A story of Harlem. A story of history. A story of love. A story of religion. A story of fate.
The Harlem Renaissance. 1928. A band leader. Ezra.
2024. New beginnings. An entrepreneur. Rickie.
Time is infinite? Time brings new things. Time brings loss. But what happens when your time stops but keeps moving at the same time. Ezra has lived a literal lifetime and has been trying to finish this one song that will seal his fate. Rickie is trying to find her self and her happiness out here in the Wilde. She relocates to Harlem where she keeps being drawn to a man. They keep meeting. Is it chemistry or is it fate?

This story is where the past meets the present so there can be a future. This is a story where culture, history, religion, and magic all reside in the same space. The characters are full, they each have their own story that brings them together in a way that is unbelievably Wilde but necessary. If I’m honest there were parts of the story that lagged and slowed down the pacing but overall all this is a great book. Read this story if you love historicals. Read this story if you love romance. Read this story if you believe in destined souls. Just read this book.




If you liked I Am Ayah by Donna Hill and/or Prior Affair by Christina C Jones then you’ll like this book.

I absolutely loved this book!! Ever since I read “Seven Days in June” a couple years ago, I have been obsessed with Tia Williams! This one was even more magical!! I loved Ricki and Ezra were so beautiful together! This book is told in alternating POV- Ricki, present day Harlem, and Ezra, 1920’s Harlem. I loved this because we got to see how everything happened and where all the magic came from! I also LOVED Ms. Della.. she was everything you could ever want in a grandma and she just melted my heart. This book made me cry more than once, in a good way. I loved it so much and the narrators did so great bring the characters to life! I will read anything Tia Williams writes.

The Age of Adaline and Fried Green Tomatoes meets the Harlem Renaissance in Tia Williams' latest romance novel. The novel is narrated by Ezra, a young musician from the segregated South who moves to 1920s Harlem, and Ricki, a young woman from Atlanta, who moves to Harlem in the present day to pursue her dreams.

I absolutely loved this book. For a brief time, I was able to temporarily leave 2024 behind and live during one of Black history's golden ages. Ezra's POV was written so vividly that I could easily picture the Harlem of a bygone era with its chic fashion, groundbreaking music, and cameos of future icons. However, Ezra grew up in a vastly different world than Ricki, and there were some parts from his POV that were hard to read.

Aside from the romance that's the focal point of this story, this was also about the love found in platonic relationships, and one of my favorite parts was the friendships Ricki strikes with a former child star and the elderly widow who imparts her wisdom on the younger women. It emphasizes that friendships shouldn't have any age limits.

The ending was a bit predictable, but I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. It's one that will definitely tug at heartstrings.

4.5 Stars
A Love Song for Ricki Wilde is so hard to explain without giving anything away. After hearing such good things about Seven Days in June (I haven’t had a chance to read it yet but will soon) I was so excited for this one! Williams is such a beautiful writer. I was shook but the plot twist in the middle but it made so much that happened at the beginning make way more sense. This was such a unique idea for a story. I really hope we get to see Tuesday’s story at some point because I loved her character!

Im so conflicted with this book. I loved the characters, I loved the two timelines but the big “twist” fell flat for me. In fact very early on I had it figured out, to the point that I just assumed I had skipped over the part where we got told. It was not surprising at all. However I’m still confused about the actual curse itself.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for this e-book copy!

Rating: 3.5 stars

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde is an enchanting story about the titular character as she branches out of her rich family to make a name for herself as a florist. A chance encounter with a stranger has Ricki wondering if she truly found her soulmate. Unfortunately, this stranger has a secret that Ricki could not anticipate, leaving her unsure of their future. I went into this story already a fan of Tia Williams and her writing. This was unlike her other works as I felt it was almost too unserious at times. I thought Ricki was very immature and it made it hard for me to root for her decisions. She does get better but it almost feels too late when she does. I loved Ezra and I think he is what saved the book for me. I kept hoping he would get his happy ending with Ricki. Outside of that, the side characters were great additions to the story and I loved how they supported Ricki. This is a good story and I believe it is worth the read. It isn't like Tia Williams's other novels which is what makes it unique but expect a different tone and storytelling.

This ended up being a Dnf. I tried to read this twice and finally have given. The writing of this one just wasn’t for me. The pacing was incredibly slow and I just could not get into this book.

Full disclosure: I’m obsessed with SEVEN DAYS IN JUNE. It’s one of my all time favorites, it’s the reason I found and joined bookstagram, it gave me the biggest book hangover I’ve ever had…so to say that A LOVE SONG FOR RICKI WILDE was one of my most anticipated books of the year is an understatement.

And that was a problem.

I expected a different version of SEVEN DAYS IN JUNE, so when I realized this was a completely different story I had to put it down because I refuse to put anything but respect on Tia Williams’ name. I knew I’d come back to it, but not until I could manage my expectations and I was in the mood for an all consuming love story.

So that’s what I did, and it was everything!

As I’ve come to expect from Tia Williams, the writing is beautiful and immersive — you couldn’t tell me I wasn’t strolling in Harlem, reliving the Renaissance, and admiring Ricki’s gorgeous bouquets and distinctive fashion choices. Every character, even those whose arcs are short-lived, is intentional. It feels like they have rich histories and entire lives off the page, which I love! And they — Tuesday and Ms. Della, especially — were some of my favorites parts of the story. There’s no filler, everything and everyone is purposeful.

Full disclosure (and not a spoiler unless you want to go in completely blind) unexpected magical realism doesn’t work for me at all. But here it felt like the seasoning on an exceptional dish. She wasn’t heavy handed and it perfectly complemented the themes rest of the story— found family, true love, and the bravery in being your authentic self… It made me smile, laugh (Tia is HILARIOUS!), tear up, and swoon.

I was completely swept up in the charm, beauty, and magic of this gorgeous story.

All the stars for Rickie Wilde.

What a spellbinding read! At the core this was a love story, but for me the magical realism and historical fiction elements were the best part of the book. I found myself enjoying the flashbacks of Ezra’s time during the Harlem Renaissance as well as his contributions to music over the years and wished for more of his timeline. I loved that Ricki Wilde was unapologetically herself and the wild child of her family. There were some great lessons in here about taking leaps in life and love.

𝗢𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 & 𝗧𝗶𝗱𝗯𝗶𝘁𝘀:
💙 Rashidaginarae are insufferable
💙 Tuesday is my Shirley Temple, sarcasm toting sprite animal.
💙 The B2K reference made me squeal, literally one of my favorite boy bands.
💙 Loved seeing her book worlds collide, she always manages to give us a quick update on previous book charries that we love.
💙 Everyone deserves a grandmother or grandmother like figure that can adorn them with important life lessons, funny stories, and comfort.

This book served as a reminder as to why I love Tia Williams and her books. She’ll remain on my all reads, no skips list forever.

This felt very different than the authors previous works, and at moments, very unrecognizable as coming from the same storytelling voice. It felt like there were a lot of inspiration ideas that were competing to space, instead of being woven together seamlessly.

I guess what I’m saying, is that I really struggled with this one. I restarted it twice and found it hard to stay engaged with the characters and story. Ricki didn’t feel like she grounded the story or moved it forward. She didn’t feel especially interesting or complex, despite my best efforts to want to love her story. She felt so passive in the story where I expected more vibrancy and emotion.

While the historical references and context of Harlem and New York was amazing and exciting, I felt that the main characters felt flat. I didn’t feel compelled to see how Ricki’s business would succeed and ultimately this lacked substance and emotional depth to make it feel like Ricki’s path was all that moving or impactful for her. She walks away from the family funeral empire and sisters that felt like Cinderella’s evil stepsisters, but so what? You never feel that she’s ever really at risk of failing, we don’t see her grit through obstacles and set backs to succeed because good things and help seem to fall her way time and again. So while some of this was definitely meant to weave in the supernatural aspects, ultimately it felt like it smoothed Ricki’s journey of complete independence in a way that prevented me from feeling a sense of accomplishment and pride at her work by the end.

The supernatural elements were fine but I felt they were more distracting than enriching to the story. It adds a whimsical, magical element that at times was charming and romantic, but ultimately felt like it wasn’t sure how much prominence it should have. It felt uneven in application and as a reader, I just didn’t know how much focus and weight to give it.

The romance really lacked the maturity and substance I’ve come to expect from the author and didn’t feel especially captivating. I didn’t feel the spark and chemistry come off the page or feel wowed by their encounters.

Overall, this sadly felt forgettable and a bit confused, despite bringing forth incredible historical knowledge and context that were fascinating.

I’m admittedly so disappointed from this book. Every aspect felt rushed and under-developed. I didn’t have any connections to the characters, and the historical/Perennial timeline was downright hokey. I’m glad others found this genre bending novel enjoyable, because Tia Williams deserves to be read (hence not going lower than 3 stars). But this one was not for me.

I love Tia Williams, I have even blocked a few people behind Seven Days In June. So when I heard she was coming out with a new Novel I made sure to preorder it. However, A Love Song For Ricki Wilde just did not live up to my expectations. First of all who names their daughter Richard ?!!!! I was so annoyed by this the whole book. I don’t care if she was supposed to be a boy, find another name.

In romance novels, I have to fall in love with the man. If I am not feeling the man, I’m not going to like the book. I think that this was the case here. It is hard to explain why I didn’t like him without spoiling the book but if you really want to know just DM me. I did like that this book was set in New York and my favorite character was Della.

Will this stop me from reading more Tia W in the future? Absolutely not.

If this is genre bending, I like it! A little bit of romance, a little bit of history, and a little bit of magical realism made for an exciting reading experience. And I’m so relieved, because even though I loved Seven Days in June, A Perfect Find was a big “no” for me. So I wasn’t sure how I would like another Tia Williams Book. Thankfully this one didn’t disappoint.

Starting the book off getting to know Ricki and her family was smart, as it instantly made me connect with and root for her from the beginning. I’m always glad to see romance novels add some depth to characters. Ricki is quirky, smart, and a little awkward, but she is also so funny and lovable especially compared to her family. I wanted more interactions with her family throughout the book because I’m not a huge fan of characters being introduced and then completely abandoned until the very end of the book. When her family came back I didn’t really feel like it added any value to the story. It was kind of annoying actually because it made the story meander for too long.

When she ventures off to New York to launch her business despite her family’s objections, we get a wonderful story with the beautiful backdrop of Harlem both in current day and during the renaissance era. The alternating timelines really worked in this book and made it feel like somewhat of a mystery for awhile which kept me turning the page. Tia Williams did a really good job of connecting the timelines and revealing a fated mates, swoon worthy love story.

I’m not going to lie, fated mates isn’t my favorite romance trope but it surprisingly really worked for me in this story. The way everything came together was done creatively and believably. The thing about fated mates and “insta love” is that you just kind of have to believe in the attraction. There’s no build up. You just have to believe in the magic of their fate. She even has a sort of “fated mates” story with a new best friend, Tuesday and an older lady named Della who she eventually adopts as “grandma.” I loved the depiction of all three of these relationships.

The best part of this book, in my opinion is the gorgeous scenes Tia paints with lush descriptions of colorful, flagrant flowers and the tidbits of Harlem history. I would love a book on just that honestly. There was just so much about this book that was lovely and interesting, but the pacing was a bit off for me. It lagged too much at certain points, especially the end. I felt myself saying ok let’s get on with it! lol.

That said, I still think you should believe the hype and pick this one up!

TW: mention of late term pregnancy loss, suicide, physical violence with the use of a weapon, death, cancer, grief

This book is GORGEOUS - and not just the amazing cover. There’s just something about the way that Tia Williams writes that I love. A Love Song for Ricki Wilde is not just a love story between Ricki and Ezra - it’s also a love letter to 1920’s Harlem. It’s beautiful, haunting at times, so sexy 🎹 at others, lyrical, and I could not give it up. I’d read ten more books about Ricki and Ezra. Plus, it’s the perfect Leap Year read. If you love a love story where the environment is basically an additional character, where magical realism plays a role, and where the writing is (as I mentioned before) gorgeous, this book is for you. 🪴

“For a long time, I thought I knew what my calling was. My grand purpose. But when I met Ricki, I knew I was wrong. I was a fool, thinking that I was born to do anything grander than loving her.”

I Received an advanced reading copy, receipt of which did not impact my review.

Included as a top pick in weekly February New Releases post, which highlights and promotes upcoming releases of the month (link attached)

So good!!! Dreamy and funny and mystical and perfect in every way. Do not read too much about this book because it's best to be surprised. There's an excellent flower shop and a lot of love for Harlem Renaissance history and a love story and it's excellent. That's all you need to know!

4.5 <3 Tia Williams’s writing is just so magical to me. Which made it all the more exciting that she delves into LITERAL magic in her latest novel, A Love Song For Ricki Wilde.

I really recommend going into this book as blindly as possible, because it made it so much fun to guess and hypothesize what was going on. But the basic premise is that you’re following 20something Ricki Wilde as she moves to Harlem, opens the flower shop of her dreams, and tries to make a life for herself away from her powerful and overbearing family back in Atlanta. Things seem to be going smoothly, until she meets a mysterious man who isn’t quite who he seems and ends up turning her life upside down over the course of one magical leap year February.

Listening to this audiobook was so transportive in the best way. It’s such a unique blend of romance, historical fiction, and mystery that I really just found myself swept away by both MCs storylines. I wasn’t at work- I was prowling the streets of 1920s Harlem with Breeze, or giggling and scheming along with Ricki and Tuesday in Ricki’s tiny little studio apartment. This book didn’t just play the movie in my head- it inserted me in it, and that’s the some of the highest praise a book can get, IMO.

After reading both this book and Seven Days in June, I am also just so in awe of Tia Williams as a romance author. I’m not a huge romance reader, but she really does it for me every time. Williams has such a knack for capturing Big Love, but not even just in the grand, sweeping romantic gestures. She reminds us that it’s the little mundanities, the thoughtfulness on behalf of your partner, the smallest, special little things that build the foundation of a relationship and really take your breath away. IDK maybe I’m just a dramatic romantic though. And the ending? Phenomenal. Stunning. Almost cried. No notes. The Seven Days in June easter eggs? I screamed. I LOVE.

My one qualm with this book is I wish there was more time spent building Ricki and Breeze’s relationship. It came on very suddenly and I wish there more cute flirting, more dates, more time falling in love rather than snapping straight from being strangers to being completely head over heels, desperately in love.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review! (I also purchased a copy of the audiobook for myself.) A Love Song For Ricki Wilde is out now and I highlyyyy recommend you pick it up because reading it during the February of a leap year was just so magical. <3

I’ve heard so much about Tia Williams, I was so excited when I got approved for the ARC! After reading this, what the heck have I been waiting for? I need all of her books pronto. A Love Song For Ricki Wilde filled a hole in romance books that I needed. It was a love song to Harlem, a love song to black love, a love song for the woman who is ready to take chances. I adored everything about this book.

Tia Williams’ writing is absolutely magical. The magical realism was written amazingly! It is filled with so much beautiful imagery and description that I felt like a person in the room. Every character held importance and helped with the evolution of the story. Every single character holds a spot in my heart. Especially Ricki! My girl! Ricki is so relatable, I felt overly protective of her. Every move she made in her life and with her flower shop, I was soo proud of her. True Black Girl Magic, Boss B*tch Mentality. Ricki is truly inspirational.

And my goodness, my goodness. Ezra! I wish you could see the hearts in my eyes. Ezra is the epitome of tall, dark, handsome, mysterious stranger. The love he has for Ricki was the definition of fated mates. He was so romantic and even when he tried to push Ricki away, he was never hurtful towards her. And when you learn his story, it is heartbreaking but so lovely.

But what I loved most about this story was how Harlem and its history was also the main character. I’ve always loved the story of the Harlem Renaissance and the foundation it created for our community in the arts, politics, etc. You fall in love with that time and lifestyle that once the book ended, I missed it. It was like having nostalgia for a place and time you have never seen or been to.

If you are a fan of Adrienne Young, you will love Tia Williams. Not because of the magical realism, but their writing just…sparkles. I kind of wish they knew each other and were besties because these two goddesses are the future of magical realism/fantasy. Tia Williams has my wallet from here on out, so thank you NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC of this amazing book!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for this advance copy of A Love Song for Ricki Wilde in exchange for this honest review.

Tia Williams has one of the most amazing styles of writing, and she absolutely knows how to pull those emotions from a reader. This one is so unique and follows Ricki, as she attempts to break free from her family and their expectations and follow her dreams, and she meets quite a few enjoyable characters on the way. Ms. Della was such a treat, and Ezra steals your heart with his subtle grump and sarcasm before letting down that exterior. This one didn’t sucker punch me and have me sobbing ugly tears like Seven Days in June did, but I definitely am a Williams fan and will pick up anything she writes!

Thank you again to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC - A Love Song for Ricki Wilde is out now!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Romance/Magical Realism/Historical Fiction
Format: 📖 thank you so much to Grand Central Pub for my #gifted ARC!
Read if you like: a mixing of genres in the most glorious way // THE INVISIBLE LIFE OF ADDIE LARUE // the harlem renaissance // fated lovers

This is a Tia Williams fan page at this point. She can do no wrong. NONE! 👏🏼

This is now the third book that I have read, loved, and devoured by Williams that I have rated 5 GLORIOUS STARS! Her writing is spectacular. I could gush and gush about it. There is heart and emotion and humor and realness and will make you feel so many things. She creates fully flushed out characters.

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde takes place during February of a leap year, so how cool that it comes out in February of a leap year.

I obviously loved this book so much (so much so that I went and bought a physical copy immediately) but here’s what I loved and why I loved it -

💫 The mixing of genres is done so well in this. You have a steamy romance, some magical realism, and historical fiction and not one of them doesn’t feel fully executed.
💫 Ricki’s take on life is SO REFRESHING! She may be struggling and the black sheep of her family, but she has a way at looking at everything with eyes that can see hope and promise in the most mundane things.
💫 Ms. Della is a national treasure.
💫 The connection and chemistry in the romance.
💫 Harlem as a setting and the rich history that comes with it.

This was just a 10/10 reading experience. I loved every single second and oh how much I would love to visit Ricki’s flower shop in New York!!!