Unfinished Business

by Clare Osongco

Perfect for fans of Kirsty Greenwood’s THE LOVE OF MY AFTERLIFE and Ashley Poston’s THE DEAD ROMANTICS, Clare Osongco’s UNFINISHED BUSINESS follows a struggling 27-year-old office worker who realizes her recently deceased mother’s ghost is trapped in the Slack server of their shared workplace, and whose quest to free her mother leads her into a love triangle with two men at the company who might be able to help: the childhood friend her mom never approved of, and the hot but vaguely sinister new junior executive.

Genres: Romance, Paranormal, Magical Realism, Fantasy, Fiction, Adult

Paperback

Expected publication July 14, 2026

About the author

Clare Osongco is a mixed Filipino American author living in Los Angeles who likes to write about falling in love, messy family relationships, and ghosts. She is the author of the young adult romance Midnights With You. Her adult rom com debut, UNFINISHED BUSINESS, is forthcoming from Dell in summer 2026. You can find her on Instagram at @clareosongco.

Reviews

[Mai H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

You may think this is a book about a ghost haunting Slack. You may think it's a romance featuring a High Value Man™. It's actually about the horrors of capitalism.

I should backtrack. Ruby is a mixed race Filipina American whose mom died at work. After the funeral, Ruby moves home and takes a job with the same company. She uses her personal Slack channel to leave herself notes. One day, in doing so, her dead mother messages her back.

Enter leading men. There's Mark, her new superior. Very rich, very tall, very white. Mom approves. There is childhood bestie Greg. Mom does not approve. And I knew where this was going before we even got that explanation. Mom married white. She also wants daughter to marry white, for better opportunities. Even though white husband/dad left them. But I don't like to talk about sperm donors.

In between all this there is a corporate conspiracy occurring. Layoffs are looming. Unions are forming. And Ruby gets stuck between Mark and Greg. What is the right choice? What is the easy choice?

📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Dell

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

What is “mom’s ghost trapped in slack server” if not love persevering???

Grief and the things we leave unfinished perseveres most literally in Clare Osongco’s adult romance debut, Unfinished Business, a story involving mothers and daughters and the weight of carrying around our ghosts (of the literal and metaphorical variety). Not everyone wants to be haunted by the ghost of their recently departed mother on the company Slack server and Ruby Ocampo will do anything to resolve her mother’s unfinished business. Even going so far as to put her life into upheaval to satisfy the desires of the newly not-so departed. Life and legacy are complex things and Clare Osongco’s, Unfinished Business grapples with both while serving up an office romance triangle and corporate chaos. As her protagonist sifts through a complicated parental relationship, Osongco builds out an inventive love triangle. Will it be the new junior exec with a passing resemblance to Jacob Elordi or a second chance romance with a friend from childhood? Osongco lets the romance emerge where you’d never expect: Slack check-ins, trivia confessions, and food cooked in secret. Unfinished Business’s romance is perfection but so is its essential framing. Slack haunting as the vehicle for examining how parental expectations and control manifest how we view ourselves and what we are allowed to reach for is not only ingenious, but makes for a deeply moving character study. Unfinished Business is witty, romantic, and emotional and Osongco’s humor cuts through intense moments of grief and hardship with startling complexity. Osongco balances it all with such skill, crafting a multifaceted romance that mirrors life in all its minutiae. Ghosts included.

knew when i saw the thatcher biography that [redacted] was so over.

Bookstagram | Blog

[Azanta (azantareads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars // finally a workplace romance with stakes, except with more of an emphasis on the workplace drama and the romance takes a little bit more of a backseat in what shapes up to be a story that you would’ve NEVER expected from the description of this book. in fact, go into it blind! i would say if you love Sarah Hogle’s humor/style of writing, a little bit of magical realism in your romances, and a little bit of grief mixed in with your stories, then this is the book for you. the Ashley Poston comp is pretty spot on. what a delightful and strange time i had. i read this in pretty much one sitting, really could not put it down. and: shoutout to the unbelievably hardworking immigrant moms who love us in the best way that they can 🫶🏽

[carthi ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

oh this was insane! miss clare pls stop ripping my heart into shreds with each of your books T-T full rtc

⋆˙⟡ — pre-read : thank you for the arc miss clare! im ready to get my heart ripped out ^^ buddy read with the best, harkriti (˶˃ ᵕ ˂˶) probably our first successful buddy read lol

18/7/25: ˙⊹ new clare osongco book!!!!! and its her adult debut?! AKDJDBJDCSJDCJDC I WONDER HOW MUCH I'LL BE CRYING THIS TIME AROUND hahaha... who am i kidding i'll be crying bucket loads lol. whatever it is, my heart is yours to break miss clare 🫡 also its similar to dead romantics?? EVERYONE ADD TO YOUR TBRS NOW!! only *checks calendar* 382 days to go!!

[Anna (annasbookstacks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was fun!! Super unhinged and chaotic but just a really fun, entertaining time. I thought the plot was silly and entertaining and it was definitely something unique that I haven’t read before. Definitely far out there, but fun. It was fast paced so I read it in less than a few hours which is always a plus. I love a book that keeps me engaged! I really enjoyed all the characters and the grief/healing discussion tied into such a lighthearted plot. I didn’t feel much for the romance but that’s okay, I enjoyed the other parts enough to make up for it. Also really loved the writing! I thought it was witty and fun and kept me entertained. Super fun read that I’d recommend! Thank you to the publisher for the arc 🫶🏼

[Emily Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the great honor of reading an early version of this story and am SO excited for the world to get to read Osongco's adult debut. Fans of MIDNIGHTS WITH YOU will appreciate the emotional depth and true-to-life relationship dynamics (both romantic, familial, and platonic), but UNFINISHED BUSINESS brings a whole new level of unhinged humor and satirical commentary to her body of work. The love triangle will make you scream and cackle, there's an unhinged sequence in Vegas that I can't stop thinking about, and the ending is one of my favorites I've read in a long time—both surprising and so, so satisfying. Put it on your radar now!!!

[Gayle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fortunate to be trusted with reading an early copy of this book and I blew through it in like two days. Trust me when I say I still think about it ALL THE TIME. I laughed out loud. I had gut-clenching aches when reading certain lines that just made me feel seen. I marveled at the creative hijinks Clare put these characters through. My hand flew to my mouth at the passion. I just kept having to know what happened next, and when I got to the end, I cried?? Like I was watching a TV show I loved that just ended?? Clare is a generational talent who is brilliant, hilarious, and will make you fly through her pages like nobody's business. The only unfinished business I have is to read this again multiple times. Can't wait for the world to get their hands and eyes on this one.

[Ally Eldridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for this ARC!

There was definitely a lot going on - a dead mom stuck in a server, love interests and business matters to keep straight, but it all tied together so well in the end. A great read, especially right before Valentine’s Day and right after Halloween. Definitely on my list of re-reads for sure, I could not put it down.

[Liz_Dolphin70_Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was funny and unique, and I love how the female main character led with her heart and not what her mother a.k.a. (ghost) wanted her to do. I love the paranormal aspect of the book. I love when there’s romance and suspense mixed in that’s my favorite. Having the book set in the workplace with all the drama and the love triangle was very entertaining, and I couldn’t put the book down.!

[micah ➳ canonicallychaotic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Following the death of her mother, Ruby Ocampo finds herself working at the same company that her mother worked for Ruby’s whole life. Also at this company: her estranged best friend (that she may or may not have feelings for), and a new junior executive that is quickly taking an interest in Ruby with an NDA in tow. Also also at this company: Ruby’s mom’s ghost in her Slack DMs.

Unfinished Business is a ghost story, one that takes place in a digital sphere. It’s about communicating, expectations (spoken and unspoken) set and unmet, about trying to be the person you think you’re supposed to be to make someone proud. It’s a second chance to say the right thing, the thing in your heart, to more than one person.

This book was familiar—from the Filipino home cooking and the family party to the corporate world and after-work drinks. It’s also laden with grief. Grief for the words you didn’t say in life. Grief knowing that there will always be a version of you that is the last version someone you lost will have known. That anything you do after that will be unknown to them, and there’s no way to make them proud, only the abstract idea of an afterlife and a careful hope that it exists.

Unless they haunt you via Slack.

Then you need to unpack your grief, rethink it. Ask if you’re the reason someone is still holding on. Try to make sure that their last impression of you is one they can be proud of. But what does molding yourself into someone that you aren’t proud of cost?

Unfinished Business is full of yearning, running into people from high school, employee unionizing, and questionable decisions. It made me laugh out loud, hide behind my hands in second-hand embarrassment/anxiety, and cry. It also made me cry.

[Mella aka Maron]

DNF at 45%.

I really tried with this one but besides the magical aspect of this book, it's incredibly boring. Mark is THE most boring person alive. And then there's Greg who is such a little wimp? He's all like "Why are you hanging with Mark" like he has a right to have an opinion on her life when he hasn't really been in it for years. It's so gross. Red flags for both of them.

I don't mind our FMC and I like that she's autistic-coded (not sure if she is officially autistic or not). I wish the guys were better. And honestly, I wish her relationship with her mom were more interesting too. Her mom was kind of terrible - and I kind of hated it.

I wanted to know how this ends, but I am so over these two guys are their meh.

[Kamryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun read!

I just loved the vibes of this book, it was fun, kind of chaotic, and a little out there, but I adored every minute of it. I was also just cracking up at the slack references as a fellow office girly I thought it was 10/10

Ultimately, it kept me very entertained, and I loved how unhinged it was! it was like nothing I’ve ever read before in the best way!

You’ll find…
👻 a funny ghost
✨ magical realism
💻 found family
🩵 work place romance

Thank you Dell for the ARC!

[BookishKB]

👻💼 Unfinished Business 💼👻

📖 Bookish Thoughts

My full review will be shared closer to the publication date.

💖 What to Expect
• Magical Realism
• Ghost Story
• Workplace Romance
• Love Triangle
• Childhood Friends
_ _ _ _

📅 Pub Date: July 14, 2026
Thank you to Ballantine, Dell, and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

[Mo Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
All opinions are my own.

I went into this book completely blind and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. The premise is a little kooky- the main character's dead mom is stuck in the company's Slack and can't move on. I loved how quirky all of the characters were and I flew through this book in a matter of hours. Definitely put this one in your beach bag!

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine!

[Adelene Jane · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sadly, I should've DNF'd this 😢

[Rayo Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for granting my request to read this e-ARC and provide my honest opinion.

Your mom dies at work, a job she has spent almost her entire life at, underappreciated... and then she's stuck in the office's Slack! 😂 Her daughter ends up working at the same job, logs on to her personal Slack chat, sends a message, and surprisingly, somebody replies!

Ahh I love the concept!! It kept me on my toes, I wanted to know what's up buttt I didn't anticipate the way our FMC would react... did she ghost her own mother? 🙂

If you were given the opportunity to talk to your parent one more time after they have passed what will you say and what will you do? I felt she should've had something more to say, not just pushing her out of sight and mind like she didn't exist. In my opinion, she should've used that opportunity to stand up to her mother!

I love the way the author weaved in elements of mystery, the love triangle, and a second chance 😉. It was well done!! And as with Clare's books, they tackle heavy themes such as suicidal attempt, loss of a parent, attempting and failing to meet parental demands... not so healthy parenting dynamic, so do take care while reading.

Overall, I enjoyed this one! While I didn't really click with the love interest, every other thing was on point. The workplace drama was 🔥 and I laughed at the antics of the FMC's mother, like when she said she figured out how to take a screenshot 😂😂😂. Thank you once again for the e-ARC!

[Jasmine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review: 2.5 stars

Thank you, Lavender Public Relations for the eARC through Netgalley.

I have read Clare’s YA debut and was wow-ed by it and was ecstatic to receive an invite to review this adult debut of hers…

With her mother’s recent passing, Ruby Ocampo found a position in the company that her mother used to work at. The company has been in a restructuring phase with a new CEO in the helm as they look to make some changes within the company. She also discovers that her mum’s spirit is stuck in her company’s slack channel and resolves to get her out of there by accomplishing some goals that her mother always wanted of her…Thus, she sets out to reevaluates her life and also attracted the eye of the VP, Mark and also resolve her issues with Greg, her childhood best friend/crush who works in the same company.

Okkk, I really, really want to like this book but it just doesn’t scream romance to me! The romance was lackluster where she suddenly starts dating Mark to get her mum’s approval and hopes this is one of her goals to get her to move on. The funny thing is the more she gets to know Mark, the more red flags she sees and yet, she still DATES HIM?!!! Like, I don’t understand why she had to jump into that relationship??? And then, there is Greg, who she has a crush on but they had a falling out during their teen years which she never quite forgives him for and they keep beating around the bush and nothing gets resolved until the end…In short, both her love interests are dull and boring and I just cannottttt!

From the start until the 70% mark, I end up annoyed and bored reading the book. While I do relate to Ruby due to her strained relationship with her mum, any communication between them was just so strained and awful - the funny or sentimental moments were no where to be found…they finally made peace with each other in the last 20% of the book but there wasn’t a build up leading to it either. I also have no love for Ruby either as I find that if she just communicates what she wants instead of pretending things didn’t happen or avoid conflict, most of the issues in the novel could easily be resolved. Instead, I find herself digging herself deeper and deeper into the hole she hides in.

Also, because there were so many things going on within the company eg: layouts, restructuring and unionization process, especially in the 40-70% mark of the book, the romance took a back seat in this one and considering this is marketed as a romance book ...it should not!

So, unfortunately, this one was a miss for me.

[Swai · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a line from the acknowledgements of Unfinished Business that feels too true: "This book is ridiculous, but it was written with admiration for the people who do the vital work of union organizing."

At many points in my reading, especially in the earlier pages, my thought was: "Four stars at best." A mother's ghost stuck in Slack really is ridiculous. The catch is that this ghost is somewhat allegorical: Ruby's mother died at her desk while working overtime at TKCORP, and the presence of her ghost in a Slack channel is maybe less about haunting her daughter than about being haunted by work. It's true, the ghost thing remains ridiculous, almost to the point of distraction, and I'm not sure I ever quite "got" this idea of Ruby trying to resolve her mother's "unfinished business" by being a better capitalist laborer and neoliberal citizen.

But this small (yet big) point of ridiculousness could not stop me from absolutely loving and devouring the rest of this novel. Greg is such a dream. I mean, he's kind, funny, self-deprecating, good-looking, fit, reliable, puppy-eyed, in tune with his emotions, good at cooking, and a bunch of other things one might find admirable in any number of love interests. But the most attractive thing about Greg may be his studied and lived critique of capitalism, which translates into his role as a union organizer. How hot is that?!

The love triangle with Ruby, Greg, and Mark Winterson is very well done. I love how Mark Winterson almost ways exists as as Mark Winterson, as if his entire identity is a brand. But then, Osongco also humanizes Mark Winterson and creates genuine feeling between him and Ruby. She effectively shows how seductive it can be to receive attention from someone in power. At the same time, she never lets us forget how sweet and thoughtful Greg remains, even if these qualities seem understated given his unwavering presence. That this love triangle gets entangled in company "business" makes the stakes feel higher and more interesting.

So, here's how I would break things down:

Ghost mother in Slack - ridiculous, but I can deal with it, especially when considered allegorically.

Intergenerational misunderstanding between Ruby and her mother - believable, though not mind-blowingly revelatory

Romance - love love love (Greg!!! Heart eyes!)

Critique of capitalism in context of workplace drama - five stars just for this because it's so rare to see in a romance novel or an intergenerational ethnic narrative.

[Lina · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 / 5 Stars
Based on the synopsis and the pretty cover, I thought this would be a light, fun romcom romp with a workplace love triangle and some magical realism. It was in fact much heavier. You get the perils of capitalism. You get a very complicated mother-daughter dynamic. You get an exploration of grief. You get a suicide attempt on page (which honestly needed a content warning and I hope there is one in the final copy). It wasn’t what I expected at all, so it took me a second to readjust and rate based on what the book actually is.

I will say that personally I found the mother-daughter dynamic to be triggering. You have a hyper critical, hyper controlling mother, who regardless of the intentions, has created a people pleasing daughter who tries to contort herself into someone other than herself (because she never actually got to explore what she wanted). That’s something I could really relate to so I found it hard to read the book. That being said, this could be super healing for someone else or make someone else feel really seen instead of triggered so if that is you, you may want to read this book.

In terms of the actual book, I found the pacing to be kind of off. I felt like Ruby stayed with Mark for too long which meant that there wasn’t much time left for her to figure things out with her mom or George. It felt like the important conversation with her mom happened so late and was so quick that I almost had whiplash. And same with George. I wanted so much more from their relationship and we didn’t get much time with them. Also, friends, if a man asks you to sign an NDA - run.

I think if you are okay with the heavier themes, you may really enjoy this book. I thought the nuances of what happens as a consequence of the mother-daughter dynamic was well done and felt really realistic.

You will probably like this book if you like:
⭐ Magical realism romance (her dead mom is stuck in the Slack server)
⭐ Found family at work
⭐ Love triangle (one is estranged childhood best friend and one is Temu Jacob Elordi)
⭐ Exploration of heavier topics like complicated mother-daughter dynamics and grief
⭐ Second generation immigrant daughter representation (Filipino mixed race daughter)

Thank you Ballantine | Dell and NetGalley for providing this eARC! All opinions are my own.
Publication Date: July 14, 2026

⋆ ೀ ⋆ Follow me on Instagram @book.recs.by.lina for book recommendations and general fun times ⋆ ೀ ⋆

[୨୧⋆｡˚ liya's little library˚｡⋆୨୧ · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️(4.5/5)
🌶️🌶️ (2.5/5) — a few steamy moments with slight open-door intimacy.

Early review, publishing 7/14/26!

⋆｡‧˚ʚ "To everyone running as fast as they can just to stay in the same place." ɞ˚‧｡⋆


💜 Huge thank you to Clare Osongco and NetGalley for this eARC! 💜

This has been one of my most anticipated reads of 2026, and it DELIVERED. I went into this book expecting a cute little love story, and wow, I was HUMBLED.

Ruby, our FMC, is drowning in the grief of losing her mother and is suddenly tasked with resolving her mom's unfinished business so she can finally log out of the Slack system and move on in peace. This was such a unique and new way to portray grief, and Clare executed it seamlessly.

We all know I'm a sucker for a love triangle, and this book was no exception.

Greg and Mark...

Now... I have some personal trauma from the name Mark (Boys of Tommen, iykyk), so I was already against this man from page one 😭

But Greg? Page perfect.

This was giving childhood friends-to-almost lovers-to-strangers-to-lovers (yes, I made that trope up... sue me). I adored Greg from the beginning, but my only frustration was that he kept telling Ruby, "Mark isn't right for you," without really stepping up himself. I understood that he wanted to respect her feelings and not pressure her, but sir... I needed you to give me something to work with. 😭

Overall, this was such a refreshing palate cleanser from my usual rom-coms. It balances humor, romance, and grief PERFECTLY, and it ended up being so much more than I expected.

Read this if you love:
💜 Workplace romance
💜 Romances that make you laugh and cry
💜 Magical realism
💜 Emotional stories about grief and healing
💜 Childhood friends with unresolved feelings

Thank you again to NetGalley and Clare Osongco for the ARC!
(Also... I'm SO excited to meet Clare at her book signing soon!! 😁)

[pri · Rating 5 out of 5]

“big on pointing, this guy!”

UNFINISHED BUSINESS 👻💻 by clare osongco

if i told you that seeing the words “sampaguita”, “Ate”, “lumpia”, and “Tita” in a published novel would make me cry… would you judge me?

UNFINISHED BUSINESS is filled with heart, humor, grief, and a crazy glitch in the system (that, while i LOVE my mother, i’m unsure if i’d want her seeing how unproductive i am at work)! Ruby Ocampo is back home: working at the same company her mother raved about, working at the same company her ex-best friend (an unrequited crush) works at, working at the same company a new hotshot VP is in charge of, and working at the same company her mom… died at. when Ruby finds out that her private slack channel is haunted by her mother, the same Filipino mother that uses critiques as a form of love that had died barely four months before, this can get… a little crazy!!

notable characters you will love:
💜 Ruby Ocampo, commonly mistaken for the only other Asian girl at work; professional sleeper; makes lists and has “BE SOCIAL AND NORMAL”on her list
💜 Greg De Leon, her former best friend, son of her mother’s best friend, and the current recipient of Ruby’s unrequited crush. (talk about the past coming back to haunt you); owner of dimple
💜 Mark Winterson, new member at work; afraid of elevators; does not like people touching his stuff; gift giving as a love language (oh also, he looks like your resident 6’7 australian actor that is somehow in every movie)

WELCOME BACK LOVE TRIANGLES!!!! + welcome back YEARNING!!!!

this book is for every single person that puts too much pressure on themselves to be something their not for the people they love. the people that love you…love you for you. remember that. always.

signed, president of the I LOVE GREG DE LEON fan club

OUT JULY 14, 2026!

x pri

[Bookishmom4ever · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruby Ocampo's life isn't what she imagined, she's back in her home town after her mother's death working for the same company her mother worked at till she died. Like literally died at her desk. Her mother was so dedicated to the company, always working later and longer hours, always getting onto Ruby about her dead end job, how she wasn't working hard enough, dating the "right" type of men. So, when she lands the job at TKcorp she can only imagine how proud her mother would be. She is working hard, trying to forget that her best friend Greg ghosted her years ago and broke her heart after two earth shattering kisses, and imagining that she is finally living the life her mother wanted. That is until she gets a message from her mother, her dead mother. Turns out her mom is now haunting the very company she died at. She's "living" in the computer and messaging systems, still critically examining Ruby's life choices, or at least that is what it feels like. So beings Ruby's quest to help her mother move on. She's trying to work harder, be more likable, spend more time with family, and date someone in a higher tax bracket than herself. But, will it be worth it? Can she finally make herm other proud enough of her to move on? And, is dating a rich douche bag really what she wants when Greg is right there helping here and making old feelings rise to the surface.
Unfinished Business is a hauntingly beautiful book about the struggles of a single mother, the hardships of generational trauma, and the greed of corporate America. The first few chapters where a little hard to get into but after that the novel really picked up and I found myself enjoying it. I was rooting for Ruby, as an underdog themselves and someone who feels like they have to be perfect all the time, I could relate to the troubled relationship she had with her mother.

[Stella Luna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advance reader copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Tropes: Paranormal Romance, Magical Realism, Slow Burn, Love Triangle, Miscommunication

I was initially very excited to read this book, as the premise seemed promising, but wow, I could tell after the first chapter that if I hadn’t received this as an ARC, I would have DNFed.

Ahh, it was so cringy. My biggest issue was Ruby, our FMC. I can tell that she deals with a lot of social anxiety, trauma around her mom and their relationship, and overall low self-esteem. I thought this was going to be kind of a fun, uplifting story with some humorous parts because her mom is literally in her work Slack channel trolling her. But we quickly realize her relationship with her mom was actually strained, and the situation really isn’t good for her mental health. Very toxic.

Then the romance. Where was it? Nowhere. She starts seeing a new guy in the company because she thinks her (dead) mother will approve and that this will help her “move on” from the Slack channel. Then she keeps seeing him when there are literally so many red flags, it’s insane. And she knows it too! But she keeps making idiotic decisions.

And then her childhood friend Greg, whom she’s been in love with for years, is also at this company but acting weird (because surprise surprise he's also in love with her but not communicating), and it would’ve all been resolved if they had just communicated and Ruby had made decisions and acted more mature. But alas.

Once the union stuff started, I wanted to quit so bad, but I hate-read the rest of it, and I don’t even know what happened because it wasn’t anything substantial.

Overall, this book did not do it for me for so many reasons.

[qq · Rating 5 out of 5]

A solid romance book that checks off everything on my list of a good rom-com:

✔️ fun and interesting premise
✔️ contemporary inside jokes
✔️ easy-to-root-for leads
✔️ heart wrenching parts that are sweet
✔️ a cute finally-they’re-together scene

Now for a spoiler-y review:

I don’t really love romance writing style in general, but it’s okay because I have to keep reminding myself that this is a romance book that I’m reading! Also I wish there were more scenes with Greg, but in regards to the plot, I actually think the time spent with each male lead is perfectly planned out. The plot was also engaging enough for me to keep reading, so I think it’s a very solid story.

Anyways, it’s extremely refreshing to see an Asian woman pick an Asian man over a white man despite her mother (society) wanting her to choose the white man, especially in Asian American lit!! Like of course Ruby won’t marry into a family that disrespects her heritage and belittles it. It’s like a character finally stood up to the micro aggressions, and in her own kind of silent fury type of way, which I rarely see in Asian American lit. Clare Osongco is so brave for publishing this story in a publishing world that still tries to make Asian American and Diaspora stories centered on whiteness and white adjacent. Plus, it was honestly so touching to see the relationship between Ruby and her mom unravel in the way it did. I could feel like the author really wrote in a way that channeled her own experiences and thoughts, and it’s always an honor, as a reader, to share that.


I think the premise is so fun, and honestly anyone who longs for the old y2k rom-coms will love it!

Thank you Netgalley and Ballantine/Dell for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

[Madison Lane · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️
3/5 stars

Unfinished Business follows Ruby, who unexpectedly loses her mother and moves back home, taking a job at the same company her mom worked for. While navigating grief, work, and old and new relationships, Ruby realizes her mom is replying in her Slack chats. At the same time, she reconnects with her childhood friend and former crush, Greg, and begins developing a romantic connection with the company’s new executive, Mark Winterson 👫👔

I really loved the concept behind this story. The office setting felt relatable, and I appreciated how grounded the work environment was, it’s easy to picture yourself in Ruby’s shoes 💼. I especially enjoyed the second half of the book once the plot settled into its rhythm.

That said, I struggled a bit at the beginning. I had a hard time rooting for any of the characters early on, as none of them felt especially likable at first.

There were also a lot of brand-name references throughout the book, which occasionally pulled me out of the story. I never realized how much more generic descriptions keep the focus stays on the characters and emotions.

Some moments felt rushed or and could have used some more build up, particularly instances where Ruby would snap emotionally without much buildup, which left me slightly confused 🗣️.

That said, I genuinely went back and forth on who I wanted Ruby to end up with, which kept me invested and curious to see how things would play out 💕

Overall, an enjoyable read with a creative premise, and a strong second novel 😊

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this book!

[Monica Hills · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars- This was a charming and heartwarming paranormal romance. As someone who has lost a parent, the chance to talk to them after they have passed would mean everything.

In this story Ruby has moved back home after her mother's death and is now working at the same company where her mother died. Ruby soon finds out that her mother's ghost is trapped in the company's server. In order for her mother to find peace, Ruby has to figure out what her unfinished business is. Ruby felt like she never met her mother's expectations so she strives to meet them in order to set her mother free. While trying to her accomplish her goals she needs to decide where her heart lies, with her long time childhood friend, or her rich and sophisticated boss. She also discovers that not all is what it seems at her job. What follows is a witty and heartfelt story where Ruby has to figure out what really matters.

I enjoyed every minute I spent reading this novel. There were fun moments but also a bit of mystery to solve. There was romance but also great character details. The story was relatable because who wouldn't want to communicate with their deceased parent. I also love a touch of paranormal in my books. I definitely recommend this story to anyone who loves a story that will make you forget your troubles and remind you about what really matters.

Thank you to Dell and NetGalley for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Pauline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me start this review by saying Midnights With You absolutely wrecked me. So when I was approved for this eARC (yes, I requested it even knowing how much her previous book destroyed me, y'all get me), there was a certain amount of trepidation. Yes, the author assured me it wouldn't be as bad, but I was still worried.

Turns out I was both right and wrong to be worried. Yes, this book has many of the same themes that made Midnights With You so emotional for me. (Chalk it up to Filipino parent issues. IYKYK.) It also features labor issues, microaggressions (some of which I've experienced myself), and certain power dynamics that can definitely feel questionable. However, it also has a lot of lighter elements that made this easier for me to digest. So yes, Clare Osongco, you were correct that it wasn't as heavy. That being said, parts of it still hurt (in a good way).

I loved how relatable Ruby was in her self-discovery journey. Even when she was making bad choices, I understood where she was coming from and I couldn't fault her most of the time. Her heart was always in the right place, even if she was confused at times. And I appreciated that even though the romance aspects were important, they weren't front and center in the story. Sometimes this made certain scenes feel a little abrupt or out of place, but not so much that it took me out of the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Net Galley for this ARC. Ruby is struggling with the loss of her Mom, her sense of self/culture/family, and her job. She goes to work at TKCorp, where her Mom worked and passed away. One day at work, she gets a message through Slack from her Mom. Ruby thinks that she is being pranked and investigates to see if this is actually her Mom. As Ruby realizes that she is talking to her Mom, she starts a list of things to do to help her Mom move on. The more they talk, the more we see Ruby dealing with her grief and missing her Mom, while also slowly starting fresh with her. She also reconnects with her childhood friend, Greg, who works at TKCORP, and she tells him what is happening with her Mom. Ruby and Greg work together to help Ruby's Mom move on and start to become friends again while investigating some problems at TKCORP. As Ruby works on her list, we see her work though her grief, finds her place with family/work, start a romantic relationship that leads her to where and who she needs, and finally heal her relationship with her Mom. This was a fast and easy read that blended women's fiction, magical realism, and romance. If you are looking for a deeper beach read, this is a good choice as its filled with healing, heart, and humor. I look forward to what this author writes next as this story was quirky, fresh, and heartwarming.

[Doc Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to be honest, when I first started reading and it clearly became a book where I had to suspend my own ideas of reality, I began to enjoy it so much. The story involves a young woman, raised by her single mom who instilled in her some really difficult life goals and lessons in which to follow. They have a complicated relationship, but everything changes in a blink of an eye, and Ruby needs to learn how to live without her mom, while simultaneously. living up to mom's difficult expectation, as well as finding her own way in the world. Ruby realizes that her mom is trapped between her live and her passing and sets out to unlock the code that will allow her mom to finally, totally, rest in peace. What is her mom still trying to say to Ruby? What does Ruby learn about her mom and about their relationship, that unlocks freeing information for them both? As Ruby navigates her grief, she revisits her life by moving home to the house she grew up in, gets a job at the same company where mom worked, and reconnects with her past... What does Ruby need to learn about her adult relationships? This book proved to be very surprisingly touching and fun to read. I was provided with an ARC by the author but the review is totally my own,

[Samantha (WLABB) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5 Stars

Following the death of her mother, Ruby returns to her hometown and secures a job with her mother's former firm - TKCORP. Soon, Ruby begins receiving Slack messages from her mother!!! In an effort to help her mother "move on", Ruby begins working on a list of ways she could please her mother with one way being dating someone in a higher tax bracket. Soon, Ruby finds herself in a relationship with someone who may not be on the up and up which could spell trouble for her.

My biggest issue with this book is that I was expecting a rom-com, and this was not that. I struggle because this book did not meet my expectations, but I also was not that interested in the corporate subplot. I loved the idea of Ruby working on herself, and the romantic subplot between Ruby and Greg was great. There was just a lot of other stuff I didn't really care about.

*ARC provided by publisher

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