761 reviews for:

Aftertaste

Daria Lavelle

4.15 AVERAGE


4 ⭐️ I loved this book! I finished the audiobook in 2 sittings, about 2 weeks ago but Maycember with the kids ending school nearly killed me, so I am just getting around to reviews and I can honestly say I still love and remember everything about this book! This is a book that took me by surprise, my insta girlies convinced me to read with their glowing reviews as it wasn’t even on my radar and I am so glad I did! This is a multi genre book that has it all - mild romance, paranormal ghosts, magical realism, deep emotions about grief, remembrance and what happens to you after you die. It also is peppered with so many food references that foodies will likely be able to taste this book as well. It was so fun.

For starters the narration is what hooked me, it has a multi cast narration but Ari Fliakos as the main character, Kostya was phenomenal and I was sucked into this immersive story. The first half of this book is easily 5 stars, I devoured the story premise and the first time Kostya brings back the dead through his culinary skills had me sobbing in my front yard while pruning the bushes. I can’t even imagine what I neighbors thought when they drove by! The second half of the book was more 3 stars for me as the story gets overly complex and admittedly lost me a bit. Overall, I think this was one of the most unique and touching stories I have read in quite a while and it made me hungry for Reese’s peanut butter cups.

I can’t wait to see what more people think as it is definitely under hyped and deserves so much more attention.

This was my 52nd book of 2025
Format: Libby, audiobook

Hope after death
challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
dark emotional funny hopeful reflective sad fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Thoroughly enjoyed the time spent in this book. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
challenging emotional mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated
dark hopeful mysterious reflective tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
emotional mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

One of the best books I have ever read! Does it have to be
Over?
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Great book for foodies and new Yorkers , super fun read 
emotional reflective medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes