BOOK REVIEW- You Say It First: A Small-Town Wedding Romance (Happily Inc Book 1) by Susan Mallery

The #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Fool’s Gold romances invites you to visit Happily Inc, a wedding destination founded on a fairy tale!

Sculptor Nick Mitchell grew up in a family of artists and learned from his volatile father that passion only leads to pain. As he waits on a new commission, he takes a day job as a humble carpenter at a theme wedding venue. The job has its perks—mainly the venue’s captivating owner, Pallas Saunders. 

Pallas adores Weddings in a Box. But if she can’t turn the floundering business around, she’ll have no choice but to cave to her domineering mother and work at the family’s bank. Then when a desperate bride begs Pallas for something completely out of the box, her irresistible new hire inspires her. Nick knows she doesn’t belong behind a desk, and she knows in her heart that he’s right—where she really belongs is in his arms.  AMAZON 3.5 STARS

When Nick and Pallas first meet it is definitely smile-worthy!  And I have to say what a unique name that Pallas has. Both were enjoyable main characters with at least one difficult parent apiece.   It was amazing how much Pallas's mother tries to rule her.  It was so heartbreaking how much her mother put her down, like she was trying to grind her confidence into the dust. She did have a few people in her corner though and that was good to see.  Some were family, and Nick came on board too. There were also her friends that she dubbed, her girlfriend squad.  That made me smile.  Her occasional assistant,  Alan always had her back but went from always being there to just showing up to help at the weddings.  He lived further away now. 
Nick was a good guy with a horrific childhood.  The only value he had to his father was his art.  But even then his father tried to control the way he expressed it.  That only lasted until Nick just walked away to strike out on his own. He feels after watching his mother and father together, that love and marriage are a passion that burns couple until it destroys. A couple of Nick's brothers do show up in the book to add to the drama and the artistic touches. 
I loved how creative the wedding started to become once Pallas truly did start coming out of the box with the weddings.  Her heart was so into giving the brides the weddings of their dreams.  A lot of the brides weren't able to find anyone else who wanted to work with them if there vision for their dreams were out of the ordinary.  Pallas did and her business began to thrive.  Much to her mother's dismay, because she is determined that Pallas was meant to be in banking with her and she WILL line up with that. 
So, you can clearly see some of the challenges that Nick and Pallas are facing. 

I liked how things are overcome and we get to a good H.E.A. There is also a quick look into "Why Not Tonight" the next book in the series.