Member Reviews
This addictive domestic suspense will leave you not being able to turn the pages fast enough. I was hooked by the lies, coverups, and marriage issues. One of the things I love of Hepworth is her ability to describe mental illness so well and immerse the story with it. I loved how you would get small details throughout the book but you won’t figure out the whole picture until the very end. The end left my jaw on the floor.
Do yourself a favor and read (or listen to) THIS BOOK! You definitely won’t be sorry.
***** Many thanks to Macmillan Audio, St Martins Press, Sally Hepworth, and NetGalley for the #gifted copy as it was provided to me in turn for my honest opinion.
The Soulmate is a cautionary tale of what one can expect when two broken people latch on to a toxic relationship instead of walking away. I didn't particularly care for either of the main characters but the fast-paced writing hooked me - I just needed to know what was going to happen next! The twists were delicious and I did not see most of them coming. Gabe and Pippa have been married for about seven years when the events in the book begin to take place, it just goes to show that we never quite know who we share a bed with! I loved the alternating points of view as it offered an interesting glimpse into the way a certain character came by her introspection. Would definitely recommend this book to anyone giving Sally a read for the first time!
I really enjoyed this book. Lots of twist and turns that I really didn’t see coming. Enjoyed the different perspective between the two women characters. Would definitely recommend
The Soulmate was my first book by Sally Hepworth and it lived up to the hype. The Soulmate is a domestic suspense that explores how much we really know our spouse and how we are often too close to realize who our spouse actually is. The story starts with a woman’s suicide and unfolds between flashbacks and present day from the perspective of the woman who jumped and the woman who lives at the cliff house. As secrets are revealed and both women start to question their husbands, Hepworth throws several twists and turns at the reader to keep them guessing. I didn’t find any of the characters likable and had a hard time caring about what happened to any of them. And while I think exploring mental health issues is important, it felt like Hepworth relied more on cliche and stereotypes instead of giving a more nuance portrayal. Overall though this was an enjoyable, twisty read that fans of domestic suspense will enjoy.
What does it mean to be a soulmate? Marriage to one’s soulmate should be perfect, right? THE SOULMATE by Sally Hepworth examines the marriages of two very different couples, Pippa and Gabe and Amanda and Max. The lives of these four will clash under extraordinary circumstances raising questions about love, loyalty and trust. An absolute page turner full of twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the last page.
2.5⭐
Pippa and Gabe Gerard move to a cliffside cottage in a scenic coastal town on the outskirts of Melbourne with their two daughters with hopes of starting over. Their new home is close to the edge of a cliff, "The Drop" – an area frequented by those who chose to end their lives. Gabe, a sensitive person who has struggled with mental health issues, has made a name for himself by being able to persuade people from jumping to death. On one fateful night, Pippa sees a woman hovering close to the edge and calls the authorities as Gabe approaches the woman to talk to her. Pippa sees them talking but in a tragic turn of events, the woman plunges to her death and Pippa notices Gabe standing with his hands outstretched, which he later tells her was so that he could try to save the woman. Pippa isn’t quite convinced but chooses to believe her husband. Then it is revealed that the woman was none other than Amanda Cameron the wife of Gabe’s former employer Max Cameron – a fact that Gabe had not shared with Pippa initially. Was there more to what transpired that night of which Pippa is unaware? What is Gabe hiding from her and why?
The narrative is shared from “Now” and “Then” (from Pippa’s Pov) and “before and “After’ (from Amanda’s PoV). The author touches upon themes of love, marriage and fidelity and mental health among others. None of the characters are particularly likable though I could sympathize with Amanda to an extent and Gabe for his personal struggles. On this note, I had serious issues with how the topic of mental health was handled in this story, especially in the context of Gabe and Pippa’s marriage. We are told that Gabe was receiving professional help but as the narrative begins to shed light on past events, I thought Pippa, a lawyer by profession who has dealt with Gabe’s past indiscretions and mental health issues in the past, chose to ignore or rather was in denial over the gravity of the situation in the present timeline. With two young children at home, one would expect her to be circumspect and act on it, instead of wishing her troubles away and second-guessing her suspicions. As a plot point, I found this aspect of the story utterly unconvincing.
The author packs a lot into this story - dysfunctional relationships, mental health issues, lies and secrets and ambition with a few surprises along the way but the result is more family drama than domestic thriller and as that too, isn’t quite a satisfying read.
I’ve enjoyed Sally Hepworth’s domestic thrillers in the past and was happy for the opportunity to read an advance copy of her latest offering. Unfortunately, The Soulmate did not work for me. I know I am an outlier here but I honestly struggled to finish this one. I did not find the plot engaging, and though I was surprised a couple of times (always a good thing!) a few of the so-called twists felt contrived and overall, I missed the tension and the absorbing build-up I enjoyed in the author’s previous works.
Many thanks to Sally Hepworth, St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel is due to be released on April 04, 2023.
Sally Hepworth is back with a new thriller that will keep you reading all night. An idyllic coastal town is the setting for Pippa and Gabe’s dream home. Set right on the edge of a cliff with beautiful views, they quickly realize it’s also the spot for multiple suicides. Gabe’s skills at helping people who come to “The Drop” make him a local hero until the day when he’s unable to help.
Twists will keep you guessing as the suspense builds and more questions arise. The story is told with alternating points of view of the present and flashbacks. The characters are fully developed and lovingly flawed.
Another fast paced mystery from this prolific author. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to review this title before its release.
Thanks so much for the ARC!
The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth had me on the edge of my seat! Pippa & Gabe have a seemingly perfect life. They buy Gabe’s dream house but it happens to be on a cliff. Gabe has saved many people from jumping off said cliff. (What an intense way to live! No, thank you!) But at the beginning of the story we find he wasn’t able to rescue the most recent jumper.
As the story unravels we follow Gabe and Pippa from their meeting up to current time. It’s so interesting to watch their personalities and stories unfold. The more we learn the more suspicious everyone feels.
The recent jumper was Gabe’s ex business partners wife! When Gabe doesn’t automatically reveal this to the police he looks so guilty. Even his wife Pippa starts to believe there was more to this- maybe even in her defense? What really went on here?!
Sally Hepworth wrote this beautifully. It was such a great thriller/mystery. It kept me guessing the entire time and held my interest.
Publication day: April 4
BOTM March pick
My rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book was phenomenal! This is what a thriller should be. It has short chapters, multiple twists and is fast paced. There was never a part of the story the dragged for me. I read this in 24 hours!
I love that Hepworth’s books always have the craziest and most unpredictable endings. I never saw that coming! This is by far her best book yet. I can’t recommend it enough!
Ms Hepworth gets me every dang time! The families. The twists. The lies. The secrets. The deceit. And the build up to figure out where the story is going.
The Soulmate was a fast read with many short chapters that keep you engaged and wanting to not put the book down. I was drawn in from the beginning and the very first scene of a woman disappearing off of a cliff. I was hooked! I enjoyed the back and forth of the characters and the past and present timelines. But perhaps the most unique, but needed part was hearing from the dead. It totally added to the story and the secrets that needed to be unveiled.
Pippa and Gabe. Max and Amanda. 2 couples that have their lives intertwined with work and death. But all those connections don't come out all at once. They are slowly given to us over time until the real twist comes and leaves us understanding that sometimes secrets are meant to stay secrets. We give so much to those that we love. And sometimes we just need to give and live for us.
"You've supported Gabe through a lot. Someone needed to support you."
When everything comes out about how much Pippa gave and gave to Gabe, I felt for her. I felt for her love and her journey and everything she put up with. She loved that man and their kids to their core, but he had a lot more going on than anyone may have known. And then there was Max and Amanda. They were not what I was expecting. Until it all came together at the end, I thought Max was more sinister and maybe even Amanda was too. But they had a different kind of love. Soulmates to the bitter end.
Sally Hepworth may have said it best in her acknowledgments.....
"An exploration of the bad and good sides of marriage. What we bring to it. What it brings out in us. I like to think of it as a murderous love story."
I definitely recommend this fast-paced and intriguing thriller with twists that keep you coming back for more.
Solid domestic suspense story told in 2 POVs. Loved how every chapter kept you on a bit of an edge of your seat that I flew through this book in 2 days. Definitely an easy read although it tackles some pretty serious triggers.
Gabe and Pippa, Max and Amanda, Pippa and Max....then Gabe and Amanda. A litany of broken and kept promises link these two couples through a ton of chapter-filled twists and turns. Amanda states, "Gabe created beautiful things, and I took care of them" is a summation quote for this amazing read!
Sally Hepworth's The Soulmate will absolutely keep you on your toes and reading throughout the night to determine what the dark secrets are.
Thank you NetGalley and Sally Hepworth for this "cliff-hanger." #sallyhepworth #thesoulmate #sallyhepworthauthor #sallyhepworththesoulmate #fivestars #thrillerbooks #mysterybooks #suspensefulreads @inkdrinkersofbookstagram
4.5 ⭐️
Wow! This was my first read (I know I am totally late to the game) by the author and it won’t be my last. I fully understand the Hepworth hype now.
Blurb:
There’s a cottage on a cliff. Gabe and Pippa’s dream home in a sleepy coastal town. But their perfect house hides something sinister. The tall cliffs a.k.a “The Drop have become a popular spot for people to end their lives. Night after night Gabe comes to their rescue, literally talking them off the ledge. Until he doesn’t.
Oh my gosh, I loved this murderous love story. It was so clever and beyond addicting! I literally could not put it down, and ended up devouring it in one day.
Hepworth effortlessly weaves together then and now timelines, told from the POV’s of our two female MC’s, Pippa and Amanda. The twisty tale was an exploration of the bad and good sides of marriage and what we’re willing to do for love. It was fast paced and full of secrets, lies, and betrayal. It kept me on my toes to very end. I just had to find out how all the dots connected. I loved how everything came together in the end. Not at all how I was expecting.
What I loved:
🌊 Twisty Tale
🌊 Domestic Thriller
🌊 Atmospheric Setting
🌊 Dual POV/Dual Timeline
Even the acknowledgements were entertaining! 😆
The Soulmate publishes 4/4 and I would absolutely recommend this thrilling pager turner!
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to Net Galley for an advanced copy of this book.
I’ve always been a fan of books by Sally Hepworth but this one is the best so far. Every time I thought I had it figured out another twist was thrown into the plot. The writing was extremely descriptive, fast paced and thought provoking. I loved hearing the story from multiple points of view and with multiple timelines. Amanda After provided interest and an unexpected view. I loved the book and will make it a point to recommend.
5 stars for an excellent thriller with a unique storyline. It’s not what I expected.
Reviewed on Goodreads, Amazon and several bookish Facebook groups.
I was so excited to be approved for Sally Hepworth’s next novel, as I have, so far, enjoyed all of her past ones.
I find her books hard to put down because I always just want to know how everything ties together. The short chapters don’t really help with this struggle because I often say ‘Okay wait….just one more chapter’ and well, we know how that saying often goes!
Even though this one was fast paced, it felt like a slow burn at times. Is that possible? I don’t know but it was intriguing yet sometimes dragged. Definitely more of a ‘mystery’ vibe compared to some of the more intense thrillers out there.
I enjoyed:
-The different POVs with alternating timelines
-Fast-paced
-Short chapters
I struggled with:
-The characters at times, I wanted more depth
-More mystery, less thriller?
Overall, it was a great read and I always look forward to her books! Thank you St. Martins Press and netgalley for the ARC
Sally Hepworth does it again! The queen of domestic thrillers!! I'm always on the edge of my seat when it comes to a new Sally Hepworth novel because I never know what to expect. I always believe she'll go in one direction but ends up going into something completely different - this book was no exception! There was just so much drama and there was no way I could put down the book without feeling desperation to keep reading to find out more!
ARC BOOK REVIEW
The Soulmate
by Sally Hepworth
Publishing date: 4/4/2023
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Pippa and Gabe live on the edge of a dangerous cliff that is frequently used as a means for suicide. Gabe has been able to talk a number of individuals " off the ledge," but the most recent woman fell victim to the cliff - she jumped. But why does Pippa think it looks like she was pushed?
After the investigation gets started and more details are revealed, it is discovered that both Gabe and Pippa know the woman... but Gabe left that detail out when talking to the police.
Pipps feels as though Gabe is keeping her in the dark. As more is uncovered, it's unclear if Gabes' mental health and their marriage will be strong enough to survive this....
Who is lying?
This was a fast-paced, great read! I really enjoyed it. It held my attention, and it was one of those books where I HAD to know what was going to happen! Short chapers were a huge bonus, so there was always time to read " just one more chapter" 😊
The story unfolds from the viewpoint of 2 different married couples. Both are intermixed and explain what happened to the jumper and why she was committing suicide.
Not quite a 5 star read- Thrillers are hard for me to give 5 star rating to, but I definitely recommend this one when it is released next month! Or it's available this month as a @BOTM pick!
Big thaks to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for the ARC! LOVED IT!!!
The Soulmate by @sallyhepworth was my first read by this author and I am happy to say it won’t be the last one! Sally Hepworth’s story telling had me engrossed and glued to the audiobook the moment I started listening to it!
Thank you @macmillanaudio for this complimentary audiobook that releases on April 4, 2023. I enjoyed the characters Pippa and Amanda and story unfolds in both of these main characters POV. The building of the characters, suspense and the way it all ended was like a masterstroke.
I was most intrigued and frightened at the same time by the idea of owing a cottage on a Cliff. The family living there, Gabe and Pippa look like perfect couple on the outside but are they really happy? I am planning on getting @bookofthemonth copy to add to my collection!
Sally Hepworth is the queen of domestic thrillers. I love her intertwining of mental health into her works, and this was no exception! I really FELT the drama and tension amongst all parties, and I every time I had to put it down, I was clamoring to consume more!
Thank you to St. Marten's Press and Sally Hepworth for letting me read THE SOULMATE early. This one publishes April 4.
I lost many hours of sleep reading this book. These characters and this story are all just so dang clever, I was absolutely entertained the whole time. Alternating timelines, alternating character chapters, and a beach atmosphere, this one is a slam dunk. I can't wait for this to be publishes, it will make a huge splash.