To many, Pippa and Gabe Gerard have an enviable family. They, along with their two daughters, have moved into their dream house in an exclusive beach town. One day Gabe witnesses the suicide of a woman on the cliffs behind their home. Once a connection is revealed between Gabe and the woman, Pippa wonders if there's more to the story than what Gabe has shared.

“It's a rare family which doesn't have a few problems. The Gerard family certainly have their fair share of troubles.”

I was hooked from the first pages of this story. Nothing is what it seems in The Soulmate. Sally Hempworth combines a web of lies with well-timed twists to deliver an entirely unexpected story.

The Soulmate is a fast-paced, addictive read about marriage, trust, and secrets. This domestic suspense tale will leave you pondering the limits of loyalty, the power you give others over you, and the good and bad marriage.

“Ah, marriage, you wonderful, complicated beast.”


I received an early copy of this book. All opinions in this voluntary review are my own.

**I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

When I read the synopsis of this book, I thought that this would be promising and it would turn out to be a lot more than just marital issues. I wish that wouldn’t have been the case. I’ve read one of Hepworth’s other books for book club before and I found that to be horrendously boring, so I tried to go into this book with an open mind but it turns out that this book was just as boring as the last. I’m convinced that Hepworth doesn’t write true thrillers, I think she should be classified as more of a domestic suspense author. Being a mainly thriller reader, I expect a lot out of a thriller. Well, I expect to be thrilled. I expect a twist. I expect something to happen that I didn’t see coming. In this book, there was none of that for me. The writing wasn’t bad, the book just wasn’t eventful. The book gets a 3 from me because it wasn’t the worst thing I’ve ever read, but it’s also not the best. Chances are I’ll most likely not pick up another novel by Hepworth and that’s alright, her works just aren’t my thing. Publication for this book is 4/4/23.

A character piece wrapped around a mystery, or maybe the other way around. All of it set against a menacing backdrop that serves as a main character. A slow build that starts off with a bang.

I was surprised by many elements in the book, but not by Hepworth’s masterful imagining of two couples working through broken connections.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my free copy. These opinions are my own.

This is page-turning thriller that tackles themes of marriage and how we only get a small glimpse of people's lives and don't truly know the whole story. It's told across multiple timelines and two-points-view, one of which is cleverly the dead woman in question as she looks over beyond the grave.

There were a number of twists and turns as we learned more about the lives of both Pippa and Amanda, and the short chapters made it easy to get through this really quickly. Overall, really enjoyed this and a definite recommend.

A cliffside cottage, where several people have ended their lives, is the perfect setting for this psychological thriller. Dual narrators (Pippa and Amanda), timelines (before and after) and love stories (Gabe/Pippa and Amanda/Max). And a surprisingly sad twist at the end. After being disappointed with Sally Hepworth’s last novel, I’m glad I gave this one a chance! Well done. Releases April 4, 2023! Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an early digital copy of this book,

Thanks to NetGalley and St Martins Press for the ARC ebook.

This was a fast paced, thrilling page turner with short chapters that keep you hooked. It’s narration flip flops between 2 point of views as well as past and present, and is perfectly executed.

The characters are relatable, the plot twists are believable and the dramatic storyline kept my attention without any dips or luls. The authors depiction of the Australian scenery/ cliffs were descriptive and came to life on the pages. She also did an amazing job keeping the intertwining relationships of all the characters clear and dramatic.

This one hits shelves this week on April 4th and you’d be crazy not to add it to your TBR or bump it to the top. What a great read!!

I love a good thriller, and Sally Hepworth certainly knows how to write one that immediately grabs your attention.

Pippa and Gabe have survived some tumultuous times in their marriage, but they are soulmates, they are deeply in love, and soulmates can survive anything, right? Any romantic at heart would want to believe that. Mmhmm.

Relocating to a cliffside property in a small community seemed like the ideal way for this young family to start over. This cliffside property, however, came with a reputation and its own set of baggage as a spot that was known for suicides. Even in their short time there, Gabe had been able to talk a few people out of ending their lives. When yet another woman had arrived at the cliff’s edge, Gabe’s compassion and empathy weren’t enough to prevent her from going over into the rocky ocean below. Naturally, Gabe would be upset after witnessing anyone’s death, but as it turned out, she was someone that he knew.

The novel alternates between the past and present from Pippa’s perspective and the victim’s. This allows the reader to get a glimpse into Pippa and Gabe’s marriage, to see what had transpired, and what sparked their move. The victim’s perspective was also an interesting aspect to this novel. The chapters were kept quite short, keeping my interest and my curiosity piqued.

The Soulmate was an entertaining, fast-paced thriller. I never really trusted any of the characters, and in all honesty, I’m not sure if I really liked any of them either, but with this genre, I’m completely okay with that. Sally Hepworth always makes me feel like I am peeking through my fingers into the window of the characters’ houses, as if I’m trespassing and witnessing private moments. It always feels scandalous and so much fun.

*4 Stars

A suspicious suicide and two couples whose marriages are embroiled in secrets and lies and marred by infidelity and mental illness.

Picture this - a husband and wife and their two daughters living in a coastal dream home overlooking picturesque cliffs. They look to have an idyllic life. Until the day a woman appears on the cliffs and falls to her death after Pippa’s husband Gabe is unable to save her. Yet, Pippa is unsure of what she saw as she looked out from the window of their home. Is Gabe a failed hero or could he actually be a murderer?

I loved how the story unraveled, along with the couples’ picture perfect lives. As we piece the story together through the eyes of the two women, we get a glimpse into each of their marriages and overall lives. We see how their loyalty and love are tested.

I thoroughly enjoyed this domestic thriller! It’s dark and twisty and a bit heartbreaking.

Gabe and Pippa didn’t realize their home faced a preferred spot for those looking to jump to their deaths. Gabe embraces this, talking people off the cliff. But one night he is unsuccessful, and it turns out he knew the victim.

Hepworth always writes a solid psychological suspense read, and this is no exception. The multiple perspectives work really well, and the twists are really surprising. I definitely recommend this book.

This reminded me of a crossover of the movie Ghost and the tv show Accident, Sucide or Murder?
We are introduced to two different relationships /marriages and the intimacy between these four people. Their lives intertwine as the plot moves on and the secrets each one finally reveal.
I could not put this book down from the firstchapter. It captivated and intrigued me at the same time. I have to admit some of the characters I really loved and others not so much. This is definitely a hit for me.. Sally Hepworth is a great author and I want to read more from her!
Thank you NetGalley for the arc and of course the author for giving the approval for me to read this.

Wow The Soulmate kept me on the edge of my seat for the entire ride! The twists and turns kept coming like a roller-coaster. The characters are well-developed and easily relatable. The story kept my attention the entire time, there were no lull's in the narrative. It felt like every page was filled to the rim with necessary content...nothing un-necessary. That final reveal was like a gut punch...NEVER saw that one coming AT ALL! Fans of Sally Hepworth will love this one...I know I did!

This book moves at a quick pace with short chapters. It bounces between two narrators and also switches between past and present so that we can learn the backstories as the current events unfold. I flew through this book and did not predict the ending. If you’re looking for a mystery without gore, give this one a try. Trigger Warnings: mental illness and suicide.

An interesting story tat keep you reading until the with all the twist, the flashback from the past, the two points of view from the same tale. The way a marriage can bring the best and the worst from a person, hiding secrets, mental illness, forgiveness and loyalty. Gabe and Pippa and Max and Amanda’s marriage and everything that had entangled their life story.

Thank you to @netgalley for this e-ARC!

Thoughts—
This book started strong for me with Hepworth’s classic domestic thriller vibe, multiple POVs, and short chapters. I thought the plot was interesting and a certain character’s perspective felt unique and different! The middle twist actually surprised me but the rest of the book just felt underwhelming from there. The overall plot felt obvious and stale and I felt bored. It’s been about a week since I finished this and I haven’t thought about it at all until writing this review. I usually find Hepworth’s books to be enjoyable though not necessarily groundbreaking. While I did enjoy reading this, I think this is my least favorite of her’s so far.

Hands down my favorite book by this author. I devoured this book in a day. I couldn’t put it down. I loved the different timelines and that the pov’s went from the two women. The chapters are quick so it was easy to say “just one more chapter” all the way through the book.

Tw: Mental Illness and Suicide

I really enjoyed this thriller. I was a super engaging read. I couldn't guess the connection, or plot twists. It was written well and easy to digest

This is such and easy and thrilling to read, I did it in one setting. The characters Gabe and Pippa are fantastic. The plot is magnificent. The author uses first person narrative from the major characters to wow the readers. The story unfolds in surprising ways. Each turn of the page is a new delightful discovery. This is a must read book for 2023.

This book was very good! I loved the different POVs and there were several twists that I did not see coming! This was a 4⭐ read for me! Would definitely recommend! Thank you St. Martins Press for allowing me to read this in advance!

Another twisty page-turner from one of my newest favorite authors, Sally Hepworth!

Set in a vividly described Australian coastal town, "The Soulmate" will keep you guessing and surprised until the very end. The tale of how lies and secrets will cause havoc in even the best relationship. Even if it's with your soulmate!

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced readers copy of this novel for my honest opinion.

2.5 Stars
One Liner: Hmm... this could have been better

Gabe and Pippa live in a cottage on the cliff (with two 4yo girls!) near the famous Drop, where people come to jump off more than to enjoy the scenic beauty. Gabe has convinced seven such people to live until one night, the eighth person jumps (or falls or gets pushed).
Soon, Pipa finds out who the dead woman is. Gabe knew the woman (and so did she). But what happened that night? Did Pippa see Gabe trying to save the woman, or was he pushing her off the cliff? As the story unravels, we see the secrets and cracks in their married life.
The story comes in the first-person POV of Pippa and Amanda in ‘then’ and ‘now’ timelines.

My Thoughts:
I went into the book with minimum expectations (just to be on the safe side), and this helped me enjoy it a little more.
Characters-wise, it is hard to like Pippa or Gabe. In fact, Amanda and Max are better than the leading couple. I understand the core of the book is about dysfunctional families and red flags in marriage, but the lead couple is a danger to themselves and everyone around them.
The book also deals with mental health issues, past trauma, people from broken families, etc. While it does handle a few things well, the mental health bit goes for a toss. It doesn’t help that I wanted to shake sense into Pippa throughout the book.
At least, Amanda’s POV is better. I could see and understand her better than other characters. Never mind that after ‘after’ POV is super convenient to provide all the necessary information to the readers. It’s good to have ghosts that can move around and keep you updated.
Pippa is a lawyer, well she does wills and stuff, but a lawyer nevertheless. Seeing how she handled her personal life, I still wonder how and why she chose a career like that. Here is someone in a highly toxic codependent relationship who would rather let things become a mess than face the truth. Oh, did I mention she is an idiot (what kind of lawyer lies about something like that just to get even and not even worry about the consequences?)
Don’t even get me started about Gabe. I’m not sure if reading his POV would have helped. Maybe yes. Pippa sounds hysterical, and it wasn’t until I began to speed-read that I could enjoy the plot without feeling suffocated and annoyed.
The core of the plot is also weak. The more you think about it, the greater the plot holes. Unless, of course, you are willing to accept that the whole thing rests on people who make stupid decisions (more than once) and pay the price for it (actually, some don’t).
The little kids, Freya and Asha, add much-needed relief to the story. I like reading about their antics and what kids say and get away with. They did make the book better.
The climax is bland, almost anti-climatic, and cheesy in a way. It almost feels like the plot is adjusted to do whatever it takes to keep the lead couple in the focus. Given my utter dislike for them, I would have enjoyed it if things went the other way.

To summarize, The Soulmate is a book about marriage, loyalty, fidelity, mental illness, red flags, etc. It could have been better, though it is decent if you speed-read and don’t think too much about the whole thing.
Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

***
P.S.: There’s a character called detective Tamil in the book. From what I know and confirmed with another Tamilian, Tamil is used as a first name but not as a last name. Aren’t detectives and officials usually known by their last names?