Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle
For twenty years, each time Daphne Bell meets a new man the universe sends her a sign for how long their relationship is destined to last – Noah, five weeks; Hugo, three months; Tae, two years and two months – but this time, as she heads out for a blind date with Jake, it’s different. His name is there, but the expiration date is missing.
She is both taken aback, but also giddy, because she is convinced this must be the start of her final relationship. The one without end, or at least the one she is going to marry and live out her life with.
Her date with Jake goes well and they have a good connection. He is caring, attentive and a steady presence at all times. However, as their courtship and eventual engagement progress Daphne finds herself feeling unsure and questioning the universe on the lack of timeline it has assigned for Jake.
Through the help of her friends – Hugo, an ex boyfriend turned best friend; Irina, her boss; and Kendra, a previous co-worker – Daphne learns the importance of opening up and sharing the truth, even if it is difficult. She learns that it is up to her to choose her destiny and not to depend on anyone else to decide for her.
I have enjoyed Rebecca Serle’s previous books – IN FIVE YEARS, THE DINNER LIST, ONE ITALIAN SUMMER – and her latest offering is no different. I love that this book feels different than her previous books. I am always impressed at her quiet, calm way of writing a story. The set up is always key and usually there is a missing piece, and this title is no different. The pacing is exact and the character development is a focus. Each relationship Daphne has is meaningful, whether it is her best friend Hugo or her boss Irina. Even Murphy, her dog, has a personality and special connection with Daphne.
One reviewer called this book “a sugary confection.” I think this is the most perfect description – “sweet, light, enjoyable, fun” – all the things I look for in a quick summer read. This one may have gone a little too quickly though, because I did feel like I needed to know more about what happened to Daphne after the book ended. Or maybe that is just because I was curious about her? Either way, I thought it was compulsively readable and a page-turner. Readers will want to grab this one quickly, before summer expires.
Review written by: Jeana Gockley, Joplin Public Library Director
