Hot damn I am so glad that’s over.

All that… for what? What is there to show for it?

I’ll start off by saying there are no character tags at each chapter and there are way too many names and aliases to keep track of with no direction, and the time flop literally made my brain feel like scrambled eggs. Too much, too boring, too long.

The way this didn’t focus on one specific character or the past/present was the downfall. I don’t know why she was trying so hard to be ambiguous for the first 10-15 chapters when it all unfolds rather easily. There are no “aha” twist moments, except at the end when <spoiler>you learn he was sabotaging Ash’s situation with her boss (shit, her teacher? I don’t even remember or care) and sending letters on his behalf to make her feel crazy.</spoiler> Like what a half-assed “twist” that was legit thrown in in the last chapter. For shock value? I dunno. I kept waiting for a big wave of “holy shit” to sideline me, but this book relied solely on manipulation and falsities.

The only thing that made me go W-T-F is the fact that <spoiler>he/Al/Nick/Jonathan/Andre impregnated so many damn women. I was shocked Jessie, the old lady he was banging for money, didn’t confess she had a baby at 65 and it was his. I think he had 5 kids? The baby, Nala (what in the ever loving lion king name is that) the two older boys and the two older girls. So many kids and zero attachment.</spoiler>

This felt more like a fictional book about Dirty John, the true story about the guy who also scammed women out of money and made them fall in love with him. Like a long winded, elaborate, detailed account of how he made this all happen. Because holy shit, if I had to read his pathetic, needy, whiny excuses one more time… I almost DNF. I don’t mind characters you love to hate or hate to love. But he was just one of those you hate to hate.

Another thing:
<spoiler>How did Ash not realize the delivery driver was the dude her mom ends up dating! What?! Plot hole? </spoiler>

Just… no! And it sucks because I loved her previous books. But like what was she going for here?
<spoiler>I kept waiting for the dad to be involved somehow as one of the personas/chapters or something. No. I think that would have made for a better ending.</spoiler>

Spoiler that will probably get me canceled:
<spoiler>I have zero issues when an author adds relevant current events or issues to a book when it feels authentic. There was the briefest mention that one of the MC’s sons said someone told him he looked like a girl and how happy that made him feel, and how, in so many words, maybe he was trans. It felt so thrown in for literally no reason because it was never really mentioned again, that it was almost offensive. Don’t just do it so you can check a box and virtue signal your readers. Maybe add that storyline to another book that actually explores that topic instead of an off handed “throw away” comment to look like an ally.</spoiler>

<spoiler>Why even add that Ash’s parents were both having an affair? I think that was unnecessary.</spoiler>

<spoiler>What was the point of him “surviving” that underwater suicidal sea voyage just to be apprehended a chapter or two later? To prove that Amanda was still alive? She should have shown up at the beachside intervention. That would have been better. Instead, it was like a cop out that he managed to survive and escape and eventually got caught anyway. Like yay Amanda didn’t get chopped into pieces,</spoiler>…But it was also hard to feel for or connect with any of these women because they were so damn weak. I know this is a book and I’m just ranting about some fictional people, but if I can’t root for someone, it’s hard to enjoy the ride. Ash was slightly tolerable? She was legit the only one I was able to differentiate from the “victims” because she didn’t tolerate his bullshit. All the women were one in the same but with different names. It was honestly a blur when I went from POV to POV/chapter to chapter. Hard to keep track between all the people he screwed over that it all started to blend together.

Anyway, if you’re in the mood to read about a manipulative male who is so goddamn infuriating, take a chance on this. Let me know if I somehow missed a huge twist that went over my eyes. I could have quite possibly skipped something because I could not keep track of the names and timeline.

The latest thriller from Lisa Jewell is not one to miss! A charming man comes into Nina and her daughter Ash's lives, who are still reeling from the death of their husband and father just over a year ago. Or is he what he seems?

As we hear from multiple women, told in different timelines, I had a little confusion keeping the storylines straight. However, it is still a great, fun read.

An infuriating man who thinks far too highly of himself is used to manipulating and taking advantage of women of means in this dark novel. After the tragic death of Ash's father, her mother starts seeing an old friend of his - Nick - but something about Nick doesn't sit right with Ash. But who would listen to her? She's a mid-twenties failure; working at a fancy thrift store and living with mom again after an incredibly embarrassing and reputation-ruining attempt at an affair in the big city. She almost reluctantly starts digging, and what she finds is eye-popping. This is a great book for fans of the Apple show Bad Sisters - though this character is a lot more charming than the awful John Paul, he is just as worthy of an epic take down. Set aside time for this one because it's hard to put down.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria books for the digital ARC of Don’t Let Him In! This is the third novel I’ve read by Lisa Jewell and it is another entertaining psychological thriller.

This novel has multiple storylines, twists, and turns that left me guessing throughout the story. I found parts in the beginning to be more choppy and harder to follow, but over time blended into the story.

The main character is detestable throughout, which kept me thinking: Is this story based on real life events? Could these twists and turns be seen in a news headline? It probably could be and you probably have.

This thriller comes out on June 24, 2025.

So... I was definitely influenced to DNF this one.
I have always been such a fan of Lisa Jewell throughout the years, but I feel as though the quality of her work has significantly gone down and I just can't hang anymore unfortunately.

Jewell masterfully crafts a slow-burn thriller packed with misdirection and emotional depth. Nina, Ash, and Martha—a small-town florist caught in the chaos—each face their own struggles, but their lives become dangerously entwined with Nick’s charm. The fallout is intense, showing how easily people can be manipulated when they let someone in without truly knowing them.

That said, after the initial a-ha moment, there weren’t any real twists—just a tangle of bleak storylines about really sad people. I didn’t hate it, but I never connected with the characters. Still, if you love Jewell, this one might be for you!

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an e-arc of this novel, that's coming out in June of this year.
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This book..... What can I say about this book? For starters, I was SO excited when I got the NetGalley e-arc of it because I have read Lisa Jewell books in the past and for the most part I have liked them. I wouldn't say I absolutely loved them but they were still pretty enjoyable to me. The anticipation was definitely there and I couldn't wait to start it.

Well, as much as it pains me to say this- it was just okay. Maybe a little above okay for me. I mean, to begin with, why was it this long? We're talking EXTREMELY long. I think this book could have been improved by cutting out at least 50 to 100 pages of it. I think the reason it was this long was because there were three storylines following the same character in different points of his life. And even though I get what this was trying to do, it made the reading experience tedious and rather drawn out for me. I would say Lisa Jewell is a very character driven author and if that's what you prefer in your mystery/thriller books then you would probably really love this. For me, I need a combo of plot and character driven stories because I didn't find this book exciting enough and it didn't have nearly enough twists and turns. Also, this book is a lot more suspense than it is thriller as well, so keep that in mind.

Further on, talk about an unlikeable main character! I actually usually don't mind those in my books but for some reason this one just really got on my nerves and in turn made it that much harder to get through this lengthy book.

Also, am I the only one that doesn't vibe with Lisa Jewell's writing? I remember thinking this in the past when I was reading another book of hers and it was definitely evident again in this one. It might be because the author isn't from America but I found some of the prose a little choppy and the terminology unfamiliar to me. Once I got the hang of it, it wasn't a big deal anymore but I had to get a good way into the book before this particular thing stopped bothering me.

The ending of this book was what brought the rating up to three stars for me. Whereas 70 percent of it was rather boring and took me over two weeks to read, the last 30 perfect kind of made up for it. I wasn't expecting the book to take the turn that it did and I was definitely here for it. I just wish it would have been that exciting all throughout the story.

In conclusion, even though this wasn't my favorite Lisa Jewell by any means, I still think it's a quality character driven story and would recommend it for those who prefer those types. I will still be picking up Lisa Jewell's books in the future because they are somewhat always enjoyable to me, however, it will not be for a long while.

4.25/5⭐️

"Three women are connected by one man in this kaleidoscopic thriller. Restauranteur Paddy Swann was the life of the party until the day a man pushed him in the path of an oncoming train, leaving his twenty-something daughter Ash and wife Nina devastated. — Martha is a small-town florist with dreams of expansion. She lives with her second husband Al, her baby, and two sons from her prior marriage.”

Lisa Jewell does it again with another great thriller, this time creating the worst of the worst male character. The book was mostly fast paced and easy to read. Ugh but the male character 🤬🤬 you’ll hate him too, that’s all I’m going to say!

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This is a gripping psychological thriller, Lisa Jewell’s riveting style, about family, secrets, and manipulation. The story begins with the shocking death of restaurateur Paddy Swann, pushed in front of a train, leaving behind his wife, Nina, and daughter, Ash. Their grief takes a dark turn when they receive a mysterious package from Nick Ratcliffe, an old friend of Paddy's, sparking a series of unsettling events that draw Nina and Ash into Nick’s dangerous world.

Jewell expertly weaves a complex narrative full of twists, misdirection, and confusion, keeping readers on edge as the characters’ secrets are slowly revealed. Nina, Ash, and Martha, a small-town florist caught in the chaos, all face their own struggles and vulnerabilities, but their lives become entwined with Nick’s dangerous charm. The dramatic consequences of their actions are vast, and by the end, it’s impossible not to reflect on how easily people can be manipulated—and how dangerous it can be when you let someone into your life without truly knowing who they are.

This is a slow-burn thriller with dark twists and emotionally charged moments. At times, especially in the beginning, it was difficult to keep track of characters & timelines, and as always, I wish there was better chapter heading for characters & dates. But overall, Jewell’s skillful character development and suspenseful storytelling make this a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers (and for fans of Lisa Jewell!)

Thank you to Atria Books and Simon & Schuster for this advanced e-book to read & review.

This is one of those books that you're best to go in blind. There are so many things going on that it's almost impossible to do a plot summary anyway. Look, I am one of Lisa's biggest fans, but this wasn't the same as most of her others. I didn't feel like there were any real plot twists after the initial sort of a-ha moment, just a whole bunch (too many) entangled story lines about really, really sad people. As lots of other reviewers have noted, all of this could actually happen, so if you like stories like that, you might love this one! I didn't hate it at all--I just didn't connect to these characters. I still love Lisa, but this one's not one of my favorites.

Don’t Let Him In by Lisa Jewell is a masterfully crafted psychological thriller that pulls you in from the very first page and refuses to let go. Jewell’s signature blend of complex characters, chilling suspense, and dark family secrets is on full display, making this one of her most addictive reads yet.

The tension builds effortlessly, with perfectly timed twists and an undercurrent of unease that keeps you second-guessing everyone. Jewell’s talent for exploring the darker sides of human nature shines through, making the emotional stakes feel real and deeply unsettling.

With its haunting atmosphere, layered characters, and a jaw-dropping finale, Don’t Let Him In is everything you want in a thriller.

5 stars — a dark, twisty, and utterly unputdownable read that will linger long after the last page.

Lisa Jewel never disappoints with the stockings twists and turns! Every time I think I know what is about to happen, things take a shift and I’m second song guess if again. Fast paced and atmospheric, this book contains effector flawed characters and a compelling plot.

it’s books like these that give me the ick about dating and trusting people in general 🙃 and for someone who can fully relate to ash and her grief, it hit a little too close to home for me… (but that’s a personal problem I realize)

the story goes back and forth between ash, a grieving daughter trying to make sense of the world after her father’s sudden passing, and a mystery man, scamming women out of money and justifying it because “no one loves him enough” 😅 and the reasoning only got worse I fear…

lisa jewell is known for her borderline creepy storylines, and this was no exception as it’s a first look at how easily men can prey on women down on their luck… it was horrifying to read - and as I said, after losing my own dad and having my own delusions about someone taking advantage of our family, it was a little too much for me 🥴

I also guessed all of the major twists right away… I didn’t find anything shocking or surprising to me, even though I did binge this as I wanted to know how it was all going to end (very satisfying, I might add)

thank you to netgalley and atria for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

rating: 3 stars
wine pairing: dry creek zinfandel

*Don't Let Him In* by Lisa Jewell is a gripping psychological thriller that delves into the lives of women who were manipulated and deceived by a man who only cared about one thing: money. The book focuses on a man who scammed multiple women, marrying them for their wealth while leading double lives, showing no affection for any of them or the children he had with them. It’s a story of betrayal, deception, and how far someone will go for their own gain.

The plot is filled with suspense and tension as the women, unaware of each other, slowly begin to piece together the truth. The novel skillfully weaves in multiple perspectives, showing not only the women’s pain and heartbreak but also offering insight into the complexity of the man they all trusted. As the story progresses, the shocking reveal towards the end leaves readers reeling, making them question everything they thought they knew about the characters and their motives.

Jewell's writing is sharp, making you feel every emotion—anger, frustration, and disbelief—while building up to a surprising and unexpected conclusion. It’s a well-paced, emotional rollercoaster that keeps you on edge, wondering what’s going to happen next.

Overall, *Don't Let Him In* is a captivating and thought-provoking read. It’s an exploration of trust, betrayal, and the lengths a conman will go to exploit others. The twist at the end is both chilling and brilliant, making this a book that will stay with you long after you finish reading. Highly recommended for fans of psychological thrillers and character-driven stories with intense suspense.

This book was more disturbing than entertaining. I really struggled to get through the antagonist’s pov chapters because he was deliberately repulsive. In that way the author executed the story perfectly, I just didn’t find it enjoyable however well it was written.

Another great read by Lisa jewell! I love her writing style, the twists and suspense. She is such a great author. I recommend her to many of my reader friends. This book was suspenseful, and kept you wondering and guessing how the story would go. Nice character build and storyline.

I had such high hopes for this one, especially after the trip that was None of This is True. I found this to be too predictable and a little silly at times. Not quite a thriller, more a drama. Though once I was in it, I needed to know how it played out.

Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC.

4.25 ⭐ woah! Lisa Jewell is the master of a domestic suspense. This is a rollercoaster ride from start to finish! The only thing keeping me from a perfect 5 star score is I wish there was a bit more backstory/lore/etc. explained about some of the main characters. And a few I just felt were written as if they were going to end up quite differently but it was alas a red herring in the writing - but I cannot determine if that was purposeful or not. Either way - I was highly entertained!

Thus was just a great read! I think one of her best and doesn’t THAT say enough? Toxic men are everywhere and this really hit hard in today’s world. Thanks to NBetGalley and the publisher for this treat!

Loved the storyline and plot! Just a bit of a slow burn for my liking but would absolutely recommend this book!