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Stand and Deliver
Betrothed to a cruel man she despises, Countess Victoria Edmunton is determined to escape her fate.
When her carriage is ambushed by highwaymen, Victoria seizes her chance to bargain with their charismatic leader. If her family believes she has been stolen away, then she may have a chance to escape her cursed marriage and claim a life of her choosing. Victoria offers jewels—and a daring plan. If he fakes her ransom, he could walk away richer than he ever dreamed, and she could disappear for good.
Whisked away on horseback by the masked outlaw, Victoria makes a startling discovery…the highwayman is no man at all.
In the depths the forest, Victoria’s scheme unravels as the highwaywoman reveals that a ransom the size of Victoria’s is just too tempting—she intends to deliver.
Kidnapped for real, Victoria should hate the dangerous, sharp-tongued woman who holds her captive…yet every mocking smile ignites a longing she cannot ignore. And the more she glimpses beneath the mask, the more she sees a tenderness that disarms her completely.
But as attraction sparks into desire, their time runs short. Deadly secrets come to light when an old enemy surfaces. If she hopes to survive, Victoria must trust her highwaywoman with not only her heart, but with her life.
When her carriage is ambushed by highwaymen, Victoria seizes her chance to bargain with their charismatic leader. If her family believes she has been stolen away, then she may have a chance to escape her cursed marriage and claim a life of her choosing. Victoria offers jewels—and a daring plan. If he fakes her ransom, he could walk away richer than he ever dreamed, and she could disappear for good.
Whisked away on horseback by the masked outlaw, Victoria makes a startling discovery…the highwayman is no man at all.
In the depths the forest, Victoria’s scheme unravels as the highwaywoman reveals that a ransom the size of Victoria’s is just too tempting—she intends to deliver.
Kidnapped for real, Victoria should hate the dangerous, sharp-tongued woman who holds her captive…yet every mocking smile ignites a longing she cannot ignore. And the more she glimpses beneath the mask, the more she sees a tenderness that disarms her completely.
But as attraction sparks into desire, their time runs short. Deadly secrets come to light when an old enemy surfaces. If she hopes to survive, Victoria must trust her highwaywoman with not only her heart, but with her life.
- GenresLesbian
335 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 14, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 2, 2026
THIS WAS ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC. thank you ivy for the arc!!
this is my first ever arc and it will always have a special place in my heart. i am so glad that this book now holds that accolade.
anyways. i felt so many emotions, the back and forth banter between bea and victoria was so funny and had me grinning! you could just SEE bea softening after everything sharp come back and barb from victoria.
i absolutely loved both characters so much. the pain bea felt hidden under that sharp exterior and the softness underneath the facade, i loved seeing the fleeting moments of vulnerability until she finally let herself feel for her. victoria was such a firecracker, and i absolutely loved how she took her own life by the reigns and refused to be stuck somewhere she didn’t want to be and never gave up trying to escape. she was so stubborn but in such a good way. and the way she cared and saw bea even though she tried to hide was just UGH🤌🏼🤌🏼
the chemistry and spice between them was amazing, those were some amazing scenes guys😭 and how bea took care of her and made sure she knew her safe word and then the softness afterwards was so perfect. their love was so tender even if it took them a second to accept it.
this threw so many turns and i was here for every one but i loved that i didnt have to wait a ton of chapters for it to be okay again, the pacing was wonderful!
also a special mention for chip, anabelle, agnes, johnny, charlotte and william. (and martha😭) i love when the characters have connections even if they have to leave them behind. but they helped and changed the story in so many ways it would’ve been different if they weren’t there!
okay im gonna shut up now but this was AMAZING everyone must read.
this is my first ever arc and it will always have a special place in my heart. i am so glad that this book now holds that accolade.
anyways. i felt so many emotions, the back and forth banter between bea and victoria was so funny and had me grinning! you could just SEE bea softening after everything sharp come back and barb from victoria.
i absolutely loved both characters so much. the pain bea felt hidden under that sharp exterior and the softness underneath the facade, i loved seeing the fleeting moments of vulnerability until she finally let herself feel for her. victoria was such a firecracker, and i absolutely loved how she took her own life by the reigns and refused to be stuck somewhere she didn’t want to be and never gave up trying to escape. she was so stubborn but in such a good way. and the way she cared and saw bea even though she tried to hide was just UGH🤌🏼🤌🏼
the chemistry and spice between them was amazing, those were some amazing scenes guys😭 and how bea took care of her and made sure she knew her safe word and then the softness afterwards was so perfect. their love was so tender even if it took them a second to accept it.
this threw so many turns and i was here for every one but i loved that i didnt have to wait a ton of chapters for it to be okay again, the pacing was wonderful!
also a special mention for chip, anabelle, agnes, johnny, charlotte and william. (and martha😭) i love when the characters have connections even if they have to leave them behind. but they helped and changed the story in so many ways it would’ve been different if they weren’t there!
okay im gonna shut up now but this was AMAZING everyone must read.
December 19, 2025
I loved Ivy's first book so it's no surprise I enjoyed this one too!
If you are looking for an enemis to lovers where there is no shortage of spice you can stop loking.
The story is very simple to follow, the characters have depth, and each has a backstory that helps you understand their way of thinking and what drives them to act a certain way. Even though MCs are completely different personalities and come from opposite social classes, a bratty countess and an unscrupulous highway woman, they complement each other like two pieces of a puzzle.
Everything was well written from the side character to the background settings. The only downside is that I personally didn't feel the chemistry between the MC.
Now to the things you will find (which will surely make you want to read this book):
-Forced Proximity
-Enemies to Lovers
-Only one bed
-First Time
-Attraction at first sight
-Touch her and die
-Queer Awakening
-Historical romance
-HEA
-Brat femme × Masc
-Captor × Captive
-Banter
-Bipoc MC
-Degradation
-Praise kink
-Hand necklace
- 4🔥
CW:Violence - death - orphan MC - mention of the plague - extortion - grief - abusive husband (Mc'sister) - domestic violence - arranged marriage - mention of eating horses in order to survive - murder
If you are looking for an enemis to lovers where there is no shortage of spice you can stop loking.
The story is very simple to follow, the characters have depth, and each has a backstory that helps you understand their way of thinking and what drives them to act a certain way. Even though MCs are completely different personalities and come from opposite social classes, a bratty countess and an unscrupulous highway woman, they complement each other like two pieces of a puzzle.
Everything was well written from the side character to the background settings. The only downside is that I personally didn't feel the chemistry between the MC.
Now to the things you will find (which will surely make you want to read this book):
-Forced Proximity
-Enemies to Lovers
-Only one bed
-First Time
-Attraction at first sight
-Touch her and die
-Queer Awakening
-Historical romance
-HEA
-Brat femme × Masc
-Captor × Captive
-Banter
-Bipoc MC
-Degradation
-Praise kink
-Hand necklace
- 4🔥
CW:Violence - death - orphan MC - mention of the plague - extortion - grief - abusive husband (Mc'sister) - domestic violence - arranged marriage - mention of eating horses in order to survive - murder
January 1, 2026
ARC REVIEW - Kicking off 2026 with some heat!
Stand and Deliver is a historical romance between a noblewoman and a highwaywoman. When Victoria is desperate to find a way out of her impending arranged marriage it just so happens that’s when Bea happens to rob her. A kidnapping is just a few steps away from a robbery, right?
This is one of the spiciest books I’ve read - and definitely the spiciest I’ve reviewed - but that’s not all it is. I really enjoyed both POV characters and their arcs throughout this book. I loved seeing Victoria’s wit, and her finding ways to use it in increasingly devious ways. The highlight for me personally though was seeing Bea face her demons and work towards forging a future of her own choosing, being who she wants to be. The above is not to say I’m ignoring the spice - dear lord is it *something*. If you want to find out the specifics that were included, check out the promo graphics on Ivy’s page; if you do at all have certain proclivities towards any of those (which, in regards to yours truly, I cannot confirm nor deny) then I will say that you will be eating very, very well throughout this book. Make sure to also check out the trigger warnings included - these scenes go hard in many ways that I personally love, but know won’t be for everyone.
I really enjoyed Stand and Deliver and would really recommend it to anyone who wants a historical, enemies-to-lovers with lashings of top tier spice
Thank you so much to the author for supplying me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Stand and Deliver is a historical romance between a noblewoman and a highwaywoman. When Victoria is desperate to find a way out of her impending arranged marriage it just so happens that’s when Bea happens to rob her. A kidnapping is just a few steps away from a robbery, right?
This is one of the spiciest books I’ve read - and definitely the spiciest I’ve reviewed - but that’s not all it is. I really enjoyed both POV characters and their arcs throughout this book. I loved seeing Victoria’s wit, and her finding ways to use it in increasingly devious ways. The highlight for me personally though was seeing Bea face her demons and work towards forging a future of her own choosing, being who she wants to be. The above is not to say I’m ignoring the spice - dear lord is it *something*. If you want to find out the specifics that were included, check out the promo graphics on Ivy’s page; if you do at all have certain proclivities towards any of those (which, in regards to yours truly, I cannot confirm nor deny) then I will say that you will be eating very, very well throughout this book. Make sure to also check out the trigger warnings included - these scenes go hard in many ways that I personally love, but know won’t be for everyone.
I really enjoyed Stand and Deliver and would really recommend it to anyone who wants a historical, enemies-to-lovers with lashings of top tier spice
Thank you so much to the author for supplying me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
December 23, 2025
STARS 5/6 STARS
SPICE HOT
CHEMISTRY EXCELLENT
ANGST HIGH
SLOW BURN NO
CLIFFHANGER NO
CHARACTERS Bea and Victoria
FAVORITE QUOTE/QUOTES
”Think very carefully about what you’re going to do now. You have two options. You can be a good girl, sit tight, and go home safe and sound or you can try and run from me. I assure you that I will catch you and you’ll not enjoy what happens when I do.” - Bea
.“Oh, buttercup.” She cupped my cheek and ran her thumb over my bottom lip. “You’ll never forget me. I promise you now, you’ll never feel the touch of another and not think of me.”
MY THOUGHTS
This book didn’t just sweep me off my feet…it grabbed me and ran. The author promised me my favorite tropes, and she absolutely delivered. Victoria making a a deal with the devil she barely understood. I was completely out of my mind! The. Entire. Book.
WHAT I LOVED ABOUT THE CHARACTERS
Bea is that villain who steals the book and your entire heart. And Victoria. Spicy, stubborn, always pushing back even when she shouldn’t. Their dynamic is volatile, addictive, and absolutely delicious. The chemistry had the pages burning.
WHAT I LOVED ABOUT THE BOOK
Chaos, danger, and villainous devotion. This book thrives on it. Every sharp edge and soft moment synced perfectly. But what took me out was the spice. Bea teaching, guiding, pushing...I lost my mind. Their scenes aren’t vanilla; they’re molten. The kind of chemistry that scorches right off the pages!
WHAT I WISHED FOR
I wished it would have never ended…I still want to be there reading their story.
TROPES
Only one bed, Grumpy/Sunshine, Masc/Femme, Sapphic Awakening, Teach Me, Enemies to Lovers, Captor/Captive
SPICE HOT
CHEMISTRY EXCELLENT
ANGST HIGH
SLOW BURN NO
CLIFFHANGER NO
CHARACTERS Bea and Victoria
FAVORITE QUOTE/QUOTES
”Think very carefully about what you’re going to do now. You have two options. You can be a good girl, sit tight, and go home safe and sound or you can try and run from me. I assure you that I will catch you and you’ll not enjoy what happens when I do.” - Bea
.“Oh, buttercup.” She cupped my cheek and ran her thumb over my bottom lip. “You’ll never forget me. I promise you now, you’ll never feel the touch of another and not think of me.”
MY THOUGHTS
This book didn’t just sweep me off my feet…it grabbed me and ran. The author promised me my favorite tropes, and she absolutely delivered. Victoria making a a deal with the devil she barely understood. I was completely out of my mind! The. Entire. Book.
WHAT I LOVED ABOUT THE CHARACTERS
Bea is that villain who steals the book and your entire heart. And Victoria. Spicy, stubborn, always pushing back even when she shouldn’t. Their dynamic is volatile, addictive, and absolutely delicious. The chemistry had the pages burning.
WHAT I LOVED ABOUT THE BOOK
Chaos, danger, and villainous devotion. This book thrives on it. Every sharp edge and soft moment synced perfectly. But what took me out was the spice. Bea teaching, guiding, pushing...I lost my mind. Their scenes aren’t vanilla; they’re molten. The kind of chemistry that scorches right off the pages!
WHAT I WISHED FOR
I wished it would have never ended…I still want to be there reading their story.
TROPES
Only one bed, Grumpy/Sunshine, Masc/Femme, Sapphic Awakening, Teach Me, Enemies to Lovers, Captor/Captive
January 3, 2026
Robin Hood would be jealous of this story. I loved every word and can’t wait to read Ms Warren’s next book, so much so I will now be buying a copy of ‘The Bone Heart’ to tide me over!
This story is full of adventure, heart and humour. The introduction of the characters to each other is so explosive and good humoured you can’t help but route for the highwaywomen (Bea), to get her way and give the rich Countess a lesson along the way. What we get however, is so much more.
I wasn’t sure at first, why there were flash backs but when the whole story is revealed I was so angry and wanted nothing more than to help Bea and Victoria on their way, to the life together they deserve.
Thank you Ms Warren for the chance to read an ARC copy of this fantastic read. Don’t think about getting this book, just get it.
This story is full of adventure, heart and humour. The introduction of the characters to each other is so explosive and good humoured you can’t help but route for the highwaywomen (Bea), to get her way and give the rich Countess a lesson along the way. What we get however, is so much more.
I wasn’t sure at first, why there were flash backs but when the whole story is revealed I was so angry and wanted nothing more than to help Bea and Victoria on their way, to the life together they deserve.
Thank you Ms Warren for the chance to read an ARC copy of this fantastic read. Don’t think about getting this book, just get it.
January 8, 2026
All I can say to sum up my experience reading this book is swoon. I finished this in two days and that’s what I was doing from beginning to end, swooning over the characters, the backdrop and the tension.
A young girl sees a robbery as her chance to take her life into her own hands and it backfires in the best way.
This book was filled with adventure, heart wrenching backstories and a well deserved HEA.
I truly have nothing but praises for this tale and author!
Some of my favourite quotes:
“My lifestyle was full of danger and adventure by nature, but it was rarely fun. And my favourite type of fun would always be had with beautiful women”
“The coarse brute of a villain who had stolen me then stolen my heart”
“I wanted to hate her. I wanted to hate her with my lips and teeth and tongue. I wanted to hate every cursed inch of her incredible body”
December 23, 2025
Fans of historical pieces and action along with some steamy sapphic love need to check out SAD. Warren has written a book that clips along at a decent pace and pulls the reader into the exciting pairing of Bea and Victoria. Each have back stories that make me root for them and pull me into their love story.
The mix of thrilling action in the highwaywoman trope paired with the era make it a really nice blend of different genres and a fun spin on "enemies" to lovers. The spice is spicing and added to the chemistry between B and V.
Fans of sapphic love and action packed romance should check out this sizzler with Bloomtown and Bridgerton vibes.
The mix of thrilling action in the highwaywoman trope paired with the era make it a really nice blend of different genres and a fun spin on "enemies" to lovers. The spice is spicing and added to the chemistry between B and V.
Fans of sapphic love and action packed romance should check out this sizzler with Bloomtown and Bridgerton vibes.
December 23, 2025
Flirtatious and fun, with drama galore. This book has a wonderful brat and a total simp of a dom. the dynamic between the main characters is excellent. Most sapphic romance readers are aware that some books can focus too much on the physical aspect of the relationship, however, this author balances romance, intimacy, passion and plot wonderfully. Another exceptional book from Ivy Warren. I particularly enjoyed how our masculine FMC has a soft side too, she isn’t just a two dimensional pawn for the story. Lots of love, hate, revenge and trust throughout the story. I loved it.
December 19, 2025
Loved loved LOVED reading this. Often I find spicy books are either lacking in sexiness or lacking in storyline but this one has plenty of spice plus a compelling plot that kept me gripped the whole way through. I loved both characters and was super invested in their dynamic, I found myself rooting for them and genuinely caring about what happened next. And the sex scenes are HOT, 10/10, no notes. If you like a little brat tamer and brat dynamic, this is definitely for you!
January 19, 2026
Ivy Warren has proven once again that she is the queen of sapphic historical romance. ❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥
Stand and Deliver is a thrilling read, the action and intrigue throughout that will keep you enthralled. ⚔️ The tension of the forbidden love is gorgeous and the characters are beautifully complex. 😩🥰 It will leave you blushing. 😳🤭😘
Thank you Ivy Warren for the ARC, I cannot wait to see what you do next. 📖
Stand and Deliver is a thrilling read, the action and intrigue throughout that will keep you enthralled. ⚔️ The tension of the forbidden love is gorgeous and the characters are beautifully complex. 😩🥰 It will leave you blushing. 😳🤭😘
Thank you Ivy Warren for the ARC, I cannot wait to see what you do next. 📖
December 25, 2025
I loved Ivys first book so when I was given the opportunity to ARC this how could I say no!
Everything I loved about Ivys last book is present here, including their writing style and prose making this historical inspired fiction a joy to read.
Its full of drama, twists and turns and just the right amount of spice too!
Everything I loved about Ivys last book is present here, including their writing style and prose making this historical inspired fiction a joy to read.
Its full of drama, twists and turns and just the right amount of spice too!
April 6, 2026
It was entertaining, although it reminded me, at times, of Bloom Town. Some parts fell a bit rushed, especially the end. Overall, I would have liked to see more depth into the whole story. Nevertheless, the dynamic between the MC’s was engaging.
December 30, 2025
This book won't sweep you off your feet. It will kidnap you, throw you over its shoulder, rob you on the highway, and then make you THANK IT for it. ;)
The short version:
Historically inspired chaos, sapphic MCs, enemies to lovers, some violence and lots of spice.
The long version:
We've got Bea. A morally questionable menace. AND YET, a hidden softy where it counts, devoted in the most villainous way. Somehow both a dom and a complete simp??? Jail.
And then we've got Victoria. Stubborn. Makes objectively bad decisions. Sees a red flag and goes “mmm, romantic.” A sapphic awakening wrapped in attitude and bad survival instincts. We support women's rights, but we also support women’s wrongs.
This is not one of those books where it’s just questionable vibes and sex scenes strung together. There is plot and speed. There is angst. There is revenge and there is trust being earned the hard way.
The short version:
Historically inspired chaos, sapphic MCs, enemies to lovers, some violence and lots of spice.
The long version:
We've got Bea. A morally questionable menace. AND YET, a hidden softy where it counts, devoted in the most villainous way. Somehow both a dom and a complete simp??? Jail.
And then we've got Victoria. Stubborn. Makes objectively bad decisions. Sees a red flag and goes “mmm, romantic.” A sapphic awakening wrapped in attitude and bad survival instincts. We support women's rights, but we also support women’s wrongs.
This is not one of those books where it’s just questionable vibes and sex scenes strung together. There is plot and speed. There is angst. There is revenge and there is trust being earned the hard way.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews