If you’ve only ever known Rebecca Yarros for the dragons and the life-or-death stakes of Fourth Wing, you’re basically missing the foundation of her entire writing DNA. Before she was the queen of "Romantasy," she was carving out a niche in the military romance world that felt raw, visceral, and sometimes—honestly—a little too real. That brings us to Eyes Turned Skyward, the second book in her Flight & Glory series. It’s a story that people still argue about in book clubs and on Reddit, mostly because of how it handles secrets and that agonizingly slow burn between Jagger Bateman and Paisley Donovan.
Why Eyes Turned Skyward Rebecca Yarros Fans Keep Coming Back
A lot of readers jump into this one expecting a light beach read because of the Florida setting. They see a hot pilot and a "damsel" and think they know the drill. They’re wrong. Eyes Turned Skyward Rebecca Yarros is actually a masterclass in tension, and not just the "will-they-won't-they" kind. It’s the kind of tension that makes your chest feel tight because you know a massive secret is about to explode and ruin everyone’s life.
Paisley Donovan is 20, and she’s living on borrowed time—or at least, that’s what her parents have convinced her. She has the same heart condition that killed her sister, Peyton. Because of that, she’s treated like she’s made of glass. Then she meets Jagger Bateman.
Jagger isn't just some "wickedly hot" guy from flight school. He’s reckless. He’s the guy who pulls her out of the ocean when she’s drowning (literally) and then accidentally sets her soul on fire. But here’s the kicker: Paisley has a boyfriend. And that boyfriend? He’s Jagger’s biggest rival in the Apache flight program.
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The Problem With the "Love Triangle" Label
People love to call this a love triangle. Personally? I think that’s a bit of a reach. It’s more of a collision course. Will, the boyfriend, represents the "safe" path—the one her parents approve of, the one that keeps her heart rate steady. Jagger is the risk.
In Eyes Turned Skyward Rebecca Yarros doesn't just give us a romance; she gives us a character study on autonomy. Paisley has a bucket list. She wants to live, not just survive. Jagger is the first person who doesn't look at her and see a medical diagnosis. He sees a woman. That’s why their connection hits so hard.
The Secrets Nobody Talks About
Let’s be real: both of these characters are messy. Paisley is hiding her heart condition from Jagger because she wants one person in her life to treat her normally. Jagger is hiding a massive family secret—something involving his sister, Anna—that could derail his entire career at Fort Rucker.
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- The Library Scenes: If you haven't read the library renovation scenes, you haven't lived. The sexual tension is so thick you could cut it with a flight knife.
- The Swimming Lessons: Jagger teaching Paisley to swim is the ultimate metaphor for her learning to trust herself.
- The Rivalry: The competition between Jagger and Will for the top Apache slots adds a layer of professional pressure that makes the romantic stakes feel even higher.
The military accuracy here is top-tier. Yarros is a military spouse herself, and it shows. She doesn't just mention uniforms; she nails the culture of flight school, the "default to trust" mentality, and the crushing weight of expectation that comes with being a general's daughter.
Is It Better Than Full Measures?
This is the big debate. Full Measures (Book 1) is a tear-jerker. It’s heavy on grief. Eyes Turned Skyward Rebecca Yarros feels more like a frantic heartbeat. It’s faster. It’s sexier. It’s got that "us against the world" vibe that Yarros fans crave.
Jagger Bateman is a different kind of hero than Josh Walker. Josh was the boy next door; Jagger is the guy your mother warned you about, but he’s also the guy who will stay up all night making sure you're breathing. His growth from a "no-effort, easy-lay" guy to someone who is willing to fight for a girl whose days might be numbered is why he’s a top-tier book boyfriend.
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What Most People Miss
The most underrated part of the book is the relationship between Paisley and her mother. It’s painful to watch. Her mother is so consumed by the grief of losing one daughter that she’s accidentally smothering the other one. It’s a nuanced look at how trauma ripples through a family, and it’s arguably the most "human" part of the story.
Actionable Steps for New Readers
If you're just starting your Yarros journey or looking to revisit the Flight & Glory world, here is how to handle it:
- Read in Order: While some say you can read these as standalones, don't. You need the context of Josh and Ember from Book 1 to fully appreciate the secondary character cameos in this one.
- Check the Content Warnings: This book deals with chronic illness (Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is often discussed in relation to Yarros’s work, though Paisley’s specific heart issue is the focus here), grief, and some intense military situations.
- Pay Attention to the Side Characters: Grayson and Sam show up here, and their story (Book 3, Beyond What Is Given) is equally phenomenal.
- Listen to the Audiobook: If you’re a fan of dual narration, the Flight & Glory audiobooks are legendary for capturing the angst in the characters' voices.
Eyes Turned Skyward Rebecca Yarros isn't just a romance novel. It’s a reminder that living safely isn't the same thing as actually being alive. Whether you're here for the "hot pilots" or the deep emotional wreckage, this book delivers exactly what it promises.
If you want to understand why Rebecca Yarros became a global sensation, start with Jagger and Paisley. The dragons can wait; the heart can't.
Ready to start? Pick up your copy and pay close attention to the "Default to Trust" pact. It changes everything.