Jane and Dan at the End of the World by Colleen Oakley (March 11, 2025) Thank you PRH audio and Berkley Pub for the gifted advanced listening copy of this funny, thought-provoking and utterly unique book!
Jane, an author, and Dan, a podiatrist, are heading out for an exclusive cliffside dinner to celebrate their 19th wedding anniversary, leaving their teenage kids behind for the night. But for Jane, this evening isn’t just about celebrating—it’s about finally telling Dan she wants a divorce. She’s felt lost for years, swallowed by the roles of wife and mother, and her dream of being a successful author has been slipping away ever since her first book flopped nearly seven years ago. But before the entrees are served, the restaurant staff and guests are taken hostage. And in a surreal twist, the captors’ actions begin playing out exactly as they did in Jane’s long-forgotten debut novel – the one almost no one read. Now, Jane and Dan must navigate an increasingly bizarre and dangerous situation, with one advantage: they’ve read this story before.
This book was wildly entertaining! At its core, it’s an action-packed, high-stakes hostage thriller – with helicopters, guns, and clever escape attempts – but it’s also a deeply introspective look at marriage, identity, and reinvention. Jane’s internal struggle resonated with me: the guilt of wanting something for herself, the longing for an escape that doesn’t include her family, and the weight of feeling unseen. It made the story feel emotionally rich, even in its most over-the-top moments. There’s an Ocean’s 11-style cleverness, a fair bit of violence, and an undeniable sense of camp that makes the story self-aware in the best way.
🎧 About the Audiobook🎧 Hillary Huber’s narration is spot-on, capturing Jane’s exasperation, Dan’s often dumbfounded reactions, the absurdity of their situation, and the tender moments, too. At just under nine hours (8h 48m), it’s a quick and engaging listen!
Book: 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
Audiobook: 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
Book Smart Kate 