5 stars! Running Barefoot was one of those books that was off my radar for so long, that when I finally started it I thought ‘What was I waiting for?’ When I saw that this was Amy Harmon’s first published novel, I was shocked. This does not read like a debut. The writing is fantastic. This is a beautiful story of love, loss, music and most importantly, friendship. It’s the journey of two young people and the strong impact that their unlikely friendship had on their lives. Josie Jensen is a yo...

i love AH, but im slowly realising i love her more recent, more developed stories much more. while this isnt a terrible book, especially for a debut, im just used to better storytelling from her. and i can see roots of the emotive storytelling that i have to love from AH within this novel. the concept is quite heartwarming. i love the overall idea of josie and samuels friendship/relationship, i just didnt quite love the friendship/relationship itself. i was also a little let down with the ending...

2.5 stars!When I heard that this book was loosely connected to the upcoming The Law of Moses and featured an unusual couple pairing, I was immediately on board with reading it as I love interconnected stories with a dose of cultural references and quirky, unique characters. But as I have learned the hard way many times, no matter how wonderful a book idea may be, if I cannot get used to the author’s writing style than that glorious premise might as well be nothing to me. And sadly, this is the c...

Re-read on 6/9/2021 - Still as good as the first time. ●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●Running Barefoot is a love story that spans ten years worth of time and takes the reader through a journey that will leave them appreciating love's splendor. Josie is a 13 year old girl, who finds herself sitting on the school bus next to Samuel, an 18 year old Navajo boy. A friendship grows between these two lonely souls who don't quite fit in with their peers. Books and music fill their conversations.Samuel'...

When I turned the last page of Running Barefoot my first thought was that it was such a sweet story. It was also thought provoking. For me that is what is at the heart of Amy Harmon’s writing. This is a story about two young people, Josie and Samuel, who make a connection during a time in their lives when they are finding their way. Josie was at the heart of her home. After her mom passed away she was forced to grow up quickly. But at the center of Josie’s life was her love for music. She p...

04/27/2013 –Overall Rating = 10 Stars!Book Cover / Book Blurb = 4 / 4 = 4 StarsWriter’s Voice = 5 StarsCharacter Development = 5 StarsStory Appreciation = 5 StarsWorth the Chili = 5 Stars [$3.99 on Amazon]This was the second book I’ve read by this WONDERFUL Lady; Amy Harmon. I’ve been chatting a bit with her and her goodness shines through in this book. It has one incredibly beautiful Native American man; Samuel. It also has one of the most interesting heroines I’ve ever read in Josie Jo. Togeth...

3.5 starsA sweet little second chance story about childhood friends with some angsty moments thrown in. Once again, I really enjoyed Amy Harmon's writing and her grasp of creating three dimensional characters. My only issue was that it slowed down quite a bit toward the middle and the end felt rushed. All in all, it was still a quick and fairly satisfying read.

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." 1 Corinthians 13:4-8Running Barefoot is a story of true love. The kind of love that accepts, respects and cherishes. The kind of love that is conveyed when Ney...

Review posted on January 27th, 2015. I never know what to expect when I pick up novel written by Amy Harmon. Sometimes I love them to pieces, sometimes I think they are okay, and there are those with some topics that I don't prefer when choosing what to read next. One of my favorite books that I read last year is The Law of Moses by Amy Harmon. (You can read my review here.) Everything about that book was perfect - characters, topic, writing, storyline... When I figured out that it's happeni

Buddy read with Silk my June 2020 tbr twin.Running Barefoot exceeded my expectations, though this book is my sixth by Amy Harmon I didn't appreciate the synopsis, it was so not me or so I thought. This book is so me, it took place in a span of ten years. If you push people away for long enough isolation become a terrible habit. People start to believe you prefer it. Just like all Amy's books, this is more of a love story than a romance. This book is not only about love but friendship, hardship...

The second book I've read by Amy Harmon, and the second time I cried ugly tears (okay, technically the third time as I cried twice reading Making Faces). Challenge accepted, Ms. Harmon. Challenge accepted.So here's the deal: Up until about 50% or so, I was sure this was going to be an almost 5 star read for me, I loved it so much. The multi-dimensional characters, their unlikely yet tender friendship, the heartbreak, the writing, it was (almost) perfect. During the second half, though, somewhere...

4.5-4.75 Stars “True love sufferth long, and is kind; true love envieth not. True love vounteth not itself, is not puffed up. True love does not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil. True love rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in truth. True love beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endoureth all things.” ~ 1st Corinthians, Chapter 13 Tell me that is not one of the most beautiful things ever. I’m completely blown

5/5 starsThis book tore apart my heart and left me a puddle of emotions. I physically could not put this book down until I finished it, I stayed up until the very late hours of the morning crying into my pillow. This book so artfully introduces you to two character who you follow for years, from when they're young teens to when they're adults.I felt so much love for these characters that I read grow up, and this book was filled with their struggles and real life situations. This was not a book a...

I picked this up based on a friend's review, mostly because it was a cheap kindle buy and I was almost out of lunchtime reading. I'm glad that I did.I have some concerns with the book that I want to mention, though with the caveat that none of them mattered to me in the least as I was reading—mostly, that so much of the story is deeply unlikely in a lot of ways. This is clearest in the abilities and attributes of the main character, Josie. She has taken on the responsibility for a lot of the car...

This is a 10 ⭐️+ read for me!Reread: February 18-19, 2018I've read this one multiple times...it's one of those go to books for me. I love it. This was my first book and introduction to Amy Harmon's writing and I have been a fan ever since. It is such a beautiful story, very moving and emotional. I'll admit that I usually end up sobbing every time I read it. Fun little side note, my ancestors lived in the small town this story is set in and actually owned the little store that is mentioned in the...