I loved that this story veered from the implausible to realistic- never feeling goofy. I enjoyed this totally- the characters were well
Developed and the story kept me
Reading. I definitely recommend this to
Others!

Imagine if you got a slip of paper with an expiration date every time you met a potential romantic partner? How would you live your life? How would it change your perception of love and relationships? It's such an interesting way to think of things because no matter what, everyone is on a timeline and has an expiration date...with this, you're just getting told upfront.

I loved every moment of the book, until the ending. It was a beautiful, perfect ending but it felt too sudden and I wanted more from it, but I think that's also the beauty of it...it left you wanting more with unanswered questions versus having everything wrapped up in a neat bow.

Expiration Dates was beautiful, shocking, interesting and just a delight to read. Rebecca Serle has a way of making emotions jump off the page and having you believe the magical things in her books can actually happen.

Expiration Dates is a delightful and charming rom-com that had me smiling from start to finish. The story centers on a quirky yet relatable protagonist navigating the ups and downs of modern dating with a unique twist: every potential match comes with a literal “expiration date.” The premise is both humorous and heartfelt, offering plenty of laugh-out-loud moments alongside tender reflections on love, timing, and self-discovery. The banter between characters is sharp and witty, and the romantic chemistry practically leaps off the page. It’s the kind of feel-good book that’s perfect for cozy afternoons, leaving you with a warm, happy glow and the belief that love might just happen when you least expect it.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing this advanced copy. I actually met the author at a book signing event in NYC. I enjoyed this book. However, it wasn't my favorite of her titles. I think this one is more intended for a younger audience rather than a 50+ reader. I couldn't get deeply invested in the character's journey since I could not relate to it. But, I am sure it would appeal to a young adult, single audience.

While I expected someone to die in this story, I will admit that the plot was not what I was expecting. I did find the main character frustrating at times and so blind to what was in front of her I wanted to shake her. But overall this was an enjoyable quick read, with romance and learning to take leaps of faith regardless of the signs, and just a hint of magical realism thrown in for flavor.

Expiration Dates is a novel in which the protagonist, Daphne, receives a paper with a name and a number. The name refers to the man she will meet, and the number refers to how long they will be together. That is until she receives a paper with just a name on it. The novel is an interesting introspection on romance, fate and the basis for forming relationships.

Thank you to netgalley.com for this ARC.

This book was a quick, fun read… but felt like there were a few holes in the story. It was weird how the story never explained the origin of the letters and it seemed like the main character never really questioned it. Overall was just an ok book for me.

What if each time you started a relationship with a new guy he came with an expiration date? That’s what happens to Daphne Bell in this different kind of love story from Rebecca Serle.

Something about the way Serle tells a story really tugs on my heartstrings. The premise may have you scratching your head, just like in her previous novel, One Italian summer, yet somehow Serle makes it work beautifully again. I enjoyed some surprises along the way that kept the read fresh and interesting. It is also expertly narrated by Julia Whalen if you prefer audiobooks.

Pick thus up for an emotional and unique love story

Interesting concept. Kept me invested, and parts of the storyline surprised me. Could appreciate the authors message. However, I am left with questions. I needed more in the end.

4.75 stars
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TW: Chronic illness, Medical content, Medical trauma, Death, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Infertility, Alcohol, Grief
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Daphne Bell feels like the universe has a plan for her, and in a way it does. For as long as she can remember, the universe has sent her notes whenever she meets someone romantically. These notes show up randomly, sometimes before she's met them, and even after, but they always let her know how long to expect the relationship to last. Daphne has come to terms with this deal the universe has given her, because it assures her life, we find out that Daphne has medical struggles and life isn't guaranteed to her.

This all changes when the next letter she receives has a name, but no end date. Daphne believes that this is it, the man she's meant to marry and spend the rest of her days with. I loved this story so much, it's an emotional one that will pull at your heartstrings. I love the dynamic between Daphne and Jake, as the romance progresses, Daphne begins to doubt the paper and assumes that it must be wrong - she can't possibly have found the one.

Told in multiple timelines, we get to see glimpses of Daphne's past relationships, how long they're predicted to last, and what led to the downfall. Although this is a story about love, it's also about friendship and learning to trust yourself. I really enjoyed the ending as it opens a lot of potential doors for Daphne and where her life goes from there!
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I want to thank Atria Books, Rebecca Serle, and NetGalley for a copy of Expiration Dates in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Expiration Dates was published on March 19th 2024, you can order your copy today!

I am definitely a fan of the author and I love that she can deliver twists that I never expect. There's a reveal that occurs more than halfway through the book that I never saw coming. I actually really appreciated the twist and it made me connect so much more with Daphne's characters. My problem with this book is the romance, it was really bad in my opinion. I actually hated the guy that is set up as her one true love. And the ending made me so mad. I do love her writing style, but this one was a miss for me.

This book took me longer to get into and usually with this author it’s a hit or miss but I really ended up loving this book.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. This was a very lighthearted and entertaining novel with a sweet story.line. The ending was not really a surprise for me but Ms Serle worked into it well with her easy to read writing style. If you’re looking for a little light reading and an enjoyable plot this is the book for you. I am looking forward to reading more by this author.

Review 3.75⭐
“It’s hard to hold on to people the older we get. Life looks different for everyone, and you have to keep choosing one another. You have to make a conscious effort to say over and over again, ‘You.’ Not everyone makes that choice. Not everyone can.” Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle
I was really excited when I was given an eARC of this book because I thought the concept was so interesting. Daphne finds “expiration dates” for her love interests and no matter what she does, she can’t change the outcome. Or can she? I’m not a big magical realism reader, but I think this paired with the romance aspect went really well together. However, I feel like this was a miss for me. Daphne spent a majority of the novel telling the reader about her past relationships and how they ended, I felt that it took the focus off her current relationship with Jake (whose paper turned up blank). Even though I felt we didn’t get much time and attention with Daphne and Jake, I found myself rooting for them. This made the twist a little bit disappointing, and I really didn’t like the ending. I think if it had been presented differently, it may have altered my opinion of the ending but the way that it was written was a no go for me. I will continue reading anything Rebecca Serle puts out, and I can’t wait to see what she writes next.

MAN I tore through this wonderful book. One of those books I thought I was just humming along with until all the sudden it was hitting me on every other page and I was highlighting half the chapters. A fantastic view of searching for but being terrified to outright chase love and happiness.

Well I was wrong in my theory and honestly I liked what I had in my head as a plot line instead.

So the initial concept is good. I’m actually really intrigued by the magical nature of these notes, and Daphne’s later realization that she basically manifests outcomes bc of her reliance on the notes was an interesting touch. But also the whole concept of the notes vanished halfway through and was rarely mentioned again.

New plot lines were introduced, too, and I think Serle should have picked one and expanded from there instead of trying to draw in so many things. Because the focus shifted from the romance/notes to this second plot line, the whole tone of the story and focus completely shifted. This spin was also interesting and had I been planning on reading that sort of story it would have been alright, but I wasn’t prepared for it and thought I was getting something else, making the shift less interesting.

The romance also took a back burner because of the tonal shift. Plus, I felt like Daphne really didn’t have chemistry with anyone. Serle also added in a completely unnecessary love triangle? That wasn’t really resolved all that well? This is marketed as a romance (I think) and it didn’t feel like one.

There were just a lot of stylistic choices that I didn’t like, and that greatly affected my enjoyment of this read.

A pity, because this had the potential to be really good.

I received this book to give my honest review. I have read another book by Rebecca Serle and loved it. This book did not disappoint! I loved it. Read it so quickly. Such a unique story. Gave me all the feels and so many things to consider.

Expiration Dates is a thought-provoking story that explores the complexities of love, fate, and the human desire to control the future. The unique premise, where Daphne receives a slip of paper with a man’s name and the exact amount of time they will be together, sets the stage for an intriguing journey. Throughout her relationships—whether with a short-lived romance or a long-standing friendship with her ex, Hugo—Daphne grapples with the idea of fate and whether the universe really has a plan for her.

The novel’s charm lies in its ability to provoke questions about how we approach relationships when we know their expiration date. How would knowing the end change how we live in the present? It’s a delicate balance between control and vulnerability, and the book beautifully captures the struggle of opening up to love when the future feels so uncertain. It’s a romance that isn’t just about finding "the one"—it’s about understanding what it means to love deeply, truthfully, and without the need for certainty.

My rating 4 stars
Thanks to @netgalley and atria books for the arc.

I love Rebecca Serle and her imaginative stories. One Italian Summer and In Five Years are two of my favorite books, ever. However, this one was a bit of a letdown, if I'm honest. The main plotline involving the "expiration dates" was as interesting and inventive as always, but the execution wasn't as magical as I'm used to from Serle.

At first I didn’t think the story was going to work for ,e. Eventually at about ha
F way I’m I was drawn in and wanted to know how it would end!I enjoyed this.