Monsoon

by Ellen B. O'Brien

Lovers Until the Rains End…Poppy’s life is a hot mess, with her car out of commission, her career in shambles, and a grieving mother to support—and to make it worse, now she’s been stranded by an unexpected storm. But at least she’s stranded with Rai, a Brazilian toilet paper salesman with a smile like sunshine, a voice like sin, and a body that begs to be painted. Especially soaking wet. (Or naked. Naked is good, too.) Not to mention, she could really use some free samples…

All Rai has ever cared about is finding the next storm to ride. But when the water fae toys with Poppy on a whim, their encounter leads him to crave more. He knows nothing of humans, but he desires her as his lover, and soon he’s got Google and an endless supply of motivational quotes to help him in his quest. But as things steam up, his fragile masquerade is threatened by his lies, damn lies, and semantics—not to mention his wings. Perhaps he should have told her about the wings.

And their tempestuous affair has a deadline. When the monsoon rains end, Rai must leave the brutally dry Tucson desert…or die. That’s what he’s been told, by fae much wiser than he.

Too bad he never does what he’s told.

Monsoon was originally partially published on Kindle Vella. It has since been completed and revised for e-book & print.

Genres: Fae

402 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 3, 2025

About the author

Ellen B. O’Brien writes spicy romance novels with heat, heart, humor, and run-on sentences galore. She prefers to write stories set in the modern world, often in the paranormal, monster, and fantasy romance subgenres, and enjoys exploring themes of trauma and recovery, creativity, neurodivergence, family, and flying. Currently available are Monsoon, a long contemporary fantasy romance novel that answers the age-old question of whether it counts as being "caught in the rain" if a water fae caught you there on purpose, and Bites on Bourbon, a vampire romance novelette about a buttoned-up engineering grad student and a cheeky vampire shopgirl set in 1994 New Orleans. Upcoming works are Whiskey Pooka Foxtrot, a spicy monster romance available October 1, 2025, and A Fae's Guide to Tactical Botany, a contemporary fantasy romance set in the same magical modern world as Monsoon, which will be released on November 15, 2025. She has other works in progress featuring such creatures as orcs, artists, mothwomen, giants, more fae, maybe an alligator, non-denominational angels, librarians, and lawyers. More information about Ellen B's plans for world domination through unhinged smut can be found on her website https://EllenBAuthor.com

She also provides editing, illustration, and design services under her mundane name Bridget Engman Wilde. In her personal life, she makes jewelry, reads manga, embroiders, crochets, welds, cosplays, coddles her succulents, and enjoys Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She is also proud to have single-mommed three children to kind, clever, sarcastic adulthood.

Join Ellen B's newsletter for ARC opportunities, free stories, news, art, and more! https://ellenb.eo.page/pf1z7

Reviews

[Becky (romantic_pursuing_feels) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Note: Some of my goodreads shelves can be spoilers

Overall: 4.5 rounded to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖📖 (the first half was definitely a 5 rating but it faded due to the length of the book and the character separation in the second half for me)
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋 (very high for me in the first half and part of the second half)
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔 (really great depth for the heroine!)
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞💞 (this one had such romantic things to me!)
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋 (for the more developed scenes)
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑 (there’s a mix here – longer and more developed ones I counted as flames (see Steam Scale below) and were more of a 4 peach rating...but you also get a lot of shorter scenes in the latter half that are like a 2 peach rating (and I didn’t count as a ‘full scene’)
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥(I might have missed some, and some I didn’t count as full flames because they were shorter, might feel different for you)
Humor: Yes!
Perspective: third person from both the hero and heroine (but lots from the hero!)
More character focused or plot focused? character
How did the speed of the story feel? slow to medium
When mains are first on page together: immediately
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happily ever after for the mains
Epilogue: Yes
Format: voluntarily read an advanced reader copy from the author in e-book form
Why I chose this book: I loved her newsletter freebie novella and wanted to see what this one is like
Mains: This is a M/F relationship between a water fae hero and a human heroine
(Descriptions found at end of my review)

Should I read in order?
This is fine alone!

Basic plot:
Rai goes wherever the storms take him – but he finds Poppy to be an instant obsession and now he’s finding ways to stay in the desert as long as he can.

Give this a try if you want:
- paranormal/fantasy romance elements
- contemporary setting (2023)
- water fae hero / human heroine
- artist heroine – she paints him
- celibate heroine
- he will not hang up the phone before she does, breathing into the line hoping for more…
- secret identity
- mid to higher steam – at least 5 full scenes and some shorter scenes (but it’s a longer page count)

Ages:
- heroine is 33, hero is a very young 63

First line:
The first raindrop landed on Poppy’s nose as she pushed the button for the crosswalk, followed by more in rapid succession.

My thoughts:
Yay for titled chapters! That is something I have always loved and don’t see often in romance.

Oh my gosh I loved this novel. Rai is so different and adorable and FUN. And obsessed with Poppy in the best way. He’s thinking about her all the time. He’s practicing lines and faces in the mirror to impress her. He’s refusing to hang up the phone and breathing into the line. He is utterly smitten.

The first half of this book I was grinning the whole time reading. I didn’t want to set it down. I wanted to kick my feet in the air and squee with hearts above me. It’s so freaking cute and O’Brien’s writing style just pulls you in so well.

I found myself savoring so many lines...I wanted to take so many quotes until I realized I would just be copying down the entire book….

I did find the book long. (This might be due to it being previous on Kindle Vella and having multiple installments) And this is me, being in my I love shorter novels era. But I hit a snag about 50% with the length. I was frustrated with some things in the latter half of the book, but they were the flaws of the characters and what made the m so real to me and made me fall in love with them in the first place….But I did get frustrated with Poppy being so upset with Rai for doing things that she did herself (like lying to comfort a loved one). I got a bit annoyed with the secret keeping from Rai when most of his communication was so delightfully refreshing. I got irritated that Poppy suffered so much self doubt she didn’t seem to want to fully let Rai in. But all these things were purposefully done and led to this amazing emotional turmoil that I eat up. But I still admit that I really hated Poppy in one moment. I thought she was so cruel.

Overall this story was so, so memorable and unique and fun to me. So romantic and emotional. And I’ll definitely be following this author’s future works.

Few random reading stats for this author
# of books read: 2
Average rating from me: 5 stars
Favorite book: This one.

Cock/Hero Stats/World Building:

- hero is a water fae and can have an effect on the weather. He follows storms around the world and rides through a monsoon in Tucson where he meets the heroine
- he has wings but can glamour himself so he looks human
- his natural skin is purple and he has a dusting of freckles
- now that he’s an adult he doesn’t actually NEED to eat food, he can get energy from storms
- there are fae portals invisible to humans
- equipment seems normal


Quotes any typos are my own! I am bad with typos, I apologize


He blinked, then smiled brightly again. “Yes. I also am trapped because of the...weather app’s vile lies.” He turned to face out into the rain again, raising his fist and shaking it. “Curses be upon you, weather app!”
---
“I’m sorry, you don’t have to answer. I’m just nosy.”
He narrowed his eyes. “I will answer.” His gaze flickered to her grocery bags. “I am a purveyor of toilet paper.”
“Oh, like a sales representative? That’s, um...interesting.” Or super boring. No wonder he didn’t want to tell me. Traveling toilet paper salesman seems like the punchline to a bad joke. “So, you visit the local grocery stores and...try to get them to stock your brand?” Could she ask what brand he represented? Or was that too nosy?
“That is indeed what I do,” he said brightly. “And you?”
---
“Well, you don’t need to get all macho just to prove something to me.”
//
Rai drew his hand back, turning toward her again. “What would I be proving?”
“I don’t know. That you’re a manly man who laughs in the face of pain?”
He smirked at her. “I do.”
“Well, you can expect your manly man award in the mail in a week.”
“Excellent.”
---
“Let me guess,” she said with a smirk. “You trusted your app again, too.”
“Yes, the traitor.” He shook his head, trying to look betrayed. He’d have to find out who Weather App was, perhaps send them some reward for their convenient incompetence.
---
“Did you know that peach pits contain cyanide?” Ah, apparently with inane trivia. Good job, Poppy.
“I did not know that.” He seemed actually interested.
Which apparently opened the floodgates on her inanity. “So, um, if you swallowed one it...probably wouldn’t kill you, not just one, except you know the swallowing would hurt because peach pits are big and...and rough, but if you ate four or five it could get bad, and if you ground it up then it would be more effective and...and it’s good to see you, too.” Oh, god, he was going to think she was a lunatic. “So technically you could murder someone with a bag of peaches.”
“Interesting,” he said instead, all nonchalance. “Will you be purchasing peaches at the store? Are we planning a murder?”
---
She descended the stairs and came around to join him. She was holding something in her hands; as she drew closer, he could see the gleam of a sharp knife and a dish holding the two peaches she had purchased.
“Ah,” he said softly. “It is time for the murder.”
---
Now. “Sunrise?”
Her eyebrows shot up. “That’s crazy o’clock. Can we do nine instead? That way we get there before it hits a hundred.”
“As you wish.” He had no idea what the numbers she was spouting meant. Nine what? A hundred wat? No matter. He could always lurk about her house until she departed and arrange another chance meeting.
---
They had been lovely and placid, those fae women, not skittish, unpredictable, confounding aliens with breakable mothers and arcane numbers and computers and coffee and cheeks that turned pink for no reason.
But he did not want them.
---
“My phone case,” Rai said proudly, tilting it to reflect the moonlight more. “Is it not glorious?”
Poppy turned on her flashlight, angling her phone to illuminate the phone case. “It’s...not what I expected.” Though perhaps she should have expected that the guy who had proudly donned a Great-Wave-of-Kanagawa Hawaiian shirt would also choose a phone case covered in thousands of colorful rhinestones depicting a design of – “Are yhose poppies?”
---
Precious and glorious Poppy. It is Rai. I would be most pleased to hear from you at any time. You are exceptionally strong and kind and beautiful, especially when you achieve ecstasy. I yearn to hear your cries of blissful completion again, once I have mastered the use of the condom and am worthy to be your lover. I apologize again for my detestable ignorance and pray that you will grant me the honor of your pleasure again. I will dream of your lips this night. With highest regards, I remain yours, Rai.
---
“Goodbye.”
Poppy waited several seconds for Rai to hang up, but when he just kept breathing, she steeled herself and disconnected.
---
“I have...a bed,” she gasped, delving her hands beneath the wrinkled cotton to caress his chest.
His inhale was fire. “Do you wish to go to the bed?”
“Not now.” She darted up to lick a stripe across his skin. “But later If you can stay. How long can you stay?”
Forever, Rai wanted to promise. I will stay forever.



Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.

- remembrances of a toxic and abusive marriage and working relationship, prior employers
- heroine’s mother has OCD and there’s scenes featuring those challenges
- parental death and grief
- remembrances of covid-19 pandemic and its affects, death of loved ones
Author content warnings? explicit MF sexual content, profanity, characters with diagnosed OCD and PTSD, grief, discussion of past abuse, and discussion of the covid-19 pandemic


Locations of kisses/intimate scenes, safe sex aspects, consent, pregnancy/child in the story:

Safe sex: Condoms used, even for oral sex – eventually they don’t bother when she gets to know how fae reproduce
How’s the consent? It’s good
Pregnancy/children in story? No
Chapter 9 (15%) - brief kiss
Chapter 10 (19%) - kiss
Chapter 12 (25%) - 🔥 kisses, fingering for her
Chapter 14 (31%) - 🔥 handy for him, oral for her
Chapter 16 (37%) - kisses
Chapter 17 (39%) - 🔥 kisses, him holding her
Chapter 20 (48%) - kiss
Chapter 20 (49%) - brief sex scene
Chapter 22 (53%) - brief mention of sex
Chapter 22 (54%) - bj but it’s on the shorter side
Chapter 24 (60%) - 🔥 kisses, touches, oral for her, sex but it’s fairly short
Chapter 27 (67%) - 🔥blow job, sex in the clouds
Chapter 38 (95%) - a shorter, poetic scene
Total chapters: 38 and an epilogue


Extra stuff like what my review breakdown means, where to find me, and book clubs


Full break down on what my ratings above mean here:
Overall: How I felt about it everything considered!
Readability: How ‘readable’ was the book? Did I fly through it? Did I have to tell myself to pick it back up repeatedly? Were any passages confusing? (I will probably score like (1) is literally unreadable due to formatting/typing errors, etc (2) There were lots of errors that made it difficult to read OR It was extremely confusing and I had to reread passages to make sense of it OR I disliked it so much I had to bribe myself to keep reading (3) I didn’t really want to keep reading and would have preferred to abandon the read and start something else OR some minor continuity issues/confusion (4) I liked it fine, maybe a minor error or 2. I was happy to pick it up when I had time. (5) I never wanted to put this down. I thought about it when I wasn’t reading it. I hid in the bathroom from my kids to read. I threw inappropriate food at my children for dinner so I could read instead.)
Feels: Totally subjective to each person but did the book give me any tingles? Any butterflies? Did it rip my heart out (in a good way?)
Emotional depth: How well do I feel I know the characters at the end? How much did I feel their emotions throughout the story?
Sexual tension: Again, subjective, but how strong was the wanting and longing to me between the characters? A book might have strong sexual tension without a single touch.
Romance: Was there romance? Did romantic things happen? This can be actions/words/thoughts of the characters and again is subjective.
Sensuality: This is how the intimate scenes are written. Kisses and sexual scenes – how sensual were they? Were they on the mechanical side? Was there emotional pull tied in? Were the details explicit or flowery? These are subjective but generally (1) too short to get a good judgement (2) not all what I'm looking for - very vague or flowery prose (3) either not explicit enough or not enough emotional pull (too mechanical/physically descriptive without the emotions) (4) what I love in a scene (5) absolute perfection - perfect balance of emotional longing and explicit descriptions
Sex Scene Length: How long the bedroom scenes are (generally (1) is 1-3 sentences (2) is a few paragraphs to a page-ish (3) is about average, a few pages (4) more well developed scenes, quite a few pages with descriptions (5) the majority of the book takes place in the bedroom. This is always hard to tell for me on audio!
Steam Scale: Generally, each flame is a scene. If scenes are super close together I sometimes combine them. If a scene is super short or so vague I don’t know what’s happening, I don’t count it. There’s some levels of grey but generally the number of flames is how many sex scenes there are (I max out at 5 so I’ll put a + after if there’s more than that)


Find me
Instagram || The Storygraph || Bookbub ||

Book Clubs
The Ton and the Tartans (Historical Romance)
Upturned Petticoats and Undone Cravats (Historical Romance with Steam Requirements)
A Love Less Ordinary (Science Fiction, Paranormal, Monster, Fantasy)
Modern Manuscripts (Contemporary Romance)
Words for the Wicked (Contemporary Romance with Steam Requirements)
Vintage Romance (Old School Romance – published 2000 and prior)

[Alejandra Guerrero · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me through the emotional spectrum. I laughed, I cried, I even got angry at some point. Poppy thinks a lot, and her thoughts were all over the place sometimes, but she reminded me of myself. Her mind never stopped. At the end she talks about a possible, undiagnosed neurodivergence, and I could see it through the prose. Rai’s chapters also reflected his personality, and it was interesting to see how he grew through the story. He was somehow innocent and wise at the same time, and the author managed to capture that in the text. Poppy showed some character development as well. Their relationship progressed somewhat naturally, albeit fast (for human standards, but, hey, he’s Fae, so…).
The side characters were interesting too, and the world felt full, and vibrant. The magic is not explained in too much depth, but the author gives the reader the necessary information to understand the stakes and be interesting.
CW include mention of COVID and the pandemic, death of a parent, gaslighting (from Poppy’s ex), panic attacks, and OCD.

[ThatsSomeGoodSmut · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rai is the sweetest himbo I’ve ever read, and I say that with full adoration. He’s a poetic soul with a six-pack, and absolutely chaotic in the most lovable way. Paired with Poppy, a beautifully messy, sharp, and emotionally layered heroine, this story is pure magic.

The setup is already wildly original: stranded by an unexpected Arizona monsoon, Poppy finds herself sharing an overhang with Rai, a Brazilian 'toilet paper salesman' who turns out to be a winged water fae with a Google addiction and an expiration date that coincides with the end of monsoon season. As their relationship evolves, Rai endeavors to support Poppy as she works to keep her mother and herself afloat. It’s absurd, funny, tender, and heartbreakingly sweet all at once.

Poppy’s mind never rests, and the narrative reflects that with a sharp, scattered rhythm that somehow makes perfect sense. Her inner monologue is relatable and raw, especially as she navigates grief, burnout, and self-doubt. Rai’s chapters, feel fluid and thoughtful, full of innocence and quiet insight. He’s new to the human world but never comes across as dumb, just different in the most endearing way.

Their chemistry is off the charts, their emotional connection is unexpectedly profound. Their love grows through genuine curiosity and care, and that ending? Worth every single page. With vivid worldbuilding, quirky side characters, and a light but meaningful touch of magic, this book absolutely works. It made me laugh, tear up at least once, and even scream at the page once or twice, and I loved every minute.

Highly recommend to anyone who likes their romance strange, sincere, and a little bit sparkly.

Thank you to the author for an advance copy of this book.

[Robert Bollinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully evocative tale of a young and selfish water fae who meets an even younger human woman whom he decides to bedevil one night during the annual monsoon in Tucson. From the slow buildup to the ultimate payoff in the HEA in the epilogue this is a delightful laugh and cry out loud story of a different type of romance. The backstory is clever and engaging as you ride the storm of their passions and peccadillos that they experience in their ride toward happiness and love. The world-building is inventive without being overwhelming and adds much to the story. The supporting characters are well laid out and provide a small aside into the world of both Poppy and Rai as they are when they meet and as the story progresses and they grow because of each other and their adventures together. The story also showcases in exquisite detail the impacts of their previous lives on the present characters. Both Poppy's mother and her own contentious relationship with her ex-husband present deep insight into how others can affect your current station and goals in life and the sometimes agonizing effort it takes to move on from static situations and evolve. Rai 's own self discovery of just how little he has lived and his emotional growth are explored in similar depth while still remaining true to his lovable infuriating being that Poppy comes to love. The clever insertion of popular culture into the story (yay,Buffy) serves as both a learning experience for the characters and a connection to the readers that is both charming and useful for story purposes. All in all I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a great romance. I received a copy of this e-book in return for an honest review.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy from the author and here’s my honest review!

Frankly I struggled a little to get into the story in the beginning. Rai is clearly, a very confused, charming water fae. Poppy is just tired of everything like we, adults are, tired of bills, worries and money (relatable!)

But as the story goes, Rai had a lot of learning to do and he has a good heart, clearly, wanting the best for Poppy. Meanwhile Poppy is still searching, trying to let go of her past and caring for her mother.

The story starts off slow for me but it gradually grows better and better at the halfway point! The sarcasm was top notch and the numerous references was unexpected 🤣 the chemistry between them is electric and I love that Rai has a heart of gold. He gives out the golden retriever energy haha. I love that Rai as a water fae, was confused about the human world because most books would write faes as knowing everything!

Poppy, dear Poppy! I wish there was more to her getting revenge on that ‘pollution’ 🤣 it’s dissatisfying to see her mention it to Rai when he asked! I thought the ex husband would come out and find her, and like Rai had to save her or something. But I love that Poppy realised that she needs to heal, needs to trust her mom more and let go.

Overall, this was a good read for me!

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an engaging and fanciful story about water fae Rae "Storm" and the object of his attention, Poppy. As far as meet-cutes go, their's comes close to topping my list. Rae is a handful, that's for sure. He's used to getting what he wants, pretty much when he wants it. He hasn't assimilated to human for for much purpose and refers to them initially as ants scurrying around. Oh, how things will change for Rae over the course of this book. He does alot of growing, learning, introspecting, and most of all, evolving.

Poppy has been struggling to keep herself and her mother above water since she moved to Tucson. Her ex, Brandon, didn't just destroy her emotional stability, he destroyed her professionally as well. She's not about to let her fascination with some guy, no matter how georgous he is, let her lose focus. But what happens when Rae commissions a painting thT requires all her attention be focused directly on him? They both have secrets, and neither are sure they can withstand that level of intimacy. Just how successful will this little fling be, and will either (or both) end up being in too deep?

I voluntarily reviewed a gift copy of this book. Happy Reading Y'all 📚

[Lynn_G · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lengthy novel with an unusual premise: a water fae is catching a ride in the middle of a wild storm in Tucson when he spies a human woman railing against the storm. Rather than continue on his way, the fae touches down inside the storm to learn more about the woman.

A steep learning curve ensues as the ethereal being becomes enamored with the human, and endeavors to spend the remainder of monsoon season with her, fully intending to leave at season’s end, lest he dry up and cease to exist.

How on earth will this pair reconcile their connection? Is there a way for them to exist in the same plane at the same time?

This was a very imaginative book with lots of emotional moments, lots of humor, and scorching physical chemistry.

I received an advance reader copy from the author and bookfunnel, and I’m sharing my honest review.

[Michelle Zapf-bélanger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would recommend this book for someone who wants to read a relatable modern heroine. I really felt for Poppy and wanted her to conquer her life, money, career, and family issues. I was invested in punching her ex-husband in the face.

Our hero begins as a delightful mischievous fairy who goes from not really empathizing with humans to wanting to help his specific human. Great for if you love language barrier romances, because he doesn't really understand the heroine's modern human references and idioms, leading to comedy.

I think this book suffers a bit structurally because it was written for Kindle Vella and intended to be read chapter by chapter, like Dickens, which makes it a little long and draggy in the middle action-wise. That is a minor complaint, and since Kindle Vella doesn't exist anymore, I doubt that will be a problem in the author's subsequent works.

[NeedMoreBookSpace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I one more chaptered myself til I finished this book at 3am, and I have no regrets lol. I loved Rai and his unabashed love of Poppy. Bright human shirts. A poppy rhinestone phone cover because it made him think of her. Be still my beating heart. I loved all of this story. But mostly Rai lol. The childlike wonder, taking everything literally. Being totally okay with Poppy 'planning his murder' with peach pits cuz it would be from her so he'd love it. His overly descriptive poetic texts. And the Poppy eventually becoming a badass. So good.

[bay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️.🌶️/5

Monsoon is a hauntingly lyrical, emotionally rich story that completely took me by surprise. Ellen B. O’Brien weaves pain, longing, and resilience into every page, creating a stormy atmosphere that matches the title perfectly. The characters felt raw and real—flawed, fragile, and unforgettable.

It’s not just a book you read, it’s one you feel. If you’re drawn to beautifully written prose with emotional depth and a touch of melancholy, this one will stay with you long after the last page.

[Kimberley_Reads_Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven’t read a fantasy book in awhile and reading this has reminded me how much I love them!
This story was so wholesome, tragic but wonderful at the same time and so beautifully written!
Our MMC: Rai IS water, he controls it, he possesses it, he rides the storm he created.
Our FMC: Poppy is literally having the worst day, week, month, year ever. To top it off, she’s caught in a storm.
I absolutely loved this story so much!🥰

[Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this! It's very emotional and you will feel like your riding a roller coaster! I went from happy, to sad, to laughing, to wanting to cry. The characters are excellent and extremely well written. The fmc I felt could have had more growth. The mmc had a lot of growth, and of course I love him! He was funny and sweet. The only thing I didn't care for was the book including covid and the pandemic. Overall I think the book was very well done!

[Peggy]

DNF. I'm not sure why I lost interest?