Sandwich: The NYT bestseller from the author of Richard & Judy Book Club pick, We All Want Impossible Things

By Catherine Newman

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

“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."—Ann Patchett, New York Times bestselling author of Tom Lake

“If you like my novels, you will love love love this . . . . I stand in awe, it’s just perfect.”—Elin Hilderbrand, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Swan Song

“A total delight.”—Kate Christensen

From the beloved author of We All Want Impossible Things and Wreck, a moving, hilarious story of a family summer vacation full of secrets, lunch, and learning to let go.

For the past two decades, Rocky has looked forward to her family’s yearly escape to Cape Cod. Their humble beach-town rental has been the site of sweet memories, sunny days, great meals, and messes of all kinds: emotional, marital, and—thanks to the cottage’s ancient plumbing—septic too.

This year’s vacation, with Rocky sandwiched between her half-grown kids and fully aging parents, promises to be just as delightful as summers past—except, perhaps, for Rocky’s hormonal bouts of rage and melancholy. (Hello, menopause!) Her body is changing—her life is, too. And then a chain of events sends Rocky into the past, reliving both the tenderness and sorrow of a handful of long-ago summers.

It's one precious week: everything is in balance; everything is in flux. And when Rocky comes face to face with her family’s history and future, she is forced to accept that she can no longer hide her secrets from the people she loves.

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Published Jun 18, 2024

233 pages

Average rating: 5.9

630 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

What Bookclubbers are saying about this book

✨ Summarized by Bookclubs AI

Readers say "Sandwich" offers sharp, funny, and relatable insights into menopause, family life, and grief, with well-crafted prose and memorable chara...

Mellific
Jul 09, 2026
6/10 stars
This is the equivalent to a coming-of-age tale for a woman in the throes of menopause, becoming an empty nester.
JustAnAlibi
Jan 29, 2026
9/10 stars
A lovely, wholesome, read. Funny and heartbreaking.
novelthoughtswithamy
Jul 23, 2025
8/10 stars
Although this book dealt with some heavy topics, It had me cracking up in between. The main character was carrying a lot on her own emotionally, some of which was self-inflicted, but I took it as her not really knowing what she wanted so she didn't know what kind of support to ask for. Without saying too much, I think the book helped normalize a specific type of loss and the range of grief and accompanying emotions that may arise. I love that It showed another side of being married for a long time, where the couple has grown a part a little bit, but they don't throw in the towel. They just ride the waves and figure It out. I also like that It showed all stages of relationships-a young couple in their early 20s, the young man's parents who are approaching 50, and his grandparents. Loved It.
Gabriela-in-Amherst
Nov 11, 2024
7/10 stars
A bit slow and dull, but enough humor and reflection on life's challenges to make it worth reading.
OldSoulBookish
Jul 02, 2026
4/10 stars
This one just didn’t work for me. There were a few funny moments and some enjoyable parts, but overall the story just didn’t fully flow for me. I don’t mind politics being included in books, even when I don’t personally agree, as long as it feels natural to the story. Unfortunately, in this one the political commentary started to feel repetitive with too much whining, which became tedious as the book went on. I kept hoping it would improve, so I pushed through to the end, but unfortunately it just wasn’t a book I really connected with.

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