DNF at 40%

I loved “None of This is True” and other Lisa Jewell novels but this one was a hot mess!

The main male character, Al/Nick continues to somehow worm his way into women’s lives, all of the while living a dual life. None of the plot made sense and would have been impossible for him to pull off.

My main gripe, however, was the way the women were portrayed! Nina is newly widowed with a grown daughter but seems to have absolutely no idea what is going on. What??? Her daughter, Ash, quickly is on to him but her mother doesn’t listen.

Martha is an accomplished Florist with her own thriving business. She also seems to be unable to figure out that her husband must not be who he says he is.

Why portray these women as being brainless and unable to see past all of the lies, constant cancellation of plans, etc.???

Nearly half way through the book I just couldn’t continue. I didn’t really care what happened to these characters even though I’m sure Al/Nick will be found out and hopefully punished in some way.

I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Lisa Jewell has been a hit and miss author for me and one of my struggles with her writing is too many characters and sometimes keeping everyone straight, especially as an audiobook, but that's a whole different point. This was an engaging story with great twists and it was a quick and easy read but I felt there were some holes in the plot and the story left me with a couple questions, which I don't mind with a thriller but something to think on for other readers. Thank you for the ARC!

There is nothing better than a great psychological thriller and I’ve read a few by Lisa Jewell and enjoyed them. I did enjoy “Don’t Let Him In” but I don’t think I would classify it a true psychological thriller, it is more of a domestic suspense novel.

The novel opens with the death of Paddy Swann, beloved chef to many, especially his daughter Ash. Soon after the funeral, a package arrives for Paddy’s wife Nina from a man named Nick Radcliffe. He’s claiming to have worked with Paddy years ago. A relationship begins between Nick and Nina and Ash is not thrilled by this. There’s something about Nick that makes her cringe and she begins to investigate him.

We also meet Martha, a mom to 2 older boys and a baby girl. She’s a business owner and seems to be drowning in life a little while not getting any help from her husband Al. He is always gone on business trips and unavailable to return messages. As a reader you are immediately skeptical and soon realize the double life of Nick and Al, and how each persona is despicable.

What I loved about this book:
The past/present chapters-it’s a style in suspense novels I really enjoy
The twists and turns
The unpredictable ending

What I found a little annoying:
Repetitive dialogue of the characters
The women in this book-I spent a lot of time wanting to yell at them to wake up.

Overall, this is a page turner that grabbed my attention from the beginning. Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Dirty......Rotten.....Scoundrel

There are people out there that don't walk. They seem to slither. You'll meet one such person in this latest novel by Lisa Jewell. Jewell brings out all her paint brushes soaked in pots of the despicable and the loathsome. Deep, dark colors of the Netherworld.

Death came for Paddy Swanson way too soon. He was standing on a train platform one minute and then sprawled on the tracks below in the next. A homeless man was arrested on the spot. Not soon enough for Paddy.

Paddy was a successful owner of four restaurants and a favorite among his clientele. His widow, Nina, and his daughter, Ash, mourn him every day. That is until Nick Radcliffe shows up. He and Paddy had been friends back in the day. Nick even brings a lighter that once belonged to Paddy and a bounty of tales of their friendship. Soon Nick and Nina become an item.......much to the angst of Ash.

Our Ash begins to be unsettled. There's something about Nick that doesn't sit right. She doesn't want to rain on her mother's parade so Ash starts to follow Nick's trail. We'll be hunched right down next to her as she begins to uncover some heavy duty info on Nick.......things that she can't outright prove, but things that smell like week old socks in the hamper. Ash incorporates Paddy's old friend, Jane, to assist her. Bloodhounds in the making.......

Martha owns a flower shop in a town outside of London. This is her second marriage with two sons from the one and a toddler daughter in this one. Martha is crazy in love with Alistair. He treats her like a queen. But things have started to go awry in their relationship. Al doesn't answer her calls or texts. He's gone for days at a time because of his work. Martha thinks that Al is having an affair. Oh, Sweetie, it's far, far more spiney than that. Far more.

Lisa Jewell whipped up a psychological wingnut souffle in Don't Let Him In. Yes, the word "gullible" is splattered across every page. As in life, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. But that doesn't stop many a woman from being turned into a bowl of jello by a handsome face. It's called "substance", folks. Promises float like air balloons. Jewell carved out vulnerability and set it on the table. The result? A whip sharp storyline with all the jagged situations to make you want to shake them by the shoulders. Shaken like a dry martini.......

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Atria Books and to the talented Lisa Jewell for the opportunity.

4 🌟

Reason 371 while I'll never date again. 😅

Oh my gosh, I don't know that I've ever disliked a character more than Al/Nick/etc. There are A LOT of characters in this book to keep track of but I enjoyed the multiple POV. Also... well, I dont want to say too much but while not a lot of twists per say in this book, there was one that had me 👏.

Thanks, Netgalley for the ARC of this book!

— 4 ★

lisa jewell is so masterful at weaving stories filled with suspense & intrigue while creating layered characterisation. i am of the strong belief that she creates worlds, not stories. the fact that most of her books make for an atmospheric, chilling, intrigue filled ride with deeply dimensional characters is a testament to the kind of author she is because doing something like this in the thriller space is an incredible feat.

that said, this book reads way more like a domestic suspense novel than a thriller but does not compromise on the intrigue, the fast pace or the characterisation. i was deeply invested from page 1 & although there was no mystery to crack, i found myself at the edge of my seat for most of the book. she has once again nailed the art of creating a world to dwell in while trying to piece together things. i very much liked this ride & wholeheartedly recommend picking this up. but i must also say that if you do not enjoy domestic suspense novels, you will be severely let down by this. the ending of the book was satisfying & a very cool “good for her” moment for me but i think i still expected a little bit more resolution and finality. i don’t usually enjoy domestic suspense novels but lisa jewell can make a physics textbook interesting to me so i may be biased.

huge thank you to atria books, netgalley and lisa jewell for an e-arc of this book. all thoughts are my own and not influenced in any way.

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the advance copy! All thoughts are my own.

I read None of This Is True last year and was obsessed—so I went into Don't Let Him In with high hopes. And wow, it might actually be my new favorite Lisa Jewell book.

The beginning is a slow burn (in the best way). I wasn’t totally sure where it was headed, but I could feel the tension quietly building—and then around the halfway point, it absolutely took off. From that moment on, I was hooked. Like, cancel-my-plans, stay-up-way-too-late hooked.

And let’s talk about the narrator. I love an unreliable narrator, and this book had one of the most delightfully unreliable I’ve read in a long time. I didn’t know who to believe or what to trust, and that made the reading experience so much more intense and fun.

Lisa Jewell does such a great job of creating a creeping sense of dread, layered with complicated characters and jaw-dropping twists. This book gets under your skin in the most deliciously disturbing way.

If you like your thrillers twisty, chilling, and full of “wait, WHAT?!” moments—Don’t Let Him In is a must-read.

Usually I love Lisa Jewell’s books but this book did nothing for me. Very boring and slow. DNF after first couple of chapters.

Nick Radcliffe possess that charismatic knack for drawing folks in and putting others at ease. He has entered Nina Swann’s life after her husband’s unexpected death. Nina’s adult daughter, Ash, doesn’t fall for his charm. To her, Nick seems too slick, too polished, too good to be true, so secretly, Ash begins digging into Nick’s past and what she uncovers is quite unsettling.

Then there is Martha, a florist living in a neighboring town with her infant daughter and her devoted husband Alistair. But lately, Alistair has been traveling more and more frequently for work, and suspiciously disappearing for days at a time. When Martha questions him about his frequent absences, he always has a logical and believable explanation, still Martha has that knowing gut feeling that something isn't right.


Nina, Martha, and Ash are faced with a shocking truth that is far darker than anyone could have imagined. In hindsight, they now know, they should have heeded the same warning: “Don’t Let Him In” because the past never stays buried forever.

As a Lisa Jewel fan, I am a bit disappointed to say this book didn’t quite work for me. I usually devour her usual gripping thrillers, but to me this was more of a cautionary tale. If a man is too good to be true, he probably is. Now isn't that a terrible way to live? Yet there are wonderful and dangerous people out there so we must beware and use the tools at hand today to research.

That said, the story is not poorly written, it just didn’t possess the suspense I was hoping for, but still a good read.

So now I await Lisa Jewell’s next publication.

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book. Lisa Jewell is the queen of twisty, suspenseful books. This one is no different! The male main character is infuriating and a true villain. You’ll find yourself rooting against him the entire book.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for my ARC of "Don't Let Him In" by Lisa Jewell. I typically love Lisa Jewell books but this one fell a little short for me. It felt very repetitive and yet nothing seemed to be happening at the same time. I kept reading in hopes of a big twist or something that I didn't see coming and I was let down at the end of the book.

Don't Let Him In is Lisa Jewell's most recent thriller -- while as well-written as her previous works (including None of This is True and my personal favorite, The Family Upstairs), this book was a bit predictable and straightforward. That said, I finished the book in the span of 24 hours and could not put it down.

Nina's husband, Paddy, was recently killed after he was pushed onto train tracks by a paranoid schizophrenic and she receives condolences from his former colleague, Nick. After encouragement from her adult daughter, Ash, Nina begins corresponding with Nick and they eventually start dating.

Separately, Martha is a florist with a growing business, two sons and a daughter, and an almost-perfect husband, except for the fact that he disappears for days on end with zero communication. He assuages her every suspicion, but continues to go radio silent for increasing amounts of time.

Third, we hear from an unnamed male narrator who despises his wife and, as the novel progresses, becomes more and more nefarious.

In typical Lisa Jewell fashion, the narratives join in a compelling (though predictable, this time) fashion. I liked the epilogue but again had guessed that the book would end in that fashion. This book nonetheless was an entertaining read that kept my attention.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for my free ARC!

This story is a gripping domestic thriller that masterfully intertwines the lives of three women—Nina, her daughter Ash, and florist Martha—each drawn into the orbit of the enigmatic Nick Radcliffe. Following the tragic death of Nina's husband, Paddy, a mysterious package from Nick sets off a chain of events that unravels deep-seated secrets and deceptions.

I love how Lisa Jewell excels in crafting complex characters and maintaining suspense through multiple perspectives. The narrative's tension builds steadily, leading to a chilling climax that underscores the novel's central warning: sometimes, the most charming individuals harbor the darkest secrets. Eeep!

While the conclusion may feel slightly tidy for some, the journey there is filled with unexpected twists and emotional depth. Don't Let Him In is a testament to Jewell's prowess in the psychological thriller genre, offering readers a compelling exploration of trust, manipulation, and the facades people maintain.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to read this advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest opinions!

Not my favorite Lisa Jewell book but it had suspense and short chapters that made me want to keep going.
I'm glad there wasn't an outlandish ending but I was surprised by the lack of mystery to it. I enjoyed this but wouldn't highly recommend.

I DNF this book, I just couldn’t get into the story. The story didn’t keep my attention! Too slow moving for me. Therefore, I will let other reviewers who enjoy this book promote it, so I will not be posting on social media or reviews on retail sites. That way, this book gets much deserved attention from those reviewers who loved it!

I love Lisa Jewell’s books she has previously written. Even though this didn’t resonate for me, I look forward to what comes out next!

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance ecopy of this title. This is the story of several women who became entangled in the web of "Nick," and how (not all of them) managed to escape his involvement in their lives. The plot has masterful twists and turns, and is thrilling without being anxiety inducing. It ends on just the right note. Highly recommend.

People being scammed has been front and center in so much of today's news. Whole tv shows, like Dateline and 20/20, have shown men, and sometimes women, who scammed and murdered, and did this over and over again. But the central character of, "Don't Let Him In", takes his scams to a whole new level.

Ms. Jewell's novel has a main character who manages to scam a large group of women, seemingly at the same time, using a different name with each one. He is charming, handsome, totally believable (until he's not), and impossibly despicable. That he was able to bamboozle all of these very savvy, very intelligent women, made this story all the more compelling. I loved it and highly recommend it.

I know I'm a bit of an outlier here according to the other reviews, but I was not a huge fan of this book. I usually really enjoy Jewell's books but this one felt...different somehow? I found myself confused from the very beginning with all the different characters and jumpy timelines. I eventually kept track of everyone but I found myself annoyed with nearly every character. Without spoiling the end of the book, I'll just say that I wanted to scream how stupid every single one of them are.

I always look forward to a new Lisa Jewell book and I'll always recommend them - just because I may not be a fan of one, doesn't mean it won't be someone else's next five star read!

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher, and Jewell for this ARC.

What makes Don't Let Him In work so well isn't the plot or characters-you've seen both before-it's the intensity and attention to detail Lisa Jewell gives them and every aspect of the novel. Don't Let Him In follows Nick Radcliffe, a middle aged grifter, and the women he sets his predatory eyes on. The story bounces between the past and present as we learn how Nick chooses his victims. The plot does take awhile to build-the story is half way over before we see exactly what Nick is capable of- and although he alludes to a painful past, Don't Let Him in is nearly done when the exact circumstances are revealed. Don't Let Him In is almost like several "novellas" with each focusing on Nick and a different woman, but when the plot lines converge the story goes from "fast simmer" to "full boil." You'll feel outrage, sympathy, and downright disgust as the story comes to a truly stunning and masterful conclusion. Don't Let Him In is ingenious and totally engaging-with an ending that you might see coming but still packs a very powerful punch. Don't Let Him In, but definitely open the door to anything that has Lisa Jewell's name on it. You won't be disappointed.

Lisa Jewell rarely misses in my book - I absolutely love her work, and this was no exception. Fabulous thriller! Page-turner in a big way.