Redamancy: The Act of Loving in Return

by Andrea Castillo

A charming and heartfelt novel about the power of food as the ultimate love language.Lana has had a passion for food and cooking for as long as she can remember.Through learning traditional recipes and techniques at her grandmother’s side throughout her childhood, she desperately seeks to share her gift in a meaningful way. However, she’s currently stuck in a dead-end job in a kitchen where she has to follow someone else’s recipes. Her love life isn’t much better. Lana hasn’t found someone who she has truly connected with.A chance encounter with an old friend gives her the opportunity she has been waiting for. Millionaire bachelor Luke Schienberg needs a personal chef, and Lana jumps at the chance to cook for him. Despite her talent with ingredients and flavours, the food Lana serves Luke continues to be returned to the kitchen untouched, and she wonders if she is cut out for the chef life at all.Little does she know that Luke, though rich and handsome, has lived a life starved of love from his distant parents who only care about his social status. Lana is such a departure from that cold and emotionless existence, that he is immediately attracted to everything she represents. He admits that he can’t give her the life of intimacy and connection that she is looking for, but makes her an offer where they can both benefit from one another’s company. Is Lana willing to give up her dreams of finding that perfect fit in her career and her love life for the lust of a millionaire?

258 pages, Paperback

Published April 10, 2024

Reviews

[Em · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute book! There were some parts I struggled with because everything was in past tense, even if it was presently happening, which made it difficult to decipher past events/memories being described. The story was sweet and made me smile though:)

[Alex Estabrooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

super good!! the end confused me a bit though

[June Savoie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cozy read, read in a day. Love the food references. If the author sees this, thank you for the cinnamon roll 😊

[xiaoyun · Rating 1 out of 5]

I tried SO HARD to give this book a chance (new author!! I have a signed copy!!) but the writing style made it so hard to read and unfortunately I did not finish it.

In the acknowledgements at the beginning of the book, the author states that she wrote the first draft of this book when she was 16. It... Shows. Maybe she isn't very good at English (adjective order is where I got this idea from, it's wrong in a lot of places) or maybe she just didn't revise the draft very much but GOD. The writing is so painful. The descriptions are somehow too long and too simple, the characters talk like encyclopedia-happy robots, and for some reason the tense always changes between paragraphs.

This book is only ~250 pages and it really feels like 100 pages are just unnecessary words.

I'll add some quotes, all from the first 40 pages.

"I applied paint on my canvas. I delicately blended the concealer, carefully applied to the areas of my face that needed extra attention. My eyebrows were filled with black eyeshadow, framing them the best I could after years with no practice. Applying mascara was the next step. I coated my lashes with a layer of mascara: it gave them volume and empathized their length. Lastly, I applied lip-gloss over my lips, providing a subtle look." - Ok. Just say you put some makeup on. Why are you putting black eyeshadow on your eyebrows FMC. Why do you need to remind us what mascara does. Why even bother telling us you applied "lip-gloss" if all it does is "provide a subtle look". You didn't even tell us what color it was. Why.

"Rafael leaned slightly forward, demonstrating thoughtfulness and attentiveness. Although, he appeared to gaze into the distance as if he had an idea in mind." - Dear god just say he leaned forward. Nobody describes anything like this.

"I was tempted by the sweet cocktails that were described in the high-quality paper that had a tactile and luxurious texture." - Author loves to describe things as high quality and luxurious but doesn't explain what that means or why it matters other than that Luxurious Is Good. She's describing a drink menu here. She describes a chair as being comfortable because of it being "upholstered in premium fabric". What is the fabric? Why do we care? Are you only telling us this stuff is Fancy and Expensive so we know this is a millionaire romance book? We get it.

"She sat on the corner of my bed, dressed up in a lace sweetheart floral long sleeve top and a lace middle waist floral maxi skirt." - Less adjectives. Please. Also, maybe this is just me, but I've never heard "middle waist" in a description for a skirt.

""They might invite you to Monaco! I've heard that is an incredible luxurious city on the French Rivera in Western Europe, Sophia added." - Ok first off, Monaco is a country. Also, nobody is describing in detail the whereabouts of a country like this. Either say "southeast of France" or something, not freaking "43° N 7° E". Also also, please stop saying luxurious.

Anyway. Do not recommend this book. There are tons of other books out there with the same cookie cutter millionaire romance plot that are probably better written. So sorry to the author.

[Ma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! I enjoyed the psychology behind it and the thought behind developing these characters' past experiences.
I see myself a bit in the characters I relate to both of them in some ways, and I also see a relation between people I know and the characters (boys with mommy issues lol)
I can see a lot of potential in the story and writing style! I would love to see more detail as to why they are attracted to each other beyond the physical aspects! and maybe more detailed during the physical activity;) when I read a story, I wanna know why they are falling for each other! I really enjoyed seeing the relationship they had with their caretakers growing up and why that has formed the way they love, but the love itself is something I’m looking forward to seein! just an opinion 💕
I’m excited to read a sequel when it comes and to see the growth in these characters.

[Karen Sabrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

if you like opposites attract, forbidden love or fake dating, this is a must read.
i flew through this book! a great novel describing how past experiences and people shape us into what we are today. navigates different ways in which family can affect us and food as a love language.
luke’s character will grow on you as the book advances, as you can really sympathize with him - and lana is great too, she learns how to trust herself and her abilities.

would definitely recommend.

hopefully there’s a second book!!! look forward to reading it!!

[Ana Marcela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is definitely one of my favorite books ever!!! I loved the way this book had me to the edge of my seat in every scene, wanting to know what was going to happen next. I loved how the author put into detail every recipe Lana made and how much she enjoyed cooking them that she even made people have mixed feelings when trying it. I also loved that Lana brought out the best of Luke and how she hugged and took care of his inner child with a different gesture of love every day so he knew he could be appreciated and loved. 👏

[Kathy V · Rating 5 out of 5]

I see myself in this book in all different aspects, from the way I love to the way I live.