Such an exciting and dramatic book! I loved it and would definitely recommend it to others. I can totally see this becoming a movie or short series.

Thank you, NetGalley for the ARC! Don’t Let Him In releases June 24, 2025. While I love a good thriller, this book infuriated me. I hated the main character (as anyone who reads those books should), but I was also constantly irritated by the lack of intelligence of the sub characters who allowed this man in their lives. It was very difficult to keep the characters straight. I did like how many of the loose ends were tied up at the end of the book.

Lisa Jewell has done it again! This page turner had me guessing who was going to be the next victim and who would outwit the main character. Her quick chapters give you just enough but wanting more.

Lisa Jewell has written a novel about a man who is deplorable and loathsome. He’s a con artist and manipulator and there’s not one single thing to like about him. He makes it hard to even read about all the horrible things he is doing without also feeling like the woman he is taking advantage of are somehow complicit.
I’m going to have a hard time rating this book because the main character was so unlikable and disgusting. Let’s just say you are hoping that the author gives him his just due and that’s about the only thing that sees you through all of these terrible stories.

This was very good, but I felt very similar to her others. I did have to finish in one sitting which is always a great sign!

Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Lisa Jewell has been an author I have enjoyed in the past and I was really excited to dive right into this book! This book was no great in my eyes. Nothing eye catching, drawing me in at the beginning and it just drug on for 300+ pages. It has multiple time frames to follow and several characters. I hope others find it more interesting than me.

Wow, what a ride this one was! This guy is the definition of psycho! Holy heck!

I had a little trouble keeping all of the characters straight for a while but eventually it all clicked. Definitely one of Jewell's best!

Ever wonder if that charming new person in your life is too good to be true? Lisa Jewell's Don't Let Him In plays on this fear so well, you might start side-eyeing your neighbours.

The story kicks off with a bang - literally. Someone pushes restaurateur Paddy Swann in front of a train. His widow Nina, is left picking up the pieces, and soon her path crosses with Martha, a florist barely keeping her shop afloat while her husband's "business trips" get longer and more frequent. Enter Nick Radcliffe, who seems to have walked straight out of a romance novel. But we all know what they say about things that seem too perfect.

Jewell's real talent isn't in shocking twists (though there are plenty). It's how she makes you care about these people before she starts dismantling their lives. She builds tension like a master chef reduces a sauce - slowly, carefully, until it's rich enough to cut with a knife. The way she switches between perspectives is like watching a car crash in slow motion - you see all the pieces moving toward disaster, but you're powerless to stop it.

What makes this book stick with you isn't the plot, though it's clever enough. It's the uncomfortable truth at its heart: we never really know anyone completely. Not our partners, not our friends, and maybe not even ourselves. Jewell doesn't just write about liars; she shows us how easy it is to lie to ourselves.

Sure, the middle section takes time, like a cat playing with its prey. And yes, if you're looking for constant shocking twists, you might get antsy. But trust me - when this slow burn finally ignites, you'll be glad you stuck around.

Bottom line? Don't Let Him In is Jewell at her best. It's the kind of book that makes you check your doors are locked - not because of monsters or killers, but because of the much scarier possibility that evil might walk in wearing a perfect smile and bearing a bottle of your favourite wine.
If you like your thrillers smart, subtle, and psychologically sharp, this one's for you. Maybe you shouldn't read it while your partner's away on a business trip.

Comparable Titles
• The Book of Cold Cases by Simone St. James
• Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty
• The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley
• The Hunter by Tana French

The highly anticipated new novel, Don’t Let Him In, by Lisa Jewell sends you on a crash collision course that you can see coming a mile away. Regardless of the obvious predictability, I was still compelled to speed read to find out how the plot would unfold. You can feel the angst and dread but it’s like trying to look away from a car wreck; you just can’t! Lisa Jewell does what she does best by creating a tension filled world with dynamic characters that you cannot escape from until you reach the climax! Don’t Let Him In, is a fast paced quick read. It is not my favorite Jewell book but it is worth the read. Highly recommend. Thank you to Net Galley for providing me with an advanced readers copy. Side note: I could have done without the gender scene.

Don't Let Him In's plot reminded me very much of the Criminal Mind episode, "Parasite". I was immediately hooked with the short chapters as well as the overall pace of the story but I felt like there were a little too many characters for me to keep track of that I lost a little interest in the mystery unfolding. I think that the plot was a little predictable and I was expecting a little bit more of a twist considering the previous works I've read from Lisa Jewell but in general, I think that this book is perfect for fans of a domestic suspense!

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Lisa Jewel writes fantastic thrillers! If you’re looking for different POV’s, timelines and my personal favorite, an unreliable narrator you will love this one! It was a bit predictable for me, but I did love the short chapters and overall pace of the story. I wish there had been a bigger twist but still very much enjoyed as everything came together very nicely at the end.

Thank you for providing me with an advanced reader’s copy of this title via NetGalley.

I got about 25% into this book before I put it down for good. This story just wasn’t for me. I wasn’t interested in the characters or the mystery. It seemed like just another book about a terrible guy.

Lisa Jewell has delivered another suspenseful and mysterious story with Don’t Let Him in. Jewell tackles a con artist or mysterious man with a secret story and allows readers to question his motives much like our heroines.

A marriage is over; the husband done with his wife. A florist with two sons is living with her husband and their daughter; no matter how hard she works, they never seem to have enough money and why does the husband keep disappearing? The wife of a murdered restauranteur receives a gift and note from an acquaintance of her late husband. Suddenly he is in her life, pursuing a relationship. What do these women and men have in common? Are they on a collision course?

Told in shifting timelines and sometimes alternating POVs, this is another psychological thriller from popular author Lisa Jewell. Like peeling the layers of a rotten onion, the true character and exploits of the main male character are slowly revealed. This is like watching an accident you know is going to happen….you just can’t look away from the story. As fantastical as elements of the plot may seem, manipulative, misogynist, narcissistic monsters like this do exist….just watch a few Dateline or other true crime episodes. One can only hope that women learn something from this tale…put away your naivety and develop some protective radar.

Another compelling psychological thriller from Lisa Jewell with Don't Let Him In, weaving a complex narrative that explores the dark undercurrents of charm and manipulation. The story centers around Nina, a recent widow, and Martha, a mother juggling family and a struggling business. Both women's lives become entangled with the enigmatic Nick Radcliffe, whose charisma masks a sinister agenda. ​

Jewell's storytelling shines as she delves into the psyches of her characters, particularly Nick's, whose sociopathic tendencies are both chilling and fascinating. The multiple perspectives offer a multifaceted view of the unfolding drama, keeping readers engaged as secrets unravel. ​
Goodreads

While the narrative's pacing starts off leisurely, it gradually builds tension, culminating in a series of revelations that are both satisfying and thought-provoking. Some readers might find the shifting points of view and timelines a bit disorienting initially, but these elements ultimately contribute to the story's depth and complexity. ​

Overall, Don't Let Him In is a masterfully crafted thriller that examines the dangers lurking behind charming facades. It's a must-read for fans of domestic suspense and psychological intrigue.

𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗖𝗞 𝗣𝗟𝗢𝗧 𝗣𝗘𝗘𝗞
After the sudden death of her husband Paddy, Nina is drawn into a new relationship with his old friend, Nick - much to her daughter Ash’s concern. Meanwhile, florist Martha is dealing with a distant husband and growing financial troubles. As their lives intersect, the women begin to realize nothing is quite what it seems…

𝗛𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗢𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗢𝗡
The story started strong, and I was quickly drawn into Ash’s perspective. The shifting timelines and multiple POVs threw me a little at first, but once I settled in, it was easy to follow.

About a third of the way in, the pace really slowed, and I found myself struggling to stay invested. There were some lovely character moments and dynamic relationships, but overall it felt heavy on detail and light on tension. It didn’t really feel like a thriller to me until quite late in the book.

When the twists did come, they didn’t quite land for me - I’d seen most of them coming, so the payoff felt a bit flat.

𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗?
Lisa Jewell has a devoted fanbase and I’m sure many readers will enjoy this, especially those who appreciate a slow-burn domestic suspense. It just wasn’t quite the right fit for me this time.

Thanks to @Netgalley and @AtriaBooks for access to this advance readers copy

Ash has just lost her dad, Paddy Swann—a larger-than-life, wildly talented chef—in the most tragic and senseless way. Not long after, her mom Nina receives a surprise gift from Nick, a guy who used to work with Paddy “back in the day.” After a bit of back-and-forth, Nina and Nick start dating… and Ash is not having it. She’s convinced he’s too good to be true, and she’s on a mission to prove it.

Spoiler alert, trigger warnings, and all the chaos ahead! This book was a wild ride, and honestly? The gaslighting in this story hit way too close to home. Nick—oh man—he is something else. One of those characters you love to hate, and I was more than ready for karma to catch up with him (which, thankfully, it does).

The twists? So good. The tension? Off the charts. And Ash? I absolutely loved her fierce determination to protect her mom at all costs. She’s smart, strong, and stubborn in all the best ways.

Big thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts!

Holy moly. This book was twistier than a dang pretzel and I was here for it I always forget how much I love Lisa Jewell, then when I finallyyyy pick up another of hers I’m ✨obsessed✨. I will say it did take me a minute to get used to the changing POVs and time periods, so I’m very glad I decided to read with my eyeballs 👀 That being said, I couldn’t put this one down and stayed up way past my bedtime multiple nights in a row. Highly recommend this for a quick and twisty AF thriller

Don’t Let Him In is another great suspense story by Lisa Jewell. I spent too many nights staying up late reading this book. I don’t want to give anything away! There are multiple characters and timelines to keep track of, which can be a bit difficult. This story is worth the effort, though. As with the other books I’ve read by Jewell, some things that occur on the book are unpleasant to read about. If you can handle that, it is a great story and it all comes together in ways that only a good author can make happen. Jewell will continue to be one of my go to authors for suspense/thrillers!

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the eGalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC! Three stories of betrayal and dark secrets come together in this intricate narrative from Lisa Jewell. Ash is still reeling from the sudden death of her father, but wanting the best for her mother Nina, she tries to support her new relationship with Nick. But something is off about the stories Nick tells and Ash begins to dig deeper...
Martha is a florist and believes she's living her dream life until her husband starts acting strangely. What is he hiding and is their relationship reaching the end?
What is the truth, and how does everything tie together? As Ash investigates Nick, the truth reveals itself and it is far darker and stranger than fiction.