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

Reviews tagging 'Death'

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams

75 reviews

kfmcf's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative reflective slow-paced

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

2.75

First, I want to start off by saying that the prose and historical aspects of this book are lovely. Tia Williams is and will be an incredible writer, no matter the genre.

However, this book was not for me. I love magical realism, I do, but this one kept trying to toe the line of both being and not being magical realism throughout the entire book. I was far more interested in the Harlem Renaissance chapters than I was anything with Ricki (sorry). Or even Della! I would have loved this to be a look through Della's life. I just really struggled with Ricki and Ricki's schticky family.

Also, this book doesn't get into the real meat of the magical realism until around 60% of the way through. It leaves you wondering what is going on as if there is going to be a big payoff - and there really never is. The exposition of what's going on feels a bit underdeveloped and underwhelming. And why were they so drawn to each other? Maybe I just too much of a skeptic to really 'get' the Fated Mates trope, but I could not suspend my disbelief that they were a perfect match. What did they even have in common?

This book left me pretty frustrated throughout the majority of it and that's disappointing, to say the least.

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bookwitch's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective 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

3.5

The book standing on it's own is just fine; fun magical realism twist plus partial historical fiction to lend support to the romance. It was well written and I loved that it was from a black perspective. The story itself is pretty predictable and a bit long winded if you ask me. The only shock that got me was

Ms. Della's connection

. Not bad! But not my favorite.

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annamay1021's review

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adventurous emotional informative mysterious reflective 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? Yes

3.25

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paidays's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective 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

3.75

Sweet love story with a lot of poignant moments. I appreciated the richness and texture the author provided in her descriptions of Harlem past and present. I found the plot predictable and there were a few lines of dialogue that made me fully cringe, but overall an enjoyable read.

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katiejohns's review against another edition

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challenging emotional mysterious reflective 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

4.0

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chrisb913's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful fast-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

I had heard this book was amazing but had not heard much else. I was shocked when I read the fantasy elements of this story. This love story was wonderful to read. The romance was impeccable and the characters were phenomenal. I cannot wait to read more by this author.

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alysereadsbooks's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective slow-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

4.5

I loved Tia Williams' 7 Days in June and this was also a hit. It had the perfect combination of heart, romance, history, and magical realism. I was really routing for them as a couple.

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wish4future's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny medium-paced

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

4.0

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tip_be_knowin's review against another edition

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lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

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readingwithtemperance's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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

Saying that this book was 5 stars doesn't do it justice. Because it is so much more than that.

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde put things into perspective for me. Renewing my passion and ultimately lighting a fire under me. Begging the questions of what kind of life I want to live, what mark do I want to leave on the world, and ultimately what would bring me joy.

This was one of the most beautiful things I've ever read. Tia Williams balanced magical realism so perfectly. This story is so devastating and incredibly romantic.

I loved Ezra and Ricki together. I'm usually very anti insta love, but this was different! The connection between them was so real. I can't fathom

waiting all that time for the love of your life.

I loved how Ricki stood up to her family and paved her own way. So often we allow the approval of others especially family to keep us from our dreams. And it was wonderful watching her achieve and soar without their help.

Ms. Della has to be one of the loveliest characters I've ever met. I adored her relationship with Ricki so much. She reminded me of my own grandmother. Her bucket list was ridiculous, fun, and oh so heartwarming. I hope we're all in our 90s with pink hair and a sense of adventure.

Tia Williams' writing was utterly gorgeous. I feel like I need to reread this in print just to annotate. There were so many wonderful quotes, but my all time favorite was

To me, love is like listening to an album. Some people skip to their favorite songs and ignore the rest. Other people listen to the entire album over and over until it's familiar and cherished and they know every note by heart. That's how Dr. Bennett and I loved each other. He was music I could listen to forever.

My favorite part of this book had to be when Ms. Della

buried her grudge. There was somethingso incrediblyhealing about that moment for me as someone who also fosters so much anger towards my own mother. It made me happy she got that peace before she passed.

I don't think I've ever cried so much during an epilogue.

Habibg Ms. Della tell us all about Ricki and Ezra and their wonderful life together was incredible. I loved that she cheered and cried from the afterlife for them both. The scene on Ricki's wedding was especially lovely.

Thus is a story I won't soon forget. And I'll be bullying all of my friends to read it.

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