Lisa Jewell is the queen of domestic suspense and with this novel she’s outdone herself yet again! Get ready to dive into the darkest depths of toxic masculinity with this impeccably plotted story of a handsome 50-something grifter who *also* happens to be a complete and total narcissistic sociopath. He pursues women using the tools at his disposal: good sex, empty words and thoughtful gifts (often purchased with the victim’s own money), earning their trust and draining their bank accounts in the process. Once the thrill of the chase is over, he moves on to his next victim. The novel is told in multiple POV, and the chapters where we go into the mind of our silver fox sociopath are brilliant and terrifying—especially when you think that there actually *are* people in the world whose minds work like this! I don’t want to spoil anything, but I can safely say that the daughter of a would-be victim gets a bad feeling about her mom’s new boyfriend, and makes it her mission to protect her mom and find out what else he's hiding.

Thanks so much to Atria Books and NetGalley for my review copy!

Thank you so much to Atria books and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review 💚

This was my last read of 2024, and I ended it in a high note!

This is a satisfying, entertaining and very "of its time" thriller. It's definitely worth the read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the chance to read an advanced copy of this entertaining thriller.
The book centers on a young woman named Ash, who is grieving the loss of her father and adjusting to a new boyfriend, Nick of her mother, who seems too good to be true.
The book is told in a complex way through multiple perspectives, including Nick's. There are time jumps over four years. There are a large number of characters and changing names, so it took me a few chapters to be able to keep keep everyone straight and remember who was who.
The antagonist was beyond horrible and appalling, so it was especially stressful reading their perspective. The author did a great job of making the villain truly detestable. I kept thinking they couldn't get worse, and then they did. I think that might have been my main concern with the book. It was stressful to read all of the damage they did and to know that people like that do really exist. There was one small plot point at the very ending of the book that I wish there was more of an explanation for. Otherwise, it was a well-written, fast-paced, and exciting thriller.

I was super thrilled to receive this ARC as I have read and loved several of Lisa Jewell’s novels. Unfortunately, this one really left me feeling icky. Most of the women in this book are portrayed as completely ignorant and easily manipulated. The concept was intriguing, but overall this did not deliver for me as most of her previous books have. Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read this ahead of publication.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for granting me early access to this book!

It was fantastic, solid 4.5 stars. I read it in about 3 days. I love books where a MC has several identities and this one did not disappoint. I kept waiting for a true Lisa Jewell twisty moment - I felt that everything was predictable. The epilogue was exactly what the book needed to tie up loose ends.

What just happened? This book just blew my mind! The Queen of Thrillers dove to the dark side sociopath world.

It was creepy, dark, disturbing, clever, and the best Lisa Jewell’s work to date!

It was really hard to put down, my mind was on the story the whole time, that’s how amazing it was.

Please do yourself a favor and read this book. You will love it!

Thank you so much Atria Books, Lisa Jewell and NetGalley for my eARC.

Coming out 06/24/2025

REVIEW ✨
Lisa Jewel has done it again with Don’t Let Him In
This was a 5 star read.
This book will be published in June of 2025.


This was a slow burn with a lot of twist. About half way through the story line starts to thicken and I didn’t want to put it down, I needed to know what was happening. Sometimes in thrillers the female main characters can be seen as stupid or weak but in this one we get some strong female characters which is refreshing. The different time lines and different characters brought this story to life, each of the female characters were connected to this one male character.
The ending of this book tied everything together and brought it full circle.
The male character in this book could be seen in real life con arts or even in certain documentaries. I have never hated a male character more than this one.

Thank you to @netgalley and @atriabooks for this arc copy of this book!
All thoughts are my own, I still am in shock that I got to read an early copy of this book

Really enjoyed this book, Took awhile to get into it but once I did I was totally invested, Outstanding characters the villain was creepy as hell which made the story 10 times better. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy for a honest review.

Don’t Let Him In is Lisa Jewell’s latest work of art. It is an intricately woven tale of a psychopath who preys on vulnerable women. We are introduced to Nina and her daughter, Ash. Nina’s husband had passed away and Ash was having all the feels as a new man (Nick) enters Nina’s life. Ash is suspicious. Is she just being overly cautious and ridiculous? Or are her reservations warranted? Follow along with Nick over a course of several years and the women’s lives that he occupies. As each layer is pulled apart like an onion to expose who Nick really is, the story is mind blowing! This is a keep you on the edge of your seat, can’t wait to see what happens next thriller! The attention to detail in the creation of Nick’s character alone is astounding! It’s truly satisfying when his worlds collide and the pieces of the puzzle all come together!

Wow. This dark psychological thriller was awesome! It has been a while since I have given a book 5 stars- what a delightful surprise! I read the book in one afternoon. The characters were are layered, and as the way that their lives progressed and crossed one another’s paths was a pleasure to read. I will be haunted by “him”…. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for this opportunity!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 rounded up to 5
What can I say? This thriller was fantastic. I loved the detailed, convoluted storyline with the puzzles pieces slowly coming together. Highly suggest adding to your TBR- releases in June 2025!
Thank you to Atria Books and Netgalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Lisa Jewell does it again! I'd call this a slow burn with twists! I especially liked the fact that she had strong female characters. So often women are projected as weak or kinda dumb. I did find it a bit slow to get started but keep reading as it gets exciting!

Lisa Jewell can do no wrong and with this new book she puts us to work! She may have just written the nastiest man on paper, paired with a story that will have you pulling your hair out. Get ready to be stressed! (But in the best way possible) She kept the mystery alive until the very end and pushes you hard to decipher whats the truth. And that finale? So satisfying.

Wow. Although this book started off a little bit slow for me, once it got going, I couldn’t put it down. This is such a smart story, the way it’s all woven together told in jumping timelines and with many characters all connected through the tragic situations with one man. Although I pretty quickly caught onto the first mystery of the book, I was 65% in before I realized one of the biggest connections (and in my opinion) surprises of the story. I love the conclusion and that everything was tied up at the end in a satisfying manner. I highly recommend this one. Thanks to the publishers and netgalley for an ARC of another great Lisa Jewell novel.

As soon as Don't Let Him In by Lisa Jewell was released, I couldn’t wait to dive in—and I was not disappointed! Lisa Jewell has a knack for keeping readers on their toes, and this book is no exception.

I’ve never both loved and hated a villain as much as I did with this thriller. The main character had an eerie resemblance to the real-life figures we’ve seen in documentaries about con artists, like the Tinder Swindler. While parts of the story felt far-fetched at times, I was quickly reminded that this type of manipulation happens to women in real life, which made it all the more unsettling.

Jewell masterfully blends suspense with chilling realism, and the result is a gripping, thought-provoking read. If you’re a fan of psychological thrillers that linger with you long after you’ve finished, this one is a must-read!

Lisa Jewell is well known for her twisty thrillers. This one is no exception. Three women are connected in ways they don't initially understand. The villain in this book is decidedly creepy. This book definitely took me for a ride and satisfies with its ending.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy. I enjoyed this book! The different perspectives kept me interested.

Couldn't read this book fast enough!! So twisty, full of excitement and never a dull moment! What a page turner and definitely 5 stars!!

This favorite author has again written a page turner. Red herrings and secrets kept me guessing. Realistic characters kept the story moving. I had some problems with the different voices and timelines. Confusing. That being said, another intriguing mystery. Thanks Netgalley

Don’t Let Him In is a story of revenge, grief, betrayal, deceit, obsession, found friendship, and love. Ash, who has been struggling to move on after her father’s passing, meets one of her father’s friends, Nick Radcliffe. Nick seemed too good to be true—too perfect. Little did she know, they should never have let him into their lives.

This book was an interesting read for me, I must say. I knew it wasn’t my usual kind of story from the very beginning, but for some unknown reason, I couldn’t stop myself from reading it. I wanted to know what would happen next to Ash, Nina, Martha, and Nick. I had fun following Ash’s journey as she uncovered who Nick really was. She was grieving and, at the same time, trying to protect her mother, Nina. I also loved Martha’s approach to handling her life and her children. It felt like the book highlighted how mothers carry the weight of their children and their own lives, balancing everything. Regardless of their feelings, a mother’s sacrifice and love are truly amazing and unconditional. Mothers really are superhumans!

The story had its highs and lows for me. I enjoyed reading this book but also debated whether to give it 3 or 4 stars. Ultimately, I settled on a 3-star rating. The reason for this was that I felt the story could have delivered more. I was searching for moments that would surprise me to my core—something that would make me gasp—but I never quite experienced that. However, I did appreciate how the book provided a satisfying ending for Ash, the other women, and the rest of the characters.

Overall, I’d say this book was worth the read. It kept me engaged, even if it didn’t completely blew me away. If you’re into thrillers with strong family dynamics, some suspense, and a touch of emotional depth, this might be your kind of story.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for giving me the opportunity to read this interesting book in exchange for my honest review. I still can’t believe I received this early ARC! Thank you!

✨WHAT I LIKED:
📌 Ash and Jane finally unveiled the truth
📌 Ash received the letter
📌 Justice was served well

✨TROPES:
📌 Found Family
📌 Found Friendship
📌 Grief and Healing
📌 Strong Female Characters
📌 Bittersweet Endings
📌 A Subtle Hint of Spice

🖥️ GOODREADS REVIEW: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7120058934

💻 BLOG REVIEW: https://kimthebookdragon.com/2025/01/01/arc-review-dont-let-him-in/

LINKED IN REVIEW: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/kinanahmanalao_arc-review-dont-let-himin-activity-7279965499105427456-QIgP?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

THREADS REVIEW: https://www.threads.net/@kimthebookdragon/post/DEQdQ-Svos-?xmt=AQGzoo9xSK9_8mp7rLkAKUB0-d5pDx6HwKLtdcF1vkK_ww