I absolutely adored this book – the world building, the pacing, the character development was phenomenal.

“Pearly Gates” is the debut novel from Bonnie Solomon about a deceased drag queen named Pearly Gates, who hates her job in the afterlife as a cosmic sanitation worker. In a bit of an after-life crisis after her soulmate leaves her, she makes a deal with a burnt-out spirit guide to take over his caseload in an effort to prove herself worthy of a new job.

In Pearly’s journey, we meet her charges, Hannah, Danielle, and Sam, and also Charlie, who Pearly quickly realizes is her reincarnated soulmate. Pearly navigates her new role as a spirit guide of three souls with different problems while fighting her internal battle of watching her former soulmate fall for one of her charges.

This book was warm and heartfelt and made me laugh and cry. “Pearly Gates” is the perfect cozy fantasy with queer characters, found family, and unique world. I look forward to what comes next from Bonnie Solomon. Thank you NetGalley and Bonsol Press, for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

☁️👻 PEARLY GATES by Bonnie Solomon 👻☁️

MY RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Pearly Gates, a d e a d drag queen is a cosmic sanitation worker in the afterlife, and hasn’t been able to move up. Her soulmate thinks she’s incapable of growth and leaves her, and she’s determined to prove him wrong and win him back. She convinces a burnt out spirit guide to hand her his caseload, and this mission takes her to Thunderbolt Books & Coffee, a coffee shop in the Midwest. She starts guiding a young widow, a terminally ill young adult, and a struggling trans woman, and works her magic… and realizes that the cafe’s owner is her soulmate reincarnated. When one of the people she’s guiding falls for the owner, she has to decide what matters most to her.

This book was pure queer joy and was so so fun. Even though some heavy topics were talked about, the world of this book felt so lighthearted, and it was such a joy to read. I do feel like at times a lot was going on, and I wish there was more information about the afterlife and how things worked with the fantasy aspect of this book, but I had a great time reading it. The characters were loveable, the story felt warm and familiar, and everyone had a satisfying journey.

Read this if you like:
- Pixar’s Soul
- Drag Race
- queer joy

Vibes: 👻👑💋🪩👠🍾☁️

Song that matches the vibe: Pink Pony Club by Chappell Roan

Full review including content warnings on my StoryGraph.

Pearly Gates is out TODAY - May 19, 2025! Thank you NetGalley, Bonnie Solomon, and Bonsol Press for the eARC. This eARC was provided in exchange for an honest review.

I had to dry out before I could write this review. Bonnie, what a debut! First of all, yes capital B in Black woman! Love that for us. Pearly Gates is goofy, silly, sincere, irreverent, and just all around fun! I wish I hadn’t put this book off as long as I did, but I know I’ll reread it.

I took away so many quotes from it and I’m even examining my own life with a completely different lens. The concept of past lives has always fascinated me, but this book took it to an entirely new level.

You ever read a book and wish you could read it again for the first time? That’s Pearly Gates for me. I want to laugh and commiserate and sob the way I did for two days, all over again.

Since I can’t re-live this initial read, let me just say I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews along with NetGalley and this is my honest review. 5 stars and a death drop that I most certainly cannot do in this life, but maybe the next. So much for being a cat in another life lol.

This book is for everyone who wishes their fairy godmother was a drag queen. In a former life, Pearly Gates was a drag preformer. Now, working for the spirit sanitation department, she's still got sass, class, and a whole lot of ass. Unfortunately, the higher-ups don't see Pearly as the star that she is, so she "bends" the rules and takes a job as a spirit guide. The rules keep on bending as Pearly tries to help her human charges, save a coffee shop run by her reincarnated ex-soulmate, and maybe find herself along the way. Get ready for a great show because Pearly Gates is going to death drop into your heart!

Pearly Gates was such a fun and charming read! It’s got that cozy fantasy vibe, with a bunch of quirky characters stumbling through a chaotic life AND afterlife. Found family, soulmates, and lots of heart (plus some personal growth along the way).
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

When Im telling you this put me into my feels I wasn't lying!!! A heart warming and cozy book with several themes of queer identity, found families and overall personal growth not only for our main character but also her "children".

First of all... what hooked me from the beginning was obviously this was written in the POV of a drag queen! EPIC and loved every single second of it! What a fun book as we follow Pearly and her journey as she aids in 3 different lives almost as a spirit guide. I truly was rooting for everyone's success and although there was several tear jerkers moments throughout the book I couldn't put it down.

Pearly... you warmed my heart and I love you! Such a cute and cozy book to pick up.

funny, well written, feel good story with some very fun characters and amazing world building. i think it's a fantastic novel. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

“Pearly Gates” is a novel that centers themes of queer identity, found family, and the process of personal growth. A cozy fantasy vibe and unique cast with heart, humor, moral dilemmas, and hijinks.

Pearly Gates, who was a drag queen in a previous life, is working a waste management job in the cosmic afterlife when her soulmate tells her that she isn’t capable of growth, and leaves her. She makes an illegal and impulsive deal to take on the charges of a burnt-out spirit guide in an attempt to get a promotion and win back her soulmate. The charges? Three humans- a young grieving widow, a terminally ill graduate, and a struggling trans woman. When her deal leads her to Thunderbolt Books & Coffee she discovers that the owner is her reincarnated soulmate, and one of her charges starts falling for them. What will Pearly choose: her job, her soulmate, or her own soul?

This book had me hooked right away, from the cover to the synopsis. Very engaging and vibrant tone while still being cozy. I did have to take a few days after that first chapter, second hand embarrassment kills me every time. There were a few references that pulled me out of the book but they didn’t overall ruin the reading experience (one of them nearly did but I got over it). It did end up being a little predictable but it was still an enjoyable read.

For a debut novel, the author has set a high bar for future works.

So this was a ton of fun! Drag queens, soulmates, sentient cars, laughter and a few tears. This had a bit of everything! Pearly Gates is like Soul (2020) starring Trixie Matel. A soul in the afterlife, Pearly finds herself at rock bottom and attempts to prove herself by trying her hand as a spirit guide for three people in need.

Pearly was a really fun character, while still being grounded and relatable. We follow her journey in helping others reach their full potential, but her own character growth was very much earned and really well done. Her charges, Sam, Hannah, and Danielle were also very relatable and their growth wonderful to see.

This is very much a COZY fantasy, one where the reader is honestly rooting for everyone to succeed (except Mr. Mustard). Usually I have a hard time with cozy books - sometimes authors take cozy to mean uneventful in plot and/or emotional stakes. But Pearly Gates keeps the reader engaged from the first page and never lets up. The “cozy” comes from the warm and empathetic tone of the book. It’s also really fun and vibrant. There is a very cartoon vibe going on - but in a good way. It just reads as a colorful world.

So, yeah, I’d recommend this one!

Wow, this was such a blast! I was hooked by the cover right away, and the summary sealed the deal. We’re talking souls, soulmates, and new lives—heart eyes all around!
Pearly is such a fun character! Sure, she’s got some things to work on and she may need a helping hand.
When she finally realizes that her life is a total mess (and I’m not just talking about her job), she’s ready to make some changes.
After making a hasty unthoughtful deal, she takes on some charges to guide—and honestly, they might just help her find her way too. She sets up shop in a cozy, struggling queer coffee shop, and guess what? The owner is her reincarnated ex-soulmate who’s totally over her.
Pearly has some major lessons ahead, not just for herself but for those she’s helping too.
And of course, there’s one more show to catch!

I didn’t like it I just could not get into the whole thing after souls and after life I guess my imagination don’t run that far

💫 NetGalley ARC Review 💫This book is a gem! The blend of humor, heart, and a touch of the supernatural makes for an engaging read. Pearly Gates is such a relatable character, navigating her way through love and self-discovery even after her death. The cozy setting of Thunderbolt Books & Coffee adds a charming backdrop to the story, and the unique cast of characters—especially the grieving widow and the trans woman—brings depth and warmth to the narrative.

The plot twists are deliciously unexpected, especially when Pearly discovers that the café owner is her soulmate reincarnated. The internal conflict she faces between being a good guide and potentially sabotaging a budding romance adds layers of complexity. Plus, the humor woven throughout, including the lip-sync battle with her body double, keeps the tone light and entertaining.

Overall, this book is a delightful celebration of found family and love in all its forms. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a heartfelt and whimsical read! 4 stars all the way!

I’ll be honest… this is a book I probably wouldn’t have picked up on my own, but a friend hasn’t stopped recommending it to me and I thought why not. I’m so pleasantly surprised by how moved I am by this novel, which might sound weird but I promise if you’ve read this it makes perfect sense.

I loved the themes of found family, identity, love, and finding meaning in life. This book explores these themes in a way that feels relatable and real—it had me reflecting on my own experiences and relating myself to the characters and what they were going through. And the characters were so unique and comforting, Pearly herself was such a gem of a character that I need a sequel on my desk like tomorrow.

I laughed, I cried, I had the time of my life. Y’all need to add this to your TBRs, it’s game-changing.

Book Review: Pearly Gates by Bonnie Solomon
Bonnie Solomon’s Pearly Gates is a vibrant, imaginative entry in the cozy fantasy genre, blending humour, heart, and a dash of celestial mischief. The story centres on Pearly Gates, a deceased drag queen turned cosmic sanitation worker, who is desperate to win back her soulmate after being told she’s incapable of growth. Pearly’s plan? Take over a spirit guide’s caseload and prove she’s worthy of love and redemption1.
Plot and Setting:
Pearly’s mission brings her to Thunderbolt Books & Coffee, a charming Midwestern bookshop café haunted by a 1920s burlesque dancer. Here, she’s tasked with guiding three struggling souls: a grieving widow, a terminally ill college graduate, and a trans woman searching for purpose. The twist? The café owner is her soulmate, reincarnated, and one of Pearly’s charges starts to fall for him, forcing Pearly to choose between her own happiness and her duty as a guide.
Tone and Style:
Solomon’s prose is described as “sparkling, mischievous, heartfelt, and bursting with life (and afterlife),” deftly balancing laugh-out-loud comedy with genuine emotional depth. The novel is rich in tongue-in-cheek humour, clever world-building, and a brisk pace that keeps the pages turning. The afterlife in Pearly Gates is whimsical and eccentric, yet grounded in acute observations about love, loss, and self-discovery.
Themes and Representation:
At its core, Pearly Gates is a celebration of found family, queer identity, and the messy process of personal growth. The book’s LGBTQ+ representation is authentic and aspirational, offering moments that resonate deeply with readers from the community and beyond. The narrative explores universal themes—grief, acceptance, and the search for purpose—through a lens that is both inclusive and uplifting.
Characterization:
Pearly herself is a standout protagonist: flawed, fabulous, and utterly relatable. Her journey is one of self-acceptance and transformation, mirrored by the growth of those she’s sent to help. The supporting cast—both mortal and spectral—are equally well-drawn, with arcs that are touching, humorous, and satisfyingly resolved.
Strengths:
I love the novel’s cozy atmosphere, it was like rewatching all of my favourite comfort shows. The book’s blend of supernatural antics, queer romance, and small-town charm makes it a perfect pick for fans of “Legends & Lattes” and anyone seeking a feel-good, hopepunk read.
Conclusion:
Pearly Gates is a delightful, genre-blending romp that manages to be both playful and profound. Bonnie Solomon’s debut is a must-read for fans of cozy fantasy, queer fiction, and anyone who believes in second chances—even after life’s final curtain call. Highly recommended for book clubs, comfort reads, and anyone in search of a little more sparkle in their literary life.

When I read the synopsis for Pearly Gates, Bonnie Solomon's new cozy fantasy novel, I felt as though it was written specifically for me.

Dead drag queen Pearly Gates (what a name) is feeling stalled out- she's working a dead end sanitation job in the afterlife, gaining enlightenment feels like a distant dream, and her soulmate has left her, citing her immaturity and lack of purpose. Pearly has to win him back- and so, she strikes a very illegal deal with a burnt-out spirit guide, to take care of his three human charges - a heartbroken young widow, a terminally ill young man, and a trans woman looking for purpose- while he goes on vacation. Things take a decidedly less altruistic turn when Pearly realizes a local café owner is her reincarnated estranged soulmate. What hijinks could possibly ensue?

I ADORED this book. From its first pages I was enthralled by the immersive and inventive worldbuilding, Solomon's humorous writing style, and well-crafted story beats. I fell in love with every character who graced the pages, and lapped up the found family elements. This was so silly at times, yet full of so much heart, and had its moments of deep sadness intertwined with the plot. I felt cared for as a reader, trusting the author and Pearly to shepherd me through the book with care. It is hard to believe this is a debut novel, and I look forward to reading what Bonnie Solomon cooks up next.

Oh my absolute goodness, what a treat! Thank you Net Galley for the eARC!

There is a lot of plot to this book but it's all worth it. Pearly, a drag queen in a former life, is responsible for waste management in the afterlife, which isn't a fun job. When her soulmate leaves her, claiming she isn't working on her personal development anymore, she makes an impulsive decision to cover for a burnt-out spirit guide while he takes a holiday. She's never been one to play by the rules, and that proves just as true when guiding her new charges on Earth. Especially when one of her charges falls for her former soulmate reincarnated. Will she do the right thing or will she put her own feelings first?

There's also a haunted bookshop cafe and a quest to find out why the ghost can't move on, flashbacks to Pearly's former lives and a cast of amazing side characters. I loved loved loved this!

at first i didn't know if i would like this, because writing 'afterlife' lore is always extremely tricky. plus there is a lot of 'cosmic nebula stardust' type names but it actually just comes across very tongue in cheek and funny.

Pearly Gates is unhappy with her life as what as i can only describe as some kind of afterlife bad vibes ghostbuster and wants to prove she can do more. she makes a LOT of mistakes along the way but everyone comes out the other side a better person.

i had been on a real high-stakes heartbreaker book kick and i really needed this warm mug of tea of a book. it was a nice bandage on my soul (even though it did make me cry) and really got me out of an emotional reading slump.

this book and story are both really empathetic, politically aware, and deeply human. it has excellent reread value, genuinely good life advice, a fantastic ending, and good sequel potential... we'll have to see!

4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

EArc provided courtesy of NetGalley

Pick this up for a camp old time, and an enjoyable beach read. Not quite up my street as I found Pearly to be grating and some plot points to be a bit too obvious. The characters did have good character arcs and were mostly likeable. Essentially this was a good book, but simply not for me.

2.5 Stars

Drag queens in the afterlife? Hell yeah. Drag queens as supernatural leaders of a rag tag group of misfits? Heller yeah.

This was such a fantastically fun and enjoyable read!

Pearly is dissatisfied with the job she has been given in the afterlife, and after her soulmate calls it quits, she is determined to prove her worth. What follows is a wonderful story of Pearly helping others as a substitute spirit guide, helping her to find personal growth and the desire to focus outward on others more than on herself.

This book will make you laugh and cry, and when it’s finished, you’ll want to start this journey all over again.

I honestly can’t say enough about this book. As a debut novel, author Bonnie Solomon has set the bar high for her future works.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher/author for this copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.