If you are in the mood for a funny, fast paced, a witty book look no further than Jane and Dan at the End of the World. As Jane and Dan set out on their anniversary dinner at the upscale La Fin du Monde, the couple could not be on more opposite pages in life, including how many years of marriage they are celebrating. However, shortly after their dinner begins, things go ever further off the rails as an activist group overtakes the restaurant, and the following chain of events are eerily similar to the storyline of Jane's book. I have thoroughly enjoyed every book I have read from Colleen Oakley and especially appreciate how she interweaves humor with relatable life themes, and somehow manages to also keep the plot moving very swiftly along. Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the advanced copy, all opinions are my own.

4.25 rounded down.

The book starts mundanely enough. A couple that are bored, or more specifically, the wife. Then, they go for dinner.

What happens is anything but an ordinary dinner. Jane and Dan go through it and Jane learns about herself, her daughter and her marriage. But it takes going through something to do that.

Advanced reader copy provided by Berkley and NetGalley but all opinions are my own.

this really gave You Deserve Each Other + The Menu in the most fun ways!

I was pretty pumped from the premise but I had such a fun experience throughout (even when I thought Dan was potentially racist and cheating on his wife…) and though I did think the situation was a tad implausible, I didnt have as much difficult suspending disbelief because the characters were all written in a way that moved the story along so efficiently

I did wish there was a tad bit more romance bc I enjoyed Jane and Dan’s dynamic a lot but for a closed door romance (and sorta a second chance romance which I’m usually skeptical of) but regardless they were very entertaining (Sissy included! Justice for Josh tho a little bit…)

I also wish the ending had just a bit more exploration of all their relationships but it was decent so I will still look upon this fondly

thank you so much to netgalley and berkeley publishing group for this arc to review!

Oh my goodness! What a wild ride! Jane and Dan at the End of the World follows a couple celebrating their 20th (well, 19th) wedding anniversary at an upscale fine dining restaurant—until their night is hijacked by climate activists who take the restaurant hostage. Chaos, social awkwardness, and intense interactions between hostages ensue.

The novel’s pacing and dialogue make it a quick read. If you’re looking for something filled with witty banter, clashing family dynamics, and a dose of tension while feeling lighthearted, this one’s for you.

Jane and Dan at the End of the World really started off strong for me. Just two average people going out to an overly expensive restaurant for their anniversary. Jane, planning on breaking the news to her husband of twenty years that she wants a diverse. Dan, holding onto a secret which may be the reason Jane is looking to get out of the marriage. In a strange turn of events, the restaurant is taken over by an activist group in a way that mirrors Jane's unsuccessful novel.

The plot will draw you in and the characters will make you laugh at times. Overall though, about halfway through, I felt the plot start to unravel and I was greatly underwhelmed by the ending.

I saw another reviewer mention, and I will second, that if you enjoyed Anxious People by Fredrick Backman, you may also enjoy this one.

Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Date night goes awry in the strangest way imaginable, when masked terrorists? (activists?) take over the insanely expensive restaurant where middle-income couple Jane and Dan spend their 19th?(20th?) anniversary. They come barreling in right after Jane announces she’d like a divorce. As if things couldn’t get weirder, events seem to be mirroring Jane’s one and only published novel, which went virtually unread by the masses. And then, do they recognize one of the terrorists? (activists?)

I have to admit that up until things began to come together mid-way through the book, the pace felt really slow and I was losing patience with self-obsessed Jane. But, don’t give up if you’re feeling likewise, because when it picks up, it picks up. And the ending is nothing you’re expecting!

Thanks to Berkeley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the ARC.

Jane and Dan at the End of the World by Colleen Oakley
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Jane and Dan are going to a spectacularly fancy restaurant for their 20th (19th, Dan!) wedding anniversary. But before the first course is even over the restaurant is taken over by an armed group who hold everyone hostage.
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What I liked:
-This book strode the fine line between hilarious and meaningful, all while wearing age appropriate shoes, and I loved every minute of it.
-I loved that our two main characters were a married couple who had been together for years.
-The twists in this story (because, yes, there were twists!) were epic and off the wall.
-This is an entirely bingeworthy book and could be read in the span of a day if you were in the mood.
-I loved the entire journey through this story and the endinbg was very satisfying.
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4.5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 Highly recommend if you enjoy fun and slightly crazy plots.

First, I have to mention how much I adore Colleen Oakley. I loved Tanner and Louise so very much. I think I mistakenly tried to make this one live up to that one in my head. Unfortunately, it did not, but that's my fault - not the book. I still enjoyed the humor of this story and the character development of the Mom (main POV) and the daughter. Check it out for a wild hostage situation with couples therapy like humor.

I finished this incredibly binge-worthy book in a single day, needing to know what happened next for Jane and Dan!

Our title characters have been married for almost 20 years, and while out for their anniversary dinner Jane brings up divorce. Moments later, a group of armed strangers enter the restaurant and take everyone hostage. What happens over the following hours is a slightly chaotic and amusing scenario.

I'm a sucker for a marriage in crisis lately, maybe because I'm loving seeing what happens later in a relationship instead of just the beginning. Dan and Jane have fallen into complacency in their marriage, but they are still full of banter and quite clearly enjoy spending time together. Their interactions were the heart of the story, as we learn that Jane struggles with worrying about everything and Dan is her solid support.

The hostage takers bring possibly the most chaotic energy to the entire atmosphere as any hostage takers ever. They are clearly inexperienced, and they kept the tone of the story incredibly light for what it was about.

I really enjoyed this one and will be highly recommending it!

Thank you to Berkley; all opinions are my own.

I loved The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise by this author, and this next did not disappoint. I like how Oakley tells a story, and I loved the quirks of the characters in this one. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes March 11.

JANE AND DAN AT THE END OF THE WORLD combines contemporary commentary on relationship, family, environmental, and social issues with humor and does so in a manner that softens what might otherwise feel preachy.

There’s a lot going on with the plot of this book - Jane and Dan are celebrating their anniversary at a ridiculously overpriced trendy restaurant when Jane tells Dan she wants a divorce - and the night gets worse from there. They soon find themselves held hostage by a group of gun wielding terrorists whose actions coincidentally mirror those in a book Jane wrote and published years ago that wasn’t exactly a best seller.

Told in the third person, we gain insight into both Jane and Dan’s points of view especially as they relate to their marriage. Jane is wondering if being a wife and mother is enough and Dan is content with things exactly the way they are. Nothing like facing possible death to make you take a long hard look at your choices.

I’ve seen reviews saying Jane is an unlikable character, but she resonated with me as she took stock of her life and imagined her future. Her take on motherhood: “These were the three pillars of motherhood: guilt, anxiety, and love,” summed up the conflicting emotions every mother I know has grappled with. Second guessing, worry, and fierce devotion are the inescapable hallmarks of being a mom.

The real takeaway for me was a simple life lesson, “Never let the things you want make you forget the things you have.” I imagine Jane is not so different than most of us.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.

The feel of "Die Hard" in the setting of "The Menu" with a bit of "Something's Gotta Give."
Very fun, tightly wound, with a satisfying end.

Jane and Dan at the End of the World is the perfect blend of mystery, adventure, and humor. I love how Colleen Oakley makes me laugh and also creates some amazing and deep observations of humans and relationships. As far as the mystery goes, as with other Colleen Oakley novels I've read, I was always adjusting my theories and then thrown off of those theories and surprised by how everything ended. I LOVED it. Her notes on motherhood and marriage had me bookmarking pages faster than I've ever bookmarked pages. I can't wait to get my hands on a physical copy so I can re-read it any time I want! 5/5 stars! (chef's kiss) Perfection!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for a copy of this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was so fun! It gave me Date Night vibes with its mix of humor, chaos, and unexpected adventure. I also loved how it felt like a book within a book. The story follows Jane and Dan, a married couple celebrating their anniversary at a fancy restaurant—totally out of their usual routine. They do the same thing every year, but Dan decides to shake things up after winning a raffle for a posh and extremely expensive restaurant. Jane isn’t thrilled and has her own plans for the night with something important to tell Dan, but that goes out the window when the restaurant gets taken hostage mid-dinner by what seem to be terrorists!!! 😱

The fun part? The whole thing feels ripped straight from the pages of Jane’s own book—a novel about a tea shop getting held hostage. Is it a coincidence or did the terrorists actually get inspiration from Jane’s (not even popular) book?!

This added such a cool twist that made everything even more intense. This would be a great read for anyone who feels stuck in their “boring” or “lackluster” routine and dreams of shaking things up. The plot felt so fresh and unique, with some moments that had me biting my nails. I also loved Jane and Dan together, but also apart. This was a fast read but I really felt connected to this family throughout the story.

If you love books that mix humor, action, and a little mid-life chaos, this one’s for you. Fans of Date Night or Remarkably Bright Creatures will have a blast with this. It was such a fun, entertaining read!

Thank you, NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

✨ARC Review✨

Colleen Oakley has such a knack for clever, but relatable writing. This is no exception to her rule.

It’s Jane and Dan’s nineteenth anniversary and Jane has made a decision. They’re going out for an expensive meal at a Michelin-starred restaurant an hour and a half away from their home. They’re going to have their lovely dinner and then she’s going to tell Dan she wants a divorce.

This is the plan; however, her anger and resentment towards Dan has her telling him she wants a divorce during the first course. Dan is reeling, but tells her they’re not getting a divorce.

Then all hell breaks loose when a group of armed eco terrorists storm the restaurant. And why does this whole thing seem familiar to her? Oh no. Jane knows how this ends and it’s not good.

So, now Dan’s trying to reconcile her asking for a divorce and they’re both trying to figure out how to call for help and/or escape this hostage situation.

It’s funny, exciting, and ultimately relatable to most people in long term relationships. The book is told in third person and you do get insight into both Dan and Jane’s perspective. I’ll be honest. Jane was a bit of a pill for a lot of this book. I get it though. She’s in the middle of her life and her children and husband are central to her existence. She’s a failed writer in her mind. She’s in a rut and blaming Dan for her malaise. Like I said, it’s relatable. It reminds me of that meme that goes something like “I get on my own nerves- girl, you need to chill.”

Recommended! It’s a good, page turner of a book. I couldn’t wait to figure out exactly what was going on and whether Dan could convince Jane to not get a divorce if they make it out alive.

I received an eARC of this book via #netgalley and @berkleypub. All thoughts are mine alone.

#booksbooksbooks #contemporaryfiction #litfic #literaryfiction #janeanddanattheendoftheworld #colleenoakley

Thank you Net Galley for this ARC. The story starts off with Jane and Dan going out to dinner for their anniversary. At dinner, Jane tells Dan that she wants a divorce. As Dan is processing this news, the restaurant is taken hostage. Over the course of the night, events unfold that are very similar to the book Jane wrote. Jane and Dan are both very relatable characters as they are grappling with issues we all face :parenthood, sense of identity and purpose, and just working to keep a marriage good. I would recommend this story as it reads like a popcorn action movie. The story is fast paced and filled with action, lots of humor, and ultimately love. It was a very enjoyable read.

I absolutely loved this book. Hostage situation comedy, yes please. Colleen Oakley always does such a great job writing relatable characters, and this book was spot on for this 40 something wife and mom. Enjoyed every minute of this book.

This is a lovely book with such a beautiful message intertwined with a crazy ride of being held hostage. Being a parent is no joke, and it is easy to sometimes feel like while your whole heart is dedicated to your family, there is something missing and this book does a beautiful job exploring that idea utilizing, action, and humor. This is just such a joy to read.
Thank you so much to Berkley Publishing Group and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.

This was a cute book which took on a lot. A middle aged couple gets taken hostage while out for an expensive anniversary dinner, and as events unfold, the book explores their relationship issues, the protagonist's mixed feelings about her daughter's imminent departure for college, and her feelings of failure regarding her career as an author. (She apparently wrote a book several years ago that no one read ... but, strangely enough, their captors seem to be following her book's plot points.)

On top of that, there is a mystery unfurling, with several twists - who are the captors? What do they want, and why? Why do some of the captors seem familiar? We also get to see the viewpoint of a police officer who's called to handle the case as it evolves - although, I have to admit, his POV doesn't add much to the story.

I gamely followed along, because I wanted to see where the story was going. At moments, it reminded me of Sandwich (the book), The Menu (the movie), and even Die Hard (but a "lite" version)... kind of an odd combination, but enjoyable. It was not an amazing book, but entertaining enough. I could even see it as a movie. I also enjoyed the references to Stanford, since I attended Stanford, and the editorial comments about going there made me laugh.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

3 stars! 🌟 Huge thanks to Berkley Publishing Group & NetGalley for the ARC! 💌

Alright, I’ll be real—I wanted to love this book. The premise? A+ brilliance.✨ A couple on the verge of divorce gets caught in a hostage situation that weirdly mirrors the wife's failed novel? Sounds like a chaotic, high-stakes, messy adventure with marriage drama 💔, second chances 💞, and maybe even some deep character growth. Buuut... the execution? Not quite there. 🤷‍♀️

Jane and Dan have been married for 19 years (or is it 20? Even they don’t know). Jane is over it—her kids don’t need her, her writing career tanked, and she’s convinced Dan is cheating. So, naturally, she picks their anniversary dinner at the absurdly expensive La Fin du Monde to drop the divorce bomb. But before they even finish their overpriced appetizers, a group of bumbling climate activists storm in 🌍✊, demanding justice for the planet. Plot twist? Everything they do is straight out of Jane’s book. 📖 A book that literally no one read. 😭

At first, I was hooked. The idea of a failing marriage colliding with an over-the-top hostage crisis was gold 🏆, and I actually laughed at some of the ridiculousness. But then… it got too ridiculous.

Where it lost me:
✧ The humor didn’t land. I love a good quirky, witty read, but this one felt forced—like it was trying too hard to be funny. 😕
✧ Jane? So unlikeable. I didn’t root for her, I didn’t feel for her, I just… tolerated her. 😬
✧ The plot holes. The activists were messy (on purpose?), but the way things unfolded was just too convenient. 🤔
✧ The ending was meh. Super underwhelming. 😞 The whole book built up to something, and then that something just kinda… fizzled out. 💨

What I did like:
✔ The unique concept—seriously, this plot is fresh and fun. 🎭
✔ Dan! Poor guy was just out here trying to survive marriage and dinner. 🍷😂
✔ Some of the banter was entertaining, even if it wasn’t consistently funny. 💬
✔ The idea that maybe this disaster could bring Jane and Dan closer again (even if I wasn’t really rooting for them). ❤️‍🩹

Overall, it’s not a bad book, just not as good as I wanted it to be. It had all the ingredients for a crazy, hilarious, action-packed ride, but somewhere along the way, it lost its spark. Would I watch this as a movie? Absolutely. 🎬 But as a book? 3 stars.

Out March 11, 2025! 📅