Hopes and Dreams

by Emily Alter

Sergio

If you ignored the fact that I didn’t have a Daddy, my life was pretty perfect. I had a kink community where everyone loved me, I worked from home, and I had an endless supply of milkshakes thanks to my best friend’s addiction.

Not having a Daddy still sucked, though. A lot. Even if I didn’t need one, I really, really wanted one.

Abel

I was on medical leave, struggling to get out of bed most mornings. I had no idea what I was doing by going to a friend’s kink club so she could introduce me to a Little boy there.

From the moment I got in the middle of him and a Dom harassing him, though? There was no way I could walk away. There was more to Sergio than his hyperactive, bratty ways. Something about him made it just a little bit easier to dream again.

* * *

Hopes and Dreams includes a messy Little with a few skeletons in his closet, a lumberjack of a Daddy Dom struggling with depression, tentacles, gold star stickers, queer chaos, and a kink community to die for.

Genres: BDSM, Mental Health, M M Romance, Found Family

434 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 29, 2024

Reviews

[Brooke · Rating 2 out of 5]

⭐️ 2.5 stars ⭐️

“I’ll call you Daddy, if you keep calling me little bird.”

I have…thoughts.
This could’ve been really really hot. The kinks, the dynamic, the characters — it was all almost good.
The problem was the excessive dialogues and unnecessary talking.
This story needs massive editing.

The second problem is that the author cut out all the good parts. So instead of having fun with the vibrating plug scene or the intimate spice scenes, they were skipped and we get pages and pages of useless dialogues, drama that just didn’t make sense, interactions with side characters that don’t serve any purpose.

There was potential, but it either needs to lean more on the erotica side, or it needs more character building and depth. As is, it’s lacking both.

I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.

CW and tropes (spoilers):
- Age-play (ABDL)
- Daddy kink
- Mentions of past bullying
- Depression and Mental health issues
- Anal training
- Brief breath play
- Enemas
- Overstimulation
- Group play/exhibitionism/sharing
- Praise kink
- Sensory deprivation
- Toys (monster dildos, plugs, vibrators, stuffies)
- Spanking

[Dani (Daniiireads)]

Originally DNF this in 2024, but thought I would give it a whirl again… Still not for me.

[Guardian.angel54 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd like to start off by saying that this was the first time I'd read anything by this author, and I picked it up solely based on the blurb. I thought it was going to go one direction and it ended up going in a million different directions - all over the kink spectrum - and I just couldn't find that one "vibe" that allows me to connect with a story. I did not like the "Little" character of Sergio and I really struggled to see him as a true Little at all. I did connect more with Daddy Abel and his fight with debilitating depression - and I thought this was portrayed pretty accurately. I didn't care for the secondary characters or the kink club as a whole and, honestly, I struggled to finish the book. It was like the author look a whole hat full of kinks and just tossed them into the air and let them land willy nilly on whomever. There was a lot of community "sharing" of partners and the Littles, and this bothered me. At the very beginning, when Sergio first meets Able, he is in the Little room of the club completely naked! And apparently he's been "with" a large majority of the members in various ways - including his bestie and fellow Little. It just rubbed me the wrong way. Honestly, it felt more like a sexual commune that leaned towards the extreme than an actual kink club - if that makes sense! It was really confusing and a bit too far out in the left field - and this is coming from someone who reads really dark and taboo books! The whole thing just made me feel "off" and not in a good way, and I have really struggled to write a proper review and not get bogged down in all the details that bothered me - but I could definitely write a small essay on the subject.
In short, it was absolutely not my cup of tea and I doubt I'll be reading more by this author. This is my honest opinion, though, and others might see it differently.

[Xanthe · Rating 4 out of 5]

**3.5**
This is a good story, set around a kink club where Sergio attends as a Little. We go straight into the story with the owner, and his friend, Erika, setting him up with her friend, Abel. Abel is on a visit back to the country, kind of on respite as he deals with the serious depression he is currently going through a tough patch with.
Sergio wants nothing more than to have a daddy but he is... a lot. I would say maybe ADHD with just how quickly he bounces in thought, speech and action from one thing to the next. Abel seems to be perfectly matched to him, though, as he finds it endearing and is happy to give in to the young man when needed. Their kinks also match very well, with ABDL and sharing with others part of their dynamic.
Abel's mental health, I found to be written quite well. The physical struggles that go along with it were well portrayed as well as just how tough it can be to interact with others, whether you want to or not. He is slow to progress but becomes more open to the community and takes on board what Sergio says to him. Just because Sergio is a Little, doesn't mean he can't look after his daddy.
What I did struggle with a little bit was the pacing of the story, though probably more with the frenetic energy of Sergio. His mental pace is the same as his speech, bouncing from one thing to the next, and from a high to a low. It sometimes pushed me a little off kilter. What helped him was the community that he has built around himself and how it's only now, with the help of his daddy and certain events, that he comes to see that.
A good book, especially for those who enjoy some kink in their romance.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
All the basics were in the blurb to start you on this journey of two people haunted by past events, finding their way to each other. I adored Sergio, I could easily picture his hyperactivity, both physically and verbally, as I had students like him over my years of teaching. He wanted a Daddy so badly, he was willing to take one on a temporary basis, but he got a Daddy who really saw, listened, and understood him. Abel had no intention of finding a Little/boy, he kind of fell into it, then quickly got involved. His depression actually helped the relationship in my view, in that Sergio could take him out of himself and change the way he looked at his days with not really realizing it. The two were made for each other, and did eventually get their HEA. There is a LOT of kink, so do check the triggers, but it all flows as a seamless part of the story and the world of the club. A supportive family for both MCs, their kinks are well matched and complement each other. Told from a dual POV, we get the thoughts and feels from both sides. There were some times that I found dialogue confusing, needing to go back and review whose POV was for the chapter, then backtrack to where I knew who “I” was, then forward from there, but in general I enjoyed the story and was engaged as it unfolded. Interesting character development and descriptions of a very hyperactive adult, but an endearing character, realistic and relatable.
I received a copy of this book and this is my voluntary review.

[Shyandmoodreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm so thankful to have gotten the opportunity to join the review tour for this book and subsequent series revolving around this kink club and its members 😈. It was absolutely delightful!

Emily Alter did a wonderful job of bringing these characters to life, this book contains all the things I love about the kink community, especially daddy kink 🔥. It's got perfect meddling side characters, found family aspects mixed with some hurt and comfort and some seriously fiery spicy scenes between Abel & his boy Sergio as well as others 😏🥵🫠.

I thoroughly enjoyed how the Abel & Sergio grew not only as individuals, overcoming traumas and working through important processes based around depression but also how they grew as a couple, and learned each other so intensely 😍. I mean the scenes between these two are so amazing, and the fantasies divulged are 🔥🫣. Read on your own, for sure 😂.

This Daddy Dom & His Little Boy are perfect for one another, and it was an honour to have witnessed their whilrwind kinky romance turn into something lasting, full of trust and communication even when Sergio's mind is a chaotic and hard to decipher at times 🥰🫶. Thankfully, his Daddy is the perfect counterpart and thrives on dealing with him, even during his hardest times.

Definitely check this book out! If kinky is where your heart lies then this is the book and series to try out 😈, I can't wait to delve into the other characters when I get a chance, particularly Jamie, as well as León & Danny 💥.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a new one for me. I’ve never really read anything about Littles and don’t know anything about the community so I can’t speak to the accuracy of the representation of the community in this book. With that in mind I will only be reviewing the story itself. I didn’t particularly like this story. The characters were just okay and their chemistry felt forced. I never once believed that Abel genuinely cared for Sergio. It seemed to be more of a convenience for Abel. Sergio was there, available and seemingly isolated within the community so Abel only had to do the bare minimum to establish and maintain a dynamic with Sergio. Sergio was a sweetheart and I really wanted him to find someone who loved and understood him and I am not convinced that Abel was that person. There was also some manufactured drama as a background that didn’t seem believable and didn’t serve to push forward the story, the characters or their relationship. There was a good idea here but it fell short in its execution.

[Nina Diab · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. I loved Sergio. He was really sweet, full of energy, and his nervousness made him relatable. I also liked Daddy Abel. His battle with depression was handled well and felt realistic. I liked that though 'getting out of bed in the mornings felt more excruciating than lifting a car,' his budding relationship with Sergio helped his mental state. I liked how they supported each other and both had their own demons to face.

I was thrown off that in the kink club, I learned a couple pages in that Sergio was naked because he didn't have any pants to wear, so opted to wear nothing. It was strange and threw me off. Though to be fair I know nothing of the lifestyles apart from what I read in romance novels. Though I'm used to getting a description of a cute outfit or something befitting a character. I haven't come across one willing to go for public nudity instead.

4 stars.

[Spooky M Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I feel like the communication was amazing. I liked how the feelings grew. And how they communicated everything. One thing I will say is read the warnings. It does have sharing. And it's a healthy discussed sharing. I love how you can see the depression written so well. It's things I have dealt with, and seeing someone write it that way was amazing. I love the fact that we see that awkwardness where they avoid topics that make them uncomfortable because I do that i know how it feels to avoid those things. We see the trauma response and the growth of both characters. We see the love they have for each other and the trust. We see them be vulnerable to each other. I really loved this book. And I hope to see more with this group. The representation of all the lqbtq+ in the book is amazing.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found family/Consent is sexy/Kink is life…

So I don’t read much m/m books. It still would not be my first choice in reading. However! Let me say that I would read ANYTHING written by this author!

Very well written, I was completely sucked into the story right from the start (same in each story I’ve read so far).

Having met Sergio in the first Plumas book, Play Pretend, I knew I wanted to read his story. He is so bubbly and fun but also has many layers and secrets. He learns to fully trust not only his Daddy, but also his community. Abel suffers from depression and is on medical leave. Erika, we met in book 1, insists he come to the club to meet Sergio. (Can’t wait for Erika’s story! And everyone else’s lol)

If you like kink, Littles and community then definitely give this author a read!!

[Kate Apal · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a solid read, though it contains elements I didn't vibe with.
I found some of the writing slightly hard to follow as it felt like it jumped a bit so made the story difficult to follow in parts.
I really enjoyed the depiction of how Abel grew in his trust both in himself and with Sergio as his depression lifted. I liked the references to the Spoon Theory and how it was shown in the story line.
Some of the BDSM elements didn't feel realistic but that for me is based off other books with similar tropes (daddy/lb, ABDL).
I liked the growing friendship towards the end between Abel and Leon and would have liked more on this.
Overall, it was an enjoyable read and for those who enjoy the tropes it would be a good recommendation.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️. 5
Emotional Rollercoasters: 🎢
Tears Cried:💧

[b00ks_in_nature · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to love this book, and I did to an extent. I liked how depression was portrayed in a way that I find realistic. Abel was a great Daddy for Sergio. I found their growth as both individuals and as a couple was wonderful. But I was also disappointed by it - specifically, it seemed like there was too much dialogue, and yet things still weren't developed/elaborated on as well as they could have been. Additionally, I didn't connect with the way that their kink community engages in sharing - like, a lot. Just because I haven't read any DDlb books like this (and don't have any personal experience) doesn't mean it couldn't be realistic in some communities, but it pulled me out of the story due to taking away some of the special relationship I'm used to of Daddy/Little. Overall, I enjoyed it, but I don't think I'd reread it. I would try more from this author though.

[Juniper · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's a promising premise here, and I loved Sergio as a character: he's compelling in a lot of ways, and easy to root for. Abel had his moments but was harder, at times, for me to connect with, and while we're told he cares for Sergio, it's not always obvious in his words/actions. The narrative balance was at times a bit off kilter for me as well-- the pacing can be heavy on build up at the expense of development, there is plenty of dialog, which normally I love but felt almost excessive at times here, and while there are scores of tropes/kinks on display, it's hard at times to figure out where the focus is. That said, there's plenty of charm to these characters and this premise, so 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Amanda Winter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Daddy/Little book was enjoyable with fantastic characters and a heartwarming story. The relationship development was great, allowing us to truly bond with both characters. I appreciated that the Daddy figure had his own struggles with mental health, adding depth to his character. Communication, as always with kink, was key and their adherence to it helped them grow to trust and love each other.

The emotional journey and the support from their found family and community were beautifully depicted. The characters felt real and relatable and the storyline was captivating. I loved how both had to work on themselves and their relationship. I can't wait to read more about these wonderful characters!

[Alex · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this. But the excessive dialogues and unnecessary talking took away from the story to me. Overall: with the kinks, dynamic, and characters- it would’ve been a good book.

It some aspects it felt fade to grey almost? And it even though I love a lot of these kinks, I could’ve done without some of them. Mainly the community
"sharing" of partners and the Littles: this bothered me. While I have read books with sharing (and I love that) I feel like with this dynamic and from what is described of Sergio in his Little space, I didn’t like it. If it was Abel and maybe one other Dom every now and then for a scene, sure! But the whole club and orgies? No. It also kinda gave the vibe that it focuses more on the club than the couples…but that could just be what I seeing/feeling

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Abel meets a Little, Sergio, at his friends club. Sergio wants a Daddy but Abel suffers from depression and doesn't know if he can commit. This book is very spicy with different kinks. Sergio is adorable and a chatterer. Abel is patient and kind. I liked the premise but I found the book hard to follow. It seemed to jump around in their conversations and seemed choppy in their communications, erratic but the two seemed to quickly fall for each other and supply what the other needed. There is a lot of sharing with multiple people. I received a copy of this book through Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest opinion.

[Katrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sergio is a little in the kink community and has dreamed of having a daddy who takes care of him. One day he is introduced to Abel, a firefighter who is friends with one of the dommes at the club . Abel suffers from depression and hopes some time away will help him. Once he and Sergio meet. They start playing together and romance blossoms. Sergio too has hang ups and together they try to help one another.
Hopes and Dreams is a good solid read. The themes are thought provoking and very present in real life.
I love the characters and the closeness between them and i think readers will enjoy this book as much as i did

[Ζωή Παππά · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Hopes and Dreams" is the second book in the Plumas series but it can be read as a standalone. In this book we follow Sergio and Abel. I really really loved Sergio's personality. He was full of life, so playful and sweet, a wonderful friend, very loyal and protective. I honestly would love to have him in my life.
I loved reading Abel's story, it was interesting, in a good way, to see a Dom struggling too. He was very relatable and lovable and I really liked how the author handled his storyline.
Abel and Sergio were a perfect match and I was rooting for them from the beginning.
It's my favorite book in the series. I loved it so very much.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hopes and Dreams by Emily Alter pulled me in right from the blurb. It took a different direction than I expected, but in the best possible way. The story surprised me and kept me engaged from start to finish.
I absolutely loved Sergio and his chaotic, vibrant energy. He brought so much life to every scene and made the story feel real and fun. The dynamic between the characters was heartwarming and full of genuine emotion, but what really stood out was how naturally the spice fit into the story.
This book had the perfect mix of heartfelt moments, humor, and a healthy dose of kink that made it unique and unforgettable. A sweet, steamy, and satisfying read that left me smiling.

[Autumn Winchester]

Sergio and Abel are two of a kind with different pasts of different traumas. I enjoyed Sergio, as he was the perfect talkative little who couldn't keep his thoughts to himself for anything.

Although there were parts of the story that jumped around, and parts were a bit too fast paste for my liking, it was well written and sweet. The story covered many different tropes/warnings, such as sharing, age play, anal and so much more. I don't think I've read a book that has had so much in on so many pages.

[Deb Kel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoroughly enjoyable Daddy/Little book that has really great characters. Great relationship development helps us understand both of them so we can really bond with them as we follow their heartwarming story. I liked the fact that the Daddy in this case wasn't so cocksure and had his own struggles with mental health issues. As always with kink, communication is the key and as they adhere to this they both grow to trust and love each other.
I received a free arc copy from GRR and this is my honest review.

[Jkirstyj · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arc read
Sergio is a little in a kink community where everyone loves him but he really wants a daddy. Abel is on medical leave from his job as a firefighter and his friend who runs the kink community takes him to meet Sergio when he arrives Sergio is being harassed by a Dom and he can’t walk away. I really enjoyed this it was hot and steamy pretty much from the get go & full of spice. The chemistry between Sergio and Abel is there from the start and just grows and they both really help each other be more comfortable in themselves. I really liked the side character’s especially Leon and Danny also Jamie hope to read their stories in the future

[The Literature Lizard · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨Book Review✨
📖Hopes and Dreams by Emily Alter
📖Plumas Universe | 434 Pages
📖Available on KU and Amazon!

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/🌶️🌶️.5

Well this one was.. interesting? I liked the story, it was a fun read for sure. The main dynamics depicted in the story just aren’t for me, and aren’t something I’m into so it knocked it down a bit.. but overall it was a solid book! I did finish it in a sitting and did hook me enough that I struggled to put it down.

Thank you to The Author Agency and Emily for providing me with a copy of Hopes and Dreams. All opinions in this review are my own!

[Lissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the land of kink there was a very rambunctious boy who was very nervous about meeting a new daddy who was vacationing. The new Daddy was struggling with mental health issues, and was nervous about the boy. Together they learned that communication helps grow love and trust and found family and friends can sometimes be the best medicine. I enjoyed the interactions between all the characters in this engaging story

[Traci S · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was interested in the premise, which sounded like an interesting take on Daddy/boy romance focusing on mental health. I’m sorry to say I did not care for this one, the characters are okay on their own but I didn’t feel any authentic connection between them. Their scenes have an interesting mix of kinks, but it all felt orchestrated and lacked intimacy.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Mayra Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hopes and Dreams (Plumas Universe) by Emily Alter
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

This is the second book of the Plumas Universe by Emily Alter, this is also the first book I’ve read from the series and author. I was interested in this book because it was MM and also had a Daddy/boy romance focus. I really enjoy the connection and chemistry between Sergio and Abel. Let's not forget about the steamy scenes full of kinks and spice!! This story was well written, with an interesting plot, with amazing characters.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good story, and I thought Sergio and Abel were good characters that worked well together, some aspects of the story worked for me and some didn’t the story covers a lot of elements in it, Daddy/Little, lots of kinks,a lot of sharing, mental health/depression,past trauma and a supportive environment and found family so check the trigger warnings. This is a 3.5 read for me but have rounded it up to 4.

[Rainbow Shelf · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 ⭐️

I don’t think I’ve ever rated a book this low before. It had so much potential, but it desperately needed more editing.
There were plenty of great spicy scenes, but they lacked detail, and that really held the story back. It felt like every part of the book was missing something.
Even with the low rating, I still couldn’t put it down, and I refused to DNF it.
Thank you to The Author Agency for the ARC.

[Showarst · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book just wasn’t for me. I did not like Abel at all. I never got the idea that he actually loved/cared for Sergio. In fact, many times he seemed annoyed by him. I did really like Sergio and thought that a lot of people were not kind to him or made an effort to understand him. I’m also not into sharing so that caught me by surprise.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

I absolutely loved this story. This was such an emotional story. These two had such a great found family and community to help them. The characters were fascinating and so real. The story line was fantastic and loved how they both had to work on themselves and each other. I can’t wait to read more about all of these characters.