This is just as good if not better than In Five Years. I stayed up way too late trying to read this in one day. I didn't quite know how it would end and there were definitely a few surprises but the ending was so satisfying! If you like epic love stories, give this one a read!

Expiration Dates comes out next week on March 19, 2024, and you can purchase HERE! I love this author!!

Across the pool was the Los Angeles skyline, a floating city in the clouds. Palm trees and towers and homes, side by side. That's the beauty of LA—it's sprawling, searching, a horizontal buffet of experiences. In New York, everything is happening on top of everything else-energy and expectation, stacked up like dominoes. Here, you have to hunt for what comes next.

Expiration Dates follows Daphne, a young woman with a special gift from the universe. Each time she meets a man she finds a piece of paper with his name on it and exactly how long the relationship will last. From 1 night to 2 years she always knows when a relationship is going to expire, until a blind date that leads to a paper that only says Jake. Did she finally find her forever?

This novel has a really interesting premise and, at least in the beginning, kind of grapples with the question of if you could know how a relationship turns out would you want to? Would you still be able to truly put yourself into it if you knew it wasn't going to last? We get alternating chapters of current day Daphne who is dating Jake and past Daphne and her other relationships. This premise gets kind of lost in the middle and the twist in the story kind of takes it in a completely different direction. I wish that it had stayed focused on the notes and the kind of emotional/moral dilemma that brings rather than what the focus of the second half of the book was (trying not to give anything away here...).

Overall I still liked it, but it fell a little short and wouldn't be the first Rebecca Serle book I recommended to a friend. Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the advanced e-copy of this book.

I just loved all of Rebecca Serle's books so far.... always character driven, you'll shed a few tears and giggle a little too! I loved how she looks into relationships flaws and bases a story around that. Real love is really messy and imperfect at times and I love how Rebecca portrayed that in this book! Is there truly a "time line" on true love?

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the eARC of Expiration Dates in exchange for an honest and independent review.

Cutting straight to the point, I whole heartedly enjoyed this feel good book about finding love, discovering yourself, and the raw emotion that comes with losing love along the way. I read this entire book in the span of a night because I just didn't want to put it down. There is a magic to Rebecca Serle's writing that shines through once again that had me captivated from the beginning. Her stories flow so effortlessly and her character development is spot on. After loving One Italian Summer so much, I had high hopes for this one!

At the center of this story sits Daphne Bell, who is just one of the most loveably lost characters I've never met. Daphne has a couple secrets up her sleeve. One of them is that since fifth grade, she has been fated to receive various cards or pieces of paper with the name of her next boyfriend and the amount of time they will be together. Is this a blessing or a curse? I'll let you decide. However way you dice it, it leaves little to the imagination when you know exactly how long you'll be riding this love train until the next stop.

Daphne has always wanted that pure, once in a lifetime, over the moon, grand slam love. However, due to secret number two (which I will not disclose here), she never expected to find it. That is until one day she receives a piece of paper with only a name, no expiration date. Could this be it? Could this be her forever love? And how does she feel about it exactly? What if the universe has other plans for Daphne?

I sincerely loved how Rebecca navigates back through time to walk us through Daphne's past relationships and the takeaways of each to make her who she is today. No love it truly lost, but rather carried with you in a different way. You will not regret coming along on this journey as Daphne finds her way to forever and what she's learned along the way.

My only very small critique is simply that I wanted more. I wanted more of a wrap up for Daphne and honestly, I wanted about 7 more chapters to just see exactly how this all played out. But maybe that's just another mystery of the universe for now...

I loved the premise of the book. The chapters are short and sweet. I loved Rebecca’s writing. She has a way of making you feel like you’re there within the setting. Once I started, I had a hard time putting it down. I loved Hugo because of his imperfections. He had a big personality and a big heart. I enjoyed Jake but I felt like I was something was missing about him. The surprise at the end was not one I was expecting. I really was shocked! At that point I was wondering how it was going to end. So I really enjoyed the twist. I had a hard time with Daphne. While I can’t understand her circumstance, I can see how she keeps her secret from everyone. But I wish she would allowed herself to experience more. Her relationships were dull and lacked any passion. I did love her parents and the relationship she had with them. Her dad is the best!

As much as I would have enjoyed getting slips of paper letting me know how long the relationships were going to be, I’d want to know where they were coming from. I wanted to know more about this. The ending felt abrupt. I was left wanting more of the ending and the characters.

Overall, it was a good read and I’m glad I read it! This my second book by Rebecca and I enjoyed this more than One Italian Summer.

Read if you like:

🌴 LA setting
🌴 Love triangles
🌴 Jewish representation
🌴 Second chances

Many thanks to @netgalley and @atriabooks for the eARC in exchange for my honest review

In "The Expiration Date Notes," the story revolves around Daphne, a young woman who leads a seemingly ordinary life until she starts receiving mysterious notes that predict the length of her relationships. At first, she dismisses them as a prank, but as the notes continue to accurately forecast the demise of each of her romantic endeavors, Daphne becomes increasingly intrigued and even fearful of her own love life.

As Daphne navigates through a series of short-lived relationships, the story delves into her emotional journey and the impact these notes have on her self-esteem and perception of love. The author skillfully explores the complexities of human relationships, highlighting the highs and lows, the joy and heartbreak, and the insecurities and vulnerabilities that come with opening oneself up to love.

While the premise initially suggests a focus on the fantastical element of the expiration date notes, the story surprisingly leans more towards the romantic aspect. Daphne's relationships take center stage, letting me get an intimate glimpse into her experiences, doubts, and growth. I kind of found myself torn between rooting for Daphne's happiness and feeling frustrated by her choices and actions, as the characters and their chemistry are not always easy to connect with.

However, the fantasy element of the story adds depth and intrigue, allowing the author to explore profound themes such as love, self-sabotage, and destiny. The expiration date notes serve as a catalyst for Daphne's self-reflection and personal growth, forcing her to confront her fears and question her beliefs about love and relationships. Through this exploration, the story raises thought-provoking questions about the role of fate versus personal agency in matters of the heart.

The conclusion of "The Expiration Date Notes" is heartwarming, albeit with some predictable twists. While the story may not become an instant favorite for me, its unique premise and emotional depth make it a compelling read. The author's ability to capture the complexities of love and the human experience, combined with the added layer of the expiration date notes, created a story that will linger in my mind long after I final page of this book.

Thank you so much to Negalley and the publisher for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review!

Jewish rep, LA setting, celebrity romance adjacent

Daphne has been receiving notes her whole life - they have a name and duration and that's it. That's her love life in a nutshell. We explore her past relationships throughout this book, especially her relationship with Hugo, her now best friend.

All she wants to do is find "the one" without an expiration date. She has a paper with a blank on duration and she goes with it. Her relationship with Hugo evolves.

The author sets up the dynamic between Jake and Hugo, secrets and friendships on the line, and heartbreak/HEA as well.

Would you want to know your life before it happens? How about how long your romantic encounters last?

That is exactly what happens to Daphne whenever she begins a new relationship. She receives some type of paper before or just after she begins dating a new man in her life. That sounds like a good thing, right? It seems like Daphne knows exactly how long a relationship will last so why put forth much effort?

Along the way we are introduced to new men in her life, some that stay for a short time and others that remain in her life for years.

Like Rebecca Serle’s previous novels, Expiration Dates seamlessly blends real life with elements of magic (receiving a note with the amount of time a relationship will last) to create a story that is beautifully written and delivered in a heartfelt way.

Super cute, quick read. Perfect for a sunny spring day. I enjoyed the setting, hint of magical realism, and the main characters.

3.5⭐️

This book follows Daphne’s romances, each with an expiration date. The author uses magical realism in this story to give Daphne the amount of time each romance would last. That aspect of the book was not my favorite. This story has love, sadness, loss and explores what a relationship and lasting love looks like. It starts off a bit slow, the second half of the book is better!

Thanks to netgalley for this eArc!

I really enjoyed this novel with a bit of romance, a bit of magical realism and a story of self-discovery at the center. This book was thoughtful and quiet but it was engaging and a quick read. I really enjoyed Serle’s writing and seeing how the story would unfold. I don’t know if this is a book I’ll remember a lot about down the road, but I did really enjoy it and it was a great escape.

Expiration Dates by Rebecca Searle is another delightful entry by this wonderful author. The premise may seem a little hokey to some-- the main character receives a note every time she meets someone... and it tells her how long they will be together. The book is so much more than that with wonderful prose and deep characters that evolve throughout. It's a story of love, loss, and hope. And ultimately, no matter what, how we pave our own destinies.
Overall, a must read for anyone who loves chick lit, women's literature, contemporary literature, or just a plain good book.

I just read this book in one day. I just couldn't put it down. This book follows Daphne and all the men she dated in her life. She always receives a note telling her how long her relationship will last. I loved reading about her relationships and the places she experienced them in. This book was just so cute. It was an emotional read towards the end which I wasn't expecting. I loved everything about this book. I was torn between who I wanted her to choose at the end, but was happy with her decision. I enjoyed the message to live your life to the fullest and about timing being everything.

Thank you netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.

Title: Expiration Dates
Author: Rebecca Serle
Pub Date: March 19, 2024

Ever since Daphne was young, she had been receiving notes telling her the name of the next person that she will date and how long that relationship will last. She always knew what to expect and in turn, the notes were never wrong… Until one day she received one with the name Jake on it but no expiration date. Daphne assumes that means that Jake is who she is destined to spend her life with but could she be wrong?

This was a very different type of love story. I loved how through the notes, we were able to hear about Daphne’s past relationships and her desire to find happiness and true love. This book really makes you think. I kept wondering how differently many of her relationships might have been if there was never a note. Would some of her relationships have lasted longer? Was her fate determined by these notes and what would happen if she ignored them? So many things can affect how our lives play out and who we meet. This book is about realizing that everyone deserves happiness and how the choices you make each day affect that journey to find it.

This was a quick and easy read and I really enjoyed learning how Daphne’s journey played out. I tried not to read too much about it going into it so I didn’t expect any of the twists. I had a few thoughts about how it might end and although there was one loose end that I would have loved to have explained, I was very happy with the outcome.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for this advanced reader copy!

Heart, humor, romance, and emotional devastation….check check check check ✔️
This book was so unique and addicting and left me analyzing everything long after finishing. I loved the flashbacks into Daphne’s past, learning how some of her previous relationships played out, all while also following her current love story. Within the distinctive storytelling were a few unexpected twists that made the book that much more interesting.
The overall message behind this story is a memorable one that is sprinkled in pieces from the first page to the last, but the ending really wrapped it up perfectly!
This was my third (and favorite) Rebecca Serle book and I highly recommend!

“Being single is like playing the lottery. Most of the time all you’re left with from that trip to the convenience store is a bag of chips and a six-pack. But then there’s always the chance, however slim, that with one piece of paper you could win it all.”

Thank you NetGalley and Atria for a #gifted eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

What if you knew how long every romantic relationship would last? At the beginning of every new relationship, Daphne receives a paper with nothing but a name and duration of time written on it. These expiration dates define her romantic history for most of her adult life.

No one does magical realism quite like Rebecca Serle. It’s natural, and believable and not at all over the top. It’s easy to suspend your disbelief, and fully immerse yourself in the story.

Expiration Dates is told with a nonlinear timeline. The first half of the book I felt like something was missing, but then the second half of the book, as more of the story unfolded, everything came together. I do wish there had been more chemistry between the characters, but I also feel that this book wasn’t as much a love story as it was Daphne’s story.

This was a unique story that made me think about expectations. I adore Rebecca Serle’s writing, and at this point she has become an auto-read author for me. A sincere thank you to Atria books and Netgalley for this electronic arc of Expiration Dates. This review is entirely my own thoughts.

I am a @rebecca_serle fan through and through! Her books always include some fun magical element, friendship, romance, and self-discovery which has me returning every time!

A quick and bingeable read filled with second chance love, chronic illness, multiple and nonlinear timelines, and a unique premise! She just has a way of sucking me into a story!

Hmm, this one is a tough one to rate for me. Rebecca Serle is an auto-buy author for me, so I was extremely excited for this book.

Like her other books, it was a quick and easy read with a touch of magical realism. I love those aspects of her books. Yet something about this one slightly missed the mark for me. I felt that something more could've been done with the premise of the book, regarding the notes she receives before meeting the next person she'll be in a relationship with, that tell her exactly how long each relationship will last.

There's a lot I can't say without spoilers, so I will just say that I suspected the ending from VERY early on in the book, just didn't know how it was going to get there.

There was a strange amount of focus on name-dropping restaurants in the LA area, as well as listing exactly what food and drinks were ordered at every place they ate (and there was a lot of eating out, so this was a repeated occurrence throughout the book). There was also a lot of attention given to describing in detail what the main characters were wearing in many different scenes. It certainly wasn't necessary to the story, and I suppose the author was just trying to paint a picture for us, but it just seemed like a LOT of attention was giving to those insignificant details (there was one clothing item/style that had a reason behind it, but it was still a minor detail that really wasn't necessary to the story). The story also repeatedly referenced all the "stuff" that the main character owned, but again, this detail felt unnecessary to the story and it became weird that it was brought up so often.

All of that aside, I did still like this book. Because it was a quick and easy read, I don't regret putting in the time to read it. I like the premise of the story and I enjoyed seeing the main character's journey throughout the book, though it didn't elicit an emotional response from me in any way. I still really like Rebecca Serle's writing style, but this book was not my favorite from her. I think a book with this premise could've had the potential to be a 5-star read for me, but unfortunately it ended up falling a little short, and was instead a solid "good" read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the e-arc of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I always enjoy Rebecca Serles use of time hopping, or some sort of time related magic (in this book, the notes with names and dates). It’s such a creative way of writing and none of her books remind me of anything I’ve read before. This book had an intriguing premise, where Daphne would receive notes telling her the “expiration date” of her next relationship. RS’s books always seem to have a theme of living life completely and not taking things for granted or at face value, but really seeking deep down. There was a surprise complication in Daphne’s life that I did not expect, but thought fit the theme well. Overall I liked the story, but I didn’t love it.

This was…fine. I like the premise, and it had the touch of magical realism that I love from Rebecca Serle, but the book lost me towards the middle and the end.