Thank you @atriabooks for this gorgeous ARC and @simon.audio for the complimentary ALC.

This was just the sweet breath of fresh air I was looking for to break apart some heavier reads!

Every time Daphne Bell meets a new man she mysteriously receives a slip of paper with his name and a number on it- the exact amount of time they will be together. For 20 years every relationship has had an expiration date, until one slip shows up with a name but no number…

Rebecca Serle does an impressive job of weaving together romance, drama, and a just a touch of magical realism. This is quick read with short chapters that explore previous and current relationships in Daphne’s life. I found some of her relationships more interesting than others, but just as I was starting to want more, I got it with a twist I didn’t expect. This was a twist that added the depth I was looking for in a romance 💕

An interesting concept and overall good writing, but something about this just didn’t hook me. I would pick it up for a few days and the put it down and not come back for a week or more. I didn’t want to DNF, I was interested to know the ending, but I just wasn’t drawn to pick it up as my first choice. I would probably read something by this author again, if it had good reviews, but I don’t know that I would be looking for new arrivals to grab.

Expiration Dates is a beautifully crafted exploration of love and loss, where time becomes both a gift and a challenge. Rebecca Serle’s lyrical prose draws you into the lives of her relatable characters, each grappling with their own relationships and the ephemeral nature of life. While some plot points felt a bit rushed, the emotional depth and poignant themes make this a memorable read. It’s a heartfelt reminder to cherish every moment. Highly recommended!

Would you love differently if you knew the outcome of your relationships? In Rebecca Serle’s latest book she explores this question in the magical way only she can. Perfect for fans of The Husbands. This will have you thinking way after you close the book.

3.5 rounded up! While this wasn’t my favorite book, it was a fun story and premise. I love the romance and drama combo that Rebecca Serle always delivers on. I would recommend this!

“I moved my arm, and a needle pulled at my vein.” I saw this line & thought I’d be a butthole & give a lower score because of it. People. There is not a needle in your arm with an IV- it’s a catheter.

But then I finished the book & loved it, so I need to give it a 4.

Thank you Net Galley & to the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This one fell a bit flat for me. I didn't feel super connected to the main character really at all. I didn't really find myself rooting for any of the relationships. Her illness kinda came out of nowhere and feel like the conversation with Jake was sooo brushed over. There are some decent messages tucked in but not my favorite.

Wow! This book had a lot going on in terms of character development. This was a great read from page one and was hard to put down.

This book was sadder than I expected but with the potential to be absolutely devastating. I didn’t expect there to be a big twist in the middle of a romance novel, but alas, here we are. What a surprise!

This was a really interesting premise for a book, and one I enjoyed. It was different but didn’t feel absurd. I never really knew the rules of the papers though - some seemed to arrive much earlier than the dating occurred, while some even occurred afterwards, so that felt a bit chaotic. I guess I can’t totally complain about a fully made up premise but I would’ve liked some better parameters to understand.

SPOILERS——————

There was an obvious love interest I was rooting for, but then I can’t stand when an obvious love interest doesn’t decide to say anything until the last minute, leaving the MC with an impossible decision. It feels really selfish and kind of harmful, and I’m ultimately not a fan of that. I appreciated that he told the truth (and what a shocker, my goodness, I did love that!), and I did want her to be with him, but also, just… what? Also, what were the points of the notes in the first place if they never mattered, they weren’t really true in the first place.

—————— END OF SPOILERS

So I loved the book. I enjoyed reading it. But the ending made the rest of the story kind of obsolete. It may even piss some people off, but I’m just taking it in stride over here

Rebecca Serle knows how to write a book that will work its way into your soul. Expiration Dates was a very heavy, emotional book that I shouldn't have read at the time in my life that I did, but things work in mysterious ways and I think this book healed my soul a little bit when I needed it most.

Rebecca Serle knows how to write a book that will work its way into your soul. Expiration Dates was a very heavy, emotional book that I shouldn't have read at the time in my life that I did, but things work in mysterious ways and I think this book healed my soul a little bit when I needed it most.

Multiple content warnings for this one re: chronic illness and grief. A typical Rebecca Serle book!

This was cute! Very “set in LA” but not in a douchey way, just a little heavy handed. There were a number of quotes about love and dating and finding your person that really resonated with me. And the main character got her dog from the same place I got mine!

“All my life I had been waiting for the note that would tell me it was finally time to stand still. That the long, broken road was over. That he was finally here. But when it came, all I felt was fear. Fear that he wouldn’t be who I’d imagined. Fear that I wasn’t ready. Fear that I wouldn’t feel the way I was supposed to. Fear that I’d fuck up even this, this thing I was meant for. But what I was most afraid of, maybe, was that it was over. It’s hard to be single, but it’s also something you can get good at. And I was good at it. It’s easy to love the things we are good at.”

This book was heartwarming but it also made me think. I wonder if we knew the expiration date on our relationships and lives if we would approach everything differently? Of course we would. We are better off not knowing so we don’t sabotage things! These characters were well written and the story was easily read in one sitting. It was a sweet love story that I definitely recommend.

3.5⭐️ Another emotional story from author Rebecca Serle that questions “what if”. I love the way Rebecca writes, but for some reason I did feel like the pacing dragged at certain moments, and because of that I never fully connected with the relationships in Daphne’s life.

WHAT TO EXPECT
-magical realism
-emotional story
-thought provoking
-twists

*many thanks to Atria, librofm, and Netgalley for the gifted copy for review

I loved this book. REbecca Serle is a auto purchase author for me. As someone who has dealt with a life altering sickness, the book's premise really hit home.

Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle is a charming and thought-provoking romance. The story follows Daphne, who mysteriously receives the names of people she’ll date and how long each relationship will last. As she tries to figure out if love is about fate or choice, we see her navigate different relationships, always wondering if she can change her destiny. The book has a unique concept and makes you think about love in new ways. A great read for anyone who enjoys romance with a twist!

The Expiration Dates has such a cool concept—imagine if relationships came with an expiration date, like you knew exactly when they’d end. It really makes you think about love, time, and what you’d do differently if you knew how long something would last. There are some sweet, funny, and emotional moments throughout the book that hit just right.

That said, the execution doesn’t quite live up to the idea. Some parts drag a bit, and not all the characters feel fully developed. There are times where the story slows down and loses some of its momentum, but it still kept me curious enough to keep going. Even with a few rough patches, it’s definitely a unique and interesting read that makes you reflect on life and love.

If you like books that mix romance with a bit of “what if?” thinking, this one is worth a shot! It’s not perfect, but it’s still pretty enjoyable.

I thought this story was well written and truly unique. Honestly, I think if I was Daphne and given a timeline for every relationship, I'd say why bother at all if they're going to come to nothing! I loved the relationship between her and her best friend Hugo throughout the book especially since he knows the truth and is so supportive. I didn't like a couple of the twists and how quickly the story ended, but overall I thought it was pretty good.

First, thank you to NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for my honest review.

I've read a few Rebecca Serle books, but this one was missing something. I liked the premise of the novel, receiving a paper with a male name and letting Daphne know how long their relationship will last, but the delivery was off. SOmething was missing from this novel that I have come to expected from Serle based off her previous novels.

It wasn't a bad read, it just very VERY slow paced, and I had a hard time liking Darcy.
This one did keep me as hooked as her others. I think there might have been chemistry lacking between Darcy and the guys she was having relationships with if that makes sense.

I read this one at a snails pace….because life. But honestly? I’m really glad that I was able to savor it. I absolutely love Rebecca Serles writing. It is so beautiful and it always makes me stop and think about life. This story was no exception. I did not know where this book was going to take me and each little twist surprised me.

The dynamics of friendship and relationships that Serle writes feel so relatable. While I was heartbroken reading the demise of Daphne and Jakes relationship, the ending was exactly what I was rooting for. Daphne’s friendship/something more with Hugo always felt like she was holding it at arms length and I’m so glad in the end they were honest and gave it a shot.

I will read anything this woman writes.