Expiration Dates

Daphne Bell has spent over two decades living with an extraordinary supernatural gift that feels more like a burden: mysterious slips of paper appear whenever she meets a romantic prospect, revealing exactly how long their relationship will last. These prophetic notes have accurately predicted every romance in her life, from brief three-day affairs to months-long relationships, leaving her perpetually guarded against deeper emotional investment. When she finally receives a paper bearing only a name—Jake—with no expiration date, Daphne must confront whether she can trust in the possibility of lasting love while harboring secrets that could destroy everything.

Julia Whelan's narration transforms this contemporary romance into an intimate, emotionally resonant experience. Her nuanced performance captures Daphne's vulnerability and internal struggles with remarkable sensitivity, making the protagonist's supernatural predicament feel both fantastical and deeply relatable. Whelan expertly modulates her delivery to match the story's shifting tones, from moments of romantic hope to periods of profound uncertainty. The audio format particularly enhances the novel's introspective nature, as Whelan's warm, conversational style draws listeners directly into Daphne's emotional journey, creating the sensation of receiving whispered confidences from a close friend navigating the complexities of modern love.