Anytime I read a Rebecca Serle novel, I know I’m going to be transported and experience unexpected layers of depth and whimsy. Expiration Dates does exactly that. A touch of magical realism, compelling characters, and fun twists mean this isn’t your cookie cutter romance novel, and I am so grateful for it. I love the creative risks, the nuanced emotions, and the crisp, clear prose. That all makes anything by Rebecca Serle an auto-read for me.

Thank you to Atria Books for gifting me with an ARC to review! All opinions are my own.

This book was a quick read but I wish it had a little something more. I enjoyed the premise and the characters but I wish there was a tad more to the book to keep you interested and turning the page.

In “Expiration Date,” Daphne, the first person narrator, has received mysterious notes with the name of a man and the length of time her relationship with each one will last. The duration of the relationships range in length from a day, a few weeks, a few months and a few years. Then she receives a note with the name “Jake,” a blind date she has been set up with by a friend, with no “expiration date.” She is mystified by this sudden change in the notes’ content, and can only surmise that Jake is “the one.”

The novel goes back and forth in time, describing the various relationships and their endings, which always correspond exactly with the time specified in the notes. During the present time frame, Daphne describes her developing relationship with Jake, with whom she feels comfortable and safe. She also has a continuing friendship with Hugo, who had been her boy friend until their relationship reached it’s “expiration date.” Halfway through the book, a sudden revelation about Daphne sheds more light on the title of the book.

The narration draws you in with its elegant prose, (including beautiful descriptions of Los Angeles and the surrounding area), the great dialog, and the well drawn characters. Although this wasn’t a thriller, I couldn’t put the book down and ended up finishing it in one day. I have read all of Rebecca Serle’s previous books and loved them, so I was gratified that this book was also delightful. I highly recommend this book for those who like a well-written book with a hint of magical realism, and appealing characters.

The concept of this one was really unique. Daphne has the ability to know how long each of her relationships is going to last. When she receives a piece of paper with a name but no time, does that mean he’s her forever?…

There was an aspect of the plot that I felt came out of nowhere, was king of random, and didn’t really contribute to the overall story. It was still an enjoyable read, though!

this one was interesting. it took awhile to get into it. it had so much potential but fell a bit flat in my opinion. character development was nonexistent and springing a major thing at the 70% mark and making it basically the while book from there until the end felt odd?

thank you netgalley for the ARC!!

Thank you Atria books for the advance copy of Expiration Dates.

Rebecca Searle’s books are transformative and Expiration Dates is no exception. I loved following Daphne and she explored various relationships through the lens of time. Searle’s character development was phenomenal and I felt like I was reading about friends of mine. I couldn’t but the book down and did not expect the outcome at all!

Daphne knows how long each of her new relationships will last, every time she meets her next boyfriend, she receives a piece of paper with their name on it and a time frame indicating how long the relationship will last. Some only last a few days, while there have been some that lasted several months. When Daphne meets Jake she receives her note with his name, but this one is different, there is no timeline indicated. This leaves Daphne to wonder if she finally found the person she is meant to be with.

The book alternates between Daphnes current relationship with Jake and showing her previous relationships. One of Daphnes previous relationships was with Hugo, who is now her best friend. As you see her current relationship grow with Jake, you see a lot of her relationship with Hugo and how theirs ended. Daphne has always believed that the notes were a sign and to help guide her. As the book progresses Daphne begins to question whether the notes really determine her next relationship or whether things should be left up to fate. I really enjoyed the friendship between Daphne and Hugo and how much support he offers her throughout the book.

This was a quick, fun read with some interesting revelations along the way.

WOW!
What a fantastic book. Again, another Rebecca Serle book I cannot put down. Finished it in 2 consecutive nights, and I had to force myself to turn my kindle off.

I truly loved this book. It was full of gems, and the magical realism we have come to love from Rebecca's writing. I don't even know how to start to describe how this book has touched me. I love the discovery of self, the unexpected twists, and the endless possibilities in the ending that make it such a delight to read.

We meet Daphne, who has been receiving notes when she begins dating someone that will tell her how long that relationship is going to last. She lives her life, and how much she invests in the relationships, based on this. Now, she receives a card with just a name. We discover what this means and how it affects Daphne's present and future.

All in all, it was a fantastic book. Highly recommended.

3.5 stars!

The idea behind this book was extremely amazing. It reminds me of the question that's like: would you want to know when you're going to die? It was interesting to see how when Daphne got the papers with the amount of time her relationships would last, it would affect the actual relationship. In some, she was trying to make the best out of it, and in others, she was deflated and just went along with it. She always had the choice to not do as the paper said, so it was interesting to visit the destiny/free will argument. I can honestly say that I didn't expect that plot twist, but Hugo definitely proved his point. I'm not going to lie, the relationship she had with Jake was incredibly too boring and lacked chemistry. I don't know if this book has a playlist, or if there was any inspiration from the song, but it reminded me a bit of The Way I Loved You by Taylor Swift. This could've been a 4 ☆ for me but it just slightly missed the mark, either way, I'm rounding up.

This was a quieter read than Serle's previous books, but I still enjoyed it. Like always, her prose is thoughtful and measured, and the twists go straight to the heart.

Would you want to know when a relationship is going to end?
For years, Daphne has been getting postcards with a name, and the length of time the relationship would last, that way she knows how to get herself involved, I mean, why would you get involved if it’s only going to last six weeks or six days
This has been Daphne’s dating life all along.
Would you want to know?

I enjoyed this book. It did raise a lot of questions like if you know it’s going to end how much of yourself do you invest?

Thank you so much for the ARC of Expiration Dates! I flew threw this book. I could not put it down. I loved it so much -- my favorite Rebecca Serle book!

Yet another book by Serle, that shows me how much I adore her novels, especially because of the magical realism components found in each of them. I especially enjoy the uniqueness of each of her books and this one was no different! I was entertained by my own feelings while reading this book because I found myself rooting for a certain person, but yet I wasn't quite sure if I was supposed to be doing that or not. Her books always make you think "what if..." and this book does just that. This one was short and fun, emotional and sweet. <3

A must read of 2024 for romance lovers for sure!

I was so excited to see this book show up on my NetGalley! I always enjoy Rebecca Serle's novels and the elements of magical realism.

Daphne receives paper notes whenever she dates a new man with their "expiration date" but before her date with Jake there is no expiration date. Daphne settles into this new life but is Jake truly her fate? Told in varying timelines, Daphne's past relationships are explored while following her present day relationship with Jake.

This book reminds me of the movie Lucky 7 where a woman follows a life timeline her mother wrote out for her before she passed away at a young age. Are they truly living their own lives following their self believed fate. It becomes apparent Daphne's relationship with Jake is dull and lifeless while she continues to convince herself it's perfect. I was satisfied with the ending and enjoyed how the story is told.

Rebecca Serle takes us on a charming, whirlwind journey with "Expiration Dates," a novel exploring the fascinating concept of knowing the timeline of your relationships. Daphne, our protagonist, finds cryptic notes with names and durations, seemingly dictating the lifespan of her love affairs. This unique premise immediately hooks you, promising a blend of romance, self-discovery, and a touch of magical realism.

The story shines in its character development. Daphne is relatable, vulnerable, and often hilarious in her awkwardness. We root for her as she grapples with living under the shadow of preordained deadlines and learns to embrace the beauty of fleeting moments. The supporting cast, including her loyal best friend Hugo and the enigmatic Ben, are equally well-crafted, adding depth and humor to the narrative.

However, the narrative occasionally stumbles into repetitive territory, especially in the middle chapters. The constant internal monologues about the looming expiration dates can feel redundant at times, and the predictable trajectory of some relationship arcs takes away from the element of surprise.

Despite these minor stumbles, "Expiration Dates" ultimately delivers a satisfying and heartfelt experience. All of Serle's novels, and "Expiration Dates" is no exception, combine magical realism with true fiction which personally hooks me due to the uniqueness. The exploration of love, heartbreak, and the courage to live beyond limitations is deeply resonant. By the end, you're left with a newfound appreciation for the present moment and the preciousness of every connection, regardless of its duration.

For those seeking a thought-provoking romance with a dash of magic realism, "Expiration Dates" offers a delightful escape. Just be prepared for a few déjà vu moments along the way. 4 out of 5 stars.

I love the magical realism genre, and Rebecca Serle doesn't disappoint. EXPIRATION DATES is all about choices. Ever since her first boyfriend in the fifth grade, Daphne gets a slip of paper with the name of the next man she will date and how long the relationship will last. Once the designated term ends, Daphne accepts the breakup gracefully and moves on. Eventually, she stumbles upon a different kind of message. The piece of paper holds the name of her upcoming blind date but doesn't include a time frame. Could this be The One?
Serle accurately captures the single life with its ups and downs but adds a twist - what if there is a lot less angst and attachment because you already know when things will end? It also begs the question - who is in charge of this? Does she have a choice in all this?
I finished this book in two days because it was so engaging, and I was invested in the ending! I've read two previous books of Serle's - The Dinner List and In Five Years - and am looking forward to even more from her. Definitely recommend.

I am always a fan of a unique premise in the world of romance books, and this was certainly that! While I did predict (and delight in) the turn this story would take, I still very much enjoyed the read, except for a few sluggish parts. Kudos to the author for an inventive idea!

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for this ARC.

I absolutely love Rebecca Serle’s books and this one was no disappointment! Such an intriguing, unique, and quick read. Her writing style is so simple, yet packed with so much emotion!

Daphne is cursed with getting a paper that tells her how long each relationship is going to last, but through all of her experiences, she finds one that she wants to last forever. She has a health crisis that really helps her start putting her life and what she wants into perspective. When she stopped letting the numbers on the paper and being distressed about what she wanted to do as a career dictate her life, she takes a turn for the better.

I loved the twist at the end! Definitely a heart warming ending as Daphne puts her happiness first. A must read for any single woman out there or someone struggling to find what they want in life at any age.

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

WHAT. THE. ACTUAL.

I don’t even know where to start with this book. I wanted to throw it in the sea when I got to the end.

Rebecca Serle always works some magical realism into her books, and it’s cool - until it makes no sense. Daphne gets mysterious notes with a guy’s name and how long she’ll date them for. She doesn’t know how she gets these notes (and she never will, and we never will), but they’re always accurate.

She then receives a note that reads: Jake. No end date. This must be her forever, right?

Way too late in the book we’re thrown with she also has a serious heart condition? How could this guy who lost his first wife ever be with her if she could die too? Her best friend/ex is pining away for her the whole book and admits to hijacking the real note about Jake so that she’d give someone more of a chance. She should be mad right? NO! It was all part of the plan! Now she should dump this guy who cares for her because the ex is her one true love or something. 🤷🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️

Two stars because it kept me reading until the end. Sometimes it’s hard to look away from a train wreck.

This one made me cry! It's one of those books that makes you sad at times but yet so happy overall.

I loved, loved, loved the setting; California holds a very special place in my heart, so the fact that this book doesn't focus on the glamorous, glitzy side of the Golden State is wonderful.

I knew that there was something more than the notes that Daphne wasn't sharing, and while I kind of suspected what it was, it still shocked me. The profound message of living life to the fullest because you only get one chance isn't presented in a didactic fashion; rather, it's beautifully incorporated throughout the book. That there is a finite time to life and everything in it, while so simple, is a constant gentle reminder. The ending made me smile so much!

Daphne's relationship with her parents and some of their conversations were emotional and deeply touching. It was heartwarming to see that bond.

I found the idea of the notes a bit fantastical, but it works so well with Serle's viewpoint on dealing with mortality (with regards to both life and relationships).