His Name Was Ben

by Paulette Mahurin

Hearing the words “it’s cancer,” threw Sara Phillips’ life into chaos, until an unexpected turn of events and a chance encounter with a stranger changed everything—his name was Ben. Based on real events, Ben and Sara discover that when all else fails, healing can come in the most unexpected ways. Chilling and heart wrenching, His Name Was Ben is a triumph over the devastating circumstances and fear experienced when faced with a terminal illness. In this narrative, the power of love conquers shadows and transforms the very nature and meaning of what it is to be fully alive. From the award winning, best-selling author of, The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap, comes a story filled with soul and passion that will leave the reader thinking about it for days after the last page is closed.

“Paulette Mahurin compassionately renders an insightful tale about love and life in the moment, when a moment is all there is. Both ordinary and extraordinary, Sara and Ben kept me up at night rooting for them, as did Mahurin of course, a writer of exceptional heart, for her tender and wise depiction of love against all odds. A rare pleasure, His Name Was Ben is not to be missed.”—Lee Fullbright, author of The Angry Woman Suite

“Against the biggest of obstacles a couple can face, the positive message is that it is never too late to start living.” –Christoph Fischer author of Sebastian.

236 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Paulette Mahurin is a best selling literary fiction and historical fiction novelist. She lives with her husband Terry and two dogs, Max and Bella, in Ventura County, California. She grew up in West Los Angeles and attended UCLA, where she received a Master’s Degree in Science.

Her first novel, The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap, made it to Amazon bestseller lists and won awards, including best historical fiction 2012 in Turning the Pages Magazine. Her second novel, His Name Was Ben, originally written as an award winning short story while she was in college and later expanded into a novel, rose to bestseller lists its second week out. Her third novel, To Live Out Loud, won international critical acclaim and made it to multiple sites as favorite read book of 2015. Her fourth book, The Seven Year Dress, made it to the top ten bestseller lists on Amazon U.S., Amazon U.K. and Amazon Australia. Her fifth book, The Day I Saw The Hummingbird, was released in 2017 to rave reviews. Her sixth book, A Different Kind of Angel, was released in August, 2018.

Semi-retired, she continues to work part-time as a Nurse Practitioner in Ventura County. When she’s not writing, she does pro-bono consultation work with women with cancer, works in the Westminster Free Clinic as a volunteer provider, volunteers as a mediator in the Ventura County Courthouse for small claims cases, and involves herself, along with her husband, in dog rescue. Profits from her books go to help rescue dogs from kill shelters.

Reviews

[Dean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sara and Ben's story is a dramatic love story!!
The dynamic, power and dramatic impact in Mahurins tale, is based on the fact that both of them have no time left to lose!!
They are caught within a very narrow and limited time frame..

Ben is a young lawyer having only months lo live due to a terminal cancer raging havoc in his body, and Sara is a survivor from breast cancer still struggling with it..

"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage"
Lao_Tzu

Paulette Mahurin has delivered a powerful story and captured the eternal spirit of an all-surpassing love!!
Even death is no match, and must surrender like an helpless hostage to the the eternal and regenerating power of love..

At the end of the day I can say that reading Sara and Bens story has uplifted and inspired me!!!

Although you will be confronted with sufferings and pain, let me say it clearly that this is not the main message carried out in this bitter- sweet love story!!

Mahurins novel, gives and delivers powerful to the reader the preciousness of life itself..
And in spite of sufferings, pain and even death, the prevailing force behind the universum is love inhibited in eternal souls..

Dean;)

[Wanda Hartzenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I almost managed to read this book in one sitting. Almost.
Ben meets a girl. Ok a woman whom is treated by the same oncologist he is seeing for the first time...
So begins an epic love story at times raw with naked truth about cancer at others lyrical about the mere act of living. Between our main two protagonists is a dog. One Ben learns to love as both he and his new love interest learn how to take a crash coarse with coming to terms with what formed them, driven their actions and dictated how they would live their lives.
Together the two love birds and Tazzie the mini-rotti lives through more subplots in a matter of months than the two human protagonists dealt with in their 45 + years leading up to diagnosis.

Ultimately this story does not romantasize the horror of cancer. It is never over explicit but it does portray a less than romantic view of a very painful usually fatal disease.
But in the end although it seems as if the story is about death and endings at first it is in fact about love, life and hope.

A moving story where the characters grow so much it left me breathless.

I am convinced that this story will not be everybodies cup of tea. It is simply to "real" to be universally loved. I am however convinced that for the most part this book will be a firm favourite and it will serve not to only. Entertain but also to inspire.

WaAr

[Bill Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have just finished this book in very quick time as I didn't want to stop reading. It is a story about a couple who meet while suffering from terminal cancer and are taking a last throw of the dice, by volunteering for a trial of a promising but unproven treatment. Sounds like a recipe for a tear jerker. Well I did shed a few tears but actually this is in fact a very uplifting story because though their time together was limited, they found a love that we can all only hope to experience.
The story is emotional but inspiring and heart warming. It is also beautifully written and the characters seem very real. Apart from Ben and Sara we have some other colourful characters, in particular their parents.
I liked that the author tackled the difficult subject of Sara having had a double mastectomy and no longer feeling like a woman until Ben shows her and all of us that we are not defined by our physical looks but our spirit.
A great book!

[Ty Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to read schmaltzy love stories, this is not for you.

If you want to read about how to start living, when you are dying, then Paulette Mahurin's His Name was Ben, is just the story for you.

While death is ever present in the book, it's treated very maturely and the book is a love story of two strong people who do not fill their lives with self pity, rather they seize the moment and start loving.

And start living.

Strongly recommended. Mahurin is an author to watch out for.

Her stories are real, different and immerse you in their depth.

[Christoph Fischer · Rating 5 out of 5]

“His name was Ben” by Paulette Mahurin is a beautifully written, bitter-sweet love story between two cancer patients, Ben and Sara, and really also between them and her Rottweiler dog Tazzie.
Sara, a nurse practitioner, develops an aggressive type of breast cancer, first detected by said dog, Tazzie. The story of her diagnosis and the initial treatment is full of raw emotion and written with great empathy and with amazing medical knowledge.
We also learn about her family background and the issues that have made Sara’s life not the happiest until now. Blessed with good insurance and access to a top oncologist she enters a special research programme that trials a new treatment for cancer. The drug works and increases her libido, which is why she eventually asks out a handsome fellow cancer patient named Ben.
Once the two of them embark on their untimely love affair they help each other heal and work through their personal issues: Ben’s alcoholic parents; Sara’s unhappy childhood with a controlling and critical mother, a schizophrenic brother and her divorce from ex-husband Henry.
Mahurin has chosen her characters very well and given them so much more than just bad things like cancer. Ben and Sara are both highly evolved and reflective people who have the ability to work through their problems, speak honestly with each other and develop at last a proper relationship in their life based on solid foundations - it was moving to read about it.
The other characters in the book are equally interesting and get enough coverage to add extra colour to the often humorous and certainly inspiring novel in front of you; be it Sara’s mother, the cancer doctor or the friends – not to forget the lovely Rottweiler Tazzie.
Against the biggest of obstacles a couple can face, the positive message is that it is never too late to start living. The hope that patients have attached to miracle cures and new treatment means nothing when time is only spent on the clock but does not translate into moments of shared love and happiness. Be there breakthrough studies or not, never give up on living. Amidst so much understandably tragic and miserable cancer stories here is a book that shows positive role models to look up to and to keep in mind when the unspeakable happens to you.
I received an ARC for an unbiased review.

[Lorna Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mahurin, who wrote the wildly successful and award-winning "The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap," has done it again! She is an adept writer who knows how to create complex characters living complicated lives, tugging the reader into the world she creates. The details and dialog ring so true that I felt I was in the story with them, often forgetting that I was reading. Paulette Mahurin's writing is that good!

This time, we're drawn into the intimate lives of two cancer patients. It's clear Paulette used her medical background and extensive research because the sections on the types of cancer, treatment options, and side effects are quite sophisticated. But this is no maudlin read. Instead, courage, hope, love, wisdom, and even levity are woven throughout the individual and collective journeys the characters take.

This book offers many gifts to the reader. To me, the best books offer more than just a memorable story, which this one certainly does.

The best books linger with you long after you've read them because they've taken you on an ethical or philosophical journey. "His Name Was Ben" took me on such a journey. If I was facing a terminal illness, would I opt for toxic treatment or let myself die naturally? Would I have the courage to start a relationship knowing that I had cancer AND that he had cancer? Does cancer matter since none of us knows what going to happen in the next moment? These questions still haunt me after reading this book.

The best books also take you places you've never been, or get you to see things in ways you've never seen them. They open up new perspectives. Again, Mahurin's book gave me this gift. I learned a great deal about cancer treatment, its side effects and the emotional toll it takes on both the patient and loved ones. I love reading fiction and learning things that apply to real life!

At its core, this book is a story about accepting oneself, being open to romance, overcoming fear, and taking chances. Basically, it's a love story about life, about living life consciously rather than on automatic pilot. Thank you Paulette for the gift of this book.

[Arletta Dawdy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspired by real characters, Paulette Mahurin’s HIS NAME WAS BEN probes in rich depth a story about living life to the fullest. Many books are out in the world that tell of patients, friends and family dealing with their own or another’s journey with cancer. The exceptionally tender, fact-filled and emotionally laden difference here is the intense dissection of fear, love, hope and endurance.
Sara’s condition improves with experimental drug treatment after her double mastectomy. Much slower to heal than the cancer is her negative self-image as it battles with the desire for love, sex and a caring relationship. Stealing a peek as Ben fills out a questionnaire at their oncologist’s office, she is attracted to him and takes note of his telephone number. Egged on by her friend Ellen, she finally calls him and sets a date…but when an accident keeps her from him, he figures she is a flake. After all, why would she be any different than his past experiences? The tall exceptionally good-looking man, she later learns, has pancreatic cancer, one of the most hopeless of cancers.
Ben and Sara literally grope toward a fulfilling relationship as they deal with their illnesses, toxic family histories and their developing trust and love. Mahurin’s writing is sharp as the surgeon’s scalpel cutting into the dynamics of childhood trauma. As Sara and Ben assist each other to deal with their pasts and override or resolve them, their love intensifies and matures. Healing occurs on multiple levels, even in the face of Ben’s deteriorating physical condition. Mahurin has an enormous talent for exploring character development as the reader finds in the unfolding of layer after layer of individual growth and change. Sara’s dog Tazzie and her friend Ellen, a nurse as is Sara, have been her only support until Ben’s entry into her life. By the story’s end, their mutual support system swells and multiplies in numbers, understanding and love. Sara and Ben give the fortunate reader lessons in living.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn't my usual genre that I read but I was gripped from the first chapter. I was rooting for Sara from the start. Such a well written and honest work! I was gripped and as the tale unfolded I couldn't stop. The romantic in me really wished and wished for what would be a happy ending and I feel the way in which the author told the story left me satisfied, yet emotionally drained. It's rare to find a story that you are so invested and that's so well and sensitively written that can make someone connect and feel such emotion. I felt like I was with Sara and Ben every step of the way, experiencing all the ups and downs that the circumstances brought. What else can I say but wow!

[T R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mahurin writes with heart and passion, a story not about facing death but what it is to be alive. And it's never too late. This every living, breathing moment, is here to be valued, a point driven home in this poignant read. This is a must read for anyone facing a terminal illness, anyone with a family me member with a terminal illness, or anyone wanting a glimpse into revelations that bring the miraculous living moment to the present, for joy and love. A truly beautiful romance novel that I will read again and again.

[Lee Fullbright · Rating 5 out of 5]

An insightful , compassionate tale about love and life in the moment, when a moment is all there is. Both ordinary and extraordinary, Sara and Ben kept me up all night rooting for them, as did Mahurin of course, a writer of exceptional heart, for her tender and wise depiction of love against all odds.

[Christina Hamlett · Rating 5 out of 5]

The good news is feeling an instant chemistry with the handsome man sitting next to you in a waiting room. The bad news is that the waiting room is in a hospital and both of you are oncology patients with uncertain futures. Such is the premise of author Paulette Mahurin’s compelling and bittersweet new novel, “His Name Was Ben.” The storyline strikes a particularly poignant chord with me these days as one of my dearest friends is currently going through her second bout with cancer. “I can get through all the chemo, the nausea, the fatigue, and wearing wigs,” she told me the first time, “if it means I’ll be done with all of it by this time next year.” Unfortunately, such was not the case. “I completely trust my doctors,” she said a few weeks ago, “but frankly this whole chemo thing is really getting old.”

Mahurin’s likable protagonist, Sara, aptly captures the angst of a beautiful and accomplished woman who is as stressed about dying as she is about living, specifically if “living” not only involves dealing with a cruelly dysfunctional family but also an understandable reluctance to actively re-enter the dating pool if it means revealing to prospective dates that her body is no longer “whole.” For women who are still single or divorced, a double mastectomy is a death sentence in and of itself, especially if having breasts is equated with society’s definition of sexuality and desirability. Yes, that handsome man in the waiting room was exciting enough for Sara to surreptitiously note his name and phone number but can she muster the courage to actually call him and introduce herself?

It’s her best friend, Ellen, who pushes Sara to take a chance, for certainly Fate has put “Ben” in Sara’s orbit for a reason. Ben, however, is as wary of romantic encounters as Sara. When their first “date” channels “An Affair To Remember” and Sara fails to show up, it’s little wonder that Ben assumes he has been set up for some kind of sick joke and that his caller was never serious.

The fragile relationship that starts to unfold will have readers reaching for Kleenex on more than one occasion. Mahurin’s expertise as a nurse practitioner makes every scene resonate with accuracy, as does her knowledge of Southern California and the Central Coast which serve as the backdrop for the story. And what book isn’t made all the better with the presence of a dog – Taz – who teaches the bipeds a thing or two about unconditional love and the joys of living in the moment instead of apologizing for the past or fearing for the future. (Profits from Mahurin’s books go to help rescue dogs.)

The story is also not without villains in the form of Sara and Ben’s respective family members who are themselves among the walking wounded that can only react to life’s disappointments with vitriolic anger, self-loathing, and accusations that loved ones were obviously predisposed to contract diseases because of things they did – or didn’t – do.

A first-rate read from a first-rate author whose wordsmithing I admire and whose passion for storytelling comes deeply from the heart and soul.

[Carmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to start off with saying that Paulette Mahurin is an incredibly talented author. I can only hope to someday be half the writer she is. His Name Was Ben is another wonderful novel from Paulette Mahurin. I really love her books because she tells a great story about people who are not perfect, but are doing the best they can. Paulette Mahurin writes heartfelt stories about deeply flawed and human characters and about tragedy; after all, what would a great story be without a tragic event!
As the author has done in her previous book, here again, she delivers a fascinating read that you just can't put down. Her characters are created with the perfect precision that only Paulette Mahurin can do. The story plot will keep you reading and make you hunger for more when you reach the end. I read her book, The Persecution Of Mildred Dunlap, and fell in love with Mahurin's writing. I have been waiting for another book like it, and she has come through for me. Mrs Mahurin writes stories that pull out a wide range of emotions when you are reading them. The characters in His Name Was Ben are relatable people.
She writes heroes and heroines that are a little different than you are used to reading about. Sara Phillips is a likable character, and we hurt for her as she deals with the hell she’d been through, on the rollercoaster ride her life had become since the doctor diagnosed her with a fearful disease. She will need those around her as she struggles with an ugly reality, the monster in her life – cancer. Once healed from her double mastectomy, she awakens to life when meeting Ben Gottlieb, who works in the legal department at NASA. Ben is a patient, too, waiting to see Michael Zimmerman for a consultation. I hate spoilers so I won’t steal the other readers the pleasure of immersing in this compelling, touching story.
Tazz, the Rottweiler Sara saved from the shelter, is a perfect counter balance for the heartbreaking circumstances, Sara and Ben pass through.
Paulette Mahurin writes stories full of empathy, raw honesty, and grace. Her characters are memorable, the dialogue believable. All in all the message is a positive one – fight, never give up. It’s about love, life versus living, believing in yourself and others. I highly recommend this book.
I rate it FIVE STARS

[Dean C. Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those real life dramas that I usually try to escape from in my reading, as opposed to plunge myself into. Especially when the tale is captured with this degree of vividness and proof that the author did her homework; there was no not feeling all the heart-wrenching emotions that go along with cancer therapy and struggling to survive the attempts to cure the person as much as the disease. But paradoxically, by making me live through this as if I were battling to survive late stage cancer myself, the book exacted its own healing, strengthening me to deal with the worst life can throw at me, which, in the final analysis, is what we hope all novels we pick up will give us, but that few truly do. Most are instead a temporary reprieve, an escape. And no, this story isn’t just about finding inner strength to carry an unbearable burden, it’s about the transformative power of love and relationships and of fully inhabiting the moment at the instant you most want to flee from it.

[Wendy Steele · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of Ben and Sara, two cancer patients who meet at Dr Zimmerman's surgery. With her dog Taz and best friend Ellen for support, Sara embarks on a new friendship, spending precious time with a new love in her life. The story is well paced and all the characters are well conceived, making this book a real page turner.

Beautifully crafted, this is a compelling and emotional read. As the main characters assess and analyse their own lives, I found myself looking at my own values and confronting my own mortality. Am I truly happy with my life right now? Would I be living like I am if my life expectancy were threatened?

The love in this book shines through...love of family, friends and the wonderful, amazing planet on which we live. Not my usual choice to read and there were times when tears filled my eyes but I'm glad I read this beautiful book.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story about a woman who has cancer and is trying to find the balance of life. while at the doctors office she meets Ben he turns her world upside down. This is an emotionally gripping story about a couple that overcomes many obstacles and also has to face reality. Great read that reminds us how precious life is.

[Ellie Midwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

“His name was Ben” is one of those stories that will stay with you long after the last page is turned. It starts with a story of Sara, who is battling breast cancer. As her condition deteriorates, she starts losing all hope and even desire to keep struggling when two things happen: her doctor announces that she had just been accepted into a new study which has been showing amazing results and, while sitting in Dr. Zimmerman’s waiting room, she sees a man filling out a patient’s form. Ben - she catches a glimpse of his name and number on his paperwork - is seemingly healthy and good-looking, and for the first time in god knows how long Sara feels a spark of interest within her. What follows is an amazing, bitter-sweet story of two people who met in the most unusual circumstances and decided that no matter what fate brings their way, they would try and make the best of what they have, let it be for a few days or years to come.
What I really loved about this story is how real every character felt. By the end, I felt like I knew them all personally, and I cried with them over their tragedies and cheered their happiness. The main message of the story - appreciate your life and cherish every day as it can be your last one - is delivered in an extremely powerful way, and I couldn’t help but hope for the best for both characters. Tazzie, Sara’s loyal Rottie, deserves a special mention - she made an absolutely adorable character! A brilliant novel that reads like non-fiction, which I would highly recommend to everyone!

[Brenda Sorrels · Rating 5 out of 5]

His Name was Ben by Paulette Mahurin surprised me only because I am not easily drawn to stories about illness, especially cancer patients. I guess they touch a little too close to home for me so, my tendency is to run in the other direction. I didn’t do that this time. The story drew me in right away as we are introduced to Sara and her beloved Rottweiler, Tazzie. We discover that Sara has been treated for breast cancer and is being accepted into a new and promising study by her oncologist, Dr. Zimmerman. While in the waiting room she sees Ben, another patient (pancreatic) and is immediately attracted to him in spite of their unconventional circumstances. She memorizes Ben’s phone number as he fills out his information form and eventually gets the courage to call him. Sara talks all of this over with her best friend, Ellen, just as the author also gives us glimpses into Sara’s home life (her mother is a grouse and her brother is a schizophrenic) The good news for the reader is that Sara, Ellen and Ben are extremely likable characters so as the story continues we can’t help but sympathize with them and the situation at hand. I got a particular kick out of Sara’s increasing libido as her cancer drugs were working! There were even a few moments where it got a little racy ~ go Sara! The story is told with great compassion and authenticity as medical information is revealed just as if it were real life. (Mahurin is a nurse and it shows in her writing)
But, this isn’t a typical love store between two cancer patients. There is another layer here that really made the book stand out and capture my heart. The awesome inclusion of the dog, Tazzie buffers all of the difficult things that Sara and Ben must deal with. Near the beginning of the story, Mahurin says that: “Sara’s life had been empty until she got a dog.” Indeed it was! Tazzie reigns throughout this narrative as great companion and stress reliever, offering all the things that dogs do: unconditional love, support, sympathy companionship. As Sara and Ben traverse the mountain before them: the difficulties with their imperfect families, the bleakness of serious illness, the struggles of a new relationship, Tazzie is there urging them on in her own way. The relationship between human beings with each other and humans with animals is one that this author knows well. I loved this story and so will you!

[Valerie Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where to start with this… In the beginning, there were aspects of this novel that nagged at me. There were a couple instances of awkward dialogue, once or twice when I was surprised by a character’s behavior, and a small bit of ‘head-hopping.’ And yet I’m still rating it five stars. Why?

Because the story is that good. Despite those minor nits turning me against the novel at first, this is a plot that refuses to be ignored, bringing tears to my eyes at the very end and pulling me in further with each moment shared by the Ben and Sara. From the moment she steals his phone number to an awkward dinner with her family, to their final moments together, this plot tugged at my strongest emotions. As I read, I stopped caring about the technical imperfections, focusing instead on this doomed love story of two cancer patients clinging to the hope of an experimental treatment. Did it remind me a little of The Fault in Our Stars? I think that might be an insult to this book. There’s a definite maturity here that TFIOS never managed to achieve for me, a realness to the love and pasts of both of these characters.

I would recommend this novel to anyone, especially those who want a realistic tale of star-crossed romance and a couple who manages to find love despite their fates. Ben touched my heart in more ways than I thought he would, and I can assure you I won’t be forgetting his name anytime soon.

[Melanie P. Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Realistic and Inspiring…

“His Name was Ben” is a true love story. It follows the lives of two cancer patients. Sara has given up on life until she receives word from her oncologist that she has been accepted into a treatment program that has promise. She is hesitant to hope, but trusts the encouragement of her doctor. The day she receives her first treatment, she meets a man. Ben is also a cancer patient and has little hope for recovery, but is determined to beat his disease against all odds. Both patients enter the same treatment program with drastically different results.
The story follows this pair as they deal with overwhelming family obstacles. Neither one trusts easily because of their past life experiences. As they push themselves to accept unfamiliar emotions, learn to trust and let go of fear, Ben and Sara find a deep, healing love that is rare. It is a great reminder that it’s never too late to find that special someone.
Mahurin does an excellent job of drawing her reader into this story. The characters are realistic and beautifully flawed. The story, although tragic and emotional, is powerful and inspiring. I would recommend this book to others and thank Paulette Mahurin for writing such a thought provoking and poignant story.

Melanie P. Smith

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

His Name Was Ben by Paulette Mahurin

4.5 Stars

His Name Was Ben is an extremely moving story about two cancer sufferers who meet through their illness and form a relationship. It does read like an adult version of John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars, which is still fresh in my mind and lost the book half a star for originality.

Written with compassion this book does not make light of the horrors of the disease, it is heartfelt and though not gory, it does cover the less than pleasant emotional and physical suffering patients go through.

This story serves as a reminder to everyone that tomorrow, even an hour from now, is not guaranteed for any of us and that we should live while we are alive no matter our circumstances. I came away from the read feeling enriched and positive even though the book covers a very sad and scary subject.

Paulette Mahurin is without doubt a fantastic writer, I listened to this story while doing the garden and was so immersed in the book that I covered three days worth of trimming, weeding and mowing in one day, and didn’t stop until the book was finished!

This is a read that I recommend to everyone, whatever your preferred genre, its compelling, insightful, written with empathy and understanding and is a must read for all.

Copy supplied for review

[Craig Furchtenicht · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first go-round, reading the work of Paulette Mahurin. It will definitely not be my last. She had me from the first paragraph and kept me tight in her literary grips until the final line. I was thoroughly impressed by her skills as a writer but I would have to say her mastery of dialogue was the one that kept me fully committed to the novel. From the initial phone conversation with Ben to the tense banter between Sara and her seemingly callous mother, the cleverly orchestrated exchanges were spot on.
I usually do not let my full range of emotions kick in while I am reading fiction, but this book left me hugging my pillow and dabbing my eyes. Being the spouse of a cancer survivor, this book touched a bit too close to home at times. I know firsthand how the dreaded "C" word coming from an oncologist's lips can set one's world into a tailspin. I also know how tales of adversity in the face of death can inspire hope that sometimes seems so far out of reach.
The subject matter not only touches on Sara and Ben's disease but the many issues that they have faced during their lives. Mahurin pulls no punches in her writing so don't expect a candy-coated version of the truth. It is a beautiful mixture of love story, tragedy and inspiration. I would recommend this to anyone who has been diagnosed with a terminal illness and their loved ones.

[Terry Sprouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

“His Name was Ben” is a captivating love story between Sara and Ben, two people self- absorbed by their separate episodes with cancer, yet their lives achieve a new meaning when they meet each other. As we get to know these two scarred souls and the hard challenges they have already had to overcome, we come to like them more and more throughout this romantic tale.

I was particularly moved when Sara first met Ben in the waiting room. They chatted briefly and Sara was instantly attracted to the handsome stranger. Yet, because his prognosis was more serious than hers, Ben was hesitant to start a relationship. I shared Sara’s stress and fears as she was torn about whether or not to call Ben because of her own self-doubts.

As a side note, another reason that this book made my heart jump, besides the romance between Sara and Ben, was a reference in the text to the Self-Realization Institute locate in Malibu. Sara had gone there to find peace. I lived in LA for a short time and I attended services at the Institute. On one memorable occasion TV star Dennis Weaver (of Gunsmoke and McCloud fame) gave a guest sermon at the institute.

As an outstanding romance novel, this book hits all the right notes, and does it with style and charm.

It would make a great read for the beach, or to curl up with on the couch on a cold night.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Ms. Mahurin's first book, The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap, giving it a 5 star review, highly impressed with her grasp of character under duress. His Name Was Ben goes farther and deeper, dealing with the often terrifying concept of personal mortality, the extinction of life, while still trying to live with both positive and negative relationships, memories and the detritus of everyday living. Add to that, the very poweful desire to live each moment better and create something new, powerful, loving and lasting while the Grim Reaper is constantly in the foreground, these make for great writing on Ms. Mahurin's part.

I won't go into the storyline, as that has been stated elsewhere in these reviews. But her handling of the characters' relationships with parents, siblings and friends, is especially poignant and very real. She draws us in, making us feel and understand what the two protagonists are going through, but also revealing the good and bad parts of the background players, each of whom contributes much to the story.

As with her first book, this one cries out for a good film script!(less)

[Loren Lockner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bittersweet and moving! This memorable romance involves two cancer survivors in their fifties; Ben and Sara, who find their own personal baggage more daunting than dealing with their disease. Sara lives alone, but has a true friend named Ellen and an awesome rescue dog called Tazzie. Sara finds the courage to approach a man called Ben who she meets at her doctor’s clinic. What unfolds is a lovely, meandering tale about two soul-mates, who, though being dealt a bad hand in life, learn that life is what you make it and relish every minute together. I felt this was a timely novel which advocates that each day is precious and that true love must neither be wasted nor overlooked. The writing was crisp and vivid, bringing to life the entirety of not only the main character’s emotions and struggles, but the landscape of Southern California and particularly Ojai, nestled near Santa Barbara. This is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time and will ponder its message often in future days. Highly recommended.

[E.M. Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a powerful and heartrending novel! ‘His Name was Ben’ grips you from the beginning and takes you on an emotional and moving journey. At its heart, it’s a romance, but the players in this story are a couple facing a devastating future.

Sara, a nurse practitioner is dealing with a grim cancer prognosis after having a double mastectomy and enduring chemotherapy. When offered the chance to be on a new drug trial, she jumps at the opportunity. Her decision leads her to Ben, a NASA lawyer and pancreatic cancer patient who although facing a terminal prognosis changes her life.

Their relationship blossoms and they help each other to confront dysfunctional family relationships to reach a positive place in their lives. Sara and Ben discover common intellectual and philosophical interests to give each other incredible strength and support.

Although this is a tragic story, the author manages to convey the hope, love and happiness the couple find in their relationship. Despite the tragedy, it overwhelmingly leaves you with its uplifting and positive message that love can conquer all.

[Ju Ephraime · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paulette Mahurin’s Ben is a wonderful novel. The story of Sara, Ben and her dog, Tazzie started off sad and tragic, but it quickly changed. Imagine, if you will, being attracted to a man while you were fighting the big C. That the kind of story Mahurin has written. From the get go, I was drawn into the story and the lives of these unfortunate people who were both fighting cancer. The author left nothing to chance but takes you on a journey of life’s unfortunate circumstances, which in the end we cannot change, but we must learn to accept that which is inevitable. This is a wonderful story about living, loving and dying, with the underlying theme of hope—where there’s life, there’s always hope. Enjoy!

[James Atkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

At the beginning of this book, it seemed to me that the plot would spiral downwards to a tragic ending. But as the story unfolds it became clear that it is more about hope in the face of defeat. (These kinds of stories are always a favourite of mine)

The author does a great job in her writing, always setting the scene and capturing my imagination enabling me to be able to empathise with the characters involved.

“His name was Ben” is a very real account of the feelings and journeys of two cancer patients finding hope in each other’s company and hope in their battle.

I found this to be a very inspirational read, and it was the first book that I have read by Paulette Mahurin. Her writing captured my attention from start to finish. Good read, good story and a great message.

[Martin Perks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’M NOT NORMALLY A READER OF WEEPIES, BUT THE MORE I READ THIS BOOK ABOUT THE LOVE AFFAIR OF TWO CANCER PATIENTS, THE MORE ENGROSSED I BECAME. BEING A MAN, I CAN ONLY IMAGINE A WOMAN GOES THROUGH FROM A DOUBLE MASTECTOMY, BUT TO OVERCOME THIS AND TO FIND LOVE WITH BEN, WAS A TRIUMPH OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT. ALONG THE WAY WE GET TO MEET MEMBER’S OF SARA’S LESS THAN PERFECT FAMILY, WHICH HELPS THE STORY MOVE ALONG. LOVED THE DOG TAZZIE, WHO ALSO HELPS BRING THIS STORY TOGETHER. NEVER CORNY, OR SOPPY, THIS BOOK MOVED ME PROFOUNDLY, AND IF I’D BEEN ON MY OWN AT THE END, I MIGHT HAVE EVEN SHED A TEAR OR TWO.

[Crystal Clifton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review is from: His Name was Ben (Kindle Edition)
Wow Paulette has done it again, she has taken my breath away with this beautiful story about a couple that meet during their battle with Cancer. This is a love story about Living and Loving and accepting a life like no other. I just can't imagine not shedding tears while reading this book. Sara, Ben and Tazzie(Sara's dog) learn how to live in the face of death. I love Paulette's writing because she writes with such conviction and heart felt love. I recommend this book to everyone out there. Please read and enjoy. Thank You Paulette for writing another amazing book.

[Brian Bigelow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very poignant and touching. I loved how the two main characters met though it was probably for the worst reasons. There's probably a lot better places to meet someone special than at an oncologists office though Sara and Ben are perfect for one another. They both come from dysfunctional families and have managed to make the best of it through the years.
Cancer is a very insidious disease and it instantly brings up fearful images for most. I don't know how to describe it otherwise and it's central to the story line. In many places I wanted to cry.