Before Rebecca Yarros’ breakout into romantasy with Fourth Wing—which has led to her latest release, Onyx Storm, to shatter sales records—the author was known for her long-time success in contemporary romance. Yarros has often expressed her love for writing both fantasy and romance, and her large portfolio of work shows just how experienced the author is at writing a phenomenal romance storyline—which is just one of many reasons the romance in Fourth Wing is without equal. And as stated in an interview with Variety, Yarros will revisit her contemporary roots before diving back into Fourth Wing.
This likely means a longer wait before the next Empyrean Series book is released, but it also gives fans plenty of time to read Yarros’ vast selection of popular novels—including her latest contemporary romance, Variation, which was published only a few months before Onyx Storm. More often than not, Yarros’ fantasy book series parallels her contemporary novels—all of which explore similar themes of war, loss, and typically impart emotional distress upon readers. Those who love the character development and relationships in Fourth Wing should definitely check out several of Yarros’ other works.
7
The Last Letter
Published In 2019
The Last Letter is one of Yarros’ more emotionally compelling romance novels. This is seen not only through the tension and palpable yearning between Yarros’ love interests, but by building strong relationships between them and several other important characters. After Beckett’s best friend, Ryan, dies in combat, he receives a letter from his late friend asking him to leave the army and go take care of his sister, Ella—who now has no one else to call family. Having been in touch with Ella as a pen pal for the last several years, Beckett already feels a strong connection.
Yarros’ The Last Letter is heartbreakingly tragic and full of unforeseen plot twists—but is so worth the emotional rollercoaster Yarros takes readers on.
Wanting to honor his best-friend’s dying wish, Beckett finds his way to Telluride, but doesn’t disclose who he is to Ella when he arrives. And having never seen a photo of her previous pen-pal before, Ella has no idea the full extent of the history between them. Yarros’ The Last Letter is heartbreakingly tragic and full of unforeseen plot twists—but is so worth the emotional rollercoaster Yarros takes readers on. This novel is the perfect Fourth Wing replacement for readers who love the friendships and found-family aspects of the popular fantasy series.
6
The Things We Leave Unfinished
Published In 2021
The Things We Leave Unfinished continues Yarros’ exploration of wartime romance, but this time jumps back and forth between present day and World War II. Blending contemporary and historical romance, the narrative follows Georgia as she returns to her hometown after a messy divorce only to find prolific romance author, Noah, attempting to get his hands on her late great-grandmother Scarlett’s unpublished final novel. As they work on the novel to honor her legacy, they realize the novel isn’t just fiction, but a depiction of Scarlett’s love life.
The Things We Leave Unfinished jumps between Georgia’s present-day romance and Scarlett’s past as they attempt to uncover why Scarlett never published her own love story. The romance dynamics throughout the narrative are phenomenal, and true to Yarros fashion, it includes a major plot twist ending that changes the scope by which the entire story is viewed. Arguably one of Yarros’ best romantic novels, The Things We Leave Unfinished is a must-read.
5
In The Likely Event
Published In 2023
Rebecca Yarros’ In The Likely Event was published in between Fourth Wing and Iron Flame, and quickly became one of the most popular romance novels on BookTok, alongside the Empyrean Series. In The Likely Event kicks off with high tension and high stakes, as Izzy and Nathaniel are reunited on a tarmac in Afghanistan after nearly three years of silence. Their chance reunion gives a strong parallel to when they first met 10 years prior, as seatmates on a flight that crashed into the Missouri River 90 seconds after takeoff—and changed their lives forever.
While the miscommunication trope can be deterring to some readers, Yarros uses it in a way that helps to strongly define her characters and create a believable source of conflict throughout the novel.
In The Likely Event is dual POV and explores both Nathaniel’s and Izzy’s past and present throughout the narrative—allowing readers to piece together what happened to split the two characters apart. Their miscommunication heavily impacts their relationship, but having only seen each other for a few days over the course of years, it’s no surprise they aren’t on the same page. While the miscommunication trope can be deterring to some readers, Yarros explores the dynamic in a way that helps to strongly define her characters and create a believable source of conflict throughout the novel.
4
Variation
Published In 2024
Variation, Yarros’ latest contemporary romance published in November 2024, made for the perfect replacement read ahead of Onyx Storm‘s January release. It’s no surprise so many Fourth Wing fans reached for Yarros’ latest contemporary novel, as the narrative’s romantic tension and witty banter has become a staple in the author’s many books and series. Variation is a second-chance romance between an elite ballerina, Allie Rousseau, and Coast Guard rescue swimmer, Hudson Ellis, who, after a decade apart, find themselves thrust into the most unlikely fake-dating scenario.
“Messy is good, love. Messy is where the best parts of life happen.”
― Rebecca Yarros, Variation
The steamy chemistry and romance found in Yarros’ Fourth Wing novels are top-notch, but these aspects aren’t exclusive to her fantasy series. Variation encompasses everything readers love about Fourth Wing, but instead of high stakes and action, Yarros’ explores her character’s strengths and weaknesses in a much more subtle manner—making the narrative all the more relatable to the reader. Yarros has also stated that writing Variation helped save her career, and without it, she wouldn’t have been able to write Onyx Storm.
3
Great And Precious Things
Published In 2020
Great and Precious Things is one of Rebecca Yarros’ more underrated romances. Having been released a few years prior to Fourth Wing, not many readers have found the chance to read it, but with the longer wait between Empyrean Series novels, now is the perfect time to do so. After returning home from war six years prior with his younger brother in a casket, Camden’s family and the small town of Alba, Colorado never forgave him. While Camden swore he’d never return, he does so at the request of his ailing father—who also blames him for his brother’s death.
Aside from exploring estranged family dynamics, and the profound effects of grief and guilt, Great and Precious Things also depicts unconditional love through its tender romance. Camden and Willow grew up childhood best-friends, but their relationship forever changed when she began dating his youngest brother, Sullivan, and again when he died. This friends-to-lovers romance is incredibly heartwarming and a must-read for Rebecca Yarros fans.
2
Full Measures (Flight And Glory Series)
Published In 2014
Full Measures, the first in the Flight and Glory series—and Yarros’ debut novel—centers around Ember, who has attempted to piece together her crumbling family since her father passed away on active duty. But once her mother completely falls apart, everything Ember has worked for threatens to come crumbling down—at least until she meets Josh Walker, the hockey star and her new next-door-neighbor. The first novel in the Flight and Glory series centers around the impact war has on a family—something Yarros often references in her contemporary romances due to her own experience with her husband’s service.
Full Measures is an incredibly sweet story that touches on deeply emotional issues, while providing the reader with plenty of feet-kicking moments that help lighten the mood.
Yarros’ first romance is a brilliant introduction to her writing style, and is what first catapulted her into romance fame. Full Measures is an incredibly sweet story that touches on deeply emotional issues, while providing the reader with plenty of feet-kicking moments that help lighten the mood. However, Full Measures is only the first in the five-book Flight and Glory series, with several novels that cover a wide range of romantic storylines that all include military pilot training to some degree—hence the series title. And, in book four, Hallowed Ground, Yarros returns to Ember and Josh’s tender romance.
1
Wilder (The Renegades Series)
Published In 2016
Wilder by Rebecca Yarros is the first book in The Renegades series, following a group of students as they attend a Study At Sea program aboard a cruise ship—taking them on exotic adventures all over the world. The first book in the series focuses on the romance between Pax Wilder, leader of the Renegades (a group of extreme sports athletes), and Leah, a Dartmouth student who has been tasked as his tutor for the duration of the trip. The two characters are the epitome of “opposites attract”, and Wilder sees the two characters find common ground in their mutual attraction.
Each book in The Renegades Series focuses on a different Renegades group member and their romantic storyline. So, while the three books can be read as standalones, they have more impact when read in order of publication—as Nova and Rebel pick up right where Wilder leaves off. These spicy romance books are incredibly fun to read, and full of steamy moments that Rebecca Yarros’ fans have come to know and love in her Empyrean Series, including Onyx Storm.
Onyx Storm
Violet Sorrengail faces new political intrigue and battles old enemies while uncovering the secrets of her second signet. As she strives to save Xaden from venin corruption, her relationships with allies and dragons are tested, leading to intense confrontations and unexpected revelations in a world of dragons and magic.
- Genre
-
Fantasy
- Publisher
-
Entangled: Red Tower Books
- Publication Date
-
2025/01/01
- ISBN#
-
1649374186
- Author(s)
-
Rebecca Yarros
