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Pritty #1
Pritty
On the verge of summer before his senior year, Jay is a soft soul in a world of concrete. While his older brother is everything people expect a man to be--tough, athletic, and in charge--Jay simply blends into the background to everyone, except when it comes to Leroy.
Unsure of what he could have possibly done to catch the eye of the boy who could easily have anyone he wants, Jay isn't about to ignore the surprising but welcome attention. But as everything in his world begins to heat up, especially with Leroy, whispered rumors over the murder of a young Black journalist and long-brewing territory tensions hang like a dark cloud over his neighborhood. And when Jay and Leroy find themselves caught in the crossfire, Leroy isn't willing to be the reason Jay's life is at risk.
Dragged into the world of the Black Diamonds--whose work to protect the Black neighborhoods of Savannah began with his father and now falls to his older brother--Leroy knows that finding out who attacked his brother is not only the key to protecting everyone he loves but also the only way he can ever be with Jay. Wading through a murky history of family trauma and regret, Leroy soon dis-covers that there's no keeping Jay safe when Jay's own family is in just as deep and fighting the undertow of danger just as hard.
Now Jay and Leroy must puzzle through secrets hiding in plain sight and scramble to uncover who is determined to eliminate the Black Diamonds before someone else gets hurt--even if the cost might be their own electric connection.
Unsure of what he could have possibly done to catch the eye of the boy who could easily have anyone he wants, Jay isn't about to ignore the surprising but welcome attention. But as everything in his world begins to heat up, especially with Leroy, whispered rumors over the murder of a young Black journalist and long-brewing territory tensions hang like a dark cloud over his neighborhood. And when Jay and Leroy find themselves caught in the crossfire, Leroy isn't willing to be the reason Jay's life is at risk.
Dragged into the world of the Black Diamonds--whose work to protect the Black neighborhoods of Savannah began with his father and now falls to his older brother--Leroy knows that finding out who attacked his brother is not only the key to protecting everyone he loves but also the only way he can ever be with Jay. Wading through a murky history of family trauma and regret, Leroy soon dis-covers that there's no keeping Jay safe when Jay's own family is in just as deep and fighting the undertow of danger just as hard.
Now Jay and Leroy must puzzle through secrets hiding in plain sight and scramble to uncover who is determined to eliminate the Black Diamonds before someone else gets hurt--even if the cost might be their own electric connection.
416 pages, Hardcover
First published November 14, 2023
67 people are currently reading
4476 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 158 reviews
November 6, 2023
Raw. That’s the word that first came to mind while reading this story set in the aughts about two Black boys falling for each other. Raw in the sense of powerful. Tough. Passionate. Unfinished.
Sometimes, I have problems finishing a technically perfect story. And sometimes, a story that people might call ‘unfinished’, makes me want to read on and on and on. Pritty is far from flawless, but I regularly clenched my fists while goosebumps danced on my skin, and I wanted to scream no, no, no, so many times! At those moments, I wanted to protect those boys with my life. So yeah, this story touched me deeply.
Pritty isn’t a fluffy book. It’s palpable in the first sentence, where Jay thinks Leroy is going to kill him. It’s tangible in their neighborhood with gangs and guns and shootings. It was evident on my face after only reading a quarter of the story, and tears already started to well up in my eyes. And still …
Hidden behind so many layers of rawness lies so much tenderness. The author’s note already made me swallow a lump in my throat and those sweet boys … Jay is such a gentle soul, and even though Leroy seems harder, on the inside he’s such a softie. And there was so much love in this story, not only because of the romance, but even more from family and friends like Auntie Rissa, Will, Jacob, Taj, and Princeton. The tenderness is also visible on the cover, and I love it! Two Black guys surrounded by the beauty of flowers, bright colors. The cover reminds me of Jay Coles’ Tyler Johnson Was Here, a story with similar themes.
There will be a sequel, and I can’t wait to read it! That ending! I highly recommend Pritty to all of you who love raw and intense character driven stories about teens on the cusp of adulthood and Black masculinity, in which queerness is normalized.
Actual rating 4.5 stars, rounded up to five because Keith is a debut author and this book made me feel all the feels!
I received an ARC from HarperCollins Children’s Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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Sometimes, I have problems finishing a technically perfect story. And sometimes, a story that people might call ‘unfinished’, makes me want to read on and on and on. Pritty is far from flawless, but I regularly clenched my fists while goosebumps danced on my skin, and I wanted to scream no, no, no, so many times! At those moments, I wanted to protect those boys with my life. So yeah, this story touched me deeply.
Pritty isn’t a fluffy book. It’s palpable in the first sentence, where Jay thinks Leroy is going to kill him. It’s tangible in their neighborhood with gangs and guns and shootings. It was evident on my face after only reading a quarter of the story, and tears already started to well up in my eyes. And still …
Hidden behind so many layers of rawness lies so much tenderness. The author’s note already made me swallow a lump in my throat and those sweet boys … Jay is such a gentle soul, and even though Leroy seems harder, on the inside he’s such a softie. And there was so much love in this story, not only because of the romance, but even more from family and friends like Auntie Rissa, Will, Jacob, Taj, and Princeton. The tenderness is also visible on the cover, and I love it! Two Black guys surrounded by the beauty of flowers, bright colors. The cover reminds me of Jay Coles’ Tyler Johnson Was Here, a story with similar themes.
There will be a sequel, and I can’t wait to read it! That ending! I highly recommend Pritty to all of you who love raw and intense character driven stories about teens on the cusp of adulthood and Black masculinity, in which queerness is normalized.
Actual rating 4.5 stars, rounded up to five because Keith is a debut author and this book made me feel all the feels!
I received an ARC from HarperCollins Children’s Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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June 11, 2023
This book nourished something inside my heart that I didn't even realize needed it. There is so much love and family and culture inside the pages of this book that describing it by its tropes or narrowing it into one genre doesn't do it justice. So, I'm just going to give a brief plot description and my overall emotional reaction because I think that will help explain things best.
Jay and Leroy are two young men living in neighboring towns of Savannah during a time when the people around them are edging towards war.
Jay, while openly gay, is still struggling with what his sexuality means to him but also what it means to others. He is a boy who cares so deeply about those around him – especially his family and friends – that he can't help but also care about how others perceive him. His worth, self image, and overall outlook on love and intimacy are shaped by these interactions and perspectives in both positive and negative ways.
Leroy, who is slightly less sure of his sexuality, knows that he cares for Jay in a way far closer to romance than friendship. He wants to not only protect Jay from outside forces but from himself as well. Leroy struggles with putting emotions into words and sometimes finds that silence – and sometimes violence – is the only way he can truly get out those heavily burdening emotions.
The love story and journey between Jay and Leroy is so much more than just them. Their brothers, their families, their friends, their enemies, all play vital roles into their dynamic and overall arc. There is so much love, self realization, heartbreak, friendship, generational trauma, and everything in between that gets packed into this single book that I felt as if I experienced an entire lifetime within the pages.
Jay and Leroy are two characters I won't ever be able to forget and frankly, I don't want to. They are such visceral characters, such fierce lovers, protective friends, emotionally route individuals, and a couple I'd root for until the entire of time that I feel inclined to re-read the story just to experience it all over again.
Considering how the book ending I am hoping for another book although I could also be content in conjuring up my own conclusions. Regardless, this is one of the most beautifully written MM stories and just books I've ever read and I'm excited to see it get its hype.
Jay and Leroy are two young men living in neighboring towns of Savannah during a time when the people around them are edging towards war.
Jay, while openly gay, is still struggling with what his sexuality means to him but also what it means to others. He is a boy who cares so deeply about those around him – especially his family and friends – that he can't help but also care about how others perceive him. His worth, self image, and overall outlook on love and intimacy are shaped by these interactions and perspectives in both positive and negative ways.
Leroy, who is slightly less sure of his sexuality, knows that he cares for Jay in a way far closer to romance than friendship. He wants to not only protect Jay from outside forces but from himself as well. Leroy struggles with putting emotions into words and sometimes finds that silence – and sometimes violence – is the only way he can truly get out those heavily burdening emotions.
The love story and journey between Jay and Leroy is so much more than just them. Their brothers, their families, their friends, their enemies, all play vital roles into their dynamic and overall arc. There is so much love, self realization, heartbreak, friendship, generational trauma, and everything in between that gets packed into this single book that I felt as if I experienced an entire lifetime within the pages.
Jay and Leroy are two characters I won't ever be able to forget and frankly, I don't want to. They are such visceral characters, such fierce lovers, protective friends, emotionally route individuals, and a couple I'd root for until the entire of time that I feel inclined to re-read the story just to experience it all over again.
Considering how the book ending I am hoping for another book although I could also be content in conjuring up my own conclusions. Regardless, this is one of the most beautifully written MM stories and just books I've ever read and I'm excited to see it get its hype.
January 9, 2025
I had a good time with this! Such a quick and entertaining read. It encompasses SO much and I loved the cliff hanger. I’m getting into “Togetha” immediately. I listened to this as an audio and it kept me glued for the most part.
May 23, 2025
Casually devastating read
August 11, 2023
NetGalley ARC Educator 550974
The book will remind movie lovers of Moonlight. It explodes same gender love from a Black male perspective. Like an E. Lynn Harris novel from a high schoolers perspective. This is an amazing book that I would love to see make it to the big screen. Some parts are sweet, others are thought provoking. A beautiful story.
The book will remind movie lovers of Moonlight. It explodes same gender love from a Black male perspective. Like an E. Lynn Harris novel from a high schoolers perspective. This is an amazing book that I would love to see make it to the big screen. Some parts are sweet, others are thought provoking. A beautiful story.
March 21, 2024
i wanted to like this but the story jumps around so wildly and w/ so little detail that i literally could not follow the plot. i actually had to check and make sure i hadn’t picked up the sequel instead of book 1
January 23, 2025
This book nourished my heart in ways I didn’t even expect. It did my heart some good, left me hopeful and inspired and even (dare I say) optimistic!
This book was everything my teenage self would’ve loved to have been able to read. It was everything adult me was proud to consume.
I’m hopeful for a sequel because I just have to know what’s next for Jay & Leroy!
This was such a pure take on life when you don’t have to “come out”, you can just exist. I was profoundly blessed by the representation and the quality of this story.
UPDATE:
1/2025
Decided to re-read this as the sequel just dropped not too long ago. Excited for the next book.
This book was everything my teenage self would’ve loved to have been able to read. It was everything adult me was proud to consume.
I’m hopeful for a sequel because I just have to know what’s next for Jay & Leroy!
This was such a pure take on life when you don’t have to “come out”, you can just exist. I was profoundly blessed by the representation and the quality of this story.
UPDATE:
1/2025
Decided to re-read this as the sequel just dropped not too long ago. Excited for the next book.
February 28, 2025
4.5 rating
“If telling the truth doesn’t set us free, and the only thing it does is turn up the heat, then let it at least be worth the burn.”
Thank you Harper Collins and Hear Our Voices for this Book Tour opportunity
Listened via Libby along with the paperback.
Keith, your writing was something beautiful and pure in these pages. I tabbed and highlighted this story up. And the audio was just as good. Everything about this story, these characters and words are indeed ‘Pritty’. I love when you can feel the raw emotions just coming off the pages.
I truly love Jay and Leroy. Like i could see my younger self being friends with them. Their journey together and alone had me smiling. Yes, this is a love story and an outstanding one at that. Also love is represented here in different ways like for yourself, family, community, and friendship. Protecting each other is what they do in this story. It’s in their blood because here there’s pain, hurt, gangs, violence, not feeling seen, and brokenness as well. Even with all of that you can’t do it without love and laughter to soothe the soul. From aunt Rissa, who i adore, Princeton, Taj, Will and Jacob they all did their part to never let the other fall.
If you haven’t please give this a read or listen. Starting book two soon.
Quotes:
“They don’t care what happens to me, as long as it doesn’t happen to them first.”
“But whatcha supposed to do when someone you known most of yo life tryna be someone who hurts othas for no reason?”
“Any name other than the one you choose is a poison others try to use to kill the best parts of you from the inside out.”
“I just want to feel, fly with someone without being afraid to fall.”
“Rissa always says real homes smell like tough love: hugs and ass-whoopins melted in sugar age vanilla.”
“The color of their skin is always held against them because the standard is one shade, not the beauty and strength of many.”
“If telling the truth doesn’t set us free, and the only thing it does is turn up the heat, then let it at least be worth the burn.”
Thank you Harper Collins and Hear Our Voices for this Book Tour opportunity
Listened via Libby along with the paperback.
Keith, your writing was something beautiful and pure in these pages. I tabbed and highlighted this story up. And the audio was just as good. Everything about this story, these characters and words are indeed ‘Pritty’. I love when you can feel the raw emotions just coming off the pages.
I truly love Jay and Leroy. Like i could see my younger self being friends with them. Their journey together and alone had me smiling. Yes, this is a love story and an outstanding one at that. Also love is represented here in different ways like for yourself, family, community, and friendship. Protecting each other is what they do in this story. It’s in their blood because here there’s pain, hurt, gangs, violence, not feeling seen, and brokenness as well. Even with all of that you can’t do it without love and laughter to soothe the soul. From aunt Rissa, who i adore, Princeton, Taj, Will and Jacob they all did their part to never let the other fall.
If you haven’t please give this a read or listen. Starting book two soon.
Quotes:
“They don’t care what happens to me, as long as it doesn’t happen to them first.”
“But whatcha supposed to do when someone you known most of yo life tryna be someone who hurts othas for no reason?”
“Any name other than the one you choose is a poison others try to use to kill the best parts of you from the inside out.”
“I just want to feel, fly with someone without being afraid to fall.”
“Rissa always says real homes smell like tough love: hugs and ass-whoopins melted in sugar age vanilla.”
“The color of their skin is always held against them because the standard is one shade, not the beauty and strength of many.”
June 21, 2025
Whew. 😰 chapter 14 had me EMOTIONAL.
Pritty is such a raw story and I was pleasantly surprised with how the romance developed across the book. There were moments of heartbreak, joy, love, anger..any and all emotions. Jay and Leroy will definitely stick with me and I am so excited to get to book 2.
Pritty is such a raw story and I was pleasantly surprised with how the romance developed across the book. There were moments of heartbreak, joy, love, anger..any and all emotions. Jay and Leroy will definitely stick with me and I am so excited to get to book 2.
November 13, 2023
#84
The Good
I. Black queerness is front and center.
II. Love is a major theme in the story.
There is a representation of Black love across the board: community, family, between Black men (platonic and romantic), Black men loving and being loved/desired, and more.
III. Merging of spheres that are usually made to seem at odds with each other – Black queerness & gangs and certain representations of Black masculinity.
IV. Variety in Black guys
This is the most Black guys I have seen represented in a ya book in a long time.
V. Story is a space that centers Blackness.
The Bad
I. So much plot and characters with little build up.
II. A lot of telling not enough showing.
-Who are any of these characters? We are told who they are, but we are not shown who they are.
III. Story jumps around.
IV. Could this have been tighter and shorter story?
V. Heavily romance to point everything feels like a background to the romance/love. At a certain point I was tired of talking about love in a way that I felt lacked depth or umph.
Thoughts
I. Comparison to Angie Thomas and Jason Reynolds
Looking at the comps helped me to understand the story on its own.
In what way does this story compare to Angie Thomas or Jason Reynolds? Is it in tone, subject matter, or in another way? The tone/voice of Pritty does not give either Angie Thomas or Jason Reynolds to me.
II. Is the story for a mature audience?
Constantly thinking about what has been said about the place young readers (teens) are at it makes me assess if books fit the age range they are for.
A. It has longer chapters. The Hate U Give has long chapters too.
B. The tone is more mature because of how it is written?
Does use of AAVE make this story more accessible to young readers?
III. Is there an emerging trend of these angsty or dramatic type of romances?
IV. Language & N-word.
When is the last young adult (or adult) book I read that has characters using the n-word? Is there representation being lost when there are not many books with Black characters using it? Then again how do you edit and review (use of n-word & AAVE) when majority of editors/agents/people in publishing are not Black?
V. This coulda been…:
A. Fantasy or horror or speculative – At a certain point in story one of the characters said something that made me think about story possibly shifting into fantasy. It would have been interesting with the gangs & magic.
Pritty Kickstarter
B. Comic – Saw a bit of the Pritty Kickstarter and if this was a comic, I think so much would have gone down better.
I received this for review from Epic Reads
The Good
I. Black queerness is front and center.
II. Love is a major theme in the story.
There is a representation of Black love across the board: community, family, between Black men (platonic and romantic), Black men loving and being loved/desired, and more.
III. Merging of spheres that are usually made to seem at odds with each other – Black queerness & gangs and certain representations of Black masculinity.
IV. Variety in Black guys
This is the most Black guys I have seen represented in a ya book in a long time.
V. Story is a space that centers Blackness.
The Bad
I. So much plot and characters with little build up.
II. A lot of telling not enough showing.
-Who are any of these characters? We are told who they are, but we are not shown who they are.
III. Story jumps around.
IV. Could this have been tighter and shorter story?
V. Heavily romance to point everything feels like a background to the romance/love. At a certain point I was tired of talking about love in a way that I felt lacked depth or umph.
Thoughts
I. Comparison to Angie Thomas and Jason Reynolds
Looking at the comps helped me to understand the story on its own.
In what way does this story compare to Angie Thomas or Jason Reynolds? Is it in tone, subject matter, or in another way? The tone/voice of Pritty does not give either Angie Thomas or Jason Reynolds to me.
II. Is the story for a mature audience?
Constantly thinking about what has been said about the place young readers (teens) are at it makes me assess if books fit the age range they are for.
A. It has longer chapters. The Hate U Give has long chapters too.
B. The tone is more mature because of how it is written?
Does use of AAVE make this story more accessible to young readers?
III. Is there an emerging trend of these angsty or dramatic type of romances?
IV. Language & N-word.
When is the last young adult (or adult) book I read that has characters using the n-word? Is there representation being lost when there are not many books with Black characters using it? Then again how do you edit and review (use of n-word & AAVE) when majority of editors/agents/people in publishing are not Black?
V. This coulda been…:
A. Fantasy or horror or speculative – At a certain point in story one of the characters said something that made me think about story possibly shifting into fantasy. It would have been interesting with the gangs & magic.
Pritty Kickstarter
B. Comic – Saw a bit of the Pritty Kickstarter and if this was a comic, I think so much would have gone down better.
I received this for review from Epic Reads
April 10, 2024
Very interesting book. It did feel a bit unrealistic in how everyone, for the most part, was accepting of queer people. But the story was powerful and I felt that I saw way being gay could be like for people in other cultures.
September 14, 2025
De schrijfstijl is niet voor mij. Voor 1 POV is de zinsopbouw soms heel raar en voor 1 POV is er fonetisch geschreven. Ik kon er niet helemaal inkomen.
Daarnaast was ik eigenlijk het hele boek lang verward over het genre. Mystery? Romance? Het boek is duidelijk LGBTQ maar echt everyone is gay waardoor het soms iets te snel ging voor mij (idk kan het niet goed uitleggen). En alles was connected maar dan eigenlijk niet duidelijk genoeg waardoor je dacht van ‘huh maar gaat dit nu over wie ik denk dat het gaat of zijn er twee mensen met dezelfde naam?’
Sowieso waren er heel veel karakters die dan 1 keer worden voorgesteld en dan toch ineens belangrijk zijn maar eigk kende je ze niet genoeg. Daardoor kon ik het allemaal niet bijhouden.
Soms miste ik ook tussenstappen. Het is dus eigenlijk een beetje mystery maar wat er gebeurde is dat we dan oprecht van de ene op de andere zin in een achtervolging zitten die volledig uit het niks kwam. Ik snap plottwists maar dit was too much.
En hoewel dit boek redelijk vlot leest, blijven het heel erg woorden op papier. Ik zie geen film voor me en ga dus niet echt op in het verhaal.
Ik had deze graag leuk willen vinden maar het was echt een wirwar.
3 voelt te hoog, dus 2,5!
Daarnaast was ik eigenlijk het hele boek lang verward over het genre. Mystery? Romance? Het boek is duidelijk LGBTQ maar echt everyone is gay waardoor het soms iets te snel ging voor mij (idk kan het niet goed uitleggen). En alles was connected maar dan eigenlijk niet duidelijk genoeg waardoor je dacht van ‘huh maar gaat dit nu over wie ik denk dat het gaat of zijn er twee mensen met dezelfde naam?’
Sowieso waren er heel veel karakters die dan 1 keer worden voorgesteld en dan toch ineens belangrijk zijn maar eigk kende je ze niet genoeg. Daardoor kon ik het allemaal niet bijhouden.
Soms miste ik ook tussenstappen. Het is dus eigenlijk een beetje mystery maar wat er gebeurde is dat we dan oprecht van de ene op de andere zin in een achtervolging zitten die volledig uit het niks kwam. Ik snap plottwists maar dit was too much.
En hoewel dit boek redelijk vlot leest, blijven het heel erg woorden op papier. Ik zie geen film voor me en ga dus niet echt op in het verhaal.
Ik had deze graag leuk willen vinden maar het was echt een wirwar.
3 voelt te hoog, dus 2,5!
January 12, 2025
Synopsis for Pritty: Two boys get caught in the crossfire of a sinister plot that not only threatens everything they love but may cost them their own chance at love.
Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow!!! Okay so I loved these books. I had read nothing but good things about Pritty and I was really excited to start it. I was captivated from page one, as @keithfmillerjr tells the story of these boys and their families, both chosen and blood. There are so many dynamics at play here and every single one had me turning pages to find out what would happen. I LOVED the dual POV for Jay and Leroy and how different they were as people - but both scared of love. I LOVED the fierce love and loyalty that existed and Taj and Jacobee’s love for their siblings and each other. It actually doesn’t feel like there are any side characters because every person is central to the plot. And it ended on a cliffhanger!!!!
The writing is stunning. The prose is gorgeous. The vulnerability, the fear, love, forgiveness, heartbreak, family dynamics, secrets… everything is so important to the plot. And those covers?!
Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow!!! Okay so I loved these books. I had read nothing but good things about Pritty and I was really excited to start it. I was captivated from page one, as @keithfmillerjr tells the story of these boys and their families, both chosen and blood. There are so many dynamics at play here and every single one had me turning pages to find out what would happen. I LOVED the dual POV for Jay and Leroy and how different they were as people - but both scared of love. I LOVED the fierce love and loyalty that existed and Taj and Jacobee’s love for their siblings and each other. It actually doesn’t feel like there are any side characters because every person is central to the plot. And it ended on a cliffhanger!!!!
The writing is stunning. The prose is gorgeous. The vulnerability, the fear, love, forgiveness, heartbreak, family dynamics, secrets… everything is so important to the plot. And those covers?!
July 31, 2024
4.75/5😮💨. I’ll give it the 5 stars on here because it definitely ain’t lower than 4, and since good reads is biased on half stars I’ll give it the 5. This was a great story all the characters felt real like I was actually going through Savannah GA. Actually being in Georgia while I was reading was actually a fun lil thing being bout 5 hours away I felt like if I wanted to I could have took a drive and actually feel out the scenery. My one thing and it really isn’t that big I feel like with the other book coming out that will change. But the main character Jay and Leroy, were soooooo winy almost baby-ish, reading the story, I grew to accept it on Jay, it made sense the he was a bit winy, but Leroy didn’t make sense for him being so winy. Honestly outside of that this was a great story, real and raw about black people in Savannah living their lives.
November 27, 2023
Received Paperback ARC from Epic Reads.
Oof. This was intense.
Oof. This was intense.
December 17, 2023
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This story follows Jay and Leroy. The pair relationship with each other and their families are most of what’s told in the story. Jay had to figure out how to deal with his feelings for not only Leroy but for Will too. Leroy was laser focused on his academics and the Black Diamonds. I did find that I was being to what was going on vs me knowing what’s going on from reading. That would be my only critique because I prefer to find out by reading vs you tell me everything. Overall this was a good read.
Thank you HarperCollins Children's Books, HarperTeen and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ebook in exchange for an honest review.
This story follows Jay and Leroy. The pair relationship with each other and their families are most of what’s told in the story. Jay had to figure out how to deal with his feelings for not only Leroy but for Will too. Leroy was laser focused on his academics and the Black Diamonds. I did find that I was being to what was going on vs me knowing what’s going on from reading. That would be my only critique because I prefer to find out by reading vs you tell me everything. Overall this was a good read.
Thank you HarperCollins Children's Books, HarperTeen and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ebook in exchange for an honest review.
February 28, 2025
I did not like how this was written. The writing was very flowery, but a bit too much so. Some descriptions were corny and at times I was confused about the setting and who was there in a specific scene.
There was romantic love in the book, but I felt it lacked build up and also background about why they liked each other? They hadn’t even had that many interactions with one another, but built up such strong feelings? The love between siblings contained more background and reasoning than the romantic love.
There was romantic love in the book, but I felt it lacked build up and also background about why they liked each other? They hadn’t even had that many interactions with one another, but built up such strong feelings? The love between siblings contained more background and reasoning than the romantic love.
November 9, 2023
Thank you HarperCollins and Netgalley for the advanced readers copy.
I truly wanted to love this book, but this one just wasn’t for me. Before I say something negative I rather don’t say anything at all, because I respect the author and his cause and strength to write an emotional book like this. The authors note was truly heartfelt and touching, I’m sure many readers will devour this and enjoy the journey with lee and jay.
I truly wanted to love this book, but this one just wasn’t for me. Before I say something negative I rather don’t say anything at all, because I respect the author and his cause and strength to write an emotional book like this. The authors note was truly heartfelt and touching, I’m sure many readers will devour this and enjoy the journey with lee and jay.
December 12, 2023
I couldn’t relate with certain aspects of this book and that’s alright. Written for the black American gaze.
September 3, 2025
I really wanted to like this book. It started out pretty good, but omg — way too many plot holes and unnecessary characters.
January 25, 2024
Gorgeous writing; Really descriptive and tightly woven (to the point). I felt thoroughly immersed in the setting, and in the narrators’ thoughts and feelings. I thought the choice to tell this story from two first person perspectives was really powerful. The reader really gets a glimpse into the deep inner thoughts of adolescents. The story rwings true to the way teenagers have much more complex relationships with people and with the world than adults give them credit for. That said, I thought the adults in this book were great at Giving the teenagers agency while also setting boundaries and supporting the young people emotionally.
The portrayal of the way the young people were both very competent, and sometimes bafflingly unaware of the impact their actions had other people also really wrings true.
This was also a hard book to read. There is violence, yes, and there is also a portrayal of a world that I, as a white woman who was raised in the suburbs, am just totally unfamiliar with. The activity and interpersonal viciousness is as hard to watch as the out and out violence.
But I also trust that the author knows what he’s talking about, and, as I said, above, that he is not using gratuitous violence to move the plot along. The world he is painting, feels very real.
And, ultimately, what I take from this book is the deep glimpses into the characters’ authentic, complex, and complicated feelings, and the deep glimpses of deep family ties, both family of origin and Chosen Family.
The portrayal of the way the young people were both very competent, and sometimes bafflingly unaware of the impact their actions had other people also really wrings true.
This was also a hard book to read. There is violence, yes, and there is also a portrayal of a world that I, as a white woman who was raised in the suburbs, am just totally unfamiliar with. The activity and interpersonal viciousness is as hard to watch as the out and out violence.
But I also trust that the author knows what he’s talking about, and, as I said, above, that he is not using gratuitous violence to move the plot along. The world he is painting, feels very real.
And, ultimately, what I take from this book is the deep glimpses into the characters’ authentic, complex, and complicated feelings, and the deep glimpses of deep family ties, both family of origin and Chosen Family.
June 6, 2025
I really wanted to like this book more!
The structure and narrative were hard to follow, and there were too many characters. I constantly felt like Miller, Leroy, and Jay were keeping me at arm's length! These character interactions felt like when you join a friend group and all the people are already close and have history and inside jokes that they don't fill you in on.
The structure and narrative were hard to follow, and there were too many characters. I constantly felt like Miller, Leroy, and Jay were keeping me at arm's length! These character interactions felt like when you join a friend group and all the people are already close and have history and inside jokes that they don't fill you in on.
readers-advisory
July 10, 2024"I recommend this book even though it is not my jam. The author is an educator and
advocate for BIPOC teens and an expert in trauma recovery, so this book is very important
to have in a public-school teen library. There are some references to smoking and alcohol
and some on page sex situations (but nothing with prolonged detail that I can tell but I also
did not understand 95% of the slang) so I am not sure if it is okay for Middle School library.
This story is told from two points of view; Jay and Leroy and the setting is Savannah,
Georgia. The main characters are attracted to each other but not exactly out, and a drive by
shooting interrupts what might have been their blossoming romance. As the story
continues characters from rival gangs become aware that there is a new group in town that
has no respect for their agreements or territories and that drives a lot of environmental
action. There are moments that are gorgeously told. This author captures the teen angst
and romance ambiguity in a way that is not unlike..." WashRag-145-05-24
advocate for BIPOC teens and an expert in trauma recovery, so this book is very important
to have in a public-school teen library. There are some references to smoking and alcohol
and some on page sex situations (but nothing with prolonged detail that I can tell but I also
did not understand 95% of the slang) so I am not sure if it is okay for Middle School library.
This story is told from two points of view; Jay and Leroy and the setting is Savannah,
Georgia. The main characters are attracted to each other but not exactly out, and a drive by
shooting interrupts what might have been their blossoming romance. As the story
continues characters from rival gangs become aware that there is a new group in town that
has no respect for their agreements or territories and that drives a lot of environmental
action. There are moments that are gorgeously told. This author captures the teen angst
and romance ambiguity in a way that is not unlike..." WashRag-145-05-24
February 22, 2025
Wow, "Pritty" absolutely wrecked me in the best way possible. Keith F. Miller, Jr. crafts a story that is so raw, tender, and beautifully authentic in its portrayal of Black queer boyhood. Jay and Leroy’s relationship is electric, filled with the kind of vulnerability and love that feels both rare and deeply necessary in stories like these. The way they see and care for each other, even in the midst of so much danger and uncertainty, made my heart ache. It’s refreshing to read a book where queer Black representation is not only present but thriving—at one point, I even found myself wondering, “Is everybody gay here?!” (And honestly, I loved that.) But beyond the romance, "Pritty" is a coming-of-age story at its core, exploring themes of survival, self-discovery, and the weight of family and community in a world that often feels unforgiving.
I initially thought this would be more of a YA romance, but it quickly became clear that Jay and Leroy’s journey was something much bigger. Their separation in the story was unexpected, but it made their arcs feel even more powerful as they fought to find themselves and each other again. The backdrop of gang violence and community resilience adds so much depth, making the stakes feel incredibly real. The Black Diamonds, the territory tensions, and the mystery surrounding the journalist’s murder all create a rich and layered narrative that kept me hooked. And just when I thought I’d be left shattered, I discovered that the sequel, "Togetha", is already out—thank goodness, because I need more! This book is a stunning, necessary read that left me breathless, and I can’t wait to see where Jay and Leroy’s story goes next.
I initially thought this would be more of a YA romance, but it quickly became clear that Jay and Leroy’s journey was something much bigger. Their separation in the story was unexpected, but it made their arcs feel even more powerful as they fought to find themselves and each other again. The backdrop of gang violence and community resilience adds so much depth, making the stakes feel incredibly real. The Black Diamonds, the territory tensions, and the mystery surrounding the journalist’s murder all create a rich and layered narrative that kept me hooked. And just when I thought I’d be left shattered, I discovered that the sequel, "Togetha", is already out—thank goodness, because I need more! This book is a stunning, necessary read that left me breathless, and I can’t wait to see where Jay and Leroy’s story goes next.
November 8, 2023
Thank you, NetGalley, HarperCollins Children's Books and Keith F. Miller, Jr. for providing me with an eARC of Pritty for review.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ - available 14 November 2023 🎉🎉🎉
This is a lovely read. It was engaging and interesting. I really enjoyed how Leroy was written and Jay was just so adorable.
For me I feel that it was almost of tale of two stories - the romance story and then the Black Diamonds story. Both of which are wonderfully done but I don't know if they blend really well. I think that maybe that is the point. That this innocent, young love romance can only exist in this background of violence for Jay and Leroy.
I didn't realise that this wasn't a standalone read so it will be great to get the sequel and get some answers ☺️.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ - available 14 November 2023 🎉🎉🎉
This is a lovely read. It was engaging and interesting. I really enjoyed how Leroy was written and Jay was just so adorable.
For me I feel that it was almost of tale of two stories - the romance story and then the Black Diamonds story. Both of which are wonderfully done but I don't know if they blend really well. I think that maybe that is the point. That this innocent, young love romance can only exist in this background of violence for Jay and Leroy.
I didn't realise that this wasn't a standalone read so it will be great to get the sequel and get some answers ☺️.
January 12, 2025
Pritty was an amazing story of love, family and battling trauma from past family issues. I thought it was cute to see how the relationships changed between the main characters and how they coincided with the seasons. Overall the story was AMAZING! The representation present in this story was needed! I felt like not only did it show the battle between lovers who come from different sides of the street but also how simple and gentle love can be. I HIGHLY recommend reading this book and I can’t wait to read the sequel.
January 26, 2024
This book sounds really familiar and I lost interest during the first half.
April 28, 2024
4.5 ⭐️
June 14, 2024
This was a beautiful book. I enjoyed most of the characters and the trials. I’m prepared for the next one because I need more. The only 2 things I didn’t enjoy was all the nicknames, it was hard to remember who was who because they had 2-3 names. Also there was no full clarity on sexuality, seemed like u kept figuring out at random times who was gay or trans it was a little confusing.
August 31, 2024
This book was beautifully written! I love the dynamics between Leroy and Jay.
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