So, I’ve had a ridiculously goofy grin on my face the entire time I read this story…neverthemind that I’m sitting at home, alone, no one around, and just…smiling as wide as can be.This story was so FREAKING adorable and sweet. And my heart felt full and happy. I adored Cal and Xander…and Brock…what a great younger brother character! The banter between all of them and the camaraderie and the obvious affection was both realistic and entertaining.I had my hesitations: I don’t like stories, necessarily, about musicians nor do I like stories about athletes. And anything that describes retail life during the holidays at a mall gives me hives as I remember my teenaged past and also the pains of the present and facing holiday shopping. I didn’t want to read this, actually. But I’m so glad I did. The musician + athlete storyline did not headline and was really a secondary consideration. It was all about the character interaction, the mall itself playing a role as well.Therese Woodson is a new-to-me author and I really like her voice. The characters were likable, yet imperfect and the dialogue and descriptors grabbed my attention and kept it. The quick friends-to-lovers relationship was charming and I loved every interaction with Cal & Xander…every single glance, wave, blush, and more.Now, obviously, being this smitten by the story, my one complaint is that it’s too short!!! And it ended too abrubtly! And I. WANT. MORE…of these guys! I want to know what Cal decides for his life. I want to see Xander step into his role as music teacher. I want more of Brock. Pretty please?! Very good Christmas atmosphere... I have the songs stuck in my head now and unlike Cal: I do love Christmas carols.I quite liked this simple mall story about Cal and his crush on the Christmas elf... and the mix up about it. I quite liked the relationship between the brothers, in fact, I thought those two were the more developed characters probably because we see things from Cal's point of view even though he isn't the narrator.
Do You like book The Trouble With Elves (2013)?
A soft, sweet, New Adulty story in which the brother, Brock, totally steals the show.
—anora78
Really cute :) I especially liked Cal's relationship with his younger brother.
—Bratastic69
