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Lost and Found: My story of Heartbreak and Hope
Toni Street's easy on-air style and warm personality has made her a firm favourite with thousands of New Zealanders.
But behind the bubbly persona, is a story of heartbreak and resilience.
Toni and her family's story is one of almost unbelievable trial and tragedy, but also love, determination and incredible resilience and will strike a chord with anyone who has gone through difficult times.
But behind the bubbly persona, is a story of heartbreak and resilience.
Toni and her family's story is one of almost unbelievable trial and tragedy, but also love, determination and incredible resilience and will strike a chord with anyone who has gone through difficult times.
242 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2021
31 people are currently reading
202 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
October 30, 2021
I wasn’t prepared for how emotional I would become reading this book. Toni is the face we see fronting many sports shows, America’s Cup for one, she also has been on our screens for Seven Sharp and Breakfast and on our airways, currently with Coast radio station. We feel we know her, she is bright and bubbly and you can’t help but like her.
Reading this book you realise the terrible journey she has been on, so much sorrow and heartbreak but she has unwavering optimism and a fantastic husband and friends and family to support her. Although I am a great deal older than she is, I could relate to quite a few of the journeys she has been on. Losing someone you love at an early age and how it never leaves you is perhaps the one I connected with the most.
Toni truly is a remarkable young lady and I wish her a lifetime of happiness and good health.
Reading this book you realise the terrible journey she has been on, so much sorrow and heartbreak but she has unwavering optimism and a fantastic husband and friends and family to support her. Although I am a great deal older than she is, I could relate to quite a few of the journeys she has been on. Losing someone you love at an early age and how it never leaves you is perhaps the one I connected with the most.
Toni truly is a remarkable young lady and I wish her a lifetime of happiness and good health.
February 9, 2022
I often wonder why and how people can write and share so much of their private lives. But as you read Toni's emotional journey through life, you get a strong feeling it is equally cathartic and a way of connecting to others who have suffered heartbreak and to give them hope. It is incredible how much loss this family survived and shows the enormous strength, the love of family and friends can provide. Hailing from Taranaki myself, I have always admired Toni and what she has achieved in her career. After reading her book, that admiration is on an even higher level. What an admirable and incredible woman. The same to be said for her best friend Sophie Braggins.
April 23, 2024
I’ve spent a day thinking about how I would describe this book, and I’m still a little stumped.
Toni writes like you were having a conservation with her, and I flew through this book in a day. She is a masterful storyteller, a humble, caring woman who has had one hell of a ride. Her stories of loss had me crying by Page 30, and the story has shifted my perspective on life, made me think about what’s important and left me hopeful for the future.
I wish I could give Toni a hug after reading her book, which gives some insight into just how much her personality shines in this book. One of my favourite kiwi memoirs to date ❤️
Toni writes like you were having a conservation with her, and I flew through this book in a day. She is a masterful storyteller, a humble, caring woman who has had one hell of a ride. Her stories of loss had me crying by Page 30, and the story has shifted my perspective on life, made me think about what’s important and left me hopeful for the future.
I wish I could give Toni a hug after reading her book, which gives some insight into just how much her personality shines in this book. One of my favourite kiwi memoirs to date ❤️
February 11, 2022
I cried tears of sadness & tears of joy during the reading of this book. My admiration of Toni & Matt French as well as the Street family & the wonderful Sophie Braggins was immense. A down to earth story made better as it was written from the heart.
January 21, 2022
she’s so strong man
December 26, 2023
I read this book in an afternoon. Absolute page-turner and very easy to read. I cried in many parts but it was such an uplifting story.
August 6, 2024
Easy page-turning read, what a tough ride Toni has had and yet still so positive about life.
May 6, 2022
Lost and Found is Toni Streets story of heartbreak and hope . It is a compelling read and Toni has shared her story with honesty which left me the reader full of admiration for her . New Zealanders are very used to seeing Toni on the TV or hearing her voice on radio , and most of us were aware of some of the issues affecting her health . But what the Street family have endured has been very difficult but through it all they have been a loving , close knit family which has helped them overcome the challenges.
It is a wonderful story of hope which will be enjoyed by anyone who reads family biographies
It is a wonderful story of hope which will be enjoyed by anyone who reads family biographies
January 14, 2022
I read this book in two days. I couldn't put it down. I had a box of tissues with me too. This is a special book full of many heartbreaking but yet joyous moments. Much love to Toni Street for sharing her amazing journey with us. I have watched her on TV for years and had no idea of the struggles her and her family were dealing with. All the best for the rest of the happiness journey Toni. I hope you and your family all make it to Disneyland. You all deserve it ❤️👨👩👦
February 26, 2022
Wow what did Toni not experience in her early life? I “take my hat off”to her, but in so doing there is a lot of honesty on her part, and she is obviously very driven in her broadcasting career. She has a wonder group of great friends and I hope that she might become a mentor to families who might be affected by the Churg-Strauss syndrome,
But thank you for the insight into surrogacy and all it’s legal dilemmas. What a wonderful friend Sophie and her husband were/are.
But thank you for the insight into surrogacy and all it’s legal dilemmas. What a wonderful friend Sophie and her husband were/are.
November 17, 2022
Currently going through an auto-biography phase and saw this one pop up on my Kobo library. Toni Street has lived a life and a half and has overcome some pretty major obstacles. I didn’t expect to enjoy this as much as I did. Toni has had some very tragic events happen, not only this, she lives with a rare autoimmune disease. I was particularly interested in her surrogacy experience. The book felt very “kiwi” and overall I really liked it.
November 14, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. It must have taken a lot of courage to write. I admired her honesty of her family’s sad and difficult times along with her illness. Despite all this her achievements are an Inspiration. Toni you are incredible and love your mantra for life. Enjoy your lovely family. Would highly recommend this book
November 20, 2021
Absolutely loved this book. So easy to read. So honest and real. Couldn't put it down. I have gone thru huge grief after losing my husband a few months ago and I found a lot of quotes and things Toni said and shared about loss and grieving , are a great comfort in my grief. Fantastic book. Just loved it.
July 26, 2023
This book is very emotional. And very easy to read. I read it in less than 12 hours. I give this 5 stars.
Toni has this wonderful way of writing that makes you think you are simply having a chat and listening to her talk.
That may be due to the Journalism and storytelling training she has had. But it served her well while writing this book.
I have so much in common with Toni Street even though she is 20 years younger than me. The biggest is that we are both from New Zealand.
Like Toni, I have also lost a sibling. And like Toni, I was also diagnosed with an auto-immune disease, although mine is not currently life threatening.
My auto-immune disease did play havoc with my fertility, so that I was only able to carry one child to term. I also had 3 miscarriages.
My son is now doing well at age 21, although he too has also been diagnosed with a chronic auto-immune disease.
I may not have cried at the end of this book, but I certainly did have tears in my eyes.
One of the main reason why I was so interested in this book, is because of the outdated and antiquated adoption laws, that NZ currently has on the books especially surrounding surrogacy births.
Toni gave birth to two daughters naturally, but it turns out that both of her pregnancies had aggravated her disease. She was told in no uncertain terms that she should NOT have a third child. It might kill her.
Toni's best friend Sophie, stepped in and offered to be Toni's surrogate. Toni's egg and her husbands sperm were allowed to be fertilised in a petrie dish and later inserted into Sophie's Uterus by IVF.
This means that the child Sophie was carrying was biologically not hers or her husband, but she and her spouse were considered to be the legal parents from the time the child was born. Even though the child was not biologically theirs.
Toni could not accept that the biological parents had no legal rights to claim their biological child as their own until they had officially "Adopted" said child.
Toni is now on a campaign to have the old surrogacy and adoption laws of New Zealand, repealed, updated and replaced with new laws that say that the biological parents should be able to claim their biological child from the time of birth without having to "adopt" it. The surrogate mother should have no legal claim.
I am following this campaign with interest to see how it pans out.
Toni has this wonderful way of writing that makes you think you are simply having a chat and listening to her talk.
That may be due to the Journalism and storytelling training she has had. But it served her well while writing this book.
I have so much in common with Toni Street even though she is 20 years younger than me. The biggest is that we are both from New Zealand.
Like Toni, I have also lost a sibling. And like Toni, I was also diagnosed with an auto-immune disease, although mine is not currently life threatening.
My auto-immune disease did play havoc with my fertility, so that I was only able to carry one child to term. I also had 3 miscarriages.
My son is now doing well at age 21, although he too has also been diagnosed with a chronic auto-immune disease.
I may not have cried at the end of this book, but I certainly did have tears in my eyes.
One of the main reason why I was so interested in this book, is because of the outdated and antiquated adoption laws, that NZ currently has on the books especially surrounding surrogacy births.
Toni gave birth to two daughters naturally, but it turns out that both of her pregnancies had aggravated her disease. She was told in no uncertain terms that she should NOT have a third child. It might kill her.
Toni's best friend Sophie, stepped in and offered to be Toni's surrogate. Toni's egg and her husbands sperm were allowed to be fertilised in a petrie dish and later inserted into Sophie's Uterus by IVF.
This means that the child Sophie was carrying was biologically not hers or her husband, but she and her spouse were considered to be the legal parents from the time the child was born. Even though the child was not biologically theirs.
Toni could not accept that the biological parents had no legal rights to claim their biological child as their own until they had officially "Adopted" said child.
Toni is now on a campaign to have the old surrogacy and adoption laws of New Zealand, repealed, updated and replaced with new laws that say that the biological parents should be able to claim their biological child from the time of birth without having to "adopt" it. The surrogate mother should have no legal claim.
I am following this campaign with interest to see how it pans out.
November 24, 2023
it often feels wrong to rate memoirs, especially ones as personal as this. my 3-star rating here is in no way a reflection of the way i see toni: i have looked up to her ever since i was a girl watching her on television, always finding her one of the brightest, most genuine reporters. now as a woman dealing with chronic illness i am in awe of her even more. the word strong is not enough to describe her. she deserves every blessing and triumph.
as for the book itself, it read very easily. it's been a while since i've done a book cover to cover in less than 12 hours, but that happened today. it was simple, at times insightful, but not revolutionary in any literary aspect. a good read, would recommend it to family members and those interested in her story. not, however, a challenging read.
i think this book really shines as she pivots to surrogacy law in new zealand and her opinions on its current landscape. as i approach the end of my law degree, i might be biassed here, but it was incredibly fascinating to hear her firsthand account. definitely something i'd like to research more from the knowledge imparted from this book.
as for the book itself, it read very easily. it's been a while since i've done a book cover to cover in less than 12 hours, but that happened today. it was simple, at times insightful, but not revolutionary in any literary aspect. a good read, would recommend it to family members and those interested in her story. not, however, a challenging read.
i think this book really shines as she pivots to surrogacy law in new zealand and her opinions on its current landscape. as i approach the end of my law degree, i might be biassed here, but it was incredibly fascinating to hear her firsthand account. definitely something i'd like to research more from the knowledge imparted from this book.
July 15, 2023
Everybodies talking about this one!!
Having not had a TV in the house for 14 years I really didn’t know Toni Street from a bar of soap however the blurb on the back got me curious. No parent could ever imagine having lost 3 children out of 5 😢
Toni’s health struggles and the addition to her family of a third child via a surrogate is heart wrenching and at the same time fascinating. I was really interested in the antiqued laws around surrogacy in NZ and the 101 scenarios that need to be considered before you can be considered.
Toni Street is a very lucky woman to have the most amazing parents, husband and friends.
It’s a great easy read. In a format that will have you smash it out in 24hours. Definitely worth a look.
Having not had a TV in the house for 14 years I really didn’t know Toni Street from a bar of soap however the blurb on the back got me curious. No parent could ever imagine having lost 3 children out of 5 😢
Toni’s health struggles and the addition to her family of a third child via a surrogate is heart wrenching and at the same time fascinating. I was really interested in the antiqued laws around surrogacy in NZ and the 101 scenarios that need to be considered before you can be considered.
Toni Street is a very lucky woman to have the most amazing parents, husband and friends.
It’s a great easy read. In a format that will have you smash it out in 24hours. Definitely worth a look.
June 9, 2023
What an incredible story medically, emotionally and physically!
So much of Toni's life journey was kept fairly low key in the many interviews she has done over the years. This book is on another level!
I found myself emotionally invested in her story and in awe of her courage through so many tough times.
So happy for Toni and her family with the very special arrival of little Lachlan... Such an incredible gift, with the help from her best friend Sophie❤️
Wishing Toni and all her family good health and great happiness xx
This book is a very special read.
So much of Toni's life journey was kept fairly low key in the many interviews she has done over the years. This book is on another level!
I found myself emotionally invested in her story and in awe of her courage through so many tough times.
So happy for Toni and her family with the very special arrival of little Lachlan... Such an incredible gift, with the help from her best friend Sophie❤️
Wishing Toni and all her family good health and great happiness xx
This book is a very special read.
March 6, 2022
Great book to read if you are feeling sorry for yourself.
Toni has been through so much and her future health could detriate rapidly at any time yet she remains so positivre and thankful (while being a realist). Tough topics but easy read due to her writing style and not dwelling on the losses and struggles in her life.
Toni has been through so much and her future health could detriate rapidly at any time yet she remains so positivre and thankful (while being a realist). Tough topics but easy read due to her writing style and not dwelling on the losses and struggles in her life.
March 7, 2022
An emotional and heart-warming look at Toni Streets life starting as a twin in Taranaki through to being a mother of 3, including death of 3 siblings, illness and surrogacy.
An easy read (less than a day) rollercoaster ride. Amazing to see what one family can go through, but still come out ok the other side.
November 27, 2022
Wow - she and her family have been through so much! I have always enjoyed watching Toni on TV. My favourite was when she was on Saturday Breakfast with Rawdon and then when they moved to week day Breakfast. Really enjoyed listening to her on The Hits with Sam - was so gutted when they moved! I hear she has a podcast now so am looking into listening to that!
January 8, 2023
Such a moving autobiography and I'm touched by the resilience, strength, endurance and love that Toni and her family held during very difficult times. I always enjoy hearing her on the morning radio as I commute to work. Now I apreciate and admire her even more. Writing this book no doubt would've been difficult but also a healing salve.
January 25, 2025
A brilliantly written detail of Toni's life including her early years and the several losses her parents suffered right through to her her own personal health struggles which resulted in a surrogacy journey. A beautiful, heart-warming and sometimes devastating story. What a privilege to read her story!
January 12, 2022
This took me 1 day to read. An honest and heartfelt account of Toni's life to date and where she is now heading with her gorgeous family of three. An excellent 👏 book of inspiration of a wonderful Kiwi woman. Thoroughly enjoyable.
April 21, 2022
Super interesting and had me completely hooked by the first few pages. It was heartbreaking to read and for sure made me realize how lucky i truly am, but it was beautifully written and i loved everything about it!
October 15, 2022
Hard to comprehend how one family can endure so much grief. I cried so much reading this book. But it was written with such honesty. And a testament to not only Toni’s warmth and character portrayed on screen and air but how wonderful her parents are. This family deserves many blessings.
January 17, 2023
Thank you Toni for sharing your story. I cried reading the first 3 chapters. The challenges your family have faced are heartbreaking but the strength you all had to cope with all the tragedies was amazing. I wish you and your lovely little family all the best :)
May 6, 2023
Heart felt story
As a Taranakian, Toni's story brought back some of my earliest memories. I'm so delighted to have read your story Toni. It's been on my "to read" list and on my Kindle for quite some time. Beautifully written. Thanks Toni.
As a Taranakian, Toni's story brought back some of my earliest memories. I'm so delighted to have read your story Toni. It's been on my "to read" list and on my Kindle for quite some time. Beautifully written. Thanks Toni.
August 19, 2023
Loved this book - was well written but also super emotional talking about the lengths Toni and her family went through to get their little boy Lachie here, amongst all the other traumas she has had in her life
October 25, 2024
Truly a remarkable story of personal tragic events, from lost to finding herself. The courage that Toni shows in both this book and her life is one that many aspire too. A great read from a great Kiwi.
February 24, 2025
10/10
RESILIENCE - to go through the loss of not one but three children/siblings
STRENGTH - as above but to also show up for life. The strength of their family together
FAITH - In the goodness of life despite the lows
An Incredible book!
RESILIENCE - to go through the loss of not one but three children/siblings
STRENGTH - as above but to also show up for life. The strength of their family together
FAITH - In the goodness of life despite the lows
An Incredible book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews