Member Reviews

OH MY GOD THIS WAS ADDICTING!!!!

I seriously could not put this book down. I alternated between listening and reading my ebook and wow. The story alternated between POVs: Pippa, then and now, and Amanda, before and after.

A family lives in a little cottage right by a known suicide spot. The husband, Gabe, is known for his efforts to save anyone who walks to the edge, and he has been successful each and every time, until now. Pippa, the wife, sees some walk towards the edge and tells Gabe to go, as she calls 911. She watches from the window. One second she sees them in an intense conversation and the next she sees Gabe by himself with his hands in a weird outstretched way.

Now we get to dive into the investigation and learn about how these two characters interconnect! I seriously loved it so much. I never knew where the story was going to take me and the plot twists GOT ME GOOD!

HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS YALL

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🌊 The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth 🌊

Swipe for synopsis ➡️

⭐️ Rating: 3.25/5

My first Sally Hepworth book and it was good, but not great! I enjoyed the ominous vibe of the first half of the book and loved the difference in perspectives from the multiple povs and the then/now timelines.

This was more of a domestic thriller filled with betrayal, lies, dysfunctional relationships and what constitutes “soulmates.” There were a few twists along the way and the final twist at the end felt lackluster to me. It felt predictable and left me a bit underwhelmed. The very end also seemed corny to me. I definitely enjoyed the first half way more than the second. Overall a decent read but not one that I will stick with me. 🤷🏻‍♀️

I read this as part of the #thrillabookstaclub for this month and it was such a fun chat since so many people either loved or were indifferent to it!

What to expect:
✨ Domestic thriller
✨ Family secrets
✨ Toxic relationships
✨ Ominous setting

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3.5 Stars
I didn't know if I was going to enjoy this book at first because the pacing was slow, I didn't feel like I really liked any of the characters, and I was a little iffy about having one of the POVs being a dead woman. Multiple POV's and timelines can sometimes be a hit or miss, but fortunately in this case it wasn't confusing and added something to the story.
None of the characters were likable, and I found myself frustrated with Pippa most of the time.

It was a bit slow-going until about 70% of the way through the pace picked up and events started streaming together and it started to get more interesting. Then, it seemed like there was a lot of information packed in. A couple of the twists I didn't predict, but I still felt a bit underwhelmed at the end. I also didn't really like how mental health was portrayed.

Overall it was an interesting, slow-paced domestic thriller that left me just a bit underwhelmed.

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This was my first read from Sally Hepworth and it did not disappoint!

Pippa and Gabe have moved to an idyllic coastal town, but what they don't realize is their dreamy new home is located next to a popular (if one such place can be "popular") suicide spot called the drop. Gabe turns out to be extraordinarily good at talking people literally off a ledge until one day...he isn't. From there, Pippa and Gabe's lives unravel, exposing lies and corruption that threaten to tear their lives apart.

I found this a totally enjoyable read. The alternating chapters between the POVs of Pippa and Amanda were done masterfully and the plot was engrossing. It may have been my first Sally Hepworth but it certainly wont be my last.

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Gabe and Pippa have it all - a beautiful family, a gorgeous house, and a gorgeous sloped lawn and gardens bordering picturesque cliffs. It's their dream home, but it has a dark side - the cliffs have become a popular location for those who want to end their life and leap from the cliffs. Gabe has taken on the role of talking people down whenever he sees them near the cliffs, from their home. One day, however, Gabe attempts to talk a woman down...but she jumps anyway, and when Pippa sees Gabe, he is WAY too close to the cliff. Then, Pippa discovers that Gabe knew the woman, and the mystery deepens. Is Gabe lying to Pippa? Secrets begin to unravel along with the beautiful dream life that Gabe and Pippa have created.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this one before its publication date. I really enjoyed this one!

First, I loved the back-and-forth POV switches and timeline switches. I felt like I was being given pieces of a puzzle one at a time, slowly but surely fitting them all together until the culminating end. The continuous POV swaps left lots of suspense and cliffhangers which made this a quicker read - I just wanted to find out what happened!!! Second, I felt like I couldn't trust any of the characters which really makes for an enticing mystery read. Comparing the characters from the "past" and "present" POVs really added depth to the characters, and like I said, it was like a puzzle trying to figure everything out. My third highlight - I thought the author did a great job creating a real feeling of danger in this novel. The cliffs were always looming in the backdrop, always a part of the story. The threats to Gabe and Pippa's children felt very real and very ominous. Pippa's worries about Gabe's mental state were incredibly real. The unraveling of the mystery revealed a lot of covert danger that was hiding right under the surface.

I would recommend this one to those who enjoy quick-paced mysteries with lots of suspense and cliffhangers. I'll definitely be checking out the author's other works!

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Another good thriller from Sally Hepworth.

There are two couples: Pippa and Gabe. Amanda and Max. Two, not timelines exactly, but times. Before and after. From Amanda's prospective and from Pippa's. These two couples are on a collision course that may do so much harm. Or it may help some heal. Move on. Find happiness. Either together or apart. Whichever way it all starts at the jumping off place. Literally....

Pippa and Gabe love each other so much it is crazy. Pippa can barely breath away from Gabe and he just can't seem to cope without her. Their's is a love story for the ages. Soulmates if you will. But what about all the secrets. All the lies. All the things that are not what they seem. When the trust is tested. Limits are broken. What happens then. Do you bury your head in the sand and pretend all is well.... Maybe you do. For the sake of your daughters. But what about for your sake?

Amanda and Max have a more conventional marriage. It was not really a marriage of love but more a marriage of necessity. For them both. Yes they care about each other. Very deeply. They are friends. They get along and they make a promise. Always be faithful. This fits for Amanda after the life she's seen her mother go through. Until it's not. Until she is looking at things from the other side. Until that day on The Cliff...

Gabe has many issues and Pippa deals with them very well. She helps him in every endeavor he starts. He does ask a lot too. I was all set to dislike this man but he grew on me. I felt bad for him for some things. But I like Pippa too. Even though I thought she was crazy to put up with Gabe at times I still like her. She just needed to find what truly made her happy.

Max was a hard one to like for a bit but he also grew on me. I liked that he was so involved with suicide prevention after losing his mother and brother do suicide. I felt for him after his wife fell from the cliff. There were times when I wanted to push him off but then this book gave me the thrill I was waiting for and didn't even see coming. The moment it happened I actually gasped out loud. I did not see that coming. I didn't see a couple of things but the big thing was a shocker for sure. Well played Ms Hepworth. Well played indeed.

My favorite line despite it all is:
"Pippa," he said, "I thought you'd stay forever."
My second favorite:
So, here we are. Finally, it makes sense, what I've been doing here-stuck in this strange space between life and death. I've been waiting for him; the love of my life. And now it's time to go....

Thank you #NetGalley, #SallyHepworth, #StMartinsPress. This is my own true thoughts about this book.

Five huge stars and I do highly recommend it.

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This is my first Sally Hepworth book. I found the book to be very slow and it took me ages to get through it. I wouldn’t call this a thriller, I’d categorize it as a family drama.

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One of my most anticipated 2023 was a banger!!!! There’s no doubt in my mind that a book by Sally Hepworth is always going to be a fun time!!! Sally has become an auto buy author for me. So you already know when this approval came in from Macmillan audio it was an immediate STOP everything, headphones in, world off kind of moment!! Did I stay up wayyyyy too late indulging in this bing worthy listen, yes, YES I DID!!! No regrets!! Thank you to the publisher for granting me access to an ALC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

This book was full of all my favorite things in a domestic suspense novel! Sally gave us dual timelines, dual POVs, a questionable death, and such a captivating twisty thriller!! Just when you think you have it all figure out, BAM! Nope, you were wrong!! This was fantastic and so atmospheric. The narration and the storyline was well paced and really shows great character development.

Such a gripping listen!! So many twist and turns to keep you on the edge of seat guessing until the very end!

The Soulmate left me craving for more Sally Hepworth’s storytelling!! Can’t wait to see what Sally comes up with next!!

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The Soulmate was just as propulsive as any Sally Hepworth book, and I finished it in a day. Unfortunately, I’m left with a bad taste in my mouth. I don’t want to tread into spoiler territory, but I will say that there’s a mental health storyline that I really, really didn’t like. I also cannot with the trope of the smart, capable wife who becomes a total oblivious moron when it comes to her husband.

Thanks to Netgalley and St Martin’s Press for the e-ARC for review.

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I found the premise of this book very interesting. There were a few turns but nothing overly surprising. A solid mystery, and I will continue to read from this author.

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Sally has done it again. This thriller will have you flipping the pages as quickly as you can.

Pippa and her husband live on a Cliff where some people come to end it all. One night a woman jumps to her death. Or does she?

Who was that woman that was on the cliff with her husband? Why does it look like Gabe has pushed her?

As the story starts to unravel you will be guessing till the end.

Pick up your copy today and dive right in! I LOVE Sally. This was such a treat for me to receive this Arc. Thanks to net galley and St martins press for this great read.

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Sally Hepworth's The Soulmate is a captivating domestic thriller that kept me hooked from beginning to end.

What I loved most about this book is that it wasn't just a typical thriller - it had elements of family drama and a complex exploration of human relationships, alongside the mysterious death of a woman and a web of lies to be untangled. The characters were multi-dimensional and relatable, and the writing was both subtle and surprising. I appreciated the author's ability to keep me guessing until the very end, while also highlighting the importance of communication and honesty in any relationship.

Overall, The Soulmate is a must-read for fans of domestic thrillers or anyone looking for a well-crafted, engaging story. The audiobook narration was also excellent, bringing the characters to life and enhancing the overall experience. Many thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy!

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The Soulmate is a psychological thriller that pushes the boundaries of loyalty.

Gave and Pippa are living in their dream home after a few years of struggle. What they weren’t prepared for is the popularity of their cliff for nefarious purposes. Gave gains notoriety for being able to talk people down, but one night he isn’t successful.

When Pippa realizes that he knew the victim she questions whether her loyalty is warranted.

There weren’t a lot of likable characters in this story, but I’m glad Pippa’s ending was as it was.

My biggest criticism is that I’m so tired of mental health being used as an excuse or a plot line in thrillers for bad behavior.

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I really enjoyed this one. Sally Hepworth is the kind of domestic suspense writer I most gravitate toward. The surprises and twists are well within the realm of the possible, never go for cheap shock value, and the characters are always flawed and interesting with full backstories, the details of which she sprinkles gradually throughout her novels without being too heavy-handed about it. And then later on, when the relevance of a particular fact comes into focus, you go, 'Whoa! So that's why that was important!'

In this one, we're introduced to two very complicated couples: Pippa and Gabe; and Max and Amanda, whose lives become intertwined after a very tragic event. The event itself is extraordinary, but even more so, is the gradual deconstruction of the relationships of both couples in flashbacks as well as in how they deal with their current situation. Pippa and Gabe are a love-match, a couple who have the kind of bond they pride themselves on being beyond anyone else's comprehension. We learn this through Pippa's narration of their life together, which as the book progresses feels less and less reliable.

Then there's Amanda and Max. We learn about them through Amanda's voice. Unlike Pippa and Gabe, their match was one born of pragmatism. At least that's what Amanda believes. Like Pippa, she's very confident she understands what her husband and marriage are about. And like Pippa, she may very well prove wrong. Despite the primary element of suspense, this book was also about marriage, and the secrets we keep within a marriage and the lies we tell ourselves about them.

This was a quick read when I found time to do it, and I also listened. Thanks #NetGalley for both the ebook and audiobook.

Audiobook Note: The narrators were pretty good. Pippa's narrator was spot-on, but Amanda's didn't altogether match the character. There was a slyness about her delivery that made Amanda seem much more self-aware than she ultimately was. That won't make sense unless you listen for yourself. But even if you don't, this is one to read for sure. Recommended.

My rating: ★★★★

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To be totally honest, I only picked this book up because of the tittle (Hi, big swiftie over here!). I don't love YA novels but every once in a while I find one I enjoy. This was a cute story of a college Freshman chasing her dream to be a radio host for her college's radio show, just as her mother was. She worked hard in order to be able to transfer to her mother's alma matter, and her boyfriends current school, for her second semester Freshman year, however, when she arrives on her first day to surprise her boyfriend, she is quite surprised herself to find out he transferred back home to be with her.

Alone for the first time, Andie, our main character, has to navigate life on a college campus, make new friends, get involved and tackle her course work. This coming of age story had me very nostalgic for my own college experience. It's been 7 years and I still miss it!

If YA is not your normal genre of choice. I would still recommend this book! Especially if you are looking for something light in between thrillers and heavy dramas!

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Excuse me while I go read all of Sally Hepworth's backlist. The Soulmate is only the second book I've read by here, but I am HOOKED by her writing. Her plots will truly keep you on the edge of your seat and wondering what is going to happen next.

The Soulmate is about husband and wife, Gabe and Pippa, who recently moved to a cottage on an infamous cliff known as "The Drop." Gabe is known for saving several of the people who have visited there looking to end their lives, but on this particular night, he doesn't. From there, chaos and mystery ensue.

I honestly couldn't put this book down. I needed to know what was going to happen. It was intense and wild, and definitely not to be missed.

Thank you St. Martins Press and NetGalley for the eARC!

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The soulmate was a quick read. I had heard amazing things about the novel and had probably unrealistically high expectations. Because of that I was a little disappointed in ending. It was an easy and enjoyable read but not a novel that will stick with me!

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Hello new favourite Sally Hepworth! This book was an absolute delight and reminded me why I love these mystery-domestic thriller type books and why I fell in love with Sally Hepworth. This book was fast paced and kept me guessing, even when I was sure I was going to figure out how it was all going to play out. The characters were all awful in their own ways but it really worked in this book.

I was super confused with the title for most of the book, but I loved how it all came together for the reveal later on. I really liked how everyone had secrets that both intertwined and had nothing to do with each other, so it really kept you guessing and surprised when things were unveiled. There was a lot of mental health/mental illness discussions that I thought were handled very well and quite informative too!

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I didn’t love this one as much as I was hoping to. It was twisty and interesting, but I didn’t click with it like the good sister or the mother in law. I liked most of the characters and the setting. A first I wasn’t sure about amanda’s pov but it worked. I thought the ending was a wee bit anticlimactic. Anyway. I didn’t hate it at all, I will continue to read Sally Hepworth, this one just wasn’t a hit for me and that’s ok.

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Sally Hepworth is great at creating twisty reads, where you never know what is going to happen! The short chapters help to keep the reader entertained and engaged as they travel through the storyline.

I enjoyed both the past and present dual POVs from the two FMCs. The reader can get a look into both women’s lives and see how they are intertwined. Hepworth also does an amazing job at out creating out of nowhere surprises, I could never have even imagined!

All of her characters are always extremely relatable and personable. As a reader, I can easily imagine myself being thrown into these situations. Cannot wait to read the next book the Sally Hepworth writes up!

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