I love Tia Williams and wanted to love this but it wasn't my vibe. I think not having the magical elements upfront and making us wait ~100 pages to fully meet the LI was a bad idea. Additionally, the humor didn't land for me in this one. A lot of the jokes were cringe. I also didn't love the predictability of the final act.

3 stars.
Well, Tia Williams can definitely write. This dual POV style between Ricki and Ezra creates a good build up for when these two characters meet. I am not going to bother with a synopsis because y’all can read that for yourselves.
The lovestory is one to tell! I can love Ricki as herself and I can also love Ezra alone but, both together was a force to reckon with! The pull to each other was undeniable and Tia Williams has successfully given that feeling to the readers. I love the rest of the character as well, I mean.. who does not want a bff that is named Tuesday!
So why 3stars only? Because I feel like there should be more of Ezra and Ricki than just what we have. We already know they were doomed when they finally got together, I would have wished for that part to be the twist that can actually give the shock factor. However , that was just me and I still can say that the dynamic of this story was great!
Thank you to Netgalley for the e-copy in exchange of my honest review.

A Love Song For Ricki Wilde is a magical story that will stick with you long after you've finished reading it. Ricki Wilde, Jr. is named after her father Richard Wilde. Ricki was supposed to be a boy and when she wasn't they named her that anyways. Ricki broke the mold in the Wilde family in every spectacular way! The Wilde's are wealthy thanks to a funeral home business that is everywhere. The 3 daughters born before Ricki are all in the family business and that's what Ricki is expected to do. Ricki has no desire to be around death all day, every day. She is mesmerized by flowers and dreams of opening her own flower shop. Ricki's family doesn't take her seriously and make jokes at her expense. She's much younger than the other daughters and they look down on her.

One day when Ricki is working at one of the funeral homes she meets a woman who is grieving the loss of her husband. Ricki and her family live in Atlanta, but this woman is from Harlem in New York. She and her husband were originally from Atlanta so she brought him back here to be with family. Ricki and the woman, Ms. Della, hit it off and chat for a bit. Ricki tells her of her dream to live in New York and open her own flower shop. Ricki loves the idea of being in Harlem. Ms. Della tells Ricki that she owns a brownstone and her husband and she lived on the top 2 floors. However, she says the bottom floor is boarded up and would be a perfect spot for a flower shop! She offers to rent Ricki the space and tells her there's an apartment behind the shop space. It needs a lot of work, but with the right vision, it could be amazing!

Ricki tells her family that she's moving to Harlem to open a flower shop. They all look at her like she's lost her mind thinking she's not serious. They expect any business Ricki starts to fail and think she'll be back begging to be in the funeral home business before long. Ricki rolls her sleeves up, hires a handy man, and they get to work. It takes about 6 months to get the space fixed up, the flowers for the store stocked, and the store ready to open. Ms. Della is impressed with how Ricki has fixed up the space and can't wait for the shop to open! Ricki meets many interesting people while learning about the Harlem neighborhood and knows this is where she's meant to be. When she runs into a stranger at a garden in the park she's shaken. Ricki has never been drawn to anyone like she's drawn to this man. Ezra feels the same way about Ricki, but tells her he can't see her again. Why is it that they keep running into each other all over the place?

This is a wonderful book and I thoroughly enjoyed it! Watching Ricki chase her dream, make good friends, and enjoy her new neighborhood is amazing. Will Ricki's flower shop be successful? Will Ricki end up back in Atlanta working in the family business? Who is this man that Ricki keeps running into? Will they ever stop running from each other long enough to get to know each other? There's a lot more to the story that I can't say or I'll ruin it. Do yourself a favor and read this book. I rate A Love Song for Ricki Wilde 4 stars with a high recommendation. I'd like to thank NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for an advanced copy of A Love Song for Ricki Wilde in exchange for a fair review. #ALoveSongForRickiWilde #bookreview

While this book is profoundly emotionally moving, it is also laugh-out-loud funny, with quippy banter straight out of Gilmore Girls. It’s rom-com perfection, and it might have you planning a trip to Harlem. Full review on BookBrowse: https://www.bookbrowse.com/mag/reviews/index.cfm/ref/pr306048

I felt like it was missing something. Couldn’t quite put my finger on the storyline with the sisters. What was the purpose behind it all? Her dad was wanting more for his last born, and gave her an ultimatum. He did not even reach out to his Junior. I like the how the story of Ricki and Ezra evolved. It was cute and sweet. I did get emotional towards the end. Still can’t quite place what was missing from the story. I did enjoy reading it. I appreciate the ARC and allowing me to review this.

"A Love Song for Ricki Wilde" by Tia Williams is a captivating novel that beautifully weaves together themes of love, friendship, and self-discovery. Williams' writing is both lyrical and heartfelt, drawing readers into the world of Ricki Wilde and her journey of finding love amidst the challenges of life. The characters are vibrant and relatable, and the story is filled with twists and turns that keep you eagerly turning the pages. With its poignant storytelling and uplifting message, "A Love Song for Ricki Wilde" is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a heartwarming romance with depth and soul. My favorite book of 2023!!

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams is haunting in its plot points and beautifully written. One of my most anticipated books of 2024, this latest installment by Tia Williams did not disappoint. From the beautiful cover to the atmospheric storytelling, this book will enchant you, it will surprise you, and it will delight you. I'm planning to buy the hardcover as soon as possible.

✔️ Magical Realism
✔️ Fated Mates
✔️ Secret Identity

-my thoughts-
I went into this book with no information, only that it was written by Tia Williams, author of Seven Days in June. I recommend you go in blind (though the summary on goodreads doesn't give anything away).

You're swept up in the plot right away, and immediately root for Ricki after some familial background. The storytelling felt rich and lush, partly due to the setting - I didn't know very much about Harlem and the Harlem Renaissance til now.

I loved the romance here but I think the winners for me were the found family elements as well.

The audiobook narration added so much funny and feels to the book, particularly the parts read by Mela Lee. It was easy (and fun) to hear each character and they were distinct. Kudos to her Della as well, the octogenarian who owns the building Ricki lives in. Her voice as Della was like butter, glorious and resonant and chock full of wisdom and emotion (how did she do that?!?). It drove me, a stoic Capricorn, to tears at the end of the book.

Sit back, relax, grab your tissues just in case, and take your time with this one. 5⭐️.

Steam 🔥
Banter 🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️
Swoon 💕💕💕💕

Seven Days in June was stunning to me with the incredible writing, brilliant characters, and a beautiful love story that I could NOT look away from, so I was thrilled to get a copy of A Love Song for Ricki Wilde. I liked this a lot, and while it didn't quite live up to the sky-high expectations I placed on it, it is an excellent romance novel that is doing something a little different.

I love LOVE a time travel story and this is a good one. It's such an awesome mix of time travel, a historical fiction setting in Harlem, two great characters who are inexplicably drawn to each other, and a really cool story about a woman finding herself and making her own way in the world, defying her family's expectations. There is a lot happening in this book and its all great. I enjoyed the ride quite a bit and I loved the chemistry between Ricki and Ezra.

The one thing that I struggled with is the time travel specifics and how that plot element was wrapped up a little too neatly. It felt like Williams had this incredible idea and then couldn't really figure out how to make it come together in the end - she came up with something, and it works (sort of) but relies on coincidences and just some odd choices. But, it's time travel, so who am I to complain. Either way, I enjoyed this so much.

Leap year magic, voodoo, love story, finding oneself are all the themes of this book.

Ricki Wilde has never felt like she really belonged in her family. Her father Richard Sr. (Ricki is Richard Jr.) runs the family's funeral business and her three older sisters all work for him. Ricki was a surprise baby and seems to be the butt of her sisters' jokes. Ricki has always felt an affinity to flowers and nature. She ends up moving to Harlem and starting her own floral shop with the help of her adopted grandmother. Weird things start happening when she spends some time in a city garden. She sees a man that she instantly feels a connection to. Their paths keep crossing and then things get interesting.

Breeze Walker is a jazz man during the heyday of the Harlem/Cotton Club days. How is he still alive and as young as he was back then? You will have to read to find out.

This is a fun read. Ricki is a great character. I would love to see the outfits she put together and her flower arrangements. Loved the magical components.

Thanks to Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for a copy for review.

From Good Reads - "Set against the backdrop of modern Harlem and Renaissance glamour, A Love Song for Ricki Wilde is a swoon-worthy love story of two passionate artists drawn to the magic, romance, and opportunity of New York, and whose lives are uniquely and irreversibly linked."

This book was such a haunting and fantastic love story. This was actually my first read by Tia Williams and I absolutely loved her style of writing. I fell in love with Ricki's free spirit and her artistry. Seeing her character grow and embrace her free spirit was very enjoyable. I enjoyed the magical twist in this book which gave me some Addie LaRue vibes, but still enough of a difference to stand on its own.

Highly recommend this one. Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC copy in exchange for a review that is my own opinions.

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde follows Ricki, Ezra, Ms Della and Tuesday through many ups and downs as they all find their place in Harlem. Tia Williams spins an entertaining and meaningful story as she tosses in a lot of pop culture references that everyone will enjoy. She connects her characters to events and people that we will all relate to. Great story!

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde was a lovely surprise! I adored all of the characters in the story (especially Ricki) and found the NYC setting to be mesmerizing. The dual timelines worked very well, and I loved how the history of the Harlem Renaissance was incorporated throughout the novel. However, my favorite part of the story was the magical realism — it totally reminded me of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. Finally, the novel ended on the perfect note!

While I really enjoyed the story overall, I had two small issues. First, the story had a slow start and didn’t really pick up until around page 50. Second, I kept wanting more from Breeze and Ricki’s romance, but that never materialized. BUT, I still recommend this lovely novel because it has something for everyone!

What a beautiful, magical realistic, and romantic ode to NY and the Harlem Renaissance! I went into this one blind because Tia Williams is an auto-read author for me. I had no idea what type of ride I was in for. This was a pleasant surprise. This book was very unique, with a storyline I haven't read before. The nods to the 1920s and black culture warmed my heart.

The plot is written in such a captivating way. The story is told from dual POVs, and I found myself entranced with Ricki and Ezra and their stories. The characters were extremely well developed, and I was invested in them. This book was quirky and humorous, as well as magical. I found myself smiling numerous times while reading this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for this ARC in return for an unbiased review.

I’ve been waiting for the right moment to read Tia Williams’ next release, and that moment came to me on a chilly weekend with February around the corner—when else is a better time to read a book centered on leap years? RICKI WILDE blends romance and historical fiction as it follows our titular protagonist, an Atlanta florist who relocates to Harlem and falls for an elusive jazz musician. I have a soft spot for a good New York story, and Williams definitely delivered on that front. I loved the richness of the dual narratives set during present day and the Harlem Renaissance, especially with two leads being artists making sense of their pasts.⁣
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SEVEN DAYS IN JUNE sets an impossibly high bar for Williams to surpass, in my opinion, but RICKI WILDE is fresh and unexpected with its magical realism and speculative elements. It’s a vivid, immersive story that swept me off my feet and gave me a greater appreciation for the history and magic of my adopted city. Thank you @grandcentralpub for the e-ARC!

I need this book to be made into a limited series or movie PRONTO! Issa, Quinta, Ava where you at to adapt this story? What a unique and magical love story I wasn't quite sure where the story was going but I was intrigued enough to keep going and by the time I figured it out , I was hooked! Tia Williams combines magic, undying love and soul mates, in an unforgettable love story of two soul mates destined to connect. To tell any more I'd feel like I'd spoil the story but Tia Williams was in her creative bag writing this one.

This was a fun and timely read at the end of February, as the story centers around a leap year, and includes some magical elements therein. I enjoyed Williams sharp sense of humor and the recognizable elements of a cinderella story, including magic, three evil sisters, a fairy godmother, and of course the prince who has been looking for his great love. I do find the ‘oddball girl with gumption who strikes out on her own’ theme a bit tiresome and the reinforcement of that narrative got a little repetitive. But overall the story felt fresh and entertaining. I definitely need to go back and read Seven Days in June!

A beautiful and magical story about destined soulmates and the happening of leap year and what it can bring. Beautiful historic times added in for the characters for their past and present.

✨ A Love Story for Ricki Wilde ✨⁣
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⁣Genre- Magical Realism / Romance. ⁣
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⁣Length- 352 pages. ⁣
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⁣My thoughts- Swoon! I loved this book so much! ⁣
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⁣Ricki Wilde moves to Harlem to start her own flower shop. One night in February, she runs into a mysterious stranger who knocks her entire world off balance. ⁣
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⁣This book is a lovely magical realism romance featuring two fantastic characters! It’s also an atmospheric book that felt like a love letter to Harlem at times! ⁣
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⁣Read this if you enjoyed- In Five Years, The Songbook of Benny Lament, and One Last Stop. ⁣
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⁣I’m not officially a Tia Williams fan! Five stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⁣
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⁣Thank you to @netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of A Love Song for Ricki Wilde. This book is out now!

I requested this book because I LOVED Seven Days in June. This book was very easy to get immersed in and I loved Ricki and her relationship with her elderly landlord. I didn't love the time travel aspect of it but though Tia Williams did a good job capturing the glamour of 1920s Harlem. I would recommend for fans of The Time Traveler's Wife and The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue.