An unusual premise because Daphne has been receiving these notes since she was a teenager. Each note gives the name of the man she will date and how long the relationship will last. Until one day she receives a note with a name and but no expiration date. But in knowing the expiration date of all of her relationships, has she been sabotaging them all along?

I was surprised a couple of times in this book. I'm the worst at predicting and foreshadowing, I just happily read along and then BAM. LOL I really loved Jake, but then there is Hugo....

It's written in present time, but then alternates back to each relationship and how they started then ended throughout. The writing is so fluid and easy and beautiful. I rarely tear up or get emotional while reading a book, but this one got me. It's a beautiful story about finding love.

I have not read any of her other books, but I will now.

Thank you Netgalley for an advanced reader's copy of Rebecca's latest book! This book had me at the edge of my seat for most of the book. It was heartbreaking at times and made me think about what is important in life. I loved the concept of the book where the main character gets notes of all the men she is going to date in her life and how long that relationship will last until they break up. I won't give away the twist but dang was it emotional. I loved the main character's dog in this book. This book teaches you to appreciate life and every single second because no one is guaranteed time on this earth. My favorite Serle novel I have read so far!

I adore all the novels I have read by Rebecca Serle and this one was even better than the last. I couldn't put it down. Honestly, the magic realism that she puts in the book makes this a perfect choice for someone who isn't a huge romance reader but enjoys fantasy. There is that little touch of magic that is unexplainable but gives the story that something extra and separates itself from other romance novels. The only thing I didn't care for was the focus on material things but I guess that's L.A.

Daphne Bell 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 on it—the exact amount of time they will be together. The papers told her she’d spend three days with Martin in Paris; five weeks with Noah in San Francisco; and three months with Hugo, her ex-boyfriend turned best friend. Daphne has been receiving the numbered papers for over twenty years, always wondering when there might be one without an expiration. Finally, the night of a blind date at her favorite Los Angeles restaurant, there’s only a Jake.

But as Jake and Daphne’s story unfolds, Daphne finds herself doubting the paper’s prediction, and wrestling with what it means to be both committed and truthful. Because Daphne knows things Jake doesn’t, information that—if he found out—would break his heart.

At first sight, I knew I wanted to read this. I mean, the cover itself is just so pretty, but it's what's inside those matters. This was such a great book; I truly love these characters. This is my favorite book and I highly recommend, five stars!

*Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Rebecca’s books are an auto read for me. I love the magical elements in all her stories and they always make me cry. This book was l delightful. Love all her books!

What a fun premise! A woman in her early 30's has, since high school, received little slips of paper at the beginning of every relationship she's ever had telling her how long the relationship will last. And then she gets a piece of paper with the name of her relationship prospect *but there is no date* and she assumes this to mean that he's the one. Throughout the course of her relationship with this man, she starts to learn what it means to make her own fate and not rely on those little slips of paper, that she is not bound by what they say. And it isn't until she lets go of those set parameters that she finally finds her happy ending.

This book! I thought I knew what this was about going into it. I. WAS. WRONG. I loved the journey it took me on. My only complaint was that there were a lot of specific references to places in LA. Those took me out of the story a bit. Overall, great book.

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher Atria Books for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. I also apologize for taking four months to put this on paper.

I thought the book had an interesting premise, but I found it a bit befuddling. So it was hard to fully “like” something I found a bit confusing. The book starts with our main character Daphne harboring a secret from her friends – as well as her potential love interests. It seems that every time Daphne meets a new potential love interest, she magically receives a note with the name of the new man on it and how long to expect the relationship to last; i.e., two weeks, two months, etc. And for some reason she just accepts this as her fate. Or is it self-fulfilling prophecy? I get the idea of “mystical fantasy” but this wasn’t that.

She goes through relationships following the predetermined expected fate. I’m a firm believer in fate – as long as you are open to opportunity -- when it comes to meeting the right person as in when you least expect it or are not looking, your soulmate will enter your life. While you may not realize it at first, there they are. In this case, Daphne wasn’t open to the possibilities. Perhaps in this case, because she already had met that person but didn’t think so at the time.

I thought the plot was a bit implausible and I had a difficult time warming up to the character. Sorry not for me.

Rebecca Serle always makes me feel something or think about something when I read her books. I thought this book had the same style and story line I have come to expect, and it did not disappoint. I liked the premise and idea of this story line, and fell in love with the main characters love story.

Cool concept, but very poor execution. You follow Daphne through her different relationships — all which are finite and based off of small slips of paper with a timeline. This ends up defining her whole life and ultimately restricts her from making her own decisions because she feels like one has been made for her already.

This story lacked so much depth and character development. It would have been nice to see Daphne grow from her personal struggles rather than letting them hold her down relationship after relationship. I felt like each relationship she had was a copy/paste.

In the end, Daphne came off as whiny and annoying. She often used the victim card and it got old quick. She feels as if her power was taken from her, but she was too weak to make her own decisions.

I loved this so much! I binge read this book in one sitting. Rebecca Serle knows how to write a story of love that draws you in and connects you to the characters. This is a book I will recommend to all of my friends… the ones in love, the ones looking for love, and the ones finding out how to love themselves. This is my favorite book of hers to date!

i just don't think rebecca's books are for me, personally. i have yet to read one with truly captivating characters, a setting to get lost in, a good enough pace to not get bored or feel rushed. i just didn't care about anything while reading this except finishing it.

I loved the premise of this book! Daphne having slips of paper mysteriously appear with her next relationship and the length of it? It adds an element of fate to things. So when she finds Jake’s name with no timing…what is fate telling her? You’re introduced to her best male friend Hugo from the get go and get to know about their past. My only problem? I never knew who I was supposed to be rooting for which I loved and loathed simultaneously. Loved because it added a twist to the typical romantic stories you typically read. Loathed because it prevented me from fully falling for one vs the other so when the ending came around I wasn't fully invested.

As odd as it sounds my favorite relationship through the entire book was the dog, Murphy. There is no love more pure than that of a mom and dog and it always puts into perspective everything you have conquered together.

The only thing I wanted to know coming out of this was where were the papers truly coming from?!

This was such a captivating book. It’s a true testament to living in the moment. I loved this book and would recommend it highly.

Thank you netgalley for letting me read an arc of this book.

I was already a big fan of Rebecca Serle - One Italian Summer being one of my favorite reads of this year. I was excited to read a proper romance novel written by her and it did not disappoint. In true Rebecca Serle fashion the story was anything but ordinary, with a little twist of the fantastical while remaining grounded in reality. I thoroughly enjoyed this read and I can't wait to hear what's next. Four stars - docking one star for character development for one of the male leads (Jake). Try as I might, I could not wrap my head around him - he came off flat and a little bland, not as three-dimensional as the other characters. Otherwise, a very strong and wonderful read!

I absolutely loved Rebecca Serle's book One Italian Summer and I recommend it to everyone I didn't think I could like a book more than that one but I was wrong, this book is her best yet. This storyline is totally different than any I've read before and i loved it! I could not stop reading this book, however it is a total emotional Rollercoaster, but it is definitely worth it! 5 out of 5 read.
I just reviewed Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle. #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]

I enjoyed this more then I thought I would going into it. It was a quick read. I was so happy it ended for Daphne the way I hoped it would. I did not feel the chemistry between her and Jake but I figured out why pretty quickly. This is my first read by this author and I’m interested to pick up the others.

Thank you to @netgalley and @AtriaBooks for this ARC. When Daphne is about to start or has started a new relationship, a piece of paper shows up randomly (under wiper blades, stuck to her shoe, in her purse, etc) that states the name of the boy and how long the relationship would last. But what if she didn't know? Would the commitment last longer or would the relationship fizzle out at the same time? At first, I thought the idea was hocky but the story is really cute. #ExpirationDates #RebeccaSerle #March2024 #AtriaBooks

I thoroughly enjoyed Expiration Date. I was surprised by the medical twist and didn’t see that coming but should have picked up on the clues. I do always enjoy a left turn when I thought I was going right. Great character development with flashbacks in time to connect the story and give depth to Daphne’s past.

NetGalley ARC

DNF at page 120
Thanks for sending me this early copy, I'm grateful for being chosen but honestly I couldn't even get past the first chapters but still faught through, until it was TOO much.

1. This was one of the most unrealistic books that I ever read. How is this labelled romance? This should be considered as a fantasy book. How can letters come throught from the sky and let someone know how much time he/she will last with another person in a relationship? You met a nice guy! Upcoming flying letter: 3 months. Going to force the relationship and see the end coming after 3 months when there is nothing wrong? Creating a conflict just to obey to the letter that appeared from nowhere? Straight up from a Harry Potter fanfic lol. There was no explanation about how this kept happening and anyways, it wasn't even interesting when the whole plot of the book was around that letter phenomenon. Like nothing was explained about that. Was someone spying/analyzing her whole life? Was someone trying to control her love life? Was someone trying to sabotage it? And why does this keep happening only to her and no one else ? Seriously? I think that would have been a really interesting thing since it has great potential but the way it was written by this author was mehh...

2. The main character, Daphne was soooooo annoying and ungrateful about everything. Always complaining. Emphasis on the "so" please. She literally treated everyone like a plant and her character was sooo bland. She keeps gaslighting her entourage it's literally pitiful. No emotions, no personality! Her only personality was that she was working in LA, Hollywood and with famous actors lol. Like we get it, now please don't talk about it in every single chapter I'm tired or reading repetitive chapters!

3. Also, her relationship with literally any guy was so boring! No flirting, no teasing, no good conversation, no nothing. I felt like this was a solo news report lol. I mean idk ?? Talk about something else than work no ?? There was literally no chemistry between anyone, even the guy- (forgot his name, every few chapters we talk about a different guy in her past and letters- can't keep up with all the names sorry not sorry)- that she thought was her soulmate since there was no specific timing in the letter she recieved. Like girl, that's literally your SOULMATE, TALK, DISCUSS about ANYTHING than work. She's so self absorbed and selfish lol. I couldn't connect with any of the characters since they were as flat as a door.

4. I don't usually remark this, but the writing was ATROCIOUS seriously. Author, I literally don't CARE what every single person in her life wears or do or anything seriously, how is that important to the story or plot who is basically inexistant? Irrelevant, irrelevant, irrelevant.

5, The only relevant character was the dog. I liked him very much. He was always sleeping and minding it's own business since EVEN he knew how much Daphne was boring and selfish af.

6. Bark n'Bitches. A dog place called Bark n'Bitches. Read that again. Process this. I won't even bother explaining the thoughts that I had the first time I read that. How did that even get approved and published ?

Anyways, I'll stop here because I don't want to keep complaining and ranting :)
I hope someone will find a better romance book to read than me!
If you want a book that contains some romance and letters, Please read "The Notebook" by Nicholas Sparks and "Pack Up The Moon" by Kristan Higgins !