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Jane and Dan at the End of the World
AS SEEN ON THE TODAY SHOW USA TODAY BESTSELLER A ZIBBY OWENS MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK OF 2025! A GOOD HOUSEKEEPING BOOK CLUB PICK!
Date night goes off the rails when one couple gets wrapped up in a crime in progress, in this “hilarious” (People) new novel from the USA Today bestselling author.
When Jane and Dan score dinner reservations at the renowned and expensive La Fin du Monde (The End of the World) Jane thinks it’s as good a place as any to tell Dan she wants a divorce.The mother of two feels unneeded by her teenagers, and her writing career has screeched to a halt. Her one published novel sold under five hundred copies. Worse? She’s pretty sure Dan is cheating on her.
But before they even get to the second course, an activist group bursts into the dining room. Jane is shocked—and not just because she’s in a hostage situation the likes of which she’s only seen in the movies! Nearly everything the disorganized and bumbling activists say and do is right out of the pages of her failed book. Even Dan (who Jane wasn’t sure even read her book) admits it’s eerily familiar.
Which means Dan and Jane can predict what’s going to happen next. And they’re the only ones who can stop it. This wasn’t what Jane was thinking of when she said “’til death do us part” all those years ago, but if they can survive this, they can survive anything—even marriage.
Date night goes off the rails when one couple gets wrapped up in a crime in progress, in this “hilarious” (People) new novel from the USA Today bestselling author.
When Jane and Dan score dinner reservations at the renowned and expensive La Fin du Monde (The End of the World) Jane thinks it’s as good a place as any to tell Dan she wants a divorce.The mother of two feels unneeded by her teenagers, and her writing career has screeched to a halt. Her one published novel sold under five hundred copies. Worse? She’s pretty sure Dan is cheating on her.
But before they even get to the second course, an activist group bursts into the dining room. Jane is shocked—and not just because she’s in a hostage situation the likes of which she’s only seen in the movies! Nearly everything the disorganized and bumbling activists say and do is right out of the pages of her failed book. Even Dan (who Jane wasn’t sure even read her book) admits it’s eerily familiar.
Which means Dan and Jane can predict what’s going to happen next. And they’re the only ones who can stop it. This wasn’t what Jane was thinking of when she said “’til death do us part” all those years ago, but if they can survive this, they can survive anything—even marriage.
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First published March 11, 2025
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About the author
Colleen Oakley
10 books2,285 followersColleen Oakley is the USA Today bestselling author of Jane and Dan at the End of the World, The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise, The Invisible Husband of Frick Island, You Were There Too and other unconventional love stories. Her books have been translated into more than 20 languages around the world, lauded by numerous magazines including People, Us Weekly, Library Journal, and Real Simple, and won multiple awards including Georgia Author of the Year.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,205 reviews
August 4, 2024
I gotta say, I loved it. Not only is it Colleen Oakley's best work to date, but it will absolutely go down in history as a classic with the likes of War and Peace and Pride and Prejudice, and high school lit classes will be studying the genius of it for years to come. Oh, wait. These reviews aren't anonymous?
March 12, 2025
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The Book Review Crew Blog
This is a quirky book, and I love quirky. It was also very poignant at times, with a unique premise that was executed very well. Jane and Dan are having marriage problems and decide to go out for dinner on the evening of their 19th anniversary. While dining out, they're taken hostage and find themselves living the plot of Jane's latest book.
I loved how original this book was. It immediately grabbed my attention and never let me go. It kept me guessing until the end, perfectly balancing the funny with the touching moments. The characters are relatable and true to life. Anyone who has been in a long-term relationship, especially those of a certain age, will see something of themselves in Jane and Dan.
The pacing was great, and I had to keep flipping pages to see what would happen next. There are plenty of unexpected twists and surprising reveals. I do have to mention that over-the-top usually isn't for me, but here, it works and works well. It's absurd at times, but I just embraced it and enjoyed the ride. What a delightful reading experience this was, and it was very entertaining, especially towards the end. If you enjoy books that are fun(ny) and thought-provoking, this is the book for you.
This was my second read by the author, I loved The Invisible Husband of Frick Island and I have The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise on my TBR, I must bump it up.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
The Book Review Crew Blog
This is a quirky book, and I love quirky. It was also very poignant at times, with a unique premise that was executed very well. Jane and Dan are having marriage problems and decide to go out for dinner on the evening of their 19th anniversary. While dining out, they're taken hostage and find themselves living the plot of Jane's latest book.
I loved how original this book was. It immediately grabbed my attention and never let me go. It kept me guessing until the end, perfectly balancing the funny with the touching moments. The characters are relatable and true to life. Anyone who has been in a long-term relationship, especially those of a certain age, will see something of themselves in Jane and Dan.
The pacing was great, and I had to keep flipping pages to see what would happen next. There are plenty of unexpected twists and surprising reveals. I do have to mention that over-the-top usually isn't for me, but here, it works and works well. It's absurd at times, but I just embraced it and enjoyed the ride. What a delightful reading experience this was, and it was very entertaining, especially towards the end. If you enjoy books that are fun(ny) and thought-provoking, this is the book for you.
This was my second read by the author, I loved The Invisible Husband of Frick Island and I have The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise on my TBR, I must bump it up.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
March 12, 2025
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 enjoy 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!
A buddy read with DeAnn. Was it a fit for her?
AVAILABLE NOW!
Thank You to Berkley for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts!
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 enjoy 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!
A buddy read with DeAnn. Was it a fit for her?
AVAILABLE NOW!
Thank You to Berkley for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts!
May 3, 2025
Hmmm... I know this isn't the most enthusiastic way to start a book review for one of your favorite authors, especially for her latest release, which initially filled me with hope due to its intriguing plot about a couple’s second chance at marriage at the worst possible time and place!
When I first read the blurb about Jane and Dan—mid-thirties, celebrating their 19th (not 20th, thanks to Dan’s confusion) wedding anniversary at one of the city’s most expensive Michelin-starred restaurants, La Fin du Monde—I was immediately drawn in. Jane’s plan to drop the bombshell of her desire for a divorce during their $2000 nine-course meal seemed intense enough. Poor Dan, confused and insistent he didn’t cheat, has no clue that Jane’s issues go far beyond cryptic text messages. She hates her unfulfilled life, her rejected manuscript she toiled over for six years, and she’s trapped in the depression of an empty nest. Divorce feels like her only way out, like a life raft to help her finally breathe again.
But before she can continue their conversation (or even enjoy her second course), an activist group bursts into the restaurant with guns, demanding everyone surrender their phones and obey their orders. Strangely enough, these bumbling, eccentric activists seem straight out of her failed book, where terrorists take over a teahouse—right down to their leader reciting lines she’d written! How is this even possible when no one, not even her husband, has read her manuscript? The plot thickens when Jane realizes her daughter, who claimed she was watching Yellowjackets with a friend, is actually part of the activist group. Now, Jane must find a way to protect her family and especially her daughter, who’s about to throw away her future. But Jane is no John McClane, single-handedly taking down terrorists in Nakatomi Plaza. She’ll need to team up with Dan, for old times’ sake. After all, didn’t they promise each other "till death do us part"? Could any ordinary person become an action hero in such a dangerous situation? It’s time for them to channel their inner Dwayne Johnson!
Overall, I found the opening, with its fresh and entertaining focus on a broken marriage and a couple's second chance, to be smart and captivating. I was still engaged when the hostage situation took over and the twists started to pile up. But by the second half, the far-fetched scenarios and exaggerated moments began to overwhelm me, making it feel like the author lost sight of her main message. The commentary on capitalism and the ultra-rich ruining the environment for their own gain became muddled, and the fine line between crime and justice wasn't drawn as sharply as I’d hoped.
I wanted to connect more with Jane and Dan’s marital struggles, but from the beginning, Jane irritated me, and I found it hard to relate to her. Dan was likable enough, but his big secret turned out to be underwhelming, leaving me with a shrug rather than a sense of revelation.
The conclusion wasn’t bad, but there were still unresolved parts that didn’t sit well with me. I did love the concept, and I laughed out loud at Dan’s hilarious line about paying for dinner at the end—that was the highlight for me! Ultimately, though, this was a three-star read. I had higher expectations for this author, but while the book didn’t completely work for me, it was still an entertaining and fun ride. If you don’t overanalyze it, it’s definitely an enjoyable read. And if it ever gets adapted into a movie, my ideal casting for Jane and Dan would be Kristen Wiig and Will Forte!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing this digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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When I first read the blurb about Jane and Dan—mid-thirties, celebrating their 19th (not 20th, thanks to Dan’s confusion) wedding anniversary at one of the city’s most expensive Michelin-starred restaurants, La Fin du Monde—I was immediately drawn in. Jane’s plan to drop the bombshell of her desire for a divorce during their $2000 nine-course meal seemed intense enough. Poor Dan, confused and insistent he didn’t cheat, has no clue that Jane’s issues go far beyond cryptic text messages. She hates her unfulfilled life, her rejected manuscript she toiled over for six years, and she’s trapped in the depression of an empty nest. Divorce feels like her only way out, like a life raft to help her finally breathe again.
But before she can continue their conversation (or even enjoy her second course), an activist group bursts into the restaurant with guns, demanding everyone surrender their phones and obey their orders. Strangely enough, these bumbling, eccentric activists seem straight out of her failed book, where terrorists take over a teahouse—right down to their leader reciting lines she’d written! How is this even possible when no one, not even her husband, has read her manuscript? The plot thickens when Jane realizes her daughter, who claimed she was watching Yellowjackets with a friend, is actually part of the activist group. Now, Jane must find a way to protect her family and especially her daughter, who’s about to throw away her future. But Jane is no John McClane, single-handedly taking down terrorists in Nakatomi Plaza. She’ll need to team up with Dan, for old times’ sake. After all, didn’t they promise each other "till death do us part"? Could any ordinary person become an action hero in such a dangerous situation? It’s time for them to channel their inner Dwayne Johnson!
Overall, I found the opening, with its fresh and entertaining focus on a broken marriage and a couple's second chance, to be smart and captivating. I was still engaged when the hostage situation took over and the twists started to pile up. But by the second half, the far-fetched scenarios and exaggerated moments began to overwhelm me, making it feel like the author lost sight of her main message. The commentary on capitalism and the ultra-rich ruining the environment for their own gain became muddled, and the fine line between crime and justice wasn't drawn as sharply as I’d hoped.
I wanted to connect more with Jane and Dan’s marital struggles, but from the beginning, Jane irritated me, and I found it hard to relate to her. Dan was likable enough, but his big secret turned out to be underwhelming, leaving me with a shrug rather than a sense of revelation.
The conclusion wasn’t bad, but there were still unresolved parts that didn’t sit well with me. I did love the concept, and I laughed out loud at Dan’s hilarious line about paying for dinner at the end—that was the highlight for me! Ultimately, though, this was a three-star read. I had higher expectations for this author, but while the book didn’t completely work for me, it was still an entertaining and fun ride. If you don’t overanalyze it, it’s definitely an enjoyable read. And if it ever gets adapted into a movie, my ideal casting for Jane and Dan would be Kristen Wiig and Will Forte!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing this digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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March 2, 2026
Midlife crisis… but make it a hostage situation. 💥
This book really said, “Let’s unpack marriage, aging, regret, desire, and self-worth... under extreme duress.”
Was there a lot of inner monologue? Yes.
Did the characters emotionally pace in circles at times? Also yes. 🔁
That said... I stuck with it because: (a) I am very much in this age bracket myself 🙋🏻♀️ and (b) I absolutely needed to see where this chaos was going. Underneath the humor and absurdity is a message that genuinely hit: “Never let the things you want make you forget the things you have.” Oof. That one stayed with me.
Not obsession-level for me… but entertaining, reflective, and funnier than I expected. Flawed humans being very human, with a side of danger and self-realization.
Would I survive a hostage situation? Unclear.
Would I overthink my entire life during it? Absolutely. 😅
3.75 ⭐
This book really said, “Let’s unpack marriage, aging, regret, desire, and self-worth... under extreme duress.”
Was there a lot of inner monologue? Yes.
Did the characters emotionally pace in circles at times? Also yes. 🔁
That said... I stuck with it because: (a) I am very much in this age bracket myself 🙋🏻♀️ and (b) I absolutely needed to see where this chaos was going. Underneath the humor and absurdity is a message that genuinely hit: “Never let the things you want make you forget the things you have.” Oof. That one stayed with me.
Not obsession-level for me… but entertaining, reflective, and funnier than I expected. Flawed humans being very human, with a side of danger and self-realization.
Would I survive a hostage situation? Unclear.
Would I overthink my entire life during it? Absolutely. 😅
3.75 ⭐
January 27, 2025
Jane and Dan…your table is ready. If you’ll just follow me, please.
Jane and Dan are out on the town, celebrating their nineteenth wedding anniversary at a ridiculously expensive restaurant.
But this won’t be just another dinner. Before the second course is served two major events will occur:
1. Jane is about to ask Dan for a divorce
2. Jane and Dan are about to be held hostage along with the other diners at this high-end restaurant. (Check please!🙋🏼♀️)
As the group of activists begin rounding everyone up and making their demands, Jane starts to have a strange feeling. This all seems oddly familiar. As in a spot-on reenactment of her one and only published book! How could that be? It was years ago! And truth be told, virtually no one read it, including her own family!
This sounded like a fun premise and having enjoyed previous books by this author I was excited to read this one.
And while it did deliver an overall fun read, I just wish it would have been a bit sharper…a little more snarkiness.
If you’re looking for a read on the lighter side laced with a bit of humor then look no further.
Thank you to Berkley Publishing via NetGalley
Jane and Dan are out on the town, celebrating their nineteenth wedding anniversary at a ridiculously expensive restaurant.
But this won’t be just another dinner. Before the second course is served two major events will occur:
1. Jane is about to ask Dan for a divorce
2. Jane and Dan are about to be held hostage along with the other diners at this high-end restaurant. (Check please!🙋🏼♀️)
As the group of activists begin rounding everyone up and making their demands, Jane starts to have a strange feeling. This all seems oddly familiar. As in a spot-on reenactment of her one and only published book! How could that be? It was years ago! And truth be told, virtually no one read it, including her own family!
This sounded like a fun premise and having enjoyed previous books by this author I was excited to read this one.
And while it did deliver an overall fun read, I just wish it would have been a bit sharper…a little more snarkiness.
If you’re looking for a read on the lighter side laced with a bit of humor then look no further.
Thank you to Berkley Publishing via NetGalley
February 25, 2025
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! 📅
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! 📅
April 26, 2025
When date night goes awry…
Jane and Dan have been married for close to two decades, but have hit a rough patch that may mean the end of their marriage. When they attempt a date night at an upscale restaurant to celebrate their anniversary, the last thing they expect is for everyone in the restaurant to be taken hostage by a local climate activist group. Even more strange, they seem to be using the playbook presented in Jane’s failed novel.
After loving Colleen Oakley’s previous book, The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise, I knew I needed to get my hands on this one. Now that I have read it, I think I was maybe not the right reader for this one. While I do enjoy character-rich stories, studies in marriage, and some amount of romantic adventure, this book started out right in my zone, and then about 20% in, went way into the over-the-top realm for me. In fact, it felt so unrealistic, I struggled to connect to anyone or anything happening in the story.
I have seen very mixed reviews, some having raved and others feeling similarly to me. If this one has been on your radar, I would suggest giving it a try in case you fall into the former category.
Read if you like:
▪️women’s fiction
▪️marriage in crisis
▪️books about books
▪️romantic “adventure”
▪️stories set over one day
Thank you Berkley Pub and PRH Audio for the gifted copies.
Jane and Dan have been married for close to two decades, but have hit a rough patch that may mean the end of their marriage. When they attempt a date night at an upscale restaurant to celebrate their anniversary, the last thing they expect is for everyone in the restaurant to be taken hostage by a local climate activist group. Even more strange, they seem to be using the playbook presented in Jane’s failed novel.
After loving Colleen Oakley’s previous book, The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise, I knew I needed to get my hands on this one. Now that I have read it, I think I was maybe not the right reader for this one. While I do enjoy character-rich stories, studies in marriage, and some amount of romantic adventure, this book started out right in my zone, and then about 20% in, went way into the over-the-top realm for me. In fact, it felt so unrealistic, I struggled to connect to anyone or anything happening in the story.
I have seen very mixed reviews, some having raved and others feeling similarly to me. If this one has been on your radar, I would suggest giving it a try in case you fall into the former category.
Read if you like:
▪️women’s fiction
▪️marriage in crisis
▪️books about books
▪️romantic “adventure”
▪️stories set over one day
Thank you Berkley Pub and PRH Audio for the gifted copies.
December 17, 2024
I would give this book 6/5 stars if I could. Sometimes, some books just resonate deeply, and Oakley's 'Jane and Dan at the End of the World' was one of those. It's not a book I ever wanted (or needed) to skim to get through... and as someone with ADD who does this a lot... I need you to understand the significance. Set over a few hours at dinner and with an epilogue that I loved as well. It was like someone perfectly put into words what it is to wonder about the road not taken.
Jane's character, whom I dearly loved and wanted to hug, was not a character I knew I needed until I found her, and I will remember her for a while to come. It was a reminder to be grateful for what you have and look forward to the possibilities of what may still come in the future. Doors really aren't ever locked.. they need to be cracked open again. I will be buying a trophy copy for my shelf!!
Even though this isn't a romance... it's somewhat more literary fiction... I still feel like there were such unforgettable moments of insight into romantic relationships that I want to include in my romance roundup soon because it's SO good, and everyone needs to read it!
**Thank you to Berkley for the advanced reader copy. I received this book for free, but all thoughts are my own. – SLR 🖤
Follow me on Instagram for honest reviews, bookish freebies & giveaways! 🦋
Jane's character, whom I dearly loved and wanted to hug, was not a character I knew I needed until I found her, and I will remember her for a while to come. It was a reminder to be grateful for what you have and look forward to the possibilities of what may still come in the future. Doors really aren't ever locked.. they need to be cracked open again. I will be buying a trophy copy for my shelf!!
Even though this isn't a romance... it's somewhat more literary fiction... I still feel like there were such unforgettable moments of insight into romantic relationships that I want to include in my romance roundup soon because it's SO good, and everyone needs to read it!
**Thank you to Berkley for the advanced reader copy. I received this book for free, but all thoughts are my own. – SLR 🖤
Follow me on Instagram for honest reviews, bookish freebies & giveaways! 🦋
September 23, 2024
OH EM GEE. 4.5 stars!
I was not expecting this to be such a riot. All I can think about is Kristin Wiig and Will Ferrell playing the middle aged couple who have reached the point in their marriage, where it's become predictable, loveless, and quite frankly boring. Jane, who is in a rut after only selling about 500 copies of her book, and Dan who is a podiatrist (not a real doctor), are celebrating their 19th (or is their 20th?) anniversary at an incredibly expensive restaurant high uptop a hill in California. They have two kids, one getting ready to head to Stanford in the fall, the other not far behind her. Soon to be empty nesters, and eventually Jane is looking for a reprieve from her monotonous life.
"It’s not the parenting that’s so exhausting as much as the performance of the same script day in and day out. Or maybe it’s the trying to fix all the things for all the people in her family, when she can’t even fix herself."
"Whenever someone asks the secret to making a marriage last, the answer is never, He’s the only one who knows where the ironing board is kept."
Low and behold, a group of armed terrorists come in after only one plate has been served and after Jane tells Dan she wants a divorce. What happens next takes place over four hours, and is both thrilling, exciting, wall to wall bonkers hilarious. Even more ridiculous is the fatct the hostage situation is very similar to her own book. It's as if there are certain plotlines being unfolded in her eyes.
The banter between the couple, and the fact that the terrorists keeping them hostages, well are practically children, will leave you laughing out loud. There are quick moments of hilarity that are thrown in, where if you don't pay attention, you won't understand the joke.
"You mean Brick? He’s not our leader. We’re leaderless.” Dan, losing patience, scoffs. “Because that worked out so well for Occupy Wall Street?” “What’s that?” Neck Tat asks."
"Your dad always makes that lame joke at Christmas that you have to shop at Walmart because you can’t find the Target.”
I don't want to reveal any spoilers, as it is a mystery as to why they are even being held at gunpoint to begin with, and when you find out who the hostage takers are, it will leave you wanting more. It's such an easy fun breezy read. I plan on diving into Colleen Oakley's entire library, as I had no idea she was this funny, especially after continuously shelving Louise and Tanner multiple times last summer.
By the end, the couple learns that love is often not consistent, that liking each other needs to be what is most important on a day to day basis.
“Dan!” Jane says. “These are awful, terrible memories.” “I know,” he says through guffaws. “Oh, they’re awful. But they’re our awful, terrible memories.”
The only reason it isn't a five star read is that there were moments when Jane was insufferable, but I also understand her thought process as a bored housewife.
I truly hope this is turned into a movie, cause it will be a fun ride!!!
I was not expecting this to be such a riot. All I can think about is Kristin Wiig and Will Ferrell playing the middle aged couple who have reached the point in their marriage, where it's become predictable, loveless, and quite frankly boring. Jane, who is in a rut after only selling about 500 copies of her book, and Dan who is a podiatrist (not a real doctor), are celebrating their 19th (or is their 20th?) anniversary at an incredibly expensive restaurant high uptop a hill in California. They have two kids, one getting ready to head to Stanford in the fall, the other not far behind her. Soon to be empty nesters, and eventually Jane is looking for a reprieve from her monotonous life.
"It’s not the parenting that’s so exhausting as much as the performance of the same script day in and day out. Or maybe it’s the trying to fix all the things for all the people in her family, when she can’t even fix herself."
"Whenever someone asks the secret to making a marriage last, the answer is never, He’s the only one who knows where the ironing board is kept."
Low and behold, a group of armed terrorists come in after only one plate has been served and after Jane tells Dan she wants a divorce. What happens next takes place over four hours, and is both thrilling, exciting, wall to wall bonkers hilarious. Even more ridiculous is the fatct the hostage situation is very similar to her own book. It's as if there are certain plotlines being unfolded in her eyes.
The banter between the couple, and the fact that the terrorists keeping them hostages, well are practically children, will leave you laughing out loud. There are quick moments of hilarity that are thrown in, where if you don't pay attention, you won't understand the joke.
"You mean Brick? He’s not our leader. We’re leaderless.” Dan, losing patience, scoffs. “Because that worked out so well for Occupy Wall Street?” “What’s that?” Neck Tat asks."
"Your dad always makes that lame joke at Christmas that you have to shop at Walmart because you can’t find the Target.”
I don't want to reveal any spoilers, as it is a mystery as to why they are even being held at gunpoint to begin with, and when you find out who the hostage takers are, it will leave you wanting more. It's such an easy fun breezy read. I plan on diving into Colleen Oakley's entire library, as I had no idea she was this funny, especially after continuously shelving Louise and Tanner multiple times last summer.
By the end, the couple learns that love is often not consistent, that liking each other needs to be what is most important on a day to day basis.
“Dan!” Jane says. “These are awful, terrible memories.” “I know,” he says through guffaws. “Oh, they’re awful. But they’re our awful, terrible memories.”
The only reason it isn't a five star read is that there were moments when Jane was insufferable, but I also understand her thought process as a bored housewife.
I truly hope this is turned into a movie, cause it will be a fun ride!!!
January 8, 2025
When Dan wins a reservation at the famed La Fin du Monde, he figures what better place to celebrate he and Jane’s wedding anniversary. While it might break the bank, it’s certain to be more memorable than their usual trip to the Macaroni Grill. Unfortunately for Dan, Jane has a little something else in mind . . . .
Unfortunately for both of them, a group of activists really have something else in mind and it all seems soooooooo familiar to Jane. Are these climate change warriors really using the plot of her book that sold like 500 copies as their playbook?
Alright so this was just pure fun. I love Colleen Oakley. I was lucky enough to score an early copy and accidentally ended up reading it the day the Winter Reading Challenge began. I’m saying this falls under the umbrella of this year’s theme with a plot involving life imitating art.
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately for both of them, a group of activists really have something else in mind and it all seems soooooooo familiar to Jane. Are these climate change warriors really using the plot of her book that sold like 500 copies as their playbook?
Alright so this was just pure fun. I love Colleen Oakley. I was lucky enough to score an early copy and accidentally ended up reading it the day the Winter Reading Challenge began. I’m saying this falls under the umbrella of this year’s theme with a plot involving life imitating art.
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
January 22, 2025
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.
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.
April 23, 2025
A VERY original book, I can honestly say I've never read anything like it. I enjoyed it, laughed a lot and reflected on several exchanges between the married couple.
Jane and Dan at the End of the World introduces us to a couple married for 19 year and a little bored. Jane has lost herself somewhat throughout the years. She feels unseen by her husband and unneeded by her teenagers. We can all relate somewhat as we grow from caregiver to young ones, to the person only called when something is wrong. She's also a writer, and she's in a bit of a sophomore slump.
Worried they may not make it to 20 years, Dan and Jane decide to make a date night, and quickly find themselves hostages.
Yup, you read that right HOSTAGES of an underground climate activist group.
Even MORE bizarre? That just happens to the be the plot of her new book...
And so, silly and really crazy stuff goes on, and it definitely kept my attention. If you loved crazy rom com movies like "The Lost City" you will love this book!
Thank you to Goodreads Giveaways and Berkley Publishing for a beautiful hardcover copy of this!
Jane and Dan at the End of the World introduces us to a couple married for 19 year and a little bored. Jane has lost herself somewhat throughout the years. She feels unseen by her husband and unneeded by her teenagers. We can all relate somewhat as we grow from caregiver to young ones, to the person only called when something is wrong. She's also a writer, and she's in a bit of a sophomore slump.
Worried they may not make it to 20 years, Dan and Jane decide to make a date night, and quickly find themselves hostages.
Yup, you read that right HOSTAGES of an underground climate activist group.
Even MORE bizarre? That just happens to the be the plot of her new book...
And so, silly and really crazy stuff goes on, and it definitely kept my attention. If you loved crazy rom com movies like "The Lost City" you will love this book!
Thank you to Goodreads Giveaways and Berkley Publishing for a beautiful hardcover copy of this!
April 6, 2025
3.80⭐️ Despite several quibbles, the third act made it all worthwhile.
🌹My thanks to Shelley for bringing this story to my attention.🌹
🌹My thanks to Shelley for bringing this story to my attention.🌹
February 23, 2026
3.5 stars Thanks to Berkley Books and BookBrowse for offering me a copy to read for a unbiased review. Book published in March 2025.
I had never read Oakley before but I think she will be added to my list of palette cleanser authors, being in good company with Holly Gramazio, Ellie Cosimano and Kathrine Center.
Having put many years into a marriage and raising children to adulthood, I could relate well to the bickering and unsaid thoughts that Jane and Dan exhibited in this book. With the lack of honesty and communication this marriage is doomed to fail. And it is all brought to a head while they are out for their anniversary and it is interrupted by an activist group welding guns.
There are some twists that are good and some places that you must suspend realization to be able to enjoy the book. The premise is good and there is a good cross reference of characters. Although the synopsis may sound hard, the book is an easy read, more like a cozy than a hard mystery.
I had never read Oakley before but I think she will be added to my list of palette cleanser authors, being in good company with Holly Gramazio, Ellie Cosimano and Kathrine Center.
Having put many years into a marriage and raising children to adulthood, I could relate well to the bickering and unsaid thoughts that Jane and Dan exhibited in this book. With the lack of honesty and communication this marriage is doomed to fail. And it is all brought to a head while they are out for their anniversary and it is interrupted by an activist group welding guns.
There are some twists that are good and some places that you must suspend realization to be able to enjoy the book. The premise is good and there is a good cross reference of characters. Although the synopsis may sound hard, the book is an easy read, more like a cozy than a hard mystery.
April 9, 2025
Even though I didn’t start reading Colleen Oakley until 2021, she is easily one of my favorite authors and I picked up Jane and Dan at the End of the World without reading the synopsis. I was pleased to learn it was a bookish book, though a hostage situation can’t be described as nice in any form. There is a lot of tension throughout this entire novel which Oakley breaks up with a healthy dose of humor. There is quite a bit of internal monologue as we are in various people’s heads (with Jane being our main), and this ranged from funny to very enlightening for the characters. I really enjoyed the fresh look at marriage, motherhood, and family, and since I am getting closer to midlife myself, that pesky feeling of sometimes wanting something different/more from what you have.
Despite the many viewpoints, I absolutely adored the audiobook and once again Hillary Huber proves she is a talent unlike any other. She managed to capture each of the different character’s essence, and I loved her accent for one person in particular. Plus, she is a straight up delight to listen to. There are strong literary fiction vibes with a hint of mystery (more mysteriousness to be precise) and romance, so I might throw this into the domestic fiction category. I would recommend not reading the synopsis, as it does give most of the plot away, and I was glad I didn’t read it prior to starting. It was much more fun to watch the story unfold, and I loved the ending most of all. I would definitely watch this if it were made into a movie!
Read this if you are looking for a date gone horribly wrong, high-stress shenanigans, and (maybe) a slightly unlikeable FMC though I happened to love her. 🤷🏼♀️
Audiobook Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I received a complimentary listening copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Despite the many viewpoints, I absolutely adored the audiobook and once again Hillary Huber proves she is a talent unlike any other. She managed to capture each of the different character’s essence, and I loved her accent for one person in particular. Plus, she is a straight up delight to listen to. There are strong literary fiction vibes with a hint of mystery (more mysteriousness to be precise) and romance, so I might throw this into the domestic fiction category. I would recommend not reading the synopsis, as it does give most of the plot away, and I was glad I didn’t read it prior to starting. It was much more fun to watch the story unfold, and I loved the ending most of all. I would definitely watch this if it were made into a movie!
Read this if you are looking for a date gone horribly wrong, high-stress shenanigans, and (maybe) a slightly unlikeable FMC though I happened to love her. 🤷🏼♀️
Audiobook Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I received a complimentary listening copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
April 2, 2025
Oh brother! You can basically skip from page 78 or so to the 350s and not really miss a thing about the plot. Just conversation back-and-forth between husbands wives, gunman, restaurant staff, etc.
Once you get the idea of what the heist is, you can skip to the last two or three chapters and figure out whether they were good guys or bad guys but, if you’re like me, you are not gonna take the time to read all the stuff about back-and-forth and going to the bathroom and trying to alert the police and everything else . Waste of time! This book could’ve been a short story or a 30 minute TV show.
Some of the banter between Dan and Jane is quite comical, especially the memories of what happened in the Subaru. That was the best part of the book.
Once you get the idea of what the heist is, you can skip to the last two or three chapters and figure out whether they were good guys or bad guys but, if you’re like me, you are not gonna take the time to read all the stuff about back-and-forth and going to the bathroom and trying to alert the police and everything else . Waste of time! This book could’ve been a short story or a 30 minute TV show.
Some of the banter between Dan and Jane is quite comical, especially the memories of what happened in the Subaru. That was the best part of the book.
Read
March 17, 2025There was a lot to enjoy in this fast-paced sort-of thriller and sort-if midlife crisis story centering around a couple in their mid-forties (who read like they were in their fifties or older) going for their anniversary dinner to an exclusive place that charges an insane price for a "dining experience"--when it gets taken over by eco-terrorists.
The narration is mostly from Jane's POV, but goes omni at times. I found Jane's put-upon self-centeredness hard to like, though I did sympathize with her thwarted ambitions, but the rest of the characters were really enjoyable. Jane and Dan hash our their marital problems as all heck breaks out around them, sometimes the juxtaposition being hilarious and other times insane. Some fun surprises, and an ending that makes me think this was aimed at film. And it would make a great film.
The narration is mostly from Jane's POV, but goes omni at times. I found Jane's put-upon self-centeredness hard to like, though I did sympathize with her thwarted ambitions, but the rest of the characters were really enjoyable. Jane and Dan hash our their marital problems as all heck breaks out around them, sometimes the juxtaposition being hilarious and other times insane. Some fun surprises, and an ending that makes me think this was aimed at film. And it would make a great film.
December 26, 2024
Colleen Oakley has written some of my favorite books over the years and I was so excited to get my hands on Jane and Dan at the End of the World. This story is a bit more kitschy/quirky than some of her other novels, but still very enjoyable for me. Jane and Dan are celebrating their anniversary and all is not as wonderful as it may seem on the outsiders, but what happens at this dinner certainly takes everyone for a surprise.
Thank you to Berkley for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to Berkley for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
March 9, 2025
Unlike anything you’ve read, promise. Chaotic and zany and utterly bananas with a heart of gold, this was a precious book. Fun, unexpectedly insightful, and charmingly odd.
Thank you Berkley / PRH for a complimentary copy of this novel. All opinions are my own.
3.5 stars
Thank you Berkley / PRH for a complimentary copy of this novel. All opinions are my own.
3.5 stars
September 26, 2024
I loved this book! One part thriller, two parts family drama, and a big dollop of romantic comedy! A fabulous read!
April 13, 2025
this dragged on easy too long and the main character, Jane, is just annoying
November 17, 2024
3.5🌟 I have heard great things about Colleen Oakley novels, so I jumped at the chance to read this. Jane and Dan unexpectedly end up dining at La Fin du Monde - a very expensive restaurant for the rich and famous for their nineteenth (or is it twentieth?) wedding anniversary. Jane is bored and unsatisfied with her life and marriage. Jane has also discovered that Dan has been cheating on her. Shortly after informing him she would like a divorce, a group of climate change activists arrive and take everyone hostage. What's most unsettling is that as the drama unfolds, it's clearly reminiscent of the hostage situation in her failed novel published six years ago that sold under 500 copies.
This book had me laughing, and as a parent, the themes of motherhood and marriage were relatable. Oakley's prose is entertaining. Given that the book covers a four hour period, a lot of the detail was in the characters' memories as well as the current situation. The second half of the novel became disjointed, and the author's commentary on capitalism and the environment murky. The premise is good, and it is a fun read, but there isn't a lot happening, and I felt it lacked the depth I was hoping for. Many thanks to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group, and Colleen Oakley for an advance reader's copy in exchange for my honest review.
This book had me laughing, and as a parent, the themes of motherhood and marriage were relatable. Oakley's prose is entertaining. Given that the book covers a four hour period, a lot of the detail was in the characters' memories as well as the current situation. The second half of the novel became disjointed, and the author's commentary on capitalism and the environment murky. The premise is good, and it is a fun read, but there isn't a lot happening, and I felt it lacked the depth I was hoping for. Many thanks to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group, and Colleen Oakley for an advance reader's copy in exchange for my honest review.
March 8, 2025
Quirky and fast paced, I thought Jane And Dan At The End Of The World was wildly entertaining.
Jane is a failed writer, with a marriage that has lost its spark and kids who are on the cusp of adulthood. On the evening of Jane and Dans nineteenth wedding anniversary, they head off to a super fancy restaurant where Jane asks Dan for a divorce. Moments later an activist group surrounds the restaurant and takes all the patrons hostage. Jane finds the whole scenario terrifying yet oddly familiar, it seems like their captors have taken a page out of her book. Wait a minute, is that...?
The story is absolutely ludicrous but that's what kept me reading and reading and next thing I knew I had finished the book in a few hours. It was kooky and funny but also explored deeper themes like the evolution of marriage and motherhood. The author did an amazing job finding that balance between chaos and relatability. I was committed to the craze but also to Jane & Dans well being and rediscovery of self.
#JDAtTheEnd was a total treat.
Yes, I gave it a hashtag, somehow I think Jane would approve of this 😊
Thank you Berkley Publishing Group & NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Jane is a failed writer, with a marriage that has lost its spark and kids who are on the cusp of adulthood. On the evening of Jane and Dans nineteenth wedding anniversary, they head off to a super fancy restaurant where Jane asks Dan for a divorce. Moments later an activist group surrounds the restaurant and takes all the patrons hostage. Jane finds the whole scenario terrifying yet oddly familiar, it seems like their captors have taken a page out of her book. Wait a minute, is that...?
The story is absolutely ludicrous but that's what kept me reading and reading and next thing I knew I had finished the book in a few hours. It was kooky and funny but also explored deeper themes like the evolution of marriage and motherhood. The author did an amazing job finding that balance between chaos and relatability. I was committed to the craze but also to Jane & Dans well being and rediscovery of self.
#JDAtTheEnd was a total treat.
Yes, I gave it a hashtag, somehow I think Jane would approve of this 😊
Thank you Berkley Publishing Group & NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 22, 2025
This was just silly. I don’t mind an implausible and ridiculous story every once in a while but I just wanted this to be done so I could stop rolling my eyes and internally groaning.
Want to read
September 3, 2024i just need to know that this book won't wreck me like You Were There Too.
November 19, 2024
3 stars - not as good as I'd hoped, kinda implausible & not as funny, either...
March 13, 2025
First of all, this book came with a warning. One of the readers promised I would be able to read it in one sitting. And I laughed. And if I started this book on a Saturday that would’ve been true, since I could not put the book down. You’ve been warned.
The premise of the book was refreshing and was a nice deviation from some of the usual cookie cutter plots. A terrorist group interrupting an ultra exclusive multi-course dinner is not one you read every day. Add in the discussion of divorce and some other family drama (no spoilers), and it made for an interesting read. But more than just an action story, it also had some thought-provoking questions on what marriage means, family, and evolving relationships, and what it means to have courage.
Despite these themes, however, it somehow managed to be an easy read with a good balance of substance and entertainment. Definitely worth the read.
The premise of the book was refreshing and was a nice deviation from some of the usual cookie cutter plots. A terrorist group interrupting an ultra exclusive multi-course dinner is not one you read every day. Add in the discussion of divorce and some other family drama (no spoilers), and it made for an interesting read. But more than just an action story, it also had some thought-provoking questions on what marriage means, family, and evolving relationships, and what it means to have courage.
Despite these themes, however, it somehow managed to be an easy read with a good balance of substance and entertainment. Definitely worth the read.
March 11, 2025
Jane and Dan have been married for 19 years, and although they are on their way to a super swanky restaurant for their anniversary dinner, they are pretty much going through the motions. In fact, Jane is planning to tell Dan that she wants a divorce. She has barely broached the subject in the middle of the appetizer course when a group of masked, assault-weapon-wielding activists invade the restaurant, confiscate everyone's cell phones, and demand complete compliance with their orders. That's scary enough, but then the surprise identity of one of their captors raises the stakes exponentially. But even in her terror, Jane starts to notice that the situation feels familiar - because it's almost identical to the plot of the one (failed) novel she published six years ago.
Jane and Dan is a weird mash up of marriage-in-peril drama, suspense thriller, and wacky satire. I know it's just a novel, but I'm on edge these days and easily offended. In particular, the POV chapters from a bumbling police deputy who is excited to experience his first real crime (including a gunshot wound and everything!) made me see red. Similarly, without spoiling anything, the ultimate fate of the activists demonstrates either the author's naivete or her privilege.
If I were feeling more charitable towards the world, I would note that Oakley does an decent job of showing how Jane and Dan gradually remember why they love each other as they work together to avert the worst-case scenario. There's a heartfelt message about learning to trust that your kids will be okay even if you can't protect them 24/7 anymore. And the final reveal of why life is imitating Jane's art is undeniably clever (if incredibly far-fetched).
Maybe I should stick to non-fiction for a while. I'm not able to put aside my anger and fear long enough to get lost in someone else's story.
ARC received from Net Galley and publisher in exchange for review.
Jane and Dan is a weird mash up of marriage-in-peril drama, suspense thriller, and wacky satire. I know it's just a novel, but I'm on edge these days and easily offended. In particular, the POV chapters from a bumbling police deputy who is excited to experience his first real crime (including a gunshot wound and everything!) made me see red. Similarly, without spoiling anything, the ultimate fate of the activists demonstrates either the author's naivete or her privilege.
If I were feeling more charitable towards the world, I would note that Oakley does an decent job of showing how Jane and Dan gradually remember why they love each other as they work together to avert the worst-case scenario. There's a heartfelt message about learning to trust that your kids will be okay even if you can't protect them 24/7 anymore. And the final reveal of why life is imitating Jane's art is undeniably clever (if incredibly far-fetched).
Maybe I should stick to non-fiction for a while. I'm not able to put aside my anger and fear long enough to get lost in someone else's story.
ARC received from Net Galley and publisher in exchange for review.
August 31, 2024
Colleen Oakley manages to outshine herself with each novel she publishes, and I believe JANE AND DAN AT THE END OF THE WORLD could potentially wind up being a cult classic. Written with all the makings of a cinematic masterpiece, this novel will make you laugh, cry, and scream; it is pure joy wrapped up in 370 pages.
Underneath the brilliance of the banter and the sheer fun, witty, engaging, attack on your insides laughter, Oakley has written a manuscript that really tackles the harsh realities of marriage and the depth one goes through to not only survive it, but thrive in it; learning along the way that marriage throws so many challenges to your core being.
Jane and Dan are celebrating their 19th wedding anniversary, NOT their 20th despite what Dan thinks, at a luxurious restaurant for the Uber wealthy and rich; because Dan won a raffle for a free reservation: keyword reservation, NOT a free meal; and when they arrive, a hostage situation soon unfolds and so much of the action and dialogue from the intruders appears to come from Jane's book, yes, the BOOK that Jane published 6 years ago and hardly no one read, and she has been unable to publish a follow up since then.... HOW is this real life and what is happening to Jane and Dan!?
In March of 2025, you'll find out! Thank you to Berkley for an ARC!
Underneath the brilliance of the banter and the sheer fun, witty, engaging, attack on your insides laughter, Oakley has written a manuscript that really tackles the harsh realities of marriage and the depth one goes through to not only survive it, but thrive in it; learning along the way that marriage throws so many challenges to your core being.
Jane and Dan are celebrating their 19th wedding anniversary, NOT their 20th despite what Dan thinks, at a luxurious restaurant for the Uber wealthy and rich; because Dan won a raffle for a free reservation: keyword reservation, NOT a free meal; and when they arrive, a hostage situation soon unfolds and so much of the action and dialogue from the intruders appears to come from Jane's book, yes, the BOOK that Jane published 6 years ago and hardly no one read, and she has been unable to publish a follow up since then.... HOW is this real life and what is happening to Jane and Dan!?
In March of 2025, you'll find out! Thank you to Berkley for an ARC!
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