Catherine Newman’s Sandwich follows fifty-four-year-old Rachel, known as "Rocky" to those close to her, during her family's annual trip to Cape Cod. Accompanied by her husband Nick, their adult children—Willa and Jamie—Jamie’s girlfriend Maya, and her elderly parents, Rocky finds herself at the center of the family’s many demands. As she juggles these responsibilities, she also contends with the emotional and physical challenges of menopause, along with a deep sense of nostalgia for the years gone by.

Told from Rocky’s first-person perspective, the novel unfolds over the course of a week, interspersed with flashbacks that provide insight into her past. The slower pacing complements the reflective nature of the story, which explores the evolving dynamics of family life—its joys and challenges, the push and pull between togetherness and independence, and the delicate balance of holding on while learning to let go.

Newman addresses a range of deeply personal themes, including parenting, sexuality, menopause, motherhood, miscarriage, marriage, aging, family secrets, grief, and sacrifice, with nuance and sensitivity. The novel’s rich prose, authentic characters, and realistic situations create a deeply moving and introspective reading experience. Infused with humor, warmth, and heartfelt moments, Sandwich is a poignant and thought-provoking novel that beautifully captures the complexities of family life.

I was really drawn in to the blurb, and there was so much positive publicity around this book that I am so happy that I was equally as enraptured by the story myself. I felt so much for Rocky who was really in the thick of it all at the beginning and just needed a break on their usual family holiday to Cape Cod, but nothing ever goes to plan! When she goes on the holiday she is accompanied by her husband (Nick), her two children (Willa and Jamie), Maya (Jamie's girlfriend) and her elderly parents. Rocky is struggling with managing her menopausal mood-swings which have her going from one extreme to the other (also causing conflicts with family members), and struggling with the shifting dynamics of family life. The story covers so many difficult topics, which so many people can relate to in one way or another, and is is written in the gritty way that life can deal you sometimes. The story shows that everyone is going through their own struggles whilst also not being able to always understand or comprehend what other people are going through beneath the surface which may impact on the way they behave / conduct themselves. There was so much healing that took place, especially with Rocky having an unexpected trip down memory lane, unearthing a lot of locked away feelings, further adding to her strain.
It was written in such a poetic yet raw way that I personally found it so enlightening (and maybe got a bit teary) which is exactly the type of book that I love to read - one that gives me so much to take away and consider.

I did enjoy this book - the central themes spoke to me as a lover of fiction about women and what it means to be a woman. I don't know if it was my state of mind (or indeed completely intentional to follow the meandering thoughts if its narrator...) but I did find it at times a bit difficult to stick to the narrative that sort of jumps in a cyclical way, returning to periods from the narrator's past. In fact as I describe it now it does feel totally intentional and appropriate and clever... Overall a very enjoyable book, anyway.

Sandwich is such a refreshing take on middle age and family dynamics. Through Rocky's perimenopausal lens, we get this incredibly honest (and often hilarious) look at that weird moment when your kids are grown but you're still figuring out who you are now. The Cape Cod vacation setting perfectly captures those bittersweet family moments - like when you're so proud of the adults your children have become while secretly missing their sticky-fingered younger selves. What really got me was how Newman nails both the humor and heartache of this stage of life, from Rocky's changing body to her aging parents, without ever feeling sorry for herself. It's rare to find a book that can make you laugh out loud about a septic tank crisis one minute and then hit you right in the feels the next. A must-read for anyone navigating the messy middle years of life and love.

Every year 54 year-old Rachel ‘Rocky’ and her family spend a week of the Summer in a rented cottage at Cape Cod. This year that includes her husband Nick, her adult children – daughter Willa, son Jamie and his girlfriend Maya, and her elderly parents.

““It’s so crushingly beautiful, being human,” the mother sighs, and the daughter rolls her eyes and says, “But also so terrible and ridiculous.” And maybe it’s all three. This one week.”

Sandwich is a realistic portrayal of a woman facing the challenges of midlife- menopause, empty nest syndrome, and unwell ageing parents. While Rocky savours the time she is spending with her family in the present, fuelled by the vagaries of fluctuating hormones she wistfully recalls the past and worries about the future.

Given I share in Rocky’s stage of life I found her easy to relate to. She’s angrier than me, but I’m familiar with many of her thoughts and emotions (and menopause symptoms). I enjoyed the candid nature of the narrative, Rocky is brash but also vulnerable, she made me laugh, and nearly weep.

Newman addresses several issues in Sandwich including parenthood, marriage, health, ageing, grief, and regret. And as the family laugh, bicker, reminisce, make confessions, while gorging on saltwater taffy, seafood and sandwiches, Newman highlights the powerful and enduring nature of love.

I devoured Sandwich. Insightful, witty and poignant, this is an excellent read that I recommend to other women of a certain (r)age.

I am convinced that Catherine Newman cannot write a bad book. Sandwich follows Rocky and her family; she’s sandwiched between her adult children and her ageing parents whilst also going through life changes herself. Rocky is a brilliant character - she’s funny, she’s nostalgic and whilst the novel is so simple in its construction, it’s also so impactful. An excellent book and I can’t wait to read what Catherine writes next!

While the general narrative was enjoyable, I just felt this this book didn’t really go anywhere, it was just a bit too nothingy and I felt like I was just waiting for something to happen other than family arguments and discussions but nothing much really did. It was easy read though.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for an advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A really enjoyed this booked and totally immersed myself in Rocky and her family from her adult children through to her ageing parents. Its a story of family love and a few secrets along the way. Rocky is a menopausal woman who reflects on herself both physically and mentally, a husband who seems to struggle to understand or even engage with his wife at times, grown up children who are still children at heart , and elderly parents who have all the wisdom of life and just enjoy being on holiday with all the family. Each generation of the family bring something different to the mix.

It takes place on Cape Cod and having been there, I can totally relate to the laid back beach holiday in the wonderfully shabby chic house that has been there for many generations. A lovely easy, gentle book to read.

Sandwiched between her elderly parents and her young adult children, Rocky is struggling with the mid life challenges of relationships and menopause. The family gather for their annual holiday and Rocky is overwhelmed with memories, both nostalgic and traumatic. Catherine Newman evokes the days of family holidays with small children, and of the bittersweet memories that follow.

A funny feel good read that kept me going, I read this in one sitting as struggled to put down. Highly recommended

I saw this book EVERYWHERE so was desperate to read it. oh boy it SO didn't disappoint. It was beautifully written and whilst I wanted to keep reading it, I really didnt want it to end.

I really loved this book. I could really relate with the main character and everything she was going through.

I enjoyed the humour in the book and really enjoyed the dynamics between the family members. I loved how the mother kept the story going by remembering different times they had stayed at the house over the years

I would recommend this book.

I didn't enjoy Newman's first book hugely but I did like her writing style and I am glad I tried this second book as it was far more my cup of tea,

While covering a lot of controversial topics as well as ones very relevant to a person of my age (in the sandwich generation) the book was very funny and also just a little bit of a fantasy/wish fulfilment dream book, which at times veered a little close to uncanny valley

I loved this funny, sad, uplifting and deeply felt novel. I raced to read it and was sad when I had to turn out the light - exactly the kind of book to take on holiday. Read it now!

Rating: 3.5

There were a lot of aspects I enjoyed about this novel; the Cape Cod setting, the dry humour, the exploration of women’s health. Similarly to ‘We All Want Impossible
Things’ it was very easy to become entrenched in the novel and I flew through it.
Sadly, I did find Rocky to be quite unlikeable and could not really warm to her character; as the novel is from her POV this was a shame. However, I really enjoy Catherine Newman’s writing and will definitely read whatever she puts out next.

I loved Catherine Newman's debut novel, 'We All Want Impossible Things', about grief and loss, specifically losing a friend to a terminal illness. Her second novel 'Sandwich' is, on the surface, a much sunnier novel, set over the course of a week's holiday on Cape Cod, but nonetheless deals with various forms of loss experienced by the narrator, Rocky, who is holidaying with her husband Nick, her grown-up kids Willa and Jamie (and Jamie's girlfriend Maya), and her elderly parents.

I initially found Rocky's narrative voice a little smug in her descriptions of all her cherished holiday rituals and her frequent 'what am I like?' embarrassing personal admissions which are nonetheless designed to present her as lovably clueless. This is a family who are very privileged in lots of respects, and they know it. This is tempered by some self-awareness from Rocky ("There are other people in the world besides us! I forget that sometimes" is a particularly telling admission) but I still found her gushing style a bit grating at times.

However, as the novel progresses we learn more about the different types of loss Rocky has experienced, from discovering the truth about her great-grandparents' deaths during the Holocaust to looking back on the challenges of early motherhood, and the mixture of pride and pain she feels as her own children grow up and become independent. There are some very moving passages, along with some amusing Nora Ephron-style descriptions of the indignities of growing older.

There is not a huge amount of plot in this story, though a few narrative strands introduce some jeopardy midway through the novel. Overall, it is more focused on reflection than action, and I'm sure the honesty with which Rocky describes her experiences will resonate with many readers. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC to review.

Found this an enjoyable read. Family dynamics on holiday, marriage and relationships and love are all explored. Thank you to the publisher and Net galley for the opportunity to read this. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Absolutely loved this book! Being a woman entering menopause I had to laugh out loud in quite a few places could totally relate
Really enjoyed it

This is a entertaining read which was very funny at times. It’s the story about a family who go to Cape Cod every year. Secrets are revealed. Rocky is the narrator and the mother, she is menopausal. husband Nic doesn’t seem to know what’s going on half the time. the grandparents made me smile trying to come to terms with technology. The novel focuses on family, motherhood , marriage and love.

I found this a very entertaining read which was very funny at times. It’s the story of a family who go to Cape Cod every year and this year is no exception. Secrets are revealed and feelings are at the forefront. Rocky is the narrator and the mother, she is menopausal and being a similar age I found her outbursts very funny at times. Her husband Nic who doesn’t seem to know what’s going on half the time.is a great character. I love the conversations about sandwiches which sound delicious.
My favourites are the grandparents , they made me smile trying to come to terms with technology. It’s a short novel which focuses on family, motherhood , marriage and love.