4.75 stars
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TW: Chronic illness, Medical content, Medical trauma, Death, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Infertility, Alcohol, Grief
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Daphne Bell feels like the universe has a plan for her, and in a way it does. For as long as she can remember, the universe has sent her notes whenever she meets someone romantically. These notes show up randomly, sometimes before she's met them, and even after, but they always let her know how long to expect the relationship to last. Daphne has come to terms with this deal the universe has given her, because it assures her life, we find out that Daphne has medical struggles and life isn't guaranteed to her.

This all changes when the next letter she receives has a name, but no end date. Daphne believes that this is it, the man she's meant to marry and spend the rest of her days with. I loved this story so much, it's an emotional one that will pull at your heartstrings. I love the dynamic between Daphne and Jake, as the romance progresses, Daphne begins to doubt the paper and assumes that it must be wrong - she can't possibly have found the one.

Told in multiple timelines, we get to see glimpses of Daphne's past relationships, how long they're predicted to last, and what led to the downfall. Although this is a story about love, it's also about friendship and learning to trust yourself. I really enjoyed the ending as it opens a lot of potential doors for Daphne and where her life goes from there!
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I want to thank Atria Books, Rebecca Serle, and NetGalley for a copy of Expiration Dates in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Expiration Dates was published on March 19th 2024, you can order your copy today!

I am definitely a fan of the author and I love that she can deliver twists that I never expect. There's a reveal that occurs more than halfway through the book that I never saw coming. I actually really appreciated the twist and it made me connect so much more with Daphne's characters. My problem with this book is the romance, it was really bad in my opinion. I actually hated the guy that is set up as her one true love. And the ending made me so mad. I do love her writing style, but this one was a miss for me.

This book took me longer to get into and usually with this author it’s a hit or miss but I really ended up loving this book.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. This was a very lighthearted and entertaining novel with a sweet story.line. The ending was not really a surprise for me but Ms Serle worked into it well with her easy to read writing style. If you’re looking for a little light reading and an enjoyable plot this is the book for you. I am looking forward to reading more by this author.

Review 3.75⭐
“It’s hard to hold on to people the older we get. Life looks different for everyone, and you have to keep choosing one another. You have to make a conscious effort to say over and over again, ‘You.’ Not everyone makes that choice. Not everyone can.” Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle
I was really excited when I was given an eARC of this book because I thought the concept was so interesting. Daphne finds “expiration dates” for her love interests and no matter what she does, she can’t change the outcome. Or can she? I’m not a big magical realism reader, but I think this paired with the romance aspect went really well together. However, I feel like this was a miss for me. Daphne spent a majority of the novel telling the reader about her past relationships and how they ended, I felt that it took the focus off her current relationship with Jake (whose paper turned up blank). Even though I felt we didn’t get much time and attention with Daphne and Jake, I found myself rooting for them. This made the twist a little bit disappointing, and I really didn’t like the ending. I think if it had been presented differently, it may have altered my opinion of the ending but the way that it was written was a no go for me. I will continue reading anything Rebecca Serle puts out, and I can’t wait to see what she writes next.

MAN I tore through this wonderful book. One of those books I thought I was just humming along with until all the sudden it was hitting me on every other page and I was highlighting half the chapters. A fantastic view of searching for but being terrified to outright chase love and happiness.

Well I was wrong in my theory and honestly I liked what I had in my head as a plot line instead.

So the initial concept is good. I’m actually really intrigued by the magical nature of these notes, and Daphne’s later realization that she basically manifests outcomes bc of her reliance on the notes was an interesting touch. But also the whole concept of the notes vanished halfway through and was rarely mentioned again.

New plot lines were introduced, too, and I think Serle should have picked one and expanded from there instead of trying to draw in so many things. Because the focus shifted from the romance/notes to this second plot line, the whole tone of the story and focus completely shifted. This spin was also interesting and had I been planning on reading that sort of story it would have been alright, but I wasn’t prepared for it and thought I was getting something else, making the shift less interesting.

The romance also took a back burner because of the tonal shift. Plus, I felt like Daphne really didn’t have chemistry with anyone. Serle also added in a completely unnecessary love triangle? That wasn’t really resolved all that well? This is marketed as a romance (I think) and it didn’t feel like one.

There were just a lot of stylistic choices that I didn’t like, and that greatly affected my enjoyment of this read.

A pity, because this had the potential to be really good.

I received this book to give my honest review. I have read another book by Rebecca Serle and loved it. This book did not disappoint! I loved it. Read it so quickly. Such a unique story. Gave me all the feels and so many things to consider.

Expiration Dates is a thought-provoking story that explores the complexities of love, fate, and the human desire to control the future. The unique premise, where Daphne receives a slip of paper with a man’s name and the exact amount of time they will be together, sets the stage for an intriguing journey. Throughout her relationships—whether with a short-lived romance or a long-standing friendship with her ex, Hugo—Daphne grapples with the idea of fate and whether the universe really has a plan for her.

The novel’s charm lies in its ability to provoke questions about how we approach relationships when we know their expiration date. How would knowing the end change how we live in the present? It’s a delicate balance between control and vulnerability, and the book beautifully captures the struggle of opening up to love when the future feels so uncertain. It’s a romance that isn’t just about finding "the one"—it’s about understanding what it means to love deeply, truthfully, and without the need for certainty.

My rating 4 stars
Thanks to @netgalley and atria books for the arc.

I love Rebecca Serle and her imaginative stories. One Italian Summer and In Five Years are two of my favorite books, ever. However, this one was a bit of a letdown, if I'm honest. The main plotline involving the "expiration dates" was as interesting and inventive as always, but the execution wasn't as magical as I'm used to from Serle.

At first I didn’t think the story was going to work for ,e. Eventually at about ha
F way I’m I was drawn in and wanted to know how it would end!I enjoyed this.

I didn’t love this one :( which is a bummer because usually the magical realism by this author works for me but it seemed to fall flat, maybe the concept has been overdone.

I loved this! It felt reminiscent of In Five Years which I LOVED. It did feel slightly rushed towards the end, and I would have liked some more space to let the resolution/final choices breathe. I also had more questions about the notes after the revelation with Hugo that went unanswered.

What a wonderful book. There were a few twists and turns that I didn't expect, and left my mouth open at one point, but what a treat. I would have loved more depth into the story of Hugo and Daphne in the before times. It would have made the ending that much sweeter.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria books for the ARC of this book.

I had previously really enjoyed Rebecca Serle’s earlier novels ‘In Five Years’ and ‘One Italian Summer,’ so I was thrilled to receive an ARC of her latest novel.

In ‘Expiration Dates,’ Daphne just knows that her life has been completely planned out for her. When she meets a new man, she gets a slip of paper that details his name and a number which corresponds with just how long their relationship will last. Then, Daphne starts to develop a real, true romance and begins to question the papers. She wants to be committed but doesn’t really know what to think.

This was a fun, thrilling read and I recommend it to everyone!

5 stars rating from me

*Expiration Dates* by Rebecca Serle is a beautifully crafted, thought-provoking novel that explores love, loss, and the complexities of time. The story follows a woman who discovers her life is marked by expiration dates, leading her to confront relationships, dreams, and regrets. Serle’s writing is lyrical and poignant, capturing the nuances of human emotion with grace. The characters are deeply relatable, and their journeys of self-discovery are both heartbreaking and uplifting. The novel’s mix of romance, mystery, and introspection keeps the reader captivated until the last page. *Expiration Dates* is an unforgettable, evocative read that resonates long after finishing.

This book was such a unique concept! I have loved Rebecca’s books in the past, and this one was no exception! I absolutely love magical realism and Rebecca knocked it out of the park with this one!

What an incredibly lovely and unexpected story. I love the magical realism conceits that Serle comes up with, so I was looking forward to seeing how this one played out, and Serle did not disappoint. Just as fun as seeing how Daphne navigates the treacherous opportunities her "gift" presents is trying to think of how I, if given the same gift, would react. As with Serle's other books, she injects pathos and bittersweetness into this one that elevate it beyond being a standard romance genre book.

Its not her best, but it's still good. If you like her other book you'll like this one too. The characters are fine. The writing is fine. The plot is fine

This was my first Rebeca Serle book and I can promise you it will not be my last. I adored this book. I really loved the magical realism element in this book that gave it a nice refreshing feel. This was a heartwarming book that I could not put down. The last bit of the book really keep you on the edge of your seat and puts a different perspective out there for you! The character growth and honestly just the depth of these characters was written so well, I truly felt like I was right there with them! So good. I cannot wait to read another of Rebecca's books!