Author: Daria Lavelle
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Released: May 20, 2025
Received: Own (BOTM)
Find it on Storygraph | More Magical Realism | Paranormal | BOTM
Book Summary:
Konstantin Duhovny was born with a gift, one that he only learned about when he was ten years old. Lamenting the loss of his father, he tasted his dad’s favorite dish. It came without warning. However, Kostya hides from what this could mean.
For years, Kostya pretended not to taste the phantom meals. It wasn’t until he grew older that he decided to chase this ability, allowing the world to reconnect with their loved ones. Little did he know that there would be a price to pay for meddling with the Afterlife.
My Review:
If you happen to love food and paranormal tales, Aftertaste is the novel for you. This book uniquely combines a love of all things food, from different flavor profiles to the meticulous way in which delicacies are prepared, to ghosts trapped, unable to move on to the next stage in their journey.
I’ll admit, I was surprised by all the time jumps at the beginning of this book. While Kostya’s gift appears early, he doesn’t really embrace that side of himself until much later. It’s something that many people can relate to, in terms of following passions later than anticipated.
The push and pull of Kostya’s drive to help others and the truth hiding around the corner made for an incredibly compelling tale. Madame Everleigh’s warning made it pretty clear that there was more going on than meets the eye, and that feeling lingers right through to the end.
There’s a romantic subplot that pushes the whole ghostly foodie element forward, in admittedly surprising ways. I won’t pretend that I loved every detail about the relationship, but it undeniably had an impact on the story.
Aftertaste is a paranormal tale with many twists and turns. It’s occasionally heartbreaking and often quietly profound, and that makes it the best type of novel to dive into on a cozy Autumn evening.
Highlights:
- Magical Realism
- Paranormal
- Ghostly Dishes
- Multiple POVs
- Restaurant for the Dead
Trigger Warnings:
- Loss & Grief
- Afterlife Connection
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