Some spoilers ahead: I feel like everyone else is going to really like this book, and I so wanted to. I read the description and thought if it was like The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue I was going to be a big fan. However, the charm of going back every few chapters to their past lives started to wear thin for me. Other than seeing the "witch" in the trenches, I don't feel like we gleaned enough from these backstories (other than it was fun to see past lives/history/Arden and Evelyn's love and death). The first 75% of this book is just about Evelyn/Branwen trying to figure out who Arden is, get the procedure before her birthday to save her sister, etc. And then after ALL THAT, we never get any sort of resolution with what happens to Gracie (I assume she'll be fine?) and anything else from that life, because we just move on to the whole Underworld thing (which was way too quick and I know I didn't follow all of it) and then we fast forward in time and ta-da, we're done. I just feel like we stretched out the beginning way too long, and then the wrap-up was super fast. Also, I wish Ceri would have actually had a part in the story (maybe as a Reaper or something interesting) not just as a minor red herring. I feel like this had a lot of potential but didn't quite hit the mark. If you love all of the soulmate/I can't help but love someone who continues to kill me/no matter how awful things are I still see the good in the world/Pablo Neruda poems are so moving, you'll definitely swoon for this book. If you're a bit more pragmatic, you might be disappointed.

Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The ultimate epic fated mates story, and one for which, perhaps, the less said before reading, the better, so I’ll keep it brief here. Two souls—one the hunter, one the hunted—are linked for a 1000-year cycle of reincarnation as one kills the other before they turn 18 in every life. The hunter knows why, the hunted doesn’t, and much of the story revolves around the hunted seeking the answers the hunter won’t provide, until, at last, he does. Steven explores themes around mortality, grief, love, language, hope, fear, and fate as she takes us through the souls’ past lives, illustrating how variations in gender, race, class, ability, family, religion, and environment create different life journeys, yet how some human experiences are universal. To love openly and hopefully means also to fear what one might, and someday will, lose. I enjoyed the examination of that idea, the expansiveness of a story that’s largely a two-hander, and the cinematic quality of the writing, and I suspect this will be a reader favourite in the year to come.

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Our Infinite Fates by Laura Steven is a first person-POV YA contemporary fantasy romance. Evelyn and Arden have loved each other in multiple lifetimes and they will love each other in even more. Unfortunately, their love story in each life ends with them killing each other before they turn eighteen. Evelyn is determined to live her latest life so that she can save her younger sister Gracie, who needs a transplant and Evelyn is her best bet.

What I really liked was how we got a lot of chapters that showed a snapshot of Evelyn and Arden’s lives together, before and after they realize who the other is. I could feel love and devotion the two feel for each other as well as the desperation for them to find another way to have their love story. By the time we reach the present day, Arden has kind of given up and will kill Evelyn without hesitation and we can see how this slowly happened through the chapters centering on their previous lives. I also appreciated seeing how Arden and Evelyn’s gender has changed over the centuries and how they don’t really care about the gender of the other, what matters is that it’s them.

Evelyn is both very much in the present and very reflective. She has only so many of her memories from her past lives, partly due to the limitations of her own reincarnation and the sheer amount of time that she would have to remember would probably break anyone, especially given that it would include her own deaths, the deaths of many family members, and the deaths of the love of her life. Her biggest motivation is her younger sister, Gracie, and trying to make sure Gracie can live and that keeps her in the present but also makes her think about all the people she’s known in the past, all the families she’s lost.

Because everything is from Evelyn’s POV, we don’t get a ton of Arden’s feelings over the centuries beyond what he’s willing to share with Evelyn and the poetry at the end of every chapter that takes place in their past lives. Some of Arden’s poetry was found and published before the book starts and it’s the first time Evelyn has ever had the chance to read it. I really appreciated how we got those tidbits of how Arden is feeling through poetry he’s kept private for centuries as it not only shows us part of his character that is consistent across lives but also gives us a counterpoint to Evelyn who isn’t as inclined towards the written word.

I would recommend this to fans of fantasy romance and reincarnated lovers, readers how prefer a more tragic bent to their romances, and those looking for a YA contemporary fantasy that is both reflective and in the present

I've seen sooo many glowing reviews for this book. "The Invisible Life of Addie La Rue" meets "This is How You Lose The Time War" in a love story that defies death and time? Count me in! And if that isn't enough of a hook, readers are comparing its writing style to "Divine Rivals". On paper, this sounds like the ultimate romantasy!

Which brings me to my point: my expectations might have been a little too high. I wanted an epic love story with high-stakes romance, a fast-paced plot, and unforgettable characters. This book didn't deliver on any of those.

I think my biggest issue is with the pacing. I like how the story is set up. Two souls who fall in love, only to kill each other and reincarnate through the centuries? I'm intrigued! The plot starts strong... and slows to a crawl around the halfway point. Nothing essential seems to happen until the last 15%, and even then, the resolution feels underwhelming. I wish the flashback chapters had clues relevant to the mystery. As it stands, everything gets explained in the last few chapters, and by that point, I no longer felt invested in the mystery.

I also feel like soooo much of this book consists of pretty words strung together to make beautiful sentences. If you're someone who likes that style of writing, you're going to love this book! There are so many quotable lines that my pen ran out of ink from all my highlighting. But while I appreciate the pretty prose, I wish more happened with the characters to balance it out. I can only read so many overwrought proclamations of undying love before I start to lose interest.

Overall, this was an okay read for me. I definitely seem to be in the minority among so many rave reviews. I think this book is perfect for people who enjoy descriptive writing styles and slower-paced plots. I also think it'll appeal to readers looking for an unconventional love story. I'm giving it 3/5 stars and a lukewarm recommendation.

I received an ARC courtesy of the publisher and Netgalley; all opinions are my own.

Reincarnation trope is something I love reading about, but unfortunately not usually well done. This book blew my expectations out of the water and, genuinely, has changed my outlook on the trope. I'll be actively looking for more of the authors work and they may have just become a part of my insta buy authors list.

Wow. Our infinite Fates by @laurasteven was phenomenal. I love how she told so many different stories throughout time that were not only incredibly intriguing, but historically accurate. It was like taking a walk through all of the brutal paths of the world, but shining a light on those stories as well. Telling a tragic love story through time was a bold choice but man, it works. If I were to sum this up in one sentence for those of you who like to go into books blind, it is like Addie Larue's older sister meets Romeo and Juliet. Only... She is cursed to kill the man she loves every 18 years. Reincarnation after reincarnation over a thousand years. I am impressed at the research Laura did to make this book historically accurate for the stories in which the many timelines fell.

AND THAT PLOT TWIST?!? 💀

What is your favorite story that takes you through time?

This is my favorite. Make sure to pick this up February 27th 2025!

Our Infinite Fates was breathtaking. A novel that I found so irresistible that I finished it in a day. The way that Laura Stevens sweeps you away with her words is unmatched. More than once - I found myself looking up words in the dictionary or having to translate them to understand their full meaning and context. Each time - I was not disappointed. What a ride we get to experience with Evelyn and Arden who weave a masterful tale of love through time. A truly excellent book. Can't wait to buy a copy once it hits shelves!

Thank you to NetGalley, Laura Steven and St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books for my free ebook ARC in exchange for my unbiased review.

"I love you, I have loved you and I will love you."

Our Infinite Fates is a novel that I found myself thinking about in the moments when I wasn't reading it and I will be thinking about it for a long time to come now that I have finished.

This is one of the most important books of our time. In this day and age where we find ourselves divided over who and how we love, Steven has given us a blueprint to understand that love transcends all of our human constructs.

I, like many others recently, have been caught up in the romantasy and historical fantasy trend with books like The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, Fourth Wing, Divine Rivals and more. These novels have high stakes, world-building, magic, and romance intertwined with satisfying results.

So high expectations have been set for what these types of books can deliver and I started this novel with some trepidation. The story of Evelyn and Arden is a slow-build. It requires some patience to understand the format of going back and forth in time and how these fated lovers have become entwined.

But the disorientation you feel as a reader mirrors what Evelyn is feeling as she searches for answers as to why she feels an overpowering love for Arden though they inevitably kill each other in every lifetime.

Eventually, the reader meets Branwen Blythe/Evelyn in present day in a life that she very much would like to keep that includes a terminally ill little sister, big hearted mum and beautiful countryside of Wales. This desire gives her the courage to finally demand the answers to questions she has had for hundreds of years throughout her reincarnated lives. Why do she and Arden kill or get killed by the other before they turn eighteen? Why does she love her murderer? What is the point of it all?

These existential questions open the door for Steven to lay down commentary on human behavior and emotions. She slips in views on climate change, social media and gender so fluidly that it never feels heavy-handed. I found myself highlighting sentence after sentence, sentiment after sentiment to the point that I'm going to have to buy a hard copy when it comes out March 4th 2025 just so I can annotate my own physical copy to refer back to again and again.

Steven is a literary phenom constantly playing with words and language. I now know what ruthful, confelicty and snerdle mean.

And the ideas that she drops...

"And hadn't I always known this? To be human was to love and love and love, knowing it could only end in tragedy?"

"Suffering is a pyramid scheme."

"The cycle of nature, of flora and fauna, of growth and death. Our earth is the most precious thing we have. We do not think enough about protecting it."

But the most impactful aspect of the book that I think is so timely is the idea that souls have no gender. That Evelyn and Arden are reincarnated as lovers who are both boys, both girls, girl and boy, boy and girl illustrates that love has no boundaries.

I found myself dreading and yearning for how this story could possibly end. Steven leads us to a page-turning conclusion to Evelyn and Arden's love story that is at once gut-wrenching and utterly hopeful.

I can't wait for this book to come out so the rest of the world can delight in it. Time to dive into Steven's backlist.

♾️ STARS!

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

The writing alone in this book deserves all the stars because WOW. From the first chapter the writing pulled my heart in and destroyed it in every way possible.

Also, the amount of research that had to be involved to include so many time periods and cultures is incredible and I applaud you @laurasteven 👏

I was drawn in and became emotionally invested to the characters journey. I love that they have depth and layers and that you get tidbits of the back story throughout the book. And the ending just blew me away.

Our Infinite Fates is an intriguing mix of fantasy, fate, and interwoven character arcs, and Laura Steven delivers some really compelling world-building. The premise of multiple destinies colliding feels fresh and exciting, with plenty of twists and turns that keep you guessing. Steven’s writing is sharp, witty, and, at times, beautifully poetic, which adds depth to the narrative.

However, the pacing can be uneven. There are moments where the story drags, especially in the middle, which made it a bit harder to stay fully engaged. Some characters feel more developed than others, and while the main plot is captivating, the subplots sometimes get lost in the shuffle.

The themes of destiny and self-discovery are well done, and there’s a lot to appreciate in the way Steven explores choices and their ripple effects. But it feels like the book doesn’t quite reach its full potential—there’s a spark of something great here, but it falls just short of being truly remarkable.

That said, if you’re a fan of fantasy with a thought-provoking concept and don’t mind a few bumps in the road, _Our Infinite Fates_ is still an enjoyable read. It’s a solid 3.5 stars, with some standout moments that make it worth picking up!

Thank you to the publisher & NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an advanced copy of this book! I voluntarily read this book, and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

The story presented a compelling premise; however, its potential was undermined by plotlines that failed to significantly contribute to the overall narrative and a magic system that was difficult to grasp. The core narrative, set in the present day with Arden and Evelyn, was particularly engaging.

However, the flashbacks to past lives detracted from the main narrative, as these chapters often felt superfluous, failing to provide new insights or propel the story forward. The repetitive dynamic between Evelyn and Arden—where Evelyn implores Arden for answers about why he kills her, and Arden continually withholds information—created a sense of stagnation.

This book was so good! First of all the cover is beautiful! The romance was very well written and the world building was very well done. Would highly recommend!

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

This is about two lovers who are fated to kill each other in every lifetime and they can never escape that fate. I loved how we got to explore their love throughout hundreds of years and settings. Their love transcended time and even gender. I would’ve read about them in every single lifetime.

This was such a unique and moving story. I’ve seen it compared to Divine Rivals and Addie LaRue, and while I can’t speak on Addie LaRue since I haven’t read it, I *sort of* get the DR comparisons. The writing is beautiful — almost ethereal feeling. The way Laura Steven writes about love and being human is UNREAL. I was immediately pulled into the story from the very first chapter. It’s clear Evelyn and Arden are soulmates in every life but the mystery of WHY this is happening is what is consistently pulling the reader into the story.

Our Infinite Fates is a gorgeous, compelling story about love, loss, and being human. Definitely recommend picking up in 2025.

Thank you NetGalley and Wednesday for this ARC!

By far one of the best books I have read this year! This beautifully written novel follows two soulmates and their love through the centuries. It takes us all over the world and transports you into every new place perfectly. The slow burn romance was so enthralling and heart-rending. I loved this so much and that last chapter was so hopeful.

I pre-ordered the physical copy of this book a while ago, so when I saw it pop up here I had to request it - and I was excited when I got the approval. So, thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for being awesome :)

I loved the summary of the book, it sounded unique and I really enjoy a book that is different. I was unprepared for how much I would actually LOVE this book. So many emotions while reading, this was definitely one that kept me up late (I believe it was almost 4 am actually). This it the first book I've read of Laura Steven's, and her writing style is amazing. It really draws you in and you lose track of everything going on around you because you are invested in the story. I love books like this. The characters were fantastic and I loved the plot. I definitely recommend this book when it comes out and I can't wait to get my physical copy so I have an excuse to read it again.

This has jumped to one of my favourite reads of the year. It’s so different to any of my current fantasy reads and I was completely enchanted. It is so beautifully written and heartbreakingly perfect!

This is a story about Evelyn and Arden who find each other in every lifetime, pulled to one another by an unimaginable tether that also forces them to kill each other by their 18th birthday. They have gone through excruciating suffering and deaths but why?

‘The person I loved most in the world was the person who would ultimately destroy me.’

5/5 stars! Thanks to netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, this book took me by surprise. I haven’t read anything by this author before but since Addie LaRue is my all time favorite book and this book is pitched as Addie LaRue meets This is How You Lose the Time War, I had to read it and of course I loved it.

It hooks you immediately and you really get to go through all the feelings and emotions with the characters. I love how it was told through present life and past lives, you get to see how these two characters interact over several lifetimes and I think it made the story that much more impactful.

Laura Steven's lasted novel is an entirely new and unique story; it was unlike anything I've ever read before, in all the best of ways. I truly adored the characters in Our Infinite Fates, and I loved how their pasts were woven together throughout the story. The author truly knows how to write beautiful, moving scenes; this is one of those books that will live on inside my head for years to come.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Our Infinite Fates by Laura Steven had a premise I had never encountered before - two lovers bound by their souls and a twisted curse that sees them chase one another through history, one of them killing the other before their shared 18th birthday in every life. But the problem is that Evelyn has landed in a life with a mum and kid sister she loves dearly. To complicate matters further, her beloved sister, Gracie, has been diagnosed with leukemia and Evelyn is the only match to donate marrow to save her life. However, her 18th birthday is approaching and she’s fearful that her lover will show up and end her life before she has the chance to donate her lifesaving marrow.

This was such a unique story and a page turner. We switched perspectives between present day and the lovers’ past lives but I was never bored. The author explored all of the emotional intricacies of the human experience thoughtfully and insightfully. The pacing was a touch slow due to this but not too much. The writing and poetry throughout were beautiful. I really enjoyed it, but there was one thing that didn’t work well for me. I struggled once we got the why, as it felt like a left turn and that part of the story felt under-developed. However, overall, I really enjoyed this story. It had heart and truly lovely writing.

With genre reincarnation, this could be booming. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue meets This is How You Lose The Time War in this fantastical love story that defies death as two souls reincarnate through the centuries.