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.

This had some promise with character development but just fell a little flat for me in terms of landing the strangers to romance storyline. Little too much “Mountain Man” references for me among other things

DNF. I never do this, but the niece being involved in her uncles endeavour for a baby was too much for me.

this was a fun, quick, hilarious read full of obstacles and triumphs that would make any romance reader excited to keep reading.

A lighthearted and funny grumpy x sunshine romcom with a pregnancy trope (not a spoiler). It had laugh-out-loud moments, great animal humor, and a hilarious FMC (“You’re a cow” was too funny). I loved the strong friendship-based dynamic and tension between the leads. The FMC’s journey with found family really resonated with me. Perfect for fans of Baby Mama!

This book gave me all the feelings, I enjoyed the plus-size FMC. By the end of the book, I was so connected to every animal and person in this book, I was crying with them. I loved this book so much! I can't wait to read more in this universe!!
Thank you, NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, Canary Street Press, and Amy Daws, for the chance to read this book for an honest review.

The Nine-Month Contract

I took a week to write this review because I didn't want to be swept up by my negative feelings. Unfortunately, even after much reflection, I did not enjoy this book.

I suppose the best way to review this book is to list what I found unlikeable.

1. Wyatt
I want to say that I don't believe that everyone has to be in the perfect position in their life to have children. But I disliked Wyatt's reasons for having children and his entire behavior around the endeavor. These reasons boil down to his dad dying (fine), his niece going off to college (terrible), and wanting to have sole custody and never share his kid (horrific). I just felt that I could see this child's terrible life with their maladjusted father isolated from everyone, staying on the mountain unless he decided to take them down.

Even though his niece is 18, Wyatt and his brothers display a possessiveness that I am supposed to find endearing. Understandably, she felt she had to go to Ireland to have some breathing room.

All women, except those related to Wyatt and the female main character, are untrustworthy. He pats himself on the back for living promiscuously at one point. But if he senses attraction from a woman; she is too eager and shady.

The surrogacy agency lets him go for rejecting not one or two but twelve candidates. The surrogates are of two kinds: 1. single and thus untrustworthy or 2. married and therefore he can't have complete control of them. ("It never sat right with me thinking of my child hanging out, in utero with another family. Another man."). So, no one will be good enough if they have even signed up for the agency.

He is immediately disappointed that he can't sleep with Trista. And, because he is a classic misogynist he says she's not like other women.

My main problem is his unreasonable and violent jealousy. No one likes being cheated on and the addition of his brothers in this messy situation can't help. But it frankly makes him scary, how angry he gets when anyone talks to Trista: her boss, her friend, his brothers.

"I don't like boundaries. Boundaries feel like secrets."- This is such a scary mentality that I felt pity for everyone tied up with this extremely unwell and dysfunctional man.

"Either this man is into dubious consent or he's horny all the time."

2. Trista

She is in a terrible financial situation and desperate for affection. That puts the writing on the wall and can only foster unfortunate dependence on this man.

He has the solution to all her problems. She needs money, he'll pay her to be his surrogate. She's being kicked out of her apartment, he has one next door she can use. She needs a barn because she owns a pig, he has a mostly empty barn. She has no loving relations, his family loves and accepts her. It would be a perfect on-paper situation if he wasn't a jealous weirdo.

She seems to be suffering from body dysmorphia. We are also supposed to see that as separate from her constantly referring to herself as an inseminated cow. I understand that this is meant to show that she is distancing herself from the baby and from seeing herself as its mother. It felt so poorly thought out to have both these things together and unexamined. At one point Wyatt even begins to repeat that she is a cow. It is unbelievable She also then attributes her lack of love life to people leaving her because she's fat.

She finally stands up for herself by pointing out that he is unreasonable, jealous, and smothering, and they immediately hook up. This frustrated me so much.

3. The Surrogacy

There is no attempt to do this in any sort of professional manner. Wyatt has no egg donor, so she is also donating an egg. Trista's circumstances make it so there is too much urgency to think any decision through. For some reason, they decide to begin immediately using an aspirin syringe and have her inseminate herself in this bed. Why besides showing that they never intended to erect any boundaries?

"Stay in the barn. Like an animal, like a concubine, like a whore."

"Remind you that I am giving up a baby from my body for money at the end of all this because of how much I struggle."

"And you are weaponizing my greatest weaknesses against me by offering me this apartment. "


4. The Brothers

Wyatt has three brothers one who lives in town and two who also have homes on the mountain. We are constantly told that he loves his brothers. But internally he has a lot of mistrust and anger towards them that he doesn't seem to consider this abnormal.

This is because they all fell for the same woman and lied to each other about sleeping with her. They initially make a bet to try sleeping with this woman who like Trista lived in the apartment above the bar. They make her a sexual conquest but are mad that she is playing them. "May the best man win." I have the least pity for this kind of bet amongst men. She lies about being pregnant for Wyatt and ultimately is found out to be lying about the paternity and is still married. It messes everyone up. No one gets therapy.

This leads Wyatt to scare his brothers away from Trista due to his trust issues. They are too afraid to speak to her and can't visit her because he scares them. This scares me.

The brothers decide to go to a sex club together. Whatever the plan was there it is so weird to suggest that I can't look past it.

Minor Quibbles

-Nothing is funny
"The foreskin of newborn babies being comfortable" is such a weird and demented line.

-It is so written at a particular time and to a trend that it felt outdated already e.g. "my dad is done rizzing my stepmother."

-His mother playing "the dead husband card until I'm also dead and cold in the ground" is messed up.


This book was so opposite to my tastes that I went back to check if I hadn't read the description properly. I feel like there should be some warning about the extreme jealousy, possessiveness, and misogyny. But I suppose those are hardly marketable traits.

"You're not my dad, Wyatt. You're not even my daddy"- 56%
If I had to suffer that line so do you.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARC. This review contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

3.5/5 Stars ⭐️

I want to thank Net Galley & Harper Collins for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

To start I really loved where this book took place, the setting the mountain men. I loved seeing how much Everly loves her uncles and wants to see them happy while playing matchmaker. Trista reluctantly makes a deal with Wyatt to carry his baby, and in exchange, she gets a place to live. It was interesting to see the author's take on being a surrogate; I feel like not many romance novels I've read have ever touched on that, so it was a really interesting perspective.

I loved Trista, but this girl needs some more confidence; I felt like her character was very contradictory with being confident with how she looks and then reverting back to being insecure. I just really really reallyyyyyy wish her character was more confident and didn't compare herself to a cow every few chapters. It's one thing to make characters plus size and curvy but another thing to compare to farm animals. It was the one thing that knocked down my rating a bit.

I liked Trista and Wyatt's romance, and I think I am starting to like the pregnancy trope. I'm excited for the next book in this series. The covers are STUNNING, and the boss/nanny romance is going to be so good, I am frothing at the mouth for the next book, and I cannot wait to see where this series is going to go

Not for me. I am not a fan of the overuse of pop culture in books, especially when it comes to slang terms that are typically out of date by the time the book is even published. I did not care for either main character in this book. Wyatt was just strange. I can't understand someone placing such a high priority on family all while actively distrusting them around a woman he barely knows. Trista's only likable trait in my opinion was her relationship with her rescues. Her constantly comparing the baby in her stomach a goat turd also really turned me off to her, and the book in general. Everyone in this book was just weird.