Book Review: Mile High by Liz Thompford

Rating: ★★★☆☆ (2.75, rounded up to 3 stars on Goodreads)

As a fan of ice hockey romances, I had high hopes for Mile High by Liz Thompford. The genre has a certain charm—a mix of sporty tension, emotional connection, and often a refreshing sense of humor. Unfortunately, while Mile High had some redeeming qualities, it fell short in a few critical areas, leaving me more disappointed than delighted.

Third-Act Breakup: The Achilles’ Heel of Romance

The third-act breakup trope is a divisive one in romance novels. When done well, it adds depth to the story by showing how the characters overcome a genuine obstacle together. However, in Mile High, the third-act breakup felt unnecessary and contrived. Without spoiling too much, the conflict that arises around the 400-page mark could have been addressed without resorting to separation. The characters could have used this challenge to grow together, which would have been far more satisfying and provided a stronger emotional payoff. Instead, the breakup seemed forced, as though it was included simply because it’s expected in the genre.

The Male Lead: A Missed Opportunity

I had a hard time connecting with the male protagonist. His egotistical attitude and patronizing behavior—particularly his insistence on “teaching” the female lead about her role—came across as more aggravating than endearing. For me, romance heroes should strike a balance between confidence and vulnerability, but this character leaned too heavily into arrogance, which made it hard to root for him. His actions and mindset often bordered on unlikable, and I struggled to understand why anyone would find him appealing.

Pacing and Length: Overstaying Its Welcome

At 550 pages, Mile High is significantly longer than your average romance novel. While there are exceptions (Anna Huang or Lauren Asher, for instance, often pull off longer books successfully), this story didn’t justify its length. Much of the narrative felt unnecessarily drawn out, which diluted the tension and made the last 100–150 pages a slog to get through. A tighter, more focused story would have served the book better.

The Saving Grace: A Relatable Heroine

The female lead was a bright spot in the story. Her character was relatable, likable, and well-developed, which kept me invested even as other aspects of the book fell flat. I appreciated her strength and perspective, but her development was undermined by the frustrating dynamics with the male lead and the poorly executed third-act conflict.

Final Thoughts

While Mile High wasn’t entirely without merit, it ultimately left me feeling underwhelmed. The third-act breakup, the unlikable male lead, and the unnecessarily lengthy narrative overshadowed the positives. Despite my frustrations, I might still give the other books in the series a try—though they’re likely to linger on my TBR for a while.

For now, I’m looking forward to Daydream by Hannah Grace, the third book in the Maple Hills series. Here’s hoping it delivers a more satisfying ice hockey romance experience!

Verdict: Recommended only for hardcore fans of the series or readers willing to overlook a few glaring flaws. For everyone else, tread with caution.