Tia Williams ripped my heart out, stomped on it a couple of times, lovingly, and then placed it back inside my chest with care. This book. I have had to take some time to compose my thoughts to be able to find the words to put into this review.

The magical realism aspect of this story was lovely and sad. When we learn the magical aspects (no spoilers here) we can only love the story and characters that much more.

This story jumps back and forth between two different aspects of time, where we follow a variety of main characters in each timeframe. We follow them along through all of the sadness and happy times, and find how they all merge together somewhere along the lines. Williams welded the times and the characters together perfectly, and beautifully, and I couldn't ask for better storytelling. I couldn't stop reading until the end, and had to sob quietly so I didn't wake up my family. I cannot say enough good things about this amazing story.

This is definitely a million star read for me, however, for the sake of reality, I'll say this was definitely a 5 star read and I highly, highly recommend this read! You won't regret it!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the opportunity to read this arc in return for an honest review.

I will read anything that Tia Williams writes! I went into "A Love Song for Ricki Wilde" without reading the description. All I knew was that it was by Tia Williams (who wrote another book I loved, Seven Days in June) and that it was a romance. I loved how this book had historical elements in it without being completely set in the past. Ricki and Breeze's love story is such a beautiful on that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

I didn’t plan it this way, but between Black History Month, Valentine’s Day, and a leap year, A Love Song for Ricki Wild is a must-read for February!

I went into this book blind after enjoying Seven Days in June last year, and I’m so glad I did. The story took me by surprise in the best way since I’m not usually into paranormal romance. I learned a lot about the Harlem Renaissance and flowers! I loved seeing a little glimpse of Eva and Shane in this book. Most of all I loved Ricki; her determination, passion, and courage to march to the beat of her own drum even if it meant going against her family.

Thank you NetGalley and Grand Central for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Today is a good day for Black Women Authors and I’m bringing two of my favorite authors and people writing books to your attention. Tia Williams literally thrust me into my writing career. I am here because of many people and especially THE TIA WILLIAMS.

The love I have for @tiawilliamswrites truly goes beyond words. If you follow me and my work, I am here because of Tia. In 2006, at a writer event in Washington, D.C., Tia asked about my skincare while signing one of her books for me. I replied “I buy my skincare and get all my facials in Paris” and she immediately replied, “you need a blog.” From writing about my then beauty blog and now she has always celebrated my work. Today we celebrate Tia and her latest release, “A Love Song for Ricki Wilde.”

Can I tell you this book gave me the best book hangover. When it ended I did a deep sigh because I need more of Ricki and Ezra. I was lucky enough to get an advanced copy, but don’t think I haven’t purchased a hardback and Kindle version.

There is one line from the beginning of the book when I knew the hangover would happen.

~“That’s how Dr. Bennett and I loved each other. He was music I could listen to forever.” ~

Her book is available today, wherever books are sold. Link in profile to buy her book.

This one is purely an old two New York City, and particularly Harlem. It was definitely one of my most anticipated romance releases, and it turned out to be absolutely unique. I don’t know how I felt initially about fated love stories, and I was not sure if it would even work for me, but with the author adding an element of magic into this one, it truly is a commendable, unique, slow-burn romance that I’m sure many will enjoy reading. I enjoyed how the author describes Harlem in the 1920s versus the newer Harlem right now. This was something I have hardly read about and it was a very good introduction to a lot of aspects of Harlem for me. I would have liked to see more chemistry between Ricki and Ezra and also I would have preferred Ricki to be a bit more mature because sometimes she felt like a new adult or teenager, but that could have been what the author intended. I do feel this is going to be a hit or miss for some readers because there is a magical element and also because it is an instant love trope.

For those who like their romance on the enchanting side...

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde was a journey. I especially liked the side characters, Ms. Della and Tuesday - their scenes tended to steal the show for me. And the Eva Mercy cameo! (Please can we get her some Botox or other effective migraine treatment between now and the next book? Don't tell me she has to live like this forever.)

I'm not a historical fiction superfan, so I was a bit leery when we jumped back in time, but the flashbacks are much less frequent as the story develops. Ultimately I did like them for fleshing out Ezra's character and the plot, as well as shining a light on Harlem.

I do wish the pacing had been faster at the outset, and that in turn we got to see more of Ezra and Ricki together. The reader has to believe that they have this undeniable, uncomparable connection without seeing enough of that on the page. But ultimately I think this one will work well for those drawn in by the synopsis (admittedly, magic isn't my bag, but I wasn't going to not get excited about a book by Tia Williams).

The audio is narrated by Mela Lee and Preston Butler. I liked this casting and their narration - though I also enjoyed reading the text at times.

This story was truly magical!

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde was a truly beautiful, romantic and heartfelt story, an ode to Harlem and its rich history with a touch of magic.

Tia Williams showcased the many ways to love and find love. Ricki went on an amazing journey of finding herself and letting go of all the negative falsehoods that her family had attached to her. She found a friend for life in Tuesday. She received the love and support from a “family member” that she thought she would never receive from Ms. Della. She found an inner love and contentment from being true to herself. Then she found a man that’s been dreaming of her for an eternity, her soulmate.

It was a journey, one I was happy to partake in. I laughed and I cried, best of all I fell in love with Ricki and Ezra’s story. This is another phenomenal release from Tia Williams. I absolutely adore her ability to tell a story that just captures you and doesn’t let you go until that final moment. The epilogue was perfect and I couldn’t have imagined a better ending.

This is my second book by Tia Williams and I think I enjoyed it even more than the first. Emotional, dramatic, and a meant to be type of love.

Historical fiction with alternating timelines and a deep history of Harlem. This story is told from both present day and also the 1920's. I feel like the mix of romance and drama and magic was perfection. 4 stars.

. This book was absolutely beautiful and wow did I ugly cry at the end. Ricki and Ezra are goals and I’m never going to be over their love. The magical realism gave me the same butterflies I got from the seven year slip (and tbh that’s the best feeling) please do yourself a favor and read this book!

“that Blackness wasn’t a concept, an idea for sale. There is no correlation between our value and white people buying in”

Finishing this book while watching the Grammy’s was something. A book that at its heart is about love, grief, not fitting in and being too much, but also is about our societies ability to forget about Black people and Black music. Black folks changed the game in music - jazz, blues, swing, country. Always at the forefront but always last to be recognized. I loved how Tia immerses the reader in Harlem, the Harlem Renaissance and Black excellence, while also reminding you that the very places where Black excellence shone are now condos, Starbucks, parking lots.

This book was so emotional to me. I was on a journey where I truly didn’t think it was going to end happy. You have to go into this book without knowing anything because the joy of trying to figure out wtf is going ok is so fun but also mildly anxiety inducing lol.

Ricki and Ezra were beautiful together. “Promise me that you’ll choose to love each other hard.” Every moment, every word, every touch was gorgeously rendered on the page. You feel everything. And Williams created wonderful side characters: particularly Tuesday (the hilarious best friend everyone wants) and Ms. Della (the spunky old lady everyone wants to be).

This review is a mess because I am a mess. Y’all have to get this book now. And thank you to Grand Central Pub for my digital copy to review.

As with most romance novels I read, in the moment, I found "A Love Song for Ricki Wilde" to be completely enchanting. The Harlem Renaissance vibes were immaculate and I was flipping pages as fast as I could. But with a little distance, I found some parts to be grating. The ridiculousness of the monetization of funeral homes (which may be true, but I hated) and some of the broad strokes to some of the characters. I need to learn to just enjoy the book in the moment and not try to ruin the experience of reading it after. Because while I was reading it, I had such a good time. 3.5/5

A Love Song For Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams is a story about magic, challenging fate, gentrification, and a celebration of Black Harlem.

Richard Wilde Jr. (AKA Ricki) is the black sheep of her family. They own a franchise of funeral homes, and her three older sisters are perfect carbon copies of each other, so when Ricki makes a mistake, all eyes are on her and how she’s an “unserious person.” Ricki’s dream is to open a flower shop and by fate, she meets Ms. Della, who offers Ricki the downstairs apartment in her brownstone in Harlem - it’s just the right space for a fresh start and to launch a business.

But then she keeps running into Ezra Walker, a musician who apologizes when he curses, uses words like “skedaddle” and tells her to get out of Harlem while she still can. He’s certain Ricki will forget him in a month for some reason, but fate and magic keep bringing them together. And once it’s revealed why they’re intertwined, Ricki and Ezra must decide if love is enough to change what’s inevitable.

This is my first Tia Williams book but I will be back for more! I’ll admit the beginning of the story was a bit slow but then it picked up, and there was so much YEARNING! Ezra just wants to be near Ricki although he knows being with her will end in disaster. My favorite parts were Ricki and Ezra standing up to her sisters, the little moments they spent together walking around the city while revealing history about Harlem, and making the most of the time they have. Plus Tuesday! Would love to read a book about her.

Tia Williams has written literary magic, yet again!! I loved everything from Ricki's personality and her love for the creative and unique from Ezra and his rich past. I also adored Ms. Della and Tuesday as well! The story was incredibly well-written and I found myself feeling all the emotions! If you're a fan of 1920's Harlem, floral arrangements, hilarious quips and the power of love this one is truly a read for you! Thank you so much to Net Galley and Grand Central Publishing for this digital ARC!

Tia WIlliams writing is so descriptive and immersive. I loved these characters. A truly enchanting and mysterious love story. This story is so unique and different in all the best ways. Dual timelines and I absolutely loved the time spent in the 1920's. Weaving in the rich history of Harlem and Renaissance glamour into Ricki and Ezra's romance was fantastic. I am still in awe.

Ricki is the impulsive and artistic youngest daughter of an Atlanta dynasty. The opposite of her socialite sisters, she yearns to grow outside of their tight bonds, to make her own name. When a chance meeting with the regal,
96-year old Ms. Della leads to an offer to move to Harlem and start her own flower shop in the bottom floor apartment, Ricki jumps at the chance. There, she begins to immerse herself in the music, stories, and drama of her neighborhood's past. This in turn leads to an encounter with a gorgeous and mysterious man; their connection so immediately powerful, it'll threaten to knock them both off their axes.

The way Tia Williams writes is just so gorgeous. Her characters and dialogue are fresh and authentic. Her settings are vivid enough to fully transport you. The connections between the characters are deep and emotional. I will forever be a fan of her work and this was an excellent follow up to Seven Days in June.

The synopsis left me blind enough to be surprised by the paths the story took. I’m also really loving the touch of magical realism that’s starting to appear in more romance novels. It’s a welcome change from the classic love story structure.

Thank you to Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC!

I don’t remember much about Seven Days in June but I remember liking it, so I was excited to get a copy of this new release and it sure didn’t disappoint!

I went in without any expectations, since I hadn’t heard much about it, and I absolutely loved this book! The romance in this book was emotional and powerful, but this book had much more than just the romance! It was really a genre bender — romance mixed with a little coming-of-age, some historical fiction and some magical realism. It all came together in a way that worked so well!

I loved the story itself and the writing was so compelling. I was sucked into the story right away and I didn’t want to put it down. This is a book I would recommend pretty broadly, since it really had a bit of everything. (Though I will say, there were some very spicy scenes, so do with that what you will 🌶 🔥 ❤️ ). I will absolutely be keeping an eye out for future releases from Williams! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Black romance.
Black history.
Magical love spells.
What more can you ask for?!

First off, the cover of this book immediately drew me in! And seeing that this is set in February 2024 made it feel even more connecting to the book! I love Tia Williams and just knew this would be an instant banger!

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde is a tale of soulmates destined for love over a span of 100 years. Ricki is the "wild child" in her well-off family & decides to move to Harlem and pursue her passion of opening a flower shop. Ezra "Breeze" Walker is a talented self-taught pianist who pisses off the wrong woman and suffers the consequences.

As the story unfolds, we see how Ricki and Ezra's lives are intertwined and discover the magic of love in a leap year.

What I LOVED:
- Ricki's appreciation of linguistics. I definitely learned some new words that I'll be adding to my vocab.
- This is random, but my family is filled with people who's name starts with an R and one of Ricki's sister's name was Rae! I rarely see my name in books so that was cool. Added points that the family is also from Atlanta like mine!
- The dual timeline really worked well in the elements
- Ms. Della was the BEST! Her list of things she wants to do before she die was cute and funny
- The magical element was just a touch of fantasy but really added the extra shine on the story
- Black history facts about Harlem and prominent figures that we've always heard about! Like cmon, it's Black History Month so I LOVED this element the most!

I'll be recommending this book from now one to EVERYONE! It's legit now my #1 favorite romance!

I tried to read this one, but I couldn’t get into it. I found Ricki to be a spoiled brat and couldn’t get into the storyline at all. This wasn’t for me.

did I expect to bawl my eyes out over this novel? not a chance, but I sure did in the best way possible 🥹 the characters that tia williams crafted in this magical realism romance were unforgettable (no pun intended)!!!

by combining historical fiction with magical realism, tia williams created this gorgeous backdrop of a story in harlem spanning a hundred years, through the good and the ugly of black history. it was beautiful to read about both first-hand in the older timeline and in reflection in present day - and that alone created a sense of magic 💜

I absolutely adored all of the characters in this one - from MCs ricki and ezra, to childhood star best friend tuesday, and to my favorite grandmother della… I’ve never felt so connected so quickly to an entire group of characters before! I just want to give them all a huge hug thanks 🥹

and at the heart of the story, beyond the curses and magic, beyond the history of harlem, was the core of love - choosing who to love fully and wholly. I’m a firm believer of chosen family, rather than being loyal to your blood family who doesn’t respect or love you, and this just affirmed everything!!

I cannot thank netgalley and grand central publishing enough for this beautiful advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!!

rating: 4.5 stars
wine pairing: south african pinotage

4.5 stars
I absolutely loved this story. Ricki was so dynamic and you can’t not root for her to succeed. Ricki is not like her sisters and striving to form her own path. I loved Ms Della so much. She was a delight and such a driving force.
The backdrop of Harlem held so much history and magic. I loved this book. It was so good and magical. The connection between the characters was so strong, be it friendship, familial, or romantic.
I loved watching Ricki grow and succeed. Finding her way.

*Thank you NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.