The Soulmate is a twisty new domestic thriller from Sally Hepworth.

"Pippa and Gabe live in a beach cottage on some tall cliffs. It has become a spot where several people have come to end it all. Gabe has been able to talk all of them back - so far. But one day, a woman jumps and is killed on the rocks below. When Pippa finds out that Gabe knew the victim she wonders - Did she jump? Was she pushed? Would Gabe - the love of her life - lie? As their marriage begins to crack, deep and dark secrets start to unravel."

I think this might be Hepworth's best novel yet. What seems like a simple, tragic event turns out to be so much more. Hepworth keeps adding layers and revealing secrets until we get the truth.
It is interesting that she uses the voice of the woman that jumped as a POV. She's not a ghost - not interacting with the other characters just giving a different perspective.

The team of Barrie Kreinik and Jessica Douglas-Henry do a fabulous job with the audiobook performance. Kreinik has narrated several of Hepworth's books and always does a fantastic job.
Be sure to read the author's note where SH tells where the idea for this book came from - long lockdowns in Melbourne and something about "marriage and murder"
I think this is the best work from Hepworth so far. A great option for your beach trips this summer.

This was a great book! I really enjoyed it. It kept my attention and I did not want to stop listening! There was mystery, suspense and some surprises too. I'm a big Sally Hepworth fan and she did not disappoint with this one. Triggers: mental illness, suicide

This book was full of tragic love stories. Interwoven with secrets, lies, infidelity, miscommunication, mental health troubles, and dark twists.⁣
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I binged this thriller and I haven’t binged a thriller in a while. Two separate narrators, on two different paths woven together without realizing quite how much their lives have been woven. That ending, I never saw coming and my mouth dropped for a second. ⁣
⁣
This is a great psychological thriller but I also a kind of tragic romance/love story. The different things that can throw a wrench in a marriage and teach you how to navigate it or when it’s time to walk away.⁣

I went back and forth reading and listening and the narration was so well done and really brought this to life.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

✨𝐑 𝐄 𝐕 𝐈 𝐄 𝐖✨

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐛𝐲 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐇𝐞𝐩𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡

Thanks to @macmillan.audio @stmartinspress for the ALC! This was a really great audiobook & I appreciated the accents a lot 😍😂

👍🏼: I enjoyed that this story was told from so many different perspectives (even from the after life) & timelines before and after a situationnn 🫣 I was definitely suspicious of everyone along the way & didn’t see the surprise coming at the end. The story also tied up nicely (for some) & I always appreciate that in a mystery book!

👎🏼: I can’t really share my not favorite part of the book without spoilers - but if you’ve read, message me to chat!!!

Overall, this was a unique & super entertaining storyline & I definitely was excited every time I got to pick up this audiobook. I’d recommend if you’re into non-scary or disturbing mysteries with some good twists and turns along the way!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This one is out April 4th 👏🏼📚

Thank you MacMillan audio, Sally Hepworth, and Netgalley for this audio book in exchange for an honest review. The narration was good. The premise of the book was superb. The more books I read/listen to, her books, the more I’m enjoying her style of writing. This is a fast paced, must read for 2023. Keeps you guessing until the end. Sally Hepworth is my go to author for domestic thrillers! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 star read!

The Soulmate Review!

Thank you so much Macmillan Audio and netgalley for this gifted audio, in exchange for an honest review! The Soulmate comes out April 4, 2023!

I actually had yet to read any of Hepworth’s work, but I see her ALL over bookstagram, so I decided to give this one a try! The Soulmate was a 2.5/5 ⭐️ for me!! This setting had everything going for it. A house at the edge of a cliff where people go to commit suicide. So eerie! And then you have the husband who was able to save seven people who just about jumped? Sounds amazing! I just felt like this one didn’t really go anywhere and I thought the end was just kind of eh. I did really enjoy the narration though!

In “The Soulmate,” Sally Hepworth brings another family drama and a smart, edgy (literally and physically) psychological thriller. Soulmates Pippa and Gabe and their two daughters have moved into their dream home by the sea, but only later discover the land it’s on is known as “the drop” and has a reputation as a place where people go to end their lives. Gabe has made it his mission to be their savior, until one day a woman goes over the edge and is not saved by Gabe. But, did she jump or was she pushed?

In the investigation, a web of lies and shady business dealings are exposed and Gabe’s connection to his former boss Max, and his own soulmate, Amanda. “The Soulmate” is a smart game of chess where the characters are trying to outthink the others, and as the reader, you are trying to figure out how this all links together.

Themes: 👩‍❤️‍👨♥️💙👩‍❤️‍👨🇦🇺🗣️🗣️🔀

My feelings: 🙂🙃🥸😬😮😵‍💫😌

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#goodreads
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In The Soulmate, we find the seemingly perfect couple of Gabe and Pippa who live in a beautiful home that is unfortunately located next to The Drop, a cliff that has become infamous as the sight of many suicides. Gabe has made it a personal mission, however, to help individuals who present to The Drop, and has actually talked numerous individuals from jumping and sealing their fate. This all ends one night, however, when a woman does jump, and the story unfolds coincidentally (or not) how this woman plays an important role in Gabe and Pippa's life.

This was a very quick and suspenseful listen. I couldn't wait to figure out how the story played out. The narrators were very entertaining and gave the story a lot of life and suspense themselves! I hate to give too much information away because of the twists and turns, and I definitely don't want to spoil the book! I liked the short chapters because the story flew by. I also did not see many of the twists coming. I do feel like some of the story was a bit far fetched, and wonder if this is a book that has lasting power in my mind. While it was entertaining to read, I worry it's not one I'm going to remember a year down the road. I give this story a 3.75/5, and I do look forward to more books from this author because it is obvious that she can write a tale that keeps me on the edge of my seat and very entertained.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book. All opinions within this review are my own.

While this domestic thriller was mostly (but not entirely) predictable, it was still a very enjoyable journey to get to the end.

There are two POVs in this book. Pippa is the protagonist; she’s a working mom and married to Gabe who struggles with some mental health issues. The other POV is Amanda, who dies in the very beginning and narrates from beyond the grave. The chapters switch timelines too in order to give backstory to current events, but it’s never confusing about where you are in the story.

The relationships between the characters were the most enjoyable aspect for me, which has also been the case with the previous novels I’ve read from Sally Hepworth. I especially liked the somewhat unconventional relationship between Amanda and her husband.

This story deals with mental illness, bipolar disorder specifically. I appreciated that one of the narrators made it clear that the disorder was not the root cause for all of a character’s bad actions.

I listened to the audiobook and I thought that the narrators did a good job. There were two of them, one for each POV, and I always appreciate when audiobooks change narrators between POV characters instead of having the same person try to do different voices.


I received an ARC from Macmillan Audio via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I want to start by saying thanks to MacMillian Audio and NetGalley for supplying me with an ARC (audio edition) of “The Soulmate” for an honest review of this novel which is available on shelves everywhere starting Tuesday, April 4, 2023.

Overall, the book was good but I wouldn’t say that it was necessarily shocking or mind-blowing in terms of the genre but loved the narration and found that changing timelines/perspectives kept the book interesting and continued to bring me back to the book all the way to the end.

The Plot: After what seems like a magical but at times turbulent marriage and two kids, Pippa and Gabe decide that their life needs to change and they move to a charming cottage in a beautiful cliffside community. The only downside? The cliff is notorious for suicides and it seems like Gabe is often the only one who can talk them off the edge. But one night his talking doesn’t work. However, it isn’t until Pippa discovers that Gabe knew the victim, that the questions begin to spiral...Did the victim jump? Was she pushed? And would Gabe, the love of Pippa’s life, her soulmate...lie? As the perfect facade of their marriage begins to crack, the deepest and darkest secrets begin to unravel.

What I Loved: I was very impressed by the authors ability to create two unique but clearly different perspectives that gave the book it’s “thing”. In addition to the perspectives, the narrators did a fantastic job creating a scene and bringing us into it. But that’s where things start to get a little less than ideal.

What I Liked: Overall, the book wasn’t BAD but I also didn’t love it - making it a very fine line to walk. The plot was fairly straightforward and not surprising. There were several moments where I was like, “oh, that’s different” but I was never thrown for a loop and felt like for the most part I was able to predict the book straight through - with the exception of the ending which I didn’t see coming but again wasn't shocked by.

What I Wish was Different: This is a personal pet-peeve but I hate when mental illnesses (ADHD and Bipolar disorder) take the blame for someone’s poor life choices. I also wish that the book was quicker pace as I felt that there was never really a question about what happened but more about why it happened. The secrets that are revealed from out felt delayed and overall the pacing just wasn't there for me.

3.5 stars rounded down.

Sally Hepworth has done it again! The Soulmate is amazing! Full of drama, suspense and spine tingling good fun, the Soulmate is a fantastic read that I couldn't put down.

Thank you to NetGalley, the Author and Publisher for providing me wiht an ARC audio in return for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Soulmate lands solidly within the title/genre of 'domestic suspense'. This book shares two POVs- one from Amanda and the other from Pippa as well as alternates between past and current timelines. Telling the story of what lead to a suspicious suicide and all the tangles that lies can create in a marriage.

This book captures the reader's attention very quickly. I picked it up while reading a few others- just to read a few pages and get a sense of the vibe- and before I knew it I was 50 pages in. The author gives little clues spaced out between chapters of current fallout and the balance is something that keeps you basically at the edge of your seat.

Twists in thrillers have to have such a precarious balance for me. While I love them, they have the ability to go wrong for me so quickly. There was one particular twist that just ended up making me a bit angry at several of the characters and really adds an element of tragedy to the couples. I don't usually end up crying in thrillers but one of my favorite parts of this book was how a couple truly can be soulmates and how that doesn't necessarily look like we think it should. (and that sometimes you aren't soulmates at all)

The format of the timeline changes can be confusing, causing the reader to jump back to the start of the chapter to remind yourself where and when you are. For that reason and remembering where characters had been featured previously- I do strongly suggest this book be a physical book read and not an audio if you can generally choose between formats.

Thank you to the publishers, author and NetGalley for the free copy of this audio book.

I liked this one- good pacing, lots of intrigue and nice twists! The narrators did a good job as well.

I received this as an audio galley to listen to for free in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for giving me access.

The Soulmate was not for me or at least not for me in my current state of mind. The story itself was well put together and had a lot of twists, but it lacked the suspense that I wanted from it. That being said, you still may find it enjoyable as it truly is a good book.

2.5 stars.
I do enjoy Sally Hepworth's style of writing. I like the switch in pov between chapters and how each time chapter adds more to the story. I like that the story starts with the event and then everything moving forward is a reveal.
This particular story I just didn't like. The event was intriguing and I was pulled in to find out what was going on, but as the story progressed I felt the excitement fade and the story around the event kinda boring and almost not worthy of the intrigue created in the beginning. And it made it harder too because I also didn't like the main characters Gabe and Pippa.

Barrie Kreinik and Jessica Douglas-Henry were great narrators.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the arc.

mysterious, fast-paced, and addictive! New author for me and was happily surprised with how much I liked this genre! Would recommend!

I loved this book. It was surprising in all the right ways. I'm normally really good at guessing the twist and knowing what's going on before it's revealed but I have to admit that this book got me, more than once. The characters were human and flawed without being so messed up that they got on my nerves. I did not see the familial connection coming or the ending. It broke my heart and made me smile at the same time. Even now I feel like I want to cry a little just thinking about it. This book was amazing and I'll definitely be looking for more from this Author!!

The Soulmate starts out strong, but then in the middle it just slows down. I do enjoy Sally’s books and will continue to read them. I just got a little bored with this one. I wasn’t impressed with the narrator and this can make or break an audiobook. I didn’t hate the book. Maybe this one should be read.

🌟🌟🌟🌟.5
Your soulmate…when does loyalty end?

Sally Hepworth became one of my favorite authors when I read “The Good Sister”. It’s one of the best books I’ve read! The author’s writing is engrossing and addictive.

“The Soulmate” examines relationships, marriage, trust, and betrayal. Told in past and present by Pippa and Amanda. The audiobook is fantastic!

Pippa instantly fell in love with her charming husband and had a whirlwind relationship. Everyone loves Gabe. What’s not to love? He’s an incredible guy, mostly. Pippa can excuse Gabe’s blunders easily. He’s passionate, very intelligent, bores easily…the list goes on. After a rough spot in their marriage, they move to a cottage by the cliff’s edge and they discover its popularity among those wishing to end their lives. But Gabe uses it as a chance to put his charisma to good use and becomes somewhat of a local hero by talking people off the edge. He’s successful with the first seven attempts. Then Amanda appears and she is Gabe’s first failure. Pippa is in the house and only sees a glimpse of Amanda’s back before she goes over the edge but Gabe’s police statement doesn’t quite match what she saw. When the body is identified, she’s stunned to find out that they knew the woman and Gabe didn’t report that either. Where does her loyalty end?

Amanda narrates from beyond. After her leap from the cliff, she describes her complex marriage and the events that lead to the moment on the cliff edge. The lives of both couples are intricately connected through massive secrets! Her chapters are so interesting and illuminating!

Once the elaborate secrets begin to emerge, we’re blasted with one immense shocker after another. I couldn’t stop reading! The characters are multi-layered and passionate…SO fascinating to read about. This is another terrific read by the author!

Sincere thanks to the author and St. Martin’s Press for providing this gifted ARC through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

#Soulmate #sallyhepworth #stmartinspress #macmillanaudio #netgalley #honestreview #beachcottage #cliffedge #suicide #mentalissues #relationships #loyalty #trust #betrayal#crimeandcocktailsbookcrew #mysteryandthrills #readwithme #bookaddict #thrilleraddict #thrillersofinstagram #bookstagrammer #lovebooks #bookreviewersofinstagram #lovetoreadbooks #cantstopreading #fortheloveofbooks

Cottage on a Cliff

On the surface it appears that Gabe and Pippa have it all, a beautiful new home in a coastal town with a fantastic view from the cliff, two beautiful daughters and a happy marriage.

Below the surface it is not so ideal. There are a lot of secrets hidden down deep. First of all the dream house has a cliff that people like to jump from and commit suicide. Gabe gets a reputation for talking them down until one woman.

Then Pippa finds out he knows the woman and that woman has history with Gabe and Pippa. Then the questions arise...did she jump...was she pushed...was it an accident?
Secrets start to arise from the investigation and their marriage starts to crumble a bit more as each secret and each lie is revealed.

The narrators did a fantastic job, together they told the story well had pleasant voices to listen to and were easy to understand. I liked the two narrators, it helped keep the male and female voices separate and it made for a much better listening experience.

I liked the character of Amanda, telling her story from the hereafter. She really was the innocent party in it all. It was a bit sad her character, but it was a huge part of the story and it was an interesting part.

It was a good read, I liked the characters and thought the fit their parts very well. I like the suspense and the mystery of trying to figure out all the secrets. It kept me reading.

Thanks to Sally Hepworth for writing a great mystery, to Barrie Kreinik and Jessica Douglas-Henry for the great narration, to Macmillan Audio for publishing it and to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the audio book to listen to and review.