Lisa Jewell has done it again. After reading this latest book about Nick Radcliffe, an attractive and incredibly smooth man seeking to connect with Nina Swann, his old friend’s widow, I am reminded why Lisa Jewell is an auto buy for me.
This is one great book that will have you tracing the path of both families to see the ways in which we are all loosely connected. Make sure you have blocked off time to finish this as you will not want to put it down!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria books for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.

This was such an exhausting read. While I didn't mind the POV changes, I didn't connect with any of characters either. I actually enjoyed his perspective being added into the storyline. It all just felt very repetitive to me and the outcomes were very predictable. Overall I didn't love this and just found myself wanting it to be over.

Lisa Jewell has done it again! She has created another thriller, unique from all her others, yet just as captivating. Don't Let Him In was a bit of a slower burn than some of her others. The pace worked because the first major portion of the book was spent on introducing the characters and really getting the reader investing in figuring out how they all tie together. Once it started becoming clear, it left me breathless in anticipation of the final resolution. I was chomping at the bit for the female main characters to prevail. I would have a hard time ranking Lisa Jewell's thrillers because so many of them are equally as good as each other. I would say my least favorite of her thrillers is The Family Upstairs. Then all the others are fairly equal. Don't Let Him In fits in with that top tier group!

This one was just okay for me. Not quite the thriller I was hoping for, but still strangely hard to put down. Its is a slow-building psychological thriller told through multiple POVs and timelines, which made the beginning a little confusing. It eventually started to click into place, but I wouldn’t say it ever became a true “nail-biter”.

There’s suspense, murder, and an intriguing investigation—especially as Ash digs into Nick’s past—but the pacing dragged at times. I usually love multiple timelines, but in this case, they made the story feel a little disjointed. The short chapters kept me turning pages, but the tension never really built the way I hoped. There were a few moments of solid intrigue and some interesting characters, but overall this wasn’t quite what I expected. It held my attention, but it lacked the big twists and pulse-pounding payoff I look for in a thriller.

Not bad, just not quite for me.

He’s the perfect man.

They are the perfect targets.

DON’T LET HIM IN is described as a “kaleidoscope thriller” and trust me, it’s accurate.

Nina Swann thinks Nick Radcliffe came to her in her moment of need as a source of comfort. He knew her recently deceased husband. He had stories, new stories, tiny pieces of her late husband that were all new to her. She leans on him, but something isn’t right, and her daughter Ash can feel it.

This isn’t Nick’s first rodeo, but once Ash starts picking through Nick’s mysterious past, it will hopefully be his last.

Lisa Jewell has gifted us another anxiety-riddled page turner that will surely keep readers up at night. Good news though - it’s out today!

Thank you to @netgalley, @lisajewelluk , and @atriabooks for the early read!

I am a huge fan of Lisa Jewell and was anxiously awaiting her newest thriller, Don’t Let Him In. Unfortunately, it didn’t quite hit for me.

Don’t Let Him In primarily follows two female-centered stories: (1) Nina and Ash, a mother and daughter, recovering from the loss of their restaurateur husband/father, Paddy, and (2) Martha, a florist who is somewhat recently married with a new baby, as well as two older sons from a previous marriage. Martha’s marriage is struggling a bit. Her husband, Al, is distant, disappearing for days on end, and money is scarce. Meanwhile, Nina meets the dashing Nick, an old friend of her late husband, and the two of them begin to see each other. Interspersed between these stories are flashbacks told from a male perspective. As the book progresses, these stories start to converge, which raises more questions (as well as answering others).

I loved the premise of this book. What I didn’t love were the women in it, who – with few exception – were either willfully ignorant or just plain stupid. I struggled to understand how so many women could forgo asking basic questions or, if they did, just eating the BS fed to them on a spoon and then asking for a second helping. Truly, the bar seemed to be underground for what these women expected in a relationship, yet they thought it was good enough. It’s a cliché that’s been done and I’m tired of women not expecting more for themselves. Jewell’s writing was great, as always, but this one was still a slog to get through.

Thank you to Atria Books and Netgalley for this ARC.

Don't Let Him In is a psychological thriller that fallows many characters with different POV and timelines. It's easy to get a little confused in the beginning but as the store unfolded it all became a little more clear.

There were no big twists, some of this was pretty predictable but not in a bad way. The characters were interesting, the story was fascinating as you waited to see how it would all come to an end. Overall, the story held my interest and I liked the characters. Great read overall!

Lisa Jewell has done it again ! She has written another perfectly atmospheric psychological thriller that keeps you at the edge of your seat. It was so easy to fly through this book because it was so hard to put down. I highly recommend picking up this book and giving it a read this summer.

Thank you Netgalley and Atria Books for the digital arc in exchange for my honest review.

This was such a gripping psychological thriller with multi-layered characters, tight pacing, and unsettling suspense. The story follows three women—Nina, Ash, and Martha—whose lives are upended by the same charming yet deeply manipulative man, Nick Radcliffe. Told through multiple perspectives, the narrative weaves together emotional vulnerability, domestic tension, and the chilling psychology of a master manipulator. Jewell excels at building suspense while grounding the story in relatable, flawed characters. I did think that Nick’s backstory overly complex and the resolution a bit too neat it was difficult to put down.

Don't Let Him In gripped me from the very first page and didn't let go until the last sentence. I am not normally one to love books with multiple POVs, but Lisa Jewell wrote it in a way that made sense once all of the characters were established. I found myself constantly wanting to pick this book up, and telling myself "just one more chapter" before going to bed. Highly recommend this book to thriller lovers!

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Lisa Jewell, three women are connected by one man in this kaleidoscopic thriller.
"He’s the perfect man. It’s a perfect lie."
Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for this incredible ARC in exchange for my honest review!
One of my favorite authors has created a domestic thriller that will have you shivering and screaming "Get him Out"!! Nick brings his charm and slickness to help out one of his former friend's wives when Paddy is killed in a horrendous incident after being pushed in front of a train. Leaving two adult kids behind and his loving wife Nina struggling without him. He was well-known in his restaurant and the loss was felt community wide. Nick sends Nina a gift and his condolences, which would normally be accepted, but his daughter sees something else in his cunning behavior. When Nina falls hard for him, she doesn't see his narcissist and toxic behavior as alarming.
Meanwhile, Martha is a mother of 3 bidding farewell to her work traveling husband far too often than normal. He is working more, but he is not bringing any more funds to assist with their debt.
Nina's daughter Ash is about to investigate and bring forward his manipulative and twisted scheme that her mother cannot see.
Wow! When these wolves are released into society, too often they are treading on vulnerable widows who are desperate for affection and attention. You are going to want to throw the book at him and call for backup. He takes evil to a whole new level.
This is tense and brilliant! Another winner, Lisa Jewell!!!

Most novels, when you read them, you're in the driver's seat. But this one, you just have to sit back and enjoy the ride! Most of the time, I had no idea what was happening--I was utterly confused. It was like the book was happening TO me! Lisa Jewell is a masterful author so I just trusted her that everything would fall into place, and of course, it did...like magic! This is a story of women who trust the wrong man, interwoven storylines and timelines, mystery, gaslighting, and a slimey MMC that I came to really hate (that makes for a great book, right?)! Happy publishing day! *I received a complimentary ARC from the author/publishing company via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts & opinions are my own.

This was an okay read for me. Lisa Jewell usually wows me with her thrillers but this one fell a bit short for me. It didn’t flow well with the time jumps and the different POVs. It lulled and aggregated me how the women in this book, who are super smart and capable of making good decisions, kept making crappy ones. The ending was okay. Didn’t predict it but it just all didn’t align well with me.

Lisa Jewell is a very hit-or-miss author for me. I had really enjoyed None of This is True, and thought I might as well give Don’t Let Him In a shot. And while I enjoyed reading this new thriller, it didn’t grab me.
The book switches POVs every chapter, cycling between several women and a husband. It’s clear from the beginning that the husband is hiding things from his wife, and that his wife is getting ready to divorce him. Things escalate, but as we continue to cycle through multiple characters, the plot gets more convoluted by the chapter.
To me, the plot of this book was extremely simple. So simple that the pacing became agonizingly slow as I waded through everyone’s thoughts, feelings, and opinions in two separate storylines. And as the current storyline progressed into an almost-thriller, the past storyline was worked backwards, making everything feel like it was taking twice as long.
I’d struggle to recommend this book as a classic thriller. I would call it a domestic thriller at best, with a soap opera quality to it. If you’re looking for a fast-paced, intense thriller to speed through, this is not a great choice. But if you love multiple characters solving pieces of a puzzle and getting together in the end to put all the pieces together, this could be a great pick for you!
Thanks to Netgalley and Atria Books for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

This was so good! It wasn't super twisty but I loved the phycological/manipulative aspect of this book. It was really enjoyable. it took me a while to read because I was sick but it was so worth it!

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for this ARC!

Jewell has done it again!! This was a perfectly twisty domestic thriller that I couldn’t put down. With the combination of short chapters and a fast paced plot, you could definitely read this book in one sitting.

DON’T LET HIM IN
Lisa Jewell

He’s the perfect husband, the best cook, and the ultimate entertainer.

In his bifurcated life, she only knows the half of it. The other half is cunning, sharp, and always, always, always two steps ahead.

You can think he’s a nice guy, you can think he’s misunderstood, and you can let your guard down, but whatever you do, DON’T LET HIM IN.

This is Jewell’s spin on the DIRTY JOHN trope, and I had a good time with it. It is not my favorite of hers, but it was entertaining and a quick read.

The writing is what you come to expect from Jewell. This being domestic suspense is a bit underwhelming. The stakes are low, and even when something scandalous is going on it is more akin to town gossip than anything a thriller would normally bring.

Thanks to Netgalley and Atria Books for the advanced copy!

DON’T LET HIM IN…⭐️⭐️⭐️

Jewell's thrillers are always a joy to read. Her latest novel is no exception. The different points of view telling the story was extremely effective and tension building. I was gripped until the very last page. i highly recommend this book.

Three women find their lives unexpectedly intertwined (though readers may see it coming) when one of them, recently widowed, begins dating again.

Let me start by saying I’m a longtime fan of Lisa Jewell and have enjoyed many of her previous novels. Her last book, „None of This Is True*“, was excellent - sharp, surprising, and compelling - so I was genuinely excited to dive into this one. Unfortunately, „Don’t Let Him In“ didn’t live up to expectations.

The biggest issue? Predictability. The story unfolds along well-worn paths, hitting every familiar beat, right down to the final so-called twist. Even Jewell’s typically engaging prose couldn’t mask the recycled tropes and transparent plot turns. Normally, I don’t mind correctly guessing outcomes in thrillers, but in this case, it was so obvious that about 10% in, I was hoping I had it all wrong and that there would be a clever reversal or something fresh to shake things up. But no such luck.

Instead, the book plays out like a Netflix true-crime documentary where the outcome is inevitable, the villain obvious, and intelligent, capable women inexplicably become helpless, needy, and incredibly gullible. It’s frustrating and, frankly, beneath what I know Jewell can deliver.

That said, this seems like a rare misstep from an author I respect and will continue to read. Here’s hoping the next one brings back the taut, surprising storytelling she does so well.

Many thanks to Atria and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

„Don’t Let Him In“ comes out today, June 24, 2025.

It's no secret that Lisa Jewell is one of my very favourite authors, and Don't Let Him In yet again proves why!

Referred to as a kaleidoscopic thriller, each bend of the light caused this plot to appear slightly different, continuously altering views with subtle refractions! Like a Magic Eye image, it took awhile for the full picture to come completely into focus, but when it did, opinions were already set!

A slight change in perspective brought Jewell's typical writing style into a new light! This refreshing twist amped up the palpable hatred for the male main character while cheering alongside the female ones!

That ending? It's shocking and feels like coming home!

With messy, diabolical characters, a slight perspective flip yet always remaining true to Jewell's classic strong female characters - this was a huge win!

ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.