Be Ready When the Luck Happens Audiobook By Ina Garten cover art

Be Ready When the Luck Happens

A Memoir

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Be Ready When the Luck Happens

By: Ina Garten
Narrated by: Ina Garten
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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.

Accolades & Awards

Best of 2024
Editors Select
Best of 2024 Biographies & Memoirs Editors Select Women's Voices Culinary Professionals & Academics Inspiring Food & Wine Celebrity Chefs & Restaurants

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

Editorial Review

From nuclear policies to pastries
Ina Garten's memoir is a treat for fans and foodies alike. Narrated by Garten herself, the audiobook brings an intimate charm to her life story. As she recounts her unlikely journey from nuclear policy writer to culinary icon, listeners are treated to personal revelations with her signature warmth and wit. From her early struggles in the food world to an enduring love story with her husband, Jeffrey, Ina doesn’t hold back. Garten's narration adds an extra layer of authenticity, making it feel as if you're having a chat with her. Whether you're swooning over Jeffrey and Ina’s romance or savoring her career milestones, this audiobook is a delightful and inspiring listen that includes a PDF of Ina's cherished photographs and recipes. — Patty R., Audible Editor

Inspiring Journey • Candid Revelations • Soothing Voice • Transformative Experiences • Authentic Relationship

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I love her creativity and passion for everything she throws herself into. Her authenticity created trust which is a necessity in these times. What I love the most is her ability to develop leaders and allow them to go spread their wings and never thinks of them as a competitor. Thank you Ina, for sharing your story.

Her passion for authenticity and development of people

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Loved everything! She is so real and smart! What an inspiration after overcoming such a hard upbringing!

Amazing Women!!

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I love hearing her tell her story! It's gripping. I want to know what happens next!
I think her approach to life is so interesting.
And I enjoy hearing about good male partners.
I love losing myself in her story! Highly recommend this one. I'm listening to it again right now.
It also inspires me to cook a bit.

I love hearing her tell her story! It's gripping

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Ina was forthcoming in her memoir and gave great perspectives on new situations that did not fit into already charted territories. It was inspiring to listen to her talk about her journey, and her ability to adapt.

Warm and inspiring

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This book gave me a completely new view on Ina. The window into her past with was enlightening and felt as cathartic for listener as I'm sure it was for the author in writing it. Ina was brutally honest about her childhood, parents and how her young life shaped who she was and who she wanted to become. Definitely a wonderful book.

A lesson in this book for everyone.

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