Greta lives in an old Dutch farmhouse, working as a transcriber for a 'sex and relationship coach' in Hudson, New York. Thank you to NetGalley and Scribner for allowing me to read this ARC!Ĭontent Warning: suicide, misogyny, homophobia, rape (mentioned, off-page), eating disorders, violence, stalking, animal cruelty, racism. Thank you to NetGalley and Scribner for a copy in return for an honest review! However, the quirky humor was not for me and Greta's ending disappointingly fell flat.

Beagin has such an interesting perspective on trauma and how it can be apart of our story, but we are more defined by our own actions than the actions of others. The relationship blossoms beautifully and really explores authentic queer sexuality. Their entanglement becomes a torrid sapphic love affair that balances intensity and tenderness. Greta, the transcriber, really resonates with her insistence on overcoming her trauma by not letting it define her because and is drawn to Big Swiss when she recognizes her at a dog park.

Rather, she would like to discuss her inability to orgasm by herself or with her husband. Big Swiss experienced a near-death assault years ago, but is insistent on not being defined as a victim because of her past trauma.

The characters are overdone and larger than life and that's likely the point that worked for many but not so much for me.Īn amazing set up for such a fun, complex plot! A transcriber for a sex and relationship therapist in the quirky small town of Hudson, NY becomes fascinated by a patient she nicknames Big Swiss. Many other reviewers have seen this book as funny and dark. Greta lives in a broken down once glorious old house, complete with duct taped windows and a bee hive that has overtaken the kitchen and she has trauma of her own including her mother's death when she was young. For purposes of the affair, Greta calls herself Rebekah and doesn't reveal that she knows Big Swiss from her sex therapy transcriptions. Eventually they meet at a local dog park and begin an affair. Greta, a lost soul who has moved there from LA after a break up, becomes infatuated listening to Big Swiss, a married physician with a beautiful body, sharp voice and a stony persona who suffered a terrible assault years earlier. It has plenty of great reviews so it's possible I didn't really get it.īig Swiss is Greta's name for Flavia, one of the clients of the weird, gong loving sex therapist for whom she transcribes sessions in an eclectic, boho town north of New York City. I'm grateful to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read it.

Big swiss jen beagin summary