If you’re looking for a story about courting and cultural differences, The Five Stages of Courting Dalisay Ramos is for you. It’s full of choreographed dances and getting to know each other. Keep reading this book review of The Five Stages of Courting Dalisay Ramos for my full thoughts.
Summary
Evan Saatchi can’t keep his eyes off his new co-worker, Dalisay Ramos. Newly arrived from Manila to lead their travel app’s Asia division, nothing matters more to Dalisay than tradition and family. When Evan asks her out, she soundly rejects him for his cheek. Evan learns from his Filipino friends that Dalisay expects more from potential suitors. If he wants a chance with her, he’s going to have to go through the Five Stages, the same courtship ritual that lovers in the Philippines have performed for generations.
At first, Evan is skeptical—what, exactly, does “servitude” entail? And he has to sing?! But when Dalisay bets Evan that he doesn’t have the nerve to make it through the stages, the game is on. As Evan attempts to prove to Dalisay that he can win her heart—and the bet—Dalisay is driven to distraction by Evan’s sexy labors, and soon their “courtship” turns into a sizzling secret. But when modern love and family expectations collide, Dalisay and Evan must find a way to carry a rich history into a shared future.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
The Five Stages of Courting Dalisay Ramos is about respect, traditions, and dating. Seeing both of their POVs is the key to what makes this book so good. With Evan and Dalisay it’s about meeting in the middle. About making it work, being a team when the world has something to say about us. There are scenes of fake courting, real love, and two people wondering if they can surpass these obstacles. I cannot stress it enough, seeing both of their POVs strengthens the depth of their connection, to see both of their opinions.
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To work through our fears, the gut instinct to apologize, to have the happiness resting on us. As someone who would crush these five stages, seeing Ethan, his best efforts, and his heart shine through was precious. In The Five Stages of Courting Dalisay Ramos we witness them working through their limitations and their different upbringings. How there are things we hide form our family, but is that for them? For us? Tradition versus community. Protection versus control. It’s for each of us to figure out where we will stand, what we will speak out for, and how we can fight for our future.
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