✿𝗝𝗜𝗟𝗟 𝗜𝗦 𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗬✿
𝔱𝔥𝔯𝔦𝔩𝔩𝔢𝔯
🗓️𝙿𝚞𝚋 𝚍𝚊𝚝𝚎: 𝙹𝚞𝚗𝚎 𝟷𝟶, 𝟸𝟶𝟸𝟻
🤩𝕄𝕪 𝕣𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘: 𝟜 𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕤! ★★★★

🤏𝚃𝚎𝚎𝚗𝚢 𝚝𝚒𝚍𝚋𝚒𝚝...”an ill fated road trip resurrects a married couples darkest secrets…

🚗𝚆𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝙸 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚜𝚊𝚢...I adore Kaira Rouda! Like personally & professionally. No, I don’t actually know her, but she is one of my fav authors to follow. 🩷She’s like a good dose of sunshine.☀️

So, Jack & Jill(yep how cute, right?🙃) have been married a while & are high school sweethearts & so in love👩‍❤️‍👨….haha, not even close. 😆Jill is really something, yall. Shes completely loath-able!! 🫤Jack is trying so hard to get out of this marriage & well, it isn’t so easy….😳 Jill is gonna do whatever it takes to keep Jack. I mean anything! My fav thing about Rouda’s books is how fast I can read them. 💨The adrenaline is pumping 🙌& the thrill is always just enough..not ever too much which makes it very believable. 👌And, bonus..this one is under 300 pages! 🤩Save the date, friends 😊

Kaira is always all the rave @thrillerbookloversthepulse #thepulse #pulsepoint
I personally love that I get the chance to read her books!

Kaira Rouda has once again proven that she is the undisputed queen of creating wildly untrustworthy, coocoo for cocopuffs characters and Jill is Not Happy is no exception. This book is an exhilarating rollercoaster of deceit, tension, and jaw-dropping twists, all wrapped up in dark and unhealthy marriage gone wrong narrative. Rouda’s uncanny ability to craft characters that you simultaneously want to trust and utterly despise makes this novel an unforgettable ride through chaos and manipulation. The characters are a tangled mess of motivations, full of hidden agendas, making the entire reading experience feel like a game of psychological warfare. 😜 Let’s just say I personally wouldn’t want to be a part of these people’s marriage. 🤨
Rouda’s writing is sharp and electrifying. She doesn’t just tell you about her characters’ insanity—she makes you feel it, dragging you into their warped minds with every sentence. This is why I keep coming back for more! If you love thrillers that are full of drama Kaira Rouda has written this book for you!

Jill has planned a road trip with her husband, Jack, to reconnect. He just wants to get away from her but can’t because of a shared secret.

This is a very fast paced and entertaining read that’s hard to put down. The chapters are fast and go back and forth between Jack and Jill. You have a suspicion of how things are but as time goes by things get worse and worse. The ending was perfect because it ended properly but left plenty of room for a second book. I hope it happens and it’s titled Jill is Really Not Happy.

“Maybe a normal marriage is about compromise, I think. Not this one. This one has been filled with horrible secrets, debilitating nightmares, and lies.”

Jill is Not Happy comes out 6/10.

Jill is not happy. And she will make sure to suck the happiness from readers too. This was hard to read because of the despicable and pathetic characters. Rouda went all out to create a manipulating, calculating, psychopathic character out to ruin the lives of anyone who gets in her way. I experienced intense hate while reading this book. I do not enjoy that feeling, but respect the author who is able to illicit such strong feelings. I felt no satisfaction from the story AT. ALL.
That said, it is worth a read just for the experience.
Thank you to NetGalley and Scarlet Books for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

One of my go to Thriller Authors, Kaira Rouda writes crazy characters like no one else. This book didn’t disappoint.

Jill is one woman you do not want to get mad, especially if you try to get between her and her pushover husband, Jack. No one is safe! Together since college, she will do anything to keep this now struggling marriage together. This was a fun read, can be finished in one sitting. Dual timeline and points of view will keep the pages turning. As someone who likes her endings neat and tidy, I can only hope that this leads to a sequel. Please…I need to know what happens next! Clear your schedule, settle in your favorite reading chair, grab a drink and your favorite snack and experience Jill, a character so wickedly unhinged that you will love to hate her.

Thanks to NetGalley, Thriller Book Lovers: The Pulse, Penzler Publishers, Scarlet Publishing for this ARC. This is my honest opinion.

Thoughts~
WoW! This book was a wild ride, and I loved it. Just when I thought Jill couldn’t become anymore unhinged….she proved me wrong. There isn’t anything she wouldn’t do to keep Jack all to herself.  My thoughts remain undecided on Jack. On one hand he does a good job protecting his daughter, but on the other hand he can’t seem to protect himself. If you love a good rollercoaster ride then this is for you!

Thank you @kairarouda & @netgalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

I love it when an author intricately weaves a tale that explores the depths of love, secrets, and the lengths one might go to preserve a relationship, and this tale does not disappoint! The story begins with an unsettling nod to a nursery rhyme, setting an eerie tone that permeates the narrative. Told from alternating perspectives, we gain insight into the minds of both JACK and JILL, revealing their contrasting motivations for embarking on what should be a simple road trip.

The pacing is brisk, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as the tension builds between the couple. Jill’s determination and Jack’s reluctant acceptance of their shared past create a compelling dynamic. One can’t help but feel a sense of unease as Jill’s unhinged nature slowly unravels, leading to unexpected twists.

Overall, this book is a gripping exploration of marriage and the secrets that can either bind or tear a couple apart. It's a captivating read that raises questions about trust, love, and the masks we wear in our relationships. If you're looking for a fast-paced psychological drama with depth, this one is definitely worth picking up! A heartfelt shoutout to my friends at @thrillerbookloversthepulse for recommending this read!

When you read a Kaira Rouda book you know you are going to get some unlikeable and unreliable characters and this one is no exception. Jack and Jill have been married for years and on the surface everything looks great. And that is just what Jill wants you to see. As they embark on a weekend away tension and accusations ramp up and you have to wonder if both will be returning home when the weekend ends…. Another suspenseful and twisty book from this author.

3.5 stars. Jill is not happy- in fact she's a sociopath. The characters here are both unlikeable, but that is what makes the story. I found the story a little slow moving at times waiting for something grand to happen. The ending is abrupt and hopefully we get a sequel. If you like dark and twisted this one is for you.

Thanks to NetGalley and Penzler Publishers | Scarlet for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is a sharp, witty, and deeply relatable story about frustration, self-discovery, and the unexpected turns of life. The book follows Jill, whose unhappiness feels like an immovable weight—until a series of surprising events forces her to confront what’s really holding her back. The writing is crisp, the humor is biting, and the emotional depth sneaks up on you in the best way. A must-read for anyone who’s ever felt stuck and craved a change

Jack and Jill, a not so happily married couple. They've been married since college but grew distant over the years. Jill, however, refuses to let Jack go. She has written a journal which she keeps detailed track of all his secrets in order to force him to stay with her. Is he just as crazy as she is? I enjoyed this story sooo much. Jill is unhinged. I honestly didn't see Jack turning out the way he did either. I've never been more hopeful for a cheating man to be able to get away like I was for Jack. The story was captivating and held may attention all the way though. This is a definite must read!

I think I'm in the minority here but I didn't enjoy this and did not finish it. I have read two other books by this author and liked them, but the writing here seemed amateurish and the whole story just did not work for me. My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing the e-ARC for review.

What possibly could go wrong when a marriage is based off secrets, lies and murder? Another masterpiece by Kaira Rouda! The twists and unlikable characters had me on the edge of my seat! I honestly felt kind of bad for Jack and I loathed Jill from the start!

I was introduced to Kaira Rouda by thrillerbooklovers and it has been quite the ride. Her books are almost always fast paced thrillers that lure you in and ensnare you to the bitter end. The books that I have read by her are all fast reads with great short chapters.

Jack and Jill have been married for quite some time in the present. Their marriage appears to be perfect, they are wealthy, happy and good looking. Their daughter Maggie has left the home to attend college. Jill suggests an Utah road trip to reconnect. Jill knows Jack has been wandering and she is going to do everything in her power to fix things. He is the only one for her.

Kaira is the master at creating characters that we love to hate and Jill is no exception. I absolutely loved the details of their road trip to Utah. It brought back fond memories of our trips there. I could even picture the lodge they stayed in. It’s no wonder everyone at the pulse is raving about this book! If you are looking for a quick, juicy read, pick this up! Thank you to Thriller Book Lovers, scarlet Books and the author for the opportunity to read this book. My opinions are honest and my own!

Book: Jill Is Not Happy
Author: Kaira Rouda
Publisher: Penzler Publishers
Pub Date: June 10, 2025

I am a huge fan of this author and her books are definitely meant to be read at the beach. She writes fast, easy-to-read, easy-to-follow uncomplicated reads. They may be predictable but her books are so much fun. Rouda knows how to do a revenge thriller. She makes til death do us part literal for Jill and Jack and you are glad you are along for the ride. This story is dramatic and suspense filled right up till the very end. Jill is the definition of unhinged and you will want to finish this in one sitting.

Thank you Penzler Publishers and NetGalley for this sneak peak! Publication date is June 10, 2025.

Jack and Jill (just like the nursery rhyme) have been together since college, back when Jill set her sights on the wealthy young fraternity president and vowed to make him fall in love with her. Now they’re a married couple with an empty nest, and things are feeling a bit stale. Jill thinks a road trip might be just what they need to rekindle their romance. Because Jill will do anything to keep Jack, and she’ll fix everything just like she always has.

I couldn’t get enough of this twisty cat-and-mouse domestic thriller! This is the kind of juicy, fast-paced popcorn thriller with crazypants characters that I know I can always count on Kaira Rouda for! Jill is downright diabolical, the kind of character that’s so much fun to hate! The dual timeline, dual POV structure means we get to get right inside both main characters’ minds, and the inside of Jill’s mind is bonkers but her inner musings are also darkly humorous. I flew through the pages just to see what she would do next!

Without spoiling anything, I will say that the ending is wide open, so I’m asking the author pretty-please-with-sugar-on-top, can we please get a sequel? I just know Jill’s story isn’t done yet!

Many thanks to NetGalley, Thriller Book Lovers: the Pulse, and MBC Books for the advance reader copies!

This is a wild ride! Jill and Jack, living in Southern California, have been married for years, and take a vacation road trip to Utah. The “fun” begins. Kaira Rouda is a go-to author, and I have read several of her books. This is a page turner and a good story. Recommend this book and this author!

Kaira Rouda’s Jill Is Not Happy is a clever, sharply written exploration of suburban life, personal dissatisfaction, and the unexpected truths that surface when we least expect them. The story follows Jill, a seemingly perfect wife and mother, whose seemingly flawless life begins to unravel as she confronts the realities of her own unhappiness. Rouda does an excellent job of delving into Jill’s psyche, capturing the complexity of her character and the quiet tension brewing beneath the surface of her perfect façade.

The writing is witty and engaging, with a fair amount of humor that offsets the darker themes of the book. Rouda’s ability to depict the challenges of modern life and relationships in such a relatable way makes the story compelling. While the pacing occasionally slows, the character development and emotional depth more than make up for it.

Overall, Jill Is Not Happy is a great read for fans of domestic fiction who enjoy a blend of humor, drama, and social commentary. It’s a story that will leave you reflecting on the complexities of happiness, self-fulfillment, and the masks we wear in our everyday lives.

Jill is not happy because she is a psychotic narcissist. In true Kiara Rouda style this book is entertaining and addictive, and will make you truly glad you don’t have Jill in your life. Jill’s unlucky husband has been dealing with her for twenty years but has finally had enough and is desperate to break up the marriage. But Jill has spent her entire life making sure things always go her way and will stop at nothing to make sure this continues. Fun, fast paced read that is grabs you from the first page.

After reading “Best Day Ever”, I knew I had to get this ARC for Jill is not happy! Kaira Rouda does such a fantastic job at writing characters you love to hate! They are so diabolical in the best way and it makes for such an entertaining read!!

When Jill tries to reconnect with her husband on a trip to Utah, the fun begins! They’re both awful in the best way and truly deserve each other!