A review by booksrockcal
Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

4.5

I have never watched the Barefoot Contessa or read or used one of Ina Garten’s cookbooks, but i picked up this book because as part of a read along. I’m really glad I did as I enjoyed Garten’s story so much . She recounts her difficult childhood briefly and her love at first sight and marriage at age 20 to her beloved Jeffrey in the first few pages of the book. From writing nuclear energy policy papers to buying the Barefoot Contessa, a specialty food store in West Hampton she purchased with no experience in the food business, to developing a food empire while writing books and starring on the Food Network, Garten shows that hard work, dedication, and preparation lead to success -but especially when the luck happens. I enjoyed her stories of life as a woman trying to make a career in a world in which women were not recognized as people who operated separately from their husbands or fathers. The story of her relationship with Jeffrey is truly inspiring because it is clear they believe in each other so completely. Ina and Jeffrey live a life of great privilege but the book demonstrates that they started with little and then worked hard to reach their goals and sometimes look around wondering how they got to where they are. I listened to the audiobook and it was honestly like having a conversation with Ina.