What do readers think of Jane and Dan at the End of the World by Colleen Oakley? Write your own review.

Typicallly not my genre since I tend to veer toward the thriller novels, but I must say I have enjoyed the journey as Jane and Dan find themselves in quite the precarious situation while enjoying what was supposed to be their last dinner together as a married couple. While I laughed and reflected on my own marriage (relating to theirs), the element of surprise at each twist and turn made this feel at times like the thrillers I enjoy.

Jane is having a mid-life crisis - her first and only novel was published 6 years ago and she keeps getting rejects on her current book because really no one read her first book. She's getting close to becoming an empty-nester when her daughter leaves for college. Her son will still be at home but she knows it won't be long before he leaves too. To top it all, she is bored and aggravated with her husband of 19 years. They don't talk anymore or do anything fun - they are just trapped in a rut and she wants some excitement in her life. Plus she has seen some texts on his phone that have convinced her that Dan is cheating on her. From Dan's point of view, they have a great life and a fulfilling marriage and when she tells him at their anniversary dinner than she wants a divorce, he is shocked.

They are having an anniversary dinner at a very high scale restaurant when several armed people enter and take all of the diners and the staff hostage. It's an underground climate activist group and no one really knows why they've been taken hostage. The activists are very confused and very unorganized but Jane soon realizes that a lot of their dialogue and what is happening is directly taken from her failed first novel. She realizes that she and Dan are the only ones who know what's going to happen next and that they are the only ones that can save everyone.

I really liked Jane from the first page -- her mental dialogue is often hilarious and there were several times that I laughed out loud when she was talking to Dan and later when she was trying to keep everyone safe. Dan is just the opposite - he's quiet and loving but together they are both hilarious. How will they handle this dangerous situation together? Not only are Jane and Dan quirky but some of the other diners and several of the activists are fun too.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a funny but realistic book about a woman who wants more excitement out of her life and blames her husband and family. It takes a dangerous situation to convince her that her life may really be just perfect.

This book caught me off guard as while there are funny moments in the book the main plot line is that Jane and Dan are being held hostage so it is very serious situation that the author does make efforts to lighten through some plot points. I recommend reading if you can get past that.

This is a fun, fast-paced, easy to read book that kept me interested in the characters and the storyline. Although I found the storyline just a bit far-fetched, I read it for the 'fun' of it and feel the author pulled it all together to create an amusing, hard to put down story. Twists and turns galore including marital issues, a pretentious restaurant and a hostage situation that resembles the plot of the book written by the main character. I will look for other books by this author.

I enjoyed parts of this book, including the humorous writing style, but the plot was a little outlandish. I read the book quickly a couple of weeks ago but remember little of the ending. I also received an ARC of The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise, which I enjoyed more than this book.

I enjoyed Ms. Oakley's novel. She sustained suspense and a comic wit from the opening of their date night through the conclusion. Well done, Madame novelist.

Jane and Dan at the End of the World

Jane and Dan go to one of the most elite restaurants on the planet to celebrate their 20th (or is it their 19th?) wedding anniversary. Just as they dig into some alien-like claws that Jane says look like they were harvested out of Sigourney Weaver's stomach, their dinner is interrupted by a group of eco-terrorists running a script that rings all too familiar to novelist, Jane. What follows is a twisty, crazy heist story with hostages, weapons, and a motley group of leaderless rebels who sometimes seem as confused as their hostages.


Well-plotted, highly entertaining, humorous, and somewhat political, Jane and Dan at the End of the World is a fun, quick read about going to the end of the world only to find what you're looking for is right in front of you. It's a quick-paced caper, but sometimes just as the suspense builds and you're dying to know what happens next, the page turns and Jane or Dan start musing about their lives, breaking up the pace and taking you out of the story. I tried to rush back in, but these interruptions took away some of the magic of this original, keep-you-guessing, tale of love, anarchy, and the clash between the haves and have-nots.

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.