Review of: A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams

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 A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams

Blurb

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

Ricki Wilde has many talents, but being a Wilde isn’t one of them. As the impulsive, artistic daughter of a powerful Atlanta dynasty, she’s the opposite of her famous socialite sisters. Where they’re long-stemmed roses, she’s a dandelion: an adorable bloom that’s actually a weed, born to float wherever the wind blows. In her bones, Ricki knows that somewhere, a different, more exciting life awaits her.

When regal nonagenarian, Ms. Della, invites her to rent the bottom floor of her Harlem brownstone, Ricki 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. And just beneath the surface of her new neighborhood, the music, stories and dazzling drama of the Harlem Renaissance still simmers.

One evening in February as the heady, curiously off-season scent of night-blooming jasmine fills the air, 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, 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.

Rating and Review

Overall Rating: 4.5-4.75/5 Stars

Review

Background

Embarrassing as it is, I'll admit that this is my second time reading a black romance novel. Considering my race is black, I feel like that's saying something. As I said, I've read one other black romance. Because it was about being in the hood, I didn't like the book very much. I wasn't much of a fan. And, I don't know, I guess I told myself maybe most black romances would be like that. Being black and living a hood-life or black suffering. And that's not the type of romance I want or like to read.
 
I decided to pick up this book because I've seen how popular the author was on social media. A lot of people praise Tia Williams for her book Seven Days in June. So, when I saw her most recent book in BJ's one day, I thought, "Why the hell not?" and bought it on a whim. And, oh boy, did I love it?!
 
For context, by the way, I started this book but then put it down once I realized it was in 3rd person. I know, that's wrong. But I eventually picked it up again after reading some other books. I listened to it on Audible while following along in the physical book.

What I Didn't Like

As with all books, even if I love it, there are always some things that I have to confess I didn't like. It's just realistic.
  • Often times, Tia Williams would take us out of the story into a flashback to when Ricki was younger. Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s good to flesh out the character, but I think we could’ve done that a different way without so many flashbacks.
  • It was very insta-love-y. When they finally had sex, it had to be around the two-week mark of them knowing each other. I understand the story had to all be set in February, but that made this story feel like an instalove.
  • The book was in 3rd person, but I understand that’s a personal thing.
  • Della died.
  • Everything to do with the curse was wrapped up in the very last chapter.

What I Did Like

Now that we're out of the negative, let's get to the positive!
  • Della’s epilogue😭i literally cried while reading it.
  • The double timelines.
  • The twist because I was guessing so many other ways for Ezra to be in 2024. I thought he was a reincarnate of another Ezra from the past. I wasn’t expecting that twist.
  • The book cover.
  • The comedic elements. I liked that the book was serious but still had some really funny moments, i.e., fucking a piano???? a piano???
  • Ricki was relatable to me.
  • The way the sex scenes were written.
  • Della died.
  • The characters.  I thought all of them were really great.
  • The narrators🤣 Thee way they narrated the book was hilarious at points.
  • It made me cry at the end.
  • Ricki and Ezra had 4 kids, got married, got a dog, and had fabulous lives after the curse was broken.

Final Thoughts

I loved this book. I’m upset that it took me so long to get into it. I bought it so long ago, tried to read it back in May, but I didn’t take it too seriously until June. I was extremely surprised by how much I enjoyed this. Shit had me crying in the epilogue (if I haven’t mentioned that enough, lol). I can’t tell you too many reasons why I love this book, but I do. I’m even willing to ignore that it’s an insta-love-y story because I love it so much. I’m normally a hater, but I really, really like this book. I highly recommend it!

Thank you for Reading!

Thank you for reading my review! I love you so much, and I hope you stick around for future posts about the other books I've read and will read.

Have you read this book? What did you think of it? Let me know in the comments! Also, let me know of any romance novels or fantasy romance novels you think I should read! I'd love to review them.


See You Next Week!



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