Pretty Girl County, Lakita Wilson
Pretty Girl County, Lakita Wilson
List: $23.00 | Sale: $16.10
Club: $11.50

Pretty Girl County

Author: Lakita Wilson

Narrator: Joniece Abbott-Pratt, Tyla Collier

Unabridged: 7 hr 16 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 07/01/2025


Synopsis

A KIRKUS BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR

"Irresistibly fun and authentic, Pretty Girl County is a luminous showcase of community, friendship, love in all its complexities, and the ways we blaze our own paths. A sparkling, must-read delight!"—Julian Winters, award-winning author of Right Where I Left You

The glitz of Gossip Girl meets the hustle of Leah Johnson's You Should See Me in a Crown in this charming and hilarious story of ex-BFFs from PG County, Maryland, perfect for fans of Joya Goffney and Elise Bryant.

Girls like Reya Samuels always come from Prince George’s County. Reya is rich and she’s not afraid to show it—she wears designer clothes, drives a custom pink Audi, and lives in a neighborhood tucked behind a fancy cast iron gate. She works hard, but she can get anything she wants with a snap.

Sommer Watkins is from Seat Pleasant, where the cast iron gates are significantly smaller—and attached to the windows, where most folks are still trying to make ends meet. Every day for Sommer is a hustle, working at her dad’s bookstore, and using her art skills to scrounge up enough scholarship money for her dream school, Spelman.

Reya and Sommer used to be BFFs—back when Reya lived in Seat Pleasant, too. Now the girls are from different stratospheres—but when Reya desperately needs help to prove to FIT admissions officers that she has what it takes to make it in fashion, the only person who can help is Sommer. Reya promises to help Sommer in return—she’ll pay her for her services, helping Sommer afford the school her parents can’t.

As the girls work together, slowly they begin to trust each other again. But when new relationships push them both, and Sommer’s dad’s bookstore is suddenly in danger of closing, old wounds bubble up. Can the girls find a way to repair their friendship and stay true to themselves along the way?

About The Author

Lakita Wilson is the author of several novels and nonfiction projects for children and young adults, including What Is Black Lives Matter? a part of the New York Times bestselling Who HQ Now series, the middle grade novels Be Real, Macy Weaver and Sparkle, and YA romance Last Chance Dance. Lakita was born in Washington, DC, and grew up in Prince George's County, Maryland. A 2017 recipient of SCBWI's Emerging Voices Award, Lakita received her MFA in writing for children and young adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. She is currently on faculty at Prince George's Community College in the education department. Lakita lives in Prince George's County, Maryland, with her two children. She can be found online at lakitawilson.com.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Kristy on February 23, 2025

This book is a perfect fit for its YA audience, and if you're from Maryland, it will undoubtedly resonate. Even as a Virginian, I thoroughly enjoyed the references to Prince George’s "PG" County—affectionately nicknamed "Pretty Girl County" in the novel. While the writing can be a bit simplistic and......more

Goodreads review by AlexTRBG on July 22, 2025

Pretty Girl County follows Reya Samuels and Sommer Watkins, two childhood besties turned strangers, trying to rebuild their friendship during senior year. Reya’s that girl. She’s rich, fashionable, and basically PG royalty. Sommer is the artistic underdog from Seat Pleasant, working at her dad’s boo......more

Goodreads review by Monique on May 27, 2025

First off, I love the cover. That's what really drew me in 😍. Pretty Girl County is a book that centers around fashion, looks & status, rekindling friendships, and how moving up in life doesn't always mean "better". I liked how this is told in multiple POVs. You get Reya, whose lifestyle has drastica......more

Goodreads review by Lexx on July 19, 2025

4.5 ⭐️ FOR GORGEOUS PRINCE GEORGE’S ! First, tysm to Lakita Wilson & Penguin Teen for the ARC copy to review! 🥰 I always brag about where I’m from because they’re arent many counties in the US like mine; a predominantly Black melting pot. As one of the wealthiest Black counties in the country, PG Coun......more

Goodreads review by Erin on May 31, 2025

4 Stars I really liked this book. YA loves a good romance. YA loves a good issue book, the type of book to deal with heavy, heavy topics. And this book, well, this book is neither of those things. It's a story about friendship (or re-finding friendship). It's a book that tackles issues of class, of r......more


Quotes

*"Former friends must navigate class dynamics and economic divides to help each other accomplish their goals in this knockout novel by Wilson...a powerful tale of first love and second-chance friendship."--Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Fully rooted in and joyfully representing Maryland’s Prince George’s County, this approachable story alternates between the girls’ perspectives to reflect their flirtations, loving families and thoughts on forgiveness. The realistically messy teen drama balances its frothiness with thoughtful considerations of social issues, such as wealth disparities, and a strong pride of place."--The Washington Post

"A tale of the power of inner worth told in a distinct and humorous voice."--Kirkus Reviews

"The excitement of new love and all the challenges associated with relationships take the spotlight in this striking read. Reya and Sommer both experience growth, and each teen’s choices demonstrate maturity and selflessness. Bibliophiles will especially appreciate the bookstore backdrop and the many nods to well-known authors."--Booklist

"This novel is Wilson’s love letter to her hometown...A funny, emotional glimpse into the unique Black social system of Prince George’s County; readers will be rooting for Sommer and Reya to achieve their dreams."--SLJ

Lakita Wilson’s Pretty Girl County has it all — complexity, first loves, drama, community, and a beautifully authentic portrayal of Black girl friendship. Bursting with heart, hope, and humor, you won’t be able to put this book down.”—Dhonielle Clayton, New York Times bestselling author

“Irresistibly fun and authentic, Pretty Girl County is a luminous showcase of community, friendship, love in all its complexities, and the ways we blaze our own paths. A sparkling, must-read delight!”—Julian Winters, award-winning author of Right Where I Left You

"Lakita Wilson's Pretty Girl County brilliantly exposes the uneasy truths about young friendship and rivalries when worlds collide. As a former Prince George's County resident, I can confirm that Wilson captures the rich details of this remarkable community with an authenticity that resonates on every page."— Connie Briscoe, New York Times bestselling author of PG County and Chloe

Praise for Last Chance Dance:
"An ode to love in all its beautiful chaos. Leila is funny, irreverent, and next-level charming, and her story is an actual joyride. Sheer delight through and through."--Becky Albertalli, New York Times bestselling author of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

"Fun, fast-paced, and laugh-out-loud funny, Last Chance Dance will throw readers right back into the final few weeks of their senior year. You can't help but to root for Leila as she picks up the pieces of her broken heart and embarks on a delightful mission to find new love before graduation."--Priyanka Taslim, author of The Love Match

*"Wilson’s part breakup tale, part rom-com isn’t just about falling in and out of love; it’s also a story about Leila’s rediscovering herself in the face of loss, learning from her mistakes, and giving people a chance to redeem themselves...A charming and hopeful story about life post-heartbreak."--Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

*"Wilson (Be Real, Macy Weaver) showcases an expert sense of comedic timing and an emphatic understanding of contemporary adolescent trials in this sparkling rom-com...Leila's struggles...are brilliantly rendered...[in] this optimistic tale of heartbreak and recovery."--Publishers Weekly (starred review)