Mile high

Mile High – Review

Characters – 7/10

Mile High centers on two emotionally guarded characters who, at their core, are simply looking to be loved without conditions.

Stevie Shay is a flight attendant working on the team’s charter, and her struggle with body image is one of her defining traits. Years of relentless criticism from a perfectionist mother have left deep scars—ones that still affect her well into adulthood. Stevie never quite fit into her mother’s vision of who she “should” be, and that lingering rejection bleeds into her personal relationships. She’s fiercely loyal to a fault, staying far too long in friendships that no longer serve her, as well as with an ex who is nothing short of terrible.

Despite this, Stevie has a strong heart. She volunteers at a dog rescue, showing her compassion and softness beneath the feisty exterior. Her support system begins to shift when Indy enters her life as a new best friend, offering a healthier dynamic than what she’s used to. Stevie is also the twin sister of Ryan Shay, an NBA player for the Chicago Devils, which adds another layer to her identity and independence. While she’s bold and sharp-tongued, what Stevie truly needs is confidence—real, lasting confidence that she can wear unapologetically.

Evan Zanders, defenseman for the Chicago Raptors, appears at first glance to be the stereotypical hockey bad boy. However, this image is largely manufactured by an agent who encourages Evan to lean into the womanizer persona for publicity. In reality, Evan is a decent, stand-up person who deeply values family. His relationship with his niece, Ella, highlights his tenderness, and his bond with his best friends—Logan and Miller—grounds him.

Evan’s past explains much of his emotional restraint. His mother left his father for another man during his teenage years, and his father, though physically present, was emotionally absent due to work. These experiences fostered anger issues and deep-seated fears: fear of not being enough, fear of losing financial security, and fear of abandonment. His sister Libby is one of the few consistent anchors in his life.

What works well is how Stevie and Evan mirror each other emotionally. Both have built walls for self-preservation, yet they’re willing to dismantle them—slowly and imperfectly—for one another. Together, they grow in the ways they need most. Stevie learns to step fully into her confidence, while Evan is forced to confront the false image he’s hiding behind and reckon with his unresolved fears. The more time they spend together, the more they bring out the best in each other.

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Atmosphere – 7/10

The story primarily takes place in Chicago, with the added charm of a secondary setting aboard an airplane. There are also brief but effective detours to Nashville and various hotels along the way.

The author does a solid job creating an immersive and believable world. It’s easy to picture yourself squeezed into the galley of a charter plane or standing in a sleek high-rise apartment overlooking the city. The settings feel lived-in and help ground the story, even when the plot itself becomes predictable.

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Writing – 6/10

The writing is serviceable and straightforward. Nothing particularly stands out stylistically, but it generally flows well. Unfortunately, the adult scenes were a weak point. They felt repetitive, overdone, and ultimately boring—I found myself skimming through them rather than engaging with them.

Outside of those scenes, the pacing is smooth. Background characters are introduced at the right moments and tend to deliver just enough information to move the story along without overwhelming it.

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Plot – 6/10

This is a very standard hockey romance plot, and the author follows the genre formula almost beat for beat. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with that, it does mean there are very few surprises.

The biggest issue comes at the resolution. While a grand romantic gesture makes sense, the execution—stopping a parade so Evan can get off the bus—felt over-the-top and borderline ridiculous. Instead of being emotional, it veered into unintentionally comedic territory.

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Intrigue – 6/10

The beginning of the book was genuinely engaging and had strong page-turner energy. However, around the halfway point, the story began to drag. By then, I was more focused on finishing than enjoying the journey. Under normal circumstances, this would have been a DNF for me, but I pushed through to the end.

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Logic – 7/10

From a structural standpoint, the story is solid. There are no glaring plot holes, and the progression of events makes sense. Even with the absurdity of the reunion scene, the overall narrative remains logically consistent and easy to follow.

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Enjoyment – 7/10

The book does exactly what it sets out to do—and that’s part of the problem. It adheres so closely to the hockey romance formula that it becomes predictable and, at times, boring. By the end, I was ready for it to be over rather than eager to savor the conclusion.

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Final Verdict – 6.57/10 (⭐️⭐️⭐️)

Mile High is an easy, fast read, but it lacks emotional depth. The breakup wasn’t nearly as gut-wrenching or impactful as it could have been, which made it difficult to fully invest in the characters. The parade reunion scene was more comical than romantic, and overall, the story didn’t leave a lasting impression.

I’ve read stronger entries in this genre, and it’s unlikely I’ll continue the series. That said, if this book is adapted into an Amazon series, strong casting and tighter storytelling could potentially elevate the material and make it more enjoyable in another format