Inadebutnovelasradiantasitiscaustic,aformerinfluencerconfrontsherpast--andtakesinventoryofthedamagesthatunderpinthesurface-glamourofsocialmedia.At19,shewasanInstagramcelebrity.Now,at35,sheworksbehindthecosmeticcounteratthe“blackandwhitestore,“peddlinganti-agingproductstowomenseekingphysicalandspiritualtransformation.Shetooisseekingrebirth.She’sabouttoundergothehigh-risk,electivesurgeryAesthetica(TM),aprocedurethatwillreverseallherpastplasticsurgeryprocedures,returningher,shehopes,toatruerself.Providedshesurvivestheknife.Butontheeveofthesurgery,hertraumaticpastresurfaceswhensheisaskedtoparticipateinthepublictakedownofherformermanager/boyfriend,whohasrebrandedhimselfasaparagonof“woke“masculinityinthepost-#MeTooworld.Withthehourstickingdowntohersurgery,shemustconfronttheuglytruthaboutherexperiencesonandofftheInstagramgrid.Propulsive,dark,andmoving,AestheticaisaVeronicafortheageof“Instagramface,“deliveringafresh,nuancedexaminationoffeminism,#MeToo,andmother-daughterrelationships,allwhileconfrontingourcollectiveaddictiontofollowers,filters,andfauxrealities.
