Two coworkers begin an unlikely bet: if Evan Saatchi can complete the Filipino courtship practice of "the five stages" then he can win a date with Dalisay Ramos. It's insta love for Evan and Dalisay when they first meet at work... until he asks her out and she hard rejects him expecting him to court her through the Five Stages. Evan has never heard of that but Dalisay is a new hire from the Philippines and she does not want to date the American way, she wants the courtship, she wants the fairytale experience her parents had, and despite liking Evan, she wants him to properly court her. Evan can't resist a bet and he definitely would like a date from Dalisay... if only he could figure out the five stages and how to get her to say yes. This started off fun but then kind of fell completely flat for me. I really didn't see the chemistry between Dalisay and Evan, and unfortunately I really did not like either character all that much. The romance just didn't feel there for me and while I do appreciate getting to learn new cultures and traditions and having a cute side cast of characters, when your main characters are actually lacking a good story and real emotional depth, it kind of makes the read a bit lackluster. While this book was a miss for me, if you would like to try reading a book with two individuals from different cultures trying at romance, then I'd say give it a go maybe you'll have a better time with it than I did.

Release Date: July 9,2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Union Square & Co. - A subsidiary of Sterling Publishing | Union Square & Co. for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

It’s difficult to reconcile the fact that this author is the same one that wrote Encanto’s Daughter. Sure, there are some similarities, mostly the Filipino representation, but whereas that one held my interest and kept me glued to it with the adventure and action, this one did not. I enjoyed hearing about the various articles they were working on at the magazine and would love to read a few of them, particularly the one comparing European and Asian cities but the rest of the book reminded me of the variety shows I would see on TV in the Philippines, cheesy and overacted, and besides the wonderful descriptions of the food, I felt, put Filipinos in a bad light. This was not for me.

I was underwhelmed. These characters are in their thiries and act like middle schoolers. Being a half-Filipino I was excited to learn about the 5 stages because this is not something my family partakes in. My disappointment sunk deeper and deeper with how forced it feels to talk about and showcase the Filipino heritage and traditions. This story is also highly based on the region on Luzon, which differs from the more Southern Islands. While I grew up with many of the traditons, I would say I grew up with none of the traditions in the novel. Manila is alot more rigid in their lifestyle and it shows in Dalisay's character. I find her to be uptight and her "maturity" comes off as entitled and immature.

Evan is a redeeming character. He is funny and realistic and "whole-asses" his challenges. Dalisay basically shuits down his honest attempts at the stages and she bullies him thorugh much of the first third of the book.

As for the romance aspects, I see where it is trying to have a crush fall into real love but it feels so surface level, even when they start to open up to one another. The connections and the growth are not there for me and I don't find myself saying "awe this is cute".

Learning about culture is the main idea of The Five Stages of COurting Dalisay Ramos and I think that hit the nail on the head. There is a decent amount of compare and contrast between SEA and US culture as well as generational culture. If you enjoy very niche stories, this is great, it teaches alot with some aspects of a romance.

Thank you to Love Notes PR & Union Square Co. for the free ebook in exchange for my honest review.

eBook and Audiobook duo review!

Dalisay Ramos and Evan Saatchi are co-workers at a travel website, and Evan has been mesmerized by Dalisay from her first day at work. He quickly learns that courting Dalisay is not as easy as simply asking her out for a drink. Moving to the States from the Philippines, Dalisay is a romantic at heart who wants her suitor to complete the Five Stages, or five acts in a courting ritual from the Philippine culture.

Evan was a trooper through all the stages! Even when he was trying to convince himself that it was all an effort to win a bet, there were moments when his romantic intentions really showed through. I thought it was so sweet and thoughtful for him to revisit these when he knew that Dalisay was the one. The passion that Dalisay has for her family, traditions, and culture is evident as it guides the whole story and foundation for her relationship with Evan. I liked her character for most of the book. I was a little taken aback and confused as to her motivations for stepping away from pursuing a relationship. It felt very miscommunication heavy for what was happening.

The family dynamics between Dalisay and her large Filipino family are wonderfully written, and I felt engaged and invested in their stories as well. I love Lola. I learned so much about Filipino culture and practices from this book! I loved reading a well-done romance with multicultural characters and culture.

I loved this story in audio format. The narrator, Amielynn Abellera, adds so much to the story with her accents and passion in her voice. I found myself going back to the audio version because I truly enjoyed the performance, or I would hear Abellera's different accents while I was reading the eBook copy.

Thank you to NetGalley, Union Square & Co., and RBmedia for providing me with an ARC and ALC in exchange for my honest review!

Maria de la Cruz brings a delightful tale about dating rituals across cultures that brings a little bit of uncertainty and a lot of laughter and promise of future for Evan and Dalisay. The Five Stages of Dating Dalisay Ramos shares the beautiful Filipino dating courting culture with Americans like myself who had no idea about these five stages and brought a beautiful appreciation to this story in a unique and fun way! Fun, flirty, and fresh, this is a great summer read!

i rly loved reading abt the cultural dynamics of an interracial relationship especially since being in one myself i was able to relate to a lot of the sentiments shared by the mmc. the five stages of courtship are a representation of dating culture within Filipino families and I think the concept of a non-Filipino love interest going through these stages to win the girl’s heart and her family’s approval is so sweet and demonstrates a special intentionality in displaying love through acts of service.

unfortunately throughout the courting stages of this story, i was not sold on the chemistry between the leads. their attraction was very quickly birthed and stifled again after a misunderstanding on the fmc’s part leads to the mmc getting basically dared to go through the “five stage process” to prove he was worthy of a date with the fmc. he accepts the date but under the premise that he was no longer even interested anymore and just wanted to prove he could succeed so the courting process started off on strange terms.

his journey of efforts made it seem like the interest was all one sided and some of this is due to the moderate distance that must be kept during the courtship but once the fmc started to somewhat reciprocate, the mmc was still put into positions to prove himself worth, apologize and feel less than despite jumping through all those hoops. there was a lot of “telling” the readers the characters were madly in love with each other, but it wasn’t shown so much through the writing.

if you’re looking for a quick read and don’t mind a 3rd act breakup, i’d still recommend as there are some high points:
• Filipino representation
• cute/funny dialogue
• cosplay culture
• fun supporting cast
• mmc has a dachshund 🥹🫶🏻

thanks so much to netgalley, the author and union square & co for the digital arc in exchange for my honest thoughts!

I've been a fan of this author since her "Blue Bloods" series. Her books are always entertaining, and I was thrilled to dive into a story about Filipino courtship traditions. I loved that Dalisay wasn't afraid to stand her ground and preferred the traditional Filipino approach to dating over the more casual American style.

Evan's commitment to completing all five stages of the courtship ritual, despite not knowing Dalisay well, truly impressed me. It spoke to the hopeless romantic in me. However, the realist in me couldn't help but wonder if his motives were genuine, considering his initial goal was just to grab a drink. Could this whole thing be a game to him?

Dalisay's character also presented a bit of a conundrum. While she clearly liked Evan, her hot-and-cold behavior, where she pushed him away and then pulled him back in, became frustrating at times (at least from my perspective, and maybe the cynic in me talking).

I'd like to thank NetGalley and Union Square & Co. for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you Union Square Press for the ARC. I was sooo excited to get this ARC because 1) the cover is so cute 2) the premise is so unique and 3) I'm half-filipina !!! This was the perfect fluffy romance. Good banter and love that she demanded the best.

This was such a cute rom-com! I loved the concept of a proper courtship rather than “hey you want to go for drinks?” It is just extra romantic. Dalisay is from Manila and the culture has “The Five Stages” to court someone. Evan is American and has no idea of this, but Dalisay bets that he can’t do it and so he’s not going to be made a fool right? But as he is going through the steps, he realizes he is putting more intent behind it than if it really was just a bet, and finds that he really does like Dalisay.

And as he goes through the stages, Dalisay is realizing that she really likes him too. After he completes the final stage, the two make it official and actually give their relationship a shot. But then they run into a lot of cultural differences that threaten— and succeed— in tearing them apart. But time apart makes them realize how much they really miss each other and that they were happiest with each other. So Evan does the Five Stages again, but in earnest.

I really loved this book, how it highlights the two different cultures, and how blending them can be just as beautiful. Tradition isn’t always the way; what’s real is loving someone who they are.

Thank you TBR and Beyond Tour for the gifted copy!

3 stars.

"The Five Stages of Courting Dalisay Ramos" by Melissa de la Cruz is, unfortunately, not my favorite book. Let's start with what I liked. First, I loved the Filipino representation. I enjoyed learning about the five stages, the Filipino customs surrounding dating, the immigrant experience Dalisay faces moving to the states after the death of her father, the familial bonds, the food, and seeing the differences between American and Filipino cultures in life, love, and work. There is some funny dialogue and some zany situations between the characters that made me chuckle. Some of the side characters were excellent. I really wanted to like this book more, but the rest of it is a choppy mess. The insta-love between Evan and Dalisay would have been fine if I had felt any spark between them, but I didn't. The first half of the book, Evan has to go through the five stages to prove to her, her family, and her friends that he is serious about her, but he doesn't even know her! He just thought she was cute and proceeds to get swept up in a plot to date her. He hits on her on her very first day with the company, and she assumes that he wants to get married and have kids when all he wants is a drink. It's giving ICK on both ends. I'm not saying he couldn't fall in love with her in the process, but I didn't feel any sort of yearning or pining between the two of them until about 70% into the book. The spicy scenes feel superfluous, added only to appease the TikTok crowd...and this is coming from someone who loves and appreciates a heavy spice level in their books! They didn't add anything to the story, or to Dalisay and Evan's romance. There was still no spark between them, even after they do the deed. The pacing is also atrocious. The beginning feels like it moves too quickly, but the ending is slow as molasses. I think this book could have benefitted from a lot more editing. That being said, I loved Amielynn Abellera's narration. I think she brought these characters to life in a big way. I probably wouldn't recommend this book to everyone, but there is most definitely a set of readers out there who would like this one.

Thank you to NetGalley, Melissa de la Cruz, and Union Square & Co. for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

This one missed the mark for me a little bit. I think it started with some really interesting and sweet potential, but i ended up skimming the last 50 or so pages because i just wasn't invested.

I enjoyed the characters, Dalisay and Evan are really sweet and the side characters were also so lovely! I loved learning so much about a different culture. The 5 Stages was such a fun and unique way to see a couple get to know one another.

Unfortunately, the writing style just wasn't doing it for me. There was a lot that felt really cheesy or out of place. I felt like much of this book fell victim to "show don't tell". We don't really even get to see conversations happen between the couple, it's majority all done through internal dialogue and reflecting back on conversations had off-page. I also felt like there was a lot of depth missing from the relationship. Almost all of Dalisay's thoughts about Evan were about how she wanted to hook up with him which felt really disjointed from her actual personality since she was more modest.

I just couldn't get invested in this story despite the elements I did enjoy.

Thank you, Netgalley, for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

(Review available on Sunday in my other platforms)

First of all, I'd like to paraphrase and redo a couple aspects from the synopsis, because I got some ideas from it that I did not like that much but they happened differently in the book.

Evan Saatchi is deeply curious about his company's new recruit, who has arrived from Manila not long ago. Dalisay not only looks confident and put-together, but she is also beautiful and he cannot resist asking her out. After being turned down, he thought he would not have another chance with her, but then she proposes a bet: pass the five stages of courtship that hopeful suitors perform in the Philippines. Dalisay does not believe he will pass the test and Evan does not want to give up, so they place a bet about it. However, whilst the five stages are in process, they see themselves being drawn to each other and thinking about the other person more than they should.

I want to stress that both parties know and are present when placing the bet, it is not something one of them does behind the other's back and will come back in the third act to break them up. It is a fun challenge that is proposed to see if Evan could pass the five stages; they both believe the bet is not really about their feelings, as what is a stake is a work's project/vacation. (But of course it is also about them and their feelings).

One of the aspects that worried me about the book was the introduction to the five stages; I was afraid it would be presented unseriously or that Dalisay would appear pretentious, but it was a good scene and Evan knew how important it was. Moreover, seeing bits of Filipino culture and the different family and relationship dynamics was fantastic; I knew we would see that aspect but I really appreciate it and liked it.

Evan is a charming man, respectful and attentive, and he was so good to Dalisay. He tried and did his best with her, but I feel like sometimes that was not mutual. We know that Dalisay has had to leave the Philippines, and having to adjust to a new culture and country is not an easy task, yet she sometimes takes her frustration on Evan, who does not deserve it, and without previous notice. There were a couple scenes were Dalisay called Evan out for being too American and not taking her culture into consideration when he has always had her interests at heart and has been very open-minded and considerate; I did not think it was fair.

I have a lot of thoughts on that, because it is really important to maintain one's culture, but it was rather one-sided, Evan had to adapt and be considerate of her beliefs but Dalisay did not. Girl, TALK TO HIM! He is doing his best but if you do not let you know how you feel, how can he know? And try meeting him in the middle sometimes, it takes two to tango.

Again, that was a small part but it bothered me and I had to let it out. I knew only snippets of Filipino culture so I was happy to get to know more, but it was not front and center in the book; this is a romance, it just happens to be about the five stages of Filipino tradition, which is how it should be. If you are not familiar with what the five stages are, do not worry, I also wasn't, but it is made quite clear in the book; you do not need to research for it (I did when finishing the book), if you know about it, that is fine, but it is also fun finding out just as Evan does. JM and Pinky, two of Evan's friends, were a delight and I wish we could have seen more of them.

Overall, it was a sweet, but also a bit spicy later on, romance that incorporated Filipino traditions and centered on family dynamics. Seeing Dalisay interact with her family was a joy. Evan was an amazing male lead; he was such a good person with amazing manners, and I wish he had been more appreciated.

This is such a fascinating book. A romantic story of passing five stages to love someone. Is that a real thing in real life? Might be? Well, let’s set that aside for now. Anyway, let’s continue. The chemistry between Evan and Dalisay is good and sometimes awkward. I like the characters, especially Evan’s friends and Dalisay’s family. I notice one character’s name coming from… well I’m not going to say it hehehe. I get to know a bit about Filipino culture, which is awesome. Overall, I enjoy this book!

I received a free copy in exchanged for review. All opinions are my own. Thank you!

Actual Rating: 3.5⭐

Let’s talk about the good things first, the first half part of the book is very entertaining as Evan enter the five stages of courting a girl from the Philippines. I wasn’t aware of those courting stages so I find the experience really sweet and also funny.

Dalisay and Evan grew up differently and comes from different culture but it didn’t stop them from falling to one another nonetheless, I was rooting for them both right from the beginning!
I love the warm-hearted feeling of Dalisay’s family and how they welcome Evan right in as well.

However, I find the second half of the story a bit weird. I wasn’t really a huge fan of the third break-up scene near the ending, not to mention Dalisay can be very frustrating.
<spoiler> I wish Evan didn’t have to do the five stages again, instead I was hoping Dalisay would do it in return. Evan has done so much but it seems like Dalisay didn’t give the same effort in this story. </spoiler>

Overall, it’s a pretty entertaining and enjoyable read. The courting stages are absolutely fun and I kind wish it was still practiced nowadays!
If you’re looking for a simple slow-burn workplace romance then you might like this one!

The Five Stages of Courting Dalisay Ramos was a sweet, heartwarming rom-com.

When Evan Saatchi falls for his new coworker, Dalisay Ramos, he embarks on “The Five Stages of Courtship.” These stages of courtship are part of Daisy’s Filipino culture. To make the deal even sweeter, Dalisay makes a bet with Evan, promising him a travel opportunity in exchange for completing the tasks successfully. As Dalisay gets to know Evan, she realizes she may have misjudged him.

Melissa de la Cruz has a way of writing that makes it easy to get lost in a story. She develops characters well and her plots move quickly.

I loved the aspects of Filipino culture that de la Cruz explored. The five stages mentioned in the title are based on courtship rituals in Filipino culture. De la Cruz found ways to take the traditions and make them comedic and realistic in ways that felt true to the characters. Some of the rituals explored led to funny and embarrassing moments. These were some of the most fun parts of the book.

It was interesting to see how the characters’ love lives were influenced by their heritage and commitment to their families. While many rom coms put primary focus on the romantic protagonists, de la Cruz included friends and extended family members. This allowed for greater diversity and representation, which was nice to see.

De la Cruz also added some family drama aspects to the narrative. These moments added more sincerity to the characters.

De la Cruz does a great job of giving her characters realistic flaws, so they’re not one-dimensional in service of the plot. These layers made the dynamics between characters more interesting.

As a character, Dalisay could be finicky. As the plot progressed, it was easier to understand her motivations better. At times, it was hard to side with her character because she was being too hard on Evan.

If you’re looking for a sweet rom com that explores culture and family dynamics, then add The Five Stages of Courting Dalisay Ramos to your cart.

Thank you NetGalley and Union Square & Co for an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was such a cute and and heartwarming love story! I really enjoyed the main characters, both in their romance and their family dynamics. I also really enjoyed the subplot with Dalisay’s sister.

Check this one out if you’re looking for something with:

💕 Workplace romance
💕 Making him work for it
💕 Filipino and LGBTQIA+ rep
💕 An absolutely adorable dog

Thank you so much to Union Square and NetGalley for this eARC. All opinions are my own.

This was such a wonderful contemporary romance. I loved learning about Filipino courting traditions. Evan whole-asses the 5 stages and it was so beautiful to watch him gain respect for the traditions that Dalisay love.

I enjoyed watching Dalisay learn that sometimes following your heart is more important than tradition and culture. As her dad always said “Remember where you came from. Remember where you are going.”

They both gained confidence in themself and their relationship. It was a beautiful romance

Arc provided for a free honest review.

Melissa de la Cruz's "The Five Stages of Courting Dalisay Ramos" is a charming exploration of cultural traditions and modern romance, though it sometimes falls short in depth and originality.

The story revolves around Evan Saatchi, who becomes infatuated with his new co-worker, Dalisay Ramos. Fresh from Manila and leading their travel app’s Asia division, Dalisay values tradition and family above all else. When Evan boldly asks her out, he is promptly rejected. Learning from his Filipino friends that Dalisay expects her suitors to undergo the Five Stages of traditional Filipino courtship, Evan skeptically embarks on this unfamiliar journey. His initial doubts—especially about the aspects of servitude and singing—turn into determination when Dalisay bets he won't make it through the stages.

Evan’s attempts to navigate these stages provide both humorous and heartwarming moments, as his earnest efforts to win Dalisay’s heart and prove her wrong transform their interactions into a sizzling, albeit secret, romance. The courtship rituals bring a delightful cultural element to the story, making it an interesting read.

However, while the concept is engaging, the execution sometimes feels predictable. The characters, especially Evan, could have benefited from more depth and development. The portrayal of Filipino traditions, while central to the plot, occasionally felt superficial and could have been explored more richly to add layers to the narrative.

The highlight of the book is the tension between modern love and family expectations. This theme is handled thoughtfully, showing the struggle to balance personal desires with cultural and familial obligations. Dalisay’s character embodies this conflict well, making her a relatable and sympathetic figure.

In conclusion, "The Five Stages of Courting Dalisay Ramos" is an enjoyable read that offers a sweet and sometimes humorous look at love and tradition. While it may not be groundbreaking, it provides a pleasant escape with its unique cultural backdrop and charming romance.

♡𝐀𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐨𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 &| 𝐞𝐀𝐫𝐜 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰♡
3 🌟
-
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 :
•rom-com
•Filipino Tradition
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The premise of this story is what caught my attention. The Filipino's tradition aspect of the five stages, the same courtship ritual that lovers in the Philippines have performed for generation. The pacing was a little weird to me, and I felt like the FMC Dalisay was a little selfish in the beginning. Even though it was a bet between her and Evans. I felt like if she wanted him to go through the five stages, she should have at least tried to get to know him as well. Like whats his favorite color, drink, flowers, etc. She didn't realize she didn't know that stuff until 50% in the book. The romance development throughout the book was good.
The narrator Amielynn Abellera did a good job telling this story! The audiobook is 4🌟.
𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 July.9
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Thank you, Netgalley, RB Media for the (ALC)-audiobook and Union Square for the (eArc)-eBook for my honest review.

I found this to be such an interesting read, especially learning about the five stages of courtship and getting to learn more about the culture. While it may have originally started out as a bet, Evan soon found himself committed to the courtship task. I really loved the gift giving stage and how absolutely savage Dalisay was as she trashed the teddy bear and bit through the balloons to pop them. She was holding nothing back as she completely and thoroughly rejected Evan’s gift. One of the more interesting yet heartbreaking elements was watching the MCs navigate their cultural differences and the level of impact this differences had on their relationship. Fair warning, this does have the dreaded third act breakup, but it does give us the opportunity to experience the five stages a second time leading to the more than worthwhile zoo scene. I combo read this book between ebook and audiobook. I enjoyed both versions. Amielynn Abellera did really well with the narration, and if you’re on the fence trying to decide between the two, I would recommend the audiobook, but there ins’t a wrong choice.