What do you think?
Rate this book
Elite Protection Services #4.5
Satisfying
"Do you want to help me put the ho in holiday?"
That’s the line a drunken Jacob Shaw utters to the hottest Santa he’s ever seen. It’s also the only thing he remembers of the night that led to him waking up half naked in a revealing elf costume next to an equally half-naked Santa.
Killian Connolly is a loner. Even with his tight-knit work family, he tends to stick to the fringe of the group. So, when he wakes up next to a tiny, furious half-dressed elf, who accuses him of taking his virginity and cheating on a spouse he doesn’t have, Connolly is both bewitched and confused.
A snow-storm, a marriage neither remember, and an attraction too powerful to resist all lead to the hottest, sweetest, twenty-four hours of both of their lives. Can a drunken mistake between a virgin and a two-time divorcee be the happily-ever-after neither saw coming?
That’s the line a drunken Jacob Shaw utters to the hottest Santa he’s ever seen. It’s also the only thing he remembers of the night that led to him waking up half naked in a revealing elf costume next to an equally half-naked Santa.
Killian Connolly is a loner. Even with his tight-knit work family, he tends to stick to the fringe of the group. So, when he wakes up next to a tiny, furious half-dressed elf, who accuses him of taking his virginity and cheating on a spouse he doesn’t have, Connolly is both bewitched and confused.
A snow-storm, a marriage neither remember, and an attraction too powerful to resist all lead to the hottest, sweetest, twenty-four hours of both of their lives. Can a drunken mistake between a virgin and a two-time divorcee be the happily-ever-after neither saw coming?
74 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 19, 2021
130 people are currently reading
912 people want to read
About the author
Onley James
42 books3,835 followersOnley James lives in North Carolina with her daughter, her daughter-in-law, son-in-law, and a menagerie of animals, both good and evil. James splits her time between writing m/m romance and mainlining dangerous levels of caffeine and attempting to maintain her ever-slipping sanity.
When not at her desk you can find her whining about how much writing she has to do while avoiding said writing by binge-watching unhealthy amounts of television and doom scrolling on social media. She loves true crime documentaries, anti-heroes, and writing kinky, snarky books about morally gray men who fall in love with other men.
Stay up to date: www.onleyjames.com/newsletter
Find me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Onley...
Want more: linktr.ee/OnleyJames
When not at her desk you can find her whining about how much writing she has to do while avoiding said writing by binge-watching unhealthy amounts of television and doom scrolling on social media. She loves true crime documentaries, anti-heroes, and writing kinky, snarky books about morally gray men who fall in love with other men.
Stay up to date: www.onleyjames.com/newsletter
Find me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Onley...
Want more: linktr.ee/OnleyJames
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 186 reviews
May 2, 2021
This one is short and sweet. Oh, and sexy. Let's not forget sexy. I wanted more, but I'm happy with what I got.
dnf
March 3, 2021This is pushing all the wrong buttons for me, and pushing them hard. What we have is age gap, experience gap, and major size difference, with:
- a big hulking MMA fighter
and
- a wee tiny little[1] demure younger guy who's preoccupied with his virginity.[2]
[1] He's 5'3"! (That's 160cm, for my international friends.) Can you guess what percentage of adult American men are that short? Well, the answer is we don't know, because according to the U.S. Census Bureau, it is a number "too small to meet statistical standards of reliability."
[2] And surprise surprise, virginity is defined here as having been on the receiving end of penetrative sex.
Tell me how this is not m/f masquerading as m/m?
.
.
.
.
.
.
The vibe is totally m/f. I'm not sure you could convince me otherwise.
DNF at 23%. Of course, just because I hate it with the passion of 1000 suns doesn't mean other readers won't find it better suited to their tastes.
- a big hulking MMA fighter
and
- a wee tiny little[1] demure younger guy who's preoccupied with his virginity.[2]
[1] He's 5'3"! (That's 160cm, for my international friends.) Can you guess what percentage of adult American men are that short? Well, the answer is we don't know, because according to the U.S. Census Bureau, it is a number "too small to meet statistical standards of reliability."
[2] And surprise surprise, virginity is defined here as having been on the receiving end of penetrative sex.
Tell me how this is not m/f masquerading as m/m?
.
.
.
.
.
.
The vibe is totally m/f. I'm not sure you could convince me otherwise.
DNF at 23%. Of course, just because I hate it with the passion of 1000 suns doesn't mean other readers won't find it better suited to their tastes.
January 16, 2021
This was sexy and sweet and everything I needed. It didn’t show any of the previous characters which I was bummed about and it didn’t show them meeting just the next morning in bed. All in all it was good and the perfect way to start my year.
January 3, 2021
4 wake up married after a Christmas party stars
“Can… Can I touch you?” Jacob asked. “Sweetheart, I can say with almost a hundred percent certainty that I’d let you stab me if you asked while looking at me the way you’re looking at me right now.”
Look, it’s no secrets I love Onley James and that I love the Elite Protection series (and the spin off) and I was really excited for this story and it lived up to my expectations.
I love Onley James’ brand of very chaotic but really damn romantic stories and this one was no exception. They wake up married after a Christmas party and they didn’t even know each other before the party. But for some reason it worked really well for me. I loved them trying to make the best of their situation and getting to know each other, it was really sweet and pure. And I loved how there was no angst, they didn’t push each other away or anything, they were nice to each other and just tried to get to know the other, it was so sweet, I loved it.
I love Jacob so much, he’s so pure and the sweetest man. And I loved how protective Connolly was, he took care of Jacob so well. They fit together perfectly and I really enjoyed them together.
Also I loved the scene when they had sex for the first time, Jacob was a virgin and Connolly was so damn nice to him and he took care of him so well, it was really really sweet.
My only complaint is that I wanted way more of them together. I was really enjoying their story and I would have loved to see more of it, I wasn’t ready to let these two go
This was a really nice and very romantic short story, I enjoyed it very much and i’m very glad we got another book in this series, I just love these guys so much and i’m not ready to let them go yet.
“Can… Can I touch you?” Jacob asked. “Sweetheart, I can say with almost a hundred percent certainty that I’d let you stab me if you asked while looking at me the way you’re looking at me right now.”
Look, it’s no secrets I love Onley James and that I love the Elite Protection series (and the spin off) and I was really excited for this story and it lived up to my expectations.
I love Onley James’ brand of very chaotic but really damn romantic stories and this one was no exception. They wake up married after a Christmas party and they didn’t even know each other before the party. But for some reason it worked really well for me. I loved them trying to make the best of their situation and getting to know each other, it was really sweet and pure. And I loved how there was no angst, they didn’t push each other away or anything, they were nice to each other and just tried to get to know the other, it was so sweet, I loved it.
I love Jacob so much, he’s so pure and the sweetest man. And I loved how protective Connolly was, he took care of Jacob so well. They fit together perfectly and I really enjoyed them together.
Also I loved the scene when they had sex for the first time, Jacob was a virgin and Connolly was so damn nice to him and he took care of him so well, it was really really sweet.
My only complaint is that I wanted way more of them together. I was really enjoying their story and I would have loved to see more of it, I wasn’t ready to let these two go
This was a really nice and very romantic short story, I enjoyed it very much and i’m very glad we got another book in this series, I just love these guys so much and i’m not ready to let them go yet.
June 24, 2024
Tell me you wrote an m/f story but made it an mm story without telling me you wrote an m/f story.
Also, at this point I’ve read a lot of OJ and I’m starting to lose the joy.
This series and characters are so stereotypical top/bottom and it feels damaging and icky somehow. It abides by this heteronormative ideology that robs people of preference and individuality and depth…and when stripped down to this very strict top bottom heteronormative storyline it makes it feel like fetishizing gay men instead of reading a cute romantic woke up married trope.
So yeah. For what it’s worth if you read this and feel the same way let’s be friends. If you read this and absolutely loved this story, no shade. If it had been the first story I’d read like this then I’d feel more in love with it. But at some point, white women writing mm in this performative way feels insincere. And icky.
I’ve been trying to read more male/queer authors, authors of color or LGBTQ books that have a better amount of diversity and less stereotypes. I think that’s just led me to grow out of OJs fandom a bit. But seriously if you love this, that’s ok. It’s also ok to not like it. Yay for individuality? 💙
Also, at this point I’ve read a lot of OJ and I’m starting to lose the joy.
This series and characters are so stereotypical top/bottom and it feels damaging and icky somehow. It abides by this heteronormative ideology that robs people of preference and individuality and depth…and when stripped down to this very strict top bottom heteronormative storyline it makes it feel like fetishizing gay men instead of reading a cute romantic woke up married trope.
So yeah. For what it’s worth if you read this and feel the same way let’s be friends. If you read this and absolutely loved this story, no shade. If it had been the first story I’d read like this then I’d feel more in love with it. But at some point, white women writing mm in this performative way feels insincere. And icky.
I’ve been trying to read more male/queer authors, authors of color or LGBTQ books that have a better amount of diversity and less stereotypes. I think that’s just led me to grow out of OJs fandom a bit. But seriously if you love this, that’s ok. It’s also ok to not like it. Yay for individuality? 💙
January 1, 2021
Loved this story.
I’m glad we got to know more about Jacob. I always wanted his HEA. Connolly was a character I also wanted to know more about.
This was a sweet, sexy and no angst story. Perfect to read the 1st of the year.
Even though it was short, a lot a story was packed in to this satisfying book. See what I did there 😉
I’m glad we got to know more about Jacob. I always wanted his HEA. Connolly was a character I also wanted to know more about.
This was a sweet, sexy and no angst story. Perfect to read the 1st of the year.
Even though it was short, a lot a story was packed in to this satisfying book. See what I did there 😉
January 30, 2023
Just a short and sweet novella. I liked it. Was very sexy for being like 60 pages.
October 3, 2021
2.5 stars
Saccharine sweet and smutty novella.
Saccharine sweet and smutty novella.
October 22, 2022
Really? Just a short novella?
💙Fake marriage
☀️Age gap, of course
🌼SIZE difference!
🤼MMA fighter + ex-member of a religious cult (virgin)
This story had SO MUCH potential, it's disappointing the author didn't develop it a little bit more and make it into a full book.
I was already interested in Connelly and this combo was just...perfect. 💗
Connelly is an MMA fighter and he also works for Jackson.
He had a daughter, very few close relationships, he's a loner lumberjack that keeps to himself.
CONNELLY
Jacob is Robby's older brother and he should have gotten his rightful spot in the series. Jacob was the oldest of the kids, endured most of the abuse on the compoud and he's completely soft, gentle and amazing. A sweet soul.
JACOB
Jacob may look too young, but he's 26 - perfect, finally a good age for an MC.
So yes, their story is sweet, interesting and the spice was great.
Great characters, I was SUPER intrigued, would have read the whole book in a heartbeat. 💗
Therefore 4⭐, because, yeah, disappointed. 😐
December 15, 2025
“You wanna help me put the hoe in holiday.”
This was so cutee, it had a Christmassy vibe, which made it even better. All the tropes were so good, and I absolutely loved Jacob and Killian. I mean, it was for sure very Hallmark rom-com, but with more spice than usual. It was a fun, sexy, short, and sweet novella.
This was so cutee, it had a Christmassy vibe, which made it even better. All the tropes were so good, and I absolutely loved Jacob and Killian. I mean, it was for sure very Hallmark rom-com, but with more spice than usual. It was a fun, sexy, short, and sweet novella.
November 29, 2021
Aw, this was an adorable and sweet short about Jacob, Robbie's older brother, and Killian, one of the bodyguards at EPS.
It's a fun little "wake-up married" trope, with Jacob being a kind, sweet, small guy only dressed in what seems to be a slutty elf outfit, and Killian being an older, bigger, gruff but kind man who was dressed as a sexy Santa.
They both apparently got very drunk, decided to get married, did so, and then went back to Killian's secluded cabin and passed out. The next morning they both have trouble remembering all that happened, but they can guess with the wedding rings they have on their fingers.
And with a snow storm having come in, they're stuck in the cabin for at least a day, and thus they get to know each other a little bit, and end up wanting to give it a try. The worse that could happen is that hey end up getting divorced later if it doesn't work out instead of that day, like they planned to at first before they knew each other at all.
Their chemistry was good. I love Jacob being a sweet, kind guy who melt the heart of Killian, who has had past tragedies that have closed him off to trying to be happy again. But Jacob is just too sweet and kind for Killian to resist.
Overall, a definite win for a shorty story, and overall super cute and sweet, and a little sexy too ;)
It's a fun little "wake-up married" trope, with Jacob being a kind, sweet, small guy only dressed in what seems to be a slutty elf outfit, and Killian being an older, bigger, gruff but kind man who was dressed as a sexy Santa.
They both apparently got very drunk, decided to get married, did so, and then went back to Killian's secluded cabin and passed out. The next morning they both have trouble remembering all that happened, but they can guess with the wedding rings they have on their fingers.
And with a snow storm having come in, they're stuck in the cabin for at least a day, and thus they get to know each other a little bit, and end up wanting to give it a try. The worse that could happen is that hey end up getting divorced later if it doesn't work out instead of that day, like they planned to at first before they knew each other at all.
Their chemistry was good. I love Jacob being a sweet, kind guy who melt the heart of Killian, who has had past tragedies that have closed him off to trying to be happy again. But Jacob is just too sweet and kind for Killian to resist.
Overall, a definite win for a shorty story, and overall super cute and sweet, and a little sexy too ;)
December 21, 2025
(4 estrellas). ¡Qué pareja tan linda! Es una historia corta, así que no pido mucha trama. Me gustó mucho. Ideal para las fechas navideñas.
Tuvieron química, fueron adorables, tontos, graciosos. Muy hot. El epílogo es muuuuy dulce. Me quedé triste solamente porque fue muy corto akdkdkkf. Yo quería más escenas hots.
Tuvieron química, fueron adorables, tontos, graciosos. Muy hot. El epílogo es muuuuy dulce. Me quedé triste solamente porque fue muy corto akdkdkkf. Yo quería más escenas hots.
November 24, 2021
Good heavens, this little novella was more than “satisfying” it was perfect!
*****
Rating: 5 stars
Steam: 2.5 flames
Genre: MM / Holiday Themed / Virgin
*****
I almost skipped this book because I am not really one for novella’s and honestly, I wasn’t invested in Connolly as he was only mentioned in the last Elite Protection book… and I truly despise holiday themed books (and Hallmark Christmas movies)... Like DESPISE them! However, I am so glad I decided to read this because I enjoyed the heck out of it.
Jacob, Robby’s older brother, and cult survivor, is learning how to live in society. He’s been sheltered and brainwashed, and now he wants to experience everything. To include… losing his virginity. Imagine his surprise when he wakes up with a half naked Santa in bed with him.
Connolly is a quiet loner, that keeps to himself and doesn’t get involved….not anymore, not after he experience loved and loss, but now he has a little innocent elf snowed in with him and there are sparks flying…could this be a Christmas miracle where he can still be alone… but with this sweet cute pocket sized elf?
This book made me laugh. The two characters were funny, loveable, and sexy! Is this an insta book? Yes… does that bother me, not in the least. Was it far-fetched? Yes… and I still loved it! Was it full of funny santa and elf shenanigans? Yes, and that is the ONLY reason I read a Christmas themed book.
I laughed out loud, laughed so hard I teared up a few times, got a little hot and bothered, and may have sighed at the OTT sweetness. This was my kind of Christmas tale! A wonderful way to end the EPS series, and I loved it. This series was fantastic and I couldn’t read it fast enough!
*****
Rating: 5 stars
Steam: 2.5 flames
Genre: MM / Holiday Themed / Virgin
*****
I almost skipped this book because I am not really one for novella’s and honestly, I wasn’t invested in Connolly as he was only mentioned in the last Elite Protection book… and I truly despise holiday themed books (and Hallmark Christmas movies)... Like DESPISE them! However, I am so glad I decided to read this because I enjoyed the heck out of it.
Jacob, Robby’s older brother, and cult survivor, is learning how to live in society. He’s been sheltered and brainwashed, and now he wants to experience everything. To include… losing his virginity. Imagine his surprise when he wakes up with a half naked Santa in bed with him.
Connolly is a quiet loner, that keeps to himself and doesn’t get involved….not anymore, not after he experience loved and loss, but now he has a little innocent elf snowed in with him and there are sparks flying…could this be a Christmas miracle where he can still be alone… but with this sweet cute pocket sized elf?
This book made me laugh. The two characters were funny, loveable, and sexy! Is this an insta book? Yes… does that bother me, not in the least. Was it far-fetched? Yes… and I still loved it! Was it full of funny santa and elf shenanigans? Yes, and that is the ONLY reason I read a Christmas themed book.
I laughed out loud, laughed so hard I teared up a few times, got a little hot and bothered, and may have sighed at the OTT sweetness. This was my kind of Christmas tale! A wonderful way to end the EPS series, and I loved it. This series was fantastic and I couldn’t read it fast enough!
August 26, 2021
Jacob y Killian se encuentran semi-desnudos, casados y con resaca en la misma cama dentro de la cabana de Killian en el bosque, no saben como llegaron alli, ni porque, pero ambos quieren sacar el mayor provecho de su "matrimonio espontaneo" y que mejor noche que la de navidad para hacerlo?
Una historia corta romantica, insta-love, de uno de los pocos personajes dulces solteros relacionados con Elite Protection Service, que es entregada como regalo de "navidad" a los lectores de la serie. Aunque no es necesario que hayas leido la serie para leer esta historia corta, lo mejor es que hayas leido al menos el ultimo libro, de manera de poder saber de donde sale Jacob y sus problemas, y quienes son algunos de los personajes que son nombrados aqui.
No puedo decir que es una mala historia, sino que quizas es demasiado insta-love para mi, o quizas es demasiado tonta, no se, lo cierto es que no es necesario leerla al menos que seas SUPER-FAN de la serie y no quieras dejar ni una historia sin saber, por mi, no es mas que una check mas en la lista.
Una historia corta romantica, insta-love, de uno de los pocos personajes dulces solteros relacionados con Elite Protection Service, que es entregada como regalo de "navidad" a los lectores de la serie. Aunque no es necesario que hayas leido la serie para leer esta historia corta, lo mejor es que hayas leido al menos el ultimo libro, de manera de poder saber de donde sale Jacob y sus problemas, y quienes son algunos de los personajes que son nombrados aqui.
No puedo decir que es una mala historia, sino que quizas es demasiado insta-love para mi, o quizas es demasiado tonta, no se, lo cierto es que no es necesario leerla al menos que seas SUPER-FAN de la serie y no quieras dejar ni una historia sin saber, por mi, no es mas que una check mas en la lista.
January 8, 2022
Lovely holiday novella around the Elite Protection world, although we don’t get cameos from the other characters.
Jacob Shaw is the older brother of Robby, who was a hero in book #3 - he’s naive and sheltered after a life growing up in a cult where he was abused, and now in his mid-to-late-20’s he’s finally starting to live. But he’s a big ol’ virgin and he hates it.
So imagine his surprise when he wakes up in assless underwear and a slutty elf costume next to a near-naked Santa who he describes as “Tom Hardy but older” (meow) - aka Killian Connolly, who works for Elite and has had brief cameos in earlier books.
I thought the way Onley looped in backstories for each of them was super well done in such a short book. We got a satisfying story and a glimpse into the start of their relationship. It was steamy and sweet and had emotional payoff. I didn’t feel anything was rushed, awkward, or unusual - every bit of dialogue and character/relationship development was well done!
CW: abusive childhood, growing up in a cult (briefly recalled), death of a child
Jacob Shaw is the older brother of Robby, who was a hero in book #3 - he’s naive and sheltered after a life growing up in a cult where he was abused, and now in his mid-to-late-20’s he’s finally starting to live. But he’s a big ol’ virgin and he hates it.
So imagine his surprise when he wakes up in assless underwear and a slutty elf costume next to a near-naked Santa who he describes as “Tom Hardy but older” (meow) - aka Killian Connolly, who works for Elite and has had brief cameos in earlier books.
I thought the way Onley looped in backstories for each of them was super well done in such a short book. We got a satisfying story and a glimpse into the start of their relationship. It was steamy and sweet and had emotional payoff. I didn’t feel anything was rushed, awkward, or unusual - every bit of dialogue and character/relationship development was well done!
CW: abusive childhood, growing up in a cult (briefly recalled), death of a child
January 30, 2024
So this was a surprise little holiday short. I didn’t realize it was a Christmas story going in, but it’s close enough to Christmas that I don’t mind. 😅
It features Connelly, who is another employee of Elite Protection Services who has hardly ever been mentioned, and one of Robby’s brother from the cult, Jacob. It was cute and short and full of tropes. Drunken wedding, forced proximity, size difference. I wish it was longer and I wish we had seen some of the other characters from the series (there is no one but Connelly and Jacob in the entire book). And I wish we had found out more about what had happened during their drunken night and why Jacob woke up in a sexy elf costume. 🤣
It features Connelly, who is another employee of Elite Protection Services who has hardly ever been mentioned, and one of Robby’s brother from the cult, Jacob. It was cute and short and full of tropes. Drunken wedding, forced proximity, size difference. I wish it was longer and I wish we had seen some of the other characters from the series (there is no one but Connelly and Jacob in the entire book). And I wish we had found out more about what had happened during their drunken night and why Jacob woke up in a sexy elf costume. 🤣
January 4, 2026
This one was ok, but I think I struggled because it's been a LONG time since I've been in this series, and I honestly forgot all the people that were mentioned in this one. I also struggled with the lack of connection between these two. We literally spend almost 50 pages of them trying to figure out how they even ended up where they did, to then declare they want to try forever with one another after they have sex. It was quite ridiculous.
July 2, 2024
3 ⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️/5
Format: ebook
Cute, short, unrealistic but got to the point quickly, and I actually liked Jacob and Killian.
And my baby Wyatt was still brought up even though it was like 70 pages. So a win.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️/5
Format: ebook
Cute, short, unrealistic but got to the point quickly, and I actually liked Jacob and Killian.
And my baby Wyatt was still brought up even though it was like 70 pages. So a win.
January 2, 2021
Another excellent short...Sweet, virginal Jacob..So happy to see him get a HEA! This is an adorable, sweet, age-gap, hurt/comfort, sexy hot read!!
December 25, 2022
Favourite of the series
October 9, 2024
hot, short, stupid, adorable. what more can a girl ask for?
October 23, 2021
This is short, cute, sexy and still got me crying from getting invested in Jacob and the super sweet epilogue. A dash of everything I love from this series and holiday cheer, and I just wish it wasn’t the last book in the series. I know there’s more books by Onley James but this series is seriously my favorite. I don’t have tons to say because it was so short, but it’s cute and kinky and emotional.
January 10, 2021
Honestly, this author can write nothing I don't love and enjoy so so much. Great character dynamics, amped up emotion and situations, and just insanely good chemistry between the MCs.
If you haven't read this series yet GET ON IT. One of my favorite things from all of 2020.
Cannot wait for what's next from this author this year!
If you haven't read this series yet GET ON IT. One of my favorite things from all of 2020.
Cannot wait for what's next from this author this year!
July 2, 2023
This was adorable. But.. we're not done with the series, right? I want a Webster book like I want air.
re-read: this review is hilarious to me now that I've read all the related series.
re-read: this review is hilarious to me now that I've read all the related series.
January 2, 2021
Onley James always delivers. The short was so well written I wish it was a full novel. Jacob and Connolly are both sweet and sexy, I loved them. The sex scenes are smoking hot - signature Onley James.
January 17, 2021
Forever
I want to wake up with a naughty elf and Santa, especially if it means more Jacob and Connolly in my life. Scorching hot chemistry, adorable silliness and oh those pulls on my heartstrings, I love this fantastic and amazing series.
I want to wake up with a naughty elf and Santa, especially if it means more Jacob and Connolly in my life. Scorching hot chemistry, adorable silliness and oh those pulls on my heartstrings, I love this fantastic and amazing series.
February 1, 2021
Sweetness overload with a gentle bear and a timid virgin - stuck in a cabin during a snowstorm. Strangers too - who appear to have gotten married the night before. It's a very adorable tale with some depth.
December 5, 2021
I just loved this novela so much. I loved Jacob and Killian's story. Even though it was a very short story, I thought it had a powerful kick to it. Especially during the epilog. So far for me Onley James can do no wrong. All of her books I feel has broke me but also fixed me right back up again.
Want to read
January 1, 2021Free on prolific works: https://claims.prolificworks.com/gg/6...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 186 reviews