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A Deeper Well
Win a free print copy of this book!
7 days and 19:52:28
10 copies available
U.S. only
In ancient Israel, soon after Nessa is of marriageable age, her father gives her to a wealthy widowed friend, capitalizing on her beauty to bring in the highest bride-price he can find. Nessa is devastated, as she had begged to marry Lavi, who returned her love and saw more in her beyond her appearance. But Nessa's betrothal leads to Lavi's departure, compounding her grief, and she can never forget her forbidden first love.
Nessa tries to accept her fate, but after only a year of marriage, tragedy hits her new family. She is sent back to her father, who quickly finds a wealthy young man who wants to marry the most beautiful woman in Sychar. Misfortune follows Nessa as she is passed from one marriage to another--until she meets an unusual Jewish rabbi at the town's well one afternoon, and her life is forever changed.
Jill Eileen Smith weaves a historically and biblically rich narrative as she reimagines the story of the woman at the well, bringing a fresh perspective and breathing new life into an unforgettable encounter that will inspire and encourage as much today as it did in the first century.
Nessa tries to accept her fate, but after only a year of marriage, tragedy hits her new family. She is sent back to her father, who quickly finds a wealthy young man who wants to marry the most beautiful woman in Sychar. Misfortune follows Nessa as she is passed from one marriage to another--until she meets an unusual Jewish rabbi at the town's well one afternoon, and her life is forever changed.
Jill Eileen Smith weaves a historically and biblically rich narrative as she reimagines the story of the woman at the well, bringing a fresh perspective and breathing new life into an unforgettable encounter that will inspire and encourage as much today as it did in the first century.
336 pages, Paperback
Published February 17, 2026
27 people are currently reading
1921 people want to read
About the author
Jill Eileen Smith
25 books1,514 followersJill Eileen Smith is the bestselling, award-winning author of the Wives of King David series, the Wives of the Patriarchs, Daughters of the Promised Land, Heart of a King, Star of Persia, Miriam's Song, The Prince and the Prodigal, Daughter of Eden, and The Ark and the Dove. Her research has taken her from the Bible to Israel, and she particularly enjoys learning how women lived in Bible times.
When she isn’t writing, she loves to spend time with her family and friends, read stories that take her away, ride her bike to the park, snag date nights with her hubby, try out new restaurants, or play with her lovable cats Kody and Kaelee. Jill lives with her family in southeast Michigan.
Contact Jill through email (jill@jilleileensmith.com), her website (http://www.jilleileensmith.com), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/jilleileensmith), or Twitter (https://twitter.com/JillEileenSmith).
When she isn’t writing, she loves to spend time with her family and friends, read stories that take her away, ride her bike to the park, snag date nights with her hubby, try out new restaurants, or play with her lovable cats Kody and Kaelee. Jill lives with her family in southeast Michigan.
Contact Jill through email (jill@jilleileensmith.com), her website (http://www.jilleileensmith.com), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/jilleileensmith), or Twitter (https://twitter.com/JillEileenSmith).
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February 8, 2026A Deeper Well by Jill Eileen Smith
An Honest, Cautious Review
I don’t feel I can, in good conscience, give A Deeper Well a star rating. While I did receive this book as a free copy from Baker Publishing Group for early review, all thoughts here are entirely my own. This was a deeply triggering read for me, and I want to approach my review with care and transparency.
What I did appreciate about this book is that it was very well-paced and compelling. I learned a lot about marriages in Samaria and loved getting to learn that kind of cultural context! The story continually moved forward, and I found myself picking it up often because I wanted to know what would happen next. Unfortunately, that was where my enjoyment largely ended.
This is an incredibly sad book. From beginning to end, there is virtually no relief, no lightness, and no sense of hope. It was the kind of story that followed me even when I wasn’t reading - heavy, depressing, and emotionally draining. It left me feeling sorrowful and unsettled long after I put it down.
A Deeper Well is a fictional reimagining of the woman at the well from Scripture. I read the author’s note and genuinely respect the depth of historical research that went into portraying marriage, divorce, and women’s vulnerability in Samaria. The author explores the idea that the woman at the well (here named Nessa) may have been more a victim of circumstance than a serially unfaithful woman. Historically, an unfaithful wife would not have been remarried repeatedly; she likely would have been stoned. While being widowed five times is possible, it’s unlikely, so this interpretation attempts to fill in those gaps.
The result is a story in which we follow Nessa being passed from one marriage to another, never truly wanted, despite her sincere efforts to please her husbands. Her story begins at age thirteen, when she is married to a forty-year-old man whose own children are older than she is. This is portrayed in the book as disturbing - as it should be - but it was still extremely difficult to read. From there, she is repeatedly “sold” into marriages for her beauty, as her family seeks financial gain, while the man she truly loved, her cousin (culturally acceptable) Lavi, is continually denied to her.
What made this story so heartbreaking is that no one ever truly protects Nessa. No one can really advocate for her (two characters try to advocate for her but there’s not even hope anything will come of it when they try). And while that may be historically accurate, it was devastating to experience as a reader. Once married, her fate rested entirely in her husband’s hands, and those hands were often cruel.
I strongly recommend checking the trigger warnings before picking this up - especially if you are a young mom. I truly believe much of my emotional struggle with this book came from that place. Had I known the full scope of the content, I would not have chosen to read it.
After an almost entirely hopeless narrative, Jesus enters the story very late - around the 90–95% mark. When He appeared, I felt relief, knowing hope was finally coming. And yes, Jesus does bring hope. However, this was my first time reading biblical fiction where Jesus is written as an active character beyond the Scriptural account, and I was surprised by how unsettled that made me feel.
To be clear: the author did not make Jesus say or do anything theologically wrong that I as a believer and everyday Bible reader could grasp. After the well encounter, He remains in the town teaching and interacting with broken families, which is portrayed beautifully. Still, I personally struggled with words being put into Jesus’ mouth that are not found in Scripture. While I understand that Jesus said and did far more than what was recorded, I feel that as Christians we need to be especially careful when fictionalizing His direct speech. For me, I wish the story had remained strictly within the biblical account.
I’m comfortable imagining the backstory of the woman at the well, but having Jesus function as a fictionalized character beyond that moment felt different - and personally uncomfortable - because He is my Lord and Savior. Because of this experience, I’ve realized I will likely avoid biblical fiction that includes Jesus as an active character going forward.
Ultimately, I think many of my issues with this book are deeply personal rather than a reflection of poor writing or careless theology. But I also suspect I’m not alone, and that others may feel similarly. This is a relentlessly sorrowful story with very little reprieve, and even when hope arrives, it came with emotional unease for me.
Please take my review with a grain of salt - but also with sincerity. I wanted to share honestly so readers can make an informed choice.
⚠️ Content & Trigger Warnings ⚠️
• Child marriage / pedophilia (historically contextualized, but disturbing by modern standards)
• Death on page (non-graphic, includes blood descriptions)
• Multiple stillbirths and infertility (major themes)
• Distressing situations involving young children (especially difficult for young moms)
• Cheating & polygamy
• Death of parents on page
• Grief
• Sexually, verbally, and physically abusive marriages
• Toxic family dynamics (lying, gaslighting, emotional abuse, bullying)
An Honest, Cautious Review
I don’t feel I can, in good conscience, give A Deeper Well a star rating. While I did receive this book as a free copy from Baker Publishing Group for early review, all thoughts here are entirely my own. This was a deeply triggering read for me, and I want to approach my review with care and transparency.
What I did appreciate about this book is that it was very well-paced and compelling. I learned a lot about marriages in Samaria and loved getting to learn that kind of cultural context! The story continually moved forward, and I found myself picking it up often because I wanted to know what would happen next. Unfortunately, that was where my enjoyment largely ended.
This is an incredibly sad book. From beginning to end, there is virtually no relief, no lightness, and no sense of hope. It was the kind of story that followed me even when I wasn’t reading - heavy, depressing, and emotionally draining. It left me feeling sorrowful and unsettled long after I put it down.
A Deeper Well is a fictional reimagining of the woman at the well from Scripture. I read the author’s note and genuinely respect the depth of historical research that went into portraying marriage, divorce, and women’s vulnerability in Samaria. The author explores the idea that the woman at the well (here named Nessa) may have been more a victim of circumstance than a serially unfaithful woman. Historically, an unfaithful wife would not have been remarried repeatedly; she likely would have been stoned. While being widowed five times is possible, it’s unlikely, so this interpretation attempts to fill in those gaps.
The result is a story in which we follow Nessa being passed from one marriage to another, never truly wanted, despite her sincere efforts to please her husbands. Her story begins at age thirteen, when she is married to a forty-year-old man whose own children are older than she is. This is portrayed in the book as disturbing - as it should be - but it was still extremely difficult to read. From there, she is repeatedly “sold” into marriages for her beauty, as her family seeks financial gain, while the man she truly loved, her cousin (culturally acceptable) Lavi, is continually denied to her.
What made this story so heartbreaking is that no one ever truly protects Nessa. No one can really advocate for her (two characters try to advocate for her but there’s not even hope anything will come of it when they try). And while that may be historically accurate, it was devastating to experience as a reader. Once married, her fate rested entirely in her husband’s hands, and those hands were often cruel.
I strongly recommend checking the trigger warnings before picking this up - especially if you are a young mom. I truly believe much of my emotional struggle with this book came from that place. Had I known the full scope of the content, I would not have chosen to read it.
After an almost entirely hopeless narrative, Jesus enters the story very late - around the 90–95% mark. When He appeared, I felt relief, knowing hope was finally coming. And yes, Jesus does bring hope. However, this was my first time reading biblical fiction where Jesus is written as an active character beyond the Scriptural account, and I was surprised by how unsettled that made me feel.
To be clear: the author did not make Jesus say or do anything theologically wrong that I as a believer and everyday Bible reader could grasp. After the well encounter, He remains in the town teaching and interacting with broken families, which is portrayed beautifully. Still, I personally struggled with words being put into Jesus’ mouth that are not found in Scripture. While I understand that Jesus said and did far more than what was recorded, I feel that as Christians we need to be especially careful when fictionalizing His direct speech. For me, I wish the story had remained strictly within the biblical account.
I’m comfortable imagining the backstory of the woman at the well, but having Jesus function as a fictionalized character beyond that moment felt different - and personally uncomfortable - because He is my Lord and Savior. Because of this experience, I’ve realized I will likely avoid biblical fiction that includes Jesus as an active character going forward.
Ultimately, I think many of my issues with this book are deeply personal rather than a reflection of poor writing or careless theology. But I also suspect I’m not alone, and that others may feel similarly. This is a relentlessly sorrowful story with very little reprieve, and even when hope arrives, it came with emotional unease for me.
Please take my review with a grain of salt - but also with sincerity. I wanted to share honestly so readers can make an informed choice.
⚠️ Content & Trigger Warnings ⚠️
• Child marriage / pedophilia (historically contextualized, but disturbing by modern standards)
• Death on page (non-graphic, includes blood descriptions)
• Multiple stillbirths and infertility (major themes)
• Distressing situations involving young children (especially difficult for young moms)
• Cheating & polygamy
• Death of parents on page
• Grief
• Sexually, verbally, and physically abusive marriages
• Toxic family dynamics (lying, gaslighting, emotional abuse, bullying)
Did not finish
February 26, 2026DNF Review: A Deeper Well by Jill Eileen Smith
(No Star Rating – Content-Based DNF)
I received a review copy of A Deeper Well from the publisher. As always, my thoughts are entirely my own.
This is one of those reviews that’s hard to write. I do like a good biblical fiction with redemptive themes and Jesus shown bringing hope in their depravity.
However, I chose to DNF this book because the content became heavier than I was personally prepared for. I want to be transparent about that so readers can make their own informed decision if this is right for them or not. Maybe at another time of my life I could read this, but as a Mom, it was just too much for me.
First, what I can say - I think Jill Eileen Smith is a skilled author. The writing is immersive and very richly detailed and you can tell she did a lot of research in writing it.
However, this story is just sooo sad and intense. It follows Nessa, who is married off at thirteen to a much older man and then passed from one marriage to another. The themes were just too much for me. See content warnings at the bottom of the review from my friend's notes for reference of what I am talking about.
While I understand the historical context, the weight of it became overwhelming for me in this season I am in. The romance sexual scenes in this are also too detailed for my tastes.
I did not make it to the end of the book of course, where Jesus shows up, but ultimately, my decision to DNF is about content sensitivity and the season I am in right now, not writing quality or storytelling issues. I believe there will be readers who deeply appreciate this. But if you are sensitive to stories involving these themes, I strongly recommend looking into content warnings before picking this one up.
This simply was not the right book for me in this season.
Content / Trigger Warnings - pulled also from my friend Kay's review for your reference (here is her review) since she finished the book, I appreciate her content details: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Thank you Kay, for this list. I am adding to this DNF review for clarity for my viewers as well to help others if needed to make informed reading decisions.
⚠️ Content & Trigger Warnings ⚠️
• Child marriage / pedophilia (historically contextualized, but disturbing by modern standards)
• Death on page (non-graphic, includes blood descriptions)
• Multiple stillbirths and infertility (major themes)
• Distressing situations involving young children (especially difficult for young moms)
• Cheating & polygamy
• Death of parents on page
• Grief
• Sexually, verbally, and physically abusive marriages
• Toxic family dynamics (lying, gaslighting, emotional abuse, bullying)
Honestly, just like Kay said in her review, take me with a grain of salt here. This just wasn't going to be for me unfortunately, but I definitely appreciate the publisher for sending me a copy to read for review. All thoughts are my own.
(No Star Rating – Content-Based DNF)
I received a review copy of A Deeper Well from the publisher. As always, my thoughts are entirely my own.
This is one of those reviews that’s hard to write. I do like a good biblical fiction with redemptive themes and Jesus shown bringing hope in their depravity.
However, I chose to DNF this book because the content became heavier than I was personally prepared for. I want to be transparent about that so readers can make their own informed decision if this is right for them or not. Maybe at another time of my life I could read this, but as a Mom, it was just too much for me.
First, what I can say - I think Jill Eileen Smith is a skilled author. The writing is immersive and very richly detailed and you can tell she did a lot of research in writing it.
However, this story is just sooo sad and intense. It follows Nessa, who is married off at thirteen to a much older man and then passed from one marriage to another. The themes were just too much for me. See content warnings at the bottom of the review from my friend's notes for reference of what I am talking about.
While I understand the historical context, the weight of it became overwhelming for me in this season I am in. The romance sexual scenes in this are also too detailed for my tastes.
I did not make it to the end of the book of course, where Jesus shows up, but ultimately, my decision to DNF is about content sensitivity and the season I am in right now, not writing quality or storytelling issues. I believe there will be readers who deeply appreciate this. But if you are sensitive to stories involving these themes, I strongly recommend looking into content warnings before picking this one up.
This simply was not the right book for me in this season.
Content / Trigger Warnings - pulled also from my friend Kay's review for your reference (here is her review) since she finished the book, I appreciate her content details: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Thank you Kay, for this list. I am adding to this DNF review for clarity for my viewers as well to help others if needed to make informed reading decisions.
⚠️ Content & Trigger Warnings ⚠️
• Child marriage / pedophilia (historically contextualized, but disturbing by modern standards)
• Death on page (non-graphic, includes blood descriptions)
• Multiple stillbirths and infertility (major themes)
• Distressing situations involving young children (especially difficult for young moms)
• Cheating & polygamy
• Death of parents on page
• Grief
• Sexually, verbally, and physically abusive marriages
• Toxic family dynamics (lying, gaslighting, emotional abuse, bullying)
Honestly, just like Kay said in her review, take me with a grain of salt here. This just wasn't going to be for me unfortunately, but I definitely appreciate the publisher for sending me a copy to read for review. All thoughts are my own.
February 13, 2026
Jill Eileen Smith writes to show us the value of a bucket in her newest novel, a reimagining of the woman at Jacob’s well in John 4.
Ever wonder about those words exchanged at the well? Why was Rachel there alone? In the heat of the day? Who were the 5 husbands? Why isn’t she married now?
Smith’s reimagining is captivating, rich with biblical and historical/social references, and leaves the reader with plenty of ‘homework’.
I appreciated the author's caution about judging solely on appearances. Like Rachel in the bible, Nessa bat Raanan (1) knows the lifelong struggles of being labeled the most beautiful woman in Samaria, and (2) learns that despite having no bucket and standing beside a deep well, it’s still possible to receive living water. It was good to be reminded that we all have the tendency, regardless of when or where we were born, to look only as deep as appearances, but God wants us to go deeper to the spiritual level…make an effort to go to ‘a deeper well’...where we’ll find the water that we don’t need a bucket to receive.
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Ever wonder about those words exchanged at the well? Why was Rachel there alone? In the heat of the day? Who were the 5 husbands? Why isn’t she married now?
Smith’s reimagining is captivating, rich with biblical and historical/social references, and leaves the reader with plenty of ‘homework’.
I appreciated the author's caution about judging solely on appearances. Like Rachel in the bible, Nessa bat Raanan (1) knows the lifelong struggles of being labeled the most beautiful woman in Samaria, and (2) learns that despite having no bucket and standing beside a deep well, it’s still possible to receive living water. It was good to be reminded that we all have the tendency, regardless of when or where we were born, to look only as deep as appearances, but God wants us to go deeper to the spiritual level…make an effort to go to ‘a deeper well’...where we’ll find the water that we don’t need a bucket to receive.
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
February 17, 2026
A beautiful, raw, heartbreaking story.
I cared, my emotions roiling. The characters felt real.
Where I knew how things would end, I didn't know what would happen to get there. I couldn't stop turning pages.
The author made me think about things in new ways.
I'm so grateful she wrote this story, I'm sure it wasn't easy, and that I was blessed to read it.
The best Jill Eileen Smith book I've read. ('The Star of Persia' is amazing too, if you're looking for another!)
I was given a copy of the book by the publisher. All opinions are my own.
I cared, my emotions roiling. The characters felt real.
Where I knew how things would end, I didn't know what would happen to get there. I couldn't stop turning pages.
The author made me think about things in new ways.
I'm so grateful she wrote this story, I'm sure it wasn't easy, and that I was blessed to read it.
The best Jill Eileen Smith book I've read. ('The Star of Persia' is amazing too, if you're looking for another!)
I was given a copy of the book by the publisher. All opinions are my own.
March 6, 2026
I received an advance review copy of this novel from the publisher, Revell. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
A growing number of novels are being written about the women who encountered Christ over the course of His earthly ministry. Some of these, like Heather Kaufman’s Women of the Way series, have moved me deeply and radically impacted my faith. A Deeper Well is the first novel I’ve encountered that images a history for the Samaritan woman at the well, a Biblical figure who has always captivated my imagination. While this book didn’t resonate with me quite as strongly as I hoped, it’s a powerful imagining of the life behind one of the most enduring and paradigm-shifting encounters in Jesus’s ministry.
Nessa is our main character, a young Samaritan girl who will eventually meet Jesus at a well, but only after years of heartache. She is the most beautiful girl in her entire town, if not in all of Samaria. When she starts her first cycle, officially entering womanhood, there is a bidding war for her hand in marriage. And this is where the first of many bad decisions regarding her future are made for her by her family. Again and again, she is given in marriage to those who only prize her beauty. Again and again she is cast aside when she bears stillborn babes or is viewed as a source of contention within her husband’s household, though of no real fault of her own. She is continually divorced and returned in shame to her family, her monetary value decreasing each time.
Where is God in all of this pain? Will she ever experience the love and peace she’s dreamed of since she was a girl? Those questions are only answered when she is at her lowest, when she meets the Messiah at Jacob’s well during the heat of the day.
I hated to feel this way, but the tone of the writing didn’t quite work for me. It made Nessa come across more as whiny instead of sympathetic, as I’ve always viewed her inspiration from Scripture. Although, in her defense, Nessa is very young when we meet her. And the way things turn out for her in terms of her early marriage to an old man, while she was loved and in love with someone more her age, is a very understandable hardship. (Though unfortunately, this first marriage is the healthiest and happiest she experiences until she the end of the novel.) And I did feel that she grew in terms of maturity and voice over the course of the novel, as she weathered greater and greater hardships. But as much as I sympathized with her plights, I never could quite love her and empathize with her. Also, this book was pretty unrelentingly bleak for the majority of the story. This was to be expected, based on what we know of this woman from Scripture, and Smith presented her story well, but it still made for a heavy, difficult reading experience.
All in all, A Deeper Well is an interesting look into a remarkable story, one that has endured for millennia and will continue to do so. It’s a compelling tale, even if it was incredibly heavy until the final pages of the book. My time with it was a taxing yet rewarding experience., though I don’t know that Nessa’s story is one to which I’ll return in the future.
A growing number of novels are being written about the women who encountered Christ over the course of His earthly ministry. Some of these, like Heather Kaufman’s Women of the Way series, have moved me deeply and radically impacted my faith. A Deeper Well is the first novel I’ve encountered that images a history for the Samaritan woman at the well, a Biblical figure who has always captivated my imagination. While this book didn’t resonate with me quite as strongly as I hoped, it’s a powerful imagining of the life behind one of the most enduring and paradigm-shifting encounters in Jesus’s ministry.
Nessa is our main character, a young Samaritan girl who will eventually meet Jesus at a well, but only after years of heartache. She is the most beautiful girl in her entire town, if not in all of Samaria. When she starts her first cycle, officially entering womanhood, there is a bidding war for her hand in marriage. And this is where the first of many bad decisions regarding her future are made for her by her family. Again and again, she is given in marriage to those who only prize her beauty. Again and again she is cast aside when she bears stillborn babes or is viewed as a source of contention within her husband’s household, though of no real fault of her own. She is continually divorced and returned in shame to her family, her monetary value decreasing each time.
Where is God in all of this pain? Will she ever experience the love and peace she’s dreamed of since she was a girl? Those questions are only answered when she is at her lowest, when she meets the Messiah at Jacob’s well during the heat of the day.
I hated to feel this way, but the tone of the writing didn’t quite work for me. It made Nessa come across more as whiny instead of sympathetic, as I’ve always viewed her inspiration from Scripture. Although, in her defense, Nessa is very young when we meet her. And the way things turn out for her in terms of her early marriage to an old man, while she was loved and in love with someone more her age, is a very understandable hardship. (Though unfortunately, this first marriage is the healthiest and happiest she experiences until she the end of the novel.) And I did feel that she grew in terms of maturity and voice over the course of the novel, as she weathered greater and greater hardships. But as much as I sympathized with her plights, I never could quite love her and empathize with her. Also, this book was pretty unrelentingly bleak for the majority of the story. This was to be expected, based on what we know of this woman from Scripture, and Smith presented her story well, but it still made for a heavy, difficult reading experience.
All in all, A Deeper Well is an interesting look into a remarkable story, one that has endured for millennia and will continue to do so. It’s a compelling tale, even if it was incredibly heavy until the final pages of the book. My time with it was a taxing yet rewarding experience., though I don’t know that Nessa’s story is one to which I’ll return in the future.
February 11, 2026
“Thirst. If he only knew the thirst I'd had for more than water all my life. For love. Safety. Security. Home.”
A truly captivating story given to the Samaritan women at the well. Her struggle to find lasting love, home, peace, and faith gave every single emotion possible.
*TRIGGER WARNING: if you’ve experienced any kind of pregnancy loss/infant loss, this book should be read with care as it’s mentioned a few times.
*I was given an ARC of this book. I was not required to leave a positive review, all thoughts are my own.
A truly captivating story given to the Samaritan women at the well. Her struggle to find lasting love, home, peace, and faith gave every single emotion possible.
*TRIGGER WARNING: if you’ve experienced any kind of pregnancy loss/infant loss, this book should be read with care as it’s mentioned a few times.
*I was given an ARC of this book. I was not required to leave a positive review, all thoughts are my own.
February 19, 2026
The story of the woman at the well. This woman was made famous by Jesus' interactions with her at the well. We do not know her name but we know she left the well with hope. The hope of salvation. How did she come to her circumstances of 5 husbands? Why was she at the well alone and at the heat of the day? Her story gives us a glimpse of what may have occurred and how she got there.
I loved the story and the hope it brings. I highly recommend.
A special thank you to Revell Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
February 23, 2026
3.5 stars
As we know the story of the woman at the well, who has been married 5 times and is living with a man she is not married too, we would expect promiscuity in this book. This book walks a line between open and closed door (most of it is within marriage). It’s not incredibly detailed, but you are in the room, and clothes are removed on page. Rather than having things fade to black, or closing the door and returning later, activities are summed up with a sentence or two as we stay in the room.
This is an interesting reimagining of the woman at the well and a possible back story that paints her as a victim of her beauty, her father, men, and people in general. It is a unique read.
I found myself repulsed with her father and circumstances. A 13-year-old gets her first period and they immediately marry her off to a grieving widower 30 years her senior because “he wants her and is captivated by her beauty” and “she would be the perfect distraction for him. To help him get over his grief.” As the story goes on, we see that she is little more than a means to obtain the best bride price.
This book is a heavy read. I felt unsettled when reading much of it. After the initial shocks and disgust, I settled in for the middle part of the book, but then an event happened in a later marriage that just went over the top for me and I couldn’t give the book a solid 4 rating after. In addition, the section at the end with Jesus rubbed me the wrong way. This book, when dealing with those aspects, had a decided Chosen vibe. I did appreciate some aspects, like the telling of parables, but others left me uneasy because we truly do not know how Jesus would respond to things and I didn’t like so much supposition.
This book really is unlike any other. This is my first book by this author. The romance is fade-to-black-ish (see beginning of the review for more information), intimacy level 3.
CW: Child Marriage, Death of Spouse in Accident (death scene described with blood), Stillbirths, Divorce, Death of Parent, Polygamy, and Domestic Violence
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
As we know the story of the woman at the well, who has been married 5 times and is living with a man she is not married too, we would expect promiscuity in this book. This book walks a line between open and closed door (most of it is within marriage). It’s not incredibly detailed, but you are in the room, and clothes are removed on page. Rather than having things fade to black, or closing the door and returning later, activities are summed up with a sentence or two as we stay in the room.
This is an interesting reimagining of the woman at the well and a possible back story that paints her as a victim of her beauty, her father, men, and people in general. It is a unique read.
I found myself repulsed with her father and circumstances. A 13-year-old gets her first period and they immediately marry her off to a grieving widower 30 years her senior because “he wants her and is captivated by her beauty” and “she would be the perfect distraction for him. To help him get over his grief.” As the story goes on, we see that she is little more than a means to obtain the best bride price.
This book is a heavy read. I felt unsettled when reading much of it. After the initial shocks and disgust, I settled in for the middle part of the book, but then an event happened in a later marriage that just went over the top for me and I couldn’t give the book a solid 4 rating after. In addition, the section at the end with Jesus rubbed me the wrong way. This book, when dealing with those aspects, had a decided Chosen vibe. I did appreciate some aspects, like the telling of parables, but others left me uneasy because we truly do not know how Jesus would respond to things and I didn’t like so much supposition.
This book really is unlike any other. This is my first book by this author. The romance is fade-to-black-ish (see beginning of the review for more information), intimacy level 3.
CW: Child Marriage, Death of Spouse in Accident (death scene described with blood), Stillbirths, Divorce, Death of Parent, Polygamy, and Domestic Violence
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
February 18, 2026
Jill Eileen Smith weaves a wonderful story in A Deeper Well, The Story of the Woman at the Well. In John 4:18 Jesus says, “. . .for you have had five husbands and the one you now live with is not your husband.” But we’ve never been told about her life with these men. Smith fills in the missing story of what could have happened and how the woman’s life was so difficult in the years leading up to her encounter with Jesus. This story is written with wonderful characters and an easy flow that brings us to the days beyond the well. Jesus and his disciples stay for two more days in Samaria. What happens in those two days gives us the ending of the story we were hoping for. I received an advanced copy from the publisher and my opinions are my own, but I highly recommend A Deeper Well by Jill Eileen Smith.
February 23, 2026
When I look back at the woman at the well story I'm not sure I viewed it as Jill Eileen Smith wrote it. In the biblical account in John 4 it seems as though Christ is scolding her. Not in a mean or harsh way, yet the story that Jill Eileen Smith wrote is so tender, and kind. We watch Nessa get married off to whomever her father desired, and all because her beauty will bring a higher price. Yet Nessa only wants one man, a boy she fell in love with as a child. The bottom line is that this book is an absolutely beautiful book. It has love and romance, but most of all it has God from beginning to end. It shows His love for His creation, as well as compassion for them. And His desire for us to be better than we are.
March 11, 2026
3.5⭐️
February 19, 2026
I have read every book by the author, Jill Eileen Smith. Unfortunately, this will go to the bottom of the list from her as it is my least favorite. I found the story to be depressing, and difficult issues were discussed and mentioned which did not help. I thought once Jesus was introduced it would be uplifting but I found it odd the author chose to put words in Jesus's mouth as if he were a fictional character. She did not write anything that wasn't Christ honoring I just think she did not need to do actual "words" from him. She could have written that scene off the page. Meaning the main character at the beginning of the next chapter explains or expresses her thoughts on her meeting with Jesus. Other than that, the story was interesting and flowed quickly.
I would like to thank the publisher and Netgalley for the temporary ARC digital copy that I read and left my personal thoughts on.
I would like to thank the publisher and Netgalley for the temporary ARC digital copy that I read and left my personal thoughts on.
March 9, 2026
I almost never cry at sad books or movies. Actually, I rarely cry, period. When I do it's more of a "leak and squeak" in most cases. Well, let me tell you, I leaked and squeaked all over this book, and that is a great thing!
A Deeper Well is not an easy book to read. It is easily the saddest and most raw of Jill Eileen Smith's books. It's also the most human, challenging readers to plunge into the depths of difficult, multifaceted questions, fractured relationships, and most importantly, our own preconceived notions. Yes, a lot of that last one has to do with Nessa the Samaritan woman herself; like a lot of readers, I was implicitly taught certain things about her that history would indicate simply couldn't be true. But a lot of the rawness, the "leak and squeak" potential, comes from how much I identified with Nessa and others, and how much I found I still needed Living Water after drinking it for years (because often, it was my own version, not necessarily Jesus' version).
Nessa bat Raanan is a protagonist you cannot ignore. Whatever you knew or thought you knew about this Samaritan woman, A Deeper Well puts her, the realities of her situation, and her emotions front and center. You live through them with her and I can assure you, it hurts--in the best way. The longer I sat with Nessa, the more chapters I spent with her, the more I saw myself inside her. We have both wondered if there was something deeply and inherently wrong with us. We've both been gaslit and told other people knew what was best for us. Like Nessa, I'm in a situation where when things get complicated or rough, I can't leave. Like her, I've found myself editing or translating my own words and actions so as not to rock the boat. I've managed everyone's emotions while inwardly screaming, "This is not my job!"
But the thing about Nessa--and about me, as I grow and change--is that she is so completely honest. She tries to be strong and capable, and she usually succeeds. But she speaks openly to the fact, "I was and am victimized and that isn't fair." She asks the tough questions like, "If God cares, why does He allow this--and not just one incident, but for the same things to happen over and over? Why do I have longings that go unfulfilled for years? Why does He say 'no' to every prayer I pray?" And yet, Nessa bat Raanan has just enough hope, just enough tenacity and joy, to keep going, until she lands in the purview of the Messiah.
That brings me to A Deeper Well's spiritual threads. I usually leave those for last, but these threads can't be separated from Nessa or her larger plot arc. What I found amazing is, Jesus doesn't actually appear on the scene until the last 30-40 pages. Plus, based on Scripture, His encounter with Nessa is extremely short. However, because we get Nessa's POV during the conversation, and because Jill takes time to show Jesus interacting in Sychar, the spiritual thread becomes heavier and more nuanced. It looks simple on the surface, and as Nessa notes, her encounter doesn't automatically "fix" everything. But the time Jesus spends on the page, the time He devotes to showing Nessa's family how personally he cares for each of them--cue the leaks and squeaks!
Beyond Nessa and Jesus, the secondary characters are well drawn, too. Jill does something a bit different in A Deeper Well and takes a bit of a risk, in that a lot of these characters aren't likeable. They aren't necessarily villains, but I certainly had moments when I reacted out loud to some of the lousy stuff they pulled. Jill also takes a risk because, as she says in her author's note, she needed to create six different households with six completely believable sets of circumstances under which Nessa could go through what she did. I have to say, any other author would probably drop the ball somewhere. Jill, however, united the sparseness and darkness of Nessa's marriages with just enough character development, just enough interesting dynamics and rays of hope, to keep my pages turning at a great clip.
Finally, the setting is one of Jill's best. It's still ancient Israel, and as always, she does her homework on the historical and Scriptural aspects of her story. But what struck me here was how Jill, Nessa, and others do not flinch from the absolute reality of living in a place like ancient Sychar. The situations women found themselves in, the dynamics in which they had no rights and no recourse, the fallout that we often assume didn't happen because "things were different then"--no, they weren't so different. And that's why this novel works: because whatever tangled pasts and presents we have, we could and can all be "the woman at the well."
I must admit, I didn't know what to expect from A Deeper Well. Ah, let me rephrase: I thought I knew what I was getting, but I got something completely different and in many ways, much better. I can't wait for Jill's next book in this series!
A Deeper Well is not an easy book to read. It is easily the saddest and most raw of Jill Eileen Smith's books. It's also the most human, challenging readers to plunge into the depths of difficult, multifaceted questions, fractured relationships, and most importantly, our own preconceived notions. Yes, a lot of that last one has to do with Nessa the Samaritan woman herself; like a lot of readers, I was implicitly taught certain things about her that history would indicate simply couldn't be true. But a lot of the rawness, the "leak and squeak" potential, comes from how much I identified with Nessa and others, and how much I found I still needed Living Water after drinking it for years (because often, it was my own version, not necessarily Jesus' version).
Nessa bat Raanan is a protagonist you cannot ignore. Whatever you knew or thought you knew about this Samaritan woman, A Deeper Well puts her, the realities of her situation, and her emotions front and center. You live through them with her and I can assure you, it hurts--in the best way. The longer I sat with Nessa, the more chapters I spent with her, the more I saw myself inside her. We have both wondered if there was something deeply and inherently wrong with us. We've both been gaslit and told other people knew what was best for us. Like Nessa, I'm in a situation where when things get complicated or rough, I can't leave. Like her, I've found myself editing or translating my own words and actions so as not to rock the boat. I've managed everyone's emotions while inwardly screaming, "This is not my job!"
But the thing about Nessa--and about me, as I grow and change--is that she is so completely honest. She tries to be strong and capable, and she usually succeeds. But she speaks openly to the fact, "I was and am victimized and that isn't fair." She asks the tough questions like, "If God cares, why does He allow this--and not just one incident, but for the same things to happen over and over? Why do I have longings that go unfulfilled for years? Why does He say 'no' to every prayer I pray?" And yet, Nessa bat Raanan has just enough hope, just enough tenacity and joy, to keep going, until she lands in the purview of the Messiah.
That brings me to A Deeper Well's spiritual threads. I usually leave those for last, but these threads can't be separated from Nessa or her larger plot arc. What I found amazing is, Jesus doesn't actually appear on the scene until the last 30-40 pages. Plus, based on Scripture, His encounter with Nessa is extremely short. However, because we get Nessa's POV during the conversation, and because Jill takes time to show Jesus interacting in Sychar, the spiritual thread becomes heavier and more nuanced. It looks simple on the surface, and as Nessa notes, her encounter doesn't automatically "fix" everything. But the time Jesus spends on the page, the time He devotes to showing Nessa's family how personally he cares for each of them--cue the leaks and squeaks!
Beyond Nessa and Jesus, the secondary characters are well drawn, too. Jill does something a bit different in A Deeper Well and takes a bit of a risk, in that a lot of these characters aren't likeable. They aren't necessarily villains, but I certainly had moments when I reacted out loud to some of the lousy stuff they pulled. Jill also takes a risk because, as she says in her author's note, she needed to create six different households with six completely believable sets of circumstances under which Nessa could go through what she did. I have to say, any other author would probably drop the ball somewhere. Jill, however, united the sparseness and darkness of Nessa's marriages with just enough character development, just enough interesting dynamics and rays of hope, to keep my pages turning at a great clip.
Finally, the setting is one of Jill's best. It's still ancient Israel, and as always, she does her homework on the historical and Scriptural aspects of her story. But what struck me here was how Jill, Nessa, and others do not flinch from the absolute reality of living in a place like ancient Sychar. The situations women found themselves in, the dynamics in which they had no rights and no recourse, the fallout that we often assume didn't happen because "things were different then"--no, they weren't so different. And that's why this novel works: because whatever tangled pasts and presents we have, we could and can all be "the woman at the well."
I must admit, I didn't know what to expect from A Deeper Well. Ah, let me rephrase: I thought I knew what I was getting, but I got something completely different and in many ways, much better. I can't wait for Jill's next book in this series!
February 27, 2026
Wow, A Deeper Well by Jill Eileen Smith was quite the powerful book. And very, very emotional. I was literally in tears for the majority of the book. I sat reading this book for hours because I couldn't put it down. I needed to know what was going to happen to Nessa.
Nessa is the name the author gave to the unnamed woman at the well who we meet in the book of John in the Bible. I've heard or read this account multiple times and usually it seems that this woman is judged quite badly. She's had multiple husbands and her current husband isn't her husband. According to Jesus. The thing is, I was just recently thinking about this because our Bible study on John had a lesson on the woman at the well. This Samaritan woman that Jesus actually talked to and asked for a cup of water from. And I got to wondering, why is she always seen in such a bad light? I asked, in that culture, wasn't it the man who had to ask for the divorce? It's not like she was an adulteress, because if she had been, she would have been stoned. So, I asked in my Bible study, what exactly happened in her life that she had had multiple husbands? And then here comes this fictionalized tale that actually delves into that very question.
Yes, of course this book is fiction. We can't really know. It's just speculation. But the author did a wonderful job of bringing this character to life. Imagining what her life might have looked like in the frame of the culture at the time. Events that might have happened to cause a woman to have been without her husband five times. Here was this gorgeous woman who was just about sold multiple times because of the bride price her family could get for her because of her beauty. She despaired, wondering if she would ever find someone who would actually love her, care for her, not cast her aside.
I was not expecting that the story would be told from two points of view. However, we also got to see the story from the point of view of Lavi, a young man who had been in love with her since they were younger and had hoped to marry her when they were of age. Sadly we also get to see his despair when he is rejected and has to see her constantly given to other men.
Of course, if you know the story from the Bible, you know that hope does come to her. Hope in the form of Jesus, the Messiah, the One who actually talks to her and knows her. The One who she proclaims about throughout the town where she lives. The town where Jesus then stays for a couple of days to preach. A part of the story that I had actually forgotten about. I was a little uneasy, concerned that the author was putting words into Jesus's mouth that He didn't say. But most of what He says in this story is biblical. There were just a couple of accounts I wasn't quite sure of. All in all, I think the author handled it well, sharing God's truths.
I loved this book, and highly recommend it. But, yeah, have those tissues handy.
I received an e-copy of this book through NetGalley and was not required to write a favorable review. These are my own honest thoughts.
Nessa is the name the author gave to the unnamed woman at the well who we meet in the book of John in the Bible. I've heard or read this account multiple times and usually it seems that this woman is judged quite badly. She's had multiple husbands and her current husband isn't her husband. According to Jesus. The thing is, I was just recently thinking about this because our Bible study on John had a lesson on the woman at the well. This Samaritan woman that Jesus actually talked to and asked for a cup of water from. And I got to wondering, why is she always seen in such a bad light? I asked, in that culture, wasn't it the man who had to ask for the divorce? It's not like she was an adulteress, because if she had been, she would have been stoned. So, I asked in my Bible study, what exactly happened in her life that she had had multiple husbands? And then here comes this fictionalized tale that actually delves into that very question.
Yes, of course this book is fiction. We can't really know. It's just speculation. But the author did a wonderful job of bringing this character to life. Imagining what her life might have looked like in the frame of the culture at the time. Events that might have happened to cause a woman to have been without her husband five times. Here was this gorgeous woman who was just about sold multiple times because of the bride price her family could get for her because of her beauty. She despaired, wondering if she would ever find someone who would actually love her, care for her, not cast her aside.
I was not expecting that the story would be told from two points of view. However, we also got to see the story from the point of view of Lavi, a young man who had been in love with her since they were younger and had hoped to marry her when they were of age. Sadly we also get to see his despair when he is rejected and has to see her constantly given to other men.
Of course, if you know the story from the Bible, you know that hope does come to her. Hope in the form of Jesus, the Messiah, the One who actually talks to her and knows her. The One who she proclaims about throughout the town where she lives. The town where Jesus then stays for a couple of days to preach. A part of the story that I had actually forgotten about. I was a little uneasy, concerned that the author was putting words into Jesus's mouth that He didn't say. But most of what He says in this story is biblical. There were just a couple of accounts I wasn't quite sure of. All in all, I think the author handled it well, sharing God's truths.
I loved this book, and highly recommend it. But, yeah, have those tissues handy.
I received an e-copy of this book through NetGalley and was not required to write a favorable review. These are my own honest thoughts.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A story of a woman’s heart in a man’s world.
I’ve reviewed many Christian novels that portray women in struggling and hopeless situations; this novel is different. In A Deeper Well Jill, Eileen Smith succeeds in drawing the reader into a deeper experience by allowing the reader to feel the character’s most intimate emotions. This accomplishment is especially noteworthy since I am a 21st Century male reader who, while reading, felt the emotions of a woman who lived in a first century society that treated women like property. I felt the protagonist’s terror, sadness, and hopelessness.
The story begins in ancient Israel, where Nessa attains a marriageable age (13). Her father gives her to a much older, wealthy, widowed friend, capitalizing on her beauty to bring in the highest bride-price he can find. Nessa is devastated, as she had begged to marry her childhood love, Lavi, who returned her love and saw more in her than her appearance. But Nessa's betrothal leads to Lavi's departure, compounding her grief, and she can never forget her forbidden first love.
Nessa tries to accept her fate, but after only a year of marriage, tragedy hits her new family. She is sent back to her father, who quickly finds a wealthy young man who wants to marry the most beautiful woman in Sychar. Infertility and misfortune follow Nessa as she is passed from one marriage to another—until she meets an unusual Jewish rabbi at the town's well one afternoon. There, her life is forever changed.
This book conjures a Biblical backstory of the woman at the well, who had multiple husbands. A biblical reader may surmise that her predicament was from her own wrongdoing or a life of debauchery. The author challenges this prejudice and skillfully guides the reader to feel pity for her.
The author also applies Scripture in the most tender of scenes, such as this one spoken by her unattached lover: “Only the Father’s love can give a man what he truly needs. A wife is a gift from the Lord, but loving God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength is of greater importance than loving a woman.”
Jill Eileen Smith starts and ends the story with the biblical narrative of the woman at the well. In between is an excellent story of Israel’s first century culture from a woman’s point of view—a woman whose life seems void of God’s love.
I highly recommend this book!
I received a review copy courtesy of Baker Publishing Group through Interviews & Reviews for an unbiased and objective review.
I’ve reviewed many Christian novels that portray women in struggling and hopeless situations; this novel is different. In A Deeper Well Jill, Eileen Smith succeeds in drawing the reader into a deeper experience by allowing the reader to feel the character’s most intimate emotions. This accomplishment is especially noteworthy since I am a 21st Century male reader who, while reading, felt the emotions of a woman who lived in a first century society that treated women like property. I felt the protagonist’s terror, sadness, and hopelessness.
The story begins in ancient Israel, where Nessa attains a marriageable age (13). Her father gives her to a much older, wealthy, widowed friend, capitalizing on her beauty to bring in the highest bride-price he can find. Nessa is devastated, as she had begged to marry her childhood love, Lavi, who returned her love and saw more in her than her appearance. But Nessa's betrothal leads to Lavi's departure, compounding her grief, and she can never forget her forbidden first love.
Nessa tries to accept her fate, but after only a year of marriage, tragedy hits her new family. She is sent back to her father, who quickly finds a wealthy young man who wants to marry the most beautiful woman in Sychar. Infertility and misfortune follow Nessa as she is passed from one marriage to another—until she meets an unusual Jewish rabbi at the town's well one afternoon. There, her life is forever changed.
This book conjures a Biblical backstory of the woman at the well, who had multiple husbands. A biblical reader may surmise that her predicament was from her own wrongdoing or a life of debauchery. The author challenges this prejudice and skillfully guides the reader to feel pity for her.
The author also applies Scripture in the most tender of scenes, such as this one spoken by her unattached lover: “Only the Father’s love can give a man what he truly needs. A wife is a gift from the Lord, but loving God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength is of greater importance than loving a woman.”
Jill Eileen Smith starts and ends the story with the biblical narrative of the woman at the well. In between is an excellent story of Israel’s first century culture from a woman’s point of view—a woman whose life seems void of God’s love.
I highly recommend this book!
I received a review copy courtesy of Baker Publishing Group through Interviews & Reviews for an unbiased and objective review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
When you are going to read Jill Eileen Smith, be prepared to go on a journey. Your main characters are going to probably hit rock bottom and make some fairly poor choices. Or maybe the choices will just happen to them through no fault of their own--much like this novel and sweet Nessa.
The thing about Nessa is that you KNOW she's going to be the woman at the well. And that means you know she's going to have to go through a LOT to get there. The author decided to create Nessa as a stunningly gorgeous young lady who experiences the tragedy of being forced to marry men because of her father's belief that he "knows what's best for her" even though she's in love with someone else. Death and challenges with pregnancy leads her to continue to have the divorce papers given to her. Until she's convinced that she's unlovable and unwantable. That nothing will be enough. That her beauty is her curse. And that God clearly doesn't love her or hear her.
Likewise the main male character feels like nothing HE does will ever be enough to allow him to live happily ever after with his love Nessa.
My only issue...the climax of the book SHOULD be the infamous biblical scene of Christ and the woman. But it wasn't until 93% of the book was done. And I just felt like it was more of an "oh yeah, we need to make sure that happens" and it just didn't feel like more than rushed ending. It also really feels hopeless for Nessa. One thing after another. And while I get that is reality during that time period for so many women, it just seemed like forever before it ended. It would have been nice to have it happen sooner than at like 93% so we could read a redemption ending. :)
Two quotes I pulled out for my quote journal:
and
This is the issue I think all true believers wrestle with.
There are some pretty big triggers I need to mention though:
• Child marriage (she's only 13 and married to an old man right away-yes historically accurate, but still disturbing to do the math)
• Polygamy--again. cultural and accurate...but not enjoyable to read
• Abusive marriages (verbally, sexually, and physically)
• And so so many toxic behaviors in general, especially among the family members
• Loss of parents
• Death--not violent, but described.
• Major theme of infertility and stillbirth. Critical to the story.
4 stars because it was still a story worth reading and written well
*Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC of this novel. All opinions are 100% my own.
The thing about Nessa is that you KNOW she's going to be the woman at the well. And that means you know she's going to have to go through a LOT to get there. The author decided to create Nessa as a stunningly gorgeous young lady who experiences the tragedy of being forced to marry men because of her father's belief that he "knows what's best for her" even though she's in love with someone else. Death and challenges with pregnancy leads her to continue to have the divorce papers given to her. Until she's convinced that she's unlovable and unwantable. That nothing will be enough. That her beauty is her curse. And that God clearly doesn't love her or hear her.
Likewise the main male character feels like nothing HE does will ever be enough to allow him to live happily ever after with his love Nessa.
My only issue...the climax of the book SHOULD be the infamous biblical scene of Christ and the woman. But it wasn't until 93% of the book was done. And I just felt like it was more of an "oh yeah, we need to make sure that happens" and it just didn't feel like more than rushed ending. It also really feels hopeless for Nessa. One thing after another. And while I get that is reality during that time period for so many women, it just seemed like forever before it ended. It would have been nice to have it happen sooner than at like 93% so we could read a redemption ending. :)
Two quotes I pulled out for my quote journal:
The Father does not always give us what we ask, Nessa. But that does not mean He hasn't heard our prayers."
and
Give your longings to God. Surrendering to His will means letting go of your wants for your life. He may grant your heart's desires, or He may give you something better. He is good. He wants to bless you, if you will let HIM determine how to do so. Do you have faith to trust Him with your life and future?
This is the issue I think all true believers wrestle with.
There are some pretty big triggers I need to mention though:
• Child marriage (she's only 13 and married to an old man right away-yes historically accurate, but still disturbing to do the math)
• Polygamy--again. cultural and accurate...but not enjoyable to read
• Abusive marriages (verbally, sexually, and physically)
• And so so many toxic behaviors in general, especially among the family members
• Loss of parents
• Death--not violent, but described.
• Major theme of infertility and stillbirth. Critical to the story.
4 stars because it was still a story worth reading and written well
*Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC of this novel. All opinions are 100% my own.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
“Misfortune follows Nessa as she is passed from one marriage to the next--until she meets an unusual Jewish rabbi at the town's well one afternoon, and her life is forever changed,” the back cover states Jill Eileen Smith’s novel, A Deeper Well: The Story of the Woman at the Well.
~ What ~
This 336-page advanced reader copy targets those interested in Biblical fiction about the Samaritan woman whom Jesus spoke to at the well. With no profanity, topics of verbal abuse, injury, and death may not be appropriate for immature readers. The ending includes a note to the reader, acknowledgments, biography, and advertisements.
Following the New Testament story of the woman at the well who had five husbands and was living with another man, it covers Nessa from age thirteen to her thirties as she lives in the town of Sychar. While she deals with both old and young men, her best friend's love, shepherds, and a tentmaker, she can't seem to forget her cousin Lavi, who stole her heart at a tender age. As her beauty catches the eyes of men and the jealousy of women, she feels abandoned by God until she finally meets the Messiah.
~ Why ~
I have always enjoyed fictional books about the Bible, and the basis of this one was unique and well-thought-out, even though there is little description in the Word about the demise of her many failed relationships. I liked that the story was mainly written from Nessa's perspective and how each of her arranged marriages had different outcomes, whether they were dissolved by rejection, divorce, or death.
~ Why Not ~
Those who do not like reads that are based on Scripture will avoid this book. Some may not approve of the artistic liberties taken that are not in the Bible or the timeframe of Jesus's sermons. A few readers may not care for its rendition of the woman being a victim of society or the bickering and tension among family members, although both concepts may have occurred.
~ Wish ~
Adding the area's map at the beginning and discussion questions at the end would be thoughtful. While I appreciate the capitalization of pronouns of God, Jesus's should also be considered.
~ Want ~
If you like a different angle of the woman at the well with Jesus, this one does a deep dive into the length of God's love toward us sinners no matter our pasts.
Thanks to Revell and Interviews & Reviews for this complimentary book. I am under no obligation to give a positive review.
Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
~ What ~
This 336-page advanced reader copy targets those interested in Biblical fiction about the Samaritan woman whom Jesus spoke to at the well. With no profanity, topics of verbal abuse, injury, and death may not be appropriate for immature readers. The ending includes a note to the reader, acknowledgments, biography, and advertisements.
Following the New Testament story of the woman at the well who had five husbands and was living with another man, it covers Nessa from age thirteen to her thirties as she lives in the town of Sychar. While she deals with both old and young men, her best friend's love, shepherds, and a tentmaker, she can't seem to forget her cousin Lavi, who stole her heart at a tender age. As her beauty catches the eyes of men and the jealousy of women, she feels abandoned by God until she finally meets the Messiah.
~ Why ~
I have always enjoyed fictional books about the Bible, and the basis of this one was unique and well-thought-out, even though there is little description in the Word about the demise of her many failed relationships. I liked that the story was mainly written from Nessa's perspective and how each of her arranged marriages had different outcomes, whether they were dissolved by rejection, divorce, or death.
~ Why Not ~
Those who do not like reads that are based on Scripture will avoid this book. Some may not approve of the artistic liberties taken that are not in the Bible or the timeframe of Jesus's sermons. A few readers may not care for its rendition of the woman being a victim of society or the bickering and tension among family members, although both concepts may have occurred.
~ Wish ~
Adding the area's map at the beginning and discussion questions at the end would be thoughtful. While I appreciate the capitalization of pronouns of God, Jesus's should also be considered.
~ Want ~
If you like a different angle of the woman at the well with Jesus, this one does a deep dive into the length of God's love toward us sinners no matter our pasts.
Thanks to Revell and Interviews & Reviews for this complimentary book. I am under no obligation to give a positive review.
Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A Deeper Well by Jill Eileen Smith is an insightful and captivating look at the Samaritan woman Jesus met at the well. I’ve always paused when coming to that story, thinking there had to be more, and Jill knocks it out of the park by asking all those “what if” questions.
Nessa is only 13 years old, and her father is trying to marry her off to whoever bids the most. He knows he can get a good bride price for her because she is the most beautiful woman in all of Sychar. But instead of letting her marry someone who loves her, for her, not her looks, he sets Nessa on a horrible path that no one, especially a teenager, should have to endure.
The Bible tells us that Jesus spoke to a woman at a well who had five husbands and wasn’t married to her current partner. Her father’s choice of an older first husband shows how it all might have happened. This sets the stage for the difficult life Nessa had to endure. That her first marriage would be to a man old enough to be her father is shocking to our modern way of thinking. And in truth, I couldn’t stop thinking about this aspect because her father effectively married his 13-year-old daughter to a pedophile.
But the author has done a fabulous job researching the customs of the era. Women were property, and men (being men) always felt they knew best. Their “best” led to a sad life for Nessa in this story, as their actions were no better than making her a prostitute. Hence, the reason every time I came across this story in the Bible, I felt she was a prostitute by choice, when it is possible the actions of others made the woman at the well’s life a sad one indeed.
The author has done such an incredible job with this story that I am now looking at it with fresh eyes. Nessa’s meeting with Jesus takes on new meaning, and it reminds me once again that sometimes we go through horrible things because God has a plan. His plan for Nessa was to meet Jesus and have the privilege of announcing His coming to others.
If you love biblical fiction and want to experience this precious story with fresh eyes, make sure you get this book. You will not regret it!
Nessa is only 13 years old, and her father is trying to marry her off to whoever bids the most. He knows he can get a good bride price for her because she is the most beautiful woman in all of Sychar. But instead of letting her marry someone who loves her, for her, not her looks, he sets Nessa on a horrible path that no one, especially a teenager, should have to endure.
The Bible tells us that Jesus spoke to a woman at a well who had five husbands and wasn’t married to her current partner. Her father’s choice of an older first husband shows how it all might have happened. This sets the stage for the difficult life Nessa had to endure. That her first marriage would be to a man old enough to be her father is shocking to our modern way of thinking. And in truth, I couldn’t stop thinking about this aspect because her father effectively married his 13-year-old daughter to a pedophile.
But the author has done a fabulous job researching the customs of the era. Women were property, and men (being men) always felt they knew best. Their “best” led to a sad life for Nessa in this story, as their actions were no better than making her a prostitute. Hence, the reason every time I came across this story in the Bible, I felt she was a prostitute by choice, when it is possible the actions of others made the woman at the well’s life a sad one indeed.
The author has done such an incredible job with this story that I am now looking at it with fresh eyes. Nessa’s meeting with Jesus takes on new meaning, and it reminds me once again that sometimes we go through horrible things because God has a plan. His plan for Nessa was to meet Jesus and have the privilege of announcing His coming to others.
If you love biblical fiction and want to experience this precious story with fresh eyes, make sure you get this book. You will not regret it!
February 17, 2026
From the story in the Bible of Jesus and the Samaritan woman comes this absolutely astonishing fictional story of what it could have meant…I love my Biblical fiction authors who study the Bible so hard and come up with “the rest of the story” from their God-given great imaginations! Jill Eileen Smith is one of my favorite of these authors. Nessa is sold as soon as she “becomes a woman” (which is announced at the supper table in front of everyone) to the highest bidder. He happens to be a widower who is lonesome and even though his daughters-in-law treat her pretty scornfully and jealously, her husband adores her and truly loves her. He is so gentle, caring and compassionate toward Nessa. When he dies unexpectedly, she is sent back home until they find another man to buy her. Her father sells her to the man who her best friend had intended to marry for years! Something happens to Nessa that makes him put her away (divorces her), and she’s sent again to her parents’ home. Each time she us married, her worth becomes less and less, even though she IS the most beautiful woman in the city. When her father eventually dies, she thinks that she will be able to marry the boy (now man) whom she has always dreamed of marrying: her cousin, Lavi. It is not to be at this time, either. Her brother will not give them permission, you’ll find out why when you read the book. They are so desperate to live together as man and wife, they have to think of a way to move her in with him. I can’t tell you any more about this story…you must read it all for yourself. My favorite part is when she meets Jesus at the well. She invites him (and the disciples who were with him) to stay and teach the people. Everyone loves Jesus, of course, and He leaves with many saved, but most importantly to this story, he leaves her situation resolved! All of her situations resolved! Praise the Lord! I am so thankful to be on this arc team and was not required to write a 5 star review. However, that is what I did, of my own free will, as I loved this book that much! 📕 ♥️🙌🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
March 23, 2026
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed Jill Eileen Smith’s Biblical fiction, especially her Old Testament stories. She truly has a gift for bringing Scripture to life with rich historical detail. I was so excited for her move into New Testament heroines, & she did not disappoint. A Deeper Well explores the complex past of the Samaritan woman Jesus meets at the well. The story opens with that life-changing encounter, then flashes back to the sorrowful path that led her there, recounting each marriage & relationship along the way.
Nessa is an unusually beautiful young woman, noticed by every man in her community. When she comes of age, her father betroths her to a much older, wealthy man for the highest bride price, devastating both Nessa & her beloved cousin, Lavi, who cannot provide for her & ultimately flees, taking her heart with him. Though her husband proves kind, tragedy forces Nessa back home. Her beauty continues to draw unwanted attention, leading to more marriages marked by heartbreak, loss, & hardship. With each one, she loses hope, believing herself cursed & abandoned by God—until the day she meets Jesus at the well.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I loved how the author crafted such plausible circumstances for Nessa’s many marriages. Nessa invites both sympathy & compassion. Her story is a heart-achingly powerful look at the vulnerability of women at that time & their dependence on men. Through no fault of her own, she endures jealousy, mistreatment, & abandonment, her beauty both a curse & a blessing. I especially loved how her life is transformed by her encounter with Jesus, who knows her fully & still offers her the gift to “never thirst again.”
A beautiful reminder that God sees us, is with us in our hardest moments, & that there is always hope. Highly recommend for fans of Christian & Biblical fiction. I received an advanced copy from the publisher with no expectation of a positive review. All opinions are completely my own & provided voluntarily. 4.5-5 stars!
Nessa is an unusually beautiful young woman, noticed by every man in her community. When she comes of age, her father betroths her to a much older, wealthy man for the highest bride price, devastating both Nessa & her beloved cousin, Lavi, who cannot provide for her & ultimately flees, taking her heart with him. Though her husband proves kind, tragedy forces Nessa back home. Her beauty continues to draw unwanted attention, leading to more marriages marked by heartbreak, loss, & hardship. With each one, she loses hope, believing herself cursed & abandoned by God—until the day she meets Jesus at the well.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I loved how the author crafted such plausible circumstances for Nessa’s many marriages. Nessa invites both sympathy & compassion. Her story is a heart-achingly powerful look at the vulnerability of women at that time & their dependence on men. Through no fault of her own, she endures jealousy, mistreatment, & abandonment, her beauty both a curse & a blessing. I especially loved how her life is transformed by her encounter with Jesus, who knows her fully & still offers her the gift to “never thirst again.”
A beautiful reminder that God sees us, is with us in our hardest moments, & that there is always hope. Highly recommend for fans of Christian & Biblical fiction. I received an advanced copy from the publisher with no expectation of a positive review. All opinions are completely my own & provided voluntarily. 4.5-5 stars!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Jill Eileen Smith has done it again. A Deeper Well is a beautifully written and emotionally rich retelling of the woman at the well, and it brought new depth and humanity to a story I have known for years. Smith has a remarkable gift for taking a brief biblical account and turning it into a full, living, breathing story filled with heartbreak, longing, and ultimately, redemption.
Nessa’s journey is both painful and compelling. From being forced into marriages she never chose to losing the love she truly wanted, her story is filled with grief, rejection, and loneliness. Yet through it all, Smith allows readers to feel Nessa’s vulnerability, strength, and deep desire to be seen and loved for who she truly is. Her emotional struggles felt real and authentic, making it easy to connect with her on a personal level.
The historical detail is one of the strongest parts of this book. The culture, customs, and daily life of ancient Samaria were described in a way that felt immersive without being overwhelming. Fans of The Chosen will especially appreciate how Smith expands on biblical characters while remaining respectful to Scripture.
The encounter at the well was written with beauty and reverence. It was powerful, moving, and reminded me why this story has meant so much to believers for generations. That moment alone made the entire journey worthwhile.
The only reason I give it 4.5 stars instead of a full five is that parts of Nessa’s suffering felt repetitive at times, and I wished for just a little more time spent on her transformation after meeting Jesus. Still, the emotional payoff was strong and deeply satisfying.
Overall, A Deeper Well is a heartfelt, faith-filled story of brokenness, redemption, and unconditional love. Jill Eileen Smith continues to prove why she is one of the best authors in biblical fiction. This is a must-read for fans of biblical retellings, historical fiction, and stories that remind us that no one is beyond the reach of grace.
Nessa’s journey is both painful and compelling. From being forced into marriages she never chose to losing the love she truly wanted, her story is filled with grief, rejection, and loneliness. Yet through it all, Smith allows readers to feel Nessa’s vulnerability, strength, and deep desire to be seen and loved for who she truly is. Her emotional struggles felt real and authentic, making it easy to connect with her on a personal level.
The historical detail is one of the strongest parts of this book. The culture, customs, and daily life of ancient Samaria were described in a way that felt immersive without being overwhelming. Fans of The Chosen will especially appreciate how Smith expands on biblical characters while remaining respectful to Scripture.
The encounter at the well was written with beauty and reverence. It was powerful, moving, and reminded me why this story has meant so much to believers for generations. That moment alone made the entire journey worthwhile.
The only reason I give it 4.5 stars instead of a full five is that parts of Nessa’s suffering felt repetitive at times, and I wished for just a little more time spent on her transformation after meeting Jesus. Still, the emotional payoff was strong and deeply satisfying.
Overall, A Deeper Well is a heartfelt, faith-filled story of brokenness, redemption, and unconditional love. Jill Eileen Smith continues to prove why she is one of the best authors in biblical fiction. This is a must-read for fans of biblical retellings, historical fiction, and stories that remind us that no one is beyond the reach of grace.
March 9, 2026
I've always been a fan of historical fiction, and I especially enjoy it when I can learn more about a lesser-known historical figure. A Deeper Well was the perfect book for me; I knew the Biblical account of the nameless "woman at the well" but hadn't given any thought to who this woman really was and how she could have had five husbands.
The author obviously did a great deal of extensive research on her subject matter, and the result is a very in-depth book recounting the events that could realistically been part of Nessa's life, plus a lot of information about what day-to-day life was like during that time in history. While Nessa's family and husbands were made-up characters, they all felt true and made sense as part of the unnamed woman's life.
Besides everything I learned, I honestly enjoyed the story. It covers Nessa's life from the time she's old enough to marry (around age 14) to the time shortly after she meets Jesus at the well. Like many others, I've always read the brief Biblical story and assumed the woman had lived a purposely immoral life. The author take a more compassionate approach to explain why Nessa had five husbands and was living with a man she hadn't married. The author's choices make a lot of sense. If this woman was truly of low moral character, she would have had five LOVERS. Five husbands sounds more like bad luck.
I enjoyed reading about Nessa's life and marriages, and appreciated the historical tie-in the the Bible story I grew up with. Although we'll not know the true story until heaven, I found this a plausible retelling. It's good to remember that everyone has a backstory we may not be aware of!
I was happy to have had the chance to read this book. It was nice to learn more about the woman at the well and see her as a real person, not just a historical sidenote.
5 stars.
I received a review copy courtesy of Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.
The author obviously did a great deal of extensive research on her subject matter, and the result is a very in-depth book recounting the events that could realistically been part of Nessa's life, plus a lot of information about what day-to-day life was like during that time in history. While Nessa's family and husbands were made-up characters, they all felt true and made sense as part of the unnamed woman's life.
Besides everything I learned, I honestly enjoyed the story. It covers Nessa's life from the time she's old enough to marry (around age 14) to the time shortly after she meets Jesus at the well. Like many others, I've always read the brief Biblical story and assumed the woman had lived a purposely immoral life. The author take a more compassionate approach to explain why Nessa had five husbands and was living with a man she hadn't married. The author's choices make a lot of sense. If this woman was truly of low moral character, she would have had five LOVERS. Five husbands sounds more like bad luck.
I enjoyed reading about Nessa's life and marriages, and appreciated the historical tie-in the the Bible story I grew up with. Although we'll not know the true story until heaven, I found this a plausible retelling. It's good to remember that everyone has a backstory we may not be aware of!
I was happy to have had the chance to read this book. It was nice to learn more about the woman at the well and see her as a real person, not just a historical sidenote.
5 stars.
I received a review copy courtesy of Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Jill Eileen Smith’s meticulous commitment to Biblical accuracy shines in her latest release, A DEEPER WELL—THE STORY OF THE WOMAN AT THE WELL. By weaving together cultural context and storytelling, she delivers a powerful narrative about abuse and redemption—a transformation made possible when the redeemer intervenes. Smith crafts a believable backstory that challenges and expands our assumptions about the woman at the well,
THE STORY: In ancient Samaria, soon after Nessa is of marriageable age, her father gives her to a wealthy widowed friend, capitalizing on her beauty to bring in the highest bride-price he can find. Nessa is devastated, as she had begged to marry Lavi, who returned her love and saw more in her than her appearance. Nessa's betrothal leads to Lavi's departure, compounding her grief, and she can never forget her forbidden first love.
Nessa tries to accept her fate, but after only a year of marriage, tragedy hits her new family. She is sent back to her father, who quickly finds a young man who wants to marry the most beautiful woman in Sychar. Misfortune follows Nessa as she is passed from one marriage to the next--until she meets an unusual Jewish rabbi at the town's well one afternoon, and her life is forever changed.
5 STARS BECAUSE: Smith’s portrayal of a woman’s struggles in ancient Samaria and her encounter with Jesus brings depth and authenticity to the familiar Biblical account. Her depiction of the woman’s interactions with her community and her gradual journey toward redemption vividly illustrates the cultural and emotional depth of her story. Demonstrating how our Heavenly Father truly views women and the role they play in evangelism.
#ADEEPERWELL I received an ARC from Revell through #NetGalley for my honest review.
THE STORY: In ancient Samaria, soon after Nessa is of marriageable age, her father gives her to a wealthy widowed friend, capitalizing on her beauty to bring in the highest bride-price he can find. Nessa is devastated, as she had begged to marry Lavi, who returned her love and saw more in her than her appearance. Nessa's betrothal leads to Lavi's departure, compounding her grief, and she can never forget her forbidden first love.
Nessa tries to accept her fate, but after only a year of marriage, tragedy hits her new family. She is sent back to her father, who quickly finds a young man who wants to marry the most beautiful woman in Sychar. Misfortune follows Nessa as she is passed from one marriage to the next--until she meets an unusual Jewish rabbi at the town's well one afternoon, and her life is forever changed.
5 STARS BECAUSE: Smith’s portrayal of a woman’s struggles in ancient Samaria and her encounter with Jesus brings depth and authenticity to the familiar Biblical account. Her depiction of the woman’s interactions with her community and her gradual journey toward redemption vividly illustrates the cultural and emotional depth of her story. Demonstrating how our Heavenly Father truly views women and the role they play in evangelism.
#ADEEPERWELL I received an ARC from Revell through #NetGalley for my honest review.
March 16, 2026
I’ve read many of Jill Eileen Smith’s books, and have found this newest title, A Deeper Well, to be possibly one of her best yet. The book takes you on an emotional roller coaster that is worth the ride!
Though it is hard to imagine the main character, Nessa, being passed from marriage to marriage, and betrothed at a very young age of 13 at that, those were typical customs for ancient Israel. It was what they knew, a way of life. When you look at the storyline from that perspective, it is easier to understand why her father did what he did. The book addresses this too near the end.
Tragedy takes place within these pages a few times, but it is highly likely that the woman at the well experienced such tragedies as we experience such tragedies today. *I won’t give away details as I don’t think it’s necessary…
Others have mentioned the fictional character of Jesus that Smith writes about (dialogue exchange, etc). I believe it was necessary for Smith to imagine Jesus’ role within the pages to provide healing and bring redemption to Nessa’s story (and personally see no harm or error in doing so) because He did in fact encounter the woman at the well and exchange words. I see this equivalent to what the director of The Chosen does with Jesus’ character in the TV series. His interactions and dialogue are mostly imagined as well, and at much greater length than Smith’s ideas of how Jesus interacted with these characters in her book. In my humble opinion, Smith portrayed His character beautifully!
I easily rate this book, A Deeper Well, 5 stars, and recommend it to all who wish to discover ancient Biblical practices, a captivating storyline, and can read it with an open mind!
Great job, Jill Elieen Smith. Thank you for sharing your work!
Though it is hard to imagine the main character, Nessa, being passed from marriage to marriage, and betrothed at a very young age of 13 at that, those were typical customs for ancient Israel. It was what they knew, a way of life. When you look at the storyline from that perspective, it is easier to understand why her father did what he did. The book addresses this too near the end.
Tragedy takes place within these pages a few times, but it is highly likely that the woman at the well experienced such tragedies as we experience such tragedies today. *I won’t give away details as I don’t think it’s necessary…
Others have mentioned the fictional character of Jesus that Smith writes about (dialogue exchange, etc). I believe it was necessary for Smith to imagine Jesus’ role within the pages to provide healing and bring redemption to Nessa’s story (and personally see no harm or error in doing so) because He did in fact encounter the woman at the well and exchange words. I see this equivalent to what the director of The Chosen does with Jesus’ character in the TV series. His interactions and dialogue are mostly imagined as well, and at much greater length than Smith’s ideas of how Jesus interacted with these characters in her book. In my humble opinion, Smith portrayed His character beautifully!
I easily rate this book, A Deeper Well, 5 stars, and recommend it to all who wish to discover ancient Biblical practices, a captivating storyline, and can read it with an open mind!
Great job, Jill Elieen Smith. Thank you for sharing your work!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Nessa often ignored her desires and appeared uncertain about her own feelings. Nessa experienced life with a number of in-laws. The vivid descriptions of those interactions painted a clear picture of Nessa as a diligent worker and a peacemaker.
Lavi’s personality lacked depth, making his transformation seem unrealistic and abrupt. He loved Nessa selfishly.
Gali, Nessa’s childhood friend, was jealous and lashed out at Nessa when hurt. They restored their friendship after each took the time to understand the other's experiences and emotions.
My favorite parts of the book were when Nessa learned about the new artisan roles in the family she was living with. I was particularly intrigued by the weaving process of using a loom and choosing the wool.
Although the marriage bed scenes provided meaningful insight into the character of Nessa's husbands and illustrated the impact of their treatment on her self-esteem, these descriptions may have been overly intense for some readers. Although Nessa experienced abuse and neglect, she did not become bitter. This steadfast character behavior allowed me to maintain compassion for her throughout her story.
The Biblical account depicting Nessa’s interaction with Jesus at the well was timely. I liked the penitent spirit portrayed among those who had wounded Nessa. It is hard to imagine that everyone that had ever hurt her would now want to bless her, but I can envision myself wanting to respond to Jesus that way.
I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from NetGalley and Baker Publishing Group. My opinions and review belong to me alone.
Lavi’s personality lacked depth, making his transformation seem unrealistic and abrupt. He loved Nessa selfishly.
Gali, Nessa’s childhood friend, was jealous and lashed out at Nessa when hurt. They restored their friendship after each took the time to understand the other's experiences and emotions.
My favorite parts of the book were when Nessa learned about the new artisan roles in the family she was living with. I was particularly intrigued by the weaving process of using a loom and choosing the wool.
Although the marriage bed scenes provided meaningful insight into the character of Nessa's husbands and illustrated the impact of their treatment on her self-esteem, these descriptions may have been overly intense for some readers. Although Nessa experienced abuse and neglect, she did not become bitter. This steadfast character behavior allowed me to maintain compassion for her throughout her story.
The Biblical account depicting Nessa’s interaction with Jesus at the well was timely. I liked the penitent spirit portrayed among those who had wounded Nessa. It is hard to imagine that everyone that had ever hurt her would now want to bless her, but I can envision myself wanting to respond to Jesus that way.
I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from NetGalley and Baker Publishing Group. My opinions and review belong to me alone.
March 16, 2026
In A Deeper Well, Jill Eileen Smith takes her signature approach to biblical fiction by diving into the life of the Samaritan woman at the well. While Jill is known for her meticulous historical research and ability to breathe life into ancient settings, this particular story is a heavy, emotional journey that explores the depths of trauma and the necessity of grace.
The story follows Nessa through a series of increasingly difficult marriages and relationships, and how her beauty is viewed during the time she lived. Jill doesn't shy away from the cultural realities of the time, painting a vivid picture of what life looked like for a woman whose survival often depended on the protection of men, even when those men were far from protective.
The romances irked me to no end because the men only wanted her for her beauty. I will say her first marriage was actually one I enjoyed and was sad to see end. Lavi is the main love interest for Nessa, but their romance doesn't commence until the end of the book for many reasons, both good and undeserving. The men irked me, though, including Nessa's father. They never respected her; only Lavi did.
Trigger warnings for stillbirth, several deaths, mental abuse, verbal abuse, and slight physical abuse.
A Deeper Well is a solid choice for fans of biblical fiction who prefer a gritty, realistic look at the "broken" characters of the New Testament. However, due to the heavy subject matter and the slow-burn progression, it may not be a "light" read for everyone. It is a story of endurance, ultimately proving that no well is too deep for grace to reach.
The story follows Nessa through a series of increasingly difficult marriages and relationships, and how her beauty is viewed during the time she lived. Jill doesn't shy away from the cultural realities of the time, painting a vivid picture of what life looked like for a woman whose survival often depended on the protection of men, even when those men were far from protective.
The romances irked me to no end because the men only wanted her for her beauty. I will say her first marriage was actually one I enjoyed and was sad to see end. Lavi is the main love interest for Nessa, but their romance doesn't commence until the end of the book for many reasons, both good and undeserving. The men irked me, though, including Nessa's father. They never respected her; only Lavi did.
Trigger warnings for stillbirth, several deaths, mental abuse, verbal abuse, and slight physical abuse.
A Deeper Well is a solid choice for fans of biblical fiction who prefer a gritty, realistic look at the "broken" characters of the New Testament. However, due to the heavy subject matter and the slow-burn progression, it may not be a "light" read for everyone. It is a story of endurance, ultimately proving that no well is too deep for grace to reach.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Based on the Biblical story of the Samaratin Woman at the well, the author draws on research into the customs of the day and area. While the Samaratins were separated from the Jews, they worshipped the same God and carried many of the same traditions. This story starts out as Nessa, claimed to be the most beautiful woman in Sychar, has just become of marriageable age and has to abide by her father’s decisions. She is painted as a victim of the times, being given in marriage to several men who either died or had her put away. The author made me care for Nessa and sympathize with the situations she was experiencing.
The redemption comes when Jesus travels with his disciples to Jacob’s Well. The story shows how much Jesus cares for the individual. Nessa has had many husbands but has never found a man who loves her for who she really is. Jesus shows her just such love even though He reveals her sins to her. I like that the author expands a bit on the story when the Samaratins ask Jesus to stay with them for two days. She postulates that He taught them through parables which seems entirely possible.
Nessa’s repentance causes her to joyfully tell her whole community about Jesus. Her surrender to God’s will results in something far better than the consequences of her past.
The author deftly portrayed how Nessa was bound in sin and tradition and how she was lifted up when she listened to the Master’s voice.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Revell and via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*
The redemption comes when Jesus travels with his disciples to Jacob’s Well. The story shows how much Jesus cares for the individual. Nessa has had many husbands but has never found a man who loves her for who she really is. Jesus shows her just such love even though He reveals her sins to her. I like that the author expands a bit on the story when the Samaratins ask Jesus to stay with them for two days. She postulates that He taught them through parables which seems entirely possible.
Nessa’s repentance causes her to joyfully tell her whole community about Jesus. Her surrender to God’s will results in something far better than the consequences of her past.
The author deftly portrayed how Nessa was bound in sin and tradition and how she was lifted up when she listened to the Master’s voice.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Revell and via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*
February 17, 2026
A Deeper Well retells the New Testament story of the woman at the well. And the book is as compelling and stunning as its cover. While reading and imagining Nessa’s life, many emotions roiled inside me—sadness, hopelessness, and finally healing. The story took me on a journey of heartbreak, inspiration, and relief.
In the Bible, the woman at the well is not named, but in this story, she is called ‘Nessa.’ Nessa is a stunningly beautiful young woman who faces many hardships. The story can be tough to read at times, but her struggles help show what life was like for a Samaritan woman long ago. These challenges maker her story of healing and redemption even more meaningful.
This story of hope, faith, grace, and salvation had me immersed in Nessa’s journey, pulled me through countless emotions, and gave me a better understanding of this woman’s journey and transformation.
Over the years, I’ve read numerous books by this author, and her stories have always moved and inspired me—this one is no exception.
First Line (prologue): I’ll never forget the first time I saw him.
Genre: Biblical Fiction, Christian Historical Fiction
Author: Jill Eileen Smith
Page Count: 336
Content: There are many tragic themes involving children, miscarriages, abuse (all that fall within the biblical and historical context and culture.)
#CoverLoverBookReview received a review copy of this book. Opinions are my own.
In the Bible, the woman at the well is not named, but in this story, she is called ‘Nessa.’ Nessa is a stunningly beautiful young woman who faces many hardships. The story can be tough to read at times, but her struggles help show what life was like for a Samaritan woman long ago. These challenges maker her story of healing and redemption even more meaningful.
This story of hope, faith, grace, and salvation had me immersed in Nessa’s journey, pulled me through countless emotions, and gave me a better understanding of this woman’s journey and transformation.
Over the years, I’ve read numerous books by this author, and her stories have always moved and inspired me—this one is no exception.
First Line (prologue): I’ll never forget the first time I saw him.
Genre: Biblical Fiction, Christian Historical Fiction
Author: Jill Eileen Smith
Page Count: 336
Content: There are many tragic themes involving children, miscarriages, abuse (all that fall within the biblical and historical context and culture.)
#CoverLoverBookReview received a review copy of this book. Opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Whenever I learn that Jill Eileen Smith is working on a new book, I get excited. She is one of the few authors I can think of who consistently deliver beautifully written, thought-provoking stories that are well-researched and firmly rooted in Biblical truth. With that said, my expectations are always exceptionally high when I dive into one of her books. Once again, Smith has delivered!
A Deeper Well is a fresh look at the New Testament story of the Samaritan woman Jesus encountered and asked for a drink of water. Smith has woven a plausible back story that fully engages the reader into the narrative, using historical facts to help paint the picture of how life would likely have been for a woman of her status and background at that time in history.
This emotional story had me crying and then smiling through my tears, as I journeyed along with Nessa from the depths of woe and rejection to the hope, grace, and restoration she found through a simple interaction with Jesus Christ. It is an uplifting reminder that the Gospel message extends to everyone. We just have to accept it.
If you enjoy reading Biblical fiction or watching shows like The Chosen, I encourage you to read A Deeper Well, as well as other books by this exceptional author. I received early access to this book via NetGalley but was under no obligation to write a positive review. The views I have expressed are entirely my own.
A Deeper Well is a fresh look at the New Testament story of the Samaritan woman Jesus encountered and asked for a drink of water. Smith has woven a plausible back story that fully engages the reader into the narrative, using historical facts to help paint the picture of how life would likely have been for a woman of her status and background at that time in history.
This emotional story had me crying and then smiling through my tears, as I journeyed along with Nessa from the depths of woe and rejection to the hope, grace, and restoration she found through a simple interaction with Jesus Christ. It is an uplifting reminder that the Gospel message extends to everyone. We just have to accept it.
If you enjoy reading Biblical fiction or watching shows like The Chosen, I encourage you to read A Deeper Well, as well as other books by this exceptional author. I received early access to this book via NetGalley but was under no obligation to write a positive review. The views I have expressed are entirely my own.
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