Book Description 

Single All the Way meets Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda in this festive romcom about Cam, who’s trying to find “the one” and also trying to find himself—while spending winter break working at a hectic Santa’s Village. 

Escaping to NYU for college didn’t turn out the way Cameron planned—he’s flunking his theater classes, about to lose his scholarship, and he still hasn’t found anyone he can call his “people.” When he gets home for winter break, he’s so desperate to avoid a Conversation with his dad that he takes the first acting job he can get—as a mall elf. Despite how Scroogey he feels, the plus side is that there’s a cash prize for the most festive of Santa’s helpers.

But the competition is fierce—especially from fellow elf Marco. Christmas spirit oozes out of his veins. At first Cam is determined to see him as nothing but a rival, but as they spend more time together, Cam starts to second-guess himself. What if he’s finally found his people here—in the fakest consumerist nightmare place on Earth, where he least expected it?

My Review 

Cameron is having an existential crisis about losing his scholarship NYU, so he accepts the mall elf job to avoid reality. He sees the Elf contest as his opportunity to earn enough money to be able to stay at school. 

This sets up a dichotomy: Cam has to be happy and festive at work, but he avoids talking to his father about his predicament because he doesn’t want to disappoint his father, who works two jobs to support him. 

Ultimately, this is a book about self acceptance. At NYU, Cameron tried to branch away from silly campy roles, and it takes a job as a mall elf for him to realize that he doesn’t have to change himself to fit in. 

The romance with Marco is more of a secondary plot point; their burgeoning friendship is the higher priority, especially since it can’t be separated from their position as rivals in the contest. But Marco is good for Cameron because he helps Cameron embrace the whimsy of the winter wonderland they work in. 

Speaking of which, the contest takes up most of the plot, and rightly so. It’s a campy take on a competitive reality show wherein mall guests are invited to vote on their favorite elf to move on to the next round. Seeing the different personalities complete goofy tasks was hilarious, and it was heartwarming to see Cam shed his inhibitions and embrace the cheesiness. 

I would absolutely recommend Finding My Elf. My one complaint about this book is minor and petty, but it must be said. Why did Cam and his boyfriend make pilgrimages to the Boston Cheesecake Factory instead of the Natick location– an hour closer and free parking? Other than that, this book was perfect. It needs to be a holiday movie on a streaming service. Is it too late to make this happen for 2024? I can wait until 2025.

I received a digital ARC of this book from Harper Collins/NetGalley.