I really wanted to fall in love with this one. And I liked it. But I never fell in love.

The concept of knowing exactly how long each relationship would last would not work for me in real life. I would one hundred percent of just lit the bridge on fire and watched it burn just to see if I could make it shorter than the time I was given. Or I would be never be invested knowing it would end.

However, it was a very fun concept for a book. I just never felt any connection for the relationship in the book so I didn’t really buy in to a lot of the story.

Fun, light and an enjoyable read but no wow factor for me.

Sometimes I wait months to post about a book, sometimes I barely wait 24 hours. With Expirations Dates it's the latter. I read it over the course of a day. If I hadn't had other obligations I would have consumed it in one sitting. Here's why I was so drawn in:

If you knew the EXACT length of a romantic relationship, would you still begin it? Would you trust yourself fully to that other person, or always be holding back part of yourself in order to protect your heart???

Every time Daphne Bell meets a potential love interest, she mysteriously (magically?) receives a piece of paper with their name and a date stating how long they'll be together. It has always been accurate.
This story kicks off with Daphne finding a new piece of paper with *just* a name. Has she found her soulmate? Does this mean there will be no time limit to this relationship?

Friends, this premise is *chef's kiss*. The execution of the idea is so well done. It is warm-hearted, hopeful and has excellent pacing. Twice, when I thought things were starting to get predictable, BAM a nugget of truth was revealed that changed my entire outlook on the situation. (I may have also dramtically paused in those moments to gush about it to the Hubs.) 👏👏👏 If you haven't guessed by now, know that I loved it.

Expiration Dates would be great for a book club and could lead to great discussions on:
📚 soulmates
📚 the question, "Is love enough?"
📚 the role of fate vs. free will

Expiration Dates is out Mar 19!

#ExpirationDates @rebecca_serle #2024reads #fiction #bookstagram #bookjournal #newreleases #canadianbookstagram

This was my first Rebbeca Serle read and it makes me want to check out more of her work. A beautiful story although not romance-heavy, you'll love watching Daphne and Jake's relationship blossom. I do feel that the ending was somewhat lacking and left me wanting a bit more and that some characters could have been fleshed out a bit more.

CW: death, grief

The cover for this book is beautiful. I loved Daphne as a character, as well as Jake, and I loved them together. The premise was intriguing. However, the story felt unfinished in several ways. The chapters flipped back and forth between the present and each of Daphne's previous relationships, but we don't find out why or what purpose that serves. I hated Hugo - he was bitter and jealous. I thought the first big twist was an intriguing one, but I hated the second one, and I wish the outcome was different. Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books, and Simon & Schuster Canada for the e-ARC of EXPIRATION DATES by Rebecca Serle in exchange for my review. This novel will be released on Mar. 19th.

This is going to be a hot read for book clubs! "Expiration Dates" by Rebecca Serle is a whimsical exploration of love and time. Serle has crafted a novel that resonates deeply. It’s a reminder that love, like time, is both finite and infinite.

Readers are told a captivating tale that transcends the boundaries of its genre. Serle takes readers on a literary journey with her signature warmth and insight into matters of the heart.

Meet Daphne Bell. She believes the universe has a plan for her. Every time she meets a new man, she receives a slip of paper with his name and a number: the exact amount of time they will be together. These numbered papers have been a constant in Daphne's life for over two decades, leaving her wondering if there might be one without an expiration date.

Finally, on a blind date at her favourite Los Angeles restaurant, there's only a Jake. But as Jake and Daphne's story unfolds, doubts arise, and Daphne grapples with what it means to be both committed and truthful. She holds secrets that could break Jake's heart, and the numbered papers may not hold all the answers.

"Expiration Dates" delves into themes of love, fate, and self-discovery. Serle masterfully explores the idea that relationships have their own timelines, and sometimes love defies predictions. The novel challenges us to consider how we define commitment and truthfulness in matters of the heart.

Daphne Bell is a relatable protagonist who is vulnerable, hopeful, and burdened by the weight of her numbered papers. Her journey from skepticism to acceptance is beautifully portrayed. Jake, the enigmatic blind date, adds depth to the narrative. His unwavering belief in Daphne's unique situation forces her to confront her own doubts.

Serle's prose is elegant and evocative. She paints vivid scenes, from the bustling streets of Paris to the fog-kissed hills of San Francisco. Her descriptions evoke sensory experiences, making the reader feel the warmth of a croissant or the chill of a foggy morning.

The emotional core of the novel lies in its exploration of love's impermanence. How we cling to moments, knowing they have an expiration date, serve as a metaphor for life's uncertainties in the numbered papers. Readers will find themselves pondering their own relationships and the fragility of time.

This is a must-read for those seeking a blend of romance, magical realism, and introspection. Serle's storytelling talent shines through, leaving an indelible mark on the reader's heart. Whether you're single, in love, or somewhere in between, this novel invites you to consider the expiration dates that shape our lives.

Thank you to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster Canada, and Atria Books for a temporary e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Rebecca Serle does it again.

This is such a beautiful book about the search for love. It was gorgeous in its delivery.

I loved Daphne’s character. I felt that a couple of the secondary characters could have been a bit more developed but I really enjoyed it on the whole.

An ARC was provided by NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada in exchange for an honest review.

𝘉𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘺. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦’𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘱𝘪𝘦𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘱𝘢𝘱𝘦𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘯 𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘭.

Imagine always knowing exactly how long every single one of your romantic entanglements would last? Would you want to know? I’m not sure that I would. Daphne, the main protagonist of Expiration Dates doesn’t seem to have that choice. She’s simply made peace with the fact that these little notes from Universe appear seemingly out of nowhere and are always accurate. Until one day a paper with no date/timeline arrives…

The concept of this book definitely fascinated me. I kept thinking how that kind of knowledge would change all romantic experiences. Yet still wouldn’t prevent heartache because we’re never really masters of our hearts. It was easy to root for Daphne. And develop a mega crush on Hugo! I loved their friendship and how they spent their time (especially all the food stuff 😂).

This is my second Rebecca Serle book and I must admit I’m becoming quite a fan of her signature magical realism combined with a journey of self-discovery. Daphne is far from perfect but that just makes her human. And yes, I might have shed a few tears reading this one! It left me with lots of feels!

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Canada for my gifted copy!

Do you forge your own path or allow yourself to follow destiny?

I have enjoyed this authors books in the past — and I feel that I liked this book — but that something was lacking for me — which I just can’t put my finger on — maybe I wanted more or maybe I wanted the story to go differently…
There were definitely some unexpected events and also some choices by the main character that I am not sure I agreed with.
I thought the premise of the story was great and I overall liked the storyline — but found it hard to get invested deeply with any of the characters . Though the writing of the emotional aspect between the characters was quite good and the few small twists definitely helped towards maintaining my interest in the final outcome.

Overall 3.5/ 5 stars .
Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster Canada, Atria Books for this ARC . This is my honest review.

3.5 stars. This was my first Rebecca Serle book and while I did enjoy the premise, the ending fell a bit flat for me. But I like her writing and character development. Still worth a read if you’re into this author.

Thank you to Netgalley and atria books for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Since 5th grade, every time Daphne starts dating someone she receives a slip of paper with his name and the exact amount of time her relationship with him will last. Now at age 33, she is on her way out to meet a blind date when she receives a note with the name "Jake" but no expiration date. Does this mean that she is finally meeting the man she will spend her life with?

Expiration Dates has a great concept and is a quick read. The chapters alternate between Daphne in the present day getting to know Jake and hanging out with her friend, Hugo (they dated for three months but remained friends) and flashbacks to her past failed relationships. I almost stopped reading at 60% due to a plot twist that took the story in a different direction that I wasn't sure I could handle for personal reasons but glad I finished because I hate to DNF a book and what I was worried might happen did not. Expiration Dates was an okay read with a message about living life to the fullest but there just wasn't enough to the story for a satisfying conclusion.

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Shuster Canada for sending a digital ARC of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

I loved loved loved this book! It was so cute and well-written, Rebecca Serle never disappoints. I also loved that it was paced quickly, there was never a scene that I felt to be unnecessary and we kept it moving to the final conclusion.

Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for providing me with a free e-ARC of this highly anticipated new release!
I enjoyed the atmosphere of this book! Sunny and warm LA vibes. I did feel confused at all the LA references, but this lead to me researching the area and gaining a familiarity with it! The end of this story was sweet and unexpected and I was very satisfied with it.
I feel like the concept of this story was more intriguing than the first 3/4 of the book, however the last quarter was pretty great. Certain words and phrases were noticeably repeated, such as “heady” and the Daphne mentioning her Palisades upbringing.
Overall, this story was good, but not as strong as Serle’s other works. I do enjoy the core of this story though and am happy I was able to experience it.

This is contemporary romance combined with women's fiction and magical realism. And I absolutely loved it!

The story takes place in Los Angeles and features Daphne. The book starts with her first date with Jake. But we go back in time to see some of her previous dates/boyfriends and how long she was with each one. I don't normally love past/present storylines. But in this case her past experiences were so interesting and relevant.

I went into this book completely blind. And wow I was so surprised at what this title referred to. The book captivated me right from the start. I absolutely love magical realism. And this concept was so unique and fascinating. I was completely riveted.

This book does feature some Jewish rep (not a lot, but the heroine is Jewish, as are her parents and love interest).

Expiration Dates was at times very unpredictable. The author included a few wow moments that completely shocked me. The book is super interesting. But at times also quite serious. It was definitely emotional and heartbreaking. I adored her job and boss (Irina), and her best friends Hugo and Kendra. And the romance aspect was so good. I'm so happy that I chose this as my first book of 2024. It will be a story that I don't soon forget.

My first Rebecca Serle read! Loved the mix of magical realism with women's fiction. Romance is def a subplot tho so be warned if that's what your looking for!

rebecca serle's upcoming novel 'expiration dates' gave me what i wanted from one of her books, but felt a bit watered down compared to 'in five years' and 'one italian summer'.

this book follows daphne, a woman in her 30s who has an unusual quirk in that she always receives notes with the name of her next relationship and the length of time they will date, and the notes are always correct. however, when the story opens, she receives a note that just has 'jake' written on it, and daphne assumes this is the man who she will spend her life with. the novel follows her romance with jake, but also shows us flashbacks to other relationships, including a three-month relationship with hugo, her now best friend.

the book takes a twist in the middle that i initially found jarring, as it seemed to come out of left fiend, and becomes the central focal point of the second half the story. daphne & jake also had little to no chemistry, so it was hard to root for them throughout the story. there was a great message about living life to the fullest and not wasting the time you have, but i ultimately wanted a little more oomph from this one.