Sandwich by Catherine Newman was a HIGHLY anticipated read for me - I just love this author and as a person who spends a month on the cape every summer it felt like this was made for me. I really loved it. It’s subtle and also somehow completely direct. It’s simple but deeply complex. It’s rooted in emotion and how our relationships to each other, and ourselves, change over time. That alone is wonderful but layer in enviable descriptions of setting and food that make you desperate to be sitting at the pond with the same sandwich in your hand and a family dynamic that is so real it’s impossible not to see parts of your own family reflected within them.

While I didn’t sob the way I sobbed (gave myself a migraine I cried so hard) reading We All Want Impossible Things she still got me and tears were shed. I think if I were the same age as the author and facing a similar 😏 sandwich 😏 in life this would cut even deeper, emotionally.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper for the ARC - Sandwich is out 6/18/24!

Thank you to Harper publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity read this eARC!

The cover of this book and the summer vibes of it immediately drew me to request this eARC. The synopsis gave the book's plot a mysterious tilt. There was a lot that I liked about this book and some definite things that I found hard to love. The style that it is written in made for an incredibly fast read (I finished this within one afternoon and evening!) The female experience was relatable in many ways to me even as someone without children or having gone through motherhood. I adored the descriptions of summer food, time spent on the beach and the salty, sweaty, sandy feel of summer. However, I do wish there had been some kind of trigger warning at the beginning of the novel as I found the underlying plot to be hard to read at times and I felt it to be very negative feeling by the time I finished it. I think the ending was well done, but I felt the balance of bemoaning the trials and tribulations of womanhood with celebrating its many changes was a bit off. Overall a good reading experience, but not at all what I expected going into it. I would recommend with the caveats of the trigger warnings and the overall feelings the book can evoke.

A week-long family vacation forms the backdrop for the most relatable story I’ve read since I can’t remember when. Summer vacations on Cape Cod are a tradition two decades in the making for Rocky and her family. This summer finds Rocky in her 50s in the throes of menopause, a loving wife, mom to two young adult children, and daughter of aging parents. It’s a week of love, laughter, secrets long hidden, and plenty of sandwiches.

The title Sandwich has multiple meanings. Of course, it’s quite literally about the lunch staple: Rocky takes great joy in the “epic making of the sandwiches,” showing her lover by customizing elaborate creations to each family member’s taste. Then there’s the setting. Although the author never tells us the exact location where the story takes place, my mind imagines it’s set in Sandwich, the oldest town on Cape Cod. And then there’s the metaphorical: the middle-aged adult daughter “sandwiched” between children and caring for older parents.

I felt so seen, so understood, by this tender and funny story. I need more characters like Rocky in my life! Although my kids are still teenagers, otherwise I’m right where Rocky is. Menopause has made Rocky unapologetically filterless, a bit forgetful, and overflowing with emotion. I can’t describe how utterly relatable she is. I laughed out loud at her thoughts and words, I marveled at their poignancy, I choked up as they touched my heart. I highlighted the hell out of passages I never want to forget. I fell in love with this charming, authentic story and can’t recommend it highly enough!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper for providing me an advance copy of this book.

This is the ultimate book for every mom over 40 with kids on the brink of adulthood. If the conversations didn’t come alive for you, your family is too normal. This awakened thoughts that I’ve never given a voice to before. This is going to be a summer smash! And now I’m going to go make a sandwich with the works.

In Sandwich, Catherine Newman tells the story of Rocky, a middle-aged mom vacationing on Cape Cod for the week with her family. On the one hand, Rocky is thrilled to have this focused time with her husband Nick and her young adult kids, Willa and Jamie. On the other hand, she’s neurotic with menopause, empty-nest grief, and worry over her aging parents, who come to visit them for a few days during the week. Before the family’s time together is over, they share secrets, soothe some hurts, and get a glimpse of both sorrows and joys to come.

I’ve been a fan of Catherine Newman since back in her Bringing Up Ben and Birdy days. The blend of heartfelt feeling and humor in her writing has always resonated with me, and I feel like she just gets better with time and life experience. Newman is absolutely at the height of her powers in Sandwich. It’s the kind of novel you love, not for the plot, but for the characters and their relationships. From the first page to the last, Rocky and her family felt so vivid and real to me. I really connected with Rocky, in particular—probably because I’m also a slightly tetchy menopausal woman facing down the prospect of an empty nest. In any case, I loved this story of a mom “sandwiched” in the middle of life, squished by all the powerful and sometimes conflicting emotions that come with marriage and family.

This book follows Rocky and her family during their one week summer vacation in Cape Cod. It was really well written with some excellent humor woven in. I think I would have given this 5 stars if I read it in 15 years and could relate more to the menopause and having grown children. Be cautious of potential trigger warnings, especially miscarriage and abortion.

Thanks Netgalley for an arc of this beautiful novel. I’ve been spending time on Cape Cod since I was a child so I’ll always gravitate towards novels set there. This is the story of Rocky and Nick and their two kids, Jamie and Willa- both in their 20’s. The book is set during their one week vacation on the Cape. I just loved it- the characters are well developed and the plot has some tension but it’s mostly just a slice of life book. Perfect to read on the beach or anywhere.

I had so much fun reading this. It came at the perfect time in my life. It was so relatable.
Rocky and her family rent the same cabin on Cape Cod the same week every year. They have been doing this since her children were little. This year the kids are grown and her parents are elderly and Rocky’s in menopause. This hit so close to home. I laughed out loud so many times. I’m definitely reading her backlist.
Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for a honest opinion.4⭐️

If you're a woman in your 50's and have ever taken a family vacation....Sandwich may be the perfect novel for you! Over the course of a week at the beach in Massachusetts, we get to know Rocky (short for Raquel), her husband Nick, and adult children Jamie (and girlfriend, Maya) and Willa, along with a visit from Rocky's parents. They're all jammed into a small cottage and during the course of their vacation, revisit old memories, make new ones and reveal secrets.
They've rented the same cottage for 20 years and Sandwich primarily explores the story of Rocky's motherhood, much of which took place at the cottage. The novel certainly captures the "joys" of menopause (and reminded me of How Hard Can It Be by Allison Pearson) as well as the changes that take place in families over the years.
Thanks to Netgalley and HarpersCollins for the opportunity to read Sandwich in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks, Harper Books, for the early review copy via NetGalley. (US Pub: 18 Jun 24)

Newman’s previous novel, WE ALL WANT IMPOSSIBLE THINGS, made my “Best Of 2023” list, and I’ve been dying to crack this one open. So, I treated myself to it over Mother’s Day weekend.

Its straightforward premise leaves plenty of room for character development and hilarious and heartbreaking conversations. (“You’re going to be barking up this rational tree, and I’m going to be alone in a different tree, not getting barked at.”)

For the past twenty years, Rocky’s family has spent a week at a seaside Cape Cod cottage, and the novel covers this year’s trip, complete with plenty of delicious food (including many, many sandwiches), cramped sleeping arrangements, and a faulty septic. But with flashbacks and conversations, Newman reveals not only the topography of Rocky’s life but also produces a witty and tender exploration of familial love, warts and all.

Newman! She just gets me. Or maybe I get her. All I know is she will describe something, and I recognize it at a visceral level. (“I keep picking my phone up, like it’s a Magic 8 Ball with an answer for me.”)

But don’t just take my word for it. Ann Patchett (!!) gushed, “Sandwich is joy in book form. I laughed continuously, except for the parts that made me cry. Catherine Newman does a miraculous job reminding us of all the wonder there is to be found in life."

FYA (For Your Awareness), be prepared to run the gauntlet of emotions and experience via candid discussions of sex, sexuality, abortion, miscarriage, and menopause.

Also, know that (if you are like me) you will laugh yourself stupid (and maybe pee a little). When Rocky’s daughter quizzes her over the Hogwarts' house names (“All the names of everything have oozed out and away from the drainage holes menopause has punched into my memory storage.”), I laughed so loud that I startled my dog.

I was so grateful to get an advanced copy of Sandwich by Catherine Newman thanks to NetGalley and Harper.

There is so much I loved about this book. I liked the structure, and that it’s told over the course of a week. While we learn so much about Rocky and her family’s life, it is a very tightly written story.

And yet, in this short novel, Newman packs in so much. Like being human, which Rocky describes as “crushingly beautiful,” so is this very intimate, honest, reflective story.

Rachel, or Rocky, is our 54 year old main character whose first person perspective guides us through her history as a young mother, to the present, as a mother of a 21 and 24 year old. We spend a week with Rocky, her husband, Nick, their kids Willa and Jaime, Jaime’s girlfriend Maya, and Rocky’s aging parents.

Throughout this week, we get a glimpse into Rocky’s past and her feelings about this stage of her life, as a wife, a mother and a feminist. Rocky’s nostalgia for the old days with her young children is balanced by her recognition of how difficult those days were. There is uniquely hilarious situational humor right alongside serious and sad commentary on women aging, menopause, love, loss, secrets, shame, worrying, motherhood, marriage and aging parents.

The writing in this book is simple but profound. Newman layers these characters and drives her points home expertly.

I also love the setting of Cape Cod in the summer, and it reads like a light, enjoyable summer read while covering a depth of topics in a way that does justice to them through these characters' stories.

It’s only early June, but I think this will definitely have a place as one of my top books of this summer!

I love Cape Cod so I was very excited to read this book! Sandwich starts off wonderfully with a fantastic picturesque description of the area. This story takes place over one week in the summer when an adult family (parents, adult children aged 24 and 20, a girlfriend and grandparents) rents the cottage they have vacationed at for 20 years. It's narrated by Rocky, the 54 year old mother, and she's quite funny. I can identify with a lot of what she says and feels. There is a bathing suit shopping scene near the beginning where her descriptions are hilarious, and yet spot on. I'm still laughing!

Sandwich starts off pretty light, but gets heavier and more serious as the week goes on. Rocky still worries about her adult children, but now that her parents are in their eighties, she worries about them too. As the week progresses, Newman introduces some serious and perhaps controversial situations. Although they played an important part to the story, I found myself missing some of the more comical and lighthearted moments from the beginning of the book. All in all, it was a 4 star read. I'm definitely looking forward to reading more by Catherine Newman. Thank you to NetGalley and Harper for the digital ARC.

Catherine Newman’s Sandwich is a heartfelt and engaging novel that beautifully captures the essence of family life, middle age, and the changes that come with time. Set during a summer vacation in Cape Cod, the story delves into the complexities of being caught between aging parents and growing children, with plenty of humor and heart.

The protagonist, Rocky, always looks forward to the family’s annual beach retreat. This year, though, she’s dealing with menopause, her half-grown kids, and her aging parents. As she navigates these changes, memories from past summers resurface, filled with both joy and sadness. Rocky must face her family’s history and the future, learning to let go and embrace the present.

Newman’s writing shines in this charming slice-of-life novel. The characters are wonderfully flawed and deeply human, each dealing with their own issues while holding on to the love that binds them. Rocky’s journey, especially her hormonal ups and downs, is depicted with humor and empathy, making her a relatable and endearing character.

The Cape Cod setting adds a nostalgic element to the story. Newman’s descriptions of the beach, the cottage, and the family’s traditions create a vivid backdrop. The theme of food, particularly Rocky’s delicious sandwiches, symbolizes the nurturing and care she provides for her family, despite her own struggles.

Sandwich is more than just a family vacation story; it’s a deep exploration of love, loss, and the passage of time. The book balances humor and heartache, capturing the messy, beautiful reality of family life. It’s a novel that will resonate deeply with readers, especially those navigating similar life stages.

For those who enjoy character-driven stories about family dynamics, Sandwich is a must-read. It’s a gorgeous little book that offers wisdom, warmth, and a generous dose of reality. While it’s already a touching read, it’s likely to resonate even more as readers enter motherhood or middle age, making it a timeless addition to any bookshelf.

Thank you to Harper and NetGalley for providing an ARC of this lovely novel. Sandwich is set to be published on June 18, 2024, and is sure to be a favorite among fans of contemporary and literary fiction.

As a post-menopausal woman, this book spoke to me! While there were thankfully parts that I didn’t personally experience, there were some that really struck home! And many of them were laugh at loud moments! Luckily, I didn’t deal with the extreme emotional aspect of the collapse of my hormones (or at least maybe my husband is luckier) but that didn’t mean I couldn’t relate with Rocky. She just lost her filter and good for her! She may come across rougher and tougher to some, but sometimes those are the thoughts rolling around in our heads! I stayed away from reviews until I wrote mine, so I will be curious how this one hits with younger readers. But there is so much of Rocky’s younger motherhood, that I think it’ll still be relevant. I even showed my daughter who is heading to a beach vacation with her two-year-old a very true to life blurb that I think any mother who spent time at the beach can appreciate! Just wanted to give her a realistic expectation!
Definitely a character driven book, as this family takes their annual vacation to the Cape in the same home they’ve rented for over twenty years. The traditions, the memories and the changes as they have all grown and aged. Children leaving the nest, parents, partners, pets aging – all everyday events but ones that have significant impacts on our lives.
These definitely reads like a memoir and could be the true story of some many ordinary people.

This book--won't be for everyone, but if you are 50 or older, going through menopause and both sad and happy to have almost adult children (like me), you will get this book. The mom, Rocky, is a bit frustrating sometimes, but still, I understood her. I felt her pain. I cried several times, reread certain sentences a few times (so beautifully written), and just adored this family, especially her daughter, Willa. I've adored Catherine Newman's writing for years-reading her essays about parenting and falling for her memoir, Waiting for Birdy, when I was a new mom. This book won't be for everyone--but if it's for you, you will feel it in your bones.

LOVED this book! Laughed, cried, felt like she was speaking to me with aging parents and adult kids going through menopause. I enjoyed the format of starting the chapters devoted to the past with the same phrase and then it slightly changed. The presentation of her conscious decision making both in her early marriage and current day was relevant, substantial, and truthful. LOVED it.

This is the story of a one week family vacation to The Cape, the same beach house they have rented for two decades. Rocky (Rachel), her husband, their grown children and also her aging parents are all there and all dealing with their own issues. It's a fairly quiet book that is more of a character study of a woman in menopause trying to deal with the changes in her own life as well as those of her family. She has quite a lot of trouble letting go where the adult children are involved. There is a lot of talk of menopause, some I could relate to and some not so much. Over the course of the week some secrets are revealed and Rocky must learn how to deal with what could be a painful past to try to get to a place of happiness in her current situation.

Thank you to @netgalley and @harperbooks for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
3.5 stars (rounded to 4)

I loved this book! Read it in a day in the pool. This book is for any mom of grown children and the struggles of having an empty nest. I loved the banter which sounded identical to conversations I’ve had with my own family. The menopause descriptions were fitting and funny, not funny. This book is an absolute treat and I loved being along on vacation with Rocky and her family, and found myself nodding or laughing along with her.

The premise to this novel sounded like a perfect summer read, but I ended up really hating the narrative voice.

Oh my gosh this book! I was underlining every page - me and all of my late 40s glory have never felt more seen. Both in the hysterically funny parts and quiet, tender moments, this book is highly relatable for those of us sandwiched between our aging parents and our growing children. The main character, Rocky, is tackling it all - letting go, allowing for the natural changes as we age, questioning past decisions, wondering about her future.

This book highlighted for me how absolutely special the very ordinariness of our lives can be. It’s about everything and nothing which may not work for some readers but will absolutely be a hit for fans of quiet novels, or those of you suffering from hot flashes and inexplicable rage. I’ve never read a more honest take on being wife, mother, and daughter in her middle age.

I’m just a little bit younger than Rocky and we’re only beginning to launch our kids into the world, but I really appreciated this glimpse into my future.