Overview
A sweet and spicy multicultural romantic comedy that that blends the rich tapestry of Filipino courtship rituals with the modern complexities of love, family, and cultural expectations, written by #1 New York Times bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz.
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 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.
Featuring a memorable cast of characters navigating the intersection of cultural traditions, workplace dynamics, and the magic of true love, this heart-warming Asian American romance is perfect for fans of Kevin Kwan books, Red String Theory, and other voicey Asian American authors. Melissa de la Cruz thoughtfully explores the push and pull of contemporary desires and deep-rooted familial expectations, all set against the backdrop of a will-they-won’t-they workplace romance that will leave readers swooning.
Review
Dalisay and Evan have recently started working together. When Evan asked her out, it was a definite no from Dalisay. She is very traditional in her Filipino heritage. She expects Evan to go through the five stages of courting.
This book was a bit of a hit and miss for me. There were places that I felt Dalisay was a bit mean to Evan. But, maybe it was just me. I did enjoy their banter. And when he did the boy band number…that had me giggling!
However, even though the courting started out as a joke, I felt the relationship was more one-sided. Evan cared more than Dalisay in my opinion.
The narrator, Amielynn Abellera, did a pretty good job, especially with the accents!
Need a cute romance…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.
I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.
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