☆☆☆☆ *Aftertaste* by Daria Lavelle is an incredibly strong debut, and the first half of the book really impressed me. Honestly, that first section felt like a solid 5-star read – creative, engaging, and built on a story concept that truly stands out. Lavelle’s early character work and worldbuilding are especially well done. Around the midpoint, the story shifted in a way that didn’t quite work as well for me. While I still enjoyed *Aftertaste* overall, the latter half didn’t carry the same ene...

3.5 stars Hmm. This was a solid 4 stars for me for most of the book, but it started to feel very…commercial? With choices that felt aimed towards a filmed adaptation? The food descriptions are pretty great, from humble home-cooked meals to mentions of the infamous French ortolan dish, and there are some early food memories that are also poignant personal memories. The big Grand Plot is where the story loses its focus—it’s interesting at first as Kostya explores his gift of tasting food beloved b...

I'm a sucker for books centered around food, especially when they have a touch of magic, and *Aftertaste* turned out to be a fantastic blend of culinary success story and ghostly tale. It follows Konstantin Duhovny, who suddenly develops the ability to taste food without actually eating it. He soon discovers it's not just a random occurrence but a message from the dead, who are trying to connect with their living loved ones. When Konstantin tastes the food they crave, it brings them back as ghos...

◦ Aftertaste ◦ by Daria Lavelle ◦★★★★★◦: plot :◦Kostya can summon spirits through food and opens a restaurant serving closure. But as his dishes disrupt the Afterlife, he must face his past—and a psychic who may be his undoing.◦: my thoughts :◦A masterpiece. I don’t use that word lightly, but Daria Lavelle's *Aftertaste* truly earned it. I’m not the same person I was before reading this book. *Aftertaste* completely consumed me for a couple of days.What makes *Aftertaste* even more special is th...

This is an entertaining, well-written novel with a truly unique premise and touches of fantasy and romance. It's a fast-paced read with endearing, quirky characters, humor, grief, and explores the powerful connection between food and memory, all wrapped up in a hopeful package. I especially loved the memorable declaration of love and the distinctive section headings. Many thanks to Daria Lavelle, Simon & Schuster, and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy of this fantastic ...

Daria Lavelle's *Aftertaste* is a captivating work of speculative fiction that masterfully blends the culinary world with the supernatural. This book is a multifaceted gem; it's a tender love story, a poignant exploration of grief, and a thrilling tale of the dangers lurking within the spiritual realm. *Aftertaste* delves into our complex relationship with food and the powerful way certain flavors can unlock cherished memories. Lavelle's writing is exquisite, painting a vivid portrait of New Yo...

2.5 stars.Let me be clear: I adore food, and I'm fascinated by ghosts. Usually, a book like Daria Lavelle's *Aftertaste* would be right up my alley. And it *did* have a seriously cool concept. I love the idea of a chef being able to taste a spirit's most meaningful meal. There were some truly lovely passages scattered throughout *Aftertaste*, and I definitely think Lavelle can write some beautiful prose.Here's where I ran into problems:1. I just couldn't connect with the main character, Konstant...

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Honestly, I thought I’d be hungrier… or scared. I kind of just feel tired… Touching on horror, romance, and culinary drama, *Aftertaste* by Daria Lavelle doesn't quite commit to any of them. It wades into the shallows, wiggles its toes, but never truly dives in. And that lack of depth just leaves me feeling unsatisfied. I wanted more of Kostya and Maura's story. Or I wanted a deeper understanding of the ghost world and its ghostly workings. But because *Aftertaste* was trying so hard...

Without a doubt, *Aftertaste* is one of the best books of the year. Scratch that—it's one of the best *things* I've ever read! Daria Lavelle explores the soul's deepest hunger, the kind of love that devours you like a salt craving, the piercing agony of grief that stabs both heart and soul, and the bittersweet aftertaste of life, love, and all that unfinished business.The story starts with a grieving boy, Konstantin Duhovny, who idolized his father, only to have their last words be ones he can n...

Food has always been a powerful trigger for my memories. My grandfather used to make fudge when I was a kid, and he'd always let me scrape the pot clean when he was finished. Just the smell of that fudge instantly transports me back to sitting with him, watching the magic happen. *Aftertaste*, by Daria Lavelle, takes this idea of food as memory and brings it beautifully full circle. Konstantin Duhhovny lost his father when he was very young. Throughout his life, he's experienced "aftertastes" o...