Pearly Gates is a cozy fantasy jam packed with heart and soul, in more ways than one.

An afterlife drag queen trying her hand at being a spirit guide is as chaotic and fun as it sounds. Lip syncs and death drops are in abundance, but along the way on Pearly’s mission there are loads of really touching positive messages.

Laugh out loud funny, several dry your eyes moments, and a banger of a soundtrack.

I have a feeling Pearly will be back and I’ll be right here waiting.

Get this on your pride month tbr.

All the stars 🌟
#Jorecommends

Beautifully written and narrated by Bonnie Solomon 🎧

Huge thanks to the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC 🎧

This was funny, mortifying (the 2nd hand embarrassment gets me every time), and wonderfully tender. The author did an amazing job narrating their own book here.

Pearly Gates is an iconic character. Conning (kind of) her way into being a temporary spirit guide, she's kind of in over her head, but with sarcasm sharp enough to give you stitches, and enough confidence to know she's absolutely fabulous, she figures she can wing it. Mostly.

The cast of characters was wonderful, with their varying challenges, they each have something to teach Pearly and each other about growth, acceptance, and love.

I expected this to be cozy and funny, I did not expect to nearly be in tears at the end. It was truly a wonderful read.

HIGHLY recommended.

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!

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.

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!

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 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.

⭐️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.

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.

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!

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!

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!

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 " ❤️❤️❤️

This is such a beautiful story!
Let me tell you I CRIED!
This is so cozy, reaching and speaking on different challenges that some people in their lives go through, it was approached and spoken about in this book so gracefully and sensitivily without losing the raw emotion that comes with the issues faced.

Thank you.

I was lucky enough to be given an ARC of this story on Netgalley...

That was very fun! The concept was just so very unique and the execution of it, near perfect. I really enjoyed the themes the author touched upon, but also the writing style, the characters, the plot, all of it. A very nice read! 4.5 stars

This novel is one that embraces the joys of drag, life long friends, LGBTQIA+ identity, and change throughout lifetimes. When I initially previewed this novel and heard about it, I did not expect to have such an emotional attachment to Pearly and the other characters within this novel.

While Pearly makes mistakes in this novel and loses her soulmate Thunder, I found her spirit to do what she thought was right, even unconventional and against the societal norms of the position she was in, was one of beauty and resonation with me. Pearly fears what life holds, even though she is in the afterlife, yet something in her tells her that she must find her own purpose. She becomes a "temporary" guide and little by little we see that she is growing and embracing change.

I cannot recommend this novel enough if you would like Y2K, a splash of Chappell Roan, and to see pure LGBTQIA+ joy. While it is uplifting and beautiful, you may find that it is also deeply emotional and leads you as a reader to navigate the world and the frequent changes around yourself a bit different -- the Pearly way <3

A special thank you to Bonnie Solomon, Bonsol Press, and Netgalley for an audio ARC in exchange for an honest review

I'm so glad I went into this book blindly (skimmed through the synopsis) because this book delivered in every sense of the word! It made cry and laugh. It had such a heartwarming feel to it, the positive messages, the concept of afterlife, drag queen , and how we're all connected. I genuinely never thought a cosy fantasy will make me feel the way this book did. As a reader who loves to switch genres up a bit every now and then I thoroughly enjoyed this!

This book was read very well by the narrator who happened to be the author. Having a genderfluid character at the center and a found family comprised of so many genders and sexualities was refreshing to read. The ending was what you expect, which makes it good for a lighthearted read. There is a lot you could reflect on from the world Solomon builds and it could easily be expanded to tell other characters' stories.

Imagine if The Good Place got glam, had brunch with Legends & Lattes, and everyone unapologetically wore sequins — that’s Pearly Gates. Bonnie Solomon delivers a delightful queer fantasy that feels like a warm hug and a drag show rolled into one.

Our heroine finds herself stuck at the titular "Pearly Gates" — but don’t worry, this isn’t your grandma’s afterlife. It’s got celestial coffee shops, mildly chaotic angels, and more glitter than a Pride float. There’s found family, sweet queer romance, and just the right amount of chaos magic to keep things spicy.

The heart of the story? Healing. And not just the magical kind. There’s grief, growth, and the deep joy of choosing your people — and your afterlife wardrobe.

I haven’t read anything like this before and I absolutely loved it! If you enjoy cozy fantasy authors like TJ Klune, Rebecca Thorne, & Travis Baldree this one is for you!!

In short summary: an afterlife drag queen named Pearly Gates who is assigned to cosmic sanitation work is crushed when her soulmate and love of her life Thunder breaks up with her and severs their bond. Pearly decides to covertly try her hand at spirit guiding with the ultimate goal of winning Thunder back by showing him that she does indeed have purpose in the afterlife.

I was drawn in immediately from the beginning and while the premise may seem a little silly, this book had so much heart and was so cozy and fulfilling. My first thought was "I hope there will be more in this series"!! I really enjoyed the audio version and loved it so much I immediately got it on kindle also.

Absolutely one of my favorite cast of characters! A heartbroken spirit who drives a pink trash truck as a cosmic hazmat worker gets dumped for not progressing in her afterlife journey after centuries of being with the same soulmate. At a bar she decides to do a little job swap with a burnt out spirit guide and take over his charges on earth. Enter one of the sweetest dysfunctional journeys of heartbreak, love, and growth!

I will say, it's always a little weird when your name is the same as a frequently mentioned character, especially when her story has parallels with your own life. But I absolutely fell in love with how Bonnie Solomon wove so many different characters and their individual journeys into one. Absolutely a wonderful read!

Thank you NetGalley and Bonsol Press for the audiobook in exchange for my honest review!

1000 stars. I thought I was settling in for a romance—and while it absolutely isn’t one, I’m not even mad. I laughed, I cried, I squawked, I bawked, I enjoyed every second. I want more Pearly. I want to follow her exploits forever. Will there be a sequel? Please let there be a sequel.
The story follows Pearly Gates, a deceased drag queen who’s landed the worst gig in the afterlife—cosmic sanitation worker. When her soulmate dumps her for being “emotionally unevolved,” Pearly seizes the chance to illegally take over a burnt-out spirit guide’s caseload to prove she’s worthy of love and redemption. Her mission drops her into Thunderbolt Books & Coffee, a cozy small-town café with a ghost problem and a community in need of a little magic. Along the way, she meddles, mentors, and maybe even matures—until a twist involving her reincarnated ex forces her to choose between sabotage and true growth.
The writing is sharp and snappy with a distinct voice that never falters. Each character feels like their own full technicolor self, and the tone somehow balances laugh-out-loud irreverence with real emotional resonance.
Tropes like found family, second chances, and redemption arcs get a heartfelt and high-glam treatment here, and it works. This is not a love story, but it is absolutely a story about love—in all its tangled, transformative forms.
Pearly’s arc? Incredible. She goes from hot mess to hot shit in a way that’s both hilarious and deeply moving. And the audiobook? Top notch. The narrator brings Pearly to life with flair, nuance, and heart—truly enhancing the entire experience.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and author for a chance to review an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heartfelt, hilarious, and utterly unforgettable.

I loved this book. Pearly Gates is the kind of character that sticks with you — bold, snarky, hurting, and hopeful. The story blends cozy fantasy with deep emotional resonance, and it had me laughing one minute and tearing up the next.

I listened to the audiobook, and having Bonnie Solomon narrate her own book brought everything to life in the best way. Her performance made Pearly feel so real — the humor, the attitude, the heartbreak — all of it hit harder because she knows these characters inside and out. It made the whole experience feel personal and alive.

This book is full of queer joy, messy love, second chances, and unexpected healing. If you like your fantasy character-driven, funny, and full of soul, Pearly Gates delivers. I already want to re-listen.

A drag queen from the afterlife poses as a spirit guide in order to get out of her awful job - but ends up with way more than she bargained for, including a gorgeous found family.

Disclaimer: I received an early copy of the audiobook of Pearly Gates by Bonnie Solomon via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Those that know me, know that I am a big fan of the art of drag - and also that I am a sucker for queer found family stories. So when this appeared on my radar, I just knew I had to read it! Luckily, Bonnie Solomon gave me that opportunity and honestly: this book did not disappoint!

As mentioned, I listened to this as an audiobook and I definitely feel that that's the route to take. There are a lot of drag colloquialisms that come across best when listened to (like Yassss queen - which comes across different on page than via audio), and I feel that Bonnie, who didn't just write the book but also narrated it, gave it the exact right amount of inflection, without taking it over the top.

Now, as to the story: it is a tale as old as time. A drag queen in the afterlife who is stuck in a deadend job decides to stage a minor con by tricking an actual spirit guide into allowing her to become a spirit guide, so that she can get out of hear deadend job. Instead, she learns a bunch about herself and ends up, unkowingly, creating a gorgeous community of beautiful queer and vulnerable people. Bonnie handles this narrative with grace and a lot of love.

There's so much humor to be found within the pages of this book, and I often found myself chuckling when Pearly cooked up another ridiculous scheme or expressed herself in her draggy larger-than-life way. But not only that, there's also a lot of heart in this book. While the tone is mostly lighthearted, this book deals with a lot of heavy themes, including (but not exclusively) transitioning, gender dysphoria, death and dying from terminal disease and grief, and Bonnie does so beautifully- you can tell that she's done the work to create authentic and loving LGBTQ representation: the entire cast of characters of Pearly Gates is queer and they are all so achingly real, that you can't help but fall in love with them.

I'm a huge fan of Pearly Gates and if you enjoy uplifting queer stories with a dash of magic that'll tug at your heartstrings, please do yourself a favor and pick up Pearly Gates. You won't be disappoined. Periodt.

(4.5 stars bumped up to 5)

I adored this audiobook. It's laugh-out-loud funny, endearing, heartbreaking, uplifting, inspirational and beautifully written with characters I dare you not to fall in love with. Bonnie Solomon has done a fabulous job with this book, and her narration makes it even more amazing. She brings these sensational characters to life.&nbsp;

Pearly Gates is a dead drag queen working in waste management in the afterlife, but wants more in her life after death. She convinces a spirit guide to take an unscheduled holiday while she takes his place looking after three souls. Hannah is a widow having a hard time moving on, Sam is battling cancer and not coping with it, and Danielle is a trans woman who is struggling to accept her true self.

Pearly jumps headfirst into her new role as a guide while trying to stop herself from being recycled by making sure her boss thinks she is still at work. She comes up with an ingenious way of keeping up appearances at her job while helping her charges to live their best lives.&nbsp;&nbsp;

This book is beautiful and was a pleasure to read/listen to. I cannot wait to read more from Bonnie. Highly recommend.&nbsp;