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The Spring in Trulee Holler
She's afraid she might die young.
The boy she's falling for can't die at all.
Jess Lockhart survived a rare form of lymphoma, but remission hasn't brought the peace she expected. Instead, the fear of cancer's return hangs over every decision she makes. Once an aspiring fashion designer, Jess now spends her days working in her father's hardware store in the small Alabama town of Trulee.
Then Silas Haney rents the barn-loft apartment on her family's property. Quiet, mysterious, and clearly hiding something, the young botanist quickly becomes the most intriguing distraction Jess has had in months.
But when an accident reveals the impossible—that Silas once drank from a hidden spring that made him immortal—Jess realizes the cure for her fear of death might be closer than she ever imagined.
Certain the spring could give her control over the future she fears losing, Jess blackmails Silas into taking her along on his search. But as reluctant partners become something more, Jess must face a question far more frightening than death itself:
Is escaping the fear of dying the same as truly living?
A heartfelt small-town romance about faith, fear, and learning to trust God with the future.
Perfect for readers who enjoy:
Small-town romance
Immortal hero / mortal heroine
Forced proximity
Hidden secrets
Faith-filled journeys
The boy she's falling for can't die at all.
Jess Lockhart survived a rare form of lymphoma, but remission hasn't brought the peace she expected. Instead, the fear of cancer's return hangs over every decision she makes. Once an aspiring fashion designer, Jess now spends her days working in her father's hardware store in the small Alabama town of Trulee.
Then Silas Haney rents the barn-loft apartment on her family's property. Quiet, mysterious, and clearly hiding something, the young botanist quickly becomes the most intriguing distraction Jess has had in months.
But when an accident reveals the impossible—that Silas once drank from a hidden spring that made him immortal—Jess realizes the cure for her fear of death might be closer than she ever imagined.
Certain the spring could give her control over the future she fears losing, Jess blackmails Silas into taking her along on his search. But as reluctant partners become something more, Jess must face a question far more frightening than death itself:
Is escaping the fear of dying the same as truly living?
A heartfelt small-town romance about faith, fear, and learning to trust God with the future.
Perfect for readers who enjoy:
Small-town romance
Immortal hero / mortal heroine
Forced proximity
Hidden secrets
Faith-filled journeys
238 pages, Hardcover
Published April 21, 2026
About the author
Jana Hutcheson
1 book15 followersJana Hutcheson lives and teaches in the same small Alabama town where she grew up. Her first story—a piece of Outsiders-inspired fanfiction—was discovered years later in her parents’ attic, reread, and promptly thrown away. Between a packed schedule, a perfectionist streak that only kicks in when she’s writing, and a string of unexpected life events, it took her fourteen years to finish her debut novel. Her quirks include being a picky eater and filling every quiet moment with eclectic playlists. Besides her family, she loves long afternoon walks, greasy burger joints, and the smell of burning leaves.
A public-school teacher for over thirty years, Jana holds both undergraduate and graduate degrees in elementary education from the University of North Alabama.
A public-school teacher for over thirty years, Jana holds both undergraduate and graduate degrees in elementary education from the University of North Alabama.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
April 21, 2026
The Spring At Trulee Holler was fantastic!! I read it all in one sitting! I haven’t read a book like this in a long time! Jana is a wonderful author, and I hope she writes a sequel. I cannot wait to read what she writes next!
April 21, 2026
You know those books where there’s just a little bit of magic mixed in with every day life? The story that makes you believe that if there were magic… it would show up like the spring in Trulee showed up. A legend. A rumor. But it turned out to be true for the ones who looked for it.
It’s a romance in the way that actual people fall in love. It’s a Christian novel in the way that actual people live out their faith. It’s realistic enough to make you believe that this story could happen in your little town. Or to you.
Jess is so relatable in her yearning to just. know. that she’s going to be okay. That’s it’s all going to be okay. She trusts the Lord. But she also just wants assurance that her cancer is actually gone and that she’s going to be okay. How like that are we. “I believe, Lord, help my unbelief.”
This sweetest story of learning to trust the Lord, of showing kindness to people who aren’t kind, and living life abundantly, no matter the uncertainly of what the future holds is a must read!
It’s a romance in the way that actual people fall in love. It’s a Christian novel in the way that actual people live out their faith. It’s realistic enough to make you believe that this story could happen in your little town. Or to you.
Jess is so relatable in her yearning to just. know. that she’s going to be okay. That’s it’s all going to be okay. She trusts the Lord. But she also just wants assurance that her cancer is actually gone and that she’s going to be okay. How like that are we. “I believe, Lord, help my unbelief.”
This sweetest story of learning to trust the Lord, of showing kindness to people who aren’t kind, and living life abundantly, no matter the uncertainly of what the future holds is a must read!
March 16, 2026
Jess is terrified of dying, her mother and grandmother have both passed away and she is scared that her cancer will come out of remission at any time.
Silas would love for nothing more than the ability to be mortal again. He is a 90 year old mind trapped indefinitely in the body of a 20 year old after drinking from the spring of immortality.
During a chance encounter they decided to team up to find the spring together, both for different reasons.
I really enjoyed this book! The plot was very interesting and although the story was hard to read at times, I thought the author did a great job handling the topics.
Thank you netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
Silas would love for nothing more than the ability to be mortal again. He is a 90 year old mind trapped indefinitely in the body of a 20 year old after drinking from the spring of immortality.
During a chance encounter they decided to team up to find the spring together, both for different reasons.
I really enjoyed this book! The plot was very interesting and although the story was hard to read at times, I thought the author did a great job handling the topics.
Thank you netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Jessica (Jess) Lockhart is terrified to die. After losing her mother, grandmother, and surviving cancer, she feels as though her life has been put on an indefinite hold. The fear of her cancer returning haunts her every decision. Everything changes when she meets Silas Haney. He is a mysterious (and very attractive) young man who just so happens to be renting the apartment above her family's barn and claims he is in search of a rare plant. When an accident proves Silas to be immortal- after drinking from a hidden spring that Jess has only ever heard about as small town folklore- Jess decides to take her fate into her own hands and find the spring of immortality herself. After blackmailing Silas into taking her along on his expedition, her feelings for him shift from envy to admiration to more as she realizes her biggest fear isn't cancer- it's uncertainty. Will she white knuckle her way through life or will she learn to truly surrender to the One who holds her future in His hands?
I absolutely adored Jess and Silas as main characters- they were each such three-dimensional characters full of joy and grief, life and love, and desperation for something they had no control over. The chemistry between them was off the charts and so swoon-worthy. Facing hard diagnoses in my own life, I fully connected to Jess's fear of the uncertain, her need to constantly make sure everything was "okay", and her longing for a future she may never have. It was real and raw, but also so beautiful.
The plot moved quickly and read so smoothly, I felt as though I was watching a romantic suspense movie in my head. The setting and side characters brought the town of Trulee to life in a beautifully rich way. There is nothing I love more than a good small-town story!
I normally do not enjoy books with fantasy or magical elements, but this was done so well. It felt like every small southern town that has its own unique folklore and legends- these just so happen to be true! I did not feel uncomfortable with the element of immortality as it was framed so seamlessly in the context of faith in God. It is the type of book that makes you ponder these larger questions- what would I do if I was immortal? would I even want to live forever? what moral quandaries come with access to immortality?
Content or trigger warnings would include; mentions of grief and losing a loved one, cancer diagnosis, treatments, and the aftermath, immortality and questions of faith, depictions of fatal injuries sustained during an accident. While none of these are particularly in depth or graphic, it is worth assessing yours or your children's headspace/life experiences before reading.
The only thing that kept this from being a five star read for me was a handful of mentions of being distracted by the physique of a man when he was shirtless or wearing tight-fitted clothing. This was written from Jess's POV and, while I understand this is a romance, those moments took me out of the story. Overall, it did not ruin the story for me and an older teen/young twenty-something would likely be just fine depending on their maturity level. This was, by all measures, a clean romance with only kisses which conveyed the emotion but were not overly done.
In The Spring in Trulee Holler, Hutcheson seamlessly weaves together swoony romance, small-town living, and the art of surrendering the things we hold onto so tightly. The faith themes were beautifully done and will surely impact the reader's view of God's benevolence and sovereignty over the lives of His children.
I absolutely adored Jess and Silas as main characters- they were each such three-dimensional characters full of joy and grief, life and love, and desperation for something they had no control over. The chemistry between them was off the charts and so swoon-worthy. Facing hard diagnoses in my own life, I fully connected to Jess's fear of the uncertain, her need to constantly make sure everything was "okay", and her longing for a future she may never have. It was real and raw, but also so beautiful.
The plot moved quickly and read so smoothly, I felt as though I was watching a romantic suspense movie in my head. The setting and side characters brought the town of Trulee to life in a beautifully rich way. There is nothing I love more than a good small-town story!
I normally do not enjoy books with fantasy or magical elements, but this was done so well. It felt like every small southern town that has its own unique folklore and legends- these just so happen to be true! I did not feel uncomfortable with the element of immortality as it was framed so seamlessly in the context of faith in God. It is the type of book that makes you ponder these larger questions- what would I do if I was immortal? would I even want to live forever? what moral quandaries come with access to immortality?
Content or trigger warnings would include; mentions of grief and losing a loved one, cancer diagnosis, treatments, and the aftermath, immortality and questions of faith, depictions of fatal injuries sustained during an accident. While none of these are particularly in depth or graphic, it is worth assessing yours or your children's headspace/life experiences before reading.
The only thing that kept this from being a five star read for me was a handful of mentions of being distracted by the physique of a man when he was shirtless or wearing tight-fitted clothing. This was written from Jess's POV and, while I understand this is a romance, those moments took me out of the story. Overall, it did not ruin the story for me and an older teen/young twenty-something would likely be just fine depending on their maturity level. This was, by all measures, a clean romance with only kisses which conveyed the emotion but were not overly done.
In The Spring in Trulee Holler, Hutcheson seamlessly weaves together swoony romance, small-town living, and the art of surrendering the things we hold onto so tightly. The faith themes were beautifully done and will surely impact the reader's view of God's benevolence and sovereignty over the lives of His children.
March 2, 2026
Facing the uncertainty of her cancer remission, Jessica struggles to move on in her life. Between the unexpected diagnosis of lymphoma at a young age and the death of her beloved grandmother, she postpones her enrollment into a top design school in order nurture to her mental and physical health. The old Jessica was a risk taker, someone who lived life to the fullest. Since her illness she has been living a life of worry and fear. She decides to channel her inner daredevil and jump off of Goat Man’s bluff. But a chance encounter changes everything.
Silas, a mysterious and handsome stranger, didn’t expect company during his dip in Hawnee Falls. Nor did he expect that this girl who claims to be brave to have a full on panic attack before she even jumps. And he certainly doesn’t expect a kiss as a thank you.
This meeting is just the beginning of Jessica’s and Silas’s story. Two strangers, both searching for answers: one afraid of dying and one tired of living. When Jessica witnesses the shocking truth of Silas’s secret, she has more questions than answers.
The Spring of Trulee Holler is a wonderful story of friendship, love, faith, and acceptance of God’s plan. The author did a great job of portraying Silas’s dilemma and his desire to undo what had been done. Of what is right and wrong, the aftermath of the world potentially learning of his secret, and Jessica’s insistence of using the power of his secret for herself.
This was a terrific debut. So many sweet moments between not only Jessica and Silas, but her father and brother. The romance was organic and natural, tender and genuine. The Christian content was solid, yet not overbearing. I highly recommend to readers who love clean romance and speculative, faith based, uplifting stories.
Thank you NetGalley and Jana for the advanced reader’s copy. All opinions are my own.
Silas, a mysterious and handsome stranger, didn’t expect company during his dip in Hawnee Falls. Nor did he expect that this girl who claims to be brave to have a full on panic attack before she even jumps. And he certainly doesn’t expect a kiss as a thank you.
This meeting is just the beginning of Jessica’s and Silas’s story. Two strangers, both searching for answers: one afraid of dying and one tired of living. When Jessica witnesses the shocking truth of Silas’s secret, she has more questions than answers.
The Spring of Trulee Holler is a wonderful story of friendship, love, faith, and acceptance of God’s plan. The author did a great job of portraying Silas’s dilemma and his desire to undo what had been done. Of what is right and wrong, the aftermath of the world potentially learning of his secret, and Jessica’s insistence of using the power of his secret for herself.
This was a terrific debut. So many sweet moments between not only Jessica and Silas, but her father and brother. The romance was organic and natural, tender and genuine. The Christian content was solid, yet not overbearing. I highly recommend to readers who love clean romance and speculative, faith based, uplifting stories.
Thank you NetGalley and Jana for the advanced reader’s copy. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
As a cancer survivor in her teens, Jess sees life and the future differently and understandably worries about cancer coming back. She grieves the carefree Jess she once was and dearly misses her grandmother and mother who have already died. Her fashion design career has died in a way, too, though the passion firmly remains. She is at a crossroads and lacks concrete direction. She meets Silas, a botany student in search of a specific plant in her area. The two become friends immediately and confide in each other. Silas is really looking for the spring he drank from decades earlier which promised immortality...but he has decided he wants it reversed. Jess is eager to know more as she would love to stave off cancer. Dilemmas, friendship, choices, trust, and faith are themes in this sweet and thought-provoking novel. Snippets of romance are sprinkled throughout.
This refreshingly wholesome Christian novel includes Bible verses as well as an exploration of faith in an upfront yet subtle way. The story reads like a Classic, timeless, meaningful, nostalgic, and descriptive. Fantasy elements are compelling and not over the top which appealed to me as someone who avoids Fantasy. I like that the characters' growth was evident as the story advanced. They learned about themselves, each other, and God. Do read the beautiful and inspiring author notes as well.
My sincere thank you to Köehler Books and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this phenomenal book.
This refreshingly wholesome Christian novel includes Bible verses as well as an exploration of faith in an upfront yet subtle way. The story reads like a Classic, timeless, meaningful, nostalgic, and descriptive. Fantasy elements are compelling and not over the top which appealed to me as someone who avoids Fantasy. I like that the characters' growth was evident as the story advanced. They learned about themselves, each other, and God. Do read the beautiful and inspiring author notes as well.
My sincere thank you to Köehler Books and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this phenomenal book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Spring in Trulee Holler is a good clean Christian fiction book that entails a bit of romance and fantasy, that provide helpful life lessons. The use of scripture and sharing of their Christian faith was so encouraging to read and also was solid truth. This is a story about overcoming fear, anxiety, doubt, and healing. I would recommend this book to teenagers and up.
I enjoyed the family, small town community, and how the story dealt with cancer, loss, and immortality. The story takes place in the south in small town around Alabama and Tennessee, so I also enjoyed the southern charm of the book. The characters in the book worked through some difficult situations, but I love how you see them giving grace and the return to church for the one’s that had walked away.
I made many highlights through the book that were encouraging and great reminders of God’s truth, to which I look forward to go back and reread. It was a turn pager, kept me up late a couple nights! This book releases in April, so be sure to add this to your book lists!
Many thanks to Netgalley for providing this book for review! Opinions are 100% my own! I did receive the product in exchange for this review and post.
I enjoyed the family, small town community, and how the story dealt with cancer, loss, and immortality. The story takes place in the south in small town around Alabama and Tennessee, so I also enjoyed the southern charm of the book. The characters in the book worked through some difficult situations, but I love how you see them giving grace and the return to church for the one’s that had walked away.
I made many highlights through the book that were encouraging and great reminders of God’s truth, to which I look forward to go back and reread. It was a turn pager, kept me up late a couple nights! This book releases in April, so be sure to add this to your book lists!
Many thanks to Netgalley for providing this book for review! Opinions are 100% my own! I did receive the product in exchange for this review and post.
April 26, 2026
I went into this book really hoping I’d like it—but it honestly blew me away.
Jess’s story grabbed me right from the start. Her fear after surviving cancer felt so real, and it added so much depth to the story. This isn’t just a typical romance—it’s about fear, faith, and figuring out how to actually live instead of just worrying about what might happen.
And Silas… I was so intrigued by him from the beginning. The mystery around him kept me hooked, and the whole immortality piece was such a unique twist. It didn’t feel cheesy or overdone—it actually made the story more meaningful.
I especially loved how Jess and Silas’s relationship developed. It felt real and emotional, not rushed, and I found myself really rooting for them. The small-town setting just made everything feel even more personal and cozy.
This book has a lot of heart. It made me stop and think, and it’s definitely one that stuck with me after I finished.
If you like small-town romance with a deeper message, a little mystery, and faith woven in, I’d definitely recommend giving this one a try.
Jess’s story grabbed me right from the start. Her fear after surviving cancer felt so real, and it added so much depth to the story. This isn’t just a typical romance—it’s about fear, faith, and figuring out how to actually live instead of just worrying about what might happen.
And Silas… I was so intrigued by him from the beginning. The mystery around him kept me hooked, and the whole immortality piece was such a unique twist. It didn’t feel cheesy or overdone—it actually made the story more meaningful.
I especially loved how Jess and Silas’s relationship developed. It felt real and emotional, not rushed, and I found myself really rooting for them. The small-town setting just made everything feel even more personal and cozy.
This book has a lot of heart. It made me stop and think, and it’s definitely one that stuck with me after I finished.
If you like small-town romance with a deeper message, a little mystery, and faith woven in, I’d definitely recommend giving this one a try.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Spring in Trulee Holler by Jana Hutcheson is a Christian fiction story that borders on the fantasy genre. Silas has returned to Trulee Holler to find a certain plant. He rents a barn loft from Jess’s father while he searches. Silas grew up in the area many years earlier and drank water from a spring that stopped his aging. He feels the plant will reverse this. Meanwhile Jess lives with daily fear that her cancer will return. Jess finds out the truth of Silas and forces him to show her the spring.
While I don’t read fantasy, I found this story to be very good. I grabbed my attention at the very beginning and held it to the very end. I like how realistic the story is with Jess and her daily struggle with fear for her health. The story is so well written I found it very easy to read and imagine it.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book; this is my honest review.
While I don’t read fantasy, I found this story to be very good. I grabbed my attention at the very beginning and held it to the very end. I like how realistic the story is with Jess and her daily struggle with fear for her health. The story is so well written I found it very easy to read and imagine it.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book; this is my honest review.
March 13, 2026
If you were given the chance to drink from a spring that gave you the promise of never aging would you do it? Jess, a cancer survivor, has that chance. She would never have to worry about her cancer returning. She would live forever. Her friend Silas has drank from that spring and he is miserable. He has outlived all his family members and he misses them. Silas has returned to Jess' small Alabama hometown in search of the vine with the berries that reverse his immortality. This is a Christian fiction novel that mixes in a little fantasy and a little romance. This is a story about faith and fear and trusting God for your future. I love the southern hospitality and the setting of my home state. This is a good quick read. It held my interest all the way through. This is a very good debut from this new author. I look forward to reading her upcoming books too. Thanks to @NetGalley for the ARC of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
It's not every day that I get to nestle in a cozy corner and read a heart warming story that inspires me much like my dear friend and author Jana Hutcheson. Hats off to Jana for her brilliant story telling in her debut book "The Spring in Trulee Holler", where small town nostalgic charm mingles with myth and legend.
It's at Trulee's popular swimming hole where two unlikely young adults Jess Lockhart and Silas Haney meet. Jess is a fearful ex fashion designer whose cancer is in remission. She is smitten by handsome Silas Henry, a college student studying Botany. Silas is staying in Trulee for the semester hoping to find some rare berries in a hollow the native Indians called Heaven's Door. As their relationship deepens and their story unfolds, you wonder with expectation how Jess and Silas will be able to have a meaningful relationship. After all, Jess is mortal and Silas is immortal. But how can this be?
Look inside the pages of Trulee Holler and discover if this eager and mysterious Botanist will find the cure for his immortality. Find out why he believes that he can't truly live until he can truly die. But Jess faces a different dilemma. If she eludes death can she truly live?
What will they choose? Will they find the berries in Heaven's Door? Will Silas finally find the cure for his immortality? If so, will he choose to take on mortality, or will Jess choose to take on immortality?
Come and see how these two lives are forever changed when their worlds of myth and legend collide with romance and reality.
A note to the author:
Jana, I am so proud of you sweet friend. This story was even more special because I know that your own journey in life, much like Jess's has been filled with times of fear, pain, and doubt. You faced many challenges while writing this book, yet you have endured with grace and wisdom and your faith in God is much to be admired. As Proverbs 31:25 says, " She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can smile at the days to come. "
Thank you for this TRULEE amazing story! Please give us more.
It's at Trulee's popular swimming hole where two unlikely young adults Jess Lockhart and Silas Haney meet. Jess is a fearful ex fashion designer whose cancer is in remission. She is smitten by handsome Silas Henry, a college student studying Botany. Silas is staying in Trulee for the semester hoping to find some rare berries in a hollow the native Indians called Heaven's Door. As their relationship deepens and their story unfolds, you wonder with expectation how Jess and Silas will be able to have a meaningful relationship. After all, Jess is mortal and Silas is immortal. But how can this be?
Look inside the pages of Trulee Holler and discover if this eager and mysterious Botanist will find the cure for his immortality. Find out why he believes that he can't truly live until he can truly die. But Jess faces a different dilemma. If she eludes death can she truly live?
What will they choose? Will they find the berries in Heaven's Door? Will Silas finally find the cure for his immortality? If so, will he choose to take on mortality, or will Jess choose to take on immortality?
Come and see how these two lives are forever changed when their worlds of myth and legend collide with romance and reality.
A note to the author:
Jana, I am so proud of you sweet friend. This story was even more special because I know that your own journey in life, much like Jess's has been filled with times of fear, pain, and doubt. You faced many challenges while writing this book, yet you have endured with grace and wisdom and your faith in God is much to be admired. As Proverbs 31:25 says, " She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can smile at the days to come. "
Thank you for this TRULEE amazing story! Please give us more.
January 29, 2026
It’s rare I leave a review, but I felt the need with Hutcheson’s debut novel. Trulee quickly sucked me in with its relatable characters and a town I wish I had been lucky enough to grown up in. The story focuses in on young adult, Jess, who has recently been faced with some heavy challenges. She meets Silas, who she discovers may just have the solution to all of her problems. Jess battles with what she thinks she wants and what may actually be best for her. We see her rely on her faith and trust in God as she reminds herself that suffering (though unwanted) is still a part of God’s plan for her life. Throw in a bit of supernatural, a small town festival, and a budding romance and you’ll find yourself eager to see what’s next for our residents of Trulee. *Meaning there’s definite sequel material and I’m here for it!*
Review of advance copy received from Author
Immortality. If you could have immortality, would you want it?
Jess Lockhart was ready to take on the world, until a cancer diagnosis changed everything. Now in remission, she lives in fear every day. Botanist Silas Haney visits Trulee in hopes of finding the legendary Heaven’s Door berries. The Botanist has secrets of his own.
A chance meeting of Jess and Silas leads to a budding relationship that becomes threatened in ways Jess could never imagine. The Spring in Trulee Holler, the outstanding debut novel from Jana Hutcheson, weaves together the lives of Silas and Jess in a heart-warming story of small-town life, Southern legends, romance, and belief in God. If you’re looking for an emotionally engaging page-turner, look no further. I can’t wait for Hutcheson’s next novel!
Jess Lockhart was ready to take on the world, until a cancer diagnosis changed everything. Now in remission, she lives in fear every day. Botanist Silas Haney visits Trulee in hopes of finding the legendary Heaven’s Door berries. The Botanist has secrets of his own.
A chance meeting of Jess and Silas leads to a budding relationship that becomes threatened in ways Jess could never imagine. The Spring in Trulee Holler, the outstanding debut novel from Jana Hutcheson, weaves together the lives of Silas and Jess in a heart-warming story of small-town life, Southern legends, romance, and belief in God. If you’re looking for an emotionally engaging page-turner, look no further. I can’t wait for Hutcheson’s next novel!
April 29, 2026
I was a little surprised how much I enjoyed this story. Toward the beginning when the fantasy aspect was introduced I wondered how the author could pull that off as Christian fiction, but the fantasy element was well done and built into a strong theme of faith in God and trusting His timing. It also provided enough suspense to keep me guessing as the story built in an interesting, unpredictable way. Jess and Silas are complex characters with really sweet chemistry. You can't help but root for them. I very much enjoyed reading The Spring in Trulee Holler and will look forward to more books by Jana Hutcheson.
Thank you to NetGalley and Koehler Books for the opportunity to read for my honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Koehler Books for the opportunity to read for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
🔖 What I liked:
• The title and cover immediately caught my attention.
• It was intriguing enough to make me want to dive in and discover what the story was about.
🔖 What I loved:
• The story was beautiful and engaging.
• I found myself truly rooting for Silas and Jess, hoping the best for them throughout their journey.
• The emotional pull of the story kept me invested from beginning to end.
✍🏽 To the writer:
Awesome work for a debut novel! I’m looking forward to seeing more of your titles in the future.
📚 To the reader:
If you enjoy Christian fiction with a touch of intrigue and suspense, this is definitely one you might enjoy.
• The title and cover immediately caught my attention.
• It was intriguing enough to make me want to dive in and discover what the story was about.
🔖 What I loved:
• The story was beautiful and engaging.
• I found myself truly rooting for Silas and Jess, hoping the best for them throughout their journey.
• The emotional pull of the story kept me invested from beginning to end.
✍🏽 To the writer:
Awesome work for a debut novel! I’m looking forward to seeing more of your titles in the future.
📚 To the reader:
If you enjoy Christian fiction with a touch of intrigue and suspense, this is definitely one you might enjoy.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I have been an avid reader of almost all genres for over 35 years. I currently gauge how much I like the book by how excited I am to get settled each day and “ get back into” the book.
The Spring in Trulee Holler checked all my boxes! Great first book for this author.
1. I didn’t want it to end.
2. Characters were so real.
3. I was “ there” at every setting.
4. I need a book 📗#2
5. Mini Series for sure
6. Perfect suspense, humor, thought provoking AND spiritual lessons and truths!
7. I can’t wait for my hardback copy so I can read it again!
The Spring in Trulee Holler checked all my boxes! Great first book for this author.
1. I didn’t want it to end.
2. Characters were so real.
3. I was “ there” at every setting.
4. I need a book 📗#2
5. Mini Series for sure
6. Perfect suspense, humor, thought provoking AND spiritual lessons and truths!
7. I can’t wait for my hardback copy so I can read it again!
May 5, 2026
I loved this book. It's one of those stories that sticks with you even after you finish it. It was comforting and down to earth. The characters are solid, strong and honest. You are drawn in from the beginning and can't wait to turn the page. It is a very touching , meaningful read. It made me smile, tear up and reflect. I highly recommend this book and can't wait for another Title from this author.
May 11, 2026
I loved it!! This book’s story is set in the area where I live and I enjoyed local mentions and references. I thought the book was well written and the characters easily pictured by the author’s descriptions. The story was interesting, not predictable and very inspirational!!
Great job by my friend, Jana Hutcheson, on her very first book!!
Great job by my friend, Jana Hutcheson, on her very first book!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What a delightful suprise for a debut novel! I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this book but the author weaves a wonderful tale that keeps the reader captivated until the very end. Looking forward to future books.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I am so happy the day I came across the name Jana Hutcheson on another author's social media page. I saw she was an author an immediately clicked on her name. I came across "The Spring in Trulee Holler" and my interest was piqued. When I went to NetGalley and saw it there, I knew it was meant for me to read. And I am glad I did. This book is one of my top favorite books of this year so far!
The characters are well written, as well as the storyline and scenery. The way she described the town, I wanted to be there along with Silas and Jess. So much emotion goes along with this book - you get swept up in the story and care for the characters.
The characters are well written, as well as the storyline and scenery. The way she described the town, I wanted to be there along with Silas and Jess. So much emotion goes along with this book - you get swept up in the story and care for the characters.
May 9, 2026
If you had the chance to have immortality would you or should you take it? I loved the book. The setting in Alabama, the magic and mystery. Not the first book I’ve read about immortality but I really enjoyed the Christian aspect about trusting in your faith and God’s plan.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Do you want to live forever? Do you want to be immortal? You might need to read this novel. It's a nice mix between Christian love story and fantasy, giving a surprising answer to these questions.
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May 6, 2026Great story. Loved the small town setting. Theological parts were a plus.
April 25, 2026
A gem.
Now I understand why readers love this book. I read it in under a day and I love it too! An amazing debut novel, with reminders of the Natalie Babbit classic, Tuck Everlasting, we follow Jessica Lockhart navigating her grief of her grandma's passing and her own cancer diagnosis. Enter Silas Haney, a mysterious, handsome young man who rents an apartment space from Jessica's father. As Jessica gets closer to Silas, she discovers his secret: he does not age and his body heals itself from all manner of injury. How is this possible? Back and forth the two spar over the morality of immortality in a world where everyone around us is aging and, eventually, dying. It's a beautiful story with messages of faith and trust in God, plus an ending that makes the journey worth it. It's beautiful, with the makings of a modern-day classic.
This advanced copy was sent to me by NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Now I understand why readers love this book. I read it in under a day and I love it too! An amazing debut novel, with reminders of the Natalie Babbit classic, Tuck Everlasting, we follow Jessica Lockhart navigating her grief of her grandma's passing and her own cancer diagnosis. Enter Silas Haney, a mysterious, handsome young man who rents an apartment space from Jessica's father. As Jessica gets closer to Silas, she discovers his secret: he does not age and his body heals itself from all manner of injury. How is this possible? Back and forth the two spar over the morality of immortality in a world where everyone around us is aging and, eventually, dying. It's a beautiful story with messages of faith and trust in God, plus an ending that makes the journey worth it. It's beautiful, with the makings of a modern-day classic.
This advanced copy was sent to me by NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Wow. This is an amazing story and fun read! I’m normally not a big fan of Christian fiction with slow burn romance, but the book description piqued my curiosity, and after the first few paragraphs, I was hooked. The author caught my attention with relatable small town characters in interesting situations, & I read it straight through in one day, only stopping for occasional breaks, finishing it just after midnight. The storyline, overall plot, moments of crisis, conflicts, characters, and dialogue were all very well developed and written with charm, humor, and empathy, with a hint of clean, flirtatious romance, and a healthy dose of mystery and suspense that draws you in and compels you to follow along to a satisfying conclusion. The author also does a great job weaving Biblical faith into her story without being “preachy”. Would love to see this as a movie soon!
This review was based upon an advance reader copy provided by the author, and is my own honest, personal opinion.
This review was based upon an advance reader copy provided by the author, and is my own honest, personal opinion.
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