- My Rating: 1/5
- Goodreads Rating: 4.03/5
- Year Published: 2025
- Page Count: 603
“You don’t have to love your body every single day. That’s unrealistic to expect, but I’ll be here loving it for the days you can’t.”
Synopsis
Zanders is a star Chicago hockey player, known for being a womanizer and acting like a jerk. He’s often put in the penalty box and is seen with a new woman every night. When he meets Stevie, a new flight attendant on the team’s plane, she doesn’t fawn over him like most girls he’s used to.
Stevie hates Zanders—he’s egotistical, obnoxious, and misogynistic. At least, she thought he was. But each flight forces them to spend more time together, and soon the lines are blurring past what each of them could have ever imagined.
The Quick Review (Spoiler-free)
I only finished this book because I needed to know what made people rave about it, and all I can say is that I’m still wondering. I’ve read my fair share of hockey romances, and almost all of them are fun, light-hearted, and yes, cringe-worthy. But they’re my guilty pleasure. If a hockey romance book entertains me in the slightest, then it passes my test. So you can see how dismal this book had to be for me to hate it as much as I did.
Like many hockey romances, Mile High is chock-full of overused tropes, but it also lacked the aspects that usually make me brush aside the cliches. I thought Zanders’ personality was supremely unattractive and never had the character arc we were promised. I hated how virtually all of Stevie’s personality became about her body; plus-size representation is amazing, but it should never be the only thing I remember about a character. That feels reductive and achieves the opposite of what representation is aiming to do.
I would not recommend this book. If you want a fun hockey romance, there are plenty out there that have strong plots and relatable, three-dimensional characters. This isn’t one of them.
“You’re my first choice, Vee. My only choice.”
The Long Review (Mild Spoilers)
Likes
I liked Stevie as a character for the moments she wasn’t dwelling on her body or Zanders. Her volunteering was sweet, and I loved the dogs at the shelter. Zanders’ relationship with his friend’s toddler was super cute, and I liked his charity. That’s basically everything good I can think of.
“Stevie girl, I’ll follow you anywhere.”
Dislikes
I have many grievances with this book. As I mentioned earlier, Stevie’s only personality trait was being plus-size. We get it. Yes, it’s important for her to learn how to love herself. Does it have to be mentioned every 2 sentences? Every time they kissed, every moment they touched, it was all-consuming. I’m reading hockey romances to have a fun time, not feel bogged down with Stevie’s mountain of insecurities.
My biggest issue was Zanders himself. The first thirty pages alerted me that he would not be a character I could love unless he had a really strong character arc. But he didn’t. Sure, he fell for Stevie and stopped sleeping around. But he never felt any sort of guilt for how he treated women before (note the quote: “There’s a different kind of thrill when it comes to pussy on the road. The unknown of who it’ll be, the excitement of where it’ll happen, the satisfaction that I don’t have to see them ever again if I don’t want to.”) Like, can we be serious right now? You’re telling me that the same guy who thought that is now fawning over Stevie and practically worshipping her? I don’t believe it. Let’s talk about the scene where he and Stevie meet, after he demands that she brings him a sparkling water:
My eyes dart up once again. What’s with this chick? I find her name tag—a pair of wings with “Stevie” in the center. “Well, Stevie, I would really like if you brought it to me.”
“Well, Evan, I would’ve really liked if you paid attention during my safety demo instead of assuming I wanted your autograph like some little puck bunny.” She condescendingly pats me on the shoulder. “Which I don’t, and I’m not.”
“You sure about that, sweetheart?” My smug smile overtakes my face as I lean forward in my seat, closer to her. “Could be worth a pretty penny for you.”
All I can really say is, gross. And I’m supposed to believe Stevie had that interaction and just… got over it? So, to sum up the trainwreck that I felt this novel was, Stevie thinks she’s unlovable and Zanders is unlovable. I’m sad I wasted my time on these characters.
“Don’t hurt me.” He searches my face, trying to read me as hope overtakes him. “I couldn’t.”
Would I recommend?
I would NOT recommend this book to anyone. Even if you love hockey romances, there are plenty out there that are fun and well-written. The Vancouver Storm series by Stephanie Archer is a much better choice in my opinion.
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