A Love Song for Ricki Wilde is unlike any other novel I've ever read! I don't typically read a lot of magical romances, but I completely trusted Tia Williams because I was blown away by her previous novel Seven Days In June. Ricki Wilde is very different from SDIJ, so just be aware of that going in.

There are two timelines in this book, and I far preferred the modern timeline. It's so clever how the book takes place in February 2024, the same month of the book's release. In the older timeline, I learned a lot about Harlem and the Harlem Renaissance. Williams did an incredible job describing Harlem as almost like a ghost town where you can see its cultural past through the facades of buildings, even to this day.

For me, though, the plot of the book really started to sing and groove when the two timelines merged and the secrets, stakes, and motivations were more fully revealed to the protagonist and to the reader. As an added bonus, this book is really funny in parts. Some of Ricki's one-liners cracked me up!

So while this book wasn't exactly what I expected, I think it's worth checking out if you like smart romances with a magical twist.

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde is a very unique story mixing magic and romance against the backdrop of both 1920 and 2024 Harlem. William’s writing is beautiful and lush. She excels at prose that is both heartwarming and humorous. My favorite parts of the story were the flashbacks to 1920’s Harlem which prompted me to further explore historical events mentioned within the chapters. There is an excellent found family component and I adored the side characters Tuesday and Ms. Della. The love story between Ricki and Ezra was too insta-love for my personal taste and is difficult to expand on the particulars without spoiling major plot points. I found the pacing to be inconsistent but overall this is a fun and clever read.

Thank you Grand Central Publishing and Netgalley for the eARC.

I’m not crying, you’re crying.

This was my first book by Tia Williams and to be honest, I book-edged the story for a while as I knew it was going to be so, so good. So I took my time and only read a few chapters at a time, allowing me to savor the lyrical nature of this story, as well as taking time to absorb the history and culture from the Harlem Renaissance. The way Tia balanced history, contemporary, and magical realism (admittedly a subgenre I do not always gravitate toward) was spectacular, and the romance between Ezra and Ricki felt so real and inevitable.

I buddy-read with a few friends, and we all agreed it is best to go in with no expectations and just allow yourself to be lost in the story. This will be among my top reads in 2024.

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde is so much- a contemporary romance novel, a historical fiction novel, a novel involving magical realism and so much more. Ricki Wilde is the youngest daughter of Richard Wilde, the owner of Wilde Funeral Homes in Atlanta, Georgia. She beats to her own drum and wants nothing to do with the family funeral business, unlike her three uppity sisters. Ricki wants to follow her own path and moves to New York City to open a flower shop.
I loved the way the author depicted the main characters, Ricki, Ezra, Tuesday and especially Miss Della. These are such likable characters with such depth to them. The relationship between Ricki and Ezra is undeniably rich and filled with such affection. Miss Della becomes a “grandmother” to Ricki and provides her with the family support she needs when she can’t receive any from her own family. Tuesday is the best friend to Ricki who pushes her to reach her goals.
This story is built around February 29, a leap year, that occurs every 4 years. Magical realism comes into play when Ezra encounters Ricki in a community garden. While Ezra tries to avoid Ricki (for reasons unknown at that time), their paths keep crossing. The mystery around Ezra begins to unravel.
I especially enjoyed the history of Harlem in the 1920’s, the music, the musicians from the early days that formed the rich culture of the area.
I usually shy away from magical realism, but I absolutely fell in love with this book. It does contain two different time lines, the 1920’s and the current time, and is very easy to go back and forth between the two. There are a lot of surprises that will keep your interest until the very end. Days later, I am still thinking of this book and the characters. I did not want the book to end!

Thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review. Published February 6, 2024.

I have never read a book like this before and now I need every book I read to be like this. A Love Song for Ricki Wilde was one of the most romantic, unique and magical stories I have ever read. I truly never wanted this book to end. Tia Williams created one of the most heart wrenching stories I have read in a long time and it instantly became a favorite. Ricki WIlde is eccentric and bright and I wanted the world for her. The side characters in this book were well thought out and brought me so much joy. And Ezra?! One of the best fictional men ever. He was everything to me and I just cannot say enough good things.

Thank you #netgalley for an arc of this title in exchange for my honest review. All options are my own.

I didn't finish this book but read enough to have an opinion.

I started this as ARC but just couldn't get into around 23% so I wanted to until the audiobook came out which I was able to get farther. I was okay with the flashback from the 1920s to 2024 however somewhere along the way it just switched to 2024 and stayed there for MMC. This book is for someone just not me.

As Ricki Wilde puts it: “Every fourth february, things get weird.” There’s a touch of magic to this story, and the magic has to do with leap years: that’s when the rules of reality bend. This story combines romance, found family, intergenerational friendships, and a central love story—plus that touch of magic. Delightful.

You know a book is good when the characters live rent-free in your head months after you've finished reading. Such is the case for Tia Williams' new release titled A Love Song for Ricki Wilde.

The nontraditional love story—set in both modern Harlem and the Renaissance era of the 1920s—held my attention from the synopsis to the last word. Ricki Wilde is the artistic impulsive daughter of the Wilde family. Her two sisters are well established socialites whereas Ricki beats to her own drum.

When 90-something-year-old Ms. Della invites her to rent the bottom level of her Harlem brownstone, Ricki jumps at the chance to leave Atlanta for a fresh beginning. It is there she realizes her dream of opening a flower shop. One evening, Ricki crosses paths with a handsome, mysterious musician that makes her swoon in the most unexpected way.

Bookhearts, I dare not say more because this is a well written story that you have to read to experience. Just know that it takes hold of your imagination and doesn't let go until you're tenderly holding the book in your arms with a satisfied smile on your face.

Tia Williams takes you on a magical journey with her engaging writing, heartfelt dialogue and deep characters. Need I say more? Add to your TBR now! Put on a pot of collard greens, play some Louis Armstrong or classic jazz and get ready for a wild ride. This new historical fiction romance has already claimed a spot as one of my top reads for 2024!

Happy Pub Day, Tia Williams! A Love Song for Ricki Wilde is now available.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie

What a delightful, bonkers, bananas book! the magical realism was a fun departure from Tia Williams’ past work but I really enjoyed the story and the quirky cast of characters.

Love how Tia writes, always pulled right into the story from page one! She writes such fleshed out characters that I often forget, while reading, that it’s fiction and not a real story about real people!

This story was so unique and different from Seven Days, but I loved it for all it was!

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde is a beautiful love story. I loved the main character Ricki and I loved that she was the odd one out in her family. I'm glad that she lives her life the way she wants to and I could totally see myself consignment shopping for clothes with her. This story had so many elements of a fairy tale with a twist of magical realism and I was here for it. I picked up that Breeze was the Garden Gentlemen pretty early on, but didn't see how he was in present day with Ricki until it was told to us. Their love story was a great one and I loved learning about Harlem throughout the book. The only thing stopping me from giving this five stars is that I felt like it dragged a bit in the middle. I was more interested in the story at the beginning and end, not so much the middle. Also, I would love a Ms. D is my life. She was such a good "grandmother" to Ricki!

Thanks for the advanced copy! I can't wait to recommend this to my friends and family.

This was such a special, magical book. Tia Williams just knows how to write the most enchanting stories. The dual timeline was so beautifully done. I kept me guessing the whole way through. Another instant classic.

I am so excited to see what Tia Williams does with her writing. Seven Days in June was beautiful but sometimes very heavy, and this novel is in the same universe, but it's much lighter and more whimsical. She writes the romances I want to read, with rich characterization, evocative settings, a fun blend of real and fictional pop culture, and writing that sings.

It took me a few days to share this post because I was struggling to find the words that would do this story justice. I’m still not sure I can do it, but I’m going to try.

Ricki Wilde is the youngest daughter in a family of overachievers. She refuses to fall in line and play by the rules, choosing to pursue her dream of opening a flower shop rather than join the family funeral home business. She meets Ms. Della, a 96 year old widow who becomes somewhat of a fairy godmother to Ricki, offering her the ground floor of Della’s Harlem brownstone to open her shop.

Ricki falls in love with Harlem, seeing rich history everywhere she looks. When her shop initially struggles, Ricki starts leaving her floral arrangements at the site of famous Harlem landmarks, which garners her media attention and helps her brand to grow. On one of her neighborhood adventures, she encounters a mysterious stranger - a handsome man who flees when she notices him.

The story alternates with Ricki’s story in modern-day Harlem, and the perspective of Ezra “Breeze” Walker, a pianist who flees Jim Crow south to seek fame as a jazz musician during the Harlem Renaissance. We come to realize that Breeze is in fact Ricki’s mystery man - but how is that possible?

This is magical realism at its finest - the romance between Ricki and Breeze crackles with intensity and it’s perfectly plausible to believe that their connection would transcend time. I won’t say more about their story for fear of spoiling the story, but trust me: this is a pairing that will stay with you long after you’ve finished the book.

Tia Williams crafts characters that you can’t help but fall in love with. As much as I enjoyed meeting Ricki and Breeze, I also treasured the generous and strong Ms. Della, tackling her widower bucket list after losing her soulmate. And we should all have a Tuesday in our lives - Tuesday is a former child star who blows into Ricki’s life like a hurricane and who adds humor to her every scene.

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde is available now - and if you haven’t already added it to your TBR, what are you waiting for?!

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde was a great way to be introduced to Tia Williams as an author. This story has hope, love, and a sprinkling of history. The book plays on the theme of February 29th, which is especially relevant in 2024. Ricki, the main character, moves to Harlem to open a flower shop in the brownstone Ms. Della offers her. Throughout the story, we learn more about Ms. Della and Ricki, and how their stories are intertwined. This was an entertaining read, with a little bit of magical realism, while still being grounded and captivating.

Short synopsis: Rickie goes against her familial expectations and decides to move to Harlem NY to open a flower shop. She runs into Ezra, everywhere and they can’t decide if fate is bribing them together.

My thoughts: I was immediately drawn to this book based on the cover alone. The blues and purples are stunning. I wanted to love this one. In fact, I absolutely adored the first half.

Watching Rickie do brave things, defying expectations and following her dreams! I really enjoyed the relationship between Rickie and Della, (I’m such a fool for friendships with old people) and Rickie and Ezra was so sweet and tender.

At about 65% the whole book just changed for me as the magical realism jumped in. I’m normally a fan of magical realism, but this just didn’t work for me. Seemed a little too forced. It felt like two completely different stories between the first and second half of the book. I know there has been so much love for this book, so I’m sure I’m in the minority here.

Read if you love:
- Fated romances
- Pianos and music
- Magical realism
- Following your dreams
- Found family, and friendships with elderly

This modern day love story with a twist was well written a s witty, charming and thought provoking. However, I am not a fan of magical realism so it wasn’t my cup of tea. For those who are more willing to let go and let their imagination run wild, I would recommend this book.

A LOVE SONG FOR RICKI WILDE review

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5

🪻Talk about a right book/right time!!! This book was so so good and I feel like I read it at the perfect time?! Stop what you’re doing and go add this to your library holds asap so you can read it before Leap Day!! 🥹

🪻Here’s a summary of the plot:👇
Ricki has never been interested in taking over her family’s business and running her own funeral home. After a chance encounter with 96-year-old Della, Ricki is given the opportunity to move to Harlem and finally open her own flower shop. She’s immediately enchanted with Harlem and learning about the Harlem Renaissance. When she sees a handsome stranger while enjoying the wonders of Harlem, her life is changed forever.

🪻I’ll be honest, I had a hard time getting into this one at first. It’s a mix of so many genres: romance, magical realism, historical fiction. All the different genres had me a biiit confused at first but once I was invested in the story I couldn’t stop reading it! I listened to the audiobook and I highly recommend! The narration was so well done and I truly felt like I was there!

🪻The cameo appearances of some of the characters from Seven Days in June made me so happy. 🥰 While I was pretty sure I knew how this book would end, I still cried like a baby. 😭 This book is the perfect book to read during February of a Leap Year!! Add it to your tbr asap and thank me later!!

🪻Huge thank you to @grandcentralpub and @hachetteaudio for my advanced copies! A LOVE SONG FOR RICKI WILDE is available now!

Written to coincide with 2024's leap year, Tia Williams new romance novel, A Love Song for Ricki Wilde, revolves around February 29, injecting some mysticism into this bonus day of the year. A love story that spans the ages, a voodoo curse, and an untimely end via February 29 all await you in this saccharine tale of unlikely soulmates.

Ricki Wilde is her prominent Atlanta family's black sheep. Setting off to Harlem to pursue her dream of opening a florist's shop, she rents the room of a nonagenarian - Ms. Della - who becomes one of her closest friends and confidantes. As Ricki struggles to get her flower business to bloom, she learns about the historically significant black neighborhood that she now calls home.

Meanwhile, back in the roaring 20s, Ezra tickles the ivories, tantalizing club goers with his songs during the Harlem Renaissance. Somehow, inextricably, he becomes tied up in the life of the one and only Ricki Wilde. As their love story unfolds over the pages of this novel, only one thing is certain - nothing lasts forever, even when love is meant to be ... unless, that is, you are immortal. But even then, death all too often comes knocking at your door.

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde is a romance tied up in historical significance and magical realism. A slow-burning love story, this novel deftly intermingles the atmospheric energy of the Harlem Renaissance with modern times, infusing history with the tale of two star-crossed lovers, forever destined to meet. Tia Williams has spun a unique and thought-provoking story that readers can surely get lost in for a time.

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde is a beautiful contemporary novel that everyone should experience.

Ricki has always been a wildflower, fighting against her family's standards. Meeting Della, she decides to take up her offer and open a flower shop in Harlem. Her adventures in Harlem bring her a mysterious buyer of her portrait. The bidder? Ezra Walker, the man Ricki can't stop thinking about after seeing him in the community garden. Fate brought them together but will fate also tear them apart?

Wow! I now need to read everything else Tia William has written! I was quickly captured by the storyline and loved how I immediately wanted to learn more about the Harlem era. I couldn't have predicted the twists Williams wrote throughout and urge every reader to go into this blind. It'll make the experience so much more magical. The audio kept me HOOKED and soon enough, i wasn't caring about the longer chapters. A Love Song for Ricki Wilde will be one of my top reads for 2024!