Reviews with content warning for Suicide - A Love Song for Ricki Wilde

Reviews tagging 'Suicide'

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams

116 reviews

samchase112's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

What a beautiful story, bursting with so much — history, culture, friendship, romance… I did end up loving the first half more because it was so full of everything, and once the romance started it took over the story as it took over Ricki and Ezra’s lives. At all times, however, I was enthralled by this story, and I’ll definitely be checking out Seven Days in June now!

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beckyyreadss's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I wanted to read this book because I enjoyed Seven Days in June and wanted to read more of her work, this was a new release of Tia Williams, and I was intrigued by the title. This is one of the reasons I should always read the blurb and the genres before I start a book.

This book is based on Ricki Wilde and she 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 an adorable bloom that’s actually 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 decision to realize her dream of opening a flower ship. And just beneath the surface of her new neighbourhood, the music, stories and dazzling drama of the Harlam 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.

I liked the characters within this book. Every single character was built and had their own background and trauma and it didn’t feel like they were 2D or needed to move the story along. I loved how strong and independent Ricki became and her character development was brilliant. Ezra took a while to grow on me because I thought he was a stalker and a creep at the beginning but once it was established that he was 106 or something, I could focus on his character. Though I kept thinking it was a black version of Edward Cullen. I loved Tuesday and that she was the only character with some sense of danger and being like this dude is a creep.

I didn’t like the insta-love trope, it was just weird, this man is staring at Ricki, and she wants to know who it is because she feels so strong about him from him staring at her across the garden – that's weird. Like dude, run for the wind and ring the police don’t try and find out who he is. I also struggled with the storyline and didn’t expect to have a fantasy or magical aspect to it, and I struggled with the whole immortality side. It was a bit predictable with Della being the daughter of the girl from the 1930s and the building being the link.

This had a lot of potential to be amazing and I would have loved Ezra to have been the benefactor and how Ezra maybe funded the shop.

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xereads's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Okay wow, I really liked this book! Any book that makes me feel is always a 10/10. At first I was a little confused especially at the dynamics of Ricki and her family (cause why was the dad talking about his kids like that lol lol). I also was like girl is this romance/sci-fi causeeee no. BUT I kept listening and it is more of romance, historical fiction, and a splash of fantasy and it hit the mark. I loved Ricki’s character development especially and how the author had her navigate relationships (family, sisters, men, supports, and friendships), especially as a late 20 something. And the connection with Mrs. Della whew, really did it for me. The turns in the book are funny and eyebrow raising but kept me engaged. Would absolutely recommend to others !

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gungopeas's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted mysterious reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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lit_with_lauren's review

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4.0

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bri_14's review against another edition

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funny mysterious medium-paced

Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

This book has glimpses of potential but the ideas didn’t come together for me. Personally I would’ve preferred Tuesdays story of being a former child star growing into adulthood. Idk it felt more rich than Ricki opening a flower shop in Harlem 🤷🏾‍♀️ also Ezra’s flashbacks were very entertaining and this book was written SO VERY WELL. That’s what stinks bc Tia Williams can write but it needed to be reformulated to really be a standout for me.

I don’t read much “fated love/soulmate” tropes so maybe this isn’t my ministry but I didn’t see WHY Ezra and Ricki were drawn to one another. Like sure Ezra was

cursed to see Ricki in his dreams, stuck trying to find her in life

but I barely saw the connection on Ricki’s end. Just lust and “This pull…He understands everything about me” mess.

Ms Della dying for The couple was so predictable

didn’t carry much emotional weight. AND ANOTHER THING (I don’t mean to whack this book) I couldn’t stand how Ezra and Ricki spoke to each other after some time. When Ezra asks Ricki why she believes his life story, she goes “when I was little, I had a red coat. It made me believe in magic, it was magical. The world is filled with things we don’t understand, like the Bermuda Triangle or twinkies”. GIRL WHAT LOL at that point I think it was cemented that I was completely and utterly over Ricki and her daydreams.

And why in the world would a *checks notes* funeral home franchise not support an independent flower shop? In what world is that ever plausible? FUNERAL HOMES NEED FLOWERS😭 they were talking to Ricki like she said she wanted to open up a Spirit Halloween! Very unserious people indeed

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rheagoveas's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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narrnaul's review against another edition

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funny hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

super cute book!! i loved the concept and had so much fun listening to the audiobook. the only part i rolled my eyes at was

when ezra was like “yeah i’ve contributed to all the greatest songs of all time” 🙄 like girl no one can disprove that because of the curse lmao 😭. he def reminded me of that one dude mystic spiral was locked up w/in the daria episode “speedtrapped” haha.

also i feel like tia williams is def gonna do a third book in the same universe (hint hint wink wink).

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cikureads's review against another edition

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emotional funny reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

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kaylaogle's review against another edition

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hopeful reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

The epilogue gave me chills. Overall it was very fun, and the writing was gorgeous. Some of it felt a little outlandish but ultimately who gives a shit because it was sweet and tender.

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