What a fantastic premise! The story is steeped in wonderfully creepy, atmospheric vibes, driven by a villainous and enigmatic main character, Nick. The eerie tone is sustained throughout, creating a hauntingly immersive experience. That said, the narrative does get tangled. There are a lot of characters spread across multiple timelines, which made it difficult to keep track of who’s who and what’s happening when. It took a while to piece everything together and settle into the rhythm of the story. I did figure out the central plot fairly early, but I still found myself compelled to keep reading—mainly to understand Nick’s motivations. What exactly was driving him to go to such extremes?

As a series, I think this would have worked brilliantly. In book form, it sometimes felt a bit dragged out, though it remained intriguingly suspenseful. One lingering frustration: the female characters. Why were they ignoring so many glaring red flags? It was hard not to feel exasperated by their choices.

As a huge fan of Lisa Jewell, I’m sad to say that Don’t Let Him In was my least favorite of her novels. The premise was intriguing and the beginning of the book had a great setup, I was invested in learning who killed Paddy Swann and why. As the novel progressed, there weren’t any mysterious elements or surprises, we just followed Nick’s multiple timelines and witnessed how many women he was able to dupe along the way. Everything felt too repetitive and I lost interest along the halfway mark.

The ending of the novel felt like an entirely different book, it was written in such a strange way that I was left a bit confused. Unfortunately, I don’t recommend this one. Pick up None of This is True or The Night She Disappeared instead.

Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to read and review this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Don’t Let Him In is so complicated that it will be hard to describe accurately unless one rereads it, possibly multiple times. That’s not really a criticism, though. It’s the story of one Nick Radcliffe, or Jonathan Truscott, or Alistair Grey, or is it Simon Smith? He’s spent his life scamming unsuspecting, vulnerable women, even marrying a few and having children with them. He also worked as a male escort to earn money, but mostly he conned the women out of theirs. It takes the enterprising daughters of two of them to become suspicious enough to dig a little deeper into his background, in hopes of, in one case, finding out what happened to her mother, and in the other keeping her mother from making a huge mistake. My criticism of the book would be that Nick is able to fool so many women so thoroughly, and that they all continuously accepted his increasingly unbelievable excuses for his long absences and his need for money. My praise for it would be that there are a good number of successful, intelligent women who won’t allow themselves to completely succumb to him. I’ll leave it to the reader to find out how they accomplish that.

4 ⭐️

okay so i just finished don’t let him in by lisa jewell and wow, i have a lot of thoughts.

i’m giving it 4 stars because while it was super compelling and i couldn’t put it down, there were a few things that didn’t quite hit the mark for me.

first off, lisa jewell really knows how to create a creepy atmosphere. the way she builds suspense is masterful. the story revolves around nick radcliffe, a man who inserts himself into the lives of women under the guise of being charming and supportive, but there’s something off about him. nina, a widow, falls for his act, while her daughter ash is immediately suspicious. then there’s martha, another woman whose life intersects with nick’s in unsettling ways.

what i loved was the slow unraveling of nick’s character. he’s not your typical villain; he’s manipulative in a way that’s disturbingly realistic. the multiple perspectives, especially ash’s, added depth to the narrative. ash’s determination to uncover the truth about nick was one of the highlights for me. she’s smart, loyal, and just distrustful enough to keep you rooting for her the whole way through.

the pacing kept me turning pages, especially in the second half. there’s this underlying dread in every interaction with nick, even when nothing “bad” is technically happening. that quiet, psychological tension is done so well—it got under my skin in the best way. i also appreciated how the book touched on deeper themes like grief, power dynamics, and the way women are often dismissed or gaslit when they raise concerns.

however, the multiple timelines and perspectives did get a bit confusing at times. i found myself having to backtrack to keep track of who was narrating and when. also, while the buildup was intense, the climax felt a bit rushed. i wanted more resolution, especially regarding nick’s past and motivations. like, we get glimpses, but i wanted a deeper dive into what really made him the way he is. and there were a few loose ends i wish had been tied up a little neater.

that said, this book was such a gripping read. the psychological tension, the exploration of trust and deception, and the strong female characters made it a worthwhile ride. it definitely made me want to lock all my doors and give every charming stranger the side-eye.

if you’re into domestic thrillers with a slow burn, this one’s for you. it’s not just the mystery that pulls you in—it’s the way it messes with your head and makes you question how well you know the people closest to you.

thanks to netgalley and atria books for the arc. can’t wait to see what lisa jewell comes up with next!

Lisa Jewell delivers a masterclass in psychological manipulation with "Don't Let Him In"—a thriller that had me alternately riveted and reaching for something to throw across the room. The multiple POVs and non-linear timeline initially had me considering whether I needed to start taking notes, but this narrative structure brilliantly mirrors the disorientation felt by the women caught in Nick's web.

Nick himself emerges as one of the most skin-crawlingly authentic villains I've encountered in recent thriller fiction. What makes this character so disturbing is how Jewell captures the insidious nature of the pathological liar—the way he slips between personalities and truths with the practiced ease of someone who's made deception an art form. I found myself shouting at these pages, wanting to shake Nina and Martha by their shoulders, begging them to see through his performance.

The dual timeline structure creates a mounting tension that feels almost unbearable as connections slowly crystallize between seemingly separate lives. Ash's persistent investigation provides the novel's emotional anchor—her wariness and protective instinct toward her mother adding psychological depth.

This book hit uncomfortably close to home, as anyone who's encountered a master manipulator will instantly recognize the calculated charm, the subtle gaslighting, the way Nick makes each woman feel simultaneously special and perpetually uncertain. The cold precision with which Jewell portrays these dynamics left me with a lingering unease that persisted long after I put the book down.

If you crave thrillers that explore the darkness hiding behind charming smiles and reasonable explanations, "Don't Let Him In" is a must-read.

Heartfelt thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for my advance review copy.

This follows a con man as he uses his charisma and lots of lies to manipulate women, take their money and ultimately ruin their lives. You see the women from past and present band together to uncover his manipulations in a satisfying way. I love Lisa Jewell and the way she can flesh out her characters while keeping an exciting plot. She is unmatched!

I am a huge Lisa Jewel fan but this book wasn’t my favorite. I strongly disliked the main character and was constantly questioning why he was doing what he was doing. Was it trauma? Was he just a bad person? Why?

There were a lot of POVs which could be difficult to follow at times (I like the chapter headings when switching between people so I can change my view point before starting the chapter). I like the short, easy to read chapters.

Thank you NetGalley and Artia Books for the advanced copy!

Oh Lisa. She is always an instant read and instant buy, before I even read the synopsis. Yet another lovely, well written novel from her. This one didn’t have the twists that I’m used to from her, and I had it figured out by the 1/3 mark. Yet somehow she still kept my attention and left me desperate to keep reading and find out if I was right. Her writing is always lovely.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for this ARC. Nina Swann's husband Paddy is killed and they are all mourning his death. In walks Nick Radcliffe who seems too good to be true. When Nina's daughter Ash knows something isn't right, she starts checking up on him. What she found was way more than she bargained for. This book was exhausting in a good way. Nick's background was A LOT! There is a lot stories and names thrown around that made the book confusing until you caught the momentum. #DontLetHimIn #LisaJewell #AtriaBooks #June2025

Honestly, Lisa Jewell disappointed me with this one. As I kept reading, I felt like I was trapped on a boring carousel looking at the same view over and over again and trying to keep up with who people were, which timeline we were in, and what lie we were following in each chapter. The first 3/4 of the book were boring… nothing really happened and the characters, since there were so many to keep track of ended up falling flat and leaving very little impression on me which was disappointing and that ending? Sure, the epilogue turned it around a little bit but it really disappointed me and was underwhelming - I waited that whole time for THAT?

I don’t have complaints about the writing, but I did hate how all the women in this story were portrayed and our main character was just… I’m not sure how to describe it, I was not a fan at all. I’ve come to expect a low more out of Jewell and this wasn’t it. If this was the first book of hers I’d read, I probably wouldn't’ read her again.

This was a great read and had a lot of the same qualities fans of Lisa Jewell would enjoy from her other novels. I enjoy a book with a non-linear timeline that jumps around and is narrated by multiple POVs. This book delivered in those areas! As far as plot goes, I was really into this story in the beginning and looked forward to seeing how it evolved in time. Unfortunately, this was not my favorite Lisa Jewell novel. I found that the plot sort of stagnated midway through and the "villain" of the story really didn't offer too much of a wow factor. It just felt repetitive and redundant. Overall the book was well written and possessed the expected Lisa Jewell charm, but fell short for me in the end. Thank you NetGalley for the advanced reader's copy!

𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:
This book is full of secrets, lies, bad behavior, and an evil manipulative man who takes advantage of vulnerable women. I have seen some readers comparing this book to DIRTY JOHN vibes—and it is totally just that! Although this book is labeled as a thriller it plays out more like a domestic suspense book. The plot is fun, the characters are well developed, the pacing is 👌🏻, and the chapters are shot (which I always enjoy!) Our MC is a creep who is sooo deceiving, & his behavior is just shocking and disgusting…but nonetheless, Jewell nailed it with the creep-o-rama in this book as it hooked me right in. However, the ending left me wanting more and feeling just a tad bit underwhelmed as I usually enjoy my thrillers to have a bit more of a climatic and shocking conclusion.

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗜𝗳 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗘𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆:
✦A book full of lies, secrets, deceit, bad behavior, and manipulation
✦Domestic suspense books
✦Books about vulnerable women being manipulated and taken advantage of
✦DIRTY JOHN vibes
✦Short chapters

𝐌𝐲 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️4/5

In this slow burn thriller from Lisa Jewell, one family is left reeling after their beloved father and husband is killed in a senseless and tragic act of violence. Nina, the wife of the victim, begins to put herself back together by dating a handsome man named Nick who contacted the family through a charismatic letter and previous connection to her late husband. Nina’s daughter Ash is immediately suspicious, and both the reader and Ash are taken on a journey through Nick’s past to unravel his lies.

Lisa Jewell always writes a compelling thriller, and this is no exception. It isn’t a thriller in the sense of the excitement or plot twists, but it is in the psychological mind games that Nick plays with his victims. It’s a deliciously tangled web of lies and connections that the reader must slowly untangle along with the characters. I think fans of slow burn thrillers, con artist books, and domestic thrillers will really enjoy this read!

Thank you to Lisa Jewell and Atria books for the arc and opportunity to be an early reader and reviewer.

4.5 stars rounded up. My favorite queen of psychological thrillers does it again! Lisa Jewell always dreams up a perfectly twisted story that keeps me on the edge of my seat. In this case, it’s a tale of a demented man with a superiority complex who feels he is genuinely a good person. He charms his way into the lives of women who have something he wants and craves. He does this over and over, often overlapping relationships of these unsuspecting women. I love that Lisa chooses to tell the story from multiple perspectives, including letting us readers into the twisted mind of this individual. It really gives a full picture of all that is going on. She also uses a timeline that merges together and perfectly pulls all of the pieces of the puzzle together. Thank you for another brilliant story Lisa Jewell! I eagerly anticipate your future tales!
Thank you to Netgalley and Atria books for an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own.

I’m always excited for a new Lisa Jewell book, but was a bit let down with this one. Early on the timeline is a bit confusing and there are a lot of characters who just aren’t different enough to make a strong impression. I found the plot to be predictable and lacking the twists and general intrigue of a book touted as a thriller. 3 stars.

If you’re expecting a psychological thriller this isn’t it.. it was suspenseful and I loved hating the villian of this story. He was written so well I legit wanted to murder him myself!

I didn’t like the revolving point of views which is weird for me because I usually foam at the mouth for that! It was confusing at first. But then I figured it out and was bored as heck. I was tired of waiting for the reveal. It was too slow of a build for me. Maybe it’s just me because usually Lisa Jewel writes books I love. Hopefully it’s just me!

Don't Let Him In by Lisa Jewell is a compelling read that immediately drew me into its unsettling mystery. The suspense was expertly crafted, and the narrative consistently kept me guessing and on my toes. Just when I felt I had a grasp on the situation, new layers would unfold, revealing unexpected twists and turns. The way the story gradually exposed the characters' hidden motives and intricate relationships was particularly well done, ensuring I remained thoroughly engaged and constantly re-evaluating my assumptions.
I couldn't help but notice a strong resemblance to the Netflix series You. The book delves into themes of obsession and subtle manipulation, creating a similar atmosphere of creeping unease and psychological tension. If you appreciate the way You explores the darker aspects of seemingly ordinary individuals, you'll likely find Don't Let Him In equally captivating.
Jewell's writing is sharp and descriptive, effectively bringing the characters and their London surroundings to life. She creates believable, albeit flawed, individuals whose secrets and dilemmas drive the narrative forward. I found myself invested in their fates as the mystery deepened.
Overall, Don't Let Him In is a well-paced and suspenseful thriller that explores themes of trust and betrayal. It’s a solid read that will hold your attention and keep you guessing until the very end. If you're looking for an engaging psychological suspense novel with echoes of You, this one is definitely worth checking out.

Lisa Jewell is one of my longtime favorite authors and a new book from her always feels like a special occasion. One of her niches is putting decent, kind people up against compelling, chilling psychopaths (the one from None of This Is True still lives rent-free in my head) and Don’t Let Him In continues in that vein. It’s as propulsive as her others, though a bit less twisty. I kind of liked the linear structure. You figure out what’s going on by part two (of five), and then the story just digs in deeper and darker.

There are multiple POVs and I liked all the women, but my favorite was Ash, the one we start out with. She had the most agency as one of the daughters who saw through the con, and the only one of them who got her own chapters. She carried the story with a clear sense of purpose and drew in my second favorite character, Jane. Nick never stood a chance against the two of them.

Gripping, thrilling, with an ending that will leave you shocked. So great to be back in the mind of Lisa Jewell. Thank you NetGalley for this generous arc!

3.5 stars

The title says it all. The most important thing to know about the featured villain in Jewell's newest psychological thriller is that you absolutely cannot let him into your life. He will tear it up.

Nick is a disturbed individual who is an increasingly shady partner to his current wife, Martha. Martha, like everyone else Nick has messed up, is intentionally referred to as, well, NOT a dolt. However, it's hard to have too much sympathy for Martha and many, many others because while Nick is unquestionably a skilled manipulator, they are also actively missing signs. All it takes is one clue or one connection or one hint for them to potentially figure out what is up, but the most critical component for group justice is simple: one person has to trust her instincts and follow through on the quest for information. Can they do it? How? Stay tuned.

I really enjoyed how this unfolded and became more layered as I read, but oh my goodness does the reader have to suspend disbelief here. I know that's common in thrillers, but it's absolutely necessary here. What else is common in thrillers? Reminders that cis het men are unsafe, especially when featured in these books. The title could be a mantra in general, not just applicable to good ol' Nick here.

This will please folks on the beach this summer. It's engaging, ridiculous, and entertaining.