I was a big fan of In Five Years so I was really looking forward to this one but it fell flat for me. Magic realism isn't my most favourite genre but that aside, I was not the biggest fan of the pacing and the ending.

I think Rebecca Serle has solidified herself as an automatic read author for me. I love how she adds just a touch of magic to her books, and I think magical realism romance is becoming a favorite sub genre for me. While this one didn’t make me feel quite as emotional as In Five Years or One Italian Summer, I think it still packs an emotional punch and is a good mixture of drama, romance, and lighthearted moments.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5 Stars)

Rebecca Serle’s Expiration Dates is a beautifully written, thought-provoking novel that blends romance, fate, and self-discovery. At its core, it’s a gripping love story wrapped in a touch of magical realism—one that explores the idea of knowing how long a relationship will last before it even begins.

The premise is undeniably intriguing: the protagonist receives notes that predict the duration of each of her relationships, until one day, she meets someone with no expiration date at all. I’ll admit, the first half of the book moves at a slower pace. I almost put it down midway. However, once I reached the halfway mark, the story took off, layering in emotional depth and unexpected twists that made it impossible to stop reading.

While the pacing was off for me in the beginning, the payoff is well worth it. Fans of In Five Years and The Dinner List will appreciate this novel’s signature blend of romance and existential musings.

A compelling, emotional read—stick with it, and you’ll be rewarded.

I love a good magic realism book and this premise sounded right up my alley. I think it’s human nature to want to know things, and wouldn’t it be convenient to know the end date of each relationship? Or would that be a cop out for not making the most of the short relationships? Surely each person that comes into your life is for a reason, right? So what happens when you meet someone and there’s no end date listed? Do you go along with fate, regardless of your own feelings? This book started out strong for me. Hugo is the one ex who Daphne maintained a friendly relationship with and acts as her sounding board for all of her fears with dating. Inevitably it’s Hugo that Daphne tells about her blank slip of paper when she meets Jake.
I enjoyed the flashbacks to prior boyfriends/dates, but approximately halfway through the book we learn something about Daphne that helps the reader understand her reactions to her expiration dates. As someone who works in the medical field this drove me nuts because it seemed totally inaccurate to this particular field of medicine. It was hard for me to put my opinions away after that. Daphne does get an HEA, but I just couldn’t quite relate to her after that. If you don’t mind the mystery of the expiration dates, you’ll probably find this book intriguing. I received an early copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Solid storyline with a unique plot. Rebecca Serle never disappoints with her touch of magic. Felt invested in the characters and what would happen to them.
Can’t really use in the classroom, but can share with colleagues!

This book really just took me for a ride. I loved the build up, the character development, and the writing. I would definitely read more from this author!

I liked this book, I like magical realism. But man, the ending did not hit it for me. Not my favorite of hers.

I really liked this book! I thought it was an interesting premise as I went in completely blind and had no idea what was happening to start or where it would be going, but the idea of getting a letter at the start of each new romance that told you how long you would be in a relationship with that person is quite interesting. I agree with others that Daphne's "secret" didn't actually need to be a secret, but I get that this fact shaped why she lived her life the way she did.

I was a bit discouraged when one of her relationships ended for no apparent good reason, and I can see how this plotline turned some other readers off, but I had a fun reading experience with this one nonetheless.

I love Rebecca Serles unique take on love stories but unfortunately this one fell short. I felt like the concept of the story was there but the follow through wasn't complete. It lacked substance for me.

I loved this story. While coming in under 300 pages, Serle weaves such an intricate story, exploring all aspects of love and relationships. And as with her other novels, there is a magical element to the story, and you fall in love with the setting. I saw Serle mention that this was her love letter to Los Angeles and it truly is. Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for this e-ARC.

This was such a unique story! I was sucked right in and immediately invested in the mystery behind the blank page that only held a name. I did find myself skimming over the words in some parts but overall I enjoyed this book.

I think this is my favorite of Rebecca Serle's books! Every time Daphne meets a new man, she finds a slip of paper that tells her just how long the relationship will last. Then she goes on a blind date with a man names Jake and this piece of paper doesn't have an end date. Daphne and Jake's story unfolds and secrets are revealed throughout. The audiobook narration really stole the show and kept me engaged the whole time. The writing is also really well done and I felt every one of Daphne's emotions while I was reading. There are some twists in this book that I did not see coming and they added so much to the depth of the story. This is not a long book and while it is relatively light hearted, there is a surprising amount of emotion and vulnerability packed in. I really liked Daphne as the main character. It's entirely relatable to want to know where a relationship is going and to want to be in control of the outcome. Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It is a quick, fun read with a good amount of emotional depth. I'm looking forward to reading more from Serle.

At the start of every relationship, Daphne receives a note letting her know exactly how long the relationship will last. One day, she receives a note with no end date.

This was my favorite book of 2024. It was extremely pacey, very interesting premise executed perfectly. This protagonist felt like such a real person and struck so many of my confused 20-something chords. A short book I'll be thinking about for a long time.

I thoroughly enjoyed Expiration Dates. This book started off a bit slow for me but ended up being really great and having a good twist that I didn’t see coming. The ending is very open-ended, so if you don’t like those books and want more closure, you probably won’t like this. I typically don’t like those types of books or movies, but I felt this type of ending was perfect for this book. Julia Whelan does an excellent narration of this book. If you wanna listen to it on audiobook. Rebecca’s story about love and loss was heartwarming, emotional, and lovely.

Once upon a time, a lovely romantic girl believed in all sorts of superstitions in her search for love despite facing health challenges. She was determined to find her perfect match, but in her eagerness, she often overlooked the signs right in front of her. Her journey was filled with hope and a sprinkle of magic as she navigated her way through life, always dreaming of the love she longed for.

**Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book**

This book was addicting to read, honestly. I've been craving that "I can't put this book down" feeling for a while, and this is the one that did it for me. It was super engaging and easy to follow, it also felt like a breeze to read (a good thing!!)

This book had a really interesting idea. I loved the concept, but I expected it to be a little more light-hearted and fun. I was disappointed in how it continued. The relationship seemed to drag on and it didn't have a lot of chemistry in my opinion. I think I liked the book, but I didn't love the book.

Rebecca Serle has a unique talent for weaving magical realism into her stories in a way that feels grounded and relatable. Expiration Dates is no exception, delivering a thought-provoking and heartfelt narrative that explores love, destiny, and choice. As someone who enjoyed In Five Years and found One Italian Summer good (though not my favorite), this book hit a sweet spot for me.

The story centers around Daphne, a young woman whose life is influenced by mysterious pieces of paper that dictate the "expiration dates" for all her relationships and situationships. This intriguing concept drives the narrative as Daphne eventually receives a slip with only a name—Jake. Could Jake be "the one"? This question propels Daphne on a journey of self-discovery and love.

The novel unfolds through alternating timelines, giving readers a glimpse into Daphne's past relationships while simultaneously exploring her present-day experiences with Jake and her best friend, Hugo (a former partner). These dual timelines paint a comprehensive picture of Daphne’s emotional growth and the complexity of human relationships.

Serle’s writing captures the nuances of love, heartbreak, and hope in a way that feels authentic. While the element of magical realism is central to the plot, it never feels over-the-top or implausible. Instead, it serves as a metaphor for the choices we face in love and life, reminding readers that destiny isn’t something handed to us on a silver platter—it’s something we actively shape.

This book left me reflecting on the power of choice and the importance of living in the moment. While the story was captivating and heartfelt, there were a few moments where the pacing felt a bit uneven. Nevertheless, Daphne's journey is an emotional rollercoaster that is sure to resonate with readers who enjoy stories about love, fate, and self-discovery.

Overall, Expiration Dates is a strong addition to Rebecca Serle’s repertoire. Fans of her previous works and lovers of magical realism will find much to appreciate in this compelling and bittersweet tale.

Love, love, loved this book. Rebecca Serle has a way with creating characters that you get invested in quickly and get immersed in their world. I really loved this story and was rooting for both the main characters. Can't wait to read what is next!

Another original and unique story from Rebecca Serle. Expiration Dates was everything I could want and everything I didn’t even know I wanted.

Daphne knows how long her relationships will last, she always has. Is this a gift or a curse?

Daphne receives her first note in the form of a postcard at a young age. The note contains a boy's name and a number of days, and the sender remains a mystery. However, as she finds herself dating the boy, she realizes that her dates correspond exactly to the number on the card. Is the universe playing a game with her, sending these anonymous cards as a warning about who she might date and how long the relationship will last?

Hugo, her best friend is the only that knows about these notes. When she gets a note with the name “Jake” with no expiration date. What does this mean?
What will she do? Does she have a choice to her own path or is it already decided?

I loved the premise of this book so much and highly recommend.