After seeing Rebecca Yarros’s latest book Fourth Wing explode everywhere in the last few months, I decided to read one of her contemporary romance books. I read In the Likely Event through Kindle Unlimited which also included the audio book!
This dual P.O.V and dual timeline book follows Isabeau and Nathaniel who are in Afghanistan in a time where different parts of the country are falling into Taliban control. Nathaniel is part of the Special Forces tasked with protecting politicians who have come as ambassadors and to help get Americans out of the country. After being reassigned to someone new, Nathaniel realises it is Izzy, basically the love of his life who should definitely not be in Afghanistan. Turns out she is looking for her sister, Serena who is a photographer and journalist capturing current events and has gone M.I.A. The chapters flow well bouncing between the two first meeting and the present. I find dual timelines frustrating at times but I feel with their story, how they met and how fate and various events interfered with their relationship. There were points where I became frustrated with the constant barriers or problems their relationship faced. For Nathaniel, he chose his military career over a civilian life and even his love for Izzy wouldn’t stop this whereas Izzy, although she studied and achieved a great career, the underlying theme in every decision she made was getting closer to Nate. The miscommunication and barriers were one after another but it didn’t stop me from finishing and enjoying the book. It was an entertaining read and I’ll definitely read Rebecca Yarros’s books and if you’re looking for an emotional, military based drama with soulmates facing every obstacle possible then this is perfect. Thank you!

This book was a rollercoaster! I loved how it interspersed Nate and Izzy’s past with their present, giving little nuggets of their choppy history over 10 years whilst they navigate an unexpected reunion in a warzone. I was desperate to find out what happened to separate them and ate up all the moments preceding that, their chance meetings and their not chance meetings alike. They have an incredibly long and complex relationship that began in very difficult circumstances and there’s certainly bad blood between them now that they’re back in the same city but it’s impossible to miss how deep their love for each other is, even if they’re both trying their best to hide it.

I would say that after all the build up to their big blow up, I was expecting something a little more. Without giving any spoilers, it could have been resolved by a proper conversation but the rest of the writing was fantastic and although a bit of a longer book, certainly one I enjoyed.

I received a free copy of this book. All views are my own.

A mix up in airline seats will change the lives of Isabeau Astor and Nathaniel Phelan forever. She is a college student and he has just enlisted in the military. Izzy is afraid of flying and Nate is ready to help her, but barely minutes after takeoff, the plane crashes into a river. He keeps her safe after the crash, but must leave her at the hospital. The story flows seamlessly between the present and various times in the past as they meet again while trying to move on with their lives, but neither one can forget the other. When he is stationed in Afghanistan, he is stunned to see here there as a government envoy. This is beyond believable as the country is falling apart…she shouldn’t be here! Izzy has her own agenda; will he help her? Will they ever finally meet at just the right time for both of them, for forever? The witty dialog between Izzy and Nate and their obvious attraction to each other make this an utterly enjoyable and remarkable story. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

Thank you Netgalley and Montlake for the arc!

I’ve read a few contemporary romances by Yarros before, her In Liv duet and a couple others. It has been years though so I wasn’t sure what to expect going in and I was pleasantly surprised!

This military romance was full of longing, missed opportunities, yearning for more and all the angsty heartache you expect from the tropes in this book. The dual timelines worked for me here when they often don’t in other books. Both storylines kept me wanting more so it was never a bother to switch from one time to another.

I haven’t read many military romances but I did find I liked the stakes in it, there was always the fear of what could go wrong that made their reunions that much tragically sweeter. There were so many tender moments between Nate and Izzy that made my heart clench. I loved the angst!

I will say, I read some other reviews that were talking about how using the war in Afghanistan was wrong, and I totally understand and agree with that. There could have been other military options instead of such a polarizing and harmful backdrop.

I also felt like the boom could have been a lot shorter. I kept thinking to myself as I was reading “how is there still x% left in this book?”

Anyways, overall I enjoyed it. The actual love story I loved and the interactions between the characters made me feel so many emotions. The background (the war) should have been changed and then I think it would have been a much more appropriate and acceptable book.

I don’t know how Rebecca does it. First I need to thank you for her dedication to research and getting military things right. She goes above and beyond in making sure that side of her story is factual and due to that her stories are relatable.

Nate and Izzy have an other worldly type of love. It’s more than soulmates. Their love is Fate defined. The angst and wonder over if they will ever finally get their chance or if they will only remain a possibility, drives this story. You will fall in love over and over again.
And the Twist at the end…Its gut wrenching and made me cry.

Rebecca Yarros has definitely proven herself to be a versatile author, coming off of the high that was Fourth Wing. In the Likely Event put me through all of the emotions and I couldn’t put it down. Highly recommend!

Just simply an amazing five-star read. This is simply Rebecca Yarros at her best, I know I am going to sob like a baby at some point in the story, and this didn’t disappoint, it did make me sob at a different point than I expected, and man did that mess with my head in the best way possible. From the very first moment Nate and Izzy were meant to be, fate played the part so perfectly. The way this story is written, allows the story to flow so well, you are deeply invested in everyone, in their journey’s that you can feel the physical palpable emotion as you read its just that well written. You get so involved with this story, that you can feel the heat and the dust in the air as Nate covers Izzy, you feel their pain so deeply when they hurt, you need this story in your life and it is one that shouldn’t be missed.

This is the story of Izzy and Nate, who meet just minutes before the plane they are on crashes. Switching from the past and present, the story covers ten years. While I am not a fan of this format, it works here. This is a great story and includes an unexpected twist towards the end. I just wish the Epilogue was more intensive because I was left with some questions.

This has been my first Rebecca Yarros book. Fourth Wing is one of the most popular books of the year and I've only heard good things. So I was very excited to finally read one of her books!
I really enjoyed the writing. It's fast paced, exciting and as a reader you're hooked. But sadly, I didn't really like the plot. The whole political part of the book seemed so pretentious and unfitting.
I still can't wait to read her other books! I think this story just wasn't for me.
3.5⭐

I received this book in exchange of my honest opinion, and I was so excited because Rebecca Yarros wrote it and I loved Fourth Wing. 🙌

This was my first Military Romance, and I was curious about the genre because I had never read anything similar. What I loved about it is that you can see Rebecca’s fast-paced writing packed with angst and action in this story too, and that helped a lot while reading it, especially because war times are not an easy subject to address in a Contemporary Romance. 💥

I like Meet Cutes where our characters start with an Insta Love that starts building into something beautiful, and this book delivered on that end. We have two very broken and complex characters who didn’t know they needed each other, and through love they find that missing piece. 💕

I don’t normally enjoy going back and forward in the story, but in this case it helped the build-up of the suspense and the angst too. And although this will not be a favorite, I really enjoyed the story and I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a fast-paced romance. 👍

Check your TW because we have PTSD, ADHD, Anxiety and Parental Loss. 😢 I would have wanted to see the ADHD part in the character being developed a little more, to be honest, especially since I also have the condition and people think we can’t go to college or even an Ivy (I did it) and this is the perfect example on YES YOU CAN! 💯

This is a slow burn, so if you are hoping for quick spice, then this is not the book. 🔥

I rated it ⭐⭐⭐⭐ because I was pleasantly surprised, ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ because the romance is just beautiful and 🌶️ for its spice.

Thank you NetGalley and Montlake publishing for sharing this story with me and making me a Military Romance believer. 🙏

Also, here's a little blurb to convince you to read this book: In the Likely Event by Rebecca Yarros is a sweeping romance about the sustained power of chance encounters. Izzy and Nate meet on a plane that crashes in the Missouri River, and their lives change forever. They go on to pursue different careers in politics and the military, but fate brings them back together in Afghanistan, where Nate has to protect Izzy’s life. Will they finally get their chance at love?

After reading and enjoying Fourth Wing (like everyone else on the planet), I was really curious about what this would be like. This is miles away from the magic fantasy world of dragon riding but still has the torturous slow burn. This time, it's set in the very real world of the US and Afghanistan, as we go backwards and forwards in time, following two soulmates who met on a plane, just before it crashed. because of his position in the military, they never find their time to experience being a proper couple, and the book is telling their story.
I did enjoy the slow burn and Yarros writes hot men and spicy scenes well, but I never felt like I really knew the characters that well. It was a pacey, enjoyable story and it is a perfect read for those who like their spicy rom-coms with a bit less 'com' and a bit more real world political drama.
A good read.

Rebecca Yarros is still riding high from the phenomenon of Fourth Wing and this book is NOT that and yet the build up between two people and the pain is so well written and interwoven in both you can see the style of this author.
I really enjoyed reading this, I’m not sure I fully appreciated the enforced distance that Nate put between him and Izzy but I do see how it had to be that way to allow them to mature and develop. A romance with two people, one of whom is within the army an the other falls into politics so there may be some controversy over the backdrop and scene setting but if you can be ignorant of the real world politics you can enjoy the love in the story. Take this book as it is a romance story….nothing more.

It’s two people who find each other serendipitously and fall in love over 10 years through their short meet ups and ongoing correspondence, I love love letters, I wish they had been a bit more of the book rather than the war zone backdrop, but it provided the insight into Nate’s choice for holding back.


I received this book as an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I know that this isn't exactly a genre I would usually go for, but between the plane crash angle and second chance romance I simply couldn't resist adding In The Likely Event to my shelves. Especially after reading Deanna's glowing review... And while I do understand why so many people seem to love this military romance, I did end up having mixed thoughts about In The Likely Event myself. It's not a bad read and there were things about this story I loved, but there were also certain aspects that didn't sit as well with me personally.

I still like the premise of this story, with the plane crash element and the main characters being thrown together again and again by fate. I always love a good second chance romance, and theirs sure starts with a bang. I even liked the jumping back and forward in time, as it helped fleshing out their past while also taking a break from the urgency of their present situation. This time jumping doesn't always work for me, but I thought that it was very well executed here, and it didn't slow down the pace at all.

One of the issues I had with In The Likely Event was that it ended up being quite a political story, and that isn't really my cup of tea. At the same time, I wasn't a fan of how Afghanistan was portrayed, nor how the characters behaved while in that country. I've seen other reviews commenting on this, and I agree that the culture and country aren't exactly portrayed in a favorable way, and the conflict is used to generate tension between the characters instead of properly shining a light on the situation and issues in play. I've seen the term 'white savior complex' mentioned more than once, and I agree that this term definitely applies to this story.

As for the characters... I'm having mixed thoughts when it comes to both Izzy and Nate. While I do see their chemistry and I like the idea of their connection and the second chance romance, they both frustrate the heck out of me as well. Sure, neither wants to give up their dreams to be with the other, but also they can't stop pining whenever they are not together? Seriously annoying. I wasn't a fan of their actions and behavior in the present (while in Afghanistan), mostly due to that 'white savior complex' vibe that both seemed to be having. And since when is Nate not respecting Izzy's choices sexy?

I liked the writing style itself, which was engaging and quick to read. I confess that I did skip the sexy scenes, which were too steamy for me... And especially the one in Afghanistan was quite inappropriate to be honest. I could have done without the love triangle vibe as well, but that is just a pet peeve I guess. I think that if In The Likely Event would have focused more on the PTSD and misconnection instead of on more political aspects, I would probably have enjoyed this story more. The Afghanistan setting felt too much like a prop and it didn't really add anything substantial to the story; those scenes could have been set in any conflict zone and the result would have been the same.

In short, there were things that worked and things that didn't work out so well in this story, and I ended up having mixed thoughts about In The Likely Event. I've seen rather extreme reactions to this story in the reviews, and I can understand both sides now that I've had the chance to read the book.

Rebecca Yarros has quickly become one of my new favorite authors! The chemistry between Izzy and Nate was amazing. I may have shed a few tears, but absolutely adored their story. I can't wait to read more by this author!

Absolutely flipping brilliant.

This is how books should be written. An author writing about events that they know about or can get first hand information on what came to pass.

Rebecca Yarros has often written books with a military theme. She knows it. She’s lived and breathed it and that comes out on every page. She’s also known the anguish of loving a man who has sacrificed to keep this world and the citizens of this world safe. He’s a hero and so is she. Rebecca’s lived experience is portrayed by the character of Isabeau Aster, and Jason’s (that’s Rebecca’s husband if you didn’t know, a retired Apache pilot) dedication and selflessness are right there In Nathaniel Phelan.

The scenes that played across the news channels when the military left Afghanistan are just as emotional to read about now as they were to watch then. I could feel the desperation of the people trying to evacuate because they had been allies of the military and they feared for their lives if they stayed. Izzy does have a vested interest in helping people get out of Afghanistan, I was on the edge of my seat and so anxious that she would get home.

In The Likely Event mixes chapters between the time that Izzy and Nate met, and some as their relationship developed, then skips to present time in Afghanistan. It works perfectly to build the tension and build the love. I was completely invested in them.

All of that hard work and lives lost trying to build a better place for the people who lived there, was it all wasted?

I loved every heartbreaking, heart-twisting, heart-stopping, heart-pounding minute of this book.

It’s damn near impossible to review this book with no spoilers, but I’m a team player and that’s what I’m going to do. Read the book—that’s my recommendation! Simple as that. It’s an endearing story that will make you yearn for fate, slow burn love, and really hot sex. I was initially put off by it being half set in a military setting (those are sometimes difficult to put yourself into the story as a civilian) but the civilian flashback style of the story kept me hooked until I could finally feel like I had a grasp on the military/war zone environment.

All along, up until 96% through, I was unable to put the book down. I knew where the story was headed, I mean it’s pretty obvious since the book is a romance (though I got concerned a few times!). It was a super easy one-day read and I was loving it. I was texting my book club telling them this book was the most perfect spice and sweet, and just enough angst to keep you hooked and turning the page. Then BAM, the twist. Doesn’t change the outcome, but my God I didn’t see that coming. Still not sure how I feel about it, I almost wished it had been revealed a little sooner so it could have been developed more, but I also appreciate keeping the book brief enough to not drag out either.

Still liked the book though! I liked the FMC (which is rare, I often find FMC’s to be weirdly unrelatable, but Rebecca Yarros delivers once again on a FMC I liked!), I may have fallen in love with the MMC, and I really couldn’t stop turning the pages as I rooted for them to finally get their shot.

Simply phenomenal!
I'm trying to find the words to do this masterpiece justice and I don't have any, Rebecca Yarros once again leaves me spellbound with a story of love, second chances, pain, sacrifice, angsty.

Nate and Izzy are soul mates, they meet and sparks fly between them, their attraction is instant but after tragedy brings them together, their timing never seems to be right, and fate never seems to be on their side.

Touching, addictive, emotional, this story is Pure Perfection, a combination of steamy, angsty and feelings that takes my breath away, my heart skipped a beat at the heartbreaking and intense way they love each other, I cried so much, but I enjoyed this immensely book, highly recommended for fans of
Second chance
Military romance
War setting
Soulmates
Coming of age
Angsty
Steamy
Insta love

This was my first military romance, and while I think the genre just might not be for me, I still enjoyed it! The main characters Nate and Izzy were both likable and their chemistry was really good! I thought their slow burn, second chance romance was well done and realistic, and I found myself rooting for them the entire time.

Mark down books I started and finished in 2.5 hours. This was a page turner! It follows Izzy and Nate, from their fated meeting on an airplane to being reunited years later in Afghanistan. Izzy works in politics and Nate is a special forces agent, who is protecting her during her visit. Izzy has come over with a mission of her own, and is taken aback to see Nate. He feels the same, and the story unfolds from there.

I loved how this one was told in alternating timelines from 2021 and the past, starting in 2011. The book starts with a bang and it keeps going, which only had me turning the pages faster.

The love story was good. The communication I had a bit of an issue with (miscommunication/lack of clear communication is not my favorite trope) but I felt like this one was satisfying at the end. I loved the book aspect of this one. What a cool thing to do, and it made the story so sweet.

I’d recommend this one for sure. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

<b>A Tale of True Love and Timing</b>

When I picked up this book, I had no idea I was about to embark on a rollercoaster of emotions. Izzy and Nathaniel's love story was heart wrenching from the beginning. It was like witnessing the ultimate case of right person, wrong time. Time and time again, they came close to being together, but life always had other plans for them.

I have to admit, some of the ways they kept crossing paths seemed a little far-fetched at times, but that didn't stop me from getting swept up in their story. The alternating timelines added a fascinating dimension to the narrative, and I found myself eagerly flipping the pages to see how their lives intertwined. Seeing them both grow and evolve as individuals made their love story even more poignant.

What really kept me glued to the book was the undeniable chemistry between Izzy and Nathaniel. Every interaction, every stolen glance was written in perfectly. The writing truly made you feel like fate was pulling them together, only to tear them apart over and over again. My heart ached for them with each missed opportunity.

I have to confess, I couldn't help rooting for their love to triumph. It's a story of hope and resilience, reminding us that love can conquer all, even in the most challenging circumstances.

If you're looking for a military love story that will leave you feeling both heartbroken and hopeful then this is a must-read. Izzy and Nathaniel's journey is one that will stay with you, a reminder that sometimes, love finds a way, even when the odds are stacked against it.

Thank you to NetGalley, Montlake, and Rebecca Yarros for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.