Rebecca Serle is one of my favorite authors. I've loved Five Years and was hoping to like this book with magical realism as well, but I felt like it fell flat for me. The story itself was good but I would have loved to see the characters flushed out more. I wanted more from everyone. I wanted to know the why on the expiration dates, and I just didn't feel like i got that. Overall a great book, but I wouldn't buy it for my collection.

4.5⭐️ I love Rebecca Serle’s type of stories. They have a type of magical realism to them that just makes you them fun to read. This was a light, cute read. I did not expect the plot twist! I loved Daphne, and I was rooting for her!

I loved this book way more than I expected to. The premise intrigued me, and I'd been planning to try Rebecca Serle's writing for a while because I'd heard good things. I loved how she threw a lot of unexpected bits into the mix that I really enjoyed. I always enjoy a bit of magical realism, especially if it makes me think, and this one certainly did make me think. If you knew going in to a relationship how long that relationship would last, how would that affect the course of the relationship? How hard would you try? Would you try at all, knowing it was destined to end? Ultimately, would you want to know? I liked how Daphne's life and relationship history is revealed slowly, in the midst of watching her relationship with Jake grow. And I loved how this book made me laugh and broke my heart and made me think about my own ordinary/extraordinary life and love. I started out reading this on Kindle and was already hooked when I was about 3 chapters in, but when I found out that Julia Whelan narrated the audiobook, I quickly and happily switched over to the audiobook and as always, her narration was brilliant - I highly recommend it for audiobook listeners. But I'm sure I'd have enjoyed it almost as much if I'd stuck with the Kindle version - and feel sure I'll go back to it on my Kindle and read the last couple of chapters again soon.
Thanks to Netgalley and Atria Books for providing a digital copy for an unbiased review.

Whenever Daphne meets someone she gets a single piece of paper with their name and an amount of time. Since she was a kid and this has happened, and the paper is right every time.
When she receives a paper with just a name, she wonders if this guy is the one. Now she needs to navigate the unknown. As her and Jake get more and more serious she comes to the realization that she has some secrets that he needs to know about. And she needs to find a new way to live her life without these pieces of papers to guide her.

The first half of this book was a struggle to get through, but once I reached a certain point in the story it kept my interest to the end. The back and forth between the now and then was difficult to follow at certain points, and I was sure which relationship to root for. Quite frankly I didn't feel invested in either any of them. However I was invested in knowing the ending.

The best way to describe this book would be undecided. Throughout the book Daphne seemed to be undecided in her life decisions and throughout reading this book I was undecided on whether I liked it or not.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher, I loved this book so much and I highly recommend. It’s a 4/5 stars for me!

A great concept that didnt reach its potential. "Daphne Bell 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." Well written and compelling, this story lacked the emotional depth I was hoping for ans the spice didn't quite satisfy.

I was not feeling this book the entire way through. I had the hardest time connecting with the main characters. I was left wanting a little bit more.

Daphne is different than most people. She gets a letter each time she starts dating someone new that says how long the relationship will last. In this emotional romance you get to see Daphne fall in love and also learn to love herself regardless of her medical condition that she has kept from those around her. Getting to see the character development was so enjoyable and the concept was so unique.

“Expiration Dates” by Rebecca Searle revolves around a woman who receives mysterious notes with the names of men she will end up dating, but what is most interesting is the time frame attached to each name, letting her know in advance how long each relationship will last. While the book offers a unique premise, I really wished there was more exploration of these notes and their significance to the story.

I liked the concept a lot, as it raises questions about fate, destiny, and the extent to which your personal life can be controlled or predetermined. I was drawn into the mystery surrounding these notes, eager to read more about their origin and significance, but the lack of exploration of this topic really left me feeling like there could have been much more depth to this story.

If the author had delved further into the origins, purpose, and consequences of these notes, “Expiration Dates” could have offered a much more satisfying and thought-provoking experience. The potential for exploring the idea of fate versus free will, as well as the emotional and psychological impact of living with such time constraints, feels like a missed opportunity.

In conclusion, “Expiration Dates” is a good novel that piques readers’ curiosity, but the story leaves a lingering desire for a deeper examination of the notes and their role in the narrative. While it may not fulfill its potential in this regard, the book is still an engaging read for romance fans.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Ok so I guess Rebecca Serle is a hit or miss for me. I read In Five Years, and it was just ok for me, but I LOVED One Italian Summer. The concept of this one was so fun- Daphne gets a note every time she meets someone new telling her exactly how long they will be together, whether is 3 days of 7 months- sounds epic right? I liked it at the beginning, but the end I was just disappointed. It felt very rushed, and it just didn’t make any sense. Very sad about this one.

In "Expiration Dates," Rebecca Serle offers readers a captivating love story that challenges the very notion of fate and destiny. Protagonist Daphne Bell finds herself bound to the universe's whims through mysterious slips of paper dictating the duration of her relationships. From fleeting encounters in Paris to enduring bonds with her ex, Daphne has followed these predictions for over two decades, until a blind date with Jake shakes her belief in the universe's plan.

As Daphne navigates her burgeoning connection with Jake, she grapples with the complexities of truth and commitment, torn between the secrets she holds and the burgeoning intimacy between them. Serle's narrative unfolds with warmth and insight, inviting readers into a world where love is both predetermined and uncertain.

"Expiration Dates" is a poignant exploration of love and self-discovery, showcasing Serle's talent for crafting emotionally resonant stories. With its gripping plot and heartfelt characters, this novel is sure to leave a lasting impression on readers, prompting reflection on the nature of love and the choices we make in its pursuit.

I absolutely loved the premise of this book and Rebecca Searle is a beloved author amongst my bookish community so I couldn't believe my luck when I was approved for an advanced digital copy! Thank you Atria Books and NetGalley!

Daphne is navigating dating and relationships, but there's a huge difference for her as she always knows the "expiration date" of her relationship. With every single one, she inexplicably receives pieces of paper that tell her the person's name and the length of time that the relationship will last. Then, she receives a paper with just a name on it and has to figure out what that means for her and her future.

Daphne and the supporting characters in the book were wonderfully written - I want to be friends with all of them! I connected with Daphne immediately, especially with her feelings around wanting more from life and her career but not having a clear vision of what that could look like. I liked reading the past accounts of her previous relationships and see those unfold. I loved the life she made for herself in LA and wrote down pretty much every restaurant and location to try on my next visit!

Then, there's a big reveal and the rest of the book just fell flat for me. I just didn't find the reveal to be as compelling as the original premise of the story and the reveal became the driving force behind Daphne's decisions and feelings around her relationship rather than the paper not saying a date.

The author's beautiful writing captured Daphne's uncertainties exquisitely. Many times, I felt like I was reading about my own feelings when it comes to love, friendships and finding your place in life. I just got thrown for a bit of a loop with the reveal and never fully came back. 3.5 stars - rounded up!

Rebecca Searle is a creative storyteller. She writes with a touch of magical realism that feels whimsical and not overdone. I think this might be my favorite book of hers so far. At first, it reminded me a lot of The Measure by Nikki Erick. I wasn't sure that was going to work for me, but she took it in a new direction and I ended up really enjoying it. Our main character, Daphne, receives a piece of paper every time she meets a new man that informs her of the duration of their relationship. Kevin- 3 months, etc. After 20 years of receiving these mysterious papers, she finally receives one with nothing but a name: Jake. The following weeks involve a lot of self discovery as she tries to figure out what it means. She's navigating a new relationship without any knowledge of an end date and leans on friends and family to help her with the challenges along the way. I enjoyed following Daphne on her journey and getting to know the people in her world.

*Thank you to NetGalley and Atria books for providing an advanced reader's copy.

This book was really good! I love Serle’s version of Magical Realism. And Hugo? He’s amazing! He was definitely my favorite character. I loved Jake and was rooting for him, but I’m actually so happy she ended up with Hugo.

I really loved this book. I love how Rebecca Serle is able to use just a smidge of magical realism to take readers on a journey that explores big what if questions. This is one of my favorite passages:
“Irina kneads a muscle in her neck. “The problem with love is that it’s not enough,” she says. And then she looks up at me. Her eyes are still soft. “But it’s also nearly impossible to let go of once you’ve found it.” I straighten up. “Well, that is a catch-22,” I say. Irina nods. She plucks a crumbled dish towel off the counter and begins to fold it. “Life is a catch-22,” Irina says. “That’s why God invented female friendship.””
A close second favorite:
“The unknown can be beautiful. A surprise can be flowers on your doorstep. It can be a piece of paper that ends up changing your life. What is blank space, really, but an invitation?”

I’m so sad because this one just fell so flat for me. I was so eager to read after some good reviews, but it just wasn’t for me. I feel like with most contemporary romances you know where it’s going but it’s the getting there that’s enjoyable to read. The getting there with this book was also predictable so it just wasn’t exciting to read. I’m so sad about it!

This is a wonderful novel and you would regret not choosing this as a book to put on the Summer Reads pile while you prepare to dash away for summer holidays. I thought I'd have a hard time committing to the story because of Serle's decision to employ magical realism as a main feature of the plot, but on the contrary, she made me believe I could be more accepting of other novels with a bit of a push to suspend disbelief. As with many/most(?) literary romance novels, I was distracted by the main connection of characters and was far more invested in the friendship between Daphne and Hugo. For readers who enjoyed Emma Straub's "This Time Tomorrow". Lovely book!

3.5 rounded up
Thanks to Netgalley, Atria, and Rebecca Serle for the ARC.

Quick, easy read with a suspended disbelief premise that was interesting. I'm still on the fence as to what I didn't adore. It was light until the last third, but the MC's character arc was nice.

I have enjoyed all of Rebecca Serle's books and this one did not disappoint.

I enjoyed the characters and the twist really caught me off guard. One of the main love interests seemed a little "car salesman-ish" but he really redeemed himself in the end.

One thing I didn't like: the whole Hollywood, California setting. The setting for this would have been really fun in a place like Alaska or small town America. That's the only reason for a four star rating.

This one left me teetering without a solid feeling either way.
Loved the notes with time frames. Clever idea that I wished was the sole focus of the story. (But also, am I the only that didn’t see the twist coming?) I also loved her connection with Hugo and that her family always wanted him to be THE one.

Then cue the box that Daphne has hidden under bed filled with a different set of momentos. I thought for sure it was all her little papers she’s accumulated. So I was not expecting a second plot line that felt a little all over the place.

The end swayed me back to the like side but overall this one was just ok for me. I’ve heard such great things about Rebecca’s other books and I’m excited to check them out.

Thank you Netgalley & Atria Books for a gifted eARC in exchange for my honest review.

👉🏻Read if you like:
•Multiple Timelines •Lovers to Friends •Magical Realism •Unexpected Twists
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Posted to Goodreads 4/14/24.
Posting to Instagram 4/15/24