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A Portrait for Toni
Toni has no idea what she’d do without her best friend, Carter. Who else would she be able to vent to about her parents, her job at the dance studio, or her latest relationship woes? When Toni’s father lands in the hospital, Carter, as always, is there for her.
That is, until he starts questioning Toni, saying he thinks she has an eating disorder. Then she starts dating Clint, the hot new guy at the studio, and somehow that puts a deeper wedge between her and Carter. When she’s hospitalized after an on-stage collapse, and Carter stupidly starts in with advice about food and weight, she sends him away—then instantly regrets it.
One night after a performance, Toni tries to mend the hurt between them. She goes to visit Carter at work, in his art classroom at the high school. She doesn’t see him there, and instead, she stumbles onto proof that he has feelings for her that go way beyond those of a friend. Toni is left with the very real prospect of losing Carter forever, unless somehow she can return his feelings—but that’s impossible.
Isn’t it?
That is, until he starts questioning Toni, saying he thinks she has an eating disorder. Then she starts dating Clint, the hot new guy at the studio, and somehow that puts a deeper wedge between her and Carter. When she’s hospitalized after an on-stage collapse, and Carter stupidly starts in with advice about food and weight, she sends him away—then instantly regrets it.
One night after a performance, Toni tries to mend the hurt between them. She goes to visit Carter at work, in his art classroom at the high school. She doesn’t see him there, and instead, she stumbles onto proof that he has feelings for her that go way beyond those of a friend. Toni is left with the very real prospect of losing Carter forever, unless somehow she can return his feelings—but that’s impossible.
Isn’t it?
279 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 4, 2013
55 people are currently reading
299 people want to read
About the author
Annette Lyon
81 books307 followersAnnette Lyon is a USA Today bestselling author, an 9-time recipient of Utah’s Best in State medal for fiction (three times for novel-length works and five times for short fiction), and a Whitney Award winner for BAND OF SISTERS. She's the author of over a dozen novels, at least that many novellas, a cookbook, a popular grammar guide, and over a hundred magazine articles.
She’s a founder and regular contributor of the Timeless Romance Anthologies line of sweet romance stories, which she served as editor for its first three years. She's also one of the four co-authors of The Newport Ladies Book Club series. She graduated cum laude from BYU with a degree in English.
Annette is represented by Jill Marsal of the Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.
Her first suspense novel, Just One More, releases 2023 through Scarlet Suspense.
She’s a founder and regular contributor of the Timeless Romance Anthologies line of sweet romance stories, which she served as editor for its first three years. She's also one of the four co-authors of The Newport Ladies Book Club series. She graduated cum laude from BYU with a degree in English.
Annette is represented by Jill Marsal of the Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.
Her first suspense novel, Just One More, releases 2023 through Scarlet Suspense.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
September 28, 2013
**UPDATE** It's been almost a month since I've read this and I still think about it from time to time. Thus, I'm raising it to 5 stars. A book that sticks with me surely deserves it.
With great characters--both ones that you love to love and others that you love to hate, A Portrait for Toni is a read that deals with a very serious issue, yet isn't heavy and depressing. This story is definitely one that will tug at a reader's heartstrings.
Toni is very comparable to an onion--as the story progresses, more layers to her character are revealed, until the reader is left with a very raw and tender portion--that of course, left me in tears. I love how real the emotion is. I think almost everyone knows of someone who struggles with an eating disorder and it's always more than just an issue with food. In Toni's case, I kept wishing so much that she could have confronted the root of her issue years earlier, instead of just holding it all inside. In a way, I felt that this story had two very defined parts--the eating disorder and the long-time friendship with her best friend, Carter. Of course, these parts were very connected to one another.
Carter--what girl wouldn't love to have him as a best friend?? He is a great example of a true friend, even when Toni sends him away for caring too much. I think Toni often takes him and his friendship for granted, which would be easy to do. He is always there for her and she just doesn't truly realize how important he is to her until he's gone.
I love how the many relationships were resolved and how Toni finally realizes her worth. I would have really loved an epilogue, but all in all, it's another great novel by Annette Lyon!!
Content: a handful of mild swearing; kissing only--clean romance.
With great characters--both ones that you love to love and others that you love to hate, A Portrait for Toni is a read that deals with a very serious issue, yet isn't heavy and depressing. This story is definitely one that will tug at a reader's heartstrings.
Toni is very comparable to an onion--as the story progresses, more layers to her character are revealed, until the reader is left with a very raw and tender portion--that of course, left me in tears. I love how real the emotion is. I think almost everyone knows of someone who struggles with an eating disorder and it's always more than just an issue with food. In Toni's case, I kept wishing so much that she could have confronted the root of her issue years earlier, instead of just holding it all inside. In a way, I felt that this story had two very defined parts--the eating disorder and the long-time friendship with her best friend, Carter. Of course, these parts were very connected to one another.
Carter--what girl wouldn't love to have him as a best friend?? He is a great example of a true friend, even when Toni sends him away for caring too much. I think Toni often takes him and his friendship for granted, which would be easy to do. He is always there for her and she just doesn't truly realize how important he is to her until he's gone.
I love how the many relationships were resolved and how Toni finally realizes her worth. I would have really loved an epilogue, but all in all, it's another great novel by Annette Lyon!!
Content: a handful of mild swearing; kissing only--clean romance.
October 5, 2013
Between 3 1/2 and 4.
It deals with some real hard issues, and doesn't romanticize them. Carter and Toni were too stubborn at times, but surely have their redeeming moments as well. I really liked their loyalty and friendship to each other.
I felt like the ending was too rushed and abrupt, but it's a personal preference.
It had a few errors but nothing that can't be easily fixed.
I would like to see Brooke get her own story one day. She was a great secondary character with the potential to be an even greater protagonist.
It deals with some real hard issues, and doesn't romanticize them. Carter and Toni were too stubborn at times, but surely have their redeeming moments as well. I really liked their loyalty and friendship to each other.
I felt like the ending was too rushed and abrupt, but it's a personal preference.
It had a few errors but nothing that can't be easily fixed.
I would like to see Brooke get her own story one day. She was a great secondary character with the potential to be an even greater protagonist.
September 16, 2013
I downloaded this book last week, planning to read it over the next couple of weeks, but I finished it in a single day. I enjoyed the depth of this novel and that the challenges that Toni faces are not all tied up in a pretty bow at the end. She'll still continue with her challenges, but of course, she becomes a stronger person throughout her journey and will find joy in that journey.
I was drawn to the complexity of Toni and Carter's relationship, as well as how genuine it felt. Also, it was nice to see Toni as such a well-formed character in which we grow to care about and understand, through all of her ups and downs. Another recommended read from Annette Lyon!
I was drawn to the complexity of Toni and Carter's relationship, as well as how genuine it felt. Also, it was nice to see Toni as such a well-formed character in which we grow to care about and understand, through all of her ups and downs. Another recommended read from Annette Lyon!
November 11, 2013
Writing a believable love story while attacking hard subjects such as eating disorders is a tall order to tackle.
Read full review in the November 2013 issue of InD’tale Magazine.
Read full review in the November 2013 issue of InD’tale Magazine.
December 2, 2014
4.5
I had to take some time to evaluate how I felt about this book before attempting to write a review. When I first encountered A Portrait for Toni, I was immediately drawn to the cover because of the ballet slippers. I was eager to to read a book that centered around dance but at the same time I was not sure what to expect. Reading this book, I was not prepared for the mix of emotions that I was going to feel.
Though this was a love story, it also dealt with a very serious issue: bulimia. This eating disorder became one of the main focuses of the plot. This disease was not romanticized. In fact, Annette Lyon did not spare any details on how horrible bulimia was. It was depressing to read how the heroine Toni battled with the disorder and how it affected everyone around her. Yet at the same time it was fascinating to see how she still had hope in trying to find someone who would love her beyond her body even though she hated how she looked and felt. Even though he knew she was sick, our hero Carter loved Toni unconditionally and it was very heartwarming to see how he supported his best friend through all the hard times.
I'm going to admit that I felt frustrated many times while reading this. I wanted to shake Toni and Carter out of their pity party. Even though Toni was sick, I found her constant negativity a little annoying. It almost made me wish that Carter did move on and forget about Toni, but I could not fault her too much since eating disorders do distort the mind. Carter was great for the most part. He was even my favorite character. But his pessimistic thoughts of himself on not being good enough for Toni or the fear that his feelings would drive Toni away became tiresome. This would be understandable if it was set in high school, but these two were adults and have known each other for a very long time. I would think that Carter would know Toni better in trusting her with his feelings.
For a moment there, I thought I would not like this book more than a three star because of my annoyance, but I soon came to realize how wrong I was. I did not acknowledge at first how emotional invested I was with the story and characters. This revelation happened when encountering the fate of one of the characters. It was completely unexpected and I was shaken. I had to sit back and let the twist in the story sink in. Different emotions went through me as I tried to comprehend everything that happened. I then went back to finishing the book with a more open mind, and found myself loving the ending. I came to learn that feeling frustrated is a normal emotion to feel while reading. It only meant that I was emotionally invested in the outcome of the characters.
To sum up, this book was a roller coaster ride of emotions for me. It dealt with serious issues but it was wonderful to read how love could make people stronger. For a book to make me feel the way I felt while reading A Portrait for Toni, I have to say that it did pretty darn good job.
I had to take some time to evaluate how I felt about this book before attempting to write a review. When I first encountered A Portrait for Toni, I was immediately drawn to the cover because of the ballet slippers. I was eager to to read a book that centered around dance but at the same time I was not sure what to expect. Reading this book, I was not prepared for the mix of emotions that I was going to feel.
Though this was a love story, it also dealt with a very serious issue: bulimia. This eating disorder became one of the main focuses of the plot. This disease was not romanticized. In fact, Annette Lyon did not spare any details on how horrible bulimia was. It was depressing to read how the heroine Toni battled with the disorder and how it affected everyone around her. Yet at the same time it was fascinating to see how she still had hope in trying to find someone who would love her beyond her body even though she hated how she looked and felt. Even though he knew she was sick, our hero Carter loved Toni unconditionally and it was very heartwarming to see how he supported his best friend through all the hard times.
I'm going to admit that I felt frustrated many times while reading this. I wanted to shake Toni and Carter out of their pity party. Even though Toni was sick, I found her constant negativity a little annoying. It almost made me wish that Carter did move on and forget about Toni, but I could not fault her too much since eating disorders do distort the mind. Carter was great for the most part. He was even my favorite character. But his pessimistic thoughts of himself on not being good enough for Toni or the fear that his feelings would drive Toni away became tiresome. This would be understandable if it was set in high school, but these two were adults and have known each other for a very long time. I would think that Carter would know Toni better in trusting her with his feelings.
For a moment there, I thought I would not like this book more than a three star because of my annoyance, but I soon came to realize how wrong I was. I did not acknowledge at first how emotional invested I was with the story and characters. This revelation happened when encountering the fate of one of the characters. It was completely unexpected and I was shaken. I had to sit back and let the twist in the story sink in. Different emotions went through me as I tried to comprehend everything that happened. I then went back to finishing the book with a more open mind, and found myself loving the ending. I came to learn that feeling frustrated is a normal emotion to feel while reading. It only meant that I was emotionally invested in the outcome of the characters.
To sum up, this book was a roller coaster ride of emotions for me. It dealt with serious issues but it was wonderful to read how love could make people stronger. For a book to make me feel the way I felt while reading A Portrait for Toni, I have to say that it did pretty darn good job.
September 18, 2014
I LOVED Carter!! I think he was put through so much. What an amazing guy. I didn't like Toni. At first she was just ok but by the end of the book I really couldn't stand her.
July 30, 2017
Poignant and powerful
Wow!! What a book!!! Annette Lyon has done it again! This was a phenomenal book loaded with emotions and introspection. The main character deals with am eating disorder and the mental challenges that go along with it in a beautiful, respectful, and thought-provoking way. It got me thinking about a lot of different things and even brought to me to tears - I felt like I was experiencing the story along with the characters. I would rate this clean and PG.
Wow!! What a book!!! Annette Lyon has done it again! This was a phenomenal book loaded with emotions and introspection. The main character deals with am eating disorder and the mental challenges that go along with it in a beautiful, respectful, and thought-provoking way. It got me thinking about a lot of different things and even brought to me to tears - I felt like I was experiencing the story along with the characters. I would rate this clean and PG.
February 17, 2018
This book is a heartwarming story of a guy who is friendzoned by the girl he is closest to in the world. He draws, she dances, they are both creative, and he always seems to draw Toni, the love of his life. When she develops an eating disorder, he tries to take care of her and watch out for her, despite knowing she is doing it for the wrong reasons. This book was an easy read, I loved the story and Toni's discovery of Carter's true feelings for her, I was rooting for him the entire story!
August 8, 2020
Words Cannot Describe This Incredible Book. What A Talented Author!
This is an incredible read from the very suspenseful beginning all the way to the very suspenseful end. This book was hard to put down and kept your attention throughout. I will definitely be recommending this to all of my friends. Many thanks to the author for taking the time to write this book.
This is an incredible read from the very suspenseful beginning all the way to the very suspenseful end. This book was hard to put down and kept your attention throughout. I will definitely be recommending this to all of my friends. Many thanks to the author for taking the time to write this book.
September 15, 2013
A Portrait for Toni by Annette Lyon is a beautifully crafted story of friendship, trials, love, and perserverance. I'll admit I didn't read the "blurb" before I started the book, so I had no preconceived notions about the storyline. When I was about 3/4 of the way through I took a second to read the blurb & quickly wished I hadn't. See, I hadn't reached the part of the story that the third paragraph of the blurb explains. Ugh... I would have liked to have not known that was how she found out.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It wasn't all lollipops and sunshine - real life rarely ever is. In typical "New Adult" style, this contemporary novel has lots of emotional highs and lows - there's drama, pain, love, passion, sorrow, and loss. But unlike most of the NA books available, this book is clean. There's a few curse words and some kissing, but otherwise Ms. Lyon has managed to write a poignant novel that contains all the "trademark" elements of NA without graphic language and sexual scenes. Kudos :)
At the root, A Portrait for Toni is about two best friends, Toni and Carter. They've been friends since high school and have relied on one another for years. Unbeknownst to Toni, Carter has harbored romantic feelings for her all along, but he has kept them to himself. Toni has been harboring a secret of her own though. For the past few years she has been suffering from anorexia and bulimia. The two friends support one another through their trials, their romantic interests (Toni with Clint and Carter with Brooke) and life in general. Ultimately, they have to decide - do they give a romantic relationship a chance, or do they go their separate ways?
There was a lot of beauty and passion in this novel - Carter's art, Toni's dancing. So much depth is added to the storyline and the characters because of their passions and interests. I loved that Carter was able to share his gift of art with Toni - that she was able to embrace a new interest and skill that helped her to begin healing. I also loved that she did ultimately find strength and self worth by turning to God.
Overall, this was a wonderful novel that explored the difficult topic of eating disorders, yet still showed the beauty in life. Personally, I enjoy a book that gives me a glimpse of reality while still managing to offer an escape.
Honest disclosure: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for my honest review.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It wasn't all lollipops and sunshine - real life rarely ever is. In typical "New Adult" style, this contemporary novel has lots of emotional highs and lows - there's drama, pain, love, passion, sorrow, and loss. But unlike most of the NA books available, this book is clean. There's a few curse words and some kissing, but otherwise Ms. Lyon has managed to write a poignant novel that contains all the "trademark" elements of NA without graphic language and sexual scenes. Kudos :)
At the root, A Portrait for Toni is about two best friends, Toni and Carter. They've been friends since high school and have relied on one another for years. Unbeknownst to Toni, Carter has harbored romantic feelings for her all along, but he has kept them to himself. Toni has been harboring a secret of her own though. For the past few years she has been suffering from anorexia and bulimia. The two friends support one another through their trials, their romantic interests (Toni with Clint and Carter with Brooke) and life in general. Ultimately, they have to decide - do they give a romantic relationship a chance, or do they go their separate ways?
There was a lot of beauty and passion in this novel - Carter's art, Toni's dancing. So much depth is added to the storyline and the characters because of their passions and interests. I loved that Carter was able to share his gift of art with Toni - that she was able to embrace a new interest and skill that helped her to begin healing. I also loved that she did ultimately find strength and self worth by turning to God.
Overall, this was a wonderful novel that explored the difficult topic of eating disorders, yet still showed the beauty in life. Personally, I enjoy a book that gives me a glimpse of reality while still managing to offer an escape.
Honest disclosure: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for my honest review.
September 8, 2013
This book was a little hard for me to take in some ways. I’d get so wrapped up in the story but, at times, would have to put it down and then later found myself dreading to pick it up again. Why? Not because of the writing, certainly. Annette Lyon knows words, and uses them at their best. I think it was more the subject matter. It’s difficult to watch someone, even a character in a book, continue self-destructive behavior without an end in sight. It was so hard not to scream at my Kindle, “Toni! Stop it!!”
And then there’s her relationship with Carter. Sigh. Of course he’s wonderful, and she’s clueless about his real feelings for her, but this one struck a little too close to home for me. (You will undoubtedly not have that problem) I had no clue how this story was going to end. Was Toni going to wake up? Was Carter going to move on? I’m not going to spoil it for you, but I have to say the way Annette pulled it all together in the end was perfect.
And then there’s her relationship with Carter. Sigh. Of course he’s wonderful, and she’s clueless about his real feelings for her, but this one struck a little too close to home for me. (You will undoubtedly not have that problem) I had no clue how this story was going to end. Was Toni going to wake up? Was Carter going to move on? I’m not going to spoil it for you, but I have to say the way Annette pulled it all together in the end was perfect.
October 10, 2013
I had a hard time putting this book down. I needed to be doing a TON of other things, and I kept coming back to my Kindle instead. Sigh. My to-do list is still suffering!
I felt like the ending was realistic--. I really liked Brooke, and not just because that's my sister's name.
I did find myself wishing the timeline was a bit more compressed, though I'm not sure how realistic that could be in addressing the issue of the eating disorder.
I received a free copy of the book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
4.5 stars (I've decided that whenever my rating is higher than the current average rating of a book, I'll round up).
I felt like the ending was realistic--. I really liked Brooke, and not just because that's my sister's name.
I did find myself wishing the timeline was a bit more compressed, though I'm not sure how realistic that could be in addressing the issue of the eating disorder.
I received a free copy of the book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
4.5 stars (I've decided that whenever my rating is higher than the current average rating of a book, I'll round up).
February 17, 2014
This book had a great character arc for both main characters. Toni and Carter have been best friends since high school. Problem is, a decade later Carter is deeply in love with Toni—always has been—but he’s never told her, afraid to risk their friendship with the revelation since Toni doesn’t seem interested in him in that way. But when he watches her fall for another man he loathes and slowly destroy herself with an eating disorder, Carter wonders if he will have to take a risk and bare his heart, even if it means losing Toni forever.
January 4, 2018
This was a beautiful story of patience and love! Toni was irritating, but I think that is the point...she didn't like herself. That just shows what a great storyteller Ms Lyon is! She had to find her true self...with a divine perspective. Luckily she had Carter. I was so glad that Carter loved her... I loved him! Great insight to eating disorders!
February 18, 2014
Such a good book. I couldn't put it down. It was a little hard to read because of the sensitive subject matter, but I think Annette Lyon handled it well. I loved Carter and thought he was one of my very favorite characters I have eve read about.
April 24, 2014
Great story, wonderful characters, and great information about eating disorders. However, I cannot believe how many editing issues! WAY annoying, and very distracting. I also thought Toni took WAY too long to see the light! Made me crazy! Very clean and romantic.
October 4, 2014
Good
This was a book that was hard but good to read about eating disorders. It's romantic and fun at the same time. Carter had the patience to help and love unconditionally for the love of his life. Glad that Toni got the help she needed and found love in the end.
This was a book that was hard but good to read about eating disorders. It's romantic and fun at the same time. Carter had the patience to help and love unconditionally for the love of his life. Glad that Toni got the help she needed and found love in the end.
October 19, 2013
Another extremely well written book by Annette Lyon. She tackled some tough subjects in this book and did it well. I enjoyed this book a lot. Full review coming to both blogs.
June 2, 2014
Review to come soon!
Want to read
January 28, 2016no ocln
January 4, 2016
I had a hard time putting it down until I was done. it was great!
July 28, 2018
I tried to read this, but shouldn't have attempted it right after jaw surgery where my mouth was wired shut and I was afraid of throwing up.
After reading other reviews, I don't plan to ever find back and finish it.
After reading other reviews, I don't plan to ever find back and finish it.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews