'Til Death Do We Parent: Raising My Kid with His Dad

by Jess Hilarious

Jess Hilarious, comedy’s whip-smart and unapologetic superstar, continues to push boundaries and offers a hilarious account of the challenges in creating a healthy coparenting relationship and the lessons she’s learned on life's journey.

Before Jess Hilarious ever had dreams of telling jokes in front of sold-out arenas across the country, being featured on Wild-’n-Out, or becoming a cohost on The Breakfast Club, Jess dreamt of marrying her high school sweetheart and raising a family together in their hometown of Baltimore, Maryland. In hopes that having her partner’s child would solidify this outcome, Jess became pregnant at nineteen but begrudgingly learned that the vision she had for her life—as a wife and mother—would have to be reimagined.

After multiple attempts at a relationship between her and her son’s father failed, Jess accepted that, while they would never get married, they were forever linked by the lifetime commitment of raising a child together. With her trademark wit and perspective, Jess shares her experiences with valuable and vulnerable insight for coparents who struggle with what it means to put their children first while protecting them from the ups and downs of adult relationships. ’Til Death Do We Parent is an inspirational journey to coparenting with ease and humor.

Genres: Nonfiction

224 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 28, 2026

Reviews

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

*audiobook and hardback

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️(4/5)

“If I’m looking to leave the circus I have to make sure I’m not the clown.”

Thanks to Black Privilege Publishing (Atria / Simon Audio) and Jess Hilarious for my #gifted copy of this one.

The way Jess explains things, her delivery is just funny. I immediately enjoyed her candor. Then I realized ok she’s a stand-up comedian AND she’s also from Baltimore…there’s just something about Baltimore people. I knew I liked her. I also come from a very blended family so I could appreciate a lot of what she said.

She’s open & honest about the hardships of co-parent life…including the mishaps and bad decisions made along the way. Jess didn’t just deal with a lot of shit, she rose from the ashes stronger than ever and came out the other side with a well-rounded child.

A raw truth. Understanding. Compassion with boundaries. Obstacles of co-parenting. Dealing with trauma. Growing up to be an accountable human, owning and learning from mistakes.

Jess talks about how she did what she felt she needed to do to survive but you can tell she has grown a lot from who she was all those pre-child years ago. Her child and her career and her top priorities an she’s even made some space for a healthy relationship too ❤️

[Guinevere DelaMare]

(Audiobook) DNF

[Nay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Til Death Do We Parent is a raw and real look at comedian Jess Hilarious’ journey through motherhood, a comedic career and co-parenting. Before the spotlight Jess dreamed of a family with her high school sweetheart, but she learned over time that her dream of a perfect family had to be reimagined. I’ve been a fan of Jess Hilarious for years(Jess with the Mess had me tuned in weekly), I used to share her reels all the time and was so happy for her when she joined the wild‘n’out cast! When I saw she was releasing a book I had to read it! This book had me cracking up and reflecting on a lot! As a step mother, it showed me the other side of the blended family. It takes a lot of trial and error to get things right, but it’s possible. It took years for Jess to come out on the other side, but she made it! Her story is inspirational but I honestly wanted more co-parenting advice. Still rooting for my girl in her current relationship! Chris better act right! 👊🏾 lol

If you love memoirs with humor and gems, Jess Hilarious and blended family advice, this book is for you! Real parents know, parenting doesn’t stop when the kids reach 18!

Disclaimer: I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

I am completely clueless when it comes to pop culture. So I had no idea (literally zero clue) who Jess Hilarious is or what to expect from this book. What I got was a candidly vulnerable and riotously funny look at one woman’s journey in co-parenting.

19-year-old Jess finds herself pregnant and wholly unprepared for the demands of parenthood, especially since the father of her child is the poster child for selfish, immature behavior. She shares an honest look at the trials and tribulations of single parenting and the mistakes she made along the way. I personally would have kicked Rome to the curb from the get go, but love makes us stupid.

Dripping with humor and self reflection, Jess tells a story of resilience and personal growth. It is not for me to judge her decisions, but I appreciated the opportunity to applaud her tenacity while laughing at the absurdity of the situations she put herself into.

Thanks to Atria Books/Black Privilege Publishing and Libro.fm for the advance copies. All opinions are my own.

[Andre(Read-A-Lot) · Rating 3 out of 5]

More memoir than anything else. Not sure why the marketing seems to be focused on co-parenting, because there is very little advice in these pages on how to navigate that terrain. Unless, you consider the life Jess Hilarious has lived in raising her son, while not being in a relationship with the son’s father. So, her story to motherhood is shared with readers, warts and all in a candid way. Her journey, in many ways does serve as a sort of learn-from-my-life cautionary tale. A very quick read, only 224 pages easy to digest in one sitting. Thanks to NetGalley and Black Privilege Publishing/Atria for an advanced DRC. Book is available now!

[Emily Rae]

Listened to this one on audio, it was a quick, relatable read. Enjoyed it!

[Yaddy Valerio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received Advanced copy

I always start these reviews with the writing craft. To start the flow of the book. The writer wasn’t given you all the details. Is like it have you bites to keep you coming . Maybe it was intentional. Jess is a good storyteller and what I like is how detailed she was in the book. You can visualize every scene such as her son’s birthday party and how she described her outfit and the party scene. Even her writing her reactions, I felt her reactions and visualize. I did wonder thou if is a book on co-parenting why wasn’t her son’s father included?

Overall I was surprised that I enjoyed the book. So entertaining yet relatable. But she was so vulnerable and honest about her experience. You read a person that went through so much but she continued to push through it.

[DeQuendre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gotta start with the eyebrows. Striking as hers are in real life, it is no wonder Jess Hilarious is nearbout obsessed with them in this sidesplitting new memoir.

You might wet yourself laughing reading some of the wild antics this woman has found herself in. In one, an innocent and supposedly private hair salon conversation leads to the craziest thing I ever read: a misunderstanding and two grown women (who share a baby daddy) scheduling and meeting in a parking lot for a scrap. What in the entire hell?

It is chaotic, it is petty, and sad to say, it is completely recognizable to any woman who has ever loved somebody they had no business loving. Just when the moment reaches peak absurdity after handing out a can of whoop-a**, Jess pauses to clarify, with great dignity, that she never called anyone's baby ugly. She simply observed that the baby had no eyebrows. And that's okay. I had to wipe tears out of my eyes, and then self-consciously scope out my own eyebrows to see whether they would pass muster.

This is the crazy life of Jess Hilarious, who coparents with a man who couldn’t do right by her and goes on to have children with other women. She was just a 19-year-old when the story got started, dreaming what we all dream of: to get the man, get married, have the babies and live happily ever after. That such a small yardstick to measure a life, to benchmark progress, and come into one’s own. Because while pressing toward the mark of marriage, she did some really incredible things that I wish she spent more time on.

Jess writes with disarming honesty about navigating a complicated relationship with the father of her son, choosing the right path when all the options are complicated, and arriving eventually at something that looks like peace and a life fulfilled. For anyone in the thick of that particular struggle, this book will feel like a hand reaching through the page. The experiences she describes are so recognizable and relatable that reading it feels like attending a family reunion where everyone already knows all the same songs. Wait til you read about that birthday party and that baby shower. Lord, have mercy.

As a young Baltimorean, truthfully with not much going for herself, life handed her a child, a complicated man to help raise that child, and a set of circumstances that would have swallowed most people whole and make people just accept the cards they were dealt. What happened next is the actual story. The universe, it turns out, had also handed her some other gifts: an extraordinary talent, a healthy dose of resilience and know-how, and the kind of timing that puts you in the right room at the right moment. She built a career out of almost nothing. She kept herself together when she had every reason not to. She raised a child in circumstances that required daily improvisation and refused to let any of it break her.

It is unfortunate, then, that the book ultimately measures that journey by a different standard. The confirmation that a man finally chose her. These things matter and no one should diminish them, but in her case, they come at the end of a road paved with extraordinary self-construction that the book moves through too quickly and too lightly, as though the career and the survival and the constant reinvention were merely backdrop to the love story.

There is a moment in the end when her new beau tells her plainly that the coparenting relationship she had so carefully and proudly built had become a codependency, and that she would not be available for a real partnership until she let it go. It is such a clarifying moment for her because she feared she was about to lose another man she deeply loved. What I wish he had said, since she was listening with the right ear when he snapped: the life you built is bigger than the story you have been telling about it. Stop organizing everything around Him. You already arrived. You were born arrived. You just haven't looked up long enough to notice. Your own life, the one you built with your two hands, is the main event, not the opening act.

I can’t imagine writing your life story is easy, but she makes it feel like it was. The voice is entirely hers, unfiltered, foul-mouthed, funny, and full of nuggets of wisdom she has collected over time. This book was clearly made with intention and care for the culture.

When I turned the last page, I found myself looking forward to the book that ought to follow this one. The one that asks the deeper question this memoir only hints at: Why does a woman who has already built an empire from the ground up still feel like she needs a cosign from a man to prove she has made it? I want to read the book where Jess Hilarious embraces the beauty of companionship as a beautiful addition to her life without letting it become the yardstick for her worth. The version of Jess who looks at the brilliant life she constructed from nothing and says, “Wayment, I’m the baddest thing walking already.” That is a wonderful lesson to pass along to the millions of young women who follow her.

A strong first act by Jess Hilarious, and oh yeah, a moment of silence for all the babies born without eyebrows.

[Anniee Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jess is literally like her name hilarious...thank you netgalley for this gifted copy. this was a good read
.

[JessQueen · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Til Death Do We Parent by Jess Hilarious

Thanks to the ALC program by @librofm I had the opportunity to dive into Jess Hilarious’ complex and challenging story of co parenting in these times. It was an eye opening experience and a tough path to walk!

Blurb:
Before Jess Hilarious ever had dreams of telling jokes in front of sold-out arenas across the country, being featured on Wild-’n-Out, or becoming a cohost on The Breakfast Club, Jess dreamt of marrying her high school sweetheart and raising a family together in their hometown of Baltimore, Maryland. In hopes that having her partner’s child would solidify this outcome, Jess became pregnant at nineteen but begrudgingly learned that the vision she had for her life—as a wife and mother—would have to be reimagined.

After multiple attempts at a relationship between her and her son’s father failed, Jess accepted that, while they would never get married, they were forever linked by the lifetime commitment of raising a child together. With her trademark wit and perspective, Jess shares her experiences with valuable and vulnerable insight for coparents who struggle with what it means to put their children first while protecting them from the ups and downs of adult relationships.

My thoughts 💭

Several times I became judgmental and I won’t hide it. I said to myself: girl, how many times are you gonna take him back? And then again, I raised above and understood that for some women, it’s ALWAYS worth trying.

At times, I couldn’t understand the impact on our kids of co parenting no matter what. Simply: how many times things have to go wrong up until you realize you need to move on and make your own decisions with your kids.

Sometimes it’s not about love, as it’s out of line to question father’s love. Sometimes it’s a matter of trust, reliability and commitment. Sometimes love it’s not enough, kids need more than love to lead fulfilling lives and grow away from drama. It’s high time for women to take matters in their own hands and lead alone if fathers do not respect the sanctity of raising a healthy child.

[Jasheika James · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I truly appreciate about this book is Jess’s raw and unfiltered truth. She is honest on every page, and offers a rare, authentic look into the life of a woman who doesn’t have it all figured out, yet still moves with intention and purpose for the sake of her child. She’s doing the best she can with what she has, and as a result, she gains even more than she anticipated from the start. The book begins with where she and her family are in the present. At first, I didn’t understand why, but as I continued turning the pages, I found myself grateful she made this choice. Early on, I couldn’t stand the actions of her son’s father, and at times I found myself judging both of them and the decisions they made. But because of the way the story begins, I was reminded that life is a journey. People (myself included) are here trying to figure themselves and life out, and we are not the sum of our mistakes. In fact, it’s often through our mistakes that we LEARN and become better people as a result of our lessons. That is what this book presents so beautifully. It is healing. It is unifying. This book has the power to speak to many broken families who cannot see beyond their present circumstances. I encourage everyone to read this book for some good laughs, a compelling story, but also for hope. It’s a reminder of what becomes possible when you put your children first and set your ego aside, because the outcome can become something greater than anyone imagined. Jess does a beautiful job reminding us that life is a journey, and that we all deserve the chance (and time) to discover our greatness — even if we fail at times, because eventually, we get to win.

[Shannon Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not my whole life being read in the finest Baltimore accent and I’m from D.C. 😭 Jess Hilarious really did her big one with Till Death Do We CoParent. What I loved most was how real and relatable it felt. As somebody navigating a close co-parenting relationship and genuine friendship with my daughter’s dad, it was refreshing seeing a story that wasn’t built around bitterness, mess, or hate. Well… at least not Jess mess cause Rome and his baby mamas were another story 😂

I also loved how no matter what was going on with Rome, the mothers of his other children still genuinely loved and respected Ash. And I loved how even when Rome was struggling, Jess still showed up for him while also realizing she needed emotional boundaries for her own peace. Cause baby… co-parenting with a man that’s damn near like your brother is NOT for the weak 😂

And the transparency about how hard dating is as a single mom? Whew. That part really got me too. I appreciated how honest she was about not always getting it right the first time, navigating new relationships while trying to protect your child, your peace, and your heart all at once. People judge single moms so harshly without realizing we’re literally figuring it out in real time with no blueprint.

The honesty, humor, love, motherhood, and co-parenting struggles all felt so raw and real. It really captured what it looks like trying to build a healthy family dynamic for your child while trailblazing a completely different kind of family structure. As a mom, I honestly never felt so seen. Thank you Jess 💕

[Book Reviews by Tara aka Queen of Memoirs · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW ~ I went into this book a little hesitant. I wasn’t sure if this story was meant for me, a woman in her mid fifties with no small children. Jess even admits that she wrote this book because it’s the kind of book she needed at nineteen when she became a new mom.

However, I was wrong.

To my surprise I was happy with how easily I was pulled into Jess and Rome’s mess😅. It was a quick read, funny, and good to pick up after a long, crazy day.

As Jess shared stories about the dead beat men in her life, I couldn’t help but to focus on how she managed to achieve her goals regardless of the drama that was taking place in her love life. As she wrote about the lying, cheating and heartbreak she endured, I saw her tenacity. Her unstoppable will! She went through the storm with these dudes but it never stopped her grind. No baby daddy, no dead beat boyfriends, no baby daddy’s girlfriend drama…nothing stopped Jess. Not even having a child stopped her from pursuing her dreams. Jess jumped all them hurdles like an Olympic track star. It’s her story of triumph that’s the real gem in this book.

The one story I was interested in reading but was left out of the book is Jess’s appearance on VH1’s reality show Couples Retreat. I really wanted to know how Jess ended up on that show with her then boyfriend Daniel Parsons. It would have been a good story to add especially since we all watched it on tv. But nope. She doesn’t discuss it. However, she does refer to one of her ex’s in the book as “clown”. And if I’m not mistaken she referred to Daniel as a clown a few times on the show.😮…Wait!!! I wonder if the person she writes about in the book is Daniel🤔😯!!! Inquiring minds (me, I’m inquiring minds😂) want to know🤣.

Jess ends the book sharing the story of how she met her husband Chris. In her hilarious way of storytelling she describes how he gives her everything she’d been missing in past relationships. It was the perfect way to end the journey of her love life.

Overall I found this book enjoyable. I looked forward to coming home each night and reading what would happen next.

Publication date: April 28th

Thanks to Atria/Black Privilege Publishing for gifting me an eARC and print copy for review.

[wordsandcyphers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jess Hilariuos' new memoir is not about her entire life. It is a moment in time where is is trying to find love with the father of her first child but experiences numerous negative behaviors and how they learn to co-parent through all its trials and tribulations.

Through her humor, Jess learns to take accountability of herself and take advantage of the many opportunities to celebrity status.

Before reading this book, I was not a fan and only knew the author by name. However, not sure if I'll be a new fan, but I appreciated her sharing just a little about herself with real, street honesty. Jess seems like a take me as I am type of woman and I most likely will do a semi-deep dive on YouTube to see more!

This is a short but impact memoir that you'll enjoy so go check it out!

Thanks Yahdon Israel (Advanced Readers Book Club) and Simon and Schuster for the gifted arc.

[Pamela B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jess shared such a powerful and honest story about her journey into parenthood. Hearing how she and Rome had Ash and how everything began felt incredibly real and relatable. As a young mom myself, I connected deeply with the challenges of stepping into parenthood unmarried in your early 20s.

The trials they faced, especially navigating co-parenting, are experiences so many people can see themselves in. I really appreciated how raw and straightforward this read was no fluff, just a clear and meaningful look at where they started and where they are now.

Not many celebrities are this open about their personal journeys, so it was refreshing to see Jess share hers so honestly. I’m really glad she did.

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

We follow the author as she navigates co-parenting with someone she can’t fully detach from, even after the romantic relationship has ended. Watching her repeat the same patterns, especially her co-dependency with her child’s father, makes it clear how long it takes her to recognize what needs to change. Growth comes through consequences and missed chances, not breakthroughs or advice. By the end, their connection hasn’t disappeared, but it’s clearer and more stable, shaped by the shared priority of their son instead of unresolved attachment. The book doesn’t try to teach you how to co-parent, it shows what living through it actually looks like.


ARC provided by Atria Books | Atria/Black Privilege Publishing via NetGalley.

[Al-Lateef Farmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jess Hilarious’ book feels like she's talking directly to you. If you know her from her comedy or from her day job with The Breakfast Club, you know what to expect. All the way to the authenticity of how she shares the stories in the book.

It’s funny, honest, and real. She shares her story without trying to seem perfect or as if she's figured it all out. She talks about life, motherhood, relationships, mistakes, and growth in a way that feels like you've watched your cousin put the pieces together.

At times, the book jumps around, but that also fits her personality. It feels more like a conversation than a traditional memoir.

Overall, it’s an easy read with moments that not only make you laugh, but reflect.

[Denise Ervin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jess Hilarious thrives on her polarity in maintaining her celebrity. In this book, she leans away from the controversy to share details of how she has grown into a parent since becoming a mother. From the toxicity of the early relationship with her son's father through the ways it changed and didn't over the years, this portrait of child-rearing is a perspective we don't often have access to. By the end of the book, I was grateful for the ways both of Ash's parents had grown up and created a safe space for him to do so, but I'm not sure I'll ever stop wondering if the publication served the people in it as well as a few good therapists could have.

[Tracey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Received an advanced copy from the publisher
I enjoyed learning about Jess Hilarious in her own words. She was very raw and candid and quite intentional in how she dealt with circumstances. She doesn't sugar coat mistakes that she made.
It's interesting that she chose to write about her life as a co-parent, as opposed to the widely known comedian that she is. I'm glad that her current fiance showed her that her life is so much more than being a co-parent with her ex. I personally would like it if Jess Hilarious wrote a follow up to this book, because I think there's so much more about herself that people would be interested in.

[Abby McCarrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an absolutely hysterically funny read. I'm going to be honest and say I'd never engaged with any Jess Hilarious content or really known who she was. But when I saw this ARC available on Netgalley to read in exchange for a review, I read the description and just knew I had to read it. This entire book felt like reading a text from a friend and I'm so glad I got the chance to read it pre-publication. So worth the read, I will be recommending this to all of my friends who are trying to coparent.

[Lissa00 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I vaguely knew of Jess Hilarious before reading this book, so I went into it with the expectation of a funny parenting memoir. What it is, though, is an incredibly authentic and honest story of Jess’s life as a young mother, building a successful comedy career while also coparenting with a chaotic yet charming man. It was funny, but the most impressive part is that you can hear Jess’s voice so clearly and genuinely with every anecdote that she shares. I received an early copy of this book from the publisher, however, this is my honest review.

[Vanessa Pardo-Suazo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jess’ voice is raw and clear as she shares how she got to her present. Her story unfolds unapologetically sprinkled with humor & reflection, from a teen mom to a woman choosing herself & her son as best she can. Her story proves all hoods are created equal: messy, rough with a whole lot of heart. Through her lens we witness a girl become a woman but most importantly she gets her happily ever after.

[Lydia Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 - Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I only know Jess Hilarious from her short form content (I haven't paid attention to The Breakfast Club or Wild N' Out in years), and she's funny, so I jumped on the chance to request this book as an ARC. I had fun reading this, and I admire Jess for being able to reflect and admit the mistakes she made while trying to parent her son. There were so many bombs she dropped in this book that I think would warrant an entirely different memoir, thougb (like the fraud charge... what? We need more details!)

[Ashley Llorens · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the best memoirs I’ve ever read! I listened to this one and her narration was on point and made it 10x better! Her storytelling kept you hooked! I loved how honest she was about both the good and bad parts of figuring out coparenting with someone you’re no longer in a relationship with, and her growth along the way that allowed her to be a better mom, coparent, and partner. She kept it real and shared the lessons she learned along the way. Great storytelling. Honest. Funny. Real. Definitely recommend!

[Bre Moneá · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very refreshing memoir prepare for a journey through the “hood” with Jess Hilarious.. This eyebrow raising love and hiphop story is just what every mother needs. The book is filled with relatable stories and some lessons along the way. I appreciated the vulnerability Jess gave to us within these pages. May your star shine bright! I think Charlemagne should co-write the next book ! Talk about good time!

[Amy Williamson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is a quick creed. I was intrigued by the title as I am a family law attorney. I noticed most of the reviews were for an audiobook, and I think you would have a different experience hearing the book rather than reading it. Perhaps it’s more entertaining, listening to it. Overall, it is a humorous memoir, but it wasn’t for me.

[Nadia Jonesy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books. This was hilarious. When you can make serious discussion amusing, you have my interest. But seriously, this was well written and reading the book knowing it came from Jess made it all the better. It was a good read!

[kimmie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Jess Hilarious lol this was so good! Making vulnerability funny is a talent she has mastered.

TY NetGalley & Atria/Black Privilege Publishing for the ARC!

[Settlles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. I love Jess. Good read. Inspirational.

[Kim Murray · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was funny, full of little life lessons and extremely relatable if you co-parent.

I had no idea this was a memoir --i thought this was fiction for about 80% of the novel.