The Contractor, Red's Tavern #8 by Raleigh Ruebins

The Contractor marks the end of the Red's Tavern series and it goes out in style.

From the blurb:

He’s my best friend, my best worker, and it was just a silly crush.

Then he kissed me. And now it feels like he's mine…

I’ve shown my best friend Tristan everything: how to use a circular saw, how to lay grout, and how to do a kitchen renovation right. On the job, we became close friends—then even closer as we learned to share a camping tent and got used to each other’s bodies as we swam in the local river.

It was all harmless. Just like my crush on him.

Then one night at Red’s Tavern, Tristan pretends to be my boyfriend. And apparently he likes it, because he’s started trying things with me he never has before.

…Like kissing me. Touching me more. Dragging me into bed. He invites me on a trip back to his Colorado mountain hometown, and I fall in love with his big, awesome, quirky family, then end up in bed with him each night.

He’s moving back there soon, and I know this is just a last hurrah. But I’m addicted to his touch. It feels less and less like he’s just my best friend, and more like he’s mine. When he casually asks me to move back home with him, it shatters my world. I’m done with “casual.” I want the real deal. My whole world is back in Kansas, and I have no idea if he just wants me for a fling.

They say to never fall for a straight guy, and to never fall for your best friend.

What happens when you accidentally do both at once?

Jacquie's Review:

Almost zero angst, a fair bit of steam and a sweet friends to lovers story. It would have been a 5 star rating but I found the party a little much for my personal taste. Jack and Tristan were ideal for each other. Tristan's bi-awakening was well done and he threw himself into their relationship. They were sweet together.

It was great to see all of the couples over the series enjoy their HEA's and Jack and Tristan were a great couple to end with.

I really liked that The Contractor sets the scene for a new series

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Heather's Review:

Best friends, bi-awakening and the drama of moving away from your bestie... this was a really sweet and fun read and I appreciated how Tristan lead the relationship through it's transition.  It was also great to be able to celebrate Red's Tavern one more time with cameos from the staff and a really fun group chat thread!

This book can be read standalone, but you'll enjoy the easter eggs sprinkled throughout more if you know the backstories of Red, Sam and the other characters who work in the tavern.  This book was a great addition to the series and a fitting finale.

Rating: 4 Stars

The Contractor is available to buy as an ebook or to read with Kindle Unlimited subscription.