Expiration Date is a magical realism romance which I enjoyed but did not love. A few things could have really elevated this for me:
1. It was pretty repetitive about minor details that didn’t really matter or add to the story. Daphne had a lot of stuff and her parents live in the Palisades. I don’t know why I had to hear those things a dozen times each.

2. Daphne frequently described herself as different from other girls. I know she meant she had a dangerous and invisible chronic illness and commitment issues but that’s not that unique. There are many chronic illness girlies. The not like other girls attitude for any reason is really played out and exhausting.


I was really surprised but the two major twists which is a refreshing change. I did not see either coming but especially the illness. It was almost jarring but then once it was presented, it made the first half of the book make a little bit more sense.


I kept thinking the story felt a little bit like The Notebook in that Jake was perfect in every single way but you could tell Daphne was never going to end up with him. It was almost as if she resigned herself to her fate rather than actually figuring out whether she loved him or not. She was just going to float along with her “destiny”

I was really enjoying Expiration Dates when I first started reading it. I was fascinated by the names and dates Daphne was getting and what getting Jake's name with no date would mean for her. This was a fast paced read despite it being overly descriptive at times. I was enjoying the ride until some things came to light that made it tank for me. That made me sad and angry because this book could have been a 5-star read for me if it wasn't for the following things:

* The blurb states "From the New York Times bestselling author of In Five Years and One Italian Summer comes the romance that will define a generation." This wasn't a romance novel. It was women's fiction with a side of magical realism and several love stories. There's no true HEA/HFN. In the end, it's all about Daphne's journey. I do not like it when books are marketed as romances and don't deliver.
* The secret Daphne was keeping from the reader and almost all of the people in her life until around 60% in changed the vibe of the book and what I thought was the subject matter. The focus went from her falling in love with Jake to something completely different. 
* Hugo getting multiple chapters while the other guys didn't. It was like a love triangle that wasn't really a love triangle. Oh, and everything else with Hugo. I didn't like the dude and I didn't like his involvement in most everything. I never would have spoken to him again for a few things if I was Daphne.
* I didn't get any answers about those cards Daphne gets with the names and time frames. No explanation where they were coming from, who was sending them, why. Nada. This is unacceptable with how much focus was put on them shaping Daphne's life and romantic path.
* The ending made me angry. 

If you're going to read this book, don't go in expecting a romance where the relationship that is forming gets an HEA. You won't get that here. You'll get Daphne's messy love stories and a little character growth.

This author is just..... not for me. I really do keep trying!! But I think I have to stop here. My biggest problem is she has really creative ideas but then they just completely miss the mark and lose all sense of purpose or sense of reality. And this book really lost the point.

The story has a really cool premise: anytime Daphne meets a new love interest, a piece of paper will appear somewhere near that has their name and the amount of time they will spend together "Max, 3 weeks". All of a sudden she is set up on a blind date with Jake and finally gets the piece of paper with his name and then nothing after it. We follow Daphne on her love affair with Jake, does a blank card mean he's the one? Or is the magic gone?

Unfortunately the author decided to jump between past and present, so we were watching Jake and Daphne's love progress, but I also had to sit through chapter after chapter of love interests that didn't really work out, mostly because of the papers.

The ending really was the straw that broke the camels back for me because it made NO SENSE! I was so over it by then. Ugh, sadly this is a skip for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this read. All opinions are my own.
This book truly surprised me and I enjoyed the slow unveiling of the plot. Our main character goes into all her relationships knowing how long they will last; 3 days, maybe, or perhaps 6 months. When that time comes she is mentally and emotionally prepared to move on. With this premise, I was prepared for a feminist overview of partnered life and the expectations for modern women to be successful at relationships or risk being left behind their peers. It seems like our culture wants us to see that serial daters, when female, do not thrive like their married counterparts. There is something "wrong with them". However, this book took a surprising twist that, when revealed, turned out to have been hinted at along. I felt so invested in the storyline. The ending suggested a neatly tied bow on the story that had previously shown potential to be progressive and unique; I didn't hate it, but also felt underwhelmed by it. Not enough to hold back on recommendations. This was a charming romance novel, and I could see many people loving it like I did!

Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle is the story of Daphne, who gets slips of paper when every new relationship begins that says how long each relationship will last. It is an interesting premise but was a little slow to start. There is a plot twist in the middle that changes the story and makes it more interesting. I love the author and thoroughly enjoyed the story.

Thank you Atria books and NetGalley for the ARC!

Okay, I was fully not expecting to love this book as much as I did. As with all of Rebecca Serle’s work, this one is much more than meets the eye. I rarely finish a book in one day anymore, but I couldn’t put it down. I absolutely loved the characters. It’s not often I fall for fictional men, but both Jake and Hugo are now on my book boyfriends list!

I seriously loved this one. Thanks again for the ARC!

6/5 stars I am definitely buying a print copy of Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle. Wonderful, inspiring life lesson.

Daphne at 33 still doesn't know what she wants to do with her life. At the beginning of a new relationship Daphne gets a piece of paper with a name and a time frame - an expiration date on the new relationship. Daphne has a deep secret only her best friend Hugo knows about outside of her parents. When she gets a blank piece of paper this time what does it mean? Old relationships explain the notes and her current situation.

A very emotional ride with Daphne had me cheering her on as I admired her strength.

Definitely a book I will read again, especially when life looks bleak yet I know I must push through.

This plot was unique to a degree! I enjoyed Serle’s other novels (One Italian Summer and In Five Years). Expiration Dates made me feel such hesrtbrwak for Daphne who enters every relationship knowing there is an end in sight. There is something to be said about fighting for love against all odds, especially when the world feels against you. The writing was beautiful and Daphne was extremely relatable. I think this book captured the beauty of falling in love even when you don’t plan to,

Review: Ugh, I love Rebecca Serle’s writing so much that I don’t want the books to end! She is great at the twists and pulling at your heart strings. This was such an interesting book and is definitely one of my top reads by her! I enjoyed every fricken minute of this book! I couldn’t put it down! I laughed, I teared up, I laughed again. Words cannot describe how much I loved this book. I can’t wait to read more by her! You should definitely pick this one up when it comes out March 5th! Thank you @netgalley and @atriabooks for my advanced copy!

Rebecca Serle proves once again that she can be counted on to populate a unique storyline with believable characters. She writes heartwarming, but not saccharine, romances that resemble Rachel Lynn Solomon's YA romances, but with more complicated life issues involved.

I spent a lovely few days with Daphne and her love story; I suspect you will, too.

Many thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley for a free copy for review.

I have really liked Rebecca Serle's other novels, but this one was missing a bit for me. Super fun premise and a quick easy read. I just wish it went further. I really liked Hugo and Daphne's relationship and wish we could have seen more of it.

Rebecca Serle's latest novel, Expiration Dates, is a different take on finding the perfect match. Lead character, Daphne Bell, receive a mysterious note at different intervals with a guy's name and length of time on it. As the story progresses, Daphne takes the reader through her different relationships in fun dialogue. About halfway through the book, the story has an unexpected twist. Author, Serle, writes stories with a unique perspective and a small element of surprise. I like her books. They may not be completely 5+ swoon worthy, but Serle writes a solid story.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher and the author. I read In Five Years.. Loved it then i figured new book sure because the authors writing style was very emotional and gripping tug at my heart. I just had to read another. And i was not disappointed. Getting papers with expirations knowing that those men weren't right till one date changes everything and she goes on this incredible journey of love and wanting love because it feels right and not because of a paper. She takes charge. Shes an amazing character and the storyline is beautiful i would read again and definitely recommend and grab a copy immediately to read again.

LOVED this one. I liked In Five Years, but One Italian Summer didn't work for me - so I was a bit apprehensive of how this one would fall. The pacing is great and I loved how some chapters were devoted to past relationships/letters interspersed in between the current story line. There is a hint of magical realism, but it is done so well that even those who take up issue with this typically will likely have no issues diving in. I read this in 24 hours. Her best one yet!

Thank you netgalley and Atria Books for allowing me to read this book. I honestly didn’t expect much from this book because I didn’t love her book “ In five years”. This book was surprising and I enjoyed it! I loved Jake but Hugo was my favorite 😍 I really liked the premise of the book and the message it sends out to the readers at the end. This was a quick easy read that was very interesting and held deeper emotional parts in it which I thought really brought it to life.

4.5
Expiration Dates was a joy to read. I loved the MC, her wit, her belief in the "notes" and her relationship journeys that felt completely relatable. I loved her showing Jewish representation through storytelling! Love her books!!

Formal review and links to come.

Daphne Bell believes the universe has her life planned out. Every time she meets a new man she receives a piece of paper with the exact amount of time that they will be together. This is a true romance and you quickly learn that none of this is true and we can all find true love. Another great read by Rebecca Serle that will definitely be a best seller and great book club pick.

Daphne has an unusual quirk—every time she meets a new man, she gets a piece of paper with his name and the exact amount of time they will be together. Until one day, she gets a piece of paper with just a name: Jake. It seems all her waiting is over, and she has finally met the one. But as their relationship continues, Daphne starts to wonder what it means to be with someone she isn't entirely truthful with.

We follow Daphne as she meets Jake and their relationship grows. And through flashbacks, we see some of her other relationships in the past, including her three-month romance with her now best friend, Hugo. As time goes on, she can't help but be cynical as relationship after relationship ends, exactly as the papers predict.

Although there's the twist of magical realism, it certainly isn't what drives the story. Serle has crafted a heroine and two love interests with depth, humor, and realistic flaws. I rooted for both of the guys throughout, (and think one of the gentlemen needs his own story, stat!)

This book has the perfect amount of heart-string-tugs + surprising twists. 4.5 stars!

✨Ｂｏｏｋ Ｒｅｖｉｅｗ✨

Expiration Dates 📚 by Rebecca Serle

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Thank you @netgalley for this #advancedreaders copy! This book will be published 3/5/2024.

Rebecca Serle's books are always light, comfortable reads with the right level of emotion that doesn't leave me in tears 😄 And this book continues that trend.

Daphne throughout her dating histort has received random pieces of paper with a guy's name and a time frame - indicating who she would end up dating next and for how long. Until one day, she receives a piece of paper with just a name and the rest is blank.

This is a book about love, friendships, and staying true to your heart.
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Rebecca Serle never disappoints!

📖 The Details:
Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle

⏱️ Quick Summary:
Every time Daphne meets a new man, she receives a piece of paper about how long it will last, including with her ex-boyfriend turned best friend, Hugo. Then she finally receives one that says "Jake" and no expiration date. Could he be the one?

💁‍♀️ My Take:
I LOVED the idea of this one, and I love the lil bit of fantasy/magic RS always sprinkles in (because I'm not a *fantasy* girl). I really enjoyed the story and the flow and how it all eventually turned out. There were moments that I was so torn about what Daphne should do - which is a good sign for this feeling so real and raw. Yes, it was a bit predictable at times, but it still made me happy. The only issue I had was that I had trouble connecting with the characters and I'm not sure why. They seemed likable enough, but I didn't get much warmth from them. Maybe I was in a mood *shrugs*

I would definitely recommend this one if you've enjoyed other RS books - she has a similar formula and I for one think it works!