For the Hope of It All

Merrymount #1

by Ila Sikorski

When Margot LeClair decides to uproot her life for a fresh start in a small town, she's focused on finding herself. The last thing she's thinking of is the guy she went on one date with a year ago...Until she finds out that same guy is her new neighbor.

Sawyer Hale has always known he was meant to be in Merrymount. And when he ended things with his on and off again girlfriend for the last time, he was more than okay with being alone...Until the girl that got away moves in next door.

Is it fate or another case of right person, wrong time?

Genres: Romance

354 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 18, 2024

About the author

Ila is a hopeless romantic who loves to write small town stories with found family, banter, happy endings, and a dash of spice.

Born and raised in Massachusetts, an overly emotional pisces, she is a girl mom to the coolest kid ever, married to the boy she had a crush on in high school, and completely obsessed with her cat.

When she’s not writing, you can find her and the family checking every Disney destination off their bucket list, speaking in song lyrics, binging early 2000s tv shows, reading books that make her cry, and sending ridiculously long voice memos to her friends.

Reviews

[Josephine Maida · Rating 5 out of 5]

FOR THE HOPE OF IT ALL!!!! One of my new favorite small-town romance books, I know I will be heading back to the small town of Merrymount over and over again. This book literally had it all. I fell in love with the town, with the characters, I could see it all vividly in my head.

The book really had the perfect cadence. Oftentimes I find other books like this I read to be too slow or too fast. The couple gets together right away or it takes forever. This is perfect. There’s the perfect sprinkling of banter and cute moments that create the perfect bit of anticipation. There was a perfect amount of the main story, while the incredible author also built up the world and characters of Merrymount, making me SO excited for future books in the series. I’m a sucker for romance books that are connected, especially when the author does a good job of making me fall in love with the main characters of future books in book one!!! They weren’t just mentioned, we got to KNOW them organically, and I love that.

Margot and Sawyer were so sweet - second chance love, small town romance, found family, some family tragedy - it was just perfect. They’re so cute together. I also loved the conflict in the book. Often, I find myself feeling like the conflict in the romance books I read feels silly, inauthentic, and unrealistic. The twists and turns in this book were perfect and I just simply could not put this book down!!!!! My only complaint? I have to wait until Winter 2025 to head back to Merrymount again!! But let’s be real, I’ll probably read For The Hope Of It All again before then.

I cannot believe this was the authors first book, it was so incredibly well done. I’m obsessed and I cannot wait to read more from this author for years and years to come!!!!!

[Colleen Giuffrida · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I have waited my whole life to feel like there was someplace or someone out there that felt like home.”

This book made me so unbelievably happy. I can sometimes be hesitant to pick up a cute looking romance novel because they can be so unrealistic that it’s actually annoying. Not Margot and Sawyer. Not Merrymount. Set in the cutest little town that makes me think of places I’ve spent so much of my life, these main characters are relatable and it feels REAL. The happiness, the sadness, the bullshit that is in all of our lives, the crazy exs, the friends who will drop anything for you, the friends that become family. The accompanying plot lines make me so excited to read later books in the series. I don’t even know what else to say, I loved this book so much.

She did it, she’s a published author!! Ila, thank you for letting me be on your ARC team (although I acknowledge that I’m the worst posting this the day AFTER pub day, forgive me 🥲). The tone of this book was all you, and I could hear you coming through on each page. I cannot wait to dive into Merrymount again in just a few months.

[Izzy Plott · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️3.5⭐️

[Rafi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this cause of the Taylor Swift references and it wasn’t bad BUT it was so cliche and I feel like the author tried to fit in as many tropes as humanly possible. not my fave

[Allison Salamone · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was absolutely adorable and cozy and such a fun read. 4 🌟 for “The Hope of it All”. Ila Skorski’s debut novel and the first n her Merrymount series. This sweet small town second chance romance had me grinning from ear to ear. So many references to Disney, Taylor Swift and all the relatable emotions that come with being vulnerable when falling in love. It was just so good.

Margot LeClair had the best frost date of her life, then she gets the ole “it’s not you it’s me” and that’s that. She decides she needs a fresh start and finds the perfect cottage in the most perfect small town. Much to her surprise her neighbor just so happens to be the guy from said perfect t first date. Will it work this time or is it just right person wrong time all over again?!

What you will find:

🌷Small Town Romance
🌷Second chance romance
🌷Dual POV
🌷They’re neighbors
🌷someone has a thigh tattoo 🫣

There were so many hilarious one liners, and the rest of the characters being built in this first novel has me so excited to read more. I cannot wait to dive into Red’s story next and see where this series continues to go!

[Jordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this!

It started out so cute, but there were just so many tropes/cliches on top of each other that it really pushed this into “not for me” territory.

Overall, the story and characters were fine, and others will probably love it. If you love small town, found family vibes, give it a shot!

———

I know this was an ARC (and I’m really hoping this will be fixed before print), but if this is the final version, it really needed a legit proofreader. There were lots of things like extra spaces between words, wrong words being used (ex: fix vs fit), comma placement, inconsistent capitalization, etc that made it hard for me to read it. Because it’s an ARC, I’m not factoring that into my rating.

[Kristin Mafforti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book because it's a girl from my high school's first ever book! Super cool. Very cute little romance book that was a nice, easy, refreshing read. Congrats Ila!

[Emily Swidock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won’t be shutting up about Merrymount anytime soon 🫐

[Nicole Tetreault · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ARC review✨
Where do I even start? I loved this book so so much. From the very first chapter (literally like 3 pages in) I knew Margot was going to be one of my favorite FMCs. She’s relatable and so very lovable that I think I might have a crush on her. Speaking of crushes, Sawyer Hale is a perfect dream sent from heaven itself. I can almost guarantee you you’re going to fall head over heels in love with him. He has officially destroyed any man’s chance of meeting my expectations. The rest of the town feels so cozy and welcoming, like you wish you could abandon real life and move in immediately. (And the little iykyk references to the area I grew up in were so fun to see.)

The story itself has everything. There were parts where I was laughing my ass off. Parts where I was ugly girl sobbing. Parts where I was squealing and kicking my feet. Parts that made me blush a lil bit. Parts where I quite literally couldn’t put the book down because things were getting so tense. It’s a mix between the cutest love story and a roller coaster of emotions all in one perfect book. I’m not going to stop internally speculating about book 2, and I absolutely cannot wait for it to come out so I can go back to Merrymount again.

Thank you so much for the ARC, it was an honor 🥲

[Kelley Hoffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Literally the perfect small town romance book 🥹 I’m absolutely obsessed with Merrymount and can’t wait to see these characters develop in future books. This book made me laugh, cry, and feel nearly every emotion in-between. I couldn’t get enough of Sawyer & Margot. Plus, if you love Taylor Swift and Disney, I guarantee you’ll be giddy over the abundance of perfectly executed references, many of which are subtle for the true fans. I’m so proud of ila for putting this beautiful story on paper. I’ll be thinking of it constantly while dreaming of visiting a small town blueberry festival. Highly recommend, and for Kindle fans, it’s on KU! But be honest, you want that gorgeous cover on your bookshelf.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet and fun Romance. I loved both main characters because they felt very real, and I loved the way they communicated with each other to figure out how to best navigate their relationship. The fictional New England town of Merrymount was just so dreamy to read about. And it was so much fun getting introduced to all the different residents of town, they were all the coziest found family. I cannot wait to read book two next!

Tropes:
🤍Grumpy/Sunshine
🤍Found family
🤍Small town Romance
🤍He falls first and harder
🤍Forced proximity

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not surprised how quickly I read For the Hope of it All. I knew from the first chapter that I’d lack the self control to put the book down, the need to know what happens next too seductive to ignore. The characters were comforting because they felt so authentic, like friends from another life. And the love story between Margot and Sawyer was so incredibly sweet and effortless.
I could vividly picture every scene, from the cottage, to the small town coffee shop.
Merrymount was such a comfy, beautiful place to visit and I can’t wait to return

[Adriana Serrano · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you take one recommendation from me, let it be this one! I loved this book so much. It’s for swifties. It’s for people who think they will never find their person. Let this book give you hope. Let it hug you tight. It’s such a gentle story about starting over and a second chance.

[Elise Knutowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this book! Such a fun read that I did not want to put down. Finding all the Taylor swift nods was a blast.

I was NOT ready for the chaos of the last 50 pages but so happy with how it all came together in the end.

Sincerely, a girl who loved Knockemout & is now loving Merrymount ♥️👏🏻

[Kim Swizz · Rating 5 out of 5]

500 billion stars. I’ll be feeling the impact of this book for the REST OF MY LIFE.

[Lindsey Ljungberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

SUCH a good debut!!! I love everything about Margot and Sawyer and Merrymount. This was perfectly set up to be a trilogy and I'm so excited for book 2!

[hannah rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

unhinged third act but i still had a good time

[Nathalie Franco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh this was such a cozy, comfort, small town read and just what I needed! I had the delight of meeting Ila the author at MegaCon this year and boy can that girl WRITE a feel good story. Sawyer Hale is positively the man of all our dreams and he will consume all my thoughts forevermore.

[Brooke Reno · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

[Katie Carroll · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe I’m just not into small town romances? This was my first venture into that sub-genre and…..I enjoyed the characters but I found the setup to be really boring. Both of the main characters were making such a big deal about their history but like, they went on one date a year ago? That’s not crazy????

The writing was a lot of over-explaining and giving way too many small details that didn’t actually move the story along. On the plus side, the side characters were all great and the MMC was giving major golden retriever energy. We love to see it!

[Cassi Ballinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve never related to a FMC like I relate to Margot. This book is so special and a breath of fresh air in the small town romance category - brb gonna go have coffee at Red’s Place now

[Khushi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3.75⭐

Wow! What an extraordinary read! First and foremost, my heartfelt thanks to Ila for granting me the privilege of being an ARC reader for her debut novel. From the moment I began this book, I knew it would be a delightful rollercoaster, embodying the charm and warmth of small-town romance.

Our main character, Margot, starts off as somewhat insecure and uncomfortable—a sentiment I could deeply relate to. However, as the story progresses, she blossoms beautifully, buoyed by the exceptional love and support of the town's people.

The most enchanting aspect of this novel was undoubtedly Margot's relationship with her mother. That woman is a beacon of sunshine in Margot's life, and I relished every moment of their bond. The sense of found family portrayed in this book is precisely what I yearn for in a story.

The unexpected drama involving Sawyer's ex near the end was a surprising twist that kept me on the edge of my seat. But anyhow, they got their happy ending.

Lastly, Ila, I must implore you to give us Red's story as soon as possible. I adored her character in this book and have a strong intuition that her dynamic with Miller, brimming with simmering tension and chemistry, will be utterly captivating.

[Ashley Potvin · Rating 4 out of 5]

so happy because this book got me out of my reading slump. i laughed, cried and even audibly gasped at some parts, but i’m docking it a star because the ending felt unfinished:(

[Ashley]

DNF @ page 84

[Haley Mandell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, fun, all the things. Dual POV, the little stamps at the chapter headers were super cute. The small town was giving stars hollow, where everyone is accepting and loves to gossip but ultimately is always willing to help a friend out. I felt the coziness of the cottages and the outdoorsy fun of the river where Gran works.

Margot felt similar to most FMC in romance stories, at the point of giving up on dating, familial issues but a decently headstrong attitude. She definitely grew throughout the story, with Sawyer helping her to see herself through his eyes. Multiple things get thrown at her but she seems to keep a decently level head despite it all. Sometimes I feel like she should have put herself first a little bit more but maybe she was just so chill and accepting.

Even not knowing Sawyer prior to him and katie and their multiple breakups, it’s evident that he’s just a shell of himself. The way that he describes his feelings, and surroundings. The way that his friends and family talk to him and tiptoe around him. Margot is really everything that he needed and wanted. He’s basically smitten from the beginning and woo’s her any chance that he gets. Small things, compliments and/or actions that add up and begin their relationship. They seem to mesh very well, I like them together.

The plot twist was crazy, both of them actually, it made the story for me. The side characters were lovable and the other romances are set up that you almost can’t not read the next two!

[bloomy · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌲 !! arc review !! 🌲
♾️/ 5 ⭐️
oh gosh, i want to move to merrymount now.
i think this is my favorite small town romance I’ve read so far.
it got this family feeling that just catches you right at the beginning and at the end of the book you feel like home at merrymount.
the characters felt mostly at home, sawyer, Margot, red, Melanie, Beth, Gus, miller and penelope.
everyone was so welcoming and supportive and so sweet.
now onto the mc:
sawyer hale is THE man.
this man communicates, he TALKS and
how he shows his love through his actions.
and when this man loves, he LOVES.
i almost cried when i read what this man went through, he did not deserve it
he is always there for his people, always shows up and listens.
oh and ofc he’s hot 🤭
and i love that, i love a man like this and a man like this deserves to be treated right, and Margot definitely treats him right.
i love margot.
she feels and loves.
her personality was so pure and so understandable, if you know what i mean.
and overall she was so relatable.
her relationship with her mom was something i need more often it books.
overall her friendship with the characters in the book was so sweet 😭🫶🏼

and the little snippets we got of the couple for the next book 🤭 i‘m so damn excited for them, you have no idea.

thank you for the arc, this book was so beautiful 😭🫶🏼

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

What do you mean I have to wait until Winter 2025 for the next book? 🥹

Okay listen. I’m going to start with the really good of this book. Merrymount? Moving in. The found family? Please adopt me. How much Sawyer respects and validates Margot? We love to see it. Disney mentions? Faith, trust and pixie dust. This book should literally be a rated R Hallmark movie.

At first I had a bit of a rough time connecting with the characters because (it’s a very me thing) but I just could not imagine still being hung up on a date a year later. But that’s because I’m petty AF and would never waste my own time in that way. 🤣 I’m also not a huge fan of nicknames so the pixie girl to me was a little too overdone.

But this book was beautiful and pure. The way I wish life could be. I really think the author found her groove at a certain mark in this book and it was beautiful to see the story play out.

And don’t be fooled. This is pretty spicy. I give it 3 🌶️ out of 5.

I cannot wait for the next book. Seriously loved their story be set up for the next one.

Thank you so much Ila Sikorski for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. I feel so honored to have been able to read your first ever book.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love slow burns, second chances, friends to lovers, found family, and the kind of romance that aches in the best way, For the Hope of It All needs to be on your TBR.

Margot is one of those FMCs I root for with my whole heart, guarded but not closed off, independent but learning to lean on people. And Sawyer? Patient, soft, steady. Their chemistry and their banter is effortless, and the way they see each other had me fully unwell in the best way.

“She’s that first rush of cold when you get into the water on a hot summer day. She’s a song you haven’t heard in years but remember every lyric to, no matter how much time has passed. She’s spotting a doe with her babies, getting to peacefully watch them from a distance in a clearing. She’s the calm quiet in the early mornings.”

The cozy friendships, the small-town charm, the found family, all heart. And I devoured the last 20% like my life depended on it. The plot twist and HEA were everything.

If you’re a Swiftie, this book is basically august and invisible string in literary form.

“You just never know who is on the end of your invisible string, you know?”

Please add this to your TBR, and thank me later! 🫶🏼

[Vanessa Roy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first want to say thank you so so much to ila & the rest of her team for this amazing opportunity of being an ARC reader & getting to enjoy my time in merrymount a little early

This book was CUTE. Sawyer & Margot are everything. Merrymount is the coziest little town & I never want to leave. This book was a perfect little palate cleanser & one of those stories that got me excited about reading again. The writing style was simple & easy but far from boring. I laughed, I cried, & I can’t even count the number of times I was sitting there reading with the biggest smile on my face. There’s depth to all of the characters in a very realistic way & the development of Sawyer & Margot’s relationship felt really natural. It was so easy to love their love. Margot is so refreshingly relatable & her relationship with her mom is exactly what I want for my own daughter & me. Sawyer Hale is the man of my dreams. He has such a sweet, reassuring love & had me giggling & kicking my feet the whole time. This book is definitely going to be added to my regular rotation of comfort reads & I can’t wait for book 2

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
genre: small town romance
style: dual narrator
available on: kindle unlimited & paperback
you’ll love this book if you: love Disney & Star Wars references, small town stories, strong female friendships, found family, and relatable lead characters 💕

It’s fitting that my first book review on this page is by this incredible first-time author! I genuinely loved every minute of this book!

Margot moved to Merrymount to escape her life and job in the big city and runs into someone from her past that she hasn’t stopped thinking about. Sawyer has a lot of history in Merrymount, but he doesn’t expect the new resident next store to be part of his history. Is this fate? Is timing finally right for Margot and Sawyer?

I really appreciate that this book had twists but they weren’t there just for the sake of a WTF moment (which has been the case for many books I’ve read recent in this genre).

The characters were developed enough for me to really fall in love with them. I laughed, I sobbed, I screamed. I LOVED.

I am REALLY unhappy about waiting for Merrymount 2 to release in Winter 2025. I’m already thinking about what’s next for all of the characters. I need the sequel ASAP because I need to return to Merrymount!