I’ll be honest, this was almost a DNF. It took a while for me to get into the plot. I think what kept me invested were the historical details of Harlem and I loved Ricki’s flower shop, Wilde Things and how she was creating bouquets and leaving them at historic locations.

Once Ricki and Ezra started having their encounters I was curious to see where the plot was going. I enjoyed the side characters, Ms. Della and Tuesday. I was also very interested in Ezra’s backstory. Ricki’s family was trash though.

While I did enjoy the writing, overall the book was just ok. I will continue to read more books from this author though.

Part historical fiction, part fantasy, and full romance, Ricki Wilde is a duo timeline story celebrating the art and music of Harlem. It is about Ricki, a girl born of privilege and money, albeit some family drama and neglect. She wants to make a name for herself outside of her family’s legacy, so when she is presented with a business deal to randomly move to Harlem to build her very own flower shop, she jumps at the chance. But alas, nothing is random, including the building she rents, the grandmother she adopts, and the gorgeous mysterious pianist she is so drawn to.

My favorite parts are the descriptions of Harlem in the duo timelines, during the Harlem Renaissance and current day with its nightlife as well as gentrification. The reader can really get the sense of the hustle and bustle of the city, and how it’s really changed and morphed since its high days.

In William’s manner, the romance is nuanced, and many parts of the dialogue were punchy and clever. The two had fantastic chemistry. When it got hot, it got really hot.

My criticism about this book is that Williams included too fantastical elements and takes the reader on a ride that isn’t exactly believable or sensible. I wanted it to be more historical fiction because dangit, the Harlem portions were so well-done.

It's been a while since I've read something that felt really fresh and new, but man did A Love Song for Ricki Wilde blow me away. It had all the elements of a really swoony, heartfelt romance, with the spark of the magical element, the rich historical passages, and oh my goodness the humor! I was laughing out loud so much while reading this. Ricki was so funny, and I loved rooting for her throughout her journey. And Ezra! Oh man, Ezra was a dream. To say nothing of Ms. Della, who brought so much life to the story. And Tuesday! Man, not a false note in this book. I couldn't put it down.

What an amazing story! This was my first by Tia Williams, but it certainly won't be my last. This is a lush, magical novel, with parts set in present-day Harlem and the Harlem Renaissance. It's an ode to NYC, love and romance, and creativity in all its forms. With wonderful supporting characters and beautiful scenery, this is a work of art. Thanks to Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for the advance digital copy!

Tia Williams has done it again! An unforgettable romance with a little magic thrown in. Ricki Wilde is a protagonist that I won’t forget anytime soon. The love story that Tia has created is one that I haven’t read before. It made this book hard to put down. I could rave about this book for DAYS! Go read it y’all! 5⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Tia Willams has a gift for writing lush, beautiful love stories; her latest is no different. Ricki Wilde is the youngest daughter of a prominent family she desperately wants to escape and impress. Ezra Walker is a talented musician whose life has taken away his passion for music. When the two meet, they have an instant, undeniable connection.

A Love Song for Rickie Wilde, is about all else, a fairytale. Complete with love at first sight, evil curses, and a fairy godmother all told against the backdrop of modern Harlem and its history. I wasn’t expecting the magical elements of this story and it took me a minute to recalibrate. But Williams imbues her characters with so much life and complexity, I fell back in step quickly.

Thank you @grandcentralpub @netgalley for a copy of this. Ricki is the black sheep of the family because she does not want to be involved in the funeral business and moves to NYC to start a floral business. Her landlord, Ms. Della provides her cheap rent and a place to stay in exchange for her company. Moving to a new city, she keeps running into Ezra who is a bit odd but there's a strong attraction between them.

I love how the story goes back in time when Harlem was vibrant and full of jazz music. You learn a little about this history of Harlem while seeing Ezra and Ricki's relationship blossom. The story is so beautiful with found family and love. There is an element of magical realism with was so well weaved into the story.

Rating: 4.75/5

Thank you Tia Williams and Grand Central Publishing for an ARC of this moving story via NetGalley!

This is a book for the ones who are lost and waiting to be found. The ones in the shadows waiting to shine. Bc like Ricki and Ezra, when you find the right people, your life will always be bathed in light.

Does anyone have a broom? Bc I need to sweep Ricki's family right out the door. They were annoyingly dismissive of her goals and existed only to convince Ricki she was a failure who reflected poorly on them. 🙄 Luckily, Ricki found real family in Ms. Della who *actually* helped her pursue her dream. I loved the dynamic between these two and I loved how much Ms. Della believed in Ricki. Bc we all know a little support goes a long way!

I truly admired Ricki's tenacity. Her dream, unfortunately, didn't bloom the way she had hoped. It withered at times but, while discouraged, she didn't give up. She kept watering and nurturing it, pivoting to find ways to give it a better chance. Eventually it budded with opportunities that would help grow her flower shop into the vision she had imagined all along. And yes, all those flower refs were absolutely necessary. 😁🌷

Now say hello to Ezra. Done? Great. Bc that's all I'm going to say about him. I know, I know BUT one of the compelling aspects of this book is the mystery that shrouded him. The intrigue is worth preserving and to tell you anything more would be robbing you of that magic. So I will leave you with this. You will experience the Harlem of the past *and* of the present (LOVE the dual timeline) and that means the whole spectrum. From the dirt-stained corners to the blinding spotlight. And the chemistry and tension born from the unknowing? Oof. Trust me, it'll be worth your time.

CN: open-door romance, toxic family, suicide (secondary character), illness (mental and physical)

I read Seven Days in June by Tia Williams and enjoyed it so I had good expectations going into this book. I'd say my expectation were met and exceeded. Romance novels have felt very monotonous and unenjoyable to me lately, but this one was very good. I liked how Ricki had relationships with people other than her love interest, which I feel a lot of romance novels are lacking. All the characters, whether main or secondary, felt very well rounded and realistic, rather than just being caricatures and only showing up to move the story forward.

The whole time reading, I was very interested in the character's individual journey and growth as well as their journey together. The story had good and believable pacing. I liked guessing what was going on and reading the flashbacks.

I liked this book more than Seven Days in June and am excited for it to come out and see what everyone else thinks and has to say about it. This was really good and I'm glad I got the opportunity to read it.

This is a gem of a love story. Do yourself a favor and go in as unaware as possible - I thought the way Tia Williams crafted the story was so well done. The chemistry between Ricki and Ezra was GREAT and I loved the cast of characters Williams crafted around them.

This took me a bit to get into, but once I did the pages flew by. And for those of us that read Seven Days in June - you'll LOVE the cameo from Eva and Shane.

** I received an e-ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I came in reading A Love Song for Rick Wilde knowing that Tia Williams is a major popular writer and beyond popular author and left understanding why. Now I'm doing this review a few days after I finished my first ever book I've read by her and I have yet to let go of the beauty , sacrifice and general magic of this story. Ricki Wilde's life is similar to how so many youngest black daughters get in traditional families, and I resonated with her in that regard. But she is brave and that makes everything in this love story with her found family and love story epic and of course whimsical when it comes together why these major changes happen. I think what I missed to give this five stars though was the general plot twist of the dark magic used against both main characters. That and the fact its never reconciled how the bad person was not the one who did the curse but those who made that a crutch until driven to become someone bad in other peoples stories.

Anyways this was definitely a strong ARC to start 2024 out with despite the minimal downside. I appreciate Grand Central Publishing for giving me the chance to read this amazing black love story. It had so much layers in here with the history and modern day culture that I couldn't stop being so content with it.

No spoilers from me! Unusual thing to say about a romance but had I known the secret, I might well have passed this by and that would have been a huge mistake because this is a heartfelt, emotional, implausible, yet lovely read that I thoroughly enjoyed. Moving back and forth in time between the present and 1920s Harlem it's the story of Ricki and Ezra. She's left her domineering family behind in Atlanta to fulfill her dream of being a florist. Ezra left South Carolina after his family was lynched to play the piano in all the Harlem high and low spots. Ricki is lucky to have found Della, a 97 year old woman who owns the Harlem home and rents her shop and living space. She's also lucky to have been found by Tuesday, a former child star who is a hoot. And then she meets a mysterious man in a community garden. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Williams drops lots of hints before the big reveal but oh this is joyous. No. more from me- just read it.

I absolutely loved Seven Days In June but I am so disappointed to say I did not love this one. I loved the 2024 timeline but for whatever reason skimmed through the 1928 timeline. I was not a fan of the connection between the two and the genre bending. All that to say, the writing is beautiful and this is a case of it’s me, not the book.

This was absolutely unhinged, in a great way!! I had no idea what to expect (went in blind but knew I needed to read it) and it was so fun. I felt like I saw a lot of the reveals coming, but that didn't bother me because I loved the characters and writing so much. This was a spin on magical realism that was new for me and I enjoyed it so much. Richard Wilde forever!

Ricki is a young black woman who moves to Harlem to follow her dreams of owning a flower shop. She specializes in exotic flowers and designing and is trying to make her mark on the world outside of her family's status. She runs into a young man named Ezra who is very mysterious and flips her world off its axis.

I will read anything and everything written by Tia Williams. This book was beautiful in so many ways. The writing, the characters, the storyline, the love story... I am in awe. Tia's writing creates a wonderful experience for me as a reader because I am able to visualize everything. It feels like I am watching a movie, or able to follow along with my own pictures in my mind. We are immersed into a story that highlights the Harlem Renaissance and old New York that has pieces of romance, mystery, suspense, and magic. I do not want to give too much away, because this is definitely a book that you want to go into with nothing being spoiled. I highly recommend you read this book!

3.5 stars

This book started off so strong! I loved all the glimpses into the Harlem Renaissance, so much amazing black history. But then it took a turn. I can’t really say more about what the twist was, because that would totally be a spoiler, but it made me personally lose interest in the book. Maybe for others this would be a five star., but it was not my jam.


Thank you NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the digital arc in return for an honest review.

Thank you to Hachette Book Group Canada, Netgalley and Tia Williams for the digital copy. My thoughts are my own.

In the tapestry of this enchanting narrative, a beautiful fairytale love story unfolds, centering around Ricki, the family's spirited black sheep. Ricki, driven by creativity and an unwavering desire to forge her own path, defies the conventions of the family business. Fueled by a profound passion for flowers, she courageously makes the move to Harlem, determined to pursue her dreams.

Amidst the bustling energy of Harlem, Ricki finds an unexpected kindred spirit in Ms. Della, a free-spirited individual who transcends the boundaries of mere friendship to become family. Their connection, a blend of fate and serendipity, imparts a special significance to their intertwining lives, a reason and a season that unfolds with poignant beauty.

The narrative skillfully unravels the intricacies of Ezra's background, weaving a rich tapestry of his story that adds layers of depth to the overall tale. Ezra and Ricki, brought together by destiny, share an electric chemistry that keeps readers rooting for them as they navigate the challenges strewn along their path. Ezra's intriguing and gentle demeanor forms a compelling complement to Ricki's vibrant spirit.

As the story unfolds, the reader becomes an ardent supporter of Ricki and Ezra, eagerly hoping they surmount the obstacles blocking their path to lasting love. What elevates this tale further is the inclusion of Harlem's historical backdrop, an enriching layer that serves as a captivating bonus. The vivid portrayal of Harlem's history enhances the narrative, adding a sense of timelessness to this heartfelt and captivating love story.

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde is all heart and magic. Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for the ARC on NetGalley. I hoarded it until a few weeks before release because I expected perfection and I knew I wouldn’t want it to end. I was right.

Ricki has always been the black sheep of the family, starting with not being the son her parents expected when they preemptively named their baby Richard Jr. and refused to change it. She loves hard, she takes big swings, and she’s made her peace with being on the sidelines so long as she’s living by her rules.

Ezra escaped the tragedy of his hometown to make a name for himself as a musician in Harlem, and it just about worked, until it didn’t. Between survivor’s guilt and waiting for the other show to drop on his destiny, he’s strung tight and closed entirely off.

This love story begins on a rooftop. It’s sparked by a late night breeze carrying the scent of jasmine. It’s honed in frantic days packing lifetimes of longing into storytelling and bouquet making. It is earnest, it is heartwarming, it is a little surprising (but in an obvious way), and it is everything.

Recommended for: certified lover girls (gender inclusive), the wounded inner child with abandonment issues, the perpetual black sheep, the restless thinker always moving their fingers to a silent soundtrack, fans of the new André 3000 album and everything Solange, fans of found family, anyone looking to break free of the box they spent their whole life being defined by.

As a New Yorker, my favorite thing about this book was the historical facts about Harlem. It was like a love letter to Harlem. The same streets I roamed as a child. The same Harlem my grandparents raised children and grandchildren in. It made me smile.

I loved how Ricki didnt follow in the footsteps of her sisters. Characters who have it all together bore me. Be a mess, please.

I dont typically go into books reading the synopsis. I just knew whatever Tia wrote, I was going to read. I enjoyed the many relationships Ricki formed.

Y’all Tia Williams has done 👏🏼 it 👏🏼 again 👏🏼 with this gorgeous story.

Ricki is the black sheep of her funeral home owning family. She’s just not interested in the family business, so she moves from Atlanta to NYC to open a flower shop. She finds a surrogate grandmother, a former child actress bestie, and a gorgeous man who she keeps running into…

I literally don’t want to say any more, because I went in blind and I HIGHLY suggest that! Tia’s writing is so beautiful and this creative and unique story kept me picking my kindle up again and again when I should’ve been doing other things. I was rooting for Ricki against her crazy family, I was rooting for her flowers, I was rooting for her to fall even more in love with the city, specifically Harlem, and to experience the best of the best of New York. She even got an epic day date going all over the city, cramming n touristy things and NY musts, and I ADORED the magic of that!

The chemistry in the book is SEARING. The inevitability of Ricki and her man felt like a living, breathing thing, and I cried just imagining them not working out. It’s a very “meant to be” scenario in the best way.

Anyway, here’s a reminder that Seven Days in June is STUNNING and Ricki Wilde’s HEA is incredibly tender and perfect and PLEASE dm me while you’re reading!! We even got a little Eva Mercy Easter egg and it was the perfect little nod to the other book!

Ricki Wilde’s story is out in the world on February 6, so get your preorders in now!