Characters & Relationships The story opens with Jill suggesting a road trip to reconnect with Jack. What were your first impressions of their marriage? How did these impressions change as the story progressed? Discuss the significance of Jill's yoga practice and her carefully maintained appearance. How does this exterior reflect or contrast with her interior life? Jack plans to start a new life at Shady Canyon with Erica. How do you think his relationship with Erica diLers from his marriage to Jill? What draws him to each woman? Pickleball serves as both a social setting and a battlefield in the novel. How does Jill's first meeting with Erica during pickleball lessons set the tone for their relationship? What does the sport reveal about each woman's character? Discuss the symbolism of Jill and Erica meeting through pickleball. How does the competitive nature of the sport mirror their eventual conflict? How does their daughter Maggie's departure for college affect Jill and Jack's relationship? How might their marriage have been different if she had stayed home? Setting & Atmosphere The story moves between the pickleball courts, affluent Laguna Beach, the Utah desert, and luxurious Shady Canyon. How do these locations reflect the characters' emotional journeys? Discuss the significance of the golf resort, beach community, and pickleball community settings. How do these exclusive recreational environments play into themes of appearance versus reality? The story moves from affluent Laguna Beach to the Utah desert and back to luxurious Shady Canyon. How do these locations reflect the characters' emotional journeys? What role does the road trip setting play in revealing the truth about Jill and Jack's relationship? How does physical isolation aLect their dynamics? Themes & Motifs The novel explores the idea that "some secrets keep a couple together." Discuss the various secrets in the book. Were any of them justified? How does social status and the pressure to maintain appearances influence the characters' choices? Consider both the Laguna Beach and Shady Canyon settings. Discuss the theme of control in the novel. How do different characters attempt to maintain or gain control? Who ultimately has the most power? Plot & Structure At what point did you begin to suspect the truth about Jill and Jack's past? What clues did the author provide? Consider the road trip's trajectory. How does the physical journey mirror the psychological unraveling of the characters? Discuss the significance of the ending at Shady Canyon. Was it satisfying? What alternatives might you have imagined? Social Dynamics & Power How does the pickleball community represent the larger social dynamics of the novel? Consider the relationships, rivalries, and alliances formed on and oL the court. Discuss how recreational activities (pickleball, golf) serve as status symbols and social currency in the characters' world. How do these activities influence their relationships? Deeper Analysis How does the novel challenge or reinforce our assumptions about marriage, love, and loyalty? Consider the title "Jill Is Not Happy." How does its simplicity belie the complexity of Jill's character? What different meanings might it have? How does the author use the contrast between wealthy coastal California and the desert to enhance the story's themes? Book Club Activities Location-Based Experience Host your meeting at a local beach or golf club Create a playlist featuring songs about California, road trips, and troubled relationships Serve coastal-inspired refreshments or golf club classics Discussion Enhancers Have members share their own road trip stories Discuss other psychological thrillers set in affluent communities Create a map tracking the characters' physical and emotional journeys Compare the social dynamics of pickleball and golf in the novel Discuss other thrillers where recreational activities play a role Analyze how sports and competition reveal character Creative Elements Design mock social media posts for Jill and Jack's "perfect" life Create a timeline of events, including both past and present Draft alternative endings from different characters' perspectives Further Discussion How does this book compare to other domestic thrillers you've read? What aspects of the characters' motivations felt most realistic to you? How might the story have been different if told from Jack's perspective? What role does wealth and privilege play in the characters' actions? Recipe Suggestions for Your Meeting Coastal California Cheese Board "Dark Secrets" Chocolate Truffles "Road Trip" Trail Mix Shady Canyon Golf Club-Style Cocktails Pickleball pro energy bites Social Setting Analysis Consider these additional points for discussion: How does the casual nature of pickleball contrast with the formal atmosphere of the golf resort? What role does athletic ability play in the power dynamics between characters? How do recreational sports serve as a cover for deeper conflicts?

Jill Is Not Happy | Kaira Rouda

Characters & Relationships

The story opens with Jill suggesting a road trip to reconnect with Jack. What were your first impressions of their marriage? How did these impressions change as the story progressed?
Discuss the significance of Jill’s yoga practice and her carefully maintained appearance. How does this exterior reflect or contrast with her interior life?
Jack plans to start a new life at Shady Canyon with Erica. How do you think his relationship with Erica diLers from his marriage to Jill? What draws him to each woman?
Pickleball serves as both a social setting and a battlefield in the novel. How does Jill’s first meeting with Erica during pickleball lessons set the tone for their relationship? What does the sport reveal about each woman’s character?
Discuss the symbolism of Jill and Erica meeting through pickleball. How does the competitive nature of the sport mirror their eventual conflict?
How does their daughter Maggie’s departure for college affect Jill and Jack’s relationship? How might their marriage have been different if she had stayed home? Setting & Atmosphere
The story moves between the pickleball courts, affluent Laguna Beach, the Utah desert, and luxurious Shady Canyon. How do these locations reflect the characters’ emotional journeys?
Discuss the significance of the golf resort, beach community, and pickleball community settings. How do these exclusive recreational environments play into themes of appearance versus reality?
The story moves from affluent Laguna Beach to the Utah desert and back to luxurious Shady Canyon. How do these locations reflect the characters’ emotional journeys?
What role does the road trip setting play in revealing the truth about Jill and Jack’s relationship? How does physical isolation aLect their dynamics? Themes & Motifs
The novel explores the idea that “some secrets keep a couple together.” Discuss the various secrets in the book. Were any of them justified?
How does social status and the pressure to maintain appearances influence the characters’ choices? Consider both the Laguna Beach and Shady Canyon settings.
Discuss the theme of control in the novel. How do different characters attempt to maintain or gain control? Who ultimately has the most power? Plot & Structure
At what point did you begin to suspect the truth about Jill and Jack’s past? What clues did the author provide?
Consider the road trip’s trajectory. How does the physical journey mirror the psychological unraveling of the characters?
Discuss the significance of the ending at Shady Canyon. Was it satisfying? What alternatives might you have imagined? Social Dynamics & Power
How does the pickleball community represent the larger social dynamics of the novel? Consider the relationships, rivalries, and alliances formed on and oL the court.
Discuss how recreational activities (pickleball, golf) serve as status symbols and social currency in the characters’ world. How do these activities influence their relationships? Deeper Analysis
How does the novel challenge or reinforce our assumptions about marriage, love, and loyalty?
Consider the title “Jill Is Not Happy.” How does its simplicity belie the complexity of Jill’s character? What different meanings might it have?
How does the author use the contrast between wealthy coastal California and the desert to enhance the story’s themes?

Book Club Activities

Location-Based Experience

Host your meeting at a local beach or golf club
Create a playlist featuring songs about California, road trips, and troubled relationships
Serve coastal-inspired refreshments or golf club classics

Discussion Enhancers

Have members share their own road trip stories
Discuss other psychological thrillers set in affluent communities
Create a map tracking the characters’ physical and emotional journeys
Compare the social dynamics of pickleball and golf in the novel
Discuss other thrillers where recreational activities play a role
Analyze how sports and competition reveal character

Creative Elements

Design mock social media posts for Jill and Jack’s “perfect” life
Create a timeline of events, including both past and present
Draft alternative endings from different characters’ perspectives

Further Discussion

How does this book compare to other domestic thrillers you’ve read?
What aspects of the characters’ motivations felt most realistic to you?
How might the story have been different if told from Jack’s perspective?
What role does wealth and privilege play in the characters’ actions?

Recipe Suggestions for Your Meeting

Coastal California Cheese Board
“Dark Secrets” Chocolate Truffles
“Road Trip” Trail Mix
Shady Canyon Golf Club-Style Cocktails
Pickleball pro energy bites

Social Setting Analysis
Consider these additional points for discussion:

How does the casual nature of pickleball contrast with the formal atmosphere of the golf resort?
What role does athletic ability play in the power dynamics between characters?
How do recreational sports serve as a cover for deeper conflicts?