Thank you to St Martin’s Press for the ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I definitely recommend reading this one - the short chapters in particular kept me engaged!
One of the books I had on my kindle when I was in Rio last month was The Soulmate. I had only read the blurb and seen the cover, but as I was sitting reading something else on the northern end of Copacabana Beach, I was looking up at the closest mountain and saw there was a house (actually it’s a fort) built right into the cliff. It's a bit more remote than the cliff near Gabe and Pippa’s house in the book, but I had this image in my mind as I was reading the book.
I enjoy diving headfirst into a domestic thriller to break up all the romance I read, and this #thrillerthursday I’m spotlighting The Soulmate! The book comes out in a few weeks, and I read it last weekend. Once I started it on Saturday, I knew I had to finish it before returning to work - the writing and the story enthralled me immediately. So I warn you not to start it unless you have planned time to finish it!
I like how Sally takes an ordinary situation and just pushes a few buttons to make it something crazy you didn’t see coming - but it still seems plausible. Not only is she a talented writer, she’s hilarious on Instagram! I was lucky enough to meet her when she came to Boston last spring.

Umm… did I read the same book as everyone else?
It’s been getting rave reviews but it’s a nah from me.

Pippa out here running through a field of red flags and ignoring every single one.
Gabe was a turd.
Is Asha a psycho child or is she a sweet, vulnerable girl? Make a decision.

Liked:
Dual POV, bounced around on the timeline, fairly accurate glimpse into the career of a trust & estates lawyer, Pippa’s family standing by her side

Disliked:
Oh so much. Namely, Pippa and Gabe. She’s naively defensive & obsessed with her husband; he’s too manipulative & selfish.
The book was repetitive.
And who fanatically uses USB drives anymore? Amanda honey, please use Google Drive for all your shizzz.
Could all of Gabe’s behavior be chalked up to mental illness? Idk, I’m no expert. But this pissed me tf off: “He knew the buttons to press, the things I needed to hear. It was cruel and comforting and humiliating in its mind-fuckery.”
Hard pass.

Rating:
A very, very generous 3 stars, only for the names (Freya!), Amanda & Max grew on me, and being set in a coastal town

Thank you to @Netgalley and @StMartinsPress for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

FOR NETGALLEY ONLY:
Posted to Instagram:
Posted to Goodreads: 3/16/23

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Sally Hepworth for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

The Soulmate in told in dual POVs (loved Amanda's POV) and timelines which for me tied the book together perfectly. This fast paced thriller gave everything. Drama, crime, secrets and infidelity. The book does have mental health and suicide in it so beware of it going into it.

I especially enjoyed the short chapters so i found myself reading way more at night when i should of been going to sleep lol! I did not see that twist at the end coming and left me in an OMG moment.

I will be adding all of Sally Hepworth's books to my TBR list as soon as I am done here. I highly recommend this book!!! Very Well Done!!!

Pippa and Gabe have moved into a cliffside cottage to give themselves a fresh start. Unfortunately, the cliff, known as “The Drop” to locals for being a place where people come to commit suicide, is not what Pippa had in mind when she envisioned their picture-perfect restart. Since moving in, Gabe has talked several people off the ledge, but one night his powers of persuasion don’t work and a woman goes over the edge. As Pippa watches in horror, something doesn’t sit right with her.

The Soulmate explores the darker side of marriage, betrayal and soulmates through two couples, and touches on sensitives topics like mental health. It is told in dual points of view – one from the perspective of the woman who jumped – and in multiple timelines. This was fast-paced, well-developed and twisty to the core. I can’t wait to see what Hepworth comes up with next!

Thank you to NetGalley, Sally Hepworth and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy of this book. I can’t wait to read Hepworth’s others.

typically, a dual POV + dual timeline terrifies me and just overwhelms me. however, this was WELL DONE. the contents within the book are pretty tragic and hepworth has some dark humor in her, i feel as though mental health
representation is often done wrong. however, i think this book disclosed the devastating impact of mental illness on not just the individual, but family members too. sally hepworth has been quite consistent in terms of how much i adore her books. i'm always looking forward to her new releases and this one didn't disappoint!

Thanks so much to the publisher, the author and Netgalley for my e-arc of The Soulmate. Sally Hepworth always delivers for me and this was a fast paced, quick and bingeable thriller.

It explored the deeper side of marriage. Lots of drama, secrets, lies and infidelity. Be aware going in to this one that it also talks a lot about mental illness and suicide.

The story was told through dual POV and dual timelines and I felt that it worked well. I had my theories while reading. Some were right, some were wrong. While there wasn't a truly mind blowing twist, I did find it highly entertaining. Quite the page turner! If you've enjoyed this author's previous works, I feel like this one will be a win for you.

I enjoyed this, although I wouldn’t say it was my absolute favorite. It’s consistently interesting and has a dual POV (with each POV also having before / after timelines) which I enjoyed. For a thriller nothing was too heart racing, despite the constant twists, but the structure appealed to me. It was a fast read because each chapter is so short so it’s hard to convince yourself you shouldn’t read just one more.

Wow! I binged this book in less than 24 hours! I was immediately hooked and didn’t want to put it down. I was super into Amanda’s chapters as I enjoyed her POV being dead. This was a fast paced book and had a lot of drama/ things unraveling. I didn’t know what was true and what was not because Pippa’s husband was so unreliable. I couldn’t predict the twist at the end but I knew there was something going on but couldn’t put my finger on it. Definitely recommend!

Will post on bookstagram

This book was just amazing. I enjoyed the previous book by this author so I just had to read this one. Th characters were interesting and the story had me pulled in from the very beginning. I highly recommend books by this author.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for a copy of this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

WOW, Sally Hepworth did not come to play. This is my second favorite book of hers behind The Good Sister. I could not put this book down. I loved the setting of the book. The house near the cliff made the atmosphere dramatic and full of tension. I could easily picture everything happening in my head. I think the discussion of marriage and mental health was well-done. It didn't glamorize the hard truth behind loving someone even if they might be toxic.

Now the ending had my jaw on the floor. Sally Hepworth just finds a magical way to tie in her twists without it being unrealistic. I was not expecting it and looking back on the story, it made sense. I would HIGHLY recommend this psychological thriller to anyone. There is even a touch of romance in the plot.

Well done.

This is a thrilling read that will captivate you until the last page. The author is a favorite and allways one I can never put down to conclusion. The writing is masterful. The dual timelines add to the thrill as you turn page after page . The author has a talent for building suspense and holding you hostage over your e reader until the very last page. This is to good to give away with spoilers I suggest you read it for yourself and clear your calender .
A most excellent read. Thank you to the author, to Net Galley and the publisher with gratitude.

Such a page turner. I enjoyed that the book was set in Australia. Looking forward to reading more books by this author.

Deepest thanks to NetGalley as always and to St. Martin Press for an ARC of Sally Hepworth's latest page-turner.
Once again, domestic dysfunction goes plunging off a cliff......this time literally, right into the crashing surf of the ocean below. That's part of the unsettling price that loving soulmates Pippa and Gabe pay for moving into a beautiful cliffside house on the Australian coast. Their home sits in front of the area's most favored high cliff for potential suicides seeking to end it all.
But not on Gabe's watch though. Movie star handsome and a dauntless good Samaritan,, he's become a neighborhood celeb by rushing out the house to talk people out of taking that last fatal step. Pippa couldn't be prouder of him........that is, until Gabe's calming voice and steady outstretched hands fail to prevent a bedeviled woman's terminal leap. Even worse, from Pippa's vantage point of the incident, it looked more like Gabe's arms appeared in the "push" position rather than the life-saving "I got you!" stance. Uh oh......
And now let the twists commence, starting the first of a cascade of shockers that rock Pippa's world......Gabe and the unfortunate woman were not strangers to each other. (Let's all say it together now...."Uh oh..")
More than that I wouldn't dream of revealing, since the nerve-wracking jollies of a domestic thriller like this come from the steady detonation of deep secrets and stunning surprises. And in that regard, Sally Hepworth delivers the goods over and over........in that everybody involved has something to hide and don't think you know for minute what's really going on until you race to the final pages.
The short, right-to-the-point chapters give the book a relentless, propulsive pace........a technique I wish more thriller authors would adopt. And I can never get enough zippy 5 star, suspense laded tales like "The Soulmate"....even if they take me way past bedtime. Well done, Ms. Hepworth.....can't wait for your next one already. For suspense fans, "The Soulmate" makes for a fine book-mate.

While I absolutely loved this book, the lack of diversity didn’t settle well with me. The plot however was wonderful and the layers of the onion that were this plot made this very enjoyable. Though I won’t read it again https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTR7fcwXR/

I read this book in less than 24 hours. I could NOT put it down! I was so impressed with how well the author wrote both a non linear timeline and dual perspective narration with seamless ease. It definitely added to the "can't put it down' nature of the book because I just had to get back to Pippa's "now" timeline. If you're looking for a book that hooks you right away, this is the one!

The Soulmates explores the darker messy sides of marriage, soulmates, betrayal, secrets, and murder through two couples, Pippa/Gabe and Amanda/Max, opening up questions about who the soulmates are. There is nothing romantic about this story, as themes of mental illness and suicide are used as plot devices.

I received a widget as many people did each of her new releases. There is plenty of hype and buzz for her book, and while I am not one for hype, I am a fan of the author and her work. So I downloaded it without reading the story's summary and avoided the hype. When I went to read the book, I realized that the story was centered around a cliff, The Drop, where people died by suicide. I am sensitive to suicide and mental illness being used as plot devices. I almost didn't read this one, but I trusted the author could pull off a story using it, and she did.

I also received an audiobook from the publisher and enjoyed listening to and reading the story. Pippa and Amanda narrate the story with two performers telling the story. I enjoyed listening to both.

My two cents

While I imagined The Drop, I could visualize the cliffs I visited in Ireland, and while I was there, I took a moment to acknowledge that some of the people who "fell" could have been people who jumped and gave a silent moment of thoughts for the souls lost to the sea. So the story felt very real to me. What I didn't think about was what if there was someone there who listened, understood, and talked to them. That someone is Gabe in the story. There is something about Gabe that can speak to people, listen, and understand.

I am a sucker for the dead narrator and the mystery of their death, and I enjoyed Amanda's POV of view the best as themes of marriage and betrayal are explored. Pippa's storyline is a bit more complex and drawn out well as she chronics the ups and downs of her marriage. We see the couple's different conflicts in their marriages. I doubted if I would like how it all came together; however, I loved the twists I did not see coming, and while there were a couple of things I didn't like, it all came together well with a satisfying payoff.

While I don't like mental illness and suicide used as a plot device, there is a believability element that might not seem oblivious, earning some praise from this sensitive reader.

Overall: The Soulmate is a fast-paced, well-developed story with exciting twists that had me glued to the pages.

To be posted to blog after Pub date https://travelingsistersbookreviews.com

This was my first book by Sally Hepworth but it will not be my last! A quick page turner of a book! While I got clues along the way, the ending was a surprise but not so out of left field that it wasn't believable. This was more than just a thriller mystery. It's a love story. It's a dealing with mental health story. It's a love of family story. But it's also a fast read. The short chapters just made you want to turn the pages faster and faster.
Pippa and Gabe have moved into a cute little cottage alongside an ocean side cliff. Unfortunately, the cliff, nicknamed "The Drop", has also become a place for people contemplating suicide. Since moving in, Gabe has actually become adept at talking people down off the edge. However, this one night, he is unsuccessful. But as Pippa watches in horror as the woman jumps to her death, something doesn't seem right about what she thinks she saw. The book takes on dual POV's and timelines, including Amanda - the woman who has died. I loved the characters in this book, and my heart broke for many of them. I highly recommend!

I whizzed through this compelling novel by Sally Hepworth. I have always enjoyed her books but this is now my favorite! This is a story about two different marriages and how they are intertwined through different layers. The author kept me guessing and intrigued throughout the whole book. She does a great job of mashing up the genre of family dynamics and thriller in such a perfect way. I did not want to put this down, and I think you might feel the same if you try it. I was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy thanks to netgalley and the publisher but all thoughts are my own.

Title: The Soulmate
Author: Sally Hepworth
Genre: Thriller
Rating: 3.50
Pub Date: April 4, 2023

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for offering me a DRC and to Macmillan Audio for providing me with ALC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. #Gifted #Ad

T H R E E • W O R D S

Bingeable • Suspenseful • Dysfunctional

📖 S Y N O P S I S

Pippa, Gabe and their two daughters moved into their cliffside dream home with the hopes of starting over after a difficult period in their marriage. Their home is close to a cliff known as 'The Drop' - a spot chosen by many people to end their own lives. In the time since they've been living there, Gabe has prevented a number of people from jumping to their deaths.

One night, Pippa sees a woman hovering close to the edge of the cliff. So Gabe heads out to talk to her, while Pippa calls the police. Pippa sees them talking, but soon the woman plunges to her death leaving Gabe left standing there with his arms outstretched. Originally ruled a suicide, Pippa isn't convinced. When she discovers Gabe knew the victim, she begins to question everything.

💭 T H O U G H T S

Over the years, Sally Hepworth has become an auto-read author for me, and so it will come as no surprise that I was eagerly anticipating her 2023 release, The Soulmate, especially after seeing the stunning cover. This twisty story focuses on the highs and lows of marriage and ended up being simply an okay read for me.

What I liked:
• the cover. I was drawn to the stunning cover before reading it, and it makes even more sense now that I've finished.
• the short chapters. They allowed me to be easily drawn into the plot, and helped build suspense.
• dual timeline/dual perspective. Another tool that helps build suspense and fill in the backstory in a way that makes sense.
• victim perspective. Getting to read from a dead characters POV was interesting and unique. It added a different vibe to the plot.
• the audio. Narrated by Barrie Kreinik and Jessica Douglas-Henry, the audio was very well done. The different voices helped me keep track of each of the characters and their stories, and the pacing was easy to follow.

What I disliked:
• mental health as a plot twist. I had serious issues with how Sally Hepworth handled mental health in this book. From a misdiagnosis to yet another portrayal of someone with mental illness being dangerous it all just didn't sit well with me.
• the ending. There was so much tension building and marital drama that I'd expected some mind-blowing reveal, but in all honestly it the ending was a let down.

The Soulmate was definitely a page-turner with more drama than thrill. I thought the first half was very well done, but the second half tried to go in too many directions. While I enjoyed my reading experience this wasn't my favourite of hers. Something about how she handled mental illness rubbed me the wrong way. I'll continue to read her books though.

📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• domestic drama fans
• readers needing to get out of a slump

⚠️ CW: murder, death, death of parent, suicide, suicide attempt, suicidal thoughts, addiction, overdose, mental illness, alcoholism, schizophrenia/psychosis, infidelity, pregnancy, cursing, vomit

🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S

"It's as if, while living your life, you view the world through a straw. You see only the tiniest sliver, all of it from your own perspective. Other people have their motives, their backstories, their feelings, but you don't know that unless they share them with you, and even then there's every chance they're lying or prevaricating. What strikes me most now is the audacity of people, walking around with such certainty while armed with only the scantest information."

“While living your life, you view the world through a straw. You see only the tiniest sliver, all of it from your own perspective.”

Gabe and Pippa have finally found their dream home—a stunning cottage atop a cliff in their coastal Australian town. Soon, though, they find that their home hides a secret...tall cliffs that have become a popular spot for people to end their lives. Gabe has managed to come to the rescue of some of these souls.... Until the one time he does not. When Pippa discovers Gabe knew the victim, the questions spiral...did she jump? Was she pushed? Has Pippa's perfect life, with her soulmate, been nothing but a lie?

The Soulmate is a legit stay up past your bedtime book. A just one more chapter book. I could not put it down! Told in dual timelines, then and after, and with dual pov, Pippa and Amanda, this book was so fast paced! Very short chapters also helped me to fly through it, which I did in almost one sitting.

The audiobook was IT! The narrators (one each for Pippa and Amanda) have the most soothing voices and amazing accents. They told the story in such a way that I was sucked right in and feel as if I watched a movie. So good. Like SO good!

Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press, Macmillan Audio, and the author for the ARC and ALC in exchange for an honest review. Highly HIGHLY recommend.