This was just as cute as I hoped it to be! Loved the Filipino representation in the story, that included the family dynamics and culture.

*many thanks to RB Media and Netgalley for the gifted copy for review

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for proving me with an audio ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
After about 2 months of trying to get back into this book, I am admitting defeat and DNFing at about the 30% mark. I just cannot bring myself to take these characters seriously. I was very excited when the FMC was explaining why she didn't like hook up culture and her rejection of modern western dating norms that result in a lack of meaningful relationship.... until that same character starts making a guy jump through hoops to prove that he "knows her well" and really "loves her" JUST SO THEY CAN GO ON A DATE! That's right- he is supposed to prove all this to her before he has actually ever gone on a date with her. Please I am begging- someone needs to make this make sense. How is he supposed to know and cherish her etc. if they have never gone out even once yet. And HOW is that better than what she was saying about hookup culture being shallow and baseless. I really tried not to judge too harshly because I understand that this is based on a culture that I am not very knowledgeable of but because of that I decided to do some research because I wanted to know how accurate what was being described in the book was. Well, turns out, at least according to a very quick and not at all thorough google search and from skimming the Wikipedia page on the Five Stages of courting, yes the five stages are a real thing and yes the gift and dance are all real HOWEVER the way that they are described in the book, and mostly specifically, the idea that these stages are a barrier to entry for going on a first date, does NOT seem to be real.
I should say, I had no issues with the "first stage" and the way it was presented in the book was fine. I actually really liked the character interactions that we got to have because of it.
Another issue that I had with this book that made it very infuriating to read was the two main characters and their inner thoughts. These people are just plain annoying and the insta lust was super weird against the backdrop of this five stages challenge.
1.5 starts rounded up because I think this could have been a spring board for a really good story about what it means to get to know someone and build a meaningful, lasting, strong relationship and I would love to see the author fully embrace (the way her FMC claims to) that even if that is against the norm in modern day romance writing.

For some reason this one didn't fully click for me. I had a hard time connecting with Dalisay. She was okay with the public humiliation of Evan. I also could never imagine a good faith gesture scenario where you throw gifts away - set those suckers on a table with a free label. I did like the Filipino culture details throughout. I also really liked members of Dalisay's family. The narration was fine - nothing worth mentioning either way. This book is fine; it's not my favorite.

Thank you to NetGalley, Melissa de la Cruz, and RB Media for this audiobook ARC.

This was just okay for me. I liked the idea, but right from the start I found myself not really invested in either main character. The premise of betting to do the five stages of courting felt like a stretch that seemed to rely heavily on the MMC just really liking bets (this doesn’t really ever come up again) and swapping work trips (which does not seem like it would be allowed in reality). I did enjoy learning more about the traditional stages of courting for Filipino culture, but again I really didn’t care for either main character. They seemed to have their backstories and baggage but these weren’t really elaborated on as much. Some of the side plots felt more important or interesting than the main story at times. My biggest red flag came towards the end, where the lesbian couple has an incredibly rushed relationship/engagement/wedding. This really irked me with the unnecessary stereotype, when the rest of the time I really enjoyed the representation and storyline for the couple. Overall I really didn’t dislike reading it, it just didn’t do much for me. The narration was good, but random characters spoke so slowly. I think the intent was that it was non-native English speakers speaking in English but it wasn’t really consistent throughout. I received an audiobook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

What a charming story about love and cultural identity. It follows the protagonist's quest to win Dalisay's heart, exploring themes of tradition and modern romance. De la Cruz's engaging writing brings the characters to life, making it a delightful read!

Melissa de la Cruz’s *The Five Stages of Courting Dalisay Ramos* is a lighthearted exploration of cultural traditions, modern romance, and the lengths one will go to win over a potential partner. With its charming premise of a man navigating a traditional Filipino courtship ritual to win the heart of a spirited and principled woman, the story offers both humor and heart.

Evan Saatchi is an earnest, if occasionally clueless, protagonist whose determination to win over his co-worker, Dalisay Ramos, drives much of the narrative’s humor and charm. Dalisay, with her focus on family and tradition, is a compelling foil to Evan’s modern, freewheeling approach to romance. Their dynamic sparks with moments of genuine chemistry, especially as Evan’s efforts to navigate the Five Stages—from servitude to serenading—showcase his growth and willingness to adapt.

The incorporation of Filipino courtship traditions is the novel’s standout feature, providing a unique cultural lens that enriches the story. De la Cruz does a commendable job of weaving these customs into the romantic arc, shedding light on their significance while also allowing for playful, modern twists.

However, the novel struggles with pacing and depth. While the concept is engaging, the execution often feels rushed, leaving little room for the characters’ emotional arcs to fully develop. Dalisay’s internal conflict between her family’s expectations and her growing feelings for Evan is an interesting thread but remains underexplored. Similarly, Evan’s transformation from skeptical suitor to genuine partner could have been more nuanced to elevate the story’s emotional stakes.

The ending, while sweet, leans into predictability, resolving conflicts too quickly and neatly. Readers looking for more complexity or deeper emotional resonance may find themselves wanting more.

*The Five Stages of Courting Dalisay Ramos* is a fun and culturally rich romance that offers a fresh perspective on courtship and love. While it doesn’t fully realize the depth of its premise, its unique charm and humor make it an enjoyable read for fans of romantic comedies with a cultural twist.

My first audiobook arc, and it was very precious.

I really love a romance where our main characters are very sex positive and handled maturely.

With such lovable characters, and learning more about Filipino culture, I really enjoyed this cute romcom and I will keep my eye out for more Melissa De La Cruz.

One of my favorite things about reading is the ability to immerse myself in other cultures--and any book that includes a bunch of aunties and a big extended community is going to capture my heart. The Five Stages of Courting Dalisay Ramos did just that. The narration was so engaging and the characters had me invested from page one. I am excited to dive into past work of Melissa de la Cruz and look forward to what comes next!

This was a very lovely audiobook. I enjoyed it thoroughly and would recommend it to anyone who is interested in a RomCOm but also the courtship in the Philippines.
Very sweet, informative and wholesome.
But some parts of the book felt a bit dragged out, yet I very much enjoyed it.

I really give this book a 3.5. I enjoyed this story because the MMC was willing to learn about a different culture in the process of getting the FMC. I love a MMC that puts in effort and he did throughout the book. I tried to listen using the net galley app but had a difficult time getting thru because it would repeated go back to previous chapters but finally able to complete the story.

This book just wasn't for me. I have loved all of Melissa de la Cruz's other books. I thought this book was going to be another banger from her. but it just wasn't for me. I will forever read her books though.

Thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia for the ALC of The Five Stages of Courting Dalisay Ramos!

I felt that this one was a bit uneven. I was shocked that they were through the Five Stages before the halfway point of the book so then the third act breakup was just looming over the story. Evan was a bit unlikeable before he and Dalisay got together but once they were a couple he lost any tinge of a personality. Dalisay's personality was uneven. She seems like an assertive woman when she turns Evan down but then she becomes so meek once they get together. I was surprised that the story turned around by the end but getting through it was a bit of a slog.

A super quick YA romance novel that offers an interesting introduction to Filipino dating culture. It’s a cute and age-appropriate read for the young adult audience. Thanks NetGalley for the ARC

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.

audiobook specific: I wasn't a huge fan of the narration. It felt very slow.

A nice quick one! If you like YA romance then this may be your thing, it’s got love, challenges, and an interesting looking into Filipino dating culture!

The books didn’t fully land the mark with me, I will be honest I almost dnf’d, the story was cute and I liked the chemistry between the MC’s but I just kept turning to other things instead of finishing this, but I pushed through and ended up enjoying the story but not my favorite! 3.5 ⭐️’s

Thank you to the Author Melissa De La Cruz for writing this, and to the Narrator Amielynn Abellera as well, I appreciate you sharing it with me!

Big Thank you as well to RB Media and NetGalley for my no cost audiobook copy of “The Five Stages of Courting Dalisay Ramos”.

I received this advance review copy at no personal cost and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The story was well done. The Filipino stages of courtship was an entertaining premise. I liked how the story came full circle (sorry if this is vague, I’m trying to remain spoiler free). It was so cute and just made for an adorable love story.

So, I guess my thoughts on this one can be summed up with an "it's complicated". While I really enjoyed the overall story, it just kind of felt, blah. I definitely didn't hate it, but it was super predictable and had kind of a YA vibe. It was super simple, easy read and it was a feel-good, light story. If you're looking for something to listen to or read that you really don't have to invest yourself into, this is a great book. I do love a happy ending and this book definitely supplies that - so, while it didn't wow me, it did click a few boxes.

The audio narration was great, it was a super easy listen and it definitely added to the enjoyment factor. It helped my cleaning project go faster, and that's always a win.

A delightful love story, full of passion, joy, and learning. The characters are relatable and the plot is realistic. We all want to be wooed like Dalisay Ramos.

This book is a blessing for people in their thirties still seeking for a soulmate. It displays how everything doesn’t have to be perfect to be good. Love the writing style, the flow of the book and boy oh boy the heatttt!! Phhewww.

It was my first book from this author and loved how the soft story encompassed family, friendship, love, heartbreak portraying it all beautifully.

Highly recommend and thank you once again for the audiobook.

The Five Stages of Courting Dalisay Ramos by Melissa de la Cruz didn't quite hit the mark for me. On one hand, I was really intrigued by the whole premise of Evan trying to win over Dalisay by going through these Filipino courtship traditions. But on the other hand, there were some aspects of the book that just didn't quite work for me.

Let's start with the positives. I actually thought the characters had some good chemistry, especially Dalisay. She's got this sweet, quirky vibe that made her really endearing to me as a reader. Plus, I loved seeing the diversity in the book – it's always cool to see different cultures represented in stories, you know?

But here's where things get a little dicey. The writing style just didn't click with me. It felt kinda choppy and disjointed, which made it hard for me to really get sucked into the story. And the pacing? Yeah, it was definitely off. I felt like things were dragging at times, which made it tough for me to stay engaged.

Now, don't get me wrong, there were definitely some moments that I enjoyed. I found myself cheering Dalisay on from the sidelines, hoping she'd find her happily ever after. And I appreciated the way the book explored themes of tradition and family expectations.

But overall, I found The Five Stages of Courting Dalisay Ramos to be a bit of a struggle to get through. It might still be worth checking out if you're into slower-paced romances with cultural elements, but for me, it just didn't quite hit the mark.