I just finished Ina Garten’s memoir Be Ready When the Luck Happens, and I’m still thinking about it. I gave it 4.5 stars—so close to a full 5! It was inspiring, motivational, and surprisingly funny. If you love Ina (and Jeffrey!), you’ll love this peek into her real life even more.
The Premise:
In her first-ever memoir, Ina shares the story of how she went from a government job in D.C. to becoming the beloved Barefoot Contessa we know today. This isn’t just a highlight reel—it’s full of bold career moves, personal growth, and life lessons, told in that signature Ina voice that somehow makes everything feel warm, funny, and effortlessly wise.
She takes us through everything: a tough childhood, falling in love with Jeffrey (swoon), buying a specialty food shop in the Hamptons on a total whim, writing bestselling cookbooks, and building a wildly successful TV career. It’s all about taking risks, staying curious, and trusting your gut—even when it’s scary.
Oh, and did I mention? There are recipes scattered throughout the book. I’m already planning to try her brownies and coconut cupcakes ASAP.
My Thoughts:
This was so much more than I expected from a celebrity memoir. It’s part love letter, part career diary, part cookbook—and all heart. Ina comes across exactly like you’d hope: smart, humble, hard-working, and genuinely kind. I loved getting to know the real her.
She also made me laugh more than once. There’s a part where she was catering and went to get a check from a guy who offered her some coke (yes, that kind of coke). She said she went back to her store, and started slicing smoked salmon at lightning speed. 😂 Iconic.
Final Thoughts:
If you’re into:
- Stories about chasing your dreams at any age
- Memoirs with humor, heart, and a side of life lessons
- Real talk about success, failure, and food
- Jeffrey & Ina's adorable love story
Ina’s motto, “Be ready when the luck happens,” is such a powerful reminder that success doesn’t just fall into your lap—you have to be bold, take chances, and be ready to show up when the moment comes. This book made me want to take more risks in my own life (and also make some yummy food).
Have you read it yet? What’s your favorite Ina recipe?
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