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eleanorvearing's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Mental illness, Murder, Addiction, Gun violence, Suicide, Infidelity, Violence, Cursing, Alcohol, and Alcoholism
meeklovestoread's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I liked the book for what it was. However, I wouldn't necessarily categorized this book as a thriller and more like a mystery/cozy mystery. So if you're expecting this book to be super thrilling then lower your expectations because that's not what this book is. Once I realized that and got over that fact the book was pretty entertaining to me.
I'll have to admit the book was messy. There was alot of drama going on here. It was kinda crazy. The book didn't give me crazy feelings or anything. In fact, I didn't really feel anything after I finished and I don't think I'll ever think about it again, but it was still entertaining for what it was.
Amanda being ghost make no sense the entire book. I saw a comment that said that it seemed like she was nowhere but everywhere at the same time and I completely agree. I also I lowkey still feel like Gabe pushed Amanda off that cliff. I'm so happy Pippa FINALLY left him. I felt like he was a red flag from the jump and I really wish her family didn't cottle her feelings and just told her how they felt about him because she endured all his drama and for what. Also his intial diagnosis of ADHD didn't make sense to me because he literally had a psychosis early on and that's not a symptom of ADHD. Even I saw that!
I'll have to admit the book was messy. There was alot of drama going on here. It was kinda crazy. The book didn't give me crazy feelings or anything. In fact, I didn't really feel anything after I finished and I don't think I'll ever think about it again, but it was still entertaining for what it was.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Suicide
Moderate: Gaslighting, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Suicide, Suicide attempt, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Grief, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Cursing, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Classism, and Murder
aimee_aj's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
It was ok. I found Pippa’s character to be frustrating to say the least. Having said that I did appreciate Amanda’s perspective throughout the book. It’s difficult to say more specifically relating to that without giving spoilers.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Murder, Death, and Cursing
kimveach's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
An excellent thriller. It kept me engaged from beginning to end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Kidnapping, Medical content, Mental illness, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexual content, Grief, Medical trauma, Murder, Blood, Addiction, Cursing, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Violence, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Ableism, Suicide attempt, and Toxic relationship
kelly_e's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
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
🔖 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."
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
🔖 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."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Suicide attempt, Death, and Mental illness
Moderate: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Alcoholism, and Infidelity
Minor: Addiction, Cursing, Vomit, Pregnancy, and Death of parent
overdosedeelightfulreads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Cursing, Suicide, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
volsairine's review
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I really liked it!! I have a low "cringe" tolerance when it comes to thrillers because sometimes the authors seem to go out of their way to make their books edgy, but this one was incredible and there wasn't a single line that felt too dramatic for the scene. I'm full time student and still managed to finish it in two days. It kept me guessing until the very end and there were multiple times where I audibly said "holy shit". Highly recommend!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Infidelity
Minor: Cursing, Alcohol, and Sexual content
emgovan's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Infidelity, Cursing, Death, Blood, and Alcoholism
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