Expiration Dates was not exactly what I expected, and yet it was fairly predictable at the same time. More language than I like, a slightly irritating protagonist, and a somewhat boring leading man rounding out an average read. Liked it better than her other books….but I guess I, just not a fan. Thanks to NetGalley for the review copy.

Favorite Quotes:

The thing no one ever wants to say about dating is this: It’s hard to be real, sure. It’s harder to let someone else be.

Exercise isn’t really a part of my adult life, what with all the sweating, and the fact that I now have a hair-care regimen.

She’s not coming. Some mix-up with my personality. She decided she didn’t like it.

I once read that there are more stars in the sky than there are grains of sand on Earth. It seemed impossible. It always seems impossible to believe the things we cannot see.

My life has been filled with magical moments, I was just so busy waiting I didn’t see them when they were here.


My Review:

This was a delight to read and wickedly perceptive and observant. I smirked most of the way through perusal although there were several profound inner musings that I had to stop and reread a few times.

I adored every clever word as much as I did the quirky characters, each was authentically detailed yet I ached for just a little more of each chapter. The writing was well-honed, cleverly original, delightfully witty, keenly insightful, amusingly entertaining, and sparked sharp visuals across my gray matter.

Rebecca Serle has strong word voodoo and now rests at the top of my favorites list.

I have enjoyed this author’s previous books so was looking forward to this one. Daphne has been on many dates, and in an unusual twist, always receives a paper letting her know how long she will be with each new man. Her three months with Hugo were special, and she remains friends with him even as she continues to look for the right person. I was not as enamored of the stories of her other beaus, but really liked her chemistry with Hugo. From the first,I was not convinced of her relationship with Jake. There was another twist that helped explain a lot, but I did not feel the book as a whole flowed well. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

EXPIRATION DATES • Rebecca Serle • Pub Date: March 19, 2024

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. Serle authored one of my all-time favorite books (In Five Years), so my expectations are always high when she releases a new book. While this book hit a little different than Serle's works normally do, she stays true to her ability to weave a beautiful story handling emotionally heavy topics like grief and love with a fun, magical realism twist.

Abridged Goodreads Synopsis: Every time Daphne Bell 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. Daphne has been receiving the numbered papers for over twenty years, always wondering when there might be one without an expiration. Then 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.

Everything Serle writes makes me think and makes me wonder. Now, did I like this book in particular? I’m still not quite sure. I am left with wanting more than what I got, but appreciating what I was given. I loved the plot. I loved how Serle chose to tell the story. I was also pleased with the ending. This book's message on what it means to be single, what it means to find love, and ultimately how we define these things for ourselves did hit home. However, I found that this book did not have me as emotionally gripped or invested as I normally find myself when it comes to Serle's books. If I had to put my finger on it, I think it stems from a lack of connection with our MC, Daphne. As the narrator here, there was just something about the way she told the story that had an air of disconnect, almost.

TL;DR: Not my favorite book by the author, but still a pretty damn good book with a plot unlike any other.

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

Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle is a heart-felt journey into how you guard yourself and act differently if you already know the end. What would happen if every time you started dating a new man, a piece of paper showed up with their name and how long your relationship would last? With all of Daphne’s relationships, she knew how many weeks, months, or years she would be with each person. The good – she was never blindsided. The bad – she never allowed herself to get too comfortable. Especially because “[t]he paper made it so that nothing was personal.” But when she is set up for a date with Jake, and the paper shows up blank . . . does this mean she will marry this person? That their relationship will last forever? Or does it mean something that Daphne has been hiding for years? Oh – and add in Hugo (three months, five years ago) into the mix – will Daphne start trusting her heart or let the universe and it’s papers direct her pathway?

I was pulled in immediately – this one-of-a-kind premise was new and endearing. The characters all had something to offer (and all had a purpose, they weren’t just background noise), and the emotional aspects weren’t overdone. Daphne was interesting with a fun job you could escape into, and having LA as a setting is never a bad thing. Also, my youngest son’s name is Sullivan, so knowing that Daphne named her car Sullivan right from the start was a bonus!

I also loved the ingenious name of this book, well done on the double entendre! However, I was left wanting a little more. I can’t really put my finger on it – I liked this novel, but something was missing. Some umpphh maybe? More sizzle and less knowledge is power? More excitement? I’m not sure what I wanted but some parts were slow and emotionally draining.

Irregardless, Serle has a way of tying in magical realism in a way that it is believable – and it works! This thought-provoking novel will leave you reflecting on love, life, and what’s really important. While I loved In Five Years more this read, her novels are unique and grounded in something much deeper that is hard to describe. Serle is leading the way on Women’s Fiction. I give this 3.8 stars rounded up to 4.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for this sincere read. All opinions are my own!

“The unknown can be beautiful.”

𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: 4.5⭐️
𝙶𝚎𝚗𝚛𝚎: contemporary romance📚

𝙼𝚢 𝚃𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜:
I adored this one and was hooked in from the start because of the unique plot! This is so much more than your typical romance

𝚁𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚒𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎:
Unique plots
Magical realism
Dual timeline
Emotional moments
Captivating reads that are easy to binge

𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝙸 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎𝚍:
Jewish rep
While it seems a little predictable I love that there were actually a few unexpected twists

𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝙸 𝚍𝚒𝚍𝚗’𝚝 𝚌𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚛:
The timing felt a little off

If there is anything you can count on Rebecca Serle for its: a tear jerker of a story, really great characters, and a great twist or two.

I loved the look into each of Daphne’s relationships — and seeing her learn that even ‘the perfect man’ may not be perfect for you. Real love is messy and imperfect…

“What I see now, emerging in the mirror, is this one, simple truth: learning to be broken is learning to be whole.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½

Thank you, NetGalley, Atria Books, and Rebecca Serle for allowing me to be an ARC reader for this book.

I loved this book so much that I might have to add the physical copy to my collection.

It's a contemporary romance with magical realism sprinkled in. Our MC, Daphne, receives slips of paper whenever she meets a new guy that says how long she’ll be with him. Each chapter goes through those relationships, which was a great plot device.

And every relationship has met its end, until Jake. Jake’s paper is blank.

The unfolding (see what I did there?) of events is entertaining, and the story felt like a love letter to LA, which I liked. The author called out various spots and things she loved about the city.

Much like You, Again (another contemporary romance I recommend), which was a love letter to New York, I wish there was a roundup of places mentioned at the back as well.

But what I liked about this story is everyone is charming and likable. It created warmth and empathy for the characters and added to the emotion of the story.

Because even though the ending was predictable to me, there are a few secrets tucked in there that made it fun getting there. Sometimes it’s the journey, you know?

In this love story, though, my favorite character was Irina, Daphne’s boss. While they didn’t have a romantic relationship, I love a strong female bond, especially when one person seems prickly on the outside but really has a soft center.

I would consider this a breezy read, but there are a few tender moments that made me tear up. Turns out underneath my prickles, there’s a soft center as well.

I love Rebecca Serle books, and Expiration Dates did not disappoint! The premise was unique- finding out how long your relationship will last before or soon after it begins! I enjoyed the ride of each relationship and the characters!

I really liked this book! Rebecca Serle is really great at writing in depth characters and weaving really compelling stories!

Daphne receives a piece of paper with a name and a range of time that tells her exactly how long every romantic relationship will last. One day she receives a note with a name and nothing else - no expiration date. We meet Jake and watch their relationship unfold as we see snippets of other relationships from her past. We also learn that Daphne has a pretty big secret she's kept from everyone but her boss and one of her lovers, now turned her best friend, Hugo.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

This book was amazing. I have recommended it to all of my friends. As typical with Rebecca Serle books, the plot doesn't go in the direction you thought it would, but that is what makes it such an outstanding read.

Thank you to Simon and Schuester and netgalley for the chance to read expiration dates. I have read other books by Rebecca Serle and was excited at the chance to read another of her books This was a quick read with engaging characters that I was rooting for throughout the book. This book takes you on an emotional roller coaster have tissues on hand. This book leaves a message to live life to the fullest I am sure you will love these characters. .

This is a fun book with such an interesting premise! Imagine getting a piece of paper telling you exactly how long each of your relationships will last... and then getting one with no date on it. How do you act, how do you react? What does this mean for your life? I loved the romance and the characters and the familiar Los Angeles setting. Read it! Thanks to Netgalley and Atria books for the advance digital copy.

Daphne is familiar with plans. Every time she meets a new guy, she receives a piece of paper from the universe with his name on it and how long their time together will be. Sometimes it’s short, sometimes it’s longer. When Daphne receives a paper with just “Jake” on it and no end date, she feels sure he must be the one.

As she gets to know Jake, it’s clear to Daphne that he’s a great guy and she wonders when it’s the right time to share everything with him.

Expiration Dates is easily now my second favorite Rebecca Serle book after In Five Years. The story was fast and engaging. I saw one big element coming early on, but another surprised me, and I enjoyed the story and its message about personal timing, living life, and finding love.

I loved the premise of the book- that Daphne randomly receives a note with a name and an amount of time she’ll spend with each man she becomes romantically involved with.

Following her path throughout the years and the men definitely was entertaining!

This was a quick and easy read, and an enjoyable one too!

Thank you to #netgalley for this ARC of #expirationdates

Some nice turns of phrases and an interesting concept, including the flashbacks. Altogether, it was simply an ok read.

So, I don't really like giving a rating below a three - for one thing, I don't usually like reading a book below a three, and for another I just feel bad for the low rating. I really, really wanted to give this a three, and it is so close... but just not quite there.
The fantasy-like premise was just a bit too much, the writing was descriptive in the wrong places (outfits, meals, locations), but not descriptive enough in the important places (people, relationships.)
Daphne gets notes from who-knows-where whenever she meets a new man she is about to embark on a romantic relationship. These notes tell her exactly how long the relationship will last. I get it, it's fiction, that's the premise of the story, but it just seems a little over the top; I just couldn't quite wrap my mind around the unreality of it.
Anyway, Daphne finally gets a note with no expiration date! She thinks this must be "The One". Thus progresses the story of their rather bland relationship. Her beau, Jake, was way too good to be true but his character development was a bit sub-par. Then there is Hugo, her ex-boyfriend turned best friend. And of course, it eventually becomes somewhat of a triangle with the three until she works it out at the end.
I guess I enjoyed it, I mean I didn't mind it. But would I recommend it? Not really...

At the beginning of all of Daphne's relationships, she receives a note with his name and how long it will last, until one day she receives a note that says "Jake" and nothing else. Daphne has finally met her forever and everything is perfect, but what will happen when her secrets she's been harboring finally come to the surface?

A whimsical look into what would happen if we knew our fate and what we would do to keep it or change it. A modern take on the idea of fate and where it can take you or where you will take it.

I was given an arc of the ebook through NetGalley.

I loved this book and I love Rebecca Searle’s writing. It’s almost poetic and just really beautiful. I love that her books have a little magic in them, usually with no explanation, which occurred in this book.

Daphne was a great main character. Not perfect but I loved all her philosophies on life. There was definitely a twist about 2/3 the way through that I was not expecting!

I gave it 4 stars because the beginning started out slow for me. I wasn’t immediately hooked. It took a little time for me to be fully invested but by the end of it I definitely was!

could not get past the magical realism of someone actually believing things like this can happen. ugh.