This book had such an interesting premise and was PHENOMENAL. @jordys.book.club describes it as The Bear meeting Ghostbusters and I could not agree more!

“But that was the thing about food you ate when you had nothing:the smallest things- warmth, crunch, calories, someone making it for you, taking care of you even if only in some small way, or making it for yourself, proving that you could survive even when the world didn’t want you to-could make it the best thing you ever ate.”

“Grief's like leftovers that way. Like you made this four-course meal out of your love, but they only got to eat one little bite. So now you're stuck with all this food you can't bear to throw away, and all you can do is shove it in the back of the fridge to rot, or make yourself sick trying to binge it on your own."

Read this one. You won’t be disappointed. If you can, I highly suggest reading on audio. Narration is multicast and very much brings the story to life. I will miss these characters and this story will be one I think about for some time.


Tysm @librofm and @simonaudio for the early listening copy and @simonbooks for the early reading copy

5 stars

This will be a top book for me of 2025. It has a little bit of everything: family, friendship, romance, magic, and lots of food! I loved all of the food descriptions and the idea of food being the connection to our loved ones that have passed. It is honestly so relatable- I can still think of what my Gramps would be eating right now: Diet Coke, chicken, AND A BIG BOTTLE OF KETCHUP🥹😭 the idea to have one last meal with a loved one to get closure was so lovely. I also just loved the unique twist of “hungry ghosts” and how that hunger can consume not only the living but the dead as well. Each character in this book: Kostya, Maura, Frankie, and even the ghosts were so well written and completely came to life in my head.

The ending was absolutely heart wrenching and beautiful. I couldn’t keep it together and was left shook but in the best way. Bottom line: read this damn book. You won’t regret it.

What a stunningly unique book that I can’t stop thinking about. A marvelous story about life and death and the things that connect us.

Thank you netgalley for the advanced copy.

I don't know how to rate this one. I loved the premise and at certain parts of the book I was into it. But... But... I don't know to explain other than this book held me at arms length. Maybe because it never spent that long in a scene, never sunk fully into a characters mindset, their grief, before bouncing onto the next event, I could never feel deeply connected in the way I wanted. I could see the book. I couldn't immerse in the book. I don't know any other way to describe it.

But I still loved this concept. The characters, the setting. I just wanted it to slow down in each scene and for the pacing of the writing to speed up. Also the end is almost too crushingly sad, almost cruel to kostya.

I think this will be a big hit though and loved by people who get their hands on it.

4 stars

Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the ARC!

Very unique storyline! Engaging story. Slow at parts, but i really loved the bookoverall. Will definitely read more from this author!

This is a tough one to review. I really enjoyed the first half, with its mouthwatering descriptions of food, but by the end the woo-woo became TOO woo-woo. I give the first half a four and the second half a three.

I don’t feel like this book resonated with me quite as much as some of the other books I have read about hungry ghost coming out this year. I did enjoy this idea of Konstantin being able to taste food that resonated with a special memory a ghost has with the person whom is keeping them connected with the afterlife. However, I don’t know that the story worked together as a whole. There were a lot of spots where the story dragged. Also, because the story was told from multiple views, that the reader was never quite introduced to until much later in the story I kept feeling like I was being thrown around in the story. I will say that the reveal of these extra points of view made senses once it was revealed what was really happening, but it took a very long time for the reader to get to that point.
Thank you so much to Simon and Schuster and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.

OMGGGGGGG I don’t know whether I was dying for food the entire.... Or wanting to cry the entire time.

This book warmed my soul in the best way and I LOVED everything about it.

It was such a gorgeous portrayal of grief and how we incorporate family and love into our food. I already wish I could read this book again for the first time.

IT WAS SO GOOD! If you love food and would love to read a beautifully written novel, read this book immediately!

This speculative fiction tale is a little scary, a little sad, but a lot warm-hearted . I was more interested in the culinary side of things and not as invested in the romance between Maura and Kostya, but I thought overall the good did a good job balancing the different stories it wanted to cover.

Aftertaste is a heartfelt, creative story about food, grief, and second chances. The main character, Kostya, can taste the favorite foods of ghosts—and that strange gift leads him into the wild world of New York’s kitchens, helping people reconnect with lost loved ones. I really had high hopes for this book, but it did fall short on many levels. I do have to state that I did just have a major loss in my life, and it could have affected my ability to enjoy the book fully. So maybe I will try again later.

Aftertaste is a mix of romance, magic, and mouthwatering food writing. Some parts are emotional, others are funny, and the concept is super original. If you like stories that are a little quirky but full of heart, this one’s worth checking out.

Aftertaste by Daria Lavelle is a dazzling debut. This is the perfect read for lovers of magical realism, foodcentric novels, NYC-based tales, and stories that make you feel deeply.

This story follows Konstantin, an immigrant-turned-chef who loses his father at a young age and subsequently develops the ability to taste and replicate The Dead’s favorite meals. What at first appears to be a unique way to meaningfully connect people with their loved ones quickly turns into a cautionary tale about holding on too tightly to the past.

In addition to an extremely unique premise (I had never heard of clairgustance prior to this story and I need more of this in my books!), we get gorgeous descriptions of Michelin star meals, the back of house restaurant experience, and what it means to give, receive, and lose love.

The narrative is a masterclass in magical realism. Lavelle seamlessly weaves in and out of several POVs, timelines, and parallel worlds throughout the book, creating a deeply immersive experience for readers.

I knew from the first 3 pages this book was going to be a hit for me and I was not wrong! I laughed, I cried (a lot), and I had my breath taken away. I implore you to check out this very special book. It’s an absolute stunner. Chefs kiss!!!

Daria Lavelle’s “Aftertaste” is a 5-course literary meal that caught me by complete surprise. Venturing into this story with no prior expectations or knowledge of the material, I found myself captivated. It has, without a doubt, become a strong contender for my favorite read of the year so far.

"Aftertaste" introduces us to a protagonist with an extraordinary gift: the ability to reconnect the living with their departed loved ones for one final, shared meal. This “Last Supper” offers a chance for closure for both the living and the dead. First realizing he had this gift when he was a child, he is reluctant to accept, or even explore this gift, until a series of unexpected events leads him down a path of self-exploration of his grief, pain, and pleasure, and that of others as well.

Structurally, the book is crafted to mirror a fine dining menu, an immersive choice that elevates the reading experience. It’s a genius move by Lavelle, which fully helps to bring the reader into the world of the story. Setting this narrative within the vibrant, ever-beating heart of New York City further enriches the tale, grounding the fantastical elements with the city's undeniable, almost mythical, connection to the culinary world.

I consider myself fortunate to have approached "Aftertaste" as a completely blind read. The unexpected twists and originality of the premise contributed significantly to my overall enjoyment, allowing each revelation to unfold with maximum impact. While the narrative takes a little time to cook and draw you in, once it gets going, it becomes a compelling experience, making it incredibly hard to put the book and story down.

Thematically, this book covers a profound exploration of loss, the enduring power of connection, and the unexpected paths to healing. It’s a story that lingers after finishing, much like the aftertaste of a favorite meal.

A million thanks to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for this advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own and completely unbiased.

I give this one THREE Michelin stars!

The description sold me on this book. I had to read it. It is a debut novel about a guy with a unique ability and I had to learn more.

Description:
Konstantin “Kostya” Duhhovny is a haunted man. When he was a child, his beloved father died shortly after their family immigrated to Brooklyn from Ukraine, and ghosts have been hovering around Kostya ever since. Kostya can’t exactly see the ghosts, but he can taste their favorite foods. Flavors of meals he’s never eaten will flood his mouth, a sign that a spirit is present. Kostya has kept these aftertastes a secret for most of his life, but one night, he decides to act on what he’s tasting. And everything changes.

Kostya discovers that he can reunite people with their deceased loved ones—at least for the length of time it takes for them to eat a meal he prepares for them. He realizes that perhaps his life’s purpose is offering closure to grieving strangers—and that he might finally be able to find closure himself.

Kostya sets out to learn everything he can by entering a particularly fiery ring of Hell: the New York culinary scene. As his kitchen skills begin to catch up with his ambitions, Kostya is too blind to see the catastrophe that looms. And the one person who knows Kostya must be stopped happens to be falling in love with him.

Set in the bustling world of New York restaurants and teeming with mouthwatering food writing, Aftertaste is a whirlwind romance, a heart-wrenching look at love and loss, and a ghost story about all the ways we hunger—and how far we’d go to find satisfaction. Lavelle’s debut is a multi-course tasting menu of a book that will sate, delight, excite, comfort, and inspire even the pickiest of readers.

My Thoughts:
Inventive and engrossing, this novel kept my attention throughout. It was hard to put it down. The descriptions of various foods are mouth-watering and vivid. Themes of romance, grief, suicide, depression, and supernatural ability. Kostya has a unique supernatural ability to taste a ghost's favorite meal and at one point the author provided a name for it, but can't find anything about it. I did some searching and did find some information on a supernatural ability to taste (but it had nothing to do with ghosts). I liked the creativeness and the plot of the story. I enjoyed the parts about the various restaurants and the interactions in the kitchen atmosphere. Kostya's interaction with the spiritual realm had some very surprising and unexpected effects. I enjoyed the story.

Thanks to Simon & Schuster through Netgalley for an advance copy.

Thank you @simonbooks and @daria.lavelle.author for the free copy💖

🗓️Out 5/20/2025

✨What it is about:
Konstantine Duhovny can’t see ghosts, but he can taste their favorite foods. When he discovers he can help the living reconnect with lost loved ones through cooking, he dives into New York’s cutthroat culinary scene. But as he chases purpose, love, and fame, a reckoning brews in the Afterlife, and someone close to him may be the only one who can stop it.✨

💭My thoughts:
When I saw food was involved, I said yes please!
This was such a unique and solid debut. Konstantin, a ten year old boy, develops the ability to taste the favorite foods of lingering spirits after his father’s death. It’s a heart wrenching story (in more ways than one), about deep grief, the different bittersweet flavors of life and love, and all the unfinished business we carry.
You see, Konstantin’s last words to his father weren’t kind, and he’s regretted them ever since. When he tells his mom about his new ability, she sends him to a mental institution. He’s forced to lie and say he made it all up just to be released. From there, he begins a life journey to master his father’s favorite dish.
Through ups and downs and encounters with questionable characters, the story turns dark, moving, sometimes even funny, but at its heart, it’s a beautiful reflection on life, death, grief, and finding closure. It is well written, with rich culinary descriptions that will absolutely make you hungry.

4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Read if you like:
🍽️Paranormal thriller
🍽️Romantic fantasy
🍽️Food and the culinary world
🍽️Heavy and dark reads
🍽️Unique reads
🍽️The spiritual world

⚠️CW: Grief, suicide and suicidal ideation.

Originality is rare, but Aftertaste delivers it in spades.

In a world where most stories borrow pieces from others, Aftertaste stands out as something entirely fresh and unexpected. I was genuinely blown away. This is Daria Lavelle’s debut and what a debut it is!

She’s crafted a genre-blending, emotionally rich, and wildly original tale that’s unlike anything I’ve read in a long time. The story centers around Kostya, a man with a haunting and beautiful gift: he can summon spirits through the lingering aftertaste they send him. He recreates the dish, serves it to someone they loved, and (just like that) they appear.

This book made me laugh and cry in the same sentence. I was fully immersed in the kitchen, at the table, tasting every bite.

It’s part paranormal, part romance, part mystery, and wholly about love, grief, and the memories we tie to food. Lavelle explores how a single bite can bring back a person, a moment, a lifetime.
Aftertaste is stunning. A story of life and death, flavor and feeling. Beautifully written and deeply moving.

Congratulations to Daria Lavelle on an unforgettable debut. Thank you so much to @simonbooks #simonbooksbuddy for the free book. It will be adored on my shelf.

There’s an interesting venn diagram of some of my recent reads, this one falling into “afterlife” and “taste/hunger” overlap.

I don’t think anyone can deny that food can bring about important memories. Meals are one of the most universal parts of family and community. From weeknight family dinners to church fish fries. From summer carnivals to wedding receptions. From “girl dinner” to neighborhood potlucks.

Aftertaste is a unique spec-fiction where Kostya is able to perfectly recreate dishes tied to memories shared between someone and their deceased loved one to the point of bringing back the ghost of the deceased.

It is a somber reminder of our loved ones and the, often, imperfect memories we share. It encourages reflection on how we hold onto those we have lost, even to the point of our own destruction.

What a unique read! Aftertaste, which has apparently already been optioned by Sony, is a story about food and ghosts, grief and letting go. The protagonist, Konstantin, is haunted by his father's death when he was a boy. Ever since then, he has been haunted by the flavors and tastes of ghosts. It takes him a long time to figure out his life and how to use his unique supernatural gift, which consists of uniting a loved one with the ghost of the person they most miss by cooking their favorite meal. (Yes, this is convoluted to write about but is a little clearer in the novel!) Konstantin was not the most likable of characters, and the love story in the book was too much tell and not enough show, and a little cheesier than I can get behind. That being said, I was riveted throughout the book and I thought the ending was especially well done. Thank you to Simon & Schuster for a digital review copy.

4.25 stars - Ever since his father's death, Konstantin Duhovny has been able to taste the dead - their favorite foods to be exact. For years he kept these ghost flavors - these aftertastes - a secret, but one night, one drink, changes everything. Konstantin discovers that as long as people are eating their loved one's favorite dish, a dish he alone can prepare, they can be reunited for one last meal.

First of all, the descriptions in this book were gorgeous and exactly what you'd expect, and need, for a book about food. Lavelle does a wonderful job of bringing the reader into the world of professional chefs, but through the eyes of someone who started on that path later in life and completely fell in love with all it had to offer. Konstantin was such an interesting character, flawed and scarred and still so easy to root for. I loved him and the found family he surrounded himself with. The relationships between the characters added so much soul to the story, fleshing out an intriguing concept into something magical and a tiny bit heartbreaking. Finally I adored the New York City setting. The city that never sleeps was truly the perfect place to bring this book to life. There's just something otherworldly about somewhere so filled to the brim with people, memories, and *life.*

Whether you're a foodie, a lover of magical realism, or simply a reader looking for a new world to escape to for a bit, I recommend giving AFTERTASTE a go. It's a beautiful story of love and loss and absolutely left me hungry for more from Daria Lavelle.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this book! I would give it six stars if I could. I was crying big tears with full goosebumps by page 43! This is a 320-something page book, and I was having that reaction at page 43. This was one of those books that I couldn't wait to get back home to pick back up. I loved it and think everyone should read it. So beautiful and original. I have never read anything like this before.

Thank you to Simon Books and Daria Lavelle for my advance reader copy. All opinions are my own.

Aftertaste

This is probably going down as one of my FAVOURITE BOOKS OF THE YEAR! I’m putting this right at the start, so that if you check out early and don’t make it to the end here, you read this much: this book is like nothing else I’ve read before, such a fresh, cool, ORIGINAL concept. I laughed, I cried, I drooooooled over the visceral food descriptions … and this a debut!?! If I could rate this more than 5 stars, I would.

A friend put this on my radar late last year when they called it one of their top reads of the year, and the blurb spoke to me, so imagine my excitement when the publisher was generous enough to gift me an early copy. I like to pretend to be an amateur foodie, and this book spoke to my food-loving soul. The passionate way the author describes cuisine, the way she describes Kostya’s dishes… this is a book that will make you Hungry too. I absolutely loved the way she equates food to memory, to times of our lives. I think EVERYONE needs to know this book.