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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About this listen

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 those 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.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2024 Ina Garten (P)2024 Random House Audio
Best of 2024 Celebrity Chefs & Restaurants Culinary Editors Select Food & Wine Professionals & Academics

Critic reviews

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

What listeners say about Be Ready When the Luck Happens

Highly rated for:

Captivating Life Journey Heartwarming Love Story Soothing Voice Inspiring Resilience Candid Storytelling
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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. ❤️

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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!

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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. 💜

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Love this so much.

What a magical life Ina has lived. I loved every moment. And hearing her narrate and giggling through it was just the cherry on top!!

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like the TV version of her

Wonderful while watching her or in this case listening to her but after remember almost nothing. That's fine so is she but that delightful day making pavlova with Taylor Swift? Divine like them both and Jeffrey, no doofus after all.

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Perfection!

Loved this book. Ina is a truly special person and everything about her is inspiring. Her story is fabulously interesting while teaching many life lessons. I only wish I could have her as my mentor.

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Lovely

I absolutely loved this! Thank you for doing this memoir. Highly recommend this beautifully done book.

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If you love her, you’ll love this.

This was a beautiful book. Vulnerable and funny. There was so much I didn’t know and I’m glad I listened.

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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.

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Ina is everything I hoped she’d be and more!

Grab a cup of good coffee (or a cocktail) and devour this delicious book!!! You won’t regret it!!

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