This is a free newsletter exclusive with subscription to Heather Novak's newsletter. Owning an auto shop is hard; owning an auto shop across the country is harder; owning an auto shop with your half-brother and his fiancée—the woman you've been in love with since you were kids—is just insane. (And seriously, what's with the rooster?) This is a prequel chapter from Luke's point of view. It takes place before HEADLIGHTS, DIPSTICKS, & MY EX'S BROTHER, but can be read at any time in the series.

A full-length, sex-positive romantic comedy! Running an auto shop is hard; running an auto shop as a woman is harder; running an auto shop with your ex–who is about to become your STEP-FATHER–and his hot brother is just insane. (And then there’s the rooster.) Edie Becker is living her childhood dream of running her grandfather’s auto shop. She just didn’t count on having to share ownership of the company with two other people. Specifically, her ex-fiancé and his gorgeous older brother, Luke. When Luke rolls into town for the first time in years, he has news that changes everything—he’s now the majority shareholder and he needs to sell the auto shop, and Edie’s house next door, as soon as he can. To make matters worse, Edie’s ex-fiancé has just proposed…to her mother. Edie’s determined to find a way to save her auto shop, to finally stand up to her heinous mother, and to not kiss Luke ever again…especially since he didn’t kiss her back. If Edie’s plans don’t work, she’ll be unemployed, homeless, and worse: heartbroken.

After facing the same health scare that took her mother, adult film star Vera Eastman sets out on a road trip to finish her mom’s bucket list. First stop, the hometown she escaped the moment she graduated. Her defiant arrival puts her face-to-face with her first love—her first everything—Jack Reeves. Jack’s still the guy who can steal her heart with a smile, but he hasn’t forgiven her for leaving, and avoiding him proves difficult. Not only is he her grandma’s neighbor, but Grandma pays Jack to mow the lawn shirtless, and his firefighter job has him frequently rescuing Vera, as her ability to find trouble—was it her fault the ladder on the water tower broke?—becomes as formidable a matchmaker as her grandma. Small-town-itis must be contagious. That’s the only explanation for Grandma’s stupid cat being in love with Jack’s damn dog, for Vera’s sudden urge to move home, and for her falling for Jack all over again. Eating chocolate body paint out of the jar can’t even help her with this mess.