The Soulmate Theory

by Sarah A. Bailey

When fate brings them back together, can their love survive the secrets that tore them apart?

Carter Edwards has always been a go-with-the-flow type of guy. Except when it comes to Penelope his childhood neighbor, and the only girl he's ever fallen in love with. When he finally gathers the courage to make his life-long love for Penelope known, he finds that she's already chosen a future for herself- one without him in it.

Penelope Mason is a planner by nature. She'd do just about anything to secure the future she imagined for herself, including leaving behind the boy she never planned on falling for. But at twenty-three, that future blows up in her face when she's expelled by her prestigious university and forced to move back in with her parents.

Things only seem to get worse for Penelope when Carter re-enters her life unexpectedly. She forces herself to keep him at arms-length in attempt to stop him from learning the truth of her past five years. Yet, Penelope can't ignore the realization that the one person who always made her feel most herself has walked back into her life at the time she needs him most.

Carter won't give up so easily on his second chance with the girl of his dreams. But is Penelope's past, and her looming secrets, too hard to overcome?

In this heartwarming second-chance romance, two childhood friends find themselves pondering fate, coincidence, and maybe even... the existence of soulmates?

Genres: Romance, Second Chance

438 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 18, 2025

About the author

Sarah fell in love with reading as a child, starting with the Magic Treehouse Series. She quickly learned that books can take her to all the places she always dreamed of going, and allow her to live endless lifetimes in the one that we are given.
Sarah believes that a good, fluffy romance novel can make even the darkest days a little bit brighter. She believes in love stories readers can root for, the kind that will make even the skeptics believe in all that cheesy stuff like soulmates. She longs to produce stories that readers can pick up, and regardless of what’s weighing them down in life, feel a little lighter when they finish.
Sarah was born in California and raised in Southern Oregon, and still considers herself a Pacific Northwest gal at heart; right down to being a coffee snob, collecting hydro flasks, adamantly believing in Sasquatch, and feeling like rain-drenched forests are a form of therapy. Sarah now resides in North Carolina with her husband, Mike, and their dog-baby, Rue. When she’s not writing, she’s likely reading, and if she’s not reading, odds are she’s out searching for a decent cup of coffee, or a rainy pine forest.

Reviews

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️ for such a wonderful debut from SAB ❤️ this book was such a delight & had so many glimmers of what I loved so much in the pacific shores series ✨📖 the dedication & love the mmc showed was wonderful & I can’t wait to continue this series!

[Athena 💗 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This author never misses! I love the added depth to all of Sarah A. Bailey’s contemporary romances and The Soulmate Theory was no exception.

Carter is a man in love. For years he has pined over Penelope but when he finally finds the courage to make his move it is too late. Now, years later he gets his second chance and he is not going to lose it.

My only complaint with this one was it dragged on a little in the middle and the inner monologue started to become a bit overkill but other than that, I was fully invested in the characters and their story.

If you love angst, YEARNING, childhood friends to lovers, and a romance that takes you on an emotional journey then definitely add this to your TBR.

[madmanreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️ | 2 🌶️

✨ Childhood friends to strangers to lovers
✨ Second chance
✨ Small beach town
✨ Slow burn
✨ FMC returns home
✨ Soulmates

Penelope and Carter were just everything. I loved getting the glimpses into their past and seeing how protective he was of her in their childhood. Penelope had a tough past for multiple reasons and she was such a real and raw character. Carter really helped her forgive herself with the way he loved and accepted exactly who she is.

🌶️ that slow burn and the tension were SO GOOD! I loved all of the sneaking around when they finally got together, but all of the almost touches and lingering glances really did me in!! These two were so down bad for each other and I loved that Carter was always putting her first after her lackluster experiences in the past.

The family dynamics had me howling. Everyone who has had a pestering little sibling can definitely relate, and the way the parents interacted was hilarious. I cannot wait to read Macie & Dom’s book!

Sarah A. Bailey is comprised of only magic, I’m sure of it. Her characters and their stories feel like a warm hug from your favorite person. Her writing is so incredibly poetic and thought provoking and I always walk away from her stories feeling like I understand myself and the world around me a little bit more.

Thank you so much to Sarah A. Bailey and Page & Vine for the gifted copy of The Soulmate Theory for me to review!

[jenelle ｡･:*˚:✧｡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

tropes: childhood friends to strangers to lovers • right person, wrong time • “it’s always been you” • forced prox. • artist x photographer • pnw coastal town • pining

fav quote: “I’d wait this whole lifetime for you if it meant I could have you in the next one.”


This might be some of the most beautiful writing in a romance that I’ve ever read! I wish I could’ve seen into Sarah’s heart and brain when she wrote this because it’s just absolutely beautiful! The amount of highlights and quotes and moments that were just so indescribable!

This book was everything I’d want in childhood friends to lovers. Misunderstanding, missed opportunities, always loving them, fear, years of missing each other. You could FEEL the sincere desire between Penelope and Carter and it was so tender!

Penelope’s character is believable and relatable. Never feeling like she’s enough for anyone, taken advantage of, always trying to earn love and affection. Her coming into herself was organic and beautiful. Just incredible growth! I loved her character!

Carter is such a good MMC! His love and protectiveness and jealousy over Penelope is everything you’d want in an MMC! And he’s flawed too! The way he misunderstands Penelope in a HUGE, heartbreaking way is so realistic and adds so much depth to his character.

I loved following their story, their hurts, and pining, and growth. Their conflict and the resolution were just so relatable. These are perfectly imperfect MCs and truthfully, this book was a refreshing page turner!

[Drey Blackbeak · Rating 3 out of 5]

es mono, tal como recordaba, pero la reacción de Carter ante lo de James sigue sin gustarme. Also, puto Easton.

En fin, está bien. Se nota que es el debut de Sarah y ha mejorado bastante. Hay cosas que me recuerdan a August y Elena, y con ellos las cosas fueron manejadas mucho mejor.

Tiene muchas frases bonitas tho

[Serena · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

[Kristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars ⭐️

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first romance since my husband passed almost two years ago - while I have read books in-between with it as a topic, it wasn't the main focus until this one.

I have already ordered the next one ;) so that says something there.

The discussion and back to forth of soulmates has been a thought considering my recent life events. I liked the take this book gave and the pack and forth banter Pep and Carter had over it. It did start a lot of conversations between myself and friends regarding as I processed some of my own emotions while reading through. I have also picked up 'The Alchemist' as well.

The various opinions throughout on what a soulmate is (or could be) provided a lot of contrast - including as the characters worked through their own issues.

Overall, a good read. Hard to get 5 stars from me, but not disappointing in any way.

[*Nicole* · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Sarah's writing and I've been meaning to go back and read this one and The Fate Philosophy (that's next!). I love anything with soulmates and two people that are meant to be, so I was excited for this. I really enjoyed the story and I liked both Carter and Penelope. I wish it had been a little more of childhood friends to lovers, but it didn't quite fit that. Yes they grew up around each other and yes Carter was always protective over her, which was so sweet, but you don't get a whole lot of an actual friendship history between them before they were separated as late teens. It's more focused on when they come back into each others lives after that. I didn't feel like anything was rushed between them at that point and I most enjoyed the moments with just the two of them. It did feel like it dragged a bit at times and it could have been a little shorter of a book, but overall a really good read!

[Madeline · Rating 5 out of 5]

(⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.5/5) Second-chance romances absolutely destroy me, and I love every second of it. Sarah Bailey’s writing had me completely hooked. The way she captures her characters’ inner emotions feels so raw and real.

I read this series after waiting for book #3 in Pacific Shores, and I’m so glad I did. This story was beautifully done. Carter and Penelope felt incredibly real and deeply relatable, which made their journey hit even harder.

💫 Friends to Lovers
💫 Second Chance
💫 Slow Burn
💫 Right Person, Wrong Time

[Kinley Cook · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok here's the deal, I absolutely LOVE Sarah A Bailey with my entire being. I think about her magnificent writing that I have read in her Pacific Shores series every day. I don't know many authors that can make me feel so many emotions just based off of how beautiful they're writing is. I absolutely need to preface this by saying she is still one of my favorite authors of all time and this book does not hinder my opinion on her writing much at all. As far as I'm aware this was her first book that she published. I do have to say I can definitely tell that she has made extreme improvement in her writing with her more current books rather than this one. In a lot of ways her current writing has a lot of similarities to the way this is written, but I think her more recent stuff is way more refined and more well done. Wow I think the story of this was good, there were a few things that I didn't love.

I felt like this story moved at an extremely slow pace. There wasn't much excitement in the story. I guess and it kind of just felt like the entire time it was dragging. I felt like I wasn't super eager to keep picking this up because I was never super excited to see what would happen next. There was nothing that really kept me on the edge of my seat. The story felt very slow and I just don't think I was fully into it. I also felt like there was way too much metaphorical relation in the writing itself. It just felt like 90% of the book was internal monologue from the characters. There was barely any dialogue, and I never really felt the love being shown on the page with the characters interactions. Like yes I guess they felt in love inside their own heads, but it just felt like nothing was really happening with the characters in the book. It just seemed like the actions in the book were almost nonexistent. I think I just got bored reading pages upon pages of internal monologue just to get maybe one to two sentences of dialogue.



Both characters were fine, I just don't think I fell in love with either of them. Penelope bothered me a little bit just because she constantly seemed ridiculously insecure. She had a bit of a sad backstory, but I feel like with that I expected more from her. I think I just got really bored with her and never felt like she was very interesting to me. She seemed a little bit like a doormat because she pretty much never stood up for herself. On top of that, when anyone would defend her or more specifically when Carter would defend her, she would get mad about that too. I just didn't love that she kind of seemed a bit whiny. I think I liked Carter a little bit more than Penelope, but I still don't think I loved him. I really loved how he kind of used her as a muse for his photography. I thought that there were a lot of really great aspects to that and moments in the book that had to do with that. I guess I feel like these characters didn't have raging chemistry or at least I couldn't feel that on the page. I'm not sure if that was because of these characters, or just the way the book was written with little to no actions being put on the page instead of internal monologue.



One thing I did love about this was that it was set in Oregon. I am from Oregon and I still currently live in Oregon and you almost never get any Oregon representation in a romance book. I loved that it also wasn't completely fictional when it came to certain place settings in Oregon. There were so many mentions of places that I've been to so many times throughout my life and it kind of just felt like home to me. Obviously Oregon is home to me, but reading on the page and being able to fully know exactly what they are talking about and where things are located was very fun.


There was some spice in this book, but it never was anything crazy. I would say it was pretty simple and didn't really blow my mind in anyway. There wasn't a lot of it and I think it was definitely kept to a minimum with excitement and abundance.



All this to say, I'm not totally in love with this. While I will continue to read the rest of Sarah A Bailey's backlist of books until Tattered Tides comes out, I may be lowering my expectations for this series just a little bit because of this book. This is not hinder my opinion on Sarah's writing at all because I know this is an older book of hers, I just don't think this one totally impressed me. I'm glad I read it, but I'm more excited for her new releases.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚The Soulmate Theory
✍🏻Sarah A. Bailey
Blurb:
When fate brings them back together, can their love survive the secrets that tore them apart?

Carter Edwards has always been a go-with-the-flow type of guy. Except when it comes to Penelope his childhood neighbor, and the only girl he's ever fallen in love with. When he finally gathers the courage to make his life-long love for Penelope known, he finds that she's already chosen a future for herself- one without him in it.

Penelope Mason is a planner by nature. She'd do just about anything to secure the future she imagined for herself, including leaving behind the boy she never planned on falling for. But at twenty-three, that future blows up in her face when she's expelled by her prestigious university and forced to move back in with her parents.

Things only seem to get worse for Penelope when Carter re-enters her life unexpectedly. She forces herself to keep him at arms-length in attempt to stop him from learning the truth of her past five years. Yet, Penelope can't ignore the realization that the one person who always made her feel most herself has walked back into her life at the time she needs him most.

Carter won't give up so easily on his second chance with the girl of his dreams. But is Penelope's past, and her looming secrets, too hard to overcome?

In this heartwarming second-chance romance, two childhood friends find themselves pondering fate, coincidence, and maybe even... the existence of soulmates?
My Thoughts:
This was such a beautiful story. It showed the layers of guilt and longing and desire for escape into something that is real and true and wholly your own that can exist within a person. It didn’t flinch away from the stories we tell ourselves, and it showed that how we see ourself is not necessarily the whole truth.

Penelope and Carter were the best version of a ‘second chance romance.’ Yes, there were secrets and half truths. There was running away. But there was also a bone-deep knowledge that they were each other’s person, even if it took one of them a whole lot longer to get there. They allowed one another to find and be the best and most true version of themselves (eventually).

The family and friends they surrounded themselves with were also key players, each with a role or a nugget of truth that was needed at different points along the way. Penelope had to dig and find her own truth about her past and how she lived it in the present, but Carter was never in doubt. Neither was Macie. Those two are ride-or-die in the best way.

I loved the setting of the PNW, it brought back some personal memories of when I lived there and why I loved it. The love that this book and the characters had for nature and the beauty of the universe definitely spoke to my own soul.
Thanks NetGalley, Page & Vine Publishing and Author Sarah A. Bailey for the complimentary copy of "The Soulmate Theory" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#Page&VinePublishing
#TheSoulmateTheory
#SarahA.Bailey
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Courtney Tani · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: The Soulmate Theory (Book 1)
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Sarah A. Bailey
𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀: Soulmate Series
𝗠𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀: Carter Edwards & Penelope Mason

𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲: 🌶️🌶️.5

𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀:
- Coastal Small Town
- Childhood Friends
- Forced Proximity
- Opposites Attract
- Hurt/Comfort
- Artist x Photographer
- Slow Burn
- Pining
- “Always Been You”

𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄:
I'm absolutely loved The Soulmate Theory by Sarah A Bailey! I fell in love with her writing in the Pacific Shore series, and her debut series did NOT disappoint! This book is PERFECTION - the storyline is so beautiful and poetic, and I don't remember the last time a book made me think and reflect like this one did.

Carter and Penelope's story is EVERYTHING! They're childhood friends who share a poignant past and a lingering spark. The way Sarah writes their slow-burn romance is just chefs kiss.I loved getting glimpses of their past and seeing how Carter's protective instinct over Penelope developed.

The concept of soulmates is explored in such a beautiful way, and I loved how throughout the characters shared different definition and meanings. This book is more than just a romance - it's about healing, empowerment, and finding your way back to yourself.

I ugly cried, laughed, and swooned through this book, and it was worth every tear. Carter and Penelope's story is a testament to the power of love, and Sarah's writing is just... wow. I can't recommend her books enough! If you haven't read any of Sarah’s books yet, WHAT ARE YOU EVEN DOING?!

𝗖𝗪: 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘁 𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗴𝗲, 𝘀𝗲𝘅𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁, 𝗮𝗻𝘅𝗶𝗲𝘁𝘆, 𝗣𝗧𝗦𝗗, 𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗰 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘀, 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗼𝘀𝗲 (𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘁, 𝗼𝗳𝗳 𝗽𝗮𝗴𝗲), 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 (𝗼𝗳𝗳 𝗽𝗮𝗴𝗲), 𝘁𝗼𝘅𝗶𝗰 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽, 𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗲 (𝗼𝗳𝗳 𝗽𝗮𝗴𝗲), 𝗮𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗵𝗼𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝘅𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘚𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘩 𝘈 𝘉𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸.

[Sarah | Sarahs.BookCorner · Rating 5 out of 5]

✩4.5

✦What to Expect✦
•Second chance
•Childhood friends to strangers to lovers
•Slow burn
•Pining & tension
•Soulmates
•Small beach town

✦Characters✦
•Carter Edwards
•Penelope Mason

✦Fav Quotes✦
If kissing her now, or if one night with her was all I’d ever get—it’d be enough.

Every time I’m with you it feels like I’m flying.

✦Thoughts✦
Sarah creates the BEST characters!

The pining between them both!!
Omg🥹

Literally just was swooning over them and having all the feels of course.

Carter was precious and perfect. I loved how protective he was of her without it feeling overbearing. Penelope and what happened to her😭 I felt so bad for her.

These two were so cute!

I can’t wait to dive into the next book for Dom & Macie!!!!

✦Micro-Tropes✦
“Good girl”

•ARC Read•

✦ Bookish links to follow ✦
Bookstagram • Goodreads • BookBub • Storygraph • Fable

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I kid you not the first page had me hooked. The yearning was off the charts right off the bat! Trust me read the first page- no the first paragraph and you will see how down bad mmc (Carter) is for our fmc (Penelope).
- This is the perfect read if you love forbidden romance x and DOWN-BAD mmc.
- I cant share enough how well written the prologue is… it will 100% get you hooked. Without spoiling ANYTHING, I am not going into detail, I just think you should see for yourself at how our mmc thinks…
- Childhood friends is a tricky trope, but when done correctly… literally nothing compares. This book was totally executed correctly.
- childhood friends/who’s parents are best friends.
- The best books in my opinion are the ones that made readers feel multiple emotions. I cried, I laughed, and I bought the physical copy to annotate!
- At the beginning of the book (chapter 1) we have then reuniting… just as perfect as the prologue. This was extremely well done. I don’t know how else to convince you to read this book, I had such a great time! I prefer going in blind, and I feel like this is all you need to know before going into this book! Have a great time reading!!

[Kayla Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Penelope and Carter grew up next door to each other, and they both had secret feelings for one another that they didn’t realize might be reciprocated until the day before Penelope left for college across the world. They don’t see one another for 5 years, and suddenly a secret scandal has Penelope exiled back to her hometown. Carter has just returned, as well, and they are gradually forced to confront the feelings they set aside years ago.

The premise was compelling, but the story ultimately fell flat for me. The professions of love and soulmate declarations felt very over-the-top without much substance to back it up. I never knew why these characters liked each other so much, and I didn’t feel that either character was fleshed out enough for their connection to feel real. They felt immature to me in a way that detracted from the relationship. That being said, it was cute and set up the next story in this series (which focuses on the love story of secondary characters in this book) well.

Thanks to Victory Editing and and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐️ I have to be honest, I didn’t not think I would like this as much as I did. You could really feel the love and yearning between these two MC’s. Carter has loved her for YEARS!!! I loved that it was a second chance but not dual timeline. I did spoil myself a little bit, but I enjoyed almost everything about this book. There was just one little part that bugged me.
Please tell me, why was the sibling bonding moment at the end, them helping her run away? Why are her brother and sister encouraging her to run away from her problems and act like a coward? Why did the author treat that moment as if it was an empowering moment? I understand Penelope’s emotions 100% and the whole book she has always been a runner. That is part of her character development. That’s not my issue here. My issue is why, at the end of the book, does the author use her 2 siblings to enable that same problematic behavior she’s been trying to heal from the entire time? Make it make sense! It didn’t take long for them to get back together after having a conversation, so it wasn’t a huge deal, but it still annoyed me.

[Beth (bethsbookshelfx) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating : ☆☆☆☆

—————

𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘦. 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘴 𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦, 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘥𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘯𝘶𝘵𝘴. 𝘏𝘦 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮, 𝘐 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮.

—————

𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨 & 𝙄𝙣𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 :

- 𝘾𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙁𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙎𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙇𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨
- 𝘿𝙪𝙖𝙡 𝙋𝙊𝙑
- 𝙊𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙨 𝘼𝙩𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙩
- 𝙁𝙤𝙧𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙭𝙞𝙢𝙞𝙩𝙮
- 𝘾𝙞𝙣𝙣𝙖𝙢𝙤𝙣 𝙍𝙤𝙡𝙡 𝙈𝙈𝘾
- 𝘼𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙭 𝙋𝙝𝙤𝙩𝙤𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙥𝙝𝙚𝙧
- 𝙒𝙤𝙧𝙠𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙚 𝙍𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚
- 𝙎𝙢𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝘽𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙝 𝙏𝙤𝙬𝙣 : 𝘽𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙤𝙣 𝘽𝙖𝙮
- “𝙄𝙩’𝙨 𝘼𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝘽𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙔𝙤𝙪”
- 𝙎𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙙 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚

—————

This book was utterly gorgeous. The feelings and emotions I felt throughout. I could literally envision myself on page like I’m there with them it was written so beautifully.

After I read the first two books in the Pacific Shores series I knew I needed to get into Sarah’s backlist because her writing is addicting. I was excited everytime I picked it up and didn’t want to put it down.

I loved everything about Carter and Penelope. The way Carter cares for her is amazing and the way Penelope gets back to being herself when she’s near him is admirable.

Can’t wait to read the rest of this series.

[Maddie Corder · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars ⭐️

After finishing her other series late last year, I knew I wanted to dive into Sarah’s backlist of books! I’m so thankful to have received an arc copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book starts off strong, we find out our FMC has had some serious life changing moments happen in the last couple of years that landed her where we first meet her. We also meet our MMC already being head over heels in love with our FMC since they grew up together and he’s been in love with her since day 1.

This book had my in choke hold for the first 24-53% of the story. I could not put it down and would do anything to continue reading. Unfortunately though the middle part ( I would say 55-80%) dragged and struggled to keep my interest. The last part of the book though? Saved the entire thing for me and gave it the rating it did.

I’m interested to continue the series and see where it goes from here! The epilogue gave me a few ideas of what it could be about but honestly I have no idea!

[Ethereal Amorist · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley, Sarah A. Bailey, and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op | Page & Vine for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The story was a little too slow for my taste. Penelope and Carter’s backstories—and their constant inner monologues—took up a lot more space than the present-day plot, which made the pacing feel heavy at times.

I didn’t connect with Penelope much in the beginning, but when she finally opened up to Macie toward the end, I started warming up to her. In fact, Macie’s reaction to Penelope’s past ended up being one of my favorite parts of the book—it added so much heart and grounded emotion to the story.

Overall, it is a good read, especially if you enjoy slow-burn, character-heavy second-chance romances. But I think I just wasn’t in the right mood for a slow-paced story this time.

[Bárbara Araújo · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The Soulmate Theory” is a book that genuinely prompts reflection on the concept of soulmates. I found it particularly moving to observe the different stages of the characters’ relationship and how they ultimately found their way back to one another.

The distinction between friends to lovers and best friends to lovers was especially refreshing. Although it may seem subtle, the difference between these dynamics is significant, and it added an engaging nuance to the story.

The tension and slow burn were skillfully developed, though I felt that some parts progressed a bit too slowly. Nevertheless, the overall execution was compelling.

If you are looking for a story about second chances, soulmates, and self-forgiveness, this is an excellent choice.

Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for providing this ARC.

[Jaimie · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I had high expectations for this one (I love childhood friends to lovers, second chance, and this author's Pacific Shores series), unfortunately it fell a little flat to me.

I loved the characters, their families and history, and the middle school being their reconnection point. I also found the side characters at the school (the other teachers) interesting enough to keep me wondering where the story was going.

But my gosh was this story wordy. It rambled on and on, and often felt like the author was just trying to get quotes in there that could be pulled for social media. I found it to be too much and it often caused me to want to start skimming.

While I read through to the end, unfortunately I don't think I will continue with this series.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Lauras Fiction Addiction · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a love story. An emotional, deep, yearning love story.
Penelope and Carter grew up together, both secretly in love with each other before Penelope moves to England for college. When she returns, she's changed. Soon after, Carter reappears in her life and old feelings return.
Penelope has a huge secret that she believes will tear her and Carter apart. A secret that has massively impacted her self worth and her identity. She's lost, doesnt know who she is anymore. Carter guides her back to herself and helps her to understand she isn't to blame for her past. Helps her heal and become whole again.
This book was just so wholesome, heartbreakingly gorgeous and full of depth. I absolutely loved it and cant wait to read more from the author.

Huge thanks to Victory Editing and Netgalley for providing an ARC copy for me to review.

[Kara Mossberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Penelope and Carter’s story hooked me from the very first chapter — two people who’ve loved each other since childhood, separated by life and pain, finding their way back when the timing finally feels right. It’s tender, emotional, and a little messy in the best way. 💫

Bailey captures that feeling of coming home to someone, even after everything’s changed. I loved how real the characters felt — flawed, complicated, and full of heart. The way she explores what “soulmate” really means… it’s not just fate or romance, but healing, forgiveness, and choosing love even when it’s hard.

It’s not a light read — there are some heavy emotions and slower moments — but it’s absolutely worth it. By the end, I was smiling through every tear. 🩵

If you love second-chance romances that truly make you feel something, this one’s for you.

#TheSoulmateTheory #SarahABailey #NetGalleyReview #BookTok #Bookstagram #RomanceReaders #SecondChanceRomance #BookReview

[Bee . • ° ★ . • . * ☾ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute childhood friends to lovers but not my favourite book by Sara Bailey. Their supposed love for each other should have been more visible on page, and not as inner monologues. They spend a lot of time thinking about their past as children and teenagers, but if the author did flashbacks, it would have been better, because I am being told they love eachother, not shown.

Carter also being with multiple woman ( not explicitly on page but lightly described) while supposedly being in love with Penelope since he was nine is honestly an old trope. So you can eat beef, but you end up eating a lot of burgers...

All on all, it's a cute romance which also has it's deeper moments, but I couldn't fully get behind their colossal love for each other.

[Nancy R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Page & Vine, and Sarah A. Bailey for the ARC of this phenomenal book.

The Soulmate Theory is written with such stunning beauty that it completely swept me away. Childhood-friends-to-lovers has always been one of my favorite tropes, and this story delivers it with heart-aching tenderness.

Sarah weaves gorgeous quotes and metaphors throughout the story, and there were moments where I found myself tearing up simply because of how powerfully the love between these characters was portrayed. Penelope and Carter are the kind of pair you can’t help but root for—two souls that are undoubtedly soul mates.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Soulmate Theory is an emotional childhood friends to lovers second chance story.

Penelope returns home after England when she's not accepted into her graduate program after making a big mistake. It's there she reunites with Carter and the two realize that through the years their feelings and connection remain.

It's a tender story that contains themes of fate with love, forgiveness, and healing.

The prose is poetic and lovely, but my only critique is that sometimes the inner monologues felt like they went on a bit too long.

[Stephanie Hubenak · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
The Soulmate Thoery
Sarah A Bailey

If there is something that I know deep down, it's that Sarah always writes top tier love stories. I love the angst and yearning and, sometimes, the stomach aches. This book was no exception.

What you'll find:
- Childhood friends to lovers
- Second chance
- Small town
- Traumatic past
- One bed

These are Sarah's ideal tropes! The execution was absolutely perfect and I love Carter and Penelope with my entire soul!

[Ali Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my third Sarah A Bailey book and I am officially a fan. The way she writes speaks to my soul. Penelope is a character that really resonated with me. Her journey to learning to accept love was such a beautiful one. The way Carter loved her. Oh I love a yearning man. I also really enjoyed that he was not perfect and he reacted to things badly. My favorite romances are the ones that are messy and imperfect and that really encapsulates the story. So beautiful and raw and real.

[Amber | aambuurreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

The angst level was unbelievable! Carter and Penelope’s story began with their relationship already over before it ever had a chance to start. There was so much layered into their lives that needed to be unpacked, especially Penelope’s. And while a few parts felt a bit unnecessary, they didn’t detract enough for me to dislike the story overall.