I loved the idea of Kostya being able to prepare food that will bring back your loved ones for the length of time it takes to eat it. However this just fell flat for me.

I’ll start off by saying thank you to netgalley and Simon & Schuster for the eARC. This was an incredible read.

I was immediately drawn to the concept of this book. A haunted man who can taste cravings from the dead (an aftertaste) and reunite them with their living loved ones by recreating the aftertaste.

An exploration of food, loss, grief, love, and hunger. This book invoked more emotions within me than anything I’ve ever read. It made me hungry at the brillant descriptiveness of the dishes and tastes Kostya experienced, I was amused with the humor and dynamic between Kostya and his roommate Frankie, I was elated when Kostya found love, I was creeped out by the hungry spirits, and I was absolutely devastated with the ending.

I laughed, I cried, I enjoyed the hell out of this book.

Unfortunately this was a DNF for me. I thought it was going to be more of a magical realism book with real conversations between the main characters and those that have passed on, but it was just about the food he tasted and how it related to someone who had died. It wasn’t for me.
I won’t rate this book on goodreads as I don’t rate DNF’d but I have to give this a star rating here to be able to publish this review.

Thanks to NetGalley for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review

Aftertaste was so beautifully written, I had tears for the first time within the first 50 pages. This felt a little like a love letter for grief and loss. It was like nothing I have ever read before. The overall premise felt unique and fresh. It wasn't what I was expecting and I didn't know where the overall story was going as things were escalating. But ultimately, I really enjoyed it.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book is absolutely delectable and decadent in every way (pun very much intended). Unlike any book I have ever read, it interweaves so many deeply important themes into an extremely addicting and fast-paced plot. These themes (and possible trigger warnings) include suicide, depression, binge eating disorder, death, grief/loss, and more. In my opinion these topics were handled with care and added a lot of depth to the characters and the story itself. In addition, the author's Ukrainian culture was central to the story, including mentions of traditional Ukrainian cuisine which was so interesting to learn about and added a very personal touch to the story. Overall, it was an extremely unique story that I would recommend to anyone and everyone, provided that the subject matter could be handled.

The story follows Kostya, an aspiring chef who has the unique ability to taste dishes that he has never tried before. Come to find out that these aftertastes are given to him by ghostly presences. He then discovers that he can bring back the dead for the duration of one meal, once these dishes are recreated and eaten by a loved one. This leads him to open a restaurant surrounding his desire to provide other people, as well as himself, with closure. However, using this ability comes with unforeseen consequences...

The writing is very easily digestible and interweaves food puns and references throughout that truly bring the story to life and makes it a completely fresh reading experience. You can clearly tell that there was a lot of time and care put into the crafting and editing of this book. From the language, to the intricate details of the recipes, to the chapter titles- this book is a work of art.

The main character Kostya is super well developed when it comes to his motives, his family, and of course his supernatural gift of clairgustance (the ghost aftertastes). Like I mentioned previously, I loved the addition of his Ukrainian heritage! Additionally, my other two favorite characters, Maura (the main love interest) and Frankie (the best friend) were deeply fleshed out as well which I appreciated. My only gripe was the relationship between Kostya and Maura seemed a bit rushed, especially in the beginning. However, I do think it was an important aspect of the story.

All in all, this book deserves endless praise and is a must read for any foodie out there! It made me reflect on my life and the important role that food has in bringing people together. I will definitely be reading more of this author's future work and I am so excited to buy a copy when it comes out because the cover is absolutely gorgeous.

This is one of the most unique and interesting stories I’ve ever read. The premise was intriguing and I was curious about how it would be played out, and I was absolutely blown away.

If there is something that unites each and every one of us, it is grief. An inescapable part of life that is handled with so much care and attention in this novel. It highlights how we all experience it differently and need to find our own journey to closure, but how it is also something we can always find empathy for in our fellow human beings. Extremely well-done with the realities and pitfalls and beautiful moments that grief brings.

And the FOOD omg this book made me so hungry lol if you like The Bear then I think you’d definitely enjoy this book. The upscale kitchen settings, the complex and unforgettable dishes, and the wide and inclusive variety of dishes was so much fun to read about.

This book gave me a lot to think about and I think it will stick with me for a long time. The twist at the end, the message of letting go, and the beauty of the writing are all pieces that will stay with me as an aftertaste of this book!

Incredibly deep and moving, magical and mystical, brilliant and original. I loved Kostya's story, his connection with his father, Frankie, and Maura are incredibly beautiful. Lavelle's writing is gorgeous, always weaving nods to food throughout her writing, and making such a thoughtful connection between the enduring relationships between food and love, dishes and memories, recipes and legacies. I savored every morsel of this book! Lavelle is a brilliant storyteller!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the copy. Aftertaste follows Konstantin Duhovny who is able to taste ghost’s favorite foods. We follow his journey from when he has his first aftertaste to the present. Kostya discovers that by cooking the meals for the ghosts loved ones, he can bring them back. He decides to be formally trained so that he can continue bringing ghosts back to their loved ones. Along the way he meets Maura, who warns him that he should not be messing with the dead. Aftertaste combines horror, romance, and the culinary world along with a heavy theme of grief. I really enjoyed the story, although I was confused at a couple points. I wish that the author elaborated more on the ghost world as that was intriguing. The ending was not what I was expecting. The writing style confused me a bit as it switched between first view and third view.

This book was heavy for me on the loss and grief. I wish we got more detail as he was growing up, I felt as though that was kind of rushed which is making my rating lower. I like good character development. But all in all, it was a decent read and I’ll give this author another chance.

Clairgustance is the paranormal ability to taste something without eating it, and the main character Konstantin “Kostya” can sense the presence of ghosts around him. He also discovers that he’s able to bring ghosts with their loved ones with the power of food.

There’s a growing literary trend of writing unlikeable anti-heroes, and sometimes, it works for the story. Kostya is so crass (and rather misogynist) and abrasive to everyone around him, and I couldn’t understand the purpose of this. The characters are pretty one-dimensional and so unnecessarily rude to each other. Although the premise is interesting (for context, I really like culinary and spooky stories), I didn’t think that the execution worked. It also reminds me of the Before the Coffee Gets Cold series, in that characters are able to convene with loved ones in the afterlife. Unfortunately, this book did not leave a pleasant aftertaste.

Special thanks to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest, independent review.

This is an entertaining, well written novel, which has a unique premise and elements of fantasy and romance. It is fast paced with endearing, quirky, characters, humor, grief, the power of food as it pertains to memory, and hope. I especially liked the memorable declaration of love, and the distinctive section headings. Many thanks to Ms. Lavelle, Simon & Schuster, and NetGalley, from whom I received an advanced reader copy of this fantastic novel. This is my honest opinion.

In Daria Lavelle's debut novel Aftertaste, the recipe descriptions and food imagery shine above all else. The book offers an irresistible premise -- Ukrainian immigrant Konstantin "Kostya" Duhovny must grow into his supernatural ability to taste the favorite foods of departed souls. Is it a good idea to use his talents to allow grieving people to have one last meal with their loved ones? Or is Kostya just making ghosts hangry, a fate worse than hunger in the afterlife? What about the love of his life, Maura, whose sister is among the hangry?

The hungry ghost concept is hot right now. I recently read Kylie Lee Baker's Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng, another 2025 debut novel featuring hungry ghosts set in NYC. That novel nailed it for tone, atmosphere, examination of grief, and effective and affecting social horror. While I didn't think Daria Lavelle's hungry ghost story measured up to Baker's, I did love the concept of Aftertaste and its setting within the New York culinary scene. I also liked that humor served to leaven dark, heavy themes in Aftertaste. Special kudos for the Ghostbusters reference, "There is no Dana, only Zuul."
3.5/5

[Thanks to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for an opportunity to read an advanced reader copy and share my opinion of this book.]

this was a really intriguing book about loss and grief. I love adding food to the mix was a bonus for me. I felt like parts of the story could have been more filled in for the timeline as he aged, but all in all this was worth the read I was not to distracted by the foreign tones of the book at times changing the pronunciation of the names in the book but that is just a minor cultural difference

Note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. Thank you, NetGalley and publishers.

Aftertaste is a delightful new offering in the healing fiction genre. What would you give to see a dead loved one again, to share one last favorite meal? Kostya has lost many things in his life, but the worst of all was his father’s death. He began to taste one last significant meal when he thought of his father. His first aftertaste, but not the last. He found friends and true love, and he learned to love feeding people. This is magical realism at its finest. Enjoy the feast!

Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for this ARC.

Wow this book. It was truly one of the most creative and unique stories I've read.

To be honest I wasn't sure about this ARC and went back and forth requesting it for a bit. Why? I'm SO not a foodie. Like at all. Ask anyone who knows me and I'm way more fine with McDonalds than fine dining. So a book about food? I don't know.

I was also not sure about the whole bringing back the dead. Ghosts, yes please! But grieving loved ones? I'll pass!

I can't say much about this story without ruining it but it's nothing what I thought. It's truly one of the most beautiful adventures, romances, ghost stories, chef journeys... I have no idea how to categorize it... But whatever it is it's one of the best books I've read.

I loved that Kostya was very imperfect as the main character. Frankie, he was truly amazing and fun! Maura, she was a mess, but oh so real. Everyone was so real & not perfect.

It is a slower read but it's a journey. Theres quite a bit of mystery though, I sped through this in two days. Plus the story telling is unique in how it bounces back and forth.

If you want something unique and different, read this! I haven't read something that felt this fresh in a very long time.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for this EARC.

I wanted to love this. I wanted to be moved to tears. But that just didn’t happen for me. I found it hard to connect to any of the significant characters, even Kostya, maybe specifically him.

I found the stories of the passing characters far more intriguing and I understood their characters better.

While I loved the concept, it read a bit fantastical in a hard to believe way. I think there’s a good idea in this, but the execution wasn’t my favorite.

Aftertaste is one of the most unique concepts I’ve read in years! The book’s premise centers on a chef’s ability to summon the dead through food by curating one of their most memorable meals communicated to Konstatin via his unique magical abilities. The plot follows Kostya as he works his way from being a dishwasher to eventually opening his own restaurant, with all the laughs and heartfelt emotions of life. Kostya was such a memorable character, and I also adored his best friend Frankie, as well as his eventual love interest, Maura. The plot is compelling, the food descriptions are INSANELY delicious, and exploring the themes of grief, love, and family with food and memory was a beautiful experience.

Readers who enjoy magical realism, complex characters, culinary artistry, and how we grieve the ones we lost, Aftertaste is a book for you!

Unique, compelling and enjoyable love story and look into the restaurant world.! A person that can taste a favorite food that triggers an intense and wonderful memory between you and someone that has died is exactly Konstantin and he's had this gift since childhood. He didn't understand it and if he mentioned it people thought he was crazy. When his father suddenly dies after they've had a fight, he realizes that his taste of liver reminds him of his Dad and that it represents his ghost! With his acute sense of taste, he lands a job as a dishwasher in a Michelin star restaurant and quickly moves his way up as he realizes his passion is cooking the food he tastes. He meets Maura who is a fortune teller and they fall madly in love however she is hesitant for him to bring the ghosts back and he feels a calling to bring back ghosts to process unresolved issues with the loved one they left behind. Food is love and they go on an adventure to resolve hurts and regrets through food with the Afterworld. If you are a foodie, sentimental, and romantic and are captivated by the space between life and death you will love this book!

Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy! #aftertaste #netgalley

A emotional gut punch of a story, this book had me in a choke hold. Absolutely do Not Read if you've just lost someone close to you! or maybe do. this book is all about the ups and downs of life, and the process of grief in all it's forms. from those who linger in it like it's a hug, to those who ignore until it festers inside, every person in this book is dealing with grief and the struggle that it leaves in it's wake, none more so than Konstantine, who we follow through the many lows, and the glorious highs of his life as he struggles to deal with a power he does not understand, but clings to as a final hope to have one last connection to his father. i cried more than once reading this book, and it was cathartic in a way i was not expecting. plus the mystery of the power, and some of his spectacularly very bad ideas, make this a book full of twists and turns you never see coming.

Be sure to check your trigger warnings, as there is a lot of heavy themes in this book beyond grief including binge eating, drug abuse, overdose, murder, child neglect, a LOT of death, and more. this is a story all about the worst of life, and the grief that taints every aspect of a persons life ad it does not sugar coat any of it. a real and heavy look at life with a twist of the supernatural to bring it all home.

Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for the ARC!

What if you could have one last meal with someone you’ve loved, someone you’ve lost? Combining the magic of Under the Whispering Door with the high-stakes culinary world of Sweetbitter, Aftertaste is an epic love story, a dark comedy, and a synesthetic adventure through food and grief.

I loved this book, the speed, details, and weave of storytelling as just amazing. Thank you to NetGalley for this copy!