Pearly Gates
A Queer Cozy Fantasy
by Bonnie Solomon
Narrated by Bonnie Solomon
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Pub Date 1 Jun 2025 | Archive Date 31 Aug 2025
Description
A dead drag queen. A cozy café. A shady deal—and an unexpected family.
Deceased drag queen Pearly Gates has the worst job in the afterlife: cosmic sanitation worker. When her soulmate leaves her, claiming she’s incapable of growth, Pearly hatches a plan to win him back. By striking a deal to take over the caseload of a burnt-out spirit guide, she’ll prove she’s worthy of love—and redemption.
Her mission takes her to Thunderbolt Books & Coffee, a small-town café haunted by a 1920s burlesque dancer. There, she’s tasked with guiding a grieving young widow, a terminally ill college grad, and a trans woman searching for purpose. As Pearly works her magic (and charm) to help them heal and connect, she begins to discover something she thought she’d lost forever—belonging.
Then she learns the café’s owner is her soulmate reincarnated—and one of her charges is falling for them. Thrown into a love triangle she never saw coming, Pearly must decide: sabotage the relationship or be the good guide she promised to become.
Pearly Gates is a humorous, uplifting fantasy celebrating found family, self-discovery, and second chances—even after life’s final curtain call.
Advance Praise
"A heartfelt but playful romp" with "deft prose," "plenty of tongue-in-cheek humor," and a "clever, imaginative world." —Kirkus Reviews
"A powerhouse of a novel that defies any attempt at pat categorization... Packed with hot scenes and exciting personalities, Pearly Gates is a standout." —D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review
"Wry, relatable, and deeply human, Pearly Gates is an excellent read and a stellar debut for Bonnie Solomon."—IndieReader
"A lively LGBTQ+ fantasy that blends humor, heart, and the supernatural" with "a strong emotional core, inventive worldbuilding, and a protagonist who is both flawed and endearing." —BlueInk Review
"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." —Gay Romance Reviews
"This book struck me down. Struck me down good. I have honestly never read anything quite like it. It's like coming to a whole new world, a whole new genre no one saw coming—but a world and book and author we all most definitely need." —NetGalley reviewer
"Whimsical, wise, electric, deeply human, and unapologetically fabulous, this novel is the serotonin boost I didn't know I needed." —Goodreads reviewer
"I laughed, I cried, I had the time of my life. Y'all need to add this to your TBRs, it's game-changing." —NetGalley reviewer
"It's difficult to believe this is a debut novel because it's so self-assured and perfectly crafted. That it's also incredibly funny and completely endearing doesn't hurt either. I was instantly hooked and completely enchanted...Worth every single glittery five stars." —NetGalley reviewer
Marketing Plan
Pearly Gates has just been released in print and is currently being carried in six indie bookstores. It is also the Pride Month pick of several book clubs. Check out the glowing reviews on Amazon and Goodreads.
The e-book is enrolled in Kindle Unlimited.
Launch event June 5th at Village Well Books & Coffee in Los Angeles, CA.
Available Editions
| EDITION | Audiobook |
| ISBN | 9798992613339 |
| PRICE | |
| DURATION | 10 Hours, 10 Minutes |
Links
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Jo L, Reviewer
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 🎧
Edward W, Reviewer
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.
Tory P, Reviewer
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!
Caitlin D, Reviewer
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.
Cindy L, Reviewer
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!
Reviewer 1325256
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.
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