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!