Let me start by saying that this book was not what I expected to be getting into. I expected a regular light romance but this book left me feeling every emotion possible. I even found myself tearing throughout the last few chapters.

This book follows Daphne, who receives literal notes from the universe telling her who her next love interest will be and how long their relationship will last. I thought this concept and storyline was new and refreshing compared to other romance novels and I ate it up!

In her search to find love, Daphne ends up finding herself. She learns to love herself and accept her life for what it is and live every day to the fullest. Daphne’s story was realistic and relatable, which made this such an easy read. Rebecca Serle’s writing is absolutely beautiful. She makes you connect with her characters and feel everything they are feeling,

I truly loved this book and would rate it 4.5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read the arc of this book in return for my honest review. Can’t wait to add this book to my shelf when it comes out!

Wow. I went into this one not sure how I would like it and I LOVED IT!!

Every time Daphne meets a man, she receives a slip of paper with his name and the amount of time they will be together. When she meets Jake, she doubts the paper's prediction and she knows if she tells him it will break his heart. It's such a beautiful story and Jake reminded me a lot of my husband, so I LOVED IT!!

Expiration Dates follows Daphne, a young woman living in LA who receives notes from the universe detailing her next romantic partners and how long she will be with them. I thought the idea of this book was interesting, but the execution was poor. In general, I found the writing to be lacking a lot of depth and couldn't find myself getting deeply connected to any of the characters. I really just didn't care what happened in the end. I will list some more thoughts below that include spoilers:

*potential spoilers*
- I found Daphne's "secret" came very out of left field and didn't really fit in with the rest of the novel.
- I was SO annoyed that she left Jake, who I felt like was such a good partner to her, for Hugo, who was simply not? Especially when it was revealed in the end that he was the one who tampered with her note in the beginning of the novel about Jake. He was just not AT ALL who I was rooting for, it made me question Daphne's judgement completely.
- Finally, I do like magical realism in books and I found the idea of these "notes" compelling, but I thought the chapters detailing her past romantic partners were boring and unnecessary. I also thought it was strange that we didn't get any more information as to where they came from? and yes I know there doesn't need to be an answer but idk it bothered me.

I did really enjoy this author and her style of writing. This is a very quick read that I read in one sitting. I always enjoy a book with a bit of magical realism sprinkled throughout. Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. I will be sure to check out other books by Rebecca Serle.
3.5 star

This was fine? It wasn’t mindblowing, but it wasn’t terrible either. Just rather middle of the road, if you ask me.

Daphne has been given a gift by the universe: she knows how long her relationships will last. When she starts up with someone, a message will make its way to her. 4 weeks. 6 months. 1 night. But is it a gift or a burden to know when love will not last, even if you want it to?

Objectively, this is a very well written book and I think both plot lines in this book weave together to have an interesting tie to the concept of an “expiration date”. I just found it very hard to connect with any of the characters. I found it hard to root for Daphne because you could tell she was only going through the motions because she thought that’s where she was supposed to be.

I think this book was good, but not great. To be honest, I’m not sure I’ll remember much about it in a few months. Thank you to Netgalley and Atria for the advanced copy, all thoughts are my own.

Rebecca Serle has been hit or miss for me – I LOVED In Five Years, thought The Dinner List was okay, and DNF'd One Italian Summer. But the premise of this one – in the beginning of every relationship Daphne gets a piece of paper that tells her just how long it will last – sounded intriguing enough I was excited to give it a try. And it lived up to my expectations! Like In Five Years, I could have easily read it in one sitting, it was such a quick and absorbing read. And there were a couple of twists that really threw me for a loop (something that's harder and harder to to these days), with enough emotion that I felt connected to Daphne and the story. There were some other themes that really resonated for me personally which definitely contributed to its emotional impact, but revealing them would be a spoiler. If you've liked her other books, even if just one, give this a try.

I liked this but it left me wanting more. It just was so close to being what I hoped it would be, but then it wasn't. I like this author and her writing style, but this book was just ok for me. Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

Great book. What I thought was a light romantic book grew into so much more. This book asks the question how would you love if you knew when it would end? Would you love?
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!!

I really enjoyed this book. I like Rebecca Serle’s books in general. This book follows Daphne, an assistant in LA. The title of Expiration Dates is spot on in many ways to what the book brings. I would definitely recommend it. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

This book had some magical realism in the style of Rebecca Serle's other books. In my opinion, Serle's writing just gets better and better. At some point in each of her books, I can't figure out how she will possibly write herself into a satisfying resolution, but each time, she does it. In Expiration Dates, there is enough to go on to realize that Hugo and Daphne are in love with one another, but Jake is written so empathetically that it's hard to imagine a satisfying conclusion for everyone. Ultimately, the slow reveal of secrets, the miscommunication, and the ultimate resolution all work really well together and make this a must read.

Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle
5 stars
Pub date: March 19th, 2024

-magical realism
-emotional read
-fate vs choice

Thank you Atria and Netgalley for a copy of this digital ARC!

Each time Daphne enters into a new relationship, she receives a slip of paper with the man's name and the amount of time they will be together. Expiration Dates follows Daphne's journey through love and heartbreak, as she searches for her soulmate, and navigates life along the way.

This one took a couple of days for me to process before I could sit down and write a review. I buddy read this with a friend, and we decided that we would highly recommend this one as a book club read. I have a feeling I'll be thinking about this one for a while.

This story was beautifully crafted, and I absolutely loved the concept. There were some alternating timelines, which got a bit confusing at times, because I felt the chapters weren't titled as clearly as they should have been. That being said, it didn't bother me enough to result in a lower rating.

I highly recommend picking this one up when it releases March 19th!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the free e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Imagine that you are young, beautiful and single. Every time that you meet a man, you will receive a piece of paper with his name on it and the # of months that your relationship will last. Saves you a bit of anguish and time, right? This is the life of Daphne Bell. When Daphne meets Jake, the paper gives them 3 months...but what if that were not true?

I have enjoyed the 2 previous books by this author and this one is another fun read that is gripping, emotional and heartbreaking! The plot works and the characters are well-developed and likeable.

Highly recommend!!!

i love this book! Daphne was such a lovable main character and the magical realism in the book kept me turning the pages. There were two twists I did not see coming and the ending was satisfying without being overly tidy.

Expiration Dates gave me all feels. I love a book that's touching and makes me smile and laugh. Highly recommend this one!

This book had a slower start for me, but I really stuck with it because I was genuinely curious how this all played out for Daphne.

The premise of the book is that Daphne gets notes upon meeting a man, that tells her exactly how long the relationship will last. From one night (that one stung to read) to the latest, which was an open-ended note, listing just a name.

For me, the whole plot and storyline got a little muddy when it was revealed that there is more to Daphne's current state of mind than just the Expiration Dates. From that point on, it became hard for me to decipher if Daphne was grappling with this very fake thing that was introduced at the start of this book or this very real thing that was thrown in out of nowhere. It felt to me personally that the two shouldn't mix, although magical realism elements aren't typically something I read often, so I might be the wrong audience.

I did absolutely bawl at the scene with Daphne and her father. I thought Rebecca Serle really nailed parenthood and the love you have for your children so well.

In the author's note, Serle writes that this was about the search for love. For me, some of the best parts are when you're with Daphne on that journey--her night in NYC, the two different men that shaped her time in San Fran and even Hugo (for the most part).

The plot, combined with the open-ended nature of the ending, would make this a good book club pick because there is so much to discuss! Even I'm a bit conflicted just writing this review!

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

💌 Expiration Dates - Rebecca Serle (3/19)

4.25 ⭐️ - Oh my heart. This is my favorite Rebecca Serle thus far! (I picked The Dinner List for my March book club so we’ll see if that sticks 👀) This one has such a unique take on romance, hidden health battles, and discovering self love.

Daphne Bell believes the universe has a plan for her. Every time she meets a new man, she receives a piece of paper with his name and an exact amount of time they’ll be together. Daphne has been receiving these notes for over twenty years, wondering when one will come without an expiration date. Until finally, after a blind date out in LA, she receives a paper that just says “Jake.” As her story with Jake unfolds, Daphne finds herself grappling with commitment, truthfulness, and what life “should” look like.

HOW CUTE does this sound?! It’s everything you think it will be and more. It has lovable moments, it has funny moments, it has sad moments, and it has honest moments. The messages about love, self discovery, and relationships are beautiful and true. This is a shorty, but I could have read more. I definitely recommend this one to all your romance fans!

These pieces of paper hit shelves on 3/19 and yall better keep a look out! Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the early ARC!

This book started slowly, but once it got going I couldn't put it down! Rebecca Serle never disappoints! Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Daphne has a secret…it sounds strange. Every boyfriend she has ever had has come with an expiration date….like an actual one. A piece of paper shows up with the name of the guy and how long the relationship will last. One night, 3 months, 2 yeas…but she always knows when the end is coming. Hugo had 3 months. While they didn’t work out romantically, they are still best friends. Daphne hasn’t given up on love, but will the paper with forever intended for her ever come?

I love Serle’s style….she take a simple, quirky idea and makes it work in the sweetest romance books that aren’t cookie cutter. I highly recommend this one!

I don’t think Rebecca’s books are for me. Now that I know how twisty her books are all I do is try to figure out the twist from the first page, which takes away the surprise and tension.

I didn’t love Daphne in this. Or Hugo really either - also he plays a way bigger part than the blurb suggest. Jake is the best. But this book is also sad while not making me cry even close to her other books, I think because I felt so disconnected from the story. I wanted to love it and I read it in 2 days. But I’m so annoyed by it and especially by how it ended.

Every time Daphne meets a new guy she receives a piece of paper with a number stating the length of the relationship. Until one day she gets a paper that just says “Jake” with no end date to the relationship. Daphne does not know if this no end date means that he is her forever or not. The book focuses on this relationship as well as her relationship with her best friend Hugo and prior romantic relationships.