Sally Hepworth can always deliver a twisty, unputdownable thriller when I need one. Her latest, THE SOULMATE, is no exception! This book covers a lot of ground and is intertwined with a lot of storylines that had me hooked the entire read. Just as I thought I had it all mapped out, Hepworth dropped another subtle twist I didn’t see coming.

Between the short chapters, multiple POVs, and pacing, this might be one of my favorite builds yet. As the story begins to bob and weave, the mystery deepens while keeping a steady pace and dangling a carrot out in front of the reader. I think all Hepworth’s ties within the story were very strategically placed, and she didn’t include tid bits for the “just because” factor. Everything truly made sense.

Beyond the mystery, Hepworth showcased relationships of everyday life in a very simple way. Marriages, family, uncovering family secrets, and what you’d do to protect the ones you love. It was eerie, relatable, griping and took me on a rollercoaster of feelings.

My only gripe (boo) was the ending. While it made sense and embodied the story, I was kind of left thinking, “that’s it!?” I thought there would be a tad more. What more exactly? That, I don’t know.

Content warnings: suicide, mental illness, death, infidelity, murder

Big thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC! You can get your copy April 4.

TW: Suicide, Infidelity, Mental Health

Gabe and Pippa live in a dream home in a coastal town. But their perfect house sits close to tall cliffs that have become a popular spot for people to end their lives. Gabe comes to their rescue, talking them off the ledge. Until a woman shows up one day and Gabe is unable to save her, at least Pippa isn't entirely sure what she saw.

When it turns out that Gabe actually knows the woman.

I enjoyed this one. I love domestic thrillers, or any thriller involving couples, husbands, and wives. I love a well-crafted story that just sucks me right in. This one was told from the perspective of Pippa and the dead woman, both in the timelines of now and then. I thought that part was really interesting and added to the story as we watched it unfold.

I found the plotline engrossing and really wanted to know how it was all going to tie up in the end. I enjoyed the authors writing and how quick the chapters were, which is always appreciated. It was quick, it was entertaining.

But this was tough. Though I enjoyed the experience of the book for the most part, I really wanted to love it more. I found the ending to be kind of tragic, even if it did take me by surprise.

There was also just something about Pippa that I found frustrating, including not understanding why she chose to put up with some of the things that she did, for as long as she did.

Then there was the mental health representation that I just found kind of off-putting. I am unsure what it was, but there was just something about the undertone of it that just didn't work for me. I didn't think a positive representation was there. This is coming from a person that has a mental illness in their inner circle. Some might disagree with me and that's fine. I just did not like the way it was handled or used in the story.

Otherwise, I did enjoy it. It was a solid 3 star. I wish it was a 4, I really did. I thought the narrators in the audiobook did a fantastic job. I will be picking up more from this author.

I got a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, all opinions are my own.

This is an excellent book! It's the first I've read by Sally Hepworth but it will definitely not be the last. I loved the way she weaved the story together was so enthralling. I was kept guessing what was really going on from the beginning and every time I thought I had it figured out another layer would be uncovered and I'd be left reeling again. Listening to this on audio was fantastic. I loved the narrator! The dualing POV between Pippa and Amanda, and their two timelines, kept me on my toes. I absolutely loved this book!

This is really something special about the stories Sally Hepworth tells and, whatever that secret ingredient is that she uses, I’m addicted to it! The Soulmate was, truly, so freaking bonkers. The twists were aplenty and very fun; I did catch on to one of the twists pretty quickly but the rest had me shook! I also really liked the character development within this story. Pippa was a very solid MC (I kind of thought of her as our MAIN main character) and her relationship with Gabe, her girls, and her family were very nice to read about despite the heavier themes. I didn’t enjoy Amanda’s POVs (yes, plural because there where multiple timelines going, which was a little exhausting 🙃) as much but I think that’s mostly because her story and the pieces to the puzzle she held weren’t necessarily the focus.

As I mentioned, there are some heavier themes to this story (i.e. talk of suicide, mental disorders, infidelity, etc.) so please check those before reading. I will say, though, that I think Sally did a good job at truthfully representing what it’s like to be in a relationship with someone who has an untreated mental disorder (I don’t want to dive too deep into that as I don’t want to spoil but trust me - she did good!)

I'm definitely the outlier compared to the other reviews I've read, but I thought The Soulmate one was just okay. Unfortunately, this was another thriller where something interesting happened at the very beginning, nothing happened at all for the middle 75%, and then the ending was just okay. The big reveal wasn't all that shocking. I switched to other books multiple times while listening to this one because it wasn't quite holding my interest.

I didn't like Pippa at all or agree with any of her choices. Most notably, moving her toddlers next to a dangerous, jumpable cliff. If so many people have died here--enough to write a newspaper article about Gabe saving so many people--why wouldn't the town put up netting or a fence to prevent jumpers? The way it was described in the audiobook made it sound like the cliff was just out their back door. Who would want to have to hold onto their toddlers every time they go outside?

The long gap in the action left me with a lot of time to fixate on these little things.

All the other reviews showing up on my Goodreads are glowing, though, so there's a good chance you'll like it!

Audio Review: I did love the audio production and the narrator's Australian accent. This was one of those books where the audio was 100% responsible for my enjoyment of the book, and I likely would have DNF'd if I was reading a physical copy.

This was only my second audiobook and I made it 41% through but unfortunately am not finishing it because this book is just not working in this format for me. With the way it’s set up in the NetGalley shelf, I cannot find my place and with the narrative structure it’s been impossible to find looking for it. Of what I did read, I unfortunately was not blown away and didn’t feel that this thriller was doing anything exciting or new. I still really appreciate the chance to read this one and have seen other good reviews on goodreads, this one just wasn’t for me.

While I liked the beginning of this book, I had trouble following all of the twists and turns at the end. I didn't love this audiobook but will still give Sally Hepworth another try when she writes her next book.

Hepworth's books always keep one at the edge of his/her seat, and this one is no different. Centering around a suicide and exploring the themes of fidelity, trust, and loyalty, this novel follows two marriages told through the eyes of the wives.

While Pippa could be a little annoying at times, Hepworth does a great job weaving together the past and present with lots of great suspense and plot twists.

Though not my favorite Hepworth, it was definitely a fun and easy read.

Thank you Netgalley for the advance audiobook and reader copy of The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth in exchange for an honest review. I'm not sure why I've become so addicted to mystery and thrillers lately, but this was a good addition to the collection. It also gave some good information about mental health. I enjoyed this book and loved the ending.

The Soulmate
Sally Hepworth
Gabe and Pippa Gerard appeared to have the perfect life. They have been married seven years and have two daughters. When they moved to a small coastal town close to Melbourne. Her family followed them to the town. Gabe is a stay-at-home father and Pippa is an estate lawyer. They found their dream home perched on a tall cliff. The cliff in front of their house is a popular suicide spot; individuals find their way to the cliff with thoughts of ending their lives. Gabe has become well known for talking to jumpers and convincing them life is worth living. One evening a woman arrived at the cliff. Gabe was talking to her then she was gone, Pippa looked out the window just in time to see Gabe’s hands held palm up stretched out in front of him; it seemed unusual. Then came the doubts. The death was ruled suicide, but something just didn’t seem right. Then Pippa discoverers both she and Gabe knew the woman (Amanda) and this could destroy their idyllic life. Gabe used to work for Amanda’s husband, Max. doesn’t believe she would ever commit suicide.
A couple of things jumped out at me as I listened to this audiobook. What family in their right mind would purchase a house sitting on a cliff when they have two young children. Gabe had a need to take care of people.
The story is told from two points of view: Pippa and Amamda the woman on the cliff, now dead. We discover Pippa’s marriage is not as perfect as we first thought. Slowly details are exposed. It is not until the end that we the readers discover the truth behind both marriages. All marriages have challenges, but Gabe and Pippa’s challenges are numerous. They believe they kept them well hidden. This tale is character driven. Kudos to Sally Hepworth for a superb tale.

Sally is a master. This book was fabulous but won’t be for everyone. I was listening to this book on the fastest speed I could handle because I was on the edge of my seat.

This is my first time reading a novel by Sally Hepworth, but it is obvious to see why she is so popular. The short chapters, many of which ending with a plot twist, kept me engaged throughout the book and I ended up finishing it in one sitting.

Ultimately, this was a 3.5 read for me and I’ve rounded up on account of Hepworth’s writing style.

The Soulmate tells the story of two marriages told through two wives, Pippa and Amanda. Centered around one suicide, the novel explores themes of fidelity, trust, and loyalty.

While I loved the premise and found the story fairly unique, I found myself frequently frustrated with Pippa (the primary POV). For a character who is seemingly rational, she is pretty clueless. At times her decisions made zero sense to me & with out going into spoilers I didn’t understand how she was so oblivious to things around her.

I’d recommend The Soulmate to lovers of domestic suspense or anyone looking for a quick read that will keep them on the edge of their seats.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for my Advanced Reader Copy of The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth. Publication date: April 4, 2023.

This was the fifth Sally Hepworth book I’ve read/listened to. She is officially a must read author for me. Her characters are so compelling to me because of their flaws. I really like the peek into (dysfunctional) love between two characters of grandparent age. I was very proud of the main character for the choices she made at the end.

Release date April 4th in the US. Special thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced audio copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

I’ve read and will continue to read all of Sally Hempworth’s books. While this wasn’t my favorite of the bunch, that still goes to The Good Sister and Mother in Law, it was easy to binge, clearly written and full of family drama, secrets and lies. I loved the dual narratives, past and present timelines and short chapters, which tactically built suspense and left bread crumbs that kept me guessing and questioning my predictions. I will say that I found the ending a bit anticlimactic, and I wasn’t as shocked by it all as other reviewers. Still, I was never bored! The audio was great and really enhanced my reading experience.

Read if you like:
-Domestic suspense
-Short chapters
-Ghost figures
-Coastal Australia setting
-Couple keeping secrets trope

The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth is an intriguing book. I loved that we heard from Amanda - I found this to be a new take on this type of book (to me at least), which I thoroughly enjoyed. I did find that I was a tad bored in the middle of the story and not really shocked by the revelation at the end, which is why I rate it 3.5 stars. I rounded it up to 4 because I liked the ending.

Barrie Kreinik and Jessica Douglas-Henry are both great narrators. They have range in their voices for the various characters that are distinct.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for providing me with an ALC.

A longtime favorite author of mine, Hepworth delivers another intriguing novel, this one more a family drama than a thriller. Gabe and Pippa live in a cottage overlooking the ocean, just next to "The Drop," a spot that's earned its nickname due to its unfortunate popularity with suicidal jumpers. Gabe has developed a knack for talking many off the ledge, but one day his efforts fail. Pippa, who looked up from their window just as it happened, can't fight the sinking feeling that there's more to the suicide than meets the eye, and that Gabe is involved in her death. Told through alternating chapters from Pippa's point of view and that of the now-dead woman, we begin to peel back the family's secrets and dark shadows.

I found it entertaining throughout, and having a dead person provide an after-life commentary lent a fresher approach than most thrillers. While I wasn't surprised to find it well written, as with all of Hepworth's books, I did find I would have benefited from having a few areas fleshed out to better understand the characters and and to connect to the secrets they had hidden. There's one pivotal moment that shaped the bulk of the characters' motivations, and for being such a central moment, I'm not entirely sure I fully understand how it came to pass.

This one gets four stars from me for being compulsively readable and engaging, just one star removed from a perfect rating for a slight lack of emotional attachment or high tension. Heads up to some that mental illness and suicide are central topics and could be triggering to many, but there are no surprises in this book as it's clear from the novel's book blurb. For thriller and mystery lovers who enjoy a quick read, go ahead and put this one on your TBR.

According to Sally Hepworth, the Soulmate is “A murderous love story.”

Told in four different timelines, Then/Before and After/Now, Pippa and Amanda describe their relationships with their husbands. Both claim to have married their soulmate, but only one woman succeeded. Is it Pippa or Amanda?

When a woman falls to her death from the cliffs outside of Pippa and Gabe’s new home, It is deemed a suicide. However, Gabe knows more than he lets on about this woman’s last minutes alive. Known as the “suicide whisperer,” Gabe has a talent for talking jumpers off of the ledge. He’s been successful until now, so why couldn’t he save her?

Secrets, danger, and betrayal haunt Pippa and Amanda’s marriages. When the cracks surface, their lives will begin to unravel.

Like all of Hepworth’s previous domestic thrillers, The Soulmate is fast-paced and compulsively readable from beginning to end. I listened to the audiobook while simultaneously reading the the book. Both formats are enjoyable, but I especially enjoyed the audio version, which was narrated by Barrie Kreinik and a Jessica Douglas-Henry. I flew through this book at lightning speed!

While I overall really enjoyed this book (it’s written by Sally Hepworth, so of course it’s enjoyable), a few plot points had me scratching my head at the end.

- The psychiatrist’s misdiagnosis seemed obvious.
- The characters’ dumb choices: Buying a house on a cliff known to be popular for suicides when you have two young daughters and a strange instance of infidelity
- The lack of policing is astounding.
- The twist at the end was a bit underwhelming.

Regardless, none of these issues was a dealbreaker and did not prevent me from enjoying this book. Popcorn thriller junkies will devour this one!

Trigger warnings: Suicide, mental illness

4/5 stars

Expected publication date: 4/4/23

Thank you to NetGalley, Edelweiss, St. Martin’s Press, and MacMillan Audio for the ARCs of The Soulmate in exchange for an honest review.

Pippa has spent most of her adult life making excuses for and forgiving Gabe, her soulmate. But now she sees him do the one thing she doesn’t know if she can forgive, but can she be sure of what she saw?

This story told from dual POVs by Pippa and the wife of Gabe’s boss is thoroughly intriguing and suspenseful, with a great twist at the end. Wonderful narration by Barrie Kreinik and Jessica Douglas-Henry.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC.

Pippa and Gabe live in a cliffside cottage that seemed idyllic when they bought it. Since then, they've found it to be a spot where despondent people want to end it all. Gabe has managed to dissuade several people from jumping until one evening when it seems nothing he can do or say is enough and a woman falls to her death. This story! It was a one day read because I couldn't put it down. It's told from the perspectives of Gabe's wife Pippa and that of Amanda, the woman who fell. The short chapters made the pages fly. Sally Hepworth inserted twists at a good pace that kept me guessing on the whys and whats. An intriguing story that didn't lag - even once. I loved that.
Barrie Kreinik's narration was wonderful. The story flowed as she gave voice to each character (even the children, which is not often my experience). Her performance enhanced the novel.
Thanks to Macmillan audio for allowing me to listen early!

I love it when I’m wrong. Judging by the summary of the book I did not think I was going to like this book. Not only did I like it, I loved it!

Gabe and Pippa bought a coastal home with a cliff that has become a popular spot for people to end their lives. Gabe has always been able to talk them down and save their lives. That is until Amanda shows up and Pippa thinks Gabe may have pushed her.

In every chapter you were learning so much about Gabe, Pippa, and everyone around them. What you learned varied from mundane information to shocking twists. You have a few different narratives and timelines that you are learning from. One is from Amanda’s point of view, after she fell which was very interesting.

I had more and more questions as this book went on and I was intrigued at every step. I could not believe how sucked into this world I got. I can not recommend this one enough.