This book was heartwarming but it also made me think. I wonder if we knew the expiration date on our relationships and lives if we would approach everything differently? Of course we would. We are better off not knowing so we don’t sabotage things! These characters were well written and the story was easily read in one sitting. It was a sweet love story that I definitely recommend.

3.5⭐️ Another emotional story from author Rebecca Serle that questions “what if”. I love the way Rebecca writes, but for some reason I did feel like the pacing dragged at certain moments, and because of that I never fully connected with the relationships in Daphne’s life.

WHAT TO EXPECT
-magical realism
-emotional story
-thought provoking
-twists

*many thanks to Atria, librofm, and Netgalley for the gifted copy for review

I loved this book. REbecca Serle is a auto purchase author for me. As someone who has dealt with a life altering sickness, the book's premise really hit home.

Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle is a charming and thought-provoking romance. The story follows Daphne, who mysteriously receives the names of people she’ll date and how long each relationship will last. As she tries to figure out if love is about fate or choice, we see her navigate different relationships, always wondering if she can change her destiny. The book has a unique concept and makes you think about love in new ways. A great read for anyone who enjoys romance with a twist!

The Expiration Dates has such a cool concept—imagine if relationships came with an expiration date, like you knew exactly when they’d end. It really makes you think about love, time, and what you’d do differently if you knew how long something would last. There are some sweet, funny, and emotional moments throughout the book that hit just right.

That said, the execution doesn’t quite live up to the idea. Some parts drag a bit, and not all the characters feel fully developed. There are times where the story slows down and loses some of its momentum, but it still kept me curious enough to keep going. Even with a few rough patches, it’s definitely a unique and interesting read that makes you reflect on life and love.

If you like books that mix romance with a bit of “what if?” thinking, this one is worth a shot! It’s not perfect, but it’s still pretty enjoyable.

I thought this story was well written and truly unique. Honestly, I think if I was Daphne and given a timeline for every relationship, I'd say why bother at all if they're going to come to nothing! I loved the relationship between her and her best friend Hugo throughout the book especially since he knows the truth and is so supportive. I didn't like a couple of the twists and how quickly the story ended, but overall I thought it was pretty good.

First, thank you to NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for my honest review.

I've read a few Rebecca Serle books, but this one was missing something. I liked the premise of the novel, receiving a paper with a male name and letting Daphne know how long their relationship will last, but the delivery was off. SOmething was missing from this novel that I have come to expected from Serle based off her previous novels.

It wasn't a bad read, it just very VERY slow paced, and I had a hard time liking Darcy.
This one did keep me as hooked as her others. I think there might have been chemistry lacking between Darcy and the guys she was having relationships with if that makes sense.

I read this one at a snails pace….because life. But honestly? I’m really glad that I was able to savor it. I absolutely love Rebecca Serles writing. It is so beautiful and it always makes me stop and think about life. This story was no exception. I did not know where this book was going to take me and each little twist surprised me.

The dynamics of friendship and relationships that Serle writes feel so relatable. While I was heartbroken reading the demise of Daphne and Jakes relationship, the ending was exactly what I was rooting for. Daphne’s friendship/something more with Hugo always felt like she was holding it at arms length and I’m so glad in the end they were honest and gave it a shot.

I will read anything this woman writes.

Daphne Bell believes the something out there has chosen her destiny for her. When she starts getting interested in a man, she receives a piece of paper with his name and the exact amount of time they will be together. That is, until one day when she receives a slip with a name - but no date. In her heart, Daphne believes that Jake is the one. Will Daphne be able to come clean with him about her own secrets and commit to him wholeheartedly?

Overall, I wanted to like this book. I liked the concept of Expiration Dates but I was not a fan of the main character. Daphne allowed the slips of paper to dictate her life and did not take much ownership of her future. She kept herself at a distance from basically everyone she met, not invested in life outside of the paper. The ending was predictable and brought an average book to a close. I did like the writing style and thought the author was worth a second look, so I will be reading other books by Rebecca Serle in the future.

Disclaimer: I was given an Advanced Readers Copy of Expiration Dates by NetGalley and the publisher. I made the decision to read and review this novel entirely on my own.

Rebecca Serle does it again! The setting she places you in all of her books entraps you from the beginning and this one is no different. I will always read her books and she'll always be one of my favorite authors!

2.5 This one was tough for me while I loved the premise of finding out ahead of time how long the relationship was going to last. I absolutely could not stand the characters in this book Daphne to me seemed clueless and the love interest from the past I could not care less for. I also did not care for one major twist in this book that came from no where. The writing was easy and straightforward so I would definitely pick up more from this author but this book was just not for me. I would like to thank NetGalley and the publishers for a chance to read this book for an honest review.

i usually love rebecca serle, but this one was just everywhere. i like the past and present timeline of them explaining the previous relationships and what happened was great, but the previous relationships not being in order really bothered me. hugo wasn’t her first relationship, but his story started first which bothered me. i understand they are besties now (and back to lovers) but when she is in present day and explaining the papers with the time of that relationship, then we should’ve started at the first time then got to hugo and jacob. it just would’ve made more sense and been a 5star to me.

Expiration Dates was a pretty average read for me. I enjoyed parts, but also felt that some sections of the book dragged on. I specifically liked the second half of the book more than the first half, but I had some trouble connecting with the characters, especially the female main character, Daphne. Overall, this was an easy and light read, perfect for summertime or for reading in between two more serious books, but probably won't be one of my favorite books of the year.

3.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

Daphne has a long dating history. She can track it through her mysterious notes. When she meets a guy, and they hit it off, she gets a note that gives her the guy's name and how long the relationship will last—a sort of expiration date to the relationship. They show up in random places: on her doorstep, with her check at a dinner, and on the front of her car. It always seems accurate, and she can't seem to get away from it.

One night, as she is about to go on a blind date with Jake, she gets a note but no date. Does this mean Jake is the one? The chapters go back and forth between dates with Jake and previous relationships. Are these "expiration dates" holding her back, or can she choose her destiny?

This feels like a good show or quick 90-minute rom-com on Netflix. It's breezy and fun, and it has a couple of twists, one that feels like cheating and one that is cheating, but she really hits the landing in the end.

Favorite Passage:

“No,” I say honestly. Jake and I had lunch yesterday, Kendra is home with her husband, and Hugo is in New York until Friday. This makes me pause. I used to have friends, but now, if it’s not for a wedding, bachelorette party, or birthday, I rarely see anyone. Part of it is that by the time we made it to thirty most of my friends moved away—to New York, San Francisco, Seattle, DC. Wednesday night drinks were replaced with weekly texts. Some of them—most of them—have babies, now. 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.”

I love Rebecca Serle's writing style and Expiration Dates was no different. What an incredible book with both lighthearted and emotional moments. There is so much depth and it really gets you thinking.

Expiration Dates had an intriguing concept, but the characters were a major letdown. They were flat, unlikable, and lacked any sort of growth or depth throughout the story. It was hard to stay invested in a book where every interaction felt forced and unrealistic. Even when the plot picked up, the characters’ poor decisions and shallow personalities made it difficult to care about what happened to them. I kept hoping for a turning point that never came. If character development is important to you, this book will likely leave you frustrated and disappointed.

I enjoyed the magical realism in this book. How would one handle a relationship when already told its expiration date? It was an emotional ride. The cover makes the book seem more light-hearted than it is.

3.5 stars

Daphne has been receiving a slip of paper with a name and time frame on it since high school. For example, if she receives “John, 6 weeks”. She will either meet a man named John and date him for exactly 6 weeks, or end up dating a John she already knows for exactly 6 weeks. She is waiting for the day when there isn’t a time frame listed on the note with a man’s name. She is hoping to find her forever. Finally, the night of a blind date, she receives a note with just a name. Is the paper correct, is this guy Daphne’s forever person?

The premise of this one sounded pretty cool and kind of intrigued me, and there were a few twists in the story that did catch me by surprise. It flips between present day and flashbacks of previous men she’s dated. I loved her friend, Hugo, and her dog. I didn’t really see the chemistry or have any strong feelings toward Jake. While I enjoyed the life lessons she was trying to incorporate, I hated the ending! We never find out who was sending the notes, why she is getting them, or how they are finding her but I guess that’s my own issue with magical realism? While there is some assumption about the ending which was somewhat predictable, it’s kind of open ended.

Thank you Netgalley & Atria Books for this ARC!

Such a pleasant novel. I had a blast reading it and I kept waiting for the big thing! From the moment Hugo and Daph met, I felt their chemistry and was rooting for them. I will not spoil the end, but I was pleased. I really enjoyed the setting (LA) more than anything and learning about LA culture.

I love the way Rebecca Serle weaves magical realism into all of her books! Expiration Dates is no exception. Readers will be immediately invested in Daphe's life and and will question the benefit of the magic that has fallen into her lap. A must-buy for public libraries.