High and Out

by Justin Weber

An intimate look behind the scenes and into the life of a professional athlete: Jason Wagner has worked his whole entire life to have a chance at getting his name etched on the Stanley Cup. Being a hockey player is all he knows, it’s all he’s ever wanted to be, and for as long as he can remember, it’s all he’s been. Fast-forward to now: He's almost thirty, has just finished his last season on his NHL contract, and has yet to hoist Lord Stanley’s Cup. His fear of being forced into an earlier than anticipated retirement briefly subsides when he signs a two-year, multimillion-dollar deal with a real contender. The events that follow take him in different directions that ultimately put him onto a new path of discovering who he really is and what he actually wants to be in life. It’s a tough and gritty love story about change, family, and forgiveness.

302 pages, Hardcover

Published August 27, 2024

About the author

Justin Weber is an American Husband, Dad, Son, Brother, Private Pilot, and Award-Winning Writer. As a fifth generation native of Arizona, he spent his childhood playing hockey, then spent the first ten years of his adult life in financial planning where he found his love for writing. In 2019, Justin was on the cover of the Top 100 People in Finance. He was also writer and host of Weber's Grill, a cooking show that's available to stream on Tubi and Amazon.

Reviews

[Book Nerdection · Rating 4 out of 5]

After doing some research into the author, Justin Weber, it was fun to reflect on some of the little pieces of himself he gifted to his debut novel. Some of my favorite parts of High and Out related to the attention to detail paid to the quiet, little moments around cooking and food, the texture of water during a swim, and the simplicity of enjoying films and books. I believe these moments are an expression of Weber’s passions. I can also see Weber in how Jason and his mates put around the golfing green, and G’s journey into the world of finance. Even though this is ultimately a story about hockey and the professional athlete lifestyle, Weber dispersed the story with details that he has expertise in. It made the story more interesting and the characters more human.

While I found Jason to have underdeveloped cognitive empathy himself, I found his experiences enlightening and have given me a new perspective on the plight of professional athletes. Jason’s feelings of vexation over the lack of control he had, hopelessness for the imminent lack of purpose after hockey, family difficulties, and the experience of concussions (particularly with all the new research coming out about chronic trauma encephalopathy amongst contact sport athletes) were heartbreaking. Being a professional athlete seems not only physically tough but also tolling for the health of family and romantic relationships—ironic considering the amount of support Jason needed to overcome his hardships.

I was fascinated by the dynamics between Jason, Nick, and G. The fact that they were all on their own developmental arcs meant that there were always multiple problems brewing and triumphs to celebrate in this story. I found myself invested in the success of their careers, intrigued by their hobbies, and hopeful for their romances.

The themes around change and the natural flow of life made for an interesting comparison when you looked at the differences in the boys at any given time during the story. In the beginning, it was clear that Jason and Nick were, while on an uncertain trajectory in their professional sporting careers, definitely doing well for themselves—there was a lot of hope in their futures. Meanwhile, G had no game with the ladies and was cringingly reclusive, playing video games and smoking weed most days. He lacked a discernible ambition when compared to his two housemates. However, by part three of the novel, while Nick had just lost a big fight and Jason was in the middle of a drug and alcohol crisis, G had finally found an interest and was on his way to a lucrative career as a financial analyst. Interweaving these three storylines and constantly providing points of comparison made it easy to appreciate the complexity and challenging reality of how life is never stagnant.

Reviewed By Georgia

[Literary Titan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jason Wagner, a renowned pro hockey player, faces a crisis both on and off the ice. As he grapples with the possibility of his career ending, he clashes with his agent and fights to secure a new contract. With his dream of lifting the Stanley Cup slipping away, Jason must confront the harsh realities of his sport and the demons that haunt him. Alongside his professional challenges, Jason contends with personal struggles, including an estranged brother, a new love interest with a troubled past, and a dangerous addiction that threatens to destroy him. Will he achieve his dreams and find happiness, or will the pressures of his sport and personal struggles prove too much to overcome?

In High and Out, author Justin Weber crafts a captivating slice of life and sports fiction novel that masterfully explores the highs and lows of a professional hockey player's journey. Initially, the book's laid-back tone may suggest a leisurely pace, but it soon reveals a poignant and unflinching portrayal of the struggles athletes face, both on and off the field. The sports industry's toxic underbelly is laid bare, and Jason's heart-wrenching struggles will leave readers emotionally invested and eager to see him overcome the odds. Weber demonstrates remarkable skill in crafting vivid descriptions of ice hockey gameplay. The action is so detailed and immersive that lovers of the sport will be engrossed in the glorified action. The book's emotional rollercoaster is expertly woven, oscillating between moments of joy and sorrow, creating a deep sense of empathy in readers. Weber's writing is both sensitive and courageous, refusing to shy away from the harsh realities of Jason's journey.

High and Out is a gripping novel that delves deep into the life of a professional hockey player navigating the tumultuous waters of his career and personal life. Justin Weber's storytelling is both poignant and vivid, offering readers an authentic glimpse into the highs and lows of the sports world. Through Jason Wagner's journey, the novel explores themes of ambition, resilience, and the search for redemption. It is a must-read for sports enthusiasts and anyone who appreciates a well-crafted tale of personal struggle and triumph.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I may not be the target audience for this book. I think teen and young 20's boys would enjoy it more. It was still interesting to read, with behind the scenes hockey stuff.