This was absolutely phenomenal. I am still thinking about it. What a great 5 star read. The romance was perfect and the characters had so much depth. I love the twist where we find out how these characters got into this position. This author is going to become an auto buy for me. The narrator was also really great and easy to follow.

Hey so this made me really sad!! And made me cry a lot!! If you are looking for either of those things, look no further than Our Infinite Fates for one of the most tragic stories of all time. 😭

This book has gorgeous and lyrical prose, really touching relationships, and such an interesting premise that I was hooked from the very beginning. The idea of constantly being tied to someone you are in love with but they are also your killer in multiple different lives. I loved the queer representation as the characters are reborn in different bodies each time but always tend to fall in love.

Following Evelyn through each of their lives and getting to know the story through the different eyes was so intriguing and I found myself wanting even more from the past lives because I didn’t want the story to end. This truly hooked me from the first chapter and I stayed for the tragedy. Sometimes you need a book to make you feel so deeply and this was one that really excelled in that for me.

So thankful to Wednesday Books, Macmillan Audio, and Netgalley for the opportunity to read Our Infinite Fates early! This drops March 4 and I highly recommend checking it out! 😭😭😭

I absolutely loved this book—it’s unlike anything I’ve ever read. The cat-and-mouse dynamic, along with a centuries-old love story built on reincarnation and enemies-to-lovers, kept me hooked. Arden is cursed to hunt and kill Evelyn by their 18th birthday in every life, while Evelyn seeks to understand the curse and break the cycle. It’s a beautiful story of love, hope, sorrow, growth, and mystery, filled with themes of family, friendship, and destiny. I really enjoyed uncovering their past lives and the twist on the curse.

The audiobook was fantastic, with the narrator's perfect cadence, tone, and pacing enhancing the experience.

Thank you, NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Laura Steven for the ALC!

Our Infinite Fates was a Macmillan Audio bonus book. It wasn’t on my radar at all, and I had no idea what to expect, but the comp to Addie LaRue had me really excited. Before I talk about this absolute five star book, I do have to say (because you all probably know how in love I am with V.E. Schwab) I caught so many references to Addie and also to Schwab’s other work that I think Laura and I would be fast friends! If any of you wanted what I’ll call “justice for Addie,” you have to pick up this book! Schwab herself said it’s “Impossible to put down”!

The story was written in alternating non-chronological histories and the current time, and the pacing kept me glued to every single detail. The epic, star crossed love of Evelyn and Arden is heartbreaking, poetic, violent, and enduring. Historical backdrops have the two living all ranges of lives, from princes to paupers, and in various bodies, not always being reborn as the same sex as the previous life, and welcoming same sex love in many. In one scene, Evelyn discusses the nonbinary nature of her soul, whereas Arden expresses he always feels most himself as a boy.

The subplot of the current time storyline had Evelyn trying to save the little sister she has in this life, and that backdrop was so emotional for me to read, having gone through the life-threatening illness of my own little sister. It made the stakes of her cursed romance that much higher. Therefore, Evelyn is even more determined to discover why she and Arden are destined to die in every lifetime. Finding out the truth was a twist I absolutely did not see coming, and the result of their actions was yet another twist that stunned me. The conclusion of their story was absolutely everything to me. This book completely wowed me.

The narration of Sofia Oxenham was lovely. I highly recommend this audiobook, but I did have a friend less-accustomed to listening who felt it was easier to grasp the non-linear timeline by alternating with the text.

All The Freaking Stars!!

If The Tortured Poet’s Department was a book, it would be this one. In fact, I wonder if maybe the song was a catalyst for this incredible novel. Knowing how long it takes to write and publish a book juxtaposed with TTPD’s release makes me doubt it but Miss Steven was definitely channeling Taylor’s energy. I would dare to say that Miss Steven is a Swiftie because Taylor’s songs are mentioned in the book.

All that aside, I really did not expect to love this story as much as I do. Expertly crafted between multiple time periods, we are slowly but surely given the story of Eveline and Arden’s love story.

Through multiple reincarnations throughout millennia, the mystery of their long suffering plight is revealed and their battle to free themselves brings this excellent standalone to a satisfying conclusion.

Along the way, we are privy to some amazing eras in history and some of the best quotes regarding love in all of its facets. Because, of course, love conquers all in this wholly original novel.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for my early listening copy. The narrator gives an excellent performance and I highly recommend it for those who prefer audiobooks.

Do not miss this stellar story! I dare say it will be one of my favorite books this year and beyond.

This book was just phenomenal. I devoured it; Sofia Oxenham's narration was superb, as was Laura Steven's writing style. I was intrigued by the premise of two lovers destined to murder one another again and again in each new iteration of their lives, and loved how Stevens allowed their story to unfold through distinct versions of their past selves.

At first, I thought this would be a perfect pick for my middle school students, but further in, I realized there was too much adult content for that to be appropriate. With that being said, it was a quick read that kept me entertained and my mind pondering the complexities of life, death, and what one would do for love.

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillian Audio, and Macmillan Young Listeners for providing me with this advanced audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

I really wanted to love this but it fell flat. I didn’t feel the connection between Arden & Evren.. you didn’t get enough of the back stories to feel their failed love in each lifetime. I feel like it would have been better if it was focused on 2-3 storylines to get a better view of their connection across time.

The narration was well done and I have no complaints about that!

This book was a DNF for me. I couldn't get into to the constant killing and rediscovering each other. The characters felt flat and there wasn't enough to keep me hooked. I was really intrigued by the premise, but I couldn't get into the story. Since this book wasn't my vibe, I did not review on social media or retail sites.

The narrator for this book was INCREDIBLE!!!! I absolutely adored this book and I can’t wait to recommend it to others and discuss it! It was addicting from the first page. The back and forth between the past and present was perfectly set up and the writing was beautiful. This was extremely compelling and I can’t wait to read more of these author’s books!

When I tell you I'm obsessed with this book, I MEAN IM OBSESSED WITH THIS BOOK! Oh my gosh i cannot wait to add this to my shelf. SUCH a good romantasy!

Thank you to MacMillian Audio for the gifted ALC of Our Infinite Fates, a YA love epic I can only describe as Divine Rivals meets Addie La Rue.

Our Infinite Fates starts in the middle: two teens are destined to fall in love with and kill each other before they turn 18, over and over again, for eternity. How did they get into this situation, how long have they been there, and what is the key to them getting out?

As the book goes on, we follow not only the current time line, but past timelines that give context to the fate of these two. It was mysterious and romantic at first, but after a while I grew impatient. The flashes to the past were no longer interesting, as I needed forward progress and answers. The current timeline started to drag, and then got silly. When we finally find out the why (and I won’t say when in the book it happens as to not spoil it), I was underwhelmed. It felt a little out of left field. It then wrapped up a little too quickly and conveniently, leaving me unsatisfied with the ending.

Something I really enjoyed in this book was the messaging on sex and gender. Throughout their many lives, our main characters took the form of both men and women, and were in all types of relationships. They’re just in love with each other, no matter what form they each happen to take. I hope one day our society will be there, not caring at all about one’s identity or orientation, only that they love and be loved.

I enjoyed both Divine Rivals and Addie La Rue, and this book mirrored some of the best elements from those books. But I ultimately think it fell flat for me.

The narration by Sofia Oxenham was fantastic. Definitely enjoyed this on audio!

“I love you, I have loved you, and I will love you.”
🩵✨🖤

OUR INFINITE FATES by Laura Steven

Wow, this book truly exceeded all of my expectations! I had heard about it through some other accounts I follow, and it sounded really interesting: time travel, reincarnation, and fated love and tragedy. But I did have lowered expectations going into it because I actually didn’t really enjoy other books that it was being compared to. It wasn’t until after I finished that I realized this story wasn’t anything like the others and in fact was so much better!

I loved the way the book was organized between present day and past lives - it kept the pace moving forward and at each flashback we learn a little more about our characters and their situation.

And the romance? 🥰 The yearning, the tragic circumstances, the weight of it - just so good! I haven’t felt this way since reading “The Song of Achilles” which is one of my favorites.

One thing I will note is that I know it’s listed as romantasy, but personally that genre didn’t really make sense to me. While there were elements of fantasy, it was set in our world in locations and time periods and events that really did happen. For me, that makes it more of magical realism, but I know folks can probably argue otherwise. I didn’t mind this switch, but I know some folks are thinking OUABH when they hear romantasy.

Overall I highly recommend adding this to your TBR if you haven’t already - it comes out next week on March 4! Thank you to the publisher, NetGalley, and the author for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was one of my most anticipated releases of 2025 and it did not disappoint. It has all my favorite tropes: enemy/lovers mashup, time/life change shenanigans, a sisterly love motivation, one character needing to sort out what is going on while the other holds a lot of knowledge. And of course, the prose was lovely! It reminded me of This is How You Lose a Time War (but I actually loved this one more). I found the characters in this book a bit more understandable/easy to connect to and thus found this story to be everything I wanted in This is How You Lose a Time War but a bit easier for my brain to connect to and love!

I loved our little mystery of who is Arden in this life, it added such a fun aspect to the multiple lives story because we did not know who he was immediately. I also loved learning more about previous life as we went through the novel. Also morally grey characters are so chefs kiss amazing. Overall this novel was a lovely YA take on fated mates/lifes bound to one another through time and sorting out what that means.

LOVED IT!

I thought this was a really beautiful story. Did it drag in some spots? Absolutely. Overall, I really enjoyed the premise and the examination of "what would you do for love." Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book.

Evelyn has never reached her 18th birthday; for thousands of years, she's doomed to kill or be killed by Arden, her soulmate. This time, Evelyn needs to live long enough to undergo surgery to save her sister, but as her birthday approaches, so does the curse that binds her and Arden together. As the duo grows closer again, Evelyn asks herself what she would do for love.

Our Infinite Fates has monumental flashbacks that slowly reveal Evelyn and Arden's conflict and love for each other, and they were my favorite parts of the book. As interesting as the flashbacks throughout history were, I saw the curse more than I saw the romance between Evelyn and Arden, and I wish we had moments that weren't before their deaths that we see them more casual or intimate with each other. The pacing between Arden and Evelyn in the major plot line doesn't compare between the flashbacks because of the reveal.

Arden spent the entire book before the reveal saying he would never say why the curse was the way it was, only for Evelyn to find a way to break the curse. While I never would have guessed the reveal, I think it would have been better if it had happened before the surgery; that way, Evelyn would have had more time to think of a way to break the curse.

This book is a four-star read due to the beautiful writing; adding poetry between chapters was a nice touch. I haven't read anything from the author, but I plan to do so this year and the next 😉

Thank you, Netgalley, Laura Steven, and Wednesday Books for this phenomenal book!

There would always be us…

If you’re craving a book that drips with gorgeous prose and a tangible ache of longing, Our Infinite Fates by Lauren Steven should be at the top of your list. Steven’s writing is nothing short of luscious, weaving each sentence with a delicate, almost ethereal touch that feels like poetry in motion. Souls fated in every life—yes please. This is a bit of a slower paced, meandering read and it was exactly needed.

At its core, Our Infinite Fates explores the beauty of impermanence—the fragile balance of knowing your fate and the desperate need to carve out even a sliver of control. The characters’ yearning is palpable, their emotions raw and beautifully flawed, making every moment feel fleeting yet infinitely significant. The angst is palpable…

Highly recommended for fans of lyrical, atmospheric reads that challenge the boundaries of fate and free will. Our Infinite Fates by Lauren Steven is a master class for those who try and fail to walk the delicate line between lyrical prose and purple prose. Steven’s writing is a study in restraint, capturing the beauty of language without ever tipping into excess. Every sentence is a brushstroke, each chapter a canvas where longing, impermanence, and the fragile dance of fate come to life.

What sets this book apart is its ability to immerse you in its world without drowning you in it. The prose is luscious, yes, but also precise—never overshadowing the story but instead elevating it. It’s impossible not to adore the way Steven balances the ache of yearning with the need for control, exploring what it means to grasp at fleeting moments even when the future feels etched in stone.

This novel is perfect for readers who love to get lost in the rhythm of a story, where every word is chosen with intention and every emotion resonates with depth. If you’ve ever wanted to see how lyrical storytelling can enhance, not hinder, a narrative, Our Infinite Fates is an absolute must-read.

If you can’t tell, I loved it…

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins Press for allowing me to read this advanced copy.

Audiobook—
The audiobook experience is elevated by Sofia Oxenham’s exceptional narration. Her voice is a balm, guiding listeners through the story with a gorgeously soothing delivery. Oxenham masterfully conveys the yearning, angst, and nuanced emotions, making this not just a story but an experience that resonates deeply.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillian Audio

Favorite Passage…

“There was always Arden.

There would always be Arden.

Even when our families grieved and moved on,
even when our ancestors lay in the dirt, even
when we slipped through the cracks of time like
ghosts, there would always be us. No matter how
twisted and broken, we were the one true
constant, our love like a river wending its way
through the earth year after year, century after
century, growing deeper and wider with every
twist and bend. A certain peace came with
knowing the water would always flow a particular
way.”

I’m not the target audience for this book. I enjoyed the audio narration but there was too much language and additionally I was not expecting the amount of themes regarding lgbtq agenda. I don’t mind reading that content as a side plot or single instance, but when the book is focused around it I am not the target audience. Those themes were not included in the blurb at all and it was misleading, especially when books with lgbtq rep are highly marketed right now. I loved the writing style, the author is talented with words and I liked the idea of the premise as well. I did not finish reading this book, I stopped at a little over 50%.

WOW! Where do I begin with how much I loved this book! This is one of those stories that will pull at your heart. It 100% gives the same vibe as The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue! I would also say it reminds me a lot of Rebecca Ross’s novels- especially Divine Rivals.

Evelyn and Arden are two souls that are reincarnated just before Evelyn’s 18th birthday. They have lived 1,000 years of lives together, yet Evelyn only remembers moments while Arden remembers everything. Evelyn only knows that she is drawn to him, she loves him, and that Arden will murder her before she turns 18.

The story is beautifully told through jumping timelines. Chapters alternate between the modern world in 2022 and their various past lives around the world. Not only is this story full of incredible writing, prose, and language, but interesting words used at various timelines. It is enriched with different cultures and LGBTQ relationships. You can’t help but fall in love with their love story in every chapter while yearning to know what is the cause. Laura Steven does a fantastic job making the reader feel the love, yearning, fear, and confusion of Evelyn. This book is full of many deep themes of love that will have you pondering the many ways a person loves, the complexity of love, and what one would do for love. Other themes of life, what it means to live, humanity, grief, and pain are also explored through the telling of the story.

As for romance, the story center’s mainly around the yearning and burning for one another. There are a few petting/closed door romantic scenes including FM, MM, and FF.

My only critique is that I felt parts of the ending to be rushed. The reasoning for the reincarnation was unexpected and felt a bit strange to accept at first. I wish that the element of the lore and magic was introduced more throughout the novel as to make it more natural for the development and ending. I did like the ending and felt like everything concluded well. I was left in awe of the story and I’m looking forward to purchasing the book and reading a physical copy since I first listened to it.

Thank you Netgalley, Macmillian Audio, and Macmillan Young Listeners for this advanced audiobook in exchange for a review.

AUDIOBOOK:
Sofia Oxenham did an excellent job bringing emotion and emphasizing the beautiful writing. Her accent brought an extra touch to the character. Fantastically done!

QUOTES:
“He collected words and slang expressions like shells on a beach, cockles and concealed. And brought them out to admire when you’d least expected it. Back in the trenches he told me He’d have given anything to snerdle. To cuddle up beneath a cozy blanket and while away the day.”

“You are very brave. I hope you know that”
“I’m not brave. I’m terrified.”
“It’s impossible to have bravery without fear. Bravery is picking up the fear and carrying it alongside you rather than allowing it to block the path.”

“The chances of something happening to you in that time is vanishingly small. But I understand that anxiety can make you fixate on the worst case scenario. You have to admit that the worst case scenario is pretty terrible.” She laughs sincerely, a warm chuckle that felt like a cup of tea and a hug. “That’s what makes it so compelling to our brains. And I want you to know that while your thoughts feel desperately emotional, they’re also very logical. Our brains naturally want to preamp and solve problems before they occur. You are not broken for feeling this way.”

“Life gives us grief like mounds of wet clay, ripe and heavy beneath our reluctant hands. And with it we can do one of three things.”

“Maybe that’s all love is in the end- an endless tempting of fate”

“I wouldn’t change my fragile, imperfect human heart- not for anything…To be human is to love and love and love knowing that it would only end in tragedy.”

“To love was to live. To live was to die.”

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

“Nothing tortures the human mind quite like the unknown”

Our Infinite Fates

"Even when there's no big joy... There's still the small joy. A sunset. A flask of tea. Your hand in mine."

Oh my HEART, this book! I absolutely adored it. I could not put it down. Evelyn and Arden and their love leaps off the page. The writing and prose is beautiful, and the story itself is as well.

Evelyn is cursed in every lifetime to be murdered by Arden before they turn 18. Over infinite lifetimes, they are reincarnated and fated to find one another, indescribably drawn to one another over and over. The story weaves through their different lives together, while repeatedly returning to the 2022 timeline, as Evelyn tries to piece together the why behind their cursed fate and uncover the origin to hopefully bring them out of the cycle. Their repeated mantra of "I love you, and I have loved you, and I will love you." was so beautiful to witness.

While the story is technically YA as they are 17, their lifetimes of experience made the story read more like an adult romance. Highly recommend, especially if you enjoyed The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue or the Divine Rivals duology.

I listened to the audio which was so magical, I could not stop listening. I do think it would have been equally wonderful to read with my eyes and savor the story.

HIGHLY recommend this one for fans of:
- The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue or Divine Rivals duology
- Magical realism
- Fated romance through lifetimes because "Love is the only thing worth believing in."
- Beautiful prose

Thank you to Macmillian Audio for this ALC! Our Infinite Fates is on shelves March 4, 2025! My opinions are my own.

I love you & I have loved you & I will love you
Evelyn and Arden have loved each other in a thousand past lives but they have killed each other in every one. 💔 This book was so devastatingly beautiful! 😭 I'm still crying! It is written so beautifully and the characters grip your heart. 😭 5 stars! I can't even begin to explain how good this was. Thank you Macmillan Audio for the Audio Arc! The audiobook was so amazing, it sucks you in immediately! Sofia Oxenham's voice was magical!