Our Infinite Fates by Laura Steven

I have had this ARC sitting there staring at me for over three months now. It was a story that I felt deep in my bones had been made for me in some ways, and I was so delighted to be able to get to read it. Then I opened it and started reading. I got a third of the way in and panicked because I was not going to be able to finish it in one sitting and it was so good, it was so well done, and it was so captivating that I knew I was to be emotionally devastated. 

I was not wrong.

 So instead, I set it down and walked away too scared to be destroyed from the inside out in the most beautiful and devastating fashion. While I do think that the stories we read come to us at the right time in life… after I finished it, I was so sad that I had waited three months. I was sobbing, staring at the wall in awe of the story I had just read.

 Our Infinite Fates is one of those books that makes you think and shows you the beautiful things about life and humanity—including the truly terrible things and how finding hope in those moments is the most human thing possible. I knew going into this one that I would be slightly biased. After all I love an old souls story, soulmates and souls coming to find each other life after life? I love that so much it’s been one of the main themes of every long story I’ve ever written. So to see one come out and to see it done not only well but immaculately? I. Was. Not. Ready.  

 After I finished, I sent a voice note to one of my best friends having a meltdown over how in love with this story I was, she got my hiccuping watery eyed word explosion on my feelings. How I was so glad to have gotten to read it. How it was everything I needed. That I could get the idea of where the story was headed, but there’s something right near the end that took it from a very good story, that made my brain go oh. Oh. Ooooooohhhhhh. And that to me, that one scene elevated the book from being just an incredibly well done story that I already loved, to being one that makes you truly process what Laura had wanted us to get out of this story. That timing and precision of hitting the mark for the best impact. *chefs kiss*

“and I love you

and I have loved you

and I will love you”

I now want to go back and read all of the poetry that one of the characters wrote over the centuries, that are sprinkled in like beautiful little vignettes, that I can find. I really enjoyed having the current moment and story line that gets filled in with snippets of their lives over the centuries and you get closer and closer to the end you get a more holistic picture. And to be with these souls for centuries, to watch them and be with them through brutal moments, tender moments, trying moments, funny moments, to see the light and the horror and to see that love and that humanity has endured and will continue to go on. It was everything I needed right now. 

Do not be me, read it immediately please.

Two days later and I am still aching. And hopeful. And devastated. It’s so hauntingly beautiful. I want to read it again. I love seeing the small moments of humanity and relationships—both friendship, and romantic, and family ties that are truly so reflective of our world. It is where this book shines best, is in relationships. This story is intricate and simple at the same time, highlighting the best and worst of humanity, with hope weaved in throughout. I don’t want to give too much away in any one direction, but I think it is obvious that I adored the story and I would love to hear what others think about it too. 

Looking to find Our Infinite Fates? Here you go:

Bookshop.org ~ Libro.fm ~ Goodreads ~ Storygraph

This novel was provided to me as an advanced readers copy by NetGalley. I have since gone out and bought the beautiful indie bookstore edition. All thoughts are my own. As a side note, some of the links to Bookshop.org or Libro.fm will either provide me or an indie bookshop I support a portion of the affiliate sales if you use them to buy a book I recommend!