Review by greatexpectations77 - Expiration Dates

greatexpectations77 's review for:

Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle

3.75

emotional lighthearted reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I thought that this was a really fascinating concept for a book, but I don't think that the execution was all the way there. This was my first book for the Besties Book Club, and I think it could have had a great discussion because it's really interesting to think about how I would have behaved differently in relationships if I had known the end date in advance. As much as we're told that Daphne is the strong, cool, go-getter type, I was disappointed that she never tried to push back even a SMIDGE on this whole slip of paper thing. For example,

there was the one guy from like college? Who she had a one-night stand with. And then she got a slip of paper that said that their time together was just one night. But what if she texted him? Or he texted her? And they hooked up again? I needed to know that there was more supernatural stuff going on that was making these kinds of communications not possible.

Also, separately,

I was so baffled by why Hugo wrote the note himself. This seems like an absolutely stupid plan?? What did he think was going to happen??

The ending segment of the book

felt kind of abrupt, and I wasn't sold on Hugo by the time that I was supposed to be. Although I didn't find Daphne terribly beloved either.

Also she talks about thinks being hooked and unhooked and being heady a whole bunch of times. Also Jack cups Daphne's elbow, which is horrifying.

Content Warnings