The Rebel Chef: A Sapphic Billionaire Romance

by Clara Ann Simons

What happens when the one person you shouldn’t fall for is exactly the one you need the most?

Anika Ramsey arrives in Silver Peaks looking for a fresh start after a tough divorce and selling her company. Fresh air, snowy mountains, and the chance to begin again. She has only one stay away from River Merriweather—the resort’s rebellious chef and her best friend’s sister.

But River is irresistible. With her talent in the kitchen and a smile that could melt glaciers, she quickly stirs something in Anika. Between ski slopes, stolen kisses, and perfect croissants, their chemistry is undeniable.

There’s just one problem. River hates commitment and seems perfectly happy being Silver Peaks’ resident heartbreaker. And Anika isn’t quite done letting go of her past.

Will they risk it all for a second chance at love, or will their fears tear them apart before they can figure out what they truly want?

A heartfelt romance filled with passion, second chances, and the magic of finding love when you least expect it.

This book is the second in the Merriweather Sisters series. While it can be read as a standalone, it’s best enjoyed after Christmas at Silver Peaks.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary

245 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 10, 2025

Reviews

[Siddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

River is a player. One of the four Merriweather sisters, she is the one that can’t settle down, that plays the field. She is the chef for Silver Peaks ski resort, owned by the family, and The Peak restaurant at the top of the mountain.
Anika has separated from her wife after their relationship slowly became sour. She has sold her company and is now waiting for the divorce to be finalised, but her wife is being difficult. She has come to see her best friend Sloane Merriweather to put some distance between herself and her wife.
This is a sweet story, lots of descriptions of nature, the mountains, sunset and sunrise, and many deep discussions of love. The feeling of family here is intense, and Anika is happy to be included in the Merriweather extended family. There are a few problems the women have to overcome, but with minimal angst everything ends well.

[Cael Bass · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I really enjoyed the writing in this for the most part. There are good descriptions, lines that pop out and make me want to remember them. But the driving back and forth of the plot is not necessarily well executed. There’s the potential of conflict between best friends, but then we never really see that conflict, it just simmers below the surface and doesn’t feel fulfilled. And then when the major conflict of the story occurs, it feels incredibly abrupt, like there’s a chapter missing. Nothing before that really prepares the reader for how the characters handle the conflict. In some ways, yes. But in others, it feels too extreme. It warranted subtlety and maturity, and that is not how it was handled. Instead, I’m watching characters I thought I had gotten to know become children instead of the adults they both attest to being. I like this series. I like these characters. I like the writing. But I am now anticipating seeing the same formula in the next book, and I’m hoping to be surprised instead.

[MARISSA CAKMAKCI · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lost but found

I !over the way you related the scenic mountain to the development of their love. I grew up in the Catskills and can totally relate to the romance of skiing , the fire and the snow fall!

[Lyric Vickers · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was struggle to get through in the beginning. It was immensely predictable. But the ending was both heartwarming and endearing! I did enjoy the myriad I felt when Anika’s made an appearance! Oh and I loved the siblings interactions as well as Harper and Julie’s scenes! Nice book but most definitely almost a DNF, if I didn’t straight up skim pages.

[Susan Ferrante · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic Love Story

Clara Ann Simons created wonderful characters in the Merriweather Sisters Series. I loved all the sisters in both books and as a snow skier I was enthralled with the ski resort setting. I highly recommend this series and hope there will be a third book.

[KJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up. Feel the same way about this one as the first in the series. It wasn't bad. There were just things that didn't feel like they fit to me. Regardless, I will still read the third book. It is possible that these things that jump out at me are simply the authors style of writing.

[KEEPclose1 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5