The fates are pulling some strings in this contemporary magical realism novel. Every time Daphne meets a new guy, a slip of paper with a name and date precede or immediately follow the first encounter. The date, it turns out, is the end date for the relationship. Daphne works as a production assistant in Los Angeles. She has a perfect boss, perfect (male) best friend, perfect parents, a new perfect boyfriend–and an imperfect body that’s failing her.

When she received a note with just the name “Jake,” she assumes it’s because he has finally met her one true love, though a double-date with her best friend and former lover Hugo might make her a little less sure. The narrative moves back and forth between the present day romance and all the other names on Daphne’s slips of paper.

The novel explores the role we play in crafting our own fate. Do the relationships actually run their course, or does Daphne direct the course of events because she knows the expiration date? Romance readers will quickly sniff out that Jake sounds too perfect to be true, and may be disappointed by the lack of spicyness. Recommended for fans of Katherine Center, Taylor Reid Jenkins, and Josie Silver.

Posted on my Goodreads page -
I loved it! Every single minute of this book…I just love Rebecca’s writing. Midway through, I was in turmoil as I had a different want for the main character….I hit the end and to my joy and surprise, Rebecca nailed this ending!

Received ARC from NetGalley. I always like Rebecca Serle’s stories but this one was probably my favorite! It was a romance while also being a story about discovering what you want vs what you “should” do. I found the main character so relatable and I enjoyed each mini story that made up the whole book. Would definitely recommend!

What would you do if every time you dated someone you found a piece of paper letting you know how long that relationship would last? She has received the papers for more then 20 years and wonders when it will end. When she meet Jake on a blind date she question the paper's prediction. It only has his name on it. What does it mean to be truthful and committed? The book explores what it means to be single and to find true love.

Rebecca Serle writes stories that grab and a hold of your heart and don’t let go! These stories transport you! Rebecca makes the unimaginable possible! My heart felt what daphne felt!!

I was invited to read this story and the premise sounded so interesting.

However, I wasn't able to connect with this story. The writing wasn’t a fit for me - too many descriptions about stuff that didn't add to the actual meat of the story.

This one was a miss for me.



Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the DRC

I loved Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle! First off, the cover is beautiful and very eye-catching. I also loved the theme of the book, and thought that the premise "every time she meets a new man, she receives a slip of paper with his name and a number on it—the exact amount of time they will be together" was super intriguing and adorable. This book has a dual timeline which I enjoyed, as it really gives insight into Daphne's past relationships. Such an uplifting book, filled with all of the emotions, that will leave you thinking hard about life's choices and fate!

I LOVED this book - this was the first book I've read by Rebecca Serle and talk about a feel good love story. The premise to this book was different than anything I've read before - leaves a lot to "fate." The story line was well written and I loved the back and forth from past relationship to currently. Great fun summer read!

Thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley, I was able to read this ARC ahead of its March 5, 2024 publication date.

While I was drawn to the premise of this book, I found the execution a bit dry. It was a nice story, but not a real page-turner for me, mainly because I couldn’t really connect with the characters. The book falls somewhere between a two- and three-star for me, and I'm inclined to round it up.

In terms of the most serious lovers, Hugo was too pompous for me to take seriously, and Jake… Well, let’s say the poor fellow wouldn’t have made it past the first date with me due to his meek manor and the weird Doc Martens cataloguing thing. Daphne had questionable taste in men; however, so it is what it is.

A few things I enjoyed about the story include: the more mature tone when compared to many other contemporary romance novels, the various settings, and the main character’s self-exploration.

I've enjoyed several of author Serle's previous titles - I enjoy reading chick lit with magic realism elements & she usually delivers, and this is her best yet. I found "Expiration Dates" to be very heart rending & well-written, I really invested in MC Daphne's quest for lasting love and how she always learns how it's going to end. I also really appreciated that it was a "clean" romance novel. My thanks to the publisher for the complimentary DRC provided through Net Galley - my pleasure to review it.

Rebecca Serle’s “Expiration Dates” is a captivating exploration of love, fate, and the intricacies of human relationships that keeps you hooked from start to finish. This New York Times bestselling author has once again proven her storytelling prowess, weaving a tale that’s both heartwarming and thought-provoking.

The novel introduces us to Daphne Bell, a woman who believes that the universe has a plan for her love life. Her unique twist? Every time she meets a new man, she’s handed a slip of paper with his name and the exact duration of their relationship. Imagine the intrigue of knowing when love will bloom and when it will inevitably fade away.

The story takes us on a rollercoaster ride through Daphne’s life, from a three-day tryst in Paris to a three-month journey with her ex-boyfriend turned best friend. However, the real twist comes when she meets Jake, a man whose paper holds only a name, leaving her in suspense about the expiration date of their relationship.

Serle’s writing is filled with warmth and insight into the complexities of the heart. She beautifully captures the dilemma of Daphne, who grapples with the paper’s predictions and her own emotions. The author deftly explores themes of commitment and truthfulness, making us question whether fate truly dictates our love lives or if we have the power to change our destinies.

What sets “Expiration Dates” apart is the emotional depth and passion infused into the narrative. Serle masterfully delves into the intricacies of romantic love, leaving us teetering on the edge of heartbreak. The characters are well-crafted, and their evolving relationships are portrayed with authenticity.

While the book keeps you enthralled throughout, there are moments when you wish for a bit more exploration of certain characters and their backstories. Additionally, the resolution, though satisfying, may leave some readers yearning for a more unconventional ending.

In conclusion, “Expiration Dates” is the novel fans of Rebecca Serle have been eagerly waiting for. It’s a gripping, emotional, and passionate journey through the labyrinth of love, where the lines between fate and choice blur. If you’re seeking a heartfelt and introspective read that challenges your notions of love and destiny, this book is a must-read. Serle’s storytelling prowess shines once again, making “Expiration Dates” a book you won’t want to put down.

Rating: 4/5 stars

I think this book will be a big hit with the chick-lit lovers, but I thought it was just okay. The more I read, the less I liked the character of Daphne. It was an overall enjoyable book, but I was expecting more.

I loved this book! I was a little iffy about it at the beginning, but by the end I was convinced that everyone needs to read this book. I loved Daphne’s journey, and I am so happy she was able to heal by the end of the book. Each relationship was interesting to read about. I loved Hugo and Jake, and it was pretty hard for me to choose which one I wanted Daphne to end up with. This book is so beautiful, and one of the best books I have read in a while. I would definitely recommend it!

I read this coming off of a major world building mind-boggling fantasy book - I thought it would be a great palate cleanser.

Joke’s on me - this was the summer beach read you want when you see the cover, but it pleasantly surprised me with its depth and heart. I adore a main character in her 30’s who has a little life under her belt. I had my vote in on who Daphne should end up with…I won’t give anything away. If you don’t scream & cry & throw up at chapter 33, then we cannot be friends.

Also, Murphy. How can we not love Murphy?

(This ARC was gifted to me by the publisher, Atria Book, through NetGally - my opinions are genuine and autonomous)

Every one of Daphne's relationships has had an end date and she's known it. Right before or shortly after meeting someone, she finds a piece of paper with their name and a time frame. When she finds a piece of paper with no time frame, she thinks she's finally found her forever.
This was such a unique book and I loved how through her relationships, she learned about herself and how to be honest. While it was a romance, it didn't feel like a traditional romance because it was out of order and didn't necessarily have the normal happily ever after.

4⭐️ Thank you to Atria for the ARC!

I love Rebecca’s writing! It is so engaging and easy to get lost in, just like this story was.

This was a beautiful story of self discovery when falling in love with others and yourself! Hugo has my heart 🫶🏻

I really enjoyed this book and definitely will be reading more by this author is the future!

This book releases in March 2024, so add it to your TBR asap!!!

Rebecca Serle is always a must read for me! I loved the concept and idea of this novel, which follows Daphne through her dating over the years. the catch? Before each date she finds a paper with the partner’s name on it which says how long they will be together. There are various other twists and turns throughout the novel. The words written were beautiful as always, but I found the character development to fall a bit flat for me. I didn’t find myself rooting for the characters. I needed more history! I think this is also reflective in the length of the novel as it felt short as well. I will always enjoy the beautiful words of Serle but with this one I found myself wanting more!

"Expiration Dates" is my first Rebecca Serle book, and I must say, I thoroughly enjoyed her writing style, especially how she seamlessly weaves a touch of magic into her contemporary romance narratives. The story revolves around a girl who receives a letter whenever she begins a new relationship, with the letter indicating how long that relationship will last.

This was a fluffy, no spice book where I found myself completely immersed in Daphne's love life, witnessing her personal growth and journey to self-acceptance throughout the narrative. Although I was aware it was a work of fiction, some parts of the story felt astonishingly genuine and relatable - I got chocked up a bit and everything lol.

One minor drawback I noticed was the abundance of detail provided by the author, which could potentially be trimmed down. However, in retrospect, I believe this detailed exposition was important but still personally that's not my style unless there are multiple books in a series.

Thank you to NetGalley & Orbit Books for my eArc!!

Well this was amazing. I held my breath wondering who she would end up with or if things would change medically. I was so invested in these characters. I really loved this book.

This is a tough review to write. I’ve loved every Rebecca Serle book I’ve read and the premise of this one was really good. However, this one fell flat for me. On one hand, I read it after finishing up one of the best books I’ve ever read. We all know how that goes. But in the other hand, I could not connect with the main character. I was bored. The book alternates back to some of her older relationships and I didn’t really see the point. At about the 60% point (maybe a little further) a big twist comes and makes absolutely no sense. It’s just shows up out of the blue. For me it all went downhill from there. I’ll continue to pick up future RS books; this one just wasn’t a hit for me.