Michael Bennett, MD

Sarah Bennett

The only self-help book you'll ever need, from a psychiatrist and his comedy writer daughter, who will help you put aside your unrealistic wishes, stop trying to change things you can't change, and do the best with what you can control—the first steps to managing all of life's impossible problems. Need to stop screwing up? Feel like you're under a loser's curse? Work with an ass? Want to clear your name or get justice, rescue an addicted person, get closure after childhood abuse, get a lover to commit, not ruin your kid? Although other self-help books claim to reveal the path to happiness, F*ck Feelings warns that convincing yourself that there is such a path will actually lead you to feel like a true failure. What the Bennetts can promise you is that you can manage any situation life throws at you if you can keep your sense of humor, bend your wishes to fit reality, restrain your feelings, manage bad behavior, and do what you think is right. Life is hard. It's not fair. Our feelings cloud our rationality, and we become tangled in our efforts to achieve the impossible or change the unchangeable. In this groundbreaking, entirely sensible, and funny book, the Bennetts open the shrinks' secret solution manual and show you how to find a new kind of freedom by working toward realistic goals and doing the best with what you can control. They address the most common problems Dr. Bennett's patients bring to his private practice—problems with family, love, work, self-esteem, garden variety assholes, and more—and give you a script for going forward. With no-bullshit advice from a Harvard-educated shrink freed of all jargon and patronization by his smart-ass, comedy writer daughter,F*ck Feelings is the cut-to-the-chase therapy session you've been looking for.

One Shrink's Practical Advice for Managing All Life's Impossible Problems

F*ck Feelings

Michael Bennett

Heartbroken? Horrible boss? Confidence crisis? Rubenesque body? Anxious? Lonely? The solution is to find out what's bothering you and change it, right? Sorry lady. WRONG.

Less Obsessing, More Living

Fuck Feelings

‘Delightfully romantic and touching.’ Phillipa Ashley on Sunrise at Butterfly Cove A season for change...?

Spring at Lavender Bay (Lavender Bay, Book 1)

Don’t miss Starlight Over Bluebell Castle, the third book in the delightfully uplifting Bluebell Castle trilogy!

Starlight Over Bluebell Castle (Bluebell Castle, Book 3)

‘Delightfully romantic and touching.’ Phillipa Ashley on Sunrise at Butterfly Cove She wasn’t looking for love...

Spring Skies Over Bluebell Castle (Bluebell Castle, Book 1)

'Sarah Bennett is back, and better than ever!' Rachel Burton When her dreams of young love were cruelly shattered, Nerissa Morgan found it hard to move on. Now, at forty-three, everyone around her is enjoying life while she's just going through the motions. With her boss retiring and rumours of a new doctor coming in to take over the practice she manages, change is coming, whether she's ready for it or not. Following the death of his beloved wife, Tom Nelson buried himself in work at his busy inner-London GP practice. When his teenage children find themselves in trouble at school, he realises he's completely lost touch with them. Desperate to reconnect before it's too late, he whisks his family away to the pretty seaside village of Mermaids Point determined to make a fresh start. But all is not as idyllic as it seems. With his predecessor reluctant to let go of the reins and the children as distant as ever, the last thing Tom needs is an undeniable attraction to the woman he unexpectedly finds himself sharing a roof with... Warm, escapist, feel-good and altogether brilliant story-telling from bestselling author Sarah Bennett. Perfect for all fans of Trisha Ashley and Milly Johnson. Praise for Sarah Bennett: 'I adored this book. From the moment I read the first page, I was swept up in the beautiful setting, the wonderfully rounded characters and the masterful storytelling. This is a must for fans of emotional storytelling, escapist reading and people and places that will take your breath away. I can't wait to read the next one!' Fay Keenan 'A joyful, heart-warming book full of human kindness and affection. I adored it.' Celia Anderson 'A charming, delightful book. Pour yourself a cup of tea and hunker down. You'll want to read this in one go.' Terry-Lynn Thomas 'This is the perfect escapist read and I can't wait to follow the characters in what promises to be a wonderful series. Five sparkling stars!' Rachel Griffiths 'What a Mer-mazing book! I'm so glad this is a series and I'll get to meet the characters again because you won't want to leave them after the final page.' Catherine Miller 'Wonderful! So great to read the story of an older heroine getting a second chance. Highly recommended. Five stars.' Rachel Burton 'An absolutely gorgeous book. It's wonderful from start to finish. The ending had me sniffing back tears. And, as usual, it was beautifully written.' Katie Ginger 'Another fabulous trip to the beautiful setting of Mermaids Point which will have you rooting for Nerissa all the way. The perfect cosy read.' Bella Osborne 'This adorable book was an absolute joy to read - everything about it was wonderful.' Victoria Cooke

Autumn Dreams at Mermaids Point

‘A fun and fabulous book!’ Stardust Book Reviews The summer she will never forget...

Sunshine Over Bluebell Castle (Bluebell Castle, Book 2)

'A deliciously warm, welcoming, fun contemporary read and just perfect for a summer's day.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Sarah Bennett always keeps me entertained from the very first page' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Laurie Morgan runs a café in the small seaside community of Mermaids Point, named after the beauties rumoured to live in the waters a few miles off the top of the point. When a hazy image is posted online of what appears to be a mermaid, the café and the village are soon full to bursting with curious sightseers. The most eye-catching of the new arrivals is handsome author, Jake Smith, who has rented a cottage for the summer while he works on his new book. Or so he says. In fact, he is a journalist, burned out and disillusioned with life, whose editor has sent him on a crack-pot hunt for mermaids... Jake quickly finds himself drawn to village life, and to the gorgeous woman who runs the local café. But he soon suspects there’s trouble lurking beneath the idyllic façade, and when it looks like Laurie’s family might be involved, Jake faces a difficult choice. Pursue the truth, or protect the woman he’s beginning to fall in love with... Warm, escapist, feel-good and altogether brilliant story-telling from bestselling author Sarah Bennett. Perfect for all fans of Trisha Ashley and Milly Johnson. 'This is the perfect escapist read and I can't wait to follow the characters in what promises to be a wonderful series. Five sparkling stars!' Rachel Griffiths'What a Mer-mazing book! I'm so glad this is a series and I'll get to meet the characters again because you won't want to leave them after the final page.' Catherine Miller ‘I inhaled this book in two days. Absolutely gorgeous. Sarah Bennett is back, and better than ever!’ Rachel Burton'I absolutely adored this book! I've always loved Sarah's writing and this was another brilliant read full of drama, romance and family. Absolutely fabulous! I just couldn't put it down!' Katie Ginger 'A perfect heartwarming read full of family, romance and intrigue, set in a stunning location - what’s not to love?' Bella Osborne'Oh, what a joy this read was. I fell in love with the setting and characters and found myself racing to the end in the hope of a happy ending. You're in for a real treat with this beautiful escapist story. Unputdownable and utterly romantic.' Samantha Tonge'I want to move to Mermaids Point immediately. I just loved it.' Jane Lacey Crane'Utterly magical! Summer Kisses At Mermaids Point is a wonderful story about flights of fancy, but also about what’s most real – love, trust and community. I can’t wait for the next story in the series!' Fiona Harper What readers are saying about Sarah Bennett: 'A deliciously warm, welcoming, fun contemporary read and just perfect for a summer's day.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Absolutely loved this book it has a great story line and the characters feel like great friends who you laugh with and cry with and really care about.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Such a joy to read – I cannot recommend this book enough!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Sarah Bennett always keeps me entertained from the very first page' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Five stars from me!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'This is a brilliant five star modern fiction story.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Escape to the seaside this summer with bestselling author Sarah Bennett

Summer Kisses at Mermaids Point

‘Delightfully romantic and touching.’ Phillipa Ashley A second chance by the sea?

Wedding Bells at Butterfly Cove (Butterfly Cove, Book 2)

Michael I. Bennett

»Die Ice Bucket Challenge unter den Selbsthilfebüchern.« New York Post Das Leben ist hart? Bleiben Sie realistisch, dann können Sie das Beste daraus machen. Scheiß auf Selbstoptimierung, Selbstachtung, Fairness, Hilfsbereitschaft, Kommunikation, Erziehungswahnsinn, Liebe und alles, was es sonst noch gibt. Michael und Sarah Bennett garantieren kein glückliches Leben, aber sie versprechen, dass es kein Problem gibt, das sich nicht mit Stärke und Stolz, mit Sinn für Humor und dem richtigen Maß an reduzierter Realitätsferne in den Griff bekommen ließe. »In ›F*ck Feelings‹ erklären wir Ihnen, dass Sie in den meisten Fällen nicht versagt haben – in Bezug auf Ihre Persönlichkeit, Ihr Verhalten, Ihren Partner, Ihr Kind, Ihre Gefühle, Ihren Chef, Ihr Land, Ihr Haustier etc. – und dass mehr Mühe oder Geduld auch nicht zu Fortschritten führen werden. Die F*ck-Feelings-Methode hilft Ihnen, hinzunehmen, was nicht zu ändern ist, und zeigt Ihnen, wie Sie erfolgreich mit dem ganzen Mist umgehen können, den das Leben in petto hat.» Endlich weg vom Wunschdenken! ›Fuck Feelings‹ nimmt alle wohlklingenden Schlagworte des Besserlebens auseinander und bietet stattdessen praktische Lösungsansätze für die naiven großen Wünsche unserer Zeit: ehrlich, humorvoll, kompetent – und ganz ohne Therapie! »Hoch informative und sehr unterhaltsame Abreibung, um den Kopf mal wieder klarzukriegen.« Kirkus Review

Der erste gnadenlos realistische Ratgeber für alle unlösbaren Probleme

Fuck Feelings – Das Leben ist hart, sei härter

From the brilliant New York Times bestselling authors of the “refreshingly blunt” (Harper’s Bazaar) F*ck Feelings—this seriously irreverent roadmap reveals the essentials to look for when you're done being suckered by the promise of true love and want help seeking a real, lasting relationship. Many people have opinions on the subject of romantic relationships—why they’re so hard to find, so difficult to maintain, so easily analogized to planets and pets—but the real source of trouble isn’t too complicated: it’s that we are choosing our partners based on love, excitement, lust, attraction, neediness…on feelings. Instead of helping readers find true love (also known as “total bullshit”), Dr. Michael Bennett and his comedy-writing daughter Sarah reveal the practical, commonsense criteria for good partnerships that will allow real love to develop, even after the romance has died down or been buried completely. Finding a good partner involves losing preconceived notions about who your dream date might be, so the Bennetts helpfully appraise the pros and cons of eight traits people most commonly seek: charisma, beauty, chemistry, communication, sense of humor, family stability, intelligence, and wealth. They suggest you’ll have better luck finding a partner in a bar, online, or on a date arranged by your chiropractor if you focus on ideas like mutual attraction and respect and common interests and common goals. With helpful quizzes, case studies inspired by Dr. Bennett’s practice, and unscientific flow charts, F*ck Love is packed with enough advice and wisdom to help you avoid the relationship nightmares that led you to this book in the first place.

One Shrink's Sensible Advice for Finding a Lasting Relationship

F*ck Love

*The #1 digital bestseller!* ‘Delightfully romantic and touching.’ Phillipa Ashley A year of taking chances...

Sunrise at Butterfly Cove (Butterfly Cove, Book 1)

Christmas Surprises at Mermaids Point

Pre-order the brand new instalment in Sarah Bennett's bestselling Mermaids Point series! Bestselling author Alex Nelson is slowly coming apart at the seams after a failed marriage and an abrupt change in career leave him at a crossroads in life. When an unexpected opportunity arises to escape to the idyllic village of Mermaids Point, he’s hot on the heels of his brother, Tom, who has recently moved there. Buying a rundown bookshop might be just his latest harebrained scheme, but Alex has never been one to do things by halves. After spending her early years caring for her mother, Ivy Fisher is finally ready to start living her own life. But when the impossibly charming, impossibly good-looking Alex Nelson swoops in and snatches her dream out from under her nose, it really is the last straw. Forced by circumstances to spend more time with him, Ivy finally gets a peek of the real man beneath the confident exterior, and she likes what she sees. But just when things are starting to come together for them, Ivy is reminded why men can never be trusted. Is Alex who he says he is, or is he using Mermaids Point as nothing more than research fodder for his next bestseller? Enjoy a gloriously uplifting, page-turning, romantic escape to the seaside with the bestselling author Sarah Bennett. Perfect for all fans of Trisha Ashley, Holly Martin and Milly Johnson. Praise for Sarah Bennett: 'A gorgeous story packed with love, romance and heartfelt emotion. Will bring sunshine into your day!' Phillipa Ashley 'A gorgeous warm hug of a book. I want to move to Mermaids Point right now and take up residence in the bookshop. A story with the joy of community and love at its heart, a sure fire winner.' Jules Wake 'This is the perfect escapist read and I can't wait to follow the characters in what promises to be a wonderful series. Five sparkling stars!' Rachel Griffiths'What a Mer-mazing book! I'm so glad this is a series and I'll get to meet the characters again because you won't want to leave them after the final page.' Catherine Miller ‘I inhaled this book in two days. Absolutely gorgeous. Sarah Bennett is back, and better than ever!’ Rachel Burton'I absolutely adored this book! I've always loved Sarah's writing and this was another brilliant read full of drama, romance and family. Absolutely fabulous! I just couldn't put it down!' Katie Ginger 'A perfect heartwarming read full of family, romance and intrigue, set in a stunning location - what’s not to love?' Bella Osborne

The BRAND NEW glorious, uplifting read from Sarah Bennett for 2022

Love Blooms at Mermaids Point

Pre-order the brand new instalment in Sarah Bennett's bestselling Mermaids Point series! Music sensation Aurora Storm finally has her career back on track, but then she’s caught up in a media storm. Desperate to distract from the story, she enlists the one man she trusts to pretend to be her boyfriend. Meanwhile, in the small seaside village of Mermaids Point, Nick Morgan never expected to see Aurora again. When she calls out of the blue needing his help, he agrees at once. It feels like she’s back in his life for a reason, and he’s determined to make the most of it. Aurora joins Nick and the rest of his family for their festive celebrations and, as the snow falls, Aurora finds herself caught up in the romance of Christmas. But having tasted worldwide fame, can she ever be content with village life? Two weeks is all Nick has to prove to Aurora that there’s a happy ending for them both in Mermaids Point. There’s always a second chance for love in a Sarah Bennett story, so escape to the seaside village of Mermaids Point for a festive, feel-good treat. Perfect for all fans of Trisha Ashley, Holly Martin and Milly Johnson. Praise for Sarah Bennett: 'A gorgeous story packed with love, romance and heartfelt emotion. Will bring sunshine into your day!' Phillipa Ashley 'Cosy, heartwarming and moving, this story is as beautiful as its cover.' Samantha Tonge 'This is a real page turner, with a brisk plot and a really emotional core. The community we've grown to love at Mermaid's Point is alive with love, laughter and vibrancy, and I can't wait for the next instalment!' Fay Keenan 'If you're looking for a book to wrap you in a hug from the very first page to the last, then this is it! I absolutely adore Sarah Bennett and her Mermaids Point series is now firmly one of my all time favourites.' Katie Ginger 'A gorgeous warm hug of a book. I want to move to Mermaids Point right now and take up residence in the bookshop. A story with the joy of community and love at its heart, a sure fire winner.' Jules Wake 'This is the perfect escapist read and I can't wait to follow the characters in what promises to be a wonderful series. Five sparkling stars!' Rachel Griffiths'What a Mer-mazing book! I'm so glad this is a series and I'll get to meet the characters again because you won't want to leave them after the final page.' Catherine Miller ‘I inhaled this book in two days. Absolutely gorgeous. Sarah Bennett is back, and better than ever!’ Rachel Burton 'A perfect heartwarming read full of family, romance and intrigue, set in a stunning location - what’s not to love?' Bella Osborne

Happy Endings at Mermaids Point

Unwrap and enjoy this bite-sized Christmas treat from bestselling author Sarah Bennett. The perfect stocking-filler! Christmas is a time for love, laughter, families and friends, and in Mermaids Point, everyone is getting ready for the festive season. For Nerissa and Tom, this will be their first Christmas as a couple, but making sure they have time for each other, whilst blending their families, will take some careful planning. What festive traditions will they make their own? Laurie and Jake are flat out running Laurie’s seafront café, packaging up orders of mince pies, sausage rolls and other delectable Christmas goodies, as well as finding time for Jake’s journalism. But when Jake’s mum offers them an unexpected gift, their plans are turned upside down. Alex can’t help but be charmed by beautiful and talented Ivy, but he’s still recovering from his ex-wife’s betrayal and has a secret life he’s not ready to share with anyone yet. But as the Christmas spirit starts weaving its magic, Alex may find himself ready for love sooner than he imagines. For Andrew, nothing is more important than family. As friends and family gather beneath his roof it's a time for reflection about what the future might hold. As far as Nick is concerned, pop sensation Aurora Storm is the ‘one that got away’. After they shared a brief holiday fling, he has been thinking about her ever since. Is Christmas the perfect time to finally reach out to her, or is love at first sight just in fairy-tales? Sarah Bennett captures the joy of Christmas perfectly in these captivating vignettes. Christmas Surprises at Mermaids Point is a guaranteed joy for fans of Mermaids Point and new readers alike. Praise for Sarah Bennett: 'This is the perfect escapist read and I can't wait to follow the characters in what promises to be a wonderful series. Five sparkling stars!' Rachel Griffiths'What a Mer-mazing book! I'm so glad this is a series and I'll get to meet the characters again because you won't want to leave them after the final page.' Catherine Miller ‘I inhaled this book in two days. Absolutely gorgeous. Sarah Bennett is back, and better than ever!’ Rachel Burton'I absolutely adored this book! I've always loved Sarah's writing and this was another brilliant read full of drama, romance and family. Absolutely fabulous! I just couldn't put it down!' Katie Ginger 'A perfect heartwarming read full of family, romance and intrigue, set in a stunning location - what’s not to love?' Bella Osborne

A perfect Christmas read!' Jessica's Book Biz All she wants for Christmas...

Christmas at Butterfly Cove

‘Delightfully romantic and touching.’ Phillipa Ashley on Sunrise at Butterfly Cove The most wonderful time of the year...

Snowflakes at Lavender Bay (Lavender Bay, Book 3)

There are worse fates than growing up knowing that you will one day inherit a vast and magnificent Cotswolds country estate, but for Rhys Travers it has always felt like a huge responsibility. Juniper Meadows is home to much of his extended family, not to mention the many local businesses that operate on the estate, so there’s no time to sit back and enjoy the view. Juniper Meadows is a full-time job, and that doesn’t leave much time for romance... Tasha Blake’s career leaves no time for romance either – much to her mother’s chagrin. Tasha’s sister Danni has kindly provided two grandchildren, but Victoria Blake is keen for more! When her job takes her to Juniper Meadows for an extended project, the slower pace of life, the beauty of the countryside and the warmth of the Travers family, soon has Tasha in its thrall, and the future Lord of the Manor Rhys Travers is rather easy on the eye too. As the busyness of life on the estate sweeps Tasha and Rhys along, they are both able to ignore the secrets and silences that are growing between them. But when the future of Juniper Meadows hangs in the balance, loyalties and love are tested to breaking point. When the chips are down, can Rhys and Tasha see a future together, come rain or shine... Sarah Bennett is back with her signature blend of warmth and joy, plot and pace. A Sarah Bennett book is a ray of sunshine and a huge hug, guaranteed to brighten any day, perfect for all fans of Cathy Bramley, Katie Fforde and Phillipa Ashley. Praise for the Juniper Meadows series: 'A perfect read to cosy up with at this time of year. Complex family relationships are explored with love and sensitivity and in a way that keeps you turning the pages. Full of friends and family and the meaning of love in all its different forms' Katie Ginger ‘I inhaled this book in two days. Absolutely gorgeous. Sarah Bennett is back, and better than ever!’ Rachel Burton 'A perfect heartwarming read full of family, romance and intrigue, set in a stunning location - what’s not to love?' Bella Osborne 'In From The Cold' is a cleverly woven tale of family in all its many meanings; emotional, heart-breaking but ultimately uplifting, I can’t wait to see where Sarah Bennett takes us next.' Alexandra Walsh 'In From the Cold is a joyful, intriguing story of intertwining relationships whose ripples spread throughout a community... Moving, witty and atmospheric, the story bowls along at a cracking pace, delivering a generous supply of romance along with the gin. I loved it! More, please.' Celia Anderson Readers love Sarah Bennett: ‘In From the Cold is a beautiful story about love, lies, betrayal and healing. Sarah Bennett's writing is gorgeous and she creates characters that I feel I know in real life. In From the Cold is another heartwarming story from this talented author. Grab your copy now and treat yourself to this hug in a book! 5 stars!’ ‘Absolutely loved this book from start to finish the storyline covered everything I didn't want it to finish, I do hope there is going to be a third instalment 🎉’ ‘I think this could well be some of Sarah Bennett’s best writing to date. She has a captivating way with words, and also gets some lovely humour in there too. What Sarah Bennett excels at, is creating settings. From her previous books, Lavender Bay and Mermaids Point, are both settings that have stuck in my heart. Juniper Meadows has now joined them. It’s just so damn lovely, and quite honestly, I want to go there and never leave!’ ‘I’ve read many of Sarah’s books and she quickly became one of my favourite authors. This latest doesn’t disappoint. Love the setting and the extended familial relationships, with the vulnerabilities of the characters very well portrayed. Look forward to reading more in this series.’

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Inside Lonely Planet's Experience France you'll travel through vibrant cities, rural villages, majestic mountains and swanky chateaux, discovering the secrets to French style, embarking on your own study of wines and cheeses and immersing yourself in history, art and all things la belle France.

Sarah Bennett

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