In her latest contemporary romance novel, “In the Likely Event,” Rebecca Yarros crafts an emotionally resonant story about how a single catastrophic event can connect two souls across time, distance, and circumstance. Combining elements of fate, military romance, and second chances, Yarros explores how timing—both perfect and devastating—shapes our lives and loves.
Having previously impressed readers with bestsellers like “The Last Letter,” “Fourth Wing” and “The Things We Leave Unfinished,” Yarros continues to demonstrate her gift for creating heart-wrenching scenarios that test her characters’ emotional fortitude. As the wife of a military veteran and mother of six, Yarros brings authenticity to her portrayal of military life and long-distance relationships that feels deeply personal and lived-in.
The Premise: When Disaster Strikes
The novel opens with a scenario that feels both ordinary and fateful: Isabeau “Izzy” Astor, a college freshman with ADHD and a fear of flying, boards a plane and meets Nathaniel “Nate” Phelan, a farm boy on his way to army basic training. Their immediate connection is palpable and Yarros expertly builds tension between them in these early scenes.
Within minutes of takeoff, disaster strikes. Their plane crashes into the Missouri River, and in those terrifying moments, an unbreakable bond forms between them. They survive the crash together, but circumstances tear them apart almost immediately after—setting the pattern that will follow them for years.
What makes the premise powerful is how Yarros uses this catastrophic event not merely as a meet-cute but as a lens through which to examine how trauma connects people—and how a shared life-changing experience can forge a relationship that transcends conventional romance.
Time and Distance: The Novel’s Unique Structure
Perhaps the most distinctive aspect of “In the Likely Event” is its timeline structure. Spanning a decade, the story follows Izzy and Nate through several chance meetings that occur every few years:
The initial plane crash and hospital aftermath (2011)
A serendipitous reunion on Tybee Island (2014)
A Valentine’s Day weekend in Georgetown (2015)
A planned vacation in Fiji (2017)
A failed proposal in New York (2018)
The extended reunion in Afghanistan (2021)
Each encounter raises the emotional stakes, showing how both characters grow individually while maintaining their connection. Yarros employs dual perspectives, alternating between Izzy and Nate’s points of view, which gives readers insight into their individual struggles and desires.
What’s remarkable about this structure is how it mimics real life’s unpredictability. Rather than creating artificial obstacles as many romance novels do, Yarros allows realistic timing issues—deployments, career choices, misunderstandings—to create the central conflict. The result feels authentic and emotionally honest.
Strengths That Make This Novel Soar
Character Development That Feels Earned
Both protagonists undergo significant growth throughout the novel:
Izzy transforms from a frightened college student into a determined woman who discovers her own strength through advocacy work. Her journey involves navigating family expectations, a political career that doesn’t fulfill her, and learning to fight for what she truly wants.
Nate evolves from a dutiful son escaping an abusive home through military service to a man confronting his trauma and redefining his worth beyond his career. His character arc particularly shines in the later sections where he begins to question whether his chosen path is truly his desire or merely an escape.
Secondary characters, particularly Izzy’s sister Serena and Nate’s friend Torres, are developed with care and dimension, serving the story without feeling like mere plot devices.
Authentic Military Life Portrayal
Yarros writes from experience, and it shows. Her portrayal of military life doesn’t glamorize or simplify. Instead, she explores:
The toll of multiple deployments on mental health
The complexities of military relationships
The brotherhood formed among soldiers
The difficulty of transitioning between combat zones and civilian life
The Afghanistan sections particularly showcase Yarros’s understanding of military protocols and the emotional realities of service members in conflict zones.
Emotional Intelligence in the Writing
Throughout the novel, Yarros demonstrates remarkable emotional intelligence in how she portrays:
PTSD and trauma responses – Both characters deal with the aftermath of the crash in different ways, and Nate’s military experiences add layers to his trauma
Family dynamics – Izzy’s complicated relationship with her status-conscious parents and her closeness with her sister feel nuanced and real
The impact of absence – The novel explores how separation affects relationships without resorting to melodrama
Areas That Could Use Improvement
Pacing Inconsistencies
The novel’s unique structure, while innovative, occasionally leads to pacing issues:
The early sections move somewhat slowly, establishing the connection between the protagonists
Middle sections sometimes feel rushed, particularly the Fiji vacation that serves as a turning point
The Afghanistan section, while compelling, comprises nearly half the book, creating an imbalance with earlier timelines
Underdeveloped Political Backdrop
While the Afghanistan sections provide high stakes and drama, the political context remains somewhat superficial:
Izzy’s work in politics could be explored more deeply
The geopolitical situation in Afghanistan serves mainly as a backdrop for the romance rather than being integrated into the characters’ development
Some readers may find the use of a war zone as a romantic setting problematic
Convenient Plot Devices
Occasionally, Yarros relies on conveniences to move the plot forward:
Characters appear in the same location by chance multiple times
Some miscommunications could be easily resolved with a simple conversation
The final resolution comes somewhat abruptly after years of separation
Final Assessment: A Romance That Leaves Its Mark
Despite these minor issues, “In the Likely Event” succeeds where many contemporary romances fail: it makes readers believe in the connection between its protagonists. The chemistry between Izzy and Nate feels earned rather than manufactured, and their struggles resonant rather than contrived.
Yarros excels at writing moments of emotional intimacy—both physical and emotional—that reveal character and advance the story. The love scenes are passionate without feeling gratuitous, each serving to deepen the connection between the protagonists.
What ultimately makes this novel stand out is its exploration of timing and fate. The title itself—”In the Likely Event”—references both airline safety instructions and the larger theme: that some events, while statistically unlikely, become the defining moments of our lives. Nate and Izzy’s relationship, defined by these unlikely moments across a decade, feels both romantic and painfully realistic.
Who Will Enjoy This Book
This novel will particularly appeal to:
Fans of military romances with authentic details
Readers who enjoy slow-burn relationships that develop over time
Those who appreciate emotional depth and character growth in their romance novels
Anyone who has experienced the frustration of “right person, wrong time” in their own life
For readers familiar with Yarros’s previous work, “In the Likely Event” delivers her signature emotional depth while exploring new territory. Fans of authors like K.A. Tucker, Colleen Hoover, and Devney Perry will likely find much to appreciate here.
Verdict: A Touching Exploration of Love, Timing, and Perseverance
“In the Likely Event” is a good read for its emotional intelligence, character development, and unique structure. While not perfect, it demonstrates Yarros’s growth as a writer and her understanding of what makes contemporary romance resonate with readers.
Like the swaying pine trees Nate finds so peaceful in the novel’s opening—and that feature again in its epilogue—this love story may bend under pressure, but it never breaks. Its characters, like its readers, emerge from the journey changed but hopeful, believing in the possibility of finding peace after turbulence.
“I know. And we’re back to this again.” I folded my arms across my chest. “And I sure as hell never said that I didn’t love you.”
These words from the novel perfectly capture what makes “In the Likely Event” special: the recognition that love, even when complicated by time and circumstance, remains constant—and that sometimes, with enough perseverance, timing finally aligns.