Something just felt off about this for me. Good idea for a plot but it wasn’t handled well. The back and forth perspectives just didn’t work for me. The ending was a letdown.

I LOVED this book. It's like if Flatliners had a baby with Ghostbusters and Hells Kitchen. Delightful different, savory, and overall a delicous read!

Delicious 🩵 I’m seeing this one all over Bookstagram, endorsed by the master himself @jordys.book.club, which like, in Jordy we trust 🤣😄 but really! It’s giving me BEFORE THE COFFEE GETS COLD vibes in the sense that characters can visit with someone deceased (which happens often in the BTCGC series) - so if that’s a series you also enjoy this might be the next perfect read for you!

Thank you to Simon & Schuster for the free ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This out now!

Magical Realism/Romance. When Konstantin was 10 his father died and while his grief was still fresh, his encounters with ghosts began. But it wasn’t your typical ghost encounter - Kostya can taste the ghosts’ favorite foods. Meals he has never tasted before will flood his mouth, down to every last spice. This was just an odd quirk Kostya lived with, until a chance encounter revealed he can reunite people with their lost loved ones while they were eating the meal Kostya made of their aftertastes. Kostya decides his life purpose is to reunite others with their lost loved ones (and possibly get the closure with his father he desperately needs). As Kostya hones his cooking skills and eventually get the chance of a lifetime to open his own restaurant in NYC, a catastrophe is looming on the other side of the veil and the obly one who can possibly prevent it is also the woman he’s falling in love with.

I absolutely LOVED this one. This was such an original concept for a book and the food writing was phenomenal. Do not read this on an empty stomach or you will be starving. Grief is also beautifully covered in this - what would you do for a chance to see a loved one again and how do you move on after death? Very bitter sweet.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25 This book was so interesting! It’s super different than anything I’ve ever read before. The main male character, Konstantin, has an ability to taste important food memories of the deceased. The story is set in New York City. He spends this story fighting through his guilt about the circumstances surrounding his father’s death, his relationships with others (or lack there of), his life’s purpose in relationship to these food memories, mental health and love. This story is full of unforeseen twists and turns, action, mystery, romance and food. The story is a fantasy at heart with magical realism throughout, but seamlessly weaves the other genres into the book. The book is medium paced and keeps the reader’s attention. There is representation of mental health, specifically depression, grief, disordered eating, suicide etc. So please check trigger warnings. I appreciated how these things were represented thoughtfully and not in a gratuitous manner! I recommend this book to any avid fiction reader! Thank you Daria Lavelle and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this ARC and leave an honest review!

I took a chance with this one--I've experienced a lot of family member deaths these last few years. Books about death/grief either comfort me or just don't work for me--unfortunately this one was just a little too hard for me to read right now. However, I loved the premise and think it will be a hit for readers, just not for me at this pint in my life.

Savoring Bonds

Konstantin Duhovny is being used as a conduit for the dead, tasting the flavors of their favorite meals. He discovers that by recreating these meals he can unite the spirits with a grieving loved one. For the duration of the meal, the ghost reappears, allowing the two to bury any lingering issues. Konstantin dedicates his life to this mission, driven by a personal quest for reconciliation.

When he was ten years old, Konstantin had a heated argument with his father. “Mama’s right! We should have stayed in Kiev!... You’d cook! You’d own a restaurant instead of driving a stupid bus!... And I wouldn’t be so ashamed!... Go to the Devil!” His father died that day and Konstantin remained burdened by guilt. His desire to conjure the dead is, in part, fueled by his desire to reconcile with his father.

Early on, after Konstaantin’s first successful conjuring, his close friend, Frankie, persuaded him to get a tarot reading from the beautiful Madame Everleigh. When he confided in her and asked about his “gift,” she warned him he was treading on dangerous ground. “You’re dealing with hungry spirits and capital-D Death and the Hereafter… Let me be as idiot-proof as I possibly can here. Don’t ever make that food again.”

The book is heavily foodie-oriented, with deep dives into flavor profiles. In order to be able to successfully replicate the flavors he is tasting, Konstantin immerses himself in restaurant work. Here he will be able to hone his skills and have access to a vast array of ingredients. Eventually he opens his own humble establishment, part of what one spirit promotes as The Konstantin Duhovny Culinary Experience.

There is romance. Madame Everleigh, whose real name is Maura, tracks Konstantin down and changes her tune about helping him with his mission. She, also, is looking to find closure with someone she’s lost. They inevitably fall in love. Maybe the line of the book follows their profession of love for one another, the profound: “I love you like salt.” Foodies, IYKYK.

There are plenty of unforeseen twists and turns on the menu. In addition to creative and moving ghost encounters, there are gangsters, otherworldly food courts, and even a pure embodiment of evil– a food critic. The narrative poses two compelling questions: Will Konstantin find resolution with his father, and will there be a price to be paid for disturbing the balance between the living and the dead?

Daria Lavelle has prepared a delicious and inventive serving in “Aftertaste.”

Thank you to Simon & Schuster and to NetGalley for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review. #Aftertaste

This is a beautifully crafted exploration of the intersection between the supernatural and the culinary arts. The narrative weaves together a poignant tale of ghosts, not merely as figments of haunting but as reflections of our memories and emotions attached to those we've lost. Through vivid imagery and lyrical prose, the story delves deep into themes of grief and the essential process of letting go. It skillfully illustrates how, by embracing our past and honoring our connections, we can find a pathway to healing and transformation, ultimately allowing us to move forward while still cherishing the flavors of our cherished memories.

Aftertaste is a genre-bending novel following a MMC who can taste via nearby ghosts' past experiences. The premise was extremely unique, and I liked the emotional aspect. Ultimately I struggled with the pacing and the genre crossovers.

I received an ARC from Simon & Schuster via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Aftertaste is a compelling, genre-bending piece of fiction that I absolutely inhaled—and I think I’ll be “tasting” it for months after reading.

Heaping cupfuls of gorgeous food writing (for fans of PIGLET), A dash of Yes, Chef (perfect for fans of THE BEAR), and a sprinkling of the paranormal all adds up to one delicious story. Romance and excellent side characters add additional flavor.

I loved the way Lavelle explored memory, family, belonging. and grief through the lens of food. Highly recommend!!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy.

What a wildly original, emotionally rich, and unexpectedly delicious read! Aftertaste is a ghost story, a love story, and a deep meditation on grief...all wrapped up in mouthwatering food writing. Kostya’s ability to taste the memories of the dead is both eerie and beautiful, and such an interesting take on the afterlife. If you’ve ever wanted to have one last meal with someone you’ve lost, this story will hit you right in the soul. Dark, funny, and full of heart—Aftertaste is unlike anything I’ve read before.

Thank you Daria Lavelle, Simon and Schuster, and Netgalley for the advanced copy!

#aftertaste #netgalleyarc #netgalleyreview #netgalley #arcreview #arc #arcreader #review #somanybookssolittletime

AFTERTASTE – by Daria Lavelle

‘They call it the Magic Meal. A Reincarnosh. An Aftertaste. It has a lot of names, but if you find yours, it’s a Golden Ticket. A way to return to your Living. A last meal to help them finally let you go.’

‘The unabashed joy of spaghetti carbonara. The absolute abandon of a triple-decker turkey club. The particular sadness of lemon cake. When the ghosts appeared, Kostya could see it in their faces—the sentiments he’d tasted, seasoning the memories that shepherded them back.’

I love this Book—a supernatural storyline I have never read before—one that is sweet, tender, heartbreaking, heartwarming, hopeful, touching, and funny. (No whammies—Hey, if you know, you know. You know? ;)

Highly Recommend!

Thank you, NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Publishing, for providing me with an eBook ARC of AFTERTASTE at the request of an honest review.

I was very curious to dive into this story based on the publisher's blurb. Things I loved - the cooking and all of the scenes that took place in NYC kitchens. I didn't know that was a niche that appealed to this reader, but it did! The author does a great job really setting the scene in the fast-paced, grueling and competitive world of the NYC culinary scene. Things I didn't so much love - the hangry ghosts plot. It just didn't totally make sense to this reader and so I couldn't totally buy in. I would, however, take another chance on this author and read whatever she puts out next. Her writing kept my attention even if the plot didn't totally work for me.

Picture yourself sitting down for a meal at a restaurant when the head chef senses your dead father’s favorite meal of hamburgers and French fries. That’s at least the meal that my dad would order up. Each Friday evening my mother would drive into town to the local meat market and pick up fresh, ground beef for our little family of four. Homemade burgers and French fries cooked in hot Crisco were served up. At some point it became habitual and we grew to expect it. I drowned my burger in Heinz 57 sauce and chased it down with soda pop which came out of glass, returnable liter bottles. (The pop was only allowed once per week.) That said, I know that if I hit up our main character, Kostya’s restaurant in NYC that my Dad’s spirit would probably show up and order this meal.

Aftertaste tells us the story of Kostya, a first-generation New Yorker who loses his father at a young age. Suddenly Kostya tastes his father’s favorite meal of lightly burned liver and onions. He feels it through the entirety of his body. He knows precisely what the ingredients are and how to prepare it. When meals are made the spirits of lost loved ones appear and full conversations (along with closure) can be captured one last time.

Throughout the book there are amazing descriptions of cooking. Ingredients. Spices. Methods of cooking. Readers who enjoy non-fiction books by Ruth Reichl, Stanley Tucci and Ina Garten would enjoy this novel. So would fantasy readers who want to be pulled into a realm of possibilities. Horror readers will enjoy the lengths that the characters will have to go to for a sound resolution.

I found that this book incorporated so many different genres and multiple plot elements. The book chugs along at an excellent pace and I enjoyed the characters and plotlines. 4.75 Stars rounded up to 5

I was really excited for this book because my husband is a chef. Unfortunately it did not live up to my expectations. The main character has a special gift but treats it as an annoyance. His constant obsession with love interest is cringy bordering on creepy!
I really wanted to like this

This was such a unique story. I was intrigued at the start. It had strong magical realism vibes. It started to lose me along the way as it got darker and more complicated. Kostya’s grief and ambitions were so entwined that it felt like an impending disaster at so many points. That said, it was compelling and well written. I look forward to the author’s next book!

What a fantastic, unique story! I am obsessed with this book and will be thinking about it for a very long time. Beautifully written, well paced, diverse characters with hard hitting topics sprinkled with bits of humor. 10/10 must read!

This was, beyond a doubt, my favorite read of 2025! Genre-defying and moving, Aftertaste not only delivers on every single one of its promises --ghost story, love story, culinary delight--but does so with style. From the first page, I fell in love with Lavelle's evocative writing style and her close third person POV of Kostantin "Kostya" Duhovny. Kostya lost his father at a young age and has been tasting the ghosts of the dead ever since; the "aftertastes" come to him at random times, haunting him until one night, he decides to act on these aftertastes. After resurrecting a man's partner during the time it took to sip a mixed drink, Kostya realizes that his aftertastes can help give others the closure with their dead that he never got with his father.

I had so many feelings while reading this, but above all else, I had such a deep admiration for Lavelle as an author. It's so rare to find a debut so perfectly crafted that reading it feels effortless, and you see none of the seams of its construction, but that's what I felt here. Even the parts that gave me pause (specifically the first person narrator in part 2 describing the "Konstatin Duhovny Culinary Experience") were beautifully explained in the end. Everything here was so thoughtfully done and Lavelle's love of food is so apparent throughout. Reading this was a MEAL. In the end, like with a good meal, I was so satisfied. I laughed, I cried (a lot), and I hungered.

And can I just say that I LOVE the way Lavelle's characters move between worlds? Not just the literal between worlds of the living and the dead, but the way we go from Michelin starred restaurants to love interest Maura's underground version of New York. I love the way Lavelle crafted each world with so much care that they came to life on the page. But above all else, I loved Kostya. He feels so fully realized, and his love for Maura works in a way that I really wasn't expecting (their first meeting gave me LOTS of worries about the manic pixie dream girl trope, but Lavelle subverts this in a really exciting way with the bond between Maura, (un)dead sister Everleigh, and Kostya).

While at times, I was reminded of some of my favorite media--The Bear, in particular, during the time Kostya works for a Michelin starred restaurant--Aftertaste is wholly original. It's cinematic, too - someone please adopt this into a limited series, I am begging you. Honestly, I have so many big thoughts about this book, but my main one is that I very rarely find a book living up to its hype. This one does.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Simon and Schuster, and Daria Lavelle for gifting me this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This book! THIS BOOK!
This was an absolute FEAST of a book. We meet Kostya as a child, haunted by ghosts only he senses and he senses then by tasting their favorite foods. His family struggles after the unexpected death of his father and Kostya has learned to keep these aftertastes to himself. He moves from job to job, he makes a friend, he falls in and out of relationships, but everything changes when he decides to try to recreate one of his aftertastes for someone, with astounding and life changing results.

Aftertaste takes on a journey with Kostya, as he hones his culinary skills at the highest level and uses those skills to bring back lost loves ones by cooking their favorite/most meaningful meals to reunite them with those who miss them most and give them all some closure.

There is an immediacy and poignancy to the narrative voice. The entire way this novel is written felt very fresh, unique and immediately immersive. There is a secondary POV interspersed that is fascinating.

Secondary characters are fleshed out, fully realized and vital to the story line. They feel and act real, propelling the plot and providing a unique insight into Kostya himself.

The culinary descriptions are incredible! The meals and details of taste and scent and preparation and lush and immersive. You can feel the heat of the kitchen, smell the herbs and spices, imagine the taste combinations. Truly this was a unique book in so many ways.

The story is a romance, a ghost story, a haunting, a paean to grief and love, a heart wrenching story of one man and the lives he touches and those he loves.

I have not stopped thinking about this book since I finished it and have been raving about it to everyone I see. Truly a glorious tale of love and grief and food and connection. Highest recommendation. I cannot believe this is a debut. It is stunning.

If you knew you could sit down to one of Konstatin Duhovny’s meals and have one last meal with your beloved, would you do it? Kostantin, Kostya, is haunted by the aftertastes of meals he’s never eaten. The first ever meal he tasted was after his dad died when he was ten. It was the exact dish that his mother would make for his dad, and if Kostya could recreate it maybe he could have that last conversation with his Dad. And finally put to rest the ghosts haunting him.

This was a hard book for me to get into, mostly I think because I could not like the main character. I absolutely loved the concept of being able to “taste the dead” and felt a tentative connection to the MC as part of the dead dad’s club. But the mess that is the MC’s life and all the years of moping and drifting felt like a play for sympathy that fell flat. Kostya was not a well defined MC for me, with the supporting characters and ghosts being more layered. It left me wanting more from the character. This is a very plot driven book.

The use of the tour guide segments to break up the big jumps in Kostya’s timeline was effective, if not inspired. I could take or leave these types of transitions. And again, the host of the tour was a more likeable character than our MC was. The overall pacing worked mostly because of these breaks that allowed hops forward in the timeline.

While I am no chef, I know enough of them that I give Aftertaste a big kudo for the attention to detail that went into the culinary world. The touches of culinary delight, the depth and breadth of how the dishes and the kitchen scenes are described were pure delight. Yes, it was essential to describe the dishes that Kostya was getting as aftertastes, but these descriptions went above and beyond. If the author ever wrote a cookbook with these recipes, I’d totally buy it for the cooks in my life.

Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the ARC of Aftertaste.