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.

Lisa Jewell did it again!
Another fast-pacing thriller to leave the readers on their edge of their seat, second-guessing the entire time and be blown away by all the twists and turns. There's a full cast of characters, and they all read individually and are very realistic.
I actually find it impressive that Lisa Jewell, after a couple of decades writing novels, can still surprise and mesmerise the readers.
Not my favourite book by the author, though. I still prefer The Night She Disappeared, but this new one is a must-read to anyone who has read a book by this author enjoyed it.
Thank you, NetGalley and Atria Books, for the eARC.

Thanks to Netgalley & Atria Books for the E-ARC! Really enjoyed! Great plot twists & had me turning the pages. Also cool setting. Will read more from this author.

The 📖: Don’t Let Him In by Lisa Jewell.

Nina Swann can’t believe she met someone like Nick Radcliffe. Charming, handsome, warm—how could she be so lucky?

Ash, Nina’s daughter, can’t believe her mother isn’t the least bit skeptical about Nick. This guy just waltzed right in after her father’s death. And something about him just doesn’t seem to make sense…

Martha can’t believe she’s starting to doubt her husband, Alastair. Of course he loves her. Of course he’s devoted to the family. Of course he has valid work related reasons for being out of town. But why can’t she shake this doubt?

Lisa Jewell makes an art form out of keeping her readers unsettled and this book is no different. From the start, you know something is amiss. Jewell does an excellent job of hooking the reader with that feeling and keeping them suspended amidst all that is amiss right until her final reveal.

Don’t Let Him In releases on June 24, 2025. Thank you to @netgalley and @atria for the e-ARC!

Very creepy because it is possible. Some of it dragged in parts but overall, a good story. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book

Lisa Jewell does NOT disappoint! Took me a bit to get into the plot as there were lots of characters and the timeline moved around but once I was in I was ALL in. Unfortunately this was a work of psychological thriller that had an all to real potential to it. It was fast paced and hard to put down. Very timely with #MeToo and some recent events in the world. Some plot points I figured out and were a bit predictable but the ending did NOT disappoint. If you are a fan of Lisa Jewell or new to her work and like a good dark and twisty thriller - choose this one! An excellent summer read. Looking forward to Lisa Jewell's next offering already. Big thanks to Atria , Lisa Jewell and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for a review.

Gripping, flawlessly executed, and packed with heart-throbbing intensity, this domestic thriller is one I highly recommend! I've already declared it the best thriller/ mystery of the year. Don't even think about missing it— order your copy ASAP!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing this fantastic thriller's digital review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.