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

I need to start by saying how charming and loveable the characters are in this book! Amy does an amazing job of creating characters that have depth and likeability, flaws and all!

Grumpy mountain man Wyatt is looking for a surrogate. At 38 years old he wants to be a father. His niece, Everly, and his brother place ads for him. On happenstance Everly runs into Trista outside the fertility clinic and just knows she'd be a good fit for her beloved Uncle (both as a surrogate but also as a love match, which he isn't looking for). Trista is 10 years his junior, sunshiny, curvy (too heavy according to the fertility clinic), and lacking in a secure, loving family. In stark contrast, the Fletcher family is very close, with 2 of Wyatt's 3 brothers living on his mountain with him (each in their own houses).

The somewhat chaotic at times life they begin leading, that begins with Tylenol syringing sperm, is quirky and sweet, with just the right amount of heat. Not only does Trista move up to the mountain, but as the story progresses, she brings a menagerie of animals into Wyatt's peaceful barn on the mountain.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the other two brother's stories coming out!

Here are some of the main ropes I noticed in Nine Month Contract: small town, surrogate/baby daddy, mountain man MMC, found family, age gap, grumpy/sunshine, curvy FMC, forced proximity

Wyatt Fletcher wants nothing more than to be a dad, but he doesn’t want a relationship. He’s got his heart set on finding a surrogate and being a single dad after swearing off of romance after a disastrous broken heart. Trista is the thirteenth potential surrogate he interviews, and she’s honest from the start that she’s interested in the gig for the hefty payday. Trista dreams of opening an animal sanctuary but she needs the funds for it. When they sign a contract and Trista moves to Wyatt’s mountain home, they’re both unprepared for the reality of their situation.

Nine Month Contract is book one in a new series by Amy Daws, Mountain Men Matchmaker. It’s also her first series to be traditionally published! I’ve read most of Amy’s backlist and am so excited to see her getting broader exposure. (Side note: please, I beg of you: read the Harris Brothers)

This was super fun! I loved the unique set-up and the immediate chemistry between Wyatt and Trista. There’s just something about a super grumpy burly mountain man hero that I love. Trista had so much sparkle and resilience that it was impossible not to love her too!

I highly recommend this one, especially if you love:
🐐 Goat daddy loner mountain men
🤰🏻 Ambitious, no-nonsense curvy heroines
🐐Charmingly meddlesome families
🤰🏻 Small town shenanigans
🐐 So many farm animals
🤰🏻 Surrogate x baby daddy dynamics

This book was soo deliciously good! I love a spicy romance and this book truly served. Amy Dawes is an OG in this space for a reason!

This book was so much fun! Trista and Wyatt's surrogacy journey is so fun! Throw in a meddling niece, mountain man brothers, and a constant stream of animals arriving on the farm, shenanigans are abound!

So I read the Wait in line series and was excited for this continuation. I really enjoyed seeing some of the past characters and this book was funny. Looking forward to the next one.

Thanks to Canary Street Press for my advanced copy of Nine Month Contract by Amy Daws. This is book one in the Mountain Men Matchmaker series.

This book was different than what I usually read with a surrogacy pregnancy aspect. I did like the small town romance and this book reminded me a little bit of a Tessa Bailey.

It was fun to read, but not sure I want to read surrogacy romance in the future. I do want to read more in the series because I liked the brothers.

I am a sucker for a accidental pregnancy/single parent trope and this novel was such a fun spin on those tropes as it is a intentional pregnancy so the MMC can be a single parent.

Wyatt has always wanted children, but after being burned in the past by partners, he decides to take matters into his own hands and look for a surrogate. When no one at the surrogate agency meets his qualifications, he starts to doubt that he’ll be able to make his dreams come true. Then in comes Trista, wild, outspoken, and maybe a bit too into animals. The two strike up a deal that would be beneficial to all…. But maybe they’re both looking for a little more than originally thought.

I thought this book was so fun as Wyatt and Trista are very confident people and their interactions continuously prove that they have met their match. While there were points that Wyatt felt a little too controlling/obsessive for me, I do believe that the author did a great job explaining how his past experiences have shaped them. I also loved the animal trackers throughout the book as Trista continued to bring home new friends.

I would recommend this to fans of brooding MMCs, headstrong FMCs, and readers who enjoy a little spice.

Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC for review consideration!

This book is about Wyatt. He does not desire to be married or have a girlfriend, but he does desire to be a father and is on the hunt for a surrogate. Trista is looking for money to build an animal rescue so she fits the bill of a surrogate perfectly and she can house her animals at Wyatt’s barn. There were some things I liked about this book and lots I didn’t like. I did like the brothers in the book. They are hilarious. In fact, Wyatt’s entire family dynamic is amazing. They are supportive, funny, and dynamic characters. I also enjoyed the animals that are being fostered. They all have interesting personalities and become hilarious secondary characters. What I don’t enjoy….the first five chapters read as though I’m missing something. It was like there was another book before this in the series and I missed already existing storylines and dynamics be tween character. However, this is the first book in the series so it was very confusing. I got the ick during the pregnancy process. They didn’t want to be intimate to become pregnant but than had no issues as soon as she was pregnant. It didn’t make any sense. I also disliked the constant fat phobia. The female main character makes it known that she is plus sized but embraces it, yet in the same sentence calls herself a cow. She calls herself a cow repeatedly and it completely put me off the book and felt super toxic. However, if you like the pregnancy trope, found family, and a possessive male main character, then give this a read.

Spicy, Hilarious, and Full of Heart!

Nine Month Contract by Amy Daws is an absolute delight! It takes the grumpy/sunshine trope to new heights with a rugged, no-nonsense mountain man and a fiery, independent heroine who instantly steals the show (and his heart). Trista is everything you’d want in a leading lady—bold, funny, and impossible not to root for. And Wyatt? Well, let’s just say his growly exterior hides a whole lot of swoon-worthy depth.

The banter is sharp, the chemistry is off the charts, and the small-town setting (complete with nosy brothers and a scene-stealing pet goat) adds so much charm. It’s the perfect mix of steamy romance and laugh-out-loud moments, making it impossible to put down. If you love Meghan Quinn or Tessa Bailey, you need this book on your shelf.

Slight spoilers ahead, read with cation!

I had seen this book online and thought I was an intriguing idea for a romance novel. Usually the serious topic of surrogacy isn’t seen in the genre, at least to my little, but growing knowledge of the genre. My interest was piqued, and I requested it on NetGalley. Thankfully they allowed me to read it before it comes out soon this month.

The author, Amy Daws, puts a disclaimer at the beginning of the book, which is always lovely. In the book world we like to give warnings and care about others feelings. It was nice to see her mention that it is a touchy subject that is serious and needed to be taken seriously even though we read books to escape. At least I do…

This book follows different points of view. You see the main protagonists Wyatt Fletcher and Trista Matthews. The loveable and energetic niece’s perspective pops up, but I swear it’s necessary. The main trope of grumpy and sunshine is definitely seen throughout the story. When I first started the book, I was instantly finding it hilarious. It could be the three brothers that live on a mountain a la Seven Brides for Seven Brothers* that are constantly getting on each other’s nerves and jabbing each other, but I love it.

Without giving too much away you will see the characters go from just doing a business transaction to falling in love. It’s all about the journey getting there though. The reader sees the good and the bad with these dynamic characters. It’s a romance novel, so it’s going to do what a romance novel does, while also showing the growth within the characters themselves. Slightly spoiling it Trista learns to accept love and care from someone whom she normally would push away, and Wyatt learns to lessen his giving. Mainly a big spoiler is that the Fletcher family loves to give and does so without anyone asking. Backstories are very important in this story. When one learns to let go of his or her past hurt then he or she can move on.

I loved this book! The characters were funny and well developed. The side characters were funny as well. The story felt realistic and natural. The references to Real Housewives of Salt Lake City had me dying as did the Seven Brides for Seven Brothers* too. I thought of that musical while reading one of the first couple of pages of the book. Though proceed with caution if you decide to watch the musical…its problematic and outdated. In general I loved this book. I started rereading it after I finished it since it was so good. I highly recommend this book and hope there is more to come from the Fletcher family.

* The musical is highly problematic and very outdated*

This book was absolutely amazing. I couldn’t get enough of the Fletcher men. This story and characters were absolutely amazing. My emotions were all over the place. I was so rooting for Wyatt and Trista. Their connection was absolutely off the charts. Definitely can’t wait for more Fletcher brothers.

💚Nine Month Contract💚
By Amy Daws

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- Review posted to Goodreads, BookBub, and TheStoryGraph on 3/11/25
- Review to be posted to Instagram, Amazon, and IG on release date of 3/18/25

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“But the more she invades my space, the more she invades my thoughts. It’s becoming a problem.”
🤭🤭

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The second I read the blurb of this one, I knew I had to get my hands on Amy Daws’ upcoming rerelease. Obvi I’m a huge fan of all things pregnancy, but a witty, spicy tale of surrogacy for the giant grump of a mountain man? Giiiirl, say less! GIMME!

Nine Month Contract had me actually laughing out loud on several occasions. Stuffed to the brim with playful banter and hilariously relatable moments, even the chapter headers were amusing and had me giggling the further along I read. I don’t typically reach for books with big romcom vibes, but this was straight up fun!

Humorous bits aside, I found the message of learning to lean on others and accepting unconditional love and care to be a real treat. I related so much to Trista in this sense, when you feel like even the kindest of gestures must surely come at a price, so why not just deny all help and take care of yourself instead? Holy moly have I been there and back! Watching her grow with the reassurance of her seemingly prickly safe haven of a partner, Wyatt, had my heart positively melting.

Now fair warning- Trista refers to herself as a cow many times throughout her pregnancy journey. I can certainly see how that could read as rather off-putting to some, especially given that our FMC is a badass curvy gal, but I personally found it insanely relatable. Seriously, I called myself the very same more times than I could ever count back in my baby-making days 😂

Overall, I quite liked this take on a grumpy/sunshine surrogacy story. The pace was nice and the character growth was satisfying. I very much look forward to checking out Amy’s other work!

Why you’ll love Nine Month Contract
💚 Small Town Romance
💚 Dual POV
💚 Surrogacy
💚 Grumpy/Sunshine
💚 Curvy FMC
💚 Age Gap
💚 Found Family
💚 A Small Army Adorable of Animals

Big thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing | Canary Street Press and NetGalley for the early copy! These are my honest thoughts 🤗

If you're in the mood for something fun, quirky, and full of chemistry, Nine Month Contract by Amy Daws is a must-read. It's about a grumpy mountain man named Levi who needs a surrogate to help him become a single dad. His brothers, in their usual way, post a ridiculous ad to find the perfect woman for the job—only for Trista to walk into his life.

Trista is wild, opinionated, and wears cowboy boots—basically everything Levi never knew he wanted. Even his pet goat loves her, which is saying something. As they start their unusual journey together, trying to make a baby under some very awkward circumstances, Levi realizes he wants more than just a surrogate.

It’s funny, sweet, and packed with steamy moments. If you enjoy a story where opposites attract and emotions run high, Nine Month Contract will keep you hooked from start to finish!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing!Overall I really enjoyed this. It brought out so many emotions and I found myself laughing and crying at times. However there are situations that I do not have experience in and do not know how other people will react. It reminded me of a rom com from years back that is just silly and you take it for surface value.