Like all of Rebecca Serle's books, this one had an interesting concept for the storyline. Although, this one is a bit more predictable. So while I enjoyed the book, it also was a little boring for me. I needed a bit more drama or conflict/contention in the story. There was sort of a plot twist towards the end but by that point, I just wasn't in love with the main characters to care that much. So even though this book fell a little flat for me, 4 stars for a unique story.

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of Expiration Dates.

I was excited to read my first book of Rebecca Serle since I have several of hers on my tbr. Unfortunately this one was a miss for me. I didn’t connect with the female main character during the book. I honestly found her immature and annoying and didn’t find she grew during the story. And while it wasn’t a long book, I was frequently checking my progress to see how far I was. I liked the idea of the story, but then was bored every time we went back to the men she dated. The whole thing was just a bit bland for me. I’ll still try another book of this author before I give up on her, but this one wasn’t for me.

3.5 ⭐️ wow! i can’t believe i devoured this in one sitting. this was my first book by serle i’ve read, but now i want to read her others *immediately*
daphne was so relateable!

read if you like:
- magical realism
- non-linear timeline
- characters that feel “stuck”
- tall & handsome men

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for this e-ARC!

WOW! Ok, I wasn't sure what to expect with Serle's take on "sugary romance" but it was everything I hoped and yet, not "sugary" at all. This was a lovely story that kept me guessing. I do wish a few relationship details were expanded on a bit more but I feel like I can't say too much without give away the plot. This story was all at once emotional and comforting. I loved it!

I received an egalley of this book in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley..

I liked the premise of this book - the main character receives a paper each time she dates someone that tells her how long they'll be together. This might have been one of the only elements of the book that worked for me, though as we flashed back to her past relationships, I thought the past timelines went on way too long. While the idea was to explain why she has the relationship hang ups that she does, but it made me want to skim through. Another issue that I had with the book is that the resolution was very obvious to me, and I would have liked it if her and Jake had better chemistry. It also seemed like the papers and the other twist in the story were competing for our attention. Also - for a book set in LA, why the weird obsession with New York?

I really enjoyed this book at first. I think the notes were such a fun, unique plot that could have made this a really good story. However, the author’s first big “twist” totally took the attention away from the notes which was disappointing. I felt like the two main men in this story were both so flat and underdeveloped. The alternating timelines didn’t flow well throughout the whole book, making it seem choppy. Finally, I was SO annoyed about the big reveal with Jake’s note. How would she not be able to tell???
I loved the author’s other books, so my high expectations made me feel very critical of this one. It’s still a fun quick read, just not quite what I expected.

I really enjoyed this book. I love Rebecca Serle’s style of writing and have read a bunch of her other books before this.

Daphne believes the universe has a plan for her. She receives pieces of paper each time she meets a new man with their name and a length of time on it indicating how long they will be together. As the story goes on we find things out about Daphne that most people do not know. She begins to doubt the meaning of Jake’s paper and tries to figure out what she wants out of her life.

This novel is emotional, passionate and even heartbreaking, but is so wonderfully done! I really enjoyed it! You should definitely add this to your “To Be Read” list. Releases March 19th! Thanks to NetGalley for my advanced copy! 😃

I was sad when this book was over. I was sucked in and obsessed within the first few pages! The book was detailed but not annoyingly detailed, just the right amount!!

I LOVED this book - read it all today- could not stop until it was done and now am sad that it is over. Bravo Rebecca Serle! I loved In Five Years and One Italian Summer. And this was my favorite one yet!! I love the combination of magical realism and romance.

This book tells the story of Daphne- who receives a note at the start of every romantic relationship with the timing of how long it will last. Super intriguing premise. The author gives us a beautiful story about friendship and love. There are some plot twists that I didn’t see coming and I wasn’t sure how the book was going to end until I actually got there. I loved it!!! Highly recommend!!

Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this advanced copy. I will be recommending it to one and all!

Thank you to Simon and Shuster and NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

I knew it was a 5 star read for me instantly.

I instantly liked Daphne. The dual timelines were fun and kept me up late reading.

I wanted to read it right away because of the gorgeous cover and because it is by Rebecca Searle.

I enjoyed the Los Angeles setting. Searle did a great job describing locations and making the reader feel there.

My favorite line from the book: “Wasn’t the hardest part of heartache the unpredictability?”

5 stars!

I would like to thank Atria Books and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this as an ARC. I always enjoy Rebecca Serle's novels. They all have that bit of magical realism/ romantasy that makes them special. This one is no different. Daphne receives messages when she dates someone new- a note with the man's name and a time frame-3 weeks, 8 days , 1 night etc. That is the end date, the expiration date if you will of the relationship. Then , just before her first date with Jake, she get a note-the name Jake, but nothing else. Is this the man she will marry? The story is told in 2 time lines. The present day , where she dates Jake and looks at him as her potential "Happily Ever After",and past time line, which details her previous romances, expiration dates and endings. Jake seems like a great guy, fun caring and honest. So is he the man for Daphne? The story is well told and the characters well written.
We meet Daphne's parents, her boss Irina, her friends Kendra and Hugo. Hugo is an old boyfriend, one whose romance ended after 3 months. He and Daphne are still close and spend time together on a regular basis. Hugo is the only one who knows about the letters with the romantic end dates. He is there for Daphne, until Jake becomes more of a presence in her life. This is an intriguing story , and one which really had me guessing. There are 2 major plot twists- one about halfway through and one towards the end. I didn't see either one coming!

Expiration Dates is one of the most unique and deeply authentic depictions about the search for love. Our main character, Daphne, is determined to find love against all odds, even if she is typically the one leading the the self-sabotaging train. What makes this story so unique is that throughout her entire dating life (yes, even elementary school flings), Daphne receives a mysterious post card that says a guys name and a length of time, dictating the amount of time she will be with said guy. At the beginning of this book, Daphne receives a letter with a guys name on it with no expiration date. Is this finally him? Her soul mate?

There were so many twists in this book that I did not see coming. They all made me go back and look at different parts of the story through a different lens. Daphne has kept a huge secret from most of the people in her life for a decade and as she comes to terms with that part of her life in this book..... you can't help but just want to hug her. Are you living or are you dying?

There are so many bigger topics and message at play here that Daphne uncovers throughout her journey- it's a matter of taking charge of your own life with your career, friends, family, love, etc.. Is it better to go into a relationship knowing when the end will come or is better to just let everything play out organically? Does knowing the end is coming, cause her to push them away? Can fate be changed?

This book resonated with me in a way I wasn't expecting. I am completely attached to Daphne and her journey and hope she gets her happily ever after.

"With Hugo it felt a little like I’d won a prize—but one that I was always in danger of losing."

“If something isn’t working, change it. Keep changing it until it works"

"The truth is hard. It’s complicated. It does not always follow a simple structure. It is not always convenient. That’s why sometimes we do our best to leave it out of the story for as long as possible. We choose to let it linger in the corners, we don’t spotlight it. But eventually, it catches up to us. Of course it does."

"Hugo crosses his arms. When he looks at me, his gaze is dead center. “You have to stop believing the worst in everyone. Fuck, Daphne. You have to stop believing the worst in yourself.”"

“But the thing is, Daphne. No one’s time is promised. Not yours. Not Mom’s. Not mine. Not Jake’s. It’s just the way it is. We are all dying. Every day. And at some point it becomes a choice. Which one are you going to do today? Are you living or are you dying?”

My only complaint is that I wanted more... the story is very well developed, but that ending made me need MORE. Rebecca Serle's author note, did leave me to believe we may be getting more to the story & if so, I can't wait!

Thank you to the publisher and to netgalley for this arc. I really liked the premise of a single woman who mysteriously receives notes with her dates name and the amount of time they will be together. What I love about Rebecca Serle’s books are they focus in the main character yes, there are side romances and friendships but the development of the MC makes RS a go to author for me.

I've loved Rebecca Serle's work for a long time, but she really blew it out of the water with Expiration Dates. Swoony and funny, while also being a really interesting meditation on relationships. I really enjoyed following these characters, and I didn't see the twist coming. This might be her best yet. I'll be shouting this one from the rooftops when it comes out.

I recently watched "Embrace Love in the New Year: A Heartfelt Conversation with Rebecca Serle" and I knew I had to read her new novel coming out in March 2024.

I liked the concept of how Daphne recieves a letter of when the relationship will expire. It was unique. The novel was filled with a wide rage of emotions, yet it all made me feel connected and itching to know what will happen next. Especially the last 35% of the book.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC of Expiration Dates!

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC of Expiration Dates!

I am giving this one a 3.75 stars-it held my attention, was a quick read, and I enjoyed it! The “plot twist” in this book definitely through me off and at first felt very random, but I think by the end it helped to add perspective to Daphne’s choices! I’d recommend this one!

This was a fun read! The plot was not like something I have read before and I loved learning more about Daphne throughout the book. I was rooting for Hugo the entire book. This was more emotional than I predicted but I thought it was a good addition to the book. This is my new favorite book by Rebecca Serle!

Thank you SO much to Atria Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book!

If I wasn’t a huge fan of Rebecca Serle, I am now!

Expiration Dates is a lovely story about a young woman, Daphne, who, for most of her adult life, receives notes telling her how long she will be in a relationship with someone. She goes through life and love knowing this information, which makes her keep her guard up and never really let anyone in until she meets Jake. His note didn’t come with an expiration date. Did she finally meet the One? Or is she telling herself this because of what the note said? Follow Daphne on her journey to love - love for her self and love for others.

It’s a sweet story about finding true love. It had some surprises to it that I didn’t see coming that helps give the story a little more depth than your average romance. It has a touch of magical realism with the notes that Daphne gets that tells her, who will be her next relationship will be and how long they will be together but it doesn’t really explore too much into that. The story is very steeped in LA and that’s fun. For me it was a little predictable, a little saccharine but I think if you like the romance genre your would enjoy this book. It’s enjoyable.

The story flowed well and the characters were well developed. I recommend this book and look forward to more from this author.


****Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review****