Reviews tagging 'Death'

Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle

19 reviews

cathyo_113's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging emotional hopeful sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

**For me, this is not a romance novel** There’s no HEA, and whether this is an HFN is arguable. I would categorize this as contemporary or women’s fiction with a love story and romance elements. 

I had high hopes for this book because of the use of some elements of magical realism, and while I didn’t like the ending of “In Five Years,” I felt thoughtful about the story itself. In this, Daphne’s life and relationships shaped who she’d become, and how the story unfolded kept me engaged as a reader. But I hated Daphne as the MC at about the 75% mark. I won’t include spoilers, but that’s around when a major plot twist occurs. After, I was left disappointed in Daphne and the remaining story.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

hillgoodharv's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional

4.5


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

bringmybooks's review against another edition

Go to review page

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!)

 
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

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

mandi_lea's review against another edition

Go to review page

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


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

daniellereadslikealot_'s review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Do yourself a favor before you read this one and make sure you have a box of tissues nearby. The synopsis even says this book is heartbreaking and yet, I was surprised when I cried several times so that’s on me. Yes, there is romance in this story, but it’s about so much more. Daphne was such a well written character who I related to so heavily. I loved her wit, her strength and her unabashed desire for true love. The book starts off making you think it’s going to be about a woman who knows how long each relationship she enters will be and yes, there is that, but then the other shoe drops and it surprised the heck out of me in the best way. This is a book about living, not just surviving, believing in good things for yourself and of course, taking a chance on true love. I did think that there were a few things that needed a bit more explanation and the ending was a bit abrupt, but those are my only complaints. I highly recommend this one.
Mini spoiler: nothing bad happens to the dog! 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

anniesbookpicks's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

megwilli's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious sad slow-paced

4.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

bookaddictang's review against another edition

Go to review page

lighthearted reflective 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

3.5

I received this as a NetGalley, thank you Atria books!

From the publisher description:  "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."

I really enjoyed this book so much.  While it was light in the beginning, it did grapple with challenging topics.  What does it mean to be in love? What are you willing to compromise for someone you believe you are meant to spend forever with? 

Told from Daphne's point of view, we jump between present time and past relationships to see how the universe intervenes (or doesn't).  I found this to be more character driven than plot driven and loved it. It was just the right pace with the question of , "will they/won't they" still prickling in the back of my mind.  

While reading, you learn so much about Daphne, and how Daphne learns about herself too, and about how she interacts with those around her, which was refreshing. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

baraya's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted 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

3.75


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

kloughlin's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings