A Love Song for Ricki Wilde

Written by Tia Williams

Narrated by Mela Lee and Preston Butler

In this sexy modern-day fairytale from the New York Times bestselling author of Seven Days in June, a free-spirited florist and an enigmatic musician share a soul mate connection told through the history, art, and the magic of Harlem.

The daughter of a powerful Atlanta dynasty, Ricki Wilde is the opposite of her famous socialite sisters. In her bones, Ricki knows that somewhere, a different, more exciting life awaits her. When she moves into a Harlem brownstone, she leaves behind her family, wealth, and chaotic romantic decisions to realize her dream of opening a flower shop. One evening 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.

Includes a Reading Group Guide. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Hachette Audio
• Release date: Feb 6, 2024
• ISBN: 9781668623473

Tia Williams

Tia Williams is the bestselling author of The Accidental Diva, It Chicks, and The Perfect Find - now a Netflix film starring Gabrielle Union. Her novel, Seven Days in June, was an instant New York Times bestseller and a Reese's Book Club pick. Her NAACP Image Award-nominated bestseller, A Love Song for Ricki Wilde, was named one of the year's best romances by the New York Times and Amazon. Her YA romcom, Audre & Bash are Just Friends, was an instant New York Times bestseller and GMA Book Club Pick. Her latest novel, The Missed Connection, releases on June 16, 2026. Tia lives with her family in Brooklyn.

Reviews for A Love Song for Ricki Wilde

[dcamp1024 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of the best, unexpected love stories I’ve read. It was magical and captivating. I want more of their story

[jcherrise88 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is the most beautiful love story I have ever read.

[bailbritt96 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very unique read! As a lifelong reader i can always guess what’s gonna happen next not in this book!

[Angel Gilliard · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Good from the start to the end, a sweet love story!

[Carla Joyner · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved following Ricki's journey to love as an individual who chose not to let her family's fame and fortune define her.

[breannamstewartreads · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book was everything to me and the narration only added to it. Mela’s dry wit and enthusiasm for Ricki’s character was the bees knees. The narrator for Ezra was also really good. Loved this

[Meagan Fischer · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Really enjoyed listening. I liked the dual narrator voices- both were very good, and loved that I was kept guessing about characters: are they terminal or immortal?!! Nearly the whole book. Fun listen. Funny writing, lovable characters.

[ecataldi-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I don't know what I was expecting based off the cover - but this book was so good! I love the cover, I just don't know if it fits the book. Ricki Wilde has never lived up to her family's expectations. They own one of the largest funeral home corporations in the US. Fired as a receptionist, Ricki decides to pack up her life in Atlanta and move to Harlem to open a flower shop. She's done trying to placate her family, she's going to live authentically from now on. She moves in the first floor of a gorgeous old brownstone, putting her business in the front and her living spaces in the back. Her elderly landlady lives above and soon becomes like the grandma she never had. When she runs into a mysterious man one night, life as she knows it is about to change. Ezra Walker has been around the block a time or two. All his life he's dreamt of a woman who will change that life. When he meets Ricki he is certain she is the one, but if she is, time is running out. Lyrical, funny, and romantic (with a few good steamy scenes to boot!). This is a romance for the ages!

[shazjhb · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A fantasy book with flowers, love, old people, spells, music set in Harlem. Gives an idea of how Harlem changed over the decades. Ricki and Ezra story is sweet.

[cdyankeefan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I absolutely loved this. Ricki is the underachieving member of a well established funeral parlor family. Striking out on her own she moves to Harlem and falls in love with not only the community but her landlady Ms. Della. There is an instant gravitational pull when she meets Ezra and the two begin a passionate love affair. Ricki is gobsmacked whenezra tells her the truth of his past. There are so many intricate layers around this and they all involve leap day. There is so much to love about this- Rickis relationship with extra and Ms. Della,her embracing Harlems history and how she shows her appreciation of it and her showing her family that there’s more to get than they thought.

[rmarcin-630843 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Mixing the nightlife and artistic creativity of the Harlem Renaissance with modern times, Tia Williams weaves a love story between 2 people who are ages apart. Ricki Wilde wants to get away from her family and their funeral business. She goes to NYC to follow her dream of opening a florist shop. She finds a benefactor, Ms. Della, who offers her space to open the shop. One night, Ricki meets a handsome man who intrigues her. Along with her friend, Tuesday, they search for him, and once found, he begs her to stay away. However, they are destined for each other. One problem, Ezra, a pianist, is 28, but can't age, as he has been cursed to be immortal. If Ricki and he fall in love, then Ricki will die on Feb 29, leap day. Weaving these 2 storylines together, along with the people that influence their lives led to an interesting and unique story.
You will find yourself rooting for Ricki and Ezra, and hoping they can find a way to live together in love.

[Joyce Harout · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

By far, the stupidest books I've ever listened to. I lasted 6 hours only because of the narrators (who were great). It's all about propaganda. All about defunding the police, covid, BLM, "the current president", #me too, and on and on and on. I listen to FICTION in order to get away from all that propaganda, but this book keeps going on and on about it. Give me a break. I need to find a book about dragons or something because I need a break.