The novel plunges into the heart of a luxurious beauty and wellness company, Holistik, which markets extraordinary products promising impossible transformations. The protagonist, initially drawn to the promise of belonging, becomes increasingly entangled in a world obsessed with achieving a manufactured ideal of beauty. This theme highlights the societal pressures placed on individuals, particularly women, to conform to unrealistic beauty standards.

Stripped of her passion for music and grappling with her new reality, the protagonist seeks solace and acceptance within the glamorous world of Holistik. However, as she delves deeper, she uncovers the hollowness beneath the shimmering façade. This exploration of identity and belonging delves into the human desire for connection and the often-illusory nature of finding it through external validation and material possessions.

The protagonist's Chinese heritage and the experiences of her parents who fled the Cultural Revolution provide a nuanced backdrop to the narrative. Their stories, interwoven with the protagonist's present-day struggles, shed light on the complex relationship between cultural identity, societal expectations, and the pursuit of acceptance. The novel subtly critiques the homogenization of beauty ideals and celebrates the uniqueness inherent in individual cultural narratives.