Long Story Short

Merrymount #3

by Ila Sikorski

Daisy Stiles and August Burton hate each other. That’s a fact truer than the sky being blue.

But when their very best friends announce they’re having twins, and ask Gus and Daisy to be the godparents to one, the two quickly realize they’re going to have to put aside their differences once and for all.

Or at least, they’re going to try while attempting to dodge and outrun their tangled, messy history that keeps creeping up on them.

We head back to Merrymount for a third time with August and Daisy in this small town, spicy, enemies to lovers romance.

411 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 18, 2025

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

[Kim Swizz · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are no words. This story is beauty and pain and grace and sorrow and perfect.

You can find me staring at a wall and crying. My heart is in Merrymount.

Ila, you are a goddess.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

“To make a long story short… Everything we survived—the good, bad, messy, chaotic… All of it was worth it for this.”

Omg have I been waiting for August and Daisy’s story since the minute we met them in book one. They were such a hate to love story, but their story also started back when they were in HS, and it was so special seeing how they came to be. Their story wasn’t all rainbows and sunshine, it was hard af. But every single storm they weathered brought them closer together and helped them figure out what life was going to look like for them.

A beautifully woven tale of emotion, strength, resilience, found family, and choosing each other even when things get hard. I loved them so much! Seeing all they had to go through made their happily ever after feel so much more meaningful. I was grinning ear to ear with every cameo we got from all of our favorite Merrymounters and couples. The found family trope is strong in this series, but this book really highlights how truly special this town and this group of people are.

I’m so sad to be saying goodbye to Merrymount, but this fictional town will always remain one of my happy places.

If you’re a small town romance lover please pick up this series and prepare to fall in love with it all!

Some of my favorite quotes:

“You feel like fucking heaven. And I can’t understand it, because you’ve always been the devil.”

“Gus looks so out of place in the city, and yet at the same time, he looks so perfectly mine. It’s a possessive feeling I long ago lost, now found wound tightly back up in my heart.”

“I’ve loved him ever since that first day I laid eyes on him. I was his, and he was mine. That was that.”

“the weaver in the sky did her very best work the day we found each other. She made sure the end of my string found his and tied them together in a knot so tight she knew we’d never be able to fully untangle it.”

“Because long story short, I love August Burton. And I know he loves me too.”

“Wherever you and the stars are. That’s my home, August.”

“I loved you then. I loved you when I hated you. And I love you even more now.”

“I want them to know we found each other in the middle of a mess, made a mess of our own, and then worked to clean it all up. Together.”

[Nicole Tetreault · Rating 5 out of 5]

First & foremost, a big ole thank you to Ila & her team for once again giving me the opportunity to come back to Merrymount a little early. Never have I ever loved a fictional place like I do this one. I genuinely don’t know what to do with myself now. I had a feeling going into Long Story Short that it was gonna be my favorite in the series, and it absolutely is. I’m such a sucker for enemies to lovers, but this just hit different. It’s so raw and real. August is genuinely one of my favorite MMCs of all time, even after his outburst and very poor crisis management. And Daisy is such a badass inspiration of a woman. I love the way this book made it so normal to be afraid and hesitant to take the leap of managing mental health while showing how life changing and important it is. This story is so raw and real. It made me feel every emotion under the sun and I’m actually lowkey embarrassed by the way I was sobbing at the end. I love how the past Merrymount MCs continue to have such a big part in this book, and watching them all grow together has brought me so much joy. The writing style feels so effortless and laid back, it makes you feel like you’re right there with them, a part of their little family. If you’re a small town romance fan, go read this entire series immediately I promise you won’t regret it! 🩷

[tiff rasberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

thank the goddesses i read this on my kindle because the amount of times i threw it around i would’ve definitely destroyed the spine. (this is what a case & screen protector are for)

the third & final installment of the Merrymount series is a heart-ripper i’ll tell you that right off the bat. it’s messy and complicated but every aspect of the story feels authentic. Daisy & Gus define every aspect of wrong time wrong mental space. it’s takes a lot of time + patience for them to truly find one another again.

THIS IS SPICYYYYY in the kicking my feet squealing type of spice. August has a very dirty mouth & he sure does love to use it!!! also who doesn’t love a slutty mustache!?

there are very sensitive topics discussed throughout the story & i highly recommend if your someone who needs a trigger warning to look into them first!

honestly this solidified gus & beth being my favorite characters

thank you forever & always to the author, ila sikorski ,for an eARC copy of LONG STORY SHORT (pub day Nov. 18) in exchange for my honest review!!

[Allison Salamone · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️ and 4🌶️!! What an absolute honor to read this ARC of “Long Story Short”, the third book of the Merrymount Series from Ila Sikorski. Thank you Ila and team for allowing me to read this ARC. This series has had my whole heart and I was so ecstatic to read Daisy and Augusts story. I was so drawn to them since book one, and Ila holds NOTHING back.

While heavier than the previous two stories, Daisy and August’s journey to each other and to becoming the best versions of themselves was both heartbreaking and inspiring. I do recommend reading the authors note prior to starting this book.

Oh and we can’t forget the spice. Ila makes sure that it hot and heavy and I am HERE for it. I loved this book, this whole series and while I’m sad it’s at an end, I’m so happy to have experienced it all.

“Long Story Short” releases on 11/18/2025.

[Colleen Giuffrida · Rating 5 out of 5]

Back to Merrymount we go! Ila starts off with a very serious Author’s note that had me choking back tears before I even got to chapter 1. Long Story Short brings us back to that little town we love, now following Daisy and Gus. Honestly? I never paid them much attention in the previous books. I’m so glad they got their own moment. Two people, coming with their own baggage, trying to be civil within their friend group, but we all know how that can go. This was SPICY spicy at parts, heartbreaking at others, but overall a book that made me want to smile. Resilience through even the lowest and hardest parts of life that no one should experience.
Major thank you to Ila for, yet again, letting me join your ARC team and allowing me an early sneak peak into Gus and Daisy’s lives.

[Emily Swidock · Rating 5 out of 5]

*eARC review* I can’t explain the amount of heart and soul that jumps off the pages of Ila’s books, and Long Story Short is no exception. There are truly no words to describe how incredibly raw and real Ila writes her characters. She is a force to be reckoned with and deserves her flowers with this book. What a way to say ‘see you later’ to Merrymount 💛

[Hannah Lazo · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Merrymount series will always hold a special place in my heart. It’s a very cutesy love story that intertwines real life experiences into it. Ila does an incredible job building the small town and its characters!

[magicallyaimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid small town romance! The perfect way to wrap up the Merrymount trilogy but I hope it’s not the last we hear from these loveable characters. I was so happy when they went on a camping trip to another author’s book hometown. Universe crossing?! I’m here for it!

Enemies to lovers isn’t my favorite trope but I’m happy with how it ended. I had a hard time understanding why exactly Daisy and August stopped being friends in high school and hated each other for all these years. The flashbacks were helpful but I must have missed something.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

did I finish long story short? or did it finish me?
so many highlights. so many thoughts. so many emotions. & trust me I'll be sharing all
all of my thoughts but to put it simply (for now)...
I ADORE THIS BOOK!

[Callie · Rating 4 out of 5]

August and Daisy are my new favorite Merrymount couple! This book was a beautiful journey and I loved every bit of it!

[Stephanie Brumlop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Long Story Short by Ila Sikorski 💐

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Before I start my review I want to say Daisy Stiles will never have to sit alone anymore, I’m sorry the world failed you Darling. 🥺❤️

I have no words but I’m going to try god this was amazing. The banter, the chemistry, and the stakes! It truly comes in flashbacks (and echoes😉) if you love small town romances with spice you’re going to love these two! I’m already obsessed with this series so seeing more of my favorite characters fall in love and truly dig into who they are and what they have been through was chefs kiss! August and Daisy were truly inspiring, did they make mistakes? Yes. Did they own up to there mistakes and try and fix them at the end? Also yes. These two were perfectly raw and real. I loved the fluffy moments of just living life (the tent scenes and girl nights) but I also loved the scary parts of putting your trust into someone❤️ August as much as he tried to have an I don’t care attitude he very much cared for her and was fully committed before he even processed it. He slowly started warming Daisy’s heart up and she was able to trust and confine in him. Which ultimately let her finally realize what was there all along. Just the growth of these two was truly an honor to witness❤️ I also really loved the push and pull between them in the first half it was so good!! Lastly I want to add Ila did an amazing job building these characters background and inviting the family dynamics both good and bad onto the page! She did this all while also diving deeper into real life trauma without making it feel like it was taking away from the story. Which it did quite the opposite actually because it was all part of the characters story which made me love and appreciate them even more!! 😭❤️ just fabulous ILYSM and I love them so much!!

Thank you so much Ila Sikorski for this eArc forever grateful for this opportunity!❤️

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited to dive into Long Story Short, and it absolutely delivered. From the very first page, Daisy and Gus’s story had me hooked. I loved reading Daisy’s journal entries—they gave such personality and depth to her character—and it was impossible not to see how much Gus cared for her, even if he wasn���t ready to admit it at first. Melanie and Beth continued to be standout side characters, providing laughs, support, and some of the best moments in the book. On the other hand, I did not like Daisy’s parents at all, which only made me root for Daisy and Gus even harder.

I love Ila Sikorski’s writing so much it just feels so real. Her words read like a conversation you might have with a friend—honest, witty, and layered with emotion. She captures all the little nuances of relationships, family dynamics, and small-town life in a way that makes Merrymount feel like home. You laugh, you cry, you sigh, and you cheer—it’s all right there on the page.

This book had me making so many reader noises along the way. I laughed at some of the banter, groaned at awkward moments, and sobbed at points that hit right in the heart. The tension between Daisy and Gus is perfect: enemies-to-lovers done just right, with a “one-time thing” setup that slowly melts into something deeper. The dual timeline and dual POV allow you to see both perspectives, making every emotional beat land even harder. By the last six chapters, I was grinning from ear to ear—those moments made me even happier than the rest of the book combined.

The small-town, found-family vibes are so strong here. Merrymount is cozy, lived-in, and full of warmth, while the friends and family who orbit Daisy and Gus’s world make the stakes, the humor, and the romance feel even more real. Sprinkle in a little spice and some heartfelt confessions, and you have a story that will make you laugh, cry, and feel all the emotions in between.

Spice (for readers who want to know): 4, 12, 15, 20, 39, 41

Long Story Short is a laugh-out-loud, swoony, emotional, and utterly satisfying romance that makes you want to curl up with a cozy blanket, a cup of coffee, and Merrymount in your heart.

[Vanessa Roy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Special thank you to ila & her team for once again welcoming me back to Merrymount a little early for the 3rd & final time (or is it??????? 👀). This little town & all of its inhabitants have become so important to me & it’s been so fun learning their journeys & watching them grow over these 3 books. I miss them already & I know there will be multiple rereads in my future.

All of that being said, I have been waiting for Gus & Daisy’s story since we first met them in book 1. I found myself relating to Daisy in a lot of ways & (sorry to my husband but) Gus is the love of my life. We know going into LSS that both of these MCs obviously have their flaws & their issues with one another & it was nice to finally get the backstory to understand their trauma & what led them to where they are today. I loved every word of this book & I cried sad & happy tears more than I’d like to admit. The themes of this book are definitely a little bit darker than the first 2 but it was still a light read that had me hooked from the first page (& then had me even more invested by chapter 4, iykyk). I love that the previous couples still played huge roles in this book & we still learned more about them even though they weren’t the main focus of the story. Found family is by far one of my favorite tropes & ila does such a good job making you feel like you’re part of their little family too

[Kay Hersh · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review

Long Story Short
by Ila Sikorski
Releases: November 18th, 2025

4.75⭐️

“To make a long story short…Everything we survived—the good, bad, messy, chaotic…All of it was worth it for this.”

Gus & Daisy are officially my favorite Merrymount couple. I DEVOURED this book in less than 24 hours - I really could not put it down. Both of their backstories had me feeling all kinds of feels - good, bad, messy, chaotic. There are some heavy topics and I feel like they were handled so well and with so much care, beautifully done. The emotional heaviness was balanced with so much good banter, spice, and a lotta love.

And I’ve said it before, the found family in Merrymount is my absolute favorite thing about this series. The way Margot & Sawyer, Red & Miller, and Gus & Daisy continuously support, show up, encourage and love each other throughout the series is amazing. And I especially love it for Gus and Daisy who each came from crappy families and were able to choose a family that lovesthem unconditionally and accepts them for who they are.

I really do recommend this series - it’s definitely become a favorite of mine!

Thank you Ila and team for the opportunity to read this ARC.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet (for now) conclusion to the Merrymount series and I really do feel like Ila wore her heart on her sleeve for this one. It was messy, chaotic, human and dealt with some heavy topics (please look at the trigger warnings of SA and abuse).

I can’t say Daisy and Gus stood out to me from the beginning but they definitely caught my attention in this book. While it took me a while to fully get invested in their story, I’m so happy I rode out the wave to give them a chance. Somewhat high school sweethearts who become friends then enemies then lovers, it’s a whirlwind of emotions all around. They get there eventually with lots of growth and working on themselves though. It gets a bit spicy so I give it 3 🌶️ out of 5.

It was wonderful to see the other Merrymounters and how the small town comes together for their own. What did make me sad was Daisy’s past. A true and fierce survivor. Just so mad at her parents who didn’t believe her. 😭 I love her relationship with her brothers and it made me happy that Gus became a wonderful father figure to them.

Thank you so much Ila for the ARC in exchange of an honest review. It’s been such a joy to see you grow as a writer and I can’t wait to see where you take us to next!

[Adriana Serrano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daisy and Gus!!!

I was so excited to finally get these characters stories! Enemies to lovers is such a fun trope to read about and Ila nailed it. There was so much hate and tension swirling in the previous two books that we had enough fuel for this book. Getting insight to Daisy's life was needed. She is a survivor. She is strong. She is the epitome of an eldest daughter. Thank to Ila for creating Daisy for us to connect to. I cried so much.

Gus. Gussy. August. What a Merrymount Man!! I wish we would have gotten more of his story like we did in Daisy's diary entries. We got to see it every time he worried he said the wrong thing or thought he messed something up. Nevertheless, it was so touching how he always respected all of Daisy's boundaries. Whether it was always giving her a choice or waiting for her to initiate physical contact, even making sure he always got verbal consent because of her past.

Please read the trigger warnings before starting this amazing story. I'm so sad to be leaving this series that I've held so close to my heart. All the characters have wiggled their ways into my heart forever.

[Cristina Venturini · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an ARC review of this book, releasing in November.

It was pure delight to escape back into Merrymount. I had anticipated Getting to read Gus and Daisy's story for a while because I love an enemies-to-lovers story. I suppose this is really a friends, to enemies, to lovers journey. Getting to explore their history and as each of these characters went through their own journey was great. I enjoyed the growth each of them experienced and I think readers will be happy with how this series closes out.

No spoilers: there is one major plot point that was just not for me and I can't really get past. This is the reason for my .5 star deduction.

This is a 4.5 read for me and the best one in the series! Can't wait until this book is out.

[Kristyn LaFrance · Rating 5 out of 5]

💛 ARC Review 💛

Oh my goodness, where do I even begin?? Daisy Stiles is a soul character for me. She ripped a little hole in my heart and burrowed her way in there, and that’s where she will live now. Ila wrote a story for the survivors to show us that things can and will get better. We will all find the love we deserve in this lifetime, someone who won’t ask us to drop our baggage and forget about it, but someone who will help us carry it all, even when we don’t want to admit we need help. Long Story Short brought me to tears, made me kick my feet and giggle, and made me blush (August Burton is my kind of man 🥵). Definitely another five star read by Ila!

I’m so grateful I received an ARC of this book! It was a truly beautiful finale (maybe?) to the Merrymount series, and while I can’t wait to read Ila’s next work, these books will all hold a special place in my heart 💚🩷💛

[Cindi C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Back to Merrymount! Daisy and Gus’s story is beautifully, achingly messy. Two hearts stumbling through the dark, still reaching for each other even when it hurts. I loved seeing the development of the former characters woven in so naturally, giving the whole story a lived-in warmth.

And while the book touches on heavier topics, it never feels like the author wants you to sit in sadness or pity. Instead, Ila writes with such intention that what you feel most is hope,quiet, steady, and full of new beginnings. Loved it!

[Sami Dalton · Rating 5 out of 5]

The long awaited Gus and Daisy story!! After following the tension between them as side characters in the first two books, seeing them grow individually and together in book three was so satisfying. The love, support, banter made their story so relatable. The way Gus not only cared for Daisy, but Chase and Hunter as well melted my heart. It’s so hard to choose your favorite characters, everyone in the series is so well written and dynamic. Everyone needs to go to Merrymount!

[Kaley Witenstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review - this book is just absolute perfection. I’ve said it with FTHOIA and Daylight, these characters feel like parts of me. Daisy & Gus are two “broken” characters feeling unworthy of love, I think readers can relate to that feeling at some point in their lives. The growth these two characters undergo, both separately and together, is one of the most beautiful things I’ve experienced while reading.

I loved this book, I loved these characters. Ila really delivered with this one.

[Des Velazquez · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great finish to the series. Loved getting to see Gus & Daisy in a new light and learn more about them. I related to Daisy and all her hardships, that it made me emotional at times. Gus upset me at times but I can understand they both went through serious trauma and hadn’t dealt or faced them before which is why he did what he did.

Overall a great series with love & spice & friendships in a cute cozy town I wish I could visit irl.

[Jessread.thepaige · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ I absolutely loved being back in Merrymount and I have been waiting for Gus and Daisy’s story!! This was so so so good and my favorite of the three! It’s definitely the heaviest emotionally but I loved diving into both Gus and Daisy’s backstories and seeing them grow into incredible people. Definitely check trigger and content warnings before reading though!!

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

BEST. BOOK. OF. THE. SERIES.
When I tell you I have been waiting for Gus and Daisy's story from the minute I was introduced to them in For The Hope of It All. There’s so much more to them and I loved learning every single thing. Their chemistry and banter is 🔥🔥🔥
I love that this book covers so many emotions and deals with real and raw issues.
Do yourself a favor and go read this NOW!

[Rachel Newland · Rating 5 out of 5]

yes yes yes absolutely yes - everything about this book was amazing. taking another trip in Merrymount was everything I needed and more. Ila you are so very talented and I absolutely LOVE reading your books

[Kylie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel honored that I got to read Long Story Short as an ARC reader! Daisy and Gus’s story is one I know I will come back to read again and again. I can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy in November!

[Amber Morales · Rating 5 out of 5]

thank you for the arc!! this was truly one of the most beautiful stories i’ve ever had the pleasure of reading. i felt every single emotion, and i didn’t want it to end. i don’t think i will everrrr be over this series and how amazing it is!! 💛🫶🏼🥹

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two broken people with broken pasts learning how to love each other by loving themselves enough to break the cycles of abuse and shame in their stories is exactly my kind of book.

Daisy and August are my everything.

Thank you to Ila Sikorski for an eARC of this book!

[Felicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great trip to Merrymount via LSS ARC edition. Ila’s writing has developed so much I (again) couldn’t put this one down. Taking on some challenging topics and the character growth is incredible. I wish I could reread it for the first time again, a great read.