Pritty by Keith F. Miller Jr.

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.

Published by Harper Teen
on November 14, 2023

Review:

I received an advance galley of this book courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

As a gay man, I’ve experienced plenty of rejection and bullying in my life, as most gay men have. Still, as a white man, I have a privilege that people of color will never have, so to read a story about gay young men is one thing, but to read a story of gay young men of color and their experiences is something completely different. I love that these stories are being told.

The book is told in the alternating voices of Jay and Leroy – two young Black men from Savannah. Jay is on the softer side and always has been. His older brother is everything a man should be – tough, resilient, and charismatic – all things that Jay is not. When Jay learns that Leroy has been looking for him, he is certain it’s because Leroy wants to beat him up. Imagine his surprise when he finds out Leroy actually has a crush on Jay (and has for a while).

With this newfound attention, Jay’s summer before his senior year begins to look a lot different than it did, but it doesn’t come without drama and an underlying sense of unease. When a young Black journalist is murdered, Jay and Leroy find themselves in the middle of something that could very easily put both their lives in danger.

One of the things that really stood out for me was the distinct voices of Jay and Leroy. The author captured both perfectly. Often, when you read a book that is told from dual points of view, the character’s voices rarely differ enough that you immediately know which character you’re living with at the moment. That was not the case here. I love it when an author can pull this off. Adam Silvera is another author who I feel manages to do this really well.

The relationship between Jay and Leroy was beautifully developed. It felt authentic and genuine, and I found myself rooting for them from the very beginning. Their connection was electric, and I appreciated how their bond was portrayed as something precious and worth fighting for.

The way Leroy is willing to risk everything to protect his loved ones, including Jay, was genuinely heartwarming. It added depth to the story and made their connection even more powerful. The author did a fantastic job of portraying the complexities of family dynamics and how they can influence our choices and actions. I also loved the relationships both young men had with their families. I love seeing tight familial bonds – especially in young adult literature.

While the character development of Jay and Leroy was exceptional, I would have liked to see more exploration of some of the other characters in the book. With such a large and dynamic cast, I felt that some of the side characters deserved more attention and development. However, this did not detract from my overall enjoyment of the story.

The plot was well-paced and kept me engaged throughout. The author skillfully weaved together elements of mystery, romance, and family drama to create a multifaceted and compelling narrative. The tension and danger surrounding the Black Diamonds added an exciting layer to the story.

The inclusion of the murder of a young Black journalist and the exploration of territory tensions added a thought-provoking element to the story. It shed light on the challenges faced by Black communities and the importance of unity and resilience in the face of adversity. The author handled these sensitive topics with care and provided a nuanced perspective that added depth to the overall narrative.

The writing style was engaging and kept me hooked from start to finish. The author effortlessly draws readers into Jay and Leroy’s world. The dialogue was realistic, and the emotions felt genuine. The pacing was well-balanced, with moments of intense action and quieter, introspective scenes.

“Pritty” is a captivating and engrossing novel that delves into themes of love, family, and resilience. With its well-paced plot, authentic characters, and descriptive writing style, this book is a must-read for fans of contemporary fiction. Jay and Leroy are endearing protagonists who will capture your heart. I definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a powerful and emotional read that is outside your typical YA gay romance.