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Rachel Barnard
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Donuts in an Empty Field (For the Love of Donuts Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Rachel Barnard (Author), Annie Carl (Editor) Format: Kindle Edition
4.7 out of 5 stars 11 ratings
Letting go of anger is life's greatest challenge.

Vanessa Smith hasn't been the same since her father's death. A hero until the end, he died saving a restaurant owner's wife and son from a burning building. Nessa has always blamed the boy, Ben, for her loss, and her thoughts are consumed with ways to make him as miserable as she is.

Nichole Adams knows Nessa can never heal until she learns to let go of her hatred, but bringing back her best friend is proving more difficult than she could've imagined. In a last ditch effort to break Nessa's obsession, Nichole hopes signing up for the local food challenge is just the thing to bust her out of her shell.

A single choice defines the road ahead for Nessa. Doing the right thing isn't easy, but living with the consequences of doing nothing might be worse.
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  1. Print length
    231 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Accessibility
    Learn more
  4. Publication date
    June 3, 2016
  5. Reading age
    13 - 18 years
  6. File size
    2.8 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01FIGENWQ
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Life's a Book Publishing
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 3, 2016
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.8 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 231 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1944022020
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 13 - 18 years
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 out of 5 stars 11 ratings

About the author

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Rachel Barnard

Rachel Barnard

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Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Rachel Barnard's greatest accomplishments have been eating an entire half gallon of ice cream in one sitting, winning a boot toss, and writing a novel about herself. Rachel Barnard wishes she were taller, that chocolate had no calories, and that books could be eaten after they were read. Rachel Barnard resides in the Pacific Northwest and loves to dress up, talk about writing and books, and dance. Rachel Barnard primarily writes young adult books, including Ataxia and the Ravine of Lost Dreams, At One's Beast, and her For the Love of Donuts series.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
11 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Thought provoking coming of age story - This novel is a diamond in the rough
    Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I've never felt compelled to write a review on a product before. That whole, 'if you don't have something nice to say...' mantra, has always gotten in the way. I'm not going to give you a synopsis like some of these other reviews have. Instead, I'll share this with you:

    I can only imagine that all teenagers will identify with the realistic characters Rachel Barnard has crafted and be thoroughly engaged in the story. There are plenty of moments to cheer and a few that might make you cry (if you're not a 43 year old man who just doesn't do that sort of thing).

    If I read this book when I was a teenager, I'd probably have understood girls better and instead of obsessing over their big mystery, maybe my relationships would have been healthier and I would have had time to actually focus on school.

    As the father of a 13 year old daughter, at least it might help me understand her.

    I've been reading quite a lot lately and have been disappointed more often than not. Reading Donuts in an Empty Field makes up for that. Whatever you do, if you buy this book, read until the end, or you'll miss out on one of the best finishes I can remember. That's probably the biggest reason I love this book. Poor or Lazy endings are one of my biggest pet peeves. This novel exceeded my expectations by a country mile.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • ARHuelsenbeck
    4.0 out of 5 stars Barnard successfully portrays the secret lives of teenagers.
    Reviewed in the United States on July 5, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I was introduced to this book by an excerpt posted in the Weekend Writing Warriors challenge. I was so intrigued by the bucket list Vanessa found in her father’s study (five years after his death) that I had to buy the book. I read a lot of Young Adult novels, because I’m writing one. (Or, I’m writing a YA novel, because that’s what I like to read.) This is a good one.

    I’ve never experienced a traumatic experience, but the flashback “memories” that torment Vanessa seem to me to be accurate depictions of PTSD. Vanessa’s dad rescued a little boy from a burning restaurant, and died of smoke inhalation. Certain situations trigger Vanessa’s attacks, and even though she’s in therapy, she’s not making headway through her grief.

    Her best friend, Nichole, tries to help her by encouraging Vanessa to try new things. This strategy partially backfires as Vanessa engages in risky behavior. To make things worse, Ben, the boy she blames for her father’s death, tries to intrude into their social circle. Bearing disfiguring scars from his burns, Ben should elicit sympathy, but instead, he’s shunned.

    Barnard successfully portrays the secret lives of teenagers. She deals with uncomfortable topics, such as the shame young people feel about things out of their control, like Nichole’s mother’s hoarding. One aspect that bothers me is that Vanessa’s heart never softens toward Ben until it’s too late. Yet, in real life, everything doesn’t resolve neatly.

    Donuts in an Empty Field was recently released as Book 1 of a series. I am looking forward to finding out what happens to Vanessa in the future.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Susan M Brown
    5.0 out of 5 stars A good read!
    Reviewed in the United States on September 30, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Donuts in an Empty Field is a well-written, absorbing book. The teen heroine, Vanessa, is doing her best to deal with the death of her father, and her best friend is doing her best to help Nessa leave the past behind and live her life well. The characters are believable and the dialogue is excellent. It is a particularly good book for anyone who struggles with grief and loss, but the clarity of character and situation makes this a good read for any teen.
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  • D. B. Rose
    5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant Candlepower!
    Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2016
    I went into the shop with my tastebuds all set for powdered sugar, a yielding, filling, comforting bite of heaven. That's not what I got. Smoke, ashes and maybe a hint of burning rubber. And a little perfume. Donuts in an Empty Field is YA, and maybe, coming of age, and under the light exterior of late teen girlfriends it is a book to take seriously.

    I was blown away by the reality of the characters, even the off-beat, quirky ones. All of them, major, minor and background. Not even to mention the boys, who are a whole lot more like those I remember knowing at that age than just about any others that I've read.
    I stepped into another world, and became part of it. Considering I've never been a teenage girl that's quite something. The story is as painful as it is inspiring, and it is a whole lot of both. In 'Donuts' Rachel Barnard's writing shows an astonishing ability.

    The pace is excellent, the development of Vanessa's insight into herself perfectly in step with the reader's growing understanding of both who she is and who she needs to become. Which is never going to be a neatly tied-off perfect little person.
    Nichole is the perfect foil for the troubled Vanessa. She is the kind to play with a lighter, while Vanessa pulls the covers over her head.
    In the end this amazing book lights a candle for all those in the valley, who are wondering if they will ever see the sun rise.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Matthew Buza
    4.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining real world young adult book
    Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    I enjoy following stories where there is some loss with the main character. In this story Vannessa is struggling to come to terms with the death of her father. Throughout the book the author brought the reader into the manic emotions of a young teenager struggling through the everyday world, battling family and friends as the world around her moves on from the death. Regardless of the heavy underlying tone the author makes the ride enjoyable. I would recommend this book to any young adult reader who might need a break from dragons and magical worlds.
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