Lisa Jewell’s novels, spanning from early romance dramas to psychological thrillers, have always entertained me. As soon as I had a free spot on my library hold shelf, I placed a hold on her latest thriller, Don’t Let Him In. The story follows widow Nina Swann, who becomes intrigued by Nick Radcliffe, a supposed colleague of her late husband. However, her daughter, Ash, becomes suspicious as Nick insinuates himself into their lives, offering charm and connection. Meanwhile, Martha, a florist, becomes suspicious when her husband, Al, is absent for extended periods.
The narrative unfolds through shifting timelines and perspectives, exploring the devastating consequences of becoming entangled with a charming yet dangerously deceptive man. The relentless suspense builds as the web of lies unravels, keeping me on the edge of my seat.
I thoroughly enjoyed this suspenseful and psychological thriller. The alternating time lines initially confused me, but I think the multiple characters and my assumptions about their roles contributed to the initial disorientation. However, this confusion stemmed from a sense of curiosity, and I trusted the author’s process, which ultimately worked out perfectly.
While keeping track of the numerous characters and offspring was a bit challenging, I managed to do so well. I found all the characters relatable and easily empathized with their predicament. Nick Radcliffe stands out as the perfect villain—so easy to dislike! The ending offered a few unexpected twists that were satisfyingly jaw-dropping.
I subscribe to Lisa Jewell’s newsletter and learned that her next novel, It Could Have Been Her, will focus on Jane Trevally, a supporting character in this book. Now that I’ve read Don’t Let Him In, I can appreciate the significance of this news. I genuinely enjoyed Jane’s character and would love a book where she becomes the protagonist. I eagerly await the release of the next book on June 23, 2026.
I borrowed the audiobook of Don’t Let Him In from my local library using Libby. The narration, performed by Richard Armitage, Joanne Froggatt, Tamaryn Payne, Gemma Whelan, Louise Brealey, and Patience Tomlinson, added to the magnificent story in my ears.
I’m a big fan of gargoyles. Since they symbolize protection, I thought it would be appropriate to include one of mine in the picture for this book review. The women in this story could have used some protection in their domains. This particular gargoyle is perched on the edge of a shelf, sucking his thumb. I’ve had mine for a long time, but you can check him out here.
You’re welcome to check out my reviews of other novels by Lisa Jewell linked below.
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2025
- Dec 29, 2025 Don’t Let Him In (by Lisa Jewell)
- Apr 12, 2025 The Making of Us (by Lisa Jewell)
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2024
- May 11, 2024 Before I Met You (by Lisa Jewell)
- Mar 18, 2024 The Third Wife (by Lisa Jewell)
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2022
- Jul 31, 2022 The House We Grew Up In (by Lisa Jewell)
- Jun 14, 2022 I Found You (by Lisa Jewell)
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