Love some magical realism! Daphne is blessed/cursed to receive a note at the beginning of each relationship indicating how long it will last. The premise of the book drew me in. The story and split timelines were fine, both stellar but interesting enough. My biggest complaint was in the characters. I didn’t love Daphne and couldn’t see the appeal in either Jake or Hugo. This is not a bad book by any stretch but I didn’t feel particularly invested in the story. I loved the chronic illness rep but it felt “thrown in” to me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria books for the ARC!

1.5 stars.

When I first read the blurb, the idea of the magical papers was what drew me in. However, I don't think this idea is carried out well at all. This book frustrated me to no end.

I was hoping there would eventually be some kind of explanation to why she was getting the notes, especially since random people sometimes handed them to her. However, we get no explanation to the magical realism that comes with the papers and we also don't get much information on how Daphne feels about it. Does she want to be in relationships? Does she try to outlast the time written on the papers? There's a lot about this book that did not make sense and it didn't help that the characters were so flat, so boring.

It was quite confusing between chapters at times because the character jumps between her present relationship with Jake (who deserved better) and her past relationship with Hugo and it was very jarring at times. Also, considering how the characters are all flat and have no uniqueness to them, it was hard to differentiate and it was frustrating with the chapters bouncing around like that. This book felt like it was just about her dating history but there is no character development or depth to it. Even after finishing the book, I still don't know much about any of the characters. With all the relationships that we go through, they honestly seemed quite random.

Daphne was an incredibly frustrating character. She was kind of self destructive about her relationships and she solely relied on the papers, despite what she claimed, and I still wonder why. It would have helped to know more about her relationships and why they didn't work out, or even what they were like, but the author just summarizes everything for both the past and present relationships. Her actions towards the end was entirely predictable and though there was one tiny twist with Hugo, I knew what direction this book was going. I still don't know what the point of the notes was and who/what was sending them to her and the whole aspect of this was poorly done.

3.5 stars, rounding down

I really enjoyed two Serle's other books, In Five Years and One Italian Summer. This book, Expiration Dates, is true to Serle's style and I believe that most people who also enjoyed her other books will enjoy this one, however this was not my favorite (In Five Years holds that title).

This was surprising, adoring and heartwarming. The concept of the main character getting to know just how long any of her relationships will last is really interesting. I especially liked the plot twist at the end and was not expecting that.

While I liked the concept, I thought the characters felt a little flat. I feel like I didn't get a lot of chances to really know and like the men she dated, even Jake and Hugo. Not enough to really ship any one guy over another. And I usually like books in alternate timelines but the back and forth through me a bit.

In the end, I still enjoyed this and it was overall a quick and enjoyable read, but I didn't feel as moved as I usually do at the end of a Serle novel.

This was a good quick read. It was very well written and I really enjoyed it! The only thing was I guessed the plot and that made me so sad! But overall it was a great book that I would recommend!

Expiration Dates has an interesting concept behind it. Daphne receives mysterious notes with names and time frames on them - from which she realizes - is the time frame she will date this specific man.
The dual time frame of this book is sometimes difficult to keep up with (hopefully in the final version of this book each chapter will have a title with the date on it to help the reader keep better track of the dates).

I’ll be honest - I liked the story, but this was not a home run for me. Without giving anything away - there was just something I didn’t love about Daphne and her best friend Hugo which kept me from giving this more than three stars. Though I am sure I am in the minority here.

I really loved the idea of this book but I kept waiting for more to happen, in every aspect. I really enjoy this author so I was a little bummed that this book didn’t measure up to the others. I would have liked more chemistry and I just didn’t care for the main character.

Thank you to Atria for a Netgalley of this one.

This was a slow burn but not even a slow burn? Nothing really happens and we're all just waiting for Daphne to give up on the "perfect" guy in the name of finding someone else.

We don't get any answers as to the cards or even that much detail on many of the other cards she was given. The twist in the middle seemed rushed and like a way to explain away her two bigger relationships.

Overall I feel like character development was lacking and the stories could have been more fleshed out. I normally love Rebecca Serle and have found her other books to be full of emotion but this one is nowhere near her earlier books.

Since the 5th grade, whenever Daphne starts to date a new man, she receives a piece of paper with his name and the amount of time they'll be dating. When she is set up on a blind date by one of her friends, her paper only has his name - Jake. Does this mean she's finally about to meet the one? He starts the date by showing up late. Daphne decides it isn't the worst thing and continues this trend of moving forward in the relationship and letting things go that she normally would decide are deal breakers since she finally doesn't have an expiration date.

I was a little surprised that the first chapter starts with Jake's paper as I had expected that we would work our way up to him. Instead, we have flashbacks of Daphne's life and the men she dated at the time, which really worked for unraveling who Daphne is and how she became that person. Some men are in her life for one night, some are there for years. Sometimes she ends it; sometimes they do. But she never gives herself fully since she knows how long they'll be together. She is finally able to do that with Jake and experience the uncertainty of most relationships. I loved Daphne and learning about her as her story unraveled. There are several twists in the story that made me understand why it started the way it did. I really enjoyed her relationships with her parents and her ex turned bestie Hugo. The book wasn't what I was expecting based on the description, but it was so much better!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.

Coming to a bookstore near you on March 19 2024! Rebecca Serle is a favorite of mine!! I went into this book blind, only knowing I loved her work in the past. I was gifted this book through NetGalley! This novel didn’t disappoint! Daphne was a well rounded main character, you could feel what she felt throughout the book. No spoilers here, except that the book eventually ends but you’ll want more of Daphnes story! #NetGalley #RebeccaSerle #March192024 #YouNeedThisBook #ExpirationDates #Daphne #PleaseWriteMore #bookstagram #booklover #takesmetoanotherworld #lovedit #FiveStars

This was extremely well written. I like how she got her own happy ending in a different way. I liked the nature of bringing up her old relationships. I would have been interested in hearing more about her longer relationship from college.

A quick, engaging romance mixed with some magic realism made for a book I really enjoyed! I was immersed in this story right away, as the premise was unique. There were a couple of twists thrown in that totally caught me off guard, but added to the storyline.

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the chance to review this book in return for my honest review!

I really enjoyed this book. It was not what I was expected, but in the best possible way. Rebecca Serle did it again in her best book so far. I loved Daphne and only wanted the best for her. This was a romance, but it was so much more too. Daphne had to do the work to find herself and what she wanted out of life.

Throughout this book, you read about Daphne’s dating history and how she magically finds a piece of paper that tells her how long her relationships will last for. Daphne just wants to find the love of her life who will love her even though she has a heart condition that can shorten her life.

Will Daphne find her one true love?

I thought this was a very creative romance book and while some of the relationships were short, you learn more about Daphne. I enjoyed reading about Daphne’s relationship with her parents, her best friend Hugo, and her coworkers. I couldn’t put this book down as it was fast pace and I was curious who and if Daphne ends up with.

Thank you to Atria for a Netgalley of this one.

Ok. I absolutely loved the premise. I did not love all of the pieces though. I did not love our main character. Even when we hit the emotional twist Serle always delivers, I kept waiting for more and more to happen with that..... nothing did. I felt the Daphne was actually quite flat as a character and her chemistry with anyone in the book was meh at best.

By the end of Serle's books, I am usually a blubbering mess. This one just did not hit like that for me.

Four stars for Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle. I always love a romance with a bit of magical realism, and Rebecca Serle is one of the best authors to deliver on this genre. Her stories go deeper to ponder questions about what comprises a life well lived. This story is no exception - does Daphne make choices because she is forced into a pre-destined outcome, or does her expectation of a pre-destined outcome inhibit her choices?

I loved the flashbacks to Daphne’s previous relationships, and while I wish they had been told chronologically, I understand the desire to hold back information from the reader. Ultimately, I would have liked a deeper dive into one defining relationship, but I enjoyed the overall story and the questions it posed.

* I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this book. All thoughts are my own.

This is my favorite of Serle’s so far. I found it to be much better than One Italian Summer, which I really didn’t enjoy. I think my favorite part of this book was the magical realism with the letters. It seemed like a unique idea and it was done well in my opinion. Overall, I just really enjoyed this. It was a quick read and I liked the characters.

I would recommend this book and I would recommend it over her other books.

I love anything by Rebecca Serle. The premise initially got my attention, what a unique idea! I loved the look-backs to Daphne's prior relationships but Hugo had my heart. There was one big secret that came out a little bit after halfway through the book that really changed the tone and reading experience for me. Maybe that was the point, but it knocked it down a star for me.

As seems to be the case with Rebecca Serle books, there is a tiny bit of fantastical to be found here, mixed with real life. Daphne is a typical girl with one special quirk - the universe leaves her notes each time she is about to have a relationship, telling her the name and length of her next fling/boyfriend/whatever. One day she gets a piece of paper with a name, but no length of time, leading her to believe he is *the one*.

As their relationship continues, we also get windows into Daphne's past, and her other relationships, including a short one with her now friend Hugo. We also learn that aside from her secret notes, Daphne has another secret about her health. She ponders this, along with her love life, throughout the book.

Although I enjoyed the book and became more invested in Daphne, I was expecting more of a twist considering the premise of the book. Perhaps a stitch in time or a glimpse into the future. I also felt that her relationship with Jake was bland, so although he was clearly an amazing partner, it was hard to be invested in their friendship. Hugo, the other character that was obviously meant to be another love interest, didn't seem very likable for much of the book. I liked the story, but I wish I had someone to root for.

All in all, a good book that I would most likely recommend to a friend.

Imagine if you're life was filled with expiration dates. Every experience has a shelf life especially relationships. Rebecca Serle creates a world where Daphne receives notes dictating the length of her relationships. Upon meeting potential suitors, a note listed their expiration date.

While Daphne feels this 'gift' is allows her to live in the moment, she comes to realize it's paralyzing her ability to move forward. When she meets a man and his note his blank, Daphne decides to give love a chance. Is this message allowing her to have a future?

Serle expertly keeps readers in suspense regarding the notes' origin. Each chapter unlocks a piece of Daphne's life while fitting in the puzzle pieces. Is the new man in her life, a forever love or is the page still unwritten?

Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for early edition of Expiration Dates in exchange for an honest review. The author brilliantly pens protagonists who are charismatic while lovingly flawed. Readers will enjoy exploring Daphne's past while learning about her future.

I got to buddy read this one with my girl @the_afterword which was such a treat! We both flew it & were constantly texting each other to check in and urging the other to catch up.

This is my third book by Rebecca Serle & after enjoying one (In Five Years) and not loving one (The Dinner List), I was curious to see what I thought of her latest release. Happy to report I can now confirm it’s easily my fav.

I think the premise is so interesting (swipe for synopsis!) and the magical realism was just enough without overpowering. Daphne was a likeable character and I wanted her to find her match & not settle. It took me a second to keep the timelines and characters all straight, especially all the ex boyfriends, but overall I found it to be a quick & enjoyable read!