Unclaimed Baggage is a heartfelt, complicated family drama with a huge secret and a side of romance.
Unclaimed Baggage by Katie O’Rourke
Genre/Categories/Setting: Contemporary Fiction, Complicated Family Drama, Family Secrets, New Hampshire
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My Summary:
Thanks @BookSirens for a complimentary eARC of #UnclaimedBaggage upon my request. All opinions are my own.
Jenna is about to graduate from college, but her stepfather, Bill, is dying. She’s always been close to him, and because her twin sister is unreliable and her mother is often traveling, Jenna decides to put college on hold and care for Bill. In his last days, Bill reveals a long-held secret that threatens to shake Jenna’s world. Can this family recover from the grief and betrayal?
My Thoughts:
Is it right to keep family secrets from adult children?
Do children have a right to know secrets that directly affect them?
Complicated Family Drama
While I don’t care for dysfunctional family drama, I’m here for complicated family/messy family drama! Haven’t most of us experienced complicated family drama?!
Jenna plays an important role in holding the family together. Jenna’s twin sister is a bit irresponsible and somewhat undependable, and her mom is mostly an absentee parent (and unlikeable in my opinion). Bill, Jenna’s stepfather, has raised Jenna and her sister as his own., and they adore him. In his last days, he reveals a huge secret to Jenna that will change their lives. Is he delusional, or should Jenna investigate his claim? Should she inform the family?
The Responsible Daughter
Jenna is an admirable character in many respects. She is close to obtaining her undergraduate degree, she is a loyal and compassionate friend, and she is a responsible daughter. Jenna puts her last semester of college on hold to come home and care for her stepfather in his last days. As she cares for her stepfather, she is the recipient of a confession…a huge family secret that will affect everyone. Jenna is responsible and thoughtful in the way she handles this information. Even though it’s difficult, Jenna deals with the secret in a mature way, manages to have a positive relationship with her unreliable sister, and confronts her secretive (and mostly absentee) mother in a mature way.
Jenna meets a wonderful man who is supportive, understanding, and patient. This sweet romance happens in the background while family dynamics take center stage.
Content Consideration: family secrets, grief, death of a parent
Recommending Unclaimed Baggage:
I warmly recommend Unclaimed Baggage for fans of complicated family drama and well-written women’s fiction.
My Rating: 4 Stars
Meet the Author of Unclaimed Baggage, Katie O’Rourke
Katie O’Rourke was born and raised in New England, growing up along the seacoast of New Hampshire. She went to college in Massachusetts and graduated with a degree in gender and sexuality. She lives in Tucson, Arizona where she writes, loves and is happy.
Monsoon Season, her debut novel, was a bestselling e-book. A Long Thaw was released in 2014, followed up by Still Life, a collection of short stories. Finding Charlie was selected for publication by Kindle Scout in 2015. She released her fourth novel, Blood & Water in 2017. Unclaimed Baggage is available now, and the sequel, Reclaimed Baggage, will be out soon.
QOTD:
Do you enjoy complicated family drama?
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I agree. I grew up in a dysfunctional family, I don’t need to relive it. However, good old fashioned messy family drama is fun! What does that say about me? lol
It says we’re book twins! 😂