A review by tracyt223
Jane and Dan at the End of the World by Colleen Oakley

4.0

Jane and Dan have been married for nineteen years, and Jane isn't so sure she wants to make it to twenty.  They go out for their anniversary dinner at the famous and trendy restaurant, Le Fin du Monde.  It's a super upscale place sitting at the edge of a cliff, offering gorgeous sunset views.  Jane is feeling stalled out in her writing career, only selling a small amount of her first novel, she feel unappreciated by her two children and she's pretty sure Dan is cheating on her.  So Jane decided to tell Dan right then and there that she wants a divorce.  While Dan is still reeling from this news, the restaurant's patrons and staff are all taken hostage by an underground climate activist group.  Jane is shocked to be in this hostage situation, but also starts to notice that the events taking place are strangely similar to the plot of her unsuccessful novel.  Even Dan has to agree that it's eerily similar.

As the events of the evening start to unfold, several shocking twists are revealed, none of which I saw coming.  This was at times also quite funny and I found myself chuckling.  But along with the hostage plotline, I felt this was also an exploration of a long term marriage with all it's ups and downs.  So maybe if they can survive this night, maybe they can find a way to salvage their marriage as well.  Overall, a really fun ride that I found witty and unlike any story I'd read before!  Thank you to @berkleypublishinggroup and @netgalley for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.   Publishes March 11, 2025.