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The First Dryad #1-3
The First Nymph
Marriage is forbidden in Orega, the Land of Many Waters, but High Prince Maxos does not seem to care. He will stop at nothing to force a marriage out of Eilyn for the good fortune of his own realm. Eilyn will have to destroy the Prince along with his ambitions to protect the women of Orega if she can manage to keep her hands off him.
From the world of The First Collection, including novels like The First Dryad and The First Stone.
An excerpt
I used my Will to rip through his wickedly black shirt, and he winced. Cursing, he grabbed my hair and pulled me close enough for his lips to graze mine when he spoke. “You went too deep on purpose.”
His accusation made me smile. In fact, it brought every bit of my skin to life. “Eat your food and stop complaining, Maxos.”
The High Prince did as he was told. When his mouth met mine, the core of my body tightened, as if I had nearly died of thirst and there was water just a breath away. A murmur left me…like a whimper and a moan wrapped in one, and he seemed quite pleased to have heard it.
He lifted me until I sat on the desk, the carvings along the edge pressing into my skin, and parted my legs so he could slip between them. Every time I reached for what remained of his clothing, Maxos pushed my hands away.
“Your trousers,” I mumbled, my breath leaving me in waves while he plucked at my neck with his lips. “Let me take them off.”
But he pitted his Will against mine and kept my hands occupied. “Not yet.”
“Maxos—”
“Stop talking, Eilyn, for the love of heaven—”
But I was no one’s attendant. I would not be taking orders from the High Prince. I pushed myself off the desk and shoved the Prince back with enough force that he fell to the floor with a grunt. I snaked atop him, and he urged me back toward him with cool hands.
Trousers gone. There.
I trailed kisses along his abdomen until I met his mouth once more. But this playing only frustrated us both. Why it all felt so urgent, I knew not.
“You are not ready,” he said, holding me off by clutching my hips and attempting to hold me still. “Give me a little more time.”
But my body already was slick with sweat, and I knew what I wanted and how badly I wanted it. I angled myself, pulling his very Will from his mouth, but still he would not come into me. I did not appreciate being denied.
“Eilyn—”
I groaned. “Just…Maxos, let me have what I want.”
He leaned forward, those hands along my naked spine just as I’d imagined. The smell of him perfect. The taste of him perfect. “It will be time…when you feel you will die without it.”
Dive into this watery world of high royals, witty banter, enemies to lovers, and more. Meet Eilyn and Maxos and fall in love, lost in fantasy in this standalone novel connected to a rich world.
From the world of The First Collection, including novels like The First Dryad and The First Stone.
An excerpt
I used my Will to rip through his wickedly black shirt, and he winced. Cursing, he grabbed my hair and pulled me close enough for his lips to graze mine when he spoke. “You went too deep on purpose.”
His accusation made me smile. In fact, it brought every bit of my skin to life. “Eat your food and stop complaining, Maxos.”
The High Prince did as he was told. When his mouth met mine, the core of my body tightened, as if I had nearly died of thirst and there was water just a breath away. A murmur left me…like a whimper and a moan wrapped in one, and he seemed quite pleased to have heard it.
He lifted me until I sat on the desk, the carvings along the edge pressing into my skin, and parted my legs so he could slip between them. Every time I reached for what remained of his clothing, Maxos pushed my hands away.
“Your trousers,” I mumbled, my breath leaving me in waves while he plucked at my neck with his lips. “Let me take them off.”
But he pitted his Will against mine and kept my hands occupied. “Not yet.”
“Maxos—”
“Stop talking, Eilyn, for the love of heaven—”
But I was no one’s attendant. I would not be taking orders from the High Prince. I pushed myself off the desk and shoved the Prince back with enough force that he fell to the floor with a grunt. I snaked atop him, and he urged me back toward him with cool hands.
Trousers gone. There.
I trailed kisses along his abdomen until I met his mouth once more. But this playing only frustrated us both. Why it all felt so urgent, I knew not.
“You are not ready,” he said, holding me off by clutching my hips and attempting to hold me still. “Give me a little more time.”
But my body already was slick with sweat, and I knew what I wanted and how badly I wanted it. I angled myself, pulling his very Will from his mouth, but still he would not come into me. I did not appreciate being denied.
“Eilyn—”
I groaned. “Just…Maxos, let me have what I want.”
He leaned forward, those hands along my naked spine just as I’d imagined. The smell of him perfect. The taste of him perfect. “It will be time…when you feel you will die without it.”
Dive into this watery world of high royals, witty banter, enemies to lovers, and more. Meet Eilyn and Maxos and fall in love, lost in fantasy in this standalone novel connected to a rich world.
- GenresFantasy
368 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 22, 2023
40 people are currently reading
337 people want to read
About the author
Teshelle Combs
58 books568 followersTeshelle Combs is the award-winning author of books like The Underglow and the First Collection.
She's well known for her fantasy romance standalones like The First Dryad, The First Stone, The First Nymph, and The First Flame. (Read in any order, listed in order of writing).
Tropes include enemies-to-lovers, forbidden love, arranged marriage, twists & turns, and more.
Find TC @booksarebrightstars on TikTok.
She's well known for her fantasy romance standalones like The First Dryad, The First Stone, The First Nymph, and The First Flame. (Read in any order, listed in order of writing).
Tropes include enemies-to-lovers, forbidden love, arranged marriage, twists & turns, and more.
Find TC @booksarebrightstars on TikTok.
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
July 27, 2023
Highlights: Enemies to lovers, tough love, forbidden love, end of the world, race against time, betrayal
Favorite Character: Eilyn and Maxos
Honorable Mentions: Er, So, Tr, FROTH
Character that grew on me: Morgala
Favorite Scene: The end of course, after he writes to her confessing his life will be in honor of her and then he awakes next to her.
Overall thoughts: The First Collection is amazing, I can’t wait to see the map of the world, I love the little Easter eggs and putting the pieces together as to when these characters lives happened in correlation to the others in the world.
Star Rating: 5 out of 5
Why: with fantasy books it always takes me a couple chapters to settle in to put together the world, the dynamic, and the characters. Once I was in I WAS IN. I didn’t want to stop reading, I want more of Eilyn and her journey as The First Nymph
Predictions: can I just request a “field guide” to the world, the hierarchy, the “Firsts,” the “trues,” and all the lovely little side kicks? Please? Maybe a fan fic? I think I want to hang a tapestry of the world and the “field guide” on my wall…
Favorite Character: Eilyn and Maxos
Honorable Mentions: Er, So, Tr, FROTH
Character that grew on me: Morgala
Favorite Scene: The end of course, after he writes to her confessing his life will be in honor of her and then he awakes next to her.
Overall thoughts: The First Collection is amazing, I can’t wait to see the map of the world, I love the little Easter eggs and putting the pieces together as to when these characters lives happened in correlation to the others in the world.
Star Rating: 5 out of 5
Why: with fantasy books it always takes me a couple chapters to settle in to put together the world, the dynamic, and the characters. Once I was in I WAS IN. I didn’t want to stop reading, I want more of Eilyn and her journey as The First Nymph
Predictions: can I just request a “field guide” to the world, the hierarchy, the “Firsts,” the “trues,” and all the lovely little side kicks? Please? Maybe a fan fic? I think I want to hang a tapestry of the world and the “field guide” on my wall…
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 1, 2024
The First Nymph by Teshelle Combs is another five star read from the first series. From start to finish I was absolutely enthralled by the storyline and characters. The characters have so much depth and detail I immediately became invested in their development. Morgala was my absolute favorite character; even though she’s a secondary character she’s so vibrant and every section she’s in was so hilarious. I had a love hate relationship with so many of the characters in the best way. There are so many twist and turns throughout the plot leading to reveals I never saw coming. It was a mental/emotional roller coaster that you can only experience by reading a Combs book. I highly recommend The First Nymph and the entire First Series.
September 27, 2023
What. A. Ride. This was an emotional rollercoaster but man was it worth it. What a phenomenal story. There were some twists I didn’t see coming at all. Some great friendships, hilarious characters and the story over all was just heart wrenching but in the best way. My heart broke like a million times but the ending was still lovely. The character development was great, and the plot was very easy to get sucked in. If I could give this 6 stars I would.
November 13, 2023
I don’t know what it is about Tess’s writing but I love it so much! So simple to read and yet so enjoyable at the same time!
These two fighting their connection the whole story to finally acknowledge it and have him pass just shatters my entire heart! This book seems like a dystopian version of Romeo and Juliet
These two fighting their connection the whole story to finally acknowledge it and have him pass just shatters my entire heart! This book seems like a dystopian version of Romeo and Juliet
October 17, 2024
This was such a great book. The story moves nicely to keep you wanting to turn pages. The romance is sweet, with a bit of enemies to lovers. I hope there will be more to this story as I want to see what happens with a few unresolved characters. There are also some really great side characters and some betrayal.
July 8, 2023
Forbidden Love
Combs takes us on a ride similar to the First Dryad. Descriptive world building and characters. Marriage is forbidden in Orega as well as many other things. The high prince doesn’t care and will stop at nothing to get his hands on Eilyn. Eilyn will stop at nothing to protect herself and the other girls in Orega.
Combs takes us on a ride similar to the First Dryad. Descriptive world building and characters. Marriage is forbidden in Orega as well as many other things. The high prince doesn’t care and will stop at nothing to get his hands on Eilyn. Eilyn will stop at nothing to protect herself and the other girls in Orega.
August 20, 2023
Awesome Read
Thank you Travelled Combs for another great read. This series is awesome and I am really enjoying taking the journey with this author. If you haven't read any of these books I recommend them as well as this author.
Thank you Travelled Combs for another great read. This series is awesome and I am really enjoying taking the journey with this author. If you haven't read any of these books I recommend them as well as this author.
September 22, 2024
The book was decent but I did find myself getting confused towards the end. The side characters like Morgala I felt like were more interesting than the main characters. I ended up with so many questions I didn’t feel get answered
September 26, 2024
A powerful, strong, sassy FMC with a spiky purple sea urchin that chills on her wrist as her constant companion? That loves anyone who feeds him clams? And his name is Froth!? Of course I loved this.
April 23, 2023
This is a interesting high fantasy novel set in a mythical realm presided over by ‘ancients’ and drawing inspiration from assorted mythologies. Although I really did enjoy the premise, I struggled overall with the writing and plot….
The Good
- I enjoyed the banter between the two main characters; it was sweet in places and snarky in others.
- I liked the concept of the land of the Rivers where the FMC hails from; a place for hurt and displaced women to be safe. Lots of links to Greek mythology.
- I enjoyed the threat of the ancient beings that hovered over the whole storyline, as well as the dip into the ‘Styx’ and mythos inspired afterlife.
The Not So Good
- I found it very jumpy timeline wise; sometimes time seemed to pass slowly, other times it seemed to skip over long periods without explanation.
- Some of the character motivations seemed very confused. The FMC is supposed to be this wise queen and yet she keeps making truly terrible choices in friends. Two of the characters seemed to keep making total 180s with their personalities.
- I didn’t fully understand the magic system of ‘will’, it seemed to be a catch-all term for everything - life force, shield magic, physical magic…
So overall fine, an interesting premise and fun main couple. I feel the world building could have been stronger and some of the actions of the main characters refined a little.
For reference: all of the romance is fade to black, so if you’re a fan of clean romances and YA, this will work well for you.
Thank you to the author for providing me with a free copy of the ebook in exchange for an honest review.
The Good
- I enjoyed the banter between the two main characters; it was sweet in places and snarky in others.
- I liked the concept of the land of the Rivers where the FMC hails from; a place for hurt and displaced women to be safe. Lots of links to Greek mythology.
- I enjoyed the threat of the ancient beings that hovered over the whole storyline, as well as the dip into the ‘Styx’ and mythos inspired afterlife.
The Not So Good
- I found it very jumpy timeline wise; sometimes time seemed to pass slowly, other times it seemed to skip over long periods without explanation.
- Some of the character motivations seemed very confused. The FMC is supposed to be this wise queen and yet she keeps making truly terrible choices in friends. Two of the characters seemed to keep making total 180s with their personalities.
- I didn’t fully understand the magic system of ‘will’, it seemed to be a catch-all term for everything - life force, shield magic, physical magic…
So overall fine, an interesting premise and fun main couple. I feel the world building could have been stronger and some of the actions of the main characters refined a little.
For reference: all of the romance is fade to black, so if you’re a fan of clean romances and YA, this will work well for you.
Thank you to the author for providing me with a free copy of the ebook in exchange for an honest review.
November 6, 2024
Teshelle Combs has done it again! I love her writing, it sucks you in right away. Can't get enough, I need more of Eilyn & Maxos.
August 20, 2023
I enjoyed reading this and falling into the world of Orega and surrounding territories. Although initially a little jumpy, the story soon fell into a flow and I was able to become immersed in the traditions of the River beings, Eilyn’s unique ascent to queen, back door scheming from Maxos and his cohort of sorts, Bronwil and her amorphous allegiance, Morgala and her vapidity interspersed with temper tantrums, the banter and increasing tensions between Eilyn and Maxos, and Eilyn’s strained relationship with her mother. I shed tears when Eilyn’s mother was lost -presumably- to sea maidens during their fateful night swim, and at the very Romeo-and-Juliet type irony when Eilyn attempted to temporarily “die” so that she could wade through the spirit realm to try to free Maxos from Haliad controlled tether, only to have Maxos wake up and find Eilyn dead and thinking it was by her own hand. The reader, of course, knows that Maxos’s supposed best friend , Lesh, is responsible for the double cross of sorts.
All in all, lots of details to take in, some nice world building, entertaining banter, and intriguing characters. Very enjoyable.
All in all, lots of details to take in, some nice world building, entertaining banter, and intriguing characters. Very enjoyable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 4, 2025
2nd read: On the second read through, the story made a lot more sense and was definitely more enjoyable. I understand why this is not the first in any of the reading orders. 5/5⭐️
1st Read: This book was a 4/5 ⭐️ for me, with maybe a 0.5/5 🌶️
I truly enjoyed the story, though it started out rather difficult to get into. It was a bit of a slower start but the ending was much faster paced. We watch our main characters (Eilyn and Maxos) go from truly despising each other to somehow completely in love and while I did enjoy their relationship at the end, I felt a little fuzzy on how we got there. There was little insight into the characters minds in the beginning and the nuances in the dialogue was confusing at times. I’m not sure where that disconnect stemmed from, whether it was from my own muddled understanding (likely due to this being the first book that I’ve read from the series, despite it not being the first in the series) or the dialogue not being in my comfort zone. All in all it was a good story once I got more acquainted with the characters and their personalities, and I feel that on a re-read it may click a little quicker and be more enjoyable from my perspective.
1st Read: This book was a 4/5 ⭐️ for me, with maybe a 0.5/5 🌶️
I truly enjoyed the story, though it started out rather difficult to get into. It was a bit of a slower start but the ending was much faster paced. We watch our main characters (Eilyn and Maxos) go from truly despising each other to somehow completely in love and while I did enjoy their relationship at the end, I felt a little fuzzy on how we got there. There was little insight into the characters minds in the beginning and the nuances in the dialogue was confusing at times. I’m not sure where that disconnect stemmed from, whether it was from my own muddled understanding (likely due to this being the first book that I’ve read from the series, despite it not being the first in the series) or the dialogue not being in my comfort zone. All in all it was a good story once I got more acquainted with the characters and their personalities, and I feel that on a re-read it may click a little quicker and be more enjoyable from my perspective.
June 11, 2025
“Eat. You’ll need your wits about you.” And then I smiled. “You’re in my world now, silly boy. And I do love a well-fed plaything.”
Teshelle Combs has a way of submerging you into a world that completely takes over your senses. The world building, the imagery, the characters, everything is just really well written. I finished reading about the Realm of Morn(The First Breath) and now we are in the Realm of Orega!
I loved the characters in this world. E and Maxos has your typical enemies to lover’s relationship. You know that they are eventually going to give into each other, you just don’t know what’s going to be the final thing to make them click. When it does happen it almost too late! That plot twist was a punch in the gut! Now, my girl Morgs! That girl has some issues and is one of the craziest characters I’ve seen in this world🤣 She needed some lithium or something, because those mood swings were unhinged on a psycho level. There are two characters that I will not name that I would have loved to drop kick, because why did you do that! The plot was magnificent and engaging! So, go read the book! You will not be disappointed!
Teshelle Combs has a way of submerging you into a world that completely takes over your senses. The world building, the imagery, the characters, everything is just really well written. I finished reading about the Realm of Morn(The First Breath) and now we are in the Realm of Orega!
I loved the characters in this world. E and Maxos has your typical enemies to lover’s relationship. You know that they are eventually going to give into each other, you just don’t know what’s going to be the final thing to make them click. When it does happen it almost too late! That plot twist was a punch in the gut! Now, my girl Morgs! That girl has some issues and is one of the craziest characters I’ve seen in this world🤣 She needed some lithium or something, because those mood swings were unhinged on a psycho level. There are two characters that I will not name that I would have loved to drop kick, because why did you do that! The plot was magnificent and engaging! So, go read the book! You will not be disappointed!
November 4, 2023
I received this book before publication for review.
If you're a fan of episodic original stories you will love this. Her books are always so unique, fantastical and romantic. You have to be willing to go with the flow as the magic systems are not fully explained.
I did feel like things happened very quickly at some points, at times I struggled to follow. Also, I felt it ended very abruptly.
If you're a fan of episodic original stories you will love this. Her books are always so unique, fantastical and romantic. You have to be willing to go with the flow as the magic systems are not fully explained.
I did feel like things happened very quickly at some points, at times I struggled to follow. Also, I felt it ended very abruptly.
October 1, 2024
Once again, Tess Combs is a brilliant writer.
The First Nymph is very much an enemies to lovers story, with a touch of a twist on Romeo & Juliet, a hint of Beauty & the Beast, and small splash of The Little Mermaid. I don’t know if the author intended for all of these elements to be there, but they are there for me.
There are some surprising twists and turns, and a very lecherous snake of a character that I did not see coming until it happened. And let’s just say the gasp I gushed and my mouth was agape!
But overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the banter between our FMC & MMC.
Queen Eilyn to Prince Maxos:
“I do not need to explain the workings of my mind to you. Simply know that they are higher than yours.”
Ouch. Need some aloe for that burn there, Prince Max?
If you were to ask Tess herself, our FMC is her most ND, or neurodivergent, character she has written in her First series. And also her most difficult to write because it is most like herself and her brain. (She said so on her TT live.) But I’m so glad for having had read this, like all her stories, because there’s always some nuggets of truth that will change your life.
“The work will be there after you are gone, Eilyn. If you make it your master, you will serve it all your circles. You will never be free of it. Never.”
But my favorite scene of all, is the candle scene where Prince Maxos helps our girl deal with the pain of her mother’s passing. Something that I think I’ll adopt myself. Because as Prince Maxos said, “Grief is good.”
And for all my smutty lovers out there, there is some spice! I’d chart the scenes as 🌶️🌶️ out of 5 on my scale. There are multiple scenes, but this book is plot driven, not smut driven.
Overall:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - overall 5/5
🌶️🌶️ - spice: “Classy Spice”
🧜♀️🧜♀️🧜♀️🧜♀️🧜♀️ - fantasy/world building
😢😢😢 - tears
❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹 - healing
😆😆😆😂 - banter/laughs 4.5/5
The First Nymph is very much an enemies to lovers story, with a touch of a twist on Romeo & Juliet, a hint of Beauty & the Beast, and small splash of The Little Mermaid. I don’t know if the author intended for all of these elements to be there, but they are there for me.
There are some surprising twists and turns, and a very lecherous snake of a character that I did not see coming until it happened. And let’s just say the gasp I gushed and my mouth was agape!
But overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the banter between our FMC & MMC.
Queen Eilyn to Prince Maxos:
“I do not need to explain the workings of my mind to you. Simply know that they are higher than yours.”
Ouch. Need some aloe for that burn there, Prince Max?
If you were to ask Tess herself, our FMC is her most ND, or neurodivergent, character she has written in her First series. And also her most difficult to write because it is most like herself and her brain. (She said so on her TT live.) But I’m so glad for having had read this, like all her stories, because there’s always some nuggets of truth that will change your life.
“The work will be there after you are gone, Eilyn. If you make it your master, you will serve it all your circles. You will never be free of it. Never.”
But my favorite scene of all, is the candle scene where Prince Maxos helps our girl deal with the pain of her mother’s passing. Something that I think I’ll adopt myself. Because as Prince Maxos said, “Grief is good.”
And for all my smutty lovers out there, there is some spice! I’d chart the scenes as 🌶️🌶️ out of 5 on my scale. There are multiple scenes, but this book is plot driven, not smut driven.
Overall:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - overall 5/5
🌶️🌶️ - spice: “Classy Spice”
🧜♀️🧜♀️🧜♀️🧜♀️🧜♀️ - fantasy/world building
😢😢😢 - tears
❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹 - healing
😆😆😆😂 - banter/laughs 4.5/5
April 14, 2023
I received this book early to review before publishing.
4.5
I only have a few complaints:
- She uses her own terms for day, month, and year, but doesn't explain which one is which. This interrupts the flow a bit as I have no idea what the passage of time is. Did they take a long time to get together? Did it take a long or short amount of time between them meeting and the end? I have no idea.
- Will being used as the term for magic can get a little confusing at times as it is such a commonly used word, and it can be hard to tell which one she's using.
- I think they got together a bit too quickly. She was just talking about how alone is best, and Rivers only get with men because they can think of no better occupation, then not even 100 pages later is frequently with Maxos, her enemy.
The rest, though! I thought this was SUCH a good story. The characters we well-thought out are well-rounded. The descriptions weren't over the top but didn't leave me unable to picture anything, either. I love the spacing, too. It made it easy and fun to read. I really liked the Romeo and Juilet-type romance going on. I loved the characters' development. There were several plot twists, and I didn't see any of them coming! I was on the edge of my seat constantly! I quite enjoy the way things played out, and I loved the ending.
4.5
I only have a few complaints:
- She uses her own terms for day, month, and year, but doesn't explain which one is which. This interrupts the flow a bit as I have no idea what the passage of time is. Did they take a long time to get together? Did it take a long or short amount of time between them meeting and the end? I have no idea.
- Will being used as the term for magic can get a little confusing at times as it is such a commonly used word, and it can be hard to tell which one she's using.
- I think they got together a bit too quickly. She was just talking about how alone is best, and Rivers only get with men because they can think of no better occupation, then not even 100 pages later is frequently with Maxos, her enemy.
The rest, though! I thought this was SUCH a good story. The characters we well-thought out are well-rounded. The descriptions weren't over the top but didn't leave me unable to picture anything, either. I love the spacing, too. It made it easy and fun to read. I really liked the Romeo and Juilet-type romance going on. I loved the characters' development. There were several plot twists, and I didn't see any of them coming! I was on the edge of my seat constantly! I quite enjoy the way things played out, and I loved the ending.
July 24, 2023
This is my fourth book I have read in this series. Each book is a standalone and can be read in any order. This particular one is my favorite so far. The author has a style of writing very unique to her. It is as if she assumes you are part of this world yourself, so you are dumped right in the center. There are no early chapters dedicated to explaining how the world or magic or creatures work. You figure it out as you go along and it is so engaging! In this, we are intoduced to Eilyn and Maxos. Eilyn is a girl that often gets the short end of the stick. She steps up to do duties and task that no one else will because it is the right thing to do for the people as a whole. She very rarely thinks anything of her own wants. Maxos is dark and mysterious. We can’t understand his motives or what drives him. We misunderstand him. We also kind of love him. Regardless of his secrets and lies and hidden truths. Their journey is one of discovery and selflessness. It is also one that teaches us that it is sometimes okay to want something for yourself. I sobbed for the this book. Because it is tragic, because it is happy, because it was frustrating and stressful and romantic. It is all those things and more.
October 17, 2024
I honestly wanted to cry when I first read this book because it's so sad! There's literally so many sad parts in it that I couldn't handle it. But with all that sadness I got that ending and I'm so happy because I love this book. It will pull on your heartstrings so much. Like you're not going to like it but this book is wonderful. Tess literally knows what she's doing. This book just is perfect I fell in love with Eilyn, because first she is a boss queen. No joke she's a boss queen and you were going to love her. And then I definitely felt so madly in love with Maxos. He and Eilyn had such sad backstories. But I felt like it just made their love so much better. Honest truth read this book I loved it so much I'm not going to say anything about it because I don't want to ruin anything but get ready for the betrayals, and there's a lot of them, the anger you feel and then the love story. Like I said the betrayals you will get so mad at because there's certain people you like fall in love with and you're like oh they're so nice and then you hear all this stuff and you're like are you kidding me!?!?! So I'm so glad everything works out great at the end and you get a HEA. But like I said read this story read any of the books in this series because they are so great!
September 18, 2024
Marriage is a BIG no-no in Orega, but High Prince Maxos clearly didn’t get the memo. 🙄 This guy’s dead set on making Eilyn his—for the "good fortune" of his realm, of course. But Eilyn? She’s ready to burn it all down if it means protecting herself and the women of Orega... while also trying (and failing) to resist this infuriatingly hot prince. 😅🔥
We’re talking enemies-to-lovers, sizzling tension, and banter so sharp you’ll need stitches. Can Eilyn destroy Maxos’s ambitions AND keep her hands off him? Spoiler: It’s gonna be a close call. 😏
From the world of The First Collection (hello, fantasy universe obsession!), The First Nymph is a standalone stunner packed with royals, romance, and a watery world you’ll never want to leave. 🌊✨
🌟 5-star read if you love: 🔥 Enemies-to-lovers spice 🔥 Smart, sassy heroines 🔥 Gorgeous world-building that sucks you right in
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💧
We’re talking enemies-to-lovers, sizzling tension, and banter so sharp you’ll need stitches. Can Eilyn destroy Maxos’s ambitions AND keep her hands off him? Spoiler: It’s gonna be a close call. 😏
From the world of The First Collection (hello, fantasy universe obsession!), The First Nymph is a standalone stunner packed with royals, romance, and a watery world you’ll never want to leave. 🌊✨
🌟 5-star read if you love: 🔥 Enemies-to-lovers spice 🔥 Smart, sassy heroines 🔥 Gorgeous world-building that sucks you right in
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💧
April 13, 2023
An absolutely stunning and Riveting Piece of art.
I could not put this book down to save my soul. I am not kidding. I read it from the first word to the last in seven hours and did not put it down once. This is the first book I have binged in YEARS. I was pleasantly surprised, thrown for loops, was stumped for once and even got emotional. I don’t get easily attached to books and the worlds they hold but I can easily say I am heavily attached to this one. I was expecting a fantastic book and got far more than I imagined.
Eilys and Maxos go on a great endeavor and through so much turmoil in this story and there is never a dull moment in this work. I cannot find the words to give this book the praise it deserves. The adventure was spectacular and I cannot wait to read more from this marvelous author!
I could not put this book down to save my soul. I am not kidding. I read it from the first word to the last in seven hours and did not put it down once. This is the first book I have binged in YEARS. I was pleasantly surprised, thrown for loops, was stumped for once and even got emotional. I don’t get easily attached to books and the worlds they hold but I can easily say I am heavily attached to this one. I was expecting a fantastic book and got far more than I imagined.
Eilys and Maxos go on a great endeavor and through so much turmoil in this story and there is never a dull moment in this work. I cannot find the words to give this book the praise it deserves. The adventure was spectacular and I cannot wait to read more from this marvelous author!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 6, 2024
Eilyn has accepted her role in the world as a River. She wasn't expected to do much more than what she was already doing. Tend to the needs of her land and people and to be there for her friend whom is expected to be the next Queen of Orega. However, when things do not go as planned, it is Eilyn who ends up Queen.
Now responsible for Orega and for providing water to the other realms. She is soon pitted against Maxos, High Prince of another realm. He wants her hand in marriage, but Orega women do not marry. It is soon a game of wits and Will. A game they will both lose.
Love, loss, betrayal, lust, life and death all comingle. I enjoyed this story very much. It is the 3rd book in the First Collection. While it can be read in any order, I chose to read them in order of publication.
Now responsible for Orega and for providing water to the other realms. She is soon pitted against Maxos, High Prince of another realm. He wants her hand in marriage, but Orega women do not marry. It is soon a game of wits and Will. A game they will both lose.
Love, loss, betrayal, lust, life and death all comingle. I enjoyed this story very much. It is the 3rd book in the First Collection. While it can be read in any order, I chose to read them in order of publication.
September 15, 2024
The First Nymph by Techelle Combs is an Enemies-to-Lovers fantasy. It will break your heart and make you feel all the feelings. But it is definitely so worth it!
Eilyn is loyal, determined, and dependable. She picks up all the tasks that others don't want or won't do. Even the task of becoming the next Queen of Orega if she has to. Who better to oversee the realm she loves so dearly. But when a strange man enters her city unannounced, things are about to change for not only Eilyn but Orega as a whole.
Maxos is the prince of Greshia who comes to the High Queen of Orega with an impossible request. What he didn't expect to find was Eilyn, or love. What is Maxos to do when his plans are foiled unknowingly by Eilyn?
The First Nymph is a wild ride with twists and turns you won't see coming. Jump into this fantasy and enjoy the ride through the realms!
Eilyn is loyal, determined, and dependable. She picks up all the tasks that others don't want or won't do. Even the task of becoming the next Queen of Orega if she has to. Who better to oversee the realm she loves so dearly. But when a strange man enters her city unannounced, things are about to change for not only Eilyn but Orega as a whole.
Maxos is the prince of Greshia who comes to the High Queen of Orega with an impossible request. What he didn't expect to find was Eilyn, or love. What is Maxos to do when his plans are foiled unknowingly by Eilyn?
The First Nymph is a wild ride with twists and turns you won't see coming. Jump into this fantasy and enjoy the ride through the realms!
July 23, 2023
OMG! Literally did not put it down and read in 5 hours.
I was gripped from the beginning and could not put this down, I needed to know what happened next. The First Nymph is a story filled with betrayal, heartache, and forgiveness. Although this was not sad like some other's of Tess' books, I would recommend reading this away from people lest they think you weird. My cat gave me several funny looks when I would gasp and squeal at different points of the story, and I dread to think what looks I would have gotten if people were around.
As with the rest of thr First Collection, this is a stand-alone book although a few things are mentioned thatbl relate to the other books it's not really spoilers and shouldn't matter if you have read the others first or not.
I was gripped from the beginning and could not put this down, I needed to know what happened next. The First Nymph is a story filled with betrayal, heartache, and forgiveness. Although this was not sad like some other's of Tess' books, I would recommend reading this away from people lest they think you weird. My cat gave me several funny looks when I would gasp and squeal at different points of the story, and I dread to think what looks I would have gotten if people were around.
As with the rest of thr First Collection, this is a stand-alone book although a few things are mentioned thatbl relate to the other books it's not really spoilers and shouldn't matter if you have read the others first or not.
November 11, 2023
I'll admit I struggled to understand what was going on at first, but being of the "must finish for it to count" mindset, I powered through and I'm just so glad I did! There are so many nuances that are not obvious at first, but as the story goes on EVERYTHING clicks into place. I went through so many roller coasters of being caught between loving and hating each character that I feel like I ran a marathon, in the end it was so satisfying I feel like I need a cigarette 😉 My heart physically hurt for Eilyn and Max as they went through all the trials to make it work, literally to hell and back! I'm so glad they finally got their happy ending. This isn't your conventional romance, but it'll make you change your fairytale vision from Prince Charming to High Prince Maxos Dredda!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 1, 2024
I was lucky to have gotten to read this story before it was released and I would have to tell you it is so worth the read. Tess has a way of getting her readers sucked into her stories within the first chapter and this story was no different. This story follows Eilyn and Maxos, and you will love the banter between the two of them. Morgala is another character you cant help but love, with her bratty behavior, Her relationship with Eilyn gives me a sisterly bond. This story has a romance you will want to read about, especially if enemies to lovers is something you love. I highly recommend this book to everyone, it is also a great book for high school students who want a fantasy love story to read.
June 25, 2023
**I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review**
I haven't read a lot of fantasy genre books so it took me a little bit to understand some of the descriptions/terms, but overall the storyline was great! I read the book in less than a day because I would get lost in the story. The back and forth between the main characters was entertaining, and while the poor choices Eilyn kept making were annoying at times, she wasn't trained to be queen so her struggle is understandable. The heat level for romance is very tame, the plot twists keep you guessing, and the turmoil Maxos is going through makes you cheer them on. Will be starting the others in the series ASAP!
I haven't read a lot of fantasy genre books so it took me a little bit to understand some of the descriptions/terms, but overall the storyline was great! I read the book in less than a day because I would get lost in the story. The back and forth between the main characters was entertaining, and while the poor choices Eilyn kept making were annoying at times, she wasn't trained to be queen so her struggle is understandable. The heat level for romance is very tame, the plot twists keep you guessing, and the turmoil Maxos is going through makes you cheer them on. Will be starting the others in the series ASAP!
July 5, 2023
What a fabulous story! Eilyn and Maxos are well developed and highly relatable characters. Eilyn finds herself in a leadership role she hadn't ever anticipated, and Maxos dabbles on morally gray choices because of the hand he's been dealt. Despite these things, they both still strive to be MORE. Morgala and Eilyn's friendship was so interesting to read - so many books leave friends as fairly one dimensional supporters, but Morgala and Eilyn give readers a look at what it means to have someone's back even when you're unhappy with them and what it means to try to understand someone's thought process even when their logic runs counter to yours. Read this book!
October 1, 2024
EDITED MY REVIEW.
This is exactly why I usually wait before reviewing, I need to process things more!😂
So I did have a few problems with the book.
At the beginning I felt like there wasn’t enough depth to certain characters and would have loved to have more backstory to them to help with that, or maybe just more specific descriptions of their personal lives/personalities and emotions. Because of that, I felt like chemistry was missing between characters.
It felt like things were missing in order to make the story “full” is that makes sense? That made it hard for me to get “sucked into the story”.
Also the POVs switching around without saying whose it was, was very confusing at times.
BUT the last half of the book was good! I could not put it down at that point!
& THAT ENDING!? It left me wanting more!
So although those things really bothered me, it was still a quick read that managed to capture my curiosity/attention enough to finish the book!
For me, this was a 3.5⭐️
This is exactly why I usually wait before reviewing, I need to process things more!😂
So I did have a few problems with the book.
At the beginning I felt like there wasn’t enough depth to certain characters and would have loved to have more backstory to them to help with that, or maybe just more specific descriptions of their personal lives/personalities and emotions. Because of that, I felt like chemistry was missing between characters.
It felt like things were missing in order to make the story “full” is that makes sense? That made it hard for me to get “sucked into the story”.
Also the POVs switching around without saying whose it was, was very confusing at times.
BUT the last half of the book was good! I could not put it down at that point!
& THAT ENDING!? It left me wanting more!
So although those things really bothered me, it was still a quick read that managed to capture my curiosity/attention enough to finish the book!
For me, this was a 3.5⭐️
September 26, 2024
After reading Brightless, I knew I had to read The First Nymph. Starting off I felt transported to a new world. The details matter here folks! I loved the descriptions of the land and water. Of the gowns and crowns. I fell in love with each character. Yes even the bad ones.
The dialogue and language throughout just made me happy. The old way to speak almost old English just made my book heart happy!!
And yes once again, Teshelle Combs brought me to tears! Multiple times throughout the story! I loved the development, and the twists and turns, the betrayals!! This book was exactly what I needed to finish my September TBR with!!!
The dialogue and language throughout just made me happy. The old way to speak almost old English just made my book heart happy!!
And yes once again, Teshelle Combs brought me to tears! Multiple times throughout the story! I loved the development, and the twists and turns, the betrayals!! This book was exactly what I needed to finish my September TBR with!!!
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