Colleen always knows how to pull you in with her humor while also tugging at your heart strings. Such a funny, heart felt story with relatable characters. Loved it!!!

This book was hilarious. Marriage at its worst and best. And throw in a mad cap hostage situation? This was an unexpected delight! I was laughing out loud.

Thanks to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for the adavnce digital copy

This is a fun, if a bit farfetched, read. The main characters are relatable and likable, and the action in the story moves quickly. It does stretch plausibility at times. Still, the stakes never seemed too high, even though they could have been, and it was an enjoyable read.

Though Jane is ready to end their 19-year marriage, she’s out with her husband Dan celebrating their anniversary when they suddenly find themselves taken hostage by a group of bumbling environmental terrorists. As the situation unfolds, Jane starts noticing eerie similarities to the only novel she’s ever published. Feeling stuck in life, the hostage scenario makes her reflect on her choices, and Dan does the same. This book is packed with humor, but also so much heart, exploring themes like marriage, parenting, and life in general.

I really enjoyed Oakley’s The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise, and this book has the same perfect blend of humor and depth. I absolutely loved it! It’s full of meaningful moments but never takes itself too seriously, with funny twists throughout the clumsy takeover that kept me hooked. Quirky and far-fetched, the banter between Dan and Jane clearly shows they've been married for 19 (or is it 20?) years. Highly recommend for everyone; fans of Knives Out will especially enjoy.

Jane and Dan at the End of the World by Colleen Oakley is an intriguing mix of humor, suspense, and heartfelt moments. The story follows Jane and Dan, a couple celebrating their 19th wedding anniversary, when an armed hostage situation at an exclusive restaurant takes an unexpected twist—eerily resembling the plot of Jane’s unpublished novel.

Oakley explores the complexities of long-term relationships, midlife struggles, and personal reinvention with wit and emotional depth. Jane’s frustrations as a writer and mother, paired with her doubts about Dan, feel authentic and relatable, while the high-stakes scenario pushes them to confront their shared history.

The book is an engaging read that combines quirky, fast-paced storytelling with thoughtful reflections on love and growth. While not every twist is entirely plausible, it fits the story’s tone, delivering a fun yet meaningful tale about marriage and second chances.

This book is a ROMP. It is, as described, hilarious.
However, it is also bewildering, tense, touching, and thrilling. At times, you must willingly suspend disbelief b/c some bits are hard to believe. But that's part of the fun.
The plot turns are brilliant.
It is difficult to categorize this book according to any one genre.
Just read it cuz it's a great book full of fun, romance, greed, they, terrorism, family ties, etc.
I received an ARC from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of Colleen Oakley’s hilarious new novel, Jane and Dan at the End of the World. A combination of suspense, comedy and marital woes, this will keep you entertained from start to finish.

Jane and Dan have been married for nineteen or twenty years, depending on who you ask. Dan was loyal and reliable until Jane saw texts on his phone from a mystery woman and assumes that he’s having an affair. Instead of feeling outraged, Jane decides that they’ve been heading toward divorce for a while and makes this announcement at their ridiculously expensive anniversary dinner…. but her announcement is upstaged by a group of activists who rush in and take everyone’ hostage.

What ensues is nothing short of laugh out loud moments, poignant reflections on marriage and motherhood, and a comedy of errors that seems suspiciously like the plot of Jane’s unsuccessful novel.
Jane and Dan at the End of the World should be made into a movie or a miniseries asap!

This was a fun and easy read- I enjoy Colleen Oakley's books because they are enjoyable and not meant to be taken seriously! Jane and Dan at the End of the World gave me the vibe of if the Finlay Donovan series met The Menu (without all of the gore). It also reminded me of a comedy thriller you would watch on Netflix because of all the banter between Jane and Dan. The portrayal of Jane going through a somewhat midlife identity crisis as a wife and mom was very realistic and relatable.

Thank you, NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC!

Colleen Oakley is a fav and this one did not disappoint! Jane and Dan are married and are going to Fin de lu Monte for their anniversary. However, Jane isn't 100% about their marriage... and having doubts. Also, Jane somewhat struggles with their 18 year old daughter. While Jane and Dan are out to eat, there is an active shooter situation and takes everyone by surprise/shock. This book was very relatable as a parent and as a married person, I found it funny and the plot moved right along!

I liked this book, I didn't love it. I can't stop thinking about how good it COULD have been.

Jane and Dan are going to Fin de lu Monte for their 19th anniversary. She isn't sure about their marriage and if she wants to stay married. Jane is always at odds with her 18 year old daughter and thinks often of the road not traveled. But when they are dining, the restaurant becomes an active shooter/bomb threat/terrorist hostage situation. A lot of convenient plot devices allow the narrative to move along. The thing is, the situation is playing out exactly as happened in a novel that Jane wrote 6 years earlier.

The themes in this book are so good, but in execution, they just fizzle out and don't deliver. I have been married for 20 years and I appreciate the way marriage changes after your kids don't need you as much anymore. I liked the banter between Dan and Jane and I wanted more of the love and second chance love story. I wanted so much more from the theme of capitalism and oligarchy and

That said, they are good characters and the book was genuinely funny. Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Book to be released March 11, 2025.

3 stars

I've heard such great things about Colleen Oakley's books. I was very excited to see my "wish" granted. Unfortunately, this particular book fell short of the hype. Premise was cute, but the story dragged. I didn't particularly like Jane. Also, many of her actions in response to the hostage situation seemed totally out of character.

I won't judge Colleen Oakley's books by this one. I'll happily give other of her books a go. Thank you Berkley and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a digital ARC in return for an honest review.

Ooooooh myyyy gooooosh
I could not put this down!
What even is this book?
Colleen Oakley, you beautiful genius! I went into this book a CO fan, but with no context for the plot or anything. I was su surprised by the premise but lioved every minute. Truly fantastic! Will 100% recommend!

This book sounded like so much fun. And I started off liking it, but the further I read the more my enjoyment deteriorated, until I landed all the way down here at one star. 🥴

I didn’t like the characters at all. Jane is incredibly irritating, Dan is a doofus, and their daughter is kind of an idiot. Yet I think we’re supposed to like them 🤔 And the tone of the book is meant to be lighthearted and funny, but it just came across as shallow.

Also, there are some major problems I have with the plot that I can’t really get into without spoilers, but I’ll just say that if the idea of a “climate change anxiety support group” makes you roll your eyes as hard as I did, you will likely not enjoy this book.

However, this is just my opinion. I think that this book will be popular with some people. If you enjoy Fredrik Backman books, or if you loved The Wedding People (Alison Espach), you might like this one. Give it a try if it sounds good. It wasn’t the book for me, but it might be for you.

This was a fun and humorous story. I found the author had a very clear voice and all of the characters were very relatable. The story line and approach to the characters reminded me of a comedic movie thriller. The descriptions and actions were all described in a way that made this book cinematic in my head. I really enjoyed this story and look forward to reading more from this author.

Thanks to NetGalley for sending me this ARC.

What a fun read! This was such an easy book to read and every time I read "this is not a movie" in the book, I kept thinking that how much I would enjoy this as a movie as well! I loved how the book touched so many topics like marriage, climate change, a stay at home mom's identity and teenage children, and integrated it all over one very eventful anniversary dinner.

I received this book for a free and fair review. I enjoyed Oakley's previous book, The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise, this, her most recent book, and was excited to be able to review this one. And this one did not fail to deliver either, being a fun-filled romp of misadventure, miscommunication and missed steps that lead to a denouement that's unique and satisfying.

Jane and Dan are going to La Fin de Munde, an expensive and exclusive restaurant, precariously located over a cliff, to celebrate their 19th wedding anniversary (though Dan keeps thinking it's their 20th). Jane's in a funk; she's ready to leave Dan, feeling in a rut as her writing career hasn't taken off and she believes something's going on with Dan. The restaurant only seats five tables and is known as the restaurant that serves the most expensive dessert! Just a Jane announces to Dan that she wants a divorce a group takes over the restaurant and from there the adventure begins. As things unfold, Jane comes to realize that what is happening is based on the book she wrote, things get more curious as Dan begins to realize he might know someone in the group. No spoilers here. You have to read the book - and you won't be disappointed if you - to find out what the group wants, how the takeover ends and did Jane and Dan come to the "end of the world."

Overall, I enjoyed the read and believe others will as well.

What was the last book that made you laugh out loud? JANE AND DAN was so entertaining, quirky, hilarious and far-fetched that I didn't want the fun to end.

Jane and Dan are celebrating their 20th- no, 19th- anniversary so Dan tries to do something out of the ordinary and take Jane to an ultra-fancy restaurant. That is, if he can find his keys, of course. Jane is an author whose debut novel barely sold. Dan is a podiatrist (not a real doctor). Together their life has gotten tedious and boring and Jane wants more. This happens to be the night that Jane tells Dan she wants a divorce- oh and also the restaurant is taken hostage by armed gunmen. Chaos ensues.

The fast-paced story takes place over the course of the evening and Jane starts to become suspicious when what unfolds is eerily similar to her own barely believable book. Add to that Jane's attraction to one of the gunmen, an unexpected assailant and Dan's inability to lip read and it really has some over the top hilarity and end of the world of the world vibes.

As a married person, this book spoke me. They way you love and loathe your spouse all at the same time is so on point. The banter between Jane and Dan- and many of the supporting characters- was A++ and I could live my life in Jane and Dan's inner monologue it was so funny. There's a part where someone identifies them as husband and wife simply by the way they bicker- and yup I feel that 😅

This book isn't serious and is to be taken lightly- it's completely unrealistic and reminded me of one of those Adam Sandler/Jennifer Aniston Netflix heisty murder mysteries, but elevated (and better written). If you want a laugh and a fun little escape, or if you're annoyed with your spouse (I'm sure they deserve it), I highly recommend JANE AND DAN. I look forward to diving into Oakley's back list to read her other well applauded novels.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC, in return for an unbiased view.

When Oakley writes fiction for grown-ups ("The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise") the books are clever, original, and contain complex interesting characters. When Oakley writes bland rom-com clichés for the BookTok crowd ("The Invisible Husband of Frick Island") they're missable. But "Jane and Dan" is for grown-ups- a funny, intelligent, and original story about an evening in a French Laundry-style restaurant that goes very, very wrong- and the story contains characters with a hilarious viewpoint on marriage. This is my favorite Oakley book so far, I highly recommend.

3.5 stars

This was my first time reading a Colleen Oakley, so I wasn't really sure what to expect with this book and it's long title.

Celebrating their 19th wedding anniversary (or was it 20)? Jan and Dan get way more then they bargained for. This was a fun read, especially when you keep your mind open for all the zany action that takes place. The blurb basically says what happens. Lots of belief suspending but honestly it worked here, especially having gotten to know Jan and Dan, how they tick and feel about each other. A fast paced read that went by quickly, it had good banter, humor and a unique premise.

I will definely being reading more of Colleen Oakley.

My thanks to Fleet (Berkley) via Netgalley for a digital ARC in exchange for a honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the advanced reader copy.

This was such a delightfully absurd book that it kept me up late into the night, hoping to finish one more chapter. Jane and Dan are on their way to celebrate their nineteenth wedding anniversary at one of the most exclusive restaurants in California, where Jane intends to tell Dan that she wants a divorce. Just after she announces this--over a starting course of goos barnacles!--the restaurant is stormed by eco terrorists, who seem to be working from the playbook of the one novel that Jane published six years earlier. Jane and Dan were delightful characters to follow; their marriage felt authentic and funny and messy, and kept me wanting to find out what was going to happen next between them. This is such a great book!

Jane and Dan at the End of the World is out March 11, 2025