Expiration Dates By Rebecca Serle

A Review of
Expiration Dates
By Rebecca Serle
Atria Books
Hardcover; 272 pages

Modern romance charms with just a touch of magical realism

By Shellie Zeigler
Special to the Mississippi Clarion-Ledger

“The paper is blank save for the name: Jake.” And with that first line, we are whisked off our feet into Rebecca Serle’s world. The setting is Los Angeles and our protagonist is Daphne Bell. Daphne Bell isn’t like everyone else—not in the slightest bit.

The universe seems to have a plan for Daphne, and it all started in the fifth grade. One fateful day she received her first note (via a postcard) that simply said, “Seth: five days.” And from that day on, Daphne has always known precisely how long every romance in her life would last. So, dear reader, you can see why Daphne is so bewildered and excited when she receives a note with just the name Jake…no time given. Is Jake finally “the one”?

Outside of her love life, Daphne has a fulfilling life. She works for a powerful female filmmaker, she travels for her job, she has an amazing best friend and a wonderful family, but most importantly, Daphne has a dog named Murphy. Daphne adopted her terrier mix when she was twenty-six. Though technically a dog, Murphy has zero interest in anything canine-related; in fact, he is most likely “a 1940s banker who a witch once cursed to live in a dog’s body.” Now, back to Daphne’s best friend, Hugo. Oddly enough, Hugo’s name was once on a piece of paper. He got three months. And now Daphne and Hugo are best friends (sometimes, things work out for the best).

Throughout the book, the chapters alternate between the past and the present. Daphne’s past romances are described in detail with lessons learned along the way as we also travel along with Daphne on her latest romance with Jake.  Life is complicated, and their romance will be as well, even if it’s written in the stars.

On the surface, this novel might come off as an easy beach read, but there are many layers to it. “Expiration Dates” tackles some tough topics, such as widowhood, heart disease and searching for meaning in one’s life. This is, in a nutshell, a look at the human experience. There isn’t anything fluffy about that. The dry humor that Serle is able to capture in even the most difficult situations makes her novels stand out. I think many readers will especially appreciate the conversations between Daphne and Hugo. Between friendly jabs to each other there is a timeless friendship that only a deep bond can hold.

Serle is best known for her previous novels “In Five Years” and “One Italian Summer.” Both are emotionally powerful stories that involve loss and love. They also involve some sort of time travel and magical realism. But like in “Expiration Dates,” it’s not too “science fictiony.” It’s just a sprinkle. It’s just enough to add a little magic to the everyday story. I applaud Serle for not feeling as if she must explain the science behind her settings any more than just “it is what it is.” As a reader, you just accept it and move on. So maybe Daphne receives messages from the universe telling her the precise timeline of each romance. Big deal! It’s romantic and cool!

Remember to start this novel, like Serle’s others, with an open heart and mind. If you do, you’ll be surprised, delighted and will close the book highly satisfied.

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Shellie Zeigler is a Library Consultant at the Mississippi Library Commission and a frequent reviewer for Booklist.