Member Reviews
Remind me not to get married… ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ It’s been a while since I’ve read an entire book in one day - but since it was snowing in late April, this was the perfect picturesque day for it 🙄. A delectable domestic thriller that had me intrigued the entire time, with cliffhangery last chapter sentences that had me flipping to the next page with nary a clock in sight. I can’t say that murders and marriages are my cup of tea, and I never felt - oh my god I must know what is next urgency - but the quiet, twisty pacing of this book made it very enjoyable. Just goes to show you…you never do fully know who you’re married to…and don’t buy a house near a cliff…
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#bookstagram #books #domesticthrillers #soulmate
Thank you #netgalley and #macmillianpublishing for the ARC!
When a woman commits suicide off of The Drop out of Pippa and Gabe's coastal home, it seems a routine suicide call to the police. But Pippa thinks she saw her husband's arms outstretched, almost as if he pushed her....but how would Gabe know this suicidal woman? When Max, her husband, enters the scene, both Pippa and Gabe are surprised and the connection, and the question remains...was it really an accident?
This was a great, fast paced thriller! The twist at the end surprised me. I didn't see that coming!
Okay, I’m a huge fan of Hepworth! I have read all of her novels. This story was engaging but I didn’t love any of the characters aside from the children. Pippa and Gabe just weren’t all that likable. Max was a well written character and the only one with redeeming qualities. I thought the story really dragged on but the last 20% or so was brilliant. I absolutely loved the wrap up towards the end and thoroughly enjoyed that part of the story when all the pieces come together.
Gabe and Pippa have the perfect marriage. Recently, they bought a lovely cottage where they live with their two adorable young daughters. They didn’t realize their home sat on a cliff, known as “The Drop”. It’s where troubled people come to kill themselves. Gabe has been very successful in convincing people not to do it, until one tragic night.
As it turns out, the one victim Gabe could not save was someone he knew. Pippa is stunned and determined to find out what really happened that night. Gabe is Pippa’s soulmate. She can’t believe he’d keep secrets from her, but why didn’t he tell her he knew the victim?
This is a gripping, captivating tale that kept me hooked from page one. Every time I thought I’d read “only one more chapter”, I couldn’t just read one more. Kind of like not being able to eat just one more potato chip. I kept reading late into the night.
The story is an intense look into the married lives of two couples. It's filled with lies, betrayal and secrets. There are way more twists and turns than a roller coaster ride. Whenever I thought I knew what was going on, I discovered I didn’t know anything. Each chapter left me with a jaw dropping shocker.
This is the second book I’ve read by this author and I loved both books. She has now landed on my “auto-buy” author list. I enjoy a book that leaves a lasting impression and this one did it for me.
FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
This book was a page turner that I couldn’t put down. I think this is the authors best book so far. It had many twists and turn and I had to keep reading till the end. I highly recommend this book you won’t be disappointed. Thanks Netgalley for this arc.
The Soulmate, by Sally Hepworth, is an unsuspected treasure. I am a big fan of this author, and I was still surprised at how good this novel is. I read it in one day simply because I could not put it down. Hepworth is a master at creating a world dominated by complex characters and a plot that begins in a world appearing both benign and almost banal in its family tranquility. With surgical precision, Hepworth slowly reveals the characters' complicated psyches and past connections to create a compelling thriller. The setting intensifies the psychological twists and provides its own atmospherics. Unlike most authors that write thrillers, this is a story that does not rely on evil intent. Hepworth used one literary device that I generally find particularly grating. I can't reveal it without violating my rule against spoilers. Nonetheless, in her deft hands, it seemed to work and made sense. This is a 5-star win that I heartily recommend! Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read a digital ARC.
*received for free from netgalley for honest review* This was one of the better mysteries i have read this year so far! Most of the things in this book were out of left field and i didn't see them coming! Would recommend!
I really enjoyed this book! I love how everything connected to each other, I did think most of it was predictable but there were some twists and turns that were shocking. They also added a certain element to the book that made it even better. Overall a great book!
I loved this book!
It was such a true portrayal of a woman in love. Honestly, a great thriller that had me urging to turn each page. This book did a great job of showing all sides of marriage, it's not always as it seems... perfect. A must read!!!
Special thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the advanced reading copy of this highly anticipated novel!
An incredible thriller that involves romance, secrets and murder - what more could you ask for! The author was sure to include many twists throughout the storyline, but the ending is something that you will not see coming! I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of thriller and suspense novels.
3.5 stars. This was fast-paced and kept me engaged, basically throughout the entire book I was trying to figure out what really happened on the cliff and why, and figure out who was lying/covering for someone.
There was a lot going on in the second half and I didn't love/wasn't wowed by how it all played out. Still a solid read though.
The Soulmate is the first book I have read by Sally Hepworth. I was instantly intrigued by the premise of the main character and her family living near a dangerous cliff. This is not a typical cliff, but one that people seek out to end their lives. This is a domestic thrill with dysfunctional couples. I did like the dual perspectives and switching timelines. It gave an interesting perspective on the story. I don’t want to say much more because I’ll give something away.
Thank you, Macmillan Audio and St. Martin’s Press, for my gifted copies.
Sally Hepworth is quickly becoming an auto-read author for me! I always find her books entertaining and this one was no exception. I've been feeling like I've been in a reading slump lately and I was able to binge this book so fast. The short chapters had me turning the pages and I was interested in seeing what happened next in the story.
I really liked both Pippa and Amanda's POVs and the fact that both of them were told in dual timelines. I loved how the alternating chapters came together to form the full picture and I felt that the back and forth added suspense to the story. The characters themselves were interesting and while I was reading I definitely wanted to know more about them. In addition to the thriller/mystery aspect of this book, it is also a family drama with plenty of secrets and betrayals. The twists were done well and I loved how the reveals were spaced out throughout the book, making me want to read more. I won't say anything about the actual plot to avoid spoilers, but suffice it to say this fast paced book was a great read!
This book does include discussion surrounding mental health and how illness can affect not only those suffering, but also the people around them as well. I appreciated the fact that Hepworth used sensitivity readers and I felt that this topic was handled with care against the backdrop of a thriller.
If you're looking for a quick read that is definitely binge worthy, I'd definitely recommend this book! I'm looking forward to reading more of Hepworth's backlist and seeing what she writes next!
From the very start, this novel captivates its readers. I must confess, I anticipated the conclusion to be a letdown, as I couldn't fathom how the author could possibly bring the story to a satisfying close. However, I was proven wrong, as the ending took me completely by surprise. The twists are meticulously crafted and unpredictable, leaving me gasping in astonishment.
Hepworth skillfully delves into somber and tragic situations throughout the narrative, while also addressing the effects of mental illness on individuals, their lives, and their relationships.
I've read a few of Sally Hepworth's novels and they don't disappoint. I thoroughly enjoyed this one, I feel it was more grounded than some of her other works. There are plenty of secrets, I love the way the author just kept revealing more and more as the novel progressed towards the end. There are twists on top of twist and the last about 70% of the novel FLIES by.
From Amazon:
Picture a lovely cottage on a cliff, with sloping lawns, walking paths, and beautiful flowers. It’s Gabe and Pippa Gerard’s dream home in a sleepy coastal town. But their perfect house hides something sinister. The tall cliffs have become a popular spot for people to end their lives. Over the past several months, Gabe comes to their rescue, literally talking them off the ledge.
Until one day, he doesn’t. When Pippa discovers Gabe knew the victim, the questions spiral. . . .Did the victim jump? Was she pushed? And would Gabe, the love of Pippa’s life, her soulmate . . . lie? As the perfect façade of their marriage begins to crack, the deepest and darkest secrets begin to unravel. Because sometimes, the most convincing lies are the ones we tell ourselves.
The novel speaks to marriage, identity in a relationship and how relationships define us, secrets (MANY) and mental illness. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advanced copy. The Soulmate is out now!
Sally Hepworth is one of a kind. She takes plots, like the one in The Soulmate, that feel a bit "been there done that" at first, but she shifts expectations right on their head and turns her books into something I truly cannot put down. She hasn't had a miss for me yet.
In the Acknowledgements, Sally Hepworth describes this as a "murderous love story" which is what makes this book so compelling. It' s equal parts a juicy mystery and an examination of a marriage. I could not put this book down. Highly recommend.
This was my first Sally Hepworth and I can't wait to read more.
*I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press and I am required to disclose that in my review in compliance with federal law.
With short chapters, duel POV (each with a then & now), and lots of secrets, The Soulmate kept my attention for the entire book. There were a handful of fun plot twists & the ending had me smiling.
My first book by Sally Hepworth and I was hooked by this story. The twists and turns kept me awake till the wee hours of morning.
Gabe and Pippa have recently relocated to a beach front town. Unfortunately their new home is located near a cliff known as the Drop. The couple find out that this is something of a known suicide spot, with a number of people jumping from the Drop directly behind their home. Gabe has a had a successful run of stopping jumpers, talking them down and keeping them calm until professional help can arrive. All is well until Gabe isn't successful. What made this time different? Follow Pippa and Gabe as they deal with the aftermath of a witnessed suicide. How did they get here and where do they go from this point?
Sally Hepworth has done it again. Not many can write the nuances of domestic drama like Sally. I really enjoyed following the story in real time as well as flash backs to how they go to the house in the first place.