Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book! The title and this beautiful cover drew me in and i was excited to read this book! I will be recommending this book to others for readers advisory.

This was book was great to read as someone who is half Filipino. So I understand part of the family aspect of this story. It was cute up until a certain part of the story where I kind of thought it should have ended, but there was a whole lot more that wasn’t needed. Somehow a lot of drama was brought into all of this and I’m sitting here reading and asking why???? But then they tie it all back and it makes sense. Read this for yourself.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers Copy of The Five Stages of Courting Dalisay Ramos by Melissa de la Cruz!

I was excited to receive an arc for this book as I loved some of her YA books. This book however was not what I wanted it to be. I had trouble connecting to the characters and liking them. I wasn't interested in the business they had or their romantic connection. This book was just not for me.

This was so much fun! I love that this story had such an emphasis on traditional, cultural values and that the main character was so family oriented. Although my own culture is different from the main character of this book, those aspects made this story feel incredibly cozy and homey to me. The romance was so sweet and it was adorable to see the love interest be so willing to dive into her culture.

I absolutely adore this book! I loved it so much that I had to buy a physical copy just to read it again!

Evan's deep affection and unwavering devotion to Dalisay are simply heartwarming and beautifully written. There's something so endearing about a man who goes all in for the woman he loves!

This is the ultimate romance—perfect for a beach read, a laid-back escape where you can kick your feet up and just giggle with delight.

This adult story from author De La Cruz is one that I won't soon forget. It was cute and spicy. I loved learning about Filipino Culture and feeling super entertained with the story. The third act break up was ok for this story. Usually it irritates me but this one it kind of really worked for the story. Overall, this one was super cute and fun to read.

I've read other books by Melissa de la Cruz (my faves being the blue bloods and the au pairs) so I was so excited when I was approved for this arc! I was incredibly disappointed that this ended up not being for me. The FMC completely rubbed me the wrong way from the get go and I knew I could never root for her to get with the MMC.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to be an early reader. All thoughts are my own.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

"The Five Stages of Courting Dalisay Ramos" is a heartfelt story that blends romance, culture, and self-discovery. Evan Saatchi, fascinated by his new colleague Dalisay, quickly learns that asking her out isn't as simple as it seems. Coming from the Philippines, Dalisay believes in the traditional Five Stages of courtship, a ritual deeply rooted in her cultural values. Although Evan initially sees it as a challenge, the process draws him closer not only to Dalisay but also to her world, sparking both romantic and cultural growth.
The dynamic between Evan and Dalisay was both sweet and complex, showing how cultural expectations can impact relationships. Evan’s willingness to embrace Dalisay’s traditions despite their differences really stood out, while Dalisay’s passion for her family and values drove the story forward. However, their journey wasn’t without challenges, and the moments of miscommunication felt relatable, as both characters struggled to meet in the middle.
Overall, the novel was a delightful blend of romance and cultural exploration. Through the lens of their relationship, I got to see a portrayal of Filipino traditions, especially the unique stages of courtship, in a modern setting. It’s a great read for anyone looking for a romance with a deeper cultural layer!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review an advanced copy of this novel. I highly enjoyed it and will be recommending it to others.

Really heartwarming romance. I’d say spicy level 3/5! Love how the novel as covers the family dynamics of the MC and how there are different cultural conceptions of dating.

The Five Stages of Courting Dalisay Ramos by Melissa de la Cruz is a slow-paced romance with cultural elements. The premise revolves around Evan trying to win over Dalisay through Filipino courtship traditions. The characters, particularly Dalisay, have good chemistry and represent diverse cultures. However, the writing style and pacing are disjointed and dragging. While some moments are enjoyable, the book struggles to engage the reader. While it might be worth checking out for slower-paced romances with cultural elements, it doesn't quite hit the mark for me.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publishers for this ARC for an honest review.

This was a really fun book! It's sweet, funny, and multicultural.

Evan has a new coworker, Dalisay. She actually got the job he applied for. But she's really a great writer, and he's not too upset. Once he sees her and gets to know her. And he really does try to get to know her, but she's not the least interested. Why? Because she's a traditional girl. She's fresh from Manila. A traditional girl who wants The Five Stages. What's the Five Stages? Oh, just a traditional courtship from the Philippines.

Evan is not Filipino. He's explained how it goes, and honestly, he's not THAT into her. Is he? He's skeptical about the Five Stages. But when a bet is made, he can't help but step up to the challenge.

Soon, Evan is going full in. And the bet becomes more than they expected. The Five Stages draws them closer, and it also draws them closer to each other's world.

But while they're getting closer, there's still the fact that Evan isn't Filipino. And Dalisays family expects something else for her future.

I loved learning about this culture! I'd never heard of the Five Stages before, and it's such a never before tried trope. If you can call it that. Evan and Dalisay both grow so much in this story!

I was immediately hooked when I started reading the book. The characters were enjoyable, and the plot was interesting. But, it became dragging and somewhat repetitive toward the end.

The Five Stages of Courting Dalisay Ramos is a cute and endearing story I’d recommend to those looking for a diverse, semi-spicy rom-com.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the DRC of the book!

Oh how I wanted to love this one. As a child of immigrants and married to a Filipino, I was like yes! But by 20% in I had no desire to root for their future. I stopped reading then.

It was insta love, but not really. Fake dating, but not really.
I don't know what trope(s) this was trying to fit in.

Thank you for the opportunity!

I love when characters feel real! And Evan and Delisay definitely felt real to me. And I loved reading about a different culture and all the food! And who doesn't like a nerdy guy who plays D&D!

I wasn't really a fan of this book. I expected the five stages to take up the entire book but it got done so quickly. I would have love seeing more time spent on each stage. I did like seeing a bit into the Filipino culture. I had high hopes for the book but overall, I was disappointed.

3,5*
the story itself is cute but too predictable and "lovey-dovey", not the thing I usually go to (was expecting a bit more of an "enemies to lovers" kind of thing) and the drama seemed a bit hammered on, not natural.