Preview
  • Be Ready When the Luck Happens

  • A Memoir
  • By: Ina Garten
  • Narrated by: Ina Garten
  • Length: 8 hrs and 47 mins
  • 4.9 out of 5 stars (536 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Be Ready When the Luck Happens

By: Ina Garten
Narrated by: Ina Garten
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $22.50

Buy for $22.50

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

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
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

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

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    495
  • 4 Stars
    30
  • 3 Stars
    6
  • 2 Stars
    2
  • 1 Stars
    3
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    488
  • 4 Stars
    27
  • 3 Stars
    3
  • 2 Stars
    3
  • 1 Stars
    3
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    470
  • 4 Stars
    39
  • 3 Stars
    7
  • 2 Stars
    5
  • 1 Stars
    3

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Her passion for authenticity and development of people

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.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing Women!!

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

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

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

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.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Warm and inspiring

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.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent

Enjoyed the realness. Inspired! True lessons about allowing a painful past to dictate your future.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Such a treasure

This book is so inspiring, delightful & delicious. Listening to Ina tell her story has been an absolute joy. Ina, if you’re listening, we ALL love you.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it !!

Ina is so warm and down to earth . I love her recipes and have all of her books .

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A true love story

The fact that Ina read her memoir made it all the more meaningful. She has a lovely melodious voice. I will listen to it again

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A charming listen!

Interesting story, well told. Enjoyed hearing more about the Garten's love story, and their travels. ❤️

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Lessons to learn

Ina’s candor and normalcy are a good lesson for all women but especially those younger women navigating life in these challenging times. As an older listener, I loved traveling along with her. What a gift to have a partner to live life alongside. I’m lucky enough to have one too!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!