Big in Sweden

by Sally Franson

A charming, wise, and laugh-out-loud funny novel following an American woman competing on a Swedish reality show in an attempt to discover her roots.

Paulie Johansson has never put much stock in the idea of she has her long-term boyfriend Declan and beloved best friend Jemma, and that’s more than enough for her. Yet one night on a lark, she lets Jemma convince her to audition for Sverige och Mig, a show on Swedish television where Swedish-Americans compete to win the ultimate a reunion with their Swedish relatives. Much to her shock, her drunken submission video wins her a spot on the show, and against Declan’s advice Paulie decides to go for it.

Armed with her Polaroid camera, a beat-up copy of Pippi Longstocking, and an unquenchable sense of possibility, Paulie hops on a plane to Sweden and launches into the contest with seven other Americans, all under the watchful eye of a camera crew. At first, Paulie is certain that she and her competitors have nothing in common besides their passports and views their bloodthirsty ambitions with suspicion. Yet amid the increasingly absurd challenges—rowing from Denmark to Sweden in the freezing rain, battling through obstacle courses, competing in a pickled herring eating contest—Paulie finds herself rethinking her snap judgments about her fellow countrymen, while her growing attachment to her Swedish roots increases her resolve to win the competition herself.

Grappling with long-held notions of family, friendship, and love—not to mention her feelings for the distractingly handsome Swedish cameraman who’s been assigned to follow her around—Paulie starts to reconsider her past and rethink what she wants for the future. A fish-out-of-water tale filled with warmth, optimism, and wit, Big in Sweden is at its heart a love love for family, friends, country, and—most importantly—oneself. 

Genres: Fiction, Romance, Audiobook, Contemporary, Sweden, Book Club, Humor

320 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 2, 2024

About the author

Sally Franson is the author of two novels, A LADY'S GUIDE TO SELLING OUT and BIG IN SWEDEN. Her writing has been featured in The New York Times, The Guardian, Best American Travel Writing, and on NPR, among other places. In 2022, she was a cast member on Allt för Sverige, a reality show on Swedish public television about finding your roots. She lives with her family in Minneapolis.

Reviews

[Mira · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book.

Sally Franson apparently hates America. This book was so political for no reason. Think of any political buzzword to make this book woke (global warming, immigration, the insurrection, religion, etc. it's all in there).

I had absolutely no sympathy for this main character, and not to be insensitive, but literally why was she crying? All. the. time? It's fine if she cries and is emotional, but the writing was just "I was crying" or similar with nothing to make me really feel any emotion towards her (except annoyance).

None of the characters had any dimension. I did not believe her lust for Lars. The reality show made no sense. And please stop saying "chipper pregnant producer Anna" and "affable host Erik" use any other adjective, I dare/beg you.

Thanks to Goodreads Giveaways for the ARC I guess.

[Allison · Rating 1 out of 5]

First of all… what?

I got a little over 30% done with this ARC and I’m bamboozled. Our main character, Paulie, is not as complex as I think she thinks she is? She feels like she has to justify her every move (to herself!!) because I guess she doesn’t think she’s doing what she should do… but then she does it anyways? Idk man. Nothing makes sense.

Paulie won entry onto a game show in Sweden, apparently where her family is originally from, to… learn about her family….? I’m sorry, what? If you’re that invested in learning about your family history and culture, please just get a 23 & me kit and read a book. The other characters I kept getting confused about who was who because none of them were memorable at all. Most of them were just as annoying as Paulie. The first (and only) “challenge” I read about… they were acting like… Vikings…….? Again.. what?

Paulie is also completely over her long-term boyfriend but I guess won’t leave the relationships because of the security it offers. However, she’s lusting over multiple other men and I only got a few chapters in.. but she’s feeling guilty for not being in love with her boyfriend but also fully aware that she doesn’t even want to be….?

Idk man. This is another NetGalley book I got and had high hopes for but was SUPER let down.

[tawny•dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Based on the cover art, classification (romance), and blurb, I was expecting a lighthearted Bridget-Jonesesque storyline. It’s definitely more women’s lit, finding yourself later in life. An Eat, Pray, Love moment, if you will. Paulie, our FMC has a lot on her plate. RELATABLE. She’s plucky, sarcastic, sharp-witted and liberal. (Thus the many other dumb reviews of people saying the author hates America or that it’s a political book. It’s characterization. It’s fiction.)
So when an opportunity pops up for her to star in a Swedish tv competition, and get to know her heritage, she makes a knee-jerk decision and dives right in. She has a lot bubbling below the surface, and a lot to work through. What’s nice is that there’s a lot of comedy and antics mixed in, so the (inadvertent) soul-searching/internal growth storyline is well balanced. Having said all that, I wasn’t looking for this type of plot line, so I found myself putting it aside for a true romance, and at times feeling bored. I think it’s really well written, and a quite lovely read, but if you’re a mood reader like me, it’s best to know what you’re going in for. This would make a fantastic movie. 3 ⭐️

Thank you so much NetGalley and Mariner Books for the opportunity to read and review this advanced copy!

[Kristy House · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, I have two EXTREMELY important notes I want to make here after seeing how poopy the reviews are on this book when they should not be:

1. This author lowkey wrote about her experience with also having gone on a reality TV show about finding your Swedish roots. "Allt för Sverige" is the name, and she wrote in this book about "Sverige och Mig" so like... keep that in mind!!! (Yes, it's real, so any hate towards the premise of this book... take it up with a show that's been running since 2011) So many people commenting about how this book was just hating on Americans when in reality it's like... have you ever been to Sweden? The book was so painfully accurate! As someone with Swedish family and who has been to Sweden many times, she's simply just pointing out Swedish culture and policies, and well... can you look me in the eyes and tell me they don't have some phenomenal policies and our country lacks? I'm just sayin'. I don't believe Sally Franson politicized this book -- I think she was trying to show you the Swedish climate through the perspective of a more liberal character, and you didn't get it.

2. I listened to this audiobook of this, and I need it to be known: IF MEG FREAKIN' RYAN IS NARRATING THE AUDIOBOOK, YOU BETTER LISTEN TO IT. I just... realistically, the story might've been more a 3.5 for me (I'll explain more below), but the fact that Meg Ryan was narrating this story was just... perfect. I genuinely pictured this as a Nora Ephron film, with Meg Ryan playing Paulie, and it was perfect. So 4 stars for the experience that the audiobook brought.

Okay, let's dive in a little more to the actual story:

I did go into this assuming it might be more of a romance (and understandably so when Lars enters the chat) but it's definitely more of a Women's Lit book, meaning that it's centered on her finding herself (perhaps in a less conventional way). I liked Paulie's character as I thought she was pretty confident in her beliefs, and she provided tons of comedic relief with how sarcastic and witty she was. But also this was a book where you did see her confidence falter a bit as she's frankly got too much on her plate at home, is a bit burnt out and unsure of what her life should look like next -- so you're constantly rooting for her throughout the book because you want her to win and make it to the next round (despite the wildly absurd and chaotic challenges and experiences she has) because you want her to fall back in love with photography, be in love with her person, and move past family trauma to be able to connect with new family through this experience.

And listen, I LOVED her constant reflection with Pippi Longstocking. I've ALWAYS loved Pippi, and I adored the way in which Paulie was constantly reflecting like... WWPD? What Would Pippi Do? Hahaha. It was just really heartwarming to see all the ways in which she embodied Pippi -- from the strength to the fearlessness to the generosity, etc.

Personally, this book felt lowkey homey to me. So many of the places she mentioned are places I've been to and have enjoyed so many times, as well as talking about the traditions and policies were something I'm so familiar with and kind of got excited to get to witness someone else like... discovering them for the first time!

I think my big gripe with this story was honestly the whole situation with Declan. Don't get me wrong -- I think perhaps they were in a rough patch in their relationship, and it took this experience (both the TV one and the Lars one) to help remind her of why she loves him in the first place. However, agh, I don't know... I just don't think the author really sold me on Declan. He was kind of an ass, I felt like he didn't really listen to her, and it was often like he was brushing her off a bit. Don't get me wrong, she's a little chaotic of a character, but I lowkey was not expecting the ending with them the way it was. I didn't love the whole storyline with Lars, truthfully, even if perhaps we can look at the ending as a happy one.

Overall, let's call it a Swedish "Eat, Pray, Love" and just know that I audibly laughed MANY times during this one. :')

Ps -- favorite moment of the book was Becky calling her sister to share big news, and her sister asking if she could call her back because she was on the toilet and preferred to play games on her phone while on the toilet instead of talking on the phone HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA.

[Dianne · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 STARS ROUNDED UP.

I truly don't know what to say about this book except that so many others liked or loved it, and I don't know why I feel so differently about it.

I don't think I found one thing I liked about the main character, Paulie Johansson, from her never-ending bouts of bawling to her childishness, horribly ditziness, and never-ending anger at anyone and anything.


I also very much disliked the author's disregard for anyone who may not think politically the same as she does. If there was a woke or PC phrase to be used, she used it. In fact, I would almost venture to say that this author truly hates America and Americans, men, and straight White people.

If you are going to read this book and are unsure if you will feel the same way I do, then get it from the library. But don't pass it up just because I had my feathers ruffled—that may be a good thing for you.

*ARC was supplied by the publisher Mariner Books/HarperCollins, the author, and NetGalley.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute book with a main character that will steal your heart. She is big and lovable and a bit chaotic. The book overall is well done and I loved it from start to finish.

[Mint · Rating 3 out of 5]

My final opinion of this book is that it was a very heartwarming story about what family means and how we build connections with all the people we interact with. Not only is no man an island, we are an interconnected web of fungi, dependent on each other in a beautiful human way. That is my opinion upon finishing it, I was not as kind while I was reading.
Unfortunately for me but possibly fortunately for those who don’t want to see a negative review, I didn’t take notes while I was reading and the negative things have kind of fallen from my mind.
For a lot of the time I didn’t understand or particularly like the voice of the main character. Eventually she grew on me, I’m not sure if it got better towards the end or if I got softer to her.
She summarized a lot of things that I would have liked to see play out.
I liked the moments of action when the characters clashes and interacted.

My favorite part and when I decided I had softened to the book and I could leave a generally positive review was when she was walking alone with her camera. I think it was a beautifully written section and summarized the thesis of the book.
Becki was the best character, best written in my opinion.
There were many moments where I didn’t understand why characters did the things they did, I didn’t understand their motivations and they didn’t seem inline with what their characters would do, like their actions were taken more out of convenience for the author. That was mostly toward the middle of the book.

Overall I really enjoyed it. It was nice reading a generally light book that wasn’t a romance. Although I felt like I couldn’t get a grasp on the character for a while I did grow to like her. I loved that she had two genuinely paranormal experiences lol that’s always fun for me.

Anyway it was a nice book and I can see a wide audience that would love the story and journey it takes us on.

Oh my god I almost forgot the last 15% felt like I was reading for 35 years. I kept reading because I just wanted to be done but the ending KEPT GOING. the last 2% just kept going. It was a little bit painful for me because the climax was long gone and I wanted so bad to put the book down. The ending was actually nice and it tied everything up in a way that’s satisfying and positive and I liked knowing all the effects that came from everything, I can’t even say what I would cut if anything. It just felt so god damn long. That is probably fine for a lot of people who really love this kind of book, they want to hear about the small, human experiences. For me it was a slough. I was both appreciating the writing and humanity of the characters and situations and hoping to god it would end soon.
Overall I hope the people who can really enjoy this book find it because there is so much good that I know a lot of people will appreciate immensely.

[Sue Fernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Paulie has a complicated relationship with her family, and she feels she and her boyfriend, Declan, have been out of sorts with one another. One evening, after drinking, shelets her friend Jemma convince her to enter a reality show contest that takes place in Sweden. She thinks it will be a fun trip to Sweden, with little thinking into what else it would entail. She is thrilled to learn she's chosen as a contestant. The grand prize is a reunion with her Swedish relatives.

Paulie has a fun personality, and she goes off with a Polaroid camera and her most beloved book, Pippi Longstocking. Initially the whole contest seems like a train wreck, but as the time progresses she learns about her co contestants, herself, and what family means.
She is a great character. I was sorry to see it end.

Another fun bit is that Mariner Books gives a bit of their history at the end of the book. It was all super interesting, and I'm glad they added it. I'll look for more by this publisher.

Thank you to Mariner Books and NetGalley for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

#BigInSweden #MarinerBooks #NetGalley

[Milly Clark · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute but boring, twas a kindle freebie and I was in the mood for something smooth-brained. Regrettably this took that a step to far

[Lin Salisbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't think it was possible that Sally Franson could top her first novel, A LADY'S GUIDE TO SELLING OUT, but here it is in all its glory -- BIG IN SWEDEN is hilarious and heartbreaking and her protagonist, Paulie, wholly captured my heart.

Paulie's family was complicated -- a gay father, a drunk mother, and a sister who lived in a commune and downed conspiracy theories like they were vitamins. Her boyfriend Declan and best friend Jemma were all the family she needed. Until one night, on a dare and perhaps a third glass of wine, Jemma godes her into auditioning for Sverige och Mig, a show on Swedish television where Swedish Americans compete to win the ultimate prize: meeting their Swedish relatives. Much to her surprise, Paulie is accepted as a contestant. Armed with her beloved copy of Pippi Longstockings and a Polaroid camera, Paulie embarks on the adventure of a lifetime -- one that will challenge her notions of family, friendship, and love.

As one of seven contestants, Paulie contends for the prize through a series of absurd challenges: rowing from Denmark to Sweden in the freezing rain, battling through obstacle courses, competing in a pickled-herring eating contest ... all the while disdaining her fellow countrymen. But as the contestant field narrows and one after another of the Americans are sent home, Paulie realizes that perhaps she's been too judgmental. Something surprising happens -- her foes become friends.

Franson is at the height of her comedic powers in BIG IN SWEDEN. Paulie is an endearing character in spite of her snarky edge. Franson knows something about Swedish reality TV because she was a cast member of Allt for Sverige, a Swedish reality TV show about finding your roots. Lucky for us because in BIG IN SWEDEN she has taken her experience and turned it into a delightful and delicious comedy. I never wanted it to end. I read the book AND listened to the audiobook, narrated by Meg Ryan, and still was not ready to say goodbye to Paulie.

This is Lin Salisbury with Superior Reviews. Listen to my author interviews and read my reviews at www.superiorreads.com.

[Caitlin Waits · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book! On a journey to find her family, Paulie ends up discovering herself in Sweden. I read a few other books about reality TV show contestants, so I hoped I would enjoy this book. This was my favorite book of the genre! Instead of focusing on romance, "Big in Sweden" focused on getting to know yourself, learning to love those around you, and learning to participate in your own life.

The characters drove the book. I found the main character, Paulie, to be loud and joyful, sometimes annoying and selfish, but also lovable and oh-so relatable. I appreciated the character growth and change throughout the book, while Franson still kept Paulie true to herself. Overall, I felt this character was so empowering, both to the joyful mess we can make and to giving readers grace to grow in themselves. I also really liked the supporting characters, supportive girl boss Jemma, the sweetly out-of-touch Declan, and the zany cast of the reality TV show.

I also enjoyed learning a little bit about Sweden! The reality TV show challenges were a fun mix of Great British Bake Off, Renaissance festivals, and ABBA tributes, with a dash of kitch over it all. The descriptions of Sweden and the museums, canals, restaurants, and gardens made me eager to visit. I could not put this book down, and I'm happy to recommend it to all cozy, slice-of-life readers.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually saw this author on a local talk show, and I am very glad I gave the book a try! Paulie loves Pippi Longstocking because of her grandma. Slightly drunk, Paulie, at the behest of her bff/sis Jemma decdies to film an entry for a Swedish reality show about finding your family roots. She wins and heads to Sweden to meet the other contestants. Everyone is flawed in some way--probably how they get chosen. The challenges and eliminations begin as we get to know the contestants and watch as the behind-the-scenes activities merge with actual reality. This wasn't entirely flippant, as I thought it may be, but deep subjects and relationships occur. Also, Pippi continues to be an influence throughout Paulie's stay in Sweden.

[Tracie Cohee · Rating 4 out of 5]

When you take a premise like “Survivor” with the winner meeting their long-lost family in Sweden, you have an unexpectedly fun read. The book started off slow with character development but half way through had me fully vested in their stories. Plus, add in, the descriptive writing of the various locations in Sweden and you will be booking your flight to see the beauty & interesting history. Add to your summer reading list. The publication date is July 2nd. Thank you to Net Galley and Mariner Books for this advance read.

[Olivia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Storyline was adorable, but the random political discussions was distracting from the essence of the book. Still cute and interesting though.

[Jenna (readinginjennaland) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Geez, the writing just did not grab me. I've actually heard of the swedish gameshow and was intrigued to try the book out. I've known a couple of people who've been on the show. But the writing I just couldn't find love in the words or the characters. It seemed a bit all over the place.

[callistoscalling · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a silly homemade video is submitted to a reality show, Pauline gets the chance of a lifetime to explore her family heritage in Sweden to film the show! Paulie is a beautifully written character with admirable qualities mixed with flaws, unapologetically honest with quite a story to tell. The competition to meet her family in Sweden turns into a journey down the family tree and an opportunity for self-discovery. She is accompanied by a colorful cast of characters who illustrate cultural differences in an entertaining yet meaningful manner. Big in Sweden is an absolutely delightful cultural journey that you probably did not know you needed!

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC 🤩

very witty/clever writing, i highlighted lots of phrases and quotes throughout. I have wanted to visit Sweden for a long time and this book just fueled the fire! 🇸🇪 Self-discovery is the #1 theme, also the concept of “chosen family.” The story was a little repetitive and drawn out overall, but it was a feel-good and even empowering read (taking control of one’s life). I think this book will resonate more with some ppl than it did me, but i still enjoyed it overall. It would be interesting as an audiobook to get all the Swedish words pronounced correctly 🤪

[Chrissy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the setting, the premise, and the writing, but the main character just rubbed me the wrong way sometimes. Despite wanting to cheer for her because we’re in her head and have her POV, I was often wondering, “Why do any of these people even give her a chance?”

Still, it was a good read that kept me looking forward to grabbing it off my nightstand each evening.

[Raven Cassidy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun quick found family book with a little bit of finding yourself

[Stevie Jarrett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Big in Sweden, at its core, is a about taking a journey to discover yourself but then finding it is best to grow where you are planted.

Paulie takes an offer to join a Swedish reality TV show about Americans connecting with their long lost families.

I REALLY wanted to enjoy this. It has all the elements for a great story, but it becomes bogged down with stereotypes and political agendas that feel forced.

I also just find cringeyness on going on a reality show for genealogy when there are so many options to connect with long distance relatives.

[Katie Goslak · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is actually quite funny and lighthearted when you get past the fact that it’s about hating the US and Christianity.

[Sarah Reichenbach · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was debating most of this book about whether I liked it, or if I just wanted to know what happened next. I’d resolved to giving it 3 stars because at least I wanted to continue reading it, until the last 2 pages and the epilogue.

I thought the romance/cheating portion of the book seemed forced, rushed, and ineffective, I think Paulie could have gone on this whole journey of self discovery without it (as is reinforced by the ending). The ending seemed disappointing to me, maybe because I don’t know the themes of Pippy Longstocking or the Swedish movie referenced at the end. Either way, the end seemed like she was partially settling or resolving to her Minnesota roots even though I did not think she resembled much of a Minnesota personality for majority of her character arc.

[Carol D · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I especially liked that the author herself had gone on a Reality TV show in Sweden before writing this book. Having been an avid traveler in my youth I latched on to the cultural aspect of the story, Pippi Long-stocking tie in and some of the emotional angst too.

Pauline ‘Paulie’ Johansson is 35 years old and teaches at Premier Prep for the privileged youth of Minneapolis, MN. She lives with her longtime boyfriend Declan. One night her best friend Jemma sends in a drunken audition tape to a Swedish Reality show. The winner of the competition will meet their long lost Swedish relatives. Suddenly after a quick interview Paulie is picked to compete and whisked off to Sweden for 5 weeks, much to the annoyance of her boyfriend.

None of the competitors have anything in common or so it seems. But in such close proximity the truth will come out, voices will be raised and fighting will
commence. There are a few times when I laughed out loud, when the in fighting got out of hand!

I thought the story was about self discovery. We all have skeletons in our closet somewhere, if we cling to those skeletons, we may never move forward. Paulie came from a dysfunctional family and in her travels she was trying to find out what normal was.

One of my favorite lines was;
If you are very strong, you must be very kind

[Jesse Törzs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to receive a galley copy of this book and I read it in 2 days. The only thing that prevented me from reading it in one sitting was the need for a few hours of sleep.

I LOVED this book. I laughed out loud SO MANY times while reading this. It is absolutely hysterical.

I also cried. A lot, more than I expected given the very joyful cover of this book, and given the fact that this book is very joyful in so many ways. But it’s also deep; this book touched me very deeply, it’s hard to put into words exactly why, but if I had to - you kind of turn into one of the characters. I felt smug, I felt annoyed, I hated some of the characters at times, I loved them a lot, I was irritated, I was sad, I was confused about myself and what I want and who I am, I was all of it- just like they are. I became a Crying American (read it and you’ll know). Or maybe I already am one and it just brought it out of me.

This book speaks to the universality of love, and the sacred ability to love anyone, from anywhere, from any background. It also deeply considers the idea of family, and the reality of a chosen family- the people who we choose to love, and the people who are our family not by blood but by something maybe deeper. Or the people who we do not choose to love, and yet love them we do.

10/10.

[Kaytie · Rating 4 out of 5]

**thank you to netgalley and the publishers for the ARC of this book**

rated 3.5 stars rounding up to 4

really enjoyed the beginning that kind of created this world of the main character pauline along with her small group of friends/acquaintances

middle really dragged, so much exposition in the middle of what is supposed to be a reality tv game show type thing (only shown in sweden but so much education about sweden to those who assumably already should know this) i did find the interactions with the special guests interesting but there could probably be a lot of filler removed to make the story flow without all the huge chunks of textbook descriptions

the ending really brought it all together for me, pauline was kind of insufferable throughout the book but i think she was meant to be. this is how real life people can be; no one is a perfect caricature of any one stereotype which we also get to see evolve in the other contestants on the journey. by the end i was seriously rooting for the last two to win and it made me kick my feet on the flight that i read this book during.

[Sam Stoddard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Mariner Books for this E-ARC.

I was so excited to read this book. My mom and her side of the family is Swedish and that’s where I grew up. I was really hoping that the writer was going to get the references and jokes correct! And boy did they. There were many times where I was laughing about the jokes or references to something. The nostalgia was real.

However the characters are insufferable. I hated them. I don’t know if that was the point of the book? To kind of point out the way certain things bother Americans that don’t bother other countries? I’m not sure. I just found them annoying and whiny.
There’s one line that says “you Americans are so mad. And sad. In Sweden we are all just a little depressed all the time”. I laughed at that. Cause it’s true. In the winter, where I grew up, it was 22 hours of darkness. So you spent 5 months not seeing the sun and you were just kind of depressed all the time.

Overall, good book. Loved the way it was accurate to the language and certain jokes.

[Dani · Rating 1 out of 5]

I picked this up randomly at the library because Sweden, but this was painfully bad. I always hesitate before giving something 1 star because it feels so harsh, but when I spent the majority of the book hoping the entire cast of characters (except Declan, who was at least halfway reasonable) would get Midsommared, I can't justify a higher rating. As manufactured, shallow, and cringe-worthy as the reality TV show at the center of the story.

I could go on for a long time about what I found so irritating about the MC (and nearly everything else), but let me instead save some time and simply share one of many quotes that was especially laughable: He squeezed us both so hard that I could feel his heart, the way you can feel when an avocado's ripe. Firm yet soft.

Friends, the next time I hug you, I will be squeezing extra hard to feel if you have ripe avocado hearts or not. For science.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this one. Paulie is pretty hard to take in the beginning of the book, but the author does a great job at showing character development and not in a cheesy way. The whole book was just…nice in the end. Which was great. My only complaint would be that the chapters were titled in Swedish and a subtitle in English underneath would have been welcome. Honestly I wouldn’t mind reading individual books about the rest of the contestants.

[McKenzie · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF…bummer bc it sounds so cute!
Not a fan of cheating trope nor frivolous political add-ins.

[Sim · Rating 2 out of 5]

The premise of this book is so fun and unique—an American woman joins a Swedish reality TV show designed to help members of the diaspora reconnect with their roots. I really enjoyed learning more about Sweden: its cultural norms, food, landscapes, people, and traditions are represented so lovingly. I also didn’t know anything about the Sámi—indigenous people who apparently Frozen took a lot of inspiration from (esp Kristoff’s reindeer herding), and I was interested in learning more about them.

But all this was difficult to fully appreciate bcos I found Paulie—the protagonist—totally insufferable. I think she was supposed to be sympathetic, but often came across as whiny, self-absorbed and emotionally immature. And I couldn’t get past my frustration with her cheating on her sweet, long term boyfriend twice with the same man—the only reason it didn’t go further was bcos he was way more concerned about her partner than she was.

Also a small but infuriating quibble: the book includes a throwaway line: “Think of the despicable regimes, from the Nazis to the Brahmins to the Boers to American slaveholders…” I guess this was meant as a critique of casteism, but equating Brahmins with Nazis and slave owners is not only offensive but also deeply culturally ignorant in its attempt to seem worldly, and it left a really bad taste in my mouth.