Expiration Dates, Rebecca Serle

Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle is a tender and thought-provoking novel that explores fate, love, and self-discovery through a quietly magical premise.

The story follows Daphne Bell — a woman who, since her early twenties, has been receiving mysterious notes predicting how long each of her romantic relationships will last. The notes are always accurate — whether it’s one day or several years.

Over time, Daphne learns to rely on them, shaping her expectations and decisions around the certainty they offer.

Until one day, she receives a note with no expiration date.

This unexpected disruption forces her to question everything she thought she understood about love — and whether knowing the end of a story is what gives it meaning… or takes it away.

Blending elements of magical realism with emotional depth, Rebecca Serle crafts a story that is less about finding the perfect relationship, and more about understanding the role each connection plays in shaping who we become.

Inspired by her own experiences with love and dating, Serle reflects on the significance of even the briefest relationships:

“I think every relationship — no matter how short — affects the next one in some way. Sometimes a weekend can matter more than two years.”

“Expiration Dates” has been praised for its originality and emotional resonance, offering a gentle reminder that love is not always defined by its duration — but by its impact.