May TBR Read, "Mile High"

 

May TBR Read “Mile High”

By Liz Tomforde

Title: Mile High

Author: Liz Tomforde
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Sports Romance
Series: Windy City (#1) – series must be read in order
Publication Date: 2022
Themes: Forbidden romance, hockey, class differences, trauma healing, emotional vulnerability, slow burn, found family.

Book started: 13 May 25 / Book Completed: 21 May 25

Total book pages: 473 / Listening time: 13 Hours: 39 minutes

Format: Libby (listened and read along), own the book

Liz Tomforde’s Mile High is a contemporary romance novel self-published in 2022 and is the first installment in the Windy City series. Occupying the sports romance subgenre, the novel traces the developing romance between the professional hockey “bad boy” Evan Zanders and the down-to-earth flight attendant Stevie Shay. The more time the unlikely pair is forced to spend with one another on the Chicago Raptors’ private jet, the more their complex dynamic unveils revelations about:

• The Lingering Impact of Trauma
• The Tension Between Public and Private Personas
• The Transformative Power of Love

Content Warning: Both the source text and this guide include descriptions of personal trauma and emotional abuse.

Plot Summary

The story unfolds as the Chicago Raptors, the premier hockey team in the city, begin their season. Teammates and best friends Evan Zanders and Eli Maddison (Maddison) board the team’s private jet for their first away games. Eli, who is married to Logan Maddison and is a devoted family man, struggles with being away from home. In contrast, Zanders is known in the hockey world as a troublemaker who relishes the freedom and glamour of away games, particularly because he enjoys engaging with a string of beautiful women during his travels.

On board, the Raptors meet their new flight attendant crew, including the feisty and unyielding Stevie Shay. From their very first encounter, Zanders’s flirtatious advances are met with Stevie’s firm disinterest—she is not interested in another cocky athlete. However, as their paths continue to cross, including unexpected meetings outside of work (such as in their Chicago neighborhoods and community engagements like the dog shelter where Stevie volunteers), both characters gradually reveal deeper layers of themselves.

Stevie’s backstory is enriched by her personal connections: she lives with her twin brother, professional basketball player Ryan Shay, and carries the scars of a past relationship with his best friend, Brett, from which she vowed never to date men like him again. As circumstances bring her closer to Zanders, she sees glimpses of his true nature. Behind his bad-boy facade lies a man shaped by a traumatic past—growing up in Indiana, a mother who left for a wealthier life, a father absorbed in his work, and a lifelong struggle with self-acceptance and emotional vulnerability.

After a charged night together, what was expected to be a physical release becomes the catalyst that deepens their connection. Their subsequent secret meetings, necessitated by concerns over job security and Zanders’s public persona, are fraught with complications. When paparazzi expose their relationship, Zanders, fearful of jeopardizing his reputation and Stevie’s career prospects, breaks things off. This heartbreak leads Stevie to quit her job and plan a move to Seattle. Meanwhile, Zanders’s inner circle rallies behind him, urging him to abandon his rigid professional image and fight to win Stevie back.  The narrative reaches its turning point. Sorry, no spoilers here.  Read the book.  It’s worth discovering how Zee and Vee’s story ends or begins.

Main Characters:

Evan Zanders:
Introduced initially as the typical bad boy athlete, Zanders is far more complex than his public persona suggests. His internal struggles—stemming from a traumatic childhood, abandonment by his mother, and a life shadowed by the pressures of professional sports—make his character arc deeply compelling. His journey in therapy and his persistent battle with self-acceptance add layers of nuance, inviting readers to look beyond his façade.

Stevie Shay:
Stevie is authentic. She is a strong and fiercely independent woman, portrayed as witty and resilient. Her personal history, including the fallout from a previous relationship and her ongoing battle against societal expectations regarding body image, is handled with both honesty and respect. Despite her resistance, her gradual thawing towards Zanders exemplifies a transformative journey from guarded self-reliance to vulnerability and openness.

Main Themes:

The Lingering Impact of Trauma:
Both protagonists are shown grappling with personal demons—Zanders with his tumultuous past and steep learning curve in self-love, and Stevie with the echoes of emotional abuse. Their traumas are central to their character development and the evolution of their relationship.

The Tension Between Public and Private Personas:
A recurring theme in Zander’s story is his struggle to balance his public image as a “bad boy” athlete with his authentic, softer self. His internal conflict represents the broader tension between celebrity culture and personal authenticity, a subject that resonates deeply in today’s image-conscious society.

The Transformative Power of Love:
The evolution of Zander and Stevie’s relationship—from friction and resistance to heartfelt connection—illustrates love’s capacity to heal, transform, and redeem. Their journey underscores the idea that facing one’s vulnerabilities can ultimately lead to personal growth and mutual understanding.

Banter and Chemistry

The interactions between Zanders and Stevie are characterized by sharp, witty banter. Their dialogues evolve from caustic retorts to heartfelt exchanges, mirroring the deepening of their relationship. This transition adds a layer of authenticity and emotional weight to their romance.  One of the hallmark features of Mile High is its slow-burn narrative. While some readers might find the pacing deliberate, allowing for a gradual build-up of tension and emotional insight, others will appreciate the detailed character exploration that unfolds throughout the novel.

Found Family and Secondary Cast:
Beyond the central romance, including well-crafted side characters, such as teammates and friends, helps construct a rich community that underscores themes of loyalty and belonging. With its vibrant sports culture and community settings like the dog shelter, Chicago’s backdrop enriches the narrative environment.

Interconnected Lives:
The narrative cleverly weaves characters’ lives (such as Stevie’s living arrangements with her brother Ryan and the proximity between neighbors) to create a sense of community where personal and professional lives intersect. This intersection adds realistic complexity and reinforces that a strong, caring community often supports personal healing.

Steam Level and Emotional Intensity

Mile High contains a high level of steam, characterized by an intense physical and emotional build-up. The intimacy between Zanders and Stevie is sensuous and integral to their character development, serving as titillation and a pivotal element in their journey toward healing and connection. The emphasis on mutual consent and emotional depth during intimate moments enhances their relationship’s believability and relatability.

Final Thoughts and Rating

Mile High is a multifaceted sports romance.  It’s a story of black love.  It’s a story of how men out there see past typical body images.  Stevie was not a size zero.  She was an everyday woman.  Whoever, like me, lives in a world that constantly reminds you that you will never fit in if you are not small and perky.  I love how Zander saw Stevie as a real woman.  Liz’s words were spoken through Zander about how he reveled in Stevie’s body and treasured it.  Stevie dealt with the same issues of being body shamed and not feeling comfortable in your skin.  His love opened her door of confidence and radiated through her persona.  I was invested in this story.  Longing for my bit of love.  Stevie also helped Zander by showing up and loving the real him.  The one who is mom abandoned her family for greener pastures by walking out on her family.  There is a line in a song by Kelly Clarkson, “Piece by Piece.”

And all of your words fall flat
I made something of myself, and now you wanna come back.
But your love, it isn’t free, it has to be earned.
Back then, I didn’t have anything you needed, so I was worthless

But piece by piece, he collected me
Up off the ground where you abandoned things
Piece by piece, he filled the holes
That you burned in me at six years old
And you know, he never walks away
He never asks for money
He takes care of me
‘Cause he loves me

Just because someone provided a sperm or egg does not make a parent.  It took Zander a long time to get up the courage to let his mom entirely “go”.  Sometime getting rid of that weighted pain allows sun and love to enter truly.  Looking at Stevie’s relationship with her mom and how generational hurt continues until you stand too close to that door.  Also, having strong men in your life who stand with you and support you.  When someone truly loves you, it gives you that strength and power to stand up for yourself and just accept anything but accept and accept what you truly deserve.  It’s knowing your worth and not the worth others see in you.  Please read this book.  There is some serious spiciness, but it does not overshadow the love story.

Final Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2 (4.5/5)

Highly recommended for readers who seek:

• A richly layered, slow-burning romance
• In-depth character exploration and emotional vulnerability
• Themes of trauma, healing, and transformation
• Dynamic and authentic dialogue with a dash of wit
• A fresh perspective within the sports romance subgenre