I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I initially wanted to like and root for Holly, because she appeared like a battered woman with a difficult past, but as the story progressed, her lack of decision making ability and insecurity was frustrating to read. Then there's Mark, who tried to come across as a wholesome wonderful guy, but you can just feel there's something not quite right about him.

The story eventually ties together in the end which makes it not a bad read.

A new Rona Halsall release is always something to look forward to and this latest one doesn't disappoint.

Holly is trying to escape her past after many events in her life where she has felt the need to run. At a train station she meets a male pianist, Mark, who is playing her favourite Lenny Kravitz song, so she feels a pull towards him and starts to sing. The connection between them is unmistakable and they both seem to feel it but Holly must return home, before she is missed.

Holly is currently living with Finn who has given her a home when she needed it, however his behaviour has slowly been changing and he is becoming more and more controlling. Holly needs to find a way to escape, could Mark be the answer?

This is a great domestic thriller with twists and turns to keep you interested throughout. Plenty of secrets are being kept that will gradually be discovered. This is one where you are never sure who to trust and some sections are a little unsettling but you will find yourself hooked from the start.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for a digital copy of this book.

Thank you Netgalley for my copy.

This book was okay.

Some thing(s) I liked:
✅The short, choppy chapters makes it flow nice and fast.
✅It's wrong but the karma on Mark's mum is lol.
✅The fact you don't know if Mum or Mark is telling the truth about the other's behaviour and treatment when he was a child.

Some thing(s), not so much:
⭕Mark is just creepy AF, even at the beginning before he goes all Norman Bates, he's a weirdo.
⭕And we're supposed to like Holly? Because she just annoys me and she behaves like an idiot at every turn.
⭕Quite honestly, the entire first half was boring. Until Mark and Holly arrived in Wales, I very nearly fell asleep.
⭕Omg mark is a whiny little B isn't he? Made me want to punch him.
⭕I'm not even sure the epilogue and arrest were needed at the end. I would have quite happily seen it finished when he met the dreadlock girl.

Will happily ready more by Halsall though.

Wow, I really enjoyed this book and didn’t see the massive twist coming. It’s a unique plot that totally drew me in. I’d recommend to anyone who enjoys a great domestic thriller.

Mark wants to play all the pianos in train stations around the U.K.

Holly stops when she hears her favourite song and joins in with Mark.

They both feel an instant attraction/spark, but can they really be soulmates?

Mark feels that he and Holly should be together, but she is in a relationship, albeit not a good one.

I found this story to be dark and intense. I didn’t have many fingernails left by the time I had finished the book.

The characters were believable, I kept flitting between liking and loathing them. As the story went on, I did find myself feeling sorry for Holly.

This was a difficult story to read but the author managed to lighten the mood with some much needed humour.

My favourite character was Archie, the parrot. He made me laugh a lot.

My thanks to the author and Boldwood Books for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

This was a book that I struggled with at the start as it had too much and at the same time not enough going on to keep my interest. There was too much information and yet the story seemed to be going nowhere. The midsection of the book however got going and I started to enjoy the plot.

Holly, our protagonist, comes from a difficult background and during the book we find out more about her and how she seems to move from one disaster to another, making the wrong choices each time. When she meets Mark it seems that things are improving, but that of course would not be a good plot line and Holly’s life actually becomes more complicated.

The book was an okay read for me and seemed a different style to others by the same author, less psychological thriller and more darkness. I didn’t warm to any of the characters and at the end was mainly left wondering what happened to the chef who was stabbed in the hand?

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

THE SOULMATE BY RONA HALSALL.
Release date set for the 30th of January 2025.
This author has a fair few books out and i have a few of them on my TBT pile and i believe this is my first one I've actually read so far.
I found this book intriguing throughout.
I thought it was a slow burn kinda book and it ends with an almighty bang.
I will be reading more of this authors books in the very near future.

* thank you to net galley for providing me with an e-arc in return for an honest review*

This was so good and engaging….once you get past the 20% mark. I so nearly put it down but I’m really glad I didn’t. I know a lot of people like setting the scene beforehand so will probably still enjoy it for the first 20% too, I’m just feral for action haha. The main character had me SOOOOO frustrated throughout but that just added to the angst of the book and my frustration made it better.

I really enjoyed this book. A tense domestic thriller where no one is quite what they seem. Most of the characters were flawed and hiding secrets about their lives which always makes for an interesting read. This is the kind of book I really enjoy.

Rona does it again I loved this dark thriller about a young woman desperate to escape her boyfriend who meets a man singing at the station and feels an instant spark. Will he be the saviour she is after or is she more at risk than she could ever imagine. Sometimes the grass is not greener. Great dark read that’s not to be missed!

I love Rona's books! Including this one, which as always I couldn't put down. What an unpredictable read. I can't say much for spoilers! I just didn't expect things to go the way they did. Soooo good!

#TheSoulmate #NetGalley
A good read.
The Soulmate is a captivating blend of romance and suspense, exploring the idea of love at first sight through the lens of mystery and secrets. This book will keep readers on edge with its intriguing plot, compelling characters, and unexpected twists.
Holly, a woman who holds onto the belief in soulmate love despite her troubled past, is living a quiet life when she hears her favorite song being played on a public piano. Drawn to the sound like a magnet, she meets Mark, a handsome young man whose smile and the shared moment of music spark an undeniable connection between them. They feel as if they’ve known each other for years, experiencing a powerful, almost fated attraction. However, as their relationship blossoms, both Holly and Mark begin to uncover each other’s secrets. While their connection deepens, it becomes clear that one of them has a secret so dark that it might drive them to desperate measures. The romance quickly shifts into a suspenseful game of trust and deception, where neither is safe from the hidden truths that threaten to unravel everything.
The Soulmate is a thrilling and emotionally charged read, combining the allure of first love with the tension of hidden truths and secrets. Rona Halsall masterfully weaves together romance and suspense, creating a page-turner that keeps readers guessing. If you enjoy novels with complex characters, unpredictable plots, and a mix of love and suspense, The Soulmate will not disappoint. A gripping romantic suspense novel that explores the power of love and the darkness that can sometimes lurk behind it. Highly recommended for fans of psychological thrillers with a romantic twist.
Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for giving me an advance copy.

The Soulmate by Rona Halsall was a slow-burn thriller that ended with a bang. Holly believes in love at first sight and soulmates. She is struggling to make her current relationship work and meets someone out of the blue. There is an instant connection, a romantic drink, a quick kiss, and they are both hooked.

Mark believes in soulmates and love at first sight too. He is smitten by Holly almost instantly and wants to do everything in his power to keep the connection they felt alive.

When Holly needs help, will Mark be there for her? Or is their idea of a soulmate, a terrible one?

This book started off a little slow but picked up steam. I really enjoyed the story and the twists in the plot.

Absolutely loved this book. It was highly addictive and one of the best thrillers I've read. I could not put this book down and would certainly recommend you read.

Synopsis:
Holly is on the run and has a new identity. On her journey she meets Finn. Finn is strong, protective and the security that Holly needs. However Finn soon starts to become violent and possessive so Holly forms a plan to leave. She buys a passport using her fake identity and on her way home at the train station, meets Mark, who is adorable and sweet and Holly wishes she could have met someone like him sooner.

Mark believes that Holly is his 'Soulmate' and so travels to Scotland to rescue her but when he arrives Finn is dead so Mark takes Holly away to his home to rescue her, but is Mark whom he seems.

The Soulmate by @ronahalsall is a high paced thriller that had me awake until 1am in the morning. A brilliant read and my last of 2024

This book was an addictive read with many jaw dropping twists that kept me glued to my seat! It was so good I devoured it in a day!

I’d highly recommend this book ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars!

Read this book - The Soulmate by Rona Halsall in one sitting and absolutely loved it! I was wondering who you can trust while reading this, very well written characters. I've read a few of her books before and feel that this book is written in a different style from what she usually writes and it's her best work so far! Definitely a must read for 2025.

Thank you Netgalley & Rona Halsall for this opportunity!

A good gripping mystery that was hard to put down. Will look forward to this author’s next book. Thanks Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for the ARC.

The story was nice and it kept you hooked wanting to know what was going to happen next.
We get presented to two unfortunate souls with their respective past traumas who meet by chance in a station. Mark is a dashing pianist who falls in love with Holly (our protagonist) at first sight and the rest is history. Don’t want to spoil the rest so you’ll just have to read it. This is a thrilling rollercoaster who’ll keep you guessing till the end. 3.5 stars

I was really engaged throughout this book as there always seemed to be a deeper layer to the characters that I wanted to dig into. There were plenty of subtle hints into their pasts that made me want to know more.

That being said, I wasn't particularly keen on all the characters seeming to have such a victim mentality, it started to feel a bit repetitive. But I was still engaged and enjoyed the read.

A very different read from this author than her previous books, dark, twisty and extremely well written.

I was wondering who you can trust whilst reading this, very dark and well written characters

Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for this great ARC which I have no hesitation in recommending.