Once again Susan Mallery tackles the age-old problem of children at odds with their parents. In the case of YOU SAY IT FIRST it's apparent that it doesn't really matter how old you are, your life is still under the influence of your parents. If they are loving, kind and supportive you are very lucky. If they aren't well not so much. There is an inner conflict when an adult child is still looking for approval from their parent or parents that is really kind of sad. But Susan Mallery is upbeat and optimistic as always. YOU SAY IT FIRST takes place in Happily Inc. which is another small town that has lots of stories to tell. Some of the inhabitants actually had moved there from Fool's Gold another fan favorite place. So be prepared to be entertained with a really cute and innovative tale centering on weddings, of course, what else would you expect from a place called Happily Inc.?

Pallas Saunders has just inherited Weddings in a Box from her mentor. Much to the dismay of her mother Libby -- who is quite a piece of work. In one scene it is suggested that Pallas throw water on Libby -- do you get the connection and the vision. Yes, Libby is that critical and Pallas is the target. When Pallas does something that Libby doesn't like or approve of the punishment is instant. Even as an adult Pallas is still conflicted with finding her own way and meeting the approval of her mother.

Luckily Pallas has a supportive group of friends and her Grandpa Frank. Friends that encourage Pallas to do what she wants. And not cave into Libby's demands of joining the family banking business.

There is nothing creative involved in banking. In contrast running a wedding business like Weddings in a Box certainly demands quite a bit of it. Strangely Pallas doesn't see herself as being anything close to creative. Sure she can't draw a straight line but she is a demon when it comes to organizing and planning. And with her creative friends including her newest friend Nick Mitchell, perhaps there is a way for Pallas to make her business a financial success.

Nick Mitchell along with his two equally artistic brothers are relative newcomers to Happily Inc. having moved there from Fool's Gold to get out from under the thumb of their father. The Mitchell family has some interesting lineage and egos. So the three brothers are happily finding a creative landing site in this small town. While waiting for a big commission job to fall into place Nick finds himself becoming more involved in Pallas' little company. He really likes her little band of friends and more important Nick is finding something he didn't know was missing in his life. A woman like Pallas. Along with something new to stir his own creative juices.

They are a great couple -- Susan Mallery is a master of matchmaking -- kind of like Mayor Marsha from Fool's Gold. Mallery's description of the art work created by these brothers is eye candy for the imagination. When describing one of the glass or wood sculptures it is just like being in front of them. You can see them through Susan Mallery's words. For any fans you know exactly what I am talking about. For those of you not yet a fan, I have to ask, why not.

YOU SAY IT FIRST is the first book in this new Happily Inc. series and is quite a fun-infused story involving matching weddings to the tastes and idiosyncrasies of brides and grooms.