So, I'm going to be completely honest here. I did not like this book. I didn't even finish it. When I read the description, it sounded interesting. Very different from anything that I have ever read. But it just fell so very flat. It has promise, and there are some sweet parts to it. But it just wasn't good. I really wanted to like it, but I don't. I can't really explain it, other than to say that it just gives me an icky feeling. Pretty much everything about it is just weird and makes me feel weird. 2.5/5 for me, simply because it does have promise. I would not recommend. But please note that this is nothing against the author!! Just the book!

I was not totally sold on the surrogacy trope. The at-home DIY insemination kit was a bit ick. But Wyatt’s family is rowdy, hilarious, and honestly so freaking sweet. The last few chapters had me in my feels. As a whole I will give this a 3. There were things that didn't work, but the family dynamics and sweet niece Everly had me sold.

okay, i genuinely don't know what to say. not speechless because it was that AMAZING. I guess more speechless because it was a whirlwind to read.

I actually enjoyed this book. The story was funny and watching the dynamic between Trista and Wyatt was actually cute. You have a grumpy guy who wants to be a single father and a burst of energy of a mess that just wants to open up her own rescue and needs the money to do that.

I can see how this story might not be everyone's cup of tea, especially since it touches upon a sensitive topic like surrogacy. However, I do think there are some good aspects to this story.

What did I like? It was funny as hell. I think some things were kinda outrageous to read, but I think Amy captures the awkwardness between Trista and Wyatt well. From the rambling to being flustered, I'm sure when two strangers decide to go through this process, especially the way that Trista and Wyatt did, then there are going to be some awkward moments to navigate. I also liked the aspect of Trista finding her found family in this story. The way everyone showed up for her and even Wyatt, our grumpy mountain main, being the biggest cinnamon roll for her was heartwarming to read. You can tell how much everyone loves Trista, and you can for sure tell how much The Fletchers will always support their family.

What I think could have been done better? While the story was a fun read, I do wish it touched more upon the seriousness behind surrogacy, even if it was in a more "light hearted" manner. And, while it was great to see the romance develop between Wyatt and Trista, I think at times you tend to forget that it's a part of a plot or even question if it was needed because of how wrapped up you can get between the romance aspect of the story. Lastly, since Trista found her found family in this story, I wish there was just a bit more of her showing up for The Fletchers than just the snippets we got at the end. I think it would have added a bit more to the story that gave it also more "seriousness"

Overall, I think it was a fun read if you want something to just lighten the mood without the technicality aspect. However, if the topic of surrogacy isn't for you, then I suggest sitting this one out.

Thank you Netgalley, Amy, and the team for the opportunity to read this eARC! I love being able to provide my thoughts and hope to hear what others have to say.

I'm not sure how to feel about this book. To start with, the writing style was not for me, I don't think. There was a lot of young modern slang language that I am not accustomed to reading in an adult romance novel. I don't need to here that someone rizzed up someone else. . .they sort of cheapened the story for me.

The romance itself was OK. There was a bit of instantaneous love, which isn't my favorite. The main characters were both a bit too intense with their different feelings for me to be invested. She is too independent for him to do anything to help her because she had a terrible childhood and he was way too intense whenever another man was even mentioned.

I did enjoy all of the animal sidekicks.

🦇 Nine Month Contract Book Review 🦇

❓ Mountains or the ocean?

🦇 "Help Wanted: Grumpy mountain man seeks baby momma. Job is an incubator position only. Surrogate must be impervious to grunting as the form of communication and nosy brotherly neighbors. Rustic mountain range housing available upon request." The wanted ad his brother posted didn't help Wyatt find a surrogate, but his niece certainly did. From the moment Wyatt met Trista, he knew her wild, opinionated nature stood out from all the rest. They can survive this nine-month contract so Wyatt can start a family, or will raw emotion make things messy?

💜 I'll admit it: the curvy FMC and lumberjack on the cover caught my eye. Let's break it down:

✨ Characters (5/5): Curvy, headstrong, self-sufficient FMC with big opinions + a grumpy, quiet, family-focused mountain man? Gimme. Trista and Wyatt are never just a few character tropes on the page. The entire cast is vocal, unique, and fun (Everly, Wyatt's niece, steals the show so easily that she has her own POV chapters, which come off as awkward given the age difference between her and the MCs). Good thing, too, since two of the brothers are getting their own books. Wyatt's tendency to take care of the people he loves with a fierce loyalty is precious. I didn't love Trista's "I'm a cow" mantra to disassociate herself from the process, especially since the phrase conflicts with her body positivity. Loved that, despite being outwardly confident, Trista's upbringing has left her with insecurities that Wyatt helps her work through.

✨ Plot and Pacing (3/5): The story starts off a little slow; it's not until Trista's on the mountain that the pacing picks up. Despite that, the plot certainly sticks out, though the execution is a bit...icky. I need to wash my brain out of the whole ranch cup thing. I did love the chapter headers, counting the number of animals on the farm. However, the third act is wholly unnecessary; I kept waiting to hit the epilogue, which would have worked better with vignette moments.

✨ World-Building (3/5): Loved Trista and Wyatt's little life on the mountain, but needed more descriptive language for the story overall.

✨ Romance (4/5): Outside of its humor, the slow burn romance is Nine Month Contract's strongest element. There's yearning, there's jealousy, there's 'we shouldn't but I can't stay away.' Seeing Wyatt navigate the fortress Trista's put around her heart is sweet and heartfelt. The found family component is comforting--but I wish we'd seen Trista one-on-one with the other women in the story more often.

✨ Mystery/Suspense (2/5): I expected there to be a bit more tension regarding both MCs backstories, but both are easy enough to piece together given constant hinting.

✨ Tone/Prose (3/5): There are quite a few analogies and word choices that amplify the ick. The humor in this rom-com is so strong, but also SO much awkwardness in the first act that nearly led to a DNF. I love Trista's voice and her reliability, but I had to put this one down a few times.

🦇 Recommended for fans of Tessa Bailey and Meghan Quinn.

✨ The Vibes ✨
🐷 Contemporary Romance
🏔 Friends to Lovers
🐴 Grumpy/Sunshine
🌲 Small Town Romance
🐐 Found Family
🪺 Curvy FMC
🐤 Age Gap

🦇 Major thanks to the author and publisher for providing an ARC of this book via Netgalley. 🥰 This does not affect my opinion regarding the book. #NineMonthContract

💬 Quotes
"Being in love with someone makes change feel exciting, not sacrificial.”

"I feel like you hear me better than anyone I’ve ever spoken to."

"I’m in love with you, lucky number thirteen. You’re not my second choice or thirteenth choice. You’re my only choice.”

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

To be candid, I find myself quite conflicted about this narrative. It is certainly not a story that will resonate with everyone, as I am unsure of my own feelings regarding the themes of surrogacy, which some may find uncomfortable. Nevertheless, the book possesses several commendable qualities that I would like to highlight. Firstly, I appreciated how the cover effectively encapsulates the essence of the characters described within the story. Now, let’s discuss the characters. I believe they were exceptionally well-developed, relatable, and emotionally engaging, making them feel fully realized rather than mere plot devices. Additionally, I enjoyed the originality of the plot and the diverse representation it offers. For example, it includes portrayals of plus-sized women, individuals aspiring to become parents, and various aspects of surrogacy. However, there are elements that leave me feeling conflicted. These include the exploration of a breeding kink, the nature of the contractual agreement between the characters, and the conclusion of the story. In summary, while I found the writing enjoyable and commendable, I don't think this book entirely aligns with my personal tastes. I would, however, be interested in exploring more works by this author in the future.

I was provided with the arc of this book by Canary Street Press and NetGalley in exchange of an honest review, thank you! ✨

5⭐️

I was bawling with the last chapters of this book 😭❤️‍🩹✨ oh God, Trista and Wyatt are just going to live rent free in my heart from now on, their story was so beautiful and so raw and heartbreaking but also heartfelt🥹 I felt so sad about Trista’s past, I just wanted to hug her and tell her how beautiful she is, how strong and resilient she is and how worthy she is, because my girl was just perfect!! And Wyatt, my oh my that man just made my heart so full with all his acts of love and his protectiveness ❤️‍🩹 and all the family!!! The whole family found trope here was just chef kiss, and also all the animals in there 😂 I definitely want to read Dakota and Calder’s book like yesterday 🙂‍↔️

**Book Review: *Nine Month Contract* by Amy Daws**

*Nine Month Contract* by Amy Daws is a fun, steamy, and heartwarming romance featuring a fake relationship with a twist. The story follows a broody footballer, TJ, who needs a green card to stay in the U.S., and a quirky baker, Harley, who agrees to a marriage of convenience. What starts as a business arrangement quickly turns into something much more as their chemistry becomes undeniable.

Amy Daws does a great job balancing humor, emotion, and spice, making this an engaging read. The banter between TJ and Harley is entertaining, and their gradual emotional connection feels genuine. If you enjoy sports romance with a marriage-of-convenience trope and plenty of heat, this book is a great choice.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (4/5) – A swoon-worthy and fun romance with heart!

I went into Nine Month Contract expecting a fun, steamy romance with a unique premise, but I came out feeling… conflicted. While the book is undeniably engaging, it also has a lot of elements that left me uncomfortable, both in terms of the story’s ethical implications and the romance itself.

Let’s start with the surrogacy angle. I don’t know much about surrogacy in real life, so maybe this is just me, but the way it plays out in this book feels ethically murky. Trista isn’t just a surrogate—she’s literally the biological mother, since they use her own egg in a DIY artificial insemination situation. The book seems to frame traditional surrogacy agencies as overly restrictive and controlling, but those rules exist for a reason—to protect both the surrogate (who is, quite frankly, being used for her body) and the intended parent. Trista keeps comparing this setup to a lesbian couple using a sperm donor, but those things are not the same, and the casual way it’s brushed aside made me uncomfortable. The author did consult actual surrogates, so maybe it’s just my perspective, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that the book was oversimplifying something that is, in reality, extremely complicated.

Then there’s the romance itself. If you’re a fan of insta-lust, you might enjoy it, but personally, I wasn’t sold. The relationship feels almost entirely based on sexual attraction, with very little emotional depth. Wyatt is supposed to be the classic grumpy hero, but in reality, he comes off as a walking red flag. He’s possessive, controlling, and at one point, he explicitly tells Trista that he doesn’t like boundaries—and this is in a sexual context, which makes it so much worse. Meanwhile, Trista is a boundary queen when it comes to him, but constantly ignores his boundaries, like when she keeps bringing farm animals into his barn despite him repeatedly asking her not to. They don’t challenge each other in a way that leads to growth; they just seem genuinely bad for each other. By the end, I was actually hoping they wouldn’t end up together.

Trista as a character was another struggle for me. She’s written as confident and body-positive, which is great in theory, but the execution felt off. She’s constantly telling herself (and us) how much she loves her body, how she knows she’s beautiful, etc.—but at the same time, she frequently puts herself down or implies that other people should see her as lesser because of her size. Instead of true body positivity, it feels like a mix of overcompensation and internalized fatphobia. And on top of that, her personality leans heavily into the “quirky, immature, not-like-other-girls” trope, which made her hard to connect with. The constant use of “bajingo” instead of vagina? I cringed every time.

There are also some weirdly bad details that made it hard to take Trista seriously, especially when it came to her career in animal rescue. The rabbit husbandry facts were so off (bathing rabbits? keeping them in cages overnight?) that it made me doubt whether she actually knew what she was doing, which was a problem since that’s supposed to be such a core part of her character.

Finally, I have to mention the underlying misogyny that creeps into the book. It’s subtle, but there are moments where Trista (or the narration) makes comments that feel very “cool girl” adjacent—like she’s trying to be sex-positive but ends up reinforcing some pretty negative stereotypes about other women instead. It doesn’t seem intentional, but it’s definitely there, and it made certain moments feel more off-putting than empowering.

I wanted to like this book. The premise was intriguing, and I was hoping for a fresh take on the grumpy/sunshine dynamic. But between the questionable surrogacy setup, the shallow romance, the weird body positivity that loops back into fatphobia, and the characters’ lack of growth, it just didn’t work for me. I don’t think I’ll be continuing this series, especially since the next books seem to follow characters who are just carbon copies of Wyatt.

If you’re looking for a steamy read and don’t mind some ethical gray areas, you might enjoy this one—but for me, it was a miss.

Main takeaway for this one -- I went into it expecting and hoping for a 5-star read only to feel a bit let down. I absolutely love pregnancy storylines in romances and forced proximity is another favorite trope of mine. So, to me, this was the ideal book.

To start with what I loved - how much I laughed! This is 100% a romcom and I genuinely found myself giggling at so many sections and dialogue moments. Additionally, Wyatt (the mmc) had a big caretaking vibe which I loved. I adore when the mmc just wants to love the fmc and make their life a little easier. Was he a jerk sometimes? Yes. But overall, he came across like a giant teddy bear with the best intentions. Lastly, the found family aspect was A+.

What held me back from 5 stars - sometimes the humor just felt like it missed its mark or was added in unnecessarily, so those moments didn't feel authentic. Also, I love when an mc is plus size; but Trish (the fmc) constantly referring to herself as a "cow" didn't sit right with me. I appreciate when authors write their characters with realistic insecurities, but it didn't feel like it was done well here in my opinion.

I definitely still recommend this book, especially for pregnancy-romance fans. Just go into it knowing it's very much a romcom and there are the occasional cringe moments.

Nine Month Contract by Amy Daws
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Wyatt is ready to become a dad. He is looking for a surrogate to help him have a baby. Enter Trista, she needs the starting funds to set up her wildlife rescue.
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I really enjoyed this book for what it is. Both Wyatt and Trista are a bit naive about the surrogate process and are each shut out from the surrogacy agency they are trying to work with. So they just make their own agreement.

I kind of fell for Wyatt and his whole family. They have their issues but they all love each other so much.

Trista frustrated me a bit throughout the book. She has her own issues but she kind of doesn’t deal with them so she runs a bit hot and cold for 3/4 of the book. But oh man that phone conversation she has with her sister towards the end had me crying.

Also all the animals that kept showing up were pretty funny.
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4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I do want to keep reading this series so I’ll have my eye out for the next book.

Thank you to Netgalley and Canary Street Press for the advanced reader's copy of Nine Month Contract.

This is the first book I have read from Any Daws so I wasn't sure what kind of spice level I would receive with her writing. I will say this novel was a bit of a slow burn but once you get to those scenes, they are indeed spicy!

I did enjoy this novel even though the concept of a romance novel surrounding surrogacy was a maybe a bit unsettling. I don't think the author did the best job of navigating this sensitive topic. I also wasn't a fan of the main female character constantly referring to herself as cow to mentally keep her emotions compartmentalized with the surrogacy.

Overall I enjoyed the grumpy meets sunshine trope. This is the first in a series of companion novels about brother who live on a mountain. I liked this novel well enough to read more of them.

4.5 stars! This was such a fun, swoony, and spicy book! From cover to cover I was giggling and swooning with these characters!

Wyatt? UGH.. we ALL need a Wyatt. And the plus size rep? AMAZING! And don't forget to talk about all the animals, they might just be my favorite part!

This is a surrogacy/pregnancy trope book, I know not everyone loves that - but I didn't mind it, however I have never been a surrogate or looked into it, so my view is skewed!

Overall, such a heartfelt and amazing story for two people just trying to find their happiness in life as individuals and as a parent, and adding a few animals along the way!

Unfortunately, Nine Month Contract was just not the right book for me. I didn't vibe with the prose, specifically the sections that were meant to be from the teenager's perspective. I found the use of "rizz" repeatedly almost felt like an adult just trying to sound like a kid, and it made it pretty difficult to stay invested in the story.

The premise of this book is interesting, but it just didn't deliver for me. I gave this book a one-star rating because I ended up deciding to DNF.

okay i’m sorry but i had to dnf this book after i read “rizzed up” / “rizz” twice in the first 3 chapters. i know the context was being used by an 18 year old but let’s be realistic here.

I fear that I'm developing a breeding kink, and this book only made that worse. I wish there had been more story following the last chapter and the epilogue, but oh well. It was quite good.

This was a fun, sweet yet spicy romcom! The beginning was a bit hard to get into as the plot line was a little weird at first but once I got past the 20% mark, I really began to love the characters and the plot. It was the perfect palette cleanser romcom! Thank you Amy Daws, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and NetGalley for the ARC!

My review was published on GoodReads on 3/12/25.

Wyatt really wants to be a dad but keeps striking out with the surrogacy agency. . Trista really wants to be a surrogate (for financial reasons) but has never given birth before, a pesky requirement of the agency's. Enter Wyatt's fantastic, meddling niece Everly who decides she's not only going to find her uncle a surrogate but also a soulmate and Trista is the perfect woman for the job. On Fletcher mountain, where Wyatt and his equally gruff, mountain man brothers live, there's plenty of animal hijinks and mischief.

This book was a good time. I've never read any Amy Daws books but have heard great things about her from some friends so I was excited when I got approved for this on NetGalley. The spice was great and both Wyatt and Trista (along with the secondary characters) are loveable.

I only had two slight issues with the book. Throughout her pregnancy, Trista's mantra was "I'm a cow, I'm a cow" to remind herself she was just carrying/birthing the baby for Wyatt and for some reason, this phrase and it's repetition was a real ick for me. Here's a spoiler but obviously, Trista DOES decide she wants to keep the baby and stay with Wyatt and I felt like her decision on that was rather abrupt. There needed to be a little more inner dialogue in her chapters about the relationship she was forming with the baby.

Other than those, a real solid book with good spice, good characters, and a fun yet un conventional premise.

This book was so dang good!!! I am obsessed

Remember that meme that's like "I'll never understand the whole 'my husband won't let me' thing because I could bring home a blue whale and my husband would be like 'well this is inconvenient' while he starts building an aquarium?" This book is exactly that in the best way possible.

Trista has spent her whole life on her own and doing everything her self. She has a big heart and big dreams of opening an animal sanctuary, she just doesn't have the money. Wyatt has a big loving family, a significant amount of money, and the desire to start his family even if he doesn't have a woman. Everly is an 18 year old girl who loves her uncle and wants him to have his baby so she takes it upon herself to put out an add for a surrogate.

I laughed, I cried, I cried I was laughing so hard, and I couldn't stop smiling and giggling. I devoured this book in a single sitting because I didn't want to put it down. I can't wait to read everything in this world because these characters just hold such a special place in my heart.

Go read this book. You won't regret it

Thank you to NetGalley and Canary street press for providing me with an advanced copy of this book!

It's been a hot minute since I've read an Amy Daws book but I'm so glad that I jumped back in with Nine Month Contract. Despite other readers being disappointed in some of the surrogacy storyline, I found it to be funny, fresh and fun. As with all fiction, you do need to remember that the author took liberties. It's a work of FICTION, not reality. When an author creates a storyline, they want you to suspend belief so that you can enjoy it. Everyone is entitled to their own feelings and thoughts, but I encourage you to remember that this is a fictional story and not reality. It'll make the reading experience that much better.

Nine Month Contract is a grumpy x sunshine, forced proximity rom-com with a swoony, broody, alpha lumberjack male main character and a quirky, animal-loving female main character. There is instant attraction between the two but they enter into a surrogacy contract so that all gets put on the back burner. I love the push and pull between Wyatt and Trista. She is able to pull out his softer side as they spend more time together. Beneath his gruff exterior, he is literally a golden retriever in a hot, muscled mountain man body.

Things aren't easy or smooth for Wyatt and Trista but meddling family members help these two see just how perfect they are for one another. With scorching chemistry, Wyatt and Trista find the happily ever after they deserve.

Nine Month Contract made me laugh and it made me cry. With Amy Daws's perfectly timed, outrageous humor, you can be sure you'll be entertained from start to finish. I can't wait to read the rest of this series! 4 stars