
Member Reviews

The Soulmate: Deconstructing the Facade of Perfect Love in Sally Hepworth's Latest Novel Sally Hepworth, a master of domestic suspense, delves into the complexities of love, trauma, and the fragility of perception in her novel, *The Soulmate*. More than just a thriller, the book is a nuanced exploration of the masks we wear, the secrets we keep, and the destructive power of believing in a fairytale romance. Through compelling characters and a carefully constructed narrative, Hepworth challenges the very notion of the "soulmate" and forces us to confront the uncomfortable truths that often lie beneath the surface of seemingly idyllic relationships. The central characters, Gabe and Pippa, initially present a portrait of marital bliss. Living a secluded life in a clifftop house overlooking the ocean, they seem to have carved out a sanctuary of love. Gabe, known for his heroic rescues of suicidal individuals from the cliffs, embodies selflessness and bravery. Pippa, grappling with her own past trauma, finds solace and security in Gabe's unwavering devotion. However, Hepworth subtly chips away at this façade, revealing cracks in their perfect picture. The novel skillfully manipulates perspectives, shifting between Gabe and Pippa's viewpoints, creating a sense of unease and questioning the reliability of each narrator. As secrets are gradually unearthed, the reader is forced to re-evaluate their initial assumptions about the characters and their motivations. Hepworth deftly explores themes of mental health, suicide, and the lasting impact of childhood experiences on adult relationships. She avoids sensationalism, opting instead for a sensitive and empathetic portrayal of individuals struggling with complex emotional burdens. *The Soulmate* is not a simple love story; it's a cautionary tale about the dangers of idealizing relationships and ignoring the red flags that often signal deeper problems. Hepworth’s writing is sharp and insightful, her characters are flawed and relatable, and the plot unfolds with a deliberate pace that keeps the reader engaged until the very end. Ultimately, the novel serves as a powerful reminder that true love requires honesty, vulnerability, and a willingness to confront the imperfections that make us human, rather than clinging to an unattainable ideal. It leaves us questioning the validity of the "soulmate" myth and urging us to look beyond the surface to understand the complexities of human connection.

This book is excellently written and is very much in line with her previous books as far as atmospheric, plot driven novels with psychological mystery wrapped in an actual mystery.

Loved! The author does a great job building tension and suspense. The characters are interesting, and you’ll find yourself questioning everyone as the story unfolds. It’s a fast-paced book that keeps you hooked until the end.
With themes of love, trust, and betrayal, it’s a must-read for fans of thrillers.
Rating: 3.5/5 stars. A thrilling book with lots of twists.

Pippa's husband Gabe can talk people down from the cliff until he can't. When tragedy strikes, Pippa is forced to take a step back and see if she really knows her husband. Was there a reason the last person jumped instead of listening to Gabe's pleas to rethink their decision? Or is something more sinister going on?
I really enjoyed this mystery. You don't now who you can trust while reading this book, and it has some satisfying twists and turns. I look forward to reading more by this author.
Thank-you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my advanced reader copy.
Plot: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Characters: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Mystery: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Writing: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Gabe and Pippa appear to have it all: a stunning coastal home, a beautiful family, and a loving marriage. But, not all is as it appears and a tragedy on the cliff just outside their house begins to unravel their seemingly perfect world.
Usually, thrillers are my go-to when I am in a book slump and I thought this book would be the twisty domestic thriller I needed. Sadly, I struggled staying interested in this story and the characters. Unfortunately, this book just didn't work for me and didn't feel like a thriller. I didn't care for any of the characters and the ending felt anti-climatic.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Soulmate is a rollercoaster of suspense, packed with twists that will keep you hooked and delight fans of Sally Hepworth! This electrifying thriller is packed with suspense, unexpected twists, and edge-of-your-seat tension that will keep readers flipping pages late into the night.
The tension builds masterfully, making it impossible to put down.
A must-read for thriller lovers who crave a captivating and unpredictable ride!

The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth is a gripping psychological thriller that explores the dark side of love, obsession, and secrets. The story centers around Pippa and her husband, Gabe, who live in a secluded cliffside house with a view of the ocean. When a local woman is found dead, the couple’s seemingly perfect life begins to unravel as the truth about Gabe’s past and their relationship comes to light. Hepworth’s writing is suspenseful, with unexpected twists and complex characters, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. This book is a compelling read for fans of domestic thrillers with psychological depth.

I really enjoyed this book, and couldn't put it down! If you like thrillers, then you should definitely give this book a try. I enjoyed it more than other books by the same author- not saying her other books weren't good, but this is the best so far in my opinion.

Unfortunately I was unable to download this book before the archive date, so I'm not able to leave a review. I look forward to reading and reviewing books by this author in the future.

Such a wonderful dual perspective (one alive and one dead) and past and present. A page turning mystery. Deals with themes of suicide, mental illness, infidelity.

This was my first read by Sally Hepworth and it was full of twists and turns, which I loved. The multiple dual narrators and timelines was executed brilliantly and hooked me into the story early on. I really enjoyed the character development and slow burn plot. The business elements of the story felt important, but I didn't feel interested or connected to it at all. The ending also felt a little underwhelming after the buildup throughout the story. Overall, a solid work and I would definitely pick up more books by this author!

When Pippa and Gabe move into their dream home in a picturesque coastal town, they never imagined their property’s dramatic cliffside view would come with a dark twist—it’s a notorious spot where people come to end their lives.
Gabe has always managed to talk down those on the edge, becoming something of a local hero. But one day, when he fails to save a woman who plunges to her death, the tragedy takes a chilling turn—he knew her.
Told through alternating perspectives, Pippa’s voice captures the present-day fallout, along with the past, while Amanda, the woman who jumped, narrates her story from both the past and an eerie afterlife. I found the twists somewhat predictable.
Tropes to expect:
🌊 Unreliable narrator
🌊 Mental health representation
🌊 Small town secrets

I love a domestic thriller!!
This was so mysterious and hooked me right away! I loved that we got 2 POV’s and that the story was constantly going back and forth, from present to past. I had no idea where it was heading at any time, but enjoyed the ride.

I enjoyed the audiobook as the narrators were engaging storytellers, but the plot was all over the place with that fell flat at the end. There was a little bit about mobs, some fraud, couple infidelity and ghosts - I still don’t know if I understand the what story was about?

Relatively new to Hepworth's books, and so glad I found them!
What makes a thriller a "good thriller" for me is when I don't know what the heck is going on, or I keep making guesses throughout - even when I am wrong! And this one hit it out of the park - so many twists and turns. And when a thriller has me feeling all the emotions, I'm extra hooked - not wanting to put it down.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing a copy for review - all opinions are my own.

Very interesting plot twist. Chapters are well developed. The book kept me guessing almost to the final page. Loved it.

One of Sally Hepworth’s best novels ever. You can tell that she was raging against something that happened in her own life because the depiction of deception and the end of a relationship was vivid and fiery.
Gabe and Pippa Gerard live near a cliff in a seaside town. A woman jumps off the cliff and it turns out that Gabe knew her, although he doesn’t disclose this at first. Get ready for the ride.

While this book is enjoyable in parts, it struggles to hold your attention consistently. The writing is decent, but the story doesn’t quite build the way I hoped it would. The characters are fine, though they lack the depth necessary to make you truly care about them. The pacing is also a bit uneven—some sections drag while others feel rushed. Overall, it’s a solid book, but it doesn’t leave a lasting impact.

This book kept me hooked from the start with its dual narrative and well-paced storytelling. The short chapters made it easy to fly through, and the mix of family drama and suspense added just the right amount of tension to keep me turning the pages. However, the ending left me feeling a bit underwhelmed—it didn’t quite live up to the buildup throughout the story. Still, it’s a quick, engaging read if you’re in the mood for something with twists and layered family dynamics.

Sally Hepworth's The Soulmate is a psychological thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end. With well-developed characters and a clever plot, it's a captivating exploration of the complexities of relationships and the secrets we keep. Hepworth masterfully weaves suspense and emotion, making this a must-read for fans of the genre. I would recommend!