Only Santas in the Building Summary, Characters and Themes

Only Santas in the Building by Alexis Daria is a heartwarming and steamy holiday romance novella that blends festive cheer, slow-burn attraction, and themes of healing and self-discovery. 

The story follows Evie Cruz, a comic book illustrator struggling with grief and holiday blues, and her charming upstairs neighbor, Theo Winters. As Christmas approaches, Evie begins receiving anonymous handmade ornaments that slowly rekindle her holiday spirit. When a Santa-themed building party and a fateful mistletoe kiss finally push Evie and Theo together, sparks fly. This delightful romance captures the magic of Christmas, the warmth of unexpected love, and the journey of overcoming personal fears to embrace joy.

Summary

Evie Cruz is a comic book illustrator working tirelessly to meet a major deadline for Starsong #24, the final issue in a beloved series. The pressure is intense, but beyond the stress of her career, Evie is also navigating deep personal grief. Having recently lost her grandmother—the woman who raised her—Evie feels adrift, struggling to find joy in the holiday season. 

Her apartment in an Upper East Side building feels empty, her Christmas tree is bare, and she has barely unpacked since moving in months ago.

One evening, Evie discovers a small, handmade snowflake ornament hanging on her doorknob. 

At first, she’s puzzled but then touched by the simple, thoughtful gesture. As the days pass, more ornaments appear—an origami crane, a crocheted star, a hand-painted wooden slice—each evoking warm memories of Christmas past. 

She wonders who might be leaving them but focuses on her work deadlines, pushing aside her curiosity.

Meanwhile, Evie has long harbored a crush on Theo Winters, her upstairs neighbor. A handsome, kind-hearted software engineer, Theo was the first person to help her when she moved in, carrying her couch up the stairs without hesitation. 

Since then, their interactions have been brief but charged with an unspoken attraction. However, Evie is self-conscious; she often bumps into Theo looking disheveled from late-night drawing sessions, making her feel awkward and unpolished in comparison to his calm and composed demeanor.

As Christmas nears, Evie confides in her older sister, April, about her growing feelings for Theo. April warns her about the risks of dating a neighbor but also encourages Evie to take charge of her happiness. 

Inspired, Evie decides to step out of her comfort zone. She dresses up for the annual Christmas party hosted by Nate Barnes, a retired songwriter in apartment 5B, choosing a bold and festive outfit reminiscent of Mariah Carey’s famous Santa look.

At the party, Evie’s transformation doesn’t go unnoticed. Theo is clearly taken aback by her confidence and beauty, his admiration evident in the way he watches her. They finally share a meaningful conversation, bonding over their demanding careers, mutual love for creativity, and struggles with isolation. 

Their natural chemistry is undeniable, and the tension between them reaches a boiling point when they are caught under a sprig of mistletoe.

Urged on by the party guests, Theo leans in for a polite kiss, but Evie makes a bold move, turning the innocent moment into something much deeper. The unexpected intensity between them shocks even Theo, who, flustered, takes her by the hand and pulls her away from the crowd. 

They retreat to his apartment, where years of attraction finally come to the surface.

That night, Evie and Theo share more than just physical intimacy—they open up about their fears, aspirations, and the loneliness they’ve both been carrying. In the quiet aftermath, however, doubt creeps into Evie’s mind. Was this just a holiday fling, or could it be something more? 

As she explores Theo’s apartment, she notices small details—his well-kept plants, the orderliness of his space—that reveal a nurturing and considerate side of him she hadn’t fully seen before.

Sensing her hesitation, Theo doesn’t let the night end with uncertainty. He confesses that he’s been interested in her since she moved in, admitting that he had tried to ask her out months ago but was interrupted. 

Evie is at a crossroads. The ornaments, the party, the kiss—all of it has been nudging her toward embracing joy and love again. For so long, she has been afraid of opening up, fearing loss and disappointment. But in Theo’s patient, steady gaze, she sees the possibility of something real.

As Christmas morning approaches, Evie finally makes her choice—to let go of fear and take a chance on love.

Characters

Evie Cruz

Evie Cruz is a talented comic book illustrator struggling with the emotional weight of grief, career pressure, and personal loneliness. Having recently lost her grandmother, who was her emotional anchor, she finds herself untethered in a new apartment, surrounded by work deadlines and an overwhelming sense of isolation.

Her job demands creativity and passion, yet she is emotionally drained, making it difficult to find joy in her work. The anonymous ornaments appearing on her door symbolize the warmth and connection she craves but feels incapable of actively seeking.

Her attraction to Theo Winters represents more than just romantic longing—it is a yearning for stability, companionship, and a reminder that she is still desirable, despite feeling broken. Over the course of the story, she undergoes a transformation, not just physically when she decides to dress confidently for the Christmas party, but emotionally as she begins to accept love, community, and the idea that happiness does not diminish the depth of her grief.

Theo Winters

Theo embodies the kind of steady, unwavering presence that contrasts Evie’s more chaotic, emotionally fraught energy. As a software engineer, he thrives in logic and problem-solving, yet his interactions with Evie reveal a depth of emotion and a quiet, observant nature.

He notices details about her, from her work struggles to her emotional state, and he does what he can to support her without overstepping. His feelings for Evie have existed since she moved in, but his reserved nature—and perhaps a fear of complicating their neighborly dynamic—kept him from acting on them earlier.

However, once circumstances push them together at the Christmas party, Theo proves to be assertive in the right moments, taking charge when Evie hesitates. His romantic idealism is grounded in reality; he does not just want a fleeting holiday romance but something deeper, and his directness in asking Evie for a real date at the end solidifies his role as the kind of romantic lead who is emotionally mature and communicative.

April Cruz

April serves as a grounding force in Evie’s life. While she is not physically present for most of the story, her influence is felt through her virtual conversations with Evie.

Unlike Evie, who is prone to emotional turmoil and self-doubt, April is practical, clear-headed, and protective. Her warning about dating a neighbor is not meant to discourage Evie from finding love but to remind her of the potential risks involved.

She understands her sister’s tendency to get in her own way, whether it’s in love or work, and her role in the story is to gently push Evie toward self-awareness. While April may come off as overly cautious, her advice ultimately serves as a catalyst for Evie to reflect on what she truly wants—allowing her to make a decision based on desire rather than fear.

Nate Barnes

Nate Barnes, the retired songwriter who hosts the annual Christmas party, represents the theme of community and the importance of small gestures. While he is not a central character, his presence in the story is significant.

His party acts as the setting where Evie and Theo’s relationship takes a turning point, but beyond that, he is a reminder that warmth, tradition, and kindness can create lasting connections. His role is similar to that of a gentle matchmaker—whether intentional or not—by fostering an environment where neighbors come together, friendships are formed, and romance has a chance to bloom.

Themes

Navigating the Intersection of Grief and the Fear of Moving Forward in Life and Love

Grief is a central force in Evie’s life, affecting her work, her emotional state, and her ability to fully engage in the world around her. Losing her grandmother was not just about losing a loved one but also about losing a sense of home, familiarity, and comfort.

Throughout the story, Evie struggles with an internal battle—she wants to honor the past and the person she lost, but she also craves the ability to move forward without guilt. Her hesitation to fully embrace Theo’s affections is not just about fear of romantic vulnerability but also a subconscious fear that allowing herself to experience joy again might mean she is leaving her grandmother’s memory behind.

The anonymous ornaments become a physical representation of this theme—they initially serve as a bittersweet reminder of childhood holidays, but as Evie embraces them, they evolve into symbols of healing. They show her that she can carry love and memories forward without being trapped in sorrow.

The Psychological Weight of Romantic Insecurity and the Self-Perception of Worthiness

Evie’s attraction to Theo is immediate, yet her self-doubt constantly tells her that he is out of her league. This theme is particularly compelling because it goes beyond typical “shy girl likes hot guy” tropes and instead delves into deeper insecurities about self-worth.

Evie is not just intimidated by Theo’s physical attractiveness—she sees him as someone who is composed, successful, and seemingly unburdened by the emotional chaos she carries. This imbalance is not real, but her perception of it dictates how she interacts with him.

Her decision to “rebrand” herself for the party—by dressing confidently and presenting herself in a way she thinks Theo will appreciate—is an act of both empowerment and vulnerability. The irony is that Theo has already been interested in her all along, showing that sometimes the biggest obstacle in romance is not external circumstances but one’s own self-doubt.

The Impact of Found Family and Small Acts of Kindness in Creating a Sense of Belonging

At its core, Only Santas in the Building is not just about romantic love—it is about connection and the power of small gestures. The setting of a tight-knit apartment building during the holidays highlights the importance of found family.

Evie begins the story feeling isolated, both emotionally and physically, but small acts—like the anonymous ornaments and Theo’s steady presence—gradually chip away at her loneliness. The Christmas party becomes more than just a backdrop for romance; it symbolizes a communal gathering where people come together to celebrate, support, and uplift one another.

Nate Barnes’ role as a host, the presence of the other neighbors, and even April’s long-distance concern all contribute to the theme that love and belonging do not always come in grand, sweeping gestures. Often, they are found in the quiet, consistent kindness of those around us.

The Tension Between Holiday Romance Tropes and the Desire for Something Real and Lasting

A major strength of the novella is how it plays with the idea of holiday romance tropes while subverting the expectation that such romances are fleeting. The story contains all the hallmarks of a classic Christmas love story—mistletoe kisses, a festive setting, a cozy apartment building, and a spontaneous romantic connection.

What makes it stand out is the acknowledgment that these moments, while magical, are not enough to sustain a real relationship. Evie’s initial fear is that the intensity of the holiday atmosphere is creating an illusion of love rather than the real thing.

However, Theo’s confession that he has liked her for months and his deliberate choice to ask her out on a proper date show that their connection is not simply a result of holiday excitement but something that has been growing for a long time. This theme is crucial because it challenges the idea that holiday romances are inherently temporary. Instead, it asserts that love sparked in a festive season can still be built on something meaningful and lasting.