A road trip during the pandemic is what inspired Kaira Rouda to write "Jill Is Not Happy."

What was your inspiration behind your most recent book?

A road trip with my husband during the pandemic sparked the idea.

Why do you feel representation of a variety of people is so important when it comes to writing books?

Different perspectives and different voices bring our world to life. Stories need to be told by a variety of people with a variety of experiences.

Tell us a little more about the book and why you decided to write it.

I’m a pantser which means writing by the seat of your pants. So when a character comes into my imagination, like Jill did, I just start writing. Jill has been described as a Ripley in yoga pants. She is singularly focused on keeping her marriage to Jack intact, no matter what the obstacles. She is one of my favorite characters of all time.

What can fans expect from your book?

Hopefully, they are entertained, and a little terrified.

What's up next for you in the bookish world?

My next novel, "We Were Never Friends," is out in February 2026.