The concept of “Expiration Date” is unique and something that I have not read before in a romance novel. While I did enjoy the beginning of this story, I feel as if there were too many major storylines/twists being presented at once. The story dragged on at times and could be somewhat predictable. (2.75 stars)

** spoiler alert ** I really wanted to love this book. I enjoyed Italian Summer and had much fun discussing In Five Years with my pandemic book club.
I am all for magical realism and what it can do for love and relationships. This book, however, did not deliver on its promises.

What I enjoyed:
- the premise is great (and gives us a pun in the title) - Daphne receives a note before meeting anyone new romantically that announces with precision how much time that relationship will last. There is so much that could be done with this! Alas.
- I liked the descriptions of family time with Daphne's parents; their everyday interactions (especially before the Big Twist is revealed) seem so healthy and fun - which is why it was confusing why Daphne mentions a few times that she could not get far away from her parents and liked to have some space from them. I assume that it was because of the illness, yet we don't get an explanation, just a lot of angst. I see it as inconsistent - is she grateful to them for having a place to land, or is she trying to get as far as possible? Is it both?
- Hugo's character was lovely, if a bit confusing.
- Murphy - I also have a dog that does not know how to dog (namely - fetch), so I can relate.

What I did not care for:
- the writing is splotchy, and we are often told, not shown, what's going on. The comedy club scene especially. There are also moments where Serle decides to explain certain things that a reader, if unfamiliar, can easily google. Like what kind of store Erewhon is.
- There seems to be no order in which we learn about Daphne's precious relationships, and the switch back and forth between the past and the present gave me whiplash.
- We get the Big Twist about 60% into the book - Daphne is also sick and might die at any moment from a genetic heart condition. (I hope you noticed the spoiler button) This comes out of nowhere. There is no foreshadowing, and the book all of a sudden becomes about the illness, pushing everything else to the back. I know Serle loves a devastating twist (unexpected cancer in In Five Years, truth about her mother in Italian Summer), but the new information, no matter how shocking, should make sense in the story. In my opinion, it did not happen here.
- There is no consistency in the way the "magic" works. We find out in the end that Jake's note, which lacked the time frame and gave Daphne an idea that this is her forever man, was, in fact, written by Hugo to "give her freedom." Nothing happens to the relationship that was supposed to last three weeks, and she ends up getting engaged to the man after months of a seemingly happy if not very exciting, courtship. There are usually rules to these things, right? If you go against the magic, it strikes back, etc. We are led to believe that maybe there wasn't any magic at all in how the relationships ended - Daphne believed they were "expired," so they were.
- Daphne is not a very likable character. She seems to have all these doubts; she does not know herself well; she gets into a relationship with Jake and breaks his heart because she is not truthful with him from the beginning, even knowing about his past heartbreak and loss.
- The characters are Jewish; Daphne talks a lot about how happy her parents would be if she married a Jewish man - but besides a couple of sentences, we don't get much storyline out of that.

Overall, I think I would have enjoyed this story as a movie. I finished the book, but it was a chore at times. The illness twist truly threw me for a loop. The end did not satisfy me, but I can see how with a visual it could do more and give more promise (the piece of paper floating away, the smile, the gaze, the embrace, etc.)

Thank you, NetGalley and Atria Books, for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. The book is out on March 19.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria books for the ARC.

Rebecca Serle has been hit or miss for me, and sadly, this one was a miss. There were parts I enjoyed and then the other parts. I just thought this book was very average.

Daphne reveives a slip of paper with a name and a number; it is the name of her next boyfriend and how long she will be with him. One day, she receives the slip with a name and no number, so could he be the one?

The magical realism aspect was intriguing, but nothing else really intrigued me. I am glad that it didn’t drag on, and that it was wrapped up nice and neat.
Overall, a three star read to me.

3.5

I think overall this was a good story, but left me wanting so much more. I feel like certain characters and relationships never had a chance to really blossom the way they should have to keep me having a more emotional connection. I did really appreciate the twists, the concept of the story itself was great, and the meaning behind it all definitely resonated with me. I just don’t ish for there having been that many positive points that I had connected with the story more.

I was very fortunate to receive an advanced reader copy from NetGalley but all thoughts are unbiased and my own!

This was a quick read and not really what I was expecting! It’s a romance novel, mixed with some fantasy-ish elements. The concept is very unique, so the plot did keep me guessing what was going to happen!

I don’t think this would be a book for everyone - but I really enjoyed Daphne’s journey through the book and her development! But I think some other characters def got short end of the stick…. Think at points there was a bit much going on at once in terms of the story and I can’t say much more about that without spoiling the plot… but overall a fun read that I will be definitely recommending for people looking for a romance with a hint of fantasy woven in.

I love Rebecca Serle books and I did fly through this one & enjoyed it immensely until the end. It was a little unsatisfying in my opinion. I loved the characters and the story but not the ending I expected. Very enjoyable read though.

At first I was excited that reading this book around Valentine’s Day was a happy accident, a cute story of love, but then as the story unfolded, it was a great story about perseverance and embracing your true self.

Rebecca Serle knows how to write a book with ALL the feels - laughter, sadness, and everything in between. I thoroughly enjoyed this latest book. The characters were well developed (and likable!) and the plot was perfect!

Thank you to Net Gallery for the ARC of Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle. This was the third novel I have read by this author. I rated this book 4 out of 5 stars.

Daphne receives a letter with the man’s name and the amount of time they will be romantically involved. Most recently she receives a letter with a man’s name and no timeframe. What does this mean?

I enjoyed reading this book as much as her other novels. It was a quick and engaging read. It was a unique, beautiful, and emotional story with aspects of magical realism intertwined. I definitely took me on a journey with its twists and turns. I would recommend you read this book.

3.5/5

I’ve read several others of Rebecca Serele’s books and have loved each one. They are usually less than 300 pages with fun magical realism elements. This is a story of Daphne. Every time she dates someone new, she receives a note with the name and length of time her and the person will date. One day she gets on with just a name - Jake. The story that follows is about her relationship with Jake, following her heart and learning to live in the moment. I wanted to love the story and for the most part it was enjoyable. However, I struggled to connect with these characters and got a little bored. The ending is satisfying, but the journey was a little too slow for me. Thanks for the arc!

All of Rebecca Serle's books contain a bit of magic ;and to really enjoy her books, you must lean into it. This book was no different and the reader must accept that Daphne gets notes telling her when a relationship must end to enjoy it. So the reader is treated to her early boyfriends until all of a sudden a BIG secret is revealed, which changes the whole path (or what I thought was the path) of the book. By finally revealing Daphne's secret a lot came into view and made the plot deeper and edgier. I was sad when Daphne made her choice of men, but yet was happy at her choice. I must admit that my favorite part of this book was the end--it is perfect and I don't want to write anything that will spoil it.

Well this was a mixed bag.

Magical realism and romance.

Daphne gets a note every time she meets someone she will be in a relationship with… their name and how long the relationship will last. But this last note. Just a name no time period… 👀 she hopes this means they are together forever.

I really loved the magical notes but I found the characters to be… just fine. I wasn’t rooting for anyone or really cared about the romance.

I’m not bugged I read it but I wouldn’t reread it…

Thank to NetGalley and Atria Books for an eARC.

I was hooked just by the premise of this book and it did not disappoint whatsoever! This is my second book by Rebecca Serle and I loved it just as much as the first.

I fully expected this to be a light and sweet romance, but it wasn’t that at all. The concept was so intriguing and executed incredibly well, reminding us that we are in control of our lives and choices even if it doesn’t seem so.

The characters were all enjoyable, Daphne is so funny and admirable in her resilience, if a bit frustrating at times. There were a couple times in particular I wanted to yell at her. Jake was so sweet and genuine, I really wanted all the best for him. I was immediately in love with Hugo as soon as he was introduced and it was difficult at times to watch him struggle.

The twists were not anticipated at all and I really enjoyed the big one, the result was exactly what I had hoped for the entire time I read. The smaller one, regarding Daphne’s health however, to me, felt a bit like it was thrown in haphazardly and not thought through well.
The conclusion made me ridiculously happy and I enjoyed it very much, even if it made me a bit sad for one party.

I loved this book and now feel compelled to read the rest of Rebecca Serle’s books even more. She does magic realism so well!

Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books, and the author for this ARC.
Publication date 3/19/24

One thing about me I looooooove magical realism done RIGHT and REBECCA ALWAYS DOES IT RIGHT!!!!!! I read this book on a Sunday morning (which I also read in five years on a Sunday morning so that was a fun little coincidence) and wish I had more to read honestly. I loved all the little nods to her previous books. I did sob during in five years and one Italian summer so wish I had sobbed during this (I only cried when she was breaking up with Jake just the littlest bit) but I still loved it. I actually wish I read it slower. The end had so many good nuggets of wisdom. Love love love

Daphne Bell has a secret. She knows how long each of her relationships will last, down to the day. She's been receiving mysterious slips of paper with the name and length of her lover, for years. The papers have never been wrong. When Daphne gets a new slip, with just a name, Jake, and no end date, she knows she's finally found "the one". Only Daphne's best friend (and ex) Hugo, is privy to the slips of paper, he's the only one Daphne has ever confided in. Can Daphne let go of her expectations and experience lasting love with Jake?

I've read and loved all of Rebecca Serle's previous books, and Expiration Dates is no exception. Serle has a gift for using just a dash of magic as a plot device, and making it totally believable. Her characters are flawed and human, people you want to root for. Expiration Dates is frothy and fun, but still has plenty of depth and emotion. Thank you to Netgalley and Atria for this gifted copy. Expiration Dates will publish 3/19/24.

Since the 5th grade Daphne has been the recipient of mysterious notes that have only a name and timespan written on them. It didn’t take her long to figure out that they were telling her who she was going to have a relationship with and exactly how long it would last. Some are very short, say three days, and some may go on for several months or years even, but every single one has an expiration date. Daphne has kept this secret to herself, only ever telling one other person, her best friend Hugo. But, that isn’t her only secret.
It’s an interesting concept that in my opinion could have been done better. I thought most of the characters were one-dimensional and there were far too many descriptions of outfits worn and meals ordered. I found that I didn’t really care too much for what happened to any of the characters, even Daphne. The romance aspect was lacking sparks for me and I wasn’t too invested in how her romantic life played out. There were some promising moments though as Daphne finally makes some important realizations about herself and the life she wants. 3.75 stars

Once I started this book I couldn’t stop. I just loved Jake and Daphne! This is a feel good book, from a comfort read author. Highly recommend

3⭐️

The premise of this book was pretty interesting. Daphne gets a sheet of a paper telling her how long each relationship will last.

I really loved this idea. However sadly this one just didn't work for me in the end. I found it it be really slow and I couldn't connect with the FMC.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for this advanced reader copy. My review is voluntarily my own.

3.75 stars
This one put a romantic spin on The Measure. I saw reviews that some people didn't like the twist, but I actually did. I felt like it helped move the story along and helped the MC really think about things instead of blindly trusting the notes. I was getting a little bit bored hearing the previous boyfriends. I feel like some of them could have been cut out and a little more could have been devoted to the ending. It felt a little abrupt, but I guess we're supposed to use our imagination for how things turned out. Overall, In Five Years is still my favorite Serle, but I'd recommend this for certain people.

Daphne Bell knows exactly when each of her relationships is going to end. She know because since she was a kid, she has received slips of paper stating the name of her boyfriend and the amount of time they’ll spend together.

This is a really cool premise and could go in any number of directions! Instead, the “HEA” is fairly predictable, though the route to get there did have some unexpected turns.

I enjoyed the glimpses into the different types of relationships that Daphne experiences in this book, but the twist that come about halfway through the book takes it in a direction it really did not need to go in. The title “Expiration Dates” takes on new meanings after this plot twist.

If you do like books that explore different relationships, a smidge of magical realism and writing that delves into navel gaze territory,m (and I don’t mean that in a negative way), I definitely recommend this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for early access to this book in exchange for an honest review.