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!

Sally Hepworth can be counted on for a fun who-done-it thriller but also for strong character development and deeply woven plot lines.

The book begins with Gabe and Pippa living along the sea coast with their two daughters Freya and Asha. Their backyard stretches out with a cliff side drop-off used by several people as a local suicide spot. Gabe has been known for calming people but this time he’s unsuccessful. Pippa observes the confrontation but is left questioning what she saw.

Hepworth switches between two points of view. We spend time with Pippa to give us the relationship history and family dynamics between her and Gabe.

We also meet Amanda, the woman who goes over the side of the cliff. Amanda tells us about her marriage to Max and then provides perspectives after her death as she observes everyone’s reactions to her being gone. Hearing Amanda’s thoughts post-mortem wasn’t described in an overly supernatural way. Instead it’s written with a quiet and confident voice.

I really enjoyed this book. Hepworth understands family dynamics and conflict. Pick this one up. You won’t regret it.

Pippa, a wills and estates lawyer who lives in Australia, meets Gabe Gerard after a devastating breakup with her boyfriend. She marries Gabe, a handsome and charming man, and they have two young daughters. Although Gabe is a devoted dad with a good heart, Pippa finds his mood swings and instability exhausting. Gabe's boss, Max Cameron, is a wealthy businessman who has given his wife, Amanda, everything that money can buy. Unfortunately, Max's obsession with work keeps him away from home much of the time, and Amanda, who is a photographer, fills her days pursuing her own interests.

In "The Soulmate," by Sally Hepworth, Pippa and Amanda tell their stories in flashback and in the present day. It turns out that these women have a great deal in common. They were each thrilled to marry Mr. Right, and are disappointed when their spouses turn out to be far from perfect. Hepworth, who is well-known for her edgy and intense novels of psychological suspense and domestic drama, dissects the troubled relationships of these two couples. Pippa and Amanda learn that love may not be enough to keep a fractured marriage afloat.

"The Soulmate" is marred by too many far-fetched twists and turns. In addition, several of the characters, especially Pippa, are irritatingly clueless, failing to notice and act upon evidence that is staring them right in the face. Among the serious themes that the author tackles are suicide, mental illness, murder, and adultery. The book's opening chapters are intriguing, but its convoluted and incoherent plot elements undermine its plausibility.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5

I loved this one! It took me out of my reading slump with its short chapters and propulsive writing style. There were two POVs and some time jumping, but the time jumps were easy for me to follow.

The subject matter is dark (TW: suicide and mental illness) but it’s done in such a way that you feel the despair and pain, BUT you also see the joy, love, and hope. It’s all about marriage, family, and the sacrifices you make for the ones you love. The ending made me tear up!

I highly recommend it if you love a good, suspenseful domestic thriller 👍🏼

Thank you to @stmartinspress and Sally Hepworth for the gifted ARC!

Whew this book had enough twist and turns to make you question whether things are ever what they seem. The perfect marriage is just a facade, because Pippa and Gabe definitely have had their ups and downs in marriage. Gabe has always loved his wife but he hasn’t always made wise decisions. Meanwhile, Pippa is so in love with her husband she naively overlooks his ongoing mental health issues that often lead them into some sticky situations. Trying for a new start the couple moves to a seaside cottage near a cliff know as “the drop”, where they quickly realize that there past mistakes may just catch up to them. but will the secrets finally lead to murder or is it truly an accident?

I absolutely loved the alternating POV/ timelines and character development- all of which made this a book you will not want to put down!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you NetGalley, Sally Hepworth and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me read this advance copy. Looking forward to reading more with you!

The book had an interesting plot, living next to a popular suicide location. The story was told from different points of view and that worked to unravel the truth. There were a number of twists that were a bit surprising. The book brings light to the challenges with living with mental illness as both the person with it and the people closest to them. The book moved at a good pace and kept me wanting to know what happens next. I received an advance copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

2.5 stars rounded up. Gabe and Pippa buy their family’s dream home, but it’s on a cliff. People have used the cliff in the past for suicides. Now, when someone comes to the cliff, Gabe goes out to talk to them. He’s been very successful in talking people out of jumping and off the cliff. However, one night, a woman comes to the cliff, Gabe goes to talk to her, while Pippa calls 911. Pippa can see from the kitchen window that this conversation is not going well. Then, she sees the woman go off the cliff. Gabe’s arms are outstretched. Was he trying to pull the lady away from the cliff or did he push her? While this was a quick read, I felt underwhelmed by the reveals. I considered DNFing several times, as I was bored and didn’t feel any connection to the characters. Thank you to NetGalley and St.Martin's Press for this ARC version of The Soulmate.

I was so excited to be accepted to read Sally Hepworth's next novel since I have picked up each novel that has come out ASAP when they come out. Her writing skills for domestic thrillers are amazing and I will continue to pick up her novels.

I rated this particular story a 3.5 stars because out of her novels that I have read and rated it is not my overall favorite. Although, I loved the concept of looking at a couple that changes the viewers outlook on them from beginning to end. The story begins with the couple seeming to be the perfect couple living on a beautiful property with their two kids. Gabe is known for saving people who have been trying to jump off the cliff at the back of their house until he is not able to save a woman one evening.

This opens the doors to a change in pace and secrets that have been kept by Gabe and Pippa about their marriage, their children, and aspects about their own personalities. This part of the novel keeps you interested as to what they are hiding and what you are going to learn about the couple as time goes on.

I adored this book almost completely until the end. The ending felt like a cliff, where it just ended abruptly. Normally with her endings it feels completed but it didn't feel this way for this novel. I recommend these books if you like domestic thrillers that deal with crime, mental health, and family secrets.