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mtnest's review
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Grief, Mental illness, Alcohol, Infidelity, and Suicide
Minor: Vomit, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, and Sexual content
kaylasbookgram's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Pippa finally feels like she’s found her happily ever after. The perfect husband (yeah they’ve had their ups and downs but what couple hasn’t) and the perfect home. The only downfall is their perfect home sits on a cliff where people have mad a spot for suicides. Every time Gabe is able to miraculously talk people off the cliff and back to safety until the night he doesn’t. Pippa is at a loss of what she may of saw. Did her husband push the woman or did she jump? Once she learns her husband knew the victim she begins to question his story even more.
This is a very addicting domestic suspense book! So many twists and turns that caught me off guard with each new secret coming to life. I loved having all the different POVs especially that of the victim gave the story an exciting perspective.
This is a very addicting domestic suspense book! So many twists and turns that caught me off guard with each new secret coming to life. I loved having all the different POVs especially that of the victim gave the story an exciting perspective.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcohol, Death, Infidelity, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Grief, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Murder
srivalli's review
mysterious
fast-paced
2.5
2.5 Stars
One Liner: Hmm... I finished it in two days
Gabe and Pippa live in a cottage on the cliff (with two 4yo girls!) near the famous Drop, where people come to jump off more than to enjoy the scenic beauty. Gabe has convinced seven such people to live until one night, the eighth person jumps (or falls or gets pushed).
Soon, Pipa finds out who the dead woman is. Gabe knew the woman (and so did she). But what happened that night? Did Pippa see Gabe trying to save the woman, or was he pushing her off the cliff? As the story unravels, we see the secrets and cracks in their married life.
The story comes in the first-person POV of Pippa and Amanda in ‘then’ and ‘now’ timelines.
My Thoughts:
I went into the book with minimum expectations (just to be on the safe side), and this helped me enjoy it a little more.
Characters-wise, it is hard to like Pippa or Gabe. In fact, Amanda and Max are better than the leading couple. I understand the core of the book is about dysfunctional families and red flags in marriage, but the lead couple is a danger to themselves and everyone around them.
The book also deals with mental health issues, past trauma, people from broken families, etc. While it does handle a few things well, the mental health bit goes for a toss. It doesn’t help that I wanted to shake sense into Pippa throughout the book.
At least, Amanda’s POV is better. I could see and understand her better than other characters. Never mind that after ‘after’ POV is super convenient to provide all the necessary information to the readers. It’s good to have ghosts that can move around and keep you updated.
Pippa is a lawyer, well she does wills and stuff, but a lawyer nevertheless. Seeing how she handled her personal life, I still wonder how and why she chose a career like that. Here is someone in a highly toxic codependent relationship who would rather let things become a mess than face the truth. Oh, did I mention she is an idiot (what kind of lawyer lies about something like that just to get even and not even worry about the consequences?)
Don’t even get me started about Gabe. I’m not sure if reading his POV would have helped. Maybe yes. Pippa sounds hysterical, and it wasn’t until I began to speed-read that I could enjoy the plot without feeling suffocated and annoyed.
The core of the plot is also weak. The more you think about it, the greater the plot holes. Unless, of course, you are willing to accept that the whole thing rests on people who make stupid decisions (more than once) and pay the price for it (actually, some don’t).
The little kids, Freya and Asha, add some much-needed relief to the story. I like reading about their antics and the things kids say and get away with. They did make the book better.
The climax is bland, almost anti-climatic, and cheesy in a way. It almost feels like the plot is adjusted to do whatever it takes to keep the lead couple in the focus. Given my utter dislike for them, I would have enjoyed it if things went the other way.
To summarize, The Soulmate is a book about marriage, loyalty, fidelity, mental illness, red flags, etc. It could have been better, though it is decent if you speed-read and don’t think too much about the whole thing.
Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley
***
P.S.: There’s a character called detective Tamil in the book. From what I know and confirmed with another Tamilian, Tamil is used as a first name but not as a last name. Aren’t detectives and officials usually known by their last names?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Infidelity
riannacat's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Pregnancy, Suicidal thoughts, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual content, Alcohol, Death, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide attempt, Drug use, Suicide, and Violence
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
boundbywords's review
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
First of all, we NEED to talk about this incredible cover. Forget everything I'm about to write below and buy this book for the aesthetic alone–wow 😍.
But yes, what I'm going to write is that I didn't love it, but damn if it wasn't an entertaining ride! It was the definition of fast-paced, page-turning, and 'I MUST know what happened'–all ingredients for those looking for a thriller that they can consume in a single sitting.
My qualms existed in character relationships and traits, all of which seemed to fit together like mismatched puzzle pieces. Their development felt extremely random and, at the most frustrating of times, very confusing. There was also a mental health aspect that I felt was mishandled, namely in terms of the role it played in a character's bad behavior and their eventual diagnosis.
But if it's plot-driven thrills and action you're looking for, I would definitely recommend THE SOULMATE.
But yes, what I'm going to write is that I didn't love it, but damn if it wasn't an entertaining ride! It was the definition of fast-paced, page-turning, and 'I MUST know what happened'–all ingredients for those looking for a thriller that they can consume in a single sitting.
My qualms existed in character relationships and traits, all of which seemed to fit together like mismatched puzzle pieces. Their development felt extremely random and, at the most frustrating of times, very confusing. There was also a mental health aspect that I felt was mishandled, namely in terms of the role it played in a character's bad behavior and their eventual diagnosis.
But if it's plot-driven thrills and action you're looking for, I would definitely recommend THE SOULMATE.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Toxic relationship, Mental illness, Gaslighting, and Infidelity
Minor: Violence
tspice24's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
3.5
I
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
milesofkiles's review against another edition
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Toxic relationship, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Infidelity
seetaylorwriteandreview's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Rating: 4.5
What happens when love pushes you to the edge? That’s exactly what Pippa and Gabe find out in “The Soulmate”. Nobody has the perfect marriage, regardless of how it seems on the outside. What secrets are Gabe and Pippa hiding? You’ll have to read and find out.
This thriller had me locked in from the time I got the ARC via audiobook and again whenever I got the hardback copy from my BOTM box. So many twists and turns that I never saw coming. My jaw dropped several times and I found myself holding my breath more than once. The last two chapters were the most surprising of them all.
I highly recommend this book, especially if you like thrillers and sitting on the edge of your seat.
What happens when love pushes you to the edge? That’s exactly what Pippa and Gabe find out in “The Soulmate”. Nobody has the perfect marriage, regardless of how it seems on the outside. What secrets are Gabe and Pippa hiding? You’ll have to read and find out.
This thriller had me locked in from the time I got the ARC via audiobook and again whenever I got the hardback copy from my BOTM box. So many twists and turns that I never saw coming. My jaw dropped several times and I found myself holding my breath more than once. The last two chapters were the most surprising of them all.
I highly recommend this book, especially if you like thrillers and sitting on the edge of your seat.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Suicidal thoughts, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
kpoppe's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Infidelity, and Alcoholism