Tuesday, September 5, 2017

Blog Tour: Review and Excerpt of You Say it First by Susan Mallery

Author: Susan Mallery
Publisher: Harlequin
Date of publication: August 2017

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 to 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.

You Say it First is the first book in a new series set in the fictional town of Happily, Inc. It's a spin off series from Ms. Mallery's Fool's Gold series. This is Nick and Pallas's story. Pallas is the newest owner of Weddings in a Box, one stop place for your dream wedding. It's barely scraping by and Pallas is trying to decide if she wants to sell or not. Nick is an artist between commissions who takes a job restoring wood panels at the wedding place. Both are at a crossroads and struggling with family issues.

I wanted to really love this book, but in the end it was just OK for me. I did like the characters. Pallas and Nick were good together, but I found their romance a little lackluster. I just didn't feel the heat or attraction between them. As for the rest of the story, I did like the secondary characters who will probably be featured in later books. However, I didn't feel the cohesiveness of the community like I have seen in her other series. The one thing I did love about the book was the wedding themes, especially Nova and Joel's I would love to see what the dress looked like!

I do recommend giving this one a shot and I do look forward to reading the next one which is Mathias and Carol's story.

Get your copy of YOU SAY IT FIRST here!

Enjoy this excerpt:

THE AFTERNOON PASSED QUICKLY. Alan stayed with Catherine, the beauty team arrived and did their thing. At five, the ushers were seating the guests, and at five forty-five, the beautiful bride walked down the aisle. Pallas stood in the back next to Alan as they watched the ceremony move smoothly forward.
“See,” he whispered. “It’s fine.”
“You were right.”
“Three of my favorite words. I’m going to make you repeat them again and again.”
Pallas left to check on the catering. Silver had her trailer set up and was mixing the signature drinks; the bride’s specially hired DJ had already started setting up his equipment. Nick, who only needed to be a courtier for the procession, had already changed back into street clothes.
“Feeling better?” he asked.
“Much. I still think the server costumes are a little slutty, but that wasn’t my call. We have food, we have drinks, we have music.” She glanced over to where the DJ had set up his equipment. “I’m going to start breathing more deeply now.”
“Good.” Nick put his arm around her. “Want me to take your picture with the zebras?”
“Maybe later. Do they seem calm? They were tense when they arrived.”
“I gave them valium. They’re fine.”
She spun toward him and grabbed his arm. “Don’t joke about that. I mean it. I’m one crisis away from snapping.”
“Sorry. No drugging zebra jokes, although that really kills my best material.”
Pallas returned to the main building and waited for the service to end. She made sure everyone made their way to the reception area and was grateful when Catherine gave her a thumb’s-up.
While the wedding party took postceremony pictures, Pallas made sure the guests had plenty to drink and that the appetizers were circulating briskly. She was so focused on that she almost didn’t hear the loud shrieks from the far side of the open area. Almost.
“Oh no! They’re loose.”
Pallas hurried to the gates just in time to see three zebras running down the road.
“Should have let me drug them,” Nick murmured as Carol and Cade got in his truck and hurried after them. Pallas spotted four teenage boys laughing by the temporary fencing. She narrowed her gaze and started toward them.