What if you knew you had found your soulmate before you ever actually met?

For over twenty years, Daphne has always known what the universe has in store for her love life. When she meets a new love interest, she is delivered a paper with their name and a limit for their time together. She’s been waiting for the day when a paper would come with no expiration date for their time together- and then it actually happens.

WOW- I was so impressed with this book! I haven’t read anything from Rebecca Serle and was expecting maybe a rom-com vibe, but this book evokes a more serious side of chick lit/women’s fiction with a dash of magical realism. I would compare the writing to Taylor Jenkins Reid! I really liked the characters and stayed engaged throughout the entire book. The fate of the characters itself was not groundbreakingly innovative and I could see some parts of the plot coming, BUT there were not one but TWO BOMBASTIC TWISTS in this book that I did not see coming. They left me speechless! I had a wonderful time reading Expiration Dates and wholly recommend it! Thank you to Atria Books for the ARC of Expiration Dates, which is available now.

thank you to atria books for this advanced reader’s copy. EXPIRATION DATES is out now!

READ THIS IF YOU ENJOY ↡
✨ magical realism
⏪ past + present POVs
📕 quick romance books
🌇 stories in los angeles

REVIEW ↡
this is my third rebecca serle book! her romances are always so fun in how they incorporate magical realism and introduce creative elements to the storyline.

i loved how quickly this book progressed. i breezed through it in about 24 hours. it picks up around 50% with a major plot twist that i didn’t see coming at all! it was fun to read about daphne’s various relationships over the years. i was surprised that the magical element didn’t get talked about more - it was subtle and i appreciated how it wasn’t the main point of daphne’s story. overall enjoyed this book more than i expected!

spoilers ahead ‼️

i didn’t love the ending - i feel like we were made to dislike hugo and i was so disappointed that daphne broke things off with jake. i can appreciate the friends-to-lover trope but i wish hugo’s character and jake’s had been flipped almost?! i did love the discovery about daphne’s condition about halfway through. it makes me want to reread the first half of the book to better understand the clues that had been dropped. rebecca serle is such a clever writer!

This book was so adorable - yet also heartbreaking. I loved the main character, her experiences, her challenges, her growth. I enjoyed her idea of fate leaving notes as to how long her relationships last - and the fact that she accepted this and was okay with her. Her health challenges and her acceptance of them over many years was an interesting spin to the story. I thought this was an enjoyable, sweet romance story. A quick read - I was sucked in from page one!

Thank you NetGalley for my advanced reader copy.

What would you do if you knew the length of every relationship-before it happened? Daphne has faced this dilemma as long as she can remember. A piece of paper, a fortune, a passed note-all list a name and length of time she will spend with that person. Now in her early 30s, with her beloved dog Murphy, a career as an assistant for a high-powered producer and a small group of close friends, Daphne receives a piece of paper with a name and no expiration date-Jake. Daphne goes into their first date knowing this and the knowledge she has could heal or break Jake's heart. With Southern California serving as the perfect backdrop, Rebecca Serle dives into relationships and what it means to choose to loves someone. This is a charming and yes, a little heart-breaking, novel that I will remember for years to come.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

I adored this book! Very cute and unique story. Ending was surprising. Thank you netgalley and publisher for this arc in exchange of an honest review.

Since she was a teenager, Daphne has received a note telling her how long each relationship will last. And up until now it has proven to be right each time. When Daphne meets Jake, she receives her first letter with no expiration date. Does this mean she's finally met her forever person?

The concept for this book was really neat! I was excited to see how it all played out and already had some questions as to the themes or lessons the author was trying to share. I had previously read In Five Years from this author so I knew to not expect the typical romance. But overall I was let down. First I didn't feel invested in the main character AT ALL. I could not tell you anything about her other than she has a dog and where she works. Then the love interests were either bland or a dick. The back and forth storytelling of past relationships felt choppy and then gave us less time in the present with Daphne, Jake, and Hugo. The magic of the notes was never really explored and just felt off. I found myself just waiting for the end to at least know what happens and then that was a big let down too because the answer was nothing lol.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! F

Thanks to Netgalley and Atria Books for the ARC of this!

I liked this almost the whole way through, loving a premise that is romance but add a little bit of magic. The end threw me for a loop though, and I couldn’t decide how I felt about it.

Quick and Dirty
-contemporary romance
-magical realism
-disability/chronic illness rep
-Los Angeles is a major character
-🌶️🌶️/5 spice (open door)
-5⭐ narration by Julia Whelan

What Worked
I won’t lie, I didn’t love One Italian Summer as much as In Five Years, so I was unsure what to expect in Serle’s latest. But I always love her ability to weave magical realism into a story, so I said what the heck! Boy, am I glad I did! I LOVED this book so much, and I have a feeling that just about everyone who reads it will, too. It’s heartfelt and poignant when it needs to be, witty and charming, too. The L.A. Jewish culture representation is terrific, adding an element you don’t expect but appreciate. I appreciated the female friendships in the novel, as well as the FMC’s personal growth story. The love triangle is a trope many don’t like, but it works here because both MMCs are desirable. The book has some steamy moments but nothing too smutty. What I loved the most about this book was how Serle featured Los Angeles as another character. My beloved city is on display in the best way possible. Essentially, this book is a love letter to L.A., which I adored. I recognized city streets, neighborhoods, restaurants, and the overall L.A. vibe she wove into the story. Kudos, my friend!

What Didn’t Work
I loved this book too much to nitpick, but I will say that some will have issues with the love triangle and the absence of more steam. As with all her books, the intimacy isn’t relegated to the sheets, making it more of a cerebral love story (which I prefer).

Read This If
If you want an emotional journey about a woman’s search for love (of all kinds), read this book!

Thank you NetGalley, Rebecca Serle, and Atria Books for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

This is my third Rebecca Serle novel. I loved In Five Years, but I did not enjoy One Italian Summer, so I was unsure how I would like this one, but overall I really enjoyed it! I thought the plot was very cool and unique and I had a hard time putting this one down and I really liked the main character Daphne! Overall a 4 star read for me!

🗓️Book Review🗓️
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Summary- 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. The papers told her she’d spend three days with Martin in Paris; five weeks with Noah in San Francisco; and three months with Hugo, her ex-boyfriend turned best friend. Daphne has been receiving the numbered papers for over twenty years, always wondering when there might be one without an expiration. Finally, the night of a blind date at her favorite Los Angeles restaurant, there’s only a name: Jake.

But as Jake and Daphne’s story unfolds, Daphne finds herself doubting the paper’s prediction, and wrestling with what it means to be both committed and truthful. Because Daphne knows things Jake doesn’t, information that—if he found out—would break his heart.
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Rating-⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
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My thoughts- thank you @netgalley and @simonandschuster for the advanced copy! This one released last week and it might be my favorite Rebecca Serle yet! This was such a cool concept and I really loved Daphnes character! But it wasn’t perfect in that it was pretty predictable how it would end. Jake’s character really lacked depth and so did Maxs. A fun sweet read but I just wanted a little more from the characters, I’m obsessed with this premise though !
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QOTD- would you like to receive an expiration date on when a relationship ends ?! I probably would have loved this when I was single and dating 🤣
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I absolutely ADORED this book! It had everything that I could ask for in a Rebecca Serle book. The characters were well developed and I found myself staying up way past my bedtime to sneak a few more chapters in. Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this amazing book! I will definitely be sharing it with all of my fellow book lovers!

Throughout her life Daphne has received notes with the name of her next boyfriend and how long the relationship will last. But when Daphne gets a note with the name Jake and no timeline, she can’t help but think he must be “the one”. But there are also lingering feelings for her best friend Hugo, who also happens to be Daphne’s ex. Jake turns out to be wonderful and he and Daphne get engaged. But Daphne is still keeping a big secret from him that Hugo has known for years. Will the note turn out to be true? Will Daphne fully commit and marry Jake?

Rebecca Serle does it again with this refreshing romance and emotional story that you can’t help but love no matter how much it tugs at your heartstrings.

What an incredible novel about self discovery and finding true love. Daphne is such a fun character, and learning about all of her “dates” was such a fun ride!

This was SO SO cute! This is the 3rd book I’ve read by Rebecca Sterle and it won’t be the last.

The storyline was so unique and for a short book, I did not feel like anything was left out or that there needed to be more added. The character development was wonderful!

I expected the ending about half way through, but was not upset by any means when it happened!

If you’re looking for a short, sweet rom com, look no further!

Thanks so much Atria Books for the opportunity to read this ARC!

I have read and enjoyed Rebecca Serle’s books in the past, but unfortunately Expiration Dates wasn’t my favourite of her novels. I found it a little slowly paced and although the writing was good, just lacked the ability to keep my attention the whole story. I do however look forward to her next book.
Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for this ARC!

If you like Rebecca Serle books, you’re going to love Expiration Dates. It has all the heart, humor, and emotional devastation we’ve come to expect from her books. I enjoyed Daphne’s journey to self acceptance and self love and enjoyed all of the characters she surrounded herself with.

Expiration Dates is about a woman named Daphne, who, when she meets a new man, mysteriously receives a piece of paper with his name and a timeframe, and this is how long the relationship lasts.
At first I found this kind of confusing, but the book is about so much more than that. It’s romantic because you get to learn about her relationships and what shapes the next ones, and sometimes the reason for the expiration dates. It’s also thought provoking as you start to realize (I definitely had an ah-ha moment) that maybe the expectation of the timeframe is causing her to act and live differently.
Daphne realizes that putting specific expectations on things that are generally unknown can cause your mind to find ways to alter the outcome.
As a side note I think this book showed so many avenues of love through romance, friendship, and family and I loved it all.
Overall, I still have a few questions but this was a quick and easy read that was very enjoyable for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

How would you feel if your life was predetermined?

What would you do if basic decisions that affect you, such as who you will date and for how long, were beyond your control? Are you the type of person who accepts life as it comes or do you make your own destiny? In Rebecca Serle‘s latest novel, Expiration Dates, Daphne doesn’t have a choice. Every time romance is ready to knock on her door, she receives a piece of paper with a name and the length of time that relationship will last. Ever since figuring out what the notes meant, she has lived her life accepting and embracing the relationships and the allotted timeframe. Until one day, her note includes only a name. Has she found the one?

The story alternates between the present, where Daphne’s relationship with Jake (the no-expiration date man) is developing and the past, where we meet all the men and learn about all the notes that have led us here. I wasn’t too interested in the glimpses into her past relationships—only a few end up being pivotal to the story—but I was pretty smitten by Jake since I find stability, commitment, and reliability pretty sexy these days. (Did I mention he also loves her unconditionally?)

The story, the setting: I ❤️ it all
In Expiration Dates, we finally get to feel our hearts flutter with some romance, this time in the city of Los Angeles and from the perspective of a trendy set of characters that are deeply engrained in its film production culture. However, true to Rebecca Serle’s style, the story ends up being more meaningful than a simple love story. It’s a story of self-discovery and hope. Reading this story made me reflect on how I approach love, all kinds of love, and what it means to feel loved. With her signature element of magical realism, Rebecca Serle takes us on a journey that will undoubtedly inspire reflection. While the story is slower in the beginning, once it takes off, you better be ready to see it through the end because it will be impossible to put it down.

“One month. That was all it took. Four weeks to know that I wasn’t going to listen. That no matter what that paper said, it wouldn’t matter. I wanted him. I wanted to wake up with him and go to sleep with him. I wanted to stand behind him in the bathroom mirror in the morning, my face pressed against his wet back, as he got ready for work. I wanted his feet to find mine in the middle of the night. I wanted to be his first phone call, the place he rested from the chaos of the rest of the world, the constant friction of the pace of his life. I wanted to be it for him. I wanted so much more than ninety days. I wanted everything.”

Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle
Expiration Dates features loveable characters & beautiful stories of breakthroughs and courage
I have so many other thoughts about Expiration Dates. I’m choosing not to discuss most of them here because I don’t want to spoil all the best parts for those of you who decide to read it. I will say that Rebecca Serle always surprises me with unexpected twists that are full of meaning and emotion. The book is short and, once it takes off, it packs a punch of insight that will inspire self-reflection while also being (somewhat) light and fun. I loved all the parts of this story just as much as I loved her previous novels (all stand-alone books) In Five Years and One Italian Summer.

3.5 stars, rounded up

Overall thoughts:
- I love Serle's writing style; it is so easy to get swept up in her novels and this was no exception!
- The concept of each relationship having an expiration date was so intriguing and I enjoyed how it all played out!
- The twist was super surprising to me, yet I did question some of Daphne's life choices and her reasoning for keeping secrets from Jake.
- I think I am in the minority in not liking Hugo. He just rubbed me the wrong way. I liked their friendship, but he did a few things that really made me dislike him and it felt like Daphne let him off easy!

What I loved:
- The settings - L.A., Paris, New York, Big Sur - were all described in such vivid detail and provided the perfect backdrops to Daphne's life. I don't even like L.A. all that much, but this book made me want to revisit and take in all of the amazing locations Serle wrote about.
- Daphne's family! Her parents were adorable and I loved how much they cared for Daphne.
- Irina is an amazing boss/friend and I adored her character.

What I disliked:
- Hugo really annoyed me throughout, except during the time he and Daphne dated. Especially how he acted during/after the dinner with Daphne and Jake.
- The ending was unsatisfying and kind of made me mad...without spoiling it, I didn't find that Daphne really grew as a result of everything that happened in her life and the ending cemented that feeling.
- Daphne seemed spoiled at times and seemed to expect all of her boyfriends to fall for her right away without her putting in much effort.

I think many readers will love this book! It was hard to put down, even though I didn't like the ending as much as I had hoped.

Thank you to Atria Books for an early copy of Expiration Dates in exchange for an honest review!

My thoughts and feelings on this book are a little complicated.

On one hand, I really enjoyed it and liked the execution of the initial premise where our main character receives notes telling her how long her relationships are going to last. I was invested in the main character and really liked the flashbacks from her previous relationships and how they impacted her life. The short length of the book and the short chapters within made this a very quick, bingeable read.

On the other hand, there were two things that I didn’t like that I just can’t get past because they overshadowed the good. I was not a fan of how a MAJOR part of Daphne’s life didn’t come into play until over the halfway point. I get not wanting everyone in your life to know about your chronic illness because people come and go, BUT you have to mention it to your partner as soon as your relationship starts to get serious. That is not something you keep from them, ESPECIALLY after he’s told you that his previous wife died from an illness. This congenital heart disease diagnosis quite literally came out of nowhere for the reader too? Everything was fine one second, but the next second you’re reading about her going into sudden cardiac arrest and that hospital stay and the ones after.

The other thing, or person I should say, I didn’t like is Hugo. Hugo, Hugo, Hugo… where do I even begin with you? I was not a fan of his behavior towards Daphne and Jake after Daphne told him she was dating Jake. I get you’re still in love with her, but do you have to be such a dick? And after the plot twist where it’s revealed that he wrote the note with Jake’s name and no time on it, things started clicking about why he tried to sabotage Daphne and Jake’s relationship. The fact that she ends up with Hugo really pisses me off too. If my best friend tried to sabotage my relationship because he’s still in love with me and then give me a bullshit excuse, he would no longer be my friend. Jake deserved better.

There are a lot of good life lessons that can be learned from this book, but it was overall a miss for me unfortunately. However, I can see why others have loved this book, so it is one I would recommend to the right person.