I have really fallen for Serle's books--they're full of magical events, yet they're grounded by the realistic characters. Yet this one was hard for me to get into. I've always been a reader who appreciates descriptions of foods/clothing and all those details that make a scene more vivid for me, but in this case, I felt the plot sagged at the start, laden with previous relationships/details. By the ending, things were rolling faster and the reader could guess which way things were going (which was part of the issue for me--I guessed the ending early on, thus losing some interest in it). This one just didn't pack the same punch Serle's previous books (In Five Years and One Italian Summer in particular) did for me. I'm sure some will love it, and I'll continue to read her books, but this one just fell a bit flat for me. Still a solid read, though.

I love Rebecca Serle’s books!


They’re such quick reads, the writing is so good, and the stories are always so unique.
In Five Years is still one of my most recommended books!


Expiration Dates is about Daphne. Every time she starts dating someone, she receives a mysterious note (from the universe?) saying how long that relationship will last.


She’s about to go on a date with Jake when she gets the note and this time… there’s no date. It’s just Jake’s name. Does it mean he’s the one? Is Jake her happily ever after?


Well…we’ll see.


Highly recommend it if you need something quick and lighter, with just a hint of a heavy topic.

I loved the story behind the main character. I really didn’t see the ending coming in the way that it did and I really enjoyed that! I loved the message this story was sending about love and wasted time and choosing to live everyday to the fullest. Great story!

I was hoping to really like this book, but it was missing something for me. I did like the concept of the expiration dates the MC received for anyone she dated. I didn't like the lack of character development and depth. Unfortunately it fell short.

Rebecca Serle is the queen of magical realism. Daphne Bell receives a slip of paper each time she meets a man that indicates the exact amount of time they will spend together. Daphne feels she has it all planned out but will she let these slips of paper dictate the direction of here life?

I enjoyed this book so much. It had my interest peeked from the beginning and kept my attention throughout. I loved how Rebecca Serle weaves together past and present day into the story and does so with a natural flow. I found that throughout the book there were a few twists that took me by surprise. These twists added to the theme of the book that evoked emotion and challenges the reader to think about what it means to find love and embracing the state of singleness.

After reading multiple books by Rebecca Serle, I have come to love her writing style. It is simple and easily understood with the perfect amount of detail. This book was easy to consume in just a couple sittings and leaves you feeling warm and fuzzy! Easily a 5 star read that will be toward the top of my favorites list this year.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for sharing an ARC of Expiration Dates in exchange for an honest review.

This is my first Serle book, and I was not disappointed. I enjoyed the quick chapters, as well as the back story with some of her expiration dates. I did not see the little plot twist coming although I could feel that there was something deeper going on. I think it flowed really well. Daphne and Hugo’s relationship was something special, and I was rooting the whole time.
Overall, I recommend this (:

I really enjoy Rebecca Serle's books, this one fit right in with her others I've read. This was a cute and light read with a magical element of something unexplainable going on. The main character Daphne has received notes for every relationship she's ever been in telling her how long the relationship will last. I enjoyed the book and flew through it. I felt like it became predictable about halfway through but I still enjoyed the rest of the book. It was a short a quick read, probably not the most memorable.

Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy of the book to read.

I’m so excited we’re getting another fun read from Rebecca Serle! I loved In Five Years and I really enjoyed this one, too. It was a creative premise and I was invested in the main romance.

My one critique is that with the premise, we end up looking in on a lot of relationships that we aren’t invested in (because we know when they’ll end). The chapters with the other romantic interests really just serve to show how the notes work and I would have rather had more time getting to know Jake, Hugo, and Daphne. But I guess they are necessary for someone who spends her whole dating life knowing the end of every relationship!

Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for my advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

A NetGalley review of Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle, published by Atria Books.

Expiration Dates is a contemporary romance with just a hint of the fantastical thrown into the mix. Daphne, our main character, has always followed the relationship advice of these magical notes which tell her precisely how long she will spend in a relationship. She collects them, and follows them without question. Even when she may otherwise decide to make a choice which may not match what the slip says, she has faith that someday they will lead her to her forever person. Along the way we meet some interesting secondary characters, including a best friend who knows all about the magical notes; he was even once listed on one himself. The theme is love and uses imagery to emphasize the outside influences which impact each of our relationships, reminding the reader to always follow their heart.
Rebecca Serle has written other successful books including One Italian Summer and In Five Years, and I have no doubt readers will enjoy the allure of Expiration Dates as well.

Expiration dates masterfully captures the nuances and complexities of love, from the joy and euphoria of new infatuation to the pains and sacrifices of true commitment. Her vivid descriptions and witty dialogue bring the characters to life, making them relatable and memorable. The ending is not predictable, but it feels honest and authentic, and it adds a layer of complexity and depth to the story. I highly recommend reading another brilliant novel by Rebecca Serle.

Daphne has been finding pieces of papers containing a name and a length of time. She figures out that they are the names of guys she will date and for how long. But one day the paper just says Jake with no time limit. Is Jake her forever? And how long will forever be. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

loved this romance where she got papers of when her relationships would end. through the book we see her relationships with different guys and the one where she falls in love. She would have liked to have ended up her best friend hugo. Loved how this book showed her romances and where and who she ended up with. loved it.

Thank you to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster Publishing, and Rebecca Serle for providing me with an advance copy of "Expiration Dates."

Expiration Dates follows the journey of Daphne Bell. Daphne has spent most of her life relying on slips of paper that predict how long her relationships will last (weird, I know). When she meets Jake, and receives no expiration date, she begins to question what exactly it could all mean.

Rebecca Serle's is an excellent storyteller . Expiration Dates is an exploration of love, self-discovery, and the impact of our choices. While it may not be ground-breaking, for anyone into romance books or Serle in general, it's definitely a great read.

This was my second book by Rebecca and it did not disappoint. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it was a quick read that grabbed my attention. I liked the FMC but in my opinion, the MMC steals the show.

I was given an Advanced Reader Copy by NetGalley for an honest review.

This romance was a sweet treat. Expiration dates on romances, heart issues, both literally and figuratively, a parent and child caring and loving situation, following your heart, love and friendship all in one book. Perfect!

I ended up liking this book much more than I expected! This was a fun read from Serle that had me finish this within two days. This story developed well and the characters were fun to read. This would be a great Sunday afternoon book to read by the fire or on a sunny beach!

Expiration Dates had everything I usually love in a contemporary romance—sassy MC, a little twist, and a love triangle. However, the characters fell flat for me. Daphne’s sassiness felt a little too forced and it made her moment of sudden vulnerability feel off. I struggled through the first half then the second half felt rushed. I’ve enjoyed this author’s previous work, but Expiration Dates just wasn’t for me.

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this title. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

this was such an interesting concept and plot. I enjoyed Daphne and each character throughout this. I really liked Jake and was sad with their conclusion but Hugo was clearly her soulmate and I loved reading their love.

This book is a love letter to singlehood, friendship, and loving ourselves. It is about putting yourself out there and enjoying life for as little as we have it to live. I loved it. Rebecca Serle is and will always be one of my favorite authors and I will automatically buy anything she writes.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced reader copy.

This book is a love letter to singlehood, friendship, and loving ourselves. It is about putting yourself out there and enjoying life for as little as we have it to live. I loved it. Rebecca Serle is and will always be one of my favorite authors and I will automatically buy anything she writes.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced reader copy.