I'm struggling when it comes to reviewing "The Soulmate" by Sally Hepworth. On one hand, it's an interesting exploration of living with a partner with obvious mental health struggles and the unraveling of what happened that one day on the cliff truly kept me on my toes. On the other, the amount of "surprising" connotations of the characters was just too far fetched, and hence the ending felt rushed and unsatisfying.

I almost felt like "The Soulmate" without the ghostly narrative and left only as the portrait of family life of Pippa and Gabe would be enough for a good psychological novel, that was somehow made worse by all the add-ons and telenovela-like revelations closer to the end.

The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth.
Before the woman went over the cliff, Pippa and Gabe were happy. They have the kind of marriage that everyone envies, as well as two sweet young daughters, a supportive family, and a picturesque cliff-side home - which would have been idyllic had the tall beachside cliffs not become so popular among those wishing to end their lives. Gabe has become somewhat of a local hero since they moved to the cliff house, talking seven people down from stepping off the edge. But when Gabe fails to save the eighth, Amanda, a sordid web of secrets begins to unravel, pushing bonds of loyalty and love to the brink. What wouldn't you do for your soulmate?
I really enjoyed this book. Twisty and gripping. 5*.

4.5 stars

You can always count on Sally Hepworth for an absorbing suburban thriller, and this latest offering did not disappoint. The Soulmate is a meaty, page-turner of a read; dark and skillfully plotted, I raced through it in just a couple of sittings.

Gabe, Pippa and their two little girls are the epitome of a happy family, living the dream in a beautiful cliff-top house on the Australian coast. Lawyer Pippa brings in the money, while handsome, affable Gabe is a stay-at-home dad. He’s also something of a local hero, having talked down a number of would-be jumpers from the notorious suicide drop opposite their home.

But all is not as hunky dory as it seems, and things start unraveling fast when a woman plunges to her death in front of Gabe, opening up a whole can of nasty worms.

If there’s one thing Hepworth knows, it’s how to hold onto her reader. And here, she gathers all her nous, using dual timelines and POVs combined with short, snappy chapters to keep you turning those pages. I thought the voice of the victim, Amanda, both in the past and in limbo after her death, worked especially well.

The plot unravels apace, uncovering a web of secrets, lies and betrayals that gets more and more twisty and shocking with every chapter. It explores themes of fidelity, loyalty and trust, as well as the destructive impact of mental health on even the closest of relationships.

All the characters are flawed in some way, and this gave me mixed feelings about them. One minute I’d be feeling sorry for them, the next frustrated, then angry. I rather liked this, as it meant I wasn’t always rooting for the same person.

I couldn’t predict how it was all going to pan out but thoroughly approved of the way it did. I’ve read all of Hepworth’s books now, and while The Good Sister still tops my list, this one comes pretty close.

With a collection of interesting, although not necessarily likeable characters, I was gripped from the first pages. Each of the supporting characters had just enough airtime to add more intrigue to the book.
Two absolutely not perfect marriages, but both still with a weird sense of devotion. This book was absolutely filled with twists that I wasn't expecting, adding further suspense and mystery - the daughters, the deals, the infidelity.
The short, sharp chapters made this an easy read, and I was determined to find out what had really happened.
I was kept guessing until the very end and completely wasn't expecting that ending, but it all tied together so perfectly. Overall a fantastically suspenseful thriller about how far we're willing to go for the ones we love.

𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Thriller
𝐏𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬: 336

Pub-date: 6 Apr. 2023

Thank you @netgalley and HodderBooks / @HodderPublicity for this e-Arc in exchange for an honest review!

This was my first Sally Hepworth and I just knew that I’d love it.

Short and snappy chapters that made for a quick read kept me glued to the pages right until the end.

Hepworth introduces us to what seems to be the perfect couple. Pippa and Gabriel are soulmates, or so it seems. Gabriel is not only handsome and something of a genius at his previous job, no ... he is also the perfect stay-at-home dad for their two little girls and the most attentive of husbands.

And as we all know, that kind of man far doesn't even exist, right? 🤔

So as alarm bells started to go off in my head I was pulled deeper and deeper into the story. You could almost hear the wheels turning in my brain as various hypotheses about what was happening formed in my mind.

As layer after layer of their lives is peeled away, we gradually see the bigger picture and I just loved how everything came together in the end.

There were some nice twists I just didn’t see coming. I particularly loved the outside voice of Amanda who narrates her side of the story after her death. Great touch!

Now I can’t wait to pick up The Good Sister by this author!

Rating – 4.5 stars rounded off to 5

An all-consuming and compulsively readable thriller!

Synopsis -

Gabe and Pippa are living their dream life in a cottage near the cliff. It is a popular suicide spot and Gabe is their savior, a last life-line before jumping to death. But now, Gabe has failed in saving a woman who leapt right in front of his eyes. Did Gabe purposely refrain from saving her? Did he push her?

Review -

Well, what a brilliant book to get introduced to this author! I was instantly hooked to Pippa’s narrative, that switched between the “now” and the “before” timelines. The other POV of Amanda totally surprised me! In my view, Hepworth’s handling of this, both in the “before and “after”, in this case was simply masterful. This is what sets this thriller apart, giving it a unique edge.

Gabe and Pippa’s married life is unlike any other. At the surface, everything looks perfect – their love for each other, trust, bonding and understanding. Gabe is handsome, charming and a doting father to his girls, dutifully staying at home to care for them, while Pippa earns a living.

But as the past unravels, the extent of digression from normalcy in this marriage was chillingly shocking. I was amazed at the level of tolerance, forgiveness and acceptance that played out in their relationship.

While Amanda’s narrative felt like a separate entity initially, the plot gradually interweaves her life with that of Gabe and Pippa’s resulting in a twisty, incomprehensible web of past secrets, lies and betrayal.

The chapters are crisp and short – literally ending in a “cliff”hanger at the end of each, ensuring the pages are turned addictively. Gabe was surely too good to be true and it is his character that Hepworth explores in depth – for it is his actions that are questionable, when the woman fell.

Full of jaw-dropper reveals at every turn, there was just no room left to speculate and I just went with the ride!

The finale, as nerve-wracking as it was, also turned out to be bittersweet. Nevertheless, I appreciated Pippa for her stance and her decisions about the future.

A must read for thriller addicts! I am now all set for Hepworth's backlist🎉.

I have read a few of Sally Hepworths books and so I couldn’t wait to start The Soulmate.
I loved this book and I could not put it down. It was fast paced and I was gripped right until the end.
I really liked the characters and really felt for Pippa and Ananda right through the book. I enjoyed the way it was written from both of their perspectives and focused on their two marriages and also shone a light on mental illness
I thought the twist at the end was brilliant And would definitely recommend this book. A solid 5 star rating.
Thanks to Netgalley, Hodder and Stoughton and Sally Hepworth for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

“So, this is it. I’m dead”

Pipe and Gabe live in a house on a cliff by a local suicide jump pointing where Gabe has managed to stop seven people. When he fails to save an eighth person, secrets unravel and their relationship is put to a test.

Thank you net galley and Hodder & Stoughton for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

I was approved to read this yesterday afternoon and I almost jumped out of my chair as I have been dying to read this! I stayed up late last night and absolutely devoured it (which was no hardship in this case) so I could post my review today before it is released tomorrow!

Everyone - please please please believe the hype around this book as it really is amazing and it’s unlike anything I’ve read before.

Another fantastic read from Sally Hepworth! Pip and Gabe have the perfect marriage, happy, two young kids, big house on the coast. But when a woman falls from the cliff outside of their home, things start to unravel… What wouldn’t you do for your soulmate?

I love how Hepworth’s books take you on a rollercoaster and just when you think you know what’s happening, the rug is pulled from under you! The complexity of the characters pulls me in every time and The Soulmate is no exception. It’s clear from the start that Pip and Gabe don’t actually have a perfect marriage at all, but I didn’t expect the twists and turns at all!

The book is told through two narratives, both with dual timelines of ‘before’ the woman falls from the cliff and ‘after’. I love stories told like that, with each chapter keeping you on a cliffhanger (pun may or may not be intended!). Already looking forward to the next Hepworth book!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review.

Secrets, lies, dysfunctional relationships and twists you will never predict! A brilliant, fast paced domestic thriller told seamlessly from two different points of view and across two different timelines.
Mental health issues feature strongly throughout and are well presented by the author.
The book had me gripped from start to finish. A very enjoyable read.
I am grateful to Netgalley and the publishers for an ARC of this book and am leaving my review voluntarily.

The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth
I give this book 4.5 stars

Gabe has become somewhat of a local hero since they moved to the cliff house, talking seven people down from stepping off the edge. But when Gabe fails to save the eighth, Amanda, a sordid web of secrets begins to unravel, pushing bonds of loyalty and love to the brink.

Written with a seamless now and then plotline between two narratives Pippa and Amanda,I couldn’t put this book down! An addictive read with plenty of twists and turns that unfurl gradually and add to the intensity.The book covers mental health,relationships, motivations and secrets.Expect the unexpected and enjoy the suspense.
With thanks to Netgalley,Sally Hepworth and Hodder and Stoughton for my chance to read and review this book.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a good domestic thriller centred around seemingly unconnected two couples, Pippa and Gabe and Amanda and Max. There are plenty of twists in this quick paced thriller as we find out how the couples are connected to each other. There isn't much of a mystery per se - it's more of a why did events happen rather than a whodunnit. It did read like a bit of a soap opera at times though.

The story is told from the point of view of the two wives Pippa and Amanda and both couples' stories are told in the present and past with Pippa's chapters either titled now and then and Amanda's being titled before or after events from the start of the book.. This is fine until the events of the past get closer to the present and it gets a bit confusing. I liked Pippa and Amanda as characters, they were well written and realistic

I enjoyed this and would recommend if you are a fan of this genre.

So I seem to be in minority with my opinion on this book. It was a bit slow for me and there was a few instances in the book where I just thought no that's too unrealistic it doesn't make sense. I haven't read any of this authors previous books before and I would definitely still read them as some of the reviews on here suggest that her others are very very good.

When Pippa and Gabe bought their cliff top house, they did not realise that it was right next to a notorious suicide spot. But Gabe seems to have an affinity with the people who come to thr cliff top and has talked down several people in their hour of need. But when a person he knows turns up, will he be able to do the same for them?

This was a slow-burning, twisty family drama with many layers to uncover in this complicated relationship between the main characters.

Another excellent read from Sally Hepworth. This will hook you in and keep you reading and guessing way beyond your bedtime. Relatable characters, gripping storylines and scenery set perfectly, you feel as though your are living alongside them and experiencing everything at the same time.
Highly recommend.
Thank you for letting me read this book.

A family drama full of lies, secrets and dysfunctional marriages

'Gabe is alone at the cliff's edge. His arms are outstretched, palms facing the empty air.'

When Gabe, a local hero (known for preventing people from jumping to their death) fails to stop a woman jumping off the cliff, things take a turn, leading his wife to question everything

I loved The Good Sister and enjoyed Uncharted Waters but for me, this one fell flat (no pun intended!). The first half was pretty good, with short chapters, and I was fairly engaged, trying to figure out what really happened on the cliff and why. It was a great premise! But the second half dragged, felt repetitive and went off in too many directions! This was definitely not a thriller, but more of a domestic drama.

Soulmates is an apt title, as the book explored the ups and downs of marriage, looking at fidelity and trust. I did like the now and then format of the chapters, and I definitely liked one of the couples more than the other.

Unfortunately, I didn't like the main narrator, Pippa. She was a bland doormat, and it felt like her deluded loyalty to her husband was because he was so gorgeous and out of her league, as she liked to keep reminding us. Oh and that the sex was so good... She just accepted it when she was betrayed. As for Gabe...

I really did not like how mental health was handled in this book. Misdiagnosis, when it was obvious from a mile away what was going on. Here again, like in so many books, someone suffering from a mental illness is portrayed as dangerous and unstable, when actually they're the ones who are more likely to be a victim of crime. Didn't like it at all. It made me feel... uncomfortable 😣

The twist was meh. I just didn't buy it! A person who has devoted their whole life to something, they just wouldn't do it I don't think.
I also have questions..

1) Why on earth would you live in a house at a well known suicide spot when you have two young children?! I'm sorry but just telling your kids to stay away from the edge?! WTH?!
2) Why the hell isn't there a fence and CCTV if it's a well known suicide spot?
3) How come there just happens to be a coincidentally found object, discovered at just the right time, and it still worked?!
4) Why did one of the characters not confront and talk to their partner about what they found out? Because, based on the story, they had a great relationship with amazing communication..

Ever since I read "The Good Sister", I've been in love with Sally Hepworth's writing and books.

She delivers amazing and unique domestic thrillers. And "The Soulmate" is no different. This explores marriage and the secrets within them.

She manages to explore a lot of sensitive themes including trust, mental illness and the hilarious and crazy world of parenting. If you're a fan of domestic mysteries/thrillers, I'd definitely recommend this very readable book,

Thanks to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the e-copy!

BOOK REVIEW📖
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

#TheSoulmate by #SallyHepworth

⏩for synopsis

Well this one was a nice surprise… what a great read!

This is a thriller with no let up - I was completely absorbed in the worlds of Pippa and Gabe and Amanda and Max; told between Pippa and Amanda, we explore the past and present of both couples and what has brought them together time and time again.

I really loved Amanda’s position in this book (no spoilers), not only was it a fresh way to play things out but also allowed access to different perspectives plus extra information without all the faff of explaining how she got it. Part family drama, part murder mystery this was a well balanced enjoyable read.

This is my first SH book but after this I don’t intend for it to be my last…

With thanks to the author, @netgalley and @hodderstoughton for allowing us to read this one early.

RELEASING: April 6th

-EMILY
@the_book_girls_1

I love Sally Hepworth's thrillers and this one has been getting a lot of love already ahead of its April release. 'The Soulmate' is about Pippa and Gabe who move into their dream home to start over. The only catch - this house is on the edge of a cliff at what is apparently a popular spot for people to take their own lives. Gabe has so far managed to miraculously talk lots of people back from the edge, but not this night. The woman hurtles to her death and it turns out Gabe knew her. Was this really suicide or something more sinister?

The twists and turns of this novel are up there with Hepworth's best with plenty of surprises along the way. I usually work very hard to unpick twists before the big reveals but most revelations here were far from obvious (some bordering on the absurd but you just need to go with it). Underneath this apparently picture perfect family unit, we find something slightly rotten at the core of Pippa and Gabe's relationship. I also love the structure here - we see the point of view of Pippa (some before the fateful night flashbacks and some after the fact) and the dead woman Amanda. The way she pontificates from beyond the grave is really intriguing and allows us to see into the life of her grieving husband who is convinced she would never take her own life.

Up there with Hepworth's best novels! 4.5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher who provided an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Pippa and Gabe bought their dream house near a beachside cliff before discovering the home is next to ‘the drop’, an infamous cliff for people wishing to end their lives. This is a story about marriage, betrayal and the secrets that push us to the edge!

This book is dark, full of twists and turns right to the end. I don’t think anyone could have guessed that final twist! For me, I wasn’t rooting for any of the characters, the two main characters both annoyed me. However, it was still an easy read that kept you guessing.

I LOVE Sally Hepworth, I’ve now read most of her books and ‘the good sister’ will remain one of my forever favourites. The soulmate is a good read and I would recommend it but it isn’t as good as her other books. If you are looking for an easy read with some twists then this is a good shout!

I was lucky enough to receive an early copy, this book is out 6 April!