Season of Hope

The Seasons Series: A Christian Romance Trilogy, Book 1

De: Sara Jane Jacobs

Narrado por: Lisa Lynn Sandlin

Memories of his abusive father fuel Tyler Armstrong's desire to make the world a safer place, so Tyler will do whatever it takes to become a Navy SEAL. Falling in love with his best friend, Amanda Jarvis, though, wasn't part of his plans.

Maybe his failed attempts to confess his love turned out for the best. Even if their shared faith helps them navigate the demands of SEAL life, he fears asking her to live with the uncertainties of his career. Amanda deserves better.

When Amanda's plans for college fall through and her summer job in New York catapults her into a modeling career, she welcomes the distraction. Not only is she falling for her best friend, Tyler, but his impending deployment is also turning her world upside down.

The more she learns of Navy SEALs, the more her dreams of finding out Tyler's in love with her fade behind the fear that she's not strong enough to spend her life with him. Will Tyler and Amanda let go of their fears and give love a chance before it's too late?

©2022,2023 Sara Jane Jacobs (P)2025 Sara Jane Jacobs

You Will Be Emotionally Wrecked And Wanting More

I just finished this book and it has emotionally wrecked me in such a beautiful way. On Amazon it says that the reading age for this book is 16 to 18 years—really? Because I am 55 years old and this book made me cry like a baby.

The book follows Amanda Jarvis and Tyler Armstrong from about the age of seven to the age of 18. At the beginning of the book, given their young ages, you get some history from the mother’s point of view—and then slowly, over time, it becomes Amanda and Tyler’s point of view only. It’s done at a nice pace so that it doesn’t feel like you’re suddenly missing part of the story. It just naturally evolves as you continue to see the friendship grow.

It truly is quite some time before you get to that point where they start realizing that maybe there’s more there, and it genuinely feels like a perfect relationship—the kind of relationship that you would want for your children, or that, if you didn’t already have this, you wished you had for yourself.

Honestly, I’m afraid to say too much because I feel like I’m going to tell you everything, just because I want to be able to tell everyone how absolutely amazing this book is and let them know what they’re missing out on. It really should be read by so many people.

It’s a Christian romance, but it isn’t overly done—so if you usually shy away from that genre, I don’t think you should pass on this one. I believe it’s written in a way that is both inviting and relatable to Christians and non-Christians alike.

I will say that the book ends on a cliffhanger, and you will become deeply invested in this story and not want to put it down—so be prepared to keep going, because there’s no way you won’t want to.

I did read this as an audiobook, and the narrator, Lisa Lynn Sandlin, is exceptional. She has taken the heartfelt writing of Sarah Jane Jacobs and given it such a moving emotional voice. I’m really not sure I could have captured that on my own reading, so if you enjoy audiobooks, I strongly recommend that you go for that. But if you don’t, please pick up the book and read it the way you enjoy—because you will be absolutely captivated.

I received this book from the narrator. All opinions are my own.

Such a beautiful story!

I honestly had no idea what to expect picking this up but it blew me away!

It starts off with a bang throwing you into this amazingly heartfelt, emotional story that is beautiful! And the way she wrote it is so interesting and different. There is five POVs, two from kids and three adults and eventually is just from the kids POV's.

It's really fast paced with about 14 years passing in this one book. The kids grow from 6-20ish but it's so well done, not confusing, and you still get lots of details.

It mostly focuses on Tyler and Amanda and how they met as children and became best friends. (Their parents are the other 3 POV's) And it goes through their life together, growing, helping to shape each other, and their relationship. Their relationship is so cute and sweet, they push each other to be better, challenge each other, comfort and encourage each other. It is truly so beautiful and heartwarming.

There are Christian elements and messages woven throughout. Messages about trusting in God's timing, having hope in difficult situations, and leaning on Him.

Really the whole thing is just such a joy to read! The world building is amazing you can imagine it all! The story flow was engaging and interesting! The relationships are beautiful from friendships to family dynamics. There is also some pain and heartache. But also laughter and love. And towards the end of the book Tyler's and Amandas relationship starts to blossom into something more....and then the end! Oh that end was just a tad cruel and I can't wait to read more and see what happens!

The narrator Lisa does such a good job reading this story. With all the time jumps and switches in POV's it's very easy to get lost and confused in an audiobook but she is so clear and though the voice changes are subtle for each character it's like you can hear their personality in her voice. So I could keep track super easily. She does really well in the inflection of emotions to and really brings characters to life! I loved every bit of this book!

Content: No-spice/kisses only, no swearing, innuendos between married couple, domestic abuse, suggestive comments made towards women.

Loved this story

This is a beautiful Christian story. We meet Tyler and Amanda as children, we watch as they form a strong friendship. I loved watching their friendship as Tyler always encourages Amanda to join in and do what she wants to do.

While most of this story happens while they are kids, we do get to watch Amanda's journey as she graduates high school and wonder what is next as her college plans fall through, now she must find a new direction to take her life.
Tyler stays very true to himself, when we first meet him he is playing with some army toys, we watch him as he grows into a young man. It is no surprise to see him join the Navy SEALs.

This was mostly a feel good story, though there are a few TW such as mild violence, there are also mentions of abuse as Tyler's father was abusive.

Lisa Lynn’s narration of this story was entertaining and engaging. She always has a way of giving each character their own feel and sound. I loved listening to this audio after reading the book, it helped the story fully come alive.

Heart Warming

This was a heart warming story about hope, family, friendship, and self discovery. The world building was so good that I wish that I could live on Nathan's mountain myself and never leave. The main characters Tyler and Amanda were well written and lovable.
I can't say the same for Amanda's aunt, that woman grinds my gears! I also loved the slow blooming romance between Tyler and Amanda, because it was sweet, realistic and genuine.
Overall this was a fantastic book and I can't recommend it enough! P.s. this novel was narrated flawlessly on audible as well.

such a beautiful story!

I loved this book so much! I really love how we see all the POV's in the beginning. I really made me fall in love with the characters even more! I thought it was so unique to see through both children and their parents eyes. I haven't ever seen that done before and I hope I find that again. The book takes on only the MCs POV once they get older and then predominantly Amanda's. The author makes the mountain homes sound like you are there seeing it for yourself and now I really want to go visit this exact spot. It break my heart when Tyler and Amanda were pulled in two different directions and I was hoping that they would see that their friendship was more before they went on their way. The friendship is so beautiful and even being miles and miles apart won't keep them separate. Lisa brought another beautiful book life and I am always blown away at how beautiful her words are.

Intense

I just loved Season of Hope and can’t wait to read what happens next. Amanda and Tyler have been friends forever, but it seems like it should be more. Each of them, not wanting to spoil what they have, but both feeling more, but not admitting it to each other. Wonderful characters and a fantastic storyline. Listening to the narrator bring the characters to life was amazing.

cute story, great narration

Season of Hope is the first book written by Sara Jane Jacobs and I look forward to reading more. I was able to enjoy the audiobook, read by Lisa Lynn Sandlin and it was such a delight.
The only warning I must give, in case you are anything like me, the story ends on a cliffhanger. So be prepared to acquire book two.

The character development is great. I loved watching Amanda figure out life even when her dreams don’t pan out. While also trying to not let her aunt’s dreams overcome her. Watching Tyler figure out life, growing into this caring guy after the struggle he had growing up with an abusive father.

The storyline is a fast-paced- spanning kids to college timeline. I loved the quick view on watching Tyler and Amanda growing up and how they maintained their friendship. Such a sweet storyline.

The relationship between Amanda and Tyler are neighbors and best friends, to slowly realizing they should be more. So, it is a very low spice, kisses only.

Sara Jane Jacobs did an amazing job intertwining faith throughout the story.

*I received a complimentary copy from the author and voluntarily chose to review it. All opinions are my own.

what an incredible performance!

I absolutely loved this story! Watching Amanda and Tyler grow and change over the years was both heartwarming and compelling. Their journey was filled with sweetness, depth, and a realism that pulled me right in. The ending left me on a cliffhanger, but I don’t mind one bit, I’m thrilled to have two more books in the series to look forward to!

And I have to gush about the audiobook, what an incredible performance! The narrator delivered every emotion with such warmth and authenticity that it felt like I was living alongside these characters. The pacing, tone, and subtle nuances added so much richness to the story, turning a wonderful book into an unforgettable listening experience.