A review by bigsleepie
A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams

Did not finish book. Stopped at 70%.

Ironically, this did not have the magic that Seven Days in June did. I view Tia Williams' style as contrasting rich, moving moments with over the top silliness and heavy handed pop culture references, and pacing that shifts beat by beat depending on what is most convenient. It worked in Seven Days, for the most part, but here it was just so jarring. I LOVED the initial chapters set during the Harlem Renaissance, I thought that perspective was really well executed and interesting. And Ezra's character introduction was breathtaking. I would have liked to have spent more time in that time period getting to know him. But as the book goes on, you see that time period less and less, and when the Big Reveal comes (which isn't much of a reveal because it's easy to see coming) those flashbacks disappear entirely. You barely know Ezra as a person by the time the romance really kicks off, and it shows. Ricki and Ezra don't seem to have much in common (that we see) beyond the fact that they are linked by Fate and Destiny, and it just doesn't work. By the 70% mark I was bored and frustrated and had guessed the ending, so I went ahead and spoiled it for myself and called it there. I think Williams took some very big swings, which is commendable, but ultimately they don't feel very well thought out or satisfying. But honestly though I'm not sure how one could attempt this concept with more success, there's a lot going on here.