Laughing Through the Ugly Cry

...and Finding Unstoppable Joy

By: Dawn Barton

Narrated by: Dawn Barton

Do you believe that joy is a choice? Dawn Barton does. She's an upbeat Southerner with good hair and a successful business background, but she's had more heartache than most of us can imagine. Laughing Through the Ugly Cry is a collection of honest and sometimes raw stories. Dawn throws an arm around listeners as she brings them along on her journey through the loss of a child, divorce, cancer, rape, the death of her only sibling, her husband's substance abuse, and finding her way back to Jesus in the middle of it all. Dawn shares her personal story to show listeners how to find happiness and purpose even in the darkest of days. By laughing through the ugly cry, you will discover how to:

• Shut down negative feelings causing you to feel inadequate
• Identify the pros despite how challenging the cons may seem
• Embrace joy wherever you can find it
• Learn how to be honest with yourself and process grief in a healthy way

Dawn says, "If more women were open about just how difficult our lives feel and how hard we are on ourselves, I think we'd learn to relax a little and give ourselves the grace God gives us every day."

Laughing Through the Ugly Cry is great for:

• Women of any age seeking comfort, encouragement, and inspiration
• Book clubs and girls' nights - Dawn poses thoughtful group questions to support meaningful conversations about growth and joy

©2020 Dawn Barton (P)2020 Thomas Nelson

Just what I needed

I so enjoyed this book. Just what I needed... To be reminded of God’s truths, amidst times of suffering, depicted real life situations. I laughed and I cried along as the author narrated her journey. ❤️ ‭‭
2 Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭16‬-‭18‬

Real. Honest. Inspiring.

Highly recommended, ladies...and bonus points if you get the audiobook, because Dawn herself is the narrator. Yeah, you need to hear her actually read her own story. Her heart comes out in her voice. This woman is so real I got drawn in immediately. She teaches on joy and she has been through so much—loss of a child, rape, divorce, aggressive cancer, and more, but her resolve in choosing joy is so inspiring. You’ll cry but you’ll also laugh because she is hilarious, too. You may even want her to be your new BFF because she’s like a B12 shot delivered alongside a delusion-less dose of real life. I feel like I know her now, and like someone who may better adapt to my own life situations with more grace and humor and...gratitude. Thanks, Dawn. And thank God for you. ❤️

VERY uplifting

Easy listening and spoke to my heart and was filling my soul with joy and hope

Fantastic Book

I haven’t read such a honest book for a very long time.
Her humor through the pain, will uplift many women,I’m sure.
I’m a Christian, so I try to read Christian books. They usually are VERY preachy, but this book is down to earth, and speaks to hurting women at a very personal level. Thank you!

Wonderful book

Beautifully written! I felt like I was right there with her in every scene. So much tragedy yet so much joy was revealed. Dawn definitely has a knack for adding laughs to even the darkest of situations. God has certainly blessed her with a light spirit and a gift of seeing the good. It’s amazing what we see when we really try to look through God’s lenses. I enjoyed the audible version so much that I am ordering a hard copy to re-read and gift.

Relatable journey

No one is immune to tragedy. This book will definitely guide you back to life. This raw story is a guide to remind all of us, how to cope and participate in life. Dawn really harnessed the idea of "fake it till you make it" and then you realize life doesn't hurt so much. You will enjoy the story about "Lucky" it is reminiscent of Tom Hanks' "Wilson" relationship in Castaway. Great read or better yet a wonderful listen.

What a wonderful blessing

Every woman needs to listen or read this book. I was a follower on her Instagram and enjoyed all her funny videos. But I had not bought her book. God knew that I would not take it all in until he was ready. So yesterday was the day. Bonus was she had it on audible with her as the narrator! After seeing her personality I really gotta kick out of her humor in this story. But hold the horn and grab the tissue! Because you will laugh and cry and feel the joy coming back in those speakers or headphones. Even better, grab your girl tribe, some sangria and listen together. You will find your joy. Like she said, we are responsible for our own joy. Listen or read the book on the deep meaning of that statement. God Bless

What a testimony!

I was in awe as heartache after heartache was told in her remarkable story. Yet with no bitterness. She gives all praise to God and it so inspired me to hang on when life isn’t as I had planned! I can do it with the Lord on my side! Dawn is pure joy and it’s a treat hearing her read her story!

I have not cried so hard in a long time , A good needed soul cry!

Call me crazy but I now consider myself family with Dawn! I have also lost a child and a sister “sister in law” to Cancer, I have never read a book that I felt such a family connection “weird right”. Buy this book, it is refreshing to be able to dive in with so much truth and real life! I JUST LOVE DAWN! BUY THIS BOOK!!!! I’m in a book club was told to read to chapter 3 and I finished the book in two days 🤣

Priceless!!!

This book is WONDERFUL!! I cried, laughed and smiled! EVERY woman should listen to this amazing story of Courage! To hear Dawn herself read it was THE BEST!