parse: expected property name or ‘}’

error code

const exp = JSON.parse('<%= JSON.stringify(cafe.reviews || []) %>');

& # 3 9 ; causing issue. ans tried every thing around the internet but still having same error..

code:

<script>
    const exp = JSON.parse('<%= JSON.stringify(cafe.reviews || []) %>');

    function escapeHTML(str) {
        return str.replace(/[&<>"']/g, match => ({
            '&': '&amp;',
            '<': '&lt;',
            '>': '&gt;',
            '"': '&quot;',
            "'": '&#39;'
        }[match]));
    }

    const experience = document.querySelector('.usersExperience');
    if (experience) {
        experience.innerHTML = exp.map(review => `
          <div>
            <h4>${escapeHTML(review.userId?.name || "N/A")}</h4>
            <h3>${escapeHTML(review.userId?.dietaryIdentity || "N/A")}</h3>
            <p>${escapeHTML(review.review || "N/A")}</p>
          </div>
        `).join("");
    }
  </script>

guys. What am i doing wrong