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bringmybooks's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
✨Bring✨ | Borrow | Bypass
Thank you to Edelweiss, Atria Books, & Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to read and review this book before it's publication date! This in no way affected my review, opinions are my own.
Review: Rebecca Serle's books seem to be finding a particularly formulaic groove, but I don't know that I mind it too much - it's predictable in it's way, but it works so well for her that it's not a problem. As in her previous books, I genuinely loved these characters and enjoyed watching the back and forth between them (as well as really enjoying the now and then of the storytelling, and getting to see each of her relationships since the letters started arriving).
There were a couple of quibbles I had with some parts at the end, and that's where it kind of lost me on the enjoyment, plot, and pacing factors - but overall it is definitely recommended (and with a "Bring" rather than "Borrow" because her covers are just too good!)
Thank you to Edelweiss, Atria Books, & Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to read and review this book before it's publication date! This in no way affected my review, opinions are my own.
Review: Rebecca Serle's books seem to be finding a particularly formulaic groove, but I don't know that I mind it too much - it's predictable in it's way, but it works so well for her that it's not a problem. As in her previous books, I genuinely loved these characters and enjoyed watching the back and forth between them (as well as really enjoying the now and then of the storytelling, and getting to see each of her relationships since the letters started arriving).
There were a couple of quibbles I had with some parts at the end, and that's where it kind of lost me on the enjoyment, plot, and pacing factors - but overall it is definitely recommended (and with a "Bring" rather than "Borrow" because her covers are just too good!)
Overall Rating: ★★★★ / 3.88
Rating each element of the book out of 5★
Characters ★★★★
Atmosphere ★★★
Writing ★★★★
Plot ★★★
Intrigue ★★★★
Logic ★★★★
Enjoyment ★★★
Pacing ★★★
Dialogue ★★★★
★ did not like / ★★ it was okay / ★★★ liked it / ★★★★ really liked it / ★★★★★ loved it
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Terminal illness, Chronic illness, Infertility, Grief, Medical trauma, and Death
mollywill's review
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Infertility
cassiealexandra's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.25
There is so much about this that I truly enjoyed and liked–the magical realism, the ideas about fate and choice, the exploration of illness and how it affects one’s life. The relationships were interesting. I especially liked seeing Daphne with her friends and with her parents. Some very heartfelt moments with her dad toward the end got me teary. I liked seeing Daphne’s past with different men who all had an “expiration date” and how each of those relationships and encounters contributed to her life, most of all Hugo. At first, I wasn’t sure what would happen with Hugo still in her life as her best friend. Over time I started predicting the ending even as Daphne commits more and more to her new love interest, Jake, the infamous note with no end date. There were still a few twists this book had up its sleeve though, and I was surprised a time or two. I thought the ending was well-done and appreciated just a bit of ambiguity there.
I did struggle in a few areas. 1. I wouldn’t call this a dual timeline, but we do get flashbacks into Daphne’s earlier relationships. Most of the time I thought this worked and it didn’t become frustrating the same way this often does for me. However, it was a point of confusion a couple of times and I think it would have benefited from a simple heading at the start of a chapter; this is present in some but not all chapters. 2. The nods to Los Angeles streets, restaurants, and neighborhoods were probably completely accessible to natives. For someone who has spent very little time there it was hard to appreciate it fully. The quantity of references made it feel like LA was an extra character in this book. I sometimes love this (city as character and a real sense of “place”), but here it didn't work well for me. A counterpoint to this is that I did love the way she inserted Jewish culture and references without overexplaining; I can see how someone unfamiliar may have found this just as jarring as my reaction to LA. 3. Don’t get me wrong. This rates above 4 stars for me. But if I wanted to be harsh or judge it only by my complaints my 1 star review would be, “25% of this book is just describing what people are wearing and I stand by that statement.” It’s a good thing that so many quotable and heartfelt moments happen in the final 30% of the novel.
The bottom line: Overall, I greatly enjoyed this. I had a few issues with writing style and structure, but I was able to look past them to see the heart of the book.
— NOTES —
Genres: contemporary fiction, romance
POV: first-person, singular
Content: past death of loved one, illness
Romance: several vague open-door scenes, not descriptive
— MY RATING CONSIDERATIONS —
(all out of 5)
Pace: 5
Enjoyment: 4.5
Craft: 3.5
Gut: 4
Total: 4.25
I did struggle in a few areas. 1. I wouldn’t call this a dual timeline, but we do get flashbacks into Daphne’s earlier relationships. Most of the time I thought this worked and it didn’t become frustrating the same way this often does for me. However, it was a point of confusion a couple of times and I think it would have benefited from a simple heading at the start of a chapter; this is present in some but not all chapters. 2. The nods to Los Angeles streets, restaurants, and neighborhoods were probably completely accessible to natives. For someone who has spent very little time there it was hard to appreciate it fully. The quantity of references made it feel like LA was an extra character in this book. I sometimes love this (city as character and a real sense of “place”), but here it didn't work well for me. A counterpoint to this is that I did love the way she inserted Jewish culture and references without overexplaining; I can see how someone unfamiliar may have found this just as jarring as my reaction to LA. 3. Don’t get me wrong. This rates above 4 stars for me. But if I wanted to be harsh or judge it only by my complaints my 1 star review would be, “25% of this book is just describing what people are wearing and I stand by that statement.” It’s a good thing that so many quotable and heartfelt moments happen in the final 30% of the novel.
The bottom line: Overall, I greatly enjoyed this. I had a few issues with writing style and structure, but I was able to look past them to see the heart of the book.
— NOTES —
Genres: contemporary fiction, romance
POV: first-person, singular
Content: past death of loved one, illness
Romance: several vague open-door scenes, not descriptive
— MY RATING CONSIDERATIONS —
(all out of 5)
Pace: 5
Enjoyment: 4.5
Craft: 3.5
Gut: 4
Total: 4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief and Chronic illness
mandi_lea's review
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Alcohol, Grief, Terminal illness, Chronic illness, Death, Medical content, and Sexual content
niquee3317's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Grief, Infertility, and Medical content
mandareads222's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness
Moderate: Alcohol, Medical content, and Grief
Minor: Pregnancy
boyname's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Chronic illness, Death, and Medical trauma
Minor: Grief
kelly_e's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Title: Expiration Dates
Author: Rebecca Serle
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Rating: 4.50
Pub Date: March 19, 2024
T H R E E • W O R D S
Original • Lighthearted • Reflective
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Daphne Bell believes the universe has a plan for her. Every time she 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. The papers told her she’d spend three days with Martin in Paris; five weeks with Noah in San Francisco; and three months with Hugo, her ex-boyfriend turned best friend. Daphne has been receiving the numbered papers for over twenty years, always wondering when there might be one without an expiration. 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.
💭 T H O U G H T S
I was first introduced to Serle's writing with In Five Years and I have been a fan ever since. Therefore, it will come as no surprise Expiration Dates was one of my most anticipated 2024 releases. I avoided reading too much about it and seeing too many reviews ahead of time because I really wanted to create my own opinion and it did not disappoint!
It definitely did not have the emotional depth I've come to expect from this author, yet I love how she uses small elements of magic to create realistic and relatable stories. For me, these aspects don't need explaining rather they are simply a part of what makes the story so special. Despite being able to figure out several plot points early on, it didn't impact my reading experience as I was already committed to the ride.
The structure is interesting and it may be a point of contention among readers. But for me, it just worked. There are glimpses into each of Daphne's past romantic relationships, each offered at the appropriate moment in the narrative, as opposed to in linear order. The writing is straightforward and doesn't get bogged down with excessive detail. Yes, there are a lot of LA locations that don't matter in the grand scheme of things, but the author has said this is her love letter to the area and I appreciated getting a little tour of some of the places I suspect mean something to her.
The thing I love most about Serle's writing is that the story may be simple, they offer great opportunity for reflection, and this one is no different. It shows the reader that life doesn't always go how we expect, but that doesn't mean it's not worth living. As someone who has dealt with life altering change, it reminded me that pain and joy can coexist. Additionally, I really liked how it focuses on the fact that there is no one size fits all for relationships and that not everything is tied up nicely with a bow, yet each one has value in creating the whole picture of one person's life.
Overall, Expiration Dates was the perfectly enjoyable and light hearted story that I desperately needed during what has been a chaotic reading month. It likely isn't as memorable as her other books, yet still had be sitting in reflection when I finished. Rebecca Serle will continue to be an auto-buy author for me and I will be eagerly awaiting news on what she is working on next.
📚 R E A D • I F • Y O U • L I K E
• magic without explanation
• Rebecca Serle
• LA vibes
⚠️ CW: medical content, medical trauma, terminal illness, chronic illness, death, partner death, grief, terminal illness, cancer, cursing, sexual content, alcohol, infertility, infidelity
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"'Depth,' he says. 'The opposite of casual is deep.'"
"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."
"No one's time is promised. Not yours. Not mine. Not Jake's. It's just the way it is. We are all dying. Every day. And at some point it becomes a choice. Which one are you going to do today? Are you living or are you dying?"
"I thought if I had all the answers, if I was always one step ahead, if I knew my hand, then I'd never lose. But being surprised by life isn't losing, it's living. It's messy and uncomfortable and complicated and beautiful. It's life, all of it. The only way to get it wrong is to refuse to play."
"I am all at once bowled over by the reality that there are still new stories to tell. That not everything is known or explored. That there are great and wonderous thing ahead. That nothing is promised and yet, and yet..."
Author: Rebecca Serle
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Rating: 4.50
Pub Date: March 19, 2024
T H R E E • W O R D S
Original • Lighthearted • Reflective
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Daphne Bell believes the universe has a plan for her. Every time she 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. The papers told her she’d spend three days with Martin in Paris; five weeks with Noah in San Francisco; and three months with Hugo, her ex-boyfriend turned best friend. Daphne has been receiving the numbered papers for over twenty years, always wondering when there might be one without an expiration. 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.
💭 T H O U G H T S
I was first introduced to Serle's writing with In Five Years and I have been a fan ever since. Therefore, it will come as no surprise Expiration Dates was one of my most anticipated 2024 releases. I avoided reading too much about it and seeing too many reviews ahead of time because I really wanted to create my own opinion and it did not disappoint!
It definitely did not have the emotional depth I've come to expect from this author, yet I love how she uses small elements of magic to create realistic and relatable stories. For me, these aspects don't need explaining rather they are simply a part of what makes the story so special. Despite being able to figure out several plot points early on, it didn't impact my reading experience as I was already committed to the ride.
The structure is interesting and it may be a point of contention among readers. But for me, it just worked. There are glimpses into each of Daphne's past romantic relationships, each offered at the appropriate moment in the narrative, as opposed to in linear order. The writing is straightforward and doesn't get bogged down with excessive detail. Yes, there are a lot of LA locations that don't matter in the grand scheme of things, but the author has said this is her love letter to the area and I appreciated getting a little tour of some of the places I suspect mean something to her.
The thing I love most about Serle's writing is that the story may be simple, they offer great opportunity for reflection, and this one is no different. It shows the reader that life doesn't always go how we expect, but that doesn't mean it's not worth living. As someone who has dealt with life altering change, it reminded me that pain and joy can coexist. Additionally, I really liked how it focuses on the fact that there is no one size fits all for relationships and that not everything is tied up nicely with a bow, yet each one has value in creating the whole picture of one person's life.
Overall, Expiration Dates was the perfectly enjoyable and light hearted story that I desperately needed during what has been a chaotic reading month. It likely isn't as memorable as her other books, yet still had be sitting in reflection when I finished. Rebecca Serle will continue to be an auto-buy author for me and I will be eagerly awaiting news on what she is working on next.
📚 R E A D • I F • Y O U • L I K E
• magic without explanation
• Rebecca Serle
• LA vibes
⚠️ CW: medical content, medical trauma, terminal illness, chronic illness, death, partner death, grief, terminal illness, cancer, cursing, sexual content, alcohol, infertility, infidelity
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"'Depth,' he says. 'The opposite of casual is deep.'"
"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."
"No one's time is promised. Not yours. Not mine. Not Jake's. It's just the way it is. We are all dying. Every day. And at some point it becomes a choice. Which one are you going to do today? Are you living or are you dying?"
"I thought if I had all the answers, if I was always one step ahead, if I knew my hand, then I'd never lose. But being surprised by life isn't losing, it's living. It's messy and uncomfortable and complicated and beautiful. It's life, all of it. The only way to get it wrong is to refuse to play."
"I am all at once bowled over by the reality that there are still new stories to tell. That not everything is known or explored. That there are great and wonderous thing ahead. That nothing is promised and yet, and yet..."
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical trauma, Medical content, Terminal illness, and Chronic illness
Minor: Cancer, Infidelity, Sexual content, Grief, Infertility, Cursing, Death, and Alcohol
partner deathdevynreadsnovels's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Chronic illness, Death, Medical content, Grief, Cursing, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Infertility, and Medical trauma
theinstabookworm's review
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
2.0
The cover for this book is beautiful. I loved Daphne as a character, as well as Jake, and I loved them together. The premise was intriguing. However, the story felt unfinished in several ways. The chapters flipped back and forth between the present and each of Daphne's previous relationships, but we don't find out why or what purpose that serves. I hated Hugo - he was bitter and jealous. I thought the first big twist was an intriguing one, but I hated the second one, and I wish the outcome was different. Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books, and Simon & Schuster Canada for the e-ARC of EXPIRATION DATES by Rebecca Serle in exchange for my review. This novel will be released on Mar. 19th.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Grief