This book had a very unique premise that I did really enjoy. The downfall was the main character, said very cringe things and seemed more like a caricature of a Drag Queen. Very exaggerated sayings and quotes constantly that just made Pearly feel fake. She was a character that never learned and was continually selfish, they ruined the very interesting world to me.

The narration was not my favorite either and wish differentiation for the voices were made since it made it hard to follow this very dialogue heavy book.

In summary, this world was unique and was a new depiction on the cozy fantasy genre! The development of the afterlife and spirits was a great one, but this could’ve done with more explaining as I would be confused on areas of how this worked for people. Pearly was a big downfall of this book and i do wish some more development was put into this character and less cringe sayings.

This is a wonderful, heartwarming novel. I laughed a lot and cried a bunch too. What a great journey for well developed characters. Loved this read!

I loved everything about this book except for the main character. Pearly was just not a character I could vibe with. I appreciate her journey, but the character was just Too Much ™️ for me. That being said, the story and all the side characters were wonderful. Thunder/Charlie sounds delightful. Sam and Danielle are absolutely precious and I want to give them both hugs. Hannah also needs a hug. Ultimately, I love all of these characters...except Pearly...

Also I realllly didn't like "Dump Pearly" plotline.

This book had me feeling all the feels. Beautiful, sad and soulful - what a perfect blend. The narrator did a fantastic job as well, lending it a warm and pleasant voice.

Pearly, a cosmic sanitation worker between reincarnations gets broken up with. Already this scene is so emotional and sad and it leads into Pearly's motivation for the book. Can she evolve and prove that she can be better in order to get her soulmate back?

The situation gets trickier when she discovers that her soulmate has reincarnated, doesn't remember them and is interested in someone else. Someone else who Pearly is supposed be helping and guiding through life as part of their new job. I felt the conundrum deep in my bones watching Pearly get torn between doing the right thing for the people around or soothing their inner wound, selfish as that would be. I was so invested in how the story would end, if Pearly will get their soulmate back in the end or not.

The supporting characters very lovely, well rounded and differentiated. The B storylines were fun to see unfold as well - was a bit worried that I would be overwhelmed by the amount of things happening but definitely wasn't the case.

The world building was unique and different . I absolutely loved the twist that a soulmate bond can be broken. I found a lot of fun things in the environment of the story - a sentient vehicle and aura color envy just to name a couple.

Overall a beautiful read full of soul, care and tenderness.

Favorite quote: "She hasn't forgotten the past but she no longer feels dragged down by it " ❤️❤️❤️

I first saw this book as an eye-read and I passed on it. It seemed like it was interesting, but it might be over-the-top. Then I saw it an an audio book and said 'yes please'. This book is a lot, but not too much. Told in the third person, from the point of view of Pearly, a soul trying to redeem themselves, this is alternatively moving, funny and touching. Sometimes it's all three. A story of acceptance, self acceptance and redemption, this book was a pleasure to experience. It's part of a the current wave of cosy fantasy which focusses on community, friendship and family in all it's parts. I loved the relationships, the focus on friendships, rather than centralising romance (although there is plenty of that) and how heartwarming and wholesome this was. it was read by the author and she had the perfect voice for it.

I was given an audio copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Love the cover, great narrator, not my favorite plot. Want to check out more from the author though! This one just didn't quite work for me.

I had SO much fun reading this book! The world building of the afterlife was fun and unique, and every character was so sweet and easy to root for. It had the perfect mix of cheesiness and heart. I would happily read another book about Pearly’s lives or about any of her charges!

This ALC audiobook was okay. It didn't really captivate my attention, as I got distracted very easily numerous times, but, I did still enjoy quite a bit of the story and thought it was unique.
The narration was pretty good, but probably slower than I would normally listen to, even at an increased speed.

I love immersive reading and the narrator’s voice was perfect!

Pearly Gates was beyond what I expected. I was initially intrigued by the story being about a drag queen (I love the queens!). It was more than that. It was about found family, accepting things you can’t change and facing your fears. It also showed how important it is to actually listen to other’s feelings and concerns. Accepting love and loving yourself. Honestly this story was funny, loving and inspirational. I can’t wait for the sequel!

⭐️6♾️ I’m hoping that ending means a possible sequel 👀 I’ll scream. For this to be Bonnie’s debut novel WOW. This book truly stuck a cord for me. Our story starts out with a heavenly drag queen named pearly who ends up losing their soulmate. After that They decide that they need to live life and learn to love themselves/find themselves navigating life without their partner. They end up in a position where they guide souls a true spirit guide and she’s in charge of three particular souls. A widow, a terminally ill college graduate , and a trans woman searching for purpose. During pearly’s mission it brings us to thunderbolt books & coffee the cutest Midwestern bookstore that’s haunted by a 1920 burlesque dancer. The catch is while guiding these three spirits, one of them end up falling for the owner of the bookstore who just so happens to be pearly’s ex reincarnated. She’s now tasked with choosing her own happiness over her duty as a spirit guide. This story had so many positive moments that had me crying and some laugh out loud things during this book so I was back-and-forth. It’s a beautiful story of empathy, love passed in present, queer identity, the messy trials of self discovery/ loving ourselves and found family. This is a beautiful book one of my favorites of this year.This needs to be on your TBR especially for pride month. I can’t recommend this enough. It changed me.

This book was a cute cozy-ish fantasy with a scatter-brained yet lovable main character. It was somewhat difficult to keep up with all the different characters though, especially while listening to the audiobook. The plot is simple but the book is long and drags sometimes. I enjoyed seeing Pearly’s growth in letting Hannah and Charlie get together. It was kind of confusing keeping track of all of Pearly and Thunder’s past incarnations, especially since they had different names and genders with each one. I would have like to see what happens to the transphobic assholes after they die. Also, the book is written by a white author but has a lot of AAVE (which admittedly has been co-opted by the white queer community… but still, was awkward and embarrassing to hear).

Many thanks to the author and publisher for the opportunity to have read an advanced copy this book for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

*Pearly Gates* by Bonnie Solomon sounded like it would be a really unique and fun read, with a premise that definitely stands out: a deceased drag queen in the afterlife tasked with helping others find belonging and redemption. Pearly Gates, our protagonist, starts as a cosmic sanitation worker and takes on a burnt-out spirit guide's caseload at a charming small-town café called Thunderbolt Books & Coffee. There, she guides a grieving widow, a terminally ill student, and a trans woman, all while navigating her own journey and a love triangle.

The book is definitely a humorous and uplifting fantasy, and the concept of a drag queen guiding souls in the afterlife is incredibly original. I appreciate the themes of finding belonging and redemption, and Pearly's journey of self-discovery.

However, I have to be honest, this one was a little **too out there** for me personally. While the premise was intriguing, I just didn't quite connect with the story as much as I hoped. It was a bit too whimsical or strange in a way that didn't fully land for me, and I found myself struggling to really get into the flow of it.

That said, if you're looking for something truly **unique, quirky, and off-the-beaten-path** in the fantasy genre, especially with a strong focus on humor and heartfelt messages about finding your place, this might be exactly what you're looking for. It just wasn't the right fit for my personal taste.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ALC in exchange for an honest review. Release date 6/1.

This book is adorable. It is going to be the perfect beach read for just about anyone. Being a cis white old lady, I hesitated to request but I absolutely do not regret it. The characters are all perfectly lovable and come together to form a wonderfully imperfect family. It is definitely more about friendship love than romantic love.

Bonnie Solomon’s Pearly Gates is a heartwarming, witty, and deeply human story that takes the concept of the afterlife and turns it into something wonderfully now. Deceased drag queen Pearly Gates has found herself stuck in a kind of cosmic purgatory — not just as a soul, but as a cosmic sanitation worker cleaning up metaphysical messes. After being dumped by her soulmate for being emotionally stagnant, Pearly is determined to prove she can grow by helping others heal.

Enter Thunderbolt Books & Coffee — a Midwestern café haunted by Ruby La Rie, a ghostly 1920s burlesque dancer who can’t quite figure out why she’s stuck. With a cast of living “charges” including a grieving widow, a terminally ill student, and Danielle, a trans woman trying to find her place, Pearly’s journey becomes more than just a cosmic job. It’s a mission of self-discovery, with healthy conversations about gender, healing, and identity woven through.

Solomon crafts a whimsical world where ghosts mingle with coffee drinkers, where soulmates might not be the final answer, and where reincarnation and second chances shimmer with hope. Pearly’s dilemma—help her charge fall in love with the café owner, who is also her own reincarnated soulmate, or intervene—is both hilarious and heartfelt.

Moments like Charlie stepping up for Danielle (“In this café we respect who people are, not who others want them to be”) showcase the book’s grounding in love and respect. And Pearly’s realization—that there’s something healing about helping other people heal—hits right at the soul.

It’s not perfect but all the banter, warmth, a lip-sync battle, a costume gala, makes it for a a very special read with a whole lot of heart.. The image of incubators nurturing luminous, newborn souls is one you won’t soon forget.

Narrated by the author with confidence and charm, Pearly Gates is an uplifting LGBTQ+ fantasy full of found family, cozy mystery vibes, and just enough sparkle to make the afterlife feel worth visiting.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bonsol Press for the ARC

This was a lot of fun. The set up was totally bonkers, which is always a plus in my book. I guess I'd call this a cozy fantasy, but it's a lot sharper than that genre usually seems, in a good way. I really liked this one.

5🌟

Pearly Gates is a dead drag queen who is trying to show her soulmate that she's capable of growth in the afterlife. Normally a cosmic sanitation worker, Pearly returns to Earth and acts as a spirit guide to three souls who are stuck in various life situations.

I absolutely loved this book. It's a cozy queer fantasy that beautifully explores themes of gender identity, belonging, found family, and love. I highly recommend this one. It's heartwarming, tender, and filled with charm. Pearly's character, in particular, won me over. What a fantastic choice for Pride Month. 🏳️‍🌈

The audiobook is wonderfully narrated by the author, Bonnie Solomon. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a sequel!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bonsol Press for the ALC.

This was a very gay read, and I loved that about it, but I think cosy just isn't my thing.

I liked the introduction to the afterlife and learning about Pearly's past lives, but I soon grew bored with the plot. I also found Pearly as a character quite annoying, and it was all a bit silly and convenient for me.

That said, I loved the queer representation and appreciated the genre bending aspect. I think more books should have drag queens as their MC, and it was refreshing to read. There were also some very important messages and moving moments, with Pearly showing some character development by the end.

Overall, it's a fun book with some heart, but not something I see myself rereading.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bonnie Solomon for the audio ARC.

A fun romp in the afterlife and current world following Pearly Gates as she tries to prove her worth in guiding souls. Pearly is a fierce presence, a former drag queen with a heart of gold, who does her best to help three adults struggling with gender dysphoria, transitioning, and attraction.
The author’s sensitive portrayal of the daily struggles of people who are transitioning proved educational for this cis-woman. I am a supporter, but had not thought about all the fears, obstacles, and mind games one must confront in everyday situations that I take for granted. Best of all, this was communicated within the context of a lighthearted and often funny novel about the larger-than-life Pearly Gates character.
One of the characters is a baker and I wish some of the character’s delicious-sounding recipes were included! Great narration delivered all the snark and yaaasses appropriately! 4.5 rounded up.
My thanks to the author, publisher, @BonsolPress, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook of #PearlyGates for review purposes. Publication date is TODAY 1 June 2025 just in time for Pride Month!

This book is one of the most heartwarming stories I've read in a while. It's funny but real. I love the characters. No one is perfect and that itself makes them perfect. The character's growth is perfect. This was a thoroughly wonderful read. I listened to the audiobook which was narrated by Bonnie Solomon, the author of the book. You could tell that she loves the characters and story she created. I highly recommend this book and especially the audiobook.

Pearly Gates is a fun and funny fantasy romp following the titular Pearly as she tries to get her eternal life turned around by helping three humans with their mortal ones. As a spiritual being, Pearly is struggling, with her love life, her waste management job, and her self-esteem. In a last ditch effort to make a big change, she offers to temporarily take over the guardianship of three humans. But a couple little nudges can cause many things to topple. Pearly will have to face herself, and all her past selves, so she can help her charges and save herself in the process.

This story is quirky and queer with a focus on found family and self-care. With a magical twist on reality, every character is brought to life through their struggles with identity, lost love, and mortality. Even with these big concepts, the novel is lighthearted and moves at a nice clip. It’s a great mix for readers who love plot and character driven stories. Plus, the narration on the audio book brings the story to life. This book got be out of a reading slump and should be on everyone’s feel-good summer read list!