Keeping Her Safe: A Sapphic Ranch Romance

by Annie Wiest

She fixes hearts for a living. No one has ever taken care of hers.

Boston cardiologist Robin Sullivan counts her pulse, a horse’s stride, the days until she has to return home. Autistic, exacting, and overdue for a break, she arrives at Sacred Peaks Ranch for two weeks, the first real time off she has taken in nine years.

Then she meets Moira eight months pregnant, mid-divorce, and far more comfortable rebuilding a little red cabin than talking about what she needs. Moira notices Robin’s counting, her startling honesty, and the care beneath every precise word. And she fixes what's broken before anyone asks. Moira's been doing the same thing for months, alone, and she recognizes it on sight.

But a baby is coming, Robin’s flight back to Boston is waiting, and Moira has already learned what it costs to build a future around someone who might leave.

At seven thousand feet, with a ranch full of found family ready to put another mug on the table, Robin and Moira must decide whether two unexpected weeks can become the beginning of a life neither woman planned for, but both might finally want.

A low-angst, high-heat sapphic romance

An already-pregnant heroine

Instalove, low angst, and no third-act breakup

An autistic heroine loved exactly as she is

A found-family ranch setting

A standalone HEA in a connected series

204 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 29, 2026

Reviews

[Lori]

This is the seventh book in the Sacred Peaks Ranch series. Each book in the series can be read as a standalone, so reading order doesn't matter. Moira and Robin are the focus of this one. They're from different worlds and backgrounds yet find themselves drawn to one another. This book is perfect for anyone who appreciates a short, quick read, low angst, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

[Maria S.]

Annie Weast doesn’t just write—she paints with words, and that is exactly why I love her books so much. I don’t return to them for major surprises or unexpected plot twists, but rather for the sincere, deep emotions and the tears that well up in my eyes. Tears of happiness, tears of sadness... She has a gift for bringing emotions to the surface.

I really enjoyed Moira and Robin’s story; I liked that Robin is on the autism spectrum, while Moira is a woman with a past that makes her present all the more complex. I have a soft spot for both pregnant heroines and characters with unique emotional sensitivity, and this book combines both. Great work!

[Mary]

When I read a sapphic ranch romance from Annie Wiest it invokes the same feelings I get when watching an episode of Bob Ross’ Joy of Painting. Time is slowed down but the story never drags. There is a calm and relaxing peaceful aura that surrounds the reading experience. It’s a joy to spend time in this world. It feels like coming home. By the end of the story tears were trickling down my face, which doesn’t often happen with most stories I read. But this story wanted my tears and I willingly gave them. They were happy tears after all.

Keeping Her Safe is the 7th standalone novel in the Sacred Peaks Ranch Series and centers around pregnant and soon to be divorced Moira and autistic cardiologist Robin. Moira is a Chinese-American landscape architect and the sister of Lily. She comes to the ranch to stay with Lily after her marriage of four years quietly disintegrates. Robin is an Aboriginal Australian working as a cardiologist in Boston. She takes a vacation to experience a two week riding intensive while awaiting work related news. This is the perfect time for her to get away. What she doesn’t expect is to find a woman that sees and understands her and makes her question if she wants to continue and expand on the life she has in Boston. Maybe she belongs at Sacred Peaks ranch with the pregnant woman and the horses.

I loved the autistic representation and how Moira could see Robin and appreciate the qualities that make her unique. Each woman has their own style of communication but somehow figure out how to communicate with each other in a period of weeks. Some of us have been trying for years to find that level of communication and understanding with someone! There was surprising witty banter that was subtle but had me chuckling to myself. I loved everything about this book and look forward to catching up on the rest of the books in the series.

[Donna Reed]

Keeping Her Safe
I'm thrilled to ARC Keeping her Safe #7  for Annie Wiest and the Sacred Peaks Ranch
Lily and her sister very pregnant Moira were in the kitchen at Sacred Peaks ranch  seeping Oolong in their grandfather's teapot. Dr Robin from Boston has a lovely introduction for her 2 week horse vacation
Old characters from previous stories are given the nod for this is a stand alone. There's horse talk and horse learning. Annie Wiest gives just enough to make you want a horse ranch vacation. Dr Robin mentions she's on the spectrum so her pulse checking is part her self regulation. Her cultural tattoos show on her wrist as she holds the reins. We now know subtlely that the characters are American Asian and Aboriginal. Moira draws and makes plans for spring Gardens when she's not holding her tummy. She has a thing for drawing Dr Robin's hands in her sketch book This is a story of time and place, here and now.The scene set prior to the baby coming in the storm is one of autumn's to greys This is a deep tale of Belonging and Being Safe Don't miss it

[ShellRS]

Who doesn't like the idea of taking the first vacation in nine years? For me, the idea of taking a 2 week riding intensive program at a ranch in Colorado sounds absolutely amazing. Robin meets Moira doing the very same. Both are direct in their own way. They are both in need of someone understanding them for different reasons. One needs a purpose beyond being a heart doctor. One needs for someone to see their purpose without managing it. I loved that they can speak truthfully and not fear judgement. The conversations are direct and they the point. No wasted words. You, the reader, learns the cadence. Bobbie, the ranch dog and Little Kiah are the icing on the cake.

I would say one minor thing is, I wish the author would have a small glossary of terms to help the reader. I spent time looking up things and it kind of ruined the flow for me. Examples: Bau dough; Jook; and Latigo. I haven't read the whole series (yet) so maybe they were explained in Kemi and Lily’s story. If that's the case, that's my issue alone.

All in all, I loved their story!

[Marisa Buccieri]

I love this series so much. Slow burn, low angst, lots of emotion, perfect spice, and relatable characters with well-earned happy endings. Book 7 features Robin, a successful cardiologist who also has autism. Having autism myself, so much about her character resonates with my own experiences interacting in a world that I'm often at odds with and doesn't understand me. But this book demonstrates what can happen when you are seen and accepted for exactly as you are. That nothing about what you do or how you say things is wrong. It's just you, exactly as you are meant to be.

The descriptions of the landscape are vibrant as always, this time painting a picture of the world of Sacred Peaks ranch in all it's fall glory. The attention to detail is one of my favorite parts of these books. You're not just reading about a place, you are there. The sights, sounds, smells, and textures described so vividly you are instantly transported: right to the meadow, the stables, the cabin kitchen with its simmering pot of jook.

[Robin Kenna]

Annie Wiest presents another smash hit read! Full disclosure, this is a ARC Read. This one pairs an Autistic Cardiac Surgeon with a very pregnant soon to be divorced woman who is struggling with self worth. They are both damaged emotionally yet strong enough to recognize a need for help. They balance each other if they would just give themselves a chance. The calm way that Annie presents these characters is soothing and has such grace. They grow to understand the others needs almost without words. Permission is granted to each other to remain different, independent yet recognize the strength in working together. There are as always in this series visits from previous stories that help ground the characters to the land and in essence to the mission of the space. I loved it.

[Heather]

Lovely story about finding a forever and choosing to stay. Thank you to the author for an advance review copy for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Robin is autistic and I appreciated how she was represented. I liked how Moira saw and engaged with her. I enjoyed how open and blunt Robin could be while making consent and communication the norm.

Moira is very pregnant and divorcing her wife. They are amicable and it was refreshing rather than the hateful or hurtful ex we often see. She is drawn to Robin right from the start.

There is a quiet connection with sweet chemistry between them that grows into something grounding and permanent. Recommend!

[Xiaoqing]

This is a heartwarming sapphic romance with unique story of falling in love during late pregnancy in the dreamy wintry ranch! I appreciate the author's choice of Main Characters, Robin, the highly successful cardiologist is autistic and lonely, while her love interest, Moira is newly single and very pregnant. They met in the lovely ranch and never left! This slow burn, low angst romance is really enjoyable, but what moved me the most is the kindness and friendship, the human decency in the face of emergency!

[Allie Mac]

A sweet story. A connection. A realisation. A story of finding your home.

What a sweet story this one is. With two characters in the spotlight finding themselves and finding each other. The addition of the quirkiness of the autistic main character added a fantastic layer and added the the intrigue
Well done on this one Annie and congratulations. Was a pleasure to read. Received the copy as an ARC reader.

[Claudia]

This is the first book I read in the series and the setting of the background makes you feel like you are there. Coming to rest and staying for something and someone good. Loves the story of Ronin and Moira and how they instantly connect and grow together. The support cast also gives the story substance.

[Christine Reid]

Omg wow what a phenomenal story, I love how the main characters are written with so much depth making you feel apart of their life's while also cheering them on its a swoon worthy book a slow burner with so much love, understanding and strength they unfolded the story with perfection a must-read congratulations

[Mary Ellen]

It’s a sweet story filled with loving humans relating, sharing, connecting. The setting is a ranch somewhere in Colorado called Sacred Peaks. This book is #7 in the Sacred Peaks series of Sapphic HEA novels.