Review courtesy of Dark Faerie TalesQuick & Dirty: Too keep her troublesome nephews in football camp, Lola lets Gray give her the punishment instead.Opening Sentence: “Now that is one hot male animal.”The Review:The Naughty Corner is a prime example of why I adore fictional writing and romance writing in particular. It allows the reader to explore a world that we couldn’t conceive of or a world so diverse from our own. This book was that experience for me.Our heroine, Lola Cook, is a single woman who has been given the responsibility of her nephews for a summer. However, she is also a woman with duties and commitments to her working profession. This creates a perfect storm when the football camp she enrolled both of the boys in threatens to kick them out for lack of discipline and team spirit. As a result, Lola is keen to undertake anything so that she can continue to get her job done while ensuring the boys are supervised.Enter Gray Barnett who has been the football coach in part to stay close to his son following his divorce. Gray has no desire to undertake the challenge of coaching the hooligans that are Lola’s nephews without a little bit of repayment. So he devises a plan that for every infraction or disobedience that occurs while in his care at the football camp, Lola must take their punishment in a way suited to him.Not sure if you have ever had to handle or manage this type of unruly and restless child, but I have a couple of times, and I can tell you that you deserve extra compensation. Especially if the child or teenager constantly acts out. So I can completely understand Gray’s demand of compensation.There will be some of you that will not enjoy this book because of the BDSM flavor that does permeate the relationship between Gray and Lola. And others will not enjoy the voyeur portion of this book and that is ok, but I do believe that it does add to the story, and isn’t placed there in order to sensationalize the relationship but actually adds to the bond between Gray and Lola.As with any good story there is also an underlying threat, which in this case is some phone calls and gifts that Lola receives after she starts seeing Gray. The red herring’s we are given are well placed and I’m thankful that Haynes didn’t use the typical stereotypes and make them the guilty party.In addition, I would like to give high praise to Haynes because these characters are not your typical 20 somethings, but are in fact older. Lola is 38 and Gray is 45-ish. Thank you for creating characters that I enjoyed and delighted in reading in part because they were in my age range.This is a wonderful form of escapism for me over the weekend and I will definitely be keeping my eyes peeled for other books by Haynes. If you are looking for this sort of book then I recommend it highly. I’d even be willing to spend time in The Naughty Corner.Notable Scene:He glowered so darkly she though he’d throw her out on her butt. But suddenly he smiled, a big, white-shark-tooth smile. ” I will let them stay on one condition.”“Great. Okay.” She couldn’t keep the enthusiasm out of her voice. Because honestly, he wouldn’t think of asking her to sleep with him.“Every time they misbehave and need to be disciplined,” he said softly, “I will discipline you in their stead.”Lola’s mouth dropped open.FTC Advisory: Berkley/Penguin provided me with a copy of The Naughty Corner. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. I did like this story - as unbelievable as it really is - I still liked it. I don't think too many women get propositioned to take the punishment of children and without any prior relationship between the two adults involved. This story would have been more believable and enjoyable if the two adults had somehow knew each other to a degree or took the time to get to know each other a bit, before Gray just throws out the "I'm going to punish you for their discretions" and Lola agreeing to something she's never experienced whole-heartedly. There was a little drama with Lola receiving prank crude phone calls, letters and texts. Then the drama between Gray and his ex-wife-she was absolutely awful and unfair to Gray. But I liked seeing how their relationship progressed even though Lola was set that she would never have another relationship due to her first marriage and her ex-husbands constant belittling. I like the ending as well and that Lola got to experience her kinky side and ended up loving it!
What do You think about The Naughty Corner (2013)?
Great book. Funny, tender, gives hope for a second chance at love. It's a keeper.
—Bri23
Loved it.... great story line would definitely pass this on to friends.
—jhoy
Easy to get into, and didn't insult my intelligence.
—Moni5468
