GHOSTED by Lori Matsourani

Fiction, Contemporary Paranormal Romance

4****

Blurb: When her fiancé’s infidelity prompts Bethany Hendren to map out a new path forward, her plans are disrupted by an unexpected encounter with Nick Dorsey, who convinces her to help search for the remains of a troubled eighteenth-century ghost. Nick is the handsome summer boyfriend who ghosted her years ago, and now he wants to rekindle their relationship. Despite her reluctance to trust him, Bethany discovers he’s still the funny, caring person who captured her heart as a teen, but giving him a second chance is risky—it could lead to love and happiness or result in another devastating heartache.
Although Bethany wants a happily-ever-after with Nick, does she have the courage to trust him with her future?

THOUGHTS: This was a cute contemporary romance with paranormal twists and a second-chance romance for the main character. Bethany is a sweet character with a problem. Her fiance cheated on her so she left Oklahoma City and went home to Worthington Cove, MD, the small town her parents left years ago, but her favorite aunt still lives there. And so does her ex crush, Nick. But he ghosted her ten years ago. Can she trust him now? She checks into the local B&B for a week to figure out what’s next for her. The inn is supposedly haunted but Bethany doesn’t believe in ghosts.

Until Samuel shows up. At first, he’s just in her dreams, but then… he leaves his hair tie wrapped around her wrist. And she learns to believe. Samuel wants her to find his body so history can be corrected and he can be buried in the family lot. Bethany and Nick go to work to solve the mystery. Then Bethany’s ex-fiance shows up.

Bethany is a well-done character who has a lot of problems. She grows and changes through the story showing that she actually does have a backbone. There’s not a lot to Nick, but he is the standard handsome teen crush who grows into a really nice man. Even the ghost, Samuel, grows and changes by the end of the story. And the setting is beautiful. The Chesapeake Bay, Maryland steamed crabs on butcher paper on a pier, historical homes… well-done!

I really enjoyed this story and there’s a HEA ending that satisfies.

Recommended.