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Don't Let Him In
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Lisa Jewell, three women are connected by one man in this kaleidoscopic thriller.
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.
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.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published June 24, 2025
12555 people are currently reading
285017 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Jewell
41 books85.7k followersLISA JEWELL was born in London in 1968.
Her first novel, Ralph's Party, was the best- selling debut novel of 1999. Since then she has written another twenty novels, most recently a number of dark psychological thrillers, including The Girls, Then She Was Gone, The Family Upstairs and The Night She Disappeared.
Lisa is a New York Times and Sunday Times number one bestselling author who has been published worldwide in over twenty-five languages. She lives in north London with her husband, two teenage daughters and the best dog in the world.
Lisa's Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/LisaJewelloff...
Her first novel, Ralph's Party, was the best- selling debut novel of 1999. Since then she has written another twenty novels, most recently a number of dark psychological thrillers, including The Girls, Then She Was Gone, The Family Upstairs and The Night She Disappeared.
Lisa is a New York Times and Sunday Times number one bestselling author who has been published worldwide in over twenty-five languages. She lives in north London with her husband, two teenage daughters and the best dog in the world.
Lisa's Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/LisaJewelloff...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 11,047 reviews
March 24, 2025
Infuriating and exhausting as fahk.
Nick Radcliffe meets Nina Swann, a widow who tragically and unexpectedly lost her husband. Nick is exactly what Nina needs to help her heal and move on. Nina’s daughter, Ash, is suspicious of Nick from the start. He’s too perfect, too good to be true. And Ash has lots of time on her hands to dig around.
Martha is a successful business owner running her flower shop and married to the love of her life, Alistair. But, as Alistair’s job takes him away from home more and more, Martha starts to feel that something isn’t right.
They don’t realize it yet, but they’re all headed down the same twisted, insane path.
Listen lol. I’ve read one book by Lisa Jewel prior to this one years ago, and I don’t even remember it, so this is like my first one. I didn’t DNF we have that going for us, but damn did I want to several times.
I truly don’t understand this being considered a thriller? It wasn’t thrilling nor twisty. It was 384 pages of a sociopathic liar getting over on dumb ass women. If you have even been in a questionable toxic relationship in your day, you’ve read this story before lol.
This story had more characters than all 8 seasons of A Game of Thrones. I kid you not! It didn’t feel necessary and it felt sloppily done. It’s like all the characters are there to confuse you, and they did at first and I had to use way too much brain power than I care to with a thriller, so I found that I was often waiting for something to happen. A “come on already” feeling that I just wanted this guy would shut the fuck up and carry on.
Gaslighting, word salad and utter bullshit fill these pages and I loathed the main character. I’m sure I’m supposed to, however it made for an unpleasant and chore of a read.
I’m not sure if the dialogue was character specific or if it’s Jewel’s style, but the repetitive nature sent me straight up a wall.
I didn’t laugh, I didn’t gasp, I wasn’t shocked. My hope was that Jewel would pull off some kind of epic ending to make the first 380 pages more tolerable, but no. The ending felt rushed and anticlimactic.
If you typically enjoy Lisa Jewel novels, I’d give it a try, maybe she’s just not an author for me.
Expected Release Date - 06/24/25
Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the complementary advanced digital copy. All thoughts are my own. 💐
Nick Radcliffe meets Nina Swann, a widow who tragically and unexpectedly lost her husband. Nick is exactly what Nina needs to help her heal and move on. Nina’s daughter, Ash, is suspicious of Nick from the start. He’s too perfect, too good to be true. And Ash has lots of time on her hands to dig around.
Martha is a successful business owner running her flower shop and married to the love of her life, Alistair. But, as Alistair’s job takes him away from home more and more, Martha starts to feel that something isn’t right.
They don’t realize it yet, but they’re all headed down the same twisted, insane path.
Listen lol. I’ve read one book by Lisa Jewel prior to this one years ago, and I don’t even remember it, so this is like my first one. I didn’t DNF we have that going for us, but damn did I want to several times.
I truly don’t understand this being considered a thriller? It wasn’t thrilling nor twisty. It was 384 pages of a sociopathic liar getting over on dumb ass women. If you have even been in a questionable toxic relationship in your day, you’ve read this story before lol.
This story had more characters than all 8 seasons of A Game of Thrones. I kid you not! It didn’t feel necessary and it felt sloppily done. It’s like all the characters are there to confuse you, and they did at first and I had to use way too much brain power than I care to with a thriller, so I found that I was often waiting for something to happen. A “come on already” feeling that I just wanted this guy would shut the fuck up and carry on.
Gaslighting, word salad and utter bullshit fill these pages and I loathed the main character. I’m sure I’m supposed to, however it made for an unpleasant and chore of a read.
I’m not sure if the dialogue was character specific or if it’s Jewel’s style, but the repetitive nature sent me straight up a wall.
I didn’t laugh, I didn’t gasp, I wasn’t shocked. My hope was that Jewel would pull off some kind of epic ending to make the first 380 pages more tolerable, but no. The ending felt rushed and anticlimactic.
If you typically enjoy Lisa Jewel novels, I’d give it a try, maybe she’s just not an author for me.
Expected Release Date - 06/24/25
Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the complementary advanced digital copy. All thoughts are my own. 💐
September 6, 2025
What the heck did I just read?!
I was tense, on the edge of my seat (okay, I’m lying—I was already on the floor, scrambling to pick up my dropped jaw), breathless, nail-less, and utterly captivated until the final page of this book, simmering with mounting pressure! Lisa Jewell has done it again! She’s written another brilliant thriller that instantly gets my vote for the Goodreads Choice Awards as the best thriller of the year!
This time, she’s given us one of the most detestable villains I’ve ever read. This new antagonist made my fists itch—I wanted to spit at the character and regularly punch him! I lost count of how many times I cursed him with every horrible thing he did, only for him to outdo himself a few chapters later with something even worse! I kept waiting for justice, and as the latest twists hit me like a slap in the face, I couldn’t stop wondering: What if he gets away with it again?!
I won’t spoil the experience for you, but I can honestly say that while the story starts off a little slow, it quickly becomes one of Lisa Jewell’s best books—a guaranteed mind-blower! And the scariest part of it all? Villains like this one could easily exist in real life. With their perfect faces, flawless bodies, charming manners, and their ability to hide behind a façade, they’re like wolves in sheep’s clothing. Everything in this book could actually happen, making this villain even more terrifying.
A Quick Recap
This whirlwind, smartly executed, twisty mystery begins with the tragic death of Paddy Swann, a highly successful restaurateur, who is pushed into the path of an oncoming train by a schizophrenic man in his early thirties. Paddy leaves behind his 53-year-old wife, Nina; his problematic daughter, Aisling (Ash), in her mid-twenties, who has returned home after a psychological breakdown; and his son, Arlo, in his early twenties.
After Paddy’s funeral, Nina receives a note and a package from a man named Nick Radcliffe, who claims to be Paddy’s former colleague. Along with the note, he sends her a lighter that once belonged to Paddy. Nick’s words are so sincere and kind that even Ash is impressed and encourages her mom to write back. What Nina doesn’t expect is that this man—described as a “silver fox” reminiscent of Patrick Dempsey’s McDreamy—will eventually turn their correspondence into a romantic relationship, beginning a year after Paddy’s death.
Meanwhile, the second storyline follows Martha, in her early fifties, is a florist raising two teenage sons from her previous marriage and a baby girl she gave birth to at 47. She’s also struggling in her marriage to Al, whose demanding job keeps him constantly traveling, unreachable, and emotionally distant. Despite working hard, they’re always short on money, and their relationship seems to be falling apart under the weight of secrets and unspoken issues.
As the storylines intertwine, the revelations are heart-stopping, jaw-dropping, and utterly unpredictable. Just when you think the plot couldn’t possibly go any further, it does—and you’ll find yourself nodding in reluctant agreement, thinking, Okay, yes, it could actually happen.
Overall Thoughts
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!
Special Thanks:
Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing this fantastic thriller’s digital review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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I was tense, on the edge of my seat (okay, I’m lying—I was already on the floor, scrambling to pick up my dropped jaw), breathless, nail-less, and utterly captivated until the final page of this book, simmering with mounting pressure! Lisa Jewell has done it again! She’s written another brilliant thriller that instantly gets my vote for the Goodreads Choice Awards as the best thriller of the year!
This time, she’s given us one of the most detestable villains I’ve ever read. This new antagonist made my fists itch—I wanted to spit at the character and regularly punch him! I lost count of how many times I cursed him with every horrible thing he did, only for him to outdo himself a few chapters later with something even worse! I kept waiting for justice, and as the latest twists hit me like a slap in the face, I couldn’t stop wondering: What if he gets away with it again?!
I won’t spoil the experience for you, but I can honestly say that while the story starts off a little slow, it quickly becomes one of Lisa Jewell’s best books—a guaranteed mind-blower! And the scariest part of it all? Villains like this one could easily exist in real life. With their perfect faces, flawless bodies, charming manners, and their ability to hide behind a façade, they’re like wolves in sheep’s clothing. Everything in this book could actually happen, making this villain even more terrifying.
A Quick Recap
This whirlwind, smartly executed, twisty mystery begins with the tragic death of Paddy Swann, a highly successful restaurateur, who is pushed into the path of an oncoming train by a schizophrenic man in his early thirties. Paddy leaves behind his 53-year-old wife, Nina; his problematic daughter, Aisling (Ash), in her mid-twenties, who has returned home after a psychological breakdown; and his son, Arlo, in his early twenties.
After Paddy’s funeral, Nina receives a note and a package from a man named Nick Radcliffe, who claims to be Paddy’s former colleague. Along with the note, he sends her a lighter that once belonged to Paddy. Nick’s words are so sincere and kind that even Ash is impressed and encourages her mom to write back. What Nina doesn’t expect is that this man—described as a “silver fox” reminiscent of Patrick Dempsey’s McDreamy—will eventually turn their correspondence into a romantic relationship, beginning a year after Paddy’s death.
Meanwhile, the second storyline follows Martha, in her early fifties, is a florist raising two teenage sons from her previous marriage and a baby girl she gave birth to at 47. She’s also struggling in her marriage to Al, whose demanding job keeps him constantly traveling, unreachable, and emotionally distant. Despite working hard, they’re always short on money, and their relationship seems to be falling apart under the weight of secrets and unspoken issues.
As the storylines intertwine, the revelations are heart-stopping, jaw-dropping, and utterly unpredictable. Just when you think the plot couldn’t possibly go any further, it does—and you’ll find yourself nodding in reluctant agreement, thinking, Okay, yes, it could actually happen.
Overall Thoughts
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!
Special Thanks:
Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing this fantastic thriller’s digital review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
medium.com
June 24, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
This just may be my FAVORITE Lisa Jewell novel yet!
⚠️ Some men should come with a warning label: “DON’T LET HIM IN!”
But since they don’t-three women, connected together by one man-are going to learn this lesson the hard way…
Restauranteur Paddy Swann was beloved by all of his customers right up until the day a man pushed him in the path of an oncoming train, leaving behind his wife Nina and their two grown children, Ash and Arlo.
Shortly after Paddy’s funeral, Nina and Ash, receive a package in the mail from Nick Ratcliffe, an old friend of Paddy’s. It contains a nondescript lighter that once belonged to him decades ago, along with a thoughtful note. This unexpected gift draws Nick and Nina together when they get together to reminisce —much to Ash’s dismay.
She senses that something is off about this man who seems “too good to be true”, but her Mom won’t take her seriously, so she will have to play detective to see if her hunch is right.
The third woman is Martha-a small town florist whose second husband, Al is frequently absent from home…
The book is a little bit confusing during the initial few chapters as we get the the alternating POV’s of several characters, (indicated by a change in font) but once I had everyone straight in my mind, the story quickly became COMPULSIVE reading and hard to put down!
I was rooting for Ash to find the evidence she needed, and was throughly entertained from start to finish! What more can we ask for from a book?
I enjoyed discussing this one with Mary Beth, MarilynW and DeAnn! Be sure to watch for their reviews for additional insight!
Available Now!
Thank You to Atria Books for the gifted copy provided through NetGalley! As always, I am offering my candid thoughts!
This just may be my FAVORITE Lisa Jewell novel yet!
⚠️ Some men should come with a warning label: “DON’T LET HIM IN!”
But since they don’t-three women, connected together by one man-are going to learn this lesson the hard way…
Restauranteur Paddy Swann was beloved by all of his customers right up until the day a man pushed him in the path of an oncoming train, leaving behind his wife Nina and their two grown children, Ash and Arlo.
Shortly after Paddy’s funeral, Nina and Ash, receive a package in the mail from Nick Ratcliffe, an old friend of Paddy’s. It contains a nondescript lighter that once belonged to him decades ago, along with a thoughtful note. This unexpected gift draws Nick and Nina together when they get together to reminisce —much to Ash’s dismay.
She senses that something is off about this man who seems “too good to be true”, but her Mom won’t take her seriously, so she will have to play detective to see if her hunch is right.
The third woman is Martha-a small town florist whose second husband, Al is frequently absent from home…
The book is a little bit confusing during the initial few chapters as we get the the alternating POV’s of several characters, (indicated by a change in font) but once I had everyone straight in my mind, the story quickly became COMPULSIVE reading and hard to put down!
I was rooting for Ash to find the evidence she needed, and was throughly entertained from start to finish! What more can we ask for from a book?
I enjoyed discussing this one with Mary Beth, MarilynW and DeAnn! Be sure to watch for their reviews for additional insight!
Available Now!
Thank You to Atria Books for the gifted copy provided through NetGalley! As always, I am offering my candid thoughts!
June 18, 2025
My Reviews Can Also Be Found On:
The Book Review Crew Blog
This book tries too hard and is bogged down by typical tropes and underdeveloped characters, especially the female ones. This book just made me angry. Three stupidly weak women This narrative was very underwhelming in my opinion. The premise and execution falter.
The plot felt formulaic and was not surprising at all. This mysterious man with secrets trope is getting old. Jewell is much better than this, and I am so disappointed. The male's manipulations and the way the women weakly respond are tired and overdone. This is such a cliche. Jewell's style of writing is her strength, and is engaging as usual here. But the toxic relationships and the paranoia of the female leads feel repetitive.
If you're a big fan of the author, you might enjoy this, but I have read many of her other works that put this to shame. You want Jewell at her best, check out her The Family Upstairs Series . This one promises more than it delivers and was a missed opportunity, to say the least.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
The Book Review Crew Blog
This book tries too hard and is bogged down by typical tropes and underdeveloped characters, especially the female ones. This book just made me angry. Three stupidly weak women This narrative was very underwhelming in my opinion. The premise and execution falter.
The plot felt formulaic and was not surprising at all. This mysterious man with secrets trope is getting old. Jewell is much better than this, and I am so disappointed. The male's manipulations and the way the women weakly respond are tired and overdone. This is such a cliche. Jewell's style of writing is her strength, and is engaging as usual here. But the toxic relationships and the paranoia of the female leads feel repetitive.
If you're a big fan of the author, you might enjoy this, but I have read many of her other works that put this to shame. You want Jewell at her best, check out her The Family Upstairs Series . This one promises more than it delivers and was a missed opportunity, to say the least.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
January 4, 2025
Will 2025 be the year for great books? It’s certainly looking that way after reading this gem from Lisa Jewell. This book was another jaw-dropping, page turner that delivered on every aspect for me. Let’s just say that Jewell certainly did her homework for this book.
I’m not going to go into too much on what this book is about, as I feel I would give the whole book away. This is a book that needs to be read and enjoyed page by page (although some things will make you pretty angry). I feel you will get a clear look on how single women with not much family, or perhaps women who are vulnerable or dealing with a tragedy or grief can so easily get taken advantage of by men like Al (or whatever his name was). Men like Al find women who are easy prey or perhaps a meal ticket for their own sick world in which they live.
I loved the short chapters in this book (my favorite). And as I mentioned above, Lisa Jewell did her homework on this one about narcissistic/toxic men- and she is spot on! I was teetering between four and five stars with this one, but I decided to bump it up because she nailed it so perfectly!! I also enjoyed the Epilogue at the end. :)
If you are a fan of Lisa Jewell, and love fast-paced books- then I definitely recommend reading this one!
Many thanks to NetGalley, Atria Books (Simon & Schuster), and the author for an ARC of this book which I had the pleasure of reading. All opinions are my own.
Publication date: June 24, 2025
I’m not going to go into too much on what this book is about, as I feel I would give the whole book away. This is a book that needs to be read and enjoyed page by page (although some things will make you pretty angry). I feel you will get a clear look on how single women with not much family, or perhaps women who are vulnerable or dealing with a tragedy or grief can so easily get taken advantage of by men like Al (or whatever his name was). Men like Al find women who are easy prey or perhaps a meal ticket for their own sick world in which they live.
I loved the short chapters in this book (my favorite). And as I mentioned above, Lisa Jewell did her homework on this one about narcissistic/toxic men- and she is spot on! I was teetering between four and five stars with this one, but I decided to bump it up because she nailed it so perfectly!! I also enjoyed the Epilogue at the end. :)
If you are a fan of Lisa Jewell, and love fast-paced books- then I definitely recommend reading this one!
Many thanks to NetGalley, Atria Books (Simon & Schuster), and the author for an ARC of this book which I had the pleasure of reading. All opinions are my own.
Publication date: June 24, 2025
June 28, 2025
2 1/2 stars. While I did end up enjoying the last quarter or so of Don't Let Him In, it is one of my least favourite Lisa Jewell books so far. I have clicked back and forth between two and three stars several times now, and I'm still not sure whether I should be rounding up or down.
This is one of those books that is weakened by its own convolutions. There are so many different characters-- and two main timelines plus lots of further mentions of other pasts-- that it is genuinely quite difficult to follow, especially in the beginning. Once I'd sort of made sense of who was who and when was when, it got better, but there were still too many characters and too much jumping around for any of them to make much of an impact.
Also, the blurb hands you pretty much the entire plot of the book. Nina and Martha are both in relationships with a guy who seems too good to be true. A significant portion of the book is from the guy's perspective so we're not left wondering for more than a couple of chapters. There's no real mystery in this story; it's more about waiting for the characters to catch up and find out what the reader already knows.
And about those characters-- it is really hard to have any standouts when you are moving between this many people. They come across as cliche and underdeveloped. Ash, for example-- her whole personality seems to be "vegan". It doesn't help that so many of them are naive to the point of being unbelievable. Several characters in this book question how they could have been so stupid, and I have to agree with them:
That being said, there was some fun to be had. Plenty of wide-eyed, open-mouthed reading at the audacity, plenty of wanting the culprit to be caught. Jewell often shortens her already quite short chapters towards the end of the book, racing back and forth between perspectives until they eventually meet at the climax. It's effective; I was hooked towards the end.
So, quite compelling but lacking in strong characters. I would have liked to have seen more character development of them all. Even the character we spent most time with would have benefited from further exploration, I felt. I didn't feel I had a good understanding of him and his motivations, even at the end of the book.
This is one of those books that is weakened by its own convolutions. There are so many different characters-- and two main timelines plus lots of further mentions of other pasts-- that it is genuinely quite difficult to follow, especially in the beginning. Once I'd sort of made sense of who was who and when was when, it got better, but there were still too many characters and too much jumping around for any of them to make much of an impact.
Also, the blurb hands you pretty much the entire plot of the book. Nina and Martha are both in relationships with a guy who seems too good to be true. A significant portion of the book is from the guy's perspective so we're not left wondering for more than a couple of chapters. There's no real mystery in this story; it's more about waiting for the characters to catch up and find out what the reader already knows.
And about those characters-- it is really hard to have any standouts when you are moving between this many people. They come across as cliche and underdeveloped. Ash, for example-- her whole personality seems to be "vegan". It doesn't help that so many of them are naive to the point of being unbelievable. Several characters in this book question how they could have been so stupid, and I have to agree with them:
That being said, there was some fun to be had. Plenty of wide-eyed, open-mouthed reading at the audacity, plenty of wanting the culprit to be caught. Jewell often shortens her already quite short chapters towards the end of the book, racing back and forth between perspectives until they eventually meet at the climax. It's effective; I was hooked towards the end.
So, quite compelling but lacking in strong characters. I would have liked to have seen more character development of them all. Even the character we spent most time with would have benefited from further exploration, I felt. I didn't feel I had a good understanding of him and his motivations, even at the end of the book.
January 31, 2025
I love when an author gives us a character that is so vile you want to toss your kindle. Lisa Jewell provided us with exactly that! You'll see exactly what I mean as you make your way through this addictive thriller.
Paddy Swann, a beloved restauranteur was horrifically killed when he was pushed in front of a train. Now his widow Nina is ready to move on and has found the most charming new man in Nick Ratcliffe. Only her daughter Ash isn't as welcoming.
Martha is a successful small business owner who fell for the charms of her current husband Al. Having a new baby and running her flower shop she is exhausted and Al is never around to help. But love is blind...
How does it all fit together. Well, leave it to Lisa Jewell to fit the storylines together like pieces of a puzzle. Absolutely flawlessly!
This book was a suspenseful, gripping thriller that was unputdownable! Loved every bit of it from beginning to end! 🙌🏼
My favorite Lisa Jewell book to date!
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books
Paddy Swann, a beloved restauranteur was horrifically killed when he was pushed in front of a train. Now his widow Nina is ready to move on and has found the most charming new man in Nick Ratcliffe. Only her daughter Ash isn't as welcoming.
Martha is a successful small business owner who fell for the charms of her current husband Al. Having a new baby and running her flower shop she is exhausted and Al is never around to help. But love is blind...
How does it all fit together. Well, leave it to Lisa Jewell to fit the storylines together like pieces of a puzzle. Absolutely flawlessly!
This book was a suspenseful, gripping thriller that was unputdownable! Loved every bit of it from beginning to end! 🙌🏼
My favorite Lisa Jewell book to date!
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books
July 23, 2025
i have never despised a fictional man more.
lisa jewell, you did your job. this wasn’t necessarily twisty or mysterious, but it was unsettling and infuriating.
this pathetic man is *the* most insufferable fictional character i’ve ever had the displeasure of reading about.
thank goodness for good women. 😌
lisa jewell, you did your job. this wasn’t necessarily twisty or mysterious, but it was unsettling and infuriating.
this pathetic man is *the* most insufferable fictional character i’ve ever had the displeasure of reading about.
thank goodness for good women. 😌
March 26, 2025
THE COGNITIVE DISSONANCE WAS APLENTY IN THIS READ
Ash is distraught. Her dad Paddy was her everything and now he is gone. Pushed by a schizophrenia man on the train tracks. After the funeral Ash and her mum Nina receive a note and package from Nick Radcliffe an old friend of Paddys. The gift ends up bringing Nick and Nina closer together. Ash is not best pleased.
In another town Martha is a florist trying to keep up with her job, her baby with her husband Al and two boys from a previous marriage. Everything is mounting on top of her, and she is not getting the support from Al as he is always constantly travelling for his job.
But what these women don’t know is that Nick and Al are hiding and leading double lives and if they all come in contact its set to cause an explosive outcome.
Well damn!!! Colour me green and call me a pickle, this was one aggravating hell of a read! This is Lisa Jewell we are talking about here so I might be a little bias but if this woman chose to re write the English dictionary you best believe I will be first in line to pick it up.
Now that’s not to say, if I notice something a bit off, I wouldn’t call it out, because frankly I could love you to high heavens, but I will air out grievances if it sees fit.
SOOO personally for me although I was locked in from the get-go, I was also a bit perplexed with what the frig was going on. The present and past chapters were throwing me for a loop, and I felt like a kid on a ride that is obviously nauseous but its their favourite ride, so they have to still see it through you know?
I am glad I did because when the mystery finally came to the forefront, I clapped both my hands and said “oh shiiiit here we go”
Let me just forewarn you that this is not a ‘typical thriller’ and more of a Domestic Suspense novel. I mean the man in the book is definitely a fright and not someone I would ever want to encounter, but this is more of a deep dive in the psychological mindset of psychotic individuals.
‘Did someone say, always choose the bear?’
Its hard to review without revealing spoilers but I will say that just about everyone in this book will aggravate you. The common sense of people was not common, and I wanted to scream my lungs out at the stupidity! Obviously as a reader it’s very easy for me to say that if I was in such dire situations I would act upon accordingly because its hypothetical but I’m telling you REAL OR FAKE I WOULD HAVE ACTED DIFFERENTLY!
There is no real twist or turns in this book, but I was truly enthralled at the diabolical shambles of it all! With all the constant eyerolling this book provided me, I was rewarded with a satisfying ending.
This book will have you:
🏹Irritated with the male species
🏹Irritated with the female species
🏹Wondering when your gay awakening is arriving
⋆｡°✩WHAT I LIKED⋆｡°✩
➽ Short chapters
➽ Page turner
➽ A compulsive read
➽ Realistic plot
➽ Great villains
⋆｡°✩WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE⋆｡°✩
➽ Beginning chapters very confusing
➽ A little repetitive
➽ Although satisfying ending, it was a little mid.
Ah the characters in this book will linger in my noggin for a hot minute! Lisa I can’t wait to see what you produce next!
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⋆｡°✩pre read⋆｡°✩
My fave author sent me an early arc of her new book!🎉
Still hyperventilating over the gorgeous gift package!🎁
Going to try and savor it and not finish it in one sit!😏
Lets gooooo Ms. Jewell! 💙🤍💙
Ash is distraught. Her dad Paddy was her everything and now he is gone. Pushed by a schizophrenia man on the train tracks. After the funeral Ash and her mum Nina receive a note and package from Nick Radcliffe an old friend of Paddys. The gift ends up bringing Nick and Nina closer together. Ash is not best pleased.
In another town Martha is a florist trying to keep up with her job, her baby with her husband Al and two boys from a previous marriage. Everything is mounting on top of her, and she is not getting the support from Al as he is always constantly travelling for his job.
But what these women don’t know is that Nick and Al are hiding and leading double lives and if they all come in contact its set to cause an explosive outcome.
Well damn!!! Colour me green and call me a pickle, this was one aggravating hell of a read! This is Lisa Jewell we are talking about here so I might be a little bias but if this woman chose to re write the English dictionary you best believe I will be first in line to pick it up.
Now that’s not to say, if I notice something a bit off, I wouldn’t call it out, because frankly I could love you to high heavens, but I will air out grievances if it sees fit.
SOOO personally for me although I was locked in from the get-go, I was also a bit perplexed with what the frig was going on. The present and past chapters were throwing me for a loop, and I felt like a kid on a ride that is obviously nauseous but its their favourite ride, so they have to still see it through you know?
I am glad I did because when the mystery finally came to the forefront, I clapped both my hands and said “oh shiiiit here we go”
Let me just forewarn you that this is not a ‘typical thriller’ and more of a Domestic Suspense novel. I mean the man in the book is definitely a fright and not someone I would ever want to encounter, but this is more of a deep dive in the psychological mindset of psychotic individuals.
‘Did someone say, always choose the bear?’
Its hard to review without revealing spoilers but I will say that just about everyone in this book will aggravate you. The common sense of people was not common, and I wanted to scream my lungs out at the stupidity! Obviously as a reader it’s very easy for me to say that if I was in such dire situations I would act upon accordingly because its hypothetical but I’m telling you REAL OR FAKE I WOULD HAVE ACTED DIFFERENTLY!
There is no real twist or turns in this book, but I was truly enthralled at the diabolical shambles of it all! With all the constant eyerolling this book provided me, I was rewarded with a satisfying ending.
This book will have you:
🏹Irritated with the male species
🏹Irritated with the female species
🏹Wondering when your gay awakening is arriving
⋆｡°✩WHAT I LIKED⋆｡°✩
➽ Short chapters
➽ Page turner
➽ A compulsive read
➽ Realistic plot
➽ Great villains
⋆｡°✩WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE⋆｡°✩
➽ Beginning chapters very confusing
➽ A little repetitive
➽ Although satisfying ending, it was a little mid.
Ah the characters in this book will linger in my noggin for a hot minute! Lisa I can’t wait to see what you produce next!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
⋆｡°✩pre read⋆｡°✩
My fave author sent me an early arc of her new book!🎉
Still hyperventilating over the gorgeous gift package!🎁
Going to try and savor it and not finish it in one sit!😏
Lets gooooo Ms. Jewell! 💙🤍💙
May 30, 2025
Oof. I’m gonna need a minute for my blood pressure to come back down. I haven’t wanted to scream at characters and shake some sense into them this much in ages!
Ash Swann is twenty-five when her beloved dad Paddy is senselessly killed. Now twenty-six, she’s still living at home when a beautifully wrapped gift arrives for her mom Nina from a man named Nick who says he used to work with Paddy. Nina thinks he’s handsome and charming and ever so kind to her, though his job calls him away a lot. Ash isn’t as thrilled.
Martha is a florist with two sons from her previous marriage and a baby girl with husband Alistair. He’s so attentive to her and always giving her gifts and promising to take her away for special weekends. It’s too bad his job always needs him at the last minute.
Apart from the frequent work absences and some persistent money troubles, these ladies can surely each agree they’ve found their perfect man. They just need to be patient.
I mean … look at Nick’s tears and listen to all of Alistair’s profuse apologies. Your guy is so, so sorry, ladies!
Believe me when I say that this little snippet I’ve offered doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of this story or the number of characters involved in unfolding it. It’s psychological suspense with some mystery, but mostly it’s a cautionary tale which falls into place one puzzle piece at a time, and the picture it forms isn’t pretty for us ladies!
The book unfolds through the third person narration of Ash’s search for answers about Nick, and Martha and Nina’s stories interspersed with first person chapters that reveal past events. I enjoyed the short chapters and switches between Martha, Nina and Ash’s stories, though I do think the page count made the scenarios feel just a little repetitive after awhile. Though I wanted justice served with some extra STANK on it, I can be happy with where things ended!
Though a work of fiction, it’s clear that Jewell did her homework about the scenarios presented in this book, and it’s alarming to think that even the smartest people can be vulnerable in the right circumstances or mental states. I had a lot of fun reading this but it also made me mad!
I won’t be cynical and jump on the “Don’t Let Him In” advice of the title, but maybe just take a long, long, loooong look through that metaphorical peephole first before you open the door! (But please DO open this book. 😉)
★★★★ ½
Thanks to Atria Books, NetGalley and author Lisa Jewell for this DRC to honestly review! It’s out on June 24, 2025.
Ash Swann is twenty-five when her beloved dad Paddy is senselessly killed. Now twenty-six, she’s still living at home when a beautifully wrapped gift arrives for her mom Nina from a man named Nick who says he used to work with Paddy. Nina thinks he’s handsome and charming and ever so kind to her, though his job calls him away a lot. Ash isn’t as thrilled.
Martha is a florist with two sons from her previous marriage and a baby girl with husband Alistair. He’s so attentive to her and always giving her gifts and promising to take her away for special weekends. It’s too bad his job always needs him at the last minute.
Apart from the frequent work absences and some persistent money troubles, these ladies can surely each agree they’ve found their perfect man. They just need to be patient.
I mean … look at Nick’s tears and listen to all of Alistair’s profuse apologies. Your guy is so, so sorry, ladies!
Believe me when I say that this little snippet I’ve offered doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of this story or the number of characters involved in unfolding it. It’s psychological suspense with some mystery, but mostly it’s a cautionary tale which falls into place one puzzle piece at a time, and the picture it forms isn’t pretty for us ladies!
The book unfolds through the third person narration of Ash’s search for answers about Nick, and Martha and Nina’s stories interspersed with first person chapters that reveal past events. I enjoyed the short chapters and switches between Martha, Nina and Ash’s stories, though I do think the page count made the scenarios feel just a little repetitive after awhile. Though I wanted justice served with some extra STANK on it, I can be happy with where things ended!
Though a work of fiction, it’s clear that Jewell did her homework about the scenarios presented in this book, and it’s alarming to think that even the smartest people can be vulnerable in the right circumstances or mental states. I had a lot of fun reading this but it also made me mad!
I won’t be cynical and jump on the “Don’t Let Him In” advice of the title, but maybe just take a long, long, loooong look through that metaphorical peephole first before you open the door! (But please DO open this book. 😉)
★★★★ ½
Thanks to Atria Books, NetGalley and author Lisa Jewell for this DRC to honestly review! It’s out on June 24, 2025.
February 6, 2025
WOWZA!!! What a tangled web we weave! Whew! Lisa Jewell kept me on my toes the entire book and left me wanting more! This became the ultimate page turner for me! Readers need to be on their game and pay close attention because Lisa Jewell has spun such a tangled web that spins one way and then the other way in this twisted tale! Secrets, lies, manipulation, twists, and turns all come into play in this riveting, shocking, wonderfully written, and tense book!!!!
Nina and her daughter Ash are devastated when Nina's husband and Ash's father, Paddy Swann is pushed into the path of a train! Nina thought she would never recover from such a loss until she met Nick...
Martha is a florist living with her husband, Al and her children. Al's job takes him away constantly and while they both work, they always have money problems....
Holy Moly! This book is twisted, jaw dropping, shocking, and intense!!!! I had a lot of fun reading this book. There are a lot of characters and, as I mentioned, one needs to stay on their game while reading this book! There are also some creepy scenes as well that might have the hair standing up on the back of your neck.
I went through many emotions and had various thoughts while reading this book. I did my fair share of booing and hissing at one of the characters and my neck is sore from shaking my head at other characters. There were several times I wanted to pull some of the characters aside to tell them to wake up and smell the coffee!
Lisa Jewell did a fantastic job of creating tension in this book. The plot is well thought out and left me reeling. I had to get my barring a few times while reading and loved every second of it. Lisa Jewell has delivered once again and left me in awe!
Gripping, thrilling, jaw dropping, shocking, and twist filled!
4.5 stars
*A fabulous Witches Words buddy read with Norma, Brenda, Mary Beth, and DeAnn. Please read their reviews as well to get their thoughts on Don't Let Him In!
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
Nina and her daughter Ash are devastated when Nina's husband and Ash's father, Paddy Swann is pushed into the path of a train! Nina thought she would never recover from such a loss until she met Nick...
Martha is a florist living with her husband, Al and her children. Al's job takes him away constantly and while they both work, they always have money problems....
Holy Moly! This book is twisted, jaw dropping, shocking, and intense!!!! I had a lot of fun reading this book. There are a lot of characters and, as I mentioned, one needs to stay on their game while reading this book! There are also some creepy scenes as well that might have the hair standing up on the back of your neck.
I went through many emotions and had various thoughts while reading this book. I did my fair share of booing and hissing at one of the characters and my neck is sore from shaking my head at other characters. There were several times I wanted to pull some of the characters aside to tell them to wake up and smell the coffee!
Lisa Jewell did a fantastic job of creating tension in this book. The plot is well thought out and left me reeling. I had to get my barring a few times while reading and loved every second of it. Lisa Jewell has delivered once again and left me in awe!
Gripping, thrilling, jaw dropping, shocking, and twist filled!
4.5 stars
*A fabulous Witches Words buddy read with Norma, Brenda, Mary Beth, and DeAnn. Please read their reviews as well to get their thoughts on Don't Let Him In!
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
January 17, 2025
I love Lisa Jewell's novels and I was hooked on this one at 16% She tells the best, most shocking stories and I was literally questioning everything for the entire book! 😮
Nina meets Nick Radcliffe after her husband Paddy tragically dies after being pushed in front of a train. He is quite the man, living quite the life! I was getting whiplash just following this journey of truth vs lies! When the revelations come, they are shocking/dark and made my anxiety rise.
You can't help but try to connect all the dots and that was the FUN part! Question EVERYTHING! The dots could also be a massive amount of red flags! 🚩🚩🚩🚩so, connect the flags along the way.
I've been following a woman on IG for years. She is a fashion, food, fitness influencer and something similar to this plot happened to her in RL recently! It made the book hit differently for me as I kept thinking about her situation. 😮🚩
The ending lost me a bit and felt a little too tidy, but don't let that deter you because I'm sure you'll be racing to the end just like I was! If you like a fast thriller, give it a try!
Thanks to NG for my ARC. This one is OUT June 24, 2025
June 22, 2025
4-4.5⭐️ Following the funeral of restauranteur Paddy Swann, who was pushed into the path of an oncoming train by a local schizophrenic man, his widow Nina receives a gift in the mail from his old restaurant buddy Nick Ratcliffe.As the two begin to grow closer, Nina’s daughter Ash worries that Nick is not who he seems.
Across town, Martha is dealing with an infant, two children from her first marriage, her struggling florist shop and an absentee husband who Martha begins to distrust. But as a connection begins to form between these two women and their relationships, they begin to realize there is something sinister at play.
I have never heard something described as a “kaleidoscopic thriller” and yet that is a perfectly apt description for this captivating and very nuanced new thriller from Lisa Jewell. From start to finish I was completely intrigued, with no less than dozens of questions at any given moment. I was fully immersed in the lives of these characters, both in the past and in the present, particularly Nina’s daughter Ash, who inadvertently takes on the detective role of this story.
While there were some elements I was able to predict, I did try to go along for the ride without getting too far ahead, and I think this helped me to enjoy it more. By the time I turned the last page, I came away fully satisfied with this story and its ultimate conclusion.
Of note - there was a strange POV shift at times, for example the book is an omniscient third person narrator, but at times would refer to another character as “dad instead of Paddy”. While that did throw me off at times, it doesn’t take away from the story, and this may be edited out in the final.
Read if you like:
▪️domestic suspense
▪️nail biting stories
▪️cat and mouse games
▪️ensemble casts
▪️multiple timelines/POVs
▪️BA Paris
Check out my Bookstagram post here ♥
Thank you to Atria for the advanced copy.
Across town, Martha is dealing with an infant, two children from her first marriage, her struggling florist shop and an absentee husband who Martha begins to distrust. But as a connection begins to form between these two women and their relationships, they begin to realize there is something sinister at play.
I have never heard something described as a “kaleidoscopic thriller” and yet that is a perfectly apt description for this captivating and very nuanced new thriller from Lisa Jewell. From start to finish I was completely intrigued, with no less than dozens of questions at any given moment. I was fully immersed in the lives of these characters, both in the past and in the present, particularly Nina’s daughter Ash, who inadvertently takes on the detective role of this story.
While there were some elements I was able to predict, I did try to go along for the ride without getting too far ahead, and I think this helped me to enjoy it more. By the time I turned the last page, I came away fully satisfied with this story and its ultimate conclusion.
Of note - there was a strange POV shift at times, for example the book is an omniscient third person narrator, but at times would refer to another character as “dad instead of Paddy”. While that did throw me off at times, it doesn’t take away from the story, and this may be edited out in the final.
Read if you like:
▪️domestic suspense
▪️nail biting stories
▪️cat and mouse games
▪️ensemble casts
▪️multiple timelines/POVs
▪️BA Paris
Check out my Bookstagram post here ♥
Thank you to Atria for the advanced copy.
January 9, 2025
First book of 2025, and a great start to the year, reading & discussing with my book buddy, Marialyce.
When Paddy dies from a deliberate shove in front of a train, it leaves his wife, Nina, and their daughter, Ash, devastated. In the midst of their grief, they unexpectedly connect with Nick, an old friend of Paddy’s.
Martha, the owner of a florist shop, is married to Al, who tends to disappear frequently, leaving her confused and on her own to manage her business and their child.
The lives of these three women will intersect in surprising ways.
To say any more about the plot would involve spoilers so I will just say the short chapters and alternating points of view in this domestic thriller makes this a page-tuner as the pieces of the puzzle falls into place. The ending was perfect!
The scary part? One only needs to read the news and watch documentaries to see that this can, and has, happened.
* I received a digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
When Paddy dies from a deliberate shove in front of a train, it leaves his wife, Nina, and their daughter, Ash, devastated. In the midst of their grief, they unexpectedly connect with Nick, an old friend of Paddy’s.
Martha, the owner of a florist shop, is married to Al, who tends to disappear frequently, leaving her confused and on her own to manage her business and their child.
The lives of these three women will intersect in surprising ways.
To say any more about the plot would involve spoilers so I will just say the short chapters and alternating points of view in this domestic thriller makes this a page-tuner as the pieces of the puzzle falls into place. The ending was perfect!
The scary part? One only needs to read the news and watch documentaries to see that this can, and has, happened.
* I received a digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
July 14, 2025
WOWZERS! Intensely nail-biting and simmering with a pot-boiling-level of mounting pressure, Don’t Let Him In had me mesmerized from the very first page. You see, beyond the compelling characters and twisty, twisty plot, there was a despicable villain who I loved to hate straight off the block. A gaslighter supreme with no sense of morals, he pulled me in deep as I got to hear the story via his very own words. But, of course, this tale wouldn’t be a complete without dual timelines and a couple of other POVs, showing all sides of this tangled web of secrets. Through their eyes, this story was everything I wanted and more, and even ended with an epilogue that had me fist-pumping the air and shouting out loud.
Let me back up just a bit, though, and cover the basics. With an onion-like plot that had layers of deftly employed secrets and lies, it was a joy to uncover them one by one with each well-timed reveal. And let me tell you, this was one intricate storyline full of plot charging drama and complex group dynamics. I do have to say, though, that while it was a tiny bit of a slow burn at the start, the multiple families and their individual crises caused the simmering start to quickly explode into an addictive game of expert mind games when they began to interweave. It was so addictive, in fact, that I binged this 450+ page novel in just under forty-eight hours. After all, I simply could not put this book down, despite the many chores that were calling my name.
All said and done, I think we should start calling Ms. Jewell the Queen of Suspense. With palpable tension, teasing plot twists, and a perfectly plotted, smile-inducing conclusion, this tale of domestic suspense demonstrated why this author is one of my all-time favorites. What blew me away the most, though, was how utterly plausible everything actually was. From the devious manipulation to the unbridled deceit, I could truly see this book instigating my own side-eye-worthy suspicion in a partner or spouse. One small warning before I sign off, though. You’re going to need to be on your game while reading this book. As long as you pay close attention, however, the complex plot is sure to win you over in spades. Rating of 5 stars.
SPOILER-FREE SYNOPSIS: Please, please, please go into this one as blind as possible! All you need to know is that this book is about Nina, who has recently lost her husband, Paddy. After receiving a note from Paddy’s long-lost friend, they strike up a romance. Nina’s daughter, Ash, isn’t quite so taken by him, though, and finds his suave ways suspicious. Without telling her mother, she starts digging into his past. What she finds sets their lives on a collision course with another woman fighting her own domestic troubles. As long-buried secrets emerge and their worlds implode, the three women are left with the haunting question of how well anyone can really know the people they let into their lives.
Thank you to Lisa Jewell, Atria Books, and NetGalley for my complimentary digital and physical copies. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: June 24, 2025
Content warning: infidelity, gaslighting, emotional abuse, violence, murder, sexual harassment, mention of: stalking
Let me back up just a bit, though, and cover the basics. With an onion-like plot that had layers of deftly employed secrets and lies, it was a joy to uncover them one by one with each well-timed reveal. And let me tell you, this was one intricate storyline full of plot charging drama and complex group dynamics. I do have to say, though, that while it was a tiny bit of a slow burn at the start, the multiple families and their individual crises caused the simmering start to quickly explode into an addictive game of expert mind games when they began to interweave. It was so addictive, in fact, that I binged this 450+ page novel in just under forty-eight hours. After all, I simply could not put this book down, despite the many chores that were calling my name.
All said and done, I think we should start calling Ms. Jewell the Queen of Suspense. With palpable tension, teasing plot twists, and a perfectly plotted, smile-inducing conclusion, this tale of domestic suspense demonstrated why this author is one of my all-time favorites. What blew me away the most, though, was how utterly plausible everything actually was. From the devious manipulation to the unbridled deceit, I could truly see this book instigating my own side-eye-worthy suspicion in a partner or spouse. One small warning before I sign off, though. You’re going to need to be on your game while reading this book. As long as you pay close attention, however, the complex plot is sure to win you over in spades. Rating of 5 stars.
SPOILER-FREE SYNOPSIS: Please, please, please go into this one as blind as possible! All you need to know is that this book is about Nina, who has recently lost her husband, Paddy. After receiving a note from Paddy’s long-lost friend, they strike up a romance. Nina’s daughter, Ash, isn’t quite so taken by him, though, and finds his suave ways suspicious. Without telling her mother, she starts digging into his past. What she finds sets their lives on a collision course with another woman fighting her own domestic troubles. As long-buried secrets emerge and their worlds implode, the three women are left with the haunting question of how well anyone can really know the people they let into their lives.
Thank you to Lisa Jewell, Atria Books, and NetGalley for my complimentary digital and physical copies. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: June 24, 2025
Content warning: infidelity, gaslighting, emotional abuse, violence, murder, sexual harassment, mention of: stalking
August 7, 2025
1.5 stars— Attention— please bring back the old Lisa Jewell as soon as possible because Lisa Jewell 2.0 is much less entertaining. As much as I have loved every book I’ve read by Lisa Jewell, I cannot say the same about “Don’t Let Him In”. Although Ms. Jewell can still write dialogue better than anyone in the business, a narrative that doesn’t include any twists and turns ( or suspense for that matter) is not the best use of the author’s talents. lol. “Don’t Let Him In” tells the story of a character introduced as Nick Radcliffe who is a narcissistic playboy who exploits women with the use of his looks and charisma. He bounces between relationships and leaves a trail of destruction, both financially and emotionally, wherever he goes. You’re welcome— you don’t have to waste your time reading all 368 pages of this book now. I have noticed in the past that Ms. Jewell specializes in atrocious male character with no redeeming qualities, but Nick might be her most unlikable one yet. Considering the fact that this book is basically a character study in the depraved acts of Nick , then you understand why the book becomes tired and repetitive after 4 or 5 times of him doing the same thing to a different paramour. I know I am opinionated, but the only reason I kept reading was to see if anything interesting or new developed (it didn’t). The corny ‘confrontation with all of the women you messed over’ ending was particularly bad and the epilogue stretched the limits of credibility. I couldn’t bring myself to give this one 1 star out of respect 🫡 for Jewell’s wonderful voliume of works that I have really enjoyed over the years. I will just chalk this one up to writer’s block.
P.S. Am I the only man that reads Lisa Jewell —her books seem to be more tailored to women, but I sure have enjoyed most of the ones I have read.
P.S. Am I the only man that reads Lisa Jewell —her books seem to be more tailored to women, but I sure have enjoyed most of the ones I have read.
December 9, 2024
Don’t hate me, but I am lucky enough to have read an early copy of Lisa’s new psychological thriller Don’t Let Him In and if you loved None of This is True and thought that was dark, then this one will blow your mind!
Lisa has finally embraced the darker side of domestic noir/psychological thrillers and I personally didn’t think it was possible to go any darker, but I am thrilled that she has crossed that line and created a deliciously, disturbing and dark tale of obsession.
Don’t Let Him In is the tale of three women. Nina, recently widowed, when her beloved husband was pushed in front of a train, Ash, his devoted daughter who has moved home after suffering a mental breakdown and losing her job and Martha, who juggles her busy life with a new baby, 2 boys from her first marriage, running a busy florist whilst her new husband travels all the time for work.
These women are all connected but don’t know why or how, until something happens which puts them all in danger.
I don’t want to say too much about the storyline, because there are so many twists and turns that you need to read this for yourself and discover the secrets page by page.
I read this book in ONE sitting (admittedly I was on a 12 hour flight at the time), but I absolutely LOVED and DEVOURED this book. It was fun, exciting, dark, devious, cunning, clever, menacing and very, very disturbing. 5 huge stars from me.
Lisa has finally embraced the darker side of domestic noir/psychological thrillers and I personally didn’t think it was possible to go any darker, but I am thrilled that she has crossed that line and created a deliciously, disturbing and dark tale of obsession.
Don’t Let Him In is the tale of three women. Nina, recently widowed, when her beloved husband was pushed in front of a train, Ash, his devoted daughter who has moved home after suffering a mental breakdown and losing her job and Martha, who juggles her busy life with a new baby, 2 boys from her first marriage, running a busy florist whilst her new husband travels all the time for work.
These women are all connected but don’t know why or how, until something happens which puts them all in danger.
I don’t want to say too much about the storyline, because there are so many twists and turns that you need to read this for yourself and discover the secrets page by page.
I read this book in ONE sitting (admittedly I was on a 12 hour flight at the time), but I absolutely LOVED and DEVOURED this book. It was fun, exciting, dark, devious, cunning, clever, menacing and very, very disturbing. 5 huge stars from me.
May 31, 2025
❥ My Thoughts & Rating ❥
This novel had all the suspense! I found it to be mysterious, dark and tense. It is well written and easy to read. This book comes with different perspectives and alternating timelines. This book also comes with a whole lot of deception, secrets and female empowerment! It involves a guy named Nick and three different women. All of these women get tangled up in manipulation, lies and the illusion of perfection. I did enjoy reading this book and do recommend it!! Overall, I rate this a 3 out of 5 stars!
❥ Who I recommend this book to ❥
If you are a fan of Lisa Jewell’s books, you will enjoy reading this one! Also, if you love to read books that are mysterious and dark! Content warnings include psychological abuse, gaslighting, murder, toxic relationships and death.
❥ Thank You ❥
Thank you to NetGalley, author Lisa Jewell and Atria Books for this electronic ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
❥ Publication Date ❥
This book is expected to be published on June 24, 2025!
This novel had all the suspense! I found it to be mysterious, dark and tense. It is well written and easy to read. This book comes with different perspectives and alternating timelines. This book also comes with a whole lot of deception, secrets and female empowerment! It involves a guy named Nick and three different women. All of these women get tangled up in manipulation, lies and the illusion of perfection. I did enjoy reading this book and do recommend it!! Overall, I rate this a 3 out of 5 stars!
❥ Who I recommend this book to ❥
If you are a fan of Lisa Jewell’s books, you will enjoy reading this one! Also, if you love to read books that are mysterious and dark! Content warnings include psychological abuse, gaslighting, murder, toxic relationships and death.
❥ Thank You ❥
Thank you to NetGalley, author Lisa Jewell and Atria Books for this electronic ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
❥ Publication Date ❥
This book is expected to be published on June 24, 2025!
June 27, 2025
Available Now!
Wow, that was intense! Lisa Jewell certainly knows how to engage readers with her clever prose.
Synopsis: Nick Radcliffe embodies charm and sophistication, and his infectious smile can warm even the coldest of hearts. He effortlessly puts those around him at ease, making him a perfect fixture in Nina Swann's life, especially after the painful loss of her husband. Yet, to Nina’s perceptive adult daughter, Ash, Nick's polished demeanour feels all too perfect, almost too good to be true.
Martha, the heart and soul behind a charming flower shop, had always revelled in the peaceful rhythm of her life in a neighbouring town with her adorable infant daughter and devoted husband, Alistair. Typically, Alistair and Martha's days together were filled with the sweet scent of blossoms and laughter. However, a shadow had begun to creep into her idyllic world. Martha couldn't ignore the unsettling shift in Alistair's routine; his work commitments had him away more and more, sometimes disappearing for days on end.
Nina, Martha, and Ash tread a treacherous path, inching closer to a shocking truth that promises to be darker than their wildest nightmares. Though they think they share an unbreakable bond, an unsettling shadow lurks beyond their awareness, threatening to fracture their connection and upend their lives. The chilling echo of a warning haunts them: don’t let him in. As they stand on the precipice of revelation, the past—like a vengeful ghost—refuses to stay hidden, poised to burst forth in ways they never imagined. The air is tense as they prepare to confront the secrets that could alter everything.
"Don't Let Him" was my first experience reading Lisa Jewell, and I was excited to dive in, even though I had no idea what to expect. I highly recommend going in blind to avoid any spoilers.
OMG, it was brilliantly written! Jewell’s writing captivated me from the very first page and kept me spellbound until the end. I had a hard time putting it down. I stayed up all night reading and didn’t stop until my eyes blurred and I could no longer keep going.
Get ready to encounter one of the most despicable villains! This character's deeply ingrained misogynistic attitude made my blood boil, and I wanted to throttle him multiple times. There were moments when I wanted to scream—"Wake up, give your head a shake!" My eyes hurt from rolling so much, especially at the character's gaslighting and methodical manipulation. An evil, calculating psychopath is the best way to describe him.
I eagerly anticipated how all the characters' points of view would tie together the loose threads, and the ending did not disappoint! I won’t forget these characters anytime soon. It was brilliant how Lisa Jewell gradually revealed their backstories, making you question what was fact and fiction while leaving breadcrumbs for readers to follow. It was a gripping, well-paced psychological thriller that kept me on my toes.
You need to read this! I highly recommend grabbing a copy. Pre-order your copy today! Expected Publication Date June 24, 2025
I want to thank Atria and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Pre Read
I’m excited to share that I just received the e-arc and am thrilled to announce that this will be my first time reading a book by Lisa Jewell! After seeing all of your positive feedback on her previous works, I couldn’t wait to dive in. I started reading it this afternoon, and it looks like I’ll be burning the midnight oil with this one. ✨ 📚
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing a complimentary digital advanced reader's copy. All opinions expressed are my own. Thank you, Atria Books!
Wow, that was intense! Lisa Jewell certainly knows how to engage readers with her clever prose.
Synopsis: Nick Radcliffe embodies charm and sophistication, and his infectious smile can warm even the coldest of hearts. He effortlessly puts those around him at ease, making him a perfect fixture in Nina Swann's life, especially after the painful loss of her husband. Yet, to Nina’s perceptive adult daughter, Ash, Nick's polished demeanour feels all too perfect, almost too good to be true.
Martha, the heart and soul behind a charming flower shop, had always revelled in the peaceful rhythm of her life in a neighbouring town with her adorable infant daughter and devoted husband, Alistair. Typically, Alistair and Martha's days together were filled with the sweet scent of blossoms and laughter. However, a shadow had begun to creep into her idyllic world. Martha couldn't ignore the unsettling shift in Alistair's routine; his work commitments had him away more and more, sometimes disappearing for days on end.
Nina, Martha, and Ash tread a treacherous path, inching closer to a shocking truth that promises to be darker than their wildest nightmares. Though they think they share an unbreakable bond, an unsettling shadow lurks beyond their awareness, threatening to fracture their connection and upend their lives. The chilling echo of a warning haunts them: don’t let him in. As they stand on the precipice of revelation, the past—like a vengeful ghost—refuses to stay hidden, poised to burst forth in ways they never imagined. The air is tense as they prepare to confront the secrets that could alter everything.
"Don't Let Him" was my first experience reading Lisa Jewell, and I was excited to dive in, even though I had no idea what to expect. I highly recommend going in blind to avoid any spoilers.
OMG, it was brilliantly written! Jewell’s writing captivated me from the very first page and kept me spellbound until the end. I had a hard time putting it down. I stayed up all night reading and didn’t stop until my eyes blurred and I could no longer keep going.
Get ready to encounter one of the most despicable villains! This character's deeply ingrained misogynistic attitude made my blood boil, and I wanted to throttle him multiple times. There were moments when I wanted to scream—"Wake up, give your head a shake!" My eyes hurt from rolling so much, especially at the character's gaslighting and methodical manipulation. An evil, calculating psychopath is the best way to describe him.
I eagerly anticipated how all the characters' points of view would tie together the loose threads, and the ending did not disappoint! I won’t forget these characters anytime soon. It was brilliant how Lisa Jewell gradually revealed their backstories, making you question what was fact and fiction while leaving breadcrumbs for readers to follow. It was a gripping, well-paced psychological thriller that kept me on my toes.
You need to read this! I highly recommend grabbing a copy. Pre-order your copy today! Expected Publication Date June 24, 2025
I want to thank Atria and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Pre Read
I’m excited to share that I just received the e-arc and am thrilled to announce that this will be my first time reading a book by Lisa Jewell! After seeing all of your positive feedback on her previous works, I couldn’t wait to dive in. I started reading it this afternoon, and it looks like I’ll be burning the midnight oil with this one. ✨ 📚
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing a complimentary digital advanced reader's copy. All opinions expressed are my own. Thank you, Atria Books!
April 23, 2025
it’s always a good day when you have a new book from Lisa Jewell to read! i liked this one—it was captivating and full of lies and secrets and deceit and i was so excited to see how it would all come together.
read if you like: con-artist tropes. boy oh boy was this MMC a doozy 🤯🤯🤯🤯
my top 3 LJ books are: NONE OF THIS IS TRUE, WATCHING YOU and probably THEN SHE WAS GONE. but this will be on the top half of my ranking for sure! it was a fun read.
and boy oh boy, LJ knows how to write a mystery! i’m always so impressed by how well she weaves SO many characters and side plots into one. most of her thrillers are more of a domestic / neighborhood trope but this is more in the con-artist realm and a side of domestic thriller.
after absolutely loving her latest hit NONE OF THIS IS TRUE, i was excited to see what she’d put out next. this was a different vibe for sure—lots of characters, various plots and love stories going on and one nasty man at the center of it all. it took me a good 30% to get all the plots down and start to put everything into place, so heads up there that it’s a slow burn for sure.
once you get more into the MMC’s POV, it gets soooo juicy. i mean his behavior is SHOCKING! the scene in Tooting? i was not prepared! LJ went there!!!!
despite enjoying it, i was wanting a bit more with the ending. it wrapped up nicely and readers will enjoy the little bow at the very end, but i personally like my thriller endings with a bit more shock/cliffhanger vibes. enter: the ending of NONE OF THIS IS TRUE. like!!!!!
readers will certainly enjoy this come release in June! despite it being a bit longer, i think it’s perfect for a pool/beach day binge.
thanks to Atria for the gifted early copy! a full review to come on my IG feed closer to pub day.
read if you like: con-artist tropes. boy oh boy was this MMC a doozy 🤯🤯🤯🤯
my top 3 LJ books are: NONE OF THIS IS TRUE, WATCHING YOU and probably THEN SHE WAS GONE. but this will be on the top half of my ranking for sure! it was a fun read.
and boy oh boy, LJ knows how to write a mystery! i’m always so impressed by how well she weaves SO many characters and side plots into one. most of her thrillers are more of a domestic / neighborhood trope but this is more in the con-artist realm and a side of domestic thriller.
after absolutely loving her latest hit NONE OF THIS IS TRUE, i was excited to see what she’d put out next. this was a different vibe for sure—lots of characters, various plots and love stories going on and one nasty man at the center of it all. it took me a good 30% to get all the plots down and start to put everything into place, so heads up there that it’s a slow burn for sure.
once you get more into the MMC’s POV, it gets soooo juicy. i mean his behavior is SHOCKING! the scene in Tooting? i was not prepared! LJ went there!!!!
despite enjoying it, i was wanting a bit more with the ending. it wrapped up nicely and readers will enjoy the little bow at the very end, but i personally like my thriller endings with a bit more shock/cliffhanger vibes. enter: the ending of NONE OF THIS IS TRUE. like!!!!!
readers will certainly enjoy this come release in June! despite it being a bit longer, i think it’s perfect for a pool/beach day binge.
thanks to Atria for the gifted early copy! a full review to come on my IG feed closer to pub day.
December 22, 2024
0.5 "Santa why did you put a piece of coal in my stocking ?" star !!
Acknowledgements to Netgalley and Atria books. This book will be released June 2025. I am providing an honest reaction for the first 50 percent of the book which is where I stopped.
I was excited to receive this arc. I had read so many positive reviews about Jewell over the years and today was Christmas Cookie baking day and I was reading this in between batches. The cookies turned out beautifully whereas the book did not.
So the prose is popular fiction and a decent 2.5 to 3 star style. No problems here.
The plot is way too long winded and absolutely needed to be cut down drastically.
The female characters are all different varieties of worn out dishcloths...so many of them...tired, pathetic and dreadfully dull....so similar to each other....neither admirable nor likable but like cows out to pasture...awful !!! Mostly interchangeable ....
Of course there just had to be a male psychopath that was stringing all these women along ....boo hoo hoo whinge whinge... you know the book is TERRIBLE when you are more supportive of the villain.... I really don't give a shit how this pans out or if he gets his comeuppance....
Well I know I can now remove several books off my tbr.
This Jewell do not sparkle Santa ! Gimme something else.
August 15, 2025
3.5⭐️ Dark, disorienting, and relentless!
Lisa Jewell weaves a tangled web in this thriller, and I’ll be honest I spent a good chunk of the book caught in it, trying to untangle who was who and how they all fit together. The shifting perspectives, the uneasy connections, the disorienting feeling of being inside the mind of someone truly unsettling really made for an exhausting start. But I couldn’t look away.
Paddy Swann, larger than life, is gone in an instant, leaving behind a wife, a daughter, and a trail of devastation neither of them fully understands. This is where things start to unravel, where the pieces begin to fall, and the weight of it all settles in. It’s mentally draining, and yet you have to keep reading, compelled by the need to see just how far one particular player’s twisted manipulations will go. But here’s the thing. I’m being deliberately vague because this is the kind of story you have to step into with your own headspace. It doesn’t hand you the answers, and it doesn’t let you sit back and just absorb. You have to work for it, feeling your way through the layers, the unease, the creeping sense that something is just off.
It took time to settle into the rhythm, to stop fighting the confusion and just let it happen. But once I did? I was in it. Lisa Jewell has this way of making uncertainty part of the experience, pulling you deeper even when you’re not entirely sure where you’re going. And when everything finally clicked into place, when the weight of it all landed then I realized just how much it had swallowed me whole.
*A wonderful Witches Words read that I had the pleasure of buddy reading with Brenda, Debra, Mary Beth, and DeAnn. Be sure to check out their reviews.
Lisa Jewell weaves a tangled web in this thriller, and I’ll be honest I spent a good chunk of the book caught in it, trying to untangle who was who and how they all fit together. The shifting perspectives, the uneasy connections, the disorienting feeling of being inside the mind of someone truly unsettling really made for an exhausting start. But I couldn’t look away.
Paddy Swann, larger than life, is gone in an instant, leaving behind a wife, a daughter, and a trail of devastation neither of them fully understands. This is where things start to unravel, where the pieces begin to fall, and the weight of it all settles in. It’s mentally draining, and yet you have to keep reading, compelled by the need to see just how far one particular player’s twisted manipulations will go. But here’s the thing. I’m being deliberately vague because this is the kind of story you have to step into with your own headspace. It doesn’t hand you the answers, and it doesn’t let you sit back and just absorb. You have to work for it, feeling your way through the layers, the unease, the creeping sense that something is just off.
It took time to settle into the rhythm, to stop fighting the confusion and just let it happen. But once I did? I was in it. Lisa Jewell has this way of making uncertainty part of the experience, pulling you deeper even when you’re not entirely sure where you’re going. And when everything finally clicked into place, when the weight of it all landed then I realized just how much it had swallowed me whole.
*A wonderful Witches Words read that I had the pleasure of buddy reading with Brenda, Debra, Mary Beth, and DeAnn. Be sure to check out their reviews.
February 26, 2025
3 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Outlier alert!!
I don’t really like being on outlier island, but here I am. After reading and loving None of This is True, maybe my expectations were too high - I mean it’s Lisa Jewell after all - but this was just ok for me.
If you are expecting a psychological thriller, this is not it. However, I did like the suspense and I LOVE to hate despicable, revolting characters! The short chapters are always a plus for me and I liked the ending.
The main thing I didn’t like about this book - the alternating POVs - something I usually love. It was confusing at first, but once I was able to keep up with them I was bored. I grew tired of waiting for something to be revealed. I guess it was too much of a slow build up for me.
There are tons of glowing reviews for this one, so maybe it just was wasn’t the right book for me at that time.
I do enjoy Lisa Jewell’s books and I’m looking forward to the next one!
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for my advanced copy to read and review.
Outlier alert!!
I don’t really like being on outlier island, but here I am. After reading and loving None of This is True, maybe my expectations were too high - I mean it’s Lisa Jewell after all - but this was just ok for me.
If you are expecting a psychological thriller, this is not it. However, I did like the suspense and I LOVE to hate despicable, revolting characters! The short chapters are always a plus for me and I liked the ending.
The main thing I didn’t like about this book - the alternating POVs - something I usually love. It was confusing at first, but once I was able to keep up with them I was bored. I grew tired of waiting for something to be revealed. I guess it was too much of a slow build up for me.
There are tons of glowing reviews for this one, so maybe it just was wasn’t the right book for me at that time.
I do enjoy Lisa Jewell’s books and I’m looking forward to the next one!
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for my advanced copy to read and review.
January 23, 2025
Does anyone else try to make sure they pick a book that is sure to kick off the year with a five star ⭐️ rating?? Well that is why I picked this one!! 😍Thank you soo much @atriabooks @atriathrillers #atriapartner for my gorgeous gifted copy!!! ❤️Guess what?!
Pub date 6/24/25 🥳
Wow!! This was one crazy ride!! I literally was like WTF is going on?! 😳 When I realized what ACTUALLY was going on.. well it was indeed mind blowing. 🤯 I am keeping it short because… you really need to go in blind.. but trust me.. it’s fantastic. 😏
Your husband has been murdered…in cold blood. Some psycho pushed him in front of a train. 🚆 What?! 😭 Desperate for answers.. you cling to everything you can of his past and present… including this mysterious friend of his that sends you a gift.. 🤔
There is SO much more to this story… the twists were fantastic! I had NO idea where this was going. Stalkers… zippos… tracking devices… it will all keep you guessing!! 😉
I love love love @lisajewelluk’s books and this is one of my favorites!!
❤️❤️❤️ Is this on your TBR? Do you have a favorite @lisajewelluk book? What was your first read of the year? ❤️❤️❤️
Pub date 6/24/25 🥳
Wow!! This was one crazy ride!! I literally was like WTF is going on?! 😳 When I realized what ACTUALLY was going on.. well it was indeed mind blowing. 🤯 I am keeping it short because… you really need to go in blind.. but trust me.. it’s fantastic. 😏
Your husband has been murdered…in cold blood. Some psycho pushed him in front of a train. 🚆 What?! 😭 Desperate for answers.. you cling to everything you can of his past and present… including this mysterious friend of his that sends you a gift.. 🤔
There is SO much more to this story… the twists were fantastic! I had NO idea where this was going. Stalkers… zippos… tracking devices… it will all keep you guessing!! 😉
I love love love @lisajewelluk’s books and this is one of my favorites!!
❤️❤️❤️ Is this on your TBR? Do you have a favorite @lisajewelluk book? What was your first read of the year? ❤️❤️❤️
August 14, 2025
**4.5-stars rounded up**
When Nina Swann starts dating Nick Radcliffe, Nina's daughter, Ash, is almost instantly suspicious. Nick seems a little too slick. If something seems too good to be true, it usually is; at least in Ash's estimation.
Her Mom has fallen head over heels though, so Ash has to tread cautiously. She begins digging into Nick's past. She needs to make sure her Mom is safe.
Martha, a florist living in a neighboring town, begins questioning her husband Alistair's frequent absences. He always has a story, but after hearing so many, Martha is starting to question everything.
These women are about to become connected, and when they do, it'll end up being for much darker reasons than any of them could have suspected.
Jewell has done it again. This is exactly the type of twisted Domestic Thriller that I love to sink my teeth into. I was so invested in this story, I felt like I was a part of the action.
I was gnoshing my popcorn, raising my eyebrows, oohing and aahing as new secrets were revealed; it was a hell of a good time. The short chapters and multiple perspectives kept this moving along at a furious clip.
Just when I thought it could get more devious and outrageous, it did. Every twist, every turn, I was living for it. I couldn't put it down.
I've said this before in reviews, but I believe it fits perfectly here as well. I don't watch any Reality shows, but I know a lot of people who do, and hearing them talk about them, I feel like I got the same dopamine rush out of this, as they do their favorite shows.
I was glued to it. It was so dramatic, I was so invested, and yeahhhh, it's super OTT, but I love that if it's done well, and IMO, Jewell does OTT-Domestic Thrillers soooo well!
I definitely recommend this for your Summer TBR if you love a juicy Domestic Thriller, full of drama, secrets and jaw-dropping lies.
But you better buckle up, baby, because Jewell is about to take you for a wild ride!!
Thank you to the publisher, Atria Books, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I always get excited for Jewell's latest work, and this one didn't disappoint!
When Nina Swann starts dating Nick Radcliffe, Nina's daughter, Ash, is almost instantly suspicious. Nick seems a little too slick. If something seems too good to be true, it usually is; at least in Ash's estimation.
Her Mom has fallen head over heels though, so Ash has to tread cautiously. She begins digging into Nick's past. She needs to make sure her Mom is safe.
Martha, a florist living in a neighboring town, begins questioning her husband Alistair's frequent absences. He always has a story, but after hearing so many, Martha is starting to question everything.
These women are about to become connected, and when they do, it'll end up being for much darker reasons than any of them could have suspected.
Jewell has done it again. This is exactly the type of twisted Domestic Thriller that I love to sink my teeth into. I was so invested in this story, I felt like I was a part of the action.
I was gnoshing my popcorn, raising my eyebrows, oohing and aahing as new secrets were revealed; it was a hell of a good time. The short chapters and multiple perspectives kept this moving along at a furious clip.
Just when I thought it could get more devious and outrageous, it did. Every twist, every turn, I was living for it. I couldn't put it down.
I've said this before in reviews, but I believe it fits perfectly here as well. I don't watch any Reality shows, but I know a lot of people who do, and hearing them talk about them, I feel like I got the same dopamine rush out of this, as they do their favorite shows.
I was glued to it. It was so dramatic, I was so invested, and yeahhhh, it's super OTT, but I love that if it's done well, and IMO, Jewell does OTT-Domestic Thrillers soooo well!
I definitely recommend this for your Summer TBR if you love a juicy Domestic Thriller, full of drama, secrets and jaw-dropping lies.
But you better buckle up, baby, because Jewell is about to take you for a wild ride!!
Thank you to the publisher, Atria Books, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I always get excited for Jewell's latest work, and this one didn't disappoint!
June 6, 2025
⭐️ ⭐️
Am I to believe that these strong, and otherwise capable women, repeatedly fall victim to this man’s okidoke? I don’t buy it for a single second.
I can summarize this book very concisely. Ahem (clears throat) here it goes…
Man lives multiple lives, with multiple women. Man uses women for financial gain, but mostly just to satisfy sociopathic urges. Man exhibits extremely shady behavior. Women confront man. Man makes terrible excuse and women somehow buy it (again and again and again). Women dig deeper into man to uncover incriminating information (over and over and over again). Women still don’t believe. Woman’s daughter has to step in and be the adult, but is repeatedly (and I mean repeatedly) ignored and diminished. Women finally realize he’s bad, and set out for revenge. Twist, surprise, end.
I can’t tell you the ending because that’s literally the only thing in the entire book I had slightly positive feelings towards.
The number of women in this book that were made to be naive, mush-brained, mealy-mouthed, incompetent fools was infuriating. I don’t know how any woman, or any slightly enlightened man, could read this book and not be enraged. I wanted to throw my Kindle across the room.
I wish I didn’t let this book in…
Am I to believe that these strong, and otherwise capable women, repeatedly fall victim to this man’s okidoke? I don’t buy it for a single second.
I can summarize this book very concisely. Ahem (clears throat) here it goes…
Man lives multiple lives, with multiple women. Man uses women for financial gain, but mostly just to satisfy sociopathic urges. Man exhibits extremely shady behavior. Women confront man. Man makes terrible excuse and women somehow buy it (again and again and again). Women dig deeper into man to uncover incriminating information (over and over and over again). Women still don’t believe. Woman’s daughter has to step in and be the adult, but is repeatedly (and I mean repeatedly) ignored and diminished. Women finally realize he’s bad, and set out for revenge. Twist, surprise, end.
I can’t tell you the ending because that’s literally the only thing in the entire book I had slightly positive feelings towards.
The number of women in this book that were made to be naive, mush-brained, mealy-mouthed, incompetent fools was infuriating. I don’t know how any woman, or any slightly enlightened man, could read this book and not be enraged. I wanted to throw my Kindle across the room.
I wish I didn’t let this book in…
June 18, 2025
WowZers! I don't even know where to start but I think my first piece of advice is, avoid reading too much of the blurb or many reviews first if you're planning to read this. Not that they give a lot away but I think you'll get more out of the book if you just let it happen. I'm a big Lisa Jewell fan so I just requested it without reading much about it and I was beyond thrilled to get approval.
Needless to say, I was totally immersed in the story by the time I was a short way into the book and, if it had been up to me, I would've stayed up all night to finish it. It's not an easy read because there are quite a few characters and time frames to keep up with and the story goes back and forth so you need to pay attention. This is a story that plays out all too often in real life and it's always frustrating to realize how many gullible/vulnerable women there are out there. Reviews are mixed but I absolutely loved it!
My thanks to Atria Books, via Netgalley, for approving my request to read an advance copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication Date: June 24, 2025
Needless to say, I was totally immersed in the story by the time I was a short way into the book and, if it had been up to me, I would've stayed up all night to finish it. It's not an easy read because there are quite a few characters and time frames to keep up with and the story goes back and forth so you need to pay attention. This is a story that plays out all too often in real life and it's always frustrating to realize how many gullible/vulnerable women there are out there. Reviews are mixed but I absolutely loved it!
My thanks to Atria Books, via Netgalley, for approving my request to read an advance copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication Date: June 24, 2025
August 14, 2025
5 stars!
Loved it! My favourite thriller by this author!
One sneaky, conniving, manipulative man. Multiple women open their doors and hearts to him. Over time, cracks start to form in his scheming plans.
This book was fantastic! I was completely gripped and engrossed in every word from start to finish. It’s the type of story where I “loved to hate” the main character. His deplorable ways were so fascinating and entertaining to follow. I found myself continually shocked and reading with my jaw dropping at how one person could rationalize manipulation the way he did. The sense of entitlement was mind blowing and the snarky inner thoughts were so well written.
I was highly entertained by this fictional story, but it also made me worried to know people like this actually exist in the world and take constant advantage of others. While I’d like to think that many of the situations and discussions that happened within these pages were far fetched, I know these things do actually happen in real life. Sometimes people are so desperate for a relationship to work, that they are willing to overlook obvious issues. Perhaps this book could actually help some people notice red flags?
The bottom line for me with this book is that I was 100% entertained from first to last page and that’s exactly what every reader yearns for. This earned 5 strong stars from me and is my favourite thriller by this author!
Thank you to the publisher for my review copy!
Loved it! My favourite thriller by this author!
One sneaky, conniving, manipulative man. Multiple women open their doors and hearts to him. Over time, cracks start to form in his scheming plans.
This book was fantastic! I was completely gripped and engrossed in every word from start to finish. It’s the type of story where I “loved to hate” the main character. His deplorable ways were so fascinating and entertaining to follow. I found myself continually shocked and reading with my jaw dropping at how one person could rationalize manipulation the way he did. The sense of entitlement was mind blowing and the snarky inner thoughts were so well written.
I was highly entertained by this fictional story, but it also made me worried to know people like this actually exist in the world and take constant advantage of others. While I’d like to think that many of the situations and discussions that happened within these pages were far fetched, I know these things do actually happen in real life. Sometimes people are so desperate for a relationship to work, that they are willing to overlook obvious issues. Perhaps this book could actually help some people notice red flags?
The bottom line for me with this book is that I was 100% entertained from first to last page and that’s exactly what every reader yearns for. This earned 5 strong stars from me and is my favourite thriller by this author!
Thank you to the publisher for my review copy!
August 19, 2025
4.5! this was an immmmmaculate mystery thriller situation
July 11, 2025
Yes!! Jewell is back after some lackluster books, with a truly good thriller. With an unique plot (haven’t read fiction from a scammers angle before) I was easily hooked, and that feeling grew because he felt so real in with his warped view of the world. In the start it was a bit hard to follow all the different POV’s since I listened to the audiobook, but after a while everything became easier to untangle. And what a glorious, badass ending! I loved it 😍
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