"The Soulmate" is a gripping novel that explores the complexities of marriage, mental illness, and the power of secrets. The story follows Pippa and Gabe, a couple living in a picturesque coastal town, whose idyllic life is shattered when Gabe fails to talk down a person from taking their own life, a situation he has successfully managed in the past. As Pippa begins to question her husbands behavior, secrets from their past start to unravel, revealing unexpected twists and turns that keep the reader on the edge of their seat.

One of the strengths of the book is the use of alternating points of view and timelines, which helps to build tension and suspense throughout the story. The characters are well-developed, and their struggles with mental illness and familial relationships are portrayed with sensitivity and nuance. The book raises important questions about the nature of truth, love, and forgiveness, and will leave readers pondering long after the final page.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Pippa and Gabe are raising their girls in an idyllic seaside town. One evening, a woman comes and takes her own life on the seaside cliffs behind Pippa and Gabe’s home. Or did she? And was she even a stranger? In the aftermath, the secrets and lies of Pippa, Gabe and those around them unravel.

This book was extremely twisty. Many of the chapters ended on an absolute cliffhanger (no pun intended). Besides the first two chapters, I read the rest of The Soulmate in one sitting because I could not put it down. There were twists all the way up to the end that I did not expect.

I highly recommend The Soulmate if you are looking for a twisty thriller. As always, Sally Hepworth did an incredible job creating the world of this novel. Additionally, Hepworth handled some difficult subject matter in a thoughtful and considerate way.

A sincere thank you to St. Martin’s Press for providing me with an electronic arc of The Soulmate in exchange for an honest review.

I’m a big Sally Hepworth fan, but I was really unsure of how I felt about this book. The characters were not like able and the way they handled the mental health aspect was really frustrating. I was sitting at about 3 stars for most of the book, but the end brought me up to 4!

Sally Hepworth has written an addictive domestic suspense thriller that will keep readers engaged from the very start. Sadly, this story starts with a suicide, or what is presumed a suicide, when a young woman jumps from a cliff known as The Drop. The Drop just happens to be in very close proximity to Gabe & Pippa's home, and as such, Gabe has been able to help numerous individuals by talking them away from the ledge so to speak. But this woman has quite the connection to Gabe and his wife, Pippa, a connection they do not want revealed to the police for various reasons. The story spans multiple timelines and switches between the woman who jumps and Pippa. Readers will be shocked by how their stories connect. Fast paced and interesting, a must read for thriller lovers.

Another propulsive story by Sally Hepworth. I could not put it down. We’ve got suicide, infidelity, money laundering, murder, oh my. Never a dull moment and so many secrets you have no idea what the “true” story is. In true Sally Hepworth fashion, there are twists and turns galore and you cannot look away for a second. Definitely recommend when you are in the mood for an escapist read and people behaving badly! This book also showcases the toll mental illness has not only on the person affected but also on their loved ones. I felt this was really well done.

The short version: It was entertaining, but nothing special to me.

Maybe my expectations are too high for Sally Hepworth these days. I adored THE MOTHER IN LAW. I loved THE GOOD SISTER. But the last two releases have fallen flat for me. And again, hear me, they were both definitely entertaining, but for me, they were missing the sparkle of the other two.

In THE SOULMATE in particular, I never really connected with any of the characters and found that while I was curious, I actually didn't care what happened to them. The story alternates between the perspectives of the two primary women in the story – Pippa and Amanda – and they read so similarly to each other that there were several times I forgot whose perspective I was reading.

THE SOULMATE is a fun weekend or vacation read, but don't expect too much else.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for a free review copy of this book.

What a wild ride! I loved it!

Pippa and Gabe have moved into their dream home in an Australian coastal town. Unfortunately, their home sits where people are known to commit suicide by jumping off the cliffs. Gabe has become adept at talking people off the cliff and preventing deaths. Until one evening, he isn't, and a woman plunges to her death. As the story unfolds, it turns out Gabe knows this woman, and questions arise about whether she actually jumped or was pushed.

This was a twisty one! With alternating timelines, dual POVs, short chapters dripping with secrets and suspense, and memorable characters, Hepworth delivered with this atmospheric domestic thriller. I was hooked from the start and found this hard to put down. No spoilers, but marriages and relationships are explored, facades are shattered, and suspicions fly, culminating in an ending I did not see coming! I enjoy Hepworth's writing, and she's quickly becoming a do-not-miss author for me. She has deftly plotted this fast-paced and wildly entertaining story. I highly recommend this to thriller lovers!

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Sally Hepworth for the opportunity to review this ARC. I enjoyed it!

Thank you to NetGalley for letting me review this book early. I enjoyed this book and read it very quickly. The story kept me intrigued throughout and the unraveled secret at the end about the actual relationship between Gabe & Max was the perfect amount of mystery without being too over the top. This book talks about the ups and downs of marriage, mental illness, forgiveness but the biggest discussion point for me was the topic of not losing yourself in a marriage…the more I talk about this book the more thought provoking I feel it is. Perfect for a book club read. It’s a mystery..but it’s more.

Sally Hepworth is one of my auto-read authors. I have read all but one of her books, so I was excited to receive an advanced copy of her latest book, The Soulmate.

The Soulmate is a story about secrets, lies, dysfunctional marriages and miscommunicating adults. A young family buys a beautiful house on a steep cliff that overlooks the ocean which is known as a popular spot for people to take their own lives. Pippa sees her husband Gabe talking to a woman at the cliff when suddenly the woman goes over the edge. Did Gabe try to save the woman? Or did he push her?

Told by Pippa and Amanda in before and after timelines, I spent the first half of the book trying to put the pieces together, waiting for things to gel and to connect with the characters. Hepworth writes a deliciously ominous feel, but the story didn't come together for me, and I never felt invested in the lives of these unlikeable characters. And I felt the business dealings muddled things up even more. The storytelling had an erratic feel and the second half of the book plodded along with twists that were lackluster. I also felt frustrated with Pippa who, although a highly educated woman, she is dumb as rocks when it comes to her marriage.

There were simply too many farfetched plot points:
Too much miscommunication between the couples
Being asked to believe that an electronic device police have been searching for on a beach is found by a four-year-old and still works weeks later
How any family would buy a house - despite the view - that is on a cliff that is a popular spot for suicide jumpers. And to keep their kids safe they simply tell their four-year-olds to 'not go near the edge'. Um, nope.
My biggest issue was how one character's mental health was handled with an obvious and ridiculous misdiagnosis

This book seemed to be a great fit for me with its short chapters, secrets, lies and potential twists, but I struggled to finish this book. I am disappointed and sad that this was an underwhelming read for me. I'm chalking this book up to 'books that were probably written during Covid' because there have been a few by different authors that just feel off. Despite this being a miss for me I look forward to reading whatever Sally comes up with next.

Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to St Martin's Press for my advanced copy which was provided in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to the tagged publisher for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.


✨𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐈 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤?

This was definitely an awesome read! I am a huge fan of Hepworth’s books, and this one did not disappoint! It is full of twists, turns, and lots of secrets. The suspense builds up throughout the book, which I absolutely loved. I really enjoyed all of the characters in this book and how each one had a secret that they were keeping. Of course I loved the short chapters, it definitely makes a book easier to read and actually keeps me much more invested. The setting in this book is set on the cliffside house on the beach, which Gabe and Pippa own, and in the backyard is the cliff, known as “The Drop”where many people have been known to jump from. Gabe takes it upon himself to try to talk these people out of jumping off the cliff. One night a woman jumps from the cliff, and then Pippa discovers that Gabe actually knew her. What exactly is Gabe hiding from Pippa? I loved the eerie setting of the house. I think that Hepworth nailed it with this one, and she did a fantastic job with the plot, writing, and the characters. I especially enjoyed the alternating perspectives throughout the book of Pippa and Amanda.


✨𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐃𝐢𝐝 𝐈 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤?

I can’t say that I necessarily disliked this, but this is a definite slow burn, so don’t go into it expecting fast paced. The twist at the end left me feeling a bit underwhelmed.


✨𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤?

If you enjoy a domestic suspense/thriller book with a good slow burn then definitely pick this one up!



𝐌𝐲 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫4.25/5

A lone figure stands at a cliff’s edge. It is known as “the drop” for the number of suicides that have occurred there. Gabe Girard is a hero for saving seven people from jumping from that same spot that is on the property owned by Gabe and his wife Pippa. Gabe runs out to the woman and Pippa can see from their window that they are having words. In a moment the woman is gone, fallen to her death. The victim is Amanda Cameron, the wife of Gabe’s former boss Max. Pippa admitted to an affair with Max and now feels guilt for Amanda’s death. When interviewed by the police, Gabe fails to disclose that he knew the victim. Pippa’s last view from her window showed Gabe with his hands raised, leaving her to wonder if he was really trying to save her.

Sally Hepworth’s story is told from both Pippa’s and Amanda’s points of view. Amanda’s spirit dwells in a place where she observes the aftermath of her fall. She tells the story of how she met Max and his rise to become a media mogul. Before they were married Max requested that they have no children. In return, Amanda demanded his fidelity. She knew that he had always been faithful until she discovered a video of Max and Pippa. It was that video that led to her fatal visit to the cliff. Pippa’s story reveals a marriage to Gabe that had its’ highs and lows. Energetic one day and depressed the next, he had held several jobs until he met Max. He seemed to have found his calling until an incident that brings an end to it all. Now Max is pressuring Gabe to reveal what happened in Amanda’s last moments. It leads to a final confrontation and revelations that will leave you stunned. Marriage, infidelity and the effects of mental illness on a family make Hepworth’s story impossible to put down. I would like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing this book for my review.

When Gabe and Pippa buy a home on the cliffs overlooking a beach, they don’t realize that “the drop”, a popular suicide spot is on their property. Gabe soon develops a reputation as a hero for his ability to talk potential suicide victims out of taking that fatal leap. However, he is unable to save Amanda and when Pippa glimpses the end of Gabe’s interaction with Amanda, she is unsure whether Gabe tried to save her or not. The incident begins to uncover secrets and unforeseen connections and through Pippa’s “now” and “then” perspectives and Amanda’s “before” and “after” contributions, the story unfolds.
I really appreciate Sally Hepworth’s creativity in telling this story in such a unique style. The characters of Pippa, Amanda and Gabe were well developed with Max being a little more obscure but with good reason. This book just threw twist after twist at the reader and I love good twists but my only criticism is that there were almost too many turns thrown into the story. I have to say that I was surprised a lot as the revelations kept coming and this made the book engrossing and enjoyable. The title is also perfect but unexpected (no spoilers).
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the Advanced Reader Copy.

Another great read by Sally Hepworth. Kept me engaged throughout. She never disappoints. The ending was very satisfying and kept me guessing throughout.

Pippa and Gabe Girard moved to a cliffside home outside Melbourne with their two daughters for a fresh start. However, the Girards soon learn that their home is close to “The Drop” where many people go to end their lives. Gabe is handsome and charismatic and has made a name for himself for being even more successful than the police at talking people out of this. However, one evening Gabe runs out to help a woman standing near the edge of the cliff, but is unable to stop her from saving a woman from falling off the ledge. Something seems strange about this to Pippa and she wonders if Gabe could be lying and what other secrets he might be keeping.

This story is told from different timelines and different points-of-view, both Pippa and the victim’s. It is a long time before the reader learns what happened to cause the Girards to feel like they needed to move to a new town. There is much back and forth and twists and turns in this story that sometimes it was dizzying. Just when you thought you knew what had gone one in Pippa and Gabe’s life, something new would be revealed. I enjoyed both the past and present narration by Pippa as well as the past narration by Amanda, the victim. However, I think there are other ways that what Amanda said could have been told without her narrating from beyond the grave.

There are so many surprises in the plot of this book, that it’s hard to comment on too much without giving something away. I will say that although I didn’t care for some of the choices made by the characters, I found the story to be compelling and I was eager to find out all of the secrets in the lives of these characters. I like that answers are given at the end and we get a glimpse into what the lives of main characters look like in the aftermath of everything that happens.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing an advance copy of this ebook. The ebook was provided to me at no cost, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.

Wow! I new going into this book that it would be more than a thriller, Sally Hepworth also gives you all the feels in the books, but this was unexpected.

The twist between Amanda & Max (times 2!) was so refreshing & made you ache and root for them all at the same time.

I also loved to see the growth of Pippa & how she came to understand her families intentions.

This was a very interesting take on a domestic thriller. This story is told in both dual POV and dual timeline (before and after.) I wanted to really like this book because I love a book that ties strings and connects events and people in an interesting way…but this was not the greatest connections for me. I felt like the connections and relationships were really a stretch and I absolutely hated one of the POVs. I felt like the only reason for this particular POV was just so we knew what the other characters were doing at any point in time, and I just wasn’t crazy about it. I also didn’t like that it felt like mental illness was supposed to be the villain in this book. I can completely relate to how mental illness can change a person and destroy a family…trust me…I get it…but I just felt like mental illness itself was being villain-ized and for whatever reason it made me feel icky. Overall this was not my favorite but there were parts of it that were parts of it that I enjoyed and I did not see the twist coming because it came out of left field.

I’ve enjoyed all of Sally Hepworth’s books. This book plays on the fact that you may never really know your spouse. So much of the book was did he or didn’t he push her? Hmmm…
Plot was a little thin for me, but it did keep me guessing until the end.

Hello, and welcome to my review of The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth. After checking other reviews for this one on GoodReads, I am absolutely an outlier with my thinking, so you may not want to base your opinion solely on mine!

Things I liked: A thriller set on a cliff, which has become a popular suicide jumping location; you can't really get more atmospheric than that! A small twist early on, which led to two different narrators; although I had no issues with either perspective, I preferred Pippa more. I found one side of the mental illness representation done very well. The characters were unique and lived by their own set of rules.

Things I didn't like: I guessed the main twist very early on, and basically, that's what happened. There was a lot going on, but it was also a really boring thriller. There was an additional mental illness aspect that I didn't think was handled particularly well. I didn't really like one of the characters, although they ended up coming across well by the end of the book. I wasn't thrilled at all, nor did I find this book especially mysterious; I wasn't really intrigued by any aspect of this one.

Things I liked (2.0): The cover is really pretty! I enjoyed how the book was written; I liked the female perspective when the plot itself involved more of the men - this added an interesting spin.

That's it. I really don't have a lot to say about this book.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the complimentary copy to read and review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an electronic copy to read in exchange for an honest review.

I love a good drama and suspense. This one was fantastic- pretty believable with great character development. I really appreciate how the author writes characters that are 'perfect' on fist glimpse but slowly teases out their imperfections. I also really love the multiple time lines and points of view.

I think this is the classic thriller while still possessing qualities that are different and one of a kind. I love that you also get the perspective of the woman who jumped, Amanda, and the couple who helps, you are left questioning if he's really as good as he seemed. It was so intense for 3/4 of the story then the end kind of fell flat. But overall was a great story.