This uses the romance and ghost aspect perfectly, it had that element that I was looking for and enjoyed the overall feel of this. It had that concept that worked overall and enjoyed the humor in this. The characters had that feel that I wanted and was glad I got to read this. Daria Lavelle wrote this perfectly and can’t wait to read more from them.

Even as a child, I was obsessed with books that show pictured pictures of food or that described food. This book combines that with ghosts so what's not to love. It is hard not to be rooting for Konstantin throughout this story because his childhood pain is so real and raw and permeates throughout his life. Every decision he makes is because of it. This is a beautiful and haunting story.

Ok, after a good night sleep, I can tell how I feel about this book.

I don't think I've ever read a book that had me feeling so many emotions AT ONE TIME.
There were times I was crying with tears rolling down my face. and once again towards the end, I was sobbing so hard, I was afraid my husband would see me and ask if i was okay lo.

amazing story omg. THIS WILL BE THE BEST BOOK OF 2025 JUST WATCH OUT!!!!
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This was different but intriguing! Had a good time with this one. Daria writes about grief in a meaningful, painful, and beautiful way. It was not my absolute favorite of the year, but it was good! The beginning was quite slow, but the rest did make up for it.

Struggling with rating this one - I found the first quarter of so of this book very compelling. Konstantin is a loser -- drifting through life, feeling impermanent, and shackled to grief. He has never processed the death of his father, and feels a bone-deep sense of abandonment from both that loss and from his mother's reaction to it. He can also "taste" ghosts.

Where the book really kicks off, and for me, collapses is when he meets Maura. A violet-haired goth girl with a snarky attitude, working at an artsy nightclub as a psychic. (yeah I know) Maura, the book's love interest and driving force for Konstantin, has a paper thin characterization and more "MPDG" tropes than you can shake a stick at.

I enjoyed the vivid descriptions of food, and the obvious passion the author has for the topic -- I feel like romance readers will enjoy this more than I did. I just felt that I was told there was a lot of chemistry between these two characters and never felt it was shown. This lead to the ending falling flat for me in a way that really dampened my enthusiasm for the parts I did enjoy.

I would recommend it for fans of romance who can handle a bit of darkness, as this tale does revolve around grief, loss and the afterlife.

I devoured this book! Pun intended. It’s quickly becoming one of my favorite reads of the year. The way it explores the connection between grief and food is both moving and relatable, capturing how a simple bite can bring back powerful memories. The food descriptions were so vivid and enticing, I found myself salivating with every page. If you’re looking for a story that tugs at your heartstrings, this one’s a must-add to your TBR!

I really enjoyed this book. the premise was so different. I think it will be a big hit. memory and food are a very interesting topic together. thank you netgalley and Simon & Schuster

What if you could see a departed loved one just one more time? What if you met a young man who could help you do just that? Would you wonder if it's the right thing to do? Or would you just go for it?

"Aftertaste" by Daria Lavelle tells the story of Konstantin Duhovny who discovers he has a unique ability. He can help a bereaved person contact the deceased person by cooking the last meal the deceased ate. How does he know what to cook? Konstantin can taste it himself. Why? Who knows? It started at age 11, after his father died suddenly.

Some chapters are narrated by a character I couldn't identify for quite a while. Others tell Konstantin's story in third person while acquainting the reader with important characters like his best friend, mother, and girlfriend.

Although the story was a bit darker than I'd anticipated, I did enjoy the book and finished it quickly. I can think of no book to compare it to. "Afterlife" is a mystery about the afterlife and its connection with the living.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read an advance copy. This is my honest review.

An absolute delight - original and immersive. A recommended purchase for collections where offbeat fiction is popular. Will appeal to fans of Robin Sloan's Sourdough.

I was IMMEDIATELY intrigued when I read the premise of this book. And it did not disappoint! For those looking for something new and different, i would definitely recommend this!