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winealittlereadalot's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Chronic illness, and Medical trauma
bookaddictang's review against another edition
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical content, Chronic illness, Medical trauma, and Death
While keeping this review as spoiler free as possible -- I am sharing a mild/moderate trigger warning for those that may need it:baraya's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness and Death
thefarmwifereads's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness
caitgiam's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness
meaghanslibrary's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
4.25
Thank you to Simon & Schuster for the free copy for review.
This is the first Rebecca Serle book I’ve read and it definitely won’t be my last. I was in a month long reading slump where I kept DNFing books and this was the first book I was excited to read and finish in a while.
The concept of the book is very fascinating to me and reminds me a bit of “The Measure” in that both books raise the question of if you had the chance to know how your life would turn out would you want to know it?
This book also had some unexpected layers that made reading the chapters go by quickly.
The book got a little cheesy and preachy for me at the end so knocked off some points there.
Overall I really enjoyed this book, it’s a cute read for the beach or the weekend. When I finished I definitely wanted to know more about the main characters’ stories.
This is the first Rebecca Serle book I’ve read and it definitely won’t be my last. I was in a month long reading slump where I kept DNFing books and this was the first book I was excited to read and finish in a while.
The concept of the book is very fascinating to me and reminds me a bit of “The Measure” in that both books raise the question of if you had the chance to know how your life would turn out would you want to know it?
This book also had some unexpected layers that made reading the chapters go by quickly.
The book got a little cheesy and preachy for me at the end so knocked off some points there.
Overall I really enjoyed this book, it’s a cute read for the beach or the weekend. When I finished I definitely wanted to know more about the main characters’ stories.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Cancer, Sexual content, and Terminal illness
freedo8quigly's review
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Damnit, Rebecca. I definitely thought we were going to have an In Five Years situation here. I had been bracing myself for it the entire time so the ending was kind of anticlimactic for me. Obviously she's going to end up with Hugo after she admits she wanted him to be the one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness
cheypreston's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness
kloughlin's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness
Minor: Death and Terminal illness
lololovesthings's review
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
3.5 stars (rounded up).
"Expiration Dates" is the first Rebecca Serle book I have read, and it likely won't be the last. I enjoyed this book, though I did find it to be predictable here and there. I think the idea for this story is fascinating. It requires a lot of suspension of disbelief as this is a book full of magical realism, but that's not an issue for me at all. The crux of the story made me think about the relationships we choose to be in, who we choose to be with, and when we choose to get in or out of them. How would it be different if there was a known "end time"? Would we do anything differently? Live any differently? Love any differently? I was frequently left guessing as to what was going to happen (until I wasn't). I will say, I did not recall the main character's name until about 45-50% into the story, so I'm not sure what that says, but I think it's worth noting. Perhaps it's not as fully fleshed-out as I had hoped it would be? I have to say, I predicted the ending, and I didn't love it. If what happened to Daphne had happened to me in real life, I would be p1ssed off, *not* happy and/or romanced! The regular time jumps confused me a little bit until I got the hang of what was going on. I never really felt myself drawn to Daphne or the guys she dated until her health saga was revealed. Then, I got curious! I did enjoy the writing style. Serle's book is infused with magic and love and pain and heart. I will definitely be reading her back catalog!
Thank you to NetGalley, Rebecca Serle, and Atria Books for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
"Expiration Dates" is the first Rebecca Serle book I have read, and it likely won't be the last. I enjoyed this book, though I did find it to be predictable here and there. I think the idea for this story is fascinating. It requires a lot of suspension of disbelief as this is a book full of magical realism, but that's not an issue for me at all. The crux of the story made me think about the relationships we choose to be in, who we choose to be with, and when we choose to get in or out of them. How would it be different if there was a known "end time"? Would we do anything differently? Live any differently? Love any differently? I was frequently left guessing as to what was going to happen (until I wasn't). I will say, I did not recall the main character's name until about 45-50% into the story, so I'm not sure what that says, but I think it's worth noting. Perhaps it's not as fully fleshed-out as I had hoped it would be? I have to say, I predicted the ending, and I didn't love it. If what happened to Daphne had happened to me in real life, I would be p1ssed off, *not* happy and/or romanced! The regular time jumps confused me a little bit until I got the hang of what was going on. I never really felt myself drawn to Daphne or the guys she dated until her health saga was revealed. Then, I got curious! I did enjoy the writing style. Serle's book is infused with magic and love and pain and heart. I will definitely be reading her back catalog!
Thank you to NetGalley, Rebecca Serle, and Atria Books for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Chronic illness