3.75 stars rounded up. This book was funnier than I expected and the story was very engaging. The change in perspectives was nice for something like this to see all the sides. Also, I liked what the author said about marriage in her acknowledgments.

Thanks to Netgalley for the arc.

*This review contains spoilers for the novel, which I've rated at a 3.5*

"Jane and Dan at the End of the World" is a high-stakes, tense drama that is somehow also funny, heartwarming, and utterly unbelievable. For any heist story, at least in my opinion, you have to be able to suspend your disbelief a bit so that all of the various parts can come together in a satisfying way regardless of how realistic. And, due to the generally lighthearted tone of this novel you can breeze through it without stopping to ponder the believability as the characters do most of that for you as the plot progresses! I myself blazed through this novel in just a couple of days, reading in my down time at work and on my commute home, so it's definitely a worthwhile page-turner. My biggest critiques of the work come down to two things: Jane and Dan's relationship, and the lack of consequences in the ending.

Now, I will admit I am just coming into my thirties this year. I have never been married, never raised children, and never had to give up my dreams for either of those things; all that said, I can't imagine a world where I'm contemplating divorce from my partner for over a year, and the discovery of some incriminating text messages becomes an excuse to bring it up. The fact that she wants a divorce, on top of all the other ways she feels she's been failing in her life, does add to Jane's character in her anger, her sarcasm, her boldness, and how she deals with Dan throughout the novel, yet I have a hard time believing that a woman who despite everything DOES indeed have her shit together struggle to drop the idea of divorce for such a long time. It's the core of the novel, and the fact that it's simply a plot device makes it feel almost unnecessary. I liked Jane's fiery attitude, but I just didn't enjoy that particular decision for her and for the story.

The lack of consequences though... Listen, I'm all for revolution, and trying to strike down billionaires and the corporations that are ruining our Earth, but even I have trouble believing that Sissy and her eco-terrorist group suffered absolutely zero repercussions for their actions, even among the other wealthy dinner guests if not the actual law. Overall, I did actually really enjoy this novel, and I can easily imagine it to be a thrilling movie or TV show, but in novel format I likely won't pick it up again. I still massively appreciated the chance to read this as an Advance Reader's Copy, and I will likely read more of Oakley's books as I liked her writing style and I think she does have a stellar comedic voice.

*Major thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review!*

Jane and Dan at the End of the World is incredibly creative and downright delightful! Every so often, I read a logline that really makes me sit up, and this was absolutely that!

When Jane and Dan decide to celebrate their anniversary at an upscale restaurant, two unexpected things happen: Jane asks for a divorce, and a team of activists take everyone in the restaurant hostage. Twist after twist ensues…

Jane was incredibly relatable, and Colleen did an excellent job capturing her internal conflict in a way that felt both authentic and witty. The setting reminded me of the movie the Menu, and the absurdity and humor dialed back the high stakes situation in a way that entertained without melodrama. Well done, Colleen!

I laughed my way through much of this book, which seems strange as it centers on a middle-aged couple, Jane and Dan, having their anniversary dinner at an ultra-pricy California restaurant perched high on a cliff that turns into a dangerous hostage situation. It’s not that the novel lacks tense moments, but it ultimately delivers up-close look at a 19-year marriage gone so stale that an outrageous incident is needed to revive romance and tenderness, and of the endless efforts that can still lead to parenting gone awry.

Instead of their usual anniversary early dinner out at the Macaroni Grill, Dan decides to splurge on a high-end restaurant, La Fin du Monde, when he wins the ability to make a reservation. Along with an unparalleled view out to the ocean, the restaurant has an $8.4 million dessert option that comes with a diamond necklace, a delicious appetizer from giant sea barnacles, and an elitist chef who demands guests all hand over their phones.

Example of the humor: Jane’s convinced Dan is having an affair after seeing text messages with a women and him sneaking off at night, when really he’s embarrassed that he’s joined an ultimate frisbee club. During the evening, Dan gets a chance to put his awesome new frisbee skills to work in self-defense! Things like this abound.

Jane has just told Dan that she wants a divorce, when suddenly masked and armed eco-terrorists burst into the restaurant. They’re seeking out a billionaire diner who they plan to rob. And slowly but surely Jane realizes that somehow the eco-terrorists are carrying out the plot from the one novel she’s written, in which an evil gang takes hostages in a high-end London teahouse. Dan dismisses this as nonsense at first…
You just have to read on as all the plot twists get smartly tied up together!

Thanks to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for an advanced reader’s copy.

This was a fun time! I think you really have to buy into the premise of it for it to really work, which I'm not 100% sure if I did. Because of that I don't think this was a complete slam dunk for me, but it was still a good read. The writing was very solid and I loved the pacing. It moved very quickly and was hard to put down.

I think where it lacked for me was Jane and Dan's relationship, which is so central to the plot. I almost think Colleen Oakley did too good of a job of making Jane's freedom sound too compelling, that it was hard not to want that for her and hard to feel like things were truly resolved in their relationship.

Despite that, a lot of this over the top and ridiculous in a way that I can't say I found very plausible, but I also know this isn't the type of book I should look for that in. Is it something I'll be thinking about forever? Probably not, but I enjoyed my time for the most part!

Fabulous, witty & completely original! I loved this book!

Jane & Dan are celebrating their 19th Wedding Anniversary in an exclusive Michelin Star restaurant. Jane reveals to Dan that she wants a divorce, but immediately after she breaks the news to Dan, their meal is interrupted by very inexperienced activist terrorists. These activists take the restaurant employees and patrons hostage. Jane, a relatively unsuccessful author, begins to realize that the entire hostage crisis is a replica of her latest book. Jane, knowing what will happen next, takes it upon herself and her troubled husband, to stop the madness.

This book was so fun and hilarious, I enjoyed every page. Colleen Oakley wrote each character with a snarky and amusing voice that I found myself recommending this book before I was even finished reading it.

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review. #NetGalley #JaneAndDanAtTheEndOfTheWorld

This book was a good time to me! It was serious without being over the top serious. Jane had a lot going on with Dan and I liked that they came back together in the end. Would definitely read more by this author and really enjoyed this one!

Jane and Dan find themselves going to a fancy restaurant to celebrate their 19th Anniversary. Jane is planning to break the news to Dan that she wants a divorce, but things go very awry at the restaurant, when a group of armed terrorists enter the restaurant, looking for a famous billionaire. What's even stranger is that Jane swears the terrorists are doing everything they did in the book that she wrote...will Jane and Dan escape this terrible night?

This book was hard to put down, with many twists and turns, as Jane and Dan and the other diners navigate through a volatile situation, while still maintaining the humor of a romcom. Readers will surely be entertained!

What to say about this book… It’s been on my TBR since I first heard about it as it sounded very unique and interesting. That it was. It had shades of Anxious People for me, as both had similar hostage situations that weren’t quite what they seemed, but I didn’t think the writing or story development was quite as good. I thought the issues between Dan and Jane were very predictable, as was the ending there, but the rest of the story I didn’t see coming. It got a little far-fetched for me and rambled some at the end but overall I think it was worth the read. 3.5 stars

Jane and Dan have hit a slump. Jane is done. Nearly 20 years of marriage and she’s throwing in the towel. Meanwhile Dan is oblivious of course.

Jane can’t take another minute of being married to Dan. She has came to the conclusion that their song has come to an end.

If Jane doesn’t end it now, she never will. So Jane does. Jane ends their 19 year marriage. During dinner. At possibly the most prestigious restraunts in their city.

Well Dan is not going to allow this none sense. Especially during a hostage situation.

Come again you may ask? Yes, Jane had the audacity to end a marriage right in the middle of not only their eighteen or is it nineteen year wedding anniversary , but during a hostage takeover?

Throughout this hysterical book, you will be shaking your head while sympathizing and saying I get that! A must read for sure!

What I liked:

I loved the comedy! A perfect amount of comedy thrown into the hostage situation. I also love how the writer made the situation not scary but campy in a way..highly relatable if married or have kids.

What I disliked:

At times it did drag on for it bit.

Jane and Dan have been married for nineteen years (or is it twenty?) and normally celebrate at Macaroni Grill, but this year when they when an auction ticket to make a reservation at the hottest place in town, La Fin Du Monde, they step out of their comfort zone and go.

What starts as a nice, yet somewhat pretentious evening quickly turns sour when a group of environmental terrorists takes over the restaurant. They have targeted a VIP due to arrive via helicopter and everyone else is just in the way. Jane quickly realizes the groups’ actions mirror her own novel that she wrote more than six years ago. How can this be? She is positive less than 200 people actually read her book, but the parallels are uncanny. When she tries to convey her suspicions and move her husband to action, she finds herself irritated as he still after years of marriage cannot understand her body language and he’s quickly proving lip reading isn’t his forte either.

While I found this entertaining, a few subplots seemed a little far-fetched. This wrong place at the wrong time scenario had a few too many coincidences for my liking. The humor was fun though and I found Jane entertaining. She is quick witted and not afraid to speak her mind, even though it tends to get her in trouble.

Thank you to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group, and of course the author Colleen Oakley for the advanced copy of the book. Jane and Dan at the End of the World is out now. All opinions are my own.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
This is a quirky, fast-paced novel that immediately grabbed my attention with its unique premise. Jane and Dan, married for 19 years, head to a bougie, exclusive restaurant to celebrate their anniversary—but things take a sudden and unexpected turn when they find themselves taken hostage by a group of armed intruders. The twist? The unfolding chaos mirrors the plot of Jane’s only published novel. I loved  this books engaging pace, unexpected twists, and the constant feeling that I had no idea what was coming next. Oakley has delivered an unpredictable ride, blending humor with suspense while examining relationships and personal growth.
This book is quirky in all the right ways and thoroughly enjoyable. It is definitely worth the read!
Thank Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to review this ARC.

Jane is feeling ambivalent about her 19-year marriage, and life in general, on her anniversary. Dan’s a good guy, and they’ve had a good run, but she suspects he is cheating on her. Her two teens are at the ages where they don’t really need her. And her writing career, which was so exciting when she landed a book deal, has stalled. The book only sold a few hundred copies, and she hasn’t come up with more to pitch.

When Jane and Dan go out for their anniversary to a well-known, very expensive restaurant, she decides she might as well ask for a divorce during dinner.

But not long after their first course and her announcement, climate activists storm into La Fin du Monde restaurant and tie everyone up. It’s definitely a strange thing to experience. But what’s weirder is that a lot of what the activists do is very similar to the plot of her book.

Since Jane has an idea what could come next in the activists’ ploys, she tries to figure out ways to stop them. But then a huge plot twist shakes both Jane and Dan and sends them scrambling to fix what they’re facing.

Jane and Dan at the End of the World is a portrait of a marriage, of a woman at midlife who’s wondering just where she stands and if she could have made different choices. It’s rife with questions and disappointment. Jane looks back on moments before she married and both crucial and everyday times throughout her married life.

Then the hostage/terrorist situation gives her new insights and shakes up her thought processes.

Jane and Dan at the End of the World is equal parts reflection on both the banality and the joy of adult/married life and humor about it. It takes on parental pride and expectations from young adult children, climate change, big business, uber-wealth, and human nature. And there are a couple of clever little twists that don’t make up a vital part of the story but give it a little kick. It’s an entertaining mix that I found particularly enjoyable as I got closer to the end and got an idea of the big picture of the story. (The publisher’s summary and some readers say it’s “hilarious,” but as is often the case with books that claim hilarity, I would not call it that. Lightly humorous in parts, yes.)

Jane and Dan are celebrating their 19th wedding anniversary at a very upscale restaurant. Jane is trying to ask Dan for a divorce, while he keeps trying to tell her they are not getting divorced. Suddenly, a group of terrorists burst into the restaurant and take it hostage. As time passes, Jane realizes that the terrorist group is using her book as a play-by-play, and only she and Dan can stop them.

This was no page-turner, just enough to keep one interested.

Jane and Dan at the End of the World is a whimsical tale of a couple's anniversary dinner that takes a complete left turn into the bizarre land of action and adventure when the restaurant is taken captive. Jane and Dan find themselves being held hostage and considering their lives and marriage in a whole new light. With a few unexpected (and unbelievable) twists and turns, their story does share some lovely insights into both love and longlasting relationships.

Very quick, light, and funny read perfect for summer! I really enjoyed the premise of this book, it’s very unique and definitely has not been done before. I flew through it, the plot is very well paced and the chapters have cliffhangers that keeps you wanting more. I do wish we got a little more about Jane and Dan’s relationship. I also feel like we didn’t get to see much of the ending, it wrapped up pretty quickly and I would have liked to see more about what ends up happening.

I read this book in one sitting. It captivated me from the beginning! Oakley did a fantastic job setting the scene and keeping the reader on their toes until the very end. I appreciated the ability to switch POVs from Jane t0 Dan. Both of these characters have a special place in my heart. I have never felt more seen than the part of the book where Jane and Dan are trying to talk to one another across the room without drawing attention to themselves. The frustration they both feel and trying to get their point across and the other person has no idea what the heck is going on is beyond entertaining. Overall I loved how the story came together; the pace was perfect, the characters were well written, and the story was comical, captivating, and delightful!

This story was such an unexpected delight. Unexpected in that it was such a unique premise with so many great revelations along the way.. It was such a fun read, but also had some real feels throughout. Jane and Dan are out for their 19th anniversary dinner. They've been struggling, and Jane thinks that they need a divorce. Except then things really take a turn when underground climate activists take the restaurant patrons and staff hostage. Oh, but here's the thing - Jane once wrote a book that a very similar premise and what's happening seems very similar. This was just such an enjoyable ride. I love all the twists as the story built and the connections of different characters in the restaurant were revealed. It's one that kept me guessing. I also loved that even amidst all this "stuff" it was also a story about marriage. I adored this one so very much. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the look at this March 2025 release!

This is a clever and unexpected blend of domestic drama, humor, and high-stakes adventure. At its heart, it’s the story of a strained marriage on the verge of collapse, but the twist—an absurdly chaotic hostage situation orchestrated by climate activists—turns it into something truly unique. Jane is a wonderfully relatable protagonist, grappling with feelings of stagnation, disappointment, and suspicion, while Dan’s character provides layers of complexity as their relationship is tested. The way the plot intertwines Jane’s failed novel with the unfolding events adds a clever meta element that keeps the story intriguing and fresh. Oakley’s wit shines through the absurd situations and sharp dialogue, offering plenty of laughs, even in tense moments. But beneath the humor lies a heartfelt exploration of marriage, partnership, and the resilience needed to navigate life’s unpredictable twists. Absolutely loved it!

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC of Jane and Dan at the End of the World by Colleen Oakley.

Sitting down to an outrageously expensive meal, Dan has no idea what Jane is preparing to say to him. But neither of them were prepared for the barrage of people in guns and masks breaking in to interrupt their dinner either.

Through this totally unexpected series of events, Jane and Dan explore their relationship, family, and decisions that led them to this moment, and what that means for them...

I really wanted to like this book, but it didn't land for me like I hoped. I was turned off by Jane from the get go, I could not vibe with her choices, or her lack of self awareness. The story itself also didn't pull me to it like I've experienced with other stories. It all fell flat for me.