Many thanks to NetGalley and Type Eighteen Books for an advanced copy in return for an honest review.

4.25 stars
I can’t even remember what made me request this from NetGalley but I’m so glad I did. Jenna is 21 years old, and already one of those people many of us know, or are. She's the one who takes care, who shows up, who's dependable, reliable, responsible- and tired. When her beloved stepfather is dying, and her mother is traveling for work, unable to count on her twin sister she takes leave from college and moves home to care for him.

One review I read of this described it as "simple". And it is. And I think that's why I ended up loving this. Almost all of the things that bring the greatest joys and sorrows in life are every day, simple things that most of us experience: loss and grief, love, nurturing and being nurtured, people who "get you" and make you laugh, and being wildly disappointed by the people you love.

Is this a work of great literature? Perhaps not. But it's a work of real life. Never once did this story or these characters seem contrived or cliched. It's never cheesy and never melodramatic. And in the e-galley I read, O'Rourke packs a perfect story into 154 pages, which can't be easy to do.

A follow up, Reclaimed Baggage, about another character in this book is coming soon and I will eagerly anticipate it. I am really pulling for this author and can't wait to see what else she has coming.

I didn't know what to expect from this book as I hadn't read anything by the author before but I found myself immediately drawn in. The writing was simpler, making this a quick and easy read for a busy mom. I found myself rooting for the MC, through all her trials and tribulations. Would recommend this book to others.

I was lucky enough to receive a review copy of this book
I thought that this was cute story about finding yourself, doing what makes you happy and learning to prioritise yourself. There were some parts in the beginning that felt a bit dragging with more details than necessary and some things repeated a few too many time, however as I got closer to the end of the book I found myself flying through the chapters to finish it. An excellent quick read for travelling or a relaxing weekend.

"Everything has changed."
Dealing with unexpected situations Jenna challenges herself and those close to her. I agreed and problem solved through some of the situations in this book but that doesn't mean I necessarily think that they are right ones. Lying about pregnancy for example isn't good and will probably make you lose a lot of family and friends. It's important to be open and honest but at the same time I get how people will want to alter their realities.
None the less, this book was interesting. I like that recently the books I've been reading are about pregnancy as it gives me more perspective on the matter. I think it'll also help others trying to decide and those trying as well.

Thank you to the publisher and author for sending me this copy.

this was a great book! I really like the 2000s era flashbacks it gave me! I did love the familial secrets that got uncovered, and loved the way this book flowed. It was a great story, and it had some pretty good twists and turns! Love!


Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

Really enjoyed this story that most centers on Jenna a twin to Julie and they have an older brother and a stepbrother Bill, Jr. Jenna is in college almost ready to graduate when her stepfather's health starts to fail. Her mother travels for her job and Julie is anything but dependable. Jenna quits college and goes home to take care of him. Gets her summer job back at Dunkin donuts and life goes on she meets Sam. On his deathbed Bill tells her that he is her father. Going to Bill Jr. to discuss this, they decide they will do a DNA Test. The results are not surprising. Read to see what happens and were they go from there. A GREAT READ,

This is the first have read from O’Rourke. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book was a lot of emotional “baggage” and hit you like a ton of bricks with deep feeling right out of the gate. Start to finish, the story was very raw and real.

How many horrible people does one person need in their life? Jenna takes punch after gut wrenching punch from the people she loves. The way they speak to her is just disgusting. It made it difficult for me to want to keep reading this book. Especially Liam’s self centeredness. “You’ve abandoned me” “your dad’s always sick” From someone who watched their own father slip away slowly, this made me sick. I almost stopped reading after that comment. I get that it set the tone for his character, but I did not care for him at all. And don’t get me started on her mother. Who keeps a secret like that and then thinks it’s no bid deal? The mother’s character infuriated me at too many points in this story.

Poor Sam. At 25% in, I get Jenna has a lot going on, but Sam seems like a great guy and she is just not someone I would want to be around. Jenna has her own self doubts from how she was raised by an unloving mother, but it’s all just a lot.

This book was just a lot in a small amount of pages.

I suppose it’s possible I didn’t truly know what to expect from this. I’ve never read a book from Katie O’Rourke and was able to get this arc from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book was…heavy but very real. It felt like finding the simple things in life and learning to love yourself and put yourself first. It wasn’t overly anything, just very mundane life in this story. I didn’t love it personally but it wasn’t awful. Just…simple.

unclaimed baggage was such an emotional, deeply relatable story about family, love, and learning to put yourself first. Jenna has always been a people pleaser, but when her stepfather—her only real father figure—falls ill, she makes the difficult decision to leave college and care for him. just as she’s trying to navigate this heartbreak, a DNA test drops a family secret that turns her entire world upside down. as she struggles with grief and betrayal, Jenna finds herself drawn to someone who, for the first time in her life, doesn’t expect anything from her—he just wants to be with her. but with everything falling apart, can she really allow herself to accept love and happiness?

my thoughts about this:
this book was so raw, real, and emotionally gripping. the way it explores family dynamics, identity, and self-worth feels incredibly authentic. Jenna’s struggles are messy, complicated, and, at times, painful, but that’s what makes her journey so compelling. the romance part is heartfelt and offers a much-needed balance to the heavier themes, giving readers hope even in the darkest moments. i thought it would take away from the plot but it was just perfection!

hi readers, yes you. if you love character-driven stories that pull at your heartstrings and make you think about what it really means to take care of yourself, this novel is a must-read. it's about finding strength in unexpected places and allowing yourself to embrace the good things in life—even when they arrive at the worst possible time.

thank you so much BooksGoSocial for a copy! this story really made me cry. i see this being made into a movie.

I just finished a great new book. Unclaimed Baggage by Katie O’Rourke was an entertaining book that will keep you turning pages.