A White Christmas

Elite Men of Manhattan

by Missy Walker

The Black family are hosting a Christmas vacation in Vail with their teenage children, the Hunkholes, and their families, excited for a holiday filled with snowy fun and cherished traditions.



But as Lourde is close to securing a contract she’s worked tirelessly for, an unexpected setback threatens to derail everything.



As she navigates the challenge, Barrett’s jealousy quietly resurfaces,
leaving them to wonder—will this be a Christmas to remember, or one they’d rather forget?

This novella is a stand alone but best read after reading the Elite Men series and before the Elite Heirs Series.

94 pages

Published November 17, 2024

About the author

Missy is an Australian author who writes kissing books with equal parts angst and steam. She loves writing stories about billionaires, enemies to lovers, and the boy next door- just to name a few.

When she’s not writing, she’s taking care of her two daughters and doting husband.

Inspired by the acreage she lives on, Missy regularly distracts herself by visiting her orchard… some days more often than writing!

Then there’s her overweight cat, Charlie, chickens, and bees if she needed another excuse to pass the time.

And, when the day ends, there’s nothing better than unwinding with a gin and tonic as the sunsets surrounded by the ones she loves.

Reviews

[Pru · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book in a prize pack just before Christmas 24 and put it to the side. It didn't really feel like my vibe. However, I read it at the end of 2025 and all I can say is that "I need that series in my life". It was bloody good. It was also a bit spicy but I loved it. The writing style, the characters, the plot - it was all a yes, Yes, YES from me.

[Yes_I_Read_Lots · Rating 4 out of 5]

Missy Walker delivers a delightful holiday treat in A White Christmas, where the enchanting story of Barrett and Lourde continues. This novella beautifully blends romance, family, and festive cheer, bringing together the elite men and heirs in a heartwarming and dreamy setting.

Walker excels at creating a cozy yet glamorous holiday atmosphere, making it a perfect quick read for the season. The interplay between characters is charming, and it’s a joy to see everyone come together in this festive tale. With its engaging plot and heartfelt moments, this novella is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a touch of holiday magic.

[Sabrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing sequel on Barrett and Lourde, absolutely loved it just like the first one. They should get their own series :). Also loved that all the characters of the series where included in the book just in between series when the heirs are younger.

[Brandi Belieu]

Love this book and it definitely makes me want to go back and read all of the books prior to this one.

[Joanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

White Christmas: Elite Men of Manhattan Christmas Novella, is a heartwarming and steamy holiday romance that perfectly blends festive cheer with emotional depth. It’s the perfect feel-good read to get into the Christmas spirit!

[Carisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great glimpse into a Hunk Hole Holiday! I enjoyed revisiting all the characters and their children before the heirs got their own series. Barrett and Lourdes marriage was right where I pictured it, with his gifts of affection still being extravagant.

This is like a lost book we never knew we needed. Great bridge book to the Heirs Series!

[Carmen M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Missy Walker and BookFunnel for the ARC of A White Christmas, in exchange for an honest review.

Missy Walker has become one of my favorite authors. All of her books are so, so good and this one is no different. 'A White Christmas' is a tale set twenty years later. Barrett and Lourde, along with their friends and teenage kids, are enjoying a festive vacation in Vail. While there, tension arises when Lourde's interior design company competes for a crucial hotel contract, only to be hindered by the troublesome brother-in-law of the hotel owner. As Barrett becomes increasingly angered and jealous by the brother-in-law's advances towards Lourde, he is faced with a challenging decision: can he trust Lourde even when things seem suspicious? The novella not only provides an enjoyable read but also offers a reunion with the whole group, particularly the younger generation who will take center stage in the forthcoming Elite Heirs series. This is a quick, fun, sexy read that I promise you will love.
5 Stars!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed getting to catch up with the group in the elite men of manhattan series and getting to see them all have Christmas together. Of course there is one person trying to cause some trouble between Barrett and Lourde, but their love is strong. It was a nice little read.

[MMSTFUATTDLAGG · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice/Steam: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Relationship: MW
Series: A White Christmas (Novella) - Elite Men of Manhattan #7

Synopsis
To get a full picture, read the prior books before getting into this one. The whole gang is in Vail for the holidays. It’s been about 20 years since the events of the first book and their kids are teenagers.

Barrett and Lourde are hosting everyone and this is told in their POV. Everyone is enjoying the time off to ski, spend time with each other and soak up the holidays. Lourde and Olivia are still running their interior decorating business and are in the running to decorate the hotel Barrett’s company is renovating. While meeting with the hotel owner, things go awry when an employee takes too much of a liking to Lourde.

Review
As a huge fan who has read all the released Elite Men and Elite Heirs books, this story was a cute, extra glimpse into their world. The love story of Barrett and Lourde continues, as does the rest of the gang. It’s beautiful to see and imagine a couple still loving and lusting for each other, two decades later. I love a smutty book but a love story (with spice) will beat that out any day for me.

[Mary J · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Blacks a great romance at the start of their relationship and throughout their years together. This is a Novella that reminds us all good love stories have a bump or two in the road. One of my favorite character couples. 20 years in, on a family and friend vacation find themselves hitting a bump that they need to work through. Great characters who keep us engaged in their lives through the ages. Great read!

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's Christmas time and the 'hunkholes', along with their wives and teenage kids are hanging out together in Vail - to enjoy skiing, shopping and celebrating Christmas and New Year together. 

But the teens are growing up and would rather hang out with their friends than with their parents, and are far more interested in their phones than talking to their parents or doing Christmas things together.

I loved catching up with all of the gang again and revisiting Lourde and Barrett's fairytale relationship.

I enjoyed gaining more insight into the relationships between the parents and children, adding to the previous books in both the Elite Men of the Manhattan and Elite Heirs of Manhattan series. 

A lovely story about the bond between friends & family, with a twist of drama and plenty of spice.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, love, love this book! I am so ready for the holiday season and this just added to my desire. Plus as a newlywed, seeing the love that persists between Lourde and Barrett is amazing! And of course the bonus that the spice is still very evident between them! I really enjoyed how this novella bridged between the Elite Men and Elite Heirs! Seeing Barrett and Lourde with all of the teenagers and then thinking about how those teenagers have grown up made it interesting! Such a great book! Thanks for another amazing read, Missy!

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great time I had revisiting all the main characters from the Elite men series. It was also nice to see the new generation all grown up.

This was a great stepping stone between two series and I can’t wait to read the elite heirs and their stories.

I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review

[Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was so nice to have a little return to the Elite Men. Barrett only gets better with age, and I love Missys ability to weave fabulous story lines together through both generations but such a fabulous quick read to get into the Christmas spirit

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella fits in-between two generations - the Elite Men and the Elite Heirs and this book focuses mainly on the first couple of the series - Barrett and Lourde Black.

The book is written twenty years on and Barrett and Lourde are holidaying in Vail with their close friends and family, including the next generation - their teenaged offspring. Lourde and Olivia's interior design company is in the running for a big hotel contract but there is an ominous problem in the form of the hotel owner's brother-in-law. This unpleasant person has been a thorn in Barrett's side and he continues to do so by trying to proposition Lourde which elevates Barrett's anger and jealousy. But will Barrett keep his faith and trust in Lourde despite some of the situations looking questionable.

It was great to revisit the entire crew and the younger people who will be all grown up in the Elite Heirs series. A great short read with Missy Walker's customary angst, great storytelling, humour, many steamy scenes and lots of swearing.

[beautiful A Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This focuses on 2 generations father and son and mother and daughter , mainly putting the focus on Barrett I did enjoy this novella gave me a real sense of family and the ups and downs of life
Thank you to missy for letting me arc read

[Christina Fontaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful novella that gives us a little dose of Barrett and Lourde, and of course, the rest of the hunkholes 😍

I'm not normally a holiday book reader, but the chance to revisit some of these characters and the amazing Missy Walker drew me in! Lourde and the Elite Men of Manhattan and their Heirs go on a holiday trip for Christmas through New Years. You get the characters, the spice, and the holiday cheer. I definitely recommend this one.

[Suze82 · Rating 4 out of 5]

almost forgot
In this short read there is a gathering of so many characters it almost made my head spin, but the true message is that christmas is about spending time with loved ones and leaving every day life behind for a few days, it looks like Lourde and Barrett needed a reminder about that.

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

A suitably festive and steamy novella is a welcome catch up with the Elite Men and their growing families. A real treat for fans of the Elite Men & Elite Heirs of Manhattan

[Miss Rachael Calver · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great catch up with the Elite men & their ladies & kids. Looking forward to reading the Elite Heirs series after this book

[SherrecePQ Tanner · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect novella for the festive season, featuring the Hunkholes and their wives. While I have been enjoying the Elite Heirs series, I enjoyed looking back at our originals. This is set between The Elite Men and The Elite Heirs series, and focusses on a trip to Vail. Barrett and Lourde Black, and all of their family, friends and kids, gather for festivities. The kids are now teenagers, and the reality of this possibly being, maybe, their last holiday celebration like this all together, is playing on Lourde's mind.

There is also her and Olivia's need to decorate the new hotel complex which will be perfect for their business. However, there is a sleazy element that wants to threaten the Blacks. Even though, 20 years has gone by, the spice level of Barrett and Lourde has not died down in the slightest, and hence this couple is my favourite of the original Elite Men Series. Thank you Missy for bringing them back for the most perfect novella for the festive season.

[Betty Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A long version epilogue of their Forbidden Lust story. It shows their love, passion and dedication to one another. Plus you get a peek of the hunk holes children before their novels begin

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was 10 chapters of Lourde and Barrett proving to be couple goals over and over again without failure! Just when you thought Barrett’s grand gesture at the end of Forbidden Love was unbeatable, what he does in this book takes over for sure.

For those who followed the Elite Men series, this is like a nice epilogue to Infinite Love (set before the elite heirs series). Feeling like a proud parent watching the hunkholes and their lovely ladies’ journeys from enemies to lovers to parents. 5/5!

[Kristina Waible · Rating 4 out of 5]

The families go to the cabin in Vail for the holidays It’s magical with the twenty foot Christmas tree. Their teen age children are a handful. Lourde and Olivia are hoping to get a job for their design company at a hotel that is located here also but someone could cause a problem in that happening. Plus cause a problem for Lourde and Garrett. This book is set before the Elite Heirs series so the children are teenagers.

[KandieKane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the perfect story to tie the first series to the second. You get more of Lourde and Barrett being the dream team they are with the bonus of all the couples from the first series featuring in it. Paired with the introduction of the next generation the second series features and you have true Christmas magic! If I hadn't already read all the second series out I totally would be buying Colton's story right away.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short and steamy Christmas novella set in Vail. It focuses on Barrett and Lourde from the Elite Men of Manhattan series, a vacation to Vail with their family and friends, and a sleazy man who threatens them.

If you’ve read the Elite Men series, you’ll love this quick easy read. Thank you @missywalkerauthor For the e-ARC of this steamy novella. I enjoyed how Barrett and Lourde are still hot for each other even after many years of marriage and kids.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

A White Christmas
Hello Barrett & Lourde Black! We’ve missed you! 🥰 And boy was the reunion a sweet one! I loved every single page of this novella that Missy Walker so beautifully wrote to give us one last adventure with the Blacks. Barrett and Lourde’s love ❤ is EVERYTHING and it is all laid out in this perfect Christmas 🎄 story.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book, Barrett and Lourde were my favourite from the original series and it was great to see them back a couple of decades into their marriage managing life with teenagers. I enjoyed that despite having aged they are still very much in love and can’t keep their hands off each other and Barrett proved himself once again to be the kind of man that will move heaven and earth for his family!!

[Nikki Vealey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barrett and Lourde are my absolute favorite out of all the hunkholes relationships!! I have also read Sienna and Colton’s stories so this was an incredible story and peek at life in between. Missy always delivers the best! I feel like I know her characters. The family dynamics and friendships are heartwarming.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading this novella. It’s always a treat to be taken back to the world of the original hunkholes. Here’s hoping Missy continues to write more flashback stories with the Elite Men and Elite Heirs!