As the saying goes, Jack and Jill went up a hill…

Jill has been keeping up appearances - she married her college sweetheart and their life is simply perfect. You should envy her because of how perfect it is!

Now that she and Jack are empty-nesters, she wants to reconnect, and what better way to do that than to take a scenic road trip to Utah!

But Jack is done, he wants nothing to do with this road trip, and when they come back, he is filing for divorce. Now here they are in Utah trapped in a cat and mouse game.

Fast paced, with alternating POVs and timelines - switching between past and present and Jack and Jill. Jill is a villain that I absolutely loved to hate! And Jack, well… I don’t want to reveal too much!

Will Jack and Jill make it down the hill safely… or will they tumble down just like the nursery rhyme says?

I'm kind of hit or miss with this author. This one didn't suck me in but the writing style was good and I will check out her next. Thanks for the chance to read and review.

Jack and Jill Tingley seem like the perfect couple. They met in college and now live in beautiful Southern California. Blessed with good looks and wealth, they are the type of couple that many envy. However, things are not always as they seem. Jack has been distant lately so, with their daughter away at school, Jill suggests that they take a road trip to reconnect. The problem is that Jack would rather do anything else than drive to Utah with his wife and Jill just won’t accept that. The only reason that he remained married to Jill is because of a shared secret that he never wants revealed. However, he has finally had enough and wants out of his marriage. What he doesn’t realize, is that Jill is keeping secrets of her own and is willing to do anything to hold onto to Jack. She always has and always will… even if means things become deadly.

Wow…in true Kaira Rouda fashion, comes another amazing read with characters that you love to hate! Jill is evil, completely unhinged, and willing to do whatever it takes to keep her man! Just when you think she has done enough, more secrets are revealed, along with a new level of crazy! I really enjoyed the back and forth cat and mouse games between Jack and Jill and that the story alternated between both points of view. I raced through this book in one sitting and in the end, I still wanted more! It is an easy, fast-paced, and addictive read that is perfect for any thriller lover!

Jill knows what she wants and how to get it. In college, she wanted Jack Tingley and they were married by the time they graduated. Now, with their daughter off in college, Jill is worried that she and Jack are drifting apart, so she plans a trip to the spectacular national parks of Utah as a chance for them to reconnect. Jack, on the other hand, wants out of the marriage, but Jill knows all his secrets and for years he has worried what she might do if he leaves her. The atmosphere of this book is downright chilling. I don't think anyone can read the story and like or sympathize with Jill, but the writing and pacing are so superbly done that I still found myself fascinated and unable to put it down!

Prepare for a darkly captivating and suspenseful ride with Kaira Rouda's "Jill Is Not Happy," a novel that delves into the unsettling depths of a marriage built on secrets and lies.

Rouda, delivers a chilling tale of a couple living a seemingly perfect life in Southern California, where wealth, popularity, and genetic blessings mask a growing distance between them.

Jill Tingley presents a facade of a college sweetheart living the dream with her husband, Jack. However, with their daughter Maggie away at college, the empty nest highlights the chasm that has formed in their relationship. Jill, in an attempt to reconnect, suggests a road trip to Utah.

Jack, on the other hand, dreads the idea of being alone with his wife. He has remained in the marriage solely due to a shared secret, a past tragedy he desperately wants to keep buried, and for their daughter's sake. But Jack has reached his breaking point and is determined to file for divorce as soon as they return, regardless of the consequences.

What Jack doesn't realize is the extent of Jill's own hidden secrets. This is where the true suspense begins, as the road trip transforms into a high-stakes game of cat-and-mouse. Jill, a cunning wife described as "Ripley in yoga pants," and the reluctant husband, Jack, match wits and drive each other to the edge.

Despite the escalating tension and the unraveling of their marriage, Jill still loves Jack and firmly believes he is the only one for her. She is willing to do anything to keep him, a chilling declaration that hints at the dark history of their relationship. Rouda masterfully builds the suspense, creating an atmosphere of unease and anticipation as the reader is left to wonder just how far Jill will go to maintain the illusion of their life together.

"Jill Is Not Happy" is an incredible exploration of the dark side of human nature, the corrosive power of secrets, and the lengths to which people will go to protect their carefully constructed realities. Rouda's writing is sharp and insightful, drawing you into the minds of her complex and flawed characters. If you''re a fan of psychological thrillers that keep you guessing and leave you with a lingering sense of dread, this novel is a must-read.

Orwellian. 1984 was originally published in 1949 - 76 yrs and 2 days before the publication of this book - and its final line in particular is echoed in this book. (Not revealing it here so as to avoid spoilers, though yes, *some* people - me, I am "some people" - will remember it exactly.)

Here, we get a very similar effect in the end, if not a retelling of the overall story of someone rebelling against a thing they are tied to in so many ways before being abused back into loving the thing they originally rebelled against. Obviously without the political commentary, as (as another reviewer noted), Rouda is clearly making a name for herself in the trainwreck popcorn thriller market. Why insert any overt politics and piss off whatever segment of potential readers, after all? :)

Thus, fans of Rouda will love this new entry. Those new to Rouda's writing will find a pretty spot on example of it here, at least in my reading of her last few books (though not all of them, yet). And yes, her style doesn't leave anyone looking particularly great or give the reader really anyone to "root for" 100%. Nobody is a truly "good" character, but all of the characters work reasonably well for their role in the story being told. And the story being told will have you on the edge of your seat much of the time, with little time for any "potty break" sections.

If you're looking for a darkly entertaining thriller with minimal blood or sex or even really cursing... you've found exactly that. If you're looking for something that is not pretty well exactly that... this ain't what you're looking for. It really is as simple as that, as is the case with pretty well every Rouda book. (Some may have more sex than others, some may have more cursing than others, but largely if you're ok with reading about people doing horrible things to each other, up to and including murder both onscreen and off... you're going to be ok here.)

Overall a darkly fun book that will be perfect summer reading for some, and that may be either too dark or even not dark enough for others.

Very much recommended.

The title says it all, I don't think Jill was ever truly happy! I honestly don't know what to say about this book without giving things away. I do want to say that Jill is the most unhinged person I've come across in a book in a while.

I feel that Jack was a little bit of a coward when it came to Jill. He still should not have been doing what he does while in his relationship. I did feel bad for him throughout at times so. The ending was kind of lackluster for me though so that's a bummer.

There were a couple minor things that bugged me about the Utah parts (we can't dance here?... we aren't in Footloose for goodness sake!) and I doubt you could stop your car in between Zion and Bryce Canyon and just get out and walk the road.

This was a great domestic suspense listen.

Not to give anything away, but I will say the title is perfect for this one. IfJill is not happy, watch your back. Jill has been obsessed with her husband, Jack, since college and nothing stands in her way keeping her man.

I liked the fact that you know that Jill is not a kind character so as a reader you are just along for the twisty ride that is Jill.

No one writes a master manipulator like Rouda. From the start I was hooked and couldn’t stop turning the pages

Damn our main character Jill is a major head-case and proud of it!!!!!!!!!!!! This book was so addictive and pulled you in so tight, it doesn't let go until the last devious page. Enjoy fellow readers!!!!!!!!

**Book Review:**
*Darkly clever and quietly chilling, this taut domestic thriller takes readers on a psychological road trip through the unraveling of a seemingly perfect marriage.* Jill and Jack Tingley may look like the ideal Southern California couple, but beneath the surface lies a web of long-buried secrets, simmering resentment, and a tragedy neither wants to confront. As Jill proposes a getaway to save their strained relationship, Jack sees it as his last act before escape—unaware that Jill has her own, far more sinister agenda. With shades of *Gone Girl* and a touch of Patricia Highsmith’s cold precision, the novel expertly builds tension as the couple navigates emotional and literal detours. Jill emerges as a fascinating antiheroine—resourceful, obsessive, and chillingly committed. A gripping read that asks: how far would you go to keep the one you love?

Thank you to NetGalley and Penzler Publishers | Scarlet for this e-ARC. I put any Kiara Rouda books at the top of my “must read list”. She writes with a dark and twisted humor that will keep you reading as you wonder what will happen next. Jack and Jill met in college and are happily married - or are they? They go on a road trip planned by Jill and highly anticipated by her. Jack is very reluctant to go, but decides it’s a perfect time to tell Jill the marriage is over. Keep reading…..!

Jill is Not Happy is the type of book that I picked up, hoped to not be able to put it down, and was not disappointed. I could not put this book down.

As I read, I wanted to know more, I wanted Jill to quit and I wanted Jack to grow a pair. Jill is the character that I just knew there was more to. Her attitude had me wondering what her real story was. Jack, how can I like him? He is a cheating push-over. I had the need to know what the secret was.

Kaira Rouda is a phenomenal mystery-thriller author. Jill is Not Happy has been added to my favorite books by Kaira. This is a book of characters that you will love to hate and a storyline that will keep you turning pages.

Some parts 3 stars, some 4, some 2. Averaged out at a 3. This is a very typical Kaira Rouda popcorn thriller with people doing terrible things and you just don't want to look away.

Jill and her husband Jack (yes, Jack and Jill) have been together since college, and now that their daughter Maggie is away at college, she has planned a road trip to Utah for herself and Jack. But Jack wants out of the marriage and out from under Jill's control. It's tricky, because Jill keeps a written record of wrongs committed by the both of them, and that evidence could sink them both. As they embark on their trip, it's a back and forth psychological battle to see who will come out getting what they want.

Oh my, this is a wild ride. Filled with awful people doing awful things. I went from rooting for Jack to get away from Jill, to disliking him and then back to rooting for him again. Neither one is innocent of misdeeds, and Jill does not let Jack forget it. Yet Jack is such a wimp a lot of the time letting her run over him.

I listened to the audiobook and I really loved Marnye Young's narration. She gives Jill the perfect amount of unhinged fervor, but also the calm, not-sure-what-she-will-do-next control that seems ready to boil over. I just couldn't stop listening!

Kaira Rouda has made a name for herself as the queen of the popcorn thrillers, and readers who enjoy her style will not be disappointed with this one.

After being captivated by Kaira Rouda's writing last year, I eagerly jumped into her latest book, Jill Is Not Happy. Rouda has a remarkable talent for portraying toxic relationships, and this one is no exception!

On the surface, Jill and Jack seem like the ideal couple living in sunny Southern California. However, with their daughter off to college, their once-happy marriage is showing its cracks. Jill is definitely not happy, and Jack is ready to walk away. In a last-ditch effort to rekindle their love, Jill suggests a road trip to Utah, hoping to revive their marriage.

Jill Is Not Happy delivers a thrilling ride filled with manipulation, secrets, and twists! The flashbacks and road trip shenanigans convey a game of cat and mouse that just keeps intensifying. I raced through the pages, eager to discover what would happen next! This train wreck you can’t look away from is the perfect summer read.

Jill Is Not Happy promises an unhinged journey with deceptive, deeply flawed, unlikable characters.

Jill and Jack met in college. While she came from a poor background, she never explained that to him. Jack, on the other hand, came from very wealthy parents. He is handsome, genuine with plans to go on to law school and then join his father’s prominent law firm. However, a night out with Jill changed that trajectory for him and he has worried ever since about being found out.

Jill and Jack have one daughter, Maggie, who is now in college. Jack and Maggie have always had a wonderful relationship, but Jill and Maggie do not. While Jill is pretty and always smiling, she just doesn’t have what it takes to be a mother.

Jill is determined to make their crumbling marriage work so she has planned a weekend trip to the Utah National Parks. Jack does not want to go but Jill brings up the past with him and he knows he has no other choice. He just wants to have a frank talk with her and set a divorce in motion.

This is a dark humor read that shows how vicious some women can be. I wanted to push Jill off a cliff and maybe send Jack along with her. He was such a wimp. However, the story is good and I think readers will enjoy it.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Will a long-held secret keep this marriage together?

Jack and Jill met and fell in love in college, got married, had a daughter (Maggie) together and together have built the kind of life of which most people can only dream. He's a successful lawyer and they are wealthy, popular and gorgeous. Maggie has left for college, and as can happen to many the couple's relationship is experiencing a bit of a lull. Jill has planned a road trip to the national parks in Utah to give herself and Jack time away to reconnect and have some fun hiking and more, and is sure that their relationship will be back to its usual loving state in no time. That, at least, is the story if it is Jill doing the telling....were Jack to be asked about their life together, he would have something quite different to say. He doesn't love Jill anymore, has only stayed in the marriage for two reasons (for Maggie's sake, and to keep secret a tragedy that befell him and Jill back in college which she holds over his head) and can't take it anymore...he plans to divorce her at the end of the trip. Each turns out to have some pretty shady intentions and knows more about one another's secrets than each suspects. Jack wants out of the marriage and believes there is nothing Jill can do to save it, while Jill is ready to do whatever it takes to keep him. And with Jill, "whatever" can get pretty scary...she is capable of anything.
There's an adage that says, "Happy wife, happy life", which if applied to this domestic thriller lets the reader know right up front that life for Jack is not going to be happy while Jill is not. As the two (not particularly likable) characters try to outthink and outmaneuver one another in pursuit of their opposing goals, the reader gets a good look behind the facade of these two "beautiful people". Their wealth is on the decline, Jack's recent exit from politics is tanking his law firm, Maggie can't stand her mother (and it's mutual), and that's just for starters. The narrative jumps back and forth between Jack and Jill, and never has the term "unreliable narrator" been more apropos...There is dark humor and some biting social commentary woven into the fabric of the story, and its impossible to not keep turning the pages as the scheming is brought out into the open and the suspense ratchets up. I found it a gripping and highly readable game of cat and mouse, I just wish that I had been able to like (or at least like-hate) the main characters more; they were so narcissistic that I found it hard to care who won in the end, which made it a 3.5 ⭐️ rounded up to 4 kind of book for me. Readers of Liv Constantine, Frieda McFadden and Gillian Flynn as well as those who enjoy a well-plotted tale of revenge should pick up a copy of Jill Is Not Happy to slide into their beach/pool bag, it is a fun (if dark) summer read. My thanks to NetGalley and Penzler Publishers/Scarlet Books for allowing me access to Jill Is Not Happy in exchange for my honest review.

This book was such a great cat and mouse chase! Buckle up and have the ride of a lifetime
With Jill and Jack!! Highly recommend

Not happy is an understatement when referring to Jill. Mentally unhinged? Sociopathic? Yeah, those are a bit more defined and descriptive than happy. But, oh my goodness! What a nasty twisted path she leads us down. And that means that readers are happy. Or more precisely shocked, surprised, addicted, losing sleep. Yeah, those are a bit more defined and descriptive than happy. Jill's long game is thoroughly impressive and I loved all the warped connections throughout the story. As another reviewer mentioned, I hope we aren't done with Jill. She is not finished and I am here for it!

With their daughter gone away to college, Jack and Jill Tingley (yes, like the nursery rhyme!) need to get used to being empty nesters. Jill has proposed a road trip to Utah to reconnect and rekindle their relationship. Jack reluctantly agrees in order to keep Jill from exposing a terrible secret from their past.

I don't read a lot of what are known as "popcorn thrillers" but Kaira Rouda hits all the right notes with Jill is Not Happy and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Characters that you love to hate doing mean things to each other - what more could you ask for?! With short snappy chapters it's definitely fast-paced and a quick read. The ending is open-ended so I can definitely see a sequel in Jack and Jill's future! 3.5 Stars rounded up.

Thank you to Penzler Publishers, via Netgalley, for approving my request to read a digital ARC of this novel. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication Date: June 10, 2025