From the description, I was expecting a light, quirky character, fun Scandinavian novel. I was disappointed. The characters were not well developed. The main character was messy and without direction- Is she a drunk? Is she just an angry, selfish person? Is she even capable of making good decisions? Also hidden in this "feel-good" book was a lot of commentary on social and political issues of the day, both here and in Sweden, which kind of weighed the story down. It felt like the author was trying to cover too many issues all in one go, which gave it a frenetic, rudderless feel. I really wanted to love this book, as I did the Fredrik Backman quirky books, but it just didn't meet the mark for me. I wouldn't discourage anyone from giving this a try. It's a nice, light, summer read, that others may find enjoyable.

Thanks to Net Galley for this ARC opportunity!

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 🤪

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I had high hopes but I felt things were forced, insta changed, and very woke. Seems the plot was lost.

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.
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Dive into the uproarious world of Swedish reality TV with Paulie Johansson in 'Big in Sweden.' Filled with hilarious challenges, unexpected romance, and heartwarming discoveries, this book is a delightful escapade for anyone in need of a good laugh and a touch of adventure!

Paulie wins a spot on a reality show Sverige och Mig, a Swedish television show where Americans compete to win a reunion with their Swedish relatives.
I don't have a lot to say about this book. I wanted fun and funny but I was very disappointed. I just couldn't connect with the main character.

*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*

Paulie Johansson is 35-years old, lives with her long-term boyfriend (and relative snooze-fest Declan), and isn't doing a whole lot with her life. She tutors spoiled rich kids on how to get into Ivy League colleges most of them aren't interested in attending and pines for the day she can stick to an idea long enough to see it through. But after a drunken submission to the Swedish television show Sverige och Mig presents her with the opportunity to explore her grandmother's homeland, and maybe find some new family along the way, Paul jumps at the chance despite Declan's misgivings.

Weird and wonderful, BIG IS SWEDEN tackles the idea of found family and what it means to belong. Paulie is an... interesting main character. Akin to a newborn foal bumbling around, but able to drink alcohol and make bad decisions, she's certainly not going to be liked by all who encounter her. She's angry, selfish, and hypocritical-- but so is every other character in this book. They're all messy, multifaceted, and childish; and each embody their own special American stereotype. However, there were plenty of tender moments of growth and hilarious sections (most of them bordering on the side of ridiculous, but in a believable that's-reality-television way). The book, overall, read like a pointillism painting-- up close it's a mess, but once you step back to look at the big picture it's really lovely.

Franson brought a lot of interesting debates to the table, and also provided the readers with some beautiful ideas on identity and family through Paulie's journey. There was a lot of hate on America, but there was also an equal amount of criticism for Sweden-- topics included immigration, white supremacy, the impacts of resource mining (including the environmental and social impacts on communities), indigenous peoples' historic and current treatment by the government, female reproductive rights, gay rights, evangelicalism, and education.

I have no doubt that BIG IN SWEDEN is a book that will be different each time you read it, the story is so layered and full of amazing insights, but I can also see how the causal writing style and characters could be polarizing for some readers.

Big in Sweden....you're doing too much! Shorten the story, make the main character stronger and more likable, and don't waste our time with "meaningless" hookups.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC for an honest review.

The idea of the book was interesting however I just found Paulie to be unlikable and overdramatic. I DNF @ 27%. What got me was she tried out for this Swedish reality show on a drunken whim and didn't really seem to want it but as soon as she got it she was all about Sweden and connecting with her family all of a sudden was her life long dream. When she breaks down at her great grandparents house after reading the letter felt so fake. It just felt it went from "I don't really care" to "OMG my family" in two seconds.

It also seems as though Paulie has a thing for the production guy after him essentially being polite to her and now it seems she is trying to fall in love. Maybe my issues would have been resolved if I had kept reading but I just was not particular interested in how her story ended.

I love Sweden and really wanted a cute story featuring some places I knew! I had a hard time liking the main character but liked the book overall. The ending was great and worth the read!

I don’t really get this book. I wanted to like it and thought the concept was cute/different/quirky but I didn’t find any of the characters likable and the whole thing felt somewhat bland. I didn’t think the reading experience was great either. The chapters are so long and there wasn’t enough happening in them to keep me interested. I think this book would appeal to the small subset of people who may have seen the show the author was on, but as someone who doesn’t really…care? It was pretty boring.

Pauline is in a relationship that’s run its course. She decides to go on a reality tv show to reconnect with her ancestors. I tried to give this book a shot but I just couldn’t get into it. I have to admit I quit reading without finishing it. I definitely recommend checking it out and seeing if it works for you.

Thank you to netgalley for a copy of this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Mariner books for the E-ARC! (in exchange for my honest review)

OK, I so SO badly wanted to love this book. I am half Norwegian myself, and the thought of a reality competition show Scandinavian style? SIGN ME UP. But, I can conclude I give it a solid 2,5 (rounded up to 3 stars)- and that is solely based on the first two chapters and the last 1/4 of the book in my opinion.

The first two chapters hooked me in. But after that, it quickly felt like the characters were trying to outdo each other as far as complete demoralization goes. Even Paulie, whom I liked at the get-go, turned way too angry, hypocritical , and self righteous for my liking. I found her very hard to root for, both as a character in the overall story and in the competition. And, I completely acknowledge that this was possibly to highlight the behavior present in such a reality TV show environment, but I believe it might have been taken too far.
Also, the romance with Lars to me felt very, very flat and without chemistry. I guess if we were highlighting all of the things Lars was to Declan's "wasn't", then Lars/Paulie courtship could have been a little more vivacious or light or full of life....if that makes sense.

Also a side note- I felt the chapters were a little long. But it could just be my preference.

BUT, after about Chapter 10 I was back "in" again. All of the characters went back to feeling like layered, well-intentioned humans. There were some gorgeous moments between characters, to the point where I was smiling again.

Overall, the book was partially enjoyable. I might even give it a re-read just to see if the jagged edges of the competition portion of the book felt less abrasive. I also feel that the author was packing a lot into the story, thematically. There was a lot of commentary about the world and current issues shoved in there along with each characters self development journey.

I enjoyed the first chapter and half then it became a stereotype of predictable behavior. DNF mid chapter 3.

******************I received an arc, for my honest opinion from NetGalley*******

This book is a lot of fun but ultimately it wasn't my favorite. I felt like some parts of the competition were a little bit confusing with the characters. It definitely grappled with some serious and big issues (suicide, abortion, gay rights etc.) I thought it was fun to get into Swedish culture and the country. Paulie is definitely a gal worth rooting for but I wish the book was a little bit shorter and clearer on the competition aspect and I didn't love the romance aspect! Totally a fun read even if it wasn't an all time fave!

**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.

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.

This book was so much fun to read, and I loved the invented reality TV show with all it's wacky contests. The cast of characters is varied and interesting, and the main characters journey toward finding common ground with them was really well done. As a personal preference, I found the main character to be a little too chaotic and hard to root for, but I'm sure she will resonate with others.

Whirlwind of a book!

It was all about self discovery and acceptance. Pauline went through a lot to finally figure out who she was and what she wanted out of life.

It was funny at times but I did have trouble connecting with Paulie because she was scatterbrained. If you like reading about self discovery, this book is for you!

I have a love/hate relationship with this book. At first, I had a really difficult time deciphering what the author wanted to convey in this novel. Is it a light and funny story about a girl on a reality show? Is it supposed to highlight a long list of current political issues? Is it a twenty something navigating serious family trauma? For me the author was trying to hit on too many themes without really developing any of them and it felt chaotic. I found the main character Paulie a bit intolerable most of the time, but she did grow on me in some of her more heartwarming moments.

That said, I enjoyed the premise of the book and appreciated the witty writing. Stockholm is one of my favorite cities and it was fun to read literature set in Sweden!