OH MY HOPELESS ROMANTIC WHEEZING HEART!!!!!! Expiration Dates written by Rebecca Serle was such a sweet memorable story. It was lighthearted at times with a few giggles here and there, but it was also heavy on the heart at times which caused a few tears to escape. I have never read a book written by Rebecca Serle before, but after Expiration Dates had a chokehold on my heart and my emotions, I will definitely be sure to check out her other books for sure. I loved every single minute of this story, from the gorgeous cover, to the heart to heart talk our main character had with her dad, to the supportive best friends/co-workers, overall it was a sweet story. The only very minor issue I had with this book was the descriptions to every single person's outfits, like we get it we love people with a fashion sense of humor, but like I didn't need to know what every single person was wearing. I feel like with the short chapters, it kept the story moving freely. Ladies, you're absolutely beautiful with or without make up, but I advise you not to wear any makeup, unless it's waterproof because those tears will be sneaking up on you, whether you expect them to or not.

THANK YOU TO NETGALLEY AND ATRIA BOOKS FOR AN ARC OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW!!!!!!!

"Being single is like playing the lottery. There's always the chance that with one piece of paper you could win it all."

If you received a little piece of paper with someone's name on it and an expiration date for how much time you have with that one person, what would you do?
-Honestly, I would make every minute count, I would love to get to know that person, but at the same time I would live my life and happy. You know what they say, the first impression is what makes or breaks a relationship/friendship.

Daphne Bell believes the universe has a plan for her. Every time Daphne meets a new man, she receives a piece of paper with the man's name and a number on it, that number resembles the exact amount of time they will be together. Daphne has been receiving these papers for over twenty years, but she is always wondering when there might be a piece of paper without an expiration date. These papers have told Daphne she would spend three days with Martin in Paris, five weeks with Noah in San Francisco, and three months with Hugo, Daphne's ex-boyfriend turned best friend. Finally the night of a blind date at her favorite Los Angeles restaurant, Daphne receives a piece of paper with the name Jake on it, but no expiration date. As Jake and Daphne's story unfolds, Daphne finds herself doubting the paper's prediction because she's at crossroads with what it means to be both committed and truthful in a relationship. I feel like Daphne is doubting the paper's prediction because she knows things that Jake doesn't and if Daphne withholds that information from Jake much longer, when the time comes for her to actually open up to Jake, the information Daphne withheld could actually break Jake's heart.

I know Expiration Dates is a romance novel, but I absolutely love how the whole book wasn't just based on romance, Rebecca Serle actually took us on Daphne's journey of finding her one true love and soul mate. Throughout the book we get like a flashback/backstory on the men Daphne has previously been with, how they met, what their relationship was like, how their relationship ended. I can't recommend this book enough, please do yourself a favor and add Expiration Dates to your TBR immediately. Despite if a relationship ended horribly, I love how Daphne didn't hold any grudges against any of these men, she simply spread her wings and moved on. I will admit, Jake and Hugo were my absolute favorite, I adored how Hugo and Daphne remained best friends after their relationship ended, and Jake was so thoughtful, he never once judged Daphne. THAT ENDING???? I WAS COMPLETELY SHOCKED!!!!! I can't express my love for this book more than I already have, but holy cow, I loved this book so so much, no amount of words or love I express for this book will ever give Expiration Dates the justice it deserves. If I could rate this book a million stars, I definitely would because it's just going to have that lasting effect on me. Daphne was just the sweetest soul I have met in this fictional world.

Expiration Dates gives us all cause to really ponder the age old question……. If you could see into the future, would you want to know? Our FMC Daphne is very lovable, and the other characters are extremely well written. If you enjoy witty banter, dual timeline, lovers to friends- this would be a great ready for you. Very little spice but a great romantic read nonetheless. This is my second Rebecca Serle book and I enjoyed it immensely. In addition to a great story, this is a very thought provoking read. Will definitely recommend to my friends that enjoy this genre.


Thank you to NetGalley , Rebecca Serle, & Atria Books for this ARC!

Sweet book!

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, but I was pleasantly surprised.

For most of her life, either right before or right after she meets a man, Daphne has received a mysterious note with the man's name and the duration of the relationship. Before she goes on a date with Jake, for the first time ever, Daphne receives a note with nothing but his name. Is this it? The person she is meant to be with? He seems perfect for her, and as their relationship grows, so does Daphne's unease. When is it the right time to share the secrets she has been keeping?

On the surface, this seems like a straightforward romance novel. But below the surface it is a deeper and more meaningful exploration of fear, trust, and overcoming expectations. I didn't really warm to Daphne until I learned what she had been hiding from almost everyone around her. After I got to that point, I felt like I understood her motivations so much more.

Although the notes provide a bit of magical realism to the story, it's definitely not the focus of the novel. The focus is on Daphne's growth as a person within her relationships, and the notes just provide background and framework for that.

Overall this is a sweetly meaningful tale, definitely recommended.

Spoiler free synopsis:
OUR FMC, Daphne, has an unusual relationship with the universe—every time she meets a new man, she gets a piece of paper with his name and the exact amount of time they will be together…one night, three weeks, two years, etc. Until one day, she gets a piece of paper with just a name…and no expiration date! What does it all mean?

I loved this one!
This book was incredibly thought provoking and painfully beautiful! This is not your typical romance novel. Is there romance, yes, BUT, it is also a love story about learning how to love yourself (and it is also a love letter to the City of Angels).

Knowing what the future holds can definitely help protect us from heartache, but knowing is also a double-edged sword. If you already know what the future has in store for you, are you really forging your own destiny or are you letting yourself be steered by what you think you know? I loved how the author gave us Daphne’s current and past relationships. Such a uniquely told story and is perfect for a bookclub pick because there is so much to discuss!

I was first introduced to Rebecca Serle with “One Italian Summer” and fell in love with her descriptive writing style then and now need to read “In Five Years” and “The Dinner List” ASAP, both of which have been on my TBR pile for a very long time!!

Thank you to the author and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review (PUB DATE: March 19, 2024). This beauty gets 4.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 for me.

PS: I agree with you Rebecca….I think Brita is a scam!!

Follow me on Instagram at @i.am.book.a.licious for more reviews like this!

My rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice level: 0🌶️

Read if you like:
▫️banter
▫️dual timeline
▫️lovers to friends
▫️journey of self-discovery

Let me start out by saying that this book wasn’t bad. It was well written and the story was good, but it wasn’t for me. It was marketed as a romance, and it’s definitely not that. It is women’s fiction. This is more of a coming of age book, focused on the protagonist’s journey of learning to love herself and accept herself as she is.

The romance mostly felt like a highlight reel of her past relationships. Hardly any time was spent on her current relationship, and consequently, I didn’t care about it or the love interest at all. There was no chemistry between her and Jake, and he was completely bland and forgettable. I couldn’t even tell you what he looks like.

The only character that I liked was Hugo. And that’s because he was the only relationship that the author spent any time developing and describing. He was interesting and complicated and I wanted more about him.

Thank you to Atria, Simon & Schuster, NetGalley, and Rebecca Serle for the ARC. I received an advanced copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.

“What is a blank space, really, but an invitation?”

Rebecca Serle is an auto buy author for me! I absolutely LOVED The Dinner List and In Five Years and I am adding this one to the list! (I still need to read One Italian Summer!)

What if you were given a piece of paper every time you would start a new relationship with the name of that person AND how long that relatonshop will last?

I love the magical realism that has become a common theme within her stories!

I connected with Daphne SO much…I saw so much of myself in her…ESPECIALLY when it came down to being single in your 30’s and having meddling Jewish parents. Daphne’s character growth was beyond FANTASTIC

I thought I had a clear line of sight as to where this book was going to go - but boy was I wrong..but I will say: I was so pleasantly surprised by how this story played out!

this book was the perfect mix of emotional, sweet, thought provoking and so beautifully written!

I also really loved the “tour of California” The imagery of the locations that Daphne visited made me want to go back STAT!!

SIMONE SAYS READ THIS IF YOU LIKE

magical realism
California setting
jewish rep
thought provoking reads
books under 300 pages

This was such a unique premise, basically Daphne knows the expiration date or every romantic relationship. She receives a piece of paper with a name and a date as to when the relationship will end, until one day she just receives the name. While hoping Jake is “the one,” she has to navigate this relationship, while also feeling kind of untruthful.
If you enjoy magical realism, and romance you will probably enjoy this one!
4 ⭐️

I'm still thinking about this book!
I'm often hit or miss with this author's books and this one was a total hit for me.
I loved how such a simple plot point (anonymous dating expiration dates) could lead to so much introspection about destiny, fate, self-fulfilling prophecy, life, and death. There is just so much to explore throughout this book that I found myself rereading parts over again to dissect it more. I liked the flashbacks and how quick and simple they were. The focus was never giving the reader the full story, but just a sample of how it impacted Daphne's life. I did not see the mid story twist coming but it added another layer to the story which I enjoyed exploring.

I loved that I had no idea where this story was going and how it would end. My only complaint is that it felt a little short and I would have liked the ending to be drawn out a bit more. Overall, a unique and inspiring read!

Many thanks to @atriabooks and @netgalley for the opportunity to review this fun book. Below is my honest review.

Some of my favorite books of the last few years have been romances with a splash of magical realism, and I think they are becoming my favorite comfort reads.

Daphne's love life is far from ordinary. She possesses a peculiar ability to foresee the duration of her relationships. The moment she steps into a new relationship, the universe sends her a cryptic message. It could be on a receipt, a fortune cookie, or a piece of paper tucked under her windshield wiper. The message is always the same - a name and a time frame. Martin, 3 days. Noah, five weeks. One day, 2 years, 3 months. Every relationship has a predetermined end. The three months was with Hugo, who transitioned into her best friend and the only person privy to her secret. Then, on the day of her first date with Jake, she receives a note. Just his name, no end date. Could this be her chance at a forever love? As she settles into the comfort of an undefined end date, she begins to question the paper's prediction.

Unfolding in a series of flashbacks, we dive back into Daphne's past relationships and see how Daphne's life and career have also evolved. Even knowing the conclusion of each relationship didn't save her the heartbreak. It was interesting to see things unfold in her past relationship, feel her connection to different men, and form my own opinions of which was best for her. I've heard several people say they didn't like the ending. I strongly disagree. I thought Daphne's realizations in the final chapters and the direction her life took after were perfect.

This story is not only about Daphne's love life but also about her relationships with family and friends. Daphne's parents are kind, funny, and sometimes frustrating as she transitions from a teenager to an adult. As often happens with co-workers, her boss and former colleague have become her chosen family. Her best friend Hugo is fun, charming, and always watching out for Daphne, even though she may not always appreciate how he does it. Overall, there is much to enjoy in this story.

Thank you so much to the publisher and to netgalley for allowing me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rebecca Serle is one of my favorite authors. She has a gift of being able to tell a love story that is so enticing and fresh.

Expiration dates was a hit! It touches on the topics of how different our lives would be if we knew exactly how long we would date a certain person. How difficult it would be to truly open up. How difficult it would be to see when the perfect person was right in front of us all along.

I enjoyed the medical perspective the book also brought into play and that after the main characters heart suddenly stops during college, she starts receiving these notes almost as a gift from the universe.

I won’t spoil the ending for you as it’s a beauty. This is def a must read!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Expiration Date
By: Rebecca Serle
Publisher: Atria Books
Pub Date: 3/19/24

I really enjoyed this one however I struggled with the chapter transitions. It seemed like the flash backs tended to end abruptly.
Daphne has a weird cork every time she meets a new guy. A piece of paper will appear with his name on it and the exact amount of time they will be together until she gets the last paper with just Jake's name on it. But this time it’s different there isn’t a time on it. So is he the one?
Is knowing the future a curse or a gift? Is she in charge of her own life and destiny?

This was so cute! It was short and sweet, not super very deep. The little magic element was fun. This would be a great summer beach read. It was a good palate cleanser after too much romantasy.

I received a complimentary copy from Atria and all opinions expressed are mine.

This is my second book by Rebecca Serle and it’s quite interesting. It follows Daphne who has a rare gift if we must say so .Every time she meets a man she gets a paper with his name and a number that shows the time they will have together. Until one day she gets just a name. Who is Jake? How long does she have? The book premise was interesting but I didn't quite enjoy the pace of the book ,Overall the book was well written and can be finished in an afternoon.

This book was hands down by favorite by Rebecca Serle. I thought it was so cute & uniquely written and could be enjoyed by readers of all ages. Without giving away the ending, it ended similarly and differently than expected. This would be a great book for book club and great discussion piece. It was very easy read & quick & easy to understand so would also be good for YA readers. I felt myself rooting for different people at different times and thought it had great life lessons thrown in as well. Well done! Interested to see what she writes next.

"Expiration Dates" by Rebecca Serle is an exploration of love, loss, and the complexities of relationships. Serle weaves a captivating narrative around the concept of knowing the expiration dates of romantic relationships, adding a unique twist to the traditional romance genre. Daphne's journey to navigate her predetermined romantic fate is both heartwarming and thought-provoking, inviting readers to reflect on their own beliefs about love and destiny. All in all, this is a recommended read and I enjoyed it.

📖 Book Review 📖

📱”Expiration Dates ” by Rebecca Serle

⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️💫
Published March 19, 2024

Thank you @Netgalley and Atria Books for this Ebook ARC

Rebecca Serle is a easygoing pallet cleanser for me. And this novel was no different- delightfully lighthearted but also perceptive. A romance novel about what is means to be single and happy, content with life while also searching for love.

Every time Daphne Bell meets a new man, she randomly receives a slip of paper with his name and the amount of time they will be together- three days with Martin in Paris; five weeks with Noah in San Francisco; and three months with Hugo, her ex-boyfriend turned best friend.

This has been Daphne’s dating life for 20years, and hoping the next paper will have a name and no expiration. When a blind date is set up by a friend and the note comes with just the name Jake, Daphne feels hopeful for the future. As time goes on, Daphne finds herself doubting the paper’s prediction, or lack there of. Plus Daphne has some secrets she needs to tell Jake, that may break his heart.

#somanybooks #readsomemore #audiobooks #bookstagram #bookrecommendations #readersofinstagram #readmorebooks #booklover #bookishlove #readersgonnaread #bookishaf

A unique story line that has the main character measuring her love life by timelines provided her by destiny. Just before every date with a new man, she receives a piece of paper with a name and a date. This is the new man and how long she will be with him. When she finally gets a name.....but no date.....she's sure he is the one she is meant to be with forever. But with no "expiration date" predicted for her, she must turn her heart and mind to figuring out how the two of them will fit together.

I was intrigued by the premise of this book: Every time she meets a new man, Daphnie receives a slip of paper with his name and a number on it—the exact amount of time they will be together.

The problem was, I liked one of her past relationships much more than I liked the main one the book followed. And i kept trying to figure out if she could get back to that one lol. But i kept feeling like there should be more.

Like it was a really good love story. I loved it by the end. But I kept expecting...more. More info on why she started receiving the pieces of paper, who they were from, what did it all mean?

I love a love story with a hint of magical realism. I will never turn down a chance to read one.

This was a solid book though. 4 stars for sure.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own

Expiration Dates explores questions of fate through a combination of romance and magical realism. Every time Daphne meets a new romantic interest, she then finds a slip of paper with his name and a length of time on it. This tells her the exact amount of time she will have with him before they break up.

An interesting premise, I wish they’d explored this in more detail. Daphne quickly figured out what the slips of paper meant, but beyond that basic question of what they mean (on a surface level), she never seemed to question WHY she received them, or, maybe more importantly, WHAT she should do with them. She just took them at face value, and for far too long surrendered any consideration of free will in relation to them.

I enjoyed this story and the main characters - well, two of them as least- but I wish things had been explored in more depth- and also that it hadn’t been quite so obvious who she should end up with, or why.

A nice romance with just a hint of magic.

Thank you Rebecca Serle, Atria Books, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

This is the first book in a long time I sat down and read the whole thing. It felt like a rom com movie that I needed to know the end of. I enjoyed it a lot and gave me a nice stress relief!