Reviews

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams

zoewalk's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious 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? No

5.0

danicapage's review against another edition

fast-paced

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

5.0

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

My Overall Thoughts/Impressions: I love Tia Williams and her writing style. I knew this one would be a bit on the spicy side for me, but I think her books are so important and such beautiful representations that I read them anyway.

Tia is an expert at weaving in unknown parts of the Black experience and Black history in a beautiful story without it feeling forced. I've now read two books by her, and I was entranced by both of them from the very first page to the very last page. This book is exquisite.

This book is exceptionally well-written and crafted. The characters are captivating, the writing mesmerizing, and the plot stunning. This book is one I'll be thinking about long after I finish it.

It's a very different book than Seven Days in June, but both are masterpieces that transcend genre. I love how she wrote a book to celebrate Black creativity, love, passion, joy, perseverance, history, and art.

Content This is an adult book and an adult romance with scenes suitable for adult readers. I'd rate this a 2/2.5 on the spice scale. It's not the most prolific or graphic, but it's definitely there.

You can also find me on Insta @danicapage.

leahluvsbookz's review against another edition

4.0

really loved the setting + weaving in of history - a really great mix of (later in life) coming of age, magical realism, historical fiction, and romance

i don’t hate the insta soulmates trope, esp bc Tia Williams is so good at showing and not telling, which i feel like is always a problem i encounter with romance

and yeah! the ending was a bit predictable and i felt like some of the side characters (really just Tuesday) were forgotten mid-novel but it was so well-written and fun and endearing and emotional and i was invested from start to finish

another thought- the characters are so vivid and 3 dimensional and consistent while also being able to change and grow and experience. it made even very minor characters feel important and real.

heavily recommend, esp w/ the audiobook.

nstyner's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.0

I love everything about this story! I thought it was so cute. It felt like a nice warm hug lol and I LOVED the supernatural spin to it too!!!! This book made my heart happy and calm.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Murder, Racism, and Hate crime

hannaheglane's review against another edition

emotional funny mysterious medium-paced

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

3.5

booklifeisthelife's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted sad 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? No

3.0

Alright so. This is odd from me but I loved everything in this book aside from the romance. I did not like the romance despite liking both the main characters. I didn't like how fast the romance was or how it wasn't really developed.  And maybe thats because

of the soulmate and being fated/cursed but I didnt enjoy it. I hate insta love. I also felt certain aspects were a little too lustful, especially in the beginning but again, guess you can blame the soulmates part.

But this book was great if we ignore the romance. I love all the characters, I adore the friendships and the found family aspect, I appreciated how diverse this was with a good amount of representation. I loved reading Ricki's journey and

seeing (not really actually visualizing but you get it) her dream come true along with building a community.

The plot aside from the romance was fun and interesting. Overall this was a nice, enjoyable read. 

squidreads12's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious medium-paced

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

5.0

I’ve never read a book like this before and I’m so glad I did! Having magical realism elements in romance is deeply underrated and I need more stat!!! This was perhaps one of the most devastatingly romantic books I have ever read, and I will be thinking about it for a long time. 

selenechew's review against another edition

emotional mysterious slow-paced

4.0

mollyrae348's review against another edition

emotional 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? Yes

5.0

kait_rose_reads's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring sad 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

4.75