After reading Ms. Solomon's first book, "Pearly Gates" I could not wait to get my hands on "The Midnight Croissant". As someone who has lost many people in my life, I find the novel's themes of an afterlife and found family to be particularly comforting. Ms. Solomon is a skilled storyteller who effortlessly weaves humor and fun into her more serious topic of belonging and finding our place in the world. I especially loved the settings in Paris and the vivid descriptions of French pastries. "The Midnight Croissant" is more than an amuse-bouche, it's a four course meal at a Michelin starred restaurant. It is truly a very special book-I highly recommend!

This was a cute and fun romp through Paris with an added detour for Pride celebrations and found family. The characters are well-drawn, and you want to root for them throughout.

The Midnight Croissant is perfect for people looking for feel good, very low spice, LGTBQIA+, cozy fantasy.
This is the second book in the Pearly Gates series and I have to say I'm loving it. Bonnie Solomon is able to tell a great story while balancing humor, conflict and character growth. While this book can be read as a stand alone I think it is more enjoyable if you read Pearly Gates. I enjoyed seeing Pearly's growth between the two novels. I also love watching the growth of her charges. The flare of Pearly's character adds to the story. I also appreciate all of the representation. This was the perfect light hearted escape read that I needed right now. Honestly I can't wait for the next installment. And I need to know how Dumb Pearly continues to grow.

Instagram Review will be up Tuesday February 24th!
Some books entertain you.

Some books comfort you.

And then there are books like The Midnight Croissant. The kind that gently takes your face in its hands and says, “You’re allowed to be exactly who you are.”


The Midnight Croissant is a story about acceptance, love, and finding your own way, and it does so with warmth, humor, and emotional honesty that completely caught me off guard.


Pearly is an absolute vibe. Witty, optimistic,  and powerful, she pushes so hard to be herself, and I respected that deeply. Her take on life is wholesome without ever feeling naïve and she encourages everyone around her to grow while still giving them the space to just be. 


Every story mattered. Every moment counted. I got emotional.... like, really emotional. I felt everything the characters felt: happiness, anger, sadness, love, desire. One standout moment for me was Lillian and Pearly’s conversation in Chapter 22, it was eye opening and absolutely beautiful. Moments like these make me take a look at my own life.


Bonnie Solomon’s descriptions are stunning, painting scenes so vividly that I could practically taste the croissants and feel the glow of the city. (Also… Emily in Paris mention?? 👀 I see you, girl.)


Ultimately, The Midnight Croissant made me feel warm and fuzzy inside. It’s naturally funny, emotionally rich, and deeply comforting. The author has a rare gift for making readers feel understood and that’s something truly special.


I have to add as well that the LGBTQ+ acceptance in this story was subtle, gentle, and perfectly written. As a bisexual woman who took over 20 years to come out ... thank you. This book made me feel seen without ever feeling performative.


P.S. If this were an animated show, I would watch the hell out of it. Amazon Prime or Netflix — Come get ya girl!!

I absolutely adored *The Midnight Croissant*! 🥐✨ This book is pure sparkle—witty, heartfelt, and bursting with charm from start to finish.

Pearly is exactly the kind of chaotic, fabulous spirit guide I didn’t know I needed. Her attempts to “subtly” meddle in her charges’ lives (by sneaking them onto a Paris group tour!) are hilarious and surprisingly touching. Watching this unlikely trio open their hearts in the City of Love—through museum wanderings, Pride celebrations, and moonlit magic—was such a joy. 💕🌈

And the ex-soulmate tension with Thunder? Delicious. The romance is tender and layered, with just the right amount of longing and second-chance hope. Beneath the sass and glitter is a genuinely moving story about healing, found family, and daring to love fully—yourself included.

Warm, whimsical, and wonderfully inclusive, this book feels like a hug wrapped in Parisian stardust. ✨🗼💖

I am so grateful to Netgalley for the ARC!

This took me a little bit of getting used to, but I ended up loving it. The growth and love pouring out of these characters was fantastic. What a beautiful story about love and acceptance.

Book: The Midnight Croissant
Author: Bonnie Solomon



Genre: Sci Fi & Fantasy, LGBTQIA+, Humor & Satire
Series: Pearly Gates Series
Setting: Paris
POV: Main Character POV


My Thoughts:

This novel is one that embraces the joys of drag, life long friends, LGBTQIA+ identity, and change throughout lifetimes. After reading book one, “Pearly Gates,” I have been very excited for the second addition to the series. My emotional attachment to Pearly continues in this story!

Pearly is tasked once again with helping her charges find peace and renew their view of life (i.e. increasing their aura). Pearly strikes a deal with her supervisor that she will raise her charges' aura by one level in ten days in Paris, the city of change and love. From pretending to be a travel vlogger (and ex-cruise ship member), Pearly must navigate the trials of her charges and her feelings for her previous soulmate, Thunder.

This story really dove into Pearly’s character in her new found role but also helped to embody themes of grief, longing, sexual orientation, coming out, and change. Pearly found herself trying to look at her charges as human beings, who are trying to move past their past and embrace their futures. Each charge/human I was able to find pieces of my personal story and was able to resonate with them – Solomon does a fantastic job in creating characters that many people can find themselves in.

As for the audiobook, Solomon narrates and really adds layers to Pearly’s personality that would not have been seen reading only the text. Pearly is narrated as quirky and high energy that I found to be entertaining and lovable.

I cannot recommend this novel enough if you would like Y2K, a splash of Paris cuisine and culture, 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 and eARC of this story in exchange for an honest review

"The afterlife's sassiest spirit guide is about to slay Paris. All she has to do is wrangle a few wayward souls - including her own.

Fresh off a solo incarnation where she mastered independence a little too well, spirit guide Pearly Gates is trying to follow the rules - or at least appear like she is. But when her first official charges - a prickly retiree, a guilt-ridden widower with a closeted grandson, and a young woman for whom romance has never quite clicked - hit a spiritual dead end, Pearly makes a bold move. She nudges them into a group tour of the City of Love…then tags along in disguise.

Her boss is not amused. The deal? If Pearly can raise their spiritual vibes by the end of the trip, she wins the freedom to guide her way. If not, she'll get transferred to a cosmic wasteland. No pressure.

From midnight snacks to museum flirtations, moonlit magic to Pride celebrations, Pearly's meddling sparks transformations she never expected. And when her ex-soulmate, Thunder, signs on as their tour guide - hoping to reconnect - she's forced to reconsider the walls she's built around her own heart. Can they finally break their old patterns, or are they doomed to repeat history all over again?

Set in present-day Paris, The Midnight Croissant is a warm, inclusive fantasy celebrating love in all its forms - full of found family, fresh starts, and the magic of showing up as your fabulous, flawed self.

The Good Place meets Amélie - with glitter.

This book sparkles as a standalone, while also continuing the Pearly Gates series."

I mean who doesn't want to read a glittery French take on The Good Place?

The Midnight Croissant is a fabulous and fun continuation of the Pearly Gates series, bringing back everyone’s favourite chaotic spirit guide, this time set against the dreamy backdrop of Paris.

This is the second book in the series, and while it could technically be read as a standalone, I do think it works much better as a follow-up. The magical elements and world-building are already established in the first book, which makes it easier to fully appreciate Pearly’s journey and growth here.

I loved the first book, and this one was a great continuation. The Paris setting added such a lovely atmosphere to the story, and I really enjoyed getting to know the three new “charges” Pearly is tasked with guiding. Each of their stories brought something different, and it was fun to see how Pearly’s approach to helping others continued to evolve.

I also loved seeing familiar elements return, especially Pearly’s dynamic with Thunder, which added another layer of emotional depth to the story. The found family themes and focus on love in all its forms were once again highlights for me. This was another beautiful and heartwarming story and I've grown to love Pearly so much.

I’m so excited that there’s another book in the works for this series, especially with a Christmas theme, and I’ll definitely be picking it up as soon as it’s available.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bonsol Press for providing me with an eARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

Pearly Gates is back! This sequel to my favorite book from 2025 did not disappoint.

Pearly has learned to love herself as a strong, independent woman after her soulmate, Thunder, left her at the beginning of the first novel. She’s a spirit guide to three people, and she’s struggling to make any progress with them. That’s enough stress, but add to that that her boss is looking for any reason to get rid of her. In a desperate move, Pearly makes a risky deal with her boss. If she succeeds, she has freedom to do as she pleases as a spirit guide, if she fails, she’s done. What follows is an absolutely beautiful story of learning to love yourself, having courage to speak up against those who do wrong, and finding the ability to love another again.

Pearly’s trip to Paris to guide her troubled souls is full of fun, humor, and love. Pearly might be unconventional in her methods, but she is very good at them. I loved the spirit of this story. I loved the characters in this story and their journey. I loved the writing that draws the reader in and makes you stay up late at night for “just one more chapter.” Most of all, I loved Pearly. She not only guides her charges, but in the process, she realizes that maybe it is time that she let herself love again. She is such a fantastic character and I can’t wait to see what she gets up to next.

Bonnie Solomon has written another fantastic novel, setting the bar high for her future works!

If you haven’t read the first book in this series, please do, it is absolutely fantastic as well.

This must be one of the heartwarming and super-cute stories I have ever read. I was hooked and didn't want the novel to end. This is a must-read and you won't be disappointed. 😍😍

we follow Pearly Gates who is literally the sassiest spirit guide ever and instead of doing her job the “right” way she’s like… yeah no, let’s take these struggling souls to Paris and hope for the best 💀
and her group??
a grumpy retiree
a widower carrying guilt
and a woman trying to figure out love
like the mix of personalities alone had me invested, but watching them slowly open up and grow?? that’s what made it hit.
the magic system is super cozy too. nothing overwhelming just really intentional, emotional, and tied into their personal journeys which I loved.
BUT what really made this for me was doing immersive reading.
reading along while listening to **Bonnie Solomon narrate it?? next level.
you can see the words while also hearing the tone and emotion behind them…especially Pearly’s sarcasm and dry humor. like it actually made me laugh in parts because the delivery + timing just hit so well.

overall this just felt like a comfort read with depth.
like you’re having fun but also lowkey feeling things.

Lyrical, really well-written, and absolutely cozy, with a fantastic main character in Pearly and a great sense of setting. 5 stars. tysm for the E-ARC.

Hi, my name is Maggie and I was emotionally wrecked by Bonnie Solomon's Pearly Gates last year. AND YET, I still came back for seconds when I saw she'd written a sequel this year. I love that Solomon always has such a diverse cast, with all kinds of queer representation. I really loved seeing an aro/ace character too, becuase they are so underrepresented. It was also fun to actually have a bad guy in this story, along with the pressure Pearly was under to do her job properly. Never thought I'd hate a spore being, but leave it to Bonnie Solomon to figure out how!...Fiiiiiiiiiine, I don't hate her by the end...This story tackles more of the big scaries for queer people with such grace and respect, and it feels so relatable. From trying to figure out who you are to just trying to get your family to accept you. With a nice little reminder that it's never too late for love.
While The Midnight Croissant did not do max emotional damage like Pearly Gates did, it is a wonderful and emotional book full of so much heart and love.
Props to Bonnie Solomon, she narrated the audiobook, and she gets us faster speed listeners.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Bonnie Solomon for the ARC and ALC. I cannot wait to see what you write next. I hope there are plenty more Pearly stories to come!

Pearly Gates is a spirit guide who likes to do things her way, instead of the official sanctioned ways of improving the aura and quality of life of her charges. Pearly likes to look past the charts and the data, and connect to them on a spiritual and human level. And that's what her boss absolutely hates!

Seeing her charges hit a spiritual dead end, she proposes a wild plan to her boss. Give Pearly 10 days in Paris with her charges. If Pearly can raise their spiritual vibes by the end of the trip, her boss leaves her alone to do her own thing. If not, Pearly is stripped from being a guide, and is banned to cosmic waste management. No biggie. Totally doable! Right?

This book was very fun and endearing to read. It's campy, yes, but it's also very heartfelt and earnest in a way that keeps you hooked and invested in the characters. I love how there's emotional development not only for her charges, but for Pearly herself as she navigates her life post-breakup from her soulmate.

I'm also biased but hey, I love the Filipino representation here. And I love how the book handled Reyna navigating her feelings and coming to terms with her own self.

I would absolutely love to have Pearly as a spirit guide! Bonnie Solomon is absolutely an author whose works I'll be watching out for.

The Midnight Croissant is a really charming, cozy read with a lot of heart. I liked the mix of whimsy, warmth, and emotion, and the Paris setting made it feel especially inviting.

It’s not super fast-paced, but that suits the story well. Overall, it’s a sweet and satisfying book that’s easy to enjoy.

Another Pearly Gates adventure, another absolute delight in the form of an 'over-glittered chaos monger'

I think I loved this book more than the first. The plot was mostly and consistently on-point, without too many deviations, and the cast of characters were fully-fleshed out personalities in their own right. Pearly was, of course as extra as she's always been, but I loved reading her journey to contentment and purpose, along with guiding her charges to find their own life fulfilment.

Where there's a bit of a romance subplot (a few actually), this may be the most romantic book that doesn't centre romance that I've ever read. Reyna's journey to find herself through platonic connection, the idea that humans are all connected and may find each other just when they need it, was so gorgeous. I cried a fair amount more than I expected!

Can't wait for Pearly's next instalment--she's really becoming a firm favourite literary character for me!