Looking for Aurora By Zainab Boladale

Aurora Kutti's life seems perfect: she's a beauty and fashion icon for her many TikTok followers.

But below the surface it’s a different story. All the freebies and product launches can’t stop her feeling empty. All the glamour is scripted, and she’s not even sure she knows who she is anymore.

When Aurora’s ‘momager’ pushes her towards yet more fame, she decides to make herself disappear. But can she find herself, or is she lost forever?

---

Can a teen influencer find herself when the world expects her to be perfect?

Pre-Reading Thoughts

Influencer fiction always makes me simultaneously rage at the parents and root for the teen. Aurora sounds like she’s carrying the weight of fame, family, and identity all at once. I’m expecting a story that’s heartfelt, honest, and unafraid to show the pressures of modern teen life online.

---

Post-Reading

As I thought…
Aurora’s world feels painfully real - the online fame, the parental pressure, the feeling of never quite being enough. The story captures teen life in a digital age with authenticity, particularly in how friendships exist online but remain meaningful. Her internal journey is compelling, and I loved how the narrative balanced glamour with vulnerability.

It surprised me by…
…being so quietly moving amidst the social media gloss. The emotional weight hits hard, and it’s not afraid to linger in uncomfortable moments. Aurora’s struggle to assert her own identity felt very relatable, and I found myself thinking about how layered teen experiences online can be - both isolating and connective.

---

Music Pairing

🎵 Featured Song: “Lost” – Frank Ocean
🎶 Vibe Album: CTRL – SZA
🎧 Artist Recommendation: Little Simz (for that mix of confidence and introspection)

---

Vibe Check

Colour Palette: Muted pastels with deep shadows
Soundtrack: Contemporary, emotional, reflective
Season: Autumn – introspective and transitional
Mood: Honest, searching, bittersweet
Scent: Warm coffee and old notebooks

---

Tarot Pull

The Moon – This card reflects uncertainty, hidden truths, and the search for clarity. Aurora’s life is full of illusions and pressures, and The Moon perfectly mirrors her journey through self-discovery, confronting fears, and finding her own path amid the glare of online life.

---

For Fans Of

• Book: Influencer by L. J. Smith (modern teen version)
• TV/Film: Eighth Grade (authentic teenage digital life)

---

Looking for Aurora publishes on 11th May, 2026. I received a free copy and am giving an honest review.