Mile High

This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

“You’ll always be my first choice. Have been since the day I met you, sweetheart.”

First Impressions
Mile High is the first book in the “Windy City” series. And I absolutely adored this book. I haven’t seen in too much in the blogging sphere, but I have seen it quite a bit on instagram and booktube. So I thought if you aren’t aware of this book, to MAKE YOU AWARE!!! Because if you love contemporary sports romances, then this book needs to be on your bucket list! But I will warn you this book is LONG at over 600 pages. So just fair warning its a big tome here, however, if you like Mariana Zapata show more and how she handles length, then this one will definitely work for you. I think what really drew me to this one and just gave me what I needed was the character growth and most especially the relationship growth. At first I was like is this book going to be worth that length? I can definitely say that it most definitely is worth the length, once you read it, you will see why and why its needed and I feel like the author really fleshed all the aspects out fully which made it such a satisfying romance!

Summary
So the story begins when our main characters meet for the first time, which is on their first flight together. Our hero, is a professional hockey player for Chicago. He has been playing hockey for over 20 years and knows what he loves and embraces it. He and his best friend who is captain of the team, are the dynamic duo. His best friend plays the contented husband and father and family man. While Zander plays the playboy to the media, taking home a different girl every night type of man. Its mostly a prop, as Zander plays an image that isn’t even close to who he truly is and he is getting tired of hiding who he really is. Then enters our heroine, Stevie. Stevie is a curly haired curvy woman who will tell it like it is and isn’t afraid to be bold and daring with Zander and tell him like it is. She is the flight attendant for the team’s plane, so they will be in close proximity together for the season and also she is forbidden to even ‘touch’ any sport player. But bit by bit, Zander is intrigued by Stevie, and only wants to dig deeper into this beautiful woman that he can’t stop thinking about. But while Stevie is worried about her job and making sure she stays in Chicago so that she can stay close to her brother who is also a pro player, she also knows that whatever is building between herself and Zander is powerful and worth fighting for no matter the backlash, the key is Zander fighting for the woman he loves when it matters most…

“You don’t have feelings?” Maddison asks, unconvinced. “You cried while watching Coco with Ella. You have fucking feelings, man. You should start letting people know.” “Don’t use Coco against me! That shit was sad!” I stand from my seat, following him to the locker room to get suited up for our game. “That song at the end? It gets me every time.”

What I Loved
Mile High was such an epic feeling romance! This story will always have my heart! I know that I won’t be able to express my true feelings on what this book delivered for me. It was just so endearing and beautiful and fully fleshed out in a way that delivered such a satisfying story of Zander and Stevie. I absolutely adored these two together. This is also a interracial romance (if you are wanting to go after diverse romance, then this will check off the book and I believe book 2 is a black romance so I can’t wait for that one and its BASKETBALL) But lets get back to my read of Mile High. Mile High is such a fascinating book because it has such beautiful pining especially from the hero. Now a pining hero isn’t what got me to this book, it honestly was the sports aspects of this. I haven’t read much sports romance if I am being honest, and I had heard this is one of the best ones that has ever been written. I can safely say that is completely true! This book will reign supreme for a sports romance read. What sometimes I miss in sports romances, is the lack of focus on the sport itself. Now I love a good romance, but the point of a sports romance, is to see the “sport” being focused on and Liz Tomforde handled this aspect so well. You really see the true honest side of being a professional sports player, with working with a agent especially one that clearly doesn’t have your interests in mind but also the battle with contracts and finding a team you just “click” with. I loved the bromance between Zander and his best friend. They were so wonderful together and you could see the found family aspects in this one. We also see how on the side of Stevie, she is learning to accept herself and who she is. Zander really kicks this in action the most, but you also see her own journey in setting healthy boundaries with her parents especially her mother who demeans her career and goals in life. And man I related to this so much. I saw so much of myself in Stevie in some ways. And I absolutely loved her twin, so I can’t wait for his book in “Right Move”.

“I don’t see you the way you see yourself. I think you’re good, and sweet, and hilarious, and fucking stunning, Vee. And I just want a chance.” She stays silent, so I add, “You want to be chosen first? Well, so do I. So, choose me.”

The romance that develops between Stevie and Zee was so precious. The way that they just slowly see the deeper sides of each other and connect on a almost spiritual level in their most intimate moments was the kicker for me in this book. I just couldn’t get enough of their couple time on the page, and there is definitely plenty of that. And the way in which they slowly learn to fight for each other and just see the vulnerabilities and fight for each other within those vulnerable moments is what really makes this such a powerhouse of a romance. There is a sense of realism in how their relationship is built with each other. I absolutely adored their moments in how they see the good always in each other but never judge the bad but have such sole acceptance was so beautiful and poignant. This is a story that will deliver in all the feels and satisfy all your romantic needs for a story. I guarantee this one is worth it and can’t recommend it enough!

“You’re not an idiot. You’re not crazy for wanting to be wanted. For wanting to be loved.” A deep swallow bobs in her throat. “And you’re not an option, Stevie, because besides you, there’s no other choice.”

Overall View
I found Mile High to be a stunning portrayal of a sports romance that brings together the beauty of the sport and the depths of love and connection in a truly balanced intimate way that will take you high into the sky of learning the importance of family, self worth and your romantic mate!

I fell in love with you while we were miles high in the air, and I’m begging you to love me back.

Rating Evaluation:
Plot: 5
World Building: 5
Cover:3
Hero: 5
Heroine: 5
Steam:5
Heart & Feels:5
Ending:5
Overall View: 5 show less

I got questions about people who read this and gave it 4 or 5 stars. I usually don't call out others reviews, cause hey, we read, we love what we love. But WTF people. The hero in this freaking book bullies the crap out of the heroine because he does not like that she does not like him back. I hoped to have a new series romance to recommend to all of you, but I know some of you would lose your tree over this one and honestly, life is too short for emotionally damaged romance heroes who we just need to love to make into a better freaking person......

Also the meet cute was disgusting. The heroine, Stevie, is a flight attendant on the private plane for a bunch of hockey players. She tells the hero (he is not a hero!) Zander to please stop show more looking at naked pictures of women while she's doing the whole hey you are in an exit row so you need to take the safety of others into consideration. This makes Zander mad that how dare she give him "lip." I would have used this book for kindling, but this was borrowed via my freaking Kindle.

Also, in case anyone still wants to read this, they are both Black characters. I kid you not, my jaw dropped because I did not get that at all, and had a hard time with Zander being Black and doing the mess he was and that would have zero repercussions for him as a Black man when many Black men have to be concerned with being called predators and crap like that. It just took me entirely out of this book. Also, there's a whole thing with Zander rating his sexual partners that had me lose my tree.

And Stevie and her not like the other girls cause she eats food ass can pound sand.

Also this freaking book was 600 damn pages......600 people. I didn't need this type of aggravation heading into my weekend. show less

When hockey player and ladies' man Evan Zanders boards his team's new plane for the first time, he is treated to the flight crew for the season which includes Stevie Shay, sister to basketball star Ryan Shey. Zanders or Zee is attracted to Stevie, but the no fraternization policy of the airline means hands off, so Zee decides to tease Stevie mercilessly. Stevie isn't immune to Zee's charms, but his reputation proceeds him, and Stevie isn't about to lose her job for a fling. However, the longer the two spend together on the road, the tougher it becomes for them to stay apart.

Mile High is the first book in the Windy City series and introduces some of the characters that will be featured in future installments. At the beginning of this show more novel, Zanders is not likable at all, and it takes some perseverance to keep reading about him, but his character arc draws to a very satisfying conclusion. Stevie also has flaws such as not believing in herself, but her story also comes to a very constructive end. Overall, Mile High's only real issue is that it is just too long, but even that doesn't detract much from this enjoyable story. show less

‘You following me?’ Zee and Vee are the cutest

Zee and Vee. What a pair. I loved Zanders from the beginning. Stevie took a little time to grow on me but I ended up loving her too.
I loved the representation for taking care of your mental health and for creating boundaries when needed. I always kind of love when parents of the main characters in books are both held accountable and also forgiven (if it’s deserved). It is a crazy feeling when you grow up and realize your parents are only human. I loved all the personal growth both MCs had.
Honestly though, I feel like the secondary characters really made this book even more special. Literally all of them. Ryan Shay! Man, am I glad he’s in the next book because I love him so so much. show more Indy! Also excited for her in the next one. She feels so unapologetically herself and I already love her fully. Maddison and Logan are the real heroes though. I mean… jeez. I want them as my best friends. They’re the absolute best and I wish they had their own book. Every interaction either one of them had with either Zanders or Stevie was my favorite.
I can’t wait for Ryan and Indy’s book next!! show less

I HATE third act breakups but i think this is the only time I've actually enjoyed one. It made sense plot-wise and the character development during was more than just "oh we fucked up".

"Don't you fucking dare." My voice is as quiet as I can make it. "If you say anything, I will end you. Then I'll marry your wife just to spite you, and your son will grow up calling me Daddy."

"Oh, fuck you!" Maddison isn't trying to be quiet at all. "Stevie, Zee wants you to be his date to a charity gala in Chicago, but he's too chicken shit to ask and doesn't think you'd want to go with him."

"I fucking hate you. We are no longer friends."

3.75 stars.

my favorite part about mile high were the relationships between the characters, and i’m not talking about the romance. the friendship between zanders and madison? stevie and ryan? zanders and his dad reconciling?

oh. my. god.

i actually read a romance book without caring for the romance??? show more seriously. i gave zero fucks about stevie and zanders romantic moments. they were sweet. wholesome (aside from those pages and pages of smut of course) but the comedy? families going to THERAPY? ah, yes. may i have another slice (bangs plate against table) another slice please show less

I got questions about people who read this and gave it 4 or 5 stars. I usually don't call out others reviews, cause hey, we read, we love what we love. But WTF people. The hero in this freaking book bullies the crap out of the heroine because he does not like that she does not like him back. I hoped to have a new series romance to recommend to all of you, but I know some of you would lose your tree over this one and honestly, life is too short for emotionally damaged romance heroes who we just need to love to make into a better freaking person......

Also the meet cute was disgusting. The heroine, Stevie, is a flight attendant on the private plane for a bunch of hockey players. She tells the hero (he is not a hero!) Zander to please stop show more looking at naked pictures of women while she's doing the whole hey you are in an exit row so you need to take the safety of others into consideration. This makes Zander mad that how dare she give him "lip." I would have used this book for kindling, but this was borrowed via my freaking Kindle.

Also, in case anyone still wants to read this, they are both Black characters. I kid you not, my jaw dropped because I did not get that at all, and had a hard time with Zander being Black and doing the mess he was and that would have zero repercussions for him as a Black man when many Black men have to be concerned with being called predators and crap like that. It just took me entirely out of this book. Also, there's a whole thing with Zander rating his sexual partners that had me lose my tree.

And Stevie and her not like the other girls cause she eats food ass can pound sand.

Also this freaking book was 600 damn pages......600 people. I didn't need this type of aggravation heading into my weekend. show less