Jane and Dan at the End of the World - by Colleen Oakley (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

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.

Review Quotes

"This sharply original romp is entirely too much fun."--People

"Relatable and sweet...As much fun as you'll ever have with middle-aged marriage and ecoterrorism."--Kirkus (STARRED)

"Funny banter, heart-racing heists and charming characters abound."--Woman's World

"A hilarious, wonderfully moving family story."--Booklist (STARRED)

"Oakley is a master at dark humor, and she bakes truly laugh--out--loud lines seamlessly into a fast-paced, gripping novel of suspense. Packed with twists, turns, absurdities, social commentary, helicopters, climate angst, cliff jumps, and a whole lot of heart, Jane and Dan at the End of the World is a delight from start to startling finish."--Shelf Awareness

"What a ride! Jane and Dan at the End of the World bounces effortlessly from incisive commentary on marriage and parenthood to hilarious, twisty heist. I think Colleen Oakley has written my favorite book of the year."--Shelby Van Pelt, New York Times bestselling author of Remarkably Bright Creatures

"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

"Jane and Dan at the End of the World is what happens when The Menu meets Date Night. Fun, twisty, and delightfully unexpected, you'll be rooting for Jane and Dan every step of the way."--New York Times bestselling author Deanna Raybourn

"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

"Only Colleen Oakley could turn a terrorist attack on a restaurant into a charming story full of humor, surprises, and familial love. A delightful, imaginative, laugh-out-loud joy ride of a novel."--Nina Simon, New York Times bestselling author of Mother-Daughter Murder Night

"Date Night meets Anxious People. One of the most enjoyable reading experiences I've had this year. Oakley has a gift for getting her characters into impossible situations...and then making things worse. I was gasping along with Jane and Dan with each new reveal in this hilarious, charming, and completely immersive romp."--Natalie Sue, author of I Hope This Finds You Well

"Jane and Dan at the End of the World is the true definition of unputdownable. I literally couldn't tear myself away from it and inhaled it over two days. As well as being totally gripping, it was also a moving and poignant exploration of marriage and motherhood that will resonate with many readers. A must-read!"--Sunday Times bestselling author Libby Page

"Jane and Dan at the End of the World is a hilarious, deftly plotted novel that delves into deeper truths about marriage, parenting and personal fulfillment with grace and wisdom. I loved every second I spent with Jane and Dan and the rollicking cast of characters conjured up by the wonderful Colleen Oakley." --Tara Conklin, New York Times bestselling author of Community Board and The Last Romantics

"Thrilling, inventive, hilarious and wise, Jane and Dan at the End of the World is, without question, one of my favorite books of the year. The action-packed plot immediately captured my attention, while the perfectly imperfect characters stole my heart. Colleen Oakley can take me hostage anytime."--Laura Hankin, author of One-Star Romance

"With razor-sharp wit and plenty of twists, Oakley masterfully crafts an insightful exploration of midlife and marriage. A must-read for anyone who craves a novel that's both laugh-out-loud funny and poignant, and keeps you guessing until the end. I loved Jane and Dan, and rooted for them from the first page!"--Karma Brown, #1 international bestselling author of What Wild Women Do

"Jane and Dan have captured my heart! A thriller, a family drama, and a romantic comedy masterfully rolled into one, this novel is a fast-paced, enthralling story of a marriage on the brink and the shocking circumstances that make heroes out of ordinary people. I loved every hilarious, heart-stopping moment."--Amy Poeppel, author of The Sweet Spot

"I'm on chapter 17. It's 3 am and I can't stop reading. I love Jane, I love Dan, I love this book and I think you will too."--KJ Dell'Antonia, New York Times bestselling author of Playing the Witch Card

"Fast-paced, deviously clever, and archly hilarious, the incredibly cinematic Jane and Dan at the End of the World will have you snort-laughing and turning the pages at breakneck speed as you race toward the pitch-perfect ending."--New York Times bestselling author Kristin Harmel

"There is tons of fun in this fast-paced novel."--Library Journal

"Atlanta writer Colleen Oakley's new novel is a genre-bending marital adventure"--The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

About the Author

Colleen Oakley is the USA Today bestselling author of The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise, The Invisible Husband of Frick Island, You Were There Too, Close Enough to Touch, and Before I Go. Her books have been translated into more than twenty languages around the world and have won multiple awards including Georgia Author of the Year and the French Reader's Prize. A former magazine editor for Women's Health & Fitness and Marie Claire, Colleen lives in Atlanta with her husband, four children, three chickens, and a mutt named Baxter.