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dkgreads's review against another edition
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Oof. This was really good. The dual POV and timeline gave “One Day” vibes and I was totally here for it. It kept me on the edge of my seat with an ache in my chest from cover to cover. Tears were shed. Will definitely be reading more of Yarros’s contemporary stuff.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Violence, and Sexual content
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Grief, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Car accident
gambizzy's review
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: War and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death of parent, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Death
lportilla's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Infidelity, Domestic abuse, and Death of parent
beccarwolf's review
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Minor: Child abuse and Domestic abuse
kelly_e's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Title: In the Likely Event
Author: Rebecca Yarros
Genre: Romance
Rating: 4.75
Pub Date: August 1, 2023
T H R E E • W O R D S
Swoony • Addictive • Steamy
📖 S Y N O P S I S
When Izzy Astor gets on a plane to go home, she isn’t expecting much. It’s the usual holiday travel experience: busy, crowded, stressful. Then she spots her seatmate, who is anything but ordinary. Nate Phelan sports dark hair, blue eyes, and a deliciously rugged charm that Izzy can’t resist. Their connection is undeniable. Izzy never believed in destiny before, but she does now.
Just ninety seconds after takeoff, their plane goes down in the Missouri River.
Their lives change. They change. Nate goes on to a career in the military while Izzy finds her way into politics. Despite a few chance encounters over the years, the timing never feels right. Then comes a high-stakes reunion in Afghanistan, where Nate is tasked with protecting Izzy’s life. He’ll do anything to keep her safe. And everything to win her heart.
💭 T H O U G H T S
In the Likely Event was my Amazon First Reads selection for the month of July. I grativated towards the plane crash aspect, and when I selected it, I didn't realize it was written by the 'it' author of the moment, Rebecca Yarros (you may have heard of Fourth Wing!?). This is a contemporary romance - so there are no dragons here! If that's what you're looking for, you're likely going to be disappointed. Because fantasy is not my jam, I was looking forward to being able to read this author's work nonetheless.
This book got me from the very start! Learning how Izzy and Nate meet on the plane and their instant connection was one of my favourite parts of the whole book. What really hooked me was the structure. Told in alternating perspectives and timelines, and spanning ten years, Izzy and Nate's love story unfolds at the perfect pace.
I know there have been numerous comments on the problems of Nate's character arc, but I actually liked his character. To me, he felt very authentic with a dark and secretive past. The inclusion of the MCs annotating books for one another was such a sweet addition. Yes, this novel requires some suspension of belief, yet for some reason I was here for it. I'd have also been okay with an alternative ending, but was left satisfied anyways.
One of my favourite contemporary romance reads so far this year, I appreciated that there was some depth and flaws to the characters, as well as a relationship that faces many challenges along the way. Although I have no plans to read the Fourth Wing series, I'd definitely be interested in reading more of Rebecca's contemporary romance in the future.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• fans of alternating POV romance
• readers looking for military romance
• chance meeting trope lovers
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"The weight of the ring of my finger felt like an anchor, tying me to the one person I was starting to realize had never deserved me."
"It was impossible to give away a heart I'd never gotten back in the first place."
"That's what Nate was to me. As far wat as a lifetime and as close as yesterday, as near as twelve inches."
Author: Rebecca Yarros
Genre: Romance
Rating: 4.75
Pub Date: August 1, 2023
T H R E E • W O R D S
Swoony • Addictive • Steamy
📖 S Y N O P S I S
When Izzy Astor gets on a plane to go home, she isn’t expecting much. It’s the usual holiday travel experience: busy, crowded, stressful. Then she spots her seatmate, who is anything but ordinary. Nate Phelan sports dark hair, blue eyes, and a deliciously rugged charm that Izzy can’t resist. Their connection is undeniable. Izzy never believed in destiny before, but she does now.
Just ninety seconds after takeoff, their plane goes down in the Missouri River.
Their lives change. They change. Nate goes on to a career in the military while Izzy finds her way into politics. Despite a few chance encounters over the years, the timing never feels right. Then comes a high-stakes reunion in Afghanistan, where Nate is tasked with protecting Izzy’s life. He’ll do anything to keep her safe. And everything to win her heart.
💭 T H O U G H T S
In the Likely Event was my Amazon First Reads selection for the month of July. I grativated towards the plane crash aspect, and when I selected it, I didn't realize it was written by the 'it' author of the moment, Rebecca Yarros (you may have heard of Fourth Wing!?). This is a contemporary romance - so there are no dragons here! If that's what you're looking for, you're likely going to be disappointed. Because fantasy is not my jam, I was looking forward to being able to read this author's work nonetheless.
This book got me from the very start! Learning how Izzy and Nate meet on the plane and their instant connection was one of my favourite parts of the whole book. What really hooked me was the structure. Told in alternating perspectives and timelines, and spanning ten years, Izzy and Nate's love story unfolds at the perfect pace.
I know there have been numerous comments on the problems of Nate's character arc, but I actually liked his character. To me, he felt very authentic with a dark and secretive past. The inclusion of the MCs annotating books for one another was such a sweet addition. Yes, this novel requires some suspension of belief, yet for some reason I was here for it. I'd have also been okay with an alternative ending, but was left satisfied anyways.
One of my favourite contemporary romance reads so far this year, I appreciated that there was some depth and flaws to the characters, as well as a relationship that faces many challenges along the way. Although I have no plans to read the Fourth Wing series, I'd definitely be interested in reading more of Rebecca's contemporary romance in the future.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• fans of alternating POV romance
• readers looking for military romance
• chance meeting trope lovers
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"The weight of the ring of my finger felt like an anchor, tying me to the one person I was starting to realize had never deserved me."
"It was impossible to give away a heart I'd never gotten back in the first place."
"That's what Nate was to me. As far wat as a lifetime and as close as yesterday, as near as twelve inches."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Gun violence, Abandonment, and War
Moderate: Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Mental illness, Grief, Medical content, Car accident, Panic attacks/disorders, Death, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Cursing, Islamophobia, Infidelity, and Classism
airplane accident, PTSD100_pages_hr's review against another edition
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Violence, War, Death, Medical content, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, and Cursing
zanazy's review
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This book does not deliver on the romance plot which was a surprise having read two other books by this author. Again, there is a military setting and the mic being in the military causes the bulk of the relationship issues between the leads. Izzy, the fmc was not likable and came off as dumb about everything except books and studies. Nathaniel was a bit more better but too centered on Izzy to be believable as a Special Ops guy. Of the two, Nathaniel’s POV and background make for the better parts of this book.
Izzy and Nathan meet on a plane ride, his first, and its major insta love. Then minutes after takeoff, their plane crashes, forcing them to get real close and for Nathan to rescue Izzy and save her life. The two are separated as Nathaniel is on his way to the military, and so they lose touch despite the fact Izzy says over and over that fate draws her to him. Years pass and their paths cross again, and they have a few day fling but again, it’s not right for them to try for more. This time though, they share addresses and stay connected for years with Nathaniel popping in and out on his leaves. Eventually, Nathan proposes a bit awkwardly and Izzy says she can’t marry him so he leaves and drops all contact.
Fast forward years later and they meet in the middle of a war in Afghanistan, during the time the country is falling apart. Izzy has joined politics to help find a way to end the war with the secret hope Nathaniel will find her again and he is of course the unit assigned to protect her. Unfortunately it is the fact the setting is Afghanistan and in the war that kills the romance. I had a difficult time reading about Izzy and Nathaniel doing it while people were afraid for their lives and bring shot at. Total turnoff. The story ends in a very predictable way and nothing about it seems right.
Unfortunately the setting of this being war torn and about to fall into Taliban hands Afghanistan makes this a very difficult, un compassionate read. People are dying, scared for their lives, but the leads are happily enjoying their reconciliation and themselves. No amount of Izzy is trying to do interviews for people or Nathaniel leaving food rations males up for the lack of thought to what is happening to the background setting. The worst part is that this story could have been set anywhere else just fine. Hard no and I hope the author learns from this.
Izzy and Nathan meet on a plane ride, his first, and its major insta love. Then minutes after takeoff, their plane crashes, forcing them to get real close and for Nathan to rescue Izzy and save her life. The two are separated as Nathaniel is on his way to the military, and so they lose touch despite the fact Izzy says over and over that fate draws her to him. Years pass and their paths cross again, and they have a few day fling but again, it’s not right for them to try for more. This time though, they share addresses and stay connected for years with Nathaniel popping in and out on his leaves. Eventually, Nathan proposes a bit awkwardly and Izzy says she can’t marry him so he leaves and drops all contact.
Fast forward years later and they meet in the middle of a war in Afghanistan, during the time the country is falling apart. Izzy has joined politics to help find a way to end the war with the secret hope Nathaniel will find her again and he is of course the unit assigned to protect her. Unfortunately it is the fact the setting is Afghanistan and in the war that kills the romance. I had a difficult time reading about Izzy and Nathaniel doing it while people were afraid for their lives and bring shot at. Total turnoff. The story ends in a very predictable way and nothing about it seems right.
Unfortunately the setting of this being war torn and about to fall into Taliban hands Afghanistan makes this a very difficult, un compassionate read. People are dying, scared for their lives, but the leads are happily enjoying their reconciliation and themselves. No amount of Izzy is trying to do interviews for people or Nathaniel leaving food rations males up for the lack of thought to what is happening to the background setting. The worst part is that this story could have been set anywhere else just fine. Hard no and I hope the author learns from this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Child abuse, Medical trauma, War, Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Domestic abuse, and Gun violence
Moderate: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Violence, and Car accident
headinthepages's review against another edition
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Car accident, Child abuse, Mass/school shootings, Cursing, Grief, Toxic relationship, Violence, Alcohol, Death, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Abandonment, Blood, Body horror, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Medical content, Sexual content, Mental illness, Physical abuse, and War
yvo_about_books's review against another edition
3.25
Finished reading: August 4th 2023
"Whatever had bound us together in the first place was still there, as tangible as ever. We’d buried it, ignored it, burned it to the ground, but never managed to sever it."
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Montlake in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Islamophobia, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Death, Death of parent, Gun violence, Abandonment, Gaslighting, Grief, War, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Xenophobia, Car accident, and Classism
courtthebookgirl's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
So, I read this book in one day. It was utterly unputdownable. I picked it up today on Amazon First Reads, which was incredibly serendipitous.
I will say, this book wasn’t what I thought it was going to be. There is a LOT of war/military content here, which is not my normal reading material for many (personal) reasons, and I expected more about the plane crash. That said, I genuinely liked this book- military/war content and all- far more than I would have imagined.
This is, at its heart, a contemporary romance. For my more sensitive readers, it’s steamy and open-door, so keep that in mind. We follow Nathaniel (Nate) and Isabeau (Izzy) for 10 years after the fateful plane crash that drew them together and the many intervening years that pulled them apart.
If you know me, you know I don’t like the “we met 10 years ago but somehow are still pining for each other” trope at all. But! And I mean it- but! I am making an exception here. These two were drawn together by a deeply traumatic incident and I have zero issues with understanding how that event might have triggered this long-term pining. It works here.
I loved Nate and Izzy’s story, as frustrating as it could be at times. I also loved some of the ancillary characters too (namely her sister Serena). The last third of this novel was heart-pounding enough that I had anxiety and really felt like I was reading a thriller. Yarros captured a war-time scene well, and I realize from reading her bio that she is married to a veteran and probably has a good understanding of this life.
There was also a twist near the end that I didn’t see coming. I was surprised.
All in all, I really liked this book. It releases in August if you don’t have Amazon First Reads, so if you like open-door romances and military/war content, you should check this one out.
I will say, this book wasn’t what I thought it was going to be. There is a LOT of war/military content here, which is not my normal reading material for many (personal) reasons, and I expected more about the plane crash. That said, I genuinely liked this book- military/war content and all- far more than I would have imagined.
This is, at its heart, a contemporary romance. For my more sensitive readers, it’s steamy and open-door, so keep that in mind. We follow Nathaniel (Nate) and Isabeau (Izzy) for 10 years after the fateful plane crash that drew them together and the many intervening years that pulled them apart.
If you know me, you know I don’t like the “we met 10 years ago but somehow are still pining for each other” trope at all. But! And I mean it- but! I am making an exception here. These two were drawn together by a deeply traumatic incident and I have zero issues with understanding how that event might have triggered this long-term pining. It works here.
I loved Nate and Izzy’s story, as frustrating as it could be at times. I also loved some of the ancillary characters too (namely her sister Serena). The last third of this novel was heart-pounding enough that I had anxiety and really felt like I was reading a thriller. Yarros captured a war-time scene well, and I realize from reading her bio that she is married to a veteran and probably has a good understanding of this life.
There was also a twist near the end that I didn’t see coming. I was surprised.
All in all, I really liked this book. It releases in August if you don’t have Amazon First Reads, so if you like open-door romances and military/war content, you should check this one out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Domestic abuse, and War
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