A Love Song for Ricki Wilde is Tia William’s follow up to Seven Days in June, which had me going into this book with high expectations. Overall, I found the story to be interesting and engaging, but was slightly thrown by the magical realism elements that appeared in the story. I found Ricki’s story to be compelling and thought that the supporting characters were well fleshed out, specifically Della and Tuesday. The history of Harlem weaved into the story also made for a compelling read. Ultimately, it was the magical elements that didn’t quite work for me. I don’t feel that it really added anything to the story aside from setting up stakes that are ultimately….not really a big deal.

If you enjoy found family, magical realism, and a bit of history in your romance novels, this might be something you enjoy.

NetGalley

Thank you, NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the arc!

Black women need stories like these. The ones that show us taking a chance on our own and doing things that make us happy. Ricki has always had her path paved for her before she was even born. This book made me question myself and my life.

It’s so much more I want to say but I don’t want to spoil it for you! I loved the characters! It’s one of those stories where you question if the characters are right for each other and then BOOM. You see why!!!

Audiobook:
Since I was listening to the audiobook it took me a while to get into the book. I will reread it once I have the physical copy. The narrators Mela Lee and Preston Butler did, an incredible job with the story.

I loved this book.
It's something that goes so far beyond five stars, and is without a doubt a favorite of the year, because I doubt any book will be able to match this one.
Seriously, one of the best books I've ever read.

The characters are super dynamic and full of personality, and with their problems and challenges, they continue to live life.
I loved the cast of characters, and I was invested in all of them, but Miss Della is simply the best, she always puts a smile on my face.
The romance is sublime. We feel their love and are enveloped in magic even before it is revealed. It's something really felt, their love and themselves.
The romance happens slowly with their small encounters, but it is a love that overflows beyond the pages and the book. It's simply something breathtaking. And the dialogues are just perfection. Everything is perfect. I loved the book.

The writing of the book is wonderful, because this is not just a book, it is an entire experience, and I have to say that the narrators were excellent, elevating the book to the listener, transporting the characters' emotions through their voices. They were the best choices and they add a lot to the book with their performances.

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde

Publication date 2/6/24

By Tia Williams-Read Seven Days in June, gave it 4 ⭐. I loved Shane and Eva's cameo

🏃🏾‍♀️ Run time: 11:42

🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley, Hachette Audio, and Grand Central Publishing for the ALC and ARC💜 ! I voluntarily give an honest review and all opinions expressed are mine alone.

The narrators are Mela Lee and Preston Butler all characters read them. I believe the voices fit the characters with standouts of Ms. Della, Ricki, and Ezra. Their voices were the most distinct, but I could easily tell the difference between all characters. The reading style did bring the story to life and the pacing was great and flowed easily with the story. The narration and the author were in sync, and they fit together perfectly.

The audiobook's flow was great. The narrator paused and announced every time a new chapter came. The book had a table of contents which helped me follow along with the e-book and audio.

Ricki Wilde has never fit into her family and their business, the Wilde Funeral Dynasty in Atlanta. She's offered an apartment by Ms. Della(think fairy godmother) in Harlem where she opens her own flower shop "Wilde Things." She meets a stranger Ezra Walker who takes her breathe away, and they battle through a love curse that spans one hundred years.

Overall, the romance was breathtaking with the Harlem Renaissance and Harlem, New York as a character. Their love story was epically told in dual timelines- full of art, magic, and so many flower puns.

My recommendation is to read the audiobook with the eBook (if you can) because you can picture the characters more vividly.

Rating 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This fed my found-family loving soul.

Ricki Wilde is a woman who continuously doesn't live up to her family's expectations, so she decides to up and start over. Leaving behind her family in Georgia, she heads for Harlem on the advice of the charming and proper, Miss Della, a recent widower who resides in Harlem.

When she arrives, Ricki begins the journey of starting her own business, making new relationships, and spending time with her new surrogate grandmother, Miss Della.

One day, Ricki is stopped in her tracks by a mysterious stranger who she can't seem to escape.

This was a story told in a few different perspectives, Ricki's, Miss Della's, Ezra's and Tuesday (for about one chapter, though it's HILARIOUS don't skip it!)

Williams paints a picture of modern Harlem and the Harlem renaissance so vividly. Incorporating famous landmarks, icons of the time, and a rich and detailed history of Harlem from the late 1920's, the reader will feel transported there.

I appreciate the level of care that went into telling Ezra's story. There was a lot to be said and explored for his character, and I think William's handled it beautifully.

While this is a romance, and I knew going in there would be a relationship developed, I was caught of guard by how quickly it happened! I am a slow-burn kinda gal, but I still liked the relationship between the two at the centre of it.

Mrs. Della and Ricki were the standout relationship in this for me. I loved them so much, and I was in near tears at their interactions.

This was overall a sweet, romance about fate, destiny, and loving bonds we form with the people in our lives. 4 loving stars!

4⭐️

"Leap years are strange. And because February 29 exists only every four years, it is a rare, charged day. In the old days, back home, folks whispered that it was an enchanted time. When the veil between this world and the other was gossamer thin.

it's February of the leap year!

This book is really hard to review. Since the 50% mark it was so good, but at the beginning I wasn't really interested into the story. Took me 40% to get hooked, BUT SINCE THAT 50% MARK??? I was feeling everything, so many emotions, confusion, sadness, happiness, everything. The last chapter had me ugly crying.

I absolutely loved that the plot was happening literally the day I was reading it, the book takes place through whole month of February 2024.

Ricki was so good and relatable, I loved her chapters so much and felt all her emotions.

Ezra was so cute (he literally knows Klingon and High valyrian so sjsjjsjsjsjjsj, I was screaming at that). It's the little things.

The romance was so good and the tension was so palpable I was kicking my feet with their every interaction.

THE TWIST I WAS SHOOK, I didn't expect it at all, omggg, it was so unreal and since 60% I was listening with bated breath.

This book had that ✨️something✨️, that makes it really special, it's so magical, almost like fever dream.
"Seven days in june" is still superior tho.

Thank you Netgalley for providing digital advanced copy in exchange for honest review.

This audiobook was so magical and had me in all of my feelings. Seven Days in June was a top read for me and I was really excited to get to experience more from this author. A Love Song for Ricki Wilde was so much more than a love story between two people. This book, which is set in two time periods, is also a journey of self discovery and celebrates the glamor and history of the Harlem Renaissance.

Ricki has never quite fit into her picture perfect socialite family. She wants nothing to do with the family business and has never felt as polished as her three older sisters. I really loved her character though. She’s so perfectly imperfect. She is so messy, but has the purest heart. At the start of the book, she moves to New York to open up a flower shop. One day, she meets Ezra in a community garden and everything changes.

I really love this author’s writing style. Her characters are so dynamic. I was even vested in her side characters like Ricki’s quirky best friend and Ms. Della, who served as a grandmother to Ricki. She is the type of writer who leads the reader on an experience. I love the way she incorporates emotion into her words and storytelling. The story itself was incredibly innovative and original. I can honestly say that I’ve never read anything like it before. Magical Realism as a genre asks the reader to accept the unexpected, and I loved the way the supernatural elements were tied into an otherwise contemporary setting.

I really think listening to this book brought an additional depth and emotion to the story. The dual narration book was narrated by Mela Lee and Preston Butler. I really thought Mela Lee did a great job with all of the different female characters. I loved how she demonstrated Ricki’s quiet strength. In addition to voicing Ricki, I loved her portrayal of Ms. Della. Preston Butler brought a depth to Ezra’s character that really showed off his old soul.

I really loved this one and can’t wait to see what this author releases next.

A perfect February book - a great blend of Valentine's Day romance and Black History Month read. Ricki's family expects her to go into the family business of funeral homes, but she defies them, moving to Harlem to pursue her dream of opening a florist shop, finding an adopted family who loves her unconditionally, and even finding her soul mate whose only been waiting for her for like 100 years... literally. The only question: will Ricki make it through February to enjoy all that she has going for her?

I received an ARC copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

"A Love Song for Ricki Wilde" is a century-spanning love story centered around Ricki Wilde, an impulsive and artistic daughter of a powerful Atlanta dynasty. Feeling like a dandelion in a family of roses, Ricki leaves behind her wealthy and chaotic life to pursue her dream of opening a flower shop in Harlem. Renting the bottom floor of a brownstone owned by the regal Ms. Della, Ricki encounters the enchanting atmosphere of the Harlem Renaissance. Amid the scents of night-blooming jasmine, she meets a mysterious stranger who disrupts her world in unexpected ways. The novel explores the passionate connection between two artists drawn to the magic, romance, and opportunities of New York, weaving together modern Harlem and the glamour of the Harlem Renaissance.

I loved this book! It's incredibly clever and witty, with writing that has a lyrical quality that adds to the charm. What impressed me most was the seamless blend of genres – it never felt like there was too much going on. The characters are compelling, and the descriptions and prose strike that perfect balance between relatable and beautifully written.

I found myself particularly drawn to the parts about the Harlem Renaissance and the music world; the richness and cultural depth were simply captivating. Tia Williams is a master at painting vivid pictures with her words, and I was completely enraptured by the storytelling. I often procrastinate finishing a book when I like it, and that's exactly what happened with this one.

The fact that it's set in the same universe as "Seven Days In June" was a delightful touch that I truly appreciated. It was beautifully built on the previous storyline, making me an even bigger fan of the author. Overall, a fantastic read that left me thoroughly impressed and eager for more from Tia Williams.

This is Tia Williams's best novel to date. The words lush and exquisite are the two best words I can think to describe the characters and the world built in A Love Song for Ricki Wilde. The intermixing of the Harlem Renaissance with modern NYC was very well done. I particularly appreciated the different relationship that Williams explored - Ricki's friendship with Tuesday, her relationship with adopted grandma Della, and of course the propulsive chemistry between Ricki and Ezra. The audio narration was done well and I very much appreciated having two different narrators to convey this story. My only quibble is that the book started to feel long at points and I think it could have been just a bit shorter. Rating is 4.5 stars!

✨ Review ✨ A Love Song for Ricki Wilde, by Tia Williams, narrated by Mela Lee, Preston Butler

This is THE book you need for your 2024 LEAP YEAR. The book centers on Leap Years a month of magic that comes around but once every four years, and it connects to ideas of voodoo, love, and time.

Ricki Wilde (Richard Wilde Jr., her father's namesake after it became clear that they'd only have daughters and this made me lol) breaks off from her funeral home magnate family who are all sort of ridiculous and not very supportive of her. She moves to Harlem after meeting Della, a wonderful older woman who becomes her new adoptive grandma, and she opens a flower shop in the lower level of Della's brownstone. When Ricki encounters a mysterious man, she can't stop thinking about him, and increasingly, their paths keep crossing...and thus their magnetic pull reveals itself.

I loved the silliness of this book - the puns, Ricki's ability to joke around and poke fun, and the loveliness of her relationship with Ms. Della (and Della's bucket list). The first chapter of this book alone had me grinning!

I appreciated the mystery behind the magic and time and that I couldn't quite figure it all out until the middle of the book.

I loved the element of found family and friendship.

I also adored how this wove the history of Harlem in with the challenges neighborhoods like this face with gentrification. Ricki's curation of bouquets to highlight these spaces, many now lost to history, was an especially lovely treat.

I think because this book was more complex, it didn't have the same pull for me as Seven Days in June. Its magic was subtler and slower and not so obvious. I still really enjoyed this though and found much to love!

The narration was excellent - their voices brought depth and emotion and passion to these characters and I just didn't want to push pause. I started on ebook and never went back, I was so captivated by the audio!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5)
Genre: historical fiction, contemporary m/f romance, magical realism
Length: 11 hrs and 42 mins
Setting: Harlem, past and present
Pub Date: February 6, 2024

Read this if you like:
⭕️ flowers
⭕️ leap years
⭕️ Harlem and black history & culture (especially music throughout the last century!)
⭕️ found family

Thanks to Grand Central Publishing, Hachette Audio, and #netgalley for the gifted advanced copy/ies of this book!

Unique, dazzling and breathtakingly romantic, A Love Song for Ricki Wilde is a 2024 romance release not to be missed.

With a touch of that leap year magic, this story follows free-spirited, black sheep of the family, Ricki Wilde, who leaves a life of money and boredom behind in Georgia to follow her dreams in NYC.

In modern day Harlem, she pursues her professional dreams and finds home and found family in powerhouse nonagenarian Ms Della, who takes Ricki under her wing and opens her world wide with possibilities, by leading a shining example of the fullness life can offer to a woman of colour, where fierce independence, boldness and unwavering kindness is concerned.

But while she’s busy building the life she wants and deserves, one fateful February evening, Ricki meets a gorgeous, mysterious stranger named Ezra, and everything about the trajectory of her life changes irrevocably.

I’ll say no more, as not to ruin the story that then unfolds, but I will say that I enjoyed every minute of Ricki and Ezra’s romance. They were both such lovely, complex characters, projecting big feelings and dreams onto me as a helpless reader, who was more than happy to be swept away by their once-in-a-lifetime love.

Once you’re reading, the plot projection becomes pretty obvious pretty damn quickly, with no real surprises or reveals when it comes to the magic and mystery surrounding Ezra and his connection to Ricki, but the predictable nature of the story didn’t take away any of its shine though, still managing to weave quite a remarkable and romantic tale along the way.

I especially enjoyed the vibrant, diverse cast of characters, the rich cultural history of modern AND renaissance-era Harlem, as well at the touch of magical realism that made for one very original, very compelling read. This may have been a random pick for me, but it’s one I’m so happy I discovered.

******************************

Audio Edition:

I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Mela Lee and Preston Butler, who so masterfully brought Ricki and Ezra to life in a big, almost tangible way. Their vocal performances were pitch perfect, in my opinion, bringing this already wonderful story to life in a way that made it hard to stop listening for too long at a time.

Exploring a new literary realm was both exciting and rewarding. The way the story skillfully mixed mystery and suspense with magical elements resonated perfectly with my preferences. This harmony created a world that fascinated me as a reader.

The unexpected twists and turns in the narrative added suspense, keeping me eagerly anticipating each revelation. The complexity of these twists enhanced my overall engagement, providing a satisfying challenge.

What stood out for me was the seamless integration of romance into the storyline. The authentic portrayal of characters' relationships allowed the romance to unfold organically amidst the magical and suspenseful backdrop, adding a depth that I found particularly appealing.

Venturing into this literary journey not only pushed the boundaries of my reading preferences but also left a lasting impression on my literary palate. For those seeking a captivating blend of magic realism, romance, and mystery suspense, this work offers a truly enchanting experience.

I would first like to thank NetGalley, Hachette Audio, Grand Central Publishing and Tia Williams for the ALC of A Love Song for Ricki Wilde in exchange for my honest review.

Author: Tia Williams
Book Title: A Love Song for Ricki Wilde
Format: audio
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Release Date: February 6, 2024

“Leap years are a strange, enchanted time. And for some, even a single February can be life-changing.”

The narrators Mela Lee and Preston Butler did an exceptional job bringing these characters to life. I felt like I was in the story watching it all unfold. All the characters were lovable except for Ricki’s Sisters. I love the magnetic pull between Ezra and Ricki. Miss Della is everything and Tuesday needs her own book. Absolutely adored this book. 100% recommend you read this book!!!
#Februarylistenread #tiawilliams #alovestoryforrickiwilde #NetGalley #hachetteaudio

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde is a modern, sexy romance with a touch of fantasy. Fans of Seven Days in June will love this novel where the author’s two worlds collide just a bit. Mela Lee provides an authentic voice to Ricki Wilde just as she did in “Seven Days” making the audiobook an effortless and enjoyable read. Historical fiction fans will enjoy the Harlem renaissance scenes in the late 1920s. Tia Williams paired 100 year old Harlem with 2024 in a way that transports the reader and welcomes us to the community. Highly recommend to fans that enjoyed “Seven Days” and the popular “The Invisible Life of Addie Larue” by VE Schwab some story elements are similar but Ms Williams does it better.

I really enjoyed Seven Days in June and The Perfect Find - so got excited to jump right into this one without knowing anything of what it was about. Unfortunately in this case that didn’t work for me and I decided to DNF at 35%. Ricki feels very young to me and this was feeling more YA/NA which I wasn’t expecting. This may be a case of wrong reader. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the free ebook and audiobook to review.

Leap years are magical and unexplainable times. Ricki Wilde, youngest child of Atlanta funeral home owner, has had her path set out for her since she was a child. She has always been one to forgo this plan, so, when she decides to leave Atlanta and head to Harlem to open her own flower shop her family is disappointed, but not surprised. She settles in with her loving benefactor and proclaimed new grandmother, Miss Della, and her new best friend, former child star Tuesday. In the midst of navigating a new city and starting a new business on her own, February 2024 rolls around and weird things start to happen, centering around a strange yet handsome man.

My favorite part of this one was the exploration between the contrast of Harlem in the 1920’s and the gentrified Harlem that exists today. There were a lot of really interesting historical tidbits and commentary on how an overwhelmingly high amount of black people have been pushed out of Harlem. There were also a lot of really fun references to some old black musical icons. I wish we got to see more of it, but it was done really well.

Ezra and Ricki, while seemingly drawn to each other, felt very bland to me. I liked both of them on their own but felt no spark when they were together, which was unfortunate. Take this with a grain of salt as I am a lesbian who hates 99% of the M/F sex scenes that I read about, but the sex scenes were very meh to me. I made it through one of them, then skipped over the second one as I just didn’t want to deal with it. That being said, that could be (probably is) a personal thing.

Here is the thing, this book had a lot of stuff packed into it. So much stuff that it felt like I was reading a long prologue for about 40% of it – which is not something I’m really interested in when I pick up contemporary romance books, or really any books besides high fantasy. This book somehow dragged out yet had some many points that felt incredibly underdeveloped and moved to fast. I firmly believe that this could’ve really shone as a trilogy or at least two separate books. There were so many things I wish could’ve gotten more developed, but there genuinely was no time. A lot of plot points suffered (namely Ezra’s entire past), but so did the romance. The concept of this book really is the textbook definition of insta-love, so I didn’t mind it that much, but man I felt like there was no development or chemistry between Ezra and Ricki. I liked them separately, but it really felt like the only reason they were interested in each other at all was the mysterious pull they felt. The most fleshed out part of this book was Miss Della, Ricki’s elderly landlady, and I adored her and her story (even though I do think she could’ve been more fleshed out). The epilogue was also very sweet and warmed my heart.

While I didn’t particularly enjoy this one, I can see how others will and would still recommend checking it out if it sounds interesting. I think I probably would’ve enjoyed this a lot more if it was a movie.

Audiobook

The narrators, Mela Lee and Preston Butler, did an incredible job with this audiobook. While it wasn’t my favorite audiobook, these are some of my favorite narrators I’ve had the pleasure of listening to. If you’re interested in reading this one, I’d definitely recommend checking out the audiobook.

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"Leap years are a strange, enchanted time. And for some, even a single February can be life-changing.

When regal nonagenarian Ms. Della invites Ricki to rent the bottom floor of her Harlem brownstone, she jumps at the chance for a fresh beginning. She leaves behind her family, wealth, and chaotic romantic decisions to realize her dream of opening a flower shop.

One evening in February, Ricki encounters a handsome, deeply mysterious stranger who knocks her world off balance in the most unexpected way.

Set against the backdrop of modern Harlem and Renaissance glamour, this 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."

My first 5⭐️ read of the year ❤️ I loved #sevendaysinjune and was over the moon when I got a copy of #tiawilliams new book #alovesongforrickiwilde

The writing is so gorgeous I found myself rewinding the audio just to hear lines like "he was a song I could listen to forever" over and over again. There are so many great love stories in this book: Ricki and Ezra, Ricki and Ms. Della, Ricki and Harlem, Ezra and music ... and most importantly, Ricki and herself.

In addition to gorgeous characters, exceptional writing and deeply satisfying plot lines, Williams writes her characters rooted in black families, communities and histories - with affection and nuance and specificity.

Reminder to review the trigger and content warnings in advance.

Thank you to @hachetteaudio and @grandcentralpublishing for the advance audiobook.

#romancenovels #romance #historicalfiction #booksinnewyork #Harlem #readinginstead

This was a fine book. A Love Song of Ricki Wilde is a mix of fantasy and romance. The instalove, star-crossed lovers' angle didn't connect with me. I wish there were more moments with Ricki and Ezra because I didn't feel like they had enough interactions for them to have such a strong pull on each other. The secondary characters felt a bit flat without much depth and cartoonish in how they interact with each other. The three sisters have no redeeming qualities and the conflict was resolved so quickly. This was not the book for me.


Thank you for granting this book for review.

When Ricki Wilde moves to Harlem to fulfill her dream of owning a flower shop, she meets Ezra "Breeze" Walker, a charismatic musician whom she is immediately drawn to but whose presence will change her life forever. Set within a single month, A Love Song for Ricki Wilde captivates the reader and let’s us fall in love with Ricki and Ezra, NYC, and the Harlem Renaissance.

When I tell you that I closed the last page and gave this book a big hug I would not be exaggerating. This is a beautiful, magical, one-of-a-kind love story. You could feel the chemistry between Ricki and Ezra from their first meeting and the story was definitely enhanced with supporting characters like Tuesday and Ms. Della. This is a beautiful blend of historical fiction and magical realism and I loved hearing stories about old Harlem and music legends from past eras. Just read it friends - you won't be disappointed.

If you want a treat, listen to this one on audio, Mela Lee (who gives voice to Seven Days in June) and Preston Butler narrate this story to perfection.