We recently introduced you to Katie O’Rourke, the newest author in the Type Eighteen Books family. Katie lives in Tucson, Arizona, and she’s the accomplished author of four novels and a short story collection. And we’re thrilled to bring you not one, but TWO novels from this talent in 2025.

UNCLAIMED BAGGAGE

(Release 4/8/25)

2000: This is the year Jenna is supposed to graduate college, become independent, and find true happiness—whatever that looks like. But she is a people pleaser, and when her stepfather’s health deteriorates, she leaves school to help take care of him. This also means taking care of everyone else: her emotionally fragile best friend, Liam, her twin sister, Julie, who was born second and takes her role as the youngest of the family quite seriously, and their mother, Barbara—who might actually be the baby.  Jenna has always felt like the only grown-up around. 

While she struggles to say goodbye to the only father figure she’s ever had, a family secret drops like a grenade into Jenna’s already complicated life. Amidst the fallout and at the worst possible time, she starts falling for a man who turns out to be the first person in her life who doesn’t want anything from her—only to be with her. 

As grief and betrayal threaten to tear her family apart, Jenna must decide how to put her own needs first and allow good things into her life when they show up. 

RECLAIMED BAGGAGE

(Release 5/8/25)

Barbara is a widow, a recent retiree, and a liar. She tells lies like she drinks hot coffee—easily and often. Yes, this macaroni salad is homemade. Yes, I love your new dress. Yes, my children have the same father. The way Barbara sees it, lying can help smooth out life’s bumpiest roads. She would know; she’s been walking them as long as she can remember.

Now, her three kids are independent and grown, and Barbara’s helpful lies are catching up with her. She blames everything but herself: bad luck, stubborn children who no longer listen to their mother, questionable advances like DNA testing. And when her oldest daughter, Jenna, announces her plans to carry a baby for another couple, Barbara feels compelled to intervene. She doesn’t want Jenna leaving a trail of regret—she knows a little something about that.

Enter Stewart, a recovered alcoholic who doesn’t lie about anything. At first, Barbara closes herself off to the idea of romance, but Stewart is persistent and patient. Barbara begins to wonder if maybe she’s capable of change, after all this time. To keep her family together, she might have to try.

We’re excited to bring these books to you only a month apart next spring! Unclaimed Baggage will be released in April, and Reclaimed Baggage in May. Both can be read as standalones, but you’ll want to follow these characters through both books! Watch for the cover reveals the first week of December, and read more about Katie O’ Rourke here: Meet the Author, and here: Katie O’Rourke, author.