Thanks to Macmillan Audio for the ALC!

Fantasy reading level: Beginner
Representation: Queer

"Battlefields and asylums, olive groves and caravels, the whole world a backdrop for our doomed love, for our infinite fates."

You want to read this for... the amazing prose and soul mate love story that will leave you replaying scenes in your head days later.

About the book: Evelyn and Arden are reincarnated time and again throughout the centures... but they never make it past the age of eighteen. Each lifetime, Arden finds Evelyn and murders her before adulthood begins, but she can't deny the pull she feels for him anyway. The problem is - she can't remember why she's being hunted or why they're stuck in this cycle.

My review: When V. E. Schwab had this on her list of best books she read in 2024, I knew it was going to be a total win. I highlighted approximately one bazillion quotes because GOODNESS this prose just pulled on my heartstrings and created the deepest sense of longing. I love that Evelyn and Arden come back in mulitple ways in multiple bodies for so many lifetimes, and I adored the present timeline that was consistent throughout the book. The constant "I love you, and I have loved you, and I will love you" was just so sincere between these two souls and they're my favorite. Even if they do kill each other every time. I also LOVE a good villain and the narrative of hero versus villain in this story is utter perfection. If you're into people being "the very fabric" of each other and desperately in love despite circumstances, this one's for you.

While the audio as narrated by Sofia Oxenham was done really well, I did get to 30% and choose to start over reading a digital copy because I felt like I was missing information and the impact of the prose from listening to the audiobook. I'm happy with my decision and think this is a book where reading a digital or physical copy is worthwhile.

*3.5 stars*

This was full of yearning and love. It covers a wide variety of historical and modern issues like war, poverty, sexuality, disease, etc, because of the main characters reincarnations over the last thousand years.

This was an enjoyable quick read. I did feel like the lack of Arden’s point of view kept the story from being deeper and more complex than it could have been and I would have liked to see that play out. The memories of past lives were interesting but so brief. It felt like a lot of the issues in the book were glossed over, maybe because of their brevity or because we didn’t get to see any lasting consequences. I was dissapointed that we got the answer to Evelyn’s question of where she came from at the end but didn’t get to see the characters learn the answer.

If you’re looking for something lighter with a lot of yearning and mystery surrounding soulmates I think this is work giving a shot. This is marketed as young adult and I think it very much gives that.

The narration was very well done and easy to listen to. There were one or two small editing glitches but that may be because I was listening to an advanced copy.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ALC of this work. All opinions in this review are my own.

Audiobook rating 4⭐️
My enjoyment: 3.5⭐️
Objective Rating on writing, editing and presentation: 3.5⭐️
Update:
Because I was lukewarm on this title when I read it last month I wanted to give another go at it with its audiobook and I’m glad that I did. While I still stand by what I wrote after reading it the first time, listening to the audio recitation was enjoyable.

Narrator Sofia Oxenham was great to listen to vocally, maybe I am a sucker for a British accent?? But It was recorded a bit on the slow side where words were dragged out a touch in her sultry vocals. I sped it up just a touch to 1.25x which was perfect to enjoy. However, the pacing of the prose is off and the audiobook couldn’t save that.

I am going to reiterate the main issue with the book. I thought maybe I had missed something the first time as it had taken me a bit to read but alas it was even more evident the second time around. Here you have this epic love story but there was little to base it on of the “why”. It has a lot of “tell” but little “show”. The character development for the individuals was there, it just failed in execution to bring it together for an epic relationship.



I am thankful to have gotten the audio ALC for free from MacMillian Audio through NetGalley to read which gave me the opportunity to voluntarily leave a review.

Original review:
3⭐️
Hmm.. I really wanted to like this book as I was so thankful to get the ARC for free from Wednesday Book via NetGalley so I could write this review but I need to be honest.. it just didn’t hold my attention.

Full disclosure I was not a fan of the invisible life of Addie LaRue and this seemed like another version of it. Dare I say that it’s a bit suspect of the similarities but maybe it was just the inspiration.

What bothered me the most is that you have this epic love that goes throughout the centuries but what is it based on? You can only be told so much before you want to be shown evidence of the why. It just wasn’t there. The premise is great. It’s the execution that’s lacking.

So I’ll leave it at the above. It’s not. Bad book by any means. The character development is there so many may love it. It just wasn’t for me.

My rating system since GoodReads doesn’t have partial stars and I rarely round up.

⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea (potentially DNF’d or thought about it)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but nothing special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again

Wow!
I don't think I've ever read a book quite like this. It's the ultimate trial of love and death! The story follows two lovers who reincarnate through centuries, finding and loving each other thousands of times. However, death always ends their love story on their 18th birthday, when one kills the other, and the cycle begins again.

Evelyn remembers her past lives and usually tries to hide from Arden, but this time she's fond of her life and wants to help save her sister from cancer. She aims to avoid Arden and live past her 18th birthday. The twist is that Evelyn doesn't know who Arden has reincarnated into, so she's constantly looking for clues to identify him. Sometimes she gets it wrong, and sometimes she's spot on.

The story includes flashbacks from their previous lives, showing how they've fallen in love repeatedly. Evelyn always grapples with the same questions: Why must this be their torment? Why must Arden kill her each time? How can she keep herself from falling in love with him again? This is a great story with many layers, and it's definitely worth the read!
With superb narration and captivating prose, the story keeps you listening.
Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to listen and review this one! It was an absolutely heartbreaking journey full of love and surprise!

Evelyn and Arden must kill each other before they turn 18 but luckily, they are reborn only to die again before 18. In one life, Evelyn’s sister needs bone marrow to survive and to save her sister she must: find Arden before they can kill her, finally break the curse, and try not to fall in love again.

I liked how it was a mystery in every life to figure out who Arden is because we only get Evelyn's POV but also Arden for most of the book seemed to have more memories and knowledge than Evelyn does.

I disliked the random mostly unnecessary semi-closed-door sex scene at about 90%. It wasn't needed and could have just been a kiss to show their connection.

Thank you NetGalley and MacMillian Audio for this audio ARC!

This book stirred my hopeless romantic soul and made me fall in love with all of the characters, the depth, the writing style of this novel...just everything. I literally can't wait to own the physical copy of this book which I may soon thanks to a certain monthly book subscription box and I feel like a kid with too much candy.

I honestly don't even know what more to say about this book but I ate it up in one sitting and it is a definite reread on my physical copy. To anyone who reads this review know that it is a definite buy and this author is now an automatic buy for me.

#evenlynandardenforever

our infinite fates: i’ll admit it. i wanted to read this ARC solely based on the cover and the title once again. sue me. boy, was i in for a sweet treat. this slow, tender lover story was unlike anything i’ve read before. we travel back and forth from past to present with these fated mates. i normally don’t enjoy slow paced stories, but this felt very important in understanding the characters dynamics and portraying their devastating love. the twist at the end took me out. Sofia Oxenham did a fabulous job of reading this in a calming tone as we took in a heartbreaking situation. this book hurt my heart in the best way. thank you Laura Steven for showing me a different kind of love story!

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

6/5 stars people. This is a must read. For everyone, anyone. How do I move on from this book? How do I move on from these characters? From this love? Everything is dim in comparison. A millennium of love and sacrifice put into words that scream off the pages.

The narrator of this was phenomenonal. The way she became each character, it was like we are them too. Living these lives and feeling all of the love and emotion they are.

I feel like I need a long time to emotionally recover from this. I'm spent. My heart is hurting and full. Whew what a ride of a book.

I find tragic teen romantasy difficult to love, but Our Infinite Fates drew me in until I just had to get to the end. I enjoyed the wide variety of past lives throughout the story, each one fleshed out enough with friends and family to be fun to read. While these dips into previous stories were fascinating, I feel like each was a lost opportunity to give us more reasons why these two teens were so in love. That part of the story felt more like a tell, rather than show moment. The time period switching also makes an audiobook slightly challenging. It's always more difficult to track when and where we are when you can't physically see the page. However, the narrator was very pleasant to listen to and did an amazing job differentiating characters. I feel like the overall mystery of why these two were locked their tragic spiral went on a little too long. The story then felt rushed to the climax where the story logic got a little fuzzy to me. Yet it was that mystery that kept me listening to the end, so it was worth it I suppose.

4.5⭐️-rounded down
Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the ALC
Our Infinite Fates will be published March 4th and l'm so
excited to get my hands on a physical edition! The narrator was fantastic and really brought out the emotion of the story.
I love the concept of two lovers fated to kill each other in
every lifetime, but they never stop loving each other.
I would have appreciated some knowledge upfront about why they are fated to kill each other because it does seem like the ending was a bit rushed. I'm not sure if there will be a second book, but goodness I wish there was- like I need to know more of the backstory than the CRUMB we were given.
I actually liked the dual timeline between past lives and the present-usually I don't-but I do feel we could have spend a bit more time getting to know the character.
Still loved it, though!

"Maybe that’s all love is, in the end. An endless tempting of fate."

I am unwell. This lyrical, poetic, and utterly stunning novel is a love story that defies time itself. It’s haunting, heartbreaking, and achingly beautiful—one of those books that lingers long after you turn the final page. Reincarnated lovers might just be my new favorite trope.
At its heart, Our Infinite Fates is about two souls trapped in an endless cycle of love and tragedy. In every lifetime, they are fated to meet, fall in love, and ultimately be forced to kill each other. It’s an impossible, gut-wrenching fate, and yet the story never loses its hopefulness. I don’t want to say too much about the plot—going in blind made it all the more powerful—but experiencing their different lives, seeing the echoes of their past selves in each new incarnation, was nothing short of mesmerizing. Each lifetime brought something fresh and compelling, adding layers to their history and making their love story feel even more profound.

“And I will always be yours. But I gave up the right to call you mine a long time ago.”

The writing is absolutely breathtaking. I’ve always been a fan of poetic prose, and Laura Steven is the master of it. Her words flow like music, rich with emotion and meaning, making even the smallest moments feel significant. The way she weaves past and present, fate and free will, love and loss—it’s art. Every passage is beautifully constructed, and I found myself highlighting entire sections just to revisit them later. The inclusion of poetry throughout the novel was another brilliant touch, adding an extra layer of intimacy to the story.
And that twist? I yelled. I genuinely had no idea what was coming, and when it was finally revealed, it hit me like a punch to the chest. The way Steven built up to that moment, scattering breadcrumbs along the way, was masterful. It’s one of those rare books that keeps you on edge, even as you’re completely immersed in the romance.

My only minor issue was the resolution at the end. While it didn’t ruin the experience for me, I found myself wishing for just a bit more—maybe a different outcome, maybe a little more closure. But even so, it didn’t take away from how deeply I loved this book.
The audiobook was also incredible. Sofia Oxenham’s narration was stunning, perfectly capturing the lyrical quality of the prose and the aching emotions of the characters. She truly brought this story to life, making the experience even more immersive.

"To love was to live, and to live was to die."

Our Infinite Fates is an unforgettable, soul-shattering story that will stay with me for a long time. It’s beautifully written, deeply emotional, and completely captivating. If you love poetic storytelling, star-crossed lovers, and a book that will wreck you in the best way possible, this is a must-read.
Huge thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Wednesday Books for the eARC and audio ARC.

I absolutely adored this book! The premise is SO interesting and heartbreaking. I couldn't put this down. There is so much love and pain and loss, tied up in gorgeous prose. Getting a glimpse into so many different lives over different times was great, but the way the different bodies were done took it over the top. The queerness that flowed through the story was amazing! The love in this story was so powerful. A love that truly transcends time, place, body, gender, etc etc etc. The realest most raw soul mates. I can't stop thinking about this one.

The narrator, Sofia Oxenham was excellent. Such a pleasant voice to listen to, and great quality narration and sound.
4.5/5

Vibes of "Animation Games" by Olivie Blake, The Invisible Life of Addie Larue by V.E. Schwab, The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, and This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone.

A beautiful story depicting love spanning many centuries. The story left me wondering what would happen next and put the cause of the main character’s anguish was.

Beautiful book about the power of love and how it triumphs even under the most dire circumstances. The storyline was very original and keeps the reader invested.

First off, I want to thank Net gallery to access to this arc! I was very excited when I saw I got approved!

I am giving this book a 3.75! I definitely want to reread this in physical from at some point because I am a big believer in audiobooks and physical being 2 different experiences!

I definitely very much enjoyed this audiobook but there were times where I got bored and spaced out or I heard/ though I heard the book jump forward a little and I got confused.

I very much loved the book concept and by the end of this book I was in love and was left wanting more of this story!! I 100% recommend this book and can't wait to get my hand on a physical copy when it comes out!

I was not expecting to be sobbing in my kids’ school car line while reading this magical story, but here we are.

Laura Steven has truly rendered me speechless with her lyrical and enchanting prose and deeply romantic, epic storytelling. This story was unlike any I have ever read and what a gift it was to bear witness to a love that transcends time and space and defies the laws of logic.

The audiobook narration had a HOLD on me and I could NOT stop listening. I kept finding things to do in order to keep it playing because I simply had to find out what happened to these lovers.

This story is so unique, ethereal, and wholly bewitching. I will be thinking of these characters for a long while!

This audiobook was MAGICAL. I love a good star crossed lovers trope & this was perfect! I thought the current timeline & past lifetime chapters were so cohesive and really brought the story to life. It’s definitely a solid YA story. It’s a 4 star for me because I wished there was a little** more depth to their actual love story, but overall the author still made their emotions so real!!

The narrator was also so good for Evelyn’s character and I felt like she did a terrific job voicing this story!

I was excited to receive this ALC because the plot sounded so unique. I think the writing was beautiful and the narrator was perfect for this story. However, I didn’t feel anything for our 2 main love interests. We were more so told that they love each other, rather than shown if that makes sense which made it difficult to feel invested in the story. It was also on the slower side and after awhile I was hoping for things to pick up. Overall, enjoyable but not my favorite. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy.

I was excited to receive this as an ALC! Nothing could have prepared me for this book. Absolutely loved!

This book is similar to The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue and The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle (FMC shares a name). I had so many questions I wrote down throughout reading--why do they have to kill each other? What happens if they don't? Why does Arden love Evelyn? EVERY QUESTION GOT ANSWERED. In no way did I guess what the answers were. I was SCREAMING at the plot twist. My first reaction was, "Did they just Good Place me??" IYKYK.

This book also offers a fascinating commentary on gender identity, as the characters are reincarnated in both genders. They live incredibly fascinating lives but also suffer horrific loss.

The twist did twist on itself! What in the Freida McFadden. Arden and Evelyn's love story is epic and absolutely makes sense now.

Favorite quote: "Love can make a villian of anyone".

Review will be posted on my booksta, toomanyfivestarreads, closer to pub date.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the audiobook ARC of Our Infinite Fates in exchange for an honest review.

A story about two people that are destined to kill each other and then again in the next life. Over and over again. And they happen to love each other. Sounds like a good time to me and it was! Beautifully written and endearing. The end felt a bit rushed and open ended but it’s left me thinking about it days later.