Mischief and the Mechanic

Everette #3

by Alina Lane

Jump right into this spicy small town romance by Alina Lane...

She longs for a family, but all he’s been longing for… is her.

When Andy Donovan unexpectedly finds herself fighting for custody of her niece, there’s nothing she wouldn’t do to keep her and Piper together.

Even if it means marrying her best friend.

Jedd Calhoun is the type of guy who would give you the shirt off his back. Steady. Dependable. Exactly the kind of man the uber-conservative judge presiding over Andy’s case would approve of.

So when he proposes to Andy as a way of keeping Piper out of harm’s way, Andy reluctantly accepts. After all, it’s just a piece of paper, right?

But the smoldering looks Jedd keeps sending her way are enough to set that paper on fire. Night after night, fights the urge to let Jedd claim her as his wife in every sense of the word.

Because as much as she craves every part of Jedd, she knows that giving into temptation could cost her the one thing she longs for more than anything.

Her family.

Mischief and the Mechanic features a small town marriage of convenience where the pranks are epic, the spice is hot, the language is strong, and the characters are interconnected.

Genres: Friends To Lovers, Marriage Of Convenience, Contemporary Romance, Small Town Romance, Romance

322 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 30, 2025

About the author

Alina Lane writes swoony, steamy, romance that combines all three to capture you from page one and keep you hooked long past the happily ever after.

A pocket sized powerhouse, Alina lives with her personal Hunky Hero and two children in Arizona. Slathering on sunscreen and living life to its fullest she enjoys hiking, camping, fishing and rock climbing in her desert backyard.

When not hard at work on your next literary escape, you can find Alina embracing her bad-assery on Call of Duty, binge reading or shopping for nail dip sets to compliment her book covers.

Join Alina's information packed newsletter here: https://alinalane.com/contact

Reviews

[Julie Booklover · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a pull me in quick, hard to put down, escape read. This is the third book in the Everette series, and so far, the best book in the series. The personality this book has, the banter, shenanigans, and the good stuff we are looking for chemistry and steam. The text threads alone should be their own sub-trope! Many giggles and laughs associated with this read.

Andy and Jedd have a marriage of convenience to gain custody of her niece. They have been friends for some time, but as the above convenience fails, they always do in romance for some reason! The friends become more.

Thank you to the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.

[Pauline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was sooooo good. I loved Jedd and Andy; their pranks, their togetherness, their love of each other and family, it was so refreshing. Andy was brought up in a house with an absent parent and now her sister is going down the same destructive path, but Andy cannot stand by and watch her niece, Piper, live that life. So when Andy goes to get Piper, she decides that this is the last time, she is going to apply for full custody and keep Piper safe. Jedd Calhoun has been Andy's best friend since grade school and has been in love with her for almost the same amount of time. Now, he sees a chance to make Andy his, by proposing they get married to help the custody case. I loved how Jedd and Andy interact, how comfortable they are with each other and how they aren't afraid to show their feelings once they come together. How all of these Calhoun brothers are there for each other, is so amazing and really gave me the warm fuzzies.

This book was fast paced, raw, emotional, full of love, and so funny! The text chain between the brothers was hysterical, the pranks were so funny and so clever, but Jedd's bonus epilogue nearly killed me - I just burst out laughing in public!!! I thoroughly recommend this experience, and I call it that because it is so much more than just a book!

[Kristina Maysonet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mischief & the Mechanic is book 3 in the Everette series. This is Jedd & Andy’s friends to lovers, marriage of convenience story. I really enjoyed the storytelling and the buildup to the marriage. Andy’s sister, Alex, is more focused on drugs than her daughter Piper. Piper freaking calls her Aunt Andy for help but Andy has finally had enough and wants to get custody of Piper.

Andy & Jedd have been best friends for a long time and for most of that time Jedd has been in love with Andy. Jedd is willing to do anything for Andy, including marrying her to help her get custody of Piper. I really liked their friendship, it felt really real but it also wasn’t focused only on these hidden feelings. Once they get married, Jedd admits to his feelings and things get quite steamy between them. They were the sweetest all together as a family. When in trouble, Jedd will stop at nothing to protect his family.

This story has such a powerful story with Piper and her moms struggles while also being hilarious and full of pranks. Just wait and see!

[Angela's Book Addiction · Rating 5 out of 5]

*** 4.5 Stars ***

Mischief and the Mechanic (The Everette Series #3) by Alina Lane is a contemporary, small-town, friends-to-lovers, marriage-of-convenience romance told in first person dual POV. The story follows the relationship between mechanic Jedd and cosmetologist Andy, his childhood best friend, as they marry to help her win custody of her niece.

I really enjoyed Andy and Jedd’s story. They were both relatable, well-developed, and likable characters. I love a good friends-to-lovers story with mutual pining, and Mischief and the Mechanic did not disappoint. With pranky shenanigans, touching moments, witty banter, and crackling chemistry, Mischief and the Mechanic is a marvelous mix of humor, emotion, and steamy romance. I’m looking forward to the next Calhoun brother’s story in Ace and the Assassin.

*** I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC. ***

[Erin Groeteke · Rating 5 out of 5]

BF to lovers isn't really my favorite trope (I mean, I still read it, duh), mostly because I dislike that all the MC's are so convinced they're just friends that it takes half a book for them to even realize they have *feelings*. But not these two! It was in the FIRST FRIGGIN CHAPTER! A book that sucks me in despite my trope misgivings, ahhh. #SoRefreshing There was still some typical "oh, this isn't real" and "I'll keep my feelings out of it, we'll totally be besties again next week" but we knew (WE KNEW) that it was just a lie to help them keep it spicy. LOL. Andy and Jude are my favorite Besties to Boos, and if you like that stuff, you'll like this one too. And if you don't, you might just like this one too. I did.

[Tracey Schneider · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this story!!

I absolutely loved the third book in the Everette Series! The story between Andy and Jedd is so sweet and genuine—it completely captured my heart. Once I started reading, I couldn’t put it down!


The writing is beautiful and flows effortlessly, making it easy to get lost in their world. I especially adored the strong friendship between Andy and Jedd—it added so much depth to their romance and made their journey to a happily ever after feel truly earned.


This book delivered a well-deserved HEA that left me smiling long after I finished the last page. If you’re a fan of heartfelt, character-driven romance, you won’t want to miss this one! 💜💙

[Fleur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Andy and Jedd are a couple I would absolutely love to know in real life, after being besties since forever and playing epic prank wars on each other the moment to step up happens for them both. Jedd has the opportunity to be there not just for Andy but also for her niece Piper and in turn also finally show her how much he loves her. These two are the perfect couple, but gosh they are frustrating at times lol they love to help others but accepting help is like pulling hens teeth.
You are going to laugh and cry as well as get angry, fall in love and obviously want to move to Everette stat!!!!

[Jennifer Wolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love small town romance with shenanigans and sarcasm, then this is the author for you! Alina Lane brings together everything we love with small town/contemporary romance. Her characters have emotional depth , which brings so much more to the relationships they build with the other characters. Her writing makes you feel like you are living the moments with the characters. The marriage of convenience trope is one of my personal favorites and she wrote it out flawlessly. I will always recommend this series!

[Ashley Schounard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a good series! I think book 2 is still my favorite (single parent is hard to top) but this one was really good as it’s also a single guardian!

Marriage of convenience is not usually my favorite but this one Jedd went in knowing it wasn’t fake and he just had to convince Mischief (Andy) that she had the same feelings.

Piper was so cute and loved all her scenes. Wish she had a few more… even a few more with Jedd. I loved when they teamed up for one of the pranks!

Can’t wait to continue the series. This family is fun to read and I love all the brothers!

[Bonnie Garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 3 in the Everette series, Wowzers! I absolutely adored Jedd and Andy’s story! This book has so much to offer a reader, Small Town family atmosphere, Witty and downright delightful characters, real-life sobering moments that can give a reader all the feels! I’m not one to give away a storyline, but I will tell you this book hit a sweet spot for me and so far is my favorite in the series! Well done, Alina, you’ve outdone yourself on this one!❤️

[CAH - malphrusc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! M&M had all the things and More! I really loved their chemistry and how their friendship turned into so many different layers of feelings! How they took the leap was made even more special by the opportunity for dual POV storytelling. When you get to a certain milestone in this book, these characters will hit you in all the feels!

[Sarah Lehman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved being back in Everette and like the other books this one was full of heart but also sass and shenanigans. I loved that Andy and Jedd had their friendship as the basis for their relationship and that they helped each other, especially when Andy was trying to gain custody of her niece. I also loved the pranks involved.

[Michelle Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

so much to yell YES about in this story!

Oh my gosh I loved everything about Mischief and the Mechanic!

Besties to lovers AND found/chosen family - who wouldn’t swoon!

The bravery these two showed in finally chasing after their happily ever after is inspiring and relatable. It didn’t feel forced at all and I love that.

[Alicia Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

This book is effortless small town magic. Jedd and Andy are so gone for each other and they finally get their HEA together. I love that Pipsqueak gets the family she deserves!

[Jennifer Felderman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the way that Jedd loved Andy. He saw all of her broken pieces and unflinchingly loved her anyway.

Their love story had me giggling and crying. If you enjoy sweet romance, you need this in your life.

[Elisabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alina Lane never misses an opportunity to make you fall in love with the characters as if they were your best friend. You can't hate this book, it has small town, hot man in a blue-collar career and oh boy was this a good one!!! 10 out of 10 once again!

[Susan Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good series

These brothers are the best. They may be a little rough around the edges, but they have that marshmallow heart. 3 brothers down. 3 more to go. Can't wait till their stories come out.

[Tori · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Ever after keep getting better and better

I've followed Alina Lane since her first release and each book just gets better and better. The Everett series includes some of my favorites characters and I recommend this series for a quick heartfelt read.

[Han Bento · Rating 3 out of 5]

fun little read! the stakes didnt feel too high but i will say the switch with the mmc from holding back his feelings to acting on them felt a bit random and it didnt feel like the trigger for the action was very strong

[Lisa Robison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun love story to read. Yes there are some serious issues going on but it’s balanced with a lot of fun pranks. I am ready to read more books by this author.

[Michele M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this story. It was great.

[Tonya Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Friends to lovers
Small town
HEA
Just what I needed!
Wonderful book and great characters.
Don't hesitate just dive in!

[Sjoe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute

[Carolina Rizzo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Would reread in an instant! This was an excellent book! Loved the found family, the romance, and the relationship between Jedd, Pip, and Andy.

[Liv Panting · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75