What if you knew exactly how long every romantic relationship you had would last? Would it affect how you much you commit yourself? Daphne Bell knows. All her life she has gotten a slip of paper with the boy's name and the number of days, weeks or months each would last. In Rebecca Serle's hands, this makes for an intriguing book with solid characters to root for.

Daphne Bell is just like any other single woman looking for love, except unlike other women, she has the unique ability to see the length of a relationship at its start.

Three days. Five weeks. Three months. The amounts of time are all decreed by a simple piece of paper, the relationship’s fate sealed. Knowing this information doesn’t prevent Daphne from having some fun, but it does serve as a simple reminder that all good things must come to an end eventually.

Then she meets Jake and everything changes, his introduction not accompanied by a dreaded piece of paper. Does this mean she’s finally found the one? And if she has, how does this change the trajectory of a life only lived in the moment?

Expiration Dates has a very intriguing premise, ultimately serving as the reason I chose to read this book at all. However, not unlike her previous release, The Dinner List, the story’s execution didn’t live up to its promise. Each chapter floats in and out of Daphne’s time stamped entanglements, but when you strip away the magical element, all you have are typical stories of dating woes.

It isn’t until the final act where things come together in a way that makes the setup somewhat worthwhile. Unfortunately by this point, I felt the story had long past its sell by date.

This is tough to rate because I LOVED so many parts of this book, but it also seemed all over the place and lost me at times. I enjoyed the overall message and getting to know a little bit about each date/love interest. Overall a bit slow and lack luster for me. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I cannot express my thanks enough to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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?

This book was BEAUTIFUL. In Serle's previous book, One Italian Summer, I was blown away by her vivid and earnest description of grief. In Expiration Dates, her writing hit me even more, which I didn't think was possible. The way she has weaved this story, which blends magical realism so well and seamlessly, through the eyes of Daphne was just wonderful to witness. This book is for the hopeless romantics, the ones who tend to self-depreciate and often see or think of the worst to come. Grief, again, is written so well here, as it takes many forms throughout the novel. The romance and chemistry between Daphne and her love interest was so palpable; something I saw so vividly and earnestly. Daphne's journey as a character was what really drove this story home, and it was written with such tenderness and care. The messages of self-acceptance, fate and chance, how to truly live and love, were all highlighted in such raw, beautiful, real and emotional moments. I cried more than I thought I would, from both pain and joy, and really cannot recommend this book enough.

Really enjoyed this book! Such a fun read. The concept and lessons throughout reminded me of my favorite movie- Serendipity. I love stories like this book, that make you think about destiny and outcomes and your belief in what’s meant for you.

I absolutely loved this book. It was captivating from the get go. Such an intriguing concept. I loved seeing Daphne’s growth as she realizes how she had been limiting herself and her eventual decision to not read the notes anymore and embrace the unknown, however scary that may be. I also really didn’t expect that Hugo had written Jake’s note, but I love that he saw an opportunity to give her a chance to take control of her own fate. Will definitely recommend this one to friends!

This is my third book by the author, and I'm completely obsessed with it. I loved the magical realism part of it. I enjoy learning about the note being left and seeing how long the character stays with the love interest. I wish it could happen in real life. I adored the characters. And the writing was fast to read. I cant wait to read more from this author.

3.5 stars
I enjoyed Daphne, her parents, and her ex-boyfriends. That said, I felt that the magical realism of the letters detracted from the story. I know that was the main catalyst, but it didn’t work for me. I also thought that it could have been a bit longer, especially to flesh out more of the relationship with Hugo from boyfriend in the past to best friend in the present. It would have made a difference to drive home the ending.

I liked this book. Wouldn't it be cool if people had expiration dates when you met them?! I even liked the twist half way through the book. If you enjoy her other books you will enjoy this one as well. Will definitely recommend.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy!

Ok this didn’t ruin me like I expected it to. I enjoyed it thoroughly, there were some excellent quotes to pull from, but I was left wanting a little bit more?

Excellent characters in this. 4 stars.

I am a sucker for a cute romance and this was no exception. Does it turn out exactly as you’d expect? Yes! Did it also have depth besides a romance, yes! Loved the concept of this book and it was super cute. This book is the perfect beach read or pick me up. Thank you to the publisher for the gifted arc.

The book starts at Gracias Madre , one of my favorite restaurants in WeHo (West Hollywood). So I had an immediate liking to the story.

Everytime a paper slip appears for Daphne with a name and duration, it means a new man in her life with an expiration date of that relationship. The story proceeds by switching between her past relationships and the present one.

I went into this book without any background and just by Rebecca Serle’s name since I like her last book. The story is based on magical realism and this was a slow read for me at the beginning but half way through it picked up with an unexpected turn. I liked the ending and I did see it coming.

Unfortunately I wasn’t a big of of this story. It was a quick read and I loved the premise, but the characters fell super flat. I didn’t feel any chemistry between Daphne and any of her romances. I hated that her illness was revealed so late in the story and then that’s all the book focused on. The twist with Huge writing the last expiration note was a good twist, but Daphne got over it so quickly and then they start maybe dating. Just not a fan.

Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle asks the question, "What would you do if you knew how long each of your relationships would last?" Daphne has had this happen to her her whole life, but one day she receives a note that's blank - could this be The One? We follow her through both her present relationship and past relationships, learning more about her through each relationship. We end up learning that Daphne has been keeping a secret from the people closest to her, as well as the reader, that impacts how she will move forward with her life. While this book isn't my favorite Rebecca Serle book (loved In Five Years!), it was a solid story, and I enjoyed the characters and setting. I would recommend this to friends as well.

The novel had an interesting premise, but the twist halfway through kind of dampened the reading experience for me.

Great concept but not well executed. Still enjoyed the reading experience but could have been so much better. Didn’t like the switch in focus half way through. .

Daphne has been on the single life journey for a while. She believes in things that are meant to be, and her life is guided by those moments of fate. Set up by her former boyfriend who is also her best friend Daphne finds Jake. What is she willing to give up in order to contest the will of fate? Will Daphne find her love or will she break Jake’s heart. Thanks to NetGalley for the read.

I really enjoyed this story. I connected with the characters and felt Daphnes pain. It was well written. I adored Hugo and Jake. I even shed a tear or two.
Very much recommend if you’ve enjoyed Rebecca Serles other novels

Expiration Dates has such an interesting premise. If you knew when you met someone how long the relationship will last does it change how you are with the person? Daphne Bell mysteriously gets a paper with a date on it when she meets a new potential man for a relationship. The story begins with her being set up on a blind date with Jake and his paper only has his name and not an end date. As she begins dating him you get the back story of her other relationships whether they were weeks, months, years or even a one night stand. It also follows her career path as well.

This is a closed door, general (women’s) fiction, focusing on Daphne navigating her life and choices. She has a good friend Hugo who she dated years earlier that is still part of her life. The book sets up a love triangle with the two men that I didn’t connect with. I didn’t care about either of the men enough to support one over the other, although I guessed correctly where the story would go. There is another serious issue that Daphne deals with as well and which makes the tone of the book more somber and serious. This is not a light romance story, even if it is under 300 pages. I am glad to have read it but wasn’t really satisfied by the end. I am new to the author and would like to read more of her work. (3.5 Stars)

A huge thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for gifting me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

One of my favorite things about Serle as an author is that everything she writes feels so incredibly original. Even though this type of story has been "done before," it's never truly been done quite like this. Her characters are relatable and they feel REAL.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I loved the juxtaposition of the expiration dates with the seemingly end-all be-all in Jake appearing but things really not feeling like they are what they seem or maybe should be. Without any spoilers, I was genuinely surprised by how this story wrapped up. Top of the Serle reads for me!