Quick read, enjoyable but nothing really memorable. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book

I enjoyed this book. Lots of twists to keep me guessing, and then all the ends neatly tied up at the end.
Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC in return for an honest review

This book was okay, not my favorite and first from this author. It was an ARC from NetGalley and I almost did not finish it. The ending was good and suspenseful but it took a while to get there...

I struggled with this book, which is more to do with the classification than anything else. This is not a psychological thriller, it is more of a domestic thriller (although thriller is a generous word). It was touching at times, sad at times and at other times very frustrating. It almost seemed like all of the characters had some type of main charatcer energy victimisation thing.

That isn't too say that I didn't like the book, I just struggled with some aspects of it.

The instant love joined by DV was just not for me. It was not well written in my opinion and the plot felt unrealistic.

This is a gripping thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish
The plot is filled with unexpected twists and turns, making it impossible to predict what will happen next.
The writing is both engaging and suspenseful, with well-developed characters that add depth to the narrative.
The pacing of the novel is perfect, with just the right amount of tension to keep readers hooked without feeling overwhelmed.
The setting is vividly described, creating an immersive atmosphere that enhances the overall reading experience.
Highly recommended!

I really enjoyed this book. It was a bit far fetched at times but isn't that what fiction is all about!? Definitely a fun, quick read with great characters.

I was fortunate to receive a copy of this ARC from Rachel's Random Resources.

Holly meets Mark while he is playing a piano in the street and she is trying to escape her abusive partner. Mark seems like the perfect gentleman who just wants to help Holly. Frankly, I thought Mark was a right drip at the start! His behaviour was very odd and there were definite red flags to me, but as we get to know the characters more, we find out the dark side to both of them and where this might lead.

My favourite quote:
"Sometimes life just hurled a whole stream of lemons and there was absolutely no lemonade you could make."

Reaching my first reading goal milestone with The Soulmate by Rona Halsall felt fitting—this psychological thriller delivers a chilling and engrossing read that lingers in your mind long after the final page. If you’re a fan of UK thrillers with a slow to medium pace, this one is worth adding to your TBR list.

At the heart of the novel is Holly, a woman desperate to escape her toxic relationship with Finn. When she encounters Mark—a mysterious yet charming pianist—their connection is instantaneous. It’s as if fate has brought them together. Mark is everything Holly has ever dreamed of: kind, understanding, and seemingly perfect. But as the layers of their relationship begin to peel away, Holly realizes that she may have just swapped one nightmare for another. Mark is hiding dark secrets, and as the truth unravels, she finds herself ensnared in something far more sinister than she could have imagined.

One of the most compelling aspects of The Soulmate is how Halsall captures the psychology of toxic relationships. Holly’s yearning for love and security makes her an easy target, and her gradual realization that she’s fallen into yet another trap is both heartbreaking and terrifying. Mark’s character is equally fascinating—charming on the surface but harboring a darkness that slowly seeps into the narrative. The subplot of elder abuse adds another disturbing layer, raising the stakes as Holly pieces together the horrifying truth.

The ending delivers a satisfying yet haunting resolution, reinforcing the idea that sometimes, the greatest threats come in the most alluring disguises. If you’re looking for a thriller that makes you question the nature of love and trust, The Soulmate is a gripping, unsettling read that will leave you wary of love-at-first-sight stories forever.

The Soulmate is a quick thriller. The premise was engaging but the story didn’t quite deliver for me.

Not wanting to give spoilers so I will say that Holly and Mark meet while he is playing the piano and singing. This sets off a series of unfortunate events.

There is not a lot of tension since you know relatively early that there are issues. It is more about watching how this will unfold. Parts of the book were slow but once it got moving it moved very quickly.

Overall, this is a quick read. If you enjoy thrillers this is one you are likely to enjoy.

The Soulmate by Rona Halsall is a gripping psychological thriller that delves into the fine line between love and obsession. Holly, a woman who’s always believed in love at first sight, finds herself drawn to a handsome stranger named Mark after hearing her favorite song. The instant connection they share feels electric, as though they were meant to be together.

However, as the story unfolds, the tension builds and reveals unsettling truths. Holly and Mark may have felt like soulmates, but their connection is clouded by dark secrets. Both have hidden pasts, and as the narrative unravels, it becomes clear that one of them may be willing to go to deadly lengths to keep those secrets buried.

Halsall expertly weaves a tale of suspense and intrigue, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as the lines between love, obsession, and danger blur. With twists and turns that keep you guessing until the very end, The Soulmate is a perfect pick for fans of intense, mind-bending thrillers like You and Sweetpea. It's an unsettling exploration of relationships and the darkness that can lurk behind the most seemingly perfect connections.

I'm reviewing this via NetGalley, as part of a tour with Rachel's Random Resources.

This is a psychological thriller. Please be aware that the storyline contains themes of domestic abuse, which may be upsetting for some readers.

At the start, I felt a connection with the protagonist, Holly. I identified with her love of music and singing. I felt a connection with Mark too; he seemed like the kind of person that I myself might feel drawn to. Some of the initial interactions between these characters gave me goosebumps, and I think that was because they felt real to me.

I became invested in both of these characters, and after a while, it was hard to put this book down. I found that the more I carried on reading, the more this book played with my head. It was a tense nail-biter, and after reading it, I have a feeling that the characters will stay with me for a while.

Thank you to NetGalley, Rachel's Random Resources, Boldwood Books, and to the author, for the opportunity to read and review this.

The Sixth book I've read from Halsall, The Soulmate is a timely reminder that not everyone is always as they seem, at least not till they've got their feet well and truly under the table.

It kept me on my toes, I can tell you that much! The tension and stresses were real, and the inconsistencies of the narrators had me questioning everything and everyone.

Moderately paced with a brilliant, solid plot and unpredictable characters, The Soulmate is dark, decisively good and comes with not one, but two unexpected jaw dropper!

Definitely worth the read!

Rona Halsall's books always managed to have me completely hooked, this one was no different as I found myself drawn into the danger and suspense right away.

The Soulmate by Rona Halsall
Do you believe in love at first sight? Despite everything that has happened in her life, Holly does. Sometimes, the thought that her Soulmate is out there is the only thing that keeps her going.
One day, she hears her favourite song being played at a train station. Drawn to the sound, she approaches the source as if by a magnetic force. Sitting at a piano, a young man smiles at her; when she asks if she can join him, they sing together, and she sees his face light up.
Later, she discovers his name is Mark. They both experience the feeling of being struck by a thunderbolt. Although it seems as if they have known each other for a lifetime, the truth is that they are still strangers.
Another gripping thriller with a breathtaking plot comes from the pen of the bestselling author of books such as The Bigamist, The Wife Next Door and One Mistake.
The Soulmate begins slowly as we get to know Holly, her relationship with her gamekeeper boyfriend Finn, and their life together. However, Holly's instant attraction for Mark introduces a fascinating dynamic to the storyline.
Lies, deceit, and coercive behaviour intertwine throughout this tense and atmospheric thriller. The deeper you delve into this chilling tale, the darker it becomes, leading to an intense finale.
The Soulmate has everything you would expect from a Rona Halsall novel; it's a terrific read, and I highly recommend it.
I want to thank publishers Boldwood Books, author Rona Halsall and Rachel's Random Resources for providing a copy to read and review.

This was a fantastic read that kept me hooked the entire book . I love Rona’s ability to weave together a clever story .

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing a free ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

"The Soulmate" by Rona Halsall is a psychological thriller that explores themes of obsession, love, deceit, and murder. The story follows Holly, who believes in love at first sight despite her troubled past. When she encounters Mark, a pianist playing her favourite song, they both feel an instant, profound connection. However, as their relationship develops, it becomes evident that both are harbouring dark secrets, leading to a suspenseful narrative.

While the novel is filled with numerous twists and turns, I found that some plot developments stretched believability and were challenging to follow. The rapid succession of events occasionally made it difficult to fully engage with the characters' motivations and the story's progression.

Despite these issues, Halsall's writing is engaging, and the premise is intriguing. Readers who enjoy fast-paced thrillers with complex relationships may find "The Soulmate" appealing. However, for me, the execution didn't fully deliver on its promising concept.

The Soulmate by best selling author Rona Halsall takes the reader to the most unexpected thrilling journey from Scotland to the beautiful Wales. Approaching very sensitive topics such as violence against women, parental abuse and mental health, it is playing so many tricky games with us, the readers, that at the end of the book you are left completely confused.

The story unfolds as a game of masks that are switching from one stage of the story to another. The naive musicians that selflessly followed Holly trying to save her from an violent and controlling boyfriend was in fact a cute psychopats whose only real true friend was a parrot. Holly may be a victim, but her ambiguity may be confusing and her flaws irritating. Mark´s mother was indeed abusive, but does it excuse his game of playing God with her?

The Soulmate not only tells a story with spectacular twists and unexpected changes of situations, but also compells us to answer fundamental questions about life and the train of things - or rather their distorsion. Big questions rarely receive THE answer, but stories may challenge our minds to keep thinking about fundamental life&death choices.

Not my favourite book by the author, whose books I usually find unputdownable, I laboured a bit over this one.
I didn't like any of the characters, not one redeeming feature between them, so in a way I didn't really care what happened to them and I found the plot a bit too unbelievable.
That said its a solid read if you like lots of twists and turns because there are certainly many of them here.

I found this book to be fast paced and entertaining. The characters were completely unlikeable and I didn't think this was super original but overall it was an engaging read that will have you guessing who is good and who is bad right until the end.