EC Stilson's The Unfinished Business of Opal Bloom follows Opal, a 92-year-old former gifted violinist. Her long life was successful but also consumed by many regrets. After her death, she wakes up young again in an afterlife called the Pleopyts. This unique place is like a workshop where people must complete emotional and moral “lessons” before moving on to Heaven. Opal is guided by a Master Luthier and surrounded by instruments that bring back memories from her life and even the lives of others. Each memory shows her the moments she ignored or judged too quickly. Bit by bit, she has to face what she ran from. Watching her go through each riveting lesson will make you wonder what she will ultimately learn and whether she will earn the peace she always wanted.

EC Stilson's The Unfinished Business of Opal Bloom mixes gentle spirituality with heartfelt storytelling. The author uses music, memory, and the workshop setting to make space for calm reflection rather than forced drama. Opal’s growth isn’t sudden; it moves slowly and feels real. I liked how the afterlife scenes let the reader pause and look closely at the choices people make and the hurt they bear. The characters feel believable, and many of the moments feel familiar to anyone who has wondered about regret or forgiveness. This book is similar to stories that explore second chances without pushing for big twists. Readers who enjoy thoughtful fiction with a touch of mystery will enjoy this. Also, if you love books that make you think about your own life, The Unfinished Business of Opal Bloom is the right one for you.

The Unfinished Business of Opal Bloom by E.C. Stilson follows Opal Bloom, who dies and enters the Pleopyts, a post-life system that reviews unfinished matters from her life. A guide, Victoria, directs her to Master Luthier, whose musical instruments send Opal into exact scenes from her past. Each piece places her inside moments involving people she affected, all tied to choices she made in life without full awareness. Opal sees these events as they occurred rather than as she remembered them, and each scene shapes the next step she must take. The Pleopyts monitors her progress while she moves through tasks that require honest attention to earlier conduct, and her path leads toward the stage of existence reached only after these matters are finished.

The Unfinished Business of Opal Bloom by E.C. Stilson is a really unique and thoughtful twist on the idea of what purgatory looks like for different people, and Stiltson goes a long way in not completely disassembling and reconstructing a long-overused wheel. I absolutely love her meeting with Gary and Mavis in the tower, which stands out with small details like their worn rocking chair, and the way they greet her with patient eyes that speak of long waiting. There is so much love here, of their holding back at Heaven’s gate for her. The musical instruments act as both a metaphor and a gateway, and the symbolism of combining the two was not lost on me. In the same way a one-string bow sets up a sense that her path is widening, so too did my connection to the story, which kept me fully invested.

The Unfinished Business of Opal Bloom by EC Stilson follows Opal, an elderly violinist spending her last days in an assisted living home, looking back on a life shaped by ambition, love, and a sense that some things were never resolved. When she dies, she enters the Pleopyts, an unusual afterlife holding area that feels like part waiting room, part classroom. There, Opal learns she must finish several spiritual lessons before she can move forward. These lessons take her through memories from her past and into the experiences of others, using magical tools that reveal truths she never saw while alive. Each step pushes her to face what she ignored, misunderstood, or avoided. With time moving differently in Pleopyts, will Opal ever reach her true destination?

The Unfinished Business of Opal Bloom by EC Stilson takes a creative approach to the idea of life after death. The author uses the setting to explore themes like personal responsibility and the effects of one's choices. The story combines elements of light fantasy with realistic emotions. This style gives it a calm but meaningful tone. Opal’s journey feels authentic because the author allows her to change in very relatable ways. The writing is engaging. It offers thoughtful notions about family and self-worth. I love the way Stilson depicts the afterlife as a place of learning rather than one of judgment. If you enjoy stories with spiritual motifs, you'll absolutely love this one. Great book. I look forward to reading more books by this author.

Opal is 92 years old. She is frail, surrounded by memories of her younger self in her room in the nursing home. Soon after, she dies but doesn’t go to heaven or hell. She finds herself in a strange place called the Pleopyts, where the souls of people who hadn’t learned enough lessons on earth go. Her first regret in this place is her decision not to have children despite her husband's desire to have them. Her obsession was music and accumulating degrees. She also used her upbringing as an excuse for why she did not want to have children. She is then taken to a place with many musical instruments, where she meets a master luthier and is shown the case of Mindy, whom she had treated badly. Mindy had been suffering from cancer, and a little patience and kindness to her would have been appreciated. How will things turn out in The Unfinished Business of Opal Bloom by EC Stilson?

The Unfinished Business of Opal Bloom by EC Stilson is wonderfully written and a thought-provoking read that shows many issues currently affecting society as people pursue careers and education at any cost. Divorce rates are higher, and many people refuse to have children, which could cause a demographic problem in the future. Other themes covered, like treating people well and finding true value, will resonate with many readers. The characters were well-developed, and Stilson also ensured all the events and emotions were vividly captured. The plot flowed seamlessly, leaving no room for confusion, and the reader will also appreciate the amazing narration, which added to the overall beauty of the work. I look forward to reading something else by EC Stilson.