Hush, Little Baby

by E. Baileu

Charlie Palmer was only supposed to stay for an hour.

Color a picture. Watch a movie. Pretend he wasn’t falling apart.

Instead, he fell asleep… and woke up in the arms of a man who decided he belonged to him.

Nikolaus Makris doesn’t do temporary.

He doesn’t do casual.

And when he finds Charlie alone in the littles’ room—soft, hurting, and unprotected—he makes a decision that will change both their lives forever.

Charlie thinks he’s being taken.

Nikolaus knows he’s being rescued.

Too bad Charlie hasn’t realized it yet.

But Nikolaus is patient.

And very, very good at taking care of what’s his.

Hush, little baby… you’re home now.

A dark MM age-play romance featuring a possessive Daddy, forced proximity, emotional caretaking, and a vulnerable little who never expected to be chosen.

324 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication July 2, 2026

About the author

Hi!

I’m a new author in the MM romance space. I primarily write dark romance, but like wholesome dark romance? You won’t find any verbal abuse or bullying in my books. I understand some people like that, but some people (me) prefer our morally grey men to dote on us.

My education background is in Criminology and Psychology, but I’ve always had a love for literature. I grew up writing short stories and poetry. As I got older, my creativity seemed to fade away and I became stuck in a monotonous routine. In December 2024, I suddenly decided to write Under Your Care. It felt like I had finally found what I was supposed to be doing with my life. I am so excited to share even more romantic, depraved, and kinky stories with everyone!!

Thank you,
E. (Elizabeth) Baileu

Reviews

[Regina Marie Hatley · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5

I did not know age play was a kink or more so how deep it could go , buuut E unlocked a kink and I ate it up! Charlie and Nikolaus come from completely different worlds and all Charlie wants it to be taken care of but also to not be a burden. In walks Niko, and as much as Charlie tries to fight it (self esteem/ confidence issues) the surrender is BEAUTIFUL! At one point my heart ached for Niko because it seemed like he had been searching forever and he was afraid he would ever have the person he needed/ wanted. To go from barely surviving, to living a full and happy life, I’m so happy these two got exactly what they needed. I am obsessed with the bracelets (you gotta read to find out) and I love the hint of found family that we also get. Nikolaus is FEARCE when it comes to Charlie, and honestly Charlie deserves that and more.

[Dalegendaryreader]

THIS BOOK YALL!

Charlie's been dealing with an unknown illness for years and his only escape is the k!nk club, where he met Nikolaus. Met might be a strong word as Nikolaus kidnapped Charlie to give him the world.

Let me preface this by saying that I am not a dark romance girlie and only pick up this book because ya girl got curious about the book tropes.

I went into this blind with no expectations and with an open mind.

Characters, I love Charlie. He's been dealing with life and it was not kind to him. I want to be his friend. He's been hurting and yet still stood strong despite it all. I was initially indifferent with Nikolaus. Like I get it, here comes the big hulking man who's morally gray and will do everything in his power to make it right but it was just eh for me.

Plot, it was okay in a way that it's not that dark that I expected it to be. I do appreciate the author warning us in the beginning and handling the age play w/ ABDL. That honestly was made me curious about this book. The relationship was gray at best but if you take the whole kidnapping portion, it was kinda sweet. And you cannot help but root for Charlie to get his happy ending after all he's been through.

This book was a quick read, and def an acquired taste.

[Yazzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to the author E.Baileu for sending me an arc of their story. I especially liked the warning at the beginning as it helped with my expectations going into the story. I give it a solid 3.5 stars, No kink shaming at all! Just wasn’t my cup of tea.

HOWEVER the story was well written, I like to give every trope a chance and the fact is was ‘dark themed’ that did intrigue me. I think the darkness was associated with the MC’s job because it was pretty mild to what I’ve read.

I’m not into the whole age play and stuff but this story helped me understand more about littles, and what happens when they regress to their younger age. It was interesting seeing the triggers but also a perspective from their sides. It was well researched and tastefully done.

Also I loved the chronic illness angle because it was so accurate and it really is a frustrating journey trying to get diagnosed! So it was true to home and wasn’t embellished at all.

Niko was so sweet and all he wanted was someone to take care of, and did he!! He was gentle, he always thought of lists of what to get and make life a lot easier for Charlie! But also to fight for him too, not give up when his health declines. This was heartwarming, and he helps show Charlie he’s worth more than what he thinks.

[AlbieBetweenCovers · Rating 3 out of 5]

🌶️🌶️
⭐️⭐️⭐️

Tropes and kinks
- forced proximity
- Age play (Daddy/boy) w/ ABDL
- Mafia/crime background MMC
- Lite dubcon vibe

A morally grey mobster meets a chronically ill, broken little at a kink club in New Mexico and decides to take him home to New York to be his boy.

The writing was really good: descriptive, emotional, and not corny or AI-feeling. The age play and ABDL aspects were also handled really well. It was not as dark as the blurb made it seem. Most of the “dark” comes from Niko being a mafia/mobster type, but his actual relationship with Charlie was surprisingly wholesome. E. Baileu is definitely an author I will revisit in the future.

I had no real issues with the writing, characters, or plot; any critiques I had were of personal preference. I didn’t really like how Niko’s dirty talk randomly switched into a borderline degradation kink during their first anal scene, and I was sad that Constantine ended up being a bad guy, instead of a friend for the MCs. I also wish we got to see a little more of happy Charlie, because that poor boy cried a lot.

Overall, it was sweet, emotional, a bit kinky, and much softer than expected.

[Tooth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before I get started, I want to say thank you to the author for the arc! Everything I’m about to say is my honest, true thoughts about the book.
Now, for my review-this has become my favorite E. Baileu thus far! I loved the darker theme of age play, and thought the author did an amazing job balancing the two out. I absolutely adored Charlie. I have such a weak spot for a soft boy who just wants to be loved, especially with all the medical related things he struggled with. it made my heart ache reading everything he’s had to deal with. Thank god Niko is able to step in and help the poor baby! Speaking of Niko- wow wee is he hot. One thing I love about E is how they write their tops( possessive, obsessive, and so good at controlling the MCs they know it’s not healthy but still crave it)This man is no good and he knows it. He’s manipulative and isn’t ashamed of it. Call me crazy, but I couldn’t get enough. The two of them together just were so damn cute and the spice scenes had me sweating they were so hot! Overall, I had a lot of fun reading this, and can’t wait for the authors next work to come out!!

[Michellevv4 · Rating 5 out of 5]

i binged the book in one sitting now my eyes are crispy but i loved it too much to put it down.

i love how Nikolaus is a big scary man yet hes such a sweetheart for Charlie like he doesnt care about acting tough in front of his boy he treats him only with gentleness even though hes literally kidnapping him.

i felt so bad for Charlie about his chronic illness but wow this representation is so good , to go from one doctor to the other and still find no answers to his illness of what is it and the numerous tests and struggles and i love that it wasnt answered even with the best doctors he still didnt know what is causing it.

Marta and Elise were lovely side characters and they treated charlie like a treasure and i love them for it.

i expected the plot twist if im being honest but yet i was SHOCKED when it happened.

the one thing that i didnt like about this story is the "i love you" within days of knowing eachother i prefer for at least three months before the L word gets out but the book is insta love so its probably expected.

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a ARC of this book and am leaving this review of my own opinion
First of all this is my first proper review so it’s a little choppy but I want to say I LOVED this I’ve been in a major book slump and this pulled me right out it was the perfect amount of obsession and darkness but still so sweet and soft also SPOILERS DONT READ IF YOU DONT WANT SPOILERS


Charlie stole my heart from the first page the pain he lives with daily and the small moments he tries to just exist without the crippling fear and anxiety Niko was very…head strong and aggressive when it came to claiming his little baby but E. Did a perfect job of still keeping him soft and gentle with his baby and the plot twist at the end I truly wasn’t expecting but seriously loved





NOW when it comes to the triggers PLEASE read them if you think you need to this is A dark romance for a reason and there is some things that happen that can be triggering for some people










⚠️ content SPOILERS ⚠️
Breakup- no
Kinks
ABDL
DADDY/BOY
Spit as lube

[justreads0 · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Advanced Reader*


I wasn’t really crazy about this book unfortunately. The writing was done really well it just fell a little flat for my taste.

Charlie is a little with a chronic illness who captures the attention of Niko. The author did an amazing job depicting chronic illness and really showed just how much Charlie struggled. Poor Charlie went through a lot and was just starting to be happy and then everything went sideways.

I love how possessive Niko was and how he did everything he could to make sure Charlie was comfortable and taken care of. I wasn’t a fan of Niko dropping those three words during an intimate scene. It never sits right when a character hears “ I love you” for the first time while being intimate.

I knew the book would have kidnapping but it being Constantine that did the kidnapping was a let down. Not only was it predictable but it would’ve made more sense to have him as an ally and help get Charlie back.

[Kez Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an emotionally heavy MM mafia romance with dark themes including kidnapping, forced proximity, dubcon and captivity.
Charlie has a mystery chronic illness, a miserable solitary life and expresses himself through his regressed little self.
Niko has been searching for years for his perfect boy, and discovers Charlie alone at a kink club and seizes his chance by stealing him away and taking over every aspect of his life.
Niko is determined to be the best daddy to Charlie, and give him everything he could ever want or need, with him at the centre of it all. He's possessive and controlling, but also caregiving and devoted, and actually appreciates Charlie as he is.
It explored various aspects of age play and control, there is additional mafia drama, and I liked the twists near the end.

[Mack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc review

I devoured this in a day.
My only complaint is I need more. I need it to be longer 😭😂 I need more of them!

This was adorable and so sweet in a dark way. There’s not enough age play that also includes ABDL that’s also dark. I love that Charlie wasn’t skinny. Too often mcs are. It’s refreshing that he wasn’t.

Niko was amazing. So loving and obsessive and perfect.

Loved the chronic illness representation. And it’s true representation because most of the time there just isn’t answers for what’s wrong with you no matter how many tests that are run. But clearly something is wrong. But the tests won’t give you the answer.

We all need someone like Charlie needs Niko in his life.

[Margot Moss · Rating 5 out of 5]

*ARC*

I don’t review very often and I especially don’t do ARC much. That said, I knew I had to for this one!

I absolutely love a good mix of age play and dark romance and no one does it better than E. Baileu. This book somehow managed to be dark and sweet and filthy all in one.

The chronic illness rep was incredible as well and hit very close to home.

Also… when Charlie calls Niko Daddy for the first time??? I screamed, I kicked my feet, I squealed for the rest of the chapter. Niko’s brand of feral is what I need, always.

*mafia daddy
*abdl
*age play
*kidnapping
*chronic illness rep
*rescue me from my life vibes
*watersports

I swear, if a book could have been written just for me, it would be this books. Perfection. Thank you so much for this ARC.

[Bear_reads_romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay so, I'm speechless. I was not prepared for the feelings I would have reading this. I love that its a darker age play! Charlie is such a precious baby and Niko capitalizing on that and he's actually so freaking sweet. He is completely obsessed and has secured the #1 Daddy spot! And the ending left me in shock truly, I did not see that coming. Once again an impeccable story by E. Baileu

[Sammy Standing · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this book in one sitting and could not put this down for even a second.

This is an ABDL story and it has been a while since I read this, but I inhaled this book and truly wish I could read this again for the first time.

I adore Charlie and Niko so much, their dynamic was really interesting and they had such a great journey throughout this story.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have no words. This was stunning. Did I know I needed this? Not at all but I am so glad I picked it up. This was everything I hoped for and more. The little kink was on point for me. It is one of my favorite things to read now. This was done so well. And the end of the book. Oh my goodness. That got me. That had my texting my friend in shock. I didn't see that coming. I loved it. All the stars.

[Kaylee · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review 🖤

I finished it in a day. I absolutely loved the chronic illness representation, coming from a chronically ill girl herself. Going from one doctor to another.. so many test & still finding no answers is so exhausting. So glad Charlie found someone like Nico willing to be there for him through it all. it was spicy, sweet softer than I was expecting.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had so many of my favorite tropes. I could have a read a thousand more pages of Charlie and Niko 😭🫶🏻

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

RTC!

[Taylar Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

RTC