Column: CEO Learnings
Book review of The Hermit: The Priest who Saved a Soul, a Marriage and a Family, by Kevin Wells
Kevin Wells’ The Hermit: The Priest Who Saved a Soul, a Marriage, and a Family is more than a memoir; it’s a profound exploration of sacrificial love, divine grace and the mysterious ways God works through the brokenness of our lives. 
For me, this book resonated deeply because it mirrored my own story of love, loss and hope—though my journey led to a different outcome.
A compelling, can’t-put-it-down read
Wells invites readers into the darkest season of his life as his wife, Krista, spiraled into addiction and despair during the isolating days of the COVID-19 pandemic. The rawness of his writing, coupled with the hope that glimmers on every page, makes this book impossible to put down.
The central figure of Father Martin Flum, a parish priest turned hermit, becomes a vessel of grace, orchestrating Krista’s resurrection from the chains of shame and addiction. Father Flum, whose soul seemed to carry the weight of God’s light, reveals what it means to live entirely for Christ, offering his heart, hands and life in service to others.
Reading Wells’ account brought back memories of my own struggles.
The Eucharist and Mary
Forty-two years ago, I watched my wife of 16 years succumb to depression and addiction after a cascade of losses, including the deaths of both of my parents. While Wells found hope and healing through the intervention of a holy priest and the sacramental grace of marriage, my path led to a painful divorce and the daunting challenge of starting over as a single father of two young children in a new community, without family or friends nearby. Despite the differences in our outcomes, I found solace in Wells’ steadfast devotion to the Eucharist and Mary—anchors that sustained me during my darkest hours. 
One of Wells’ most poignant observations is the beauty of the Mass, where the rich diversity of worshipers—young and old, blue-collar and corporate—gather as beggars seeking the embrace of God. This universal rhythm of life in the Church mirrors the restoration he experienced in his marriage and family, and it reminded me of the small but profound ways the Mass became my lifeline.
The Hermit is not just a story of redemption; it is a testament to the sacramental grace that can transform even the most desperate situations. It is a book of hope for anyone grappling with addiction, marital struggles, or the complexities of modern life. Wells’ journey, infused with love and trust in God, will remain on my shelf as an enduring reference for life and faith—and as a beacon of hope for others navigating their own valleys of despair.
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