I received a copy of this book for review purposes through Netgalley

This is a great quirky book with unique characters and an interesting, suspense-filled plot! I read this book in a little over a day and I really enjoyed it! One of the few disappointments was the fact that there was some adult humor.

For a full review, please visit my blog: http://bookreviewsfromachristiangal.blogspot.com/2014/01/prime-of-life.html ( )

This book starts off kind of slow and kind of weird at the same time. Ben has a severe anxiety disorder that manifests itself with OCD tendencies and a preference for prime numbers. Although these tendencies don’t seem to interfere with his daily life as a custodian, he does recognize that it is keeping him from having many meaningful personal relationships. This book follows his journey to forgive himself for a tragedy that happened during his years as a surgeon. A tragedy that pushed him to distance himself from everyone he knew at that time, which is how he ended up at Heritage Gardens.

The reader will quickly realize that he cares deeply for the residents at the Gardens and will do anything to help them. His journey of self-forgiveness leads him to deepen many of his friendships at the Gardens and afterwards, and eventually to deepen his relationship with God. I enjoyed it once I got deeper into the story, and I think it is a great vacation read.



Rating: 4

HEAT Rating: Sweet

Reviewed By: Daysie W.

Review Courtesy of: My Book Addiction and More

Source: Received for an honest review. ( )

I have a lot of adjectives to describe Pr1me of Life, P. D. Bekendam’s debut novel — zany, whacky, crazy, hilarious and thoughtful, poignant, and touching. Bet you didn’t think a book could illicit that many diverse sentiments did you? But a book featuring a cardiothoracic surgeon turned janitor at a retirement home filled with colorful and cantankerous characters has to have a lot going for it. I really enjoyed this one and recommend it.

Ben is deeply wounded and filled with regret and guilt. He copes in an uncontrollable world by seeking to control what he can. His OCD makes Monk look rational. While he has a number of quirks and phobias (there is a zipper-as-dangerous-object scene that is hysterical), he focuses primarily on prime numbers. From the number of stripes on his shirt to the number of steps he takes, Ben counts his way through life at Heritage Gardens seeing to the needs of the elderly clientele. His past remains secret until one observant resident and a lottery ticket comes into play. From that point on, his carefully constructed order comes crashing down.

Bekendam has written a book that is in turn laugh out loud funny and moving. I marveled at the number of ways he could have Ben’s prime obsession manifest itself — truly inventive. The characters he created are irascible and lovable and might remind you of your own elderly relative (or maybe yourself!). He also does a great job of exploring the nature of God in a world filled with tragedy and death. Although he doubts God’s sovereignty, Ben’s attempts at control fail miserably. There are lots of twists and turns to this story that will keep you on your toes. I never saw the end coming!

Fun and heartwarming, Pr1me of Life is a great book. And Bekendam uses the proceeds from sales to help reduce blindness in third world countries, so check it out! (Please note that one of the more cantankerous characters uses a bit of profanity — totally in character for him.)

Recommended.

(Thanks to Worthy Publishing for a review copy. The opinions expressed are mine alone.) ( )

After his brother, Andrew died on the operating table, Ben left his practice as a cardiothoracic surgeon and moved across the country to work as a janitor in a nursing home. Ben has OCD and is obsessed with prime numbers and washing. The residents come to treat him as they would a member of their own family and aren't above attempting a little matchmaking with a beautiful podiatrist, despairing over his inability to come of his shell. But when a winning lottery ticket is lost, the home in jeopardy of being sold to developers with intentions to turn it into a mall, and a new resident moves in with a surprising tie to an area of his past he wants desperately to put behind, Ben finds himself in various humorous and chaotic situations which exposes the secret he was so desperate to keep hidden. He discovers that with a little help and faith in God, the past isn't something to run away from as perhaps to learn from, and that perhaps he deserves more out of life. ( )

'Everyone has a past. The residents of Heritage Gardens figure out that their janitor has a past. He is at the prime of his life so what is he doing living around elderly people for three years? He has no love life, has no young friends.

Ben keeps to himself, alphabetizes his bookshelf and is into prime numbers.The only friends in his life are the residents of this retirement home. His job requires him to be available 24 hours a week therefore he really doesn't have a social life outside the retirement home. He seems to be quite content with his life.
Then one day, several events come into being while he is working there. He does notice that a young female podiatrist is taking care of the residents' health. Also, a niece of one of the residents comes to visit.
There is also a matter of the retirement being sold to a contractor. These three events force him to realize that he needs to let go of the past, learn from your mistakes and hopefully, find someone to love you not matter what the circumstances.

This is not my usual genre to read. It seemed humorous to me because most old folks will speak their mind no matter what.
They will argue with poeple and don't care what others think of them. ( )