This book
Had so much potential. Starr crossed lovers. one destined to remember everything from lifetime to lifetime. The other destined to kill her before her. 18th birthday everytime.
I loved the premise but there was too much telling and no showing. We are told about their love over she verbals yet we never see them fall in love.
Some beautiful sentences but underwhelming execution.

3.5 stars

This is a fantastic premise, where Evelyn and Arden are continually reincarnated over a thousand years but always find each other, but it always ends in tragedy as they kill each other before they turn eighteen. In present day, though, Evelyn is determined to live to save her sister, so now she has to figure out how to stop this cycle.

The premise is great and I am a sucker for the reincarnation trope, and I think this used it in an interesting way, where Evelyn and Arden are reborn in different areas around the world and aren’t restricted to a certain gender or sexuality. It felt like they were addressing criticisms for Addie LaRue, but it just kinda felt like each incarnation still had a western way of thinking even if that wasn’t where they were from or it was centuries ago. I just kinda wished the past snippets had a better feel for the time/place it took place in if it was using them, because they started to feel the same. The writing was lyrical and pretty, though a bit too many similes for my taste (I feel like each one would have more impact if they were used more moderately and it kinda bloated the writing unnecessarily).

I was really confused by the structure of this book and think it worked against building Evelyn and Arden’s relationship. Like they fall in love in every life, but it’s because of fate rather than something organic, and so I was waiting for an explanation on what started it all, but that never actually happened, and apparently each incarnation was supposed to show that love developing? That’s how I interpreted it by the end, but that love story never actually became clear to me, so the declarations of love just felt kinda hollow and didn’t make me feel much. And since we’re working from the most recent incarnation, it was like we had to build the story in reverse, which confused me. And despite Evelyn saying she cares about all these people around her in the present/past lives, those scenes are short/we’re constantly pulled around in time, so there was not enough development for those relationships to feel as important as she says they are.

Eventually the past life snippets became repetitive, since they often progressed the same way, and the present timeline was kinda lacking forward momentum and that became a bit repetitive, too, as Evelyn/Branwen kinda kept having the same thoughts. I wished the present timeline was beefed up a bit more so that it felt important, too. Definitely wasn’t expecting the twist at the end, and the narrative did well at keeping me interested in it, but it wasn’t totally satisfying (why is eighteen important for a devil when that’s a very arbitrary human/western definition of adulthood? And this book was doing so well at avoiding any religious parallels but with that twist it kinda got ruined. Plus, there was absolutely no good reason for Arden to keep everything a secret from Evelyn so that was annoying). I did like that last chapter, though.

Great premise and very pretty writing, but I think this book had a lot more potential.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC!

To begin this review, I would like to thank St. Martin's Press|Wednesday Books and author, Laura Steven, for allowing me to read this book, Our Infinite Fates, via #netgalley. All opinions following are my own.

This beautifully written novel explores the themes of love and its limits. The two main characters, Evelyn and Arden, have souls that are tethered to one another's and are destined to fall in love in every lifetime. The tragic part, though, is that they are also destined to die by one another's hands by their eighteenth birthday in every lifetime as well. Arden knows why this must happen, but Evelyn cannot remember, and it tortures her. Arden only asks that she trust that it must happen. Otherwise, they will both suffer beyond understanding. Evelyn does trust him. However, things are further complicated when Evelyn's younger sister in her current life contracts leukemia, and Evelyn is the one bone marrow match they're able to find. It would be okay, but her sister develops an infection, and the doctors aren't able to perform the transplant prior to Evelyn's 18th birthday. In this race against time, will Evelyn be able to convince Arden to spare her so she can, in turn, save her sister?

This book was gorgeously written. It was simultaneously a beautiful love story that transcends infinite lifetimes and a devastating tragedy. I gave it an effortless ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and can't wait for it to release on March 04, so others can experience this transcendental love story.

#brenbreathesbooks #brenreviewsbooks #5starreads #februaryreads #comingsoon #march04release #laurasteven #ourinfinitefates #romance #fantasy #lgbtreads #lgbtqia #netgalleyreviewer #ARC #ARCReader #stmartinspress #wednesdaybooks #bookish #booknerd #BookCommunity #bookworm #reader #readerlife #booksthatmakeyouthink #booksofinstagram #bookstagramcommunity #goodreadschallenge

Thanks to NetGalley for the arc.

I wanted to love this. Such an interesting premise, but unfortunately, I think it falls a little short in the execution. I think certain things were done well, but that in other ways the story feels unfinished.

What I liked:
-Multiple different historical settings, flushed out enough to get a feel for the time in place despite essentially being short vignettes
-including the vignettes in reverse chronological order, the reader is experiencing the journey in the same way that Evelyn is
-the theme that who a person is at their core has nothing to do with sex or gender or appearance or circumstance
-yearning is presented incredibly well

What felt unfinished:
-the actual mythology (we didn’t really get origins or explanation)
-the second to last chapter feel like it turns what came before on its ear (why is this new information presented in this way? It doesn’t feel like it does anything to change the plot
-the “romance” is treated as a given but I don’t feel like we ever really know when or how it happened or why the characters should feel this way

This ended up feeling like a love story like The Invisible Life of Addie La Rue, which I also struggled with. The writing was beautiful, the story is full of angst, but to me it doesn’t necessarily feel like a love story. It is by no means a bad book, and plenty will eat it up, I’m sure, but I don’t know that I have it in me for a love story that is all suffering.

Our Infinite Fates by Laura Stevens is one of the most fascinating reads I've encountered. The emotional rollercoaster Stevens takes us on through Evelyn and Arden's existence is nothing short of astounding. Each present scene seamlessly leads to a memory, guiding us on a captivating journey through time. Evelyn and Arden's growth is depicted beautifully in each reincarnation, showing us who they become, whether male or female, with diverse ethnicities, backgrounds, and lifestyles. Their individual struggles are masterfully woven into the narrative, enhancing each character's development.

"I swallowed hard, choking back the emotion of the moment. "Evelyn"
A nod that would define a millennium. "Arden"

This novel marks my first introduction to Stevens' literary work, and I am eagerly looking forward to exploring her other offerings.

In modern day South Wales, Bran is days away from her 18th birthday. Instead of this being a fun, exciting time Bran is becoming more and more anxious as the day approaches. Her time is almost up and she knows Arden is out there, somewhere, biding his time. Through every life over the course of a millenia, Evelyn and Arden’s souls find each other and it always ends in tragedy. This time, it is more than just Bran’s life that hangs in the balance. Her sister is counting on her, too.
This has been one of my favorite reads this year. It was so lovely and tragic in the best possible way. I loved the flashbacks and witnessing this love that transcends time. The poetry was so beautiful and heart-wrenching. The twist was so clever, I did not see it coming!

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the e-ARC!

Where do I even begin with “Our Infinite Fates”? From the very first chapter, I had this gut feeling that I was in for something special, and boy, was I right! Laura Steven has crafted a story that’s like a beautiful tapestry, weaving together contemporary drama with a timeless love story that’ll make your heart skip a beat.

If you loved the “Fallen” series, you’re in for a treat. But let me tell you, this isn’t just another reincarnation romance. Steven takes that familiar concept and turns it on its head. Evelyn and Arden’s love story? It’s complicated, messy, and utterly captivating. They’re destined to find each other in every life, but here’s the kicker – they have to kill each other. Talk about star-crossed lovers!

The way Steven structures this novel is pure genius. We’ve got the present-day story anchoring us, but then we’re whisked away to past timelines that add layers of mystery and depth. It’s like putting together a puzzle, and with each piece, you’re drawn deeper into their world. I found myself eagerly flipping pages, trying to connect the dots between past and present.

Can we talk about how refreshingly diverse this book is? Steven doesn’t just stick to one type of love story. Through Evelyn and Arden’s various incarnations, we get to see love in all its beautiful forms. It’s a celebration of love that transcends not just time, but gender and cultural boundaries too.

And Arden as a writer within the story? Pure poetry. There’s this one quote that still gives me goosebumps:

“Even when we are but bones in the earth my eternal heart will love you still, for even when a star does perish its light burns on for millennia.”

If you’re looking for a story that’ll make you feel, think, and maybe believe in the power of love across lifetimes, this is it. Don’t miss out on this beautifully written journey – your book club will thank you!

Thank you, Wednesday Books and NetGalley, for my free book.

4.5 ⭐️ this was an amazing read!!! i was so excited to read this and it delivered. the writing structure was simply beautiful with the poetry and lyrical prose. i loved the intertwining of past, present, and future to see how everything connected and foreshadowed between lives

this is an easy read, with a bit of repetition (duh, to be expected with the plot). i loved seeing all of their different lives in various countries/cultures. although I was a little disappointed in the reveal of the curse, i still enjoyed the ending

tysm to netgalley & st martins publishing for the arc in exchange for a review

This was absolutely fantastic! I'll be carrying this story with me for a while! It was gripping me from the beginning and i truly couldn't put it down. I felt like these characters were so real and I mourned when they did and rejoiced when they did. They felt like a part of me while I was reading! I will literally not shut up about this and keep recommending it to everyone i know !!

3.5 stars for me. While it was heartwrenching at times it failed to keep my attention throughout so I found myself skimming alot.

“They’ve loved each other in a thousand lifetimes. They’ve killed each other in every one.”

Our Infinite Fates is beautifully written. i had soo many highlights in this book! In addition to seeing flashbacks to their previous lives, we follow them through the one Evelyn is currently living. Given that we witness more than a dozen of their deaths in this manner, the flashbacks were well done and not at all jumpy.

i will say that i loved the complexity of their dynamic. wholeheartedly loving the other while simultaneously anticipating their demise. that tension and intensity kept me invested!

there’s the mystery of why they continue to unalive each other, and i like how we slowly discover the answer. by the time i understood what was happening, i was a mess. obviously the love story is gut-wrenching, but there's a lot more to it than that. having had lived more than 100 lives, Evelyn has lost so many people in her time. you reallyy feel that loss when you’re reading and it hits you hard. grief is a heavy topic in this book.

i rated this 4 stars because it took me a while to feel any connection to the characters. there’s a lot of *saying* that they’re in love, but it’s confusing when they’re.. well.. killing each other. 😅 it took me a minute to feel, but the love is definitely there.

i’d definitely recommend this if you enjoyed “The Invisible Life of Addie La Rue”.

huge thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC!!

I was completely drawn into this book’s premise. Our Infinite Fates delivers an intriguing, unique, and beautifully crafted story of love, fate, and the relentless pull of two souls across lifetimes.

Evelyn and Arden’s dynamic was fascinating—she’s endlessly hopeful, while he’s a jaded poet, and their connection felt inevitable yet tragic. I especially loved how the flashbacks moved backward in time, slowly unraveling the mystery of their origins. The tension between them, balancing love and danger, kept me hooked the entire time.

The ending wasn’t quite what I was hoping for—I wanted to feel a bit more fulfilled—but I appreciated that it was fitting for the story and, in its own way, happy for all involved. I’ll definitely be picking up more from Laura Steven in the future! Highly recommend for fans of sweeping, time-spanning love stories with a touch of darkness.

Our Infinite Souls by Laura Steven is a story about Evelyn and Arden who have loved each other for centuries as they have been reincarnated over and over, always finding their way back to one another, but have killed each other in every lifetime before they turn 18.

This story is written very well. In fact it is dripping with such beautiful metaphors and lyrical quotes about love and life that you will absolutely want to highlight. The way the author gives us a look into so many lifetimes Evelyn and Arden had throughout history and places around the world was great storytelling and I really loved that.

I also loved how all the glimpses into all Evelyn’s past lives intertwined with her present day life in which Evelyn is in a life she loves and is doing everything she can to save her little sister who is sick before the inevitable happens- her death by the hands of Arden before turning 18, which she is only a few weeks shy of.

The way all the pieces of the story come together bit by bit as we the reader are taken on this journey trying to figure it all out with Evelyn was done so well! Truly, the author did a wonderful job writing this story!

I wanted to read this book because the synopsis sounded incredible and it said it was for fans of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. All that being said, going into this book knowing that and the great writing and storytelling I got to experience reading it, I thought for sure this would be a book I would have rated much higher than a 3.5 stars (rounded up to 4). I’m settling on a 3.5 stars because even though I enjoyed this book, I didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought I would and enjoyment factors into my overall rating, even when a story is well crafted and written beautifully. I do, however, know that there will be a lot of people out there who will love this book very much at a 5 star level!

Thank you kindly to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sending me the ARC e-book in exchange for my honest review!

I was very excited at the prospect of epic romance that I knew would be somewhat tragic and heart-rending...but ultimately this one was just not for me.

I was surprised by how quickly the book goes straight to violent deaths, over and over again, without any buildup in the romance first. It is repetitive without each iteration of the characters really providing any more context or depth to their love or relationship. It made the brutality that much more jarring, because the reader just isn't given the time to get invested.

I also felt that the lore in this story wasn't consistent - there are times when Evelyn claims she doesn't remember most of her past lives, but then frequently reminisces about them. It's not clear to me whether she starts looking for Arden at a certain age, or whether she's not meant to recognize them, only fall in love again. This felt inconsistent and confusing.

I will say, the writing itself is beautiful and I highlighted many passages that were beautiful musings on life, love and grief. I also loved the exploration of soul and gender and the freedom the author had in this context to explore whether or how those identities are connected.

Overall I think some readers will love this, but it was too brutal for me.

Thank you to Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

I had a wonderful time reading this story. Two star crossed lovers fated to destroy each other in every lifetime and I fell every part of the heartache they felt. I felt every ounce of yearning they felt for each other and truly ate up every word. The prose was beautiful without being pretentious.
This book took me out of a reading, slump and I found it very hard to put down. it really set standard for a love that spans all of time and distance and circumstance

3.5 ⭐️

“I love you and I have loved you and I will love you.”

Here’s alittle backstory on this book-

We follow Arden and Evelyn over the span of 1,000 years in which they have loved, loathed and unalived eachother in a never ending cycle. They can never live to be 18 due to a curse placed on them long ago. Their souls are twined together in a twist of fate that causes them both to take their final breath of their current life and the first in their next together.

I loved the time jumps between present day and the past and how each time we made this leap it took us further and further back in time and in their story. Each life was vastly different from the next. They changed genders, status in life and location so it was very intriguing to follow along with their unique journey.

This book felt so profound. It held little nuggets about life written in the most beautiful light. It was truly poetic in its description of love and loss and grief but also the depths of what it means to truly love someone to their core. Knowing and loving them in all their forms. We, as the reader, get to experience the human existence through all of its phases, portraying all walks of life and what it means to live a difficult life of suffering or poverty to the ease of wealth and opportunity.

Some downfalls for me were the “plot twist” at the end and not being able to truly understand where Arden and Evelyn really began. We get snippets here and there but I feel like the fact that they have loved eachother for more than 1,000 would’ve hit me harder had I understand how deep their love ran for one another. The plot also completely took me out of the story. It felt like a stretch or as if I was reading two completely different stories.

Otherwise, I would recommend this book to others. It was very beautifully written and had so many emotional and relatable insights about the human existence and life.

Big thanks to NetGalley for the early read. I did have to come back to this book a second time but I’m glad I did!

Our Infinite Fates by Laura Steven is a captivating read that tackles themes of fate, free will, and self-discovery. The characters are relatable and their growth is heartfelt, even if I wished for a bit more depth at times. The plot is engaging, with some emotional twists that really make you think. The writing is sharp, and while the pacing can be uneven, it’s a story that stays with you. Overall, a solid four-star read for those who love thought-provoking YA!

Oh my god. This book. This glorious, beautiful book. I love any kind of book with soulmates and enduring love so I knew I’d enjoy this but holy god I didn’t know how much I’d love it. I feel like my heart was just put through the wringer, torn apart, and then swaddled back together with all the care and love in the universe. An absolutely perfect book. Not a single note. Evelyn and Arden live in my heart now.

POV: singular, first and third person

You can expect: fate, reincarnation, loss, family, forgiveness, curse, soulmates, sacrifice.

Rep: side character with leukemia, queer main characters, grief, lesbian side character.

Spice: 1/5 (vague, brief, and non-graphic description)

CW: violence, death, murder

Our Infinite Fates by Laura Steven is a haunting and imaginative story of love, destiny, and the brutal weight of repetition. Evelyn and Arden have lived—and died—together across countless lifetimes. Bound by a curse that demands one of them kill the other before their eighteenth birthday, they are caught in an endless cycle of love and loss. Arden remembers every tragic detail, while Evelyn stumbles through fragmented memories, desperate to understand why they are doomed to this fate. But this life is different. Evelyn’s younger sister needs a life-saving bone marrow transplant after her birthday, and breaking the curse is no longer just about survival—it’s about saving her family.

Steven’s writing feels like walking through a vivid dream, transporting readers across centuries and continents with ease. The alternating glimpses into past lives add depth to Evelyn and Arden’s relationship, making their present-day struggle more poignant. Their connection is compelling yet unsettling, constantly teetering between affection and destruction.

Beyond the central romance, the story also explores the enduring power of family and friendship, reminding us that love isn’t just about passion—it’s about sacrifice, loyalty, and the desire to protect those we care about.

While the ending leans more into the fantastical than expected, the emotional impact remains strong. Our Infinite Fates is an addictive, beautifully written tale about breaking cycles, confronting the past, and discovering whether love can truly transcend time. If you enjoy stories where fate and free will collide, this book will captivate you from start to finish.

I’m respectfully DNF’ing this book and giving it 3 stars. My friend reposted a pic of this book w a screenshot of her honest, generally positive review and got a DM from the author - I didnt even know people could see when you repost pictures on IG stories! Personally that left a bad taste in my mouth as I don’t ever want to worry if an author is in reviewer spaces. A few of my friends and the GR reviews generally say this one misses a lot in substance, so I’m going to pass !