You Say It First (Happily Inc. #1) by Susan Mallery

Book Description: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. Although he won't let love consume him, for ecstasy with an expiration date, he's all in. 
Pallas adores Weddings in a Box. But if she can't turn the floundering business around, she'll have no choice but cave to her domineering mother and trade taffeta for trust funds working 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.

I 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. (Semi-Spoilers Here) Things I liked: 1- Interesting background -I've rarely read novels set in the desert. 2- Wonderful secondary characters for the most part. 3- The Alien wedding was interesting as was the Black and White Wedding (that provided a few giggles for me) What I was disgruntled with: 1- 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 miss-used by her mother, Father, Family)has been way overdone. 2 -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. 3 -This is a 'was-rinse- 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 over-done. 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