As Joy sorts through her late mother's papers, she discovers photographs and journals which reveal her mother had a boyfriend called Joe when they were at university together. Further reading shows Joy's mother was pregnant but didn't marry Joe, instead she had the baby (Joy) and raised her alone. A box of cuttings includes references to a famous writer, Joel Taylor. To Joy's surprise, her father lives in the same town, and she arranges to meet him... altering the course of her life forever. The two get on well, with Joy finding her father strict but loving - he admits he lives in a domestic discipline community and extends that discipline to his new-found daughter. Instead of rebelling against being spanked, Joy comes to appreciate why it is necessary, and feels secure and loved by her father, despite the fact that he gives her a sore bottom when needed. Later, when Joe marries Anne, Joy is delighted and helps Anne adjust to the DD lifestyle in Rosemary Park. Joy meets Rich at university, and he too shares the lifestyle choice of firm but loving discipline. A rosy future (and bottom) beckons...