Member Reviews
3.5 stars
SHORT CHAPTERS!!! Wooo. So much family drama, twists near the end and pretty unlikable characters. I think the writing kept me engaged far more than the story itself. I liked it up until the end where it sort of just felt flat.. like... wait that's it!?
Thank you netgalley for the earc I'm exchange for an honest review
Thank you to the publisher and author for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Holy crap she did it again! I am in love with Sally Hepworth's writing. The way she can weave a story with twists and turns at every corner is something that never gets old. There's not even an accurate way to describe this book without giving something away, just read jt if you like twisty thrillers!
This is the second book I've read by her and I am so hooked on her writing!
🪨 I am a fan of Hepworth’s books, but strangely each new book that comes out I seem to like a little less than the previous one. The Soulmate fell into the middle of the road for me.
🪨 I think my biggest personal issue with this book was that I didn’t engage with any of the characters. I felt outside of the story from start to finish. I can’t really pinpoint why I felt this way, either. But since I didn’t connect, I also didn’t really care what happened.
🪨 I did like the incorporation of Amanda’s perspective (the dead woman). I thought it was a brilliant way to give us a different side of the story. It could have been corny (since I didn’t really expect a paranormal aspect), but it wasn’t. It worked for me.
🪨 I have come to expect some crazy twists from Hepworth, and there were definitely some here, but they weren’t as impactful this time as in her previous books. I think if I’d cared more about the characters, I might have appreciated the plot twists more.
🪨 It isn’t a bad book. I liked it, I just didn’t love it… and I wanted to love it.
Thank you @Netgalley and @stmartinspress for an eARC of this book, which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
First off, I loved the setting of The Soulmate. Coastal island vibes always get me, especially in thrillers. The book pulled me in immediately and I couldn't put it down. It dragged some in the middle and I wasn't sure what was going on with the husband and boss and job. It picks back up in the end and the twists keep coming. I really enjoyed reading this one and the audiobook was fantastic! Would recommend!
Another domestic suspense that grabs you and wants to keep you reading till the last page. Thank you netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I loved this one! A solid thriller with multiple twists I didn’t see coming. Also great representation of mental health. Thank you so much for my copy!
This book was easily bingeable with some unexpected twists and turns. I loved the setting and really enjoyed that the dead woman had her own POV, I don’t see that often in books. Unfortunately, something about the way Hepworth writes mental illness gives me the ick. Between this and her last one, I am not sure I’ll be continuing to read her work.
5 stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Totally unpredictable!!!
The Soulmate is a domestic/psychological thriller with all the feels! Pippa & Gabe appear to be living a fairytale life until a woman commits suicide at the cliff by their house. Obviously shocked by this horrific tragedy their lives begin to unravel bit by bit. Insecurities begin to surface not only for Pippa & Gabe but soon their/Pippa’s family start expressing concerns.
The character portrayals were great & relatable for the most part, with a lot of different personalities emerging as the storyline progresses. The ongoing suicide investigation begins to take a turn revealing secrets & questioning behaviors of several main characters.
There are a lot of twists & turns along the way… which will keep you glued to this book! Once the pieces start fitting together the OMG’s begin to appear & the story soars!!!
Happily ever after for Pippa & Gabe??? You will have to find out for yourself. All I will say is that I would have NEVER predicted the outcome!!!
Another well done novel by Sally Hepworth who is now on my automatic read list!
Thank you #NetGalley #stmartinspress & #sallyhepworth for the ARC. This is in my honest review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
This was such a great domestic thriller! A complete page turner for me!
Gabe and Pippa buy an Oceanside mansion that overs popular cliff used for suicide. Gabe starts talking people off the cliff until one day he can’t. Pippa watches but can’t be 100% sure what she actually sees. She later finds out that Gabe knew the victim, and wonders what other secrets is he hiding.
This was so well written. I loved the alternating pov’s and loved the was each character was written. I thought I knew what was going to happen, but was very wrong! The twists and turns had me not wanting to put this book down even for a minute! This was fast paced and an amazing book! Defiantly must read!
📘: The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth
🗓️: April 4, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley, Sally Hepworth, and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
*Reviewed on NetGalley and Goodreads.
4.5*
Thank you to Netgalley for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Gabe and Pippa are doing well for themselves and buy an oceanside mansion with a view and a cliff...which is a popular suicide spot. Gabe is the perfect husband who talks many people off the ledge until there is one woman who is he unable to talk down. Pippa finds out that he knew the woman and flashbacks explore the nature of the relationship, but it's not what you think.
I couldn't put this book down at times. I enjoyed the alternating chapters between Pippa and the victim but it got a little much between the "now and then" and "before and after". This was a juicy domestic drama that dives deep into the complications of marriage and almost every one of the short chapters ended on a cliffhanger (pun intended). You don't find out what *really* happened until the last chapter or two.
I definitely recommend for a page turner and something you can't put down and just need to get to the bottom of (pun intended).
Does marriage mean unconditionally trusting someone? Especially when there are kids in the picture... Is it possible ignore certain signs just because you have been married for some time? Do you believe that both parties keep their promises? Or do you need to be a soulmate to be able to do all of these?
A woman jumped off of a cliff that was considered a suicide spot. Gabe was standing right next to her. Pippa saw him trying to convince her not to. But also she could not really tell what Gabe's hands were doing. After few days, Pippa had a realization. She knew the woman and this knowledge was going to complicate things a lot. because Pippa thought Gabe was her soulmate and husband of this woman believed the same for their relationship. After this point, it was all going to be about whose bonds were stronger.
There are twists and turns. Ending is definitely not what you expect. I liked it, but I didn't love it. It was a fast paced, quick read in between chunky books.
I really wanted to like this. I like her writing style and the chapters that get shorter as the tension builds. However, this missed the mark for me. This was the definition of an average thriller; if you can even call it that. I enjoyed dual perspective/dual time line, however the storyline and twists were very underwhelming. I will continue to read from her. 2.5 stars rounded up to 3 for NetGalley.
Sally Hepworth does an amazing job at creating twisted edge-of-your-seat drama. You will find yourself flipping through the pages to discover what clue will be presented. The thread of mental illness and how it affects those who are part of their lives was handled well. The secrets and betrayals buried throughout the pages keep you invested in the story. Told from a dual timeline and from dual perspectives was interesting and easy to follow.
I enjoy Sally Hepworth’s writing style and her well done story lines. I’m looking forward to her next book.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!
That’s 3 out of 3 for me from Mrs Sally! Whoa and I might say this is my favorite so far! I have become a fan and will definitely read anything this author writes! The way the twists were thrown in my face here is what makes this one the winner of the ones I have read. Short chapters also were a win. Loved the cliffhangers on each one and the pOV of everyone took it one notch. Highly recommend.
Sally Hepworth has a talent for crafting complex, psychologically driven thrillers.
The Soulmate is set in a sleepy coastal town, with an infamous cliff location. When a family who wants to start over moves into a house overlooking the cliff, Gabe takes on a new role--suicide prevention. Unfortunately Gabe can't save them all, and it turns our there's more to the backstory of the latest individual who crosses his path.
Sally writes quick chapters, using multiple timelines and alternating between POVs. For me, it made the book FLY BY, I couldn't stop turning the pages and read this in less than 24 hours. I had a feeling how this would play out, but still enjoyed it.
Thank you to Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for sharing this ARC with me in exchange for my honest review.
A not-so thrilling thriller.
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
This is a weird one to review because I enjoyed the reading experience. I read it incredibly fast and I was invested in the story. They said, this wasn't a very thrilling story. If you got in expecting a traditional mystery you might be disappointed.
The Soulmate follows a couple living in a cottage on a cliff where many people come to jump to their deaths. Of the 7 who have come since they moved to the house, Gabe has saved them all. Until he doesn't.
There's something particularly annoying that this book does. After the typical "incident incident" that kicks off the story, it starts with the wife saying or feeling, "why would I suspect my husband. He would never do anything like that." And then we proceed to get 200 pages of flashbacks that show exactly why she should suspect her husband! Like yeah, your husband is sketch AF. So why didn't it occur to you that he could have done this terribly horrible thing? And that's not to say that he did or didn't do the thing in this book, but come on.
I think if you already have it on your shelf or your interested enough in the premise, it's worth picking up. But with so little time and so many books, you might need to consider if it's actually worth your time. For me it was, but ask me on another day and I might have had a different opinion.
QOTD: how often do you give out 3 ish stars? For me it's usually either a 2 star because I didn't like it, or a 4/5 because I loved it.
A pretty typical Sally Hepworth, quick chapters, alternating timelines and POVs, between Pippa, married to Gabe with 2 small girls, living in a dream home, with the exception of the steep ocean cliff and popular suicide spot in their back year - and Amanda, married to Max, a business mogul, who seems to have jumped to her death on said cliff - and how their lives intertwine. A slower burn than I recall her others being, though kept me engaged, and wanting to know how it turns out. The ending was a bit problematic for me, as her books usually are – but I still keep coming back for more, so I guess I know what I’m getting into?? Not memorable, but enjoyable.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and author for the ARC in return for my honest review.
Sally Hepworth's "The SoulMate" is a captivating and emotionally charged novel that delves into the complexities of relationships, friendship, and the search for true connection. With her poignant storytelling and well-drawn characters, Hepworth creates a compelling narrative that explores the power of human connection and the importance of self-discovery. The story revolves around the lives of two central characters, Ruth and Harper, who are brought together by chance but soon discover they share an unexplainable bond. Ruth, a single mother with a troubled past, is struggling to find her place in the world. Harper, on the other hand, is a successful businesswoman, seemingly living a perfect life, yet feeling an emptiness she can't quite understand.Hepworth skillfully weaves together their alternating perspectives, allowing readers to delve into their innermost thoughts and desires. As Ruth and Harper navigate their intertwined lives, the author expertly explores themes of identity, trust, and the search for meaning. The complex dynamics of their relationship are portrayed with depth and authenticity, drawing readers into their emotional journey. What sets "The SoulMate" apart is Hepworth's ability to create richly developed and relatable characters. Ruth and Harper are flawed, multidimensional individuals with their own unique struggles and vulnerabilities. As the story unfolds, readers witness their personal growth and transformation, as they confront their past traumas and learn to embrace their true selves. Hepworth's insightful exploration of these characters' internal struggles adds layers of depth to the narrative, making it a truly compelling read. The author's prose is eloquent and evocative, evoking a range of emotions in readers. Hepworth's attention to detail and ability to capture the nuances of human relationships make the story feel authentic and relatable. The pacing of the novel is well-balanced, allowing for moments of introspection and quiet contemplation, as well as gripping twists and turns that keep readers engaged. While "The SoulMate" is primarily a character-driven novel, it also raises thought-provoking questions about the nature of fate, destiny, and the connections that bind us. Hepworth's exploration of these themes encourages readers to reflect on their own lives and relationships, sparking meaningful introspection.
This book started off pretty dramatic and then the layers peeled away slowly as the reader was made aware of all of the surprising ways the characters were intertwined.
4 stars!
The Soulmate has a very interesting synopsis. Pippa and Gabe live on the cliffside of a popular spot for people wanting to take their lives. Luckily, Gabe is almost a local savior, grabbing people before they decide to make the jump and coaxing them away from the cliff. The thing is one day when Gabe does this the woman does go off the cliff, and worst, it looks like to Pippa that Gabe may have pushed her. What really happened?
Sally Hepworth is one of my favorite thriller authors (The Younger Wife aside) and I thought this was so good. I was hooked from the very beginning and she is a go to for my domestic thrillers. Although there wasn't anything I completely dropped my jaw at, I had a great time reading this and found the entire experience very enjoyable.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!