Aftertaste by Daria Lavelle: A Decadent Blend of Love, Loss, and the Culinary Afterlife
What if a meal could be more than just food? What if a single bite could transport you through time, not just to a memory, but to a reunion with a loved one you’ve lost? This is the enchanting and emotionally resonant premise of Aftertaste, the thrilling debut novel from New Jersey author Daria Lavelle.
Lavelle, who lives in Ridgewood and was born in Kyiv, Ukraine, draws on her own heritage to craft a story that is both deeply personal and universally relatable. The novel introduces us to Konstantin “Kostya” Duhovny, a young man who discovers he has an extraordinary gift: he can taste the favorite dishes of those who have passed away. This ability, known as “clairgustance,” first manifests after the death of his father, leaving him with “a great cavity of longing” that can only be filled by the ghostly flavors of his father’s favorite Ukrainian dish, pechonka.
This supernatural talent sets Kostya on a journey that takes him into the heart of the high-stakes culinary world of New York City. The novel masterfully captures the frantic, creative, and sometimes terrifying energy of these elite kitchens, painting a vivid picture reminiscent of the culinary grit of Anthony Bourdain. As Kostya’s skills grow, he embarks on a secret mission: cooking dishes that will allow people to have one last meal—and one last conversation—with the spirits of their deceased loved ones. This side project, however, threatens to destabilize the very boundaries between life and death.
Aftertaste has garnered praise for its unique blend of genres, seamlessly weaving together elements of ghost stories, romance, magical realism, and culinary fiction. The narrative is as rich and layered as the dishes Kostya prepares, with reviews highlighting its addictive quality and its ability to be both “heart-warming” and “heart-wrenching.” Lavelle’s writing is lauded for its heartfelt and nuanced portrayal of grief, as well as its incredibly mouthwatering descriptions of food. This is a story for foodies and romantics, for those who have experienced loss and for those who simply appreciate a fresh, genre-bending narrative. To explore more of the state’s vibrant literary and artistic scene, be sure to visit our entertainment section.
This spring, New Jersey author Daria Lavelle serves up one of the most original novels of the year—a darkly delicious tale that blends the heat of the professional kitchen with the chill of the supernatural. Aftertaste is part ghost story, part love story, and part love letter to food itself. It’s a rich, layered novel that lingers on the palate long after the final page.
Lavelle, born in Kyiv and raised in the New York metro area, now calls New Jersey home, and her debut novel feels as bold and surprising as the state itself. With a background in literary fiction and an imagination that moves easily between the living and the dead, she’s crafted a story that’s as moving as it is inventive.
A Taste of the Plot
At the heart of Aftertaste is Konstantin “Kostya” Duhovny, a chef with an extraordinary gift—and a haunting past. Ever since his father died when he was ten, Kostya has experienced “aftertastes,” flashes of flavor from dishes tied to the spirits of the dead. These ghostly food memories are so vivid they can transport him into the presence of a soul lingering between worlds.
Kostya has hidden this strange ability for most of his life. But one night, driven by an inexplicable urge, he acts on what he tastes—and discovers that he can reunite the living with their departed loved ones over a single, final meal. For the length of a dish, grief can give way to reunion.
Determined to use his talent to bring closure to others, Kostya plunges into the fiery, cutthroat world of New York’s culinary scene, chasing mastery in the kitchen while unknowingly stirring up forces in the Afterlife. As his cooking evolves, so do the consequences—both for his diners and for himself.
A Feast of Themes
Lavelle’s novel isn’t just about food—it’s about hunger in every sense: hunger for connection, for closure, for passion, and for purpose. The book moves effortlessly between the intense physicality of kitchen life and the ethereal beauty of ghostly encounters, weaving together the grit of restaurant culture with the tender ache of loss.
Like the best meals, Aftertaste layers contrasting flavors: humor with heartbreak, love with regret, sweetness with bitter truths. It invites readers to think about the meals that define their own memories—and the people who shared them.
For Foodies and Fiction Lovers
The novel brims with mouthwatering descriptions of international dishes, each prepared with a precision that reveals Lavelle’s deep appreciation for culinary craft. But this isn’t just a book for foodies—it’s a story for anyone who’s ever lost someone and wished for one more conversation, one more laugh, one more shared bite.
Its speculative twist—connecting the living and the dead through taste—feels wholly original, yet the emotional truth at its core is universal.
Meet the Author
Daria Lavelle is no stranger to storytelling with depth and texture. Her short fiction has appeared in The Deadlands, Dread Machine, and other literary outlets. With degrees from Princeton University and Sarah Lawrence College, she brings both craft and imagination to her work. She lives in New Jersey with her husband, children, and goldendoodle—fittingly, a household that loves a great meal almost as much as she does.
A Story to Savor
Whether you read Aftertaste in one fevered sitting or linger over each chapter like a slow-cooked stew, you’ll find yourself both satisfied and hungry for more. It’s a debut that proves Lavelle is a voice to watch—one that blends the fantastical and the deeply human with skill and style.
For more on what’s stirring in New Jersey’s arts and culture scene, check out our Entertainment coverage and discover the stories, performances, and local talents making headlines.
Raves and Reviews
A CBS New York Book Club Pick
A Most Anticipated Book from Goodreads, Barnes & Noble, LitHub and Jordy’s Book Club
“This dark comedy set in the culinary world follows a Ukrainian American chef who can conjure spirits of the dead by cooking their favorite foods. Haunted by the death of his father and yearning to use his powers for good, Kostya opens a restaurant where loved ones reunite over one last meal. With carefully crafted depictions of grief and mouth-watering culinary adventures, this is the perfect novel for the always hungry and for fans of ‘The Bear.'”—USA Today
“This story is full of love, grief, emotional rollercoasters and detailed, significant pallets of food…. Be prepared to find yourself snacking or even licking your lips as you flip through these pages…. This novel is addictive, rewarding and delicate. The pacing is well-balanced with enough highs and lows to keep you gasping aloud in disbelief at some monumental events and twists.”—BookTrib
“Heartbreaking and strange, this is a novel to savor, one bite at a time.”—Apple Books
“Lavelle’s speculative approach is intriguing enough on its own, but it’s her skillful writing that ultimately makes Aftertaste such an evocative (and, yes, mouthwatering) read.”—Elle
“A ghost story, a love story, and a mind-bending adventure, Aftertaste by Daria Lavelle turns the concept of ‘sense memory’ into a delightful ride.”—Real Simple
“This is an extraordinary book…For foodies, for lovers, for those who like a side of the supernatural.”—Booklist
“Delectable….the exuberant prose leavens the story’s bittersweet pathos, and the novel brims with tantalizing descriptions of international cuisines. This inventive tale of food and family is likely to whet readers’ appetites.”—Publishers Weekly
“Lavelle spins a twisty plot filled with mouthwatering descriptions of food and some very hungry ghosts…A tasty variation on the supernatural thriller.”—Kirkus
“An original concept perfectly realized. Witty and poignant, surprising and satisfying, this lovely book about death is brimming with life.”—KAREN JOY FOWLER, award-winning author of We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves
“Daria Lavelle’s Aftertaste is pure magic; a story that nourishes the soul, breaks the heart, and lingers on the tongue long after reading. I am so glad to have been haunted by it. A sparkling debut from a writer gifted with wit and imagination to spare.”—VIOLET KUPERSMITH, author of Build Your House Around My Body
“Aftertaste is practically exploding with love, life and flavour. I relished every word.”—LOUISE KENNEDY, bestselling author of Trespasses
“Brilliantly constructed and wholly original, Aftertaste is like no novel you’ve ever tried before. It’s much more than your usual dish—it’s a whole literary tasting menu. Packed with ghosts, romance, fine dining, and the mob, it will leave you stunned, thrilled, and totally satiated.”—JULIA PHILLIPS, author of Bear
“A haunting evocation of pain and pleasure, and the power of food.”—NIGELLA LAWSON
“A decadent debut that marks the arrival of a sparkling new voice. Dark and delicious, sincerely moving and at times laugh out loud funny, a heady, bittersweet, beautiful novel about life and death, grief and closure, passion and hunger. A must-read.”—RACHEL HARRISON, USA Today Bestselling author of So Thirsty and Black Sheep
“Aftertaste is a breathtaking novel. Combining the grit of the restaurant world with the magic of the afterlife, Daria Lavelle perfectly blends unexpected ingredients into a book you’ll want to savor. It’s a story about grief that’s filled with humor, warmth, and astounding creativity, and I already can’t wait to read it again.”—LAURA HANKIN, author of One-Star Romance and The Daydreams
“This is a terrific book. Aftertaste offers the glories of food and cooking—all the yes-chef details we now love—in a cool, brilliant, and suspenseful novel whose spec-fic plot wants to talk about the mysteries of sense-memory and death. I could not put it down.”—JOAN SILBER, author of Secrets of Happiness and Improvement
You can learn more about author Daria Lavelle’s inspiration for her book by watching this interview with a Southern bookseller.
