many thanks to Simon & Schuster and Netgalley for offering me an advanced copy of this book. i am in the minority of readers, most of whom adored this book. not me. this was probably 3.5 stars for me. i LOVED the food. the idea was interesting. i loved the kitchens. but i found it too convoluted, couldn't keep track of what was going on part of the time. lovely ending. favorite character: freddie.

Wow. I had a feeling a few chapters in that this was going to pull on my heartstrings, and boy did it!

If you enjoy speculative fiction and are a foodie, you MUST read this! It poses the question of what would you do if you could have one last meal with a dead loved one, even if there might be consequences from bridging the gap between the living and the dead. The main character explores this as he discovers and develops a skill using “aftertastes” to help people see their loved ones one more time to find closure. The story takes readers through a whirlwind of a culinary and personal journey (for many of the characters) and ends in a way that makes you think.

This one will stay with me for a long time, and I plan to savor it like my favorite dessert.

Aftertaste is a very unique read - unlike anything I’ve read in a long time. It follows Konstantin Duhovny, who has an unusual gift, he can taste the last meal a person ate before they died. If he recreates that meal, their loved ones get one final chance to see them. What starts as a strange and deeply personal ability turns into something bigger when he opens a restaurant where people can reconnect with the dead. But, as you might expect, messing with the afterlife comes with its own complications.

I was completely hooked from the start. It’s part literary fiction, part supernatural mystery. It ended up being darker and more emotional than I expected, but in a good way. The way it explores grief, memory, and the connection between food and loss is so well done. I really appreciated the way it was written, to be easily read by anyone and so very immersive! I foubd it very hard to put this book down!

For me! Aftertaste is stunning, deeply moving, and unlike anything I’ve read before. If you’re into books that explore grief in a unique way, or if you just love a story that makes you think, this is one you won’t want to miss.

Thank you to NetGalley & Simon & Schuster

A stunning, bittersweet, haunting romance that will stick with me for a long, long time. I read this book while grieving for a loved one and it touched me so deeply. I know I'll be returning to it again and again.

Daria Lavelle’s Aftertaste is a sumptuous blend of culinary artistry, supernatural intrigue, and profound human emotion. At its heart is Konstantin “Kostya” Duhovny, a man haunted not by visions but by tastes. After losing his father at a young age, Kostya discovers his gift of clairgustance—the ability to taste the favorite foods of nearby spirits. This peculiar ability leads him to an ambitious goal: mastering the culinary arts in the high-stakes world of New York restaurants, where he hopes to offer the grieving a fleeting reunion with their departed loved ones through food. Lavelle’s evocative writing immerses readers in the bustling ambiance of gourmet kitchens, capturing the intricate dance of flavors and aromas. With her Ukrainian roots and deep appreciation for food’s emotional power, she weaves an immersive tale where each dish becomes a portal between the living and the dead. Kostya’s journey is enriched by a vibrant supporting cast, including Maura, a clairvoyant with her own ties to the afterlife, and Frankie, his charismatic best friend and fellow chef. Their relationships add humor, warmth, and tension, making this story as much about human connections as it is about its supernatural elements.

Praised by renowned chef Nigella Lawson as “a haunting evocation of pain and pleasure, and the power of food,” Aftertaste has rightfully earned its acclaim. Lavelle’s masterful blend of magical realism and culinary expertise creates a novel that is both unique and universally resonant. Kostya’s emotional arc—filled with grief, ambition, and redemption—makes him a deeply compelling protagonist, while the novel’s exploration of love, loss, and the enduring power of food lingers with the reader long after the final page. For those who enjoy richly sensory storytelling, deeply emotional themes, and a touch of the supernatural, Aftertaste is an absolute must-read.

Daria Lavelle's Aftertaste is a rich tapestry of love, loss, and culinary delights. The story beautifully intertwines the protagonist's personal journey with her passion for cooking, creating a sensory experience that is both heartfelt and delectable. Lavelle's descriptive prose brings each dish to life, making the reader's mouth water. The emotional depth of the characters adds a profound layer to the narrative, making it a truly satisfying read. This novel is a feast for the senses and the soul.

Huge thank you to Simon & Schuster for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

The book’s premise is simple. What if you could share a meal one last time with someone you’ve lost? What would you do for that one last meal?

The first 20 pages of this I knew it was going to hurt in the best way. I knew there were going to be tears. And there absolutely were, in the best way possible. This book is beautiful. The loss in Konstantin’s life drives him to what makes him unique. A way to bring back the dead for one last meal, so the living can heal and let go. It’s the Aftertaste that brings your soul (and theirs) to peace. Or does it? Everything has a cost, even Aftertastes. Are you truly willing to pay?

I mean, damn. Right. In. The. Heart.

I tell you, I never ran to preorder this book faster. This belongs with the precious few others that are in the “change your life after you read” category. And this one? It’s skyrocketing to the very top.

Run, don’t walk and get yourself a copy on May 20. I tell you, no…I guarantee you will not regret it.

Perfect for fans of Ghost Whisperer and Top Chef, Daria Lavelle’s Aftertaste tells the story of Konstantin, or Kostya, a Ukrainian-American man living in New York, who is more or less drifting through life for the past twenty years since his father’s untimely passing. It is after his father’s death that Kostya develops the ability to taste the food of the dead that they have a strong emotional attachment to, a phenomenon he calls “aftertastes”. When one day while working at a bar, Kostya inadvertently discovers that he can temporarily summon spirits from the afterlife for a final goodbye by recreating the aftertastes that grace his tongue. This prompts Kostya, along with his chef best friend Frankie, to open a restaurant dedicated to giving people the ability to find closure with those they’ve lost, something Kostya himself has been dreaming of having with his own father. But dealing with the dead, especially Hungry Ghosts, is not as simple Kostya would hope, and soon discovers that the best way to love someone is to let them go.

Daria Lavelle has really crafted an emotionally potent novel with an intriguingly unique premise, smooth pacing, a main character whose battle with grief and anxiety is one that speaks to a wide audience. The themes of food as a love language and learning how to forgive oneself are quite touching, and the romantic plot of the novel is intense in a way that doesn’t feel rushed or undeserved, making the conclusion all the more gut-wrenching in its beauty.

I loved this book! The premise is so unique and I found the writing to be really engaging. I was shocked to find out that this is a debut novel. It was well written and made me reflect on my own grief in ways I had never thought about before. I already know this is going to be a favorite of 2025 and I am so glad I got to read it a little early. Fair warning - this book will make you hungry, so proceed with caution!

This won't be to everyone's ....taste 👀 but I thought it was brilliant, such a unique concept and it was executed beautifully, thought provoking and evocative!

I don't recall ordering this book, but I was willing to give it a try. It sounded interesting, and I enjoyed how the author described the food that this young man was tasting. I could picture it. Things went along, and this young man tried to figure out why he had this unwanted gift. He consults a woman with tara cards, and they try to make sense of his tastes.

I was having a hard time connecting to the situation; I also didn't want to read about suicide and more about death.

I stopped reading after three or four chapters! I just couldn't finish!

Absolutely loved Aftertaste! It tugged at my heartstrings. Will definitely be a forever favorite. I will be recommending to everyone!

Such a unique premise. As a psychic shares thoughts, Stan can feel ghosts through taste. He helps people connect with loved ones lost through creating and having them share a food that he can taste in their presence. Yet, the impact of that is beyond what he could imagine. On the way, he is mourning the loss of his dad when just a child. Really enjoyed this read!!

A huge thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review! WOW!!!
This book is unlike anything I have ever read! The concept while incredible is so emotional and unique! What would you do if you had the chance to have a meal with a departed loved one and have a peaceful farewell with them? I think that it is safe to say that we would all want that chance.
Kostyra is a young chef who can taste the cravings of a spirit. When he prepares these after tastes he is shockingly able to summon the spirit to meet with the loved one. He sets out to give closure to these loved ones as he wished he could have closure with his own father who passed away when he was a child.
It is a story of love and grief and the comfort of good food. The author writes with a sense of originality, sorrow, romance and even peace. These characters carve a place in your heart that will leave you in tears. I cannot wait to see what else this debut author has in her soul for the reader.
Magnificent! The culinary descriptions were exquisite as well! Run and get this book which I will now purchase for my forever collection! Just beautiful!!

This masterpiece is unquestionably one of the best books of the year. Who am I kidding? It’s one of the best things I’ve ever read! It explores the soul’s hunger, the kind of love that consumes you like a craving for salt, the deep, piercing pain of grief that stabs both heart and soul, and the bittersweet taste of life, love, and unfinished business.

At its core, it begins as the story of a grieving boy—Konstantin Duhovny—who idolized his father, only to have their last exchange be filled with words he can never take back. Immigrating from Ukraine, struggling to adapt to life in the States, ten-year-old Konsta not only loses his father but also his mother, who becomes a shell of herself, bedridden and neglecting her son as if she is the only one grieving.

One day, as he sits alone by the pool, watching other children with their fathers, he suddenly tastes his father’s favorite liver dish on his tongue. Could this be his father’s way of reaching out? What if he recreates the dish—could it serve as a bridge, a way to communicate, to apologize? But when he shares this discovery with his mother, her reaction is devastating—she sends him to a mental ward. Realizing he must keep his ability a secret, Konsta embarks on a journey, working his way up from dishwashing in Michelin-starred restaurants to becoming a sous chef, all in pursuit of mastering his father’s dish. He has managed to connect with spirits through food before, but when he experiences a crushing personal loss and meets Maura—a purple-haired clairvoyant who warns him against tampering with the boundary between life and death—he is faced with an impossible choice. Should he continue cooking for those who seek closure, risking the delicate balance between the living and the dead?

The ending left me shattered. This novel is a unique fantasy gem, a lyrical, soul-stirring literary masterpiece that lingers long after the final page. It’s the kind of book that deserves to be shouted about from the rooftops! I, for one, will be doing just that—preferably while nursing my favorite whiskey cocktail. A stunning debut from Daria Lavelle, and I cannot wait to devour whatever she writes next!

A heartfelt thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for providing me with a digital review copy of this marvelous book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Although well written, this was not for me. There was a lot of skipping of the timeline, which is not my preferred book style.

What do you get when you mix The Bear, The Seven Year Slip, The Invisible Life of Addie Larue, and… Ghostbusters? Aftertaste by Daria Lavelle.

This books surprised me in so many ways, in the best ways. I expected a fun, quirky ghost story that had some fun restaurant scenes. What I got was a beautiful exploration of grief, self-doubt, life after loss, and how people connect through foods they share.

There were multiple times I thought I knew where the story was going, only to be surprised by a turn it took or a reveal made. I could not get over the way Lavelle worked in culinary lingo throughout the writing. It made me smile so much.

I have to admit, I’m 100% the target audience for this book. While I never made it to culinary school, becoming a chef was a longtime dream of mine and following the “food scene” is still a big part of my life. I love cooking and sharing meals with those I love, and so many of my memories revolve around food. So this book in particular felt like a love letter to my life. I especially related to Kostya’s relationship to food and memories with his dad - it’s how I feel about a lot of memories with my grandfather.

I love this book thoroughly. Thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC!

I almost gave up on this because the descriptions of growing up as a Ukrainian immigrant in Brooklyn reminded me too much of my ex-husband but I am so glad I stuck it out because WOW! The writing and the food descriptions were gorgeous. The emotions evoked by this book were strong and I found myself in tears a few times throughout. Such a wonderful testament to the power of food and it's connection to memory and emotion. The characters were endearing even at their worst. This is one of the best books I've read in a very long time.

Daria Lavelle’s “After Taste” was a great read. Though I usually avoid paranormal literature, this book captivated me from the start. The storytelling and concept were flawless, tackling grief with both heartbreak and uplift.

Kostya discovers that he can reunite people with their deceased loved ones—at least for the length of time it takes them to eat a dish that he’s prepared because he can taste a meal they had and recreate it. Food and spirits are the center of this story. As he brings people together with their loved ones, he creates a problem between the veil of the living and the dead.

This story is heavily centered on food, which I found to be unique for a ghost story. I enjoyed the character development and the story of the ghosts. However, as this is heavily based on food, I am unsure if it's for everyone.

In the end, I enjoyed the story and how it turned out. I am a foodie, so the food aspect of the story did not bother me, and I enjoyed that aspect.