Book Review: In the Likely Event by Rebecca Yarros

A High-Stakes Collision of Fate, Duty, and Second Chances

Rebecca Yarros, widely known for her blockbuster fantasy Fourth Wing, returns to her roots in contemporary romance with In the Likely Event. This novel is a visceral, emotional journey that proves Yarros hasn’t lost her touch for grounded, high-stakes human drama.

The Premise: Fate in the Foliage

The story follows Izzy Astor and Nate Phelan, two strangers who meet on a plane that—true to the title—crashes into the Missouri River. In the frantic, terrifying moments of the wreck, an unbreakable bond is forged.

However, life (and Yarros) rarely makes things easy. The narrative spans ten years, jumping between the aftermath of the crash and a present-day reunion in a war-torn Afghanistan. Nate is now a Special Forces protector, and Izzy is a congressional aide; their reunion is as explosive and complicated as the world around them.

What Works: The Yarros Signature

• The “Dual-Timeline” Mastery: Yarros utilizes a non-linear structure to perfection. By alternating between their initial meeting and the present day, she builds a slow-burn tension that keeps you turning pages to figure out exactly why they spent years apart.
• Military Authenticity: Drawing from her own experience as a military spouse, Yarros lends an air of gritty realism to the scenes in Afghanistan. The “protector” trope is elevated here because the stakes feel genuine, not just a backdrop for romance.
• The Chemistry: Nate and Izzy have a connection that feels earned. It isn’t just “insta-love”; it’s “insta-survival,” which transitions into a deep, soulful yearning that fans of the “right person, wrong time” trope will devour.

The Emotional Core

At its heart, the book explores the concept of determinism versus choice.

• Is their connection a result of a freak accident?
• Or are they two people who would have found each other in any lifetime?

While the plot leans heavily on coincidences that might feel “larger than life,” Yarros’s prose remains grounded in the characters’ internal struggles—Nate’s sense of duty and Izzy’s drive to prove her worth outside of her political family.

Final Verdict

In the Likely Event is a poignant reminder that Rebecca Yarros is a queen of the “emotional gut-punch.” It’s a story about the scars we carry—both physical and emotional—and the person who makes those scars worth having.

Read this if: You love Outlander-style “destiny” vibes, military romances with actual teeth, and stories that make you cry in a “good way.”

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