Nine Month Contract (Mountain Men Matchmaker, 1)

super cute! love how this book shows an unconventional way of creating a family and falling in love. every situation is unique. also really enjoyed how the mfc is a bigger woman like myself and the author is able to shine a light and some of the stigmas that come with being bigger. but the mfc is strong and holds her own. but then this big mountain man comes in and shows her how a family can actually be and that he will be there for her through anything? I need my own mountain man

“Thirty-eight-year-old single male seeks surrogate to carry his baby and fulfill his dream of becoming a father…pleasing to the naked eye and open to love from a grouchy mountain man who wants a life beyond mountain views and goat manure…Compensation will be market competitive. Applicants must sign a legal contract with agreed-upon terms and prepare to sign away all parental rights upon delivery of baby. Rural mountain housing outside of Boulder available upon request.” Trista Matthews is happy, easygoing, and low-key respects the fact that Wyatt Fletcher wants to become a single parent, even if it’s not something she ever wanted for herself. “That takes some balls. And sperm. And an egg and uterus, which I am pretty certain I have ready and available.” She’s been let go from her fair share of jobs on account of being Lady McLateface, but Aunt Flo always arrives on time. Surrogacy could be her opportunity to leave everything behind and put all her ovarian eggs–and her pet pig–in this basket. “This is an unusual situation. But when the only woman who came into your life and felt right for the job of being a surrogate happens to have a potbellied pig, I guess it called for an unusual answer…I’m ready to become a father. And Trista Matthews is my hope to get there.” “I genuinely thought my dream was to become a single dad, and a contract could keep me safe from all of that. But now, I have different dreams. I want Trista to want all of this with me. I want her to want the baby, [my family], this mountain. Me. I want it all, even at the risk of life-changing pain.” Will the story that started as a surrogate and a single guy conclude with a happy ending beyond all their wildest dreams? Or will it end “like a country song: brokenhearted mountain man living alone with his goat thinking about the one who got away?” Hot, horrifying, hilarious. A modern Seven Brides for Seven Brothers remake with surrogacy, sex and “love bombing but in a weird mountain-man surrogate-dad sort of way.” Amy Daws’ Nine Month Contract is a masterpiece!

This was such a heartwarming roller coaster ride of emotions! I loved all the aspects of loss, grief, fear, joy and love this story goes through. I love finding new authors (at least to me)☺️ Thank you to Teddy Hamilton since I found Amy Daws through looking up your works! Absolutely amazing and now I have a new favorite author.

Nine Month Contract by Amy Daws delivers everything I crave in a romance: humor, heart, and a slow-burn connection that sizzles off the page. At its core, this story beautifully explores the concept of found family, weaving together moments of vulnerability, laughter, and love in a way that feels authentic and deeply satisfying.

Wyatt, the grumpy, broody mountain man with a heart of gold, wants a baby — no relationship, no strings attached. Enter Trista, a sunshine-filled force of nature, who signs up to be his surrogate. Their dynamic is pure magic. The push-and-pull between Wyatt’s guarded nature and Trista’s warmth creates a slow-burn romance that kept me glued to the pages. Wyatt’s protective streak — complete with a “look at her and you’ll die” attitude — is the kind of guilty pleasure I can’t resist, and it pairs perfectly with Trista’s fierce independence and love for animals.

Amy Daws masterfully balances humor and emotion in this romcom. The witty banter had me laughing out loud, while the tender moments tugged at my heartstrings. The steamy scenes? Absolutely worth the wait. Wyatt’s “acts of service” love language made every quiet gesture speak volumes, and Trista’s strength and compassion shone through in every interaction.

What truly sets this book apart is the sense of belonging that forms around Wyatt and Trista — a found family that’s as heartwarming as the romance itself. Wyatt’s brothers, his loving mother, and especially his 18-year-old niece Everlee add so much warmth to the story. Everlee plays matchmaker in her uncle’s love life, and her bond with Trista adds another layer of connection that makes this unconventional family even more endearing.

If you’re looking for a story that makes you laugh, swoon, and maybe shed a tear or two, Nine Month Contract is a must-read. Amy Daws has crafted a tale that’s equal parts hilarious, emotional, and undeniably steamy. While I wished for a bit more depth in some areas, the heartwarming found family and the chemistry between Wyatt and Trista make this a romance worth diving into.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — A heartwarming grumpy-sunshine romance with humor, heat, and a family you’ll wish you were part of.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for providing the E-ARC in exchange for my honest review!!

Such a fun, palate cleansing read! Trista and her animals are perfection. Throw in a Mountain Man? Yes please.