Sandwiched

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.

Publication Date: June 23, 2021

Author: Laurie James

Categories: Memoir, Spring 2021

Description
About the Author

Description

“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

About the Author

LAURIE JAMES is a recovering caregiver, wife, and mother. She has successfully launched her four daughters into adulthood and has been the primary caretaker for her elderly parents. Laurie has learned through therapy and other healing programs that she has everything she needs within her to create the life she desires, and she wants to bring that knowledge to other women. She has been trained as a certified coach and holds an ICF (In- ternational Coach Federation) credential. Laurie enjoys helping women through the transitional periods in their lives. She created a unique program that supports women through divorce, the loss of a spouse, and other difficult challenges, and helps them discover a life that has mean- ing and purpose. An active community volunteer, she cochairs a youth program for high school students, exposing them to a variety of career paths before they apply to college. She’s an active member of a collaborative giving circle that pools donation dollars to help Los Angeles– based nonprofits.

Laurie graduated from Cal Poly Pomona with a BS in business and held a position as a corporate recruiter before she stayed home to raise her children. She lives in Manhattan Beach with her adopted husky, Lu. A native Californian, she’s a lover of yoga, hiking, skiing, sailing, and adventure travel. Stay connected with Laurie at www.laurieejames.com