Wow. I am left absolutely floored by this novel. It was so much more than I expected on every level (and so much smarter than the flap copy might suggest!). An insightful look into influencer culture, and the lengths one will go to become somebody. Rowbottom's prose is brilliant; at a sentence-level, this novel is sharp, each sentence carrying incredible heft. Though the novel is often funny, the heartbreak and grief greatly outweigh the humor. It is a #mettoo story as well, though that particular thread takes the backseat as Rowbottom is more interested in tackling first and foremost the many other threads to celebrity and beauty culture (she smartly also defies the standard #metoo novel conventions in many ways). The novel reminded me of Invisible Monsters by Chuck Palahniuk, though the prose is far more reminiscent of T Kira Madden's memoir.

Anyway, thanks so much for the e-galley!

Wow. The fact I choose this book and couldn't stop reading it (finished in a day/night), is what make NetGalley work for authors (as well as readers/book industry). The ability to "try" books that we wouldn't normally seek out.
Aesthetica is beautifully written. Artful.
It's the story of status, "influencers," addictions to social media, status, surgery.
A few sex scenes (which I tend to shy away from in books) - however, tastefully done, and a needed "character" if you will, in the story.
Our girl Ann grows by the end of the story, but how much?
It's a warning, a heeding, a tragic tale, but also, a beautiful written book.

Prediction: Upon it’s release in November Aesthetica by Allie Rowbottom is going to become (somewhat ironically) an instant classic in the Hot Girl Fiction genre I keep seeing everyone talk about and I can’t wait for everyone to read it. It feels funny - strange as well as the lol kind of funny - to be sharing my review of this on Instagram but here we are. I loved everything about it and couldn't put it down. I felt like the author went into my brain and pulled out all of the most specific social media morsels and references and put them on the page. You are with our narrator (@annawrey) in every room, in every situation, during every experience, conversation and moment from her rise to near-viral social media status, through her journey of surgical self "improvement", then back down the other side of the hill, coping with loss, reckoning with the life and people she left behind and trying to get herself (her mind, her life and body) back together. You guys, I do not envy influencers who have to fully share themselves - their bodies, their entire lives - online, it seems phony as hell. For anyone who's wondered what even is the deal with these tummy tea endorsements or what goes on in the actual minds of the women paid to surround Dan Bilzerian on his IG feed, this is for you.

This was a step-outside my comfort zone book for me but boy, was it well written. Brutal, honest, emotional and real. I’ve never read anything before like this. The expectations of Instagram influencers laid bare and a stark reminder to remember what’s right and what what we have.
Allies writing is exquisite. You’re in her world, smelling the smells and experiencing what is written on the pages. Thank you for this.