Sally Hepworth is known for her domestic suspense novels with complex family storylines. In this book, it is about two intertwined married couples. No different from her other books, this book is bingeable.​​​​​​​​
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The two wives tell the story, but it's Amanda - After POV that pulled me in, seeing everything through a new light. It was so unique and well-done. I am not going to say more about this POV, but it was easily my favorite.​​​​​​​​
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As for the twists and surprise factor, I was expecting more. Or maybe I was missing something. And the final twist, I predicted correctly pretty early on. Bummer!

Thanks to @netgalley for the early copy!

This is my first Sally Hepworth book. It will not be my last! The book opens in a small coastal town of Portsea about two hours from Melbourne. Pippa, a stay-at-home lawyer works from home, is married to Gabe who is the primary caregiver for their two children. The family moved there from Melbourne and bought a home that backs up to a cliff where there have been several suicide jumpers. Pippa’s parents and her sister have moved to Portsea too so they can be close to the grandkids. A woman, Amanda, has successfully committed suicide. Gabe was not able to talk her down. Previously, he was successful in stopping seven people from taking their lives. The story is told by Pippa Then and Now and Amanda Before and After.

I really liked the short chapters as it kept me reading to see what would happen next. I did think the book slowed down at about the thirty percent mark to the sixty percent mark. I was surprised by several twists. It has been a couple of weeks since I finished the book, and I am still thinking about Hepworth investigates family, mental illness…… This would be a good book for a book club to discuss. My thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an ARC of this book. The opinions in this review are my own.

The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Happy Pub Day to this novel! Many thanks to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for this EARC!

I very much enjoy Hepworth’s writing, and this was no exception. I love the way the author crafts relationships in her books and explores what it means to be family. This one examined the goods and uglies of marriages, and I found it engaging and unabashedly realistic.

I also enjoyed the POVs in this book. It moved the story along and kept the reader just off enough. The dichotomies of the POVs (then, now, before, and after) were interesting and a great way to tell the story. As a reader, I had no problem following this format.

If you’re on the fence about this one, I recommend you pick it up. I read it in two settings and enjoyed it tremendously. This was another successful Hepworth read!

Sally Hepworth is one of my favorite domestic suspense authors so I was super excited to read The Soulmate. She does such a great job of keeping her readers guessing while writing family drama in an original and intriguing way.

The story is told from Pippa and Amanda’s perspectives both in the past and present. Amanda’s “after” parts were a clever way to tell us parts of the story we wouldn’t have gotten otherwise, and I thought Hepworth’s decision to include these chapters was so clever.

It’s hard to say too much about this book without giving anything away so I’m just going to say that even though it was a bit of a slow burn, I really enjoyed this story and how it all came together in the end. Plus there were some great twists I didn’t see coming.

Thank you St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Twisty plot whodunnit

I thoroughly enjoyed The Soulmate, if enjoyed is the right word. Another multi-point of view, twisty plot thriller from Ms Hepworth, this book kept me up all night to finish. 'Just another page...' So, add my voice to those who recommend The Soulmate, along with all Ms Hepworth's books!

Thank you to the publisher who lent me a time-constrained e-arc via Netgalley. This review is optional and y own opinion.

Whew! I do not want to give away the plot, but this was a doozy! Deception, murder, financial crimes, a touch of romance…this one had it all. Loved it!

𝚁𝙴𝙰𝙳 𝚃𝙷𝙸𝚂 𝙸𝙵 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝙻𝙸𝙺𝙴/𝙻𝙾𝚅𝙴/𝚆𝙰𝙽𝚃:​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
◾️Dual POV
◾️Then and now / before and after timelines
◾️Short/quick chapters
​​​​◾️Mental health
◾️Murder mystery
◾️Marital/betrayal/loyalty issues

​​​​​​​​𝙱𝙻𝚄𝚁𝙱 𝙾𝙽𝙴-𝙻𝙸𝙽𝙴𝚁: Get ready for a thrilling, addictive novel about marriage, betrayal, and the secrets that push us to the edge.
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𝙼𝚈 𝚃𝙷𝙾𝚄𝙶𝙷𝚃𝚂: I listened to this on audiobook and thought that the narrators, Barrie Kreinik and Jessica Henry-Douglas, did a wonderful job with their performances of Pippa and Amanda.

Sally is the queen of domestic family thrillers, and this one was no exception. They always have multiple plot twists that I can never figure out, and this one had me wanting to listen at a higher speed so I could finish it faster, but my ears/brain can’t handle anything greater than 1.5x. 😅

I love domestic thrillers like this to break up my spicy romances/romcom books! I think this one would get you out of a reading slump if you can’t find yourself sticking to a book.

The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth is a must read if you like domestic suspense. This is a fast paced, well written story that will keep you on the edge of your seat! A roller coaster ride filled with twist and turns about marriage, betrayal, secrets and friendship. Ms. Hepworth also carefully adds mental illness into it and the affects on the person and those around them. It is told in multiple perspectives and timelines and even some from the grave. The characters are well developed and just so good! Ms. Hepworth’s descriptive writings in this one is highly commendable, she places you right on that cliff with the characters, then you get to that OMG ending that will put your jaw on the floor!!! Highly recommend this one and all Ms. Hepworth’s books, I am becoming a huge fan!!

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Sally Hepworth for this highly addictive and compelling story to read and review. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
#netgalley #stmartinspress. #sallyhepworth
#thesoulmate #arc #domesticsuspense

Such a twisted and thrilling read! Sally never disappoints and her newest is sure to keep you guessing and turning the page for more! I loved tragedy and suspense this book brings along with all the crazy twists we come to expect! You won't be disappointed!

4 stars! Hepworth keeps getting better & better! This novel really drew me into the story & the short chapters kept me flipping pages. I really wanted to figure out what was at the heart of this mystery & I guessed the big twist a bit before the reveal. I did find the Pippa character a bit annoying & frustrating but overall I really liked it a lot - Hepworth is such a good writer. My sincere thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the "read now" complimentary advanced digital review copy. All opinions are my own.

A seemingly perfect relationship is exposed to include so many secrets that the question is will it be able to stand and survive. The love between Pippa and Gabe is so sweet and tender that at times it was not believable. But then that was part of the point of the book. The second relationship between Max and Amanda was more realistic but also sad at times because of the secrets they kept. Told with multiple points of view and in dual timelines, it took me several days before I really got engrossed in this book but once I did, it was hard to put down. At first I was a little confused and had to make sure I knew who was the current narrator and which time was being represented in order to understand the storyline better. The plot is complicated and multi-layered, with some unexpected twists and actions by secondary characters that blew my mind. I really enjoyed how the mystery of what was really going on was methodically revealed, in a way that kept me guessing and engaged. I can’t say that I really liked any of the characters except perhaps the little girls. All of the characters had qualities that made them somewhat unredeemable in my eyes and all of them had secrets and lies that they were determined to preserve at a high cost to their personal relationships. The pace was moderate but not really what I would consider fast. The suspense was low key but I didn’t really note any thrills in the story. It is a good read with a decent story and a mystery that grabbed me once I found out what the mystery was.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from St. Martin’s Press via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

From my blog: Always With a Book

I just love Sally Hepworth’s books. She writes domestic suspense/family drama like no one else. Her books are always such readable, binge-worthy type reads and I find that once I start them, I have such a hard time putting them down and this latest one was no exception.

Right from the start this story grabbed me and I found myself completely invested from that point on. I loved the twists and turns this one takes – ones I definitely did not see coming – and I highly recommend going into this one as blind as you can, so I’m not going to say too much here about the plot because this one is just too good to spoil.

This book quite literally pushed me to the edge so many times…and I loved every second of it. I’m always amazed how an author is able to delve into the psyches of a marriage so vividly and that is exactly what Sally Hepworth has done here with not just one marriage but two. And she shows us just how messy and complicated marriages are, though from the outside things might look fine. I also loved how this story shows what it’s like to be in a relationship with someone who struggles with mental health. All the characters had issues and I loved how the author explored not only what was going on in the present with them but also their past. It all played a part in the story.

I loved this book. I think it might be my new favorite of Sally Hepworth’s…though I have a habit of saying that with each new book! I can’t help it as I just love her books. Read this if you love domestic thrillers, a good murder mystery and a quick read!

Star rating: 4⭐️

Read if you like:
▪️domestic thrillers
▪️dual POVs
▪️past/present timelines
▪️ocean cliff setting
▪️marital drama

I have read several books by this author and I think this might be my favorite by her so far! I loved the short chapters, the shifting perspectives, and the alternating past and present timelines. The setting was also really atmospheric—house on a cliff next to the ocean—and that definitely added to the suspense. I also really enjoyed all of the twists, several of which really surprised me. Overall, this is a quick, twisty, and bingeable read. It’s perfect for reading in one day by the pool or ocean this summer!

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for this arc.

I’ve always enjoyed Sally Hepworth’s books and The Soulmate was no different. It was entertaining from beginning to end and highlights suicide and mental health, pointing out how mental illnesses can affect the people around those who struggle with them.

In this book, Pippa moves with her family to a house that is on a cliff and this cliff happens to be a place where people go when they wish to end their lives. Her husband is the one who tries to talk people down, and he becomes very successful in doing so. But one night a woman jumps, and when Pippa looks out the window she sees her husband with his arms outstretched, palms facing out like he pushed this woman off the cliff. Did he really push her? What really happened?

The story jumps back and forth in time and it is told in dual perspectives, by Pippa and Amanda, the dead woman. I liked seeing the story being told by the deceased. I think it was smart and creative. Both narrators share with the reader their secrets, lies, and their perspectives of their marriages. The book is also full of twists and turns and the last twist was very unpredictable.

This is a character-driven novel that depicts dysfunctional relationships, pain, suicide, love, mental health, and how far you will go to protect the person you love. I love how the author writes beautifully about these dark and sensitive topics. There is no cliché, there is meaning behind everything she writes. Sally Hepworth is an auto-buy author for me and I can’t wait to read more from her.

“People always talk about love like it’s a magical thing, a gift from the gods, a sunbeam of euphoria from above. But it’s horrible, being in love. The vulnerability it exposes. The person it makes you.”

I liked this mystery that jumps back and forth between characters and the past and present. The chapters are short so I cruised right through this one. The perfect suspense that I enjoyed and didn’t want to put down.

this was great, as a polar thriller story with a lot of mystery i was held hostage of the writing, the story, the characters and the mystery. sally got a real talent in the writing of this genre!

4/5

Pippa always thought she and Gabe had the perfect marriage with two beautiful daughters and a new house on the cliffs. But shortly after they move they learn that they're nicknamed the suicide cliffs, the perfect place to end it all. Time after time people would come to the cliff, and Gave had a gift for patiently taking them down. Until the one night he fails and a woman dies. As the police question her, Pippa remembers the way Gabe stood there, arms outstretched, palms forward. He wouldn't push her...would he? How well does she really know her husband?
This book unfolded bit by bit as parts of their past are revealed. I like that it was told in alternating past and present chapters in the point of view of both Pippa and Amanda's spirit. The story explores the complications and aggravations of marriage with a mentally ill spouse in a sensitive and open way.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

As a long-time fan of Sally Hepworth, I fell immediately into her expert storytelling hands with THE SOULMATE. A tragedy occurs outside a woman's home and she is immediately swept into her past and reexamining her current present with two little girls and a complicated relationship with her husband. Throughout, I enjoyed Hepworth's sure way with family dynamics, mother and children relationships, and what it means to be fully alive and cognizant in your own life. While appreciating the skill and the ability of Hepworth to highlight lives of the ones close to us, I felt disconnected from the characters. Even with shifting points of view, I did not warm to a single person in the story. However, the twists and turns and revelations of the plot were intriguing, fascinating pleasure. I received a copy of this book and these opinions are my own, unbiased thoughts.

I liked this one a lot. I love the setting in Australia, and I really liked Pippa as a character. This has alternating POVs, and I liked one, but am still not sure about the other, it just seemed… out there. I like the way the author wove in the details of the story and all the history. There is a lot about mental health in this, and I appreciated how she wrote about it. I also liked the ending. I will definitely read this author again!

I can’t believe this is only the second book I’ve read by Sally Hepworth. I own two more that I will be moving up on my TBR because she has quickly become an auto-buy author for me!

THE SOULMATE is a gripping story about marriage and secrets. It starts off with a bang and there was no chance I was putting it down. The chapters were short 🙌 and each one leaves you in suspense of what will happen next. It’s dual POV and I loved the chapters from a character beyond the grave.

The secrets revealed about the two marriages being you closer to the characters and make you think about what you would do in their position.

It’s twisty, it’s complex, and it will have you at the edge of your seat!