Be Ready When the Luck Happens

A Memoir

By: Ina Garten

Narrated by: Ina Garten

In her long-awaited memoir, Ina Garten—aka the Barefoot Contessa, author of thirteen bestselling cookbooks, beloved Food Network personality, Instagram sensation, and cultural icon—shares her personal story with readers hungry for a seat at her table.

Here, for the first time, Ina Garten presents an intimate, entertaining, and inspiring account of her remarkable journey. Ina’s gift is to make everything look easy, yet all her accomplishments have been the result of hard work, audacious choices, and exquisite attention to detail. In her unmistakable voice (no one tells a story like Ina), she brings her past and her process to life in a high-spirited and no-holds-barred memoir that chronicles decades of personal challenges, adventures (and misadventures) and unexpected career twists, all delivered with her signature combination of playfulness and purpose.

From a difficult childhood to meeting the love of her life, Jeffrey, and marrying him while still in college, from a boring bureaucratic job in Washington, D.C., to answering an ad for a specialty food store in the Hamptons, from the owner of one Barefoot Contessa shop to author of bestselling cookbooks and celebrated television host, Ina has blazed her own trail and, in the meantime, taught millions of people how to cook and entertain. Now, she invites them to come closer to experience her story in vivid detail and to share the important life lessons she learned along the way: do what you love because if you love it you’ll be really good at it, swing for the fences, and always Be Ready When the Luck Happens.


* This audiobook edition includes a downloadable PDF of recipes and images from the book.

Critic reviews

“[Ina Garten] has created an inviting and relaxing world that’s the equivalent of one of her cocktail recipes. To use a Barefoot Contessa catchphrase, How great is that?”—The New York Times (Editors’ Choice)

“A freewheeling handbook for life . . . Be Ready When the Luck Happens is a romp, filled with adventure and serendipity, a magic act that makes the hard stuff of life seem like both education and play.”—The Washington Post

“Simplicity is at the core of [Ina Garten’s] appeal . . . her approachability, charisma and close connection to the sensibilities of the home cook have given her a devoted following.”—The Wall Street Journal

“Though a good deal of luck often came through for her along the way, Garten’s lively memoir emphasizes how hard work and unrelenting tenacity were what made the magic happen. An entertaining foray into this well-loved cooking host’s illustrious life.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Garten emphasizes the importance of doing what you love. Her story is a testament to the power of following one’s passion and the impact of hard work and dedication. . . . Whether you’re a longtime fan of the Barefoot Contessa or new to Garten’s work, this memoir is sure to leave you feeling inspired and ready to tackle your own dreams.”—Medium

“Be Ready When the Luck Happens is a wildly entertaining and compulsively readable story about curiosity and courage, challenges and coconut cupcakes. It’s also a love story for the ages. Smart and funny, warm and engaging, Ina Garten proves just how lucky a person can be if she’s willing to work hard, get over her past, and be fully and fearlessly engaged with life.”—Ann Patchett, author of Tom Lake

Interesting enough

Ina’s success is admirable. However, she did contradict herself when describing each era of her life. She rightly complained about mistreatment in her childhood but didn’t seem to appreciate that her parents had her best interests at heart and provided mightily in the form of an elite education, fancy wedding and other financial gifts. She would say she and Jeffrey had “no money” but managed to have enough as youngsters to camp across France- and not long after, buy and renovate homes and her business in West Hampton. Somehow there was money for fur hats and coats. I found this lack of humility and recognition of privilege irritating and insincere. Obviously she worked hard and deserves the riches she currently enjoys- and it was kind of her to share so many personal details and advice to others as a business woman. Overall I was able to enjoy her candor and I enjoyed her story.

What could be bad about an Ina memoir?

I’ve always loved Ina. She’s so down to earth, even though she lives a charmed life than many of us would dream of. Her memoir is heartwarming and truthful and inspiring. Her narration is so warm, like listening to a good friend tell me about her life. ❤️

How hard Ina has worked to achieve her success!

I love Ina! She had the best cooking show on food network. She has a wonderful voice and talent to teach. Her cook books and recipes were practical, easy to follow, ingredients that were accessible to everyone. She would be a women that I would like to have coffee and conversation. Excellent story.

Inspiring

Thoroughly charming and inspiring. Makes me respect and love Ina Garten even more than I already did. What an incredible back story of hard work, determination and dedication to who she really is and who and what she really loves. A favorite!

Incredible!

I loved this memoir. I learned so much about my Ina! I am sure everyone will feel the same. Now I want to go back to all her cookbooks, which I own, and read the text and recipes again. My only disappointment was I never wanted it to end. 💜