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A review by beate251
Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Daphne Bell is 33. Since she first started dating she has received small notes that give her the name of the guy and a time frame, like one night, 6 months or 2 years. She takes this as the expiration date of the relationship, doesn't question it at all and keeps to it slavishly, whatever she thinks of the guy. If you think that's self-fulfilling prophecy, I'd agree with you.
One day she receives a note with just the name of the guy and no date. This unbalances her greatly, especially, as we learn way too late, she has some serious medical issues, which she tells hardly anyone about.
I couldn't relate to Daphne at all. She lives in LA and we hear a lot about streets and restaurants there. She also insists in telling us what people are wearing all the time. "He's wearing a white long-sleeved waffle-knit Henley" means absolutely nothing to me. I also didn't understand her not telling anyone about her condition. I have a congenital heart disease and everyone around me knows about it. Why keep secrets from people, especially the ones you're in a relationship with?
Rebecca Serle's books always come with a touch of magical realism which in itself isn't bad, unless someone takes it as gospel and someone else uses it to turn things on their head as happens here. To be honest, I didn't appreciate any of the twists and turns.
The book should be about Daphne's relationship with Jake, the no expiry date guy, but we get too many flashbacks to other relationships she has had including Hugo who is now her best friend, so I never got a sense of anyone. The rest of the time is spent philosophising about love.
Thankfully it's a quick read because this didn't grab me at all. I found Daphne unlikeable and the guys not very memorable. Her parents are fantastic though.
One day she receives a note with just the name of the guy and no date. This unbalances her greatly, especially, as we learn way too late, she has some serious medical issues, which she tells hardly anyone about.
I couldn't relate to Daphne at all. She lives in LA and we hear a lot about streets and restaurants there. She also insists in telling us what people are wearing all the time. "He's wearing a white long-sleeved waffle-knit Henley" means absolutely nothing to me. I also didn't understand her not telling anyone about her condition. I have a congenital heart disease and everyone around me knows about it. Why keep secrets from people, especially the ones you're in a relationship with?
Rebecca Serle's books always come with a touch of magical realism which in itself isn't bad, unless someone takes it as gospel and someone else uses it to turn things on their head as happens here. To be honest, I didn't appreciate any of the twists and turns.
The book should be about Daphne's relationship with Jake, the no expiry date guy, but we get too many flashbacks to other relationships she has had including Hugo who is now her best friend, so I never got a sense of anyone. The rest of the time is spent philosophising about love.
Thankfully it's a quick read because this didn't grab me at all. I found Daphne unlikeable and the guys not very memorable. Her parents are fantastic though.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Gaslighting