Think You'll Be Happy

Moving Through Grief with Grit, Grace, and Gratitude

By: Nicole Avant

Narrated by: Nicole Avant

A NATIONAL BESTSELLER!

“Nicole Avant gives a raw and courageous look into how she found the light in her darkest moment. She reminds us that grief is different for everyone, and we have the power to move through it in our own unique way.” —Cleo Wade, New York Times Bestselling Author

“A love song to a great woman told through the eyes of the great woman she created.”—Tyler Perry

The USA Today bestseller, a spirit-lifting memoir on how to turn pain into purpose, how to live always in gratitude, and how to face down tragedy and turn it into love.

Nicole Avant—diplomat, philanthropist, filmmaker—grew up surrounded by some of the most extraordinary artists of our time: Bill Withers, Oprah Winfrey, Quincy Jones, Sidney Poitier. Her parents—entertainment mogul, Clarence Avant, and legendary philanthropist, Jacqueline Avant—turned their home into a place of refuge and inspiration for a generation of geniuses. Nicole drew on that magical upbringing to create a stellar career in the music business, become the U.S. ambassador to the Bahamas, and produce critically acclaimed award-winning films and documentaries. Then, an unthinkable tragedy struck: her mother was fatally shot in December 2021.

In this searing and inspiring memoir, Nicole turns the pain of her family’s loss into the fuel that pushes her forward into an even more committed life of love and activism: “We can’t banish evil,” she writes. “We have to learn to swim through trauma and live for all of those who can’t.” Turning tragedy into inspiration, Think You’ll Be Happy—her mom’s last words to Nicole—provides a roadmap for anyone working to remain positive and anchored in hope.

Very comforting book

I loved hearing about her mom and family. I loved especially the last chapter - we all will go through trauma and grief and how to best deal with it. Thank you.

The encouragement I did not know I needed

After losing my father, in 2022, I found a different kind of grit. This book gave me language for the times that I could not explain in life. This will definitely be a book that I continue to pass on to other people.

The truth of the story.

Wonderful story fit for everyone. Lessons to be learned in life for everybody of all races.

The lesson children learn from their parents

The overall book was great. Sorry for the death of her mom. But loved the relationship she had with her parents and how she learned lots of nuggets from them and now understand them as an adult- it is what it is…..love is how you react not what you receive….forgiveness is a gift of peace there were many and I think it’s so wonderful she has all these sayings to hold onto from her parents. May the rest in eternal peace

The Power of Your Thoughts

I was pleasantly surprised. The author does an excellent job of storytelling that kept me totally engaged. Having gone through grief many time, most recently in 2024 when two of my sister's passed within four months of each other, I felt such a connection. And, because there are so many nuggets, phrases and thoughts that stand out, I'm going to buy the book so I can highlight each for future reference. Thank you Nicole Avant, you have truly been a blessing.