A Love Song for Ricki Wilde

3.5 - I liked this story, but it didn't connect with me on a deeper level. I found the ending predictable, which took away most of its impact.

Tia has a great talent for writing good love interests, portraying their chemistry, and describing compelling love scenes. However, many of the side characters felt one dimensional.

The magical realism elements were fine. I liked it more than I thought I would, but at the same time I was conflicted. I both wanted to know more about people with “the diagnosis” and was annoyed by the magical element.

I did enjoy reading it towards the end of February on a leap year. It felt right.

Tia Williams, what am I supposed to say about this?

This book starts as a 5 stars read to me because it just speaks to my Lindy Hopper soul. While everyone raves about Taylor Swift references on books, I just can't resist to jazz, swing and Harlem in the 20's.

A love song to Ricki Wilde has a bit of everything: magic, found family, mental health representation and a beautiful love story of 2 star crossed lovers.
I loved Ricki's personality, her perseverance and how she was able to overcome her insecurities and perceived/ imprinted flaws.
Ezra was a great character as well. I loved every bit of the story where he appears, but particularly his background.

The first half of the story was brilliantly executed. I was captivated by both characters, I was engaged in their story-line and I was very curious about how everything was going to be connected. The second part though... I felt the romance lacked some tension and I ended up not loving how the story was tied up. It felt a bit rushed and silly.

My pet peeve with Tia's books is the excessive amount of clothes descriptions. This was ok on the past bits, because it helps you picture everything, and it's actually not overdone on that part... but in the present? Please save me from this. I understand she was/ is a style editor but if I wanted to read about fashion I would just buy fashion magazines. I really don't think this adds anything to the plot and it actually hurts my perception of the characters personality.

This book deserved a playlist. I'll assume this role for Tia and leave here some suggestions:
1 – In a sentimental mood - Duke Ellington
2 – Take the “A” train - Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington
3 - Caroline Shout - James P. Johnson
4 – Honeysuckle Rose – Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie
5 - Stompin at the Savoy – Benny Goodman
6 – It don't mean A Thing (if it ain-t got that swing) - Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington
7 – Ev'ry time we say goodbye – Ella Fitzgerald
8 – I'm beginning to see the light - Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington
9 – Sing, Sing, Sing – Benny Goodman
10 – Two Sleepy people – Fats Waller
11 – Exactly like you – Martha Tilton, The Carl Kresstette
I'm well aware most of this songs are from the late 30's. I love the instrumental versions from the 20's but I'm very partial to the wonder that is Ella's voice.

This amazing story covers over a century of Harlem history in the guise of a love story.

Ricki Wilde was named after her father Richard Wilde, literally Richard Wilde Jr. (The gifts were already engraved, so they just went with it.) In 2024, she attempts to escape from her proper southern upbringing in Atlanta. Her interest in her family's vast mortuary empire only extends to the flowers displayed at the services. She's the daughter who doesn't belong. Her three older sisters love towing the family line—each with their own franchise of the family business. Her mother defers to her father and others, if deferring can be defined as drinking away your objections.

As an outcast, Ricki manages to escape to New York City, Harlem to be exact, and opens her own flower shop, thanks to a generous benefactor, Della. Della's husband's funeral was a Wilde Mortuary affair, but neither Della or Ricki belong in Atlanta. They return to NYC and the elderly Della was happy to give her new “adopted” granddaughter, Ricki, the basement storefront (and apartment) in her history-laden brownstone.

But it doesn't take long for Ricki's success to stall. And meeting a dark stranger doesn't help. If you like time travel, you might like this book, even if it's drastically different from most time travel books.

Ricki's relationship with Ezra (the Breeze) Walker, a pianist, should never have occurred. But they couldn't avoid each other. Between the Harlem history and too many chance meetings to be chance, Ricki and Ezra do what they can to avoid one another. Ricki because she got too much on her plate and a lousy track record with men to get involved. For Ezra, his avoidance of Ricki has more to do with his strange history and what danger that might pose to her.

Beneath all the flower and history is the music. The song that Ezra has been trying to write longer than most composers live. But it all comes to ahead February, 2024, a leap year that hoodoo, not voodoo, has chosen.

I love this book and the characters. Occasionally, the slips in the POV pulled me out of the story, but overall, it's a very worthy tale of forbidden love and the extent lovers will go to.