and grab a copy of this beauty today! I can guarantee that you will not regret it and you can thank me later!! Considering the length of this book and that the plan was to read it over a month as part of a readalong I actually devoured it in just 3 days, which is actually less time than I have taken to read some books much shorter! It just goes to show how Katelyn absolutely captivated my attention, immersed me into the storyline and completely gripped me from beginning to end! I truly did struggle to put it down! In this book we meet Derek who has been cursed to live an immortal live as a raven after his girlfriend Margaret thinks she catches him cheating on her and she curses him at Midnight on The Fern Flower on The Festival Of The Fern AKA The Witch's Night. The story takes us from 1897 to 2020 where we travel with Derrek through the decades as he meets and loses people and yet he never ages. I am not going to go into the storyline itself as the publisher has done a fantastic job telling you what you need to know in the synopsis and I don't want to risk spoiling anything as you really need to read this book yourself, my words could never do it justice! therefore, if you want to follow the cursed life of Derek Drummond you will just have to grab your copy today! I promise you that you will not regret it and you may even discover a new favourite author. I am absolutely landed that I gave this book a read as not only did I LOVE it personally my partner, who is a fan of fantasy and science fiction, LOVED it and he is NOT a reader so that well and truly says ALOT! Wow!!!! Just flipping wow!!!! What an absolutely fantastic page turning, extraordinary and explosive page turner!!! Well done Katelyn!! You really do need to clear your schedules as once you start this book you will not be able to put it down! With a storyline absolutely RAM PACKED with atmosphere, heartache, gothic settings, drama, romance, family, betrayal, intrigue, uniqueness, complex characters, curses, beauty, mystery, family, love, secrets, suspense, tension, emotions and SO, so so much more. I mean, seriously, What are you waiting for?! Katelyn's absolutely incredible and masterful evocative writing skills sucks the reader straight into the storyline with Derek and the rest of characters and surroundings coming to life around them. This book really is an absolutely addictive, gothic, page turning, action packed and compelling storyline!! I mean seriously I cannot describe just how AMAZING this book is!!! There are just no words. I mean I'll try but my advice is stop reading this review and GET YOUR COPY NOW!!! II am not going to go into the storyline as the synopsis already does a brilliant job of letting you know what the book is about and if you want to know more well you will just have to grab your copy of this gripping page turner today and I promise that you will not regret it!! I honestly loved absolutely everything about it from the start to the end. It was just one heck of an amazing read!!! I absolutely love, love, LOVED the unique storyline!! I have read so many books that it is getting harder and harder for me to find a truly unique plot but Katelyn absolutely smashes it out of the park with this one!! I just genuinely love, love, LOVED IT and cannot find the words to even start justifying how epic it is!!! A truly unforgettable one in a million page turner!!!! An absolute must read that I wont be forgetting about anytime soon!!
Do not start this book until you have cleared your schedules as you will not be able to put it down!! The characters were all realistic, complex and strong and I was completely invested in them throughout. Katelyn's evocative descriptions really makes them jump out of the book and come to life in front of the readers eyes. I was completely invested in each and every one of the characters especially Derek and Megan who I loved "being next to" and getting to know them. Each of the characters all played their own roles perfectly and they all had their own unique and individual personalities with their own flaws, strengths and weaknesses. All of the characters were multi layered with complex personalities which definitely made them all the more interesting to read about!!! Unfortunately, I really can not say anymore as I don't want to spoil it for future readers. Regardless of what I thought about who, each character worked perfectly to make this page turning book exactly how epic it is!!! I just cannot wait to see what characters this amazing author come up with next!!! I genuinely loved getting to know all the characters and was completely invested throughout!! It just goes to show how fantastic Katelyn's writing skills are and how much she truly cares about her characters as she completely brought them all to life for me. An absolutely fantastic selection of unique characters that all worked together perfectly to create an absolutely unique, beautiful, gothic and addictive page turner!!!
Congratulations Katelyn on an absolutely masterful and unforgettable success. Here's to your next addictive and unique book in this absolutely epic series!!! This is exactly why I would like to welcome you to my favourite authors club!!!
Overall an absolute must read, compelling, addictive, page turning, unique and gothic one of a kind unforgettable book that will keep you addicted.
@Drummond.Diary @CameronPublicity @Troubador_Publishing @LoveBooksTours @LBT.Crew
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Review for 'The Diary Of Derek Drummond' by Katelyn Emilia Novak.
This may be the first book I have read by this absolutely INCREDIBLE AUTHOR but it most certainly will not be my last!! What an absolutely gorgeous, gothic and unique page-turner!!
WOW!!!! Just flipping WOW!!!! What an absolutely SPECTACULAR page turner!!! Well done Katelyn!!! HOW on Earth have I never read any of your books before? Absolutely smashed it!!!!!!!
SERIOUSLY PEOPLE IF YOU LOVE FANTASY, GOTHIC ROMANCE OR JUST LOOKING FOR AN UNPUTDOWNABLE AND UNIQUE PAGE TURNER THEN YOU NEED TO RUN AND GRAB YOUR COPY OF THIS BOOK TODAY!! YOU MAY JUST DISCOVER A NEW FAVOURTIE AUTHOR JUST LIKE I MOST CERTAINLY HAVE!!
This book is extremely well written with vivid descriptions creating the perfect atmosphere for the storyline. The book cover and synopsis works perfectly with the book plot and I am most definitely looking forward to reading more books by this extremely talented author!! I will start by admitting that with this book coming under the genre of fantasy on Amazon it wouldn't be my usual choice of book so I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about the storyline. However I was fascinated by the absolutely intriguing title and synopsis and was looking forward to trying it out. I will also say that I am not usually a reader of longer books! This book most definitely comes under that with the kindle version having 543 pages and the paperback being 552 pages. I was even a bit intimidated by the length, heft and sheer size of the book when it arrived. However, if you are not usually a fan of fantasy or bigger books then please, please DO NOT let either put you off!! Expand your literature choices and grab a copy of this beauty today! I can guarantee that you will not regret it and you can thank me later!! Considering the length of this book and that the plan was to read it over a month as part of a readalong I actually devoured it in just 3 days, which is actually less time than I have taken to read some books much shorter! It just goes to show how Katelyn absolutely captivated my attention, immersed me into the storyline and completely gripped me from beginning to end! I truly did struggle to put it down! In this book we meet Derek who has been cursed to live an immortal live as a raven after his girlfriend Margaret thinks she catches him cheating on her and she curses him at Midnight on The Fern Flower on The Festival Of The Fern AKA The Witch's Night. The story takes us from 1897 to 2020 where we travel with Derrek through the decades as he meets and loses people and yet he never ages. I am not going to go into the storyline itself as the publisher has done a fantastic job telling you what you need to know in the synopsis and I don't want to risk spoiling anything as you really need to read this book yourself, my words could never do it justice! therefore, if you want to follow the cursed life of Derek Drummond you will just have to grab your copy today! I promise you that you will not regret it and you may even discover a new favourite author. I am absolutely landed that I gave this book a read as not only did I LOVE it personally my partner, who is a fan of fantasy and science fiction, LOVED it and he is NOT a reader so that well and truly says ALOT! Wow!!!! Just flipping wow!!!! What an absolutely fantastic page turning, extraordinary and explosive page turner!!! Well done Katelyn!! You really do need to clear your schedules as once you start this book you will not be able to put it down! With a storyline absolutely RAM PACKED with atmosphere, heartache, gothic settings, drama, romance, family, betrayal, intrigue, uniqueness, complex characters, curses, beauty, mystery, family, love, secrets, suspense, tension, emotions and SO, so so much more. I mean, seriously, What are you waiting for?! Katelyn's absolutely incredible and masterful evocative writing skills sucks the reader straight into the storyline with Derek and the rest of characters and surroundings coming to life around them. This book really is an absolutely addictive, gothic, page turning, action packed and compelling storyline!! I mean seriously I cannot describe just how AMAZING this book is!!! There are just no words. I mean I'll try but my advice is stop reading this review and GET YOUR COPY NOW!!! II am not going to go into the storyline as the synopsis already does a brilliant job of letting you know what the book is about and if you want to know more well you will just have to grab your copy of this gripping page turner today and I promise that you will not regret it!! I honestly loved absolutely everything about it from the start to the end. It was just one heck of an amazing read!!! I absolutely love, love, LOVED the unique storyline!! I have read so many books that it is getting harder and harder for me to find a truly unique plot but Katelyn absolutely smashes it out of the park with this one!! I just genuinely love, love, LOVED IT and cannot find the words to even start justifying how epic it is!!! A truly unforgettable one in a million page turner!!!! An absolute must read that I wont be forgetting about anytime soon!!
Do not start this book until you have cleared your schedules as you will not be able to put it down!! The characters were all realistic, complex and strong and I was completely invested in them throughout. Katelyn's evocative descriptions really makes them jump out of the book and come to life in front of the readers eyes. I was completely invested in each and every one of the characters especially Derek and Megan who I loved "being next to" and getting to know them. Each of the characters all played their own roles perfectly and they all had their own unique and individual personalities with their own flaws, strengths and weaknesses. All of the characters were multi layered with complex personalities which definitely made them all the more interesting to read about!!! Unfortunately, I really can not say anymore as I don't want to spoil it for future readers. Regardless of what I thought about who, each character worked perfectly to make this page turning book exactly how epic it is!!! I just cannot wait to see what characters this amazing author come up with next!!! I genuinely loved getting to know all the characters and was completely invested throughout!! It just goes to show how fantastic Katelyn's writing skills are and how much she truly cares about her characters as she completely brought them all to life for me. An absolutely fantastic selection of unique characters that all worked together perfectly to create an absolutely unique, beautiful, gothic and addictive page turner!!!
Congratulations Katelyn on an absolutely masterful and unforgettable success. Here's to your next addictive and unique book in this absolutely epic series!!! This is exactly why I would like to welcome you to my favourite authors club!!!
Overall an absolute must read, compelling, addictive, page turning, unique and gothic one of a kind unforgettable book that will keep you addicted.
@Drummond.Diary @CameronPublicity @Troubador_Publishing @LoveBooksTours @LBT.Crew
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May 25, 2026
Sadly I did not finish this book straight away, I had to leave it and come back to it because I really struggled to enjoy it.
The concept of the book was great and I loved the story idea and the star crossed lovers theme but sadly the chapters got boring, and most of them just seemed to be there to give the book a higher page count. This book would have worked better as being a shorter novel with less chapters that all seemed to be about his travels and not the idea of his loved one being reborn.
Concept of story was great and it is well written but chapters could have been cut down and the story more streamlined to keep people interested.
The concept of the book was great and I loved the story idea and the star crossed lovers theme but sadly the chapters got boring, and most of them just seemed to be there to give the book a higher page count. This book would have worked better as being a shorter novel with less chapters that all seemed to be about his travels and not the idea of his loved one being reborn.
Concept of story was great and it is well written but chapters could have been cut down and the story more streamlined to keep people interested.
June 23, 2026
3⭐
I really liked the premise of The Diary of Derek Drummond - an epistolary gothic story set in Scotland, with an immortal man cursed to live as a raven by day and human by night? That’s absolutely the kind of setup that should work for me.
Unfortunately, this one was a bit of a mixed experience. I enjoyed the atmosphere and the Scottish setting a lot, and I liked the idea of following Derek across decades as he tries to break the curse. There’s definitely something intriguing about the story, and I can see why it would really work for some readers.
That said, I struggled to fully connect with it. The pacing felt uneven, with a very slow start and then huge stretches of time covered quite quickly, which made the story feel a little unbalanced. I also found Derek himself hard to connect to at times - he felt quite detached as a narrator, and some of his behaviour, especially early on, made it difficult to root for him.
I also think the book could have been shorter. There were parts I enjoyed, especially the earlier Scotland sections and the overall gothic concept, but I never felt completely pulled into the story the way I wanted to be.
Overall, this wasn’t a bad read by any means - I liked the premise, the setting, and some of the atmosphere - but it didn’t fully click with me. I’m glad I read it, but I’m left feeling like it was more a case of right book, wrong time.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
I really liked the premise of The Diary of Derek Drummond - an epistolary gothic story set in Scotland, with an immortal man cursed to live as a raven by day and human by night? That’s absolutely the kind of setup that should work for me.
Unfortunately, this one was a bit of a mixed experience. I enjoyed the atmosphere and the Scottish setting a lot, and I liked the idea of following Derek across decades as he tries to break the curse. There’s definitely something intriguing about the story, and I can see why it would really work for some readers.
That said, I struggled to fully connect with it. The pacing felt uneven, with a very slow start and then huge stretches of time covered quite quickly, which made the story feel a little unbalanced. I also found Derek himself hard to connect to at times - he felt quite detached as a narrator, and some of his behaviour, especially early on, made it difficult to root for him.
I also think the book could have been shorter. There were parts I enjoyed, especially the earlier Scotland sections and the overall gothic concept, but I never felt completely pulled into the story the way I wanted to be.
Overall, this wasn’t a bad read by any means - I liked the premise, the setting, and some of the atmosphere - but it didn’t fully click with me. I’m glad I read it, but I’m left feeling like it was more a case of right book, wrong time.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
July 26, 2026
I started this thinking it would be a long read and quite dark, so it may take me a while, what I found was that after 50 or so pages I couldn't bare to put it down, I was totally hooked on what would happen to Derek! Don't get me wrong, the 1900s still felt long-winded and I was itching to get to the action, but I do understand the authors desire to show how Derek was living and passing the years.
The curse is pretty spectacular, I really felt for Derek not being able to give his side of the story and seeing him lose not just his home and livelihood, but his friendships and trust in people.
I really liked Megan, she is a great character - despite her workaholic tendencies. I love that when she loves, she loves hard and never gives up, no matter how impossible things seem.
I really liked the ending - though the final chapter is a very long one and I generally prefer much shorter, snappier chapters. I do however feel like there are still questions that I never got the answer to.
Why did the author not give some kind of comeuppance to Eleanor and Andrew? What happened to Derek between 2017 and 2020 - I appreciate he didn’t seem to know but maybe Ines could have seen or we could have had an epilogue chapter from Margaret? Speaking of Margaret, we heard she found out the truth and forgave Derek in death, so why did any of the things in the last couple of chapters happen? How did Megan explain Derek to her Scottish family, how did she explain his absence to her other family? Why didnt she tell him that one thing? I would have loved to see all of these things explained, and I think that if they had this would be a really well-rounded book ending that would have earned 5 stars. As such these questions are little frustrating to me and so I cant give it more than 4 stars.
This is a really interesting tale, and will keep the reader gripped. Written in diary format its a really interesting way to see the story unfold. I'd definitely recommend.
The curse is pretty spectacular, I really felt for Derek not being able to give his side of the story and seeing him lose not just his home and livelihood, but his friendships and trust in people.
I really liked Megan, she is a great character - despite her workaholic tendencies. I love that when she loves, she loves hard and never gives up, no matter how impossible things seem.
I really liked the ending - though the final chapter is a very long one and I generally prefer much shorter, snappier chapters. I do however feel like there are still questions that I never got the answer to.
Why did the author not give some kind of comeuppance to Eleanor and Andrew? What happened to Derek between 2017 and 2020 - I appreciate he didn’t seem to know but maybe Ines could have seen or we could have had an epilogue chapter from Margaret? Speaking of Margaret, we heard she found out the truth and forgave Derek in death, so why did any of the things in the last couple of chapters happen? How did Megan explain Derek to her Scottish family, how did she explain his absence to her other family? Why didnt she tell him that one thing? I would have loved to see all of these things explained, and I think that if they had this would be a really well-rounded book ending that would have earned 5 stars. As such these questions are little frustrating to me and so I cant give it more than 4 stars.
This is a really interesting tale, and will keep the reader gripped. Written in diary format its a really interesting way to see the story unfold. I'd definitely recommend.
April 21, 2026
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
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
May 22, 2026
I’ve rated this book 4.5 stars, this isn’t my normal type of book, but I was intrigued when I saw it on NetGalley. I’m usually a romantasy type gal, whereas I feel this falls under gothic literature/gothic fantasy.
I must say this is a really wonderful book. The storyline of tragedy and curses were somewhat understandable, but the way the author portrayed every emotion so well is astronomical. I really enjoyed the diary style, and I loved going through the emotions with Derek. From despair/hatred/love/acceptance …it was all there for me. The story was easy to follow, and the writing structure was smooth.
I enjoyed midway through, the author introduced Derek’s sarcastic banter through the pages and this felt very apt for the emotions portrayed at that time. It was executed really well.
The small twists and turns throughout the story kept me really engaged, and I must say overall it was a really enjoyable read.
I must say this is a really wonderful book. The storyline of tragedy and curses were somewhat understandable, but the way the author portrayed every emotion so well is astronomical. I really enjoyed the diary style, and I loved going through the emotions with Derek. From despair/hatred/love/acceptance …it was all there for me. The story was easy to follow, and the writing structure was smooth.
I enjoyed midway through, the author introduced Derek’s sarcastic banter through the pages and this felt very apt for the emotions portrayed at that time. It was executed really well.
The small twists and turns throughout the story kept me really engaged, and I must say overall it was a really enjoyable read.
June 7, 2026
Where can I start? I had absolutely no idea what to expect going into this book, so I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it.
I was intrigued by Derek and intrigued to learn the truth behind his curse. The diary entry format was such a unique way to tell the story and made it feel incredibly personal. I loved following Derek's life through the years and seeing how he coped with living under the weight of his curse while adapting to the many changes that came with over a century of life in the world.I found his journey both fascinating and emotional.
And poor Megan... she really went through a lot throughout this story! I was fully invested in seeing how everything would unfold for her, for herself and with Derek.
This is a true romance at its core, woven together with mystery and intrigue rather than spice. The slow uncovering of secrets kept me turning the pages, and I enjoyed the balance between the romance and the mystery elements.
I was intrigued by Derek and intrigued to learn the truth behind his curse. The diary entry format was such a unique way to tell the story and made it feel incredibly personal. I loved following Derek's life through the years and seeing how he coped with living under the weight of his curse while adapting to the many changes that came with over a century of life in the world.I found his journey both fascinating and emotional.
And poor Megan... she really went through a lot throughout this story! I was fully invested in seeing how everything would unfold for her, for herself and with Derek.
This is a true romance at its core, woven together with mystery and intrigue rather than spice. The slow uncovering of secrets kept me turning the pages, and I enjoyed the balance between the romance and the mystery elements.
September 8, 2026
I've got to admit that when I saw just how chunky this book was, I might have panicked a little.
Having said that, it was only just over 550 pages and I absolutely devoured this book so fast!
This is written in the style of a diary - as the title suggests - and so it was so easy to fall into the storyline and with the personal writing style, I just felt like I was there with the characters, living this storyline out with them all and sitting chatting with friends.
The characters were fascinating and I especially loved Derek, in all his forms and over all of his years.
Derek's story spans over a century and without giving too much away, this does certainly cross over into paranormal territory.
There were hints of witchcraft with magical ferns and seers dotted throughout as we see Derek navigate a life trapped by a curse and desperately seeking a way back to normality.
I loved the way Derek managed the changes in era with such skill but despite these massive changes, he still stayed true to who he was before - I loved the draw back to Scotland, Castle Raven and of course his kilt and bagpipes.
There was a bit of everything within this storyline and I thought the blend of genres worked really well.
We see romance, mystery and a fair amount of fantasy as the story progresses and this combination held my interest from start to finish.
I liked all the twists and turns along the way and kept changing my mind about the motives of each of the family members.
The family dynamics were ever changing and as more characters entered the story, my suspicions grew.
There were a fair number of characters here, but I really think the way the story flowed, it was nice and easy to keep track of who was who and just where they lay within the plot.
I liked that this kept me on my toes and kept surprising me.
Just as we settle into one thread of the story, something else would come along and shift my attention and this happened lots within the final few pages.
I loved how this all came together in the end and brought Derek's story to its conclusion.
This was such a great read and I was completely invested in Derek's story.
So easy to just immerse myself in and fly through the pages.
Having said that, it was only just over 550 pages and I absolutely devoured this book so fast!
This is written in the style of a diary - as the title suggests - and so it was so easy to fall into the storyline and with the personal writing style, I just felt like I was there with the characters, living this storyline out with them all and sitting chatting with friends.
The characters were fascinating and I especially loved Derek, in all his forms and over all of his years.
Derek's story spans over a century and without giving too much away, this does certainly cross over into paranormal territory.
There were hints of witchcraft with magical ferns and seers dotted throughout as we see Derek navigate a life trapped by a curse and desperately seeking a way back to normality.
I loved the way Derek managed the changes in era with such skill but despite these massive changes, he still stayed true to who he was before - I loved the draw back to Scotland, Castle Raven and of course his kilt and bagpipes.
There was a bit of everything within this storyline and I thought the blend of genres worked really well.
We see romance, mystery and a fair amount of fantasy as the story progresses and this combination held my interest from start to finish.
I liked all the twists and turns along the way and kept changing my mind about the motives of each of the family members.
The family dynamics were ever changing and as more characters entered the story, my suspicions grew.
There were a fair number of characters here, but I really think the way the story flowed, it was nice and easy to keep track of who was who and just where they lay within the plot.
I liked that this kept me on my toes and kept surprising me.
Just as we settle into one thread of the story, something else would come along and shift my attention and this happened lots within the final few pages.
I loved how this all came together in the end and brought Derek's story to its conclusion.
This was such a great read and I was completely invested in Derek's story.
So easy to just immerse myself in and fly through the pages.
May 6, 2026
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.
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.
September 16, 2026
Physically this is a really lovely book. The cark cover art is so simple and yet so beautiful. The size was great too, and despite being over 500 pages it didn't "feel: like a big book..
I found myself immediately drawn into the story, it felt like some of the classic gothic/vampire stories I loved in the 90s, although there isn't a vampire in sight. I loved the historical element, the modern day, the Scottish setting. Everything was just fantastic. The pacing was perfect and I loved the way the story was told via diary entries.
Katelyn's writing was utterly fantastic, the characters were so believable, the speech felt genuine and the level of description was spot on. I found myself totally absorbed from start to finish
The plot was one of the best I have read for a long time. It was fresh and different and I found myself so invested in Derek and Megan's story. But it was also so much more than just a story. It was a look at what it means to be human, to love, to lose; and to start again.
I can not recommend this book enough and can see it being one of those ones that I will rave about for a long time to come.
I found myself immediately drawn into the story, it felt like some of the classic gothic/vampire stories I loved in the 90s, although there isn't a vampire in sight. I loved the historical element, the modern day, the Scottish setting. Everything was just fantastic. The pacing was perfect and I loved the way the story was told via diary entries.
Katelyn's writing was utterly fantastic, the characters were so believable, the speech felt genuine and the level of description was spot on. I found myself totally absorbed from start to finish
The plot was one of the best I have read for a long time. It was fresh and different and I found myself so invested in Derek and Megan's story. But it was also so much more than just a story. It was a look at what it means to be human, to love, to lose; and to start again.
I can not recommend this book enough and can see it being one of those ones that I will rave about for a long time to come.
April 19, 2026
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.
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.
June 3, 2026
What a beautiful love story wrapped up in Scottish lore, familial agreements between neighboring clans, gothic imagery, and a curse sentencing the cursed to forever living in the shadow of night. I liked that the entire story was written by the cursed as diary entries. His description of his life over the 147 years covered was both interesting and sad. And, of course, I love second chances and forgiveness themes! The end is absolutely precious, so don’t be intimidated by the length of the book. It goes by quickly, and you want to read until the end. 5 out of 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
June 9, 2026
This was quite a thick book and it looked intimidating when I first picked it up but I found myself getting caught up straight away so the size seemed to disappear. There was a Gothic romantic feel straight from the prologue and a melancholy air about it in the beginning with intrigue surrounding the character of derek especially towards the end of chapter 5 before you get a real understanding of what is going on.
I Love the way it is written from the perspective of Derek writing his own history and present as a diary.
The sadness when he realises he never ages and the excitement of finally meeting someone to break the curse. Some people may think that living forever is a bonus but when reading Derek's story it is apparent that in this case it is not. Will love finally prevail and will Derek get his happily ever after over 100 years late?
I Love the way it is written from the perspective of Derek writing his own history and present as a diary.
The sadness when he realises he never ages and the excitement of finally meeting someone to break the curse. Some people may think that living forever is a bonus but when reading Derek's story it is apparent that in this case it is not. Will love finally prevail and will Derek get his happily ever after over 100 years late?
July 9, 2026
OMG!! I haven't read something so hauntingly beautiful in a very long time.
Cursed to live a life in the shadows, immortal until he can find his true love to break his curse.
The perspective of it being Derek's Diary entries makes you feel like you are walking beside him.
This is a journey, don't expect full on action. It's about him seeing the world through the decades he lives, the loneliness and solitude of his curse.
It's just so damn beautiful 😍 and those last lines...what a clever way to end.
I will read anything this author writes!!
Cursed to live a life in the shadows, immortal until he can find his true love to break his curse.
The perspective of it being Derek's Diary entries makes you feel like you are walking beside him.
This is a journey, don't expect full on action. It's about him seeing the world through the decades he lives, the loneliness and solitude of his curse.
It's just so damn beautiful 😍 and those last lines...what a clever way to end.
I will read anything this author writes!!
June 1, 2026
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.
June 10, 2026
Definitely recommend.
The Diary of Derek Drummond: The Story of My Cursed Life by Katelyn Emilia Novak.
wow. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I did not expect it to go this way. What a surprise. I just saw the cover and signed up straight away for this tour. I loved the writing style. The story did surprise me. I loved the setting. So well described. I did feel for Derek. I really didn't like Eleanor at all. I did like the diary part. How at the start of each chapter we had the date and where he was. wow. This book was incredible. what a read. I did like Megan. How she was with Derek. Their chemistry. I most definitely recommend this book.
The Diary of Derek Drummond: The Story of My Cursed Life by Katelyn Emilia Novak.
wow. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I did not expect it to go this way. What a surprise. I just saw the cover and signed up straight away for this tour. I loved the writing style. The story did surprise me. I loved the setting. So well described. I did feel for Derek. I really didn't like Eleanor at all. I did like the diary part. How at the start of each chapter we had the date and where he was. wow. This book was incredible. what a read. I did like Megan. How she was with Derek. Their chemistry. I most definitely recommend this book.
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