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Book Summary and Reviews of Jane and Dan at the End of the World by Colleen Oakley

Jane and Dan at the End of the World by Colleen Oakley

Jane and Dan at the End of the World

by Colleen Oakley

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  • Mar 11, 2025, 368 pages
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About this book

Book Summary

Date night goes off the rails in this hilariously insightful take on midlife and marriage when one unhappy couple find themselves at the heart of a crime in progress, from the USA Today bestselling author of The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise.

Jane and Dan have been married for nineteen years, but Jane isn't sure they're going to make it to twenty. The mother of two feels unneeded by her teenagers, and her writing career has screeched to an unsuccessful halt. Her one published novel sold under five hundred copies. Worse? She's pretty sure Dan is cheating on her. When the couple goes to the renowned upscale restaurant La Fin du Monde to celebrate their anniversary, Jane thinks it's as good a place as any to tell Dan she wants a divorce.

But before they even get to the second course, an underground climate 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 are the only ones who know 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, maybe they can survive anything—even marriage.

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Reviews

Media Reviews

"Jane and Dan at the End of the World is a triumph! Poignant, darkly funny, and mind-bendingly twisty at every turn. With each new chapter, I felt more invested in Jane and Dan, the fate of their marriage, and the outcome of their shocking predicament. I cheered for them all the way to the story's satisfying end." —Elle Cosimano, New York Times bestselling author of Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice

"This brilliantly plotted joyride of a novel had me laughing out loud and clenching my racing heart in equal parts. It's a story as madcap and beautiful as marriage itself—if you read one book this year, make it this one." —Annabel Monaghan, bestselling author of Summer Romance

"Hilarious, witty, and wildly fun! Jane and Dan at the End of the World offers a fresh take on midlife and marriage as well as finding joy in the ordinary. Oakley is beyond brilliant!" —Jeneva Rose, New York Times bestselling author of Home Is Where the Bodies Are

This information about Jane and Dan at the End of the World was first featured in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.

Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.

Reader Reviews

Write your own reviewwrite your own review

Mary L. (Greeley, CO)

Hilarity, Heart, and Twists
This novel tempts a reader to cancel every other life obligation to keep reading. As the mid-life Dan and Jane celebrate their 19th anniversary, more than a little bored and unsure of their love and how well they have parented their two children, life throws them a curve ball--a terrorist group hostage crisis. In one moment a reader shares their terror and in the next laughs at their conversations and at another unexpected twist. Brilliantly covering both the domestic ennui of midlife as well as global climate and political issues a reader comes to the heart of what truly matters--liking who you love.

Barbara B. (Harlingen, TX)

Jane and Dan At the End of the World
In my 86 years I have read thousands of mystery/thriller books. This plot is so original and clever I read it start to finish in one day. Jan and Dan go to an exclusive posh restaurant to celebrate their anniversary.. Before they can order a group of young thugs enter and take all of the diners hostage. Who are they and why? Even the ending is unexpected. To tell more would ruin the experience for all readers.

It was so much joy to read Jane and Dan I plan to read more by its author, Colleen Oakely.

Janine S

Fun, fast read
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 if Jane and Dan come to the "end of their world."

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

Jane B

I didn’t get it
This is a carpool novel. Interruptions won’t be a bother as there are no exacting plot points or complicated storylines to follow. In fact, you can skip ahead and still keep up with the story. Jane and Dan have been married 19 years. Jane is a failed author and Dan is a good guy podiatrist. They are at a world famous restaurant when it’s hijacked. In the beginning, the hijackers coincidentally follow the plot of Jane’s book.
It reminded me of stories in women’s magazines before Helen G. Brown got to Cosmo. Light chatter and so as not to offend the ladies sensibilities-Crime pays but only to selective charities.

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Author Information

Colleen Oakley Author Biography

Colleen Oakley is the USA Today bestselling author of The Invisible Husband of Frick Island, You Were There Too, Close Enough to Touch, and Before I Go. Her books have been named best books by People, Us Weekly, Library Journal, and Real Simple, and have been long-listed for the Southern Book Prize. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband, four kids, and the world's biggest lapdog.

Link to Colleen Oakley's Website

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