Loooooovvvvvvved this story!! I really appreciate how Rebecca Serle weaves a slight fantastical element into a heartfelt story that is full of life, love, and learning. The bit of fantasy in this story is that Daphne receives notes telling her when her relationships will end. Daphne is a full, complete character and each of her side characters are too. I was so invested in the story and surprised, not in a bad way, when Serle threw in a wrench that I wasn’t expecting. But it ended up explaining so much about all of the characters. It’s amazing to get this depth in a story under 300 pages. I’ll be thinking about this story for a long, long time. I’ve loved Serle’s previous works but this is my fave!!

Expiration Dates is out on March 19. Mark your calendar or get your pre-order in now, you don’t want to miss this one!! Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for my e-arc!

I loved this book! So much heart, humor, and romance. I really loved the characters in the story. I loved the banter between the characters which made it such a fun read. I enjoyed the ending. It felt satisfying.

Thanks to Atria for the copy of this book!

I’ve been hit or miss with Rebecca Serle’s books, with my favorite so far being IN FIVE YEARS. EXPIRATION DATES is back to her emotional romance roots with magical realism and what-ifs. Maybe part of it was listening to Julia Whelan narrate this audiobook, but it reminded me of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s older romances as well. This is a great romance if you like to read about the rawness and messiness of life and relationships.

When Daphne begins a new relationship she always happens upon a piece of paper telling her how long it will last. But what happens when she receives one with just a name and no length of time? Will he be "the one"?

A quick, engaging romance mixed with some magic realism made for a book I really enjoyed! It is about digging deeper, finding the real you, and living life to the fullest. I was immersed in this story right away, as the premise was unique, but I was torn on which guy to root for, but have to say I was happy with the ending, as it just felt right. There were a couple of twists thrown in that totally caught me off guard, but definitely added to the storyline. I loved the little bits about Jake keeping a tally of people he saw wearing Doc Martens and the sunrise scene with Daphne's Dad at the end of the book left me with all the feels!

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the chance to review this book ahead of publication in return for my honest review!

Many thanks to my friends at @atriabooks for the #gifted copy of this book.

I still remember the overwhelming emotion I felt as I closed the pages of In Five Years. The friendship. The romance. I went into it looking for a love story, and I got it. But not at all in the way I expected. That book surprised me.

So going into Expiration Dates, I had high hopes for a similar experience. Oh but… those expectations…

Each time Daphne meets a new man, a piece of paper appears. On it, she’s given the expiration date for the relationship. But one day, a paper arrives, and no date is to be found.

It’s not often I feel this conflicted about a book. Did I enjoy this book? Is this a book I can recommend?

With short chapters and an interesting premise, I found myself easily immersed in the story right away. And about halfway through, in typical Serle fashion, the reveal indicated there was much more to be gleaned from the storyline than mere romantic forays. The plot brimmed with potential.

But for me, the execution held back the possibilities within the premise. For one, I love the way magical realism can enhance and enchant. But in this instance, I found that the magic hindered.

Most notably, the reveal had SUCH opportunity to expose us to important representation. It could’ve made SUCH an important impact. Instead, it fell… short….flat.

Though this was a mixed bag for me, there were several people in my buddy read that really enjoyed it. I think this one will find an audience that appreciates it in the way I had hoped to.

Loved getting to chat about his one with friends! Check out their reviews for other perspectives. @brandy_reads @keepingyouonread @chicagobooklover @buckeye_jenna_reads_again @lit_with_kristen @laurenreadsitall @readwithras @meghan_reads @naesreadingnook @letsget.thisread @mybiblioescape

Cute and fun! Wish it didn’t have to come to an end. Really enjoyed the main character and her story. Loved how the author seemed to turn LA into a character. Beautifully worded and descriptive . Would strongly recommend this book to any romance lover

Once again Serle wrote a book that makes you FEEL big, huge feelings with a bit of a twist I didn’t see coming in the least. Daphne knows there’s a plan for her. She receives a piece of a paper with a name and time period that signifies how long her relationship lasts. it could be one night, three days, five weeks etc. When she finally receives a paper with just a name she begins to really question everything. I really feel it’s best to go into this one blind. I binged this entire book in one day. I had to find out what happened which is a sign of a great story!

Huge thank you @atria and @netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Expiration Dates" by Rebecca Serle is a touching story about love and fate. Daphne Bell believes in the universe's plan for her love life, guided by slips of paper predicting the length of her relationships. But when she meets Jake, who doesn't come with an expiration date, Daphne's beliefs are put to the test.

Serle crafts a heartfelt tale exploring the uncertainties of love and the struggles of honesty and commitment. As Daphne navigates her feelings for Jake and the secrets she keeps, readers are drawn into a moving journey of self-discovery and romance. With its warm storytelling and relatable themes, "Expiration Dates" is a delightful read for anyone seeking a thoughtful exploration of love's complexities.

Thank you to Netgalley for sharing this ARC with me in exchange for my honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle
Pub Date: 3/19/2024


Okay, this story is super cute and I totally did not expect to like it as much as I did. Expiration Dates follows Daphne, who every time she meets someone new, she receives a piece of paper with the exact amount of time that they will be together or their “Expiration Date.” Until one day, she receives one with no end date. Does this mean he is the one? Or is it something else?


This book is short, can definitely be read in one sitting, but will keep you entertained the entire time. While it definitely is a cute romance story, it is also so much more than that. It deals with big themes that I wasn’t expecting at all. Expiration Dates touches on Chronic Illness, the Passage of Time, Familial Relationships as well as friendships, and so much more.


There were a couple of times where it was very predictable, but it was actually a nice predictability. Like watching your favorite comfort show, it felt nice knowing what was going to happen. There were also 2 moments where I was completely caught off guard, in a good way.


I loved the overall messaging in this story. We are all going to die someday. We don’t know how much time each of us has, so we might as well love hard and live our lives to the fullest even if the unknown is a little scary.


I would definitely recommend this book to everyone. If you want a unique plot, with a little magical realism, and a feel good story, you should pick this one up!


Thank you to Netgalley & Atria books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. 🌸

I have loved every book that Rebecca Serle has written, and Expiration Dates is no exception! I love how she always incorporates a little bit of magic that is not really talked about or even acknowledged, but the reader can see it. The main character, Daphne, periodically receives little pieces of paper that have a name and a number on them. The names are of men she will meet and date, and the dates are how long the relationship will last. Until one day, she receives a piece of paper with the name Jake on it--but no number. Does this mean he's her soul mate? Or does it mean one of them won't last throughout the relationship? Daphne has no idea, but she jumps into it anyway. This story was such a fresh idea, which I feel always seems to happen with Rebecca's books. You never really know what to expect other than you will absolutely love the story by the time you are done. I cannot wait to read whatever she writes next!

Rebecca Serle's novel, "Expiration Dates," provided an enjoyable read with a unique and intriguing premise.

Daphne's dating life takes an unusual turn as she receives a slip of paper with the name of her partner and the duration they will spend together. Each relationship conforms exactly to what's written on the paper, including her three months with Hugo, an ex-boyfriend turned best friend. Daphne anticipates the day when she'll receive a slip without a predetermined time, until Jake enters her life. However, as she gets closer to Jake, she struggles with honesty, concealing things that could shatter his heart.

Initially, I found it challenging to fully engage with Daphne's story. While the premise was unique and intriguing, the first chapters lacked a certain hook for me. The chemistry between Daphne and Hugo was palpable from the start, showcasing a shared history and a maintained friendship. However, the connection between Daphne and Jake felt somewhat lacking, making me lean towards rooting for Daphne to end up with Hugo.

As the story progressed, it picked up momentum and managed to recapture my interest. I grew to appreciate Daphne's emotional internal monologues and empathized with the challenges she faced.

"Expiration Dates" prompts readers to contemplate whether, if the future were known, they would strive to alter fate for a more favorable outcome or succumb to it, living each day with the knowledge of when things will end. The narrative serves as a reminder to cherish the present, emphasizing that life's beauty lies not in the future but in the small moments shared with loved ones. It encourages authenticity, emphasizing that the only limits on what we can achieve are self-imposed.

While Rebecca Serle's writing style might not align perfectly with my preferences, her stories' premises intrigue me. I look forward to exploring more of her works, hoping to discover a growing appreciation for her storytelling techniques.

I gobbled this up!

I love how Serle always adds that little bit of magical realism and whimsy to her stories and I think if you have an imagination you’ll enjoy her books.

Expiration Dates is the perfect escapist or vacation read, it’s quick, pacey and satisfying.

I can see this becoming a summer darling.

I enjoyed this, but it didn’t have quite the same delightful heart as her last book. I can’t quite put my finger on why, but it’s still a great book. There’s a light touch of magical realism, there’s a romance (that you can see coming a mile away), there’s heartache and sadness and humanity. It’s sweet but has depth, and is super charming and fun to read.

“Learning to be broken is learning to be whole.” This one sentence pretty much summarizes what Rebecca Serle tried to get across in Expiration Dates.

Expiration Dates tells the story of Daphne Bell and how she thinks all her relationships are predestined by the universe. What she doesn’t realize is that by counting down time, she is missing out on the best parts of life.

I truly don’t know how I feel about this book.
**Did I like it? Yeah. But I feel like there were SO MANY things left unfinished. Like: how is Murphy? How did the Producer role go? Are the cards a gift or a curse?
**Am I’m glad I finished it? Yes. But I feel like I was in an ADHD fever dream the entire time.
**Did Daphne make the right decision in the end? Not sure…I think that’s still TBD…but she definitely is on the right track. #TeamHugo


I appreciate the opportunity to read this ARC. Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books 📚 3/5⭐️

This is the 3rd book that I have read by Rebecca Serle! She is probably one of my favorite writers of modern times. This book was so emotional and it drew me right in. I feel that it would make a very good movie, so I hope someone options it! I will also be listening to the audiobook read by Julia Whelan (one of my favorite narrators!) when it is released in March! I can't wait for Rebecca's next book. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing access to this book in exchange for my honest review!

My bookstagram is bookreviewsbyjules

Publication Date: March 19th 2024
Review Date January 30, 2024

I want to start by stating that I loved Rebecca Serle “One Italian Summer” so when I got approved to read her newest book I was very excited. The premise sounded very intriguing – a woman receives a note with a relationship “expiration date” every time she starts dating a man. Cute and interesting idea but just not executed to its full potential. I did enjoy reading about Daphne’s previous relationships but I wanted more, each flashback felt very rushed. I liked Jake who was her current boyfriend and I was really rooting for them. Hugo was great as a best friend, but nothing more.
This is a quick, cute magical romance that will keep you occupied on a long flight or by the pool. However, if you enjoyed Rebecca’s previous books you may be just slightly disappointed. 3 solid starts from me.

Thank you NetGalley, Atria Books and the author for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I just love Rebecca Serle. I’m not much for romance but I love how her stories always have something kind of whimsical about them.
Expiration Dates is such a cool and interesting idea for a love story. Daphne is a young woman who has the blessing and curse of knowing the length of her relationship as it begins. The book takes us through how she navigates this strange gift, and the adventures in life and love it takes her on.
I honestly was captivated from the get go. Serle is extremely gifted in character development, and creating people you care about and root for as the reader.
This book was great! Love her so much!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Can a book leave you both happy and sad?? Expiration Dates certainly did for me. I liked how Rebecca Serle tells the story in different time lines, going back and forth with Daphne’s love interests and life experience. Whimsical and romantic is how I’d describe this fateful tale. Thanks to Atria and Netgalley for an advanced copy in return for an honest review.

I have enjoyed every book by Rebecca Serle thus far. I find that they all, including this one, feel light and easy to read while still having depth and great storylines and writing. While this is pitched as her first romance, to me, the real story was about Daphne's development as a person and finding what she truly cared about and wanted for her life.

I really enjoy magical realism, so I’m disappointed I didn’t like this book more. I’d compare EXPIRATION DATES to Nikki Erlick’s The Measure in that there’s this inexplicable “thing” happening, and there’s no real explanation for it. The Measure, however, worked for me (it gave me all the feels) while this one simply didn’t.

I appreciate the premise of EXPIRATION DATES: for every relationship Daphne enters, she receives a note that tells her exactly how long it will last. After years of this, the notes have never been wrong. At the beginning of this book, Daphne is readying herself for a date with a man who is destined, according to this inexplicable ritual, to be her soulmate, since there is no date on the card, just his name: Jake.

Sounds good, but I found the story to be dry. It bounces back and forth in time between Daphne’s blossoming relationship with Jake and a series of her past relationships, which are all doomed to fail, anyway.

In addition, there’s this curveball in the middle of this story that I didn’t care for, and I couldn’t connect with the characters. For this reason, I had a hard time wanting to pick this one up and finish it. I didn’t like Jake OR Hugo and the romances here didn’t give me a single moment of heart fluttering happiness. There were a lot of quirky things happening here (the thing with the Doc Martens?) and I usually love that, but it didn’t work for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an advanced digital copy of EXPIRATION DATES in exchange for my honest opinion.