"Take the Lively Air is a powerful tale of overlapping lives, the intersection of past and present, and ghosts who reside all too easily in the hearts of the living. In the course of a single day, strangers become both friends and enemies. Mistakes made, lingering doubts, and relentless remorse weave through the narrative like a ragged strand of missed opportunities and chances. Set against the glorious backdrop of the New Jersey coast, one man confronts devastating loss by offering comfort to those he may have wronged in a minor traffic accident whose consequences are both unforeseen and deeply painful. Bennett gives us a fine novel that shows how compassion triumphs over rage, and kindness always saves the day.

— Anne Leigh Parrish, author of an open door 

"Take the Lively Air is a thoughtful and realistic portrait of modern families. Bennett is unafraid to take on tough and touchy subjects with empathy and honesty. With prose as vibrant as its New Jersey beach setting, the simmering tension will have readers flipping pages. More than a family drama, it's an examination of the complexities of excavating buried grief and regret, and a map for how to move forward." 

— Meagan Lucas, author Songbirds and Stray Dogs, and Editor-in-Chief of Reckon Review

“Crafted with just the right details, understated humor, and empathy, Take the Lively Air is a simple yet startling novel. Out of a single incident—two headstrong men colliding their cars in a seaside New Jersey town—emerges a universe of multilayered characters and interconnected truths. Mr. Bennett reminds us that everybody has a story, and that some of those stories lead to healing.”

— Jay Kristensen Jr, author