Lisa Jewell delivers a compelling psychological thriller in Don’t Let Him In, weaving together the lives of Nina, Ash, and Martha into a tense tapestry of secrets and suspicions. Nina, grappling with the grief of her husband's sudden passing, finds comfort in Nick Radcliffe’s charm and stability—yet her daughter Ash senses something isn't quite right. Her suspicion propels her to dig into Nick’s past, uncovering unsettling truths that threaten to shatter their fragile new beginning. Meanwhile, Martha’s quiet life with her infant daughter is shadowed by her husband's increasingly frequent absences. His explanations seem legitimate, but her intuition tells her something’s amiss—a feeling that intensifies as the story unfolds. Jewell masterfully builds suspense and keeps readers guessing as these seemingly separate lives intertwine in ways they never anticipated. The atmospheric writing and layered characters ensure that you're hooked from start to finish, rooting for the characters while questioning what lies beneath the surface. A chilling reminder that sometimes, the biggest danger is hiding behind a charming smile. Highly recommended for fans of psychological thrillers who enjoy a dark, twisting ride.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I have enjoyed books by Jewell before. This was one that I had a struggle getting into. Ultimately I didn’t finish it- I didn’t want to stomach the creepy guy so I bailed.

Usually Lisa’s books have me page by page, this one not as much. Lisa’s books are always worth the read, but this one was slower for me.

Linda Jewell's Don't Let Him In is a gripping psychological thriller that masterfully weaves a web of suspense, keeping readers on edge from the first page to the last. This novel delves into the unsettling dynamics of a seemingly idyllic family life shattered by a chilling secret, exploring themes of trust, deception, and the dark corners of human nature.

The story centers around [briefly mention main character/family without spoilers, e.g., "a family whose quiet existence is disrupted by the arrival of a mysterious figure from the past"]. Jewell excels at building tension gradually, layering hints and red herrings that make you question every character's motives and every seemingly innocent interaction.

I am a huge fan of Lisa Jewell and was beyond happy to get access to this book early. I am not going to lie, there are a lot of characters and it was hard for me to keep track of at first, especially when some of the names were similar. After I got the characters straight this book was soooooo good!!! I think I enjoyed it so much more because this is something that could happen in real life. It is really hard to give this book a recap without giving away the twists. If you are a fan of Lisa Jewell then you will enjoy this book. I can't wait to buy a physical copy to put on my bookshelf. Thanks NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for m honest review.

I confess to having mixed feelings about this one, as I often felt this book was repetitive for the sake of being repetitive. However, I really liked Nina and Ash. I liked how Ash fought for her mother, always. That even though her mother was unhappy with her, she didn’t stop trying to get to the bottom of things and take care of her.

I think if this duo wasn’t in the story, I might have actually bailed on it because I didn’t care for the singular chapters from “Nick’s” pov.

But overall, it was an enjoyable read.

💰 T A R G E T T U E S D A Y review 💰 featuring “Don’t Let Him In” by Lisa Jewell!

MY RATING: 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤/5

Nick Radcliffe is a charming man who is easy on the eyes and easy to fall in love with. His job in the hospitality industry has him constantly travelling to different places … which means he is constantly not at home and has a damn good excuse for it. Nick is a man of multiple names, identities, wives and secret pasts, and if he isn’t super careful his covers will get blown.

What follows is a TWISTED con artist story that has readers grasping onto multiple story lines and alternating character POVs! All you want to do is dig for evidence on this evil and deceptive man and frantically put the pieces all together! As Nick’s secrets start to unravel, you will find yourself shouting at the women DON’T LET HIM IN! If you are a fan of watching Date Line or the series Dirty John, then you gotta read this!

Thank you kindly to @lisajewelluk @atriabooks @atriathrillers @simonschusterca @netgalley for my #gifted advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review! This book releases on June 24, 2025!

Lisa Jewell is the master of mind-blowing, twisty thrillers and Don’t Let Him In is no exception. Page after page of suspense, disbelief at the evil actions, and tension while some see the problems but others don’t…There are layers and layers of deceit and crime while this talented writer reveals them slowly but surely!

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Ugh! I did not want to leave this review and I really tried to continue but I did have to DNF this book. I did not enjoy the writing style sadly :(

Thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC!

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC of Don’t Let Him In by Lisa Jewell. Another great read by Jewell, I just love her books! This is the story of three women, Nina, her daughter Ash, Martha,…and one man, Nick. Nina begins seeing Nick, but Ash does not care for him at all, she thinks he is a bit too perfect, so Ash figures she will do some investigating of her own.

Meanwhile, Martha’s husband, Alistair begins traveling a lot more for work. Even though his explanations are always legitimate, Martha cannot shake her own feeling that something just isn’t right.

Just when you think you might now what’s going to happen, keep reading. These types of stories are Jewell’s forte. I highly recommend this book, as well as any other book by her!

“He lies like a man who has never been caught out in a lie, who thinks he is invulnerable.”

Lisa Jewell is absolutely stunning in her new psychological thriller – Don’t Let Him In. After Nina tragically and unexpectedly loses her husband, and Ash loses her dad, the family is grieving and learning how to move on with their lives without Paddy in it. Not long after Paddy’s death, Nick Radcliffe sends Nina a lighter that belonged to Paddy from years ago when they worked together in the restaurant business – and slowly, a relationship between Nick and Nina develops.

Martha owns a flower shop and has two older children from a prior marriage, and a toddler with her loving husband Alistair. But recently, something has changed with Alistair – he has been working more, traveling, being distant, and not answering his phone when he isn’t at home. Martha knows something isn’t right, but every time she confronts Alistair he always has the perfect excuse.

Ash, who moved back into her parent’s house after “going mad” and receiving a mental diagnosis about a year ago, starts to think that something is off with Nick, and decides to start investigating on her own. But will people believe what she finds out? And who really is Nick – besides this good-looking, smooth-talking guy?

I loved that this was described as a “kaleidoscopic thriller!” I have never heard that term before, but it is so accurate – all the story lines are different fragments that twist together, combine, and reflect and refract off each other! Kudos to Jewell for successfully pulling together so many threads and weaving them into this gripping novel.

Sometimes, a man is just too good to be true – and Nick is always one step ahead. This was a fast-paced novel that I couldn’t put down. The beginning was a little hard for me to follow due to the number of different storylines and characters and understanding the past POV chapters with the current POV chapters, but by a quarter into the book I was hooked. Yes, there were some things I found predictable and other parts that I rolled my eyes at or wanted to scream – don’t do this! Are you dumb?! Still, this is fiction, and I realize Jewell had to do certain things to make her novel work out the way she wanted!

If you want a clever book that you will surely stay up late reading, this is IT! My favorite Jewell read to date. 4.8 stars! Can I also say, I love when a book has a smart character named Nina!

Thank you to NetGalley for this twisty arc! All opinions are my own.

“And everyone else can see what’s happening. But the woman in the middle of it, the woman being love-bombed and bamboozled and lied to and manipulated….”

This was a fun and twisty ride. I was engaged throughout the entire story, and felt compelled to keep reading. I think it may be one of Lisa Jewell’s best yet!

Lisa Jewell is back with another masterclass in “Why You Should Definitely Trust Your Gut—and Change the Locks.” Don’t Let Him In is a sinister, slow-burn thriller about three women, one too-charming stranger, and a whole lot of red flags ignored until it’s far too late.

Told through shifting timelines and perspectives, the novel unpacks the unraveling caused by Nick Radcliffe—a man who proves that danger often shows up wearing a perfect smile and holding a casserole dish. Jewell builds suspense with her usual finesse, keeping you guessing (and side-eyeing your neighbors) until the final, gasp-worthy reveal.

Perfect for fans of dark domestic suspense who like their thrillers twisted, their characters complicated, and their men highly suspect.

Book Review: Don’t Let Him In by Lisa Jewell

Rating: (3/5)
Genre: Psychological Thriller / Domestic Suspense

Lisa Jewell continues to prove why she’s a master of suspenseful storytelling in Don’t Let Him In. With her signature blend of richly developed characters, eerie atmosphere, and slow-burning tension, this novel grips you from the first chapter and doesn’t let go until the final twist.

*** Three women connected by one man. Nick seems to be just what Nina needed in her life after her husband's unexpected death. But to Nina's adult daughter, Ash, Nick seems to be a walking red flag, too good to be true. In a neighboring town, Martha starts to question her husband's frequent absences as she juggles running her florist shop and taking care of her infant daughter. Martha can't shake the feeling that something isn't right. All three women are about to wish they had heeded the same warning: Don't let him in. ***

This book is a jaw-dropping deep dive into the psyche of a narcissistic, toxic man that you will immediately love to hate. While the start of the story certainly took some concentration with the switch from present to past timelines plus changing POVs, the way each character's storyline intersected as the book progressed proves that Lisa Jewell has mastered the genre. She truly created the perfect antagonist that had me screaming 'what the f*ck' at MULTIPLE chapters and characters and reveals.

This book is great for thriller readers who love stories around complex cons, sleazy men, and the power of kick-ass women who stand together.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing an advance copy of this book to review. Its expected publication date is June 24, 2025.

I loved None of This is True, so I was prepared for another twisty page-turner from Jewell. However, I found this book more confusing than thought-provoking. In all honesty, the climax just wasn't the pay-off of reading everything before it. I loved how at times she made me feel for characters who were so truly insufferable but again, it just didn't give me the thrill of reading thrillers that I hope for.

I absolutely love Lisa Jewell—every one of her books pulls me in immediately, and Don’t Let Him In is no exception. She continues to prove why she’s a master of the psychological thriller genre.

What stood out most to me in this one was the use of multiple narrators. The pacing was spot-on, and each perspective added depth without ever feeling confusing or overwhelming. Jewell knows exactly when to switch voices to keep the tension high and the reader fully engaged.

At its core, this book is a sharp, unsettling look at toxic male relationships and how easily women can be manipulated into trusting men despite a sea of red flags. Jewell doesn’t shy away from the uncomfortable, and she captures those dynamics with nuance and realism that hits hard.

If you’re a fan of suspenseful, emotionally complex thrillers with strong character work, Don’t Let Him In is a must-read.

I was so so so excited for an early copy of this one, but found myself extremely disappointed. I struggled to keep all the characters straight and understand what timeline I was in and which character. Maybe it would be easier in a print book vs an ebook, but it made it pretty unenjoyable.

Thanks so much for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

Don’t Let Him In
This was a page turner for sure. The main character is just like someone we all have encountered; good-looking, charismatic, and confident. And because of these qualities we so desperately want him. And he knows it. And so the gaslighting begins. And you will question everything about yourself. And when you question him, he has an answer for everything and you once again doubt yourself. And that is the story of Nick Radcliffe and the many women who love him or interact with him. He pushes limits and emotions run high. Lisa Jewel is one of my favorite authors and I’m so happy I was able to read her latest book in advance of the release date.

I don't think this one will sit in my all-time favorites of Lisa Jewell's, perhaps because it lacked the same signature twists that help make her novels, seemingly about one kind of traditional mystery, turn into something much more nefarious. Don't Let Him In is a novel that works in its increasing drip model of dread throughout - as a reader, you can see just now messed up its villain can get, and she certainly takes us there. But the novel sagged in the middle third, a little too repetitive and unfocused as we drifted across the many women affected in the story. But kudos to the author for giving us some of the most compelling, page-turning thrillers of the century. We're lucky to have Lisa Jewell!