After loving Seven Days in June, I was so excited to dive into Tia William’s next book. And seeing it had a magical realism component?! That’s my favorite.

Short Synopsis:
Ricki Wilde is the black sheep of the family. She dresses differently, doesn’t want to work in the family business and doesn’t conform to her parents idea. She opens up her own flower shop and meets her two biggest supporters - Tuesday and Ms Della.

My Thoughts:
I had a hard time getting into this one. I’m coming off of finishing some favorite books though, so it might be a me thing. The love story felt insta. The characters felt one-dimensional. It was fine. I just never found myself itching to read it.

This book here, might’ve just hit my number 1 spot for this year! Tia Williams does not disappoint and she really did it with this one!!

Ricki Wilde wants to separate herself from the family business and persue her own dreams. She’s always been the “weird” one to her family. She moved to Harlem and opened up a flower shop in a building that will have more meaning than she imagined. Flowers are her thing and when she stumbles upon a flower that is rare for the winter, she is shocked at the person she sees there.

Ezra ‘Breeze’ Walker had an amazing life in the 1920s playing his music. During his younger years, his family was murdered and his cousin led him to Harlem. It was there, he really showed off his piano skills. Things took a turn when his girlfriend cursed him.

This was not at all what I was expecting. I could not put this down because I needed to know everything! Everything about Ezra and his curse. His full story. The ending is happy and sad! This story will break your heart and then put it back together.

I am telling you, go preorder this! It was so good!!!!!

I honestly went into this book with no thoughts at all. I had read another book from this author and I didn’t really enjoy it. When I saw the cover of this, something just pulled me to it. (If you’ve read the book, that’s some crazy symbolism) I’m really glad that I chose to read it because I really enjoyed it. I enjoyed the magical realism in the romance story between Ricki and Ezra. The beginning of the book switches between the 1920s and modern day 2023. Sometimes large time gaps are hard to keep up with in books but not this one. I was in love with the majority of the characters. Sometimes side characters get lost or seem unnecessary but not Tuesday and Ms. Della. I could read a spin off on the back story of both of them.

While I did guess part of what happened at the end, it didn’t damper my enjoyment of the story. I enjoyed this book a lot and it had put this author’s work back on the radar for me.

I loved Seven Days in June so, so much. I was very nervous to pick up this one. And wow it blew all my expectations out of the water. Ricki is a spectacular main character and I loved everything about her story. And I swear Tia Williams writes the absolute best supporting characters. Tuesday and Ms. Della were absolutely perfect. Yes, this book made me cry. Yes, this book made me laugh. The romance was so good. Loved it!

When I read the Netgalley description of this book I felt that it was a story I would love! Sibling rivalry, magical realism, and a mysterious love story. I did enjoy the book but I felt it was a little drawn out in the beginning and that he mystery around Ezra, the main characters love interest, was built up just a little too much. But it is a cute love story and I really enjoyed how it ended. Honestly, I think I may older than the target audience for this book'. Three and a half stars!
Thank you Netgalley for the eARC!

Well, I didn’t love it as much as Seven Days, but tbh, that’s a hella high bar and I wasn’t really expecting to. So with that in mind, I loved this one for what it was! First, and foremost, these characters were phenomenal – fresh and interesting. A spunky former child actor, a Harlem Renaissance era pianist, a quirky YOLO-vibes grandmother figure, and, of course, our MC, a creative florist and burgeoning IG influencer. Bonus: a solid cameo from Eva Mercy from Seven Days. I was just feeling these characters. A lot of it was in the little details, like Ms. Della going out to community gatherings drinking from her own literal china teacup and the specificity of description in Ricki’s bouquets and the room of historic music technology in Ezra’s home and, for me, the little mention of study abroad in Seville (I did that!). They were just so alive and I loved them all.

The world-building was also spectacular. Which sounds a bit ridiculous because this is a “real life” place and time (or places and times). But Williams really brought it to life: the setting was just as alive as the characters, holding its own against their strong presences. I don’t read much from the Harlem Renaissance time period, in any setting/population, so this was a nice way to add it in and mix it up without being overwhelmed by a time period that I’m just not normally drawn to. It’s always important to get a history refresher, especially from a perspective that isn’t ever taught in a fully fleshed-out way (we often nominally honor the Black jazz musicians/artists/writers of the time, but don’t ever reckon with the need or inspiration behind their work and community). And this was really accentuated by the parts from Ezra’s perspectives…his world weariness (*minor spoiler*) due to the immortality meant he had seen and survived so much, especially as a Black man who story began in the Jim Crow South and Harlem Renaissance/Jazz Age Harlem, was written so well. A solid, telling, and fairly original, perspective, in that way. Finally, the way that Ricki begins leaving her extra bouquets around Harlem at historical spots, starting a major social media following with that, is so creative. And was a wonderful way to really tie the two time periods, but same location, together even more.

The plot itself was entertaining and fun, but also romantic (and let me add here that I loved the chemistry between Ezra and Ricki). And while I saw the ending coming from pretty far away, I also appreciated the cyclical nature of it and the way it all came together smoothly, and magically! Plus, while I was a bit sleep deprived when I read the ending and maybe that played a part in my reaction, I was surprised at how emotional it still made me…even knowing what was going to happen. That’s really solid writing, overall. A note on the writing here though. Potentially because this was an ARC, but there was something about the writing that felt a little less polished than I would have liked. There’s a chance some of that was cleaned up before final publication, but it could have been smoother.

Anyways, I’m usually a sucker for the fight for an epic love that actually looks like the everyday little moments; I love seeing my own love story reflected in those moments and always feel that it’s such a gorgeous story to tell. And here, it was; it really was gorgeous.

I could not put this book down. I don’t know how to describe the premise without ruining the story, but imagine a gushy love story had a baby with the super fun influence of the Harlem renaissance.
Tia Williams is a great writer- she writes excellent characters with great chemistry, and she doesn’t overdo it like many romance authors did. Really really liked this one.

🤩 Many thanks to Grand Central Publishing, NetGalley, and Tia Williams for this advanced copy of the book!
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I’m always intrigued by historical fiction. I believe this book incorporated historical fiction with a fantasy twist. It felt whimsical and reminded me of Romeo and Juliet with the fairy godmother from Cinderella. The protagonist, Ricki, is an interesting story focus because she is complicated, determined, and eccentric. Ezra, her love interest, is equally interesting. He’s an old soul with a dash of gentleman and a splash of musical talent. Ms. Della had a fairy godmother vibe, and she was brimming with good vibes, strong will, and humor. The three characters’ lives get intertwined in a past and present dueling storyline that culminates in a race against the clock to ensure that one of them doesn't disappear from existence. It's an exciting plot that I was on board for from the beginning of the book; however, I did find some of their love story a bit banal. Otherwise, I thought the overall story was captivating.

When I die bury me with A Love Somg For Ricki Wilde and Seven Days In June. That is all. Thank you. It was so so good.

Tia Williams is truly a gem and this book displays it so well. I found myself crying and loving the characters on every page. The only way to describe this novel is magical.

Leap years are a strange, enchanted time. And for some, even a single February can be life-changing.

Ricki Wilde has many talents, but being a Wilde isn’t one of them. As the impulsive, artistic daughter of a powerful Atlanta dynasty, she’s the opposite of her famous socialite sisters. Where they’re long-stemmed roses, she’s a dandelion: an adorable bloom that’s actually a weed, born to float wherever the wind blows. In her bones, Ricki knows that somewhere, a different, more exciting life awaits her.

When regal nonagenarian, Ms. Della, invites her to rent the bottom floor of her Harlem brownstone, Ricki jumps at the chance for a fresh beginning. She leaves behind her family, wealth, and chaotic romantic decisions to realize her dream of opening a flower shop. And just beneath the surface of her new neighborhood, the music, stories and dazzling drama of the Harlem Renaissance still simmers.

One evening in February as the heady, curiously off-season scent of night-blooming jasmine fills the air, Ricki encounters a handsome, deeply mysterious stranger who knocks her world off balance in the most unexpected way.- Goodreads

I will have to say that I was surprised by this read. And what surprised me was how easy it was for me to get sucked into the world and stay there. I am from Harlem and although my family moved from there when I was young, Harlem will always be home (despite its current gentrification)

My favorite thing about this book is how it not only address gentrification, but it also addresses the new wave of Black folks and how this wave can be just as annoying and just as much of a cliche as other groups. I like how without saying it, it shows how hard it is to make friends as an adult especially if you leave your hometown.

The pace of the novel was good. There is a back and forth between the present and the past, which adds to the magic in the novel, which oddly enough no one talks about as much as I thought they would. Because it is the magic, which brings everything together. But before I dig into the magic, let's talk about the romance. It was truly romantic (hahaha). From the time they meet, it is full of mystery and attraction. I wouldn't say lust because I don't think either one actually lusted after each other but grew from a fascination to love. They grew into each other, learning about their past and families and of course the magic. However, I want to note that Ricki grew up. She needed to gain confidence within herself, she needed to experience other personality types in order for her to feel comfortable with herself and have a successful business. I loved how there were things that Ricki was steadfast on but was open-minded enough to try something new.

I loved this book. Despite the really troubling problem of the story, it felt light or at least light for me, which is weird when they started talking about the curse.

But overall, hands down one of the best reads of the year.

4.5 Pickles

Anytime Tia releases a book, it feels like a watershed moment in my life that encapsulates the beauty and the strong — the ups and the downs, and a Love Song proves no different. Definitely a must read of the year.

Anything by this author is gurantted to have you in your feelings and be a fun ride and this book was no different. She’s becoming another one of my auto buy authors at this point.

Tia Williams' "A Long Song for Ricki Wilde" marries romance, historical fiction and magical realism into a beautiful love story that crosses time. Both magical realism and historical fiction are outside of the typical Tia Williams romance formula, but we want and need more.

"A Love Song for Ricki Wilde" releasing in February 2024, follows Ricki Wilde, the Black swan of her family, who wants to carve out her own future outside of her family's funeral palor business. The Wilde family are the go-to Black funeral home, so when they ask "who did the body" know it's always the Wildes. However, Ricki dreams of flowers, and when a chance encounter with "her fairy godmother" Ms. Della whisks her away to Harlem to start her life over on her own terms, she takes it.

Ricki has a chance encounter with Ezra a reclusive musician, who has been trying to finish a tune for years (I want to spoil this soooo bad, but won't.)

"A Love Song for Ricki Wilde" is a must pre-order. It's also a love song to Harlem. Thanks to Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC.

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde is a fated lovers romance about a man cursed by an ex-girlfriend in the 1920's in live forever without love. In modern times Ricki Wilde is the outcast in a prominent African American family that thrives on success in business. Ricki just wants to follow her passions and her family is honestly quite mean to her about. Opportunity strikes for Ricki to move to Harlem and pursue her dream of owning a flower shop. Paths cross and a love affair begins, but will the curse allow a happily ever after?
Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central for the opportunity to read and review this book in exchange for my honest review, Im giving this book 3.5/5 stars. I really enjoyed the romance storyline and the two main characters. I think this book was a very lovely love letter to Harlem both in the 20's and in present day. I especially liked the plot point of Ricki leaving flowers in areas significant to the history and growth of Harlem. That being said I didnt especially care for the curse storyline. I understand the reason for it, but at times it just seemed like alot of filler and I didnt care for it. This book also lacked angst or a third act break up, which I actually really like, but I know those get tiresome for alot of other readers.
I think this book is long awaited for fans of this author and that it will be very well received. This book was a very cute and sweet love story and I will make sure to post about it on my social media closer to its release date.

Wow wow wow! I thoroughly enjoyed this story! I love that Williams did something new.. The magical realism was a nice surprise, and it still felt so grounded like her other novels. And the romance had me swooning for an old Timey man. It was so well done.
The introduction of historical black culture was informative as well as entertaining. It painted such a great picture, and I also saw it as another character in the story.
I love that it followed to different time periods, as well as different POV’s when necessary. Then how everything came together in the end was a nice surprise that made so much sense.
The only thing I wish was fleshed out a little bit more was Rikki’s family members. They all just seemed very one dimensional. But it didn’t take away from the great love story written. I would absolutely recommend this book, and have!

I just reviewed A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams. #ALoveSongforRickiWilde #NetGalley

This book was perfect! I literally laughed and kicked my feet the whole time. I wasn’t expecting the twist at the end. One thing Tia Williams can do, is write an awesome book!

Alright, I guess I’m done calling myself a self proclaimed romance hater. I fell in love with Tia Williams’ way with words when I read Seven Days in June. I devoured her backlog and fell even deeper in love. And then came Ricki Wilde.

"To me, love is like listening to an album. Some people skip to their favorite songs and ignore the rest. Other people listen to the entire album over and over, until it's familiar and cherished and they know every note by heart.”

I am irrevocably changed after A Love Song for Ricki Wilde. I am a sucker for random trivia, for a history behind a building, for learning about a background of which I’ve never occupied. I have never read something so beautiful, heartbreaking, ethereal, informational, and heart-altering. I fell hard for Ricki and how true to her authentic self she was. I have always berated myself for the traits I loved about Ricki, and it made me stand a little taller.

I’ll spare you a summary about this book, because as with Seven Days in June, I am having a hard time summing up my love for this book. But Ricki Wilde is one of the greats. There are no ifs about it. This is, hands down, one of the greatest love stories I’ve read. And oh, what a tragedy. I absolutely cried. I feel enriched from this story, and you need to read it as soon as you can get your hands on it. Nobody writes like Tia Williams.

Tia Williams’ 𝘈 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘚𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘙𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘪 𝘞𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘦 is a charming romance that celebrates Black art and history and weaves in magical realism. Titular character Ricki is the youngest daughter of the wealthy, successful Wilde family—owners of a national chain of funeral homes and well-known and respected members of their Atlanta community. More creative and unconventional than the other Wildes, Ricki wants to break away and start her own florist business. Her three older sisters are judgmental and snide, her parents are disapproving and distant. But with the support of a surprise benefactor, Ricki moves to New York and opens up a whimsical shop in Harlem. In the historic neighborhood, she finds inspiration and friendship, as well as a spark with jazz pianist and composer Breeze Walker.

I don’t want to give too much of the plot away, as surprise is an important element in the unfolding of Ricki and Breeze’s love story. But I will say that their chemistry is intense and undeniable. I enjoyed Ricki’s friendships with former child actress Tuesday Rowe and patron Ms. Della as well. And Williams is great at not only writing different kinds of characters and relationships but also in depicting environments—she describes Harlem so beautifully it made me want to book a flight. However, I do think the book has a problem with pacing. I felt like it took much too long to get to the central conflict of the story and therefore the narrative lost momentum.

Nonetheless, I found 𝘈 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘚𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘙𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘪 𝘞𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘦 a unique and magical romance. I would recommend this book to those who are looking for a transporting and sweeping story. Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

A fairy tale love story with a bit of magic. Loved the characters and Ricki being the black sheep of the family. Wasn't a huge fan of the dual time line but you needed the back story.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC