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.

MY THOUGHTS

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but this book almost made it onto my DNF (Did Not Finish) list. As much as I appreciate the dual timelines, historical references, and mysticism, I couldn’t help but feel like the execution fell flat. Wait a minute— we should all give Tia her props for the historical fiction piece of this because I am sure this took WORK and I admire any writer’s creativity, she really set the stage of the Harlem Renaissance but I couldn’t help but feel like it fell a bit flat for me and I am quite sad about it. Uh oh, it took me over 200 pages to finally feel somewhat invested, and even then, I was just fueled by curiosity. I was hoping for more romance and smoother flow, to be honest. Honestly, this story would be great as a movie or TV series. The music, the fashion, the dancing, the conversations, sounds of laughter- oh it would all be so fabulously entertaining. It definitely needs a screen adaptation to give it the justice it deserves. I mean, I devoured “Seven Days in June” and was head over heels for it. Hats off to Tia for keeping it a stand-alone and not turning it into a series. I would have also loved it to be told from Ezra’s perspective, and not include Ricki in this. Imagine having Ezra tell his story and then the book ends with him being cursed, leaving us to wait for BOOK 2 and then BOOM, a series is made.

Della’s character was a standout, and the interconnectedness of everything totally blew my mind. Tia did an A+ job weaving Della’s story into Breeze’s. I need a Ms. Della in my life to be honest. The pacing of the book was just sooooo sloooow for me and I didn’t connect with the characthers as much I’d love to, but I totally get why it’s got a ton of fans right now.

Happy Reading Folks.