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doodlebeanz's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Sally Hepworth has become a new auto-buy author for me! I love her writing style. It was so addictive and dual POVs always make a story more interesting, especially considering one was coming from beyond the grave. The characters were so developed and they felt real to me, like they were people you would meet at the local cafe or a PTA meeting. Were they entirely likable? No, but the way Hepworth brought them to life made up for it.
Gabe and Pippa were horrible; talk about codependent toxic relationships. I felt bad for Pippa that she put up with all the crap that Gabe put her through, but she also should've left a long, long time ago. Standing by someone through mental illness is one thing, but letting said mental illness excuse horrible behavior is another.
Max and Amanda really stole my heart by the end of the story, which I think was the point. I think 'The Soulmate' that the title of the book is referring to isn't about Gabe and Pippa's relationship, but Max and Amanda's. They were the couple that was meant for one another, the couple that got through hard shit together and communicated as best as they could. Amanda defended a lot of Max's bad decisions, and he wasn't perfect, but it wasn't in the same way that Pippa did with Gabe. Max and Amanda's relationship was such a great parallel to Gabe and Pippa's. The way Hepworth writes it, you think you are supposed to be rooting for Gabe and Pippa... but in the end, you realize they are not good together and you end up happy that they get divorced.
It was definitely a slow moving book, there were chapters that felt filler and they didn't add anything to the story, and that would probably be my only gripe. This book could've been finished in 40-50 chapters, but instead it was 87... I don't think any book needs to be 87 chapters unless it is a fantasy book, tbh.
I would recommend this book to anyone, really. It isn't a thriller, it's just a domestic drama with true crime elements. Anyone who appreciates good writing and an interesting and twisty plot would enjoy this book! I've seen some negative reviews online and I'm not quite sure why... this book deserves more praise!
Gabe and Pippa were horrible; talk about codependent toxic relationships. I felt bad for Pippa that she put up with all the crap that Gabe put her through, but she also should've left a long, long time ago. Standing by someone through mental illness is one thing, but letting said mental illness excuse horrible behavior is another.
It was definitely a slow moving book, there were chapters that felt filler and they didn't add anything to the story, and that would probably be my only gripe. This book could've been finished in 40-50 chapters, but instead it was 87... I don't think any book needs to be 87 chapters unless it is a fantasy book, tbh.
I would recommend this book to anyone, really. It isn't a thriller, it's just a domestic drama with true crime elements. Anyone who appreciates good writing and an interesting and twisty plot would enjoy this book! I've seen some negative reviews online and I'm not quite sure why... this book deserves more praise!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Death, Grief, Mental illness, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Suicide, and Death of parent
dblue236's review
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I tried so hard to get past the fact that every character in this book was a human dumpster fire, but by the end I couldn't do it and I kind of actively wished death on all of them. The storyline was solid, but I really wish I had had someone to root for. For the most part this was pretty forgettable for me, but points for a solid effort at intriguing plot.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Infidelity, Mental illness, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Suicidal thoughts
jamelchior's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Suicide
rgetch06's review
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Murder, Suicide, Death, and Mental illness
ambersbakesandbooks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Death, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Suicide
Moderate: Death of parent, Infidelity, and Toxic relationship
madanxiety's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Has Big Little Lies energy (referring to the show - I've never read the book), except the "mystery" is a lot more obvious - the protagonist just takes forever to wake up from the denial. Still, it hooked me quite quickly, which is why I was so upset when I realized that I'd started it super late into my loan on Libby and it was returned before I could finish it. Now, two months later, I finally got it loaned again and finished it!
I appreciate how messy it is. I also like how and when certain details/twists are revealed. You're certainly weaving around major things before finally reaching them.
Idk I'm just left feeling like "THAT was a book." It's not like revolutionary, but it does what an entertaining book ought to do.
I appreciate how messy it is. I also like how and when certain details/twists are revealed. You're certainly weaving around major things before finally reaching them.
Idk I'm just left feeling like "THAT was a book." It's not like revolutionary, but it does what an entertaining book ought to do.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Suicide, Infidelity, Sexual content, Alcoholism, and Death
Moderate: Schizophrenia/Psychosis
meredith_williams_'s review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The Soulmate was the first mystery I’ve read in awhile. The book centers on a married couple who lives on a cliff side and frequently has to deescalate strangers’s suicide attempts. On the night of an unsuccessful rescue attempt, the wife grows suspicious of her husband’s potential involvement. I really liked Hepworth’s writing style. Her pacing keeps the story moving and she does a great job of flipping between timelines to slowly release key information about the relationships between the main characters. Having one of the characters narrate from beyond the grave was also a really interesting style choice that added to the overall intrigue. I didn’t love how a lot of mental health issues were sensationalized for the purpose of the plot. I understand the appeal and I think it happens frequently in the genre, but in my opinion it’s reinforcing some negative stereotypes. A few of the reveals were also a little over the top. But overall I will read more of Hepworth’s work. If you’re looking for a quick, entertaining, and dramatic read, I recommend The Soulmate.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Death, Mental illness, Suicide attempt, and Suicide
Moderate: Infidelity, Violence, Sexual content, and Pregnancy
Minor: Vomit
wonderfulxwonderful's review
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity, Mental illness, Suicide, Death, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Toxic relationship, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Pregnancy, and Addiction
bookshelf_al's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Death, Mental illness, and Suicide
Moderate: Infidelity
lovelymisanthrope's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
After hearing a few reviews about this book, I was curious and decided I needed to pick it up for myself.
"The Soulmate" is a mystery/thriller that follows a woman named Pippa. Pippa and her husband, Gabe, are building a seemingly picturesque life for themselves at their cottage on a cliffside. Unfortunately, their home tends to draw broken people who want to attempt suicide by jumping from the cliffs edge. Gabe has single-handedly prevented several suicides over the years, until he one night, he does not. But did Gabe fail to talk the young woman from the ledge, or did Gabe give her the push that killed her?
I really loved the idea of this story, and I really enjoyed learning more about Pippa and Gabe's relationship. They are both deeply flawed, and the reader learns how each has brought their own baggage into the marriage. I was far more invested in learning the mysteries about their marriage than I was about the actual mystery of the woman on the cliff.
The plot and mystery of this book was fine, but it did not blow me away. I was engaged and had a fine time, but I did not think the "big reveal" was anything new to me. I do think this book is well-written and a fine time for someone who enjoys the thriller genre.
I am still very much interested in Sally Hepworth as an author and will be picking up more from her in the future.
"The Soulmate" is a mystery/thriller that follows a woman named Pippa. Pippa and her husband, Gabe, are building a seemingly picturesque life for themselves at their cottage on a cliffside. Unfortunately, their home tends to draw broken people who want to attempt suicide by jumping from the cliffs edge. Gabe has single-handedly prevented several suicides over the years, until he one night, he does not. But did Gabe fail to talk the young woman from the ledge, or did Gabe give her the push that killed her?
I really loved the idea of this story, and I really enjoyed learning more about Pippa and Gabe's relationship. They are both deeply flawed, and the reader learns how each has brought their own baggage into the marriage. I was far more invested in learning the mysteries about their marriage than I was about the actual mystery of the woman on the cliff.
The plot and mystery of this book was fine, but it did not blow me away. I was engaged and had a fine time, but I did not think the "big reveal" was anything new to me. I do think this book is well-written and a fine time for someone who enjoys the thriller genre.
I am still very much interested in Sally Hepworth as an author and will be picking up more from her in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Infidelity, Suicide, Murder, Death, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, and Toxic relationship