The story follows Zanders (Zee), a talented but notoriously reckless NHL right-winger for the Chicago Devils, and Stevie, a flight attendant who has spent years hiding in the shadows of her more glamorous twin sister. When Zanders discovers that Stevie is the author behind an anonymous, critical “in-flight blog” that once called him out, he doesn’t get angry—he gets intrigued.
To salvage his public image, Zanders proposes a fake relationship with the one woman who seems immune to his charm. What begins as a transactional arrangement—he gets good press, she gets a confidence boost—quickly turns into a raw, vulnerable exploration of body image, family trauma, and the masks we wear both on and off the ice.
1. Body Positivity and Representation
Unlike many romance novels where heroines are conventionally petite or athletic, Stevie is a plus-size woman who owns her curves but struggles with the world’s perception of her. Tomforde doesn’t fetishize or ignore her size; instead, she places Stevie’s self-acceptance at the core of the plot. Zanders’ attraction to her isn’t despite her body—it’s because of her confidence, humor, and strength. Their intimate scenes are tender, communicative, and refreshingly realistic. Mile High By Liz Tomforde Vk
2. The “Golden Retriever” Hero with Bite
Zanders initially appears as the classic playboy athlete, but Tomforde peels back his layers with care. Beneath the flashy cars and easy smiles is a man dealing with parental neglect and the pressure of living up to his family’s hockey legacy. His devotion to Stevie is fierce, but his vulnerability is what makes him unforgettable. He’s the rare hero who openly cries, apologizes, and prioritizes his partner’s emotional safety over his ego.
3. Slow-Burn with Payoff
The fake-dating trope is common, but Mile High earns its slow burn. The chemistry between Zanders and Stevie builds through witty banter, late-night texts, and small gestures (like him learning to make her favorite coffee). When they finally collide, the emotional payoff is as satisfying as the physical. The story follows Zanders (Zee), a talented but
The audiobook for Mile High is narrated by June DeBorahae and Sean Masters. They do a phenomenal job. If you search for a free trial of Audible Premium Plus, you get one credit for a free audiobook. Use that credit on Mile High.
Beyond the physical setting, height functions as a psychological motif. Maya’s internal monologue is peppered with recurring images of “looking down” versus “looking up.” When she reflects on her childhood in the low‑lying districts of Aerialis, she describes the ground as “the place where roots were tangled, where the world felt dense and familiar.” In contrast, the upper districts are rendered as “thin air, where thoughts echo louder but are easier to lose.” What begins as a transactional arrangement—he gets good
The tension between these poles of experience reflects a classic existential dilemma: does one find authenticity by staying grounded, or by soaring above the constraints of origin? Tomforde never offers a definitive answer; instead, she allows Maya’s oscillation between the two poles to embody the novel’s central conflict.