Couldn’t get into this one, Tried several times but ended up putting it away.
But what isn’t for me may be just what someone else is looking for!

This book had me giggling and kicking my feet the entire time. I love this book so much and am adding it to my top 5 list for 2025. the author did an amazing job writing this. It gives you all the feels, wholesome but hilarious at the same time. I can't to read the rest of the series, know they're gonna be amazing just like this one

Now, normally I’m not a fan of the pregnancy trope but this one was so cute. Wyatt was such a sweet cinnamon roll for Trista whom he hires to be a surrogate to carry the baby he always wanted. Sparks start flying immediately and the both have a hard time resisting the pull. Great banter between the mc’s and plenty of spice. I also co-read while listening to the audiobook and the narrators both did an incredible job of bringing the characters to life.

Thanks to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing | Canary Street Press for the ARC copy of this book.

Okay so I have very mixed feelings on how to rate this. On one hand it was a cute, grumpy/sunshine rom-com with animal sidekicks and a HEA. On the other hand, so many character decisions didn’t make sense and even from an ethical standpoint I was saying “ehhh”.

Trista is the definition of “using humor to hide trauma”. Which I GET. My problem was she would admit and shake off her trauma without ever trying to grow beyond it, at least not until a complete 180 view change at the 80% mark. (Again, this is where the ethics, legalese, etc should come up) I appreciate a plus size FMC as much as the next plus size girly, but soooo much focus was put on her appearance. And the constant “cow” reference relating to surrogacy? Yikes.

Wyatt is the quintessential mountain grump with his grunts and huffs, but a marshmallow to those he cares about. His actions show so much care and affection even if the words don’t match up.

A good palette cleanser between heavy reads, but it might read as insensitive to those dealing with infertility issues.

This book was so much fun!! Wyatt and Trista met through their surrogacy journey. Wyatt wants a baby and Trista wants to be a surrogate. They spend so much time together since Trista moves into the apartment above Wyatt’s barn. Their story is so adorable. It’s age gap, forced proximity, found family and coming into their own. The spice is great and doesn’t overpower the story. Wonderfully written and hilarious!!

I was genuinely excited to be approved for this ARC - this book had been high on my TBR and was one of my most anticipated reads of the year. The premise really drew me in, and I started it with a lot of hope and enthusiasm.

Unfortunately, the way the surrogate storyline was written really didn’t sit right with me. The portrayal felt insensitive and in poor taste, both in terms of the language used and how the situation was handled narratively. It made it difficult for me to stay engaged or enjoy the reading experience.

I always appreciate the opportunity to read early copies and understand that not every book will work for every reader. This one just wasn’t for me.

This is the first book I have read by Amy Daws and honestly, I'm still not sure how I felt about it. Yes, the premise is a bit odd, the family even odder but there were some parts there were really good. When we read a romance novel, we're not exactly expecting for reality so some liberties by the author are to be expected. However, there were parts of the surrogacy "process" that could have been skipped over without hurting the storyline. I assume the author was going for some comedic elements but reading other reviews it seems that people didn't necessarily see it that way. If you're looking for a grumpy/sunshine or mountain man romance this might be for you. However, be warned that there are some definite body image issues for the heroine. This is the start of a series but I'm not sure if I'll continue it.

We are introduced to three brothers who are all living on the same mountain. The oldest brother, Wyatt, very much wants a child. He tried to find a surrogate through an agency and he has been deemed unmatchable. Enter his 18 YO niece. She has decided she is going to find her uncle a surrogate. Then she literally runs into the perfect candidate. Enter Trista. She is an animal lover and wants to open her own rescue and decides being a surrogate is the perfect way. There is just one problem, the agency has rejected her because they deem her overweight. After some convincing by his niece, Wyatt is persuaded to meet Trista and they strike a deal. Trista moves to the mountain and hilarious moments follow.

I laughed so much while reading this book. Trista, the self described “cow” carrying Wyatt’s child while trying, unsuccessfully not to fall for the attractive Mountain man. Here constant need to save animals also makes for some hilarious moments on the mountain. Wyatt is dealing with his growing feelings for Trista while trying to work out his past. He is drawn to and exasperated by Trista. Eventually they agree to a benefits arrangement that provides for even more funny and touching moments. This book has so many great elements: found family, hilarious moments, steam, animals with great names, and heart. This is my first Amy Daws read but it won’t be my last. I can’t recommend it enough.

Thanks so much to Harlequin Trade Publishing and Netgalley for the Opportunity to discover Amy Daws.

This is such a cute, sweet book that absolutely made me swoon. I love Amy Daws and her books always make me swoon and this one definitely didn't disappoint. This was my first "Surrogacy" trope in a romance book and I actually really loved it.

This grumpy/sunshine book had banter for days and I was here for it. Plus, the spice was perfection. This is a great book when you just want a sweet and spicy romcom with banter that will make you giggle.

This is my 2nd book by Amy Daws and I really enjoyed it! I loved the dual perspectives and the character banter. I loved the character development for both MCs and the serious topics like grief and abandonment that are addressed. Thank you NetGalley for the arc copy of this! Definitely recommend!

Nine Month Contract by Amy Daws is the first in the Mountain Men Matchmaker Series and hits hard from the start!

The prologue is one of the best ads I’ve ever read in a book! It sets the tone immediately and the topple of guy Wyatt is. He is so real for his sibling rivalry and the connection he has for his niece.

I love his personality and the hectic family dynamics he deals with. Everly, his niece is the best for seeking a surrogate for him on her own, even though she’s pregnant. Granted it’s for her own best interest, but it aligns with his needs, so it’s all good!

Trista’s just as awesome as Wyatt. Her personality stands out just as much as everyone else and even though she’s questioning everything, she takes a chance. Their love story is cute. I don’t usually read the grumpy sunshine stores, but this one is awesome. Not too much and relatable.

If you’re interested in grumpy sunshine, small town romances, this is for you! Not enough? What about an age gap and a curvy FMC? Still want more? Okay okay how about a surrogacy?

Check out other books by Amy!

*This was an honest review for a complimentary copy of Nine Month Contract from Amy Daws via NetGalley

I loved this book, the way that the relationship between Trista and Wyatt progresses is just lovely. The humor in this book had me laughing so hard that I had tears rolling down my face at times. I have enjoyed all of Amy Daws books from the very first one I picked up. The Fletcher family dynamic is the type of family dynamic that everyone wishes they had with their own families, which some people are very lucky to have. I found the relationship between Wyatt and his brothers to be interesting because they literally almost have no time away from each other, other than when they are in their seperate houses sleeping. I can't wait to read the next book in this series when it releases.

I love Amy Daws so I was sooo excited to get a chance to read and review this book. While pregnancy in romance is not my favorite this was interesting because she was supposed to be a surrogate. That was new to me! Anyway, I am a huge sucker for small town, rom com with grumpy mountain man and sunshine animal obsessed woman. This hits ALL the buttons.
It is soo witty and hilarious but I defiantly teared up in a few scenes. I also love that Avery is a mastermind match maker and she is making this all happen. ( love a matchmaker story)
I love the chapter headers - Weeks Pregnant and Animals on the Mountain - just kept me smiling every chapter when we got a new animal.
Have I also mentioned I am huge found family trope person..oh yeah and I love when it doesn't' seemed forced (which is a huge issue in some of these interconnected series - all of the sudden everyone is just best friends. Noppe, this was soo perfect. The more Trista feel in love with Wyatt the more open she was to get to know his niece, his sister-in-law, his mother ( yes I cried when she invited Joanne into the room to see the ultrasound). Even the phone call with her sister had me tearing up, so much trauma that was slowing being healed throughout the story and of course we got some amazing sizzling spicy blush if you are reading in public parts. I really really like this author and I I really enjoy these types of stories, they are sweet, and funny and easy and they really are amazing.
I can't wait to read the next one!!! Bring on the Mountain Man!!!

Rating: 3.5/5 ⭐️
Spice: 1.5/5 🌶️

I liked the overall story and appreciated that Trista was written as a plus-sized character. Representation matters, and I was looking forward to that. That said, I kept imagining “plus-sized” in the early 2000s sense—like when Tyra Banks would call a size 8 model plus-sized on America’s Next Top Model. Maybe I missed a more detailed description, but that was the mental image I couldn’t shake.

The other thing that threw me off was how Trista got pregnant. It just felt… odd. Using a ranch cup and a children’s Tylenol syringe? I get that it was meant to be unconventional, but considering how many people struggle with fertility, it felt a little careless (maybe it was supposed to be comical — but missed the mark for me).

Still, the story had its charm, and I enjoyed the dynamic between the character

Thank you Net Galley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review

Absolutely wanted to love this book but there was so much to be desired because the girl seem to just beat her self down! But I did love the banter and all the spice! Who doesn’t want a grumpy man that falls for the girl who is the surrogate to his soon to be baby! Everly playing match maker in the beginning was probably one of the cutest things kinda of love it when family members take it upon themself to put their nose in where it doesn’t belong 🤣 I love Trista but there was so many annoying tendencies that just kept popping up like we get it you’re insecure but to beat yourself down for a FMC I wanted to love was a dislike for me. Between the animals, farm life, and jealousy it was super cute but just fell a little flat.

This is my first book by Amy Daws and might I say...the premise is wild. This title threw morals and ethics out of the window and went full throttle.
If I ignore all the red flags, I can say I truly enjoyed it even though I couldn't care two hoots about pregnancy. Trista is messy but I liked her spirit and her love for wounded animals, often at the detriment to her own livelihood (looking at you there Reginald). Wyatt was also an interesting character whom I found had many reg flags but was honest and as open as he could be with Trista. His possessive kink made my eyes cringe a few times.

I like the concept of Everly setting up her uncle with someone with the underlying hope that they'd fall in love. I just kind of wished them met on more even ground? Stories about peoples relationships with their employers are always iffy and I could see and feel the power imbalance between the two of them. Yeah, they're adults but also.... I found myself wishing Wyatt had just lent a room to her and then organically she agreed to have his baby?

Either way, I was happy to see Trista gain a family who cared for her and she got some closure with her older sister. She now has a community behind her and people who will go punch for punch for her...literally. I do hope she goes to therapy at some point though. I think it would help her ease more into motherhood.

This book was super unrealistic but my younger days on Wattpad have prepared me for the zaniest of all storylines.

Nine Month Contract by Amy Davis is a funny romance novel that showcases a family with a very close bond. The humor in this book was not my cup of tea but I can see that it would appeal other readers. The male main character was also very moody and possessive while the main female character was bold and willing to speak out for what she wanted. Overall this book was not for me but it would appeal to readers looking for a strong spirited female lead who is not afraid to make jokes.

Nine Month Contract is a funny, heartfelt, and romantic story with great character development, spice, and ensuing hilarity. Mygod, I love every character in this book (especially the animals). The MMC is broody and possessive and the FMC is messy and sweet. And all of the side characters were just as great, and I can’t wait to read more of them in the rest of the series!!

The only reason I did not rate 5 stars is I felt like the jump from “surrogate who doesn’t want kids” to “I want to keep this baby and this man” was SUDDEN. We all knew it was going to happen, but that is such a complete life shift and we didn’t really get to see Trista work through the decision. And maybe that was intentional, but I kind of waited the entire book to see what would change her mind, and it was kind of rushed in that sense. But overall, I loved this book! I cried a few times, and laughed a lot. This was my first Amy Daws book, and am definitely looking forward to more 🫶🏻

It was a good quick read.

Loved the small town, tight family scenario.

Loved the niece at the begging and the sweet scene at the end.

Can’t wait to read the other brothers stories

3.5 ⭐

The way he was willing to help her with anything was so amazing. I actually loved how close the family was and how much they care for each other and support each other! I think I related to Trista a little with thinking that no one like Mr. Mountain man would like me and having that self doubt. In reality you can find someone and their family who loves you.