The premise is so promising. However, some of the book dragged on for me. I think that I didn't click with the main character Daphne and then I felt more for her when the big reveal happened. I feel that it happened too late into the story though. Then that is what the whole book ended up being about.

After that reveal, she was not very likable while navigating her own feelings, which in a sense is understandable, but she was projecting her emotions in the worst way. I for some reason could not connect with Jake and felt that they didn't have much chemistry even though he was described as "perfect" multiple times. I actually didn't like any of the male characters in this story.

I love the idea of the story line. I liked the direction the author went in with how she would figure out if there was an "end game" love for her.

Quick, easy, and enjoyable read. Thank you to Netgalley, Atria Books, and Rebecca Serle for choosing to send me an advanced readers copy for an honest review.

this book had a cute plot that moved quickly. It was based on an interesting concept-the MFC received anonymous letters indicating the length of her relationships. I enjoyed the character development as well. Make sure you read the acknowledgements, that was actually my favorite part of the book!

Such a great book! The premise is intriguing, and, because I loved every page and every character, at about 2/3 through I knew I’d have to prepare for my heart to be torn apart. And it was. Multiple times: Hugo at the lake. Murphy at the lake. Daphne at her dad’s door at 7am. Jake on the beach. And then… “Here we are.” So very good!!

Thanks to #NetGalley and the publisher for access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rebecca Serle has done it again! She has written another five-star, top favorite book of mine again. I previously read In Five Years by Serle, and to this day it is still one of my all time favorite books. Expiration Dates is coming in at a close second, definitely ending the year as one of my favorite books that I’ve read so far. This book kept me on an emotional roller coaster 😭. I shed tears, I was excited, and I even got the happy ending I was hoping for.

In this story, we have Daphne Bell who has been receiving numbered pieces of paper for over 20 years. Each paper comes delivered from the universe with the name of the man she is to date and for how long (example- 8 days, 3 months, 2.5 years. etc…). Until one night, Daphne has a blind date with Jake- and on that sheet of paper delivered beneath her door is Jake’s name only, without any number on it, a blank canvas if you will… How long and how will this relationship play out?

While Daphne’s story plays out with Jake (present day), we get flashbacks to Daphne’s past and how some of her previous relationships played out. Was there less of a heartbreak because she knew when her time was up with each boyfriend? Was it easier to move on? Were any deep connections made, and could you ignore what the universe had in store for you? Or if the universe is sending you something, will it always want something back in return?

There were a few unexpected twists in this book that I did not see coming. For me personally, they made this book that much better. I resonated completely with Daphne’s character. I felt like I lived through each of Daphne’s relationships/dates, heartbreaks, and life experiences. This book ripped my heart out of my chest, stomped on it, and put it back together again. I loved every single page of this book!! And yes, I highly recommend reading this book.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Atria Books, and the author for an ARC of this book which I had the ultimate pleasure of reading. Publication date: March 19, 2024.
Genre~ Women’s Fiction, Romance

2.5 stars that I’ll round up. I liked the feel of this book. The narration was comfortable and flowed easily. It felt safe. The author made the reader feel cozy. Unfortunately at times it also felt like a nonfiction/memoir… like the author was writing about their own experiences so they had to make them sound interesting no matter how dull they were. But this is fiction, it could have gone anywhere. It just… didn’t. The concept was there I just wish it had been expanded upon more. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

I really enjoyed this story! While some of it seemed predictable, I almost feel that was intentional to then hit you with a bang at the end you weren't expecting! I loved the LA setting and hearing about different restaurants, coffee shops and landmarks around a town I'm not very familiar with. I also enjoyed the realistic retelling of her romantic partners and how most of us can relate to that especially in our 20s of short term relationships, to longer term but learning a little something from each about ourselves. I also adore the cover!

I really enjoyed this book and concept. I liked the “magical” element which isn’t normally my thing. I have not read anything by Rebecca yet but this was a great introduction. I felt like it handled topics gracefully and was just a well put together book. The ending did get me and some parts were predictable. Some parts of me wanted a different ending but it was still great.

4.5*

Thanks Netgalley for the ARC. Out March 2024.

This book was just… boring. Not a lot happens, and pivotal moments in the storyline were glossed over. The timelines were confusing, and there wasn’t any character growth. I felt shortchanged to have rooted for Daphne all along, only to have her not make any changes or grow as a person. She felt completely two-dimensional to me. All the characters did, to be honest. I didn’t care what happened by the end. I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I liked this book a lot. The story wasn’t fast-paced, but it needed the build the slower pace allowed. Good character development, good plot, overall a decent read.

Expiration Dates was unfortunately too predictable of a read for me, with a third-act twist that I found underdeveloped and rushed. Not my favorite Rebecca Serle, but recommend for those looking for a quick romance novel. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

I wasn’t sure what to expect with this book when I first started reading it, but I know I stayed up late to finish it because I couldn’t put it down! I mean the only thing I wish I had was the duo perspective.

I appreciated how she can combine woman’s fiction with a bit of magic in there. It was a perfect amount that sort of makes you want to have it for yourself too.

This definitely was not your typical romance formula (closed doors), but I didn’t mind because it was so well written and took us through Daphne’s journey. But don’t be mistaken that this book isn’t a tear jerker either. It has its moments where I’m clutching my heart and have butterflies in my stomach too. I also loved the sort of predicable ending because…. Well I cant tell you because Im not leaving spoilers!! So go read it yourself!

This is my first Rebecca Serle book, I actually bought In Five Years on sale a couple of years ago, but never got to it. However, I think I will read it in the new year! Rebecca has a great style of writing and pace which allowed me to fly through this book in basically one sitting yesterday. I hope you go preorder this book now! Or give this book a read when it’s published on March 19,2024!

I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This book was okay for me! Overall cute love story but I felt it had some unnecessary character/world building. Then halfway through I was thrown for a loop and it was confusing

Rebecca Serle does it again- all the feels with Expiration Dates! Daphne’s story of her quest to find love all while believing her love life has timelines has so much hope! I really enjoyed reading about Daphne’s relationships with her boyfriend Jake and her best friend Hugo. Daphne shows us the power our own beliefs can have over our lives.

Thank you Rebecca Serle and NetGalley for the ARC!

I cannot remember accurately where the second twist drops in this book, but it felt like an entirely different author continued on with the story. Maybe I am being unfair, but some of the descriptions in the first part of the story were just plain weird:

"Noah laughed…the kind you want to record for a ringtone. Later I would look back... and think it was the moment. The moment I decided to go on whatever ride he was selling tickets for." (I have never felt the desire to record laughter for anything, let alone for a ringtone. Can you imagine someone's laugh ringing as your ringtone ? Can you imagine the looks due to the fact that your phone is making a sound and that sound is laughter? I cannot. And it's pretty clear so long as the paper said so, she was riding all the rides anyway).

"[My father]'s been calling me ‘chicken’ since I was a baby, when he says I came out looking like a fresh piece of poultry.” (what in the actual....what? What did she look like at birth this is the strangest description of a newborn I've ever heard!)

“She is tall-six feet on a bad day…” (this just doesn't make sense)

“I felt myself go gelatinous in his arms” (gross)

Was this intentional to keep us readers at an arm's length just as she was doing to the men in her life? Ugh I really hope so. I didn't notice any of these displeasing turns of phrase once things started getting capital letters REAL and I guess I can accept it as a method of storytelling but only if it was on purpose. Even so, I had almost completely written this book off and might have quit had it not been such a short book. All that said, the end of the story didn't redeem it. I did not like the "magical realism" or Hugo's self insertion into it. To top it all off, the romances were all flat and boring that I wasn't really all that invested.

Thank you Netgalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

What if you knew at the beginning of each when it would end? That is the premise of Expiration Dates. Fun premises. For me there was no chemistry between the trio main characters so I was never fully engaged in the story. This one was a miss for me. Thanks netgalley for the early copy!

I loved One Italian Summer and In Five Years is in my top reads of the decade. However, Expiration Dates was pretty underwhelming. It was a very quick read but I felt like I knew where it was going early on in the novel and there were no big surprises. I liked the premise but the characters and plot were pretty bland.

Thanks so much for the review copy. I’m not a big romance reader but I loved this one. I look forward to reading more books by Serle.

"Expiration Dates" takes readers on a captivating journey through the life of Daphne Bell, a woman whose belief in the universe's plan for her is shaped by a peculiar phenomenon. With each encounter with a new man, Daphne receives a slip of paper containing his name and a number – a precise duration of time they will spend together. This intriguing concept sets the stage for a thought-provoking exploration of fate, commitment, and honesty. For over two decades, Daphne has received these numbered papers, each one dictating the duration of her relationships. From a mere three days with Martin in Paris to five weeks with Noah in San Francisco, and three months with Hugo, her ex-boyfriend turned best friend, she has always wondered if there will ever be a paper without an expiration date. The anticipation builds as she embarks on a blind date at her cherished Los Angeles restaurant, only to discover that there's only a name: Jake. As the tale unfolds, Daphne finds herself questioning the reliability of these papers, leading her to confront her own beliefs about commitment and truth. However, she harbors a secret – information that, if revealed to Jake, would undoubtedly shatter his heart. This internal conflict becomes the central theme, forcing Daphne to grapple with the complexities of romantic love. Rebecca Serle, known for her ability to infuse warmth and insight into matters of the heart, deftly explores the intricacies of relationships with "Expiration Dates." The novel grips readers emotionally, drawing them into the passionate and sometimes heart-wrenching narrative. Serle masterfully delves into the concept of singleness versus finding love, challenging readers to question and redefine these notions for themselves. "Expiration Dates" is a long-anticipated novel that showcases Serle's storytelling prowess as she ventures into the realm of romantic love. With its gripping plot, emotional depth, and relatable characters, this book is a must-read for Serle's fans and anyone seeking a poignant exploration of the complexities of love and self-discovery.

i loved the premise of this book. Everytime Daphne meets a new man she gets a note with his name and the exact amount of time they will be together. One day she gets a note with only a name on it, Jake. It appears that she has met her forever love.As time goes by Daphne questions the relationship as she isn't 100% honest with Jake. We see through flashbacks her previous relationships and what happened to end them. One of her past lovers is now her best friend Hugo. There is still chemistry between then. As she navigates her relationship with Jake it takes her on a journey of self discovery. Things are not as they seem. This is more of a romance book than anything although there is a mysterious aspect to it. It was engaging and funny in parts with a somewhat predictable ending although some twists along the way. If you are a fan of this author I think this will be a winner.

Thank you to Net Galley for an advanced copy of this book.

A good read overall - and I have to give the author major kudos for throwing in two big twists that I didn’t see coming. My biggest issue with this book is that there is never any explanation for the papers. I get that that is where I was supposed to suspend disbelief as this author often has a magical aspect to her books, but even when another character learns about the paper notes, it’s not questioned which seemed strange. I also wish there would have been more Hugo - I would have been happy to learn less about her former flames and had more time with Hugo.