Don’t Let Him in was the twistiest thriller!!

This is one of those thrillers where you want to scream at the characters, “Don’t do it!!!” We, as readers, can see things way more clearly than the characters can. It’s like watching a train wreck but you can’t look away. Until…

Well, I won’t give it away but I was completely engrossed in this story. I alternated between the physical copy and the audiobook and let me tell you that @richardcarmitage was PHENOMENAL. He could read his grocery list and I would listen.

I love Jewell’s books so I knew I would like this one. It’s available now so grab a copy!

I agree with prior reviews that talk about how there are just A LOT of characters. I feel like the point would have been the same with a scam or two less. I also felt like the ending was a little confusing.

A man with a past who has had numerous relationships under numerous names. His life finally catches up to him when Ash, the daughter of Nina whom he is dating, has a funny feeling about him and discovers what is happening.

There is pure evil in this world, and there is whatever Nick Radcliffe is - somehow worse than evil. This was a twisty, turny thriller - but somehow missed the depth of character building or detail to make the twists hit. Good but not great, but then again - I'm less of a thriller girly so would be curious for the my thriller loving friends to weigh in!

As the saying goes, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. And Nick Ratcliffe seems to good to be true - at least to Ash Swann who is watching him woo his Mother and step into the role vacated by her recently deceased father. Same goes for Martha's husband Alistar. Once a doting husband he has started to leave Martha in the lurch with mysterious trips and unanswered texts. Who is the man they've let into their lives? And - what will happen when the seemingly perfect man gets desperate.

There were a lot of characters and a lot of moving timelines here. The sheer volume of victims does add to level of evil this man stoops to, but listening to the book took me some time to start really placing which woman was who - because this man had a type. There were a few twists that felt so undeveloped that they were shocking, but also - felt out of left field. For example, I gasped at the second to last reveal. But, the more I think about it - the more I wonder if that twist works if it was that much of a surprise for me?

Don't Let Him In!!!!!! This was really good. I enjoyed reading this book by Lisa Jewell. I did not predict what was coming, so I did not want to put it down. It kept my attention until the end. It went back and forth from the past to the present, which was throwing my brain for a loop. If you like a suspenseful and twisty story with characters you can not quite tell what they are all about, this novel is for you. It kept me guessing.

If you are a fan of Freida McFadden, you will enjoy this book! I will always read Lisa Jewell!

Overall I rated this book four stars. There were parts that seemed to take too long to unfold, but as they did, the book kept my attention. I would recommend this book.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgally for giving me an arc of Don't Let Him In. I tried for awhile to get into this book but I just can't get myself to finish it. I don't know who's who or what timeline we're in anymore and it's frustrating plus I've read many books with similar plots as this one.

This was an interesting mystery to follow. I enjoyed reading the story from the different characters. It brought the details and color to the story. Without spoiling anything, I will say that I thought the way the ending came together was very satisfying.

Don’t Let Him In pulled me in from the first scene. Flowers arriving at Nina Swann’s door, her husband Paddy’s sudden death still raw, and the arrival of Nick Radcliffe, a charming man claiming to have known Paddy well. From that moment, I felt the creeping tension in the Swann household.

Lisa Jewell crafts atmosphere expertly. We meet Nina, torn between grief and the relief Nick seems to bring. Her daughter Ash, wary and still struggling with mental health, smells trouble, especially when Nick’s story doesn’t add up. Ash becomes a dogged investigator whose unease keeps the plot buzzing.

Meanwhile Martha’s storyline takes a turn I didn’t expect. Her husband Alistair is never around, and small inconsistencies build to something darker—tracking devices, emotional gaslighting, and a reveal that he’s actually a con man with multiple identities . The way Jewell contrasts Nina’s shock with Martha’s slow-burning realization adds depth, and their stories eventually collide in a satisfyingly tense climax.

What stood out most was the villain’s voice—Nick or Alistair feels too smooth, too practiced. Reading his internal monologue made me gasp more than once. He’s perfectly polite on the surface but entirely sinister underneath, and Jewell never lets you forget how dangerous manipulation can be.

There were moments when the pacing lagged, some middle sections felt a bit heavy on exposition. And I could have used a little more payoff resolving the tangled subplot threads. But overall the structure kept me hooked, switching between POVs just when I needed the tension dialed back or flipped again .

If you love domestic psychological thrillers built on flawed characters, hidden dangers, and slow-building dread, Don’t Let Him In delivers. Reading it feels like hearing a friend recount a scary true story—and then realizing maybe they’re still wrapped up in the nightmare themselves.

I was very excited to read a new book by Jewell. I am giving this one 3.5 stars. I was not a fan of the ending, or the multiple POV's. I really enjoyed our villain POV the most. It was chilling and excited to hear from him. But once we were on any of the "victims" chapters, I found those kind of boring. But I digress. I still really enjoyed and will be recommending this.

Ugh this one was so hard to get into. You know who the villain is from the very beginning so nothing he does is all together shocking or thrilling it’s just disappointing because he’s a trash human. All the women in the story are annoying because they can’t see what’s clearly in front of them with this guy. And it jumps around the time so much that it was really hard to keep track of who was win and when things were happening.

Highly predictable. Not as suspenseful as one might think given Lisa Jewell’s previous books. This story was more of a revenge quest by a daughter, seeking to protect her mother and exposing a serial womanizer. It was actually not that exciting. But I appreciate the opportunity to read and review this book by #netgalley, #lisajewell, #atriabooks.

I’ve liked all the Lisa Jewell books I’ve read so far, but this book was a bit disappointing. I found it to be quite predictable and was not at all surprised by the “twists.” From the first couple chapters, it was obvious where the rest of the book was headed. If you’re looking for a book that keeps you on the edge of your seat, I wouldn’t pick up this one. If you like the premise of the book and just want to hear the stories of how a guy ruined the lives of many women, then go for it.

I hate to say it, but this one was just so-so for me. 🫤After loving “None of This is True” by Jewell, I was anxiously awaiting this release which in the end felt average for me. Briefly, this book is about a con-man, Nick, who scams women into thinking he’s the perfect guy, earning their trust, and then taking their money and disappearing.👀

While this thriller grabbed my attention at the start and kept me turning pages, it didn’t give me the goosebumps or jaw drop moment that I crave in a good thriller. I kept waiting for something big to happen or one final twist to really catch me off guard and it just didn’t come. I do enjoy Lisa Jewell’s writing and intensity of sketchy characters, but oddly, I found myself not really connecting to any of these women when I should have been. No one felt particularly likable, maybe Martha aside, but something felt amiss!

This is an entertaining and satisfying thriller — more creepy than scary, with strong female characters. Some plot elements involving mental illness and gaslighting. I typically enjoy domestic thrillers by Lisa Jewell and this is no exception.

I’ve seen this novel described as kaleidoscopic and that is such an apt descriptor. Jewell constantly circles the truth, alternating POVs and timelines, each chapter unveiling slightly more, getting us closer and closer to the big reveals.

Don’t Let Him In follows three main women and the man that connects them all. Though there’s much more to it than that, I’ll avoid spoilers and recommend you go in blind!

This was a fun, twisty ride (with some pieces I guessed and others that shocked me) with a satisfying ending. Perfect summer read!

Thank you for NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC (though this book is out now!)

He’s the perfect man. It’s a perfect lie.

Nina Swann is intrigued when she received a condolence card from Nick Radcliffe, an old friend of her late husband, who is looking to connect after her husband’s unexpected death. Nick is a man of substance and good taste. He has a smile that could melt the coldest heart and a knack for putting others at ease. But to Nina’s adult daughter, Ash, Nick seems too slick, too polished, too good to be true. Without telling her mother, Ash begins digging into Nick’s past. What she finds is more than unsettling…

Martha is 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, disappearing for days at a time. When Martha questions him about his frequent absences, he always has a legitimate explanation, but Martha can’t share the feeling that something isn’t right.

Nina, Martha, and Ash are on a collision course with a shocking truth that is far darker than anyone could have imagined. And all three are about to wish they had heeded the same warning: Don’t let him in. But the past won’t stay buried forever.

Thank you Net Galley for the ARC of this book.

I had to DNF this one. I can deal with a lying cheating husband but this one I literlly wanted to make me throw my kindle. I am not positive about it but I just could not force myself to read anymore about this man Cheating, lying, and STEALING from his wife and other women until they we BROKE. I normally love Lisa Jewells' novels but I could not get past the MMC in this one.

Lisa Jewell does it again! She had me on the edge of my seat, muttering wtf, and flipping pages faster and faster trying to get to the bottom of her latest mystery.

Several stories of women wronged are woven together throughout a course of several years. Reading of the atrocities these women faced was at times horrifying and at others painful. Especially when the despicable human at the heart of that pain returned on some occasions and was welcomed with open arms. It was terrifying (and shocking) to think how little it takes to deceive people and how blind love truly can be.

One thing I loved most about this novel is the strength and ambition of the women. Many stories of abused women depict the women as easily duped or silly for falling for such a con. These women were successful, professional, and highly intelligent. It was thought provoking and also so scary!

I also loved the focus on Nina’s story. After the death of her husband - a legend in the community - I appreciated her coming into her own and learning of her story. I liked how she developed her own identity separate from her deceased husband and how she navigates the troubles with her daughter.

All in all this book was a home run. There are a lot of names and characters and timelines but trust me, it’s worth it.

A huge thank you to Atria Books for the copy. Don’t miss this one.

This is a gripping psychological suspense story that has tension, and danger lurking behind closed doors.
The story centers around a woman who has a seemingly normal life
Which starts to unravel after a stranger enters her world.
This book explores the haunting consequences of who we allow into our lives — emotionally, physically, and literally.
If you enjoy thrillers that blend domestic tension with psychological dread, you’ll enjoy this .
Thanks netgalley

Lisa Jewell always gonna pull me in, and this one? Whew. Messy in the best way. I was locked in tryna piece it all together yellin’ at the pages like, “Girl, don’t trust him!” I was definitely team Ash the whole way through. She was peepin’ game before anybody else even knew it was a game bein’ played. Sis ain’t no fool.

Now look… some of the women in this story had me side-eyein’ hard. The way they ignored them red flags? I was screamin’ internally, for real. Jewell’s characters be so layered though you love ’em, you hate ’em, then you feel bad for judging ’em.

I will say, it took a lil’ minute to heat up. First two-thirds had me like “okay, let’s get to it,” but babyyyy that last part? Pure chaos. Twists was twistin’. Drama unfolded like an episode of Snapped. I was all in.

Is it my favorite Lisa Jewell? Nah. But I still ate it up in one sitting. She knows how to craft tension and drop just enough hints to keep you tryna play detective. And the way it all came together in the end? Satisfying. Real slick.