[Review] Don't Let Him In - Lisa Jewell

Summary: 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. (Pub Date: Jun 24 2025)

Narrated from multiple points of view with two timelines, this book was scaringly real. You're not very sure if the men these characters get involved with is the same, but the way he or they can manipulate these powerful, independent women into financial doom (when it doesn't get worse) is a big telltale.

Jewel is an author I was certain I had read more from, but what I do remember from her stories is also present here—it could happen. So many women believe they found the perfect man, and think, if only we could lead calmer lives. When it's that perfect man leeching everything from them.

I wasn't super into this book though I recognize how it must have taken a lot of patience for the author to construct all this plot, build all these different characters, explain someone like the man/men ruining these women's lives because he/they just can't control his/their greed. She did a wonderful job, even the read went smoothly, but I couldn't like the story itself. Perhaps it was the danger these men represented to each of the female characters that made me distance myself.

Although the existence of such men is real, the plot does take a few less believable turns as it all comes together. You'd think that's when I considered dropping the book. On the contrary, the feeling that we were going somewhere with this all was very good. Again, it could be that because it started feeling less believable that I allowed myself to just enjoy it all.

I recommend this to those who like a slow-building story, or rather, a slow-building possible disaster.

Honest review based on an ARC provided by Netgalley. Many thanks to the publisher for this opportunity.

Rating: 3 out of 5.