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

Crossing time and space, A LOVE SONG FOR RICKI WILDE is a dazzling romance for the ages. We meet Ricki as she moves from the south to set up her own flower shop in present day Harlem. Her world is forever changed when she crosses paths with a mysterious stranger on leap year.

Not only is this a love song for Ricki Wilde, but a passionate ballad to the city of Harlem. The city jumps off the page with jazz music, the Harlem Renaissance and black joy. This whimsical book is rooted in reality but the magical realism element plays a big role. The story gets a bit woo woo at times but knowing this ahead of time may help your expectations.

Astute readers will catch the cameo from Eva and Shane Williams’ previous novel, SEVEN DAYS IN JUNE. Be on the lookout for this unconventional love story on February 6, 2024!

READ THIS IF:
-You enjoy unique love stories like THE SEVEN YEAR SLIP
-Armchair travel to Harlem sounds magnificent
-You prefer your romance scenes spicy & open-door

Many thanks to Grand Central Pub for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

Ricki Wilde does not fit in with the rest of her family - she does not want to be part of her family’s funeral home dynasty, she is not a proper southern socialite and she doesn’t do what her parents expect. Her father has had it with her and then she meets Della, a sparky nonagenarian who owns a brownstone in Harlem. When Della offers, Ricki jumps at the chance to follow her dreams, own a flower shop and move away from her constrained Atlanta life. Once she’s in NYC she keeps running into a Ezra, who she is just drawn to and cannot stop thinking about - but there is something about him that she cannot put her finger on, he’s not like any other man she has met. Ricki and her new best friend, a ex-child star, work on figuring out Ezra’s secret while Ricki cannot stop herself from falling in love.

I really enjoyed this novel. While the ending is relatively predictable like most romances, I certainly enjoyed the journey. I loved the Jazz-age Harlem story in the background and the supporting characters were just fun and really kept the story going. There was twist or two that I hadn’t expected and I even had a tear at the end of this one. I haven’t read her earlier book yet and I fully intend to now! If you like a good love story with some magical realism I highly recommend.

4.25 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC to review

Wow. What even just happened?

That book was not what I was expecting at all, and I loved it so much. And it was so great to see some old loves again (Eva is doing well). I can’t wait for Tuesday’s story.

Easily one of the best books I read all year.

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde follows the family black sheep Ricki Wilde on her journey to build a life for herself outside of her family's name and expectations. Along the way, she builds a family of her choosing, finds herself, and most unexpectedly, love.

Let me start by saying that Tia Williams is a solid writer, but, with this story, I can see her growth from "The Accidental Diva" to now. Shucks, I can see the growth from "Seven Days in June" to this one. This story had multiple plot lines running concurrently, and she managed to weave them MASTERFULLY, into a coherent, and engaging plot. It was really *chef's kiss*.

Next, much like other novels by the same author, this one started slowly. Ms. WIlliams really seems to enjoy developing the plot through focusing a lot on exposition, and this one was no different. BUT, in A Love Song for Ricki Wilde, it seemed to pay off in a more satisfying way. Each of the details included seemed wholly necessary to the plot and everything made sense in the end.

Overall, this was a refreshing take on an age-old story. Well done. VERY well done!

I first read this author’s Seven Days in June and was over the moon with it. Now with A Love Song for Ricki Wilde, I was in love again! This author just draws you in with her descriptiveness and you feel like you’re part of the story, there with the characters. Being from the South, but not a WOC, I know about Southern society, especially in GA and MS! Tough world! But then Ricki makes a move to Harlem, another tough world and she’s right at home! Wow, just an awesome romance, but it’s way more than that too!

I love this one. I learned so much and laughed out loud. Tia Williams is an instant read author for me. She can do no wrong 😍

The love story of the century, literally! I loved this book and was all in on Ricki and Ezra’s romance. It was well-written, unique, and even had some unexpected plot twists! Heartwarming and memorable, A Love Song for Ricki Wilde is the love story we all need.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars

Book release date: February 6, 2024

Synopsis: Ricki Wilde has had the hopes and dreams of her rich and powerful family upon her since birth. The youngest of 4 girls and black sheep of her family, Ricki has always struggled to define her identity and her dreams. Tired of leading a shell of a life to please her family, she decides to strike out on her own, and relocate from Atlanta to Harlem to open a floral shop. She has selected her chosen family, a grandmother, Ms. Della, and best friend, former child TV star, Tuesday. But after keeps crossing paths with a mysterious and handsome gentleman with secrets in various parts of her neighborhood, things get real. The story lines feature multiple characters and take place during the 1920s and present day Harlem.

A Love Story for Ricki Wilde delivered such a powerful, intriguing, and beautiful message, gift wrapped in sentiment, vulnerability, and a gripping story of undying love. From the fascinating historical lessons (I took many breaks to conduct research) to the laugh-out-loud punchlines, I was drawn into this unique story from the very first page. I took my time with this novel. It was such an exhilarating experience, I didn’t want to rush through it. Williams is a brilliant author, who expertly weaves real-life issues into compelling stories featuring swoony love interests that are to die for (no pun intended). These larger than life characters will live on in my heart and mind for many years to come. Bravo!

Thanks to NetGalley, Grand Central Publishing, and the author for providing an advance copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Thoughts

I know this book will not be for everybody. Some people do not like magical elements in their romances. But for me, I love it. I think they pair wonderfully.

This book is whimsical and free. It speaks to the dreamer in all of us. Ricki is such a great character. Her and Ezra's story is why people read books and go to the movies. To see this big fantastically fated love that makes all weak in the knees.

And there are some cameos in this book that made my heart so happy!

Oh and all the music and other pop culture!! It just sealed this book as a great in my opinion.

Excuse me while I go pretend to become an expert in flower arrangements for the next two weeks, since I take on the personality of all my favorite characters.

Hm what can I say abt this one LOVED IT (Oprah voice) different from what she normally writes, I was expecting a typical love story like boy meets girl girl falls in love with boy they break up get back together then live happily ever after lol but this one was different it was abt finding your soul mate and destiny with a little twist of fantasy. Backdrops was set in the Harlem renaissance two ppl who are drawn together by forces unknown...that's all i am going to say It is definitely worth the read!!

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde was a magical, comedic, heartwarming love story centering around florist Ricki and musician Ezra. While I loved their central love story the addition of the backstories of both of their families and the friends they both made along the way really added another level.

Wow. I went into this book blind. I read a couple of books from this author , but this one is different. It has romance, Harlem Renaissance, fashion,mystery, spice, and suspense.

Ricki is the black sheep out of her family. She mentions in the beginning that her family has a rigid idea of what success looks like which is fine, but she didn’t necessarily agree with it.

She decided to move to New York from Atlanta to start her own florist company. She was able to meet what she calls her chosen family and will prove to her family she can do this on her own.

She also falls in love with someone who is madly in love with her, but it’s not that simple of course.

A supernatural love that was decades in the making. But once found, are you willing to fight for it with all your might even if it is cursed? That’s what this tale is about. A story that’s told from the perspective of current day & the Harlem Renaissance it’s deeply entrenched in the unexplainable supernatural with a few moments of “spice” & bits of Black excellence history thrown in for good measure.

Thank you for the advanced copy of this book! I will be posting my review on social media, to include Instagram, Amazon, Goodreads, and Instagram!

I absolutely loved everything about this. The novel is centered in Harlem, pays deep homage to the Harlem Renaissance and is delightfully funny and romantic all at once. At one point the story takes a fantasy twist, that doesn’t distract but rather aids in the romance. Can’t recommend enough. Just gorgeous. Didn’t want to say goodbye to these characters.