This was a cute read and had a number of funny moments. Wyatt really wants to be a dad without the complications of a romantic entanglement due past relationship issues. Trista has no interest in kids but really needs money. Hence, these two dind themselves in a sort of forced proximity situation where she's the surrogate.

I have some issues with this book, but I think it was an ok read. I’m not a fan of the self deprecating cow jokes, I thought they were odd and they left a bad taste in my mouth. Cade’s inability to communicate also drove me crazy. I wanted to scream at him. If these things had been taken out or altered I think I would have liked this book more.

This was a fun read, as long as you don't have strong feelings about surrogacy. If you do, this is not the book for you, in any way. If you don't like books with pregnancies, this is not the book for you in any way. But if you can put that aside, I liked the romance here.

Wyatt wants nothing more than to be a dad, but he's been burned hard by a woman and has no interest in having an actual relationship. He just wants the baby, no mom needed. Unfortunately, his search has so far been fruitless and the agency he's working with has written him off as impossible to please.

Trista, on the other hand, has no interest in children of her own but she really needs some money. She wants to open an animal rescue, and isn't above using her body to get the funds she needs. Just not in *that* way. When she literally runs into Wyatt's niece after getting turned down at the same surrogacy agency, she gets talked into at least meeting with him to see if it works out.

What follows is a somewhat standard grumpy/sunshine, close-proximity romance with a dash of pregnancy, nosy family, and several non-standard pets. Sometimes I'm not sure which of them is the grumpy one, as Trista has a stubborn streak that she uses to keep herself away from Wyatt. I've read and enjoyed Daws before, and I would definitely read books about the other brothers.

I made it through one chapter and there was way too much roaring and generally machismo for my taste. Also, there was a full on melt-down about a woman having lost her virginity. Yikes.

This was my first Amy Daws book and while it was a fun read, some things just missed the mark for me. The surrogacy was handled weird to me & the fmc calling herself names was also a bit disturbing to me as well. The overall story was good but there were tropes in here that weren’t for me

This book was funny and very refreshing. I loved the banter between the characters. It was entertaining and very enjoyable. I rated this a 5 stars.

Well. This was a massive disappointment.
I was honestly LOVING this book. I couldn't put it down.

I was laughing and smiling and loving every second.
Were the self-deprecating cow jokes a little much? Yeah sure.

Was the "I swear it was crafted out of the foreskin of newborn babies it's so comfortable." quite too much?
Yes. Yes it was.

After some thought, I decided to DNF a little past this point because I just couldn't wrap my head around why this particular thing was chosen as an analogy for comfort. It was wierd and (considering it was referring to a child's body part) disturbing. This book has over 26,000 reviews and only a few people caught this?!?!

Anyway - I digress...loved it until I didn't. DNF.

4.25⭐️

This story is well written while addressing hard topics: longing for a family, surrogacy, past trauma, and a found family. It’s hard not to fall in love with a burly “Mountain Man” that is overly protective of his unborn child!

Nine Month Contract is the perfect blend of laugh-out-loud humor, sizzling chemistry, and heartfelt emotion. Amy Daws delivers a fresh and unconventional romance with a grumpy-yet-endearing mountain man, a fierce and lovable heroine, and a slow-burn attraction that feels absolutely electric. Trista and Wyatt’s dynamic is packed with witty banter, undeniable tension, and just the right amount of tenderness to make their journey both hilarious and deeply touching.

The small-town charm, quirky side characters (including an unforgettable pet goat), and unique premise make this book stand out in the best way. With its perfect mix of steam, heart, and humor, this is a must-read for anyone who loves a romance that makes you laugh, swoon, and stay up way too late turning the pages.

Coincidentally, the last Amy Daws book I read was Last on the List when it released back in 2022, so the fact that these worlds are intertwined was great! It felt nice seeing old friends again. Everly was just as lovable as I remembered and clearly a mastermind. lol

I forgot how much I enjoyed reading Amy's books and Nine Month Contract was no different. It had me cracking up so many times and putting me through the wringer emotion-wise when reading about Trista and her background. This was truly an entertaining read from start to finish and I cannot wait to read the rest of the series and see the other two Fletcher brothers fall hard.

Amy Davis delivers an irresistible blend of heart, humor, and heat in Nine Month Contract. What starts as a business arrangement quickly spirals into a whirlwind of unexpected emotions, undeniable chemistry, and all the tension-filled moments that make a romance so addicting.

The characters are so well-developed and layered that you can’t help but root for them. The way their relationship evolves—full of tender moments, witty banter, and just the right amount of angst—kept me glued to the pages. Davis does an incredible job of making the tropes feel fresh, and the emotional depth had me feeling everything.

If you love a good "fake arrangement that turns real" romance with swoon-worthy moments, laugh-out-loud dialogue, and a couple you can't help but fall for, Nine Month Contract is a must-read. I devoured it and already want to reread!

Thank you NetGalley Amy Daws & The Hive for an aARC of Nine Month Contract by Amy Daws

This book had me cracking up, especially with Wyatt’s wild family. The banter between the brothers was hilarious.

Wyatt and Trista have amazing chemistry. He’s the grumpy, broody type, and she’s a hot mess with a stubborn streak. Their slow-burn romance had some great back-and-forth moments, especially since Trista refuses to let Wyatt help her, even when she really needs it.

There are a lot of tropes packed into this story, grumpy/sunshine, small town, age gap, found family, and of course, surrogacy. I know not everyone will love how the surrogacy part is handled, but the book is about way more than that. It’s about two people figuring out life together, and that’s what really hooked me.

One thing I really liked was the timeline at the start of each chapter, it helped the story flow well. Overall, if you want a funny, sweet romance with great family dynamics and lots of banter, this is worth a read.

This was my first book by Amy Dawes and I loved it! Thank you for the gifted early copy of this!🥰❣️

It was a heavier read as it dealt with terms of surrogacy buts that’s the reason why I picked it up. Wyatt and Trisha were a perfect match of want and sass. 😍

The characters both had deep baggage and trauma and it made them relatable. 🫶🏽

Don’t sleep on this one. I think the title and cover do this story a little disservice. Yes, this is about Wyatt, a single, mountain man who wants to be a dad without a relationship. Trista is looking to be a surrogate to raise money so she can start a farm animal refuge. This story was at times funny, but also touching on some deeper topics (family neglect, relationship trauma). You were truly rooting for both characters. The book is setting up for a series to focus on Wyatt’s brothers. This was definitely open door and pretty spicy but played into advancing the story. Check this one out.

Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing | Canary Street Press for providing book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the eARC of Nine Month Contract By Amy Daws.

Do you love grumpy/sunshine? Forced proximity? Instalust with plenty of tension? Because I do—and this book was the perfect combo of all three!

Wyatt and Trista are adorable. Wyatt is a lonely, protective mountain man who’s instantly lovable, and Trista is a strong, independent animal lover. When they come together, sparks fly. I don’t want to give too much away, but I loved how the story unfolded—a rugged mountain man falling for his surrogate sounds complicated, but with the amazing side characters supporting the plot, it just works.

Wyatt’s niece, Everly, completely stole my heart. She has her uncles wrapped around her little finger, and I’m really hoping we get her story later!

I can’t wait to continue this series. This first book makes you fall in love with everyone and leaves you eager for more!

Review also posted on Instagram, Fable, Goodreads, and Storygraph.

Unfortunately this book was a miss for me and I did not finish reading it. This was completely a me thing as I requested the book strictly based on the cover alone and did not read the synopsis. Romances featuring pregnancies are not for me and I would not have requested this if I realized that was the main focus of this book.

This book was kinda weird and interesting. I enjoyed the grumpy-sunshine, small town vibes, and big family dynamics. The slow burn aspect of the romance was very slow but the ending felt earned. Surrogacy was an unusual angle for a romance and I had some uncomfortable feelings around the ethics of the situation. Still, I enjoyed the characters and mountain setting so in the end I'm giving it 4 stars for keeping me engaged.

This was my first book by Amy Daws, and it definitely won’t be my last. I loved everything about it and devoured it in less than a day. It was absolutely hilarious and full of shenanigans, and you need to read it immediately. Wyatt is a super gruff and grumpy single goat dad who’s almost 40 and wants to find a surrogate so he can become a father. He’s broody, moody, overbearing, and bossy, but also generous to a fault, and lives to take care of the people that he loves. He’s perfect. Trista is a wild, opinionated, strong, and sassy 28 year old who insists on doing everything herself and never asks for help. She loves animals and keeps “accidentally” bringing more home, and I adored her. They couldn’t be more different, but when Trista agrees to become the surrogate for Wyatt, they’re forced to live next to each other, and it was so much fun to watch their romance unfold. This book is full of banter, found family, and a damaged, possessive hero that you can’t help but fall in love with. I love the Fletcher brothers, and can’t wait for Calder’s book
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My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Read if you like:
▫️grumpy x sunshine
▫️rural mountain town
▫️age gap
▫️wannabe single dad x his surrogate
▫️found family
▫️dual POV
🐐
Thank you to HTP, The Hive, Canary Street Press, Amy Daws, and NetGalley for the ARC. I received an advanced copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was such a cute, feel good story! We are introduced to Wyatt, a reclusive brother, who lives with his single brothers on a mountain. He decides he wants a baby and be a single father. Surrogate interviews are a bust when he just can't find the right person with the right reason to be his surrogate. So his matchmaking niece Everly takes matters into her own hands, and with the help of one of her uncles, creates a Craigs list to find what she believes to be the perfect surrogate for Wyatt and possibly more. Everly meets Trista through a chance encounter and every just knows that Trista is perfect for Wyatt. She arranges for the two to meet and then through the surrogacy process Wyatt and Trista fall in love even though the fight
The feelings they have because it is so hard for them to trust eachother.

This rom com was silly & fun. I love the Fletcher family! And sweet Everly, that girl will stop at nothing to give her uncles the world because that what they do for her everyday! Wyatt is a grumpy MMC that is a such a cinnamon roll when it comes to those he loves (clearly shown for Trista, as seen with all her temporary” pets lol)!!! And that reference to the uncles taking Everly to a T Swift concert had me laughing and going awwww!!! This is definitely for those looking for a feel good romance with good banter!!!

When Wyatt decides he's ready to settle down as a single father, he finds that the lucrative business of finding a surrogate is cumbersome until his niece Everly happens upon a perfect candidate who didn't qualify due to the antiquated medical rules of plus size bodies not being able to have healthy pregnancies. Trista, falls under the category of being able to fulfill Wyatt's urge to be a father, but when lines and boundaries start to blur, and even with an ironclad contract between them, feelings start to arise, hormones begin to rage, and found family becomes more important than either of them could ever realize. I loved this read so much for the sheer fact that as whacky as the situation may seem, Daws delivers perfectly the intricacies of pregnancy, the nuances of past traumas and how inner healing can still happen when the right conversations occur.