This was a fun book - a nice twist on The Menu. I really enjoyed this book - the writing, the thrill, the development. My only critique is that I am not sure why the title says "at the end of the world". However, I might have missed a detail that helps with the title. I initially thought the world was ending when I was starting this book.

I love a good family drama, and this one delivers! Between the laughs and suspense, there’s an underlying question that challenges the stories we tell our selves - the assumptions we make that so easily become real in our head until confronted head on! The book also touches on themes of motherhood and marriage in playful way.

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley for this early copy of “Jane and Dan at the End of the World!”

3 hostage stars

Colleen Oakley’s books have worked for me before, so I was excited to win an early copy of this one (thank you, Shelf Awareness Sweepstakes). I think of her books as filled with memorable characters and sometimes a romance.

This one felt different from the start when Jane asked Dan for a divorce at their anniversary dinner! Then, their dinner at the exclusive La Fin du Monde restaurant is severely disrupted when armed and masked intruders storm the restaurant.

As the diners are tied up and lined up on the wall, we learn that the group is climate activists. However, they are not savvy, and the activities and even their dialogue sound familiar to Jane. How is everything happening mirroring her book—the one she wrote and thought no one read?

This insider knowledge means that Jane could try to stop the rest of the book from playing out in front of her. Some twists in this one made it interesting, and it has a unique premise. However, I didn’t resonate with these characters and get drawn into the story like I usually do with Oakley’s books. There’s definitely some humor here, but it didn’t quite work for me.

I have read (and loved) everything that this author has written, with “The Invisible Husband of Frick Island” being an all time favorite. So when offered a VERY early copy of this book, I jumped at the chance to read it, and moved it ahead of several others which are publishing much sooner-I just couldn’t wait!

So, nobody is more surprised than I am that this was a bit of a MISS for me, despite the fun and clever premise!

Jane and Dan have been married for nineteen years, (or is it twenty?) but Jane isn’t sure they will make it another year. She decides to ask for a Divorce during their Anniversary dinner at the renowned, upscale and very OVERPRICED restaurant “La Fin du Monde”.

But before they can even finish the second course, (which didn’t sound even remotely appetizing to me!) an underground CLIMATE activist group bursts into the dining room and takes everyone hostage. Their “target” had reservations at the restaurant for that night-and it appears to be a case of “Wrong Place-Wrong time” for Jane and Dan.

OR IS IT?

Could it really be a COINCIDENCE that nearly everything that the activists SAY and DO seems to be right out of the pages of Jane’s one and only published book, “Tea is For Terror”?

How can that be when less than 500 copies were ever sold?

Not liking the main protagonist isn’t a problem in a psychological thriller but it is a problem in a story like this one, and I really didn’t like Jane! I didn’t like spending time with her-and the HUMOR didn’t resonate with me either.

This was reminiscent of Fredrik Backman’s very popular “Anxious People”, another book I didn’t care for-so, if you enjoyed that one, you just might love this one too!

Be sure to read a sample of reviews as no book is for every reader and this just may be a better fit for you!

AVAILABLE March 11, 2025

Thank You to Berkley for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts!

Meet Jane & Dan, a not-so-happily married couple, out to a fancy dinner to broach the topic of divorce. Their dinner ends abruptly with the arrival of a terrorist group intending to hold them hostage. To Jane’s horror, the terrorists seem to be recreating the plot from her debut novel with lackluster sales released years prior.

I initially loved how JANE AND DAN AT THE END OF THE WORLD dropped us right in the action, but just as their marriage lost steam midway, this novel did too. Remaining in the restaurant for the entirety of the book grew stale as tension slowly seeped out of the story. I would have loved to spend more time in the past digging into why Dan & Jane’s relationship had reached the point of marital apathy.

While there were a few moments of surprise and heart, overall I didn’t connect with the story as much as her previous beloved novel, The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise. In Oakley’s author note she shares that this book was difficult to write, and that came across to me as the reader. Although this wasn’t my favorite, I have loved many of her previous books and will continue to look forward to reading what she writes next!

RATING: 3/5
PUB DATE: March 11, 2025

This seemed like a fun premise and I was enjoying myself for the first bit, but after awhile I started to just not care about the story. None of the characters are particularly likable and I found the pacing to be slow. Didn’t care much for the ending, either.

Jane and Dan at the End of the World is the fourth Colleen Oakley book I’ve read, and I’ve loved every single one—though this might just be my favorite! This hilarious, insightful take on midlife and marriage follows Jane, who’s ready to call it quits after nineteen years of feeling unneeded as a mom and unsuccessful as a writer. When she and her husband Dan head out for an anniversary dinner at the fancy La Fin du Monde, she’s planning to drop the bomb that she wants a divorce. But things quickly spiral when a group of bumbling climate activists take the restaurant hostage—and the situation eerily mirrors the plot of Jane’s failed novel.

The twists and turns are laugh-out-loud funny, yet Oakley delivers poignant moments as Jane and Dan are forced to work together to stop the chaos. Oakley masterfully blends humor, marriage struggles, and life’s unpredictability, making it wildly relatable, especially as a mother and wife. The characters are so real, and their emotional ups and downs feel authentic. A five-star must-read that will have you laughing, crying, and cheering them on!

This book had it all - quirky characters that you expect in a Colleen Oakley book, humor and an underlying issue that may not be identified at first. That issue was motherhood and marriage and it covered so much of those feelings. Just when you think you have it all figured out, this book surprises you in the end. Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I've enjoyed of all Colleen Oakley's books - they're quick reads, lovable characters and filled with humor. Her newest book kind of got bogged down in a few places but otherwise this book will not disappoint her devoted readers. Thanks for the advance read!

I was lucky enough to win an e-ARC of JANE AND DAN AT THE END OF THE WORLD by Colleen Oakley in a Shelf Awareness giveaway. Thank you for the early look, and have a safe and happy Halloween season!

Jane and Dan at the End of the World by Colleen Oakley is such a quirky, heartfelt, and surprisingly uplifting read! The premise of two strangers on a road trip as the world is literally ending is unique, and I loved how the story balanced humor with deeper emotional moments. While the pacing was a little uneven at times, the characters really drew me in, and I found myself rooting for their unlikely bond all the way to the end. Rating: 3.5-4 stars.

Fun and entertaining. A strong beginning but fizzled out in the middle. I chuckled a few times and enjoyed the absurdity of the hostage situation. This is my second book by this author and she writes cute and quirky stories that you can't put down(even as you think to yourself "these people are nuts!") If you enjoyed her other novels or stories that cover some of life's hardships with humor you'd enjoy this book.

This book was absolutely hilarious. You wouldn't think a book about a hostage situation would be funny, but it absolutely was. The entire storyline took place over the course of one night and it was full of twists and turns. The hostage takers were multi-layered and witty and I couldn't help but laugh at them even while trying to work out why they were there. At it's heart, the book is an examination of long-term marriage and motherhood, and while I couldn't relate to Jane's feelings, I could sympathize with her. She was feeling bored, frustrated, and like a failure. But hey, nothing like being taken hostage to shake up your life! I recommend this one if you're looking for a quick, humorous read with characters that will make you chuckle as you try to figure out what is happening.

Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley for the opportunity to read this arc edition in exchange for my honest opinions.

Embarrassingly, I have to admit I’ve never read anything by Colleen Oakley before. I had no expectations going into this other than the synopsis and amazing cover. Let me just tell you, it is fabulous!

Jane and Dan are a 40-something married couple, going through the motions, living their lives, and about to celebrate their anniversary. They’re heading to a fancy restaurant that most people like them can’t normally afford (makes me think of a certain restaurant in Chicago on my bucket list). Things definitely do not go as planned or expected once this evening begins.

Maybe I liked this so much because it’s relatable for me; the ages, the references, et cetera. But I think it’s more than that. I think it’s because it’s an emotional and romantic story hiding under the cover of suspense, action, and hilarity. I just loved it. On I go to pick out my next Colleen Oakley read!

Definitely pick up a copy when in publishes in March! You won’t regret it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the advanced copy.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this Advanced Reader Copy of Jane and Dan at the End of the World.

Good things to know:
-This is a quick read
-It pokes fun at thriller reads that have plot holes or are poorly researched
-Relatable character who are flawed/struggling (marital problems, parenting struggles, imposter syndrome type of stuff)
-Funny

I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who is looking for something quirky, cute, and quick.

ᴊᴀɴᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴀɴ ᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇɴᴅ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴏʀʟᴅ
by: Colleen Oakley

Small blurb: Date night goes off the rails in this hilariously insightful take on midlife and marriage when one unhappy couple find themselves at the heart of a crime in progress.

Qᴜᴏᴛᴇ: “And then she squeezes her mom’s hand once, turns, and steps through the open window, and it feels like Jane’s heart has exploded from her chest and is now running away from her and there’s nothing Jane can do to stop it or protect it or get it back. It feels like her skin is on fire. It feels like motherhood.”

ꜰᴀᴠᴏʀɪᴛᴇ ᴄʜᴀʀᴀᴄᴛᴇʀ: This is a tough one because I really loved a lot of these characters, but I think I’m going to choose Dan! I just loved his portrayal of a husband, he actually gave me insight on a couple things as a wife that helped make sense with my own husband haha. I also loved his humor… his little catch phrase 😂.

ᴡʜᴀᴛ ɪ ʟɪᴋᴇᴅ: This book has it all! I giggled, I cried, I was anxious to find out what the heck was going on! I just loved it and could not stop thinking about it (and still can’t)! I also really liked that the cover of the book made me totally judge how I thought the book was going to be, and it was NOTHING like I expected (in the best way!) The ending was so perfect, I’m excited to read more from this author.

ᴊᴀɴᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴀɴ ᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇɴᴅ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴏʀʟᴅ
releases March 11th, 2025

Thank you
NetGalley, Berkley Publishing and Colleen Oakley for this digital ARC.

Okay, this was a fun and quirky read- the reader is left with the WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON HERE feeling for over half the novel. There were A LOT of coincidences in the plot- too many to be realistic at all, but I still enjoyed this fun (with a serious undertone) read. I enjoyed the writing. While I enjoyed Oakley's other books more (frick island, tanner & louise), I'd absolutely recommend this one as one to pick up when it is published in April!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

It’s Jane and Dan’s anniversary (though Dan is confused which one) and they go to a swanky, prohibitively expensive restaurant located in a hilly patch of Southern California. Dan is unaware that Jane is going to ask for a divorce at their anniversary dinner. Things go from bad to worse when their dinner is interrupted by a group of terrorists looking for a specific diner.

The criminals have seemingly locket them in, plus the windy two lane road leading up to the establishment is blocked with one of the two cars the terrorists have used to create a barrier and keep the patrons in. They have bound their wrists and ankles when shots ring out causing Dan to be summoned to the kitchen to tend to an injured sous chef and he realizes that one of their captors is her eighteen year old daughter.

Nearly every chapter begins with a countdown to the end of the story, heightening the tension immensely. Jane, who has asked for the divorce at the beginning of the story becomes increasingly frustrated with Dan and his inability to help the situation along or send an SOS to the outside world. About halfway through we discover that the terrorists are members of an underground environmental organization. This all rings so familiar to Jane whose only published novel is about a terrorist group taking over a tea room. Why are some of these criminals seemingly following the plot of her book? Will their efforts be thwarted by Jane and Dan?

What a fun book! I love this storyline of Jane knowing exactly what is going on due to her failed novel. The writing is sharp and witty and infused with a lot of humor, juxtaposed with the examination of the breakdown of the marriage of our two protagonists. And the characters are so well developed and easy to identify with. Jane and Dan at the End of the World shows us that adulthood and life is never exactly what we think it will be.

I received this advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review and feedback.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. I really liked this story- quick read and a good light book to read! Jane and Dan are middle aged and Jane is not sure how she got to where she is now. On their 19th - or 20th (depending on if you ask Jane or Dan) wedding anniversary they try a new place and the adventure ensues.
There were some twists I didn’t see coming and could see this as a movie.

Definitely recommend!

Jane and Dan at the End of the World is a fun fast read with moments which made me laugh out loud which I always enjoy in a book!
The way it is written is sometimes funny, sometimes heartwarming and many times surprising and I thoroughly enjoyed it, I won’t hesitate to recommend it to library patrons when they ask for good book ideas!