Daphne receives a note for every man she dates. It has his name and precisely how long their relationship will last written on it. It has never been wrong.
This book starts with her receiving a note with the name Jake written on it with no expiration date.

I think about things like this all the time. If you knew when you did something that you’d have the time of your life for a certain amount of time but when it ends it’ll end very badly. Would you still do it? If you could look up the date when you will die, would you want to know? And if you did, do you think it would change the way you lived your life?
It’s such a weird thing to think about and this book explores that but with relationships.
Without any spoilers, I really enjoyed this book. It has that tiny magical element but it’s so small that it just makes this romance a little more unique. I loved the way this book was paced. It flowed nicely. You go back in time at some parts to see her past relationships. It’s little snapshots of Daphne living her life. She’s a bit melancholy and lost, in a sense. I think it was a little hard to connect with her at first but the more you learn about her you understand her more. She’s a beautiful character.
I could tell from the beginning that this book would take a kind of sad turn. In the end though, I felt it was really beautiful. The idea of love and what it means to all of us. The idea that love isn’t always enough. It’s heartbreaking but it’s life.
Life is worth living. Love isn’t a guarantee but it’s worth the risk and effort if you find the right person.
Also, with the whole overall message of this book, I really loved the ending. I thought it was the absolute perfect ‘ending’ for this book.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC. It was amazing.

2.5 stars. Oh this book. How quickly it reads and yet how deeply it annoys. I'll have to be vague about my concerns to avoid spoilers, but I can safely say that Expiration Dates is NOT "the romance that will define a generation," as promised by the publisher's description.

Single gal and LA producer's assistant Daphne Bell has a unique secret. Every time she dates a man, she receives a mysterious piece of paper containing his name and how long the relationship will last. She has never tried to determine the source of these papers, or why she seems to be the lone person on planet Earth to experience them, but okay, I can go with that. On her way to a blind date set up by her BFF, she gets the expected paper but there is no time limit included next to the name "Jake." Does this mean Jake is The One that she will marry and grow old with, the relationship with no expiration date?

Fortunately, Jake is a wonderful guy - caring, handsome, successful, funny, just the right amount of quirky - and soon he and Daphne are a happy couple. But as their relationship moves towards the next milestone, Daphne agonizes over the need to tell Jake her Big Secret. No, not that one. The Other Big Secret.

I will not divulge the nature of the Other Big Secret except to say that it takes the story into unexpected and unwelcome territory. What starts out as a lighthearted romcom with a gimmick turns into melodrama and angst. Genuinely nice people are deeply hurt as Daphne makes martyr-like choices for them. Flashbacks to her previous time-limited affairs serve little purpose besides establishing the infallibility of the expiration date messages. The plot includes a Love Triangle (one of my least favorite tropes) but the other guy is a playboy douche-bro whose Grand Gesture is an unforgiveable (to me) act of control.

The author describes every outfit Daphne wears, the decor of the restaurants she patronizes, and other unnecessary details such as the fact that the shopping mall at which Daphne and BFF meet for lunch has a Santa train at Christmas, a giant bunny at Easter, and a Gilmore Girls gazebo the whole year through. No wonder this was a quick read; I skipped over all of the extraneous stuff.

The one thing that saved this book from one-heart territory was the loving, supportive relationship that Daphne has with her parents. So often Jewish parents, especially mothers, are stereotypically portrayed as overly involved, meddling noodges. Debra and Moshe Bell are lovely people who are willing to meet their daughter where she is, not where they want her to be.

There are many glowing 5-star reviews of Expiration Dates on Goodreads, so it's clear that mine is a minority opinion. YMMV if you like melodrama, Instagram-like fashion and decor descriptions, and ambiguous endings.

ARC received from Net Galley in exchange for objective review.

Every time Daphne begins a relationship with a new man, she receives a note with the end date. But something different happens when she meets Jake. With Hugo, her best friend as her sounding board, Daphne navigates this connection with Jake. However, can she trust a relationship when she isn’t being totally honest herself.
Serle once again has given us a unique story that drew me in right away! I don’t always love mystical stories, but I loved the mystical aspect here. Its subtle, just little notes showing up in unexpected places. And Daphne is able to enjoy each relationship for what it is and for the time it will be. However, she did let the note steer the relationship. And from the middle of this book, I felt like I was always waiting for the other shoe to drop and have my heart broken and I was reading with such a sense of foreboding.
I’ve only seen rave reviews for this, so maybe it was a victim of that had it fall a little flat for me. Sadly, I had trouble connecting with this one. It’s a shorter book, under 300 pages, and I think I would have liked if the author went deeper into the character development. There was a lack of chemistry that made part of this predictable.

Readers can relate...you're trucking along, minding your own business, thoroughly enjoying the story as it's unfolding and....BAM! Something is revealed that jumbles up everything you thought you knew, everything you thought was going to happen in the story. This book packs that punch and, oh man, it was really well done. Daphne receiving slips of paper with just the man's name and a time period (5 days, 3 weeks, 3 months, etc.) letting her know how long each relationship is going to last is such a fun premise. She's a strong female lead who has figured out how to keep her guard up when necessary to protect her heart. It was nice to watch her work her way through her dating history until she finally meets "the one"...but who is in control here? Destiny with the slips of paper? Daphne with her own free will? Something else?

This book was really enjoyable. I would (and I will!) recommend it to all of my fellow romance book lovers. It has a little bit more to it than your "typical" girl meets boy, girl falls in love, girl lives happily ever after plot line. It makes you think deeper about your partners, why you choose them, what you have to offer them in a relationship (and vice versa), and what parental love looks like as we age. It is absolutely worth spending time with Rebecca Serle's latest work.

Thank you to Atria books for an ARC. All thoughts are my own.

Daphne always gets slips of papers telling how long her relationships will last. When she receives a blank one before her first date with Jake, she’s convinced it’ll last. But she is holding a secret from him as their relationship progresses.

While this kept me entertained and was a fast and fun read, I had so many questions unanswered. Can someone please message me and explain to me what was up with the doc Martin thing? It seemed like it was figured out but not explained. I love magical realism in books but I really need more of a reason behind it. I was left with too many questions and the ending felt rushed.

“Being single is like playing the lottery. Most of the time all you’re left with from that trip to the convenience store is a bag of chips and a six-pack. But then there’s always the chance. There’s always the chance however slim, that with one piece of paper you could win it all.”

Expiration Dates comes out 3/5.

Given my admiration for Rebecca Serle's previous work, particularly "In Five Years", picking up this ARC was a no-brainer for me. Her skillful storytelling and ability to delve into complex themes had me intrigued from the get-go. So, naturally, I was eager to dive into her latest book.

Approaching this book relatively blind turned out to be a pleasant surprise. Serle once again showcases her talent, crafting a narrative that is both engaging and emotionally resonant. Trust me, y'all are in for a treat when this book hits the shelves.

Moreover, I felt an extra sense of connection to this book because of a special day that I'm celebrating later this month. Have you ever stumbled upon a book at just the right moment in your life? A book you didn't even know you needed to read at this particular moment in time? That's precisely how I felt with this one. Serle's exploration of health issues and their impact adds depth to the story, sparking important discussions about love, life, and relationships (not just romantic). It was the perfect read for me this week, and although it was very emotional, I'm so glad I read it when I did.

One standout element is the recurring theme of "expiration dates" for relationships. What a fascinating concept and Serle explored it in her tale so well. Just the way Daph invests in people based on these dates, as a reader, I similarly invested in and shipped the characters based on these dates. It was a pleasant way to read about and enjoy characters (especially as someone that loves book boyfriends).

From interconnected stories to a gripping overarching plot, this book offers a compelling reading experience. And that plot twist? Wow.

Starting my February romance reads with this book was a great choice. With Serle's work setting a high standard, I'm eager to see what the rest of the month holds.

So far my favorite of all her books! I simply could not put this one down! I always have loved a bit of magical realism in books, and this one was done SO well! Rebecca serle’s ability to have us truly feel like we are living in this book is incredible. I felt like I was walking every step of Daphnes story with her! This book was truly such a joy!

This book had me wanting more. The ending was good, but not one that Inoredicted. The last 20% of the book was a wild ride and I would have liked it more drawn out. I knew I would enjoy it because it’s Rebecca Serle - and of course, she’s done it again!

Another ambiguous ending? This is the second book of Serle’s that I’ve read (the first being In Five Years), and I feel like it’s a cop-out. Please, make a decision and don’t make your readers draw their own conclusions. Yes, I’m going to believe that Daphne is getting the happy ending I want for her, but it would have been better to read it on the page.

The premise was interesting, but by Chapter Five, I was already thinking that, if Daphne knows the expiration date on a relationship, why doesn’t she end it sooner if she knows it won’t work out or if she knows her heart will be broken when she starts to catch feelings? I was also frustrated because, to me, it was obvious that she should be with Hugo who she’d had only a three month romantic relationship with but who she still remained close friends with five years later, not wanting to imagine her life without him. Isn’t that what love is all about, someone knowing all of your secrets and flaws, but still wanting to be in your life? Why does she let a little slip of paper decide for her?

As for her relationship with Jake, it’s all so boring. Where’s the passion, the not being able to imagine a life without him in it? Jake’s a great guy, but he deserves better than someone who just wants a safety net because she doesn’t think she deserves anything more. Her parents love Hugo, her best friend thinks there’s still something there, and even Jake, after meeting Hugo for the first time, acknowledges that Hugo is in love with her. Yet, she lets a damn piece of paper determine her fate.

I don’t actually think Serle is a romance writer based on the two books I’ve read, if your definition of romance is a clear happily-ever-after. I won’t be reading anymore because they leave me very dissatisfied. In Expiration Dates, there’s also way too much of Daphne’s introspective monologue obscuring the dialogue, and it annoys me that Daphne isn’t forthcoming with the men in her life (except Hugo).

I chose this book to fulfill the prompt “Quick Read” in a book challenge I’m doing and, despite the fact that it’s only 272 pages and I’m generally a fast reader, it took me too many hours to slog through it. It’s not that she’s a terrible writer, by any means, but I just don’t like ambiguity in my romances.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Atria Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Thank you to NetGalley & Atria Books for the ARC of Expiration Dates. This book was such a fun read; I truly enjoyed the cast of characters, saw great character development, and loved the romance aspects. It was fun to go back in time and see the men of Daphne's past while experiencing her current relationships in "real time." In typical Rebecca Serle fashion, there were a few twists and turns, but like her previous books, it just builds for a stronger plot. I loved experiencing this book and equally loved how it wrapped up/the ending. I highly recommend it if you're looking for a novel told through multiple timelines with a touch of magical realism and romance but also a study of self-exploration and acceptance. All around, it's a lovely book and one I'll be adding to my library!

I have read all of Rebecca Serle's novel and this one doesn't disappoint. Daphne is presented with several slips of paper that predict the fate of her love life. Daphne believes in romantic love and is conflicted on what to do.

I stayed up all night to read this book because I couldn’t put it down! This book was so unique. It was creative, emotional, romantic, and so well written. I have to get my hands on more of this author’s books. Really recommend this book!

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the arc of this book.

I love Rebecca Serle novels because of the magical realism she folds into her storytelling. Sometimes its so subtle, that it's almost missed until you get that A-HA moment. I truly wanted to love this book as much as her previous novels, but felt that the chemistry was somewhat lacking. Which is unfortunate because overall, the premise of this book is actually quite lovely. That isn't to say I DISLIKED it, because I truthfully enjoyed myself a lot while reading. I think maybe i juts had expectations that were too high, and felt let down in the end.

This book is emotional and tugs on you in all of the right ways. It centers on Daphne and her journey with love, those that come in and out of her life and why. I liked the touch of magic that was just on the edge of believable and I really enjoyed the supporting characters that made up Daphne's support system. Give this one a try if you are a fan of a good tearjerker with a touch of magic.

It was overall a generally cute, feel good novel. There were things I really enjoyed and felt giddy at but some things just fell short for me.

The writing itself was very easy to follow and flowed together well! The descriptions were great and I felt like I could picture a great deal in my mind.

I didn’t enjoy how “final” the notes were. The FMC followed them to a fault and didn’t really ever appear to question them and I don’t know why but it bugged me a little. It was missing that little bit of depth,

4.5 stars rounded up to 5. Dare I say this might be my favorite Rebecca Serle book yet?! I loved In Five Years, so I will settle at a tie for now. This book was wonderful and probably my favorite Netgalley read so far. I loved the multiple timelines and how it explored Daphne’s past relationships. It made you question if Daphne lived her life differently knowing her time would come to an end with each of these people. I enjoyed seeing Daphne grow and blossom through these relationships, as well as some other issues she had a lifetime of dealing with. Definitely recommend this one!

For Readers Who Like:
- Multiple timelines
- Magical realism
- LA vibes

Thank you @netgalley and @atriabooks for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review!

I know anything that Rebecca Serle writes will be a hit for me. I think it’s hard to do a romance right, but she hits it out of the park with this one.

Right away, I fell in love with the unique plot of the book. It was such a unique twist that really made me love the book. Daphne gets a piece of paper with a time length whenever she starts to date someone new. That is the expiration of the relationship. Navigating her timelines, trying to figure herself out as a person, and watching her grow makes the book marvelous. I’m obsessed with her dog, Murphy.

I loved the jump in timelines to understand all her past relationships and how they shaped her as a person. There were some really funny and endearing moments too. It was such an amazing, fun, heartfelt read.

It’s not as emotional as her last two books, but it hits the spot. Don’t wait to read this one!

Thanks to Atria books and Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book. Be sure to buy this book on March 19, 2024!

Expiration Dates is a story that will make you think about life, love, and relationships. It's not an incredibly long book but Serle packs a lot into the pages. It's a very moving story about someone who is following what the universe is telling her to find love, but there is so much more to the story than that. This is a book that would be very easy to spoil. With that in mind, I won't say much more.

I will say I adored Daphne's characters and she completely came to life on the page.

Read this book. At times it will break you into pieces and at other times, it will warm your soul.

Thank you Atria Books and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for the honest review. This one will stay with me for a long time.

Quick intro:
Daphne Bell receives notes upon meeting men with their name and a number - the exact amount of time she will spend with them. It’s always made dating easy, the knowing what to expect, but this time there’s just a name and no number - does that mean forever?

Quick thoughts:
After reading One Italian Summer by this author and not enjoying it, I was hesitant about her newest book. However, the premise seemed interesting to me so I gave it a go and I’m glad I did!

There’s just something about Rebecca’s style of writing that feels very realistic and conversational. Her characters feel relatable, honest, and like actual humans and I really appreciate that.

This book reminded me of The Measure in a lot of ways. Daphne was forced to figure out how to deal with, process, and live in light of knowing what you shouldn’t know. I enjoyed the magical element and it somehow felt believable. 😂

Read if you like: sad romances, quirky MCs, fade-to-black, first person POV, quick reads, non-linear time-lines, and dashes of magical realism.

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

What to expect in this book:

-Magical realism
-Exploring dating/love
-Grief/meaning of life
-Magical letters
-Alternating timelines
-Self-discovery

Thoughts

Rebecca Serle is one of my favorite authors and I genuinely love her writing and magical elements throughout her stories. This one in particular in so special because I feel like it truly captures so many important elements. Without spoiling some twists, this book explores what it is like to grow up and live a life much different than you may have imagined living. Daphne receives letters from the time she is young telling her the person and length of relationship that she will be with them. However, one day she receives a note with a name on it, but no expiration date. Is he the one? What does this mean for Daphne's future?

This book felt particularly personal reading; not because it is my story at all, but because I could tell that the author felt what the main character was going through. I highlighted so many passages and felt like this was a book that many people could relate to in the humanity of the main character. She has so many important relationships in her life, but could not seem to understand love and it's purpose in her life.

One of my favorite quotes from this book is: "We have to be cracked open sometimes. We have to be cracked open sometimes to let anything good in. What I see now, emerging in the mirror, is this one, simple truth: learning to be broken is learning to be whole."

The pacing of the story felt slow for the first 50-60%, but until that point the direction of the story is not as clear. Once the author reveals a major part of the character's story, we begin to see the beauty and the breakdown unfold. I love books with flawed characters- characters that make decisions that are not so black and white, and that struggle with themselves in some way. While this is not my favorite RS, I still think The Dinner List (while not as popular) is still my favorite. However, this book is beautiful, emotional, and real.

Thank you to #NetGalley and Atria Books for an advanced reader's copy. This book hits shelves March 5.