From Scratch: A Memoir of Love, Sicily, and Finding Home

I absolutely loved this book.It was such an inspiring story and truly made me appreciate the simplest things in life like the love of Saro's family in Sicily.My own husband passed away 4 years ago now. He was half Sicilian and half Scottish and introduced me to Sicily more than 50 years ago. I grew to love it as much as my late husband and we have so many lovely friends and family there. This year will be my first visit for a few years . I would recommend this book written by a very brave woman who inspired me and told her story beautifully.

however, for the first time I thought the web series was better than the book itself. I wished Tembi would have written more about her time with Saro but instead it is focussed on her life in Italy after he passed away. Which is interesting how the producers came up with the idea to create such a beautiful web series. I did find the book stopping a bit abruptly but otherwise it was a very nice read.

A gentle poignant book of love through all of life - birth, marriage, work, family, illness, death, grief and the connection between loved ones after death. I found the book after watching the Netflix limited series based on this book.The book and the TV series are structured quite differently,but do complement each other well.In the book the focus was on the developing relationship with Tembi and her Sicilian mother in law who said very little, yet was so wise. Having visited Sicily many times, there was a real feeling of Sicily it's culture, climate, flora,food and people. A beautiful reading experience.

I watched the film first and loved it. Didn’t enjoy the book as much. The film told more of the story and I wasn’t really “into” all the given recipes in the book. A very sad story though which was well written. It stayed with me for days and days.

I bought this book simply because Netflix was filming Tembi Locke's story within and without the building in Florence that houses my home and it seemed like a good idea to understand what was going on. It is a strange story showing, mother, child and mother-in-laws way of coming to terms with grief, but it is beautiful and maybe a learning lesson for those of us who haven't yet been in such a situation.The Netflix series isn't the best I have seen but it is certainly a tear-jerker and I must admit I love the first episode showing my home in Florence in such a good light!

Fantastic book from start to finish. One I would read again. Beautiful writing

I read this thanks to the Netflix series that was released. The book is so much better. I can’t recommend it enough and the recipes are such a bonus!

This is the single most poignant testimonial I have ever read. Thank you Tembi for sharing the most harrowing yet uplifting journey of faith and growth. I truly wish you and your family all the best. God Bless you.