greatness87's review against another edition
3.0
Both of these mains got on my last nerve lol they were the most unlikely pair and all I really found was sexual chemistry. Ehhh good read but not a huge fan of this book.
littlebookterror's review against another edition
fast-paced
3.0
I can see why the banter would appeal to someone but how did that suddenly shift into a romantic relationship?
heabooknerd's review
1.0
While I enjoyed the first book in this series, I didn't like BEING CORDIAL at all. Both the MCs are jerks to each other and I honestly have no idea what they liked about each other outside of the sex. Emilio is arrogant and cocky, which isn't always a bad thing, but he's also rude to Lana from the beginning, calling her an Ice Queen to his friend while standing in front of her, making fun of her structured personality and life, and frequently calling her "bitchy". He says he's a nice guy but I don't see it in the way he treats Lana.
Of course it's not all Emilio that's the problem, Lana is also rude and constantly insulting Emilio, often by accident. She never once has a positive thought about him other than sexually related things; she complains about his clothes, his loud music, him playing basketball with the neighbor, his muscle car, it goes on and on. Also, personal note, I'm on Emilio's side about Lana letting her little dog run around the neighborhood; that's super annoying, put a leash on your dog please.
There was never a moment where I liked the MCs and or even saw a softer side to their interactions. They had so much animosity between them that the first time they had sex it felt very out of place and abrupt. Spontaneous hate sex I would have understood but that's not what it was. Maybe if BEING CORDIAL were longer there would be more time to see their feelings change from dislike to love but it doesn't happen. At the last chapter Emilio has only just gotten Lana to agree to give them a try even though she finds him annoying and the epilogue jumps to 6 months later with them in love, practically living together, and getting engaged. Nothing in the epilogue gives any clues as to how they got there other than great sex.
Of course it's not all Emilio that's the problem, Lana is also rude and constantly insulting Emilio, often by accident. She never once has a positive thought about him other than sexually related things; she complains about his clothes, his loud music, him playing basketball with the neighbor, his muscle car, it goes on and on. Also, personal note, I'm on Emilio's side about Lana letting her little dog run around the neighborhood; that's super annoying, put a leash on your dog please.
There was never a moment where I liked the MCs and or even saw a softer side to their interactions. They had so much animosity between them that the first time they had sex it felt very out of place and abrupt. Spontaneous hate sex I would have understood but that's not what it was. Maybe if BEING CORDIAL were longer there would be more time to see their feelings change from dislike to love but it doesn't happen. At the last chapter Emilio has only just gotten Lana to agree to give them a try even though she finds him annoying and the epilogue jumps to 6 months later with them in love, practically living together, and getting engaged. Nothing in the epilogue gives any clues as to how they got there other than great sex.
daisy_dean's review
5.0
I like novellas and shorter stories, especially one that get to the point fast. The point in this series being sexual attraction--and what to do about it. In this 3rd book in the Desert Rose Hook-ups, we have Lana and Emilio, and as soon as they start having some of each other...? Hot. Hot, hot, hot.
Close proximity, enemies-to-lovers tropes.
Close proximity, enemies-to-lovers tropes.
michellemccrawwriter's review
5.0
Quick and deliciously dirty
A stand-alone follow-up to Being Neighborly and Being Hospitable, Being Cordial is an opposites-attract, sexy short. Low on angst and high on heat, it’s the perfect escape. I loved getting to know Lana and Emilio and look forward to more books by Meka James.
A stand-alone follow-up to Being Neighborly and Being Hospitable, Being Cordial is an opposites-attract, sexy short. Low on angst and high on heat, it’s the perfect escape. I loved getting to know Lana and Emilio and look forward to more books by Meka James.