***A big thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC copy of this book.***

Magical realism isn't usually my preferred genre, but I’ve come to appreciate it through "Expiration Dates." The novel follows Daphne, who receives a note each time she starts dating someone new, revealing the duration of each relationship. The emotional rollercoasters in this story truly tug at the heartstrings, making it a compelling read.

While the timeline and setting, particularly in the first half, were a bit confusing, I still enjoyed the book. It's a quick read, and I would recommend it. I’ll leave it at that to avoid any spoilers.

Daphne Bell has expiration dates for each of her relationships that come on a slip of paper at the beginning of the relationship. Every slip she prepares herself for the length of the relationship. Can you fully ever become invested when you know there will be an end.
Rebecca Serle is master at creating well developed characters. The dual timeline was pieced well together. The hopelessness she feels in one moment of the novel was tugged on my emotions. Well done!

Thank you NetGalley and Atria books for this novel!

What I loved about this book!

1. Quick romance read with some magical realism!
2. Fun premise - engaged me very quickly!
3. LA setting - great descriptions of fun and lovely places in LA.


Many thanks to Net Galley and Atria Books an ebook copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Expiration dates is a great book for the people who loved Evelyn Hugo because of the fact that the story you think you’re listening/reading is not the story you are actually getting.

I don’t love recapping a book but feel like it’s necessary here.

Daphne has a gift that no one else does. When she meets a new love interest she receives a piece of paper with an “expiration date.” This could be 3 days, 90 days or 2+ years. She never has to be surprised by the relationship ending because it’s already been written for her.

I absolutely loved seeing the relationship between Daphne and Jake play out. I loved to learn more about Daphne and Hugo’s relationship, break up and blossoming of their friendship. Seeing Daphne adapt to her situations and watching her get to experience life finally. I loved this book. It was a lot more fun than I was expecting.

Rebecca Serle is one of those authors I have on auto-buy and then read in one sitting. Expiration Dates was no exception.

Before reading this book, I was already hooked on the premise.
I loved so much about Daphne's story; the banter, the romance, and the signature RS twist. Just when you think this is a perfect love story, you learn something that turns it into something totally different. Daphne is such a captivating character, and her best friend Hugo is my newest book crush.
The only thing I wanted more of was *passion* in this story. There's so much going on for Daphne between her inner life and her dating life and I was left wanting just a little more fire throughout. Otherwise this was a perfectly un-put-downable read!
Definitely pick this one up this summer

Talk about a book EVERYONE wanted to get their hands on! Such an interesting concept and summary, I could not wait to start this book!

The first 50% of the book was fantastic. I absolutely adore magical realism in books and the way it was handled here was great. Little notes from the universe to tell you about your romantic relationships and when they will end? Wow, I’m SOLD. I enjoyed seeing how each relationship that Daphne enters truly impacts her way of life, changes her in some way, and is a lesson she truly takes to heart. Every partner she has, whether if it was for a week or months, you can see her growth.

Vulnerability will always be one of my favorite topics because it is something we all deal with. It is the most human trait we all have and try to run away from. The strength in vulnerability is so powerful.

I was not a fan of the last 50%, though. Once the “twist” came, it felt like I was reading an entirely different book and the main plot of the story, the reason why I was even here, seemed to be abandoned. Was it still a good story? Yes. But I had to look at the cover and read the summary again just to make sure it wasn’t two separate short stories. The twist for me was not needed and threw the flow of the story. It almost felt like a filler.

I really enjoyed this book. It wasn’t your typical romcom and provided a refreshing and new take on this genre. I connected with the characters and was surprised by the twists. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Rebecca Serle is back again with another hit on her hands! Expiration Dates is the perfect mix of beautiful writing, romance, sunny Los Angeles, strong female friendships, and a little bit of magical realism as the cherry on top!

Serle has written about different types of love in her previous books, but this one finally centered around a romantic relationship with a unique twist - if you knew exactly how long your relationships would last, how would you live your life differently?

Ever since Daphne Bell began dating, she has received an anonymous note with a name and the length of their relationship. Sometimes she gets post cards in the mail, notes left on her car’s windshield, slipped under her front door, hand-delivered by strangers - but they’re always accurate.

Twenty years of getting these notes, and she’s learned to expect a definite ending with each and every guy. Until one day, she receives a note as she leaves for a blind date that only includes his name with no expiration date. Could Jake be The One?

Told in alternating timelines, we watch Daphne as she navigates each past relationship, and also in the present as her feelings grow for Jake. She’s only told her secret to one guy, Hugo, an ex-boyfriend (Hugo, Three Months) turned into best friend.

Daphne’s never truly put down her walls in past relationships because she knows the end will come. But there’s another secret hanging over her head, even more important than her magical expiration date notes, that might just blow up everything she’s building with Jake.

I absolutely looooved this book! It was such a refreshing and unique romcom, with several twists that I did NOT see coming. Rebecca Serle is such an amazing writer and she always leaves me wanting more. I could have lived in this book forever.

Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books, and the author for sharing this book with me in exchange for my honest feedback 💕

Loved this one, it's themes, it's characters, the writing? *chefs kiss* Potentially my favorite by Serle, and one with a message that I really needed when I picked it up.

Since she was young, Daphne has received a note before every romantic relationship begins telling her exactly how long the relationship will last. Only her newest note just says “Jake” with no time - that must mean he’s her forever, right?

Fun premise and was a quick read - but I’m left at the end just thinking it was fine. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the free ebook to review.

I really liked the concept for Expiration Dates. The concept was also very well written and done in a way that kept me interested enough to continue reading. This is also my favorite Rebecca Serle book.

This was a delightful magical realism read. It was clever and quick. I feel as though i couldn't quite connect to either of the main characters though, something just fell flat for me. It didn't suck me entirely in. Very cute concept though.

Rebecca did an amazing job with her character development in this book. Once I picked it up is was so hard to put down! Not a lot if smutt at all if you are someone who is into that sort of thing. Definitely check the trigger warning with this one though .

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.
This was a great book and I'll be purchasing it for the library.

Having been not my first book of Serle's that I have read, I must say, she never disappoints. Expiration Dates is a unique story about character Daphne who everytime she meets a guy, she receives a piece of paper and how long they will be together, until she meets Jake where she receives the paper but no timeframe. Overall this book has left me thoroughly surprised with the right amount of intrigue and twists.

A new favorite by Rebecca Serle! I love the concept of knowing what is to come and how it impacts the way a person lives. Serle writes authentically and beautifully

Serle's books just break my heart in the best way! This story touched me deeply and made me cry big tears. The author's unique storytelling weaves a narrative that captivates and resonates on a deeply emotional level. Beyond the magical realism, this story illustrates the bravery required to face adversity. This is a short book, but I encourage you to take your time with it—it’s a poignant journey that is immensely rewarding by the end!

"Expiration Dates" by Rebecca Serle is a fresh and enchanting take on romance that I couldn't put down, devouring it in just one day. Daphne Bell's life, dictated by slips of paper indicating the duration of her relationships, is both fascinating and deeply moving. Serle weaves a compelling narrative that challenges the notions of fate and self-determination, making Daphne’s journey profoundly relatable.

Daphne's encounters, from her brief fling with Martin to her deeper connection with Noah, and ultimately, her complex relationship with her ex-boyfriend and best friend, Hugo, add layers of emotion and depth to the story. Each relationship teaches Daphne something new, leading her to question the very nature of love and destiny.

The twist comes with Jake, whose slip lacks an expiration date, throwing Daphne into a whirlwind of doubt and hope. As their story unfolds, Daphne's internal struggle between following the universe's plan and forging her own path is beautifully portrayed.

Serle’s writing is both heartwarming and heart-wrenching, making "Expiration Dates" a romantic gem that stays with you long after the last page. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking a thought-provoking and delightful exploration of love and self-discovery.

Read if you like:
💌 Magical Realism
💌 2nd Chance
💌 Friends to Lovers
💌 Slow Burn
💌 Major Twist

Rebecca is guaranteed to make you cry! I love all her books and this one is no different. Her characters are so relatable and she has a gift of making her readers feel the emotions that they are experiencing.

This one had the typical dreamy vibe that all of this author's books have. My one main issue with the book is we never get a resolution of WHY this is happening. If you're in it for a cute dreamy story, it's great. If you're in it for the magic of the storyline, I'd pick something else.

Thank you for allowing me to read and review this story. My review has been added to storygraph, goodreads, Barnes & Noble and my instagram @manymerrybooks.