Catch You Say It First (Happily Inc, #1) Formulated By Susan Mallery Offered In Script

would really like to be kind with my dissatisfaction with this novel, however, I am so disgruntled by it that I'm not sure I'll be able to be kind.
But I will try. SemiSpoilers Here

Things I liked:

Interesting background I've rarely read novels set in the desert,

Wonderful secondary characters for the most part,

The Alien wedding was interesting as was the
Black and White Wedding that provided a few giggles for me

What I was disgruntled with:

A lack of connection and sympathy with the main characters.
. . I think this sort of story Man feels he can't or won't love Woman sorely missused by her mother, Father, Familyhas been way overdone.


Too many secondary characters that seem to blend into one type/one person no distinct personality to me, I understand that this needs to be done with a first novel in what may be a long series, but it was a bit overwhelming to me.


This is a 'wasrinse repeat/formulaic story in so many ways not only does the author do this within this book, but the idea behind this book has just been overdone.
There were no surprises for me,

I read to get away from the stresses of my life and want to be 'taken away' by what I'm reading, this book did not do that for me and it sounds like all the further books will be using the same formula.
Readers deserve better than this, Terrific start to the new series, Happily Inc. is a small town on the edge of the desert in Southern California, Just as Fool's Gold is known for its festivals, Happily Inc, is a mecca for destination weddings, I loved the explanation of how that happened, Nick and his brothers, Ronan and Mathias, are recent transplants from their hometown of Fool's Gold, They were introduced in Thrill Me and Best of My Love, including the family drama that caused their departure, Nick is a successful artist who needs something to occupy his time while he waits to hear about a possible probable overseas commission.
So he answered an ad for a handyman at Weddings in a Box,

Pallas is the new and still stunned owner of the wedding business, which was left to her by a very good friend.
Pallas has always expected to go to work for her mother at the family bank, which is why she got her degree in finance.
But her relationship with her mother is strained, as Pallas has always felt that she has failed at earning her mother's love and respect.
Libby constantly denigrates Pallas and her wedding business while putting pressure on her to work at the bank, Pallas can't quite bring herself to sell the business, as it calls to something inside her, She has given herself a few months to make a final decision, as she struggles to make the business a success,

The first meeting between Pallas and Nick had me laughing out loud, Pallas was short a soldier for a Romanthemed wedding when Nick arrived for his interview, When her first words are "I need you to take off your shirt," you know it is going to be a fun book.
Nick is surprised but willing to play along, He's a little wary about taking the job after that, as playacting isn't his thing, but when he spots the incredible set of wooden panels that will be his project, he can't say no.
I loved how he displayed his reverence for the workmanship and what it would mean to work on them, I think that Pallas probably started to fall for him then and there, There were certainly sparks of attraction between the two of them, but a relationship isn't in either's plans, Pallas believes that love only comes when it's earned, that it doesn't just happen, Nick flatout doesn't do relationships, In his opinion, passion consumes and creates pain, thanks to the example shown by his parents, He refuses to allow himself to feel anything that deeply,

I loved the development of Nick and Pallas's relationship, It started slowly, more as friends, as Nick found himself drawn into the wedding planning activities, Pallas was frequently cautious and tentative at the beginning, without much confidence in her own creativity, I loved how Nick encouraged her by showing her how she could expand on her ideas, As they spent time together over wedding plans, the attraction between them continued to grow, I loved Nick's sensitivity as he waited for Pallas's mind to catch up with her desire, knowing that rushing things would be a mistake.
I also enjoyed his protectiveness when he witnessed Libby's attitude toward Pallas, At the same time, Pallas is incredibly understanding about Nick's attitude toward love and passion, She doesn't agree with him and tells him so, but she also doesn't try to change his mind, I loved seeing how the two of them grew and changed over the time they were together, though none of it came easily.
I cheered when Pallas made her final decision about the business and stood up to Libby, I wanted to shake Nick when he allowed his fears to come between him and Pallas, I cried when she told him "I love you, You don't have to love me back, I wish you would but if you don't, I'm going to be okay, I get it now. I get what loving someone is supposed to mean, It's a gift. You can accept it or not, That's up to you. It doesn't have to be earned and there's no time restriction, It just is. Whatever happens, whatever you decide to do, I hope you're happy, I hope you find what you're looking for, " Nick's lightbulb moment was terrific and I loved that he didn't waste a moment finding her and telling her, His big moment at the end was sweet and romantic and perfect for them,

As the first book in the series, there was a lot of time spent building the world of Happily Inc, Fortunately, Pallas's wedding business was the perfect vehicle to do so, Each of Pallas's friends is unique in character and profession, Carol is the one who runs the local animal preserve zebras!, Violet, Silver, Wynn, and Natalie are also there for whatever Pallas needs, whether it's moral support and help pull together an awesome wedding.
There was also Alan, who had been with the business since its beginning, He's a colorful character who always seems to know just what to do to avert a crisis, The business was a character in itself, and I loved the behind the scenes looks at the weddings, I also enjoyed watching it change and grow along with Pallas, The big gamer wedding was the event that showcased the talents and attitudes of all those involved, I liked seeing more of Mathias and Ronan and get more of what they are going through since their father's revelations, The tensions and attitudes are believable and left me ready to shake both of them, while at the same time I wanted to hug their hurts away.
Pallas also had a fair amount of drama in her family, her mother being the largest instigator of said drama, Her grandpa Frank was a fun guy, and I liked it when he stood up for Pallas, The contrast between the way that her mother treated Pallas and how she treated her twin brother, Cade, made it even harder to like her.
We only saw a little of Cade, but I liked what was there, I suspect That he will eventually get his own story, I liked Pallas's cousin Drew for his support of her, but he also has an unpleasant history with her friend Silver, I'm looking forward to seeing what happens with them,
Welcome to Happily Inc, where Susan Mallory will bring you into the lives and hearts of the wedding capital of the world, Nick and Pallas story was sweet, romantic, humorous and sexy, I couldnt ask for a more complete read with You Say It First,

I adored both Nick and Pallas, Nick was kind, considerate, talented and so supportive of a woman that he just met, Pallas has her moments that she didnt shine but that just made her more downtoearth and endearing, You couldnt help but feel sorry for her at times, cheer her on at times and just wish that she would finally tell her mother off at times.
But, she was the perfect fit for Nick and you knew it from the start, She inspired him and he knew the right things to say to get her inspired even when she didnt see it, When he finally gets her to see the bigger picture and what she can do with Weddings in a Box, he sees his own aspirations come crashing down and he backs off.


They both have trouble with the word love Pallas feels like she has to earn it and Nick thinks passion consumes so he wont put his heart at stake.
Neither of them had the childhood that encouraged love or showed just how wonderful being loved could be, But, ultimately, they find out that love doesnt have to consume or be earned its unconditional and just is, With the help of family and friends and an alien world, Nick and Pallas find their way through the muddied waters to each other and find that love can be the beall and

endall.


Susan Mallory is the ultimate Romance writer and knows just how to get you to invest your heart in her stories.
I loved every aspect of You Say It First, All the characters had their own quirks but, combined, they formed a beautiful circle of friends, I loved the banter between friends, I loved the support they all showed each other, I loved how they knew just what to say and when to say it, Nick and Pallas ended up being a team, brought Weddings in a Box out of the box and learned just how wonderful and beautiful being in love could be.


copy provided for a voluntary review,




You Say it First is the first book in a brand new series from Susan Mallery and I couldnt be happier.
Shes created another town in which it has an unusual beginning called Happily Inc, which turns out to be a wedding destination city.
Here you will find the Mitchell brothers that were first introduced in Fools Gold and theyve settled here to create their art away from their dysfunctional father and mother.
Nick Mitchell is looking for work when he goes to Wedding in a Box and ends up hired to help at a wedding when Pallas Saunders is short one male attendant.
She does eventually hire him for his woodworking talent to restore some wood panel scenery, and gradually gets to know him and finds herself attracted to him.


Susan Mallery has a knack for creating flawed characters and giving them opportunities to figure it out for themselves, I can definitely relate to these ordinary complications, especially when it comes to family dynamics, Both Nick and Pallas have a different take on what love is and how they try hard to either earn it or avoid it.
Over the course of the story you see them together and with their own families and its entertaining and disappointing on how each behave.
I couldnt be happier that there is a new place to fall in love with just like I did with Fools Gold, I have been anticipating this storys arrival and Im happy that it is finally here,

copy provided for a voluntary review,

.stars.