Pritty

By: Keith F. Miller Jr.

Narrated by: Landon Woodson, Eric B. Anthony

2024 Lambda Literary Awards Finalist

Concrete Rose meets Things We Couldn’t Say in Pritty, a debut novel by Keith F. Miller Jr.—the inspiration behind the forthcoming animated short film of Kickstarter fame—that follows two boys who 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.

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.

©2023 Keith F. Miller, Jr. (P)2023 HarperCollins Publishers

One of the best books I've read in the past few years

I followed this story from the Kickstarter pitch to make it into an animated movie. I didn't know what to expect, but I think I expected a simple story about growing up Black and gay/queer. However, this was a deep, thrilling, beautiful, thought-provoking story about love, family, the destruction of community by gentrification, and so much more. I loved every minute of the story. I laughed, cried, and grew as a person. This is a must-read. This is one of my favorite books, and I hope this becomes a movie!!

Absolutely astonishing

This was an absolute delight; suspenseful, romantic, aggravating all in the right way. A must listen!

Waiting for part two!

The story is beautifully written, and the pacing is good. The only thing that I was disappointed in or felt was underwhelming, was the true love story behind it all it seemed like it was more focused on the gang aspect of the story, and I lost the romance in the beginning.

The best performance I’ve heard on Audible

This is an engrossing murder mystery intertwined with a gay romance but it’s the beautiful words and the almost lyrical way the characters speak that will grab you and not let go. A really fun trip to a neighborhood in Savannah, Georgia, that we otherwise wouldn’t be able to visit.

Acceptance

I found it interesting, that there was a community of people embrace others, of various sexual orientations. There wasn't a coming out story or a plot to be beat up the same gender attracted kid, I also appreciated that when a character loved someone they were supported by the community.

Refreshingly Unique

Scandal, intrigue, danger, romance - all the essential ingredients of a great story are here and presented in a universe that is both familiar - with its characters so relatable I feel we are old friends - and astonishing as the action unfolds with characters marked by their humanity rather than their queerness. What a wonderful world it would be when one's queerness can simply exist without being minimized or highlighted; it simply exists. Yes, there is fantastic drama in this coming-of-age story, yet the conflicts are not centered on anyone's gender identity or sexual orientation. How refreshing!

God be a Sequel

This book was everything I hoped for & more!!! I really hope there is a book 2 in the works.

A Wild Ride!

PRITTY feels like, FLY GIRL or COLDEST WINTER EVER but from the perspective of young men who exist in a world where loving who you love only plays a tiny part because the world they are navigating and the secrets their elders are keeping is so WILD!

Sensuality not sexuality!

I liked how well the characters were developed but disliked the abruptness of the ending.

IT WAS

PHENOMENAL !!! ABSOLUTELY PHENOMENAL !! Plot twists !! Characters development !! Just lovely !! Shout out to the writer he really ate that