Thank you Grand Central and NetGalley for the eARC of A Love Song for Ricki Wilde! All opinions in this review are my own.

I absolutely adored Seven Days in June so A Love Song for Ricki Wilde had a tough reputation to live up to. While it couldn't dethrone Seven Days in June as my favorite Tia Williams book, I still enjoyed it! I really like Ricki as a character and her relationship with Ezra, but I didn't love the chapters that flashed back into the past. I kept just wanting to read about Ricki and her flower shop! The last 100ish pages were my favorite because that's when the story really came together. Overall, Williams creates a loveable cast of characters in this magical book!

4.5 rounding up. After loving Seven Days in June, I was excited to pick this one up, and I am glad I did! A romance with some fun magical realisim thrown in - usually not my vibe at all, but I am glad I jumped in anyway. I love how she writes and how she infuses history into this story in such a beautiful way. I can't wait for her next book!

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

Tia Williams is such an excellent author. I stalled with this book and wasn't able to finish before publication day but I would highly highly recommend this book to my audience. The slow burn romance, the dual timeline, the Harlem elements, it all came together so beautifully and wonderfully. I cannot say enough kind and good words about Tia Williams as an author.

I absolutely loved this book! It is truly amazing and I highly recommend! Tia Williams is such and amazing writer

✨ PRINCEMAN REVIEW ✨

📝 Ricki has always been the 'odd' one in her family. While they are all destined to work with the father's funeral home chain, she craves for something different. What she really wants is to run her own flower shop. By chance, she meets Della, who offers her a place to stay in Harlem while she opens her own shop. Ricki is finally starting her own path, when she meets the mysterious Ezra. She can't help but be drawn to him, even though he is a mystery. Is this connection one she can forget?

What I 🤍:
🪄 Magical Realism
🕰️ Harlem Renaissance
🩷 Fated Mates
🌀 Duel Timelines
🧑‍🧑‍🧒 Found Family

TIa Williams once again writes a masterpiece. I thought Seven Days in June would be impossible to beat, but this is also up there. I couldn't get enough of Ricky and Ezra. The second half of the story was also so enchanting, that it was impossible to put down. I can't recommend this book enough!

I love the way Tia Williams writes romance. Can we say tension?!?! That being said, I just wanted more of that. The magical realism bit was a surprise but not an unhappy one. A major plot point seemed really easy to see coming so alot of the emotional turmoil felt contrived but I would still read anything Tia Williams wrote.

Thanks to netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I had a feeling that Tia Williams’ A LOVE SONG FOR RICKI WILDE would be an absolute dazzler.

SEVEN DAYS IN JUNE, her most recent release, is one of those romances truly lives in my head rent-free (seriously, take a gander at all of the times I’ve posted about it recently). Not only does Williams deliver a swoon-worthy romance following two novelists (!!!), but she deftly covers heavier topics in a thoughtful way.

While A LOVE SONG FOR RICKI WILDE is very different than her other work, it’s just as good. In fact, it’s my fourth 5 ⭐️ read of the year so far!

Ricki Wilde, the youngest daughter in a line of funeral home socialites, impulsively decides to follow her dreams of owning a flower shop and flees her native Atlanta to settle down in Harlem. As she builds her shop in the bottom floor of a brownstone owned by Miss Della, she explores Harlem’s rich culture. On a February night, Ricki, always a flower lover, is drawn to a neighborhood garden, where she meets a mysterious man named Ezra. As the two continue to cross paths, she learns that Ezra is going to knock her entire life off balance as she learns that they’re irrevocably linked.

I ADORED this book. I tried to savor it, but I could have easily blazed through the whole thing in a single sitting because I was THAT engrossed. This is such a genre-bender — it doesn’t just come complete with a stunning romance, but elements of historical fiction and magical realism. We even get some shocking twists in here that make the storytelling absolutely SING.

Let’s talk historical fiction first. We know I’m often iffy on the genre, but I adored the flashback chapters in this novel. Williams infuses so many historical tidbits from the Harlem Renaissance and I adored these lush details.

Onto the magical realism, shall we? It works SO well in here. If you loved THE INVISIBLE LIFE OF ADDIE LARUE, then you’ll likely enjoy the use of magical realism in here as well. Without spoiling anything, the magical elements all made sense and truly boosted the romance. The use of Leap Year was incredibly creative and the exploration of fate was fascinating.

QUICK TAKE: I don’t always read romance, but when I do, I read Tia Williams. If you haven’t read Tia before, do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of this book, or her SEVEN DAYS IN JUNE. Both are excellent. Her latest follows a 20something who moves to NYC to open her own floral business, much to the dismay of her wealthy southern family. Oh yeah, and said 20something falls for an immortal jazz musician, cursed to live forever until he finds his one true love (I think you get the idea). Perfect for fans of ADDIE LARUE, this book is sexy and romantic and funny and very voice-driven. I loved the pop culture references and the character dynamics (not to mention a scene involving a piano that had me sweating!!). With JUNE and now this book, Tia Williams is for sure an auto-buy author for me!

There was something about the vibe of this book that I enjoyed. I don’t love boring romances and while the paranormal is not really my thing, I was able to stomach its interplay in “A Love Song for Ricki Wilde.” There is a charm and cool to this creative romance. The couple’s initial interactions was a little confusing, but overall I enjoyed. 3.5 stars ⭐️ rounded up to 4 stars ⭐️. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the advanced copy for review.

What beautiful writing and storytelling all the way through. This novel bends many genres to weave together a love story for the ages. Tia Williams captures experiences and periods of time so well. I was immersed in this story. This book is a slow burn. You will get enveloped in the Harlem/Jazz era of NYC! Since it is genre-bending, it may not be for everyone. While it is a romance, it also includes magical realism.

Ricki the creative in a family of traditionals works the family funeral business but really wants to branch off and do her own thing. As a vintage wearing slight delusional romantic, Ricky begins exploring her passion. While working the family business she meets a lady that becomes her fairy grandmother that changes the trajectory of her life.
I loved this story of Ricki Wilde finding her way while distancing herself far from her family while also realizing exactly the type of love she wants. This is a love story that made me smile and get teary eyed. Tia Williams did it again.

This is such a delightful, steamy book! I think it would make a great movie because of the combination of magical elements and atmospheric settings.

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams
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Ricki Wilde is used to her family not expecting much from her. Yet she is determined to go after her dreams of opening her own floral shop in Harlem. One night she runs into a mysterious man who has a passion for music and is determined to avoid her.
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What I liked:
-This book was a whole vibe. I loved how it built on this mysteriousness of the leap year.
-Ricki’s desire to build something herself was something I liked. I love a book about women who aren’t afraid to work hard for their dreams.
-I loved Miss Della. 🥰
-This book was beautiful and also a little heartbreaking. I teared up a bit.
-Also the cover 😍 aaaaaaand, this quote:
“To look your best, don’t lead with breasts.” 😳😂😂😂
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4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This book was not what I was expecting and I love when books do that. Definitely genre-bending.

This is my third book by mother Tia, so I wasn’t expecting anything less than greatness! From the first chapter, I felt mystified by Ricki 😵‍💫. Her character truly feels larger than life, which juxtaposes how she actually felt in her family. I loved how Williams portrayed the importance of remaining true to self in a family that encourages living to a certain standard! Ricki’s flower shop, sense of style, and humor were some of my favorite parts!!!! She seemed so down to Earth; I wanna be her friend so bad 😩🩵💜

I also loved the aspects of magic realism (Tiana loving some fantasy elements?! 😱) The incorporation of Black history (both musical and literary included) was a treat. I have an affinity for the Harlem Renaissance, so getting a taste of that era through Tia Williams’ pen was so delicious. Ezra and Della were SO excellent as “secondary” characters, but TUESDAY?! One chapter of her has me demanding more about her in any form. Please don’t make me beg 🧎🏾‍♀️

In the end, I just felt like I wanted more! (I think I may be greedy 🌝) More about Ezra’s story, more romance, more of an ending (the epilogue fulfilled me, but it was still missing a lil sum for what I was looking for). I loved the premise of the leap year, but I also think it limited some details I was craving. I want the epilogue tattooed on my forehead 😭 Also, I NEED to smell some night-blooming jasmine!

Slow to start and then hurdles to the finish, this is an overall satisfying romance with a unique time travel twist. Recommend to fans of Tia Williams' other works and romance readers. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

OH MY GOD. (the best kind of response to a book)

Okay, so I'll be the first to admit that this book was HARD for me to get into. About 43% of the way in, it picked up in a HUGE WAY and I'm so glad I stuck with it! I almost don't want to talk about any elements of the story, because the magic was partly in the surprise/reveal. So here are some gushy thoughts!

- The timeline. This book has flashbacks and memories as a central theme, but primarily takes place in February 2024.
- The rich history of the Harlem community. If not for the spicy scenes, I'd be encouraging everyone to read this book! With the spice, it's not appropriate for everyone, but I'm so grateful for the glimpse into the rich history of this neighborhood in the black community, along with rich (albeit troubling) traditions of the south. While the community isn't mine, I'm forever grateful to authors that open up the world to someone like me, a white girl for the pnw, to see just a small part of the world that history and actions have created for this specific community of people. It allowed me to "walk a mile" so to speak in Ricki Wilde's shoes (and Ezra's, Tuesday's, Ms. Della's, etc.).
- The STORYTELLING! Tia Williams connects old and new, tradition with modernization, tragedy with hope. The moment the story picked up, I saw the slow world building and the foundation Tia laid for us, and I just enjoyed the rest of the ride!
- The historic pop culture references intertwined with modern day celebrities... this was particularly fun! To look throughout all the decades since the 1920s and see movers and shakers who made such an impact on culture.
- The multiple POVs! I was so surprised to get more than just dual POV in this one. I haven't read anything else by this author, but I don't see this type of story often in the romance world and I'm HERE FOR IT.

I ALMOST recommend going in blind to this story, and make sure you give yourself 50% before you decide ANYTHING about the story. I can also 100% recommend the audiobook! I loved both narrators!

5 giant stars all around!

HUGE thank you to Grand Central Publishing for access to the ARC of this one via NetGalley! These are my honest thoughts!

3.5/5 stars.

I enjoyed this book! I had very high hopes after adoring Seven Days in June, and while this one didn't meet those expectations, I enjoyed it and was curious to see where the story went! I liked the different POVs and how the characters' stories wove together. I have to admit that "instant love" is one of my least favorite romance tropes, and it's hard to get past that in a story that hinges on love at first sight! I also could not get on board with the Ricki's family. They were awful and I don't think they added to the story that much. Williams' descriptions are lush and bring this to life, and I think it would make an EXCELLENT adaptation to the screen. The last chapter was amazing and moving!

A beautiful story. I was a little unsure about a romance story tying in magical realism but Tia does this well. Mrs. Della and Tuesday were great secondary characters and added so much to the storyline. I would recommend this book.

I am fully obsessed with this cover. I loved Tia's previous book so I had high expectations for this one and it fell a little short. I did not fully believe the romance aspect which is a hard thing when reading a romance. The female relationships were more compelling but I still really enjoyed the book.

I loved the magic and curse and all the flower talk and the history. Ms. Della and Tuesday were lovely. I just wanted so much more about Ezra’s background. The man has been around how long and we only got a handful of chapters in the beginning?!? And then once we learned how to break the curse, I knew how it was going to happen, which is fine. The fated soulmate concept was fun but something was missing in the romance? PS Ricki’s sisters are awful.