I love the way Rebecca searle writes, but the execution always falls a little sideways for my liking and leaves to many loose ends.
I’m a fan of the concept behind the story; get a piece of paper that seemingly determines the fate of your relationships. However, once she gets the paper it ends up being somewhat of and end all be all for her.
None of the characters seem to have chemistry and the last scripted relationship was down right boring and didn’t seem like a good fit to begin with.
There also seemed to be an underlying mental Illness that the main character never really dealt with which made for a quick wrap up of the book.

3.75 stars

Imagine being able to know how long your latest relationship would last. For Daphne, every person she has been involved with has always come with a slip of paper that tells her exactly how long their romantic entanglement will last. Whether it’s one day, one month, or one year, she always know the expiration date of the relationship she is involved in. In some ways this allows her to prepare for the end before it even comes around, though whether this is a good thing or not remains up for debate.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Daphne isn’t the most adept at letting people into her life. She tends to keep walls up, whether it’s with her latest boyfriend, or her best friend, she always holds a piece of herself back. Whether this is because of the slips of paper and her knowledge of how long each relationship she is in will be, or whether it’s just who she is is difficult to tell.

But what happens when you finally meet the guy who doesn’t come with an expiration date? Daphne has been waiting for this moment her while dating life, and yet when it happens finally, she doesn’t quite know what to think. Jake isn’t at all what she would have expected herself to end up with, he’s not as tall as she might have wanted, he’s kind and understanding, he’s an average kind of guy, and he’s older than her. And yet, the more she gets to know him the more these qualities become exactly the ones that make him stable and irresistible.

The idea of Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle very much appealed to me in its uniqueness and just the thought of what it would be like dating and knowing when each relationship would end. It might seem like a blessing but all I could think of were all the ways this could be negative. It was a very interesting concept and it definitely reeled me into this book in a way that I just had to see where it was going. Now, after actually getting into the book, I did grow a little uncertain at the distinct lack of conflict involved in a relationship you know from the start is supposed to be end game. I didn’t know whether to feel relieved that any issues between them were basically resolved before they even began because it was refreshing having a relationship that wasn’t back and forth when the issue could have easily been solved through communication, or whether to feel like it was too easy, untested, and perhaps a bit boring in lacking the tempestuous, passionate romances that books often have. I’m still honestly torn because it’s both a relief and a bit bland when absolutely nothing seems to be a stumbling block between them.

In the latter half there is a reveal that picked the stakes up a little bit and very much explained a lot about Daphne, who she is and why she’s the way she is. It also added more emotional stakes to the plot I found, and was an eye opener in the sense that it gave new meaning to some of the tidbits dropped here and there throughout the first half of the story. It allowed me to look back at things with new eyes and see things differently. It also proved how unreliable of a narrator Daphne is up until this point which I kind of loved because she purposely hid parts of her story.

I also very much enjoyed the little flashes of some of her past relationships that we got from chapter to chapter, with flashbacks of sorts to her previous dating history, of some of the relationships that were more defining to who Daphne is and how certain people deeply effected her, whether the relationship was a few days or years. They all had meaning and in fact, seemed like the perfect experiences for her at certain times of her life. Watching these stories play out really helped give background to Daphne and make her relatable and interesting to follow.

I did very much enjoy this book, I thought it was a cute little read, although I’m a bit ambivalent about the ending as I’m not completely sure how I felt about it. It wasn’t a bad ending by any means, it just felt both sufficiently concluded, but also certain parts of it - which I won’t comment on specifically to avoid spoilers - didn’t quite match my expectations and almost felt like a cop out. Regardless it was a fun, interesting read and I did fly through it!

Rebecca Searle knows the way to my tear ducts. I really enjoy how all of her books are crafted in different ways but her writing always packs an emotional punch. Daphne was a likeable character who mysteriously received notes that tell her the length of her relationships. It was a cute concept and I was enjoying the flashbacks; about halfway through a revelation is made that altered the poignancy of the story and changed the way I looked at Daphne and her relationships. I really loved how I was mostly just rooting for Daphne, there wasn't one person I wanted her to be with, I just wanted her to find her happily ever after. A great read that brought tears to my eyes.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of the book.

Easily my new favorite by Rebecca Serle!! She was already an auto-buy author but this latest just hit all the right notes for me!! An incredibly original premise, a hard to put down plot, INCREDIBLE disability/chronic illness rep, tons of twists I did not see coming and a beautiful love letter to LA that made me appreciate that city in a whole new light!

I was on the edge of my seat reading this book rooting for one guy all while wondering what would actually happen in the end and if my heart was in danger of breaking into teeny tiny pieces!! Thank you SOOO much to Simon & Schuster for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review. There is no question that this will be one of my very favorite reads of 2023!!

I had to pick this book up because I was intrigued by the premise and felt it was unique to most rom cons I read, so I was excited to dive in. The concept of having your dating life laid out for you by getting a note with a name and how long your relationship will last with them is something I have never thought about, and this book did a good job executing that into the story. I do believe the story was missing a little depth, or maybe something unexpected to happen. I also felt that some of the characters were undeveloped.

As a whole, the story was an enjoyable read, and it felt like this was more than a cute rom-com. This story is all about heart and making choices based on instincts and not solely on the facts. It is about finding happiness and not worrying about the timing of everything. The conclusion was unexpected but it wrapped up the story well. This book will tug on your heartstrings.

Thank you to NetGalley and to Atria Books for giving me a copy of the book.

Love Rebecca Serle. . . . this book feels flat compared to her other novels. The other characters have deeply flawed but likeable characters that reflect the whole human experience. This character seems only focused on one thing . . . love/finding love. I wanted more, honestly, as the reader. Will always read all her books, though.

Daphne Bell believes the universe is looking after her and her love life. For the past twenty years, whenever she meets a new man, she receives a slip of paper with his name and a number which signifies how long they will be together. The length of relationships have varied from being short to being quite long. One of her ex-boyfriends ended up becoming her best friend. Finally one night after being set up on a blind date, she meets Jake. She questions if maybe he is the one and if the paper's predictions are actually true. Daphne is keeping a secret, will Jake be broken after finding out?

The concept of this book was so interesting and different. I thought it was such a fun and easy read. I kind of went into this book a little bit blind and I highly recommend. This book caught me off guard in the best way possible. I smiled, I laughed, and I even teared up. I enjoyed this book way more than I thought I would. The only thing that took away from the book for me was Daphne. I didn't really connect with her and at times I felt a bit frustrated with her. I LOVE Jake and I might be a bit biased because he is from Seattle (seattlelites unite!!!). Overall, great book and would recommend if you want to binge read!

If you are familiar with Rebecca Serle, you are familiar with her formula of writing magic onto paper. Her typical fiction dives into weaving timelines that reel you in, and magical thematic elements that hold you glued to the novel. I was reading Expiration Dates while on a staycation with close friends, where I told them on many occasions that I could not function or do anything, until I finish the chapter. That is the Rebecca Serle magic, she does not allow you to put the novel down.

Expiration Dates is a novel that explores modern dating, loss, health anxiety, and navigating life when you are not sure where it’s taking you. I highlighted so many quotes while reading this novel that I have gone back to re-read, because they are so deeply comforting. I’m including a quote that I feel encompasses the backbone of the novel,“It’s life, all of it. The only way to get it wrong is to refuse to play.”

I really enjoyed this novel and foresee myself giving it a re-read when it comes out, the only critical feedback I have to give surrounds the plot-twists. There are two plot-twists to look forward to, one I was a fan of and the other seemed to open a few plot-holes. The plot-twist that opened the plot-holes, led to an outcome between two characters that felt a little rushed.

All in all, Serle does it once again. She creates a world so welcoming that reminds you the importance of living in the moment, and that you do not need to have it all figured out to have it all. You will not want to miss this book!

Book Release date is: March 5th, 2024

I was provided this book from NetGalley for an honest review. I wavered between 2 and 3 stars. I didn’t like the premise, a woman receives notes with a name and amount of time on it and that note (from God only knows where) dictates her next relationship. It just didn’t make sense to me that someone would accept these terms without a lot of questions, is it a premonition or a self fulfilling prophecy? The characters weren’t well developed or likable for me and the end seemed very predictable though also undeveloped.

I absolutely loved the premise of this book... but it fell short of my expectations.

This was a very slow read for me. This is my first Rebecca Serle book, so I"m not sure if that's just her writing style or not. But it felt like things were happening but also not happening at the same time.

I didn't really connect with the characters like I should have, and I think it's in part because of all the unnecessary descriptions. I wish it would have been more descriptive about the relationships, or how they felt.... not what every single detail about what a person was wearing or eating or the decor of a house or restaurant. This book could have at least been 50 pages shorter if there wasn't so much fluff.

There were also some really good lines in this book.... along with some that just didn't make sense to me at all. I think they might have been trying to be a little too metaphorical... or they may have just went right over my head. Honestly, it could have been part of it because there were several references I didn't get during the book (especially as someone who has never been to California, let alone LA).

I will say, the last 15% of the book was the best part and I did love the plot twist towards the end. Was it a shitty move? Yes. But I wasn't expecting it at all!

In all, it was a fine book. I loved the messages of self-love and finding yourself, it just didn't resonate with me as much as I wished it would have.

And finally - thank you so much to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

Expiration Dates ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A magical realism romance.

What if you knew exactly how long each relationship you had would last? What would you do differently? Would you even want to know at all?

Daphne knows what fate has in store for her. Ever since she was young, she would receive a piece of paper and on it there would be a name and an amount of time. Each of these would be accurate with whom and how long she would date them. She’s never had a choice when it comes to her relationships. Until she gets the paper with Jacobs name on it, there is no time limit on his. What choices will she make? Will she be honest with him but more importantly with herself?

I loved the concept of this book. Told in past and present timelines all through Daphne’s point of view. It was a fast paced, binge worthy storyline. There was a twist in the middle I didn’t see coming, but made the outcome of the story so much better. It’s not all about fate but the choices we make as well.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria books for my arc copy. This is my honest and voluntary opinion.

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳, 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘳, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯 𝘦-𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺.

The idea of getting a note with a name and an amount of time your relationship with them will last is an extremely interesting concept, and I wish this had been executed differently. Another reviewer stated that this wasn’t a story about romance; it’s a story about life, and I completely agree with that.

I think the story starts quick and easy but slows down the farther you read, only to pick up pace again towards the end, leaving you with the feeling of an unfinished ending. The author’s writing style is weird for me. There were times I was completely engrossed in the story, and other times I was thrown off with the style of writing and use of certain words and phrases that threw me out of the story and made me question myself. I felt there was too much description about people, places, and things. You get more of what people look like and what they wear than how they feel and act.

In the end,I didn’t love the story, but I also didn’t hate it, which is why I gave it three stars. I enjoyed the journey but didn’t love where we ended. I definitely recommend this for people who’ve read the author’s works before and want to give this a chance, or for anyone looking for a life journey with romance added in.

This story was such a unique idea and Serle told the story perfectly!!! The twists in this book were so unexpected that it kept me engaged and reading up until the end!!!

“Being single is like playing the lottery. Most of the time all you’re left with from that trip to the convenience store is a bag of chips and a six-pack. But then there’s always the chance. There’s always the chance, however slim, that with one piece of paper you could win it all.”

Each time our protagonist Daphne meets a new man, she finds a piece of paper that shows exactly how long they will be in a relationship for. She continues the relationship despite knowing it will end. Expiration Dates, Rebecca Serle’s latest novel toggles back and forth between Daphne’s previous relationships, and her present one - the one where the paper contains a name, but no end date. Would you want to start a romantic relationship knowing exactly how long it will last? Knowing it will end in days, weeks, months, maybe a few years? That’s the ultimate question that I’m still thinking about as I finished this book. Overall did I like it? It was okay. It was a quick read, but in the end I felt like I was left with more questions than answers.

Thank you Netgalley for an ARC of this book.

This was the kind of book that kept me thinking about it days after I finished it! Rebecca Serle always has a little bit of magical realism in her books which I love! There's never a question of the magic, it's just there as part of the story. The concept of notes of timing before a relationship is so creative and I am still imagining what life would be like with that. I loved this book and will recommend it to my friends for sure!

I loved this book! The story was amazing and the journey and message of self love kept me hooked and wanting to keep reading! I couldn’t put it down! It may be one of my favorite books by Rebecca Searle! I would highly recommend this book to others!

This is my fourth book by Rebecca Serle and she never disappoints, I love how she mixes women's fiction with magical realism. I thought this one would be a light, fluffy romance but boy was I wrong...this book was so much more than that. It is such an intriguing concept, little notes tell our main character, Daphne, how long her relationships will last.

The author throws in a couple of surprise twists that I did not see coming and I thoroughly enjoyed being surprised that way. The best part, for me, was when Daphne stopped letting the pieces of paper dictate her life and she took control of her choices herself and remembers you only have one life so live it to your best ability to be happy no matter how long or short it is.

A fun read about love and chance. It plays with the concept of fate and how much is predestined vs our choice in a mystical way without being fantasy.

“Being single is like playing the lottery. Most of the time all you’re left with from that trip to the convenience store is a bag of chips and a six-pack. But then there’s always the chance. There’s always the chance, however slim, that with one piece of paper you could win it all.”

Daphne knows that the universe has a plan for her dating life. After all, it makes it pretty clear. From a young age she started receiving a piece of paper. It was fairly simple. A name, and an amount of time. not surprisingly, her relationships with all those men ended at the time frame from the paper, to the day. When she is headed out on a blind date and finds a piece of paper with just a name, no time frame, she has to assume this is it. this is the man she is supposed to be with forever. Will she be able to be honest with Jacob though?

Rebecca Serle comes through again! I mean, did we really have any doubt in her abilities? I know I didn’t! I love that each of her books has just the slightest bit of magical realism in them. It add thats extra oomph to the story that takes it to the next level. I loved Daphne and while I didn’t understand her reasoning for keeping some of her secrets (no spoilers) I came to understand a bit better as the story went on. Jacob was the perfect guy, but I also feel like sometimes when someone is too perfect there is a reason. I did enjoy the idea of going into a relationship knowing when it will end so you can prepare yourself, but I think in that position I would just end up not even starting it knowing it was going to end. Pessimistic? Maybe so, but I do know that’s how I would be! I just adored the ending here…it was the perfect ending! As always, I can’t wait for what is next from Serle!

This is my third book by Serle. I very much enjoy her writing style, and this book is no exception. However, having read In Five Years and found myself sobbing on an airplane, I went into this book expecting a certain emotional gravitas and while there were some serious parts, I did not feel that emotionally attached to the main characters. I think if I had gone in with zero expectations, I would have enjoyed it a bit more. This is no fault of the author, and I will endeavor to go in unbiased during my next read of a book of hers. Overall, a charming story. I read an early version kindly provided by NetGalley.