Nine Month Contract Summary, Characters and Themes
Nine Month Contract by Amy Daws is a heartwarming, laugh-out-loud small-town romance that flips the traditional love story on its head.
It follows Wyatt Fletcher, a grumpy, rugged mountain man who wants to become a father—without the messiness of romance. When his meddlesome brothers post a hilariously blunt ad for a surrogate, Trista, a fiery, independent woman with her own baggage, answers the call. What starts as a strictly business arrangement soon spirals into an unexpected journey of love, family, and self-discovery. Packed with grumpy/sunshine dynamics, quirky family antics, and tender moments, this is a love story born from the most unconventional of contracts.
Summary
Wyatt Fletcher is the embodiment of the grumpy mountain man stereotype—rugged, stoic, and emotionally unavailable. Living in rural Colorado with his eccentric brothers, Calder and Luke, Wyatt has one singular goal: to become a father.
Romance?
Not interested.
Marriage?
Even less so.
After personal losses and family complications, Wyatt’s convinced that the best way to build a family is through a surrogacy arrangement, free of emotional entanglements. However, traditional surrogacy agencies prove frustratingly ineffective for Wyatt’s blunt, no-nonsense approach.
Taking matters into their own hands, Wyatt’s meddling brothers post a hilariously crude advertisement online.
The ad is ridiculous, but surprisingly effective—it attracts the attention of Everly, Wyatt’s spirited, no-filter niece, who’s determined to find the perfect woman for her grumpy uncle.
Enter Trista, a bold, independent woman with a sharp wit, cowboy boots, and a chip on her shoulder.
Financial struggles and a rocky past have made her fiercely self-reliant. After being rejected by a surrogacy agency for not fitting the “ideal candidate” mold, she crosses paths with Everly in a chaotic, laugh-out-loud encounter that involves a glass door and an impromptu heart-to-heart.
Everly is convinced Trista is the perfect match—not just as a surrogate, but potentially as something more.
Wyatt and Trista’s first meeting is a clash of stubborn wills. Wyatt is gruff, blunt, and awkward, while Trista doesn’t hold back her sarcasm or opinions. Despite their prickly dynamic, there’s an undeniable spark simmering beneath the surface.
They agree to a strictly professional arrangement: Trista will be Wyatt’s surrogate, no emotional involvement, with housing provided on Wyatt’s rustic mountain property.
Living under the same roof, however, proves challenging. Wyatt’s grumpy demeanor and Trista’s fiery independence collide daily, resulting in snarky banter, awkward silences, and moments of unexpected tenderness.
Wyatt’s protective instincts kick in as Trista navigates her pregnancy, but he masks his growing affection with gruffness and grunts. Meanwhile, Trista is drawn to Wyatt’s quiet strength and glimpses of vulnerability, even as she reminds herself that this is just a business deal.
The Fletcher brothers, Calder and Luke, add a layer of humor and heart to the story. Calder is the prankster, always stirring the pot, while Luke is the laid-back mediator. Their annual tradition, “Dark Night”—a raw, emotional bonding ritual—reveals the deep-seated grief and trauma the brothers share, especially surrounding their father’s death.
Trista’s presence disrupts their routine, forcing the family to confront buried emotions and old wounds.
As the pregnancy progresses, Wyatt’s emotional walls begin to crumble. He attends every doctor’s appointment, builds furniture for the baby, and shows up for Trista in ways that blur the lines of their contract.
One emotionally charged night leads to a passionate kiss, but Wyatt, terrified of his feelings, pulls away, claiming it was a mistake. Heartbroken, Trista puts on a brave face, but the tension between them becomes impossible to ignore.
The breaking point comes when Trista overhears Wyatt telling his brothers that the surrogacy contract “kept things simple.” Crushed, she packs her bags and leaves, believing she was nothing more than a means to an end. Wyatt spirals after her departure, realizing just how much she means to him.
His brothers stage an intervention, forcing him to admit the truth: he’s in love with Trista.
In a grand, heartfelt gesture, Wyatt tracks Trista down in Boulder. He confesses that the contract no longer matters because he doesn’t just want a baby—he wants her. He pours out his feelings, vulnerable and raw, finally tearing down the emotional walls he’s hidden behind.
Trista, initially guarded, breaks down as Wyatt promises her a future without conditions or contracts.
Trista returns to the mountain, and they officially start their relationship—not as surrogate and client, but as partners. The novel concludes with Trista giving birth to a baby girl, surrounded by the chaotic, loving Fletcher family. In a tender moment, Wyatt proposes—not with a ring, but with a simple, heartfelt promise.
The epilogue reveals their happily ever after: Trista is pregnant again, this time by choice, and Wyatt is still his grumpy, soft-hearted self—completely smitten with the woman who turned his life upside down.
Characters
Wyatt Fletcher
Wyatt Fletcher is the quintessential grumpy mountain man who craves solitude and simplicity, both in his life and in his relationships. He is a man of few words, often communicating through grunts and short sentences, reflecting his blunt and straightforward nature.
Despite his rough exterior, Wyatt is deeply scarred by past relationships, particularly the loss of his father, which has created emotional walls that he struggles to let down. He is a man who has deliberately chosen to pursue fatherhood through surrogacy, seeing it as a pragmatic solution to his desire to have a child without complicating things with romance or emotional ties.
His gruff demeanor masks a tender side, especially when it comes to his family and his growing affection for Trista. As the story unfolds, Wyatt begins to confront his emotional baggage, realizing that his feelings for Trista go beyond the boundaries of their contract.
He is ultimately a man of great depth, who, despite his fears, is capable of immense love and vulnerability.
Trista
Trista is a fiercely independent woman who carries her own emotional scars. She has faced numerous personal struggles, including financial difficulties and emotional baggage from past relationships, which have shaped her tough exterior.
Trista is initially skeptical about the surrogacy arrangement with Wyatt, but as she spends more time with him, she begins to see beyond his gruffness and is drawn to his quiet strength and tenderness. She is not afraid to challenge Wyatt, often using her sarcasm and wit to keep him on his toes.
Her journey in the story is one of self-discovery and emotional growth, as she learns to confront her own fears and vulnerabilities. Over time, Trista’s feelings for Wyatt deepen, even though she is initially reluctant to cross the line between surrogate and romantic partner.
She represents the “sunshine” to Wyatt’s “grumpy,” balancing his darkness with her warmth, and her transformation from a woman simply fulfilling a contract to a woman in love is one of the most poignant elements of the story.
Everly Fletcher
Everly is Wyatt’s energetic and resourceful niece, whose determination plays a pivotal role in the development of the story. Frustrated with the surrogacy agencies’ failure to find a suitable match for Wyatt, Everly takes matters into her own hands, finding Trista and convincing her to meet Wyatt.
Her meddling may seem intrusive, but it is rooted in genuine care for her uncle. Everly is a character who embodies optimism and hope, always looking for the silver lining and working to ensure that her family’s emotional needs are met, even if it means orchestrating situations to bring people together.
While she is young and often impulsive, Everly’s insights into the emotional dynamics of the family are spot-on, and her actions ultimately guide Wyatt and Trista toward a deeper connection.
Calder Fletcher
Calder is the prankster middle brother in the Fletcher family, known for his playful antics and his ability to stir trouble with a smile. He brings comic relief to the story, especially in his interactions with Wyatt, where he enjoys pushing his brother’s buttons.
Despite his lighthearted nature, Calder is deeply loyal and protective of his family. He plays an important role in helping Wyatt realize his feelings for Trista, offering support and advice when Wyatt is struggling to confront his emotions.
Calder’s ability to blend humor with heart makes him a crucial part of the emotional backbone of the story, and his own journey toward vulnerability adds an additional layer of depth to the family dynamics.
Luke Fletcher
Luke is the laid-back, easygoing member of the Fletcher family, often acting as the peacemaker between his more temperamental brothers. He is the one who keeps the peace, offering calm and rational advice when tensions arise.
Luke’s role in the story is less about driving the plot forward and more about providing stability and emotional support, especially for Wyatt as he works through his personal issues.
While Luke may not be as overtly involved in the emotional development of the main romance, his presence serves as an anchor for the family, and his quiet wisdom helps guide Wyatt toward a happier, more fulfilling future with Trista.
Themes
The Complexity of Emotional Walls and Vulnerability in the Face of Grief
A significant theme in Nine Month Contract revolves around the protagonist Wyatt Fletcher’s emotional barriers, shaped by the deep grief he experiences after losing his father. Wyatt is a rugged, grumpy man who hides behind a tough exterior, a shield designed to protect him from emotional pain.
His attempt to avoid romantic entanglements and his decision to pursue a surrogacy contract instead of a traditional relationship speaks volumes about his desire to control his emotional world. However, as the narrative unfolds, his emotional walls begin to crumble, especially as he develops an unexpected bond with Trista, the woman he hired to be his surrogate.
His vulnerability is revealed through his protective instincts and the way he increasingly cares for her, even though he continuously tries to resist it. This theme explores how grief and emotional baggage can shape a person’s behavior and how, over time, the right person can challenge these defenses, allowing for personal growth and emotional healing.
The Power Dynamics in Unconventional Family Structures and the Role of Tradition
Another theme explored in Nine Month Contract is the power dynamics within unconventional family structures, particularly in the context of Wyatt’s rugged mountain family.
Wyatt and his brothers, Calder and Luke, share a unique bond, with traditions such as the “Dark Night” ritual, which helps them work through their trauma and support one another. These rituals create an atmosphere where family members challenge each other’s emotions, pushing each other to confront their vulnerabilities.
The story also examines how Wyatt’s unconventional approach to family—seeking a surrogate rather than a traditional relationship—contrasts with the deeply ingrained familial expectations that he struggles with. The tension between these expectations and Wyatt’s desire for a child without the strings of romantic commitment highlights the complexities of balancing personal desires with family obligations and traditions.
The theme underscores the power that traditions hold in helping families cope with emotional challenges while also acknowledging the ways these traditions can be disrupted by new, more unconventional paths.
Redefining Relationships in an Age of Emotional Autonomy and Non-Traditional Family Choices
Nine Month Contract delves into the theme of redefining relationships in an era where emotional autonomy and non-traditional family choices are increasingly normalized.
The story plays with the idea of what a family should look like and how love can exist without fitting into traditional molds.
Wyatt’s decision to engage in a surrogacy contract with Trista, without the intention of a romantic relationship, at first represents his desire to bypass emotional entanglements.
However, the deep connection that forms between them highlights the theme that love and commitment can take many forms, even in the absence of traditional expectations.
The novel portrays how relationships evolve, how they can start from contractual or practical origins but develop into something much deeper and more complex as the characters confront their fears, insecurities, and emotional needs.
It challenges the notion that relationships must follow a standard path to be genuine and meaningful, showing that non-traditional families can be just as emotionally rich and fulfilling as conventional ones.
The Internal Struggle Between Independence and Emotional Connection in a Contractual Arrangement
A major theme in the book is the internal struggle between independence and emotional connection, which is most strongly represented by Trista’s character.
Trista is fiercely independent, having battled her own personal struggles and financial difficulties. Initially, she enters the surrogacy arrangement with Wyatt as a practical decision, motivated by the financial compensation and her own need for stability.
However, as she spends more time with Wyatt and becomes emotionally invested in both him and the pregnancy, she faces an intense internal conflict. She grapples with her growing feelings for Wyatt, who challenges her emotionally and tests her independence.
The tension between her desire for self-reliance and her deepening emotional connection with Wyatt drives much of the conflict in the narrative.
Trista’s journey highlights the difficulty of reconciling personal independence with the vulnerability that comes with emotional attachment, especially when those feelings challenge previously held beliefs about relationships and self-worth.
The Humorous Yet Heartfelt Exploration of Non-Linear Personal Growth and Healing
A recurring theme throughout Nine Month Contract is the humorous yet heartfelt exploration of non-linear personal growth and emotional healing. The book presents this theme through both Wyatt and Trista’s development.
Wyatt, in particular, is portrayed as a grumpy, seemingly emotionless figure, yet the gradual softening of his character shows how healing and growth do not follow a linear path. His relationship with Trista doesn’t just change him; it forces him to reevaluate his entire outlook on family, love, and fatherhood.
The story balances humor and tenderness as Wyatt’s emotional journey is not without its setbacks—whether it’s a misunderstanding with Trista or the challenge of overcoming his own pride. The family dynamics, especially with his brothers, bring lighthearted moments that contrast with the deep emotional undercurrents of the plot.
This blend of humor and sincerity illustrates that personal growth can be messy, unpredictable, and at times, hilarious, but it’s all part of the healing process that ultimately leads to a more open, loving, and fulfilled version of oneself.