This book starts out strong set against the setting of a house by a cliff were people go to end their lives. Visually spooky and captivating, the perfect setting for a domestic thriller. I liked the viewpoint of a character that had died, but I had a hard time keeping up with where the book was heading. Some of the twists felt forced to keep the reader guessing, but overall it is fast-paced and fun read.

Review of The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth

Sally Hepworth is one of my absolute auto buy authors. This book will do nothing to change that though it’s definitely not my favorite of hers. Things I like about it was the creepy setting. I also was fascinated by the characters. I found it intriguing how they behaved. I also loved the after timeline from the POV of a dead character. On the somewhat negative side, it was at times slow with not much happening.

Quick synopsis: Gabe and Pippa live on a seaside cliff. It is a popular place for people to come to end their lives. Gabe is often able to stop them. One day it appears that he knew one of the jumpers and Pippa isn’t sure how much Gabe tried to save her. The secrets snd betrayals are then slowly revealed to the readers.

QOTD: are you afraid of heights?

This is my first Sally Hepworth novel, and I am not sure I understand all they hype. It may be me, but I felt like there were a lot of questions that were left, and a lot of unrealistic happenings.

I was excited to jump into this novel, but soon the middle of it slowed drastically. During this time, there was extremely poor portrayal of mental illness, including a glaring misdiagnosis. Most of the character are hard to relatable to, and extremely shallow, even the children. There is a lack of understanding reality with the characters. Why would a couple move to a house so close to a cliff nicknamed "the drop"? Does this not seem completely unreasonable, and irresponsible? The marriages at the center of this novel seem more about fascination, infatuation, and convenience than being soulmates. The police being involved in the novel seemed like an after thought and fluff. There was a small twist towards the end that had very little thrill in it for me.

The narrators of the audio book were fantastic. They made the slow parts move faster, and helped the overall feel of the book.

I want to thank Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC, and Macmillan Audio for an advanced audiobook.

This is the first book I have read/listened to by Sally Hepworth, "The Soulmate." It was a great thriller. The narrators, Barrie Kreinik and Jessica Douglas-Henry, were great at bringing to life the characters (Pippa and Amanda). I enjoy the twists and turns in this story.

*I was given this audiobook by NetGalley for an honest review.*

Pippa and Gabe live in what should be a dream home off the coast. But because they're right next to the water, it has become a frequent spot for attempted suicides. Gabe has made it his task to try and save these people before they can succeed by talking to them and calming them down. But then Pippa sees him in what appears to be in an argument with a woman, and then the woman suddenly falls off the cliff to her death. Gabe swears he doesn't know her and it's ruled a suicide - but it becomes clear Gabe did know her. We learn more about the mysterious woman - Amanda - from her own perspective.

This was a great listen. I'm a little behind with this one, but thank you netgalley and Macmillan audio for giving me an advanced review copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
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April is here, and with the new month comes a string of new releases that I've been eager to read. First up is a new thriller from another new to me author Sally Hepworth. I've made it a goal to read titles from authors who I've heard of but have never read, and Hepworth certainly fits that bill. I've been tangentially aware of her writing for several years. Many of my reading friends have praised her standalone thrillers. When her publisher offered me a copy of her latest book via ebook and audio, I jumped at the chance to read it. The Soulmate proves why so many other readers adore Hepworth's writing and has turned me into a fan of her works too.

It was their dream home. Gabe and Pippa Gerard had built a beautiful life together, and this was the place they would live out the remainder of their days. The house was large enough to hold their growing family for years. The Melbourne estate sat atop a seaside cliff overlooking the waves crashing against sharp rocks below, the peaceful sound of breaking waves filling the air of the entire property. Yes, this was the perfect place to call home. The cliffs bringing such peace to the Gerard family bring something much darker to others. This dark proclivity would soon begin to unravel their dream.

Besides being known as their dream home, the cliffs on the edge of their property are also known as "The Drop". This steep bluff overlooking jagged rocks below has become a well-known location for people to commit suicide, a place to quickly end their troubled lives. Since moving in, Pippa and Gabe have encountered seven individuals who are ready to end it all. When the couple notices another woman approaching the edge of the rockface, Pippa is concerned but not worried. Surely Gabe will be able to sort this one out too. She watches from afar as Gabe approaches the woman and begins speaking to her. Pippa looks away for only a moment but is shocked when her gaze returns to the scene. Gabe stands at "The Drop", arms outstretched in front of him, and the woman is nowhere to be seen. Is the woman's fall simply a tragic accident, or is something more nefarious at play?

I was immediately consumed by the premise of Sally Hepworth's The Soulmate. Hepworth employs shifting perspectives including the POV of the deceased woman who is stuck in a kind of purgatory watching the events unfold. This tactic can be hit or miss in thrillers like this one, but I found it to really help add to the suspense and sense of paranoia that fills the novel. Barrie Krienik and Jessica Douglas-Henry give voice to these characters in the audio version of the book, and I found their narration to really ground the story in authenticity, even as certain plot points became a bit far-fetched. The Soulmate is a popcorn thriller at its best. Family secrets, tension, and plenty of twists keep the pages turning and had me thoroughly engrossed in the story. This was my first read by Hepworth, but it certainly won't be my last.

Disclaimer... I fell in love with the cover
before the plot 🙊

This cover drew me in and I just had to know what it
was about. I think I was adding it to my NetGalley shelf
before I even read the synopsis if i'm being honest 😅
However, the synopsis is just as intriguing:

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 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.

When Pippa discovers Gabe knew the victim, the
questions 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.

This story had me completely hooked from the
beginning! The opening scene was mysterious and
daunting - the whole book was hard to put down after
that. If you are up for a dark and dreary thriller, this one
just might be your book of the season.

Trigger warnings: Suicide, Mental illness

The Soulmate is an atmospheric thriller with little reveals placed strategically throughout the book. I found myself inventing chores to do so I could keep listening. It took me a minute to get my head around one of the POV’s being essentially a ghost but once the story went on I liked it. The audiobook narrator was great too.

I absolutely love a good domestic suspense and I definitely devoured this twisty one!

It centre’s around such an intriguing concept where a family lives in a cottage on top of a cliff, and this cliff is known for people coming to jump to their death!?

This one is told in dual perspectives, alternating between Amanda and Pip, and then/before and after/now and I really enjoyed the style of getting Amanda, the dead woman’s POV.

While I didn’t see the end coming, it did feel it lacked a bit of the wow factor that I was hoping for. However, Hepworth has such a knack for writing such tense and bingeable stories so I can’t wait to see what she does next!

I am in the minority here, but this book just did not work for me. I liked the concept and was engaged in the beginning but then everything just felt lacking. The story touched on some pretty heavy subjects, but they were all kind of glossed over. There was no depth in the story or the characters. The narrator was just fine telling this story. Easy to understand, but didn't really make the book more than it was.

The Soulmate is a fun and twisty domestic thriller that makes for a fabulous escapist read! Told through alternating narratives, this story examines Pippa’s relationship and life with her husband, Gabe. I loved getting to know Pippa in her own words, as well as through an outsider. Hepworth adds in subtle twists and turns that heighten the drama to keep the story feeling addictive.

While at its core this story is a thriller, there is also a depth to it that examines the intricacies of relationships and how far people are willing to go for those that they love. I really enjoyed that between all of the secrets and lies there was an deepdive into dysfunctional relationships.

🎧: I listened to this one on audio, which was the perfect compliment to my commute. Highly recommend this format!

I tend to enjoy Sally Hepworth, but this text fell flat for me. While I appreciated the narration from the two female characters, Pippa and Amanda, who were each quite likable in their own ways, I did not find the text to be as compelling as Hepworth's other reads. I also found it slightly unrealistic that no one in Pippa's family expressed concerns about Gabe's mental health issues prior and instead uprooted their family to live nearby. This one didn't work for me, but I look forward to more books from Ms. Hepworth.

Thank you for the opportunity to review!

The Soulmate's setting of Portsea, a coastal Australian town, is one of beauty but also danger and death. Pippa and her husband, Gabe, live in a cliffside house on the tip if Mornington Peninsula. Unfortunately, several people have jumped to their death off the tall cliffs.

Hepworth's suspenseful plot opens with yet another death off of the cliffs, with twists and turns slowly revealing the circumstances and reason. The points of view of Pippa, as well as the dead woman, Amanda, are given in alternating timelines of past and present. Full of secrets, love, and domestic drama, this book sensitively covers the bonds of two marriages and the difficult topic of mental illness.

Hepworth knows how to keep me glued to a story, with tension building in slow burn style throughout. The clifftop scenes were atmospheric and chilling. Kreinik and Douglas-Henry expertly kept me listening intently with their audio portrayal of Pippa and Amanda's voices. After reading two of Hepworth's books, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend her to fans of mystery and thrills.

Thank you to Net Galley and Macmillan Audio for an advance reader's copy of the audiobook. My review is my own.

To be totally honest, I was expecting a better twist for this one. Sally Hepworth novels are often ones with a shocking turn at the very end. And while this one has one, I found that it just didn’t catch my interest and wasn’t that surprising to me. The writing is as usual excellent from this author, and the story is a slow burn. While this book didn’t totally engross me like I was expecting, this book is still worth the read/listen for other Sally Hepworth fans!

I listened to this as an audio and loved the narrators, Barrie Kreinik and Jessica Douglas-Henry. The quality was fantastic, and I highly recommend the audio!

A big thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, St Martin’s Press, and Sally Hepworth for providing me with these gifted copies in exchange for my honest review.

Wow, wow, wow! Sally Hepworth has done it again! Buy this book immediately. You won't be able to put it down, I promise. I could not get enough of this one, I just had to know what was going to happen next. Hepworth has a real talent for writing, and she was showing off with this one. If you a good domestic thriller, this will easily be a five star for you! The audio version has wonderful narration as well.

In Sally Hepworth’s latest domestic drama, two women deal with an act of suicide.
Gabe and Pippa’s dream home is at the edge of a cliff. This cliff off a sleepy town is a popular spot for suicide. Most times, Gabe can talk them down before the police can arrive. But one night he can’t save the woman trying to end her life. Pipa finds out that Gabe knew the victim Amanda and didn’t tell the cops. As a lawyer Pipa doesn’t know what to do. Does love or the law win?
The story itself makes you question what people are actually thinking and doing. While you are presented with one thing, we second guess what our narrators are telling us. Can they be trusted? Do they truly understand the people they are describing and talking about? The ambiguity of the characters and their actions spur this domestic thriller.
My favorite part is that Amanda narrates her story from beyond. This gives an interesting insight as the story unfolds. Meanwhile, her story is also told in the past as Hepworth bounces from the past to the present for both women. Some of the past drags on but when Hepworth drops an important tidbit, it’s a shocker that changes how the reader perceives the present.
The narrators are perfect for the setting and the characters. Barrie Kreinik and Jessica Douglas-Henry give the two women distinct voices. This makes switching between perspectives less confusing. The women infusion emotions into each voice and you feel empathy for both women.

Overall, this is an enjoyable book, and I enjoyed listening to it.

This was the twistiest thriller! The setting is absolutely one of the characters. I loved the multiple timelines and multiple points of view. Just when I thought I understood what was going on, a big twist was around the corner. I don't read a lot of thrillers because I'm always disappointed by figuring out the twist before the intended time. However, I'm always on my toes until the very end with Sally Hepworth's novels.

🌊 A R C • R E V I E W 🌊
•
Title: The Soulmate
Author: Sally Hepworth
Rating: 4/5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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I'm a huge fan of Sally Hepworth, so I was super stoked to get an eARC and ALC of this one. 
•
This had one of my most favorite formats - being told in dual points of view and also in a dual timeline - before/after a certain situation. The “After” for one of the characters was very unique to the story and i liked that a lot! This story is woven with so many twists and turns that I didnt see coming that I actually found myself actually saying "no fucking way" multiple times. Each revelation was timed perfectly to add the right amount of wow factor. The Souldmate also deals with a ton of different topics such as mental health, suicide, marraige, faithfulness, lies/secrets, domestic/family drama and more that you really find yourself invested in the story. I felt like I kept wanting to dig deeper and deeper into these characters lives to see what else they were hiding. 
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I had a hard time putting this one down and finished it quickly. The many twists, unlikeable characters with many secrets and short chapters really kept this one exciting. I didnt think the ending was anything incredible like some of her other books (though never in a million years could I have ever figured out that ending - definitely didnt see that coming), but it was interetsting enough for me to enjoy. I'm back and forth as to how I feel about the mental illness representation. I can asy without a doubt, Hepworth nailed the characteristics of one of these main diagnoses. However, I felt like at a certain point when it was blantantly obvious what was going on, that it felt like it was brushed under the rug almost; maybe that was the point? But whatever, I digress...
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Listneing to this one while reading was a blast. Looking for a new audiobook?! Look no further - this one was really very good. I love going between the audio and reading (and then doing both at the same time) but I must say I followed along with the audio no problem from the start. This is the perfect thriller to listen too!!! The two narractors playing the two main characters were awesome.
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Overall, I enjoyed this one and definitely recommend to all thriller lovers, especially those who love Sally Hepworth! Huge thank you to @sallyhepworth, @netgalley @macmillinaudio and @stmartinspress for the eARC and ALC in exchange for my honest review. The sooulmate released this week, be sure to check it out!
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#netgalleyreview #netgalley #earc #electronicadvancedreaderscopy #alc #advancedlistenerscopy #audiobook #manipulation #mentalillness #marraige #domesticdrama #familydrama #twistsgalore #dualtimelines #dualperspectives #thesoulmate #sallyhepworth #macmillinaudio #stmartinspress

#theSoulmate by @sallyhepworth is the audio-arc I finished this morning. Many thanks to @netgalley and @macmillan.audio for providing this content for review! Fantastically narrated by @barriebarriepix and #jessicadouglashenry !! This is a domestic thriller told in tandem by the POVs of two wives. They’re connected by their husbands who work together and who each have secrets they hold from their wives and from each other. This story is about so many things: marriage, fidelity, mental illness, family secrets, the dangers of living cliff-side.. lol!!! I really liked the idea that after everything that happened, at least life would be okay for those left standing! Did all of them deserve this grace??? Ummm not in my opinion, I found the author wrote some ultimate grace and perhaps guilt into the crescendo towards the end… I found it incredibly generous. This is a page-turner and also was compulsively enjoyable to listen to! I’ll be giving this a 5 star recommendation as truly one of the more memorable and enjoyable thrillers I’ve read lately!! Many thanks also to @stmartinspress for the publishing of this highly entertaining story! I’m sure I’ll be looking for future and past stories from this author. Loved the narration as well - it does deserve repeating!
Highly recommend!

3.75
An interesting way to tell a story. Dual POV, alternate timeline. Two wives, from very different worlds, with extremely different views and standards to live by. One is all about loyalty, and for the other, it’s fidelity.
There is a constant feeling through the book that the reader is just in the cusp of learning something big, and yet it’s kept from us right until the end. There were a few points during the story where it felt like the flow was really dragging on, and that we were just being placated with random unimportant pieces, fluffing out the story. The povs and timelines were a great way to tell the story, but the story itself felt a bit lacking.