A botanist with a foreclosure notice.
A river guardian bound by old vows.
A bargain that begins with ask.

When a century storm threatens the beloved stone bridge of her small British town, Isla Farrow does what her grandmother's journal suggests and lays an offering at the shrine beneath the arch. The river answers?wearing the shape of a man crowned with antlers and moonlight. He is the Keeper, a protective, touch-starved guardian who will not take unless asked.

Their pact is simple: one honest request each week, no lies at the shrine, and the paths must be kept. As Isla fights a fast-tracked demolition plan and a too-good offer to sell the river path, the Keeper steadies ferries, hushes dangerous currents?and teaches her how to name what she wants without apology. Desire deepens into devotion, and a town that loves its gossip learns to witness a miracle built from attention, consent, and community hands.

If you love monster romance, romantic fantasy, cozy folklore, consent-forward spice, and protective MMCs who fall first, you'll adore Isla and her riverman.