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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
This really was such a fun read! I thought the Filipino representation was really neat to read about, especially the food, but also the courting practices! I always enjoy a book with a great family dynamic as well so this one delivered. The authors writing also gave these characters so much personality and pizzazz! I definitely recommend.
Thank you tbrandbeyondtours, union square, and the author!
Thank you tbrandbeyondtours, union square, and the author!
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I have a lot of notes for this one to be honest. But basically, this read like a really rough draft. With none of the big ideas fleshed out then distilled to make a good story.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Easy and fun read that touches on cultural differences and the acceptance of those differences. Very heartwarming read!
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I ate this book up in a day! i loved the mix of traditional to modern dating, characters were relatable and loveable!
Found this at my Barnes & Noble and immediately picked it up. I have been looking for books that had Filipino representation in it and was very excited to see how courtship would be portrayed in this book.
I really loved seeing the Filipino culture shown throughout the book. Not just through the five stages but the food, the honorifics of elders, Simbang Gabi, the parol, karaoke, kamayan; there were so many references that made my Filipina heart happy. In terms of the five stages, I liked balance of tradition and modern love. I was especially curious to see how the harana (The Serenande) would be handled, and I thought it was done well with its modern take. Also, I was glad that Filipino family dynamics were brought up. The struggles of choosing between your loyalty to family and culture versus being selfish and pursuing what makes you happy was something that hit close to home as a first generation Filipino American.
I liked the story of Dalisay and Evan. One thing I think could have been worked on was the pacing of the five stages. Part of me also thinks the Dual POV should be more clear, but it wasn't difficult to figure out. There were clear divisions in the chapters and the change in writing was easy to differentiate the characters. I appreciated how Dalisay wanted to keep her culture as a part of her and didn't want to compromise it because she moved to America. And I loved how Evan wanted to learn about the Filipino culture beyond the five stages to understand Dalisay. Also, he didn't try to get her to change her values. He respected her, her values, and boundaries (AND WE LOVE A MAN WHO RESPECTS A WOMAN). I knew there would be moments where cultural differences became an issue between the two. It was a bit frustrating, but I can understand both sides as a Filipino American. I am not defending Dalisay's miscommunication, but I can understand how her culture plays a factor in how she handles her relationship with Evan. And on the other hand, I can understand how Evan finds some aspects of Filipino filial piety as unfair towards Dalisay. Going beyond that, I loved how Evan didn't give up on Dalisay and still believed that they have a chance. I wish there could have been more on Evan's healing. And the same goes for Dalisay's healing. However, a moment I loved is between Dalisay and her lola towards the end. I felt that was a moment of breaking the cycle of intergenerational trauma, and it helped Dalisay move forward.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading The Five Stages of Courting Dalisay Ramos. Not only was I able to see my culture be represented, but I also got to learn more about it. Maraming Salamat Melissa De La Cruz for writing this!
I really loved seeing the Filipino culture shown throughout the book. Not just through the five stages but the food, the honorifics of elders, Simbang Gabi, the parol, karaoke, kamayan; there were so many references that made my Filipina heart happy. In terms of the five stages, I liked balance of tradition and modern love. I was especially curious to see how the harana (The Serenande) would be handled, and I thought it was done well with its modern take. Also, I was glad that Filipino family dynamics were brought up. The struggles of choosing between your loyalty to family and culture versus being selfish and pursuing what makes you happy was something that hit close to home as a first generation Filipino American.
I liked the story of Dalisay and Evan. One thing I think could have been worked on was the pacing of the five stages. Part of me also thinks the Dual POV should be more clear, but it wasn't difficult to figure out. There were clear divisions in the chapters and the change in writing was easy to differentiate the characters. I appreciated how Dalisay wanted to keep her culture as a part of her and didn't want to compromise it because she moved to America. And I loved how Evan wanted to learn about the Filipino culture beyond the five stages to understand Dalisay. Also, he didn't try to get her to change her values. He respected her, her values, and boundaries (AND WE LOVE A MAN WHO RESPECTS A WOMAN). I knew there would be moments where cultural differences became an issue between the two. It was a bit frustrating, but I can understand both sides as a Filipino American. I am not defending Dalisay's miscommunication, but I can understand how her culture plays a factor in how she handles her relationship with Evan. And on the other hand, I can understand how Evan finds some aspects of Filipino filial piety as unfair towards Dalisay. Going beyond that, I loved how Evan didn't give up on Dalisay and still believed that they have a chance. I wish there could have been more on Evan's healing. And the same goes for Dalisay's healing. However, a moment I loved is between Dalisay and her lola towards the end. I felt that was a moment of breaking the cycle of intergenerational trauma, and it helped Dalisay move forward.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading The Five Stages of Courting Dalisay Ramos. Not only was I able to see my culture be represented, but I also got to learn more about it. Maraming Salamat Melissa De La Cruz for writing this!
Sigh I should of dnf this 3 differnt times but I'm stubborn and keep going. I felt like it was disconnected either the 5 steps should of been 80% of the story. Then the drama but having it be over before the 50% mark then it was fine then back tracked. It just didn't flow for me and I didn't vibe with dalisay. Wasn't my favorite.
Thank you NetGalley for this audio arc in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you NetGalley for this audio arc in exchange for my honest review.
Are my standards for romance too high? I think I expect romances to be more realistic than other people do. So maybe I'm the problem and should just read romance for an escape from reality instead.
I really liked learning about a Filipino tradition through this book and the characters were likable.
I got a little sick of hearing that someone's eyes sparkled. Their eyes sparkled more than they did anything else.
This was cute and sweet but maybe not quite my cup of tea.
I really liked learning about a Filipino tradition through this book and the characters were likable.
I got a little sick of hearing that someone's eyes sparkled. Their eyes sparkled more than they did anything else.
This was cute and sweet but maybe not quite my cup of tea.
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!
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!