This was a DNF for me. I picked it up because it was a sports romance about running and a marathon but it just didn't hit quite right and I found myself over analyzing the running and didn't connect to the characters.

Elizabeth Hrib delivers a fresh and flirty romance that’s equal parts humor, heart, and hustle. Lydia McKenzie might not be a runner, but she’s determined to prove herself—both professionally and personally—which leads her straight into the arms (and training schedule) of charming, down-to-earth personal trainer Luke Townsend.

The chemistry between Lydia and Luke is instant and magnetic, but what makes this story shine is its deeper emotional core. Their connection over the Manhattan Youth Center adds depth to the steamy banter, and the balance of career ambition, vulnerability, and slow-burn tension keeps the pacing brisk and engaging—just like a good training session.

Lydia’s character arc feels relatable, especially as she grapples with people-pleasing tendencies, imposter syndrome, and shifting priorities. Luke is a swoony, grounded counterpart who supports her growth while navigating his own emotional baggage.

If there’s a drawback, it’s that the office crush subplot feels a bit underdeveloped compared to the richness of Lydia and Luke’s dynamic—but that’s a small quibble in an otherwise satisfying read.

Perfect for fans of workplace drama, opposites-attract romance, and high-heat moments with a side of inspiration. You’ll be cheering for Lydia to reach the finish line—in running shoes and in love.

As an avid running all through High school and college I was really into this title. I enjoyed the romance aspect of it. Luke and Lydia were cute.

Third person isn’t my favorite but was still enjoyable.

As a runner, I loved this book! Really enjoyed this fun, light hearted read. Lydia and Luke’s banter and chemistry made this book for me! Loved the connection they shared from the beginning.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers Copy of Meet the Mile by Elizabeth Hrib!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you, to NetGalley and the publisher, Afterglow Books by Harlequin for the opportunity to read this book.

I rated this book two and a half stars, rounded to three. This book had a great premise and had a lot of potential, but this book’s tropes (in particular, the main one of a love triangle) were not really for me.

Lydia and Luke were adorable as a couple when they decided to let their guards down and finally stop beating around the bush, so to speak. However, Lydia’s indecision and ignorance really grated my nerves regarding Jack and her career.

I really wanted to like this. The premise of a trainer for a marathon for a person who is not a runner, and they fall in love, is just absolutely and adorably fun. But a lot of the back and forth between the two guys for Lydia really soured much of the book for me.

Architect Lydia McKenzie volunteers to run a marathon to impress her crush and get ahead at work, but soon realizes it’s not easy to run a marathon when you don’t run! Enter personal trainer Luke Townsend, a well seasoned runner and cinnamon roll who volunteers at a local youth center. The same youth center Lydia’s firm is interested in renovating. Their mutual interests, chemistry, and witty banter soon leads to some explosive fireworks! Fireworks they agree should never happen again but just can’t escape.

Things I loved:
-Dual POV
-Fun banter
-cinnamon roll MMC

Things I didn’t love:
-Lydia’s blindness towards her workplace crush
-Third person writing
-love triangle plots

Thank you NetGalley and Harelquin Romance for this advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

I loved this! The characters were super lovable. The plot was fun. The voice note that Luke sends Lydia had me in tearssss.

Really enjoyable, charmingly funny, without being goofy or over the top. It made me miss running, miss NYC, and want to fall in love with a personal trainer. Lovely!

Very enjoyable! I enjoyed the characters- they were real and authentically flawed. Their witty banter was laugh out loud funny. Witt, sweet, and oh-so-fun!

As a personal trainer who loves running, I LOVED this book! I also read it in November (on the day of the NYC Marathon!), so I was extra geeking out as a book lover and fitness fanatic. Luke and Lydia had great banter, which made the book fun and enticing. Loved the ending, especially the voicemail Luke left!

I had a hard time getting into this one, but in the end, I really enjoyed it. It hit that line of having interesting conflict without being rage bait, and the blooming romance between the FMC and MMC was just fun to follow. This read was a perfect level of spicy and made for an enjoyable and quick weekend read.

3.5 stars

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this story by Elizabeth Hirb. I was personally a fan of the third person POV. The chemistry between Luke and Lydia was so good even from the first time they met and had their first conversation.

“Meet Me in a Mile” by Elizabeth Hrib was a very entertaining quick read! If you’re looking for a short romance this is the book for you!

This is a story about Lydia, an architect who signs up to run in the NYC Maratjon to impress her firm/crush, and Luke an athletic trainer who wants to open up his own gym and ends up training Lydia.

This story was in third person, which was somewhat of a downfall. With third person all the inner turmoil is stated outright, you are told everything about the character. I think that first person or more description hinting towards how the characters were feeling would have added a lot more depth.

Overall I liked the book, I liked the characters and the plot but it felt like it was missing a lot. A lot of depth, and a lot of growth. This is a good quick read if that’s what you’re looking for!

This review is left voluntarily, and thank you to the publisher and netgalley for an ARC of this book.

This was a cute, quick, fun read. The growth of both characters was nice to see, as they support each other's goals rather than demand one focus at a time. A great little novel!

I hate when people respond to posts online with “As a ____” but as a half marathoner, this was a decently realistic running romance novel. I enjoyed it.

All you have to do is meet me in a mile

✨ Dual POV
✨ Rom-Com
✨ Architect/Gym Trainer
✨ Marathon Running
✨ Charity Competition
✨ Workplace Romance

This book was the CUTEST! I am someone who actively hates running, and yes, I have ran a marathon before. It's the worst and I just can't enjoy one second of it. HOWEVER, this book made me want to try again.

The romance, the heat, the banter, the thoughtfulness. I binge read this one in a night and I am so happy I did. If you are looking for a super cute quick read about an architect and a gym trainer (which is oddly specific, but hey, you never know!), or maybe you just want to kick your feet and giggle for a little bit, this is the book to grab.

Thank you to NetGalley for letting me read this one early <3

Elizabeth Hrib’s Meet Me in a Mile offers a delightful blend of romance, humor, and self-discovery. Lydia McKenzie, a Manhattan architect, signs up for the New York City Marathon to impress her office crush, but ends up falling for her personal trainer, Luke Townsend, instead. Their chemistry heats up as Luke helps Lydia prepare, and sparks fly both on and off the pavement. With witty banter, heartwarming moments, and a touch of steam, this rom-com is a fun and satisfying journey toward love and personal growth. A perfect pick for anyone craving a charming and feel-good read!

his was a quick and fun read! I really enjoyed the banter between Lydia and Luke—it felt natural and gave their relationship so much charm. The way they went from trainer and trainee to something more was full of humor and heart. I was especially happy when Lydia left her work crush in the dust. The guy was not worth her time, and it felt incredibly satisfying to see her move on.

What I loved most was how Lydia realized her worth at work. She didn’t let her colleagues walk all over her and stood up for herself, which made her journey even more empowering. If you’re looking for a romance with great character growth, humor, and a little bit of spice, this book is a winner!

Girl who isn't a runner plus personal trainer? Count me in. What I look for in a romance book is dialogue and good plot, and Meet Me in a Mile had all of that wrapped into a cute romcom. Hrib was spectacular with making you literally feel the flames coming off the page with the chemistry. The only thing that annoyed me was the triangle part of the plot. I think it could have been just the two main characters and it would have been just as good. It did make things a little interesting, however.

Overall, I hate running, but maybe a romance with running in it is more my speed.