When you get your hands on a copy of Sally Hepworths upcoming release which also happens to be one of your MOST anticipated reads of 2023 ... you read it IMMEDIATELY!

Well my friends, she does it again. Annnnd, she got me with those plot twists! Damn!! I for one LOVED the direction she took with this story. I won't give anything away, no worries. Spoilers are lame!!

I am a HUGE fan of alternating chapters between characters and the way this was done was EXCELLENT! I was completely engaged in this story and did not see that ending coming. What the heck!?

Final thoughts, excellent fast paced read, highly recommend! Add this to your list for April 2023!!

Huge thanks to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for this copy!

Sally Hepworth once more demonstrates her masterful storytelling skills in this gripping psychological thriller. It's the tale of two women, one living and one recently deceased, who narrate their experiences in alternate chapters. It's also the story of two marriages, from the wives' perspectives. Pippa and her husband, Gabe, live in an Australian coastal town, where Gabe has gained renown as a "suicide whisperer," responsible for saving the lives of several people who had planned to jump off a nearby cliff to their death. The couple has two adorable young daughters, and Pippa's parents and sister live nearby. Then there's Amanda, the woman who fell from the cliff before Gabe could save her, the wife of an ultra-wealthy businessman, Max. They have no children, but together they enjoy all of the privileges that money can provide.

Of course, there are connections between the two couples that are revealed slowly throughout the book, and that's where the author really excels. She knows how to ratchet up the tension, piece by piece, to the point where I felt I had to finish the book in a day because I couldn't guess how the ending would occur, or suspect how it would affect me.

Along the way we discover details about each of the four nuanced characters' lives--what motivates them and how they are called upon to support their spouse over the years and to honor their marriage vows, no matter what. And while thrillers often suffer from a lack of likeable characters, there is enough character development in this book to keep the reader mesmerized.

My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review of this book.

Review of Uncorrected Digital Galley

Gabe and Pippa Gerard moved into the cliffside cottage they thought would be their dream home, thinking it would be a perfect place for their two daughters, Freya and Asha, to grow up. But, along with their magnificent view, there’s a spot along the sandy walking spot popular with those attempting suicide: it’s a sheer drop some thirty meters down to the jagged rocks and the beach.

Gabe has become somewhat of a local hero for his ability to talk would-be jumpers away from the Drop, thus saving their lives. Seven times since they’ve moved into the cottage. Tonight, the woman at the Drop will not become the eighth survivor.

What drove the woman to such drastic measures? Why was Gabe unable to keep her from jumping? Gabe says she was a stranger, devastated by her husband’s infidelity.

But it turns out that the woman was not a stranger; Gabe knew her. And did she really jump?

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Told from Pippa's point of view in both the past and the present and from Amanda's point of view in both the past and after, this complex domestic suspense tale keeps readers guessing as the plot twists and turns, slowly revealing its secrets. Believable characters, a strong sense of place, and an intricate plot all work together to draw the reader into the telling of the tale.

In this character-driven story, parallel narratives address the many aspects of marriage: its expectations, its foibles, its excuses, its secrets, its lies, its betrayals. Here, there’s a marriage of love and devotion and a marriage for status and convenience. Seeing events from each person’s point of view leaves readers wondering who might be lying and who is telling the truth.

Unpredictable and compelling, the unfolding narrative leads to a denouement readers simply will not see coming.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this eBook from St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley
#TheSoulmate #NetGalley

Another great Sally Hepworth novel. Loved the characters and kept. me guessing until the end. Read it in one day!

This is exactly what I wanted from Miss Hepworth. Fast paced, smart, full of twists.

Each character makes the reader think they have something to hide. The reader can’t trust anyone.

This shows the best and worst parts of marriage. Makes you think, what is the final straw that would end a marriage for you?

Excellent writing, brilliant storyline. I loved every minute.

I received an advanced copy of this book.

This book was so good. Like work for hours straight to get ten minutes of reading as a reward good. The story had me hooked from the start and unlike a lot of thrillers, it was completely unpredictable. Every time I thought I knew where we were going, we veered the other way. There were love stories, family drama, and just enough murder. Really enjoyed reading this from start to finish.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press for the ARC.
Should I be reading an April '23 release now in August of '22? Probably not, but I absolutely could not resist digging into Hepworth's newest book. I saw her on tour back in April for The Younger Wife, and when she teased this book, I was so excited. She's an auto-buy author for me.
What I love about this book is how Hepworth explores marriage and the messiness of raising young kids while dealing with a murder investigation. The characters seem like real people. I enjoy how Hepworth captures the mundane and makes me want to read more about it, while also keeping me engaged with a murder. Through different POVs and timelines, she is able to build so much suspense, that made me want to binge the book in one sitting. She has a way of creating complex, interwoven, and seamless plots that slowly come together for such a satisfying and twisty ending. There is a POV that was a bit unique in this book (I don't want to say too much because it could be a spoiler) and it just worked. It added so much insight and intrigue into everything that was going on with these characters. This is a book that I will definitely revisit - I think it could be fantastic on audio - and I can't wait to find the breadcrumbs from this time that I missed.

Holy plot twists! This book has a few of them and they were amazing! I could not put it down. The story is told in dual POV’s alternating between Pippa and Amanda. This book left me speechless which doesn’t happen too often. It was refreshing to read a thriller that was actually thrilling.

Pippa and Gabe live with their two daughters in a house on a cliff known as “The Spot”. The Spot was a place where people went to end their lives. Gabe managed to talk a number of people down however, on this particular night he doesn’t. As the situation unfolds Pippa sees everything from the window and notices the outward position of Gabe’s arms. The death was rule a suicide, but Pippa isn’t so sure.

Pippa finds out Gabe knew the victim. As she digs for the truth more secrets come to light. What really happened that night? Can she trust her husband?

The Soulmate is available April 4,2023.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

Love love love. Sally Hepworth does it again. She’s one of my favorite authors and this book does not disappoint.

I enjoyed this one but wasn't my favorite by her. The ending wasn't something I guessed. I would recommend it. I would give it 4 our of 5 stars for it.

Enjoyable book, you don’t really know where this is heading until the end. It has its share of surprises too. You are carried through the minds of two people, both past and present. It can be a little confusing, but you are told clearly which tense (past or present ) you are in at the beginning of each chapter. There is enough suspense sprinkled throughout to keep you interested. I read it in a day. There’s plenty of mystery! Is it an accident, suicide or murder? But that’s just the beginning question. There’s much more to this story than it first appears!

*ahhhhh* in true Sally Hepworth fashion, she’s tackled another family drama with a commentary on life in it exceptionally well. Don’t go into this one thinking it’s a mystery thriller, I certainly didn’t find it to be but it was an overall great read with complex characters and intricate interactions.

I read this book in one sitting (on a bus driving through Italy) and it kept me engaged throughout which is rare for a mystery/thriller than leans to being a family drama. I actually LOVED the ending too actually, more than I expected I would when I read it. Aka I have now been sitting here for 3 minutes thinking about it and loved the broken feelings it inspired.

As most of you know (and have yelled at me for 😂) I don’t usually read prologues or epilogues because if the information was that important I think the author would’ve included it in the book BUT there is never a Sally Hepworth that I read where I don’t read the Acknowledgements and get a good chuckle.

As always, this author delivered for me. I really cared about what was going on, especially with the characters, their twisted lives and relationships. Some things in the plot really surprised me, so additional points for that. I definitely recommend this to fans of domestic thrillers, maybe even thrillers in general.

Just wow! Sally Hepworth knocks it out of the park again! I loved everything about this novel. Extremely well written and expertly executed. Such a great storyline that continued to pack punch after punch. I loved the characters! So easy to fall into this book and read straight through.
Highly recommend!
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book

The Soulmate is outstanding, another brilliant story from Sally Hepworth. It's a story of love, two kinds of love along with so many surprises and twists, I could not put it down. A fantastic exhilarating read. Thank you #NetGalley#StMartinsPress#TheSoulmate

It’s fun, feisty and has the reader on the edge all of the way.

Pippa married a man that has attention deficit. He is hyperactive, restless, impulsive at times, disorganized, has trouble focusing and sometimes has periods of depression. Pippa constantly worries about her husband, Gabe. Yet, she is devoted towards him and her two daughters, Freya and Asha. Her mother said, “family is thicker than water.”

They bought a house close to a cliff near Melbourne. While it breath-taking beautiful with scenic views, it’s a spot where suicidal people jump to their death. Even with the fence they have built, it’s a huge concern especially with their young daughters. Since they have lived there, Gabe has saved seven people from “dropping” off the cliff.

Now, however, there is a woman that is close to the edge. Gabe is there to convince her, like the others, to step back and walk away safely. But this time he fails. He’s not able to save Amanda as he watches her body take the dreaded fall. The police questioned what happened. Gabe was overwhelmed with anxiety and says very little.

The story is told by Pippa from the present into the past and also Amanda in the afterlife. The reader is tempted to look at the last pages to find out what is going to happen but we all know that’s cheating. It’s a quick read and page turner with a series of hints, unexpected twists and turns. This is one book that was a surprise for me with the outcome. With all the books I have stacked up to read, this is the one that I turned to. Sally Hepworth got my attention.

My thanks to Sally Hepworth, St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read this advanced copy with the expected release date of April 4, 2023.

I am obsessed with all of Sally Hepworth's books, and this one is no exception! "The Soulmate" is fast-paced and engaging from the very beginning--I couldn't stop reading and took the book with me everywhere!

The story is told from the point of view of Pippa and Amanda, from both their past and present selves; however, much of the story revolves around Pippa's brilliant but manic husband, Gabe. Pippa and Gabe have recently moved to a cottage near a cliff overlooking the sea. They are excited for a fresh start, but soon discover that the cliff is a popular suicide spot. Fortunately, Gabe has been able to talk down a number of suicide seekers--until he meets one that he is unable to save. Pippa has a slightly different perspective of things, but she has been propping up and protecting her husband since they met, and this time is no different.

There is so much more I am tempted to say about this book, but I will refrain so as not to give any spoilers! Needless to say, I would highly recommend this to anyone who is a fan of Sally Hepworth's books, or of marriage/domestic thrillers in general. Just make sure you clear your schedule before you start reading, since you won't want to do anything else until you finish it!

TWs: suicide, mental illness, murder, affairs

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Sally Hepworth for this arc!!

Thank you so much NetGalley and St. Martin’s Publishing Group for the early e-copy of The Soulmate. Sally Hepworth has done it again. I was elated to find out I received an advanced copy of her newest novel! If I didn't have other obligations in my life I probably could have read this book in an afternoon. Just when you think you know where the story is headed... BAM! She throws in a twist that throws you off course. The Soulmate is a thriller with two POVs, that encompasses all the makings of a great page turner, family drama, murder, lies, and, betrayal. I believe this is my favorite of hers that I have read.

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press, for the advance readers copy in exchange for my honest opinion. Wow! Readers who enjoy a suspenseful, psychological thriller will relish Sally Hepworth’s The Soulmate. Told from various character’s points of view in differing timelines, this novel will engage and surprise you through the conclusion. I especially enjoyed reading Amanda’s perspective, as she reminded us that our reality is truly as we perceive it. This is a perfect book club book, and I can’t wait to further discuss it upon its April release!

I've been a big fan of Sally Hepworth ever since reading The Family Next Door. I've rushed to read her subsequent books as soon as I can.

I love her signature style of sunny domestic drama with sharper edges.

The Soulmate is a little bit different.

Gabe and Pippa are happily married with two young daughters, living in their dream home, with stunning cliff tops views. They only found out the cliff was a known suicide spot after falling in love with the house...

Fortunately Gabe has a talent for talking potential jumpers into stepping back from the brink, until the one time he can't save the victim.

It comes out that Gabe recognised the victim, and there are hidden secrets to be discovered and unravelled.

There are chapters from the victim's point of view, both from her life, and in the present, post-death as a liminal conscious presence. This seems to be a bit of incidental trend, this being the fourth book doing something similar that I've read this year, and sorry to say, The Soulmate didn't utilise it in as interesting a way as some the other books. The victim's presence is mainly used as a witness to ongoing scenes with the other characters.

It felt a little slower and more somber than Sally Hepworth's three previous books. Is this somber mood inevitable in a book that opens with a suicide?

The pace is moderate, it does build up, but it takes a while to get going. There is definitely some depth to the plotting, there is plenty to discover, and some good twists as it unfolds.

Interesting, and worth a read, but sorry to say I was missing some of that Sally Hepworth sparkle.

Thanks to Netgalley and St.Martin's Press.