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What inspired you to write FORMULA FOR A PERFECT LIFE?
I wanted to write Kayla’s story (and the whole series) for college-age kids trying to live a Christian life in a secular world and specifically a secular university. I have college-age kids—both strong Christians—both attend secular universities—and the challenge at their age to balance their faith and worldview in a place where sin is rampant is very real. I worry about young adults who don’t know Jesus and who struggle with sin and forgiveness and self-worth.
Kayla Cummings stared at the two lines so long her vision blurred. Her breath came fast and faster until her lungs felt too full, too thick, too heavy to function. Her mind whirled, her neurons firing through a maze of wrong turns and dead ends. She dropped the stick with the prison-bar stripes onto the counter and fell back against the bathroom door, freefalling in the void of denial.
No. No. Just … NO.
"I recommend
Formula for a Perfect Life by Christy Hayes to readers searching for an inspirational contemporary romance. There’s a strong message about reserving sex for marriage and Christian faith is a part of the book. Overall, I enjoyed
Formula for a Perfect Life and it’s a keeper for my bookshelf."
"I enjoyed reading this reading this book. It had just enough faith references to serve as a reminder to keep the faith, especially as we are in a very weird place in our world right now. But it wasn't preachy. So I think even others who are less religious may still find some value in this book."
“I won’t keep you, honey, but I wanted to let you know Darcy will be in town this weekend.”
Ben rolled his eyes. His ma kept pushing him to officially get back together with Darcy. Although they’d broken up freshman year when they’d gone to different colleges, they were still a couple in every way that counted. Everyone—his parents, Darcy, her parents—still thought of them as a couple. It was only a matter of logistics. “That’s nice. Give her my best.”
“No, silly. She’s going to be at Addison State.”
His stomach glazed with ice. “Here? It’s the weekend before finals.” And why hadn’t she given him a heads-up?
"Let me say - I LOVED everything about this book! The cover is gorgeous, the story has all the feels and the mail characters (Kayla and Ben) have so much depth and emotion and have you rooting for them till the end! . . . I love how this book truly portrays the struggles. The hard choices that have to be made. . . . It’s not all sunshine and rainbows but you can get through it and be happy one way or another.
This is a top book for me for 2020, the connection I have to it is real."
"Wow! This was such a great story and is definitely up near the top of my list of favorites. . . . I loved the way this story progressed. . . . I felt that the romance between these two built naturally, starting with two people who did not really know each other and were uncomfortable with the situation, to a couple who truly cared for each other and the life that was created between them. This story was very nicely done."
"In the book
Formula for a Perfect Life by Christy Hayes, the characters go through a world-shifting experience that changes their life plans. . . . Though this is marketed as a Christian novel, it’s not sugary sweet. The situation heads into real-life territory."
As soon as the door closed behind her, Ben closed his eyes. What in the world was she doing here? He couldn’t wrap his mind around the strange turn of events. First Darcy, now Kayla. Thank goodness Darcy left before Kayla knocked on his door. How would he have explained that one? And how did he explain her showing up weeks after they’d shared an unforgettable night together? What could she possibly want from him now, the weekend before finals? He—they—should be studying.
Kayla emerged from the hallway, her shoulders back, her chin lifted. When she stopped a few feet from him, he noted her glassy eyes and pale skin.
"The novel is a cozy romantic read. It was a predictable read as there weren't many unexpected surprised or deep dark secrets. . . . it was a bit realistic. The book would be a good read for fans of cozy heartwarming romantic reads."
Kayla pulled her legs into her chest, tucking her face against her knees, choking on guilt and fear. She’d majorly screwed up, but this time she’d broken more than just her life—she’d broken Ben’s. Ben sat inches away. Wilting. Steeped in misery. She pitied them both, but like it or not, what was done was done. The time for pity was over. Feeling sorry for themselves was a luxury they couldn’t afford.
“The thing is, Ben, it’s not about us. What we did was weeks ago, and no matter how much we want to go back and change what happened, we can’t. It’s about the baby. Everything has to be about the baby. Because intended or not, however we decide to move forward, there is a baby and we’re both responsible.”
"This bittersweet story has merit in both the various individual character's personalities and in the situations involved. These are all well defined and "draws" the reader into the story causing the feeling of him/her being there. . . . The novel is very well-written. The connection of book and reader are strong and poignant."
"Christy Hayes tackles a challenging, but relevant, subject in her latest New Adult release.
Formula for a Perfect Life is about an unplanned pregnancy and the fallout that occurs for the two families whose lives will change."
"I liked this story. I liked who Kayla and Ben become by the end. Especially as they reach for a greater purpose and put away their own selfishness for the sake of their child. This story does bring us to a satisfying and sigh worthy conclusion and I was glad to go on this journey with them."
"Hayes kept me anchoured into the story - she didn't make excuses for her characters, nor did she overtly bring into the forum of their duress the inspirational messages you might have felt could have been added into the fray of their spiraling anxieties. . . . She openly lets her characters choose their own words and to fumble their own way through tomorrow . . . I needed a story to pull me back into the joy of reading- Hayes game me a story which rooted me into her characters' lives, gave me a reason to champion their cause and gave me such an uplift of joy to discover their story . . ."
"With a pinch of faith, this is a realistic and honest look into unplanned pregnancy along with the impact it has on the mother-to-be, the father-to-be, as well as their families. It also highlights how important strong friendships are in addition to family. Delightful, and a true example of the plans God has for us – even when we’re sure of what we want. And, sometimes it gives us the courage to stand up for ourselves."
"This is a sweet read by Christy Hayes that I will definitely recommend right from the start! . . . I was drawn in from the beginning of the book until the end and I really liked how the author used the phrase God has a plan for you Karebear. He sees outside the big picture where we can only see what is front of us. . . . I will be looking forward to reading more of this author's books in the future. She's just that enjoyable!"
“I know that.”
“You know what?”
“I know I probably can’t give the baby away. I love the idea of it. I’ve looked at some websites. I know there’s a need.”
“But?”
Kayla played with the hem of her shirt, rolling and unrolling it between her fingers. “I’m going to get attached. Even knowing it’s the right thing to do, I don’t think I can give it away and live with myself. I’d always wonder. I’d always miss it. I’d never recover.”
"It opened strong and kept my interest throughout. . . . This story doesn’t gloss over the difficulties or the negative views others reflect on couples finding themselves in unplanned pregnancies. It deals with all aspects reasonably and authentically, good and bad, and binds it together with soft and subtle Christian themes of perseverance, acceptance, forgiveness, and redemption."
"
Formula For a Perfect Life meets the new adult age group where they are at. It takes an honest look at the consequences of choices this demographic has to make every day, and it frames them in the light of Truth and grace. Well-written and engaging – even really cute at times – you’ll be invested in Kayla and Ben’s journey from beginning to end."
Don't forget to enter the giveaway at the end of this post...
Formula for a Perfect Life
By Christy Hayes
Christian New Adult Contemporary Romance
Paperback and ebook, 323 Pages
March 30th 2020
Two practical strangers. One fateful night. Two pink lines.
College senior and obsessive romantic Kayla Cummings' dreams of a storybook life are spun off course by an unplanned pregnancy after a one-night stand with her secret crush. Devastated, Kayla turns to her roommates and best friends for advice. No matter what she decides, no matter how deeply embarrassed, she has to tell the father.
Ben Strickland’s future is written in stone—as long as he gets a decent score on the Law School Admission Test. Feeling pressure from all sides, Ben struggles to juggle his upcoming finals, another shot at the LSAT, and his needy girlfriend Darcy. When the girl he spent a memorable night with weeks ago shows up at his doorstep pregnant, his already chaotic life spins out of control.
With the clock ticking, decisions to make, and a boatload of people to disappoint, Ben and Kayla embark on a journey neither anticipated—a journey where falling in love might be the biggest surprise of all. But when old hurts and buried secrets pose a greater threat to their future than impending parenthood, will Ben and Kayla go their separate ways or forge a new path to happy ever after?
(Affiliate link included.)
About the Author
Christy Hayes lives outside Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband and dogs. Christy writes Contemporary Romance, New Adult Romance, Christian Romance, and Women's Fiction. When not writing, she’s reading, walking dogs, or stalking her college-aged kids on social media.
Tour Giveaway
Three winners will receive an ebook of Maybe It's You by Christy Hayes
