Skip to Main Content

Sandwiched

A Memoir of Holding On and Letting Go

Published by She Writes Press
Distributed by Simon & Schuster

About The Book

Laurie James spent most of her life wondering what it means to belong; loneliness dictated the choices she made. She rarely shared this secret with others, however; it was always hidden behind a carefree and can-do attitude. When she’s in her mid-forties, Laurie’s mother has a heart attack and her husband’s lawyer delivers some shocking news. She suddenly finds herself sandwiched between caring for her parents, managing unruly caregivers, raising four teenage daughters, and trying to understand the choices of the husband she thought she knew. Laurie’s story is about one woman’s struggle to “do it all” while facing the reality that the “ideal life” and “perfect family” she believed could save her was slowly crumbling beneath her. Laurie tries everything to keep her family together—seeks therapy, practices yoga, rediscovers nature, develops strong female friends, and begins writing—but as she explores the layers of her life and heals her past, she realizes that she’s the only one who can create the life she wants and deserves. Sandwiched is a memoir about what it means to let go of the life you planned in order to find the life you belong to.

About The Author

Laurie James has successfully launched four daughters, has been the primary caretaker for her elderly parents, and is the founder of a unique program in Manhattan Beach, California, that helps women through pivotal transitions in life. An active community volunteer, she co-chairs a youth program for high school students, exposing them to a variety of career paths before they apply to college. Laurie graduated from Cal Poly Pomona with a BS in business and was a corporate recruiter before she stayed home to raise her four daughters. She lives in Manhattan Beach and enjoys yoga, hiking, skiing, sailing, and adventure travel. This is her first book. She lives in Manhattan Beach, CA.

Product Details

  • Publisher: She Writes Press (June 22, 2021)
  • Length: 344 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781631527869

Browse Related Books

Raves and Reviews

“Author Laurie James delivers a powerful, moving story of the war within the self: who she is versus who she really wants to be. This author is gifted at putting these tug-of-war emotions and scenarios into a book with dialogue that reads as easily a novel. If you've ever given your all and it still isn't enough, you will definitely relate to this woman's journey, and perhaps you can learn from it as well.”
Readers’ Favorite, 5-star review

Sandwiched delivers an insightful examination of a woman committed to strengthening her own understanding of how she became the person she is and how she can persevere to uncover the person she wants to be. The story will provide a valuable example for others seeking guidance and inspiration while confronting the ongoing and relentless obstacles in life.”
—Kathryn Taylor, author of Two Minus One: A Memoir

“A relatable memoir, told with honesty and grace, that reminds me of the struggles of every woman with a caring, nurturing soul. James gives so much of herself to the ones she loves that there’s nothing left for herself, to the point where it almost destroys her. Her self-discovery is a slow burn, one you won't be able to put down.”
—Jackie Townsend, author of The Absence of Evelyn and Riding High in April

Resources and Downloads

High Resolution Images