The Naiad's Gift

Immortal Bonds #1

by Isabel Murray

Your value is in your beauty. It is your weapon and your worth. You are powerful but you are alone. You are one against them all, so choose your human lovers wisely. Never let them catch you, or you will suffer.

Sayan’s naiad mother taught him well. He has lived for uncountable centuries, following her rules and roaming the perimeter of his vast northern lake. He takes a lover once, and he never looks back. Until he meets Erik.

You need someone to care for, Erik. Someone who craves your attention like he needs it to live, who wants only you. Someone who drives you wild with passion.

Erik Arnesson’s husband died five years ago and Erik hasn’t been the same since. His life is empty, and so is his heart. No one wants a sad forty-something man who can’t perform in the bedroom—at least in Erik’s bitter experience—so he has decided to cut his losses and move on. He leaves the city behind and moves to a cabin beside a remote lake, where he expects to spend the rest of his life in peace and solitude. And then he meets Sayan.

Erik can’t give Sayan what he wants, but somehow it doesn’t seem to matter. Sayan should stay away, but somehow he can’t. Why does it feel like they were made for each other, when Sayan is immortal and Erik is just a human?

The Naiad’s Gift is a quiet fantasy romance between the loneliest naiad in the world who thinks he knows all there is to know about seduction, and the widowed and weary ex-merchant who has a thing or two to teach him on their way to a (very) happily ever after.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, M M Romance, Novella, Historical, LGBT, Paranormal

164 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 9, 2023

About the author

Isabel is a writer, a reader, and a lover of love. She couldn’t stick to a subgenre if her life depended on it, but MM romance is her jam. She lives in the UK, reads way too much, and cannot be trusted anywhere near chocolate.


Website: https://isabelmurrayauthor.wordpress.com

Other links: https://isabelmurray.carrd.co

Reviews

[Drusilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Erik is a broken man, sad and lonely. He meets Sayan, a sex-focused naiad who uses people for his pleasure and has no other use for them.
It starts with sadness and sexual moments that are a bit one-sided. Asks about existential issues and turns into love.
There is very little plot, most of the story is taken up by the inner reflections of the two characters. However, this is in no way boring, and I didn't find them dragging, which would be normal for something like this.
Perhaps one could criticize the fact that much remains on the surface. The dark parts of both their lives are only scratched. Overall, the story remains light, a bit fairytale-like.

For Erik, though…
For Erik, I would shake the water from my limbs and follow him to his home on land. If he asked it of me, I would do it, even though I knew better. 💞🫠💞

[Hugo #freepalestine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly it clicked all the right buttons for me in a paranormal romance,
It has beautiful writing, it was so tender, like a fairy take romance that you'd see on a film like Disney or studio ghibli without being tedious, it just goes straight to the point while still managing to be somewhat poetic and understandable.
And also The Lore, I'm gonna always love a lore in a fantasy or paranormal romance especially when you read that part when the prophecy or the lore generational cycle being broken by love or something.

I loved Naiad he's so naive or like pure while also still being upfront about things and he's also possessive and jealous as hell lol I wished they dig deeper into Erik's grief and more on how he dealt with it but I still liked how it is regardless.

[ancientreader · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought First Dates and Birthday Cakes was pretty much a perfect confection (*polishes knuckles*), and Not That Complicated held up well even on a second reading, but I finished this one only out of stubbornness. I'm fascinated by IM's very inconsistency.

[Courtney Bassett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quiet and beautiful

I wasn’t sure quite what to expect going in, but I loved this! The naiad was basically like a feral cat, used to taking pleasure from humans just once before leaving them, but completely unaccustomed to any sort of real affection in return. Seeing him start to respond to gentle touch and care from a slightly older man than he’s used to encountering, one who is willing to get to know him and give him a different sort of intimacy than he’s ever had, was just lovely. I loved his possessiveness, too.

Honestly, I have yet to be disappointed by a book from this author. She’s skilled at making characters come alive.

[Shelba · Rating 4 out of 5]

I mostly enjoyed this.

I love that Sayan gives off similar vibes to Adam & Dave. I love the intimacy, the emotional hair brushing.

I hate that this was dual POV. Well, I hate dual POVs in general, but I didn’t think I had to worry about that with Isabel Murray. I personally think this would have been better just from Erik’s POV.

I also think maybe the epilogue should have been before a different epilogue. Or not an epilogue at all. (I also hate epilogues).

[The Word Nerd Reviews Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

So beautiful!

If you enjoy Isabel Murray's writing, you'll love this one.

A gorgeous story of two lost souls finding each other.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty sure I’ll read and enjoy anything Isabel writes. Reminiscent of my fave story of her’s “catch and release” in terms of a human and a not-human main characters. I was happy that these MCs could actually communicate with words and understood each other, to have a different take and not be the same story of a character from the deep waters. Sweet story of two men (weeeelllllll), two males who seemed to be made for one another. I got my HEA, so no complaints from me. Sweet, easy read. When I received her newsletter email this morning that she dropped a new book, I knew I had to and would devour it! So glad I did.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can a book with an older MC (is 40s really that old?) with erectile dysfunction and a naiad with an insatiable appetite for sex really work? Short answer, yes. Because of the Erik's body's unwillingness to cooperate when the, um, hunger arises, he finds a way to connect with Sayan in a deeper way, and in doing so, he taps into Sayan's need, not the need to satisfy his partners, but the need to be satisfied. To have someone listen to him, to touch him in a more caring, tender way, and ultimately to treat him like he's more than just a beautiful body to be used.
This book is short, sweet, and as expected from Isabel Murray, really well written.

[☾⋆⁺ Nurse After Dark · Rating 5 out of 5]

He might be older than me by hundreds or even thousands of years, but his obsession with getting in my breeches reminded me of an adolescent.

I've been a big fan of all of Isabel Murray's other works, and when I saw they had a new release, I knew I wanted to squeeze it in despite the countless other books on my immediate TBR! At its basic level, this book reminded me of another favorite of hers, Catch and Release, though the differences were quickly apparent and made this read feel fresh and engaging! I also liked the time setting - at first, I didn't realize it was set a little in the past in general terms, but the somewhat more formal language worked for it.

Had he only ever been the one to give? I didn’t ask. His self-worth seemed to be tied very closely to his prowess as a lover. More specifically, to his cock.

Sayan lives an uncomplicated existence - or so it seems. He had so much personality, and the way the author wove him into the beginning as he woke from another long slumber at the bottom of the lake gave you a great sense of his immortality, despite his - I'm saying it - bratty attitude! I liked the lore behind Sayan and his siblings, and the way he carried his loneliness and past trauma from humans.

Sayan being able to communicate verbally to Erik, though often choosing not to, communicating instead through actions and mannerisms was also really appreciated during the read. It added a layer of connection and understanding that I think we needed in this read between our MCs.

I wanted to draw him into my arms, twine our legs together, rest his head on my shoulder as he caught his breath. I wanted to fall asleep together. Instead, I'd debauched an immortal being on the ground, and was hovering over him like a conqueror as he quivered beneath me.

For a book where one of the main characters could really never get it up the spice was surprisingly hot and kept me super engaged through the whole read! They carried the intimacy between them so well that even though I was a little disappointed that we didn't get a full on-page Erik erection I was still more than satisfied.

I walked into the dark ocean with its stinging salt, and began the journey of many thousands of years that would eventually bring me to Erik.

I will definitely look forward to more releases from Isabel Murray in the future!

[DJO · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw a reviewer describe this as a “quiet” story and I think that’s a very apt description. It’s not at all fast-paced or high-action, but it is quite lovely. To me, it read like an ethereal, dreamy, sexy fairy tale with a light dose of humor. Sayan was such an interesting character. I loved reading about his long life in the lake, esp the descriptions of him swimming directly beneath the ice, and I adored his love for the willow tree. His and Erik’s romance was so sweetly romantic. Not a whole lot happens outside the development of their relationship and that was a wee bit frustrating. But I certainly didn’t finish the book unsatisfied.

I like Isabel Murray’s writing and brand of storytelling--even though her stories don’t always work for me. But she is unique and her material is very original. Her stories are not something you’ve read a thousand times before and, in the world of MM romance, I appreciate that very much.

[Elyse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, yes and more yes. This brought me back to that first time I fell in love with Isabel Murray’s writing. It reminded me why I loved her work so much. It’s just so beautiful. This story of a human and naiad finding each other was very well done. I was in love with every single word.

I’m so glad I decided to download this after seeing she had a new release in her newsletter. I almost skipped over it because the last couple books of hers didn’t quite fit with me. Perish the thought that I almost missed out on this. It’s getting filed under my favorites and I’ll probably end up reading this again in the future.

[winter · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

When a sexually voracious naiad meets a sexually dysfunctional older man, you might expect magic to solve any ED problems. But that’s not what happens, and I think that’s beautiful. This isn’t your usual erotic romance, and it’s better for it.

So many books frame instant sparks and amazing Os as the goals of intimacy, and this book steps away from that. I love watching the Naiad relearn what sex should be about, and the joy between these two is so wonderful. I definitely liked this.

Spice: 4/5
Angst: 1/5

[Bianca · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars 🌟

If I could describe this book using one word it would be cozy. The coziest fantasy-ish romance book just in time for halloween!! We have a naiad who’s only ever been used for his body and a widowed man who has intimacy issues. It was a tiny bit angsty than I was expecting but I loved how the characters came together and it was overall just sweet 🥹

[isthisakink · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5. Don’t get me wrong, I loved the gentle vibes of this story, but it’s one where I think it wouldn’t have hurt anything to add a touch more. It was like an extended short story for me, where it worked, but it would’ve been more solid if it was fleshed out just that little bit further and given Big Boy Book energy. If that makes sense..?

[kait of LitWit]

This is a pretty hilarious premise, actually- I have NEVER in all my hundreds of MM romances had impotence come up in such a defining way. Confusing the naiad by inability to get it up leading to instalove was fine, for a cozy lil novella, but not as much depth as it was trying to have.

[Renée · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked how unique the story was. 3.5 stars

[Ness · Rating 5 out of 5]

I often avoid books with less than 300 pages. I don't think the plot can be developed in such an amount and, as I enjoy complex storylines, that means I expect to find a story that includes love, angst, drama, maybe action? And much more in it.

I want to thank this author for proving me so wrong, I now wonder whatever more I've missed out due to this mentality.

It's hard to start a review of The Naiad's Gift without mentioning the page amount first. I must say that I read it all in approximately five hours, giggled and kicked the air for a little while, then read it all over again. In that order. The simple story was such a breath of fresh air (get it?), and in no moment did I feel that the characters were underdeveloped or lacking in any way. As much as I love Sayan, which is a whole lot, Erik was my favourite. The pace felt perfect, no filling, no unnecessary misunderstandings, nothing of the sort. I swear it was like a movie playing in my head, for the writing is so immersive, hinting at the past just the precise amount, breaking no dialogues between paragraphs nor abruptly changing to other scenes, picturesque descriptions, incredible characterization, you can't help but read without a break.

The mystery of Sayan's origins, his mother, his siblings, is one that makes me wish there was more, although something tells me we were given just the right amount to wonder and light up that insatiable interest. I've read many stories where people are haunted by the memory of their loved ones, and although completely understandable, I'm glad Erik was not the same. Nils told him to seek love, to let himself be loved after he was gone, so that he did. There was room for some misunderstandings, too, but both Sayan and Erik were mature enough to not let them happen, for which I could cry and scream and laugh and build a temple for the author. The dual POV was disconcerting at first, as I tend to drop the book when it's multiple-povs, but I think it gives the story that extra element to keep you enchanted—what does Sayan think? Why does he see it that way? Truly well-done.

If this book is anything other than a perfect quick read, I'm deliberately ignoring that. In fact, I'm deliberately ignoring if it's anything other than perfect. It cured my reader hangover from over four months, and I can't wait to read more from this author.

[SebFox · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little gift from Isabel

Isabel Murray really is one of our best MM Romcom writers. You only have to read any of her “Not that…” series to know what I mean. So it was with a little trepidation that I dipped into one of her fantasy novellas. I was concerned to see how she would bring her contemporary wit to the far off land of Laskeld or how her British humour would measure up when spoken by her Nordic(?) fair folk. I needn’t have worried. This succulent morsel of a book is a breath of fresh air compared to the stale offerings in this genre. That is in no small part due to the refreshing way she writes her characters and the skilful way she balances their emotional growth.

This is a short book and, on the surface, really is only about one thing; the seduction and courtship of Erik. But dig a little deeper and you’ll see this is about so much more than that. It’s about the surface nature of desire and emptiness of eternity without love. And the need to love and care for others over the need to be loved in return. Of course there’s the insta attraction you’d expect when a Demi God falls for a human. And there’s plenty of “look at my mate and die” we’ve come to expect from these types of macho characters. But with Isabel Murray’s penmanship you get a fresher feeling to this story that makes you want to race through the pages to see how the story plays out… even though we already know how it’s going to play out. And it’s that same penmanship that, with a few literary brush strokes, paints a very vivid picture of this imaginary world.

And although I felt a little unsatisfied at the end that we didn’t see a “happy ending” to Erik’s problem, I applaud Isabel Murray’s decision to stay true to the fact that “desire” is deeper than the physical response. In doing so she has written an incredibly spicy book, which you might have expected given this is a book about a Naiad. But what wasn’t expected was that she would whip up something so delicious with just a few ingredients. Now I hope she doesn’t make a habit of writing these short novellas because I really miss what she does when she lets her imagination loose on a full length book. So fingers crossed we get to visit Chipping Fairford once more. Until then, why not take a dip into Laskeld lake with Sayan and Erik.

4.5 Stars

[SJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just beautiful! I had the idea going into it that there would be a second book and the story would continue. Not my favorite when the ending is a HFN, but the gentle narrative all throughout led to a loving ending that flowed on out of the book. And, left me wondering how an immortal-human relationship would play out when there is no fated mates between the MCs, with the super long lives.

Naiad Sayan is aware even before human Erik tells him that he will eventually die. Erik is shocked and protesting when Sayan says that he will die with him. This is the scene as the book ends and it is wonderfully written!

I love all of their interactions as the author has given Sayan and Erik strong personalities with depth. Each one has done as they wish with their lives and now have chosen to bend and shape themselves to the other.
For a powerful creature like a water naiad, Sayan has made himself vulnerable to Erik and almost submissive in their sexual relations. I enjoyed that personality twist because a naiad takes what they want sexually from every human they choose, and, now, here is Erik who cannot consummate the act and he is guiding their physical encounters, in a loving way.

The book is sex drenched as is their lovemaking when Sayan strides his godlike body out of the water straight up to Erik and lays one on him, after Erik showing him what kissing is all about.
The sex scenes are numerous and chef’s kiss, because this was the best kind of sex, soul deep.

The author excels with the countryside setting of somewhere in northern Europe. There are beautiful descriptions of the area around Erik’s cabin and the nature that is constantly moving by the shores of a great lake, Sayan’s lake. This is a bubble of solitude for the couple, but there are a few nearby town folk who are in some scenes. I was surprised that they were accepting of a naiad and human relationship, and that they even believed in it. Another interesting element of a peaceful love story.

Of course I’m recommending the book-it was great! The author is one of the few who makes MM fantasy palatable to me. I can relate to both the real and the creative. I enjoyed the book, very much.

[Lucsbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book by accident, and I subsequently read the two other novellas that followed it, as well as the extra chapter I received when I subscribed to the author's newsletter, because I couldn't stop, not even to update my Goodreads.

The book itself is short, with just enough word building to make the main characters make sense and the few secondary characters that do appear are just as interesting and hilarious from Erik's friends back in the city to his new neighbour that when he realised a rich widower was moving to their small town immediately tried to set him up with every available person in his family. No one can blame him or reproach him for that.

I enjoyed reading a romance where one of the characters was a middle-aged widower, still dealing with his grief and starting the next stage of his life in retirement. The dynamic between the two main characters was so original that I only stopped reading to Google the author because this book was giving everything but written by a straight woman. The kink is not explicit, but it's interesting and refreshing to read, particularly in the way Erik, someone physically older, takes care of Sayan, an immortal creature that is so much more powerful but yields to him because he wants to and learns to trust Erik.

Without giving away any spoilers, Erik is dealing with something that plenty of men do, and I loved that the author wrote about it in the way she did: as part of his story, but not that important. The characters still had an amazing love story and plenty of fun, and so did I.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Five years after his husband passed, Erik is done. He has sold his successful business to a distant young cousin and is moved to a small cabin just outside of a small town on a large inland lake. His few romantic and amorous efforts have left him even further depressed, his business isn't interesting him anymore, and he just doesn't have desire to stay in his old life. Out walking the lakeshore one cold late winter day, he's surprised by the appearance of a tall, green haired, perfectly built, naked with a permanent hard-on, nearly feral naiad... who seems intent on seducing him.
Sayan has been sleeping away winters longer and longer, missing entire years during his sleeps. He's an immortal who seeks to give and take sexual pleasure randomly along the shores of his lake, to young and beautiful men and women. When he awakens, he's strangely interested by Erik, a thickly built man in his 40s with silvering hair. Yet he's in for a surprise: as welcoming as Erik is, he can't form an erection.
During this novella, we see Erik and Sayan become more fascinated and involved with each other. It's earthy and sexy at times, and fun to read. I only wish Sayan had been a little more developed, sometimes he felt a little one-sided at times.
Four stars. Good read.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most unusual love story that just works on every level. Sayan is a beautiful naiad, an immortal being who lives in a large lake. He has been alive for thousands of years, often sleeping or hibernating for long periods. To survive and replenish his energy, he occasionally emerges from the lake to couple with a willing partner. He benefits from their pleasure, but he never revisits the same person twice, so as to avoid attachments. He usually seeks young adult partners to avoid mingling with someone attached to another. Still, when he notices a sad, middle-aged man roaming the lakeshore, he becomes interested in approaching him.

Erik is widower in his early 40s in a time of carriages and lanterns. He lost his husband five years before and has been grieving ever since. He has sold most of his business and taken an early retirement to this deluxe cabin. He has been impotent since his husband's death and, when Sayan first approaches him, Sayan is surprised as the lack of response. Still, Sayan is drawn to him over and over again, due to Erik's kindness, gentleness, and concern. This is a love story that transcends what seems predictable and sad. It is a superb love. I look forward to reading the other related novellas!

[Romance Professor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like Isabel Murray *a lot*. She’s not afraid to make her characters endearingly ridiculous, and her books are generally very funny.

That said, this is the least funny Murray book I’ve read. That didn’t lessen my enjoyment at all.

This one is all about intimacy: touch and caregiving and hair brushing and silent, meandering, lakeside walks. 43-year-old Erik starts this book sad and resigned, ready to isolate himself in the country and just…grow old.

Sayan—the eponymous naiad—is actually even more lonely than Erik, but while Erik’s sadness is tempered by his soft, wry humor, Sayan’s is masked by a sort of alien arrogance.

I fear I’ve made this sound like a rather sad book but it really isn’t. It is instead cozy and quiet and at times quite amusing—after all, the least funny Isabel Murray book still makes a reader laugh.

There’s something lovely in how Sayan’s overbearing weirdo behavior melds with Erik’s near-Daddy energy. I’m excited to read the follow-up story.

[Amithia Raine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so stoked when i got Isabel's newsletter promising the release of this book in October. And it delivered on all fronts.

Someone described this book as cozy. Well, that's exactly what it felt like when reading it. Isabel is a master at writing about longing and inexplicable pull.

Sayan was a precious baby, despite reminding us how old he is, and I was cheering loudly whenever he was being appreciated and worshiped by Erik.

And honestly, Erik is such a gentle, patient soul. They were made for each other

Loved this book!

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, loss, and changes

Such a beautiful and sweet story! A story of love and healing, even when it seemed that love could never be found. It is of moving on but not letting go, just finding something different that fits in a way for life as it is now. A really beautiful fit between a man feeling his age, an ancient naiad who never has, and the things they are missing but find in one another.

[amanda rana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Swept Away

I picked this up when I realized I hadn't read it yet - I love the author. I went in blind, and was pleasantly impressed by this quick fantasy. Set in a queer normative society with a vaguely historical northern European feel this was low angst, and passionate. This deals with a topic that is *super* rarely mentioned in romance novels and it was so beautifully done. I absolutely love being surprised like this by a book.

[Andy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a lovely, sweet fantasy romance. It gave me all the English summer vibes with its setting next to a lake and cooler weather. I appreciated the way this romance approached lust and desire from a slightly different angle and that there wasn't some kind of magical resolution at the end of the story. I liked both of the characters and found the way they each managed to overcome the other's hang-ups and insecurities really well done.

[Rocken · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*
Some of Isabelle Murray's books tend to annoy me and some make me uncomfortable. But her writing is undisputably good, and this particular story is rather sweet and low angst, and luckily didn't grate on my nerves.
It's not exactly conventional, but it's mellow and the MCs are quite likable.

[Dekaydreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magical and wonderful. Short - actually, the perfect length, I think. I was captivated and entranced all the way through - and it was, just as I hoped, the ideal antidote to a couple of disappointing reads (which are still on my Currently Reading list, as I've not decided if I'm going to get back to them or call them quits just yet; it's a mood thing, and I'm in the mood for magic right now, it seems.)

[Jenn (not Lily) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars
So very lovely. This is the second book I've read in a row about a mythical sea creature bonding with a human, and, although I enjoyed that first one (by a different author), I absolutely adored this one. Gentle, quiet, smouldering, and so damn satisfying. I've loved every story I've read by this author -- delighted to add this to that list!