A Love Song for Ricki Wilde

by Tia Williams

Is this just real life? Is this just fantasy?

That’s what I was asking myself after reading a few chapters. I was so captured by the beautiful cover of this masterpiece that I didn’t read anything about it… a love song for someone? who cares what it’s about! It’s love and music! Annnnnnd I didn’t know that there was an element of fantasy/fairytale (magical realism?) to it. So that was a lil surprise too.

I read through a handful of chapters and was doing just fine till one moment where I said hmm… that is… wait… and had to go back and read a few summaries to see exactly what I’d purchased so I knew what to expect for the rest of the story. No biggie. I don’t usually read stories that fit in any kind of fantasy or romantasy genre, so this was actually a first for me. Or at least a first since reading the fairytales I read as a child.

Okay back to Ricki! The story moves (mostly) between the present in New York and Harlem in the 1920s. Love and music and history ❤️ all woven together into a sweet tale about the youngest daughter of an Atlanta family who is trying to create a very unique type of flower shop. There are a few other unique ladies in the story – Della, a 96-year-old widow (who eventually starts to think of Ricki as a granddaughter), and Tuesday, a former child star. I really liked the interaction between the women in the story a little more than the love story. It was sweet, touching, and I think about as wholesome as relationships can get.

I want to add that I could read an entire book or three about the Harlem music scene in the 1920s. While I did really enjoy the present-day chapters, I really found myself wanting more chapters about Breeze and Felice. I don’t think I’ve read much historical fiction from that era!

I don’t think there is much point in getting into the whole plot of A Love Song for Ricki Wilde or posting a bunch of spoilers, as there are a lot of summaries out there if that’s what you’re looking for. I think what’s important to mention (besides the cover!) is that I think this would be a great book to read to break into a new genre if you’re used to women’s fiction or romance. I had to get used to the idea that ANYthing could happen… not just suspending reality to believe that enemies could become lovers or any usual tropey stuff like that. ANYTHING. It was new, and I liked it, and maybe I’ll check out a romantasy next.