Unfinished Business: A Novel

by Clare Osongco

In this funny, warmly chaotic tale of love, a floundering office worker discovers her mother's ghost is trapped in the company Slack server, and must free her by resolving her own troubled love life.

A few months ago, Ruby Ocampo’s mother, Adela, died at her desk at work. Now, lost and driven by a misplaced sense of obligation, Ruby’s taken a job at the megacorporation where Adela worked for decades—and, to her horror, she discovers her mother’s ghost is trapped in the company Slack.

Ruby has never lived up to her mother’s expectations in life, but to set her free, she’ll have to resolve Adela’s unfinished business. She makes a list of all the ways she could live more like her mother would have wanted, covering everything from her stunted career to her love life (#5 on the list: date someone in a higher tax bracket!). Soon her quest to free Adela gets Ruby entangled with two men at the office who might be able to help: the estranged childhood friend her mom never approved of—who's the only one she can confide in about this supernatural crisis—and the hot but vaguely sinister junior executive who's been paying her a confusing amount of attention.

In order to give her mom a chance at the afterlife, Ruby must address her shortcomings one by one—and reevaluate her inherited ideas about love, work, and what’s truly important along the way.

Genres: Romance

352 pages, Paperback

Expected publication August 4, 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 (real or figurative, sometimes both). 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.]

ANHPI TBR

Valentine's Day TBR

📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Dell

[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!!!

[carthi ♡]

⋆˙⟡ — 18/07/2025: ˙⊹

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!!

[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.

[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!

[Helen Wu ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded up

I finished Unfinished Business in two days. This reminds me so much of Black Mirror plus Annie Knows Everything plus Moderation. It is so witty and so gripping. I had to know why, and I had to find out now.

I love the bi racial representation. I think the part that gripped me the most was how relatable it felt. We basically live in Slack at work, with endless Zoom meetings. If I had a choice to Slack my dead dad, I think I would appreciate that opportunity very much.

I loved the love interest and I loved the friendship. I think the ending was a bit rushed, but overall I really enjoyed this book.

Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine for the ARC!

[Zoe Lipman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was just such a fun and funny and unique premise that I just had to read it.

This is a workplace sort of romance, but the FMC's mother's ghost is trapped in the company Slack.

And she needs help to pass on.

This was quick and easy to read.

And I found this super funny. I don't really know if it was supposed to be, but I thought so. I got a little chortle at every mention of the mother in the Slack. I just thought that was so funny and unique. I did think her passing on was cartoonishly funny, a little ridiculous, but I was entertained. And that's what matters.

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

[Catherine Koep · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this early through NetGalley and absolutely loved it. The FMC’s struggle with living up to her mother’s expectations felt incredibly real, and I was fully invested in her journey as she began questioning what she truly wanted for herself. Watching her step outside her comfort zone and grow into her own perspective was both emotional and satisfying.

While a few moments were frustrating, they felt intentional and made the payoff even stronger. The character growth was well done, and the resolution felt earned. This was a thoughtful, engaging read that I’d highly recommend.

[Carolyn Huynh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had the honor of reading a very early draft and was swept away by the humor, tenderness, romance!!, grief, and corporate girlie ennui. Can't wait for this to come out.

[Briseida · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had a plot aside from romance which was honestly so nice to keep you hooked