And surprise surprise, it struck so close to my own heart that I gasped in joy at the lovely irony. I immersed myself into the story as it built, without skimming in any way. I did not superimpose my perfect man onto the male love interest. I did not try to put myself in her shoes. So I did a personal experiment and decided to read it in a different way than I read most romances. Amy Harmon is synonymous with tear jerkers for me and I don’t pick up her books if I am not feeling up to the emotional investment such books demand. It was an experience in technical brilliance and emotional character building. I can’t say what made me pick this one up. I went into Running Barefoot with zero expectations, without reading the summary. I mean their conversation started with that love letter from Persuasion that is the be all and end all of literary love letters for me. Meaningful classic romance book references? Check. Uncontrollable crying while reading? Check. Hard working, sensible, loyal main characters? Check. Second chance at a relationship when the characters are more equipped to deal with it? Check. Slow burn romance with a clear promise on the endgame? Check. Running Barefoot is an amalgamation of all my favorite romantic themes in books. Deeply romantic and poignant, Running Barefoot is the story of a small town girl and a Native American boy, the ties that bind them to their homes and families, and the love that gives them wings. Their roles reversed, Samuel teaches Josie about life, love, and letting go. Many years go by and Samuel returns, finding Josie in need of the very things she offered him years before. Upon graduation, Samuel abandons the sleepy, small town in search of a future and a life, leaving his young friend behind. Josie teaches Samuel about words, music and friendship, and along the way finds a kindred spirit. Blurb:When Josie Jensen, an awkward 13-year-old musical prodigy crashes headlong into new-comer Samuel Yazzie, an 18-year-old Navajo boy full of anger and confusion, an unlikely friendship blooms.

Running barefoot by amy harmon