Sure, I had some expectations going into this book, but they were all blown out of the water. I was fully emotionally invested in just the first few pages. When I had to put the book down to do adult things, I couldn't stop wondering how all of this could possibly work out. Both Wyatt and Trista deserved what they wanted, but those things were in conflict. And what about what they needed? And what about 57 other things that had to be resolved??? Like I said, fully invested. I also lost count of how many times I got choked up. While this book has lots of hilarious scenes, it also touches on the death of a parent, absence of parents, and all the emotions that surround pregnancy. Amy Daws wrote it all in such a real way that I felt everything with the characters. Reading this was an incredible experience, and I am excited for the audiobook too!

This was just okay but I still found it cute and funny at times.i understood why the FMC was the way she was but I kinda wished she would’ve turned the corner on all those issues a lot sooner than the last few chapters of the book. I don’t feel super engaged with the book. But I’d do want to see the ending. The story itself was unique to me as a fan of accidental/secret pregnancy this was up my alley.



It’s been so long since I’ve read Max & Cozy’s story so I kind of forgot about them but in a way it was nice to reunite with familiar characters.

I've read this book before and really enjoyed it. I requested it because I thought she rewrote it but it wasn't. I liked it the first time i read it and I enjoyed it the second time I read it.

(: I will say, this book isn't necessarily for all. Do with that what you will. :)

Such a cute, cute story! I loved Wyatt and Trista so much. The tension is excellent, and absolutely worth the wait when they finally get together!

Nine Month Contract was enjoyable. I liked Trista and Wyatt. Both main characters have their own baggage, but family makes all the difference.

Wyatt wants to be a single father but his efforts are not fruitful. Everly, Wyatt's niece and matchmaking mastermind, is a ray of sunshine throughout the story. She wants the best for all three of her uncles, so she starts by helping Uncle Wyatt find a baby momma. What Wyatt doesn't know is his wonderful niece is on the hunt for what he needs, his happily ever after.

Trista had a hard childhood that has shaped her view on family. But, she needs money, so she goes to a surrogacy agency only to be turned away. By chance, or fate, Trista runs into Everly and the opportunity of a lifetime.

I thought the prologue was funny. The animals were cute, but sometimes weird. The story had some gross moments (insemination the farm way; turkey baster style) but they were few. I really enjoyed Wyatt's family. Despite their past hurts and issues, they figured out a way to band together and support each other through the good and bad times. I enjoyed the brothers' banter and unconditional love each family member showed in their own way. Trista was a strong character who had flaws and weakness. She was a fighter and a great match for Wyatt.

I wasn't a fan of the adult language, but I'm never a fan of it. Despite the adult language, I did find myself snickering at Trista's antics and some of the things she said. I liked the pacing and overall feel of the book. The ending was not a mystery, but the journey to the end was beautiful. I enjoyed this story, but only recommend it for those over 18. 3 stars

I'd like to thank Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for granting me a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. My review is my own opinion.

A grumpy mountain man. A quirky animal lover. A nine-month contract that changes everything.

Wyatt Fletcher wants a baby, no strings attached. Trista needs cash and is willing to carry his child—no emotions involved. But when they end up living together in his secluded mountain home, things get messy, hilarious, and unexpectedly heartwarming.

This book is full of witty banter, steamy tension, and chaotic pet moments that will keep you hooked. Wyatt’s grumpiness meets its match in Trista’s sunshine energy, making for a romance that’s both laugh-out-loud funny and deeply emotional.

If you love:
✔️ Grumpy x Sunshine
✔️ Forced Proximity
✔️ Found Family Vibes
✔️ Slow-Burn with Explosive Chemistry

…then this book is for you!

Some parts require suspension of disbelief (hello, unconventional surrogacy!), but if you’re here for a fun, swoony escape, you won’t be disappointed.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 – A charming, feel-good romance with all the right tropes!

If you’re looking for a silly, goofy time, this is the perfect book. Definitley a unique contemporary romance that has a fun spin on one of the most unliked tropes “pregnancy trope”

I laughed out loud a bunch but I also had to put the book down because I cringed a few times which is why I only rated it 3⭐️

I really liked the authors writing style though and would try others by her!

3.5 ⭐️

Definitely not your normal grumpy to sunshine rom-com. This was initially hard for me to get into because it seemed so unserious but I wanted to see it through. I’m glad I did because I loved the mountain men, found family aspect of the story. There was some depth with Wyatt’s grief and Trista’s up bringing that drew me in. The MCs Wyatt and Trista’s chemistry was off the charts and watching the banter that lead up to the stream was enjoyable and funny. The surrogacy aspect was something I’ve never read in a rom-com and that was a refreshing twist. Overall this was a well written book and I can’t wait to read the next in the series about one of Wyatt’s brother.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this early.

I loved this book! I wasn’t sure on how I would feel with these tropes but it totally works!! I loved the humor in this book too! I loved the funny animals and the dynamic with our main characters! I’m so excited for book two!!

I tend to dive into books without knowing much about them, and Nine Month Contract was no exception—what a wild ride! I don’t think I’ve ever read anything quite like it, and while I can say it was memorable, it definitely took me on a rollercoaster of emotions and thoughts.

Amy Daws has a unique writing style that I really enjoyed. Her prose is easy to follow, making it the perfect read for when my kids are playing around and I need a book that doesn’t demand all my attention. There’s humor scattered throughout, which I loved, and the chapters are short enough to make it easy to say, “Okay, just one more,” and end up reading far more than I intended.

However, the book didn’t immediately grab me. Around 30%, I was seriously considering DNF’ing. The surrogacy aspect of the story threw me off. To say it was uncomfortable would be an understatement. After reading some particularly cringe-worthy details, I thought, "Nope, I can’t do this." Let’s just say I’ll never look at a syringe or a ranch cup the same way again! But, I felt invested enough in the characters and Daws’ writing style to push through. I was curious to see what other shocking methods would crop up—and yes, there were more. So, I kept reading.

One thing that did bother me was the female main character’s (FMC) struggles with body image. It was mentioned repeatedly, and while I understand body image issues are real, I felt it was a bit much at times. The FMC was incredibly hard on herself and her body, and it felt like that narrative overshadowed her growth in other areas. It made me wish she could have been kinder to herself, especially since the book deals with such a sensitive and complex topic.

As for the series as a whole, I’m on the fence about whether I’ll continue with the other books. I didn’t feel a strong pull to dive into the rest, but I also can’t deny Daws’ ability to create characters and situations that are far from ordinary. Whether I’d recommend this book to others is still up in the air. My advice? Go into Nine Month Contract with an open mind. It’s not the usual rom-com, and while it definitely has its shocking moments, it might just surprise you.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I had such a FUN time audioing this book!
I laughed out loud many times! I think my favorite thing to say here is that it was so unique. I’ve truly never read anything with this storyline and I enjoyed that the most. The humor that Amy wrote into these characters was phenomenal. The narrators were 10/10!
The FMC was a ball of sunshine in the best way and brought out the caring soft side of the tough mountain man.
Amy Daws is officially on my radar 👀

Nine Month Contract by Amy Daws is a small town, spicy rom-com with a found family trope thrown in. Wyatt wants to be a dad without having a relationship. He decides to find a surrogate. Trista needs money for her animal rescue dream and decides to become a surrogate to help her make it happen. While this book wasn’t for me, it was a fun read. This book was full of spice, laughs and barnyard animals. This is the first in the Mountain Men Matchmaker series but as I was reading, it felt like it was a mid series book, like I should already know things. Maybe those things will be revealed in future books of the series. Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | Canary Street Press for the advanced digital copy.

3.5 ⭐️ but rounded up specifically for the duet narration with Teddy Hamilton.
Small town grumpy mountain man Wyatt complete with a pet goat is looking for a surrogate and that’s how he meets curvy sunshine, animal loving Trisha. Wyatt and Trisha have a rather unorthodox way of the insemination process which honestly made me laugh out loud but I saw many reviews that absolutely hated that scene. It was cringy and hilarious at the same time in my opinion.

The MFC has a lot of trauma from her past which makes her who she is. She uses humor as a coping mechanism. She gave off Rebel Wilson in pitch perfect vibes with the type humor she uses.

MMC is walking the line of overly possessive and jealous but he’s not without his reasons. He falls first and is entirely obsessed with her. His love language is acts of service so he’s bringing her breakfast every morning, laying out snacks for her, buying her a fancy new mattress etc.

The character growth was good but I would’ve really loved to see a final wrap up about Tricia’s mental health with her body image issues because I really did not care for her “I’m a cow” mantra.

3.5⭐️ Rounded up to 4.

NINE MONTH CONTRACT is perfect for readers wanting high saturated Protective Alpha Mountain Man (edging on Caveman) Breeding Kink. I don't even know how to say that gently and still be accurate. That's the main reason I picked up Wyatt and Trista's story and it delivers.

I also enjoyed the emotional relationship that grows alongside Wyatt and Trista's burning hot chemistry. There is a stronger emphasis on meeting Trista's needs - financially, mentally, and physically. It was lovely to read a character that has worked so hard, and survival all her struggles to be appreciated and given the time amd space to thrive. Where she is at book's end is fully supported by the love and affection showered on her by Wyatt and his family. Get it mama!

Okay ... Wyatt. He is for the readers who see heavy handed, over protective, "Mine," possessive jealously as a a green flag. If any of those are reds for you, then you might want to sit this one out. His niece (and matchmaker - weird, but smile and nod for now okay) even calls him "sweet and psycho." Seriously this man has no chill. There are scenes when that protective instinct borders on controlling. Trista calls him out on the behavior, and is able to set some boundaries with him. But ultimately, yea no, Wyatt is hard to resist.

I have a few critical notes regarding moments that read overly sexist and were presented unchecked.

First, Wyatt drops the dreaded "she's not like other women." That line needs to fade into obscurity.

Then, there's a Harry Potter reference. Please leave JKR in the past while we're at it.

Also, a gender reveal party? And Wyatt's commentary, "those kinds of parties are always more for women than men." My guy, your intent is to be a single father with the assistance of a surrogate. I get it's Mountain Man, but hes building eco friendly new tech housing with out dated points of view on gender.

Okay my few is turning into a handful of notes.

Theres also a minor scene character that I would sooner have edited out completely rather than leave him on page to deliver my most hated wtf moments.

Trista, Wyatt, his brothers and niece, and a few friends are playing poker. One of the friends is a doctor, and when asked "what kind?" he informs he practices family medicine. In the same breath he shares, "I have a private practice with my wife in Boulder, who does more mental health stuff. We have three daughters as well, which means... I drink a lot of whiskey.” Not enough respect to say his wife is a psychiatrist or psychologist. And his family leads him to drink. Okay, let's say it's a safe space for him to commiserate about his hectic family. But when it's back-to-back with the condescension of his wife's work? I wanted to question why he was anyone's friend.

There's also a major thread regarding Wyatt's past relationship and how his other brother's were involved. Without spoilery details, he repeatedly mentions that everyone involved knew they were playing a flirty dangerous game. But when the woman involved outplays them all, shes a villain? And that ties back into Wyatt pulling the "she's not like other women" line. Mountain Man, please. Take some responsibility for how you were willing to play the game.

That's a lot to unpack.

Readers are gonna find this book for the Mountain Man, breeding kink appeal. Give the book full marks in that regard. But it's the normalized and outdated sexist content that has me hesitating to fully recommend the book.

Thank you Netgalley & Harlequin Trade Publishing | Canary Street Press for this advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

DNF @26%

I thought this grumpy/sunshine, small-town romance was going to be a great read but I'm extremely disappointed. I honestly cannot fathom reading any further in the book after seeing the way the book seems to make fun of surrogacy and the whole process that goes along with it. I hate to say this but this book is flat out awful, because of it.

The characters were hard to like as they both seemed to be taking the process of something sensitive and making a mockery of it. This book just did not work for me.

My reviews can also be accessed on GoodReads: www.goodreads.com/brandisbooks.

Thank you to both Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion, these are my own thoughts.

rating: 4.5
spice: 2

this was such a cute book omg. i’m normally not a fan of the pregnancy trope, but i loved this one! trista & wyatt forever. 🥹

i loved all the different POVs, especially everly’s! she’s wyatt’s niece and the source of the matchmaking. so we owe this incredible story to her (and amy daws)!

trista is looking to become a surrogate, wyatt is looking to start a family. can you name a better match? 🙂‍↔️

if you’re a fan of meghan quinn’s romcoms, then you have to add this one to your tbr! they give off the same funny, emotional, and spicy vibes!

- breeding kink
- curvy fmc
- rugged mmc
- death mentioned

Thanks NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book early.

I really enjoyed The Nine Month Contract. I don’t typically read a lot of romances where pregnancy was at the forefront of the book and not at the end, but I really loved this! Everly is my favorite, I love her and little genius brain so much! My girl masterminded this whole thing and we love her for that!

I absolutely love Wyatt and the fact that her loved being an uncle so much that he was ready to raise a kid of his own even if he had to do it alone. I would love to have a mountain man of I could have him and his very sweet and overprotectiveness. I loved how much he loved his family and how his family would do any and everything for him in return as well!

I really loved Trista as well and all of the adorable animals that she brought a long with her! She was the perfect person Everly could have found to be Wyatt’s surrogate. She fit in to their family so perfectly which I loved. This was such a sweet romance and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!

⭐️

I DNF’d this book at 11%. The author used words like “rizzing” & referenced current TikTok trends & I just couldn’t do it.

I’m not old, but I also don’t want to feel like I’m reading a book written by a 16 year old who speaks “social media” all the time. This was written for a certain audience & unfortunately, that audience doesn't include me. The premise of this book sounded really interesting, but I believe the execution lacked severely.

Nine Month Contract by Amy Daws
2.5/3⭐️⭐️⭐️

Some aspects of this book were really cute. I'm always game for a gruff mountain man, AND he's eco conscious?! Sign me up. I loved the beautiful Colorado setting the author wrote this story in as well, and Millie, the sweet goat Millie ❤️ unfortunately it kind of goes off the rails from there. As a former Healthcare worker, the blatant irresponsible representation of surrogacy and "at home insemination" was very jarring. I understand that as an author, certain liberties can be taken for the sake of the story, but surrogacy and infertility are such sensitive subjects that I feel like this was a fumble on the authors part. I also found myself very annoyed with the FMC, Trista. She's carrying this man's baby as a "surrogate" but still resists his help at every turn, and when she does finally cave, she's kind of a b**** about it. She has a lot of unresolved baggage from her childhood, which does contribute to this independent personality, so I get it i really do. It just got very repetitive, and the MMC is honestly such a genuine, helpful, caring guy, and she made his life chaos for the first 80%+ of the book. I almost DNFd around 60% but felt the need to finish to see if the ending made it all worth it.... and it really didn't for me.

This free eARC was provided by netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

NINE MONTH CONTRACT
AMY DAWS
ON SALE MARCH 18/25 ( previously available in 2024 in the UK)

Grumpy mountain man wants a surrogate to have his child.

We’ll that certainly would draw me in. Wyatt wants a child, but not necessarily a wife. Trisha wants $$, so she agrees to have his child so she can start her own Animal Rescue place.

She moves in with a pig and the promise of more animals. Wyatt is not thrilled about the bunny, miniature horse and chickens that follow, but it is plain to see Trisha is winning him over in more ways than one.

Quirky rom com that has a lot of sex for the reader who wants to in that direction.