Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the eARC of Infinite Fates in exchange for an honest review.

The love story of Evelyn and Arden, two reincarnated souls, through centuries which always ends in the same tragic fate of killing each other. In the present, Evelyn is fighting to stay alive long enough to do a bone marrow transplant to save her sister’s life. She is getting close to her 18th birthday which means Arden is coming.

Overall, I liked the story. It is written with alternate chapter from past lives to present. I really liked this but it did slow the read for me. When we jump into the story they are already in love and the chapters give us a glimpse into their previous lives and how they fell in love over a thousand years. I wish we got a little bit more with the snippets of the past. I was missing the depth of their love and growth of relationship. It was just missing something for me. I wish we got the “why” behind their fates a little earlier in the story. The ending was a little out there but it is a YA book and suits the audience.

One element of the story that I really admired was poetry. I am no where near a poet or poetry fanatic but I appreciated the beauty of the writing.

I gave the book 4 stars because I enjoyed my read. It was a little slow at times but also some chapters were really captivating.

Favorite Quote:
“Bravery is picking up fear and carrying it alongside you, rather than allowing it to block the path.”

Thank you @macmillan.audio @wednesdaybooks @netgalley #partner for the gifted copies of this book!

So about 9 months ago I came across this book and its prettiness and sent it to a bunch of book friends and told them they needed to buy it with me because…it’s gorgeous and sounds amazing. I am happy to report I didn’t waste anyone’s money because this book is flipping amazing. Calling all Addie LaRue fans…you need this one!

What it’s about:
Evelyn has lived thousands of lives. Each life is different but ends in the same way. Each time she ends up murdered by her 18th birthday but a man named Arden. They are forever tethered to each other and she can’t figure out why. She tries desperately to try and stop it but the end result is the same each time.

Thoughts:
Oooof. This book was amazing. There is sometime to be said about a romance that spans hundreds of years. This book was like reading poetry, listening to a classical love song and dancing underneath the stars. The love, the curse, the tortured souls. All just freakin Chef’s kiss. The audio was done so well and swept me away into this beautifully tragic love story. I cannot recommend this one enough. 5 billion stars from me!

This book sucked me in from the first pages and didn’t let me go until close to the end, but when it did I was left shaking my head and thinking it could have been so much better. I devoured each step back in time, adored Evelyn and her family, rooted for Arden and so badly wanted to know why! But the why was just underwhelming and for me a little bit strange- like it was a wholly different story. Even the writing at the end felt different- choppy rather than engaging. I’m still happy I read it but was just a tad disappointed

Our Infinite Fates follows the heartbreaking story of Evelyn and Arden. Both are cursed to die at the hands of the other before their 18th birthday and then be reincarnated to do it all over again in the next life. They’ve lived a thousand years in this vicious cycle. The story alternates between the present day and their past lives, and readers get to experience their love form and grow throughout each.

To start with what I like - I thought that the present day timeline was the strongest. I thought Evelyn wanting to be a bone marrow donor for her sister was cancer was a great story and motivation for her to live no matter what. I also thought Gracie as a side character was funny and provided some much needed comedic relief.

I think where I struggle with his book was I didn’t actually believe the “love” that Evelyn and Arden shared. I felt that I was told as a reader that they had this grand love, but I never actually felt it. This could be because we don’t spend much time with them in their past lives and when we do it’s right before they die. But I never went aw dang that’s tragic. I just read it and moved on. I also thought the internal monologues about how much Evelyn loved Arden got repetitive. This could also be personal preference, but the reveal of their curse felt like it came much too late in the book for me to care.

Overall, it was an enjoyable and unique read. I think a lot of people will really like this.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. Our Infinite Fates is the story of two souls being reincarnated over hundreds of years only for Arden to kill Evelyn in every life before she turns 18. The premise to this one sounded amazing - true love fated to end in death. I did enjoy seeing all the different places and times Evelyn and Arden met throughout their past. I struggled with feeling connected to either character and felt as though their epic love story needed to be a lot more epic for the centuries of turmoil they suffered. By the end, I found myself not convinced that they had enough time together to even fall in love despite having met time and time again. I wasn’t a fan of the reveal at the end. Overall 3/5 stars.

When I heard that there was a book that had Addie Larue vibes and then I read the premise - 2 immortal souls bound by love; yet cursed to kill each other every time they meet I was like sign me UP. You won’t ever read anything like this story and appreciate that so much!

The writing is stunning, plot is original, and the romance is tender and unique - BUT we really didn’t get a full picture of their origin story/romance. You are kind of just thrown into it and it made it really hard to connect/root for them. A little bit of a let down as I was so excited for this release but still had a fun time!

Thank you Netgalley and St.Martins Press for the eArc of Our Infinite Fates.

3⭐️

This was a highly anticipated read for me between the description and all the really good reviews I saw but the story missed the mark for me. I wasn't a fan of the back and forth in the time line where it goes from present day to previous lives. It made it difficult to stay focused on the story. I also felt like the chapters on the past lives were too short and not in depth enough to connect with them. Overall the story had so much potential but just fell short for me.

The premise of this book is so intriguing, the combination of the chapters from past lives with the present chapters and both featuring the poetry about their relationships was a captivating blend. That said the pacing was a little slow it felt like you learned a lot more at the beginning and the end of the book and the middle slowed down quite a bit. I also felt like it was so much easier to connect with Evelyn because of this and if we had learned a little more about Arden in this middle part some of his actions would have been more impactful That said I still really enjoyed both characters their in such a unique position and the way their mysterious history shaped their romance added so much depth to every interaction. The settings were great and seeing all these glimpses of history and how they had lived through great historical moments and more mundane lives and then how impactful all the little moments of their lives were. The idea of big and little joys throughout their lives was also so well woven through all the chapters. All around I really enjoyed the depth and complexity of their relationship and romance.

4.5⭐️

how romantic, to find each other in every single life time and love each other to the fullest… except there’s a deadly twist, and it’s quite tragic.

arden and evelyn fall into each other’s lives over and over again for centuries, but the tragic twist is one of them must kill the other on their 18th birthday.

i admit, it took me a good 15% to really get into this story but once i did, i was utterly hooked. i was so invested in the dozens of stories and lives both evelyn and arden lived and i couldn’t help but to feel saddened by their tragic and infinite fates. i was rooting for them to get their happy ending! i thought it all tied so nicely together at the very end, but i was also blubbering like a baby because of it! if you love stories like “the invisible life of addie larue” and “the unmaking of june farrow,” i would highly suggest this book!

thank you netgalley and wednesday books for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’ll admit to coming into this book a little biased. Laura Steven is one of my favorite authors and immortals traipsing through history is one of my favorite tropes. Even if I wasn’t biased, this book still would have ended up a five star read for me. I thought the ending was so fitting and I just really enjoyed the whole journey. I loved the exploration of love as a force that transcended gender and different bodies and lives. Both the characters maintained a distinct personality and soul despite different incarnations.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. I could not resist ordering the Waterstones version because it looks absolutely gorgeous.

What an amazing story!! I couldn’t put this book down!! I got sucked in from the very first chapter!! This is a standalone so it comes full circle at the end. It definitely didn’t go the direction that I was thinking. I don’t want to put spoilers.
Favorite quotes:
"I love you, and I have loved you, and I will love you," he whispered, hoarse, tortured.
My second favorite quote is a spoiler, so I’m not going to put it. Thank you to NetGalley for the e-arc, these are my honest opinion.

This book had one of my all time favorite tropes- two characters doomed by fate to always be connected yet never together. I loved the characters and felt the story was so magical and intriguing. I did think that it started becoming a little bit repetitive towards the end.

A Beautifully Woven Tale of Love, Fate, and Sacrifice - 4 Stars

Our Infinite Fates by Laura Steven is a stunning, star-crossed lovers' story that captivated me from the first page. This is a book that effortlessly blends romance, supernatural intrigue, and historical depth in a way that left me both emotional and in awe.

Evelyn's ability to remember her past lives—each one tragically ending before her eighteenth birthday—creates a sense of both urgency and inevitability as she fights to break this cycle of death. The stakes are incredibly high, especially as her sister’s life depends on Evelyn’s survival. The love story woven through this narrative is both heartbreaking and beautiful, reminiscent of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue and They Both Die at the End.

What makes Our Infinite Fates so special is its intricate exploration of fate and love. Evelyn’s struggle not only with the looming threat of her murderer but also with the temptation to fall for the very person who hunts her, is a constant tug-of-war between destiny and free will. The supernatural elements are richly crafted, with the centuries-old enemy adding an ominous and thrilling layer to the story.

Though the book is undoubtedly a romance at its core, it explores themes of sacrifice, identity, and the weight of the past with such nuance and tenderness that it’s hard not to be emotionally invested. The mix of a fresh, innocent take on love with mature storytelling makes it a unique reading experience.

While I would have liked a bit more clarity in why this book is YA rather than adult which I think would make it 5 stars, the overall emotional payoff and character development are well worth the journey. This is a book that will resonate long after you’ve closed the pages.

For fans of poignant, multi-layered romance and supernatural thrillers, Our Infinite Fates is an unforgettable read that I would highly recommend!

What an incredibly beautiful story! I was swept along on the tides of this cursed romance in the best possible way. If you've been searching for a feeling like Addie Larue, look no further, this book has the same longing, the same treks through history, but in a unique and heartbreaking way that give you the vibes of Addie Larue without feeling like a copy in any way.

Throughout the story, you receive subtle hints at the truth of the bargain made and forgotten, and Evelyn's longing to know and remember really drives this story. Arden is infuriatingly stoic and reserved, but his deep passion and care come across on every page. I nearly dropped my kindle as the pieces came together and the truth of their history was revealed (and then nearly dropped it again when additional information was given a few chapters later) I highly recommend this for any fans of romantasy. Warning though, I would rate this as upper YA/NA, the content is a bit mature for the younger end of YA audiences and it is written in more of an adult style despite the age of the characters.

Thank you to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for my eARC to review.

There is a lot to this novel that it is hard to summarize without a lot of spoilers! This novel follows Evelyn and Arden through time and different lives but never past their 18th birthdays. Before they both turn 18 one of them murders the other one and their lives start over as does the draw they have for each other. This is a story about enduring love and what it means to be human.

I literally couldn’t put this book down. I read this in three days just enthralled in the story and wanting to know what happened next. I loved the jumping around the different lifetimes and how small things connected them together and built the overall story of who these characters grew to be in the present day. The character building was so strong and I really appreciated the fluid nature of gender in this story as well. It was not a simple reincarnation story where they were always male and female falling in love. It felt more realistic that if you were reincarnated through thousands of lifetimes that gender would be more random including place and class.

The twist in this one propelled the story to a different level and changed the novel completely. I went in thinking it was one story and then the twist changed it for me in the best way. It was so well done and it didn’t feel forced. Overall I would highly recommend this book, it has a great story with great characters that you will miss once the book is over.

This was very, very nearly a perfect book to me, but the real review sits somewhere at around 4.75. Our Infinite Fates is beautifully written, the focus on the romance does not take away from the rest of the story but rather works with it to create a perfectly well-rounded narrative. So many parts of this book will stay with me for a long time, and its billing for fans of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is spot on. Unfortunately, there is one part at the very end that took me out of the story and kept me from being fully satisfied with the conclusion.

I have read a dozen books about flipping through time, finding loved ones in the chaos of life, second chances and soulmate equations galore... but the connection I made with this story in particular was incredible. I would happily (with <i>confelicity!</i>) follow Evelyn and Arden through any life, and the next and the next. The author writes with eloquence and beauty, weaving a story that touches on varying races, genders, sexual identities, cultures and more. This story is different in that it places very little importance on maintaining a certain gender identity or color of skin across their lives, making status or orientation stunningly irrelevant when it comes to their LOVE: <u>nothing</u> mattered but their love, and I believe the reader will feel it. I thought I would tire of flipping to the past lives while I was so invested in the present, but each life was so intriguing and surprising that it felt refreshing to see a new angle of their story and love. Please read this one- if you don't fall for the story, you will at least find yourself easily identified in one of the souls of their lives, and it really is beautiful.

(*A huge Thank You to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC!*)

Some favorite words, as always:
P.37: "In truth, part of me believed that everyone I'd ever loved would come back to me again in another life, in another form. They wouldn't necessarily <i>know</i> that we had met before, and nor would I, but that energy would still thrum between us, that recycled love, that historic bond."
P.37: "... lost souls were drawn to the love still felt for them by the living. This meant that parents were often reborn as their children's own children, and siblings who died together were reborn as twins..."
P.165: "I was so tired of sailing through history like a hunk of driftwood that could never grow roots."
P.289: "And hadn't I always known this? That to be human was to love and love and love, knowing it could only end in tragedy? ... To love was to live, and to live was to die."

This is an absolute stunner. I adore an alternating timeline, if done correctly, and this book does it quite well. Arden and Evelyn’s story is both tragic and beautiful from start to finish.

This book was a lot less fantastical than I was expecting, but I think that's for the best. Seeing these characters in environments that exist/once existed in our world make them feel more real. It makes their predicament more powerful and heartbreaking. Plus the yearning in this book is top tier! I was able to fall in love with characters simply based on their love and adoration for each other.

Something I really liked about this book was that the goal of the main characters isn't to break whatever curse is plaguing them. It's to save someone they both love. yes, Evelyn is somewhat obsessed with why they must endure this existence (and who could blame her!), but that is secondary to the plot of saving Gracie. That really makes both characters more appealing, and makes it easy to want to root for their success. I also really enjoyed how the narrative is both moving forward and backward in time, yet it's written in a manner that is easily digestible for the reader. In the present timeline, I was curious if things would work out with Gracie and if the curse would be broken so Evelyn and Arden could be together. In the past, not only was it fun yet heartbreaking to read about Evelyn and Arden's past lives, but we also get closer and closer to discovering how and why this is their reality in the first place. This made it a very fun reading experience. The twist really got me! I won't say much for risk of spoilers, but woah! It's absolutely something reader won't see coming, that's for sure. The ending is a little info-dumpy, but still worth it.

The premise of this book is really interesting and well executed. A plot such as this one could have easily gotten over complicated and more challenging to follow, but thankfully that wasn't the case. I'd argue that the exact opposite happened. While the plot is great, I think this book really shines with it's characters. They were incredibly well developed. From our main two whom we spend the most time with, to side characters in both the present and the past, everyone feels so real. To further that point, I also admired the relationships depicted throughout the novel. Yes, Evelyn and Arden's love is beautiful, and watching it change and grow throughout the the centuries was a worthwhile adventure for the reader. But I'd say the same thing for Bran and her sister, Gracie, and the love their mom feels for them. Even when Evelyn reflects on parents lost in her previous lives radiates love through the veil of grief. It's powerful to say the least, and definitely my favorite part of the novel.

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

The first time you read this quote, you might think, "Huh?!". However, as you continue to read, the story begins to make sense, and you may find yourself reading the quote again, thinking, "WHAT?!"

This story is one of the most unique and adventurous I've ever read, spanning centuries. It offers the opportunity to explore different eras, empires, cultures, and contemporary trends through the characters' experiences. As we delved into the narrative, I appreciated how the author engaged in discussions on various topics, providing thoughtful critiques. While reading, I couldn't help but wonder how much time the author must have spent researching and crafting such a distinctive story—everything from the concept to the ideas and the depictions of different eras!

While I enjoyed the story and appreciated its unique concept, there were certain aspects I wasn't a fan of, particularly the writing choices and the lack of depth in the explanations and character development throughout the reading experience. I felt that these issues were interconnected, and I wished more time had been spent on explaining the character choices, especially in the beginning. While some explanations come later, I often found myself feeling annoyed rather than intrigued by the direction of the story.

On a positive note, the final part of the book effectively ties everything together and clarifies the plot. However, I wished there had been more foreshadowing to enhance the impact of the story and the characters' experiences. I appreciated the discussions throughout the narrative, as I am naturally curious, but I feel there was potential for deeper exploration. Ultimately, I understand that it may not be possible to address every aspect without making the discussions repetitive or unfolding the plot more predictably.

Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for the e-arc of the book.