Ash Swann is grieving the death of her beloved father. After he father's death her mother, Nina, receives a package in the mail from someone claiming to have worked with her late husband with a Zippo lighter that he lost years ago. Ash encourages her mother to respond with thanks, but things go in the wrong direction. Before she knows it, Nick Radcliffe is dating her mother which Ash is not sure about. But eventually she sees Nick is exactly what Nina needs to help her heal and move on. However, as time passes Ash, is growing even more suspicious of Nick. He’s too perfect, too good to be true; Ash has lots of time on her hands and begins to dig around reaching out to people from her father's past. Things start to quickly unravel to reveal that all is not what it seems.

Thank you Netgalley, the author and publisher for this ARC!

I loved all of the different POV s. I read this along with the audiobook once released, and the different character voices added to the story. This didn't grab me at first, but I'm glad I stuck with it. I enjoyed the plot, how the characters connected together, and the back and forth of who is this guy?? Can we trust him?? Wait don't do that!!

Another Lisa Jewell classic!

This review has been posted to Goodreads and Storygraph on September 1st, 2025. Links provided.

At its core, Don't Let Him In explores how one man’s charm masks a dangerous pattern of deceit. After Paddy Swann’s sudden death, his widow Nina reconnects with Nick Radcliffe, an old acquaintance who inserts himself into her life under the pretense of friendship. Her daughter, Ash, distrusts him immediately and begins probing into his history. At the same time, Martha, a young mother in a nearby town, struggles with a husband whose frequent absences and evasive explanations raise red flags. As the story progresses, it becomes clear that Nick is not just a benevolent figure reaching out in grief, he has a long trail of manipulation behind him, with multiple women ensnared by his polished persona. The novel alternates perspectives to reveal how his calculated lies and carefully crafted image draw victims in, leaving destruction in his wake. The tension builds as Nina, Ash, Martha, and others edge closer to recognizing the truth about a man who thrives on deception, culminating in revelations that expose the full scale of his duplicity.

What made this book stand out was its ability to draw me into the tension even when I thought I knew where the story was heading. The layered perspectives added complexity, and once I settled into the shifting viewpoints, the pacing took off and the suspense deepened. Ash, in particular, became the character I was most invested in. I wanted her instincts validated, and following her persistence gave the story its strongest emotional pull. The book excelled at building unease not through shocking twists, but through the slow unraveling of lies and half-truths. The antagonist was convincingly menacing without ever feeling cartoonish, which made the psychological aspect of the story land with more weight. I also appreciated how the author explored different dimensions of vulnerability in relationships, such as grief, dependency, and denial, without making it feel forced.

While the opening chapters were initially disorienting, the payoff was worth it, and by the end I was fully engrossed. It wasn’t just about revelations; it was about watching characters who felt real and justified in their actions come face to face with the dangers of believing appearances. For me, that blend of emotional engagement and steady suspense is what made this such a rewarding read.

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read to an ARC of Don’t Let Him In in return for my honest review.

Don't Let Him In has all the ingredients of a classic Lisa Jewell thriller: a mysterious man, a tangled past, and a slow unraveling of secrets that keeps you guessing. The atmosphere is tense and unsettling from the start, and Jewell does a great job pulling you into the characters' psychological unease. However, this man was TOO CRINGE and awful. I couldn't stand how gullible these women were and wanted to shake them. The ending was so satisfying, but the ride there had my blood boiling the whole time. Thank you to the publisher, Atria Books, and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Another great Lisa Jewell thriller! I found the bad guy to be very frustrating--it was easy to feel what his victims were feeling (you felt very connected to their frustrations). It definitely showed great examples of your classic ‘gaslighting’. Certainly a cautionary tale for women to watch out for as they enter into a new relationship.

Special thank you to NetGalley, Lisa Jewell and Atria Books for an ARC of “Don’t Let Him In.”

Initially, I found it a bit challenging trying to keep all of the characters straight (multiple POVs); however, it became easier as the book unraveled.

I felt like this book dragged on and I was happy when it was finally over. I typically like thriller/mystery books to be a faster pace and this was a slow burn. I struggled to keep my attention on the story. I think that maybe this author's writing style is just not for me.

Lisa Jewell has done it again—this is easily one of her best.

What I loved most is the way she slowly reveals the characters and their connections. She doesn’t hand everything to you up front but instead lets you piece things together little by little, which kept me fully engaged. The characters feel raw, real, and layered, and the way the “villain” is written is absolutely chilling. At times, my skin was crawling, and I felt genuinely uncomfortable in the best possible, thriller-reader way.

I didn’t think anything could top None of This Is True, but this one might have done it. The emotional depth, particularly around the trauma the daughter faces with her boss, was heartbreaking, and the way that thread comes back around in the end is both devastating and brilliantly executed.

And those twists—jaw-dropping doesn’t even begin to cover it. I was floored again and again, the kind of shocks that make you sit back and rethink everything you just read.

The settings are atmospheric, adding to the creeping sense of dread, and Jewell’s writing is as sharp and immersive as ever. This book isn’t just a must-read—it’s required reading for mystery and thriller fans.

I usually enjoy Lisa Jewell’s brand of domestic thrillers, and Don’t Let Him In definitely had her signature touch: layered characters, unsettling tension, and the slow unraveling of secrets. The premise is creepy and very believable, a grieving widow, a too-charming stranger, and a daughter who starts asking all the right questions.

There were parts I really liked:
Ash’s perspective added a lot of depth and tension.
The multi-POV structure worked well and kept the story moving.
The themes of grief and emotional vulnerability were handled with care.

But overall, something about the pacing just didn’t hook me the way I hoped. I expected more from the female characters. It felt like it took a long time to build toward something we could see coming. And the ending, while satisfying in a surface-level way, felt a little too neat.
I wouldn’t call it a bad book at all, just one that didn’t wow me. Fans of slow-burn psychological thrillers might enjoy it more. Personally, I was hoping for a little more suspense and surprise.

Thank you, NetGalley, the author, and the publisher, for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Lisa Jewell's "Don't Let Him In" completely captivated me from the very first page - this is psychological thriller writing at its absolute finest. The story follows Aisling Swann, who becomes suspicious when her recently widowed mother begins dating a charming new man, and I was immediately drawn into this web of manipulation and deceit. Just when you think the plot couldn't possibly go any further, it does—and you'll find yourself nodding in reluctant agreement, thinking, Okay, yes, it could actually happen. What impressed me most was how Jewell masterfully developed her characters, especially the chilling villain who had me on edge throughout. This character-driven psychological thriller unraveling the lives of three women entangled in deceit kept me guessing at every turn, and I found myself completely unable to put it down. Gripping, flawlessly executed, and packed with heart-throbbing intensity, this domestic thriller showcases exactly why Lisa Jewell is such a master of the genre. The way she builds tension and creates that sense of unease is absolutely brilliant - this one will definitely stick with me for a long time.

I'm sad to write this as I loved None of This is True. But this one just seemed to drag forever. Barely anything happens. It was cool for a bit to be hearing the POV of a psychopath, but after a while, it wasn't enough to keep me engaged. And I kept thinking the ending would be worth it but it was underwhelming.

As a long time fan of Lisa Jewell, I pounced at an opportunity to get this ARC! I’m so glad I was lucky enough to be given a chance to read it early and review it (although purchasing it for the collection is inevitable!)!

This novel follows various perspectives of women married to charming men, husbands who would do anything to make them feel seen, loved. Until they don’t, until they can score money and move onto something new and disappear. When that happens, these women have nothing left but wonderment as to whom they really married and what secrets don’t know, of they make it out okay at all.

This thriller was so fun, particularly because the puzzle pieces don’t start to fit until you get deeper into the plot. As things come together, the story is twistier and the need to uncover the truth becomes pressing. Knowing more than the characters do, it’s a race against time to see if they’ll be saved, scammed, or even make it out alive. This is a page turner, one you won’t know the end to until the very last page.

Perfect for fall weather, this thriller will be a must read for any thriller or Jewell fan! I’m already anticipating the next release!

A big thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. I usually love everything Lisa Jewell does and was very excited for this book to be released. However, I attempted to start it and didn’t like the writing style or overall vibe of the first few chapters.

I took a break from it and came back a few months later, and unfortunately still can’t get into it. I don’t like the main characters and don’t feel like it is thrilling or holding my attention. Sadly expected a lot more and couldn’t finish it. Wouldn’t recommend.

Don’t Let Him In | Lisa Jewell
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Lisa Jewell’s newest thriller drops us into the lives of women who each, in very different ways, get tangled up with the same magnetic but sinister man. The story plays out in shifting timelines—past and present—where lies, secrets, and obsession slowly collide. You’re never quite sure who’s telling the whole truth, who’s hiding something, or who might be in more danger than they realize.

She does it again, folks. Jewell knows how to build a villain you love to hate, and this one is downright infuriating in the best possible way. The unreliable narrators kept me second-guessing everything, and the converging storylines had me hooked right up to the final reveal. And let me just say: the ending delivers the kind of well-earned karma I always root for.

Moral of the story? Never underestimate the wit—or the determination—of a woman scorned.

Thank You to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Lisa Jewell is truly a jewell. This book had me on the edge of my seat with the many twists and turns surrounding ONE man! I love going into deep dives on scammers and this satisfied my appetite nicely. The fact that we as the reader were able to see inside the mind of such a demented and creepy character (I can’t even name him since he had so many names) I felt so troubled at times. I was a little lost in the beginning since it kept flipping back and forth between time periods but when I finally realized what was going on, this book really took off. Excellent read.

I LOVE this author and anything and everything she writes! This book was an immediate add to cart and I am so happy I received an early release copy. I binged this with a few friends and we had so much to talk about. It was fast paced and the twists and turns slapped us on the face!

Now this book was interesting. I’m not even sure how to describe it without giving much away. But what I will say is I liked the book, but it annoyed me to high heavens. It’s definitely messy and I felt like I needed to keep notes, but overall I would say the story is a solid 3.5. The ending did feel a bit anticlimactic, which is why I didn’t rate higher.

Lisa Jewell delivers another addictive, twist-filled thriller with Don’t Let Him In. This book had me hooked from page one and never let go! After the shocking death of Paddy Swann, his grieving wife Nina begins to fall for his old friend Nick—but her daughter Ash senses something is very wrong. Meanwhile, across town, florist Martha is struggling with her marriage and her growing suspicions about her husband. As their stories intertwine, secrets unravel and the tension skyrockets.
This was the ultimate page-turner—twisted, emotional, and filled with jaw-dropping moments. I loved how Ash became the quiet detective of the story, slowly uncovering the truth. The plot is complex but rewarding, with plenty of creepy scenes that sent chills down my spine. Jewell keeps readers on their toes with each chapter, and though there are many characters and timelines, it all comes together beautifully.
My only small critique is the occasional point-of-view shift that felt slightly off, but it didn’t take away from the experience. Jewell’s writing is sharp, suspenseful, and emotionally rich.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Special thank you to NetGalley, Lisa Jewell and Atria Books for an ARC of “Don’t Let Him In.” Initially, I found it a bit challenging trying to keep all of the characters straight (multiple POVs); however, once it all comes together, it really is a captivating read. The end is TWISTY and so worth it. Overall, I quite enjoyed the book and would recommend to others.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the copy of Don’t Let Him In. I was intrigued throughout but by the end I was just over it😅 but the last page helped redeem the book for me some!

The lives of three women become intertwined after the sudden death of Paddy, Nina Swann's husband. Nina receives an unexpected condolence card from Nick Radcliffe, an old friend of Paddy's. Charismatic and refined, Nick quickly rekindles a connection with Nina, but her daughter, Ash, is suspicious. Digging into Nick’s past, Ash uncovers disturbing secrets.

Meanwhile, in a nearby town, Martha, a new mother, grows uneasy about her husband Al’s frequent and unexplained absences. Though he offers plausible reasons, Martha senses he’s hiding something.

I am always impressed by Lisa Jewell's prose and this is another solid thriller by her. The back and forth timelines and large cast of characters was a bit confusing at first, but once I caught on to what was happening, I was thoroughly creeped out and entertained. The overall big picture and ending were satisfying and I'd say the author did a great job creating such an unlikeable character.

Thank you NetGalley, Atria Books, and the author for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.