Lisa Jewell has always a favorite author of mine. I always look forward to her books and was optimistic about Don't Let Him In. However, I struggled with this book unfortunately. The storytelling was difficult to follow and I could not grow attached to any of the characters.

This was a wild ride. I listened and read this one and found it a bit confusing to keep track of all the characters and timelines when I was listening, so I would suggest reading this one. That being said, I was hooked from the first few pages.

Lisa Jewell had a knack for writing really unlikable, unhinged characters but the MMC in this story was vile. The manipulation was so abhorrent I wanted to jump into the pages of the book and slap him. At one point I thought I had pretty much figured out where the story was going, but there was a jaw dropping moment for me and although somewhat predictable, I still really enjoyed going along for the ride. This one also has a really satisfying ending.

This was such a disappointment after how much I loved “None of This is True.”

The beginning was very slow and there was no hook to draw you in. I had a hard time getting into it, and even when the story starts to pick up, it’s still a drag because the main character is so dislikable, such a sleaze bag who keeps ruining people’s lives that I don’t want to read about it.

Then there are too many storylines. I understand the picture that the author is trying to paint, but it was confusing and ultimately it became repetitive. It also felt unbelievable that all of these women ignored red flag after red flag, never asking questions or going to the police with what happened? He operates in the same circle around London and never comes across anyone who recognizes him?

There were no twists or surprises. It was all very predictable and you know the direction the story is headed and how it’s going end once you’re a third through. I was hoping for a satisfying thrill or reveal at the end - here comes retribution! - but it was so meh. Unfortunately I can’t recommend this one.

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

NetGalley, you’re the best for gifting me with an ARC of this book!

Lisa Jewell is one of the best thriller authors out there in terms of getting me out of a slump haha. Her chapters tend to be short and multi pov/timelines.. which is hard to do well. But she’s fantastic with it and it really draws you in from the beginning.

This book was an easy and enjoyable one for me to get through quickly, I am giving it three stars though because the main character was insufferable. Which was the point, 100%. But wow I just spent a lot of time being like HOW IS THIS GUY GETTING AWAY WITH THIS SHIT STILL haha.
If you watched the show You, you’ll understand this feeling. Just situation after situation that this guy had no business talking himself out of but he magically did.

The ending was somewhat satisfying? I loved the way everyone came together to really scare the shit out of him at the end but of course the little weasel found a way out of that too haha. Worth a read though! I’m never mad about a Lisa Jewell book.

Okay, this one was an absolute whirlwind—in the best way! It felt like trying to navigate a maze while riding a free-form roller coaster, with unexpected drops, sharp turns, and just enough moments to catch your breath before the next twist hit. The story unfolds across multiple timelines that are expertly woven together, giving the whole plot a dynamic and almost fluid feel. It kept me completely engaged, constantly questioning what I thought I knew. Each timeline added a new layer, and the way they collided by the end? So satisfying.

I consider myself pretty good at spotting twists, but this one kept me genuinely guessing. The big reveal landed with a punch, and I definitely didn’t have all the details figured out ahead of time. I love when a thriller doesn’t just rely on shock value but builds the suspense in a way that feels earned—and this book nailed it. If you're a fan of twisty plots and stories that keep you on your toes, this one should be at the top of your TBR. I highly recommend it!

This book was an interesting read. It was my first read by Lisa. I enjoyed it and thought it was an interesting plot and story not something I’ve read before.

I really enjoyed the different point of views from the MMC past and the future but I wish it just stuck either first person or third because I had a bit of a hard time following with that. Also in the beginning when it was switching between the different wives I didn’t know if I was reading into the past or the present.

This story made me think of that one Netflix documentary the Tinder swindler , I think that is the name. I really enjoyed the characters especially Ash and Jane and believe it or I enjoyed the MMC “Nick” as well. His character was so sneaky yet loveable but at the same time I thought he was such a piece of crap.

My favourite part of the book, SPOILER!! was how Ash connects with her dads ex to investigate Nick. I loved how bad ass both women were to want to take this guy down.

As for the things that fell short for me personally, I felt some parts dragging on and not as entertaining and I was waiting for something exciting to happen. I was really hoping and expecting a big twist at the end but majority of the book I felt it was so easy to guess what would happen.

All in all I think this book is interesting and enjoyable, I just wish it was more anticipating and got me to the edge of my seat. I have heard many great things about this author and will continue to explore her other books.

⭐️⭐️⭐️
3/5

Nick? Alistair? Who knows. I feel like this was a podcast a few years ago. Was not a fan of the main male character at all. This was not my favorite book of hers but it was still okay.

Thank you NetGalley, Atria Books, and Lisa Jewell for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was okay. Not a bad read, but I definitely wasn’t on the edge of my seat. The plot felt pretty predictable and slow, and overall it all ended up feeling a bit anticlimactic (I like drama, okay?) I did enjoy the alternating POVs and timelines, and even found the MMC oddly intriguing (but the sheer audacity of some men, my god 🙄). It was decent enough to finish, but definitely underwhelming.

Thank you so much to Atria for the eARC via NetGalley!

Thank you to NetGalley, Lisa Jewell, and Atria Books for the eARC. Lisa Jewell never disappoints! The queen of the slow burn delivers again with a uniquely compelling storyline. Every moment kept me hooked, and the ending was absolutely epic. A superb read from start to finish!

Don’t Let Him In
By Lisa Jewell

The title says it all. Don’t Let Him In!

If I could have sat down and read this in one sitting I would have. Like all other Lisa Jewell books, she has you turning through the pages like no other. There are short chapters and after you read several you look up and you forget where you are. Those are the books you want. You need to pick this book up!!

Thank you Lisa Jewell and Simon & Schuster for giving me an advanced copy of Don’t Let Me In for the exchange of my honest review.

Publishing date: 06/24/25

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#lisajewell #dontlethimin #fivestarreads #arcreading #advancedcopy #simonandschuster

Thank you to Netgalley & Atria books for this advanced copy as well as the Macmillan Audio Influencer program for access to the audiobook. I alternated between the ebook and audiobook with this one.

This was fun - not my favorite of Jewell's but still an entertaining and propulsive read. If you love a con man story, this one is definitely interesting and I love how Jewell introduced us to the women who were swindled by this man - and also made them really relatable, well-fleshed out characters each with their own individual voice.

I definitely enjoyed my time with it but feel that it may be a tad forgettable over time as it didn't shock or surprise me in any way really. It was just a solid thriller.

A swindler works his way into the life of a widow but her adult daughter is immediately suspicious (despite being the one to suggest her mother reach out to him).

While it was a good story, it really made me sick the whole time because I know that there are people like that in the world, even if the villain in this book was an extreme case. None of the revelations were surprising and I knew the major plot points from the onset.

3.75⭐️

Nina receives a condolence card from an old friend of her late husband's and her life changes.
Her daughter, suspicious of this man who seems just too polished, too handsome and actually, too good to be true,
sets off her uneasy vibes. So she starts looking into his background only to find almost next to nothing about him, anywhere.
So off she goes on a personal man hunt and the story takes off with suspense, intrigue and riveting mystery.
Really good read in the usual Jewell classic style.

The moment Nick Radcliffe enters Ash Swann’s life, she knows something isn’t right. Her mother’s new boyfriend has an answer for everything and although he is doting and charming, he just seems too good to be true. So, Ash begins digging, and what she finds is just the first of many loose threads that will unravel Nick Radcliffe’s story.

I am a big Lisa Jewell fan—None of This is True was one of my favorite thrillers ever and completely revolutionized the genre for me. However, this particular novel wasn’t a hit for me. As always, Jewell built a world that was entirely consuming; set in the English seaside, I could picture the setting so exactly in my mind, no detail spared. However, I struggled with the pacing of the story as well as the dual timeline and multiple points of view. It was difficult to keep track of Ash’s and Martha’s stories while balancing Nick’s point of view and his recounting of the past. I never quite felt like I could find my footing and get a good grip on the stories the characters were telling. And while the pacing was consistent throughout, the plot unfolded too slowly to keep me engrossed in the story, and unlike other Jewell novels, I didn’t have difficulty putting this one down. Despite accessing Nick’s perspective and thoughts in occasional chapters, I never felt like I understood his motivations or his character on a deep level, and that definitely left me wanting more. I do think Martha’s character was the strongest of the story and her voice was developed beautifully. I never felt myself wondering the usual questions—How she could be so blind? So naïve?—I always understood and emphasized with her. It was truly incredible characterization by Jewell. And while I’ll certainly pick up her next book and continue to be a fan, this Jewell novel ultimately didn’t resonate with me as much as her others have.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for granting me access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Nina is a recent widow, still healing from the sudden death of her husband. Ash is Nina's adult daughter. When Nina receives a gift in the mail from her late husband's former friend, Nick, Ash is suspicious. Her suspicion increases after Nina and Nick start seeing each other. Nick is captivating, charming, and too good to be true; so Ash starts looking into his past and what she finds is alarming.
Martha is a floral shop owner that has two sons from her previous marriage and an infant daughter with her current husband, Alistair. But, suddenly Alistair begins disappearing for days at a time without any notice. When questioned, Alistair always has a reasonable explanation, but things aren't adding up and Martha is becoming increasingly suspicious. But, the truth is more than she could ever comprehend.
Review:
4.5 stars
The twisted web of lies and deceit in this book pulled me right in and didn't let me go. If you have seen the documentary on the Tinder Swindler, that is exactly what this book reminds me of. This reads much more like a drama than a thriller, but is still so entertaining and unputdownable. It is like a dumpster fire that you cannot look away from. The things that this man did and the things that these women turned a blind eye to were astonishing. He charmed them to believe every word and lie he told them and it completely worked until it just didn't anymore. It was truly baffling how he was able to get away with so much for so long. There are some twists and turns sprinkled throughout that I didn't see coming. I thoroughly enjoyed this one and don't think that I have read anything like it before. I would highly recommend picking this one up!
Don't Let Him In is available now!
Thank you to NetGalley, Lisa Jewell, and Atria Books for this ARC of Don't Let Him In, in exchange for an honest review!

Seriously - Don't Let Him In. Lisa Jewell created a wonderfully creepy villain in her new thriller. I plowed through the book in one day. The premise is an intriguing one for me. A man serially enticing vulnerable women into exploitative relationships. Set in England, the Kentish seashore locale provides a lovely ambiance to the novel. Sure, it goes a bit fantastical at points, but so do those wonderful British mystery shows - and they are my comfort shows. So, too, are novels like this one. If you are looking for a diversion from reality and enjoy a good British thriller with a sociopathic polygamist - look no further; you have found your summer read.

Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an e-book version of this book in exchange for a review.

Don’t Let Him In by Lisa Jewel
Publication Date: June 24, 2025
Three and a Half Stars⭐⭐⭐

Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books, and Lisa Jewell for providing an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Lisa Jewell’s Don’t Let Him In begins with a gripping premise that immediately draws the reader in. Unfortunately, despite the strong start, the story didn’t quite live up to its potential for me.
I picked up on what was happening very early on (Not sure if it was supposed to be that obvious). The large cast of characters, many of whom felt underdeveloped or flat, made it difficult to stay engaged. I also struggled with the frequent shifts in perspective; the narration often changed, which left me confused about who was speaking and disrupted the overall flow.
There are still moments of tension and suspense that fans of Jewell will appreciate. With stronger character development and clearer narrative transitions, this could have been a standout psychological thriller.

Don’t let him in has the feel of a true crime con artist documentary. I kind of wish it was told more in that style but Lisa Jewell already used a podcast premise for her last book. The way it was written just didn’t engage me as much as I had hoped. Maybe because the main character is just so unlikable and there was just so much written from his point of view. It was a slow burn but just too slow for me. It was about 50% in before anything actually happened. I liked it ok but I didn’t love it. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this book!

Lisa Jewell has a way with books. You know what’s going on by the title and description. And I want to know more anyway because she’s brilliant.

This guy who goes by many names cons women for a living. I’ll be honest, I don’t see so many women being so forgiving of a man who disappears for days at a time and lies about everything. They all keep forgiving and forgetting. It doesn’t make sense to me.

In the end I had so many people to root for, and that’s what makes a book stand out to me.

I received this ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.

I had a hard time putting this one down! It was engrossing from beginning to end. Seeing chapters from the POV of the central character was a chilling look into the mind of a total sociopath who sees women as nothing more than things to manipulate in order to get money. Martha’s POV was also interesting, as it shed some light into the kind of woman that could fall victim to such a man. It’s easy to assume that such a woman would be weak willed and weak minded, but Martha is a capable and reasonably intelligent person who simply put her trust in the wrong man. To me, seeing how easily she is swayed by his sweet words and promises is not evidence of her weakness, but instead a window into just how effective an abuser’s tactics can be. I thought the story was well paced – it's not action packed per se, but psychological thrillers often aren’t. The important part was it kept up the suspense throughout, which kept me turning the pages. I’ve seen people complaining about the ending, but personally, I thought it was perfect. 4.5 stars.

CW: gaslighting, abuse, misogyny

I received an advance copy of this ebook from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.