Mile High, the first book in Liz Tomforde’s emotionally textured Windy City series, is a romance that takes its time—slow-burn in structure but fast in impact. Set in the high-adrenaline world of pro hockey, the story juxtaposes celebrity pressure with grounded human vulnerability.
It features the unlikely pairing of an emotionally barricaded hockey player and a resilient flight attendant—two characters who seemingly couldn’t be more different, yet find solace and something startlingly real in one another. This is a romance that hits both the heart and the gut, balancing levity with emotional stakes that linger well after the final page.
The Premise: An Unwanted Connection That Becomes Irresistible
When Evan Zanders, the NHL’s most notorious bad boy, meets Stevie Shay, his team’s new flight attendant, he’s immediately intrigued—not because she fawns over him (she doesn’t), but because she challenges him. Stevie, for her part, has no interest in playing into Zanders’ ego. She’s done with athletes and their drama.
Yet, forced proximity—via private team planes and overnight stays—breeds undeniable chemistry. What starts as irritation turns into fascination, and fascination slowly cracks open something far more dangerous: vulnerability.
A Dual POV that Humanizes Both Leads
Tomforde’s decision to use a dual narrative perspective gives readers an immersive emotional experience.
From Zanders’ POV, we see a man who is the product of abandonment, trauma, and media manipulation. He’s rich, successful, and adored—but deeply lonely. His actions, though sometimes frustrating, are laced with a desire to protect the small, unseen parts of himself.
Stevie, in contrast, offers a grounded lens into the experience of navigating attraction when trust is difficult. Her past relationship left her with scars—ones she hides behind wit and work ethic. Watching her learn to trust again, in the most unlikely of places, is part of the book’s most powerful emotional arc.
Writing Style: Conversational, Intimate, and Unfiltered
Tomforde writes with an effortless rhythm—combining interior monologue, sharp banter, and sensory detail that captures both attraction and anxiety with equal authenticity. The novel is peppered with humorous observations, moments of raw emotion, and internal dialogue that feels completely real.
This authenticity in tone makes both characters likable—even when they’re making mistakes. There’s no moral posturing or manufactured drama. The conflicts feel natural and are rooted in deeply personal fears and boundaries.
Emotional Pacing: A Romance that Builds Its Own Rules
This isn’t a romance built on impulsive declarations or love-at-first-sight clichés. Mile High earns its slow-burn. The sexual tension simmers for hundreds of pages, and when it finally comes to a boil, the release is as emotional as it is physical.
But more importantly, the intimacy is never just physical—it’s emotional terrain being navigated. Zanders and Stevie’s relationship doesn’t progress in a straight line. It’s filled with backtracking, self-sabotage, small acts of vulnerability, and real consequences.
The emotional reward comes from watching two people who’ve been taught to distrust love slowly learn how to receive it.
Key Themes That Elevate the Story
Mile High by Liz Tomforde successfully weaves several resonant themes throughout its narrative:
1. Mental Health and Therapy
Zanders’ panic attacks and his journey into therapy are among the book’s most poignant elements. It’s rare to see such a candid depiction of male vulnerability in a sports romance, and Tomforde handles it with grace.
2. Body Image and Confidence
Stevie’s insecurities surrounding her body—especially in the context of dating someone in the public eye—are tackled with subtlety and empathy. Her journey toward self-acceptance is never rushed or oversimplified.
3. Public Image vs. Private Identity
Zanders’ reputation as the NHL’s “diva” isn’t just a trope—it’s a cage. The novel critiques how media narratives flatten people into caricatures, and how exhausting it can be to live inside someone else’s fantasy of who you are.
4. Found Family
While both protagonists struggle with complex relationships with their biological families, they slowly find solace in chosen connections—especially through friends, teammates, and eventually, each other.
Strengths: What Makes This Book Stand Out
- Deep character development – Both leads have clearly defined emotional arcs that evolve with nuance.
- Dual POV adds richness – We get to witness misunderstandings from both sides, making the romance feel fair and organic.
- Authentic mental health depiction – Zanders’ therapy journey is handled without stigma.
- Chemistry that builds naturally – No instant gratification, but rather a slow-building tension that reflects real emotional stakes.
- Subtle social commentary – From body positivity to toxic masculinity, the book invites readers to think without ever becoming preachy.
Where It Could Improve
Despite its many strengths, Mile High by Liz Tomforde has a few areas that could be tightened:
- Pacing – Some early sections, especially the antagonistic banter phase, could have been trimmed without losing impact.
- Underused side characters – While later books in the series expand these roles, characters like Bex, Ryan, or even Tara remain one-dimensional here.
- Repetition in internal monologue – Occasionally, both POVs become a little repetitive in over-explaining emotional beats, particularly during setbacks.
A Look at the Series: Building Momentum from Book One
Mile High sets a strong emotional tone for the Windy City series by Liz Tomforde. While it focuses heavily on Zanders and Stevie, the seeds for future romances are already planted.
- The Right Move shifts focus to Ryan and Indy, offering a more emotionally mature, friends-to-lovers arc.
- Caught Up and Play Along both explore new team members with fresh romantic challenges.
- Rewind It Back, the latest addition, dives deeper into second chances and unresolved feelings.
Together, these novels expand a shared universe where athletes are more than just muscles and women are more than just love interests—they’re whole people navigating flawed but hopeful connections.
Comparisons: Who Should Read Mile High?
If you enjoy romance that’s more emotional than glossy, with a slow-burn pace and realistic intimacy, Mile High by Liz Tomforde will resonate. Ideal for fans of:
- The Wall of Winnipeg and Me by Mariana Zapata
- Pucking Around by Emily Rath
- Icebreaker by Hannah Grace
- Heartless by Elsie Silver
Tomforde’s style will also appeal to readers who love introspective male leads, emotionally messy heroines, and relationship arcs that don’t take shortcuts.
These lines speak volumes about the core tension of the book: learning to love without losing oneself.
Final Rating: Honest, Heated, and Hugely Relatable
Mile High by Liz Tomforde is a slow-burning, character-driven romance that doesn’t sacrifice emotional complexity for surface-level steam. While some pacing issues and character depth gaps exist, the overall experience is tender, well-written, and deeply satisfying.
It’s a strong series starter that respects its readers’ intelligence and emotional investment. The love story at its heart is one that feels earned—fought for, not simply fallen into.
Liz Tomforde has crafted a narrative that doesn’t just fly—it soars, stumbles, and ultimately lands with heart. Whether you’re here for the enemies-to-lovers banter, the mental health themes, or the hockey-heat backdrop, Mile High offers a deeply rewarding read.