I wanted to like this unconventional love story way but I bounced off of it pretty hard. I found Wyatt too controlling and quick to anger to be a likeable MMC. Trista' situation when the book started was too precarious for her to be making such important life decisions. The relationship Everly had with her uncles made me cringe. The two stars are for all cure rescue animals.

Thank you NetGalley and Canary Street Press for the ARC!

There were authorial decisions which need to be applauded in a book like 'Nine Month Contract'. There was a huge risk that a romantic storyline with a surrogate could have dovetailed into the fetishizing and demeaning narrative on "owning women". Daws approached this story with candor and transparency with her opening note and help to ease some of my initial concerns with the plot. I appreciated the detailed outline of the hypocrisy in commercializing women's reproductive capabilities and the desperation which can push someone to loan out their body for money. Another strong element from Daws was that Wyatt was not a broken man who needed fixing. This was not a story about a woman's innate maternal instincts coaching a man into his maturity journey. Wyatt knew what he wanted. He acknowledged that he was damaged, but even as his fears with Trista were being actualized, he never asked her to fix him or even expect it. This is me was HUGE for a romance book. Thank you for showcasing that Trista's emotional journey as an individual was just as important as how Trista and Wyatt's relationship. However, I do wish we could have seen how Trista's development impacts her relationship with her sister and Avery. The ending has a bit of a tightly starched bow with Trista's full adoption into the Fletcher family. I would have enjoyed seeing some more individuality from Trista after she accepted herself and was brave enough to say what she wanted, regardless of rejection.

Please note that my star rating system is specific to my needs and opinions. Two stars signifies that I enjoyed elements of the book and was happy to have read it, but am not likely to reread it. This does not mean that I think it was a bad book.

Wyatt main character of the story really wants to be a dad he’s living on a mountain with his pet goat, he decides that he wants to get a surrogate to give him a baby so he goes through 13 interviews and 13 being a lucky number really false head over heels incident attraction to this woman named Trista. Trista is a unique character. She is super funny and lovable has a few problems in the head, but I think cause she’s crazy. She also thinks that Wyatt is very cute. I love seeing the banter between these two characters and love that it was a good story. I think the story was long, but it was very good. It kept me interested through the whole story and how she got pregnant instantly with him through a ranch sauce cup I’ve laughed at that part. I thought it was funny. This is a cinnamon roll hero trope instant attraction. It’s a comedy surrogate romcom story. I never actually thought I would like romcom as much as I like this one it kept me entertained and interested throughout the whole story.. Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for providing me with an egalley of this book to read and give my review. The opinions expressed here are my own
This is my first Amy Daws book. I love an author who can do representation well. The blurb of this book reminded me of Amy Award so I was excited to dive in and see what Daws could bring me.
This is my first surrogate pregnancy trop book. I don't have any triggers so I figured I'd be good with reading this. And I was. Though I will say I was surprised at how the author chose to present the insemination part. There are so many things that go into surrogacy. I haven't done a ton of research but I feel like this part could have been addressed better. It seemed a bit unreal to me how it all came about.
I was also excited to read an age gap book. I love this trope because it truly happens so much more in real life than most thing. The author did a fair job with this. I wanted a bit more of the tension this trope normally brings. The differences in life circumstances, the differences in emotional maturity. I didn't get it as much as I would have liked though it was there enough to show the gap.
As for the characters, they were fun. Trista was definitely sunshine to Wyatt's grumpy. Though he definitely softens a bit throughout the book. Trista came across to me as a bit all over the place. Definitely a girl who wasn't sure where her life was going with no plans to actually stick a family in the mix. Wyatt, on the other hand, is settled in what he wants. I loved Wyatt's relationships with his family. I'm a huge lover of books where family is close and they take care of each other.
I didn't read the connected series to this one but did see there are some characters brought over from that. I was surprised by the points of view from Everyly and actually thought the book could do without them. They didn't add much for me.
Overall, this was fun, though the execution was not as tight as I would have liked. Also, I think the story was stretched out much longer than it should have been and I do wish we had seen the birth of the child the story centered around. I would pick up more books by this author.

There were so many parts of this book really were laugh out loud funny. I didn’t realize I would be into reading a surrogacy romcom, but I was ready for a palate cleanser between heavier fantasy books and definitely got it.

Trista and Wyatt are hilarious. There is no miscommunication trope, though it takes time for the main characters to open up to each other, which is understandable given their pasts.

I thought it was a good, light read, and definitely worth the time. I’m relatively certain I did cry at one point, but nothing crazy. Parts of it were a little strange, but I think that it was Trista. Like, I could see how her character felt and it made sense for her brain to process things differently… does that make sense? She was such a funny and unique character, though I definitely want her to seek some therapy 😂

If you’re looking for:
🐄 A romcom
🐴 Grumpy x Sunshine
🐐 Possessive MMC
🐓 Cinnamon Roll MMC
🐰 Breeding Kink?

4/5
His brother puts a Craig’s list add up for him about wanting a surrogate. And she was trying to become one but the agency wouldn’t take her and that’s where she meets his niece who then takes it upon her self to set the two up together.
This was a good read. I loved the slow burn and the banter between the brothers. And all the crazy animals she just kept adding.

Nine Month Contract by Amy Daws is such a fun and addictive read. It’s about a billionaire who just wants a baby—no love, no drama—and the quirky, independent woman who signs up for the job. But, of course, feelings get in the way, and things don’t go as planned. The characters have amazing chemistry, and the banter is hilarious, but there are also some really sweet and emotional moments. It’s the perfect mix of funny, romantic, and a little bit messy in the best way. If you love a good opposites-attract story with tons of heart, this one’s definitely worth picking up!

I enjoyed this book so much! It was funny, spicy, emotional...
Mountain man Wyatt is ready to be a dad looking for a surrogate.
Trista had a traumatic childhood and doesn't want kids, she just wants to open an animal rescue. By being a surrogate, she can earn the money to open her rescue. I think the author did a great job developing her character throughout the book.
I loved reading about the Fletcher brothers and can't wait for the next book.
Tropes:
Grumpy mountain man
Curvy MFC
Surrogacy
Found Family

Nine Month Contract by Amy Daws follows Wyatt, a 38 year old mountain man looking to become a single dad, and Trista, a 28 year old animal lover who needs money to start her rescue sanctuary. This book had some stuff actively working against it for me, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked it.

To start with what I enjoyed, the family dynamics are #1. The Fletcher family was so wholesome and I loved how much they supported each other! Especially at the end the family was just so sweet. 🩷 I think the last half of the book had a lot of really great character development, and I wish it started sooner in the story so I could have more of it. There is minimal drama in the relationship between Trista and Wyatt, which I always appreciate. No third act breakup or drawn out nonsense here! Also the pregnancy stuff was so relatable I couldn’t help but laugh. I know a lot of people were disappointed by the “cow” mindset in the book, but I also felt like a farm animal while pregnant and postpartum so I got it 😂 I didn’t see it as a plus sized thing, just a pregnancy/pumping thing. This quote “From what I can tell, maternity clothes are the devil, and plus-sized maternity clothes are the devil’s bowel movements” sold me because SO TRUE.

As for what I didn’t love, I struggled with the DIY aspect of the surrogacy and some of the descriptions around it. I know in the US especially people are paid for surrogacy, which is totally understandable. But the agencies are there to help protect all parties involved, and Trista and Wyatt felt very dismissive of those agencies. However, this book is the first surrogate romance I’ve ever heard of, so it was definitely a new trope. That helps me suspend my disbelief a bit. Wyatt’s possessiveness got a bit old towards the middle, but his sweetness made up for it in the end.

Overall I was pleasantly surprised by how sweet this book was. It was a fresh idea, and though I don’t think I’ll ever search out this trope, kudos to the author for going for it. Despite the rocky stuff at the beginning, I did end up enjoying this book!

Big thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the advance copy!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

So I'll open with I don't love a pregnancy trope, so I'll set those feelings aside for the review because that's just preference.

The book was recommended by Meghan Quinn, and the writing felt very similar to her books. It was quirky and funny with good banter. Both MCs go through some serious character development. The FMC is body size positive, but with normal insecurities, so that was refreshing. I was worried the surrogate plot would be creepy and give me the ick, but honestly it was fine and made sense for the story.

Overall, I found it to be a fun romcom and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series with the other brothers.

Cute story. The change in heart happened rather quickly and close to the end. I would have liked it to be more gradual. I did enjoy the story and the characters.
There was an interesting third POV I didn’t expect.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌶️🌶️🌶️

title: Nine Month Contract

author: Amy Daws

publisher: Canary Street Press

publication date: March 18, 2025

pages: 416

peppers: 3 (on this scale)

warnings: bad parenting (in the past)

summary: Trista has just been turned down as a potential surrogate at an agency because she hasn't ever had a baby and weighs too much. When she bolts from the building, she runs into Everly, who's there trying to find a surrogate––and possible love interest––for her uncle Wyatt. As the two spend time together, sparks fly.

tropes:

grumpy-sunshine
so many animals
small-town romance
Mountain Man
big family-no family

what I liked:

both main characters were well drawn, believable, and dealing with their own issues
big family vibes

what I didn’t like: none of it

overall rating: 5 (of 5 stars)

I really enjoyed the fun romcom vibes of this book. The plus sized representation within the female characters was also refreshing to see. The dynamic between the two main characters was fun to read! Ultimately I enjoyed the book as a whole, even being slightly predictable!

5 Full Ranch Cup Stars!

LOL IYKYK - I had to say it.

I loved this book! Reading Wyatt & Trista's story and the crazy unconventional way they came together was a good moment for me. Taking a subject such as surrogacy and being able to laugh with it is a wonderful thing. I definitely recommend this book. You'll love the countless laughs and swoon worthy heartfelt moments and the endless animals!

This was my first time reading Amy Daws, and I thoroughly enjoyed it! *Nine Month Contract* delivered the perfect blend of rom-com humor and swoon-worthy chemistry.
The banter between the main characters was sharp and entertaining, keeping me hooked from start to finish.
Their dynamic felt natural and fun, making their romance all the more enjoyable. If you love a well-executed romantic comedy with plenty of heart and laughter, this book is definitely worth picking up!

Trista had a rough childhood. She has always relied on herself, and due to her childhood has no interest in having children. She is strong, independent, self-reliant, and a fan of the real housewives of SLC. She loves animals. She works at a rescue, volunteers with a vet, and has hopes of opening an animal sanctuary someday. She just needs the funds to do so.

Wyatt Fletcher came from a bonded family. He lives on a mountain in a cabin and his only neighbors are 2 of his 3 brothers. Wyatt has a pet goat, and that is the only animal he ever wants to have in his life. Wyatt has reached the point in his life where he is wants to be a dad but doesn't want the relationship drama that comes with finding a baby-mama after a previous bad experience. So, with the help of his niece, he seeks out a surrogate and finds Trista. Trista moves into the loft apartment in his barn so he can keep an eye on caring for her as she grows his baby for the next 9 months.

Well, the hormones are crazy, and attraction is undeniable! Trista and Wyatt enter a "sexuationship" and well you can imagine how well that is going to go!

This book made me smile from ear to ear! This book is well written, full of lovable characters, and was something I was unable to put down! It is filled with many swoon worthy moments and well written spice.

This mountain man will be your new favorite book boyfriend! If you like big, tough, bearded men in flannels, who are really giant teddy bears, who like dirty talk, and want to take care of you even though your capable of taking care of yourself then Wyatt is for you!

fav character: Everly
fav quote: “Rejection just means you’re one step closer to finding your solution.”

4⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️ (halfway point and onward)

i am not a big fan of modern day references and there were a lot of them for current day social media and taylor swift (love). even though im not a fan does not mean this book wasn’t written well because boy it WAS
the main characters have insane chemistry immediately and the FMC is plus size so we love that even more
i loved the healing the main characters went through and the romance part of the book was written well too!
i would definitely recommend this to anyone who likes built up tension, grumpy/sunshine, plus size rep, and isn’t thrown off by modern day references 💞

Wyatt & Trista - could they be cuter?! Wyatt wants to have a child, Trista is a hot mess express - who has to be miss independent - declining Wyatt’s offers for help. Wyatt is no longer dating thanks to an emotional disaster in his past. A small town, grumpy sunshine romance involving a 10 year age gap and a surrogacy pregnancy.

I want to first thank Netgalley and the publisher Harlequin for this ARC.

I absolutely loved this book. I came into it without knowledge of surrogates or some of the issues I noticed some reviews mentioning. I have not read on any of this so I cannot confirm any of the information they mention. I personally wanted to read this based on the Blurb. Wyatt is a single guy who just wants to be a dad and Trista is looking for ways to earn some money and ends up trying to be a surrogate where they refuse her for her weight despite being healthy.

Wyatt's niece sets them up after a chance encounter outside the surrogate agency. I ADORED Everly. Shes a mastermind playing matchmaker. Wyatt is the cranky mountain man who finds his match in Trista who is hard on herself but has such a good outlook on life. I adored this book and watching their romance blossom.

I could not put this book down and read it in a day. Amy Daws delivered everything I want in a contemporary romance – laugh out loud humor, great chemistry, genuine character growth, and fantastic romance. Trista had so much heart and was such an empathetic character. I adored Wyatt's rough mountain main exterior and marshmallow interior. I cannot gush about this book enough. It had such sincere heart while still leaving me cackling.

This was my first Amy Daws book and definitely will not be my last. I cannot wait to continue this series, and go back to her backlist and read more of her books. Thank you so much to NetGalley, Harlequin, and the Hive for providing me with an e-arc of this book. I loved every moment.