Got about half way and just couldn't find the drive to continue. I wanted to love this. But I find I drop books quite quickly these days if they don't grab me enough.

4 stars because netgalley forces me to rate and I cant fault it

Thank you to the author and the publisher for the audio-ARC.

Liked: Cute, queer, charming, full of connection & community, Glue Boo, narrated by the author, cozy fantasy vibes

Disliked: Struggled to connect with a lot of the characters

Firstly thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC audiobook

I wasn't sure what to expect with this audiobook, but it did not disappoint. It was a beautifully written story, which had an unexpected plot but a wonderful story.

Pearly is in the department of cosmic cleanup, after a drunken mishap at a party for her soul mate, Pearly is left alone and unsure about her direction in her afterlife-life. She makes a secret deal which throws her onto the lives of 3 people she must guide. 1 of which falls in love with her reincarnated soul mate. Pearly needs to choose what is right for others and herself. This is a story of transformation in many ways.

I loved that this book is for everyone, a LGBTQIA+ book, it just went for this book on the title name alone and I'm so glad I did!

Pearly Gates is an imaginative take on how we live and die. Bonny Solomon creates a cast of complex, messy, and clever characters. Soul meets Broad City meets Drag Race.

Thanks to Bonsol Press and NetGalley for the ARC!

Pearly Gates stood out to me as something fresh and different. The mix of humor and heart made it a really enjoyable read. Pearly is the kind of character you can’t help but root for, even while groaning, “girl, no” at some of the choices along the way.

The diversity here is fantastic. Queer, trans, and nonbinary representation all feel natural and genuine, not just checked-off bullet points. And the concept? Immortal drama, comedic flair, a haunted bookstore, and a reincarnated ex all wrapped up in celestial chaos. Exactly the kind of wild and creative idea I live for.

It’s heartfelt and memorable, with just the right mix of charm and depth.

Lawd, I thought the ebook made me cry. I flat out SOBBED for the last hour of this audiobook.

You ever read a book and wish you could experience again for the first time? That’s Pearly Gates for me. I wanted to laugh and commiserate and bawl the way I did for two days, all over again. Turns out, the audiobook was the exact way to achieve this!

I received a copy of the audiobook from NetGalley and this is my honest review. I’d give it 6 stars if I could. My nose is still running and my heart is so full. Incredible narration performed by the author no less!

“Fear may take the lead but love wins the race.”

I am so impressed with this book! As a queer person, it felt healing. Pearly Gates becomes a sort of guide to 3 people through life, and they sort of become chosen family. I had a hard time pushing through the first pages as it felt like a lot of information, and the world-building felt a bit much, but then I got fully immersed. A cozy read, no real stress, lots of references to queer/drag cultures. Despite character's struggles, it does not feel heavy. It felt like an ode to love in a less-than-perfect world. I appreciated that there was no question left unanswered by the end. Everything was so well-knit. Even the flashbacks were well done! The narration was well done too, I enjoyed the pace and the intonations; it added a lot of personality to Pearly. I will be following Bonnie Solomon's work in the future for sure!

This was such an interesting world. I really enjoyed the main characters and seeing the story unfold. If you're looking for a unique take on the afterlife and a great adventure this one is for you!

AUDIOBOOK ARC REVIEW ✨ Genuinely hilarious and such an emotional bundle of joy. To see novels involving trans peoples and drag queens that bring such light to my life is so refreshing and Im forever thankful for it. Pearlys character was so much fun and the entire story grasped my heart in all the best ways. The narration really captured pearlys personality and was just so much fun to listen to. Easy 5 ⭐️ listen for me!

Cozy queer found family with a dash of glitter from a Drag Queen Angel?
Oh, YES!
The books summary fit's perfectly, so I'll be concentrating my review on the vibes.

Ever felt like not belonging?
Having to deal with everything yourself?
Not knowing how to go on?
This book gives you all the cozy feelings, the hope, the friendships, the heavenly intervention and tops everything with sass, glitter and coffee.

I really loved this story and I'm thankful to have gotten this arc for pride month. Several times I recommended it already and will continue in the future.

Only one star has to be left empty for the audiobook.
It was narrated by Bonnie Solomon and I could hear them hokding back on giving into the emotions.

Bonnie, you're a star, don't hold back! ♥️

I would recommend it to 16 year olds and up, as one part can be heavy on the heart.


Audiobook Arc received from the publisher via NetGalley. This did in no way influence my opinion on this book.

Pearly Gates was an absolute joy from start to finish! Pearly herself is a wonderfully loveable character full of sass, humour, and vulnerability. I was rooting for her the whole way through.

The inclusivity in this book is woven in so naturally, and the representation is heartfelt without ever feeling forced. Bonnie Solomon has created a vibrant, cosy fantasy world that’s both uplifting and deeply moving, tackling themes like grief, love, and belonging while sprinkling in plenty of celestial mischief.

I adored the found-family element and the way the book balanced comedy with moments of genuine emotion. Highly recommended for fans of cosy fantasy, queer romance, and books that leave you feeling warm inside.

OMG, what a refreshing story!! I loved how diverse the characters were. Like, souls don’t have a gender?! I LOVE IT!!! I really loved the story and seeing Pearl navigates all the challenges. I also loved the narration. Can’t wait to listen/read to the sequels!!!!

Cute, funny, cozy and smart. I enjoyed this and its twists on tropes - it was somehow fantastical and also down to earth, if that makes sense.

I'm quite interested in the story but the narration is not up to professional standards. The voice doesn't change at all even when someone is yelling etc, nor does it change for male characters. Disappointing.

What a unique plot! I love that the author did her own narration and it was done really well. I loved the cozy atmospheric vibes. I found Pearly to be hard headed with a heart of gold. This book tackles grief in an approachable way and I felt I was even healed a little bit with this book. I would highly recommend it for something new. I did find a few spots of the audio the volume would change on its own, but it was still well done! Thanks to NetGalley and Bonnie Solomon for this audio ARC.

Drag Queens, Coffee Shops, Guardian Angels (sort of) - what more could you ask for? The story was adorable and the characters were lovable. I truly enjoyed listening to this and caught myself finding excuses to listen a bit longer each time I had the book queued up. While the end felt a bit forced on discovering the true meaning of life, overall, the book was a feel good, uplifting authentically queer story that brought my heart joy.

This was such a wonderful book. I loved the concept, very unique, and Pearly was a brilliant protagonist. Very relatable and lovable. I was rooting for her from the beginning.
I loved the found family theme, all the characters were easy to connect with and I was invested in their stories. The book had humor but it was also very emotional, it made me tear up, and very hopeful too, the ending gave me so much happiness. It was a really feel good read, I loved every moment of Pearly's journey. I would love to read more books from the author.
The narrator did a fantastic job bringing Pearly and all the other characters to life. Brilliant audiobook and great audio quality.

Loved the premise of this book and how inclusive it is. All the characters are so much fun. Loved all the Rupaul references. I can’t wait for the next book. Thanks NetGallery!

Pearly Gates is just a spirit, trying to make her way in the spirit realm with the WORST job, waste management. And to top it off, he partner leaves her after lifetimes together because they feels that they're holding each other back from progressing colors (a ranking system for how evolved spirits are, essentially a caste system based on auras.) So Pearly does what anyone would do. She clones a part of her spirit and makes a Dumb Pearly to do her day job, and convinces a spirit guide to take a vacation and let her mentor his spirits while he's away. There's only one problem. This job is harder than she imagined.

Pearly mentors 3 people - a young 20 something who has only months left to live as his cancer drains his time away, a young trans girl just finding herself, and a widow who hasn't moved on. Pearly finagles them all into a coffee shop quartet (not the singing kind) and then there's another problem. Her soul mate is the owner of the coffee shop. And the widow and her ex are making eyes at each other.

This book was cute, fun, had tons of queer representation, and a unique premise. I loved all of the characters and would definitely read future adventures of Pearly Gates - who has lived many lives, including one as a drag queen with the name Pearly Gates. Tongue in cheek but this book gets you in your feels. Lovedit!

Shoutout to Sydney for telling me to read this!!!

If you are looking for a book that is bursting with coziness, whimsy, & queerness then please check this out!

This is an incredibly well written feel good fantasy filled with glitter & grief.

If you loved the Pixar movie SOUL, then you’ll love this.

Ps. The audiobook is STELLLLLAR

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher, & to the author for the ALC!