What a beautifully emotional story about family, transition and grief. Tembi recalls the details of her family trip to Sicily the summer before her daughter left for college. I absolutely love how Sicily was made to be its own character, and honestly the main character. And the soundscapes! This added so much to the story. It helped me visualize and really feel fully immersed in the story. I have been in awe of Tembi Locke’s writing, but listening to her narration was the perfect touch. She has such a calming voice.

Definitely read this when you’re in the mood for emotion, nostalgia, and the warmth of family!

••• ALC REVIEW •••
🎧 Someday, Now by Tembi Locke
Rating:
Do I recommend: Maybe
***Out September 30***

I enjoyed From Scratch and love a memoir, so I was happy to receive an ALC of Tembi Locke’s latest memoir: Someday, Now. This book follows the author’s experience and emotions as she and her daughter Zoela visit Sicily (where her late husband grew up) the summer before Zoela begins college, this time alongside her new husband Robert.

We get a bit of a back-and-forth narrative between her early relationship with Robert mixed with the trip to Sicily, but for me I never felt like the story found its footing.

The author does a beautiful job narrating the book, but the addition of sounds of the city and travel plus snippets of actual conversations and tours really brought down the production value for me - these elements felt too much like a graphic audiobook for me (which I don’t enjoy) and made the listening experience feel chaotic and disjointed.

I thought this was fine but nothing remarkable, but imagine it would work for many people, especially if you can relate to some of her experiences navigating blending a family after loss.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster and NetGalley for the ALC in exchange for my honest review!

3.5 Stars. I really enjoyed this touching and heartfelt memoir by Tembi Locke. Someday, Now beautifully captures the emotional journey of a mother preparing to send her daughter off to college while simultaneously reflecting on their shared history. It’s a tender exploration of love, change, and the courage it takes to let go.

One of my favorite parts of the book was the vivid imagery of Sicily—Locke’s descriptions were lush and evocative, and they made me all the more excited for our own trip there in September. The way she ties the landscape and culture into her personal healing made those scenes especially memorable.

One aspect I didn’t love was the use of unexpected sound effects in the audiobook version. At times, they felt out of place and even a bit jarring—almost as if they belonged in a children’s book. They disrupted the flow for me and pulled me out of the emotion of the story.

Still, overall, this memoir was a meaningful and moving listen. Tembi Locke shares her heart with honesty and grace, and her story is one that lingers long after the final chapter.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Audio | Simon & Schuster Audio Originals for my advance copy in exchange for my honest feedback.

Tembi Locke weaves a wonderful story of a love of her past in Italy with her present. Tembi tells how she introduced her current husband to the world and family of her deceased husband in Italy. It was a beautiful memoir full of love and hopelessness. Thank you NetGalley and Simon &Schuster Audio for the advanced audiobook in exchanged for my honest opinion.

Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Performance: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Tembi Locke writes and narrates this beautiful and heartwarming journey on life after the death of be beloved husband Saro and death of her mother-in-law. Someday, Now picks up seven years later, as Tembi returns Sicily with her daughter Zoela, a place for both of them that is filled so many memories of happy times and sad times; joining them is her husband, Robert . This memoir is one filled with Tembi examining her life with a husband of four year, a last summer before Zoela leaves for college and becoming a empty nester. It is an intimate look of love of family, love loss, love found, grief and the spirit and confidence of moving forward.

For those of you that loved From Scratch as much as I did, book or show .. I highly recommend this heartfelt follow-up to Tembi journey.

Thank you, Tembi Locke, Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for providing me with a digital ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This audiobook is due to be released on September 30, 2025.

Tembi Locke opens up her heart and story to us again in Someday, Now. Locke returns to Italy with her daughter and new husband before her daughter goes off to college in the fall. It is a beautiful new memoir. I particularly enjoyed all of the additional audio recordings of the atmosphere to really bring us along for the trip. Highly recommend this in the audiobook format for that reason, in addition to Locke's own narration.