Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin trade for the opportunity to ARC read this book!

I flew though this book and had so much fun along the way. I think any book that begins with a prologue like this:

"Help Wanted: Grumpy Mountain Man seeks baby momma to grow his seed...
(cont.) Also, must be cool with brotherly neighbors...and no, that isn't code for Why Choose."

Is an automatic must-read for me because I'm already laughing on page one.

Trista and Wyatt are our MCs. Trista is an outspoken, plus-size woman who is turned away from a traditional surrogacy program but runs into Wyatt outside said facility. Wyatt is looking for one thing and one thing only: a surrogate so he can have a baby of his own.

This book had me laughing so often that a ranch cup won't ever look the same to me, nor will a child's Tylenol syringe. It also had spice, banter, and so many sweet moments. I love that Trista kept adding animals to the farm and Wyatt just went with it.

Romcoms are my jam, and I had so much fun with this one!

Tropes:
🤰 Surrogacy
🐐 Farm life
✨️ Forced Proximity
☀️ Grumpy × Sunshine

This book was one of the funniest books I have read in a long time. From puppy pee, to turkey basters Amy Daws had me Laughing out Loud one too many times.

Okay this quote is five stars for me:
<i>"You know..inseminate me like a cow. Turkey baster style. You can buy the kits on Amazon. The pull the semen up into the syringe and shoot it up my bajingo."

Everly the niece of Mountain Man Wyatt wants to find him a baby momma (who he thinks is going to pop him out a baby and leave) Everly has other ideas. And she is adorable. I love the whole family. Trista was amazing and honestly a little too hard on herself so many times. Her insecurities were a little annoying but not enough to annoy me because heck, having insecurities is normal.

I loved Wyatt and the whole family. I can't wait to enjoy the next book in the series.

Thank you Netgalley and Canary Street Press for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

My ARC was provided by the publisher Harlequin Trade Publishing via Netgalley. I loved this story, a re-read for me. Wyatt is a rugged recluse. He keeps to himself and loves his space as a grumpy mountain man. His niece is looking for a woman to be her uncle’s baby surrogate. Yet the man has more love to give than anyone and when Trista’s crazy enters his life, he definitely will never be the same. Trista is a tornado. Add in an animal shelter for lots of random farm animals and suddenly I couldn’t put it down. Both characters have some painful issues from the past. This family is pure perfection. I love how much they love and care for one another. They don’t care what the world has to say and they are fine with who they are.

The banter is fun, the hero is really grumpy with a whole lot of sexiness. And the surrogate theme is certainly a very dear subject for the author.

Thank you to NetGalley for this arc.

Okay I guess I have to mark this as “finished” to review, but I ended up DNFing a little over half way.

I’ve heard such good things about this book so I’m beyond disappointed with it.
I don’t usually like pregnancy trope, but the premise sounded cute so I gave it a shot. The premise is cute, but the writing is awful and so cringey.
The cringe first stuck out to me when the first chapter from the nieces POV used the word “rizz” multiple times and then the excess use of the phrase “low key”. It was high key cringe.
Then, throughout the entire book, the FMC refers to her vagina as her “banjingo”. Sorry, but if you’re not mature enough to say “vagina” you’re not mature enough to bring a child into this world. Regardless of why you’re bringing said child into the world.
Why is it anytime there’s a plus sized FMC she’s a hot mess that can’t “adult”? That’s another thing that got to me. 🙄

Also, throughout the entire book (thus far) she is vehemently against being a mother, but I have a feeling she’s going to fall for Wyatt and then obviously they’re going to raise a child together. So that’s just annoying. Don’t make her so anti being a mother and then force her into motherhood 🤷🏼‍♀️

Anyway, obviously this book wasn’t for me so I will not be leaving a Star review on goodreads because I don’t think the rating deserves to be hurt because I personally didn’t like what, obviously, many others have liked.

This book was a fun and easy read. The notion of hiring a surrogate through unofficial channels is crazy by itself, but also having her live on your property? The chemistry between Wyatt and Trista must have been unreal to agree to all of that. I enjoyed the journey of Wyatt and Trista both opening themselves up to each other and those around them. The importance of family and community was a big point in this book. The only part I didn’t like was some specific slang and pop culture references that I’m not sure will age well. Overall, this book was equally sweet and spicy. Boy, was it spicy. The daydreams the characters would have were enough to cause a blush. I recommend this book to romance readers who enjoy books with a healthy dose of spice.

This was the first book by this author I have read. It was definitely an interesting and fun book to read. I will read the next two books when they are released. Thank you Netgalley for this arc.

I didn’t expect to fall in love with this book as much as I did, but I may be a little obsessed with the Fletchers now.

From the start, Trista was such a relatable and comforting character for me. Her journey of processing her childhood trauma throughout the book, both on her own and with a little help, was so lovely to see and made me cry more than once.

Wyatt is the most perfect mountain man and such a loveable character and an absolute sweetheart of a man. He is truly the blueprint for a loving and supportive partner, even with his craziness.

Chapter by chapter, each character wormed their way into my heart and I truly fell in love with each one. Their personalities and interpersonal interactions were so fleshed out and well done. They truly felt like a family.

The running tally of animals on the mountain at the beginning of each chapter was my favourite detail in this book, and I loved the ever-growing collection.

If Wyatt and Trista ever get a continuation to their story, I would read it in a heartbeat.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin trade publishing for this ARC!

Wyatt is ready to start a family, but has a hard time finding a surrogate, His niece Evelyn posts and ad advertising for one. good story

🔥 NINE MONTH CONTRACT by Amy Daws 🔥

💡 Wanted: One-night baby-making agreement… turns into so much more.

✅ Grumpy Mountain Man (who secretly has a heart of gold)
✅ Sunshine, Sassy, and Curvy FMC (with cowboy boots & a wild streak)
✅ Forced Proximity (because, of course, she moves in with him!)
✅ Small Town Shenanigans (including nosy, meddling brothers & a pet goat!)
✅ Surrogacy Agreement… Gone Off the Rails (Oops, they actually like each other?)

This was just supposed to be a baby contract.
✔️ No strings.
✔️ No feelings.
✔️ No actual baby-making (hello, science!).

But from the moment Trista storms into Ford’s life, she turns his carefully planned future upside down. The wild, untamed energy she brings is exactly what he was waiting for. Only problem? He’s falling for her.

🥵 Cue unexpected tension, undeniable chemistry, and a whole lot of slow-burn steam.

💬 “The second she walked in with those cowboy boots and that wicked smirk, I knew she was trouble. Trouble I wanted.”

🔥 If you LOVE:
✔️ Grumpy x Sunshine banter that will have you grinning like a fool
✔️ An age-gap romance packed with undeniable chemistry
✔️ A cinnamon roll hero wrapped in a grumpy mountain man exterior
✔️ Quirky small-town vibes & hilarious side characters
✔️ A swoony, steamy romance that will melt your heart (and your Kindle! 🔥)

… then NINE MONTH CONTRACT is an absolute MUST-READ.

📚 Tag your book bestie if you LIVE for a slow-burn, grumpy/sunshine rom-com that will have you laughing & swooning in equal measure! 💋🔥

#NineMonthContract #AmyDaws #GrumpySunshine #SmallTownRomance #AgeGapRomance #CurvyFMC #SurpriseFeelings #SlowBurn #SteamyRomance #ForcedProximity

Nine month contract was a 3 star read for me. I love a good grumpy+sunshine trope and add in the mountains it's easy picking but this book while good did leave somethings to be desired and left behind some personal icks as well.

Trista the curvy MFC is constantly referring herself to a cow and I understand she was trying to stay unattached and it plays into her size insecurity but it's grates on my nerves to read "I'm a cow" on a loop.

Wyatt the MMC is the typical broody Mountain man.
Who doesnt share what's his or information easily.
He's overbearing and ignores the request for space far too often.

What saved this book for me was Wyatt's family. I found myself wanting more of them and less of Wyatt and Trista story. They are so loving and open and protective and supportive of each other. It was fun to read. I hope the other books to come in the series includes more of Wyatt's family.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin trade publishing for this ARC.

This book had me kicking my feet giggling! It was hilarious. I LOVED the rom com aspects of this book so much! It truly was like a refreshing breath of fresh air to read this book. Especially after all the books I have been reading lately. This book was the perfect book to lift my spirits, and put me back together again! It is a great pallet cleanser book. I can not wait to read more by this author, and to add her books to my trophy shelves!

DNF’d at 31%. The writing style just wasn’t for me at all. I do like the overall concept though, and some of the dialogue was entertaining. I just didn’t really like the main characters that much if I’m being honest. I had higher hopes for them and plus size representation in a book.

This was such a fun rom com. I loved it from the first page with the humor, the grumpy mountain man (Wyatt), the family and all the animals. Trista was a strong FMC and always stood her ground and I love that she didn't put up with any BS.

The brothers had such a great relationship and I love how strong their relationship was with Everly, their niece.

The story is entertaining and there were was tender moments as well. I can't wait to read the next brother's story.

Thank you @htp_hive for a copy of this book.

This book was a breath of fresh air after my book hangover! Trista is so unapologetically herself. She is my new idol!
Also where can i get a mountain man that idolizes me and practically kisses the ground i walk on??
We love a grumpy man who is a big softy on the inside! Who can help but to say yes to every stray animal his girl brings home!!
This book was an easy read and a 5/5!

4⭐️, 2🌶️

Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC! 📖

Small town romance, grumpy-sunshine, “she’s mine” possessive MMC, found family. I loved the characters in this book and can’t wait to read more from the mountain men!

This book was a fun read. I love the pregnancy trope in books and was so happy to find another one to read. The Romanesque in this book was so sweet!🥹

Amy Daws’ Nine Month Contract is a delightful blend of humor, emotion, and spice that kept me thoroughly entertained from start to finish. The story introduces us to Trista, a quirky, independent woman with dreams of owning an animal sanctuary, and Wyatt, a grumpy yet endearing mountain man longing to become a father. Their unconventional arrangement evolves into a heartfelt romance that had me both laughing out loud and tearing up with joy.

The inclusion of Wyatt’s spirited niece, Everly, as a third point of view adds depth and charm to the narrative. Her matchmaking antics and determination to find the perfect surrogate for her uncle bring an extra layer of warmth to the story. The dynamic between the characters is enriched by a cast of lovable side characters, each contributing to the small-town, family-centric atmosphere that makes this book so special, especially the ANIMALS!

Daws masterfully balances humor and emotion, crafting scenes that are both laugh-out-loud funny and deeply touching. The witty banter and hilarious situations had me giggling throughout, while the genuine connections and personal growth experienced by the characters tugged at my heartstrings. The spicy moments are tastefully woven into the narrative, adding an extra layer of intensity to Trista and Wyatt’s evolving relationship.

As someone who doesn’t typically gravitate toward the pregnancy trope, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this story. The author’s fresh perspective and engaging writing style made it a standout read for me. Nine Month Contract is the first installment in the Mountain Men Matchmaker series, and I am eagerly anticipating the next books to delve deeper into the lives of the Fletcher brothers.

In summary, Nine Month Contract is a heartwarming and hilarious romance that I highly recommend. It’s a perfect blend of laughter, love, and spice that will leave you with a smile on your face!

Nine Month Contract (hard cover out 3/18/25) had me CRACKING up from start to finish! Broody mountain man Wyatt is ready to start a family of his own, but he is having an extremely hard time choosing a surrogate. His niece Everly decides to take things into her own hands by posting an advertisement to find the perfect woman to be his baby mama. Trista is a strong independent woman who is trying to become a surrogate to fund her dream of opening an animal sanctuary. Perfect match, right? Actually yes! The two connect thanks to Everly and they draw up an elaborate plan complete with a contract to work together to have a baby and then go their separate ways.

Amy does a fantastic job of telling their back stories, building some intense heat between them, and developing their characters. The supporting characters are also very funny and add to the story (especially Wyatt’s three brothers) nicely. Wyatt may be grumpy on the outside, but he is ooey gooey sweet on the inside, and spends most of the book anticipating Trista’s needs, and worshiping the ground she walks on. I knew how the story would end, of course, but I was just over the moon about it when it all came to a happy conclusion!

I laughed out loud several times, especially over the ridiculous animal names Trista came up with for her rescues (I think I snorted over Manwich)!!

Nine Month Contract is the first in a series and I CANNOT wait to read Wyatt’s brother Calder’s book in June!!
-Small-town
-Grumpy-Sunshine
-Found Family
-Age Gap
-Curvy FMC
-Pregnancy Tropes
The Fletcher men gave me major Blue Moon Pierce family vibes (Lucy Score)!
Genre: Rom-Com
Spice: Whew! The spice was spicin’!
Rating: 5 stars

Thank you for the ARC copy, @htpbooks and @amydawsauthor

So good! A feel good romance book.. not what I expected at all in the best ways. I wish I could reread for the first time!

I really expected to love this but unfortunately it was a miss for me. It felt like it was just trying to accomplish too many things and it fell flat. It was just overly busy in a not fun way.