Sandwiched

by Jennifer Archer

What's a fortyish woman to do if ... her free-spirited elderly mom's moving in, her previously do-gooder teenage daughter's sneaking out, her prize-winning stud bulldog can't get it on, and her soon-to-be ex-husband can't get his mind off girls half his age? CiCi Dupree doesn't have time for a breakdown, can't afford to run away, and she is a counselor - so she chooses to eat massive amounts of ice cream. Until she realizes she has to do something.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, Chick Lit

304 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published July 1, 2005

About the author

Jennifer Archer is an award-winning author of eleven novels and three novellas in the young adult, romantic comedy, and women's fiction genres and has co-authored a non-fiction book. Her novels have been nominated for Romance Writers of America’s Rita Award and Romantic Times Bookclub’s Reviewer’s Choice Award. The Texas Library Association selected her debut young adult novel Through Her Eyes for their first Spirit of Texas Reading Program – Middle School and for the TAYSHAS High School reading list. Jennifer also writes and edits for clients through her business, Archer Editing & Writing Services www.archereditingandwriting.com. She lives in Texas with her husband and three dogs.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2JTyFMP
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Instagram: jenniferarcher01

Reviews

[Chloe (Always Booked) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really quick, decent read about a middle aged woman sandwiched between her aging mother who now lives with her and her teenage daughter who is a senior (I think) in high school. She and her husband are divorced after he cheated and left and she is not quite sure where she fits in. She's a counselor but it seems like her own life is falling apart. She starts binge eating, her daughter starts rebelling and getting more serious with her boyfriend, and her mother starts dating as well. The bright spot in her life is a book club that her and her mom run with a bunch of senior citizens. She finds a smutty book on her daughter's nightstand and reads it and then takes it to book club and all hell breaks loose. The old people start coupling up, one man gets injured from an erectile issue, and promiscuity runs rampant. Everyone freaks out and paparazzi start following the woman because she has caused all these "problems" and made a scandal. Clients stop coming to her because her image as a counselor is ruined as the public watches her life seemingly crumble and earn the reputation of a dirty lady. In the end, people realize she hasn't really caused problems, in fact she's helped the old people realize there is still life even when you're old. She's helped them rediscover fun and the joy of living. She starts specializing in geriatric counseling, her mom gets married, and her daughter comes back around and stops rebelling so much. Oh, and she gets a boyfriend. Cute book for a quick, easy read. I would recommend but probably wouldn't reread.

[Bev Walkling · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book about three women from 3 different generations in one family who are living together. The importance of family comes through clearly in this novel although stumbles along the way by different characters do cause a few problems. CiCi Dupree is strict with her teenage daughter and concerned for her elderly Mom. By profession she's a councillor but her volunteer work with seniors causes all sorts of problems when she reads her daughters romance novel to them and they start getting ideas. This made me laugh a lot because I could identify from my own life experience. Once when singing at a hospital day program (as a volunteer) for people with dementia, I sang a humerous song called a A Chat With Mother. One word was a little risque and sure enough the adult children complained. This book was a great distraction for me from the pressures of life in pandemic times. All 3 family members featured on their own in the story and had their own adventures. It was a delight.

[Jennifer Archer]

I wrote it, so I won't rate it. I loved writing these characters, though. Very fun.

[Lyndsey Nicole Hill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this! I don't feel that the title really gives the full picture. Should be something fun and funky. Maybe more sexual adult sounding.

I loved the different point of views in this
Well done!

[Cheryl Licata · Rating 4 out of 5]

When three generations of family related women are living together, they discover it's far from easy. The teenage daughter is angry with her mother and sneaking out of the house, her grandmother is trying to keep an eye on her granddaughter but doesn't tell the granddaughter's mother, who is her daughter. It's a generational mess -- and that's before boyfriends get involved. Then there's the book club and the book of the month is a steamy romance novel. I think it was Nana who said, " Life changes all the time We can either adapt or we can be unhappy." A good philosophy from a good read.

[A. A. Breitling · Rating 3 out of 5]

A delightful read about a woman who's life is changing too much all at once: her elderly, widowed mom is moving in with her, her teenage daughter is sneaking out, and her soon-to-be ex-husband is involved with a much younger woman. Plus, she's working hard as a family counselor, and her own need for intimacy is driving her crazy. No wonder she feels sandwiched in.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

keeps you on your toes

[Lisa Morrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!

[Regina Larkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book. Never read this author before.

[LittleDeadRedGoddessPersephone · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 out of 5 stars

What do you get when three generations of woman are all living under the same roof? A cute,sweet generational story.

[Ashley O'Toole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book had a lot of great lessons within it and that's what makes it the most interesting.

[Jennifer S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute story. It is an easy read with humor intertwined with each character. I am pleasantly surprised.

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

A rather comical and entertaining story about a 40ish year old woman who's losing it and dealing with loss.

From back cover:

"What's a fortyish woman to do if...Her free-spirited elderly mom's moving in, her previously do-gooder teenage daughter's sneaking out, her prize-winning stud bulldog can't get it on and her soon-to-be ex-husband can't get his mind off girls half his age?

a) Have nervous breakdown
b) Run away
c) Eat massive quantities of ice cream
d) See a counselor

CiCi Dupree chooses c). She doesn't have time for a breakdown, can't afford to run away and she is a counselor.

Until she fears her daughter-and even her widowed mother-are repeating her mistakes. CiCi realizes she has to do something, because after all, her family ties might be a bit frayed, but they still could bind nonetheless..."

[Jess · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book. So much. But I couldn't. I couldn't stand the women in the series, the three generations. In an attempt to bond and bind, Archer managed to create tropes and stereotypes. Even with a pretty wrap up, there didn't seem to be any concrete resolution. The ending was pat, but it didn't feel like there was any kind of rebonding of the women, which was the whole point of the book. Too bad, too. I love generational stories.

[Shae Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable read. The author blends humor with the events and messages. Really liked the story about how three women at different stages of their life learn to accept changes. Highly recommend this book that I picked up by accident at the library, thinking I had a Jeffry Archer book! This is written by Jennifer Archer. A pleasant surprise!

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. The author is new to me but I will read more of her books in the future. I enjoyed the relationships and her style of writing. I found myself getting emotionally caught up in the story and relating with all three women.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightfully refreshing like ice cream on a hot day! A great book about a middle-aged woman caught between an aging parent and a restless teen. You'll find lots of laughs and romance and maybe even a tear or two.

[Lori Mason · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this. Three generations of women living in one household - a divorced mother, raising a teen, whose mother moves in for a while. Light and humorous at times.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

May laugh out loud moments, she is taking care of her mom who moves in with her and the daughter.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really good book.

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very funny book with lots of drama.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just what you are feeling as a middle-aged person with teens. Wonderfully funny!

[Heidi Grogan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, fun read about being the "sandwich" generation - sandwiched between your kids and your parents.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a hard time finishing this book. I got bored with the story.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy and enjoyable read.