Clever, suspenseful page-turner! There wasn't a massive jaw dropping twist in this one (there were a couple minor surprises but nothing earth shattering), however the cleverness and need to know what happened next made me love and devour this one. I absolutely hated the MMC, of course, but was thoroughly addicted to his wickedness which kept me hooked right from the start. Another absolute gem from Lisa Jewell!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read in exchange for my honest review.

This book is one of the best I’ve read in 2025! Add this immediately to your TBR list. Lisa Jewell knows how to keep you on the edge of your seat.

While Nick Radcliffe appears to be the perfect man, any reader will quickly learn that this is all a well-rehearsed facade, and that he is not someone to let into your life. The book alternates between three POVs: a man, Ash (whose father recently passed) and Martha (a mom of three and flower shoppe owner).

I’ll start by saying it’s hard to review this book without giving away any spoilers, but what I will say is that this book certainly had the ick and creep factor Lisa was going for.

I’m giving this three stars: it was well written and had good pacing; I felt like the story came together well and had a good “aha” moment at the end. I didn’t feel like there were a bunch of loose ends. However, I also felt like there was something missing as I was reading this.

Perhaps I just read too many thrillers, but I was not as thrilled as I’d have liked in this story. The entire time, I felt like I knew what was going to happen next. Nothing felt like a twist, but instead like it was the next logical piece of the plot, based on what was previously written.

Overall, a decent read but not that memorable. I’m a fan of Lisa Jewell’s work, and I was delighted to receive a free e-arc of Don’t Let Him In from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

First, I want to start off by saying that I was really excited to read this book because I had read another book by Lisa Jewell called Then She Was Gone just a couple of year ago and it was amazing! Unfortunately, this book fell a little flat for me.

The premise is interesting enough. Nina, a wealthy widow, meets a man named Nick who claims to have worked with her husband years ago and he contacts her to send his condolences and shortly thereafter they begin a romantic relationship. We find out fairly quickly that this same man is married and has a family with another woman named Martha and he goes by the name Alistair. Nina's daughter Ash (who has her own set of problems) doesn't trust Nick from the get-go and starts digging into Nick's life both present and past so that she can prove to her mother that he's not who he says he is.

My number one complaint about this book is that there are WAY too many characters to follow. There is no way anyone could remember who's who without keeping a spreadsheet and I refuse to do that when I'm reading a book for enjoyment. I know that part of the reason for this is to show what a sociopathic liar Nick or Al or whatever particular name he was using was, but this just didn't work for me. I also couldn't keep up with the multiple timelines and the multiple viewpoints. I would have to look back often to see whose viewpoint a particular chapter was being told from and had a hard time remembering if we were in the past or the present.

With all that said, I did find myself engrossed in the book partly for the challenge of keeping up and partly because I was sure that there was going to be some amazing twist at the end as a payoff. While the ending was somewhat satisfying, I'm still waiting for the twist!

This definitely wasn't one of my favs, but I know from reading Then She Was Gone that Lisa Jewell is a wonderful writer so I would definitely try reading another one of her books.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria books for the complimentary ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. This book is available now.

Anyone who has had close contact with a true narcissist will want to pick up Don’t Let Him In, by bestselling and award winning author, Lisa Jewell. Nick Radcliffe suddenly comes into the life of newly widowed Nina Swann, when he claims to be an old friend of her late husband, Paddy Swann who was murdered. Nick is charming and charismatic, and Nina falls in love. Ash Swann, their daughter, begins to get suspicious because of subtle signs that Nick has ulterior motives and starts looking into his past. Unfortunately, Nina passes it off as her daughter having mental problems and continues her relationship. Jewell covers previous and ongoing relationships of Nick, also known as Alistair, and other aliases, as the chapters go back a few years and then to the present.

Lisa Jewell is a bestselling author for good reason; her storytelling abilities are extraordinary and skillful. She has a way of building suspense and keeping readers on the edge and unable to put the book down. She also does an excellent job of developing her characters. She has done her homework, and, as one who has known a narcissist intimately, has nailed it perfectly. There are several sub characters that are also believable and their personalities and relationships ring true.

Although sometimes the story goes back and forth from present day to years before, readers who pay attention will be able to follow the story fairly easily. All told, this is a unique, and spellbinding novel with twists and turns, as well as a surprise dénouement.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

2⭐️

thank you atria books for the e-arc, all opinions are my own.

i really wanted to like this one, but i just could not get behind this insufferable man even with the gripping premise. like what is wrong with him?! well, everything, i suppose... that's why it's called "don't let him in." i'm just flabbergasted that he had fooled THREE different women and this man's actions were excused for so long. he's literally crazy?! the only sane person was ash when she started to feel very suspicious of him and dig into his past. i was really rooting for her to just pull a fast one on him and catch him in his damned web of lies.

4.5 Stars Rounded Up

Lisa Jewell just does not disappoint. I had my doubts in the beginning.. this took me about 20% to really get into. There are A LOT of characters and different timelines and storylines all happening at once. Don't Let Him In is a domestic thriller about a horrible manipulative man. There are so many twists, even though I did find them quite obvious they were still satisfying. I really enjoyed the ending and the epilogue!

Thank you for the earc in exchange for an honest review

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC!
I really enjoyed this bingeable summer read. The story is one we’ve all heard before - bad man lies and cheats many women. Getting into it as details get more convoluted was hard, but I thought it was totally worth it. I was totally engulfed and couldn’t wait to see what was going to happen. I loved the ending; great epilogue!
I recommend you take this one to the beach and finish it in one day!

One man, countless women. This is a story of how a handsome and charismatic man managed to take vengeance for the slightest wrongs, causing a trickle effect that leaves you wondering if it will ever catch up to him. This book pulled me in from the start and I had a hard time putting it down. I don’t often read books where so much is told through the antagonist point of view, but it certainly added to the suspense.
Kudos to this author on another great one. Thank you to Lisa Jewell, Atria Books, and NetGalley for the ARC.

It’s definitely more of a mystery and not really a thriller. There’s no big twists, but it is fun meandering through the plot learning more and more.

This book was so frustrating I wanted to shake some sense into these women!! This man sucked so much and they were all blinded.

But moral of the story; listen to your daughter. We know best. (Also, don’t believe men!)

The Night She Disappeared
None of This is True
The Family Upstairs
Don’t Let Him In
The Family Remains
Then She Was Gone
The Truth About Melody Brown

Don’t Let Him In, by Author Lisa Jewell.

What a great book. This was really an enjoyable read by an author that I have come to really like and count on.

I must say that this was so good from start to finish. A very suspenseful storyline with a character who you just can not help but hate.

It if full of intertwining lives, and stories and full of charm and deceit.

There are a few women who are blinded by love and a man with many pasts and secrets.

Well Done to this author for another hit. A must read for those who like to read good thrillers.

Thank You to NetGalley, Author Lisa Jewell and Atria Books for my advanced copy to read and review.

#NetGalley #atriabooks #lisajewelluk

When I first heard the premise of Don't Let Him In, I was genuinely excited. The idea of being inside the mind of the antagonist and watching him manipulate those around him felt unique and promising. Given Lisa Jewell’s strength in psychological suspense, I was hopeful for a gripping and original read.

Told through multiple viewpoints and timelines, the story slowly builds toward the antagonist’s downfall. While this narrative structure has potential, it didn’t fully work for me here. The pacing dragged at times, and some elements felt repetitive, which made it difficult to stay consistently engaged. The repeated use of lines like “let’s get away for the weekend” became particularly grating. While I understand this was meant to show the character’s patterns with different women, I wished we had explored his charisma and manipulative power in a deeper or more varied way.

Perhaps because so much of the story is told from inside his head, I also felt it lacked the tight, simmering tension I typically associate with Jewell’s work. And ultimately, the ending didn’t deliver the level of resolution or impact I was hoping for.

That said, I admire the ambition of the narrative concept, and I’m sure many readers will appreciate the unsettling, character-driven elements that Jewell consistently brings to her novels.

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the advance copy.

This book takes a fascinating and unconventional approach to the thriller genre. Rather than relying on the suspense of uncovering the identity of the "bad guy" or anticipating when the “bad thing” will happen, the narrative lays everything bare early on—you know exactly who’s responsible and what’s going on. The tension instead comes from watching the antagonist’s carefully constructed facade begin to unravel, and the inevitability of that downfall becomes the driving force behind the story. Adding to the intrigue, several chapters are told from the antagonist’s own disturbing perspective.

Though this was my first time reading a thriller structured this way, I was fully engaged and eager to see how it would all unfold. That said, the ending—especially the epilogue—felt somewhat unsatisfying. Still, the lead-up had me hooked, particularly in anticipating how the women would ultimately confront and hold the antagonist accountable.

The antagonist himself is truly vile, and the author did a compelling job of illustrating how his manipulation ensnared the women around him. At times, though, I found myself frustrated—wanting the women to see through his lies and stand up for themselves.

Of the supporting cast, I was especially drawn to Ash. Her character stood out, although I found her relationship with Jane—and Jane’s overall role in the narrative—a bit perplexing. Personally, I preferred the first half of the book to the second, but overall, it was an engaging and thought-provoking read.

I always like to stop and take a good look at a cover before turning the first pages. Lisa Jewell's new novel - Don't Let Him In - had me curious. About halfway it struck me! Very clever!

And it's not just the cover that is clever. The plot is wonderfully byzantine. I am going to be purposefully obtuse and hope that I don't give anything away! There are three players who have who have something in common...

The narratives change rapidly. The reader has all of that information but the characters are limited in what they know. I had more than a few words for one of the players.

Jewell kept me up turning pages. I just had to know what happens.

You must add Don't Let Him In to your beach bag! See for yourself - read an excerpt.

Lisa Jewell's writing is so addicting! The chapters jump around in timeline and pov which was confusing at first but also had me unable to put the book down. It did get a little repetitive at times to me and I was just soooo over this guy's lies! The story just kept getting crazier and crazier. A great thriller you can read in a day. 3.5 stars.

I love a good Lisa Jewell and this one was unputdownable. I was so enthralled and hooked. The villain in this one is absolutely despicable and I was here for it. The story did start off slow but once it picks up you just can't stop reading until the final bang. It is so chilling and intense, I absolutely loved it.

I'm going to need a few minutes to gather my thoughts and compose myself. This book left my blood boiling! Okay, let's start the review.

Once again, Lisa Jewell has written a book with a one-of-a-kind plot that hooks you from the get-go. You think you know that story that is about to unfold, but you really have no idea what you are about to get into.

The way this is written is brilliant with the current, modern day narrative being written in third person and the past narrative being written in first person. It makes the timelines blend and flow, and also provides a way for the reader to distinguish between the two presences without too much thought, as there are quite a lot of characters to remember.

Speaking of characters, each was so well written. The emotional state of every single person was perfectly portrayed. Their ups and downs, the vulnerability, their meanness, their complete openness and trust, their fears and suspicions- all written out perfectly so the reader could get a full picture of each character's state of mind.

Go into this read blind. Don't search too many reviews because there are some out there that will spoil this ending for you. The ending... how do I describe it? I was so angry, until I wasn't. Like other plot twists in this book, I thought I knew, but I didn't know.

Thanks To Netgalley and Atria books for allowing me an advanced e-copy to read and give my honest review. It was a 4 star read!

"Don't Let Him In" is available now wherever you buy or borrow books. It's a great way to start your summer!

Happy Reading!

LISA! How dare you make me so uncomfy yet again!

This book was giving the creepy vibes from the start. The characters were slowly developed as the story went along and it kept the book moving. There was a lot to this story but it was done in a manner that kept me wanting more.

As a woman, the idea that men function like this is beyond scary. His justifications, his lack of ownership, and his overall mission in life were just so messed up. Lisa Jewell's books make me so scared to live life sometimes.

I gave this book 3/5 stars just because I never really believed the characters or their actions. The storyline was so insane that it was comical at times.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Don’t Let Him In - Lisa Jewell

This is Jewell at her very best—sinister, suspenseful, and impossible to put down. If you loved Dirty John or The Tinder Swindler, this one is for you. Jewell masterfully weaves together multiple POVs and timelines to build a chilling portrait of charm turned toxic.

Nina is grieving when a charismatic stranger from her husband’s past steps in with just the right words—and all the wrong intentions. Her daughter Ash isn’t buying it and quietly starts digging into his past. Meanwhile, in another town, a young mother starts suspecting her husband is not the man she thought he was. As the stories converge, the tension ratchets up to a truly jaw-dropping reveal.

This is psychological suspense done right—every chapter reveals another layer, and by the end, I was breathless. Jewell proves once again that she knows exactly how to lull you into a false sense of security before ripping the rug out from under you.

Have you ever trusted someone who turned out to be a total stranger? Let’s talk!

#DontLetHimIn #LisaJewell #PsychologicalThriller #ThrillerBooks #BookstagramReels #BookReview #SummerThriller #DirtyJohnVibes #TinderSwindlerEnergy #ReadingWithBrian

Lisa Jewell never fails to deliver and Don’t Let Him In is another chilling, addictive read that hooks you from page one. The atmosphere is tense and unsettling, the characters are complex and layered, and the writing is sharp and immersive.