This is not encouraging me to dip my toes any further into Lisa Jewell's work, or mystery/thriller overall. I was bored pretty much the entire time reading this. It felt like a slow burn leading up to a massive explosion of related plot threads, but the climax really fizzled out. There aren't really any twists or turns here (the story goes exactly where you expect it to), and there isn't much tension. The most exciting part is mentioned vaguely in the epilogue. Also all the women's POVs sounded basically all the same, and followed the same patterns. Overall a big "meh".

**Many thanks to NetGalley, Atria, and Lisa Jewell for a DRC of this book in exchange for an honest review!**

"Someone's knockin' at the door
Someone's ringin' the bell
Do me a favor and open the door
and Let Him In..." - Paul McCartney

Did Nina Swann have THIS very song stuck in her head that day? Was THAT the reason that she allowed the all-too-mysterious yet somehow intriguing Nick Radcliffe in her door that day? Or was it just a dangerous impulse...one she should have ignored?

After all, from the letter he SEEMED perfectly kind. After losing her beloved husband Paddy in a horrifying way (he was pushed onto train tracks...but I'm sure there was NO foul play there, right?) Nina is left with her two grown children by her side, daughter Ash and son Arlo. Ash in particular is bound and determined to protect her mom...so when a letter from Nick arrives detailing his friendship with Paddy, she feels a mix of emotions and more than a little skepticism. After all, who IS this guy...and why hadn't they heard of this enduring friendship BEFORE Paddy died? As Ash begins to play armchair detective, what she finds is not only unnerving...but leads her to fear the man her mother is slowly letting infiltrate her heart and home...but can she click the last few puzzle pieces into place BEFORE Nick catches on?

Meanwhile, florist Martha is growing progressively more impatient with her husband Alistair. Raising an infant is in and of itself enough to wear on her fraying nerves, but Ali has been gone longer and longer lately...and his 'work obligations' seem to have taken on a life of their own. After days away, his stories always SEEM to check out...but she can't shake a growing suspicion that something is awry and her woman's intuition is in hyper drive. Despite the lavish gifts and attention he gives her when they are together, their time apart prompts her to question just about everything about this 'perfect' man, and if the life of her dreams has been a bit TOO carefully curated...by a master of this very craft.

As the three story lines converge, the common denominator slowly becomes clear...but the motive, the method, and the madness is still a mystery. Can these three women band together, with knowledge as their Weapon of Choice, and dispense the proverbial door slam by way of the 'clank' of a jail cell? Or has this powerful mastermind found a way to leave yet another unsuspecting love interest in his wake...and somehow escape unscathed to hunt for his NEXT victim?

I'll admit it - I gave it everything I had attempting to temper my expectations before going into this one. I knew that there was probably no way this book would live up to the deeply unsettling and Netflix-READY None of This is True (side note - where is the adaptation announcement? That book READ as though I were watching it, moreso than perhaps any other thriller I've read in the last ten years)...and yet there was STILL a small piece of me that was hoping it would beat the odds. I'm a Jewell loyalist of sorts - the kind that has added all of her NON thriller books to my TBR, because she is just that solid, reliable, and clever of a writer. Even those early YA-tinged college fics seem worth the read because well, it's LISA JEWELL.

But as much as that dizzying maze of a cover drew me in, and as excited as I was after reading some glowing early reviews, reading the perspectives of these characters made me feel a bit like Alice down the rabbit hole...if she lost ALL of her clever, feminist perspective and turned into a gullible, gold digging, red-flag-ignoring woman instead.

Lisa Jewell either writes bonafide THRILLERS with the kind of twists and turns that you remember years later....OR what essentially read as thriller-tinged mysteries, usually with some deplorable male characters at the center...and I'm pretty sure based on the synopsis alone you can guess which category this book is in, and it's unfortunately my least favorite of the two. This book reads like a long, drawn-out episode of Dateline...and let's just say I'm not a HUGE fan of that either. By the time we got to the third instance of the same 'occurrence', it was all I could do to keep the eye rolls from cropping up ad nauseam. Of all things I don't love in a Lisa Jewell book, it's a protagonist that SHOULD see the writing on the wall and perhaps even does...but instead spends the next hundred pages frustrating the reader instead. This bounty of hapless and helpless females not only took significant effort to keep straight as they all read pretty much the same, but were so frustrating and one-note that I had a hard time keeping track of their story lines...and consequently, maintaining any sort of enthusiasm for them to overcome their shared obstacle.

And speaking of the 'shared obstacle'....I would be remiss if I didn't spend some time on perhaps my deepest struggle with this one: Nick Radcliffe himself. In him, Jewell gives us a male MC that couldn't embody smooth and slimy charm OR be cartoony and villainous to seem like a true threat. Two roads diverged in a wood...and I guess Jewell chose neither? For a writer that has such chops in developing CREEPY incel-like characters (see: Invisible Girl) this shouldn't have been hard...and yet, I felt no true repulsion OR even that sort of disgusted intrigue when it came to Nick. His lies seemed thin at best, and I couldn't understand why the females in his life were so easily wooed or sucked in by his honeyed words. I wanted him to have the sort of icky charisma that you find in a serial killer novel...you know, the kind where you ALMOST end up rooting for the serial killer? (I'm looking at you, Blood Sugar!) but instead, he just read like a huckster...and I guess I'm so good at shutting out those types that I tuned him out from the opening pitch and never tuned back in.

And at the end of the day, perhaps I should have let my introverted, 'closed door' policy that applies to all traveling salesman type solicitors apply to this BOOK too....because at least in those cases, you can BET I never let ANY of them in.

(Sorry Paul!)

3.5 stars

Lisa Jewell is one of those authors I can always count on to hook me from the first page, and Don’t Let Him In is no exception. The story follows three women, Nina, her teenage daughter Ash, and Martha, whose lives get tangled up with the same man. He’s charming, attentive, and seems perfect… but of course, this is a Lisa Jewell novel, so you know there’s something darker lurking beneath the surface.

The chapters alternate between perspectives, and I loved how each voice added new layers to the mystery. Lisa Jewell is so good at creating that creeping sense of unease, where you’re not sure exactly what’s wrong, only that something is. The tension just keeps building until everything collides in a way that had me flipping pages late into the night.

I will say, there were moments where I wanted to shake the characters for trusting too easily, but that also made the slow unravel even more satisfying. Jewell’s knack for balancing suspense with emotional depth really shines here. There’s grief, love, obsession, and betrayal all woven together.

Overall, Don’t Let Him In is twisty, unsettling, and completely addictive. If you’ve enjoyed her recent thrillers like The Family Remains or None of This Is True, you’ll fly through this one too.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for keeping me guessing right up until the final chapter.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria books for the ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

When Mr. Perfect walks into your life you feel like the luckiest women on earth. Nina has recently lost her husband tragically. She receives a letter from her husband's old friend Nick who wishes to pay her respects to her late husband. When they meet a cute little romance begins to unfold. Ninas daughter, Ash, is not convinced Nick is so perfect and is immediately suspicious.

Martha also has a devoted husband, Alistair that she adores. He is loving and works alot. Martha notices Alistair has been taking more frequent work trips and is gone longer than anticipated. She becomes suspicious of hos frequent and senses and unexplained reasons for dashing out on work calls.

Each women in this book is about to go on a wild journey of discovery and truth. Their paths will collide with a shocking impact.

This books reminds me of a Datline episode i watched way back when. This is the classic story of do you truly know your partner. The story line started out slow for me but quickly picked up when I stared to piece things together. The web of dieciet and lies are mind boggling. The title says it all Don't let him in.

Book Review: Don't Let Him In by Lisa Jewell
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Lisa Jewell has officially earned a permanent spot on my must-read list. The moment I heard she had a new release, Don't Let Him In, I knew I had to dive in—and wow, what a ride.

Told through multiple POVs, this story unravels like a slow-burning fuse leading to an explosive reveal. At the center is a man who seems flawless on the surface: charming, successful, and heartbreakingly handsome. But Jewell masterfully reminds us that when something—or someone—seems too good to be true, it probably is.

The tension builds with delicious precision. It’s like watching a car crash in slow motion—you know disaster is coming, but you can’t look away. Nina, Martha, and Ash are all drawn into his orbit, and the men—Alistair, Nick, and others—are barreling toward a collision of atomic proportions.

This man has it all: the charisma, the disarming smile, the tragic backstory that makes women say, “Oh, bless your heart.” He’s the kind of guy who makes you feel seen, heard, and safe—until he disappears for days with vague excuses and no trace of income from his so-called “work.” That’s when the cracks begin to show.

And then there’s Ash—Nina’s daughter and the true MVP of this story. She’s not buying the act, and when she starts digging, the secrets she uncovers are chilling. Watching her piece together the truth had me cheering out loud. Her determination and grit give this thriller its emotional punch.

Don't Let Him In is a twisty, addictive page-turner that will keep you up late and leave you breathless. Jewell delivers suspense with heart, and this one is not to be missed.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the chance to read this electrifying thriller. Buckle up—this one’s a wild ride.

This book definitely had a vibe of something that could truly happen, however, for me it was a bit tough to get in to. It felt slow in the beginning and even though things picked up towards the middle, the end of the book was a bit anti-climactic for me. This left me wanting a bit more overall. I have liked other Lisa Jewell books more than this.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the eARC of this in exchange for my honest opinion!

I’d give “Don’t Let Him In” by Lisa Jewell a solid 4 out of 5 stars. It’s definitely a fast-paced thriller with engaging writing that kept me turning the pages. However, I did feel like the character development was a bit on the lighter side. I would have loved more backstory, especially for the women in the book and the lead male character. It was hard to see exactly what was so charismatic about him that he managed to lure everyone in.

In terms of the plot, it was enjoyable but a little predictable. As someone who reads a lot of thrillers, I found that there weren’t many twists that took me by surprise. Everything unfolded pretty much the way I expected, which made it feel a bit one-dimensional by the end. But all that said, it was still a good read and I’d rank it a bit higher than some of her other books. If you like a well-written thriller that’s more about the ride than the shock factor, it’s definitely worth picking up.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I thought this book had the potential to be amazing. The cover alone is intriguing and makes you want to try to figure out what its about. I

3.5 stars
This is different than Lisa Jewell's usual books. It is much more a character study than a thriller. Yes he was unlikeable, but Nick Radcliffe's character was really well done. I think that Jewell is an incredible writer and though this wasn't my favorite of hers, I'd still recommend it to anyone who likes con artist plots or fans of hers in general. I read this one and I think that's the way to go because it has multiple storylines, characters, and time frames that would be very hard to keep track of on audio.
Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC!

I was initially drawn to Lisa Jewell’s Don’t Let Him In because of its cover — the layered doors folding into each other, the moody blue hue of the frame, the wispy letters of the title painted across the front. It piqued my interest, which was confirmed upon reading the premise. But while the story had its moments of entertainment, it ultimately felt overdone, drawn out, and not compelling enough to keep me invested.

Don’t Let Him In follows three women: Nina, her daughter Ash, and Martha, all in some way tangled with Nick Radcliffe, a charming yet unsettling man whose true nature is revealed chapter by chapter as we watch him cling his claws into the lives of each woman — and their wallets.

Even with the large cast of characters, there wasn’t a single person I truly liked, even between those I wanted to root for. Don’t even get me started on Nick. Jewell writes in his perspective for nearly half the novel, but it’s never enjoyable. It’s dreadful, not in the love-to-hate-him way, but the why-am-I-still-listening-to-this-pathetic-narcissist way. He’s depicted as pure evil, but it’s flat and uninteresting. Nick is a privileged creep with fake trauma and lacking depth. Woe is Nick, and Nick is a damn psychopath with a superiority complex the size of England.

The women in the novel also frustrated me. I’m willing to suspend my disbelief as far as the author will allow me, but the sheer number of people who fell for Nick’s obvious manipulations kept growing, and the arduous length of time it took for him to be exposed felt unrealistic. Given how sloppy he was, how many children he had with different women, how many ridiculous lies he spewed, it was just hard to believe nobody connected the dots any sooner.

I love thrillers — when they’re done a certain way. I love unique premises, the wondering and wondering of what will occur, having to second-guess myself a hundred times, satisfying twists I don’t always see coming. I like feeling rewarded when my suspicions are correct because they’re so well-done, it’s a marvel I’ve guessed it. Don’t Let Him In made its reveal obvious from the start with its alternating POVs, then stretched the journey through what felt like endless chapters as I tried to beat on — not necessarily because I was hooked and aching for some conclusion, but because I wanted to see Nick fall.

The ending certainly wasn’t rushed, and I appreciate who ultimately serves the novel’s justice, but the execution felt silly. I found it unrealistic that no one thought to involve the police in advance of the novel’s climax, and it made the conclusion feel cheaper than I would have liked.

Lisa Jewell clearly exhibits capability in her craft, and thus I’d be open to trying another one of her books. Perhaps one with a tighter plot and a more nuanced villain.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing an advanced reading copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

Domestic thriller about an extremely manipulative man. Not my favorite LJ book, but a slow burn with a decent ending.

What a creepy read! I would recommend this one to anyone who likes to read the POV of a disturbing MC. Sometimes I wanted to SCREAM at the characters while reading but it definitely kept me engaged and turning pages!

2.5 stars!!!

This really just felt like a run of the mill thriller, which is unfortunately how I feel about most of Lisa Jewell's books. I knew exactly who the title was about the second he was introduced so it felt like everything we learned was unimportant. Like "oh wow, the man with bad vibes has bad vibes..." and it made me lose a lot of interest in the plot. I also think the BPD representation was pretty poorly done, but not full of misconceptions, but like the character didn't really have any symptoms other than reckless behavior which isn't a sign that someone has BPD. Also everything the vegan character said and everything that was said to her made me roll my eyes, so that's 2 for 2 bad representations of my own identifying traits. I did have a fun enough time that I was interested in finishing this book, but that's about as far as my enjoyment went.

Once I got into the rhythm of the million POVs, this was a blast. Maybe I wasn’t in the right head space at the time but it was hard to get around the different POVs.

Don't Let Him In grips you from the first page, pulling you into a web of trust, deception, and creeping dread. It kept me guessing until the last moment- another excellent thriller from Jewell!

Just ok. Sort of forgettable. I am still looking for a twisty mystery that doesn't seem like it is being pumped out like a factory formula.

Why is Lisa Jewell so gooooood??? This book had me instantly hooked. Every time I thought I had a grasp on how deep the insanity went, another layer would be pulled away and the story would get even more wild. This book is really hard to review because I don't want to spoil anything and it's difficult to discuss the plot without revealing too much. I will say the suspense in this book is so well crafted. Jewell has a knack for building tension and giving the story room to sit with discomfort. The insight into Nick/Alistair's mindset is chilling and shocking, you never knew quite how far he would go. I loved how Jewell utilized time jumps, it helped us see how manipulative and systematic Nick/Alistair was with his cons. There are a lot of characters, but they all seem very individual and necessary. Don't Let Him In is top notch suspense, I highly recommend!

Looking for a suspenseful summer read that will have you on the edge of your seat and guessing right until the very end? Look new further than @lisajewelluk and newest, psychological thriller! This one follows a woman who thought she’d finally found peace-living a quiet life, working a steady job, trying to stay under the radar. That is until a mysterious man from her past shows up and everything starts to unravel. Fast. The story flips between past and present as dangerous secrets start to surface. Who is telling the truth? Who can you actually trust? Jewell is one of my favorite authors and always an automatic read. She never disappoints! Thank you to @atriathrillers @atriabooks and @netgalley for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review

I will start by saying I was over the moon to receive an advanced copy of Don’t Let Him In. Lisa Jewell is one of my absolute favorite authors and I have read all of her novels. Following None of This is True, my expectations were high and this delivered! 5 stars all around. I absolutely love Lisa’s writing style and the feeling of never feeling “settled” as I read it. Constantly questioning everything and everyone. Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the advanced copy! Publication date June 24, 2025.

Don’t Let Him In is a fast-paced thriller that pulls you in quickly with its mysterious tone and layered plot. While the story really picks up around the halfway mark, the large number of characters can feel overwhelming at times. It takes a bit of effort to sort through who’s who, but once the connections are clear, the story becomes an engaging and easy read. Lisa Jewell delivers her signature suspense and intrigue, though the crowded cast might not be for everyone. A solid read for fans of twisty domestic thrillers. Also, this book definitely paints women in a less than glorifying way and makes the female population as a whole seen very dense and solely focused on appearances.

Thank you NetGalley, Lisa Jewell, and Simon and Schuster for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review.