A review by ecox180
Aesthetica by Allie Rowbottom

dark emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Wow, what a powerful debut novel! Aesthetica tells the story of Anna, a 35 year-old woman who is about to undergo a risky cosmetic procedure that will reverse all of her previous surgeries. While she’s waiting for the surgery, she reflects on her past, when, at 19, she left her mother in Houston and headed to LA to try and make it as an Instagram model. This book is beautifully written, evocative, and explores the dark underbelly of social media influencing. It also touches on mother-daughter relationships and the pressure of societal beauty standards. I really look forward to seeing what Allie Rowbottom writes next! 
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