Review and Rating - It Could Have Been Her by Lisa Jewell
It Could Have Been Her
Lisa Jewell
Copyright 2026
369 Pages
Woof. This book didn’t just have bite — it clamped down and dragged me straight past “thriller” territory into full‑blown psychological labyrinth. We’re following Jane, who wakes up one morning and decides, “You know what? I’m going to be a private investigator today.” Because of course she does. Jane is Jane: comfortably divorced, financially cushioned, and apparently allergic to hobbies that aren’t solving unofficial missing‑persons cases.
While wandering her property one day, she stumbles upon a lost dog — a tiny cutie patootie named Hugo. Returning him should’ve been a wholesome little side quest. Instead, it unlocks a whole buffet of questions: How did Hugo end up on her land? Where is the girl who lost him? Why is his owner acting like he’s auditioning for the role of “Suspicious Person #1”? And why does Jane remember this house… and remember running away from it in fear?
Meanwhile, Stuart befriends Jessamine — local alcoholic, resident chaos engine, and unofficial princess of “the house.” Before he can say “bad idea,” he’s trapped in their family orbit, enduring years of Jessamine’s abuse and staying only for Daisy, her daughter, who deserves at least one adult who isn’t a walking red flag.
As Jane digs deeper, she unravels a generational nightmare: physical, mental, and sexual abuse woven into the very foundation of the home. “House of horrors” doesn’t even scratch the surface. We’re talking serial killers, flasher clowns, abusive alcoholics — a family tree that should’ve been chopped down decades ago. The house isn’t dark; it’s pitch‑black.
The pacing? Immaculate. My brain was bent into pretzel shapes I didn’t know existed, but I was never bored. Did I question my own sanity for enjoying a story this horrifying? Absolutely. Did I consider scheduling a therapy appointment just to check in? Also, yes. But I loved these characters. I felt every emotion as their stories twisted, collided, and combusted.
And the ending? Shockingly heartwarming. A tiny emotional hug after a marathon of chaos. The kind of finale that pats your head and says, “There, there. You survived. See? Everything’s fine now.”
What more can I ask from a thriller than to make me question my mental stability and then tuck me in at the end?
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