This is Sally Hepworth’s best book to date! There was not a single element that I didn’t absolutely love. Her writing style is absolutely beautiful and kept me on the edge of my seat the entire read.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was my first book by Sally Hepworth and I really enjoyed it!!! If you like stories about marriage, secrets, and betrayal then you will like this book!!! Read and enjoy!!!

The Soulmate is a book about love and secrets. Each secret from the main characters are revealed a little at a time so that no one really knows where this story is going. Interesting read as the story is told from 2 different points of view; Pippa and Amanda. Just goes to show you what can happen when there are secrets kept from your family.

OMG, girl, why’d you do me like that?

I honestly couldn’t get enough from this house on the cliff. The back story of the husband, the mystery of the woman on the cliff, how it all ties together and how it’s related kept me guessing. I was the wife - wanting all the answers, not wanting to suspect but also second guessing. I did not predict the twist - that came out of left field.

I’ve been in quite a book slump the past month or so and this was really the first book to pull me out of it it. The story really drew me in and the pacing was really good. The story does touch on suicide and mental health struggles but all in all it was a good read. I did find towards the middle or so, I couldn’t really find the plot of the book but still found it to be interesting and it kept my attention.

This was my first book by Sally Hepworth and I will definitely be checking out her other books!

There's a cottage perched on a cliff, the dream home of Gabe and Pippa in a quiet coastal town. But beneath the idyllic exterior lies something sinister. The towering cliffs have become an unfortunate destination for those seeking to end their lives. Night after night, Gabe plays the role of savior, talking them down from the edge. Until one day, he doesn't.

When Pippa learns that Gabe had a connection to the victim, a whirlwind of questions swirls in her mind. Did the victim jump willingly or was she pushed? And could Gabe, the person Pippa loves and considers her soulmate, be capable of lying? As the flawless façade of their marriage starts to crumble, deep and dark secrets are brought to light, unraveling their lives in unexpected ways.

Hepworth's talent lies in capturing the intricate dynamics of dysfunctional families, and in this book, she delves into a seemingly perfect marriage that reveals its flaws as the story unfolds. With the inclusion of children, extended family members, and a touch of mystery, the narrative becomes both engaging and thrilling, making for an enjoyable and exciting read.

The ending of the book shocked me and was handled in a way that gives you the feeling of complete closure. I really enjoyed this book, and I will definitely be reading more from Hepworth.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Gabe Gerard had developed a reputation around the small coastal town for his ability to literally talk suicidal people off the edge. The beautiful home Gabe and Pippa purchased had what was called “The Drop” nearby, a spot well-known locally as a place to end one’s life. Gabe had talked seven people down, saving their lives, so when Pippa noticed the woman walking towards the cliff, she alerted Gabe. Both Gabe and Pippa were confident he could help, and as usual, Pippa called the police while Gabe went out to talk to the woman. Through the window, Pippa sees Gabe reach for the woman, right before she went over the cliff, although he knows that protocol states you never try to physically stop someone from jumping, in case you fall with them. Pippa isn’t sure what to think. Did Gabe try to save her…or did he push her?

Told through alternating viewpoints, Pippa and Amanda (the woman who jumped), and varying between past and present, The Soulmate is a fascinating story of love, loss, and loyalty spanning many years.

More and more, l've really come to enjoy Sally Hepworth's brand of domestic suspense, and The Soulmate is another worthy one to add to the collection.

Great book. Great storytelling. You can never go wrong with a Sally Hepworth book. From start to finish the story was woven so well. Looking forward to her next book.

This book gave my twisty thriller loving mind a good ride! It started out with a bang and did not let up! Loved it!

Thank you to the publisher, author and netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book before release.

Unfortunately this was not it for me. I have enjoyed other books by the author and had high hopes for this book. I'm thinking it was right book wrong time and will try again another time.

When Gabe and Pippa Gerard settle into their seaside house, they discover it has a sinister side. The cliff overlooking the sea has been the site where several people have chosen to end their lives. But since they’ve moved in, Gabe has stepped up and talked several people off the cliff, literally saving their lives.

Then one day, Pippa witnesses Gabe unable to stop a woman and then it turns out he knows her. And Pippa knew her husband. Pippa’s suspicions about what she observed grow and she begins to question many things. As the investigation continues, cracks form in the Gerards’ marriage.

Would Gabe lie about what happened? What did he and the woman talk about that day on the cliff? Why was she there? Did she jump? Can Pippa and Gabe move forward?

Author Sally Hepworth brings a real talent to building the suspense and tension, adding layers through the Gerards’ history and how it is affecting their present and future. See if you figure out the ending!

Woah! I devoured this book!! I couldn’t put it down. It gripped me right in and I needed to get to the end!! Another great thriller from sally Hepworth!

Many thanks to the publisher for my review copy. This is my honest opinion.

I typically love fast-paced, plot-driven thrillers. Sally Hepworth is definitely an exception. Despite being less twisty and more character-driven than the mystery/thrillers I usually read, I have loved both of the novels I've read by her. Her writing is so gripping and enjoyable.

The Soulmate had dual points of view and split timelines, and I think Hepworth did an amazing job with these techniques. It had the potential to be confusing but it wasn't at all. She revealed each information at just the right point in the book. One of the points of view is from the woman who dies at the very beginning of the novel which I thought was such an interesting perspective.

Not only was this a suspenseful and addictive and domestic suspense story, but it was also a heart-wrenching exploration of mental illness and the way it affects not only mentally ill people but also their loved ones. I so badly wanted the best for Pippa and her daughters.

Overall, I really enjoyed The Soulmate and would highly recommend it to fans of domestic suspense.

I've heard nothing but good things about his book and I'm left wondering if we read the same thing. This was horrible. Literally nothing happens. It's 75% "should we tell them the thing?" but never actually telling them the thing. The reveals were lack-luster. The relationships sucked. I know we're supposed to challenge the fact that Pippa and Gabe look to have this perfect relationship by all standards but in fact it's Max and Amanda who are true soulmates (not my definition by any means), but I just spent the whole time wanting to slap Pippa because she thought Gabe was so great and he actually sucked. But for what it's worth she really sucked too. So maybe they are made for each other.

Hated the fact that Pippa straight up lied to Gabe, and for what?! Also, just casually drop in that Gabe freaking killed someone. Come on. The whole thing was completely unbelievable. And then the final "twist" of the connection between Gabe and Max was just dumb.

But what really pissed me off was the portrayal of BPD. Hate that the author continued the negative stereotypes against those with this diagnosis. The only redeeming factor was that she did reference the common misdiagnosis that BPD folk tend to experience. Otherwise, the use of this as the villain was cringe.

Overall an extremely lack-luster story that was extremely put-down-able, that I only finished because it was my bookclub's pick for the month, and a trash portrayal of someone suffering from BPD.

To quote my friend: "Soulmate... more like NOmate"

I am grateful that the publishers gave me the opportunity to read and review this book. I was hooked from page 1 and found that I did not want to stop reading! I loved how the author used Amanda’s perspective after death to share Max’s side of the story. I was really satisfied with how their story wrapped up in the end. The only part I found lacking was the very last “one year later” chapter. I felt that it was almost too drastic and quick of an ending and left me feeling disappointed after being so invested in the book and not wanting to put it down. Overall though, I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone looking for an “unputdownable” summer read!

Thank you St. Martin's Press for the gifted copy!

It’s a truth universally* acknowledged that I will read anything and everything Sally Hepworth writes. She’s the queen of domestic drama and The Soulmate delivers that in spades.

Hepworth's writing is engaging and accessible, with a keen eye for detail and an ability to capture emotions that jump off the page.

The atmospheric setting of the cliffs automatically creates tension as we dive into the two POVs and timelines told by Pippa and Amanda. At times, I struggled understanding how Pippa didn’t “get” what was happening with Gabe. But that’s her journey and nothing is black and white.

Amanda’s present day perspective is told in a unique way that adds an element of levity to some heavy topics.

The book tackles a lot- mental illness, death, infidelity, family issues and of course murder and secrets.

What ties it all together and what keeps me coming back for more is Hepworth’s storytelling. She’s truly a master and it’s always a delight to read her work.

This was my first Sally Hepworth book and it will not be my last. The Soulmate was riveting from start to finish and as much as I was trying to guess what was going on, there was another turn. I love how it was told from multiple point of views so could see everything coming together from every angle.

A domestic-suspense novel with fascinating relational dynamics and a compelling ending that will have you tempted to re-read the whole book in a different lens. The Soulmate is my personal favorite book I’ve read by Sally Hepworth. The characters are well-crafted and the narrative structure added an interesting element to the plot reveals.

The Characters

Pippa and Gabe Gerard are married and have two daughters, Freya and Asha. They recently moved to a coastal town into a house at the top of a cliff. Gabe is a stay-at-home dad in the present timeline, though he has held different jobs in the past. Pippa’s sister Kat and her wife Mei live nearby. Mei and Gabe were formerly co-workers.

Amanda and Max Cameron are married and childless. Amanda met wealthy Max when she was waitressing an event he was at. They have been married for over two decades when the events of the book take place.

The Plot

Pippa and Gabe Gerard have recently moved their small, happy family to their dream home in a sleepy coastal town set at the top of a cliff. The cliffs are beautiful and dangerous, and they learn after moving in that they are a popular destination for those looking to take their own lives.

Over the past year since they moved in, Gabe has taken on the role of the helper to the lost souls who come there. He has saved several lives, spending hours talking to the individuals until they are ready to come back off the ledge to safety.

Until one day, a woman comes to the cliffs and Gabe isn’t able to save her. In a twist of fate, this woman isn’t a random stranger. Her name is Amanda Cameron, and it turns out Pippa and Gabe knew her. When Pippa learns who the woman was, she begins to replay the scene over and over in her mind, trying to make sense of it.

Gabe is her soulmate, after all… would he lie to Pippa? As details emerge, the dynamics between the Gerards and the Camerons become more twisted. What really happened to Amanda Cameron? And will the survivors be able to live with the truth when it is revealed?

The Structure

Told in alternating timelines to before and after the death of Amanda, The Soulmate is a fascinating character-study in a beautiful and terrifying setting. Chapters are narrated by both Amanda and Pippa, and we learn more about each woman—how they met their partner, what drew them to him, and what their life has been like since. The timelines and different perspectives unfold until the shocking and emotional conclusion.

Overall Thoughts

I really love Sally Hepworth’s writing and The Soulmate might be my favorite book I’ve read by her. I’ve seen some readers talk about whether they expected more or less from the twists based on early reviews so I want to talk a bit about the genre. The Soulmate is full of twists and turns throughout the book that cause the reader to rethink their assumptions about the story and the characters at each turn. I think some readers of psychological thrillers expect every twist to be jaw-dropping and “WTF?!” style twists, and those are a lot of fun.

What I would say is that isn’t Sally Hepworth’s style. Her books are more suspenseful, domestic fiction in style. Her twists tend to occur from learning new information that alters your perspective on what you think is happening and where the book may go. They are real life type twists (though heightened), and they are dropped in as secrets revealed, or new information learned. They come through the delicate and complicated weaving of narratives. They are explosive in their impact on characters you’ve grown to love, because they change the direction of the story. Her ending twists tend to be delicious morsels that round out the theme of the book in a way that satisfies the broader message of the story.

The Soulmate revolves around two couples, and the book opens with the death of Amanda, and then explores how these two couples knew one another and how their stories are intertwined while also separate. Pippa and Gabe take the bulk of the story, because we not only learn their past and how they came to meet and grow their family, but we are also watching them deal with the fallout of the incident on the cliff. Amanda and Max are a secondary though equally compelling story that begins with Amanda’s death and the questions surrounding it, then backtracks to their very beginnings.

Both relationships are immensely complicated and beautifully messy. These feel like real couples—ones you’d know and maybe even be friends with. Pippa and Amanda are very different characters, as are Max and Gabe. I enjoyed both narrative but I found Amanda’s story particularly compelling. Never forget the title of the book is “the soulmate”—but part of what we are seeing unfold is what that really means in the lives of these four people.

The characters and relationships are expertly developed. Each twist and turn changed what I thought was happening. By the end, I was actually less concerned about the answer to Amanda’s death that sparked so much of the events of the book than I was about the people and their stories. The ending was satisfying, emotional, and compelling. The epilogue rounded out the story in just the right way. A must-read for fans of this style of book!

i enjoyed this one!! i was in like with it but not in love with it. i didn’t see a lot of the twists coming, and did feel blind sided by them. i wish there was a little bit more lead to the big punch.