I've read all of Rebecca Serle's previous books, so I was very excited to dig into this one. I thought she did a great job bringing the characters and California to life. I thought the premise that every time Daphne meets a new man, she gets a piece of paper with his name and the exact amount of time they will be together on it was unique and interesting and raises a lot of questions - if given the opportunity, would you want to know the future? Or would you rather create your own destiny?

Daphne meets Jake and there's no paper. As their relationship progresses, the story flashbacks to other relationships Daphne has had. These stories help explain why she is so cynical and thrown off by the lack of paper with Jake. I did feel like she leaned into the relationship with Jake because there was no paper vs. actually wanting to be in a relationship with him.

And then about halfway through there's a bit of a twist that threw me for a loop and took things in a different direction.

Overall, I found this to be an enjoyable read and I look forward to what Rebecca comes up with next!

Cute story-ending wasn’t what I expected and kind of threw me a little. The premise of the book was very different from how the story unfolded. Although I did like it, it left me wanting a little more.

Thank you to Atria Books and Net Galley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This was a cute romance, an easy story to read, but although it was intended to be thought provoking and emotional, I felt it missed the mark a bit. None of the romance felt as true and genuine as it should have been. It was an enjoyable read though

I feel like my opinion on this book may be one that falls in the minority but I felt bored. I admired the medical struggles that Daphne endured and I can see why she developed the way she did, but I wasn't a huge fan of the last half of the book. I still very much enjoy the author & plan on reading anything else she puts out.

This was so cute! I was hooked from the very beginning. I liked the characters and it kept me wanting more.

I always love reading about the magical realism in Serle's books and this was no exception. I thought the story was very creative and a good book to escape with. While I did predict the "twist" it didn't take away from the overall story for me.

5 ⭐️

Rebecca Serle writes magic. She has such a GIFT — creating these stories with such intense heart and emotion. Weaving in surreal magic seamlessly and literary magic from end to end. I didn’t cry this time (a usual for me with her books) but I sure came close — and I LOVED the ending. So so beautiful. 🥰

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for providing me this Digital Advanced Readers Copy of the book!

Thank you @atriabooks for this gorgeous ARC and @simon.audio for the complimentary ALC.

This was just the sweet breath of fresh air I was looking for to break apart some heavier reads!

Every time Daphne Bell meets a new man she mysteriously receives a slip of paper with his name and a number on it- the exact amount of time they will be together. For 20 years every relationship has had an expiration date, until one slip shows up with a name but no number…

Rebecca Serle does an impressive job of weaving together romance, drama, and a just a touch of magical realism. This is quick read with short chapters that explore previous and current relationships in Daphne’s life. I found some of her relationships more interesting than others, but just as I was starting to want more, I got it with a twist I didn’t expect. This was a twist that added the depth I was looking for in a romance 💕

An interesting concept and overall good writing, but something about this just didn’t hook me. I would pick it up for a few days and the put it down and not come back for a week or more. I didn’t want to DNF, I was interested to know the ending, but I just wasn’t drawn to pick it up as my first choice. I would probably read something by this author again, if it had good reviews, but I don’t know that I would be looking for new arrivals to grab.

Expiration Dates is a beautifully crafted exploration of love and loss, where time becomes both a gift and a challenge. Rebecca Serle’s lyrical prose draws you into the lives of her relatable characters, each grappling with their own relationships and the ephemeral nature of life. While some plot points felt a bit rushed, the emotional depth and poignant themes make this a memorable read. It’s a heartfelt reminder to cherish every moment. Highly recommended!

Would you love differently if you knew the outcome of your relationships? In Rebecca Serle’s latest book she explores this question in the magical way only she can. Perfect for fans of The Husbands. This will have you thinking way after you close the book.

3.5 rounded up! While this wasn’t my favorite book, it was a fun story and premise. I love the romance and drama combo that Rebecca Serle always delivers on. I would recommend this!

“I moved my arm, and a needle pulled at my vein.” I saw this line & thought I’d be a butthole & give a lower score because of it. People. There is not a needle in your arm with an IV- it’s a catheter.

But then I finished the book & loved it, so I need to give it a 4.

Thank you Net Galley & to the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This one fell a bit flat for me. I didn't feel super connected to the main character really at all. I didn't really find myself rooting for any of the relationships. Her illness kinda came out of nowhere and feel like the conversation with Jake was sooo brushed over. There are some decent messages tucked in but not my favorite.

Wow! This book had a lot going on in terms of character development. This was a great read from page one and was hard to put down.

This book was sadder than I expected but with the potential to be absolutely devastating. I didn’t expect there to be a big twist in the middle of a romance novel, but alas, here we are. What a surprise!

This was a really interesting premise for a book, and one I enjoyed. It was different but didn’t feel absurd. I never really knew the rules of the papers though - some seemed to arrive much earlier than the dating occurred, while some even occurred afterwards, so that felt a bit chaotic. I guess I can’t totally complain about a fully made up premise but I would’ve liked some better parameters to understand.

SPOILERS——————

There was an obvious love interest I was rooting for, but then I can’t stand when an obvious love interest doesn’t decide to say anything until the last minute, leaving the MC with an impossible decision. It feels really selfish and kind of harmful, and I’m ultimately not a fan of that. I appreciated that he told the truth (and what a shocker, my goodness, I did love that!), and I did want her to be with him, but also, just… what? Also, what were the points of the notes in the first place if they never mattered, they weren’t really true in the first place.

—————— END OF SPOILERS

So I loved the book. I enjoyed reading it. But the ending made the rest of the story kind of obsolete. It may even piss some people off, but I’m just taking it in stride over here

Rebecca Serle knows how to write a book that will work its way into your soul. Expiration Dates was a very heavy, emotional book that I shouldn't have read at the time in my life that I did, but things work in mysterious ways and I think this book healed my soul a little bit when I needed it most.

Rebecca Serle knows how to write a book that will work its way into your soul. Expiration Dates was a very heavy, emotional book that I shouldn't have read at the time in my life that I did, but things work in mysterious ways and I think this book healed my soul a little bit when I needed it most.

Multiple content warnings for this one re: chronic illness and grief. A typical Rebecca Serle book!

This was cute! Very “set in LA” but not in a douchey way, just a little heavy handed. There were a number of quotes about love and dating and finding your person that really resonated with me. And the main character got her dog from the same place I got mine!

“All my life I had been waiting for the note that would tell me it was finally time to stand still. That the long, broken road was over. That he was finally here. But when it came, all I felt was fear. Fear that he wouldn’t be who I’d imagined. Fear that I wasn’t ready. Fear that I wouldn’t feel the way I was supposed to. Fear that I’d fuck up even this, this thing I was meant for. But what I was most afraid of, maybe, was that it was over. It’s hard to be single, but it’s also something you can get good at. And I was good at it. It’s easy to love the things we are good at.”