Haunted

by Jessie Ellis

I took one forbidden bite...

As a chef and restaurateur, flavor, texture, and presentation are everything to me. And the new woman in town stirs my appetite like nothing before. After we share one mind-blowing night of passion, I find out just how wild her lush and lingering taste can drive a man. She’s violets and rose petals. Velvet and silk. A heady combination of earthy delights and heavenly indulgence.

...and now I want it all.

But Tessa’s a busy woman—running her new bed-and-breakfast, working remotely in web design, and raising her two adorable children alone. She keeps her heart—and her mysterious past—behind a firewall. And she's trying her best to keep me at arm's length despite the gaze that says she’s still hungry, too. What she doesn’t count on is me finding out that her monstrosity of a Victorian mansion is like a living, breathing… well, monster. Which means I can't walk away. Not when it'll take another beast—one with fangs and claws—to keep Tessa and her kids safe from the shadows darkening the papered walls and the blood seeping up from the polished floors.

Good thing I’m a monster, too. And I’m ready to be her wolf. To protect her. To mate her. To claim her as mine.

HAUNTED is Lincoln and Tessa’s story. It is the second steamy paranormal wolf shifter romance set in the small town of Phantom Hollow. It ends with a happily-ever-after for the main couple, but some storylines will continue to evolve throughout the five-book series.

284 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 26, 2025

About the author

Jessie Ellis is a romance author who lives in a tiny French village with her husband and three children, surrounded by woods, rivers, and farmland.

She's always loved reading thrillers, horror, and romance, thanks to sneaking books from her parents' shelves when she was too young to be reading them. Now she can't help but combine elements of those genres into the dark, gritty, and emotional tales she pens... always with a happily ever after.

Reviews

[Michelle Frater · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s more than a little ironic that Tessa flees one nightmare only to find herself running straight into the heart of the cursed town of Phantom Hollow. The town has a pulse all its own, one that beats in whispers and shadows. Yet even among the whispers, Tessa is every bit the fierce mama bear, ready to fight monsters, mortal or otherwise, to protect her children. Phantom Hollow is steeped in secrets, and Tessa carries her share like ghosts tucked close to her skin. Then there’s Lincoln Reed, the chef and owner of The Haunted Hearth, whose warm smile seems to calm Tessa’s inner turmoil. From the moment Tessa crosses his path, Lincoln is spellbound, not just by her beauty, but by the haunted fear he glimpses in her eyes. He welcomes her children, Brenna and Cody, into his restaurant with the kind of tenderness that hints at something deeper, even as Tessa tries to keep her distance. Between running her bed-and-breakfast and her web design, Tessa has no time for romance, but desire, like the mystery in Phantom Hollow, has a way of seeping in through the cracks. One wild, breathless night changes everything. However, when Lincoln sees something in the mansion, something that makes his blood run cold, the true terror begins. The walls seem to breathe, the air thickens with dread, and every creak of the floorboards feels like a warning. I loved the chilling atmosphere, the ghosts were alive and hungry, watching Tessa and the kids. Yet even in the midst of the creeping unease, Lincoln shines as the steadfast protector. Though bound to Phantom Hollow by its curse, he’d risk damnation itself for the woman and children he’s come to love. I adored how readily Cody and Brenna accept Lincoln, but it’s not until Tessa’s secret is revealed that you realize why they seem to have supernatural abilities and are mature beyond their years. We know Lincoln’s secret from the start, but I loved how Tessa took everything in stride when everything’s laid bare. While I wished the children’s father’s storyline had been explored more fully, the overall tension and pacing more than make up for it in the end. There is more than enough tension, romance, and spectral suspense to keep you turning pages long into the night. The story pulls you in with whispers, dread, and unexpected tenderness and holds you there, breathless, until the last ghostly whisper fades. I can’t wait to see what rises from the shadows next.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second in Jessie Ellis’s Phantom Hollow Shifters series of paranormal romances. Lincoln has been holding a flame for single mother Tessa ever since she moved into town and finally, after eight months, gets his chance to make his move. He’s wary though, since he has a huge secret and senses that Tessa does too. The book was well written and the story moved along well. I thought the characters were nicely fleshed out and I am a total sucker for a man who knows in his heart that a woman is for him and will move heaven and earth for her. I was a little creeped out by some of the more spooky aspects of the story, which I guess is the sign of a good writer. Shudder! There were some twists and turns and quite a bit of intrigue. We’re privy to Linc’s secret from the get go, but Tessa’s takes a bit longer to surface. Between her fear of her children’s father and the things haunting the old mansion she’s living in, the tension stayed high. I thought Lincoln and Tessa hooked up a little too abruptly, and I thought the resolution to her problem with her kid’s dad was a bit too quick after so much build up. But I enjoyed the characters from the first book turning up in this one and loved how Lincoln was such a gentle protector to Tessa and her kids. I’m looking forward to the next in the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Crystal Junebug · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Phantom Hollow Shifter series. Each book in the series can be read as a standalone, but there seems to be some overarching plot that has stretched over from the first to the second book. So, you have have to read the first one to enjoy this one, but it would make the experience fuller. This one focuses on Lincoln and Tessa and the two MCs. This is the second book I've read by this author (first one being the first book in this series) and I'm definitely enjoying her writing style. She does a great job setting a scene and allowing the characters to develop enough that they don't feel completely 2 dimensional. The book is relatively short, so things do move at a good clip, so no slow burn. But the spice is great and there's a really good underlying storyline as well. You'll get a strong yet surprisingly tender MMC and a resourceful and smart FMC. Combined with a good story and great spice, makes this one a great read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in the Phantom Hollow Shifters series. This book was a captivating read. I particularly enjoyed the well-developed characters and Lincoln's unwavering devotion to Tessa. The story maintained high tension, especially with Tessa's hidden secret and the supernatural elements. While the pacing of Lincoln and Tessa's relationship and the resolution with her children's father felt a bit rushed, I appreciated the return of characters from the previous book and Lincoln's protective nature. Overall, it was a well-written story with a satisfying ending, and I eagerly anticipate the next installment. I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Indie · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it !! love this series !! Phantom Hollow... love, love, love Lincoln and Tessa... this is their story... a fast paced rom/drama... he's a chef and restauranter... she owns and runs a B and B that's haunted, has two kids and a scary ex... he's been in love with her for a while , they hook up and they can't forget... he's there for her and it's a good thing... so good !!!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ladnamal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the series and we met the main characters briefly in the first book. There was a lot of tension and spooky vibes, and I loved the main characters. The relationship between Lincoln and Tessa, and Lincoln and her kids was sweet.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[A Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haunted is book 2 of Phantom Hollow Shifters series. This was a great shifter romance. The story was interesting and exciting. The characters were intense and likable. I look forward to reading more of the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sandra Singleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part of the Phantom Hollow Shifters series. Lincoln and Tessa are the main couple. They carry the well-written plot. Can't wait for the next book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[BusyM3 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book two in this series Phantom Hollow Shifters. The story flows well, and will keep you interested all the way through. The characters are likeable and fit well together. I am looking forward to reading the next installment.

I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Charlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Book 2 of Phantom Hollow Shifters. Tessa and Lincoln's story. I like reading wolf shifters and the one they protect. Overall good read. I recommend it.

[Cheyenne Rivera · Rating 4 out of 5]

haunted is a shifter romance. it's a great story and the characters are well written. the plot is great.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.