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Indebted
Marcus Holcomb. Handsome, charming, worldly—and penniless. What’s a man with enormous gambling debts and an aversion to work to do when his wealthy relatives cut off his allowance? Why, marry into money, of course!
Marcus Holcomb. Handsome, charming, worldly—and penniless. What’s a man with enormous gambling debts and an aversion to work to do when his wealthy relatives cut off his allowance? Why, marry into money, of course! The trick being to find a woman he can tolerate who won’t suspect his true motives. What could be simpler for a gambler who knows how to bluff?
Amy Winthrop knows her father is ashamed of his spinster daughter. Even though she is as clever as her brothers, her father won’t let her near the machine shop in their small factory and refuses to look at her plans to improve their business. In Nelson Winthrop’s eyes, a woman’s only value is as a pawn in a bigger game. When the opportunity arises to marry her off to the nephew of wealthy industrialist Horace Holcomb, Winthrop’s relief is obvious. He can get rid of his daughter and forge a business relationship at the same time.
Amy is determined to send Marcus Holcomb running just as she has sent every other suitor running—by being herself. What man would marry a woman who would rather study a steam compressor instead of a sewing pattern? She vows to be as difficult, outspoken, and mannish as possible, thus forcing Holcomb to flee and teaching her father a lesson at the same time.
Except that Marcus won’t budge—and he doesn’t seem to care that she’s not like other women. Oddly enough, he listens to her ideas and seems keen to learn from her. He even treats her as an equal, not some simpering halfwit who only cares about fashion and flowers.
Could he truly love her? Or is Marcus playing a bigger game as well?
Welcome to the Hidden Gems Historical Romance Series! Each book is a sweet historical romance where women of unique talents find the happy endings they long for with men who love and cherish them.
Amy Winthrop knows her father is ashamed of his spinster daughter. Even though she is as clever as her brothers, her father won’t let her near the machine shop in their small factory and refuses to look at her plans to improve their business. In Nelson Winthrop’s eyes, a woman’s only value is as a pawn in a bigger game. When the opportunity arises to marry her off to the nephew of wealthy industrialist Horace Holcomb, Winthrop’s relief is obvious. He can get rid of his daughter and forge a business relationship at the same time.
Amy is determined to send Marcus Holcomb running just as she has sent every other suitor running—by being herself. What man would marry a woman who would rather study a steam compressor instead of a sewing pattern? She vows to be as difficult, outspoken, and mannish as possible, thus forcing Holcomb to flee and teaching her father a lesson at the same time.
Except that Marcus won’t budge—and he doesn’t seem to care that she’s not like other women. Oddly enough, he listens to her ideas and seems keen to learn from her. He even treats her as an equal, not some simpering halfwit who only cares about fashion and flowers.
Could he truly love her? Or is Marcus playing a bigger game as well?
Welcome to the Hidden Gems Historical Romance Series! Each book is a sweet historical romance where women of unique talents find the happy endings they long for with men who love and cherish them.
199 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 31, 2024
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13 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 3, 2025
A fabulous srory of Marcus Holcomb, nephew and ward of wealthy industrialist Horace Holcomb, returns home to the family estate in Lancashire after getting himself thrown out of every gentlemen’s club in London and deeply in debt to a several creditors. He’s decided he needs to get in the good graces of his uncle and find a rich bride to cover his debts. Nelson Winthrop owns the largest textile mill in Lancashire, has three very capable sons but his eldest is a daughter, Amy, who is almost thirty and is unlike any other women in that she is highly intelligent and very knowledgeable concerning the textile industry and does not mind letting others know. Marcus may have finding a wealthy bride in mind as part of his scheme to rectify his debt issue but unknown to him, his uncle Horace and Mr. Winthrop have met and negotiated an arranged marriage for him and Amy. It will now be up to Marcus to use his charm to woo the “shrew” Amy into agreeing to the marriage.
I loved how Marcus falls first and how he wasn’t too proud to get Amy to help him. Their heart to heart interactions with each other were so touching and his awe over what she knew and could do and his indignation over the fact that her father didn’t realize the jewel he had in her was so endearing. This clean historical romance is not only a sweet love story but also very informative on the textile industry during the later half of the 1800’s.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I loved how Marcus falls first and how he wasn’t too proud to get Amy to help him. Their heart to heart interactions with each other were so touching and his awe over what she knew and could do and his indignation over the fact that her father didn’t realize the jewel he had in her was so endearing. This clean historical romance is not only a sweet love story but also very informative on the textile industry during the later half of the 1800’s.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 10, 2025
A beautiful expression of Transformative Romance! M. Culler crafts a tale of two very unlikely lovers: Amy and Marcus. The story takes place in England in the late 19th century, with the Industrial Revolution in full swing. The times are not easy for Amy. A smart, assertive and beautiful woman. She is buckling the tide of what’s expected of her. Her life becomes entangled with a playboy gambler who is a family member and heir apparent of a large apparel business.
The background story and unfolding plot will keep the pages turning. M. Culler’s dialogue between the two (Amy and Marcus) is wonderful music to this dance of intertwinement; it feels both natural and real.
This one is now a favorite of mine from her Historical Romance Series. Highly recommend!!
The background story and unfolding plot will keep the pages turning. M. Culler’s dialogue between the two (Amy and Marcus) is wonderful music to this dance of intertwinement; it feels both natural and real.
This one is now a favorite of mine from her Historical Romance Series. Highly recommend!!
December 31, 2024
We have a strong minded heroine who is brilliant at business and physics, but an outcast from the society. Our hero on the other hand has gambled away all he can and is in need of a rich wife. A marriage of convenience is arranged between them, but love blooms from within the factory looms.
A sweet romance, with good banter between the hero and heroine, and how they match each other to make a perfect whole. I was given an ARC of the book, and all opinions expressed are my own.
A sweet romance, with good banter between the hero and heroine, and how they match each other to make a perfect whole. I was given an ARC of the book, and all opinions expressed are my own.
January 5, 2025
Swoon-worthy hero meets brainy heroine, and defers to her opinions. Charming funny read. Laughed out loud at some places.
“Oh, this is going beautifully,” Thomas muttered, seizing her elbow and hauling her inside. “We’ve only been here for five seconds, and you’ve injured a servant, insulted a guest, and started a shouting match between Father and Mr. Collier.”
“And the night is young,” Steven chortled, taking her other arm. “Well done, sister mine.”
“Oh, this is going beautifully,” Thomas muttered, seizing her elbow and hauling her inside. “We’ve only been here for five seconds, and you’ve injured a servant, insulted a guest, and started a shouting match between Father and Mr. Collier.”
“And the night is young,” Steven chortled, taking her other arm. “Well done, sister mine.”
July 2, 2025
Both Amy and Marcus have had their own personal haunting memories over the loss of heir parents and when they are pushed to become betrothed by her father and his uncle into forming a betrothal it seemed most unlikely they would even like each other. But over a course of a few weeks and their constant attention to each other they both come to realize they have a lot more in common than realized and they have a hea
January 19, 2026
Indented
A heartwarming narrative unfolds, chronicling the transformative journey of a woman and her future husband as they navigate the intricate path of love, mutual respect, and shared happiness. The story celebrates the progressive era we inhabit, where women are empowered to cultivate and showcase their intellectual prowess, breaking free from historical constraints and embracing their full potential as equal partners in personal and professional spheres.
A heartwarming narrative unfolds, chronicling the transformative journey of a woman and her future husband as they navigate the intricate path of love, mutual respect, and shared happiness. The story celebrates the progressive era we inhabit, where women are empowered to cultivate and showcase their intellectual prowess, breaking free from historical constraints and embracing their full potential as equal partners in personal and professional spheres.
April 4, 2025
Great story!
I loved the way Amy stood strong in her convictions. Marcus was a bit hard to like at the very first, but he definitely redeemed himself, especially at the very end. I would’ve loved to see everyone’s facial expressions after his declaration regarding Amy!
I would’ve given five stars, but there was very abrupt, unexpected ending, sadly.
I loved the way Amy stood strong in her convictions. Marcus was a bit hard to like at the very first, but he definitely redeemed himself, especially at the very end. I would’ve loved to see everyone’s facial expressions after his declaration regarding Amy!
I would’ve given five stars, but there was very abrupt, unexpected ending, sadly.
Want to read
February 3, 2025This book has been nominated for a 2025 Swoony Award, to vote for it click here: Swoony Awards.
December 20, 2025
Enjoyed the novella
Indebted is an enjoyable book. I liked both the story and the characters, and plan to read more of the author’s works.
Indebted is an enjoyable book. I liked both the story and the characters, and plan to read more of the author’s works.
January 31, 2025
This book was a little difficult to rate and review. On one hand I loved the honesty and connection between the characters and was so glad to see an intelligent FMC, who is not always into her looks and what to wear. And that Marcus was so open and eager to learn from Amy.
On the other hand, I felt that the book would have been even better if Marcus' emotions and feelings were described in more detail and over a period of time, since the end did feel a little rushed, and I didn't really trust him to betray Amy and me.
Despite all this, I loved the writing and the story overall. It's a different take on marriage of convenience, where the FMCs actually fall in love before the marriage.
Looking forward to the next book by the author.
On the other hand, I felt that the book would have been even better if Marcus' emotions and feelings were described in more detail and over a period of time, since the end did feel a little rushed, and I didn't really trust him to betray Amy and me.
Despite all this, I loved the writing and the story overall. It's a different take on marriage of convenience, where the FMCs actually fall in love before the marriage.
Looking forward to the next book by the author.
December 17, 2025
I love the family dynamics, the unconventional spinster daughter, pushing against the constraints and expectations of Victorian society, and the scapegrace charmer who needs to reform in order to inherit. Malcolm is seven years younger than Amy, riddled with debt, and in his uncle's bad graces. He needs to marry money. Amy is the daughter of a wealthy mill owner who rejects her ideas for improving production and expects her to be the typical woman of the time, pursuing all the feminine arts. Right from the first meeting, Malcolm shows interest in what she has to say, putting a small crack in her defensive armor. I really enjoy this author's work.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews