Book list
From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.

Serle (One Italian Summer, 2022) presents another contemporary tale with a magical twist. Daphne Bell has been receiving mysterious notes since fifth grade. Each note marks the name of a man plus the length of time she will date him. In her thirties now, Daphne knows to expect a piece of paper coming her way after she plans a blind date with Jake. But this time, Daphne’s note doesn’t include a time frame. Could he be the last person she dates? Jake seems perfect; after being widowed, he knows to appreciate every moment with a loved one. Their bond grows quickly. Yet Daphne can’t seem to shake her memories of the other men she was fated to lose, especially Hugo, who’s still her best friend after five years. Her future could be more complicated than she thinks. Serle intertwines Daphne’s reminiscences with her narrative of the present day, painting a thorough portrait of a woman who craves romance and connection. Daphne’s complex backstory and Serle’s compulsively readable prose will attract fans of Jennifer Weiner and Emily Henry.

Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

What would you do if you knew your romantic destiny? When Daphne Bell receives a card that says the word “Jake” and nothing else, she’s pretty sure she’s about to meet the man she will spend the rest of her life with. In many ways Daphne is your average 30-something, with a middling career as a producer’s assistant in Hollywood and a loving family and friends. But Daphne has received a little extra-special gift (mandate?) from the universe: Near the beginning of romantic relationships, she somehow receives a note bearing the name of a man and the exact amount of time they will date. This began in the fifth grade with a postcard saying, “Seth, eight days.” Since Jake’s card lacks a duration, Daphne jumps to the only logical conclusion: He must be “the one.” When Daphne finally meets Jake Green, he turns out to be sweet and sexy and has the delightful quirk of jotting down in a notebook every time he sees someone wearing Doc Martens, so she decides to put her faith in fate and go all in. But, of course, it can’t be so simple. First, Daphne is hiding significant secrets from Jake. And second, there is Hugo (3 months), Daphne’s ex-boyfriend and current best friend. Although Hugo is always dating some woman or other, when he and Jake meet, the awkward encounter makes it clear that not everyone is okay with Daphne and Hugo’s universe-sanctioned breakup. Ultimately, it’s up to Daphne to decide how much she’s willing to risk to take control of her future. Nothing groundbreaking here, but Serle provides an interesting conceit and a healthy dose of wit that readers will appreciate. An entertaining love story with moments of depth. Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Publishers Weekly
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Serle (One Italian Summer) complicates a woman’s lifelong search for love with a hint of the supernatural in this stirring romance. Daphne Bell receives a mysterious note every time she meets a new potential love interest. Each missive has only two things written on it: the name of the person and the exact date their relationship will end. It took her a while to work out the pattern, but now she knows the notes are never wrong. Take Hugo, who lasted three months exactly, just as the note said. Now Hugo is Daphne’s best friend and her only past partner who’s ever known about the notes—but the two have been torn apart by another life-changing secret that Daphne feels she must keep from her paramours. Soon after she enters a relationship with widower Jake, she receives a note with only his name and no date. She hopes this means she’s found “the one”—unless her secret gets in the way again. Serle uses this unique conceit to explore heartbreak, grief, self-love, and the importance of living in the now. Daphne’s sometimes heart-wrenching, often heartwarming search for meaningful relationships, both romantic and platonic, is sure to inspire. Agent: Erin Malone, WME. (Mar.)