Jane Brooks does not expect her anniversary dinner to go so, so wrong. Well, she planned for it to go somewhat wrong, as she knew she was going to ask her husband of 19 years, Dan, for a divorce. But quickly after the words leave her mouth, a swarm of criminals enter the restaurant and take everyone hostage.

Except... everything they say, and do, exactly mirrors Jane's mystery book. A book published six years ago, and that was widely reviewed as being not very realistic. It would be preferable to have her research validated from afar, but for the time being, Jane is stuck in a hostage situation-- and she knows it doesn't end well.

Thus is the premise for author Colleen Oakley's upcoming novel, Jane and Dan at the End of the World. Perfect for fans of Fredrik Backman's Anxious People and with Ocean’s 11 vibes, this multi-POV tale showcases not only this unique situation, but also explores the depths of a long marriage, losing sight of oneself, and the struggle of learning to let go.

With sky-high stakes, great pacing, interesting characters, and an engaging plot, this novel is impossible to put down. Beware: risks include staying up way too late reading. Cliffhangers galore at chapter breaks, so best of luck disengaging.

It was especially poignant to see women, and mothers in particular, represented in the various phases of motherhood when feeling like they've lost sight of who they are as individuals. It's also refreshing to see this affect male characters, as well.

Disappointingly, there is an instance of a character referring to tribal tattoos making someone appear wild and savage, without that line of thinking ever being corrected. Other references to the 'wild west' add to the negative Native stereotyping, again without ever being corrected. I did read an advance copy; hopefully this issue was corrected prior to publication.

Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Berkley Publishing for an e-arc such that I could share my honest opinions.

This was a big miss for me, which is unfortunate as I have really enjoyed Colleen Oakley before. I did not connect with any of the characters and I cared so little about what would happen that I skipped the last third and read the final couple chapter.

The bright spot is the accurate depiction of what it’s like to be married to someone almost 20 years. It made me chuckle a few times at just how accurately she captured marriage.

Thank you, NetGalley and Berkley, for the advanced copy.

I immediately added this book to my TBR after seeing a couple of reviews & then was fortunate enough to have the opportunity (thanks to @netgalley & @berkleypub ) to read & review this book.
My verdict? I loved it!

📚JANE & DAN AT THE END OF THE WORLD by Colleen Oakley

“Date night goes off the rails in this hilariously insightful take on midlife and marriage when one unhappy couple finds themselves at the heart of a crime in progress.”

Jane & Dan are celebrating their 19th wedding anniversary (or is it their 20th? They can’t seem to both agree on the number!).
But Jane has decided this will be the last one & tonight she is going to tell Dan.

Dan has broken with tradition & booked them a table at a very exclusive & very expensive restaurant, but their evening is interrupted by an activist group who holds the restaurant staff & diners hostage…. And it’s all a little familiar.
Everything they do seems to be taken right from Jane’s not very popular debut ( and only) novel….

This is a story about motherhood, relationships, and career midlife. It's a story about feeling stuck, invisible or not needed in midlife and was told with such humour and in such a fun way! Add it to your TBR - It’s out March 11!

What a fun read! If you are a fan of fast paced action interspersed with humor, grab this book when it is released March 11th.

Jane is a mid 40s mother, wife, and author who feels she hasn't been too overly successful in any of the aforementioned. Her 18 year old daughter. Sissy, many times thinks she is smarter than her mother; her podiatrist husband, Dan, seems oblivious to so many things, and Jane is almost positive he is having an affair; her professional life as an author has been stagnant for the last 6 years. Her one and only published book, about a group of terrorists taking over a Tea Room in London, sold only 800 copies, and she's pretty sure was read by way less than that.

It's Jane and Dan's 19th wedding anniversary, and Dan has "won" a reservation (not a meal, only a reservation) to California's most exclusive, uber and outrageously expensive, coastal restaurant. Between the first and second courses, Jane springs on Dan that she wants a divorce because of discovered texts on his phone. Dan is flabbergasted, but his state of shock and surprise is short-lived because suddenly, the restaurant is overtaken by an "environmentally conscious" terrorist group. Also, wait a minute, that young, slender masked girl looks awfully similar to their daughter, Sissy! Lo and behold, it is Sissy being called "Goldie" by her terrorist comrades.

Eerily, what happens next (and next and next) are plot threads from Jane's own book. Dan at first tells her that she is just being overly dramatic and just wants that to be true. As the minutes "tick" away though, Dan very much sees all of the similarities, too.

What ensues is not only suspenseful, but also many times hilarious. I had not read a book like this for a long time, one that is a good mixture of plot + humor. On a more serious note, one of the thematic issues it addresses is who is the bad guy?

Look for this latest one by Colleen Oakley when it drops next month. Thank you. NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for this charming ARC.

Jane and Dan at the End of the World by Colleen Oakley is a great story. Jane and Dan have gone out to dinner for their anniversary. It is an amazingly expensive and elegant restaurant. While there the restaurant is taken over by eco-terrorists. Except the evening is playing out like Jane’s last novel. What?

This was a delightful fast paced story. I loved the humor, banter, and the mystery. I laughed out loud so many times, and kept wondering what was going to happen next. There is also something fun about two people who have been married awhile that just makes for some good humor. I enjoyed this one from beginning to end! I highly recommend Jane and Dan at the End of the World by Colleen Oakley.

I was given a complimentary copy and not required to write a positive review.

The story begins with Jane asking if she needs a lawyer. She recalls a time when she was young, pregnant and her grandfather passing away when she was pulled over for a speeding ticket. At that time she was very emotional and young. Now a police officer is questioning her about a horrific ordeal that she has just gone through. We find out a lot about Jane in the Prologue. She is a writer who takes note of details. She had written a book 6 years ago..
However, at the moment of questioning she realizes that she just needs to keep it simple and try to stick to the truth. She is concerned about all of the events that had taken place over the last 12 hours and why was her novel found in a van at the crime scene?
With just this alone in the Prologue, I decide that I'm strapped in and ready for the ride that this story is going to take me on!
The book is about a couple who are raising a family of two older teens, Josh and Sissy, living a typical middle class suburban life. Jane and Dan have been married for 19 years and are both having all of the feelings that go along with being married for that length of time. They have decided to use a gift certificate won by Dan to go to the restaurant La Fin du Monde to celebrate. Josh and Sissy have plans for the evening. What transpired during their time in the restaurant was harrowing and something most of us will never have to endure, but so important to what happens to Jane and Dan in the end.
So much of this story is about the internal thoughts of the characters, what they choose to say and what they omit saying for whatever reason. It is about the joys and sacrifices that go along with raising a family and deciding if all of it was worth it. Through times of struggle there may also be a realization of irony, humor, and Colleen Oakley knows how to lighten things up with perfect timing.
How does a marriage make it through all of the life's events over time? Jane and Dan are led to several conclusions as they struggle through an ordeal that will change their lives forever.
I enjoyed reading every second of this story and highly recommend it for those that enjoy suspense, humor, family drama, and parenthood. Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the advanced reader ebook.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and all opinions expressed are mine.

The premise of this book was promising but the story is a slow burn. I felt like the author tackled the dynamics of marriage ,friendship and hope.The book follows Jane and Dane who have been married for 19 years . On the night of their fancy dinner anniversary celebration Jane who is an inspiring bestselling author plans to divorce Dan but that plan is halted when a crime occurs. It has slow moments but its quite an intriguing read and everything that happens you can never truly guess.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkeley publishing group for the ARC. This book was so much fun, ridiculous and hilarious in the best way while also touching on more poignant issues like what happens when you feel like your life didn’t pan out the way you had planned.

Jane is kind of a nutcase but somehow still likable, and I found myself rooting for her, rooting for Dan, and also rooting for the “bad guy.” Which was actually one of the more compelling storylines here - what does it mean to be a bad guy and who’s to judge?

This was a quick read that drew me in in the first few minutes and I will definitely recommend to my friends. Would love to read more by Colleen in the future!

Colleen Oakley’s latest book, Jane and Dan at the End of the World, held me in its grip from the beginning and never let me go. This book is such an interesting concept, chockfull of complex and intriguing characters who carry the book with strong determination and mysterious twists and turns. If you are anything like me, you will devour every word and finish the book wishing for more. Jane and Dan are at a crossroads in their marriage, but through no fault of their own (or maybe they are at fault) face an obstacle much larger than they anticipate while out celebrating their anniversary. I highly recommend this entertaining and thought provoking book. It is an absolute dynamo.

3.5 stars. The novel follows Jane and Dan, a couple struggling to rekindle their marriage after years of complacency and unmet expectations. While out to dinner for their anniversary, they find themselves at the heart of a hostage situation that they can’t see a way out of.

I wanted to love this one – I really did. The premise was solid and the beginning of the book had me hooked. I was engaged when the hostages took over and I really wanted to see where this was headed. The second half though seemed exaggerated with bumbling cops and incompetent hostage takers. I also wanted to connect more with Jane and Dan’s marital struggles, but I found it hard to relate to Jane and while Dan was likable enough, their lack of communication was frustrating.

I did love the concept, and there were some laugh out loud moments and while the book didn’t completely work for me, it was still an entertaining and fun ride. If you don’t overthink it, it’s definitely an enjoyable read.

Thank you for the free book @penguinrandomhouse and @berkleypub #penguinrandomhousepartner #berkleyIG #BerkleyBookstagram. Thank you for the free audiobook, @prhaudio!

“Never let the things you want make you forget about the things you have”

If you enjoyed The Menu (minus all the unaliving), this is a book for you!!!

Jane and Dan had been married for 19 years. They went to one of the fanciest restaurants to celebrate their anniversary. What Dan didn’t expect was Jane bringing up divorce during dinner. To make things worse, their dinner was interrupted by a group of activist basically putting everyone in the restaurant in a hostage situation. And because things aren’t weird enough, Jane feels like she is living the plot of her published book (literally) as the night continues to progress and she notices that their kidnappers are following the storyline of her popular mystery book.

This is honestly a must read for those feeling like they’re in a midlife crisis and the sentiment was handled effectively but also with a side of humor so it wasnt a heavy read.

This is also a marriage in crisis trope and I find myself listening more to the audiobook because it just brings up Jane’s POV to life.

It was also very nice to know that there’s such thing as a climate change anxiety support group 😅 The book has such an overall comic relief that you dont even notice it to be slightly political. Also, I cant believe that there are people who could afford spending millions of money for a desset 😂

Overall, I really did enjoy this one! It has humor, heart, twists, and a very interesting plot!! This book comes out March 11th! Highly recommend!

💭 Are you a foodie? Do you like trying out restaurants?
☕️ I do but dining out is expensive nowadays, I’m really avoiding eating out a lot 😂

I am a fan of the author, but this one wasn't for me. It was part quirky and part emotionally resonant and part thriller and not enough of something for me to latch onto. Reading it made me feel a little anxious.

This novel was bizarre, but in an excellent way! I've read several of Oakley's books, and this one feels very different from previous stories. Again, not a bad thing. The premise is so unique and imaginative! I can't imagine the amount of research the author had to do for this book. The humor woven throughout the incredibly tense situations was perfect. I was impressed with the character development, given that the majority of the book took place in one room and situation. This is not just another chick lit love story - this one has drama and loads of surprises. Will definitely recommend it!

Jane and Dan go out for their anniversary. Jane and Dan choose a very posh restaurant. Jane surprises Dan by announcing she wants a divorce. Then eco-terrorists appear and their actions mysteriously follow the plot of Jane's failed book. Jane and Dan are screwed.

I want to start by saying, this book is not speculative. I went in thinking it would be which was my own mistake. This is really a book about middle marriage and parenting that just happens to be set during a hostage situation to raise the stakes. There were some funny moments and the relationship between Jane and Dan as well as their musings on marriage felt very relatable. However, I never felt invested in their outcome and the story felt like it was spinning its wheels at multiple points. I was never drawn back to reading the book when I put it down.

Fans of other character driven, messy mid-life books, like The Amazing Grace Adams, might enjoy this one but it was just okay for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the advanced reader copy. Jane and Dan at the End of the World releases March 11, 2025.

The marriage was the heart of the story, as while you Jane was frustrated with Dan, you could tell through the adversity that she really loved him. There was a lot of humor in the story, especially for married couples and those that understand the frustrations of marriage. Parts were slow for me.

This book is SO. GOOD. It’s my first book by Oakley, but definitely not my last. It explores real life issues in long term marriages, it’s about not only surviving, but thriving, and is about being grateful. It’s truly a fantastic book.

Jane is a failed author whose only book sold fewer than 500 copies. But tonight she’s dining with her husband Dan at La Fin du Monde, one of the most exclusive restaurants in the world.

He thinks they are celebrating their 20th anniversary. She plans to ask him for a divorce on their 19th anniversary. Before they finish the second course, they are part of hostage situation, one that is suspiciously similar to Jane’s failed book.

This book has a lot of surprise twists and to be honest some of them seem too unlikely to be real, but that’s part of what makes this crazy story so much fun. I would definitely recommend this book to friends and family.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing for the free copy of this book and access to the ARC #berkley #berkleypartner

This book had me smiling and laughing aloud at the main characters, Jane and Dan, who are navigating being parents to teenagers and a 19-year marriage. At their anniversary dinner things go array and the couple find themselves in the middle of a hostage situation. When events start to unfold, Jane begins to realize that the activists are using her failed novel as their playbook! Jane and Dan proceed to try to stop the ending of Jane’s fictional book from becoming a reality which results in some outlandish and funny situations throughout!

This book started off really strong, dragged just a little bit in the middle and then was full steam ahead at the end! It was just what I needed after an exhausting week and was a delight to read!

A married couple find themselves in a hostage situation during their anniversary dinner that strangely mirrors the plot of the wife’s failed novel in this hilarious quick read. I could totally picture this as a movie with like Steve Carrell and Jennifer Aniston or something. Loved it!

Colleen Oakley is back with another phenomenal story. This one in particular is witty, entertaining, hilarious, and also filled with life-affirming moments. It really just felt like a riot of a book, one that will make you snort laugh your way through. It was also highly emotional! I loved how vulnerable and sentimental it was about family, relationships, and everything in between. Jane and Dan felt like real people to me; their worries, concerns, and doubts all hit me really hard and I empathized with them the whole way through. It made the story that much more engrossing and personal for me. I think this has the perfect level of emotion and humor, and Colleen Oakely’s writing style kept me hooked the whole way through. Absolutely LOVED! Start reading the first page, and I swear you’ll have the time of your life!!