Ghosted by Lori Matsourani is a Summertime Books Event pick #romance #summerreads #giveaway
- N. N. Light
- 13 hours ago
- 5 min read
Title: Ghosted
Author: Lori Matsourani
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Book 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?
Excerpt:
Dusk had taken hold, but the inn’s porch lights banished the shadows with their gentle glow. After unloading her luggage, Bethany paused to admire the stately house. Six tall pillars supported the front porch, which spanned the exterior’s entire width. Dark shutters flanked the windows on the first and second floors, and three dormer windows jutted from the top floor’s gambrel roof. The place was grand, a stark contrast to what she remembered when visiting as a kid—a dilapidated hulk with boarded windows, peeling paint, and an overgrown lawn.
Bethany grabbed her suitcase, climbed the front steps, and opened the door. Inside, the scent of cinnamon and baked apples greeted her as she took in the entryway’s polished hardwood floor, gleaming from the soft light of a crystal chandelier. Beyond the foyer, several beige sofas and upholstered wingback chairs formed a casual seating area in front of a brick fireplace. The effect was comfortable and welcoming, like she’d stepped into a larger version of Aunt Ginny’s cozy living room. And for the first time since downing the wine, booking the plane ticket, and reserving a room, it didn’t hurt when she took a breath.
As she made her way to the front desk—an antique writing table by the stairs—an elegant gray-haired woman walked into the foyer and stopped, breathing in a quiet gasp when she saw Bethany. After staring for several seconds, the woman recovered and smiled warmly.
“Hi! You must be Ms. Hendren. Welcome to Horatio House. I’m Margaret Snowden, the innkeeper.”
“Please call me Bethany.”
“Bethany it is, then. Your room is ready.” Mrs. Snowden selected an envelope lying on the desk and handed it to her, then tapped the vintage call bell. “I put you in the Howard Room, upstairs to the right. My nephew will carry your luggage up.”
Bethany glanced at the staircase, admiring its graceful curve. “This house is lovely.”
“Thank you, dear. We think so, too.”
As Mrs. Snowden spoke, a tall, dark-haired man entered the foyer. He wore jeans and a soft blue crewneck sweater that accentuated his lanky, yet solid, build. As soon as he saw Bethany, his face lit up.
“Bethany!”
He walked toward her as though they were long-lost friends, and she half expected him to pull her into an embrace. Then she recognized the dark chocolate eyes behind the black-framed glasses and her stomach lurched.
Nick Dorsey. He’s Mrs. Snowden’s nephew?
“Aunt Margaret told me you were checking in today.”
Stunned, Bethany stepped backward, bumping into the edge of the desk as her heart thudded. A white-hot flush scorched every inch of her skin as she stared at Nick. Of all the people she could run into, it had to be the first guy to break her heart? And why did he have to be so handsome, with that bit of hair curling over his forehead and late-day stubble?
She inhaled deeply to rein in her composure, hating her can’t-catch-your-breath reaction to him, then dipped her chin in a neutral acknowledgment.
“Hello, Nick.”
His smile morphed into a full-on, lopsided grin. “It’s been ages since I’ve seen you. Ten years, I bet. Not since the summer Zach and I got our drivers’ licenses.”
Mrs. Snowden laid her hand on Nick’s shoulder. “Bethany is staying in the Howard Room. Can you help her with her bag?” Then, turning to Bethany, she said, “Come back down when you’re ready and I’ll give you a tour of the house.”
As Bethany followed Nick to the second floor, the pain, questions, and self-doubts she’d buried years ago reemerged, seeping into her belly like liquid concrete. The last thing she needed was Nick Dorsey invading her healing zone. It had taken her months to get over the summer romance they’d shared—and he’d abruptly ended—when they were teens. And even longer before she could bring herself to date again.
And now he was in her safe space.
His gaze swept her face as they walked along the hallway, his demeanor openly curious. “Do you remember this house? The place was an absolute wreck.”
Bethany straightened, determined to remain aloof and unaffected by the depth of his eyes. “Yep. I recall quite a bit.” That you kissed me. Said you loved me. Promised that you’d keep in touch. Then nothing. Silence. Like I never existed. “But I never thought you’d be working here.”
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub):
Books2Read: https://books2read.com/lorimatsourani
What makes your featured book a must-read?
Rediscovering the person who makes our skin tingle and heart pound is exciting, yet terrifying. It can lead to joy… or heartbreak, and it’s hard to trust that the opportunity for happiness is worth the risk of despair. Ghosted is all about trust and how we sometimes need to just close our eyes, leap out of our safety zone, and trust that our soulmate is there to catch us.
Giveaway –
Enter to win a $15 Amazon gift card:
Open Internationally.
Runs June 23 – June 30, 2025.
Winner will be drawn on July 1, 2025.
Author Biography:
Author Lori Matsourani is a romance addict. Give her stories with a touch of heartbreak and a spark of joy, and she’s happy. Throw in characters with a huge helping of heart and soul, and she’s up reading all night in romance heaven! While currently a Texas resident, Lori grew up near Baltimore and often draws on the historical flavor of Annapolis and Maryland’s Eastern Shore to inspire her story settings. She authored her first fiction story at twelve and has been hooked on writing ever since. Early on, her writing career focused on articles for magazines and newspapers before shifting to her first writing love—fiction. For Lori, connecting words to tell a story is like assembling a jigsaw puzzle, and she loves the challenge of creating every piece.
Social Media Links:
Website: https://lorimatsourani.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lori.matsourani
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lori.matsourani/