Our Infinite Fates is about an epic, more often than not toxic love, spanning continents and centuries. Our protagonist, Evelyn, is sought out and killed in every life by her dearest love, Arden, before her eighteenth birthday. Most of the narrative takes place in a modern day Wales, but past lives are woven throughout fifteen times. Some reviewers have noted this is excessive, and I concur several of them could have been just a brief mention rather than its own chapter. I struggled to get into this one, not because I wasn't interested, but because the prologue is extremely confusing. I read it three times through before finally moving on without understanding a thing that was happening there. I read it again about the 70% mark when I had enough information to get something more from it. The prose is beautifully written, and representation of fabulous. My bias is likely showing here, but I wish there was more variety in that without actually counting, I have the impression most of their relationships were gay though maybe it was closer to half. With all the infinite possibilities, I wish it had been mixed up more often. Gender fluidity is definitely explored as is a particularly well written chapter about how their experience plays into major world religions. Once I did get into this one, I read it in just one day. One note: this book is being marketed to teens, and there is a short passage with on page sexual content.
I recommend an ebook or print copy because it is much easier to follow with all the skipping around in time and place. The audiobook was very well read, but difficult to follow through no fault at all of the fantastic narrator, Sofia Oxenham.
Thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan Young Listeners, and Wednesday Books for this ARC!

I could not put this book down.
The premise was enough to make me believe I’d love this book, but I was a bit scared it wouldn’t live up to my expectations. Spoiler alert, it absolutely did.
Firstly, I would like to say this was one of the most perfect audiobooks I listened to. Sofia Oxenham brings this story to life with such emotion and crisp precision that I was often torn between wanting to keep listening or taking up my paper copy so I could bookmark my favorite passages.
I adored Arden and Evelyn’s story, seeing glimpses of their many lives together, feeling their anguish at their situation and their love for each other. Past lives and reincarnated fated lovers are probably among my favorite tropes of all times and I could not put this book down. I was hooked from the start and needed to find the answers as much as Evelyn did. I have to say I greatly appreciated the fact that once I was thoroughly invested in their present lives, the chapters about past lives were both short and still remained important as they either gave us answers or explanations about a reference one of them had made in the present.
I will say that I was maybe a bit disappointed by some of the answers we found, probably because they weren’t as poetic or original as I would have liked, if it makes sense. But the ending was still so fitting that I forgave it.
Needless to say, I discovered both a new favorite author and a new favorite narrator.

My review is late, but I’ve been celebrating ever since I heard that Our Infinite Fates became a New York Times bestseller—because even before I finished reading it, I knew it was meant to be.

Our Infinite Fates explores the concept of reincarnation—how two souls are destined to find each other in every lifetime, yet somehow it’s never meant to be. Through their journeys, the main characters travel across time, experiencing the rise and fall of civilizations, different genders and races, new cultures, and both the beauty and the brutality of the world. And through it all, the only constant is their love for one another—built on a shared understanding of what they’ve endured together, lifetime after lifetime, only to always meet the same fate.

I ended up requesting the audiobook after being denied for the eBook, but I knew I needed this story—probably as much as I need air to breathe. What initially drew me in was the description. It reminded me of Reincarnation by Suzanne Weyn, a longtime favorite of mine. Both books center around star-crossed lovers who move through different lives, always finding each other but never quite managing to stay together. But Laura Steven takes it a step further—she not only lets us witness past lives, but also gives us a window into the characters' present life. Eventually, we learn why this is happening to them—and what it might all lead to.

The way Steven writes feels incredibly personal, almost as if she’s sharing deeply held beliefs through her characters. Regardless of whether readers agree or not, there’s something powerful about the way she invites us into those ideas and emotions.

I also have to shout out the narrator, Sofia Oxenham. She brought everything to life so beautifully—she honestly needs to narrate all my audiobooks from now on.

The characters—oh my god, how I loved them. Evelyn and Arden had such different personalities, and it was fascinating to see how much they evolved over their numerous lives. You can really sense how their experiences shaped them. I found Evelyn's reflections on change and growth particularly relatable. The way the past lives were portrayed was incredibly powerful; it felt like I was witnessing significant moments in history through an intimate and emotional lens, almost as if I weren't reading fiction at all. The scenes set during the war in France, the times when women were treated like witches, and even the lives that didn't end well were all vividly portrayed and unforgettable.

In a world full of endless series, I absolutely loved that this was a standalone. I only wish I could read it again for the first time—I want to feel that same ache, the same tears, the same sense of wonder all over again.

I don’t know how to feel about this lol, like I really wanted to like it, but it just dragged for me. Like they seriously got reincarnated so many times, but yet to discover why until like 80-90% in. I loved the whole premise, but execution wasn’t there for me. And then the ending being some deal w/ a devil fell flat for me. My mind might’ve been outside the story at that point. I mean, I did like a few stories during the reincarnations, but most just felt like fillers on a show that didn’t add anything to the actual plot.
The narrator did an amazing job, but this just wasn’t for me…

4/5

Our Infinite Fates is a haunting exploration of love, fate, and the complexity of human existence. The story follows Evelyn and Arden, two souls fated to meet and tragically end each other’s lives before their 18th birthdays, over and over again. Though the premise suggests a fast-paced thriller, this book is far more introspective and contemplative. The writing is breathtaking, with prose so beautifully crafted it invites reflection and contemplation. The alternating timelines are seamless, pulling you deeper into the mystery of why these two are bound together.

What makes this book truly stand out is its emotional depth. It doesn’t offer easy answers but instead leaves you with an aching need for understanding. The themes of destiny and love are explored thoughtfully, with LGBTQ+ representation handled with grace and authenticity. Love, in all its forms, is celebrated, adding a layer of richness to the narrative.

Sofia Oxenham’s narration of the audiobook is a perfect match, bringing the characters and their struggles to life with an ethereal quality. Our Infinite Fates is a book that lingers long after you finish it, making you reflect on the nature of love and fate. Laura Steven has created something extraordinary, and I’m eager to see what comes next.

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the ARC!

I have a lot of thoughts and feelings on this book. I was super drawn to the premise, the whole Addie LaRue thing gets me every time. After about 30% though I just found it so annoyingly repetitive. Each lifetime was the exact same, every time, just change the year and sometimes their genders. I put it on as background noise one day when I was sick and slept through the 40-60% chunks and I don't feel like I missed anything.

I felt 0 connection to either characters, and less so (if possible) for their love story. I honestly think this would have been better and made more sense without that part entirely, it just felt forced. The ending was also so dumb and rushed!! There are a million other endings that would have made more sense, but even those couldn't fill the amount of plot holes we ended the novel with.

In terms of the narrator, she was fine. A little too single-toned, with very little distinction between characters or time periods. This makes a little more sense when you realize the narrator is actually a screen actor and not your standard audiobook narrator/voice actor. Maybe I would have liked this more if it had a better production?

Thank you for this arc!! I'm disappointed I didn't like it more!

Oh my goodness, this book was everything I could have ever wanted and more. I wasn't quite sure what I thought that this novel would go but I can say that without a doubt that I couldn't have expected the way this book went. And the narrator was amazing.

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

This was such a wonderful read. I had the audiobook as well as a physical copy. This book was told through the multiple lives of Evelyn and Arden. I found myself wanting to learn more about their lifetimes together and in what way their stories played out. This was truly a spectacular read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for this audiobook.

I really wanted to love this one more than I did- I think the pace was slower than I expected maybe?

The book is told in alternating chapters of historical events between the characters and modern day. It's a love story strewn across time. The main characters (Evelyn and Arden) are fated to be together no matter where they are geographically or when in time it is. However, they are also fated to die before they turn 18 every time. Because of this they live countless lives in countless bodies but always manage to find each other. When current day Evelyn needs to save her sister with a bone marrow transplant but has to do it before she turns 18 and Arden kills her- will she succeed?

Overall, I was really excited by the premise of the book. But it fell flat for me. I felt like I didn't understand why they were so in love and the "reasoning" for them having to die before 18 just didn't do it for me. Every flash back felt the same and didn't capture me or give any insight. I felt like the characters didn't develop and I didn't connect deeply with them. I can see how a lot of people would love this but it just wasn't enough for me.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for sending me a copy of this auiobook! All opinions are my own!

This was a breathtakingly beautiful book and I am going to need the world to get its hands on it right this second! Enemies to fated lovers across the centuries? Say less!

I think my favorite part of this book was the way that you follow Evelyn and Adren through all the different years. I was so elated when I realized that the flashbacks were slowing going further and further back in time until it was going to give you all the answers that you have been hoping for. And the way that these pieces of history are woven into the story makes you fall in love with Evelyn and Adren slowly until you realize you've fallen headfirst. Watching them find each other again and again while also discovering what life is truly about and who they wish to be in the world.

I loved the plot twists in this one as well and the way that the story was woven together really gave it the best effect possible. Saying more might say too much, so I shall keep it short.

Get your hands on the next great enemies to lovers novel of the year!

This book is stunning. I was so intrigued by the current timeline from the opening but the way Laura wove the past lives into the story was breathtaking. The concept of two people forever trapped in a cycle where one must kill the other was so brilliantly executed and the ending was so perfect for the story she built.

This has been my favorite 2025 release and I love recommending it to anyone I can in my store.

This book had so much potential but ultimately wasn’t what I was expecting. I felt the story to be somewhat repetitive and with the characters consistently switching in each timeline it felt a bit confusing to keep track of. I didn’t feel super connected to the characters. I can see how some would love this book, with its poetic and whimsical writing. It just wasn’t personally a great fit for me.

Poetic / beautiful writing
Love through every life time
Historical vibes (setting)
🎧 great narration on audio

I enjoyed this so much more than I thought I would, especially since I don’t read fantasy that often. I really enjoyed the way the story unfolded backwards through time and all the different locations. I also really liked the narrator, who did a great job of bringing the story to life! 4.5⭐️

Thank you net gallery for this arc!

I was very excited to read this book and was looking for to it being one of the most anticipated books of the year. It was just not!

The writing felt all over the place, very rushed, and not easy to follow. I couldn’t connect to the book at all. It seemed very repetitive and dragged alot.

I was intrigued enough to continue to see if we could get answers about why they’ve been killing each other and what the point it which you really don’t get until the end if that.

There’s a lot of depth and character building, the relationships that are just lacking or felt rushed. I was very disappointed.

This book is quite beautiful and touched me. It reinforced my own beliefs on death and goodbyes, while also giving me opportunities to appreciate my life and the people around me. At the same time, it also has a great balance of humor and seriousness. Even if you didn't like Addie LaRue (guilty), there is a chance you will still like this book!

Our Infinite Fates follows Evelyn and Arden, two souls who are reborn together again and again. In every life, Arden must kill Evelyn. Not because they want to, but because they have to. And the underlying mystery of why is what keeps the novel moving.

The main plot is set in their present life in Wales. But we move back and forth between Wales and their many past lives—two soldiers, two girls in a mental institution, and countless others. As someone who disliked Addie LaRue's flashbacks (felt like a clunky way of driving the plot forward), I actually really loved the flashbacks in Our Infinite Fates because the flashbacks aren't meant to be a plot driver. Rather, they are a window into our two main characters - who they are, how they've changed, and what remains constant in each iteration of their lives. Each life is also so different from the other and it keeps me wondering who they'll be next, what their situation will be in another life. Their relationship transcends time periods, locations, genders, social status. And the novel is quite character driven and benefits greatly from the flashbacks.

Speaking of our characters, Evelyn and Arden are deliciously complex. Laura Steven does a great job at anticipating the ramifications of being able to remember past lives, only being able to live until (latest) 18, and being murdered by the one you love every time. They each learn so much from their previous lives. And it leaves you to ask the question: what would you be like if you knew you'd die before you turned 18? Would you be like Evelyn who still loves and is loved? Or would you be like Arden and choose to keep everyone at a distance? And because of our insight into their relationship and its various forms, Arden never annoyed me at their insistence that they can't tell Evelyn why all of this is necessary. It is so clear that they love Evelyn so much that I was convinced there must be a good reason, so I was ok with them never saying anything useful 😂 Arden's character also mostly comes through to us in the form of their poetry. I sometimes find books within books a bit cringe, but the poetry was actually a great vessel for insights into Arden's complicated thoughts on their role in this infinite fate. It was beautiful and so sweet.

That being said, the answer to the question of "why" was not particularly satisfying for me. The first 90% of this book is so incredibly compelling, but the last 10% left me a bit disappointed. Not to say it was bad. The ending just felt a bit basic compared to the build-up and triumph of the rest of the novel. I was expecting something a bit more profound. It left me wondering why Arden didn't just tell Evelyn this all along (though remember, throughout the book, I did not mind). I thought it was because telling Evelyn would in itself lead to some sort of terrible consequence, but it did not.

A couple of additional things that stood out for me: big joys and small joys are the same; it's not the fear of death, it's the fear of never; "My immortality kept my loved ones immortal too. My grief built monuments in their honor and I visited them from life to life. Until inevitably they faded.”

In regards to the audiobook format, I did like the narrator! Clear narration, easy to follow. I did sometimes feel the emphasis was not quite right, but 90% of the time, I did not notice any discrepancies between the emotions I thought should have been portrayed and the emotions that were portrayed. This book lends itself well to the audio format.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book despite not being satisfied by the ending. This book is truly "it's the journey, not the destination" - and I am glad I was able to dive into this story!

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me with the audio ARC for this title! My opinions are my own and 100% honest.

Some books are just stories. Others ask something of you. Our Infinite Fates is the latter—the kind of book that lingers, demanding a piece of you in return.

Going in, I wasn’t sure what to expect. The premise—two people fated to unalive each other—had me bracing for a fast-paced, knife-to-throat kind of story (it wasn’t this at all) But this book doesn’t rush. It’s introspective, grounding, almost contemplative in a way that makes every moment feel heavier. The writing? Stunning. There were paragraphs so beautifully crafted I wanted to bottle them up, underline every word, and let them sink into my bones.

And the timelines? I’m picky about time jumps. They can feel clunky or pull me out of the story, but here? Seamless. Each thread pulled me in deeper, making me question fate, love, and what it means to be human.

This was one of those rare books I wanted to devour every second I could—while driving, getting ready, squeezing in another minute of the audiobook—but at the same time, I wanted to sit with it, savor it, let it completely consume me. And when I turned the last page? Silence. I didn’t cry, but that achy, lingering need for a good cry stayed with me. I wanted a hug, but I also wanted to be alone.

I’ve seen the ratings all over the place, and I get it—this isn’t a book that hands you all the answers. You have to meet it where you are, let it settle in, and draw your own conclusions. But for me? This was exactly the kind of book that sticks, the kind that makes you question everything, and the kind that will stay with me for a long, long time.


The narration was exquisite too and added to the immersion.

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for an audiobook arc in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved the unique premise of this book. The idea of Evelyn and Arden's endless cycle of love and loss completely captivated me, pulling me into their tragically beautiful story. I found the jumping timelines confusing at time, but the emotional element of their relationship kept me hooked. I found myself really invested in their journey, as they found each other again and again only to be tragically torn apart. The glimpses into their various lives was so fascinating and unique. I loved how their love transcended time, race, and sexuality. Laura created a rich and immersive experience. However, I did feel like the ending was rushed and predictable, which left me slightly disappointed since the rest of the story felt like it was leading up to something amazing. Regardless, this is definitely one of the most memorable books I’ve read lately and I would gladly check out Laura Steven's other books.

Evelyn has lived many lives but she never makes it to her 18th birthday. Arden is always hunting her and killing her.

They fall in love in every life only to kill each other so they can be reborn and do it all over again. Evelyn never can remember the why. Why is this happening. But Arden does. And when Arden finally does Evenly has to do something to break the cycle.

The part where they try to defeat the devil wasn’t as good as I thought it was going to be, seemed to be more anticlimactic. But over all it was a good read. Always falling in love no matter what.

Seriously debated between 4 and 5 stars. Only reason why I am going with 4 is because my lizard brain sometimes had a hard time keeping up with the jumping timelines. Top notch narrator and story. I think one of my new top favorite quotes lives in this book. It's a no brainer that I will read more Laura Steven books in the future.

“Our Infinite Fates,” by Laura Steven

This book was wow, blew me away. Number 1 it gave me the vibes of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue but also Divine Rivals, I’ve been trying to pick my brain to figure out how to explain that type of book because it isn’t rivals to lovers like divine rivals and it has a historical fiction stuff in it but it’s mostly contemporary… I can’t figure it out, but it was absolutely amazing anyways. The tension throughout the book was so good. Also, the mystery in figuring out why they are doing this was so perfect. Best build up, complex characters that kept me conflicted on who I liked or why. I listened to the audiobook and once wasn’t enough, so I listened to it three times to relive the experience. The narration was so good and was a great way to experience the book. 5 out of 5 stars, I couldn’t get enough of this book at all.

Thank you for the ARC, Netgalley.