Book Review: Don’t Let Him In by Lisa Jewell
From the moment I first laid eyes on the gripping cover of Don’t Let Him In, my heart raced with anticipation. Lisa Jewell was a name I had long heard whispered among book lovers, each mention wrapped in admiration. So, when I finally got my hands on an e-ARC of her latest psychological thriller, I felt like a kid on Christmas morning, ready to unwrap a tantalizing gift. Let me tell you, this book did not disappoint!
At its core, Don’t Let Him In delivers a powerful exploration of trust and deception, wrapped in a story that feels both familiar and chillingly unique. We follow Nina Swann, a woman pulling herself out of heartbreak after the loss of her husband, as she welcomes Nick Radcliffe into her life. He’s charming and captivating, seemingly an answer to her loneliness. Yet, as we experience the narrative through the wary eyes of her daughter, Ash, we begin to sense a lurking menace beneath Nick’s dazzling exterior. The tension builds, reminding us that appearances can be dangerously deceptive.
Martha, the owner of a cozy flower shop, encapsulates another thread of the story with her seemingly perfect life, supported by her loving husband, Alistair. But as Alistair’s behavior spirals into troubling patterns—disappearing for days—it’s clear that all is not as it seems. Jewell’s deft character development made me invest emotionally in Martha, and I found myself anxiously awaiting the unraveling of her world too. The intertwining tales of Nina, Ash, and Martha weave together in a way that left me both guessing and gasping as the narrative twisted toward its climax.
Jewell’s prose is astoundingly incisive; her ability to pull readers into the characters’ lives had me spellbound. The writing dances effortlessly between chilling suspense and tender moments of vulnerability. I was so engrossed that I found myself reading late into the night, my mind racing as I battled sleep in a bid to uncover the truth lurking just out of view. There were moments when I felt genuinely compelled to shout at the characters, pleading for them to see the warnings that were right in front of them. Jewell crafted a villain so utterly despicable, a calculating psychopath who made my skin crawl and my heart race. His misogynistic gaslighting was so outrageous that I often wanted to leap from the pages and demand, "Wake up!"
The structure of the novel, with its multiple viewpoints, was a brilliant choice. Each character’s perspective added depth and intrigue, leading to a satisfying final act that tied together all the loose threads. As I turned the last page, I felt a mix of relief and melancholy. It’s a testament to Jewell’s skill that I won’t forget these characters anytime soon.
If you enjoy gripping psychological thrillers that examine the intricacies of trust, manipulation, and resilience, I can’t recommend Don’t Let Him In enough. This book is destined to become a favorite for fans of the genre—and for anyone seeking a captivating page-turner that will leave them questioning everything they thought they knew.
So, grab your copy as soon as possible and be prepared for a wild ride. And to all my fellow readers: if you haven’t experienced Lisa Jewell’s writing yet, now’s the time to dive in!
Special thanks to Atria and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. This is one literary journey that I’m so glad I took. ✨📚