Cute Christian romance! Not my favorite but good for a rainy day. Characters felt a bit flat for me.

A young couple studying at the same university end up pregnant after just a one-night hook-up.

This story is pretty much about how they and their families and friends deal with the reality of it all and what the future holds. It's a love story that also talks about drugs, broken relationships, and the death of a family member.

This was a really great sweet and quick read, I loved how nicely written it was as well.

Formula for a Perfect Life by Christy Hayes

“Kayla Cummings. Don’t think for one second you’re unlovable because you have a baby. Whoever God has planned for you is in for a double blessing. He’ll be ready and willing to love you both.”

I didn’t have much expectations when I picked up this book as this is my first from this author. The story kind of grew on me the more I read it. The story is not new and it’s an issue that we hear or read in our society.

The book starts with Kayla finding out that she’s pregnant. Imagine college pregnancy and a big future ahead of you. Ben, Kayla and their families were shocked and emotional over this obstacle to their future. I like that Ben turned out to be a responsible person. I like their decision to keep the child a lot.

It’s a simple but a realistic story. It’s a love story. A love between two people, among friends and among family members. I enjoyed how God made something good out of a bad situation. 4 stars

*Thank you netgalley and CAH LLC for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is the story of Kayla and Ben, and how their one night stand turns their last semester of college and their world upside down. 6 weeks after hooking up, Kayla realizes she’s pregnant, pre law Ben is studying for his LSAT with only law school on his mind. That is until Kayla drops the bomb that she’s pregnant. It’s got family some strife, friends coming together for support and a little bit of Jesus. All in all it was an okay book.

super cute read, i’m kind of obsessed and i will be checking out more book about this author in the future!

It's hard for me to say but I don't think I was the right audience for this book. I didn't know this was a christian book and I think it will be very important that this book be marketed that way. I'm a practicing catholic and don't mind reading books about Christian values. My problem with this book was that it was just too saccharin sweet. There were tough topics and everything tied up in a nice pretty bow. I didn't find the characters likable.

I came across this book on Netgalley under the romance section - the cover and synopsis definitely reeled me in. Thank you NetGalley and Christy Hayes for sending an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Good to know: This book is a contemporary-romance novel with a fast-build. It is packed with family and relationship drama. It is an easy read with a light, yet descriptive, writing style.

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed the idea behind the plot for this book: getting pregnant from a one-night-stand? I'd love to read more about it! Although the idea behind the plot was great, I really wish the book had paced it more realistically. To be more specific, I wish that Kayla's and Ben's relationship had been more of a slow-burn, instead of jumping right into it and confessing his love over a short amount of time. I understand the urgency Ben might've felt to jump into the relationship, but I hoped for more. Also, there were times where the writing was too descriptive for my liking. It seemed like there was more description of various things, rather than connecting the reader to the characters. That's another thing, I couldn't find myself to like, enjoy, and connect with the characters. Overall, this book and storyline have so much potential.

Recommend: I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoys contemporary-romance novels and/or want a simple, light read!

Thank you netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

When I started this book, I didn’t realize that it was faith based. As someone that is involved in that community, I’ll admit that once I realized this book had a Christian twinge I was quick to turn to my cynical side. I’m pleased to say my cynicism was proven wrong.

Too often the Christian culture can quickly place shame or labels on persons that engage in pre-marital sex. I was concerned that this would be a warning of don’t turn out like this main character or your life will be ruined. While the story did address how gossip and rumors could accompany an unplanned pregnancy, I appreciated that it continued to focus on the opinions of the two young parents as the ones that mattered. The focus was on the health of the baby and the relationships of those effected by this surprise.

I’m grateful for the opportunity to have read this book and especially to have had the opportunity to be proven wrong by my expectations.

I loved Ben and Kayla’s relationship growth in the book. I would like to see more of them especially with Webb.

I was surprised when I started tor read this book that this was a Christian romance book and regardless of my beliefs, I read anyways expecting a cute romance book and it was but that's all it was.

It is your typical romantic comedy that you would love if you enjoy Hallmark Movies. Kayla Cumming is your average girl that is obsessed with the movie perfect romance and finds herself in trouble when she has an unplanned pregnancy after having a one night stand. Ben is busy with law school, a needy girlfriend and somehow finds himself tangled in the life of Kayla when she shows up and tells him.

The one thing that, it was very unrealistic. It felt like there was really no big conflict, no hurdles, it was all smooth and the issues went away quickly and maybe that's because it's a christian novel in which i am no way bashing, I went into this with an open mind and knowing that everyone is entitled to their morals and beliefs but because of the heavy emphasis in god, I found the situation between Kayla and Ben felt unrealistic but if you like cute romance stories that are all fluff and happy endings, You will enjoy it.

“There’s no formula for a happy ever after in real life. It’s not like all those books you read.”

This book was cute. For the most part, I enjoyed reading it. There was a strong sisterhood with Kayla and her roommates. I love a good women supporting women storyline. Kayla and Ben were good characters. I liked both their POVs. The growth they went through felt realistic and well-paced.

Yet most Kayla and Ben’s story was smooth sailing. I wanted more resistance. I wanted the “resistance” there was to actually mater, to have some effect. The major conflict was blown off and played off like it didn’t even matter. Maybe it’s because this was a shorter book, but it felt rushed, it tried to cover too much ground.

The main reason this book and I didn’t click that well was the preachy tone it often took. This was a Christian romance. I’ve read books by Christian authors before, and they have been able to work faith and God into the story without shoving it down the reader’s throat. Some parts of this book were subtle, mentions of faith and morals woven in smoothly. Other parts felt like I was back in middle school, being lectured on how my body is God’s sacred temple, and anything I do with it would bring shame to my family and me. There were times I had to set this book down and calm myself down. Everyone is entitled to their faith and morals, but that doesn’t mean it’s okay to shame people into your way of thinking.

Maybe I wasn’t the audience this book was looking for, but still, I enjoyed this book well enough.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC. This is my honest opinion.

It follows Kayla and Ben’s two very driven students who have a one night stand that results in a pregnancy. That definitely puts a dent in all their plans and doesn’t life throw a dent in our plans all the time? It was my first Christy Hayes and I loved it. Highly recommend it.

The cover got me interested in this book. I wasn't aware that this was going to be a Christian based novel so that was a surprise.This book was very easy to read. It is very Hallmark Christmas movie in the way everything ends up working itself out. Even though this was Christian based, I appreciated the consideration of talking about abortion. This book was good to read to distract me fro the current world pandemic situation we're dealing with. I'd avoid if I were very turned off by religion, but since I have no super strong beliefs either way the content did not turn me off.

3 Stars

Formula for a Perfect Life by Christy Hayes is about two college seniors who end up having an unplanned pregnancy after a one-night stand. The author bravely addressed abortion, adoption, and becoming young parents.

This was a cute quick read in the young adult romance genre. Without giving spoilers, Kayla and Ben maturely tackle their surprise and discuss their options together. Of course there are some family and relationship set-backs, but both characters focus on their growing family and the plan God has for them.

I appreciated the faith element incorporated in the book. Specifically, letting go of our “formulas” for the perfect romance, and trusting in the plan that God has for us. This is the first book by Christy Hayes that I have read, and now I want to read more of her novels.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for a fair review. I truly enjoyed this book, and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

Kayla and Ben spent one night together, weeks ago, and haven't spoken since. Kayla finds out she's pregnant and has to tell Ben, who has a girlfriend. This story follows them as they make decisions and navigate what to do the semester before graduating college.

I enjoyed this book. I like the way the author brought religion into it, without making it cliche. I loved Ben's character and the growth he went through. I wasn't the biggest fan of Kayla though. I felt like there was a lot happening in this book, and it was very interesting, I just wish it had been fleshed out more. The last few chapters wrapped everything up way too quickly, and I felt like there could have been more added. Overall, I enjoyed the story.

Read it from netgalley and really loved it! Great story about an unexpected pregnancy after a one night stand that actually had a happy ending! Loved the characters and how they managed to put their relationship first even though they faced many obstacles.

Formula for a Perfect Life was a precious young adult novel, I loved the Christianity weaved throughout this book. The two main characters got themselves caught up in a one night stand that resulted in an unexpected pregnancy. They become closer to God and find strength in their faith. This book is a novel that takes place in the good ole south. It is a sweet romance novel about two kids that have to grow up very quickly because of the mistake they make. This situation can happen to anyone and leaning on the Lord is all that can get you through it. I highly recommend this novel for young and old readers it is a very sweet story.

I really like this story, and some of the struggles the characters faced in their situation seemed to be portrayed realistically. However, both Ben and Kayla were written a little flatly, and the amount of conflict left something to be desired.

I received a advanced copy from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. Thank you for my copy.
I thought it was a cute, quick, and emotional story. I just didn’t know it had a faith based undertones within the story. I wasn’t aware it was a faith based book before I read it. And that explained a lot of Kayla’s struggle in the beginning of the book.
The book was about college students Kayla and Ben that had to deal with the consequences of a one night hook up. After getting to know each other love blossomed. But they have to deal with friends, families, and ex’s. And they have to figure out their future, which was done beautifully. I was rooting for them the whole time. I loved Kayla and her positive outlook in life. And Ben was great dealing with his own struggles, but wanting to be a better person to Kayla. I recommend this book!!

Formula For A Perfect Life is a very realistic read. The story honestly could be everyday life and what people Experience. Now saying that, was the book unique yes and no. I haven’t read a book with this story line but it is very realistic and there’s nothing really new.