Comforting and heartening and deliciously full of all the tidbits of raising a family and trying to keep up with aging and saying goodbye to yesterdays. Poignant and sentimental, shot through with goofy, ridiculous and funny slapstick moments to ease the throat lumpiness some. Winsome and warm and unafraid to delve into heavier issues around being a woman, a mother, a lover. Sweet and satisfying.

A quick hit novel at 240 pages! I loved We All Want Impossible Things by this same author so I was thrilled to get my advance copy!

Rocky and her family descend on the Cape for their annual family vacation. Her kids are now grown, her parents are aging and as she is in the throes of menopause and hot flashes she reflects upon her life, her choices, her kids, her body and more.

I could relate heavily to so many themes in this book. I’m certainly not as far along in life as Rocky but I’m getting there! And now I’m scared AF for menopause! Good lord. Aside from that, I do love this authors humor and the banter and family dynamics were wonderful. This certainly isn’t a big dramatic novel and those looking for “something to happen” won’t really find this here. But if you enjoy slice of life quiet novels that get down to the details of what condiments each character enjoys on their sandwiches then you’ll certainly savor this one.

Thank you very much @netgalley for the Advanced Reader Copy of Sandwich by Catherine Newman. Rocky is a writer and has spent many years doing a week long family vacation on Cape Cod. This year she is there with her husband, adult son and his girlfriend, adult daughter, and her elderly parents. It is not an extravagant vacation, but they love it and the best part is the traditions they have built over the years. It’s a fairly light read where really not much happens, but you get to know the characters, and hang out with the family. Fun especially if you are a Cape person!! #netgalley #sandwich @catherinenewman #advancedreadercopy #capecod #bookstagram #booklover #reader #bookblog #lovetoread #fictionreader #bookreview #bookrecommendation #readersofinstagram #bookloversofinstagram #takeapagefrommybook #readallthebooks #booksbooksbooks #booksofinstagram #bookwormproblems #bookaholic #booknerd #whattoread #readingtime #bookaddict #ilovetoread #ilovebooks #needtoread #readallday

Well written and tense tale of one family's annual Cape Cod vacation in the same cottage they've rented for decades. Centered on the mother, Rocky, as she navigates life with adult children and aging parents, as her own perimenopause causes havoc in her moods and body. Somewhat explicit, trigger warnings for abortion, miscarriage.

3.5 Stars

This is a story of generations of family, of love and loss, but also, so much more than that. This is a quiet story, overall, a story where there is a growing sense of changes to come as the younger generation of this family is on the verge of finding their own way, their own life, in the near future. Three generations, each with their own issues, desires, memories and fears.

Set on the Cape, this is an annual event for the family to join together, and while they are all eager to see each other, there is also a sense of each generation not truly understanding the other fully, but also being accepting of the changes over the years.

This story revolves mainly around Rocky, a mother who is navigating menopause,
her now grown children’s lives, and the difference between her life at their age, and the freedom to be themselves, to choose the life they want. Rocky’s parents, and how they are navigating her mother’s health, which is declining.


Pub Date: 18 Jun 2024

Many thanks for the ARC provided by Harper

4.5 stars

Catherine Newman's sophomore novel SANDWICH features matriarch Rachel (Rocky) who goes back to the same annual Cape Cod rental for a week with her children in their early 20s and her husband. The memories of past summers, with one specific summer in particular, come back to her as she is reconciling that she's moving to a new phase of womanhood and parenthood.

I had presumed that the "Sandwich" title analogy would be to having elderly parents on top of children of her own. That may indeed be true, but there are also other analogies that would also work. Rocky's parents don't make an appearance until at least halfway into the book, and Rocky's daughter Willa takes second billing in this novel. I enjoyed her immensely as a character. She's insightful, passionate, and would be a delight to have as a daughter. I loved the mother-daughter relationship here.

The big "secret" in this novel is not really a secret, as you are given many hints and the author gently leads you there. That's a positive for me because what Rocky is wrestling with doesn't come out of nowhere, makes sense, and is in line with what the reader knows. It was just the right length to make an impact but not be too long. As a reader, I felt at peace when I ended this novel.

While I really liked Newman's first novel, I even liked this one better!

P.S. I love this golden summer beach house cover.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book a lot. It was great!

I loved this book so much. As a mom. As someone who has spent summers on the Cape. The specific descriptions of emotions/feelings and the relationship with Rocky and her husband were so relatable. I've already recommended this to many friends!

Rocky, our main character, is going through a difficult time. Between menopause, aging parents and grown children, she has her hands fulled.
I could relate to this character a lot. Sometimes, I laughted, then cried at her telling of the family's one week annual vacation at the Cape. I am not sure that this is a book for everyone, but I loved it! Be forwarned, some of the storyline could be upsetting to some readers.

I enjoyed the naturally-flowing banter between the family members and could appreciate their reactions to the issues that arise throughout the week of vacation. There were certain hot topics that were dealt with that may turn some off (e.g., abortion), but I, personally, saw my views reflected back at me. This is a book for readers who enjoy quiet stories and witty banter.

"i mince down the spiral staircase...all of my joints clacking like the witch in a marionette performance of Hansel & Gretel."

i loved #sandwich. it's like a warm hug, and i so enjoyed the time i spent with this family, one week at the cape. i found rocky to be a tad obnoxious, sometimes, and unappreciative, but also, i could identify with her, sometimes. well done.

p.s. thanks to #netgalley for the ARC.

New to me author and I love her writing style. She has a way of writing conversationally and so true to real life. As a perimenopausal woman, I can relate to the struggles that she described with her body and with her place in life as an empty nester and toggling between memories of when her children were younger but also cherishing the adults they've become.
A criticism that I have that I have found among many writers is giving main characters similarly sounding names. We have a Willa and a Maya.... at times I kept forgetting who was the daughter and who was the son's girlfriend.
The husband's personality was a little flat as if he was just there to bounce the snarky wit off of by the main character. I believe she wrote him that way but I think I would have loved to see their interactions have a little more spunk. I live in a beach town so reading about "beach life" felt accurately portrayed. There are some really bittersweet moments and I loved how many of the references earlier in the story come full circle in the end. Quick read that felt honest and at times raw. Really enjoyed it!

I just finished Sandwich by Catherine Newman, and I simply could not put it down! The novel centers around Rocky, a woman who finds herself in a new phase of life, as she and her husband adjust to being empty nesters while simultaneously worrying about her aging parents. As the entire family embarks on their yearly summer trip to Cape Cod, Rocky feels nostalgic for years gone by and apprehensive about what the future holds. I found the story to be a perfect balance of laughter and tears, and I devoured it! The entire cast of characters is both relatable and realistic, and I could read a whole series about them! I believe Sandwich would be a perfect pick for book clubs, and I cannot wait to discuss it with my friends. This 5-star novel is a book I will be reading again in the future!

“Sandwich” by Catherine Newman is wonderful story about the journey of life. It takes place in Cape Cod where the family has rented a cottage for one week every summer. The story centers around “Rocky” a mom who is at the “sandwich” stage of her life. She is dealing with her grown children, aging parents, marriage, menopause and the secrets she has kept along the way. We move through the mishaps of her journey as a wife & mother, her current anxiety around her aging body, and the secrets of her past she finally discloses. Ultimately, we also experience the total joy and love of family that comes through every beautifully written word. The story is heartwarming, honest and told with bits of humor that had me laughing out loud. A must read for anyone who loves their family and is struggling through the next stage of their life.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Rocky is in a weird stage of life. Her children are grown. Her parents are aging. Her body is changing. Feels as if it’s not her own.

To bring herself back to center, she plans a trip to Cape Cod in the house her and her family have been spending every summer at for vacation. But it forces her to come to grips with some of her biggest secrets and regrets.

Oh my goodness. This book was so incredibly HILARIOUS and heartbreaking all at the same time. Being in the thick of motherhood myself, it taught me to savor every little moment. Because kids aren’t kids for long. So incredibly well written, raw and beautiful. I absolutely devoured this book!!!

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper for the opportunity to read Sandwich by Catherine Newman. A week at the beach for three generations of family. There is love, tears, laughter, secrets and confessions. I loved it all.

Loved Catherine Newman's last book and am trying to get into more contemporary literary fiction this year, so super excited for this read! Thank you GCP for the advanced e-copy in exchange for an honest review &/or promotion!

Catherine Newman's previous novel We All Want Impossible Things was an average three-star book for me, but Sandwich was easily five stars. It's the story of Rachel (nicknamed Rocky), her easy-going husband Nick, and their grown children Willa and Jamie (and Jamie's girlfriend Maya) vacationing for a week at the same beach house on Cape Cod that they've rented for 20 years. Newman's writing about the mishaps of vacation (clogged toilet, strep throat, and a hospital visit) is very realistic but also quite funny. Throughout the week, Rocky reminisces about the early days of motherhood and these are also honest, poignant, and funny. Rocky is currently menopausal and prone to hot flashes, so we're treated to more humor and realism combined perfectly. The whole book was the perfect combination of realism, some not-very-good things, poignancy, humor, a few secrets, and lots of love, respect, and communication among family members. I'm fairly sure that Sandwich will be one of my top books this year.

"And this may be the only reason we were put on this earth. To say to each other, I know how you feel. To say, Same. To say, I understand how hard it is to be a parent, a kid. To say, Your shell stank and you're sad. I've been there."
(This quote will make complete sense if you do yourself a favor and read the book.)

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper for providing me with a copy of this book. It will be published on June 18, 2024.

Sandwich by Catherine Newman is a poignant story of family, self-discovery, and the power of secrets. The story centers around Rocky, a woman on a summer vacation to Cape Cod with her entire family – adult children, aging parents, and her husband. What starts as a nostalgic trip down memory lane quickly takes a turn as Rocky struggles with all of the emotions that come along with the life of a woman in her fifties.

All of the characters are drawn beautifully and are completely relatable. Each member of the family is searching to their find their way, with Rocky in the middle trying to help everyone else navigate their journeys. In the midst of all of this she herself is trying to find out who she is at this juncture of her life. The narration is beautiful and expertly describes moments with laugh-out-loud humor coupled with heartbreaking reality.

At the heart of all, this is a story of family. How life is messy and it is in the messy that we find out who we really are and how we are connected. Part of that family mess can also be secrets, and we learn that only when we trust those around us can we truly open ourselves up to their love.

Ultimately, Sandwich is a heartwarming and hopeful story. It's a celebration of life's journey, reminding us that even when life gets messy there is beauty to be found. It's a must-read for anyone who has ever felt lost, anyone who cherishes family, and anyone struggling to find themselves again as the world around them is changing.

This was another great book by this author. It was well written it was so meaningful and I really enjoyed it. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher.!