DNF @ 25%. Life is too short to read books that make you feel like you're crawling up a hill to get through them.

Like so many people, I really enjoyed 'Seven Days In June' - though, when I tried to pick up Tia Williams' other novel, I struggled with that. Was it a fluke? The evidence suggests yes. 'A Love Song for Ricki Wilde' feels like an interesting concept badly executed. I enjoyed the first 10% or so, but suddenly, we were in a whirlwind of stuff happening, jumping six months in the past with little reasoning. In fact, the first chapter just seemed to be exposition so we knew how shitty the main character's family was. The 1920s sections were kind of corny and when they weren't corny, they were desperately sad. I don't need two pages of poetic ramblings about New York chewing people up and spitting it out - I've heard all that before. Those sections lacked pacing and action - I just didn't want to read it.

I imagine, as the five star goodreads reviews will show, this book will have plenty of people who love it. Sadly, I won't be one of them.

Wow, what a beautiful story!
The plot centres around our main character Ricki as she moves to Harlem to follow her dream to become a florist, and once she bumps into Ezra it becomes clear that they were fated to meet.

The writing is so lyrical and I absolutely love the magical realism. It has a slightly slow start but it really pays off in the end however I did guess where the story was going and was absolutely heart broken to be correct 💔

You will enjoy this if you love intense, all-consuming love stories, found family and magical elements.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC. I can’t wait for future releases by Tia Williams.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I seem to be in the minority, but unfortunately, I did not love this book. I liked the idea of the plot, and I loved the Harlem history and the flashbacks to the jazz era, as well as the references to my fave Stevie Wonder. I liked the characters, particularly Tuesday, but I didn't feel a strong connection with the two main characters and their relationship. I feel that there wasn't enough dialogue or time given to develop the relationship between them. They only had brief interactions until the end of the book, which worked logically in terms of the plot, but for me resulted in a lack of chemistry and authenticity. The plot was an interesting concept, but was a bit too predictable and lacking in tension.

Overall, still an easy, enjoyable read, but not a favourite. As I said at the beginning, I seem to be in the minority and this is just my personal opinion, so please give it a read if you are interested!

Such a lovely story! Loved the nod to music industry, just like Seven Days in June was to the writing industry. Like how it followed a different path. Romance didn’t feel forced and it was lovely progression throughput.

Will be reading more by Tia in the future!

Another brilliant read from Tia Williams.

I really enjoyed this book. The main characters were relatable and likeable (especially Ms Della. What a powerhouse!) The relationship between Ricky and Ezra was spicy 🌶️ and I loved the dual timeline aspect.

Some of the twists were a little predictable, but not all and I couldn’t put this down. Highly recommend.

This book was a delight to read. The story was cute, well crafted, and the dual timeline was just enough.

I also loved the cameo from the protagonist of Seven Days in June, it made so much sense.

Somewhere, around the middle of the book, I almost dreaded what was coming next, and if it would all make sense in the end, but the story came through very well, and it was very enjoyable.

I have to say I became a fan of Tia Williams, and I will continue to read her books in the future.

What a book! The love story was absolutely magical, the writing style was so beautiful it made me tear up so many times and flower motif throughout was absolutely perfect!

'But where her sisters were long-stemmed roses, Ricki, younger than Rae by fifteen years, was a dandelion. A bloom that looked like flower but was really a weed: born to erupt into fluff, floating wherever the wind blew.'

Also, it was so interesting to learn a little bit about history of Harlem. This story kept me on the edge of my seat, I couldn't wait to find out WHAT IS GOING ON!
Perfect book for people who love love itself, who believe in faith, soulmates, extraordinary friendships, dreams which come true and a happy ending.

'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.'

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a digital ARC.

This was dreamy! I loved Seven Days in June and this was the perfect follow up. It follows Ricki Wilde, a florist who's just opened shop in Harlem and a mysterious stranger who keeps popping up.

There are magical realism elements here which weren't surprising but done really well. It's a perfect balance of emotional and sensual, haunted by the headiness of the Harlem Renaissance. The pace is fast but enjoyable and I really just loved our two leads. A rich, vibrant story that's perfect for the winter blues.

It's official. Tia Williams can do no wrong.

In A Love Song for Ricki Wilde, she has weaved together the musical history of Harlem with an endgame kinda love and I was here for all of it. Listen to me when I tell you that I. Did. Not. Want. This. Book. To. End. This book is perfect for those, who like me, need their romance novels to have depth and other things going on as it is a gorgeous story about connection, personal growth and friendship.

After reading The Perfect Find and Ricki Wilde, I will now read everything that Tia Williams ever writes.

Read this one if you are into:
· Music
· Magic
· Authenticity
· Found family
· Going against the grain

✨

Thank you to NetGalley and Quercus Books for the advance reader copy.

This is the kind of love story that stays with you. Ricki is an amazing FMC who struggles in the rich pretentious world she’s been born into and wants to just be. Ezra is confused and misunderstood; but actively wants to make the world beautiful for Ricki.

There’s so much to say about this book and the story but mainly there’s a joy to the story that feels real and good.

I’m excited to read more of the authors work.

seven days in june was one of my favorite books in 2022 so i was so excited when i found out tia williams is going to release new book.
if i could summarize this book into two main themes it would be soulmates & found family.

the main love story between ezra and ricki was everything especially that first meeting scene i love it when writers manage to convey two characters and their connection without it being corny.

ms dalla and Tuesday are side characters that i also loved that were important to the book and to ricki, they were the supportive family members that ricki never had i loved that for her.
i think a book about tuesday would be so fun to read!

overall this book gave me nostalgic feel in the best way possible, it felt like im watching my favorite 2000s movies!
also that evashane cameo 🫶🏼😭

I think this book has such a unique story to it, maybe there are other stories like, I don't know, to me it was totally unique. Ricki and Ezra's relationship is lovely and I am happy to see that they were not scared by the end but they actually made the most of it. All book was beautifully written and the cameo totally welcomed.

I loved Seven Days in June so was thrilled to see that there was another book available by the same author!
When Ricki is invited by Ms. Della, to rent the bottom floor of her Harlem brownstone, she leaves behind her family, wealth, and complicated romantic decisions to pursue her dream of opening a flower shop. Then one evening Ricki encounters a handsome stranger -Ezra.
This was truly a beautiful love story, in fact, the book should come with its own supply of tissues!!!!

The books I tend to read normally follow a pretty predictable formula, and you are comfortable in the dips and swings of the familiar. With this book I had no idea what was happening or what was going to happen next. I had forgotten the synopsis by the time I started reading and purposely chose not to reread, preferring to just dive on in and see where we ended up. Was this a time travel book? Are they ghosts? Are they descendants of the characters we meet from the past? Is it magic? Voodoo?Vampires? WHAT IS GOING ON!!

The world was masterfully crafted with scenes that were poetically written and immediately made me feel smarter as I read the words. I was out of my comfort zone, but I enjoyed being there. It was full of music, joy and life, while also reminding you of the pain.

I laughed, I cried, I swooned. I felt hopeless and heartbroken, all for Williams to put me back together again.

“Anything less than the truth is a lie”

Genre: Romance
Format: Digital
POV: Multiple
Spice: 🌶️ /5
Age suggestion: 18+

“[…] It's a warning. A threat. Did my father thug you into doing this? To scare me into leaving town?”
He raised a brow, interested. “Who's your dad? He sounds menacing.”
“Richard Wilde. He owns a national chain of funeral homes.”
“Where he buries his enemies?”

About 60 pages in, I was convinced it would be a 5-star read for me.
This book is funny, witty, interesting, exhilarating, heart-breaking, brilliant, … I could go on and on.
I love the way Tia Williams tells a story, and makes the characters seem alive and vibrant in the best possible way. They each have their unique quirks and behaviours that are just perfectly them. It was a joy to get to know them and I got attached so fast, I felt everything with them.
I adore how the author weaves history into the book—educates—and I don't mind and even want to know more.

“Your brain,” he said, “must be a fascinating place to visit.”
“Actually, it's a bottomless well of useless trivia.”

A lot of lines resonated with me and I underlined so many, I will need my own copy as soon as the book is published.

Ricky and Ezra, Tuesday, Ms. Della—they are absolute gems, and I'd give anything to meet them. The romance between Ricky and Ezra developed in a beautiful way, the friendships are just *chef kiss*. Also, I'm a sucker for a found-family story, sooo...
And Tuesday, I adore you. You're just as amazing as you think you are.

“It's funny, I'm used to being the protagonist in every situation. For the first time, I'm a supporting character. I like it here.”

After about 70% of the book, I knew for sure how it would end and already started to tear up.
I was right, and I finished the book sobbing (so guessing the ending didn't diminish the impact of it).
One of my favourite books, hands down.
Please give it a try!

Williams does not disappoint. This is the second book of hers that I’ve read, the first being Seven Days in June and I love them both will my whole heart.

I love Little Richard, sorry, I mean Ricki, and was fully prepared to go to war for her against her family. I saw myself in her, being the youngest of four, and the pressures and freedom that can come with that. I loved her determination, her humour, and her intelligence.

I loved how this book had found family. Ricki and Ms Della constantly had me tearing up, I loved their relationship so much and how important they became to each other. I really liked how it highlighted the importance of connecting with your elders.

Tuesday was epic and I absolutely adored her. I really hope she gets her own book as she deserves it. I love the growth she went through in this, and the love she and Ricki had for each other. Such an excellent friendship and sisterhood. Tuesday was always ready to fight for Ricki, any time, any place, anywhere!

Ezra…I loved Ezra. I love how we learned so much about the history of music and how music can be influenced by all these different forces, people, events that we may never have heard of but have certainly left their mark.

I really loved learning more about the history of Harlem, particularly the Harlem Renaissance, and the figures who lived in it. I admittedly went in to this not knowing much about that period of history at all, so it was interesting to learn more about the culture, the history, and the people. Williams really brought it all to life, and both settings (past and present) felt so vivid, so real. She is excellent and forming setting and bringing it to life.

Oh how the plot filled me with such sorry, such anger, such sadness…But there was so much happiness, relief, catharsis, romance. It was everything. Williams does not shy away from emotion. Her characters feel it, the readers feel it. Emotions are allowed to be felt here, no matter what they are. And damn, all were felt. I laughed, I cried, I grieved, I angered, repeat. What a magnificent book, by a magnificent storyteller.

The only thing I would say is that the pacing felt off in some parts, really slow and then just really fast towards the end. It felt like a lot happened in a small space of time, and I sometimes wish that Ricki and Ezra did not have such an insta-love for each other (although the circumstances do explain why).

I think there’s a lot from this book that could have potential spin offs (I won’t spoil) and I hope one day we will see those threads picked up. Like I loved the small SDIJ cameos!

I enjoyed reading the book; it is well-paced, and the story unfolds in a manner that keeps you engaged with an equal balance of mystery and romance. I like the camos of some of my favourite characters from other books by the author. It was a pleasant surprise, and I recommend the book.

It's got this cool mix of old-school Harlem vibes and a modern love story. Ricki Wilde a black horticulturist who's trying to find her spot in the world, away from her family's shadow. She opens this florist shop in Harlem, in a brownstone owned by the intriguing Ms. Della, and that's where the magic starts.

Tia Williams really knows how to make characters pop. Reading this book feels like you're right there in Harlem, hanging out with Ricki and her tribe. There's this awesome blend of history and today's world, which keeps you hooked. The way Williams writes makes it all feel so real and lively.

The cool thing about this book is it's not just a love story; it's about chasing your dreams and staying true to yourself. It's got heart, it's got struggle, and it's got triumph. It’s the kind of book that gets you all motivated to go after what you want in life.

Officially a fan girl of Tia Williams after reading Seven Days in June. Tia Williams writing style is fun, captivating and her characters jump off the page. Someone needs to green light her books for TV shows ASAP.

What a beautifully written piece! Although it is no surprise coming from Tia Williams. I read Six Days in June and it became one of my favorite romances of all time, so you can imagine how happy I was to receive a copy of this book. And I have to say it did not disappoint. This story was different from anything I’ve read before. My expectations were high and it more than met them.

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde is a timeless love story that will have any romance lover giggling one minute and tearing up the next. I went into this book completely blind and I believe it is the best way to go into it. Not expecting anything that was about to happen made it so much fun.

This book is funny, beautiful, heartwarming, and nostalgic all at once. All the historical elements were my favorite part of the book, maybe even more so than the romance itself (which, don’t get me wrong, was perfect). I learned so much, and it was just such a different and amazing concept!
I, as the Spanish woman that I am, also loved the little mention of my country (and such a fun tale). I also adored the cameo!

The characters were all very lovable and well-developed and I genuinely would read an entire book for each of them.

All in all, I am so grateful I got to read this book now because for one, it got me out of my reading slump, and it also made me get into the festive wintery mood.

Thank you to the publisher, the author, and NetGalley for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this eARC of 'A Love Song for Ricki Wilde' by Tia Williams.

This is my second Tia Williams book and I'm having the same difficulty with her writing as I did before. I'm reading this novel, I'm taking in the words but then I instantly forget and then I just constantly get stuck and don't understand where I am. Now that's not Williams' fault but I couldn't really enjoy the novel as much as I wish I could.