A year after Nina’s husband is killed, she begins to date the very handsome and utterly charming Nick while her daughter Ash feels something is off with Nick but can’t put her finger on it. In another town Martha’s relationship with her husband Alastair is beginning to falter - he goes away for days at a time for work and is completely unreachable during that time. There is also a perspective from four years before of a deeply disturbed man who knows how to read people in order to give them what they want and to believe his lies (I have been told that this character is a dark empath).

Lisa Jewell writes such twisty thrillers that you just fall into and don’t come out of the hole until the end has been revealed (and always in the most satisfactory way). I would call this one more of a psychological thriller, I figured much of it out (and I think you’re supposed to) but there were enough surprises that I didn’t predict. I had the audio and I loved the multiple characters, but I started with the audio and there are a few too many characters to keep straight at first, so I would suggest maybe reading the first few chapters to get the character tree (but if you only have the audio, you’ll be fine, it just takes a bit). I have to put more Lisa Jewell books on my TBR because they are just so addictively good!

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the ARC to review

Another spectacular entry from Lisa Jewel that will have you turning each page with bated breath! I have always been a little flabbergasted by men who could lead multiple lives and get away with it, but I guess most get caught in the end, right? Jewel creates the perfect smooth operator in Don’t Let Him In. He’s charming, well groomed, and a silver fox. He lavishes you with pretty words and whisks you off on spectacular holidays. But then he disappears for days, even weeks at a time supposedly working a job where he cannot have a phone.

This is told from multiple perspectives and is told brilliantly without confusion. I like how she can be conspicuous without leading you down a rabbit hole. Each character is given strengths and vulnerabilities that lend mysterious intricacies to the story. Don’t wait, read this now!

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.

This was dark and intense!

Nina Swann receives a nostalgic gift from Nick Radcliffe, an old friend of her deceased husband and they instantly connect over it. Nina’s daughter, Ash, is disturbed by Nick; he’s just too smooth and overly friendly. Is he for real? Ash feels unsettled that her mother is moving on so quickly when her father only passed a year ago. And Nick seems just ‘too good to be true’. So she decides to do some sleuthing into this man’s life and into his past to ease her suspicions.

Martha, a florist, is married to the love of her life, Al. But lately Al has begun traveling for work more frequently and he is gone for long stretches of time. Martha is becoming more and more anxious by Al’s absences but she can’t prove that he’s doing anything wrong.

These three women’s lives will intersect in ways no one could predict.

I thought this story started off a little slow and confusing but once I got hooked it was an addictive read. I really enjoy how Lisa Jewell artfully uses redirection and side plots to keep me interested and wanting to flip the pages.

Thank you Netgalley, Atria Books, and the author for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. This book will be available for purchase on June 24, 2025

If you love a narrator you can hate, I’ve got the best news for you! 😉 Don’t Let Him In is a domestic thriller that follows the story of multiple women as they unravel the secrets of the men in their lives. I thought it was pretty obvious what was happening from very early in the story, but I found the tone and setting compelling enough to keep me hooked. Though I was hoping for an ending that packed a bigger punch, I did find it satisfying as written!

This book had me on edge from page 1. There were so many twists and turns that I did not see coming.

Overall, I enjoyed the plot, but there were a few too many characters/POVs for my liking and the ending felt a bit rushed. Either way, I could not put it down because I desperately needed to know what happened next.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I love Lisa Jewell’s books and this story is another great twisty novel. It kept me on my toes throughout the entire book. The author weaves a tangled web in this thriller full of lies and deception. I don’t know how the main character kept all his lies straight.

Nina Swann whose husband has recently died is lonely and easy prey for the smooth, handsome Nick Radcliffe. He is a con artist, liar, and master manipulator who preys on unsuspecting vulnerable women and bleeds them dry of their money. Will his past and present collide and will he be able to insert himself into Nina’s life? Her daughter is very suspicious of Nick but can she prove any of it to her mom before it is too late?

This is an exciting, fast paced story to the end. If you enjoy a thriller that keeps you guessing this book is for you. I would definitely recommend this one.

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for an advanced copy of this novel.

📜Quick Summary: As Nina Swann is grieving the loss of her husband, an unexpected package shows up at her door. Nick, her late husband’s friend, sends this package to offer his condolences. Even though Nina is automatically swooning, her daughter Ash is not. She sees behind his handsome self, his strong demeanor, and his questionable presence. As she starts digging into this Nick character, she uncovers…some unsettling things. In a town nearby, Martha and her family- her husband Alistair and baby girl- are living a happy life. But when Martha starts questioning Alistair’s whereabouts, things start to spiral quickly.

❣️Initial Feels: Lisa has a way of dragging you in right away, and I was hooked from the start.

👀Trigger Warnings: loss of husband, psychopath

🌶️Spice Level: eh…

📖Read if you want: a LOT of characters, changing point of views, flashbacks to the past

🙋🏼‍♀️Moving Character: Ash was probably the only character I liked. She was the only woman in this novel that showed any sort of brains at all…and I just wanted her to find out who Nick is, and be over with him!

🌟Overall Rating: 3 stars

💡Final Sentiments: Lisa Jewell is an autobuy and autoread, so I was extremely thrilled to receive this arc! This book did not hit the mark for me. Unfortunately, there were too many characters and too many “silly” women characters that made SO many bad choices. Nick was a walking red flag and the way these grown adults would turn their eye at the most ridiculous thing… drove me a little mad! I wanted to really love this, as I am a Jewell fan, but I just didn’t vibe with the majority of the cast. This is not a thriller, in the sense of feeling jumpy or being scared; it’s more of a slow burn mystery, watching things unravel and come to fruition. Of course some twists and turns you could figure out, and some were well hidden! I think this novel will be a hit or miss for readers… and if you like a slow unraveling ride, and aren’t expecting a jaw dropping thriller, this may be for you.

🔉Special thanks to Lisa Jewell, Atria Books, and NetGalley for this arc of Don’t Let Him In.

📘Grab yourself a copy on June 24, 2025!

Thank you to Netgalley and to the publisher for the eARC!

Lisa Jewell did not disappoint with Don't Let Him In! This was a very entertaining read which made me want to keep reading. I could not put this down! It was interesting and shocking to see how everything came together. If I had to change one thing about the book I wish the ending was different- it felt rushed but it also worked since the main character is so odd and crazy!

I will be posting my full review on my bookstagram @bookofthemeg on pub day- 6/24!

Thank you Atria Books and Lisa Jewell for the copy of Don’t Let Him In.

I didn’t know where this journey would take me, but was it ever a good journey! And that epilogue!!!! Fantastic read!!

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the ARC! This read was infuriating, with so many twists and turns, and kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Every time we skipped to the past I felt myself think "oh god, what *else* has this man done?!"

A quick, captivating read that even though a few places felt a bit predictable, made me shudder due to the possibility (and reality) of people like this existing in the real world.

4.5*

This book kept me guessing from page 1. There were times when my guesses would be right but then it would twist around in ways I never expected. Ash and Martha made me feel for them. And Emma. I still have questions though. Was there more to Jane? That felt like there was something there. How did he manage his getaway? Does he actually go to prison? I hope Ash and Martha can put there lives together after all those events.

Wow! What a masterclass in deception! This book is an exhilarating ride from start to finish!

Nina Swann receives a condolence card from Nick Radcliffe, a charming old friend of her late husband. While Nina is drawn to Nick's warmth and charisma, her daughter Ash is suspicious, believing he may be too perfect. Undeterred by her mother's feelings, Ash investigates Nick's background and uncovers troubling secrets. Meanwhile, Martha, a florist with a husband, Alistair, who frequently travels for work, begins to doubt his explanations for his absences. The lives of Nina, Martha, and Ash intersect, leading them to confront a disturbing truth that they wish they had avoided. The story warns them: "Don’t let him in," as hidden pasts threaten to resurface.

Divided into five suspenseful parts, the narrative is intricately crafted to keep you on your toes and your mind racing. We follow a skilled con artist whose charm and cunning are put to the test as life and circumstances begin to catch up with him. As he struggles to keep his story straight, some of his excuses are downright laughable, though, from a certain perspective, they might seem plausible.

The plot unfolds with little room for guesswork, as the author deftly weaves between timelines, providing a richer understanding of events and character development. The women in this tale are surprisingly easy to deceive, but love can make us all a bit irrational. When family is on the line, who knows how far one might go?

I often find myself grappling with Lisa's unique writing style, but this time, I was able to dive right in and grasp the story more easily than in some of her previous works. Prepare to feel a mix of frustration and amusement as you navigate through the protagonist's poor excuses and outrageous behavior—it's all part of the fun!

The ending? Absolutely delightful and completely unexpected! I was on the edge of my seat, hoping for a resolution that would satisfy, and let me tell you, it couldn’t have been better. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, there’s a final twist on the last page that will leave you applauding!

If you enjoy tales of cunning con artists, intricate circumstances that set off a chain reaction spanning years, and justice served with a side of irony, this is the perfect summer read. And I can only imagine that the audiobook version is even more captivating! Bravo!

Thank you, Atria Books, for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Lisa, ma’am, queen - you truly popped off with this book! I was at the edge of my comfy reading chair the entire length of this book! It was the true definition of a page turner! Every single chapter kept building and building to the point where I wanted to read the last page just to see what would happen! I would give this book 6 stars if I could!

I can best describe this book as if Tinder Swindler and Dirty John had a baby and this is that baby! I will NOT be shutting up about this book for a very long time! It was scandalous, salacious, suspenseful AF, intriguing, and most of all dramatic! This is what I want all my thrillers to be like! This is my 2nd Lisa Jewell book - the first being None of This is True (another amazing read!!) I am a fan for life!

Thank you to Atria Books for providing me with this e-ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Thank you NetGalley, Atria Books and Lisa Jewell for the opportunity to read and review an advanced copy of Don’t Let Him In.
Three women are connected to one man in this psychological, multi-perspective thriller. The present and past storylines kept me on my toes always with more questions than I started with. The beginning chapters were a bit confusing until the characters established themselves.
The characters are well developed although flawed, lack common sense and are way too trusting. Our sought after man is a psychotic individual who easily swayed his victims to his side. He is an overconfident smooth talker who seems to be able to turn women’s heads. I enjoyed Ash’s doubts and investigative techniques to figure things out although she also had her own issues to deal with.
The story is fast paced and kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what possibly could happen next. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and look forward to more from Lisa Jewell.

3.5

The ending fell a little flat for me. Regardless, I’m thankful to NetGalley + Atria Books for the ARC.

Hmmm…..this is going to be a hard review for me because rating this one was hard too.

I liked the book….kinda. At times I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what happens next. The next minute, I wanted to slap every single female in the book and the author for writing about women’s insecurities and the men who are able to exploit them.

I hate the male characters in this book. Almost all of them, even the ancillary ones like sons. The women have to stop whining. But…the end was a mouth dropper.

Thank you to Net Galley and Lisa Jewel for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

After someone dies, it’s the stories about their life that keeps them alive. However, what if someone tells stories that aren’t true. There’s no one to fact them because the person it’s about is no longer able to refute it. That’s how this books starts off…

Book: Don’t Let Him In 🚪
Author: Lisa Jewell
Publication date: June 23, 2025

Nina receives a letter from a former friend of her late husband. Wanting to know more, she connects with him. Her daughter, Ash, doesn’t trust him though and looks into who he really is. Her father may not be alive any longer but someone must know more about this mystery man and why he’s suddenly integrating himself in her mother’s life.

Don’t Let Him In is written in multiple perspectives over different timelines. It can be a bit disorientating but it’s intentional on Lisa Jewell’s part. It kept me reading wanting to figure out how they were all connected and what is revealed, I did not see coming.

This is a fantastic con story that highlights the emotions that come along with grief, relationship/family dynamics, and suspense.

I’ve only read a handful of LJ books. While I love her ability of storytelling, Don’t Let Him In took forever to get to the point. It took about 55% of the novel to get to the action. The first half of the book felt extremely slow and repetitive. I also don’t think some of the POVs were not needed.

3/5 ⭐️

I adore Lisa Jewell’s writing. I was thrilled to see she was releasing a new book! My blood pressure was so high while reading this which is a sure fire sign of a great thriller. I liked the third person narrative and quick chapters. So much deception so little time. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my ARC.

Huge Lisa Jewell fan so a new book by her is always an exciting event!

Don't Let Him in is more in the vein of Invisible Girl than most recent psychological thrillers, None of This is True. Don't Let Him In is a Dirty John type story about a man juggling multiple wives and families in a sort of romantic and financial pyramid scheme. Told in multiple points of view, this story has a quiet sense of menace as we wait for this character's (he has quite a few names and aliases!) crazy lifestyle to blow up in his face.

Full review on my website, linked below!