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We Thought They'd Never Leave: Musings on Food and Family
For readers of Stanley Tucci and Ruth Reichl and fans of award-winning actor-turned-author Tony Shalhoub (Big Night, Monk, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), comes a delightful narrative of nostalgic remembrances and recollections about gathering at the family table.
We Thought They’d Never Leave marks the literary debut of Tony Shalhoub, the beloved actor who, for the first time, has gathered delightful stories, memories, and recipes to create this timely, feel-good collection.
Written with his daughter, Josie Adams, the book is a humorous and heartfelt portrait of place, family, and food. At its center is the annual Shalhoub summer reunion in Door County, Wisconsin—a tradition that pulls ten siblings, their children, and their children’s children back to the same stretch of land, carrying decades of shared history with them.
Through rich vignettes drawn from his parents, his siblings, and the many summers spent crowded around long tables, Tony reflects on the meals, mishaps, and small moments that link one generation to the next—from his childhood in a lively Lebanese-American household in Green Bay to the beautiful, chaotic gatherings that continue today. Along the way, he includes several family recipes that have stood the test of time.
Part memoir and part family-history—full of games, gatherings, and Shalhoub lore, plus twenty recipes—We Thought They’d Never Leave is a love letter to food, family, tradition, and the kind of loud, affectionate, ever-growing family reunion that somehow always makes room for one more at the table.
We Thought They’d Never Leave marks the literary debut of Tony Shalhoub, the beloved actor who, for the first time, has gathered delightful stories, memories, and recipes to create this timely, feel-good collection.
Written with his daughter, Josie Adams, the book is a humorous and heartfelt portrait of place, family, and food. At its center is the annual Shalhoub summer reunion in Door County, Wisconsin—a tradition that pulls ten siblings, their children, and their children’s children back to the same stretch of land, carrying decades of shared history with them.
Through rich vignettes drawn from his parents, his siblings, and the many summers spent crowded around long tables, Tony reflects on the meals, mishaps, and small moments that link one generation to the next—from his childhood in a lively Lebanese-American household in Green Bay to the beautiful, chaotic gatherings that continue today. Along the way, he includes several family recipes that have stood the test of time.
Part memoir and part family-history—full of games, gatherings, and Shalhoub lore, plus twenty recipes—We Thought They’d Never Leave is a love letter to food, family, tradition, and the kind of loud, affectionate, ever-growing family reunion that somehow always makes room for one more at the table.
288 pages, Hardcover
Published October 27, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 3, 2026
It was lovely to listen with Simon to Tony Shalhoub talk about his annual family gathering in Wisconsin. We were familiar with Shalhoub from two TV series, Monk, and The Marvelous Mrs Maisel and were interested in learning more about him. Overall, this was a charming read. Shalhoub writes with dramatic flare and I enjoyed the stories of him and his siblings, and also his references to how important food is to actors and most particularly on the show The Marvelous Mrs Maisel.
One of the constants of their annual family gatherings is cherries and he reminisces about the competitive nature of the siblings (he was one of ten) in picking cherries as a boy. "I found that the taste of tart cherry under a blue sky can pull a thread straight through decades and tie your present to a boy holding a dented pail in a row that never ends."
We chorused, "Noooooooo!" out loud when we heard Shalhoub refer to sun-dried tomatoes as one of the few foods he will not eat. Simon and I fell in love with sun-dried tomatoes in Sicily and eat them regularly, so we absolutely disagree with his stance on them. Referring to sun-dried tomatoes, creamed spinach and kiwi fruit, Shalhoub writes: "None of these foods are bad exactly, they just ask for more effort than they give back."
I don't have an opinion on creamed spinach, as I don't remember ever eating it, but I love kiwi fruit, so didn't understand Shalhoub's aversion to them. He refers to the skin as "almost furry," and "whiskery - almost abrasive, like they belong in the cleaning aisle - not the produce section," then, there's the seeds, which he finds "unsettling." Personally, I cut them in half and scoop out the delicious flesh with a spoon and discard the skin.
Regarding his mother: "Harmony wasn't a luxury - it was survival [...] She understood instinctively that agreement is not the goal coexistence was, you didn't have to think alike but you did have to keep showing up at the same table."
I enjoyed the section that deals with interpreting recipes that have been passed down through the family - some by word of mouth alone, or on the backs of envelopes etc. "They assume that you've seen them made before, that you can tell when to stop by smell, sound or feel and because the recipes live that way they change. That's what happens when a recipe belongs to a family instead of a book. Someone makes it a little saltier, someone adds more lemon, someone insists it was always cooked longer, someone else insists it absolutely was not. The name stays the same, the feeling stays the same but the details drift."
The family recipes that Shalhoub and daughter, Josie Adams share with us at the end of the book have been adapted to be used by someone unfamiliar with them and thoroughly tried and tested.
One of the constants of their annual family gatherings is cherries and he reminisces about the competitive nature of the siblings (he was one of ten) in picking cherries as a boy. "I found that the taste of tart cherry under a blue sky can pull a thread straight through decades and tie your present to a boy holding a dented pail in a row that never ends."
We chorused, "Noooooooo!" out loud when we heard Shalhoub refer to sun-dried tomatoes as one of the few foods he will not eat. Simon and I fell in love with sun-dried tomatoes in Sicily and eat them regularly, so we absolutely disagree with his stance on them. Referring to sun-dried tomatoes, creamed spinach and kiwi fruit, Shalhoub writes: "None of these foods are bad exactly, they just ask for more effort than they give back."
I don't have an opinion on creamed spinach, as I don't remember ever eating it, but I love kiwi fruit, so didn't understand Shalhoub's aversion to them. He refers to the skin as "almost furry," and "whiskery - almost abrasive, like they belong in the cleaning aisle - not the produce section," then, there's the seeds, which he finds "unsettling." Personally, I cut them in half and scoop out the delicious flesh with a spoon and discard the skin.
Regarding his mother: "Harmony wasn't a luxury - it was survival [...] She understood instinctively that agreement is not the goal coexistence was, you didn't have to think alike but you did have to keep showing up at the same table."
I enjoyed the section that deals with interpreting recipes that have been passed down through the family - some by word of mouth alone, or on the backs of envelopes etc. "They assume that you've seen them made before, that you can tell when to stop by smell, sound or feel and because the recipes live that way they change. That's what happens when a recipe belongs to a family instead of a book. Someone makes it a little saltier, someone adds more lemon, someone insists it was always cooked longer, someone else insists it absolutely was not. The name stays the same, the feeling stays the same but the details drift."
The family recipes that Shalhoub and daughter, Josie Adams share with us at the end of the book have been adapted to be used by someone unfamiliar with them and thoroughly tried and tested.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I know this isn’t my usual fare, but I had to check out a book by Tony Shalhoub. I have been a fan since he was on Wings. In these pages you met the man, not the actor, a man with a true love of family and some sound advice for keeping families together.
Generations of Shalhoubs have gathered yearly for a large family reunion. Shalhoub recounts memories of these gatherings, right down to the rules of Oh Hell!, their favorite card game.
Like all families, the Shalhoub clan hold different ideas and include all kinds of personalities. They have agreed on ways to contain conflict by avoiding some subjects and put family first. “Family, imperfect and complicated as it is, is worth the effort,” he writers, “like democracy[…]it requires patience. Compromise.”
Living together does not automatically mean understanding one another. from We Thought They’d Never Leave
Shalhoub shares his family’s immigrant story, how war brought starvation, how the taste of a baguette was more than food, it was “proof that abundance still existed somewhere in the world.” Food bonds his family, a symbol of love.
I was gleeful to learn that young Shalhoub was a great reader, imagining himself acting out the stories, which lead to school plays and finally a career.
As a boy, he picked cherries with his siblings, earning spending money. His father had the kids run a restaurant one summer. He found ways to teach the kids responsibility.
Family recipes are shared at the end of the book. I love Lebanese food! Labneh, flatbread, Fattoush, tabbouleh, stuffed grape leaves, lentils—some of my favorite foods! Then there is Mama Shalhoub’s warm potato salad, chicken chili, macaroni and cheese. Plus, Tony’s Fish Stew and how to make his pancakes. Most of all, I can’t wait to try Loubieh bi Zeit, green beans simmered in tomatoes with meat. Shalhoub’s description of eating this dish just makes my mouth water!
For a comfort read about family and food, you can’t do better.
Thanks to Gallery Books for a free book through NetGalley.
Generations of Shalhoubs have gathered yearly for a large family reunion. Shalhoub recounts memories of these gatherings, right down to the rules of Oh Hell!, their favorite card game.
Like all families, the Shalhoub clan hold different ideas and include all kinds of personalities. They have agreed on ways to contain conflict by avoiding some subjects and put family first. “Family, imperfect and complicated as it is, is worth the effort,” he writers, “like democracy[…]it requires patience. Compromise.”
Living together does not automatically mean understanding one another. from We Thought They’d Never Leave
Shalhoub shares his family’s immigrant story, how war brought starvation, how the taste of a baguette was more than food, it was “proof that abundance still existed somewhere in the world.” Food bonds his family, a symbol of love.
I was gleeful to learn that young Shalhoub was a great reader, imagining himself acting out the stories, which lead to school plays and finally a career.
As a boy, he picked cherries with his siblings, earning spending money. His father had the kids run a restaurant one summer. He found ways to teach the kids responsibility.
Family recipes are shared at the end of the book. I love Lebanese food! Labneh, flatbread, Fattoush, tabbouleh, stuffed grape leaves, lentils—some of my favorite foods! Then there is Mama Shalhoub’s warm potato salad, chicken chili, macaroni and cheese. Plus, Tony’s Fish Stew and how to make his pancakes. Most of all, I can’t wait to try Loubieh bi Zeit, green beans simmered in tomatoes with meat. Shalhoub’s description of eating this dish just makes my mouth water!
For a comfort read about family and food, you can’t do better.
Thanks to Gallery Books for a free book through NetGalley.
October 29, 2026
Tony Shalhoub, with help from his daughter Josie, writes a food and family centered memoir that recounts annual family reunions with his large extended family, their Lebanese-American traditions, and favorite family recipes. Presented as a series of vignettes, the writing is engaging, and coming out in time for the holidays, this release is perfectly timed. The book is heartfelt, warm, and funny, and the food sounds amazing. I enjoyed this even more than I anticipated I would! This would make a great gift too!
October 29, 2026
This was absolutely darling
November 8, 2026
I started watching Monk in high school and it’s been a comfort show for me over the years. When I first heard about Tony Shalhoub’s book I was excited for lots of Monk stories and behind-the-scenes acting bits. So I was a bit surprised to see this was a food memoir…though I shouldn’t have worried. This may be my favorite (nonfiction) read of the year!
I loved hearing him read this book, hearing more about his childhood and family, his wife and daughters, and how he seeks to live in this world. I laughed so hard so many times and found myself blinking back tears as well. From stories about growing up 9th of 10, to family history and being a first generation American, to sibling stories, acting classes, and yes, even a Mr Monk chapter, I never wanted this to end.
The final hour+ was 20 recipes and I listened to him read each one. I can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy so I can see them and decide which to try first.
Overall I came away from this book, entertained, yes, but more than that, deeply encouraged. There are kind people working and doing life with intention, leaning in to family (acknowledging disagreements), and walking the talk. Not every famous person can be a role model, but I’m so grateful that Tony is. What an absolute joy from page one.
I loved hearing him read this book, hearing more about his childhood and family, his wife and daughters, and how he seeks to live in this world. I laughed so hard so many times and found myself blinking back tears as well. From stories about growing up 9th of 10, to family history and being a first generation American, to sibling stories, acting classes, and yes, even a Mr Monk chapter, I never wanted this to end.
The final hour+ was 20 recipes and I listened to him read each one. I can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy so I can see them and decide which to try first.
Overall I came away from this book, entertained, yes, but more than that, deeply encouraged. There are kind people working and doing life with intention, leaning in to family (acknowledging disagreements), and walking the talk. Not every famous person can be a role model, but I’m so grateful that Tony is. What an absolute joy from page one.
November 6, 2026
I thought this was a very interesting read.
Tony describes how his family functions in their chaotic but clearly, very connected, manner.
The annual reunions are key to keeping everyone in touch.
We learnt a lot about how he pursued his acting career. Of course we are familiar with his Adrian Monk role.
I was very surprised that he described his love of food. But I was disappointed about his aversion to sun dried tomatoes. One of my favorite foods!
Tony describes how his family functions in their chaotic but clearly, very connected, manner.
The annual reunions are key to keeping everyone in touch.
We learnt a lot about how he pursued his acting career. Of course we are familiar with his Adrian Monk role.
I was very surprised that he described his love of food. But I was disappointed about his aversion to sun dried tomatoes. One of my favorite foods!
Review of advance copy
This book was such a delight! I received an advanced audio copy from libro.fm and listening to the book read by Tony and his daughter Josie was perfection! Very well written and entertaining. I loved learning about Tony's childhood, his big family and how they all make time to get together every year. The recipes at the end all sound absolutely delectable too!
November 3, 2026
What an absolute delight this was!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
As soon as I saw this, I needed it, I grew up watching Monk and 13 Ghosts as well as The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, so this was something I really wanted to check out and thanks to Gallery I got to!
I loved he wrote this with his daughter and it felt like a extra added layer to the book and giving you more insight into his life and his family.
I also enjoyed how this was written and went so well with the family style reunion they have evey year, just like bringing rh family together these stories were then reliving those best moments again, almost like the reunions themselves.
Plus the recipes, I'm a sucker for a good recipe and want to try some of these out.
I loved he wrote this with his daughter and it felt like a extra added layer to the book and giving you more insight into his life and his family.
I also enjoyed how this was written and went so well with the family style reunion they have evey year, just like bringing rh family together these stories were then reliving those best moments again, almost like the reunions themselves.
Plus the recipes, I'm a sucker for a good recipe and want to try some of these out.
October 31, 2026
I very much wanted to get an ARC of this book, but I was turned down by my regular suspects, so I reached out directly to the publisher. Thanks so much to Gallery Press for the physical copy of this book; I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Tony Shalhoub, the award-winning actor and all-around good guy, was born and raised in Green Bay, Wisconsin, same as me. When he landed a part on the TV series Wings, I watched every week because a hometown boy made it big. And I’ve followed his career ever since. From Monk to The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Shalhoub has had great success in his professional career. But he’s never forgotten where he came from. At least once a year, he returns to Northeastern Wisconsin for a week-long family reunion involving his many brothers and sisters and his family. We Thought They’d Never Leave is the story of those reunions.
There were so many instances in the book when I chuckled or nodded in agreement with Shalhoub’s descriptions of Green Bay and Door County, yet even those who haven’t been here can relate. Tony Shalhoub’s story is his family’s story; born the 9th out of 10 children, his large Lebanese American family learned to entertain themselves. Their family reunions include card games and great food, and camaraderie with his large family that numbers in the 50+ range in size. (My husband’s family numbers this many – it’s a lovely sort of chaos when together.)
One of my favorite stories in We Thought They’d Never Leave was when he described going cherry picking in Door County with his family. There was a specific set of rules they had to follow; it sounded so much like my family, too. Large families are taught to forage for berries when they’re in season. 😊
Shalhoub also talked about his early career, when a job meant he had to miss his family reunion back in Wisconsin, and how hard it was for him. Now he simply has it written in his contracts that he must be off during that one special week with his family.
Overall, this is a beautiful look at Tony Shalhoub’s family, his respect for his immigrant ancestors, his deep love for his brothers and sisters and extended family, and some really good recipes to try in the back of the book.
And if that doesn’t make you respect Tony Shalhoub, the Wisconsinite actor, I heard him on a local radio station the other day speaking in support for the Green Bay Area Public Schools which has a referendum on the November ballot. He has never forgotten where he came from, and that’s so refreshing to hear.
Tony Shalhoub, the award-winning actor and all-around good guy, was born and raised in Green Bay, Wisconsin, same as me. When he landed a part on the TV series Wings, I watched every week because a hometown boy made it big. And I’ve followed his career ever since. From Monk to The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Shalhoub has had great success in his professional career. But he’s never forgotten where he came from. At least once a year, he returns to Northeastern Wisconsin for a week-long family reunion involving his many brothers and sisters and his family. We Thought They’d Never Leave is the story of those reunions.
There were so many instances in the book when I chuckled or nodded in agreement with Shalhoub’s descriptions of Green Bay and Door County, yet even those who haven’t been here can relate. Tony Shalhoub’s story is his family’s story; born the 9th out of 10 children, his large Lebanese American family learned to entertain themselves. Their family reunions include card games and great food, and camaraderie with his large family that numbers in the 50+ range in size. (My husband’s family numbers this many – it’s a lovely sort of chaos when together.)
One of my favorite stories in We Thought They’d Never Leave was when he described going cherry picking in Door County with his family. There was a specific set of rules they had to follow; it sounded so much like my family, too. Large families are taught to forage for berries when they’re in season. 😊
Shalhoub also talked about his early career, when a job meant he had to miss his family reunion back in Wisconsin, and how hard it was for him. Now he simply has it written in his contracts that he must be off during that one special week with his family.
Overall, this is a beautiful look at Tony Shalhoub’s family, his respect for his immigrant ancestors, his deep love for his brothers and sisters and extended family, and some really good recipes to try in the back of the book.
And if that doesn’t make you respect Tony Shalhoub, the Wisconsinite actor, I heard him on a local radio station the other day speaking in support for the Green Bay Area Public Schools which has a referendum on the November ballot. He has never forgotten where he came from, and that’s so refreshing to hear.
November 7, 2026
I only know Tony Shalhoub from the TV series Monk, so it was interesting learning more of what he did as an actor. I especially enjoyed hearing his family history and the family tradition of all of his siblings (ten in total!) and spouses, children and grandchildren that never miss spending a week together in Wisconsin (their home state) on Lake Michigan every year. They stay together, they cook together (like a well-oiled machine!), they swim together, and they play games together (which sound quite competitive!). It made me wish I could be a fly on the wall for this annual event! The audiobook is narrated by Tony (with an intro from his daughter Josie) and ends with some fantastic family recipes. I'm anxious to try the Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake which is supposed to be very moist and not taste at all like mayonnaise!
Read
October 30, 2026This was really well done, and I appreciated that “Monk” read the audiobook himself. What a romantic! This is hodgepodge of memories and reflections on food and family. It’s very loving and delightful.
I decided not to rate it, because I would have given in 4 stars, and he wrote it *so* well that a 4 seems harsh. I just got a bit tired of some of it, and my enjoyment was a 4 even though it’s really a delightfully well written memoir. I also kept thinking what a gift this was for his whole family (especially his siblings), to have some of the memorialized in book form.
My favorite story was when his brother was caught shoplifting M&Ms, and his dad *made the brother go back and apply for a job at the store*! (Which he got) What punishment!!
I decided not to rate it, because I would have given in 4 stars, and he wrote it *so* well that a 4 seems harsh. I just got a bit tired of some of it, and my enjoyment was a 4 even though it’s really a delightfully well written memoir. I also kept thinking what a gift this was for his whole family (especially his siblings), to have some of the memorialized in book form.
My favorite story was when his brother was caught shoplifting M&Ms, and his dad *made the brother go back and apply for a job at the store*! (Which he got) What punishment!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
We Thought They’d Never Leave is exactly the kind of book I didn’t know I needed. Tony Shalhoub (yes, that Tony Shalhoub — Monk, Mrs. Maisel, all of it) co-wrote this with his daughter Josie Adams, and it shows — there’s a real warmth and intimacy to the writing that you can’t fake. Part memoir, part cookbook, it centers on the Shalhoub family’s annual reunion in Door County, Wisconsin, and the Lebanese-American traditions that have held them together for generations. The stories are funny and heartfelt, the writing is genuinely good, and the recipes feel like they actually belong to real people. If you love food memoirs in the vein of Stanley Tucci’s work, this one belongs on your shelf.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
We Thought They’d Never Leave was such an enjoyable read! Part memoir, part cook book, Tony Shalhoub pieces together parts of his youth as a Lebanese American, his early acting career, and his family’s annual reunion in Northern Wisconsin all through the lens of food. Co-written with his daughter Josie, Shalhoub recounts many stories of his younger days, but the driving force is the summer retreat to Door County, Wisconsin where the entire family, including his 9 siblings and their children and grandchildren, gathers for a week each July to relax, recharge, and eat. The final 20% of the book contains family recipes, many of which I am excited to try.
November 2, 2026
Another book that definitely needs more than 5 stars! Especially meaningful as it reflects so many of the wonderful memories I have with our family and the ones I hope we continue to make. Thanks for writing this amazing book… wish I had it when over the years so many people have been shocked by the fact that the one vacation I never missed every year was the week spent with my parents, siblings and extended family at a lake cottage in northern Wisconsin!
Want to Read
October 22, 2026I learned of this book via this post: https://theliteratequilter.wordpress......
November 4, 2026
What a delightful mix of memoir, family tips, and recipes, with hilarity sprinkled throughout. There is no one alive who won't laugh at Mr. Shalhoub's description of a kiwi. This book is funny, encouraging, and authentic.
November 1, 2026
Absolutely charming. Reminds me so much of my family and our family reunion.
June 20, 2026
Reviewed for Library Journal, full review appears there.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews