Member Reviews
The way I loved this book but hated the main character was intense. He was so horrible. I wanted to scream. That’s poor women. Blesssss
This author is such a favorite of mine. I picked up the book and couldn’t stop. Omg!
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! Don’t Let Him In by Lisa Jewell is a fast paced psychological thriller. When Ash’s father dies in a tragic accident the family has to find a way to move on. Then her mother meets Nick, a slick businessman that Ash just doesn’t trust. The story follows several different timelines that all intersect in the end. Every time a new woman was introduced into the story, I felt sicker. This definitely gave me “The Stepfather” movie vibes. It was just the right amount of creepy to keep me reading. Overall, loved it and would recommend to others.
Lisa Jewell's Don't Let Him In is dark, disturbing, twisted and impossible-to-put-down. Nick is a handsome con artist who preys on innocent, vulnerable women. He sets his sights on Nina, the widow of a charming restaurateur whose daughter Ash is immediately suspicious of Nick's abrupt disappearances and questionable excuses. Is Nick guilty of abandoning a slew of women and even children, only to reappear every time he falls on hard times? Ash is determined to uncover Nick's true identity, even if it means delving into her father's past and enlisting the help of his mysterious first love.
I don't think I've ever hated a character with the intensity that I hate Nick, and this is a testament to Lisa Jewell's phenomenal writing. I'm so grateful to NetGalley for the ARC of this unforgettable new thriller that will have your heart racing from the first page to the last..
I always enjoy Lisa jewell's books. It was interesting to read how nick/al/etc was intertwined in so many lives. This was a solid book by Jewell, as always
Thanks Netgalley for the free ARC! This book was good, very engaging and great storyline. I’m glad I requested this book because the actual storyline was way more appealing than the description.. I really liked all the quirky characters and their emotional insights and I do recommend this novel for your reading pleasure.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.
Lisa Jewell's "Don't Let Him In" captivates us from the first page by presenting an intricately woven thriller that feels intimately personal yet universally resonant. This novel plunges deep into the psyche, exploring the often blurry line between trust and fear.
This story centers around a seemingly idyllic family whose peaceful life is upended when an enigmatic stranger appears at their doorstep. Jewell masterfully builds suspense, using shifting perspectives to unravel the dark secrets each character harbors. Every twist and turn feels earned, a testament to Jewell's skillful storytelling and meticulous plotting.
Jewell crafts protagonists who are achingly real, flawed, and compelling. Their interactions are fraught with tension and emotion, painting a vivid picture of a family on the brink of unraveling. The stranger’s presence acts as a catalyst, forcing each family member to confront their deepest fears and insecurities.
The setting itself becomes a character, with Jewell's evocative descriptions bringing to life the moody, claustrophobic atmosphere that permeates the novel. This sense of place enhances the feeling of unease that grows as the story progresses.
What sets "Don't Let Him In" apart from standard mystery/thriller fare is its exploration of psychological themes. Jewell delves into the complexities of memory, identity, and trust, crafting a narrative as intellectually stimulating as it is thrilling. The novel raises poignant questions about the nature of evil and the lengths to which people will go to protect those they love.
"Don't Let Him In" is a tour de force that solidifies Lisa Jewell's reputation as a master of psychological thrillers.
Jewell’s deft hand ensures that each revelation feels like a puzzle piece clicking into place, creating a satisfying yet chilling conclusion.
Highly recommended for fans of the genre and anyone looking for a gripping, emotionally charged novel.
This was hands down THE best book I've read in awhile! I never knew what move the MMC was going to take! Loved the ending
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book early. I am new to Lisa Jewell but have heard wonderful things and was excited to pick this one up. The book was well written and kept my attention, enjoyed the characters. Unfortunately, I found all of the twists predictable until the last page. Would still give her another try.
A huge thank you to Netgalley & Atria Books for approving me for one of my most anticipated books of 2025! I'm still screaming about this. I dropped everything to read this as soon as possible. The book's main POV follows Ash, the daughter of a restauranteur, whose life ended when a man pushed him in the path of an oncoming train. Shortly after her father's funeral, she and her mother, Nina, receive a package from a Nick Radcliffe, a man who says he was a long-time friend of his. Much to Ash's dismay, the note and package bring Nina and Nick closer together. The second POV follows Martha, a small-town florist who dreams of wanting more. She lives with her husband, Al, their daughter, and her two children from a previous marriage. Most of the time, she feels like she is a single parent, especially when an emergency leaves her second-guessing her life. It seems like Nick and Al may not be who they say they are, leading these three women on a collision course of figuring out what is going on with their significant others.
I can't go into much detail because that would just spoil the book. What I can say though, is that it isn't a very "what is going on!?" type of thriller. It is very straightforward, and you figure out what is going on from the beginning. It's more of a how is it going to play out type of book. But that doesn't mean it's boring. I personally flew through the book because of how easy her writing was and because I wanted to know how it was going to play out in the end. The real thriller of this book is that it makes you realize that there are people like this out in the world, and it can happen to anyone. The situations throughout the book kept getting worse as time went on, and you just wonder when is it going to end. I wasn't a huge fan of this ending, hence why the four stars, but overall, I absolutely loved this book, and I can't wait for everyone else to read it!
THIS BOOK IS THE BOOK OF 2025!!
I was so excited when I got approved for an ARC of this book as Lisa Jewell is one of my favorite thriller/mystery authors and this book just further supports why she is the greatest!
This book starts with Paddy Swann getting pushed onto the track and the Swann family getting a message from Nick. There is some time jumps back and forth between 4 years ago and then current timeline of Martha or Nina. At first I was confused, but about 10 chapters in, it started to make sense. The book was a continuous burn of what is happening/trying to make my own predictions of Nick and his background. The last 5 chapters was the height of the entire story and really brought everything together, however the real plot twist took place in the epilogue since I did not see that ending coming!
I will be recommending this book to anyone and everyone!
Thanks NetGalley and Atria Books for an ARC ebook in exchange for an honest review.
I had a hard time at first keeping all of the characters and the timelines straight but once things started coming together, it got interesting and I had a hard time putting it down. There were she times that I found things a bit unbelievable but overall I was satisfied with the story line and the ending. I did figure out one of the twists but there were others that I never saw coming.
I was so honored to receive this ARC of my absolute favorite author! Lisa’s writing is superb & everything is well thought out & this book is no different! The characters were all flushed out & I kept waiting to see how this insane story ended. I did see one of the twists coming, but that’s okay I still enjoyed it. I thought the pacing was good, the middle got a *bit* repeated (que Nick’s B.S) for me. The Amanda character shocked me the most & the one I have the most questions for. Overall, I enjoyed this novel & greatly look forward to more by Jewell. Thank you so much Atria Books and the queen, Lisa Jewell for allowing me to read this in advance!
This was a slow, tedious “thriller”. The writing was good and the plot had potential but…
The convoluted past/present timeline with dual POVs just dragged on for me. The four years was over the top and made it confusing at times.
The author’s portrayal of the female characters was conflicting at best. They were career oriented, educated and financially stable except where “he” was concerned..then they became weak, needy and pathetic.
I find it hard to believe that in this day and age, women of a “certain age” would be so vulnerable to fall for gaslighting, love bombing and financially supporting a man to that extent.
The epilogue at least provided closure.
Lisa Jewell is one of my favs, but I’m sadly disappointed with this one; such an awful representation of women.
Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read this advanced copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This was a good one!! Lots of twists and multiple timelines, so it felt disjointed at times but overall enjoyable. The ending is so satisfying, if not a little unrealistic. Loved the psychological element, I really good description of narcissism and psychopathy.
Thanks NetGalley and Atria Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Jewell is one of my favourite authors, and after her last book, I was so excited to read this one.
This book is different than some of her other ones. It alternates points of view and timelines, so you really need to pay attention as you read. I think that it’s a little bit slow to start, but it really makes up for it in the last 50% of the book. There are a few twists that I did not see coming, and she puts together a great ending as she always does. I would definitely recommend sticking with this book as it does change in the second half. It was for this reason alone that I had to give it a four star rating. Definitely check this book out when it’s published later in June 2025.
This author! She never disappoints. This is a cautionary tale that should be required reading for every female. There are men out there who are harmful to women. Great ending - very suspenseful. One of those stories that would make such a good movie.
This was a great book to end the year with! Don't Let Him In was filled with multiple timelines and storylines that intersected. At times, this made the story a bit hard to follow, but overall, the story of a narcissistic man and the lives he impacted kept me reading! I finished the book in two days and highly recommend it!
Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for this ARC approval.
A little difficult at first to keep people and the timeline straight as it seems to go back and forth, but all in all a solid look into the mind of a narcissist who lies to himself as well as all his women. An interesting concept that’s done so well I could not put the book down.
Lisa Jewell has done it again with this delicious, psychological thriller! I read everything this woman writes and this may be my favorite book of hers. I couldn’t put it down.
The story revolves around three women, Nina, who just lost her husband Patty, Ash,Nina and Patty’s daughter and Martha, mother of three and floral shop owner. Their lives swirl around each other and collide as dark secrets are brought to light.
There is also a man of many names. The real central character who is beautifully written. You will hate him. Lisa Jewell is truly gifted at writing these bizarre, creepy characters and getting into their minds so completely that they are made real.
I don’t want to say too much about the storyline and ruin it. You have to give this one a shot. I highly recommend it!
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read this advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Lisa Jewell does it again with her newest release! I literally finished this novel in the span of one night! So good!