Book Review: Unfinished Business by Carolyn Ridder Aspenson

Reviewer: Terry

I was giving this book in exchange for an honest review. 

What a fantastic read!  I couldn’t put it down! I had to keep reading just to see what twist life was going throw out at Angela next!

The book starts with the death of Angela’s terminally ill mother…But is soon lifted by her mom coming to visit her from the other side….I love how well developed and strong the character’s are-especially Angela’s witty Italian mother, the images of her vibrant personality show through even in death. The characters and the story itself make it so easy to be right there with Angela throughout her story!

Her mother, in true Italian mother form, and who is far from ready to be dead comes back to help Angela with some unexpected experiences. Not  only does she guide her through adjusting through her death, but also through the adjustment of discovering her unusual “Gift”, as well as navigating through murky waters with her not so easy teenage daughter. As a mother of a teenager and a preteen, I laughed through many of the mom experiences. I love how down to earth and easy to relate Angela is! She is a witty, fast on her feet mom, who handles both her kids and her husband much like I do!  It was like this book was written off of my own parenting whoa’s! Carolyn really allows you to see the dynamic’s between a mother and her teenage daughter. While reading one conversation between the Angela and  her daughter I shared it with my husband, because it truly sounded just like myself with my own daughter!

This book was also an eye opener about the bizarre things teens involve themselves in and after reading it, I actually had to read up on the subject of these pill parties. It is frightening to read how many of them fall for peer pressure and enlightening to read that good parenting can really help in scary situations like that. My heart broke for Em at the tragic loss she suffered due to the poor choice of her friend, and I cried for Taylor when she lost her life….The grief shared in the book by her parent’s was portrayed so read that I hurt for them.

Angela’s relationship with her best friend was also very fun, every girl needs a friend like Mel to get through the good and bad in their life. Through out the book I found myself crying and laughing, two signs that I am loving what I am reading!   All in all this book gets my vote! I love it and hope to see a second one written!

5 stars