This isn't my first Tia Williams book, but it's definitely very different from Seven Days in June. The writing is once again beautiful and super fluent, which caused me being so hooked to the story that I read the first 50% in one sitting. It's a story like none ever told and the characters are really interesting. Tuesday and Mrs Della were absolutely wonderful. They were so full of life and adventure and even if they were not the main characters, they really had depth to them. The most interesting part is definitely when you're trying to find out who Ezra is. As you move on in the book, the flashbacks start to make more sense and the fact that some history is included is definitely a plus for me. However, around 60-70% into the book, you discover the truth about Ezra and that's where Williams lost my interest. The paranormal is really not my thing and I had a hard time focussing on something that just does not exist. I struggled through the last past of the book even though the writing was still as good. The decision to add some non-realistic element was just not for me. I did however love how it ended - when the curse was lifted and Mrs Della sacrificed herself. I think this is a beautiful example of true love and I would definitely recommend this book to other people, because I can see why it's so good.

Seven Days In June was one of my favourite romances of last year so I was so excited to read Tia Williams latest release. This book follows Ricki Wilde as she prepares to make her own mark on the world away from her family. I went into this book pretty blind and loved the intrigue and build up of the story line and different timelines. This is a beautiful story that has a modern twist with a classic feel to it. I absolutely loved the Seven Days in June tie in as well.

I loved 7 days in June and I think that I enjoyed this one even more! The booked is just steeped in history and culture and does a fantastic job of bringing the reader into this world

What a brilliant author!

Having been a big fan of Tia WIlliams and her emotive style of writing in the past, I was so looking forward to this. It is a step away from what I am used to expecting from her with the slightly supernatural plot,but I absolutely adored it. I LOVED how she brought Harlem to life through the pages of this book. The descriptive prose jumped off the page and you can feel her enthusiasm and love through the writing. The plot itself was equally charming, with a satisfying ending. Was it very obvious how it was going to end? Yes. Did it take anything away from the plot? Absolutely not!
I am gushing over this book and I can't wait for it to be released to the world!

Cover:
The cover is absolutely stunning and is what drew me to this book. Obviously I was going to read it due to the amazing author Miss Tia Williams but the cover is beautiful. 

Characters
The main characters are Ricki and Ezra. Ricki has a funny, cool and edgey yet sweet friend called Tuesday and a new grand mother called Ms Della. Ms Della was my favourite character in the book. I actually cried due to the ending. I felt what was going to happen  but I wasn't ready for it.

Storyline
The book is a love story based on Ricki and Ezra who can't keep away from each other but they have no clue to why.

This books goes into the background of Harlem Renaissance and that era.

In beginning of this book I was confused to why the book was going back and forth in time. However reading more I understood why and it got very interesting and the story took a life of its own that I wasn't expecting at all. But I loved the twist and that's when I couldn't put the book down.

I would definitely recommend this book.

I read Seven Days in June by Tia Williams at the beginning of this year and fell in love with her writing style, so since then I decided to keep an eye on her other work. I'm so glad that I stumbled upon A Love Song for Ricki Wilde in NetGalley, because it proved me once again, that Williams knows exactly what she's doing when she's crafting these sweet, but also heart-wrenching stories, that make you feel all sorts of emotions while reading them.

Ricki Wilde is considered an underdog in her family, a black sheep, who doesn't want to be compliant like her sisters and wants to find her own way instead of following the rules that her father set for his children. She is actually wild(e) and her choices seem nonsensical to her family, but her perseverance and support from the people she encounters once she moves to Harlem, are the things that keep her moving forward despite the difficulties she meets along the way. Enter Ezra, a mysterious stranger, who wants Ricki to stay away from him, but also has a sort of longing in his eyes when he looks at her, which suggests the complete opposite. Their story is one that is complicated, full of twists and turns, but nevertheless, beautiful and one of a kind.

It's hard to describe how much I loved reading about Ricki and Ezra, as well as Ms. Della and Tuesday, who accompanied them along the way and were important part of their journey towards love. Ricki was such a vibrant character and I adored her right from the start. Her wittiness and positive nature were refreshing, which made it impossible not to root for her when it came to her flower shop succeeding and her proving her family once and for all, that she is able to sustain herself even without their help. Ezra was also an amazing male lead with his long and captivating background, which continues to be revealed bit by bit throughout the book. I also have to mention the setting of Harlem and all the locations as well as historical figures that author mentioned in the book, which made this story even richer and more engrossing. In my opinion, Williams is great at expressing her characters' emotions and feelings, which is the main reason why I adore her writing so much. I was a bit sceptical about the whole leap day concept at first and wasn't sure if I liked it, but as it unfolded, I was completely immersed in it and enjoyed putting all the pieces together. I had an inkling how the main dilemma will be resolved in the end, so I wasn't surprised when all was revealed, but I wasn't disappointed, since I thought it was fitting to end it this way. And that epilogue actually made me shed a few tears; which doesn't happen often! Oh, and I also have to mentioned Seven Days of June references. I was very happy with Eva's, Shane's and Audre's cameos, that was such a treat! Overall, this was a great reading experience and I'm really glad I had a chance to read it early.

Thank you to Quercus Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions!

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde is a magical, atmospheric, and glamourous love story decades in the making, combining modern Harlem with the Renaissance to create an achingly beautiful and romantic tale about florist Ricki Wilde and the mysterious man who appears to turn her world upside down.

I loved reading this book, it pulled me in right away and didn’t let go until that final word. I guessed a few things that were going to happen while reading but that didn’t make the story any less magical or potent.

‘A Love Song for Ricki Wilde’ is an incredible book. Tia Williams has created a breathtakingly brilliant read - a magical, aesthetic, lyrical, sublime, timeless love story.

I don’t want to give too much away about the plot as I’d love every reader to have the wonderful experience I did, but sharing some of my favourite things about the book that made it a solid and unequivocal five star read for me:
- Ricki and Ezra were everything
- Learning about the history of Harlem was extremely interesting, and I adored picturing Ricki’s floral arrangements adorning the district
- Found family (or as one character calls it “framily - friends who become family”) was an important theme throughout the book and one I really connected to! I loved the characters of Tuesday and Della and how they empowered Ricki
- Everything was so beautifully romantic - Williams has a unique and poetic style of writing and emotions sung from the page, making the intimate scenes intense and gorgeous

Overall, I 100% recommend this book - it’s a must read and will stay with you long after you finish reading!

I was lucky enough to receive a review copy from the publisher but the above is my honest and personal feedback. Thank you NetGalley and Quercus.

This was such a vibrant, beautiful story, I could not put it down! Steeped in culture and history, it was absolutely beautifully written, I want to read more books like this. That ending broke my heart then mended it again😩

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde was a delightful and sometimes heartbreaking tale of love and loss. I went into this book not knowing what to expect and it definitely took a turn I did not anticipate and that was a pleasant surprise. The synopsis did not give anything away!

The side characters like Tuesday and Ms. Della added richness to the story. I loved that the book was interspersed with black history with regards to music and the arts. Tia Williams made Harlem come alive in her descriptions, it almost felt like I was there. I liked the main characters' chemistry although it was a tad bit insta-love for my taste but I understand why given the plot. I also loved that Eva Mercy and Shane made appearances in this book; it was like meeting old friends after a long time apart.

The plot was unexpected and interesting however, I think the pacing was a little off because it took too long to get to the main conflict and I sometimes got impatient with in the narrative. I don’t want to say any more about it so no spoilers here but all I will say is, this book definitely kept me guessing, there were a number of hilarious moments throughout the book and it was an enjoyable read overall.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I struggled to get through this one, purely because of the layout of the book in kindle. However, it had a great storyline and potential!
3 star