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Member Reviews

I love that this book makes you think. It’s one of those books that once you find out the twist, you want to go back and reread to look for hints. It’s not your typical romance, which is a fun surprise as well.

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Probably my favorite of all of Rebecca Serle's books so far! I liked One Italian Summer and In Five Years, but felt they both were a little flat. This one, however, I rather loved the idea behind the paper and not knowing how or why she receives them throughout the length of the novel. This was masterfully done and a definite fave of 2024!

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Starting with her very first boyfriend, notes appear to Daphne telling her a name and a length of time. These mysteries notes indicate the man she will have a relationship with and exactly how long it will last. She doesn’t always know how they will meet, but she is never really surprised when the relationship ends. Finally, she receives a note without an expiration date. Will she blindly trust the universe?

Rebecca Serle’s writing is captivating. Her books are binge-worthy and the perfect length. Anymore and this story would have felt repetitive. I remember the rush I felt when reading In Five Years. The same can be said for Expirations Dates. This was emotional and heart wrenching. Daphne isn’t a perfect character, but I was really rooting for her to figure things out, to really make a go of living her life. I am very satisfied with the ending and will be adding One Italian Summer to my TBR.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for a copy of Expiration Dates in exchange for my honest review.

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Wow!! At no point while reading this book did I know where the story was going—and I low-key love that! It definitely kept me on my toes up until the very last page.

And although I definitely felt bad for some of the characters (wont say who to avoid spoilers!), I was content with the ending. It was cute!

Oh wow, I’m just realizing this book had no spice. Tbh, it didn’t need it!

(Thank you, Atria Books and NetGalley, for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.)

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A contemporary romance about a young woman who decided to finally live for herself rather than rely on the universe for answers. Daphne believes the universe has a plan for her. 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. This book was cute and charming but I did predict most of the outcomes. However this would be an easy beach read or quick palate cleanser. Would recommend if you like magical realism and romance.

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I’ve loved all of her books. But this book fell short. Almost didn’t finish this book. Some might love this book. For me it just wasn’t anything special

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Daphne lives her life one slip of paper at a time — or at least her love life. Always waiting for the relationship to meet its expiration… until she gets a slip with no expiration. Loved this creative storyline! Light and fluffy. A reminder to live life for ourselves and to stop living for the future. We never truly know where life will lead.

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DNFed at 30% after coming across a line in this book about "Israel". I am incredibly disappointed by this book. Mentioning a genocidal regime is never necessary and it is quite curious that books with positive or neutral references to it still exist.

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Loved loved loved! What a fun twist on a love story. It was refreshing and light and lovely! I love this author and this was a true delight.

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Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this fabulous novel. Rebecca Serle's Expiration Dates is a captivating blend of romance and self-discovery that keeps readers hooked from start to finish. Serle's prose is both engaging and thought-provoking, as she explores the intricate dynamics of love and the impact of time on our lives. The characters are richly developed, each grappling with their own challenges and growth, making their journeys deeply relatable. The novel’s unique premise adds a fresh twist to the genre, and Serle's ability to balance heartfelt moments with compelling storytelling shines throughout. A beautifully written and emotionally resonant read, Expiration Dates is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a poignant and imaginative tale.

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An enjoyable read about a thirty something woman who receives mysterious messages about a man she will have a relationship with and for how long.

This kept me interested however I feel like something was missing - not able to quite put my finger on it. I just knew how it would end and maybe I was hoping for a little bit more payoff on the ending - felt a bit rushed and nothing to make me overly emotional.

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I love how Rebecca incorporates magic into her storytelling. It is so subtle yet becomes the centerpiece to each story she writes. Definitely recommend this one for a quick summer read.

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If I don’t think too hard about this book I really liked it… but when I start to make sense of the main concept of the book I start to see holes - kinda like how I get a headache if I try to understand time travel books… it’s best to just take it in and enjoy it - that being said, I did enjoy this book. I didn’t fully connect to Daphne and that kept the story at arms length for me. It was good, not what I expected but still a worthwhile read.

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This book just wasn't a match for me. I found the time hopping around between past "lovers" to current time confusing. And then the twist (if you want to call it a twist) probably more than halfway through the book just threw me off completely. By that point, I refused to DNF because I was so far along and finished the book just for the sake of knowing how it ended... only for the ending to fall flat.

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I loved Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle. The characters and plot kept me engaged in the book. Many thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for my opinions.

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Expiration Dates is a charming, romantic novel that I would consider more of a slow burning romance. I also feel it is an unofficial love letter to the Los Angeles and Hollywood neighborhoods of California. Serle drops street names and restaurants in almost every page which allows the reader to be fully immersed in Daphne's world.

Daphne Bell has always lived with a little secret, she receives pieces of paper that tell her how long her romantic relationships are going to last. Starting as a high school student this small bit of predestination has guided her heart and honestly her brain to tell her just how much energy she should put into each relationship. Until one day when the paper is found without an end date. Does this mean her most recent date, Jake, is the one?

I truly enjoyed reading this novel and was so surprised with a few of the twists Daphne reveals as she lets the audience in on all of her past romantic relationships. Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Publishing for a chance to read this novel.

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I think I expected more from this book. I thought the concept of knowing when a relationship would end before it began was fascinating. How does that affect how you view the relationship? If you know it is only going to last two months, you don't need to spill your dirty secrets, right? But in the end, does that limit the relationship? Interesting premise... poorly executed.

There wasn't a lot of depth to Daphne. She was a very flat character and the author realized this and added a backstory about a third of the way through the book, which seemed cheap. The backstory didn't add a lot to her and just made her more of a frustrating character. She meets this great guy and it is clearly written so they have no chemistry. The guy is perfect (too perfect) and Daphne still isn't happy. There is a lot of woe-is-me going on and I didn't really even love how it all ended up. It was a quick read, I wanted to know what happened, but ultimately I was left disappointed.

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I did not expect for this book to send me into an existential tailspin but maybe that's on me for reading the book without re-reading the synopsis! This book was great, if slightly more melancholy than I expected. It has left me pondering which if my life choices were made because I wanted to make them and which were made because I thought there was a forgone conclusion.

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This book cemented that Rebecca Serle is not for me. I don't like how her books end and this one especially angered me. Ambiguous endings and I are not friends.

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I loved everything about this book. Rebecca Serle is a must read author for me. She blends the mystical with reality in such a way that the reader feels like it’s something that could really happen.

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