I have loved the previous books in the Meant to Be Series! So, when I saw there was going to be a new book I was really excited! Plus it was being written by Christina Lauren! This book did not disappoint! I love the Disney movie Tangled! I thought Christina Lauren did a great job with this retelling! My favorite part was the inclusion of Pascal the cat! Every time I heard Pascal’s name, I got a big smile on my face. It was a sweet touch for the retelling.

I loved Ren and her pizzaz for life! It was fun to see her explore all the new things she hadn’t previously been allowed to do. Fitz was so lovable. He was so damaged and watching him evolve into a true softie had me swooning.

Read if you like:
💕 Disney’s Tangled
💕 Roadtrips
💕 College Romances
💕 Grumpy/Sunshine
💕 A Bit of Mystery in Your Romance
💕 Adventure

Despite not being a huge Rapunzel or Tangled fan, when I saw that the next Meant to Be book was being written by Christina Lauren, I had to read it. I requested it through NetGalley, and ended up with an advanced copy at a library conference. It was quite enjoyable, and I ended up staying up way too late one night to finish it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for the advanced copy!

This contemporary rom-com reinterprets Disney's Tangled, itself adapted from the classic fairy tale Rapunzel by the Brothers Grimm.

Discovering one's true identity and potential can diverge significantly from expectations.

What was once tumultuous and contentious, the relationship between Ren and Fritz has blossomed into warmth, passion, and honesty. A sugary sweet and addictive read.

It's truly a 3.5-star read but I rounded it up.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for this e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately, this was a miss for me. I kept trying to get into this book. I would read a chapter, get bored and put it down. I kept coming back to it, but couldn't truly get invested. Eventually, I just decided to not finish this one. I love the movie, Tangled, and I gotta give it to the authors that they really tried to make this as close to the movie as possible but making it more for today. They really nailed that part of it. Unfortunately, I did not connect with these characters at all and sadly, did not finish this one. But, I'm definitely in the minority on that.

This was such a sweet retelling of "Tangled," which I actually have never seen!

Ren has lived off the grid for her entire life. She loves her homestead life, but at 22, she yearns for something more. Through some sort of miracle, her parents allow her to go away to college. Once there, Ren learns about a whole new world, and runs into Fitz, the handsome senior assigned to show her around. Through a series of incredible events, the two end up on a cross-country road trip together. While they're fighting attraction to each other, both of them learn things about the other's past that will change the course of both of their lives.

This felt different from the other Christina Lauren books I've read (no spice!), but not in a bad way. It was really cute and also touching. It could have been corny, but for the most part they landed the retelling while putting a twist on it.

I love retellings and reimaginings. I have been enjoying this series of Meant To Be books. This is Tangled but she is raised by Homesteaders and then gets to go to college with a full ride which is her first time away from home. A teacher is also an owner of a DNA testing company and has the students do tests and she gets some interesting results. So Ren and Fitz go on a road trip across the country to figure out the truth.
Loved all the parallels to the movie Tangled. The relationship between her and the charming Fitz turns from blackmailing to slow burn. During their road trip she learns so much about the outside world and what she's missed. That ending was action packed and so stressful just like the tower scene in the original.
Definitely a fun summer read and sweet romance.

Bookish Ren leaves an off-grid homestead to attend college, eager to experience the “real world.” Former foster-child Fitz, a charming scholar with a juvie record, finds his carefully planned future disrupted by Ren’s arrival. A chance encounter leads to an unexpected road trip, where Ren and Fitz form an unlikely bond while their lives begin to unravel.

This is an intensely emotional story with well-drawn characters and a strong plot. The pacing is a little on the slow side, especially in the beginning. I’ve never seen “Tangled,” but I don’t think that had a negative effect on my enjoyment of the book. Ultimately, it’s a satisfying read.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

First, I'd like to thank NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for the ARC of this book.

The Meant to Be series has done it again! Christina Lauren captures a modern retelling of Rapunzel in such a brilliant way, this book was so hard to put down and I devoured it.

Ren as a character is lovely and I genuinely love how she is presented as a genuine pure soul that loves life and strives to be the best for the best reasons. Her connection to Fitz at first seemed a little "creepy" in terms of how Fitz comes across to her and just his demeanor, but as his story unfolds he is just as beloved as she is. The connections to the Disney retelling are phenomenal; obvious enough to catch but subtle in a brilliant way they don't detract from the story as a whole.

The hot tub scene is my favorite, alongside the "fair" in Nashville. True enemies to friends to lovers!

And, the ending! it was great, a little rushed and I would have loved more of how Ren came to be in Idaho but it felt like a nice complete bow at the end.

“You don’t know what you’re missing until you see it.”

Ren Gylden isn’t your typical college freshman. At twenty two years old, Ren has lived a sheltered life-caring for animals on her parents farm and immersing herself in her books. But a part of Ren has always been itching to spread her wings. And even though strict upbringing has put many restrictions on her freedom, she finally convinces her parents to let her go away to school.

Unsurprisingly, when the wide-eyed Ren first sets foot on campus, she’s like a kid in a candy store. Unfortunately, her innocent nature also makes her stand out like a sore thumb. Perceived as gullible, she’s quickly warned to steer clear of Edward “Fitz” Fitzsimmons, a charming playboy who was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. Then a genetic based assignment haphazardly links the pair, culminating in a reluctant road trip to get some answers. While on the road, Ren experiences a lot of firsts, Fitz even feeling a few of his own. Suddenly nothing is as it once seemed. But when you’ve only lived a life based in a lie, how do you begin to find what’s true?

Tangled Up In You is a fish out of water romance, loosely based on the story of Rapunzel, although I did not realize this going in. I always enjoy college settings in books because of the potential plot lines. However, while college was a jumping off point, this story departs from the plan pretty quickly, Christina Lauren departing from their typical fare along with it. All this to say this departure worked, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss some of the signature Christina Lauren style I’ve grown to know and love.

In the end, Tangled Up In You still weaves an entertaining romantic retelling that
a lot of readers will surely get wrapped up in.

A charming rom com that stands on its own. I love a good fish out of water story, and Ren is a delightful character who enters our world of modern contrivances and social complexities with endearing verve. Fitz makes a good foil, for he is more worldly and cynical, but proves to have a big heart. Their road trip romance takes us on an unexpected adventure, especially because we see it through Ren's eyes. I have never seen the Disney movie, Tangled, and had to Google the basic plot, so I don't know how I would feel about the retelling if I was a devoted fan, but I have to say, I would like to see it now!

Tangled Up in You by Christina Lauren is a brilliant reimagination of the story of Rapunzel. Ren, our main character, was homeschooled, so when she was finally able to go to college, she met Fitz, who she ends up having to go on an unexpected road trip with for their immunology seminar. The adventure that awaits them was funny and sweet, making me laugh out loud a couple of times. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I absolutely adored this book, it’s such an engaging read with a very unique heroine. Ren is completely unfamiliar with most aspects of modern life. When she inadvertently finds information about her earliest years, it sends her on a road trip with Fitz, an unexpected white knight. I don’t want to say anything that might ruin your reading experience, but I highly recommend you read this book! 5 stars.

From the Publisher:

Ren has never held an iPhone, googled the answer to a question, or followed a crush on social media. What she has done: Read a book or two, or three (okay, hundreds). Taught herself to paint. Built a working wind power system from scratch. But for all the books she’s read, Ren has never found one that’s taught a woman raised on a homestead and off the grid for most of her twenty-two years how to live in the real world. So when she finally achieves her lifelong dream of attending Corona College, it feels like her life is finally beginning.

Fitz has the rest of his life mapped out: Graduate from Corona at the top of his class, get his criminal record wiped clean, and pass himself off as the rich, handsome player everyone thinks he is. He’s a few short months from checking off step one of his plans when Ren Gylden, with her cascading blonde hair and encyclopedic brain, crashes into his life, and for the first time Fitz’s plan is in jeopardy.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley, I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for the digital advance reader's copy.

This is the fourth book in the Meant to Be series, "inspired by the classic fairy tale stories we all know and love, perfect for adult readers who crave contemporary rom-coms."

These are stand-alone reads, each based on a Disney animated movie, which is the only reason I keep reading them, as romance is not my normal cup of tea. They are the lightest of light frothy reads, perfect for escaping real life.

Quick summary: Ren has lived her entire life on her parent's homestead near a tiny town in Idaho. She's self-taught, curious, open-hearted, and loves learning about anything and everything. Her parents have allowed her to go to college, and she's excited. However, in her science class, a DNA class reveals some surprising results, leading to a secret cross-country road trip with her academic rival, Fitz.

I enjoyed all of the cute references to Disney's <i>Tangled</i>. Some are obvious, and some are more subtle, but these Easter eggs added to the fun.

Lauren does a good job developing the characters of Ren and Fitz, as we learn more about both of their lives. I found myself rooting for their happy ending, even though I knew it was inevitable. Lauren made the emotional roadblocks they faced along the way believable, despite the wild plotline.

All in all, a quick, escapist read for fans of Disney.

*very rare language, sexual situations

This book was so compulsive. I haven't read an entire book in a day in a long time, so props to C Lo once again! They can ALWAYS write a solid page-turner. I thought the Tangled retelling was so fun, and Ren/Fitz definitely embodied their characters. As it is a fairy tale retelling, it definitely leans cheesy and caricature-like. This book is one to pick up if you want a very light, fun read for summer, but I wouldn't expect too much. It does have some heavier elements in a couple of spots, mostly the ending, but honestly, I don't think it meshed well with the rest.

I'm going to give it 4⭐ for the fun summer vibes.

Tangled Up in You is the fourth novel in the Meant to Be series which has each novel written by a new author and does a fairy tale retelling. I love the movie Tangled, so I was nervous how this novel would do the story justice. There are some great nods to the material while still making it unique. In this tale Ren has been raised off the grid and is now stepping foot into the busy world of Corona College. On the other side is the love interest, Fitz, who is determined to graduate with top honors and get his criminal record wiped clean. Their story takes them on a road trip from Washington to Georgia where there a lot of adventures and growth as Ren tries to discover the truth behind a DNA test she takes in her biology class.

The road trip was interesting as the characters begin at their college in Spokane, Washington and go across the US to Atlanta, Georgia, including Ren’s farm in Idaho. It does rely on the reader to either know the general path the characters journey or for them not to engage as much as if you were unfamiliar with the layout of the US, I could see how it could be confusing. Since I have been to many of these places, it was easy enough to picture in my mind. Based on past reads by Christina Lauren, I could sense the urge for them to write the romance a certain way; however, their exact style doesn’t fit to the parameters of this series, so I felt the struggle in the writing. There is a tone that their other novels have where this novel would make suggestions, but then would backtrack to be tamer to fit the series. The romance that develops between the two characters was sweet and I enjoyed the two learning about the other. Their journey was enjoyable, and I loved the fairy tale elements. I can’t wait to see what fairy tale is used for the next story in this series.

**I give a special thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, Hyperion Avenue, for the opportunity to read this entertaining novel. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**

I really enjoyed this Tangled remake. I wasn't sure how it would work out as it started from a cartoon, but the authors did a great job making it a modern book romance. I enjoyed Ren and Fitz and their road trip. Their relationship evolved organically albeit quickly. Ren was so sweet and such a good person. I loved how she related to everyone she came in contact with. It was easy to fall in love with her. I loved the way it ended as well. Another great one from Christina Lauren. If you are a Tangled fan, I think you'll love this one!

Thanks to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for my copy of this ARC which published 6/25/24.

A modern day retake on Tangled?! I am all in (and it was so cute!!). Ren is a girl who has been homeschooled her entire life and kept away from people, technology, and everything in between ... but now she is finally getting her chance to be in the real world and starting her first class at Corona College. Fitz has spent his life playing the part, pretending to be the most charming, wealthy, and attractive guy around, his entire life has been mapped out and he's determined to keep it that way... or he was until a certain ball of sunshine completely takes him off his tracks. Ren and Fitz end up in the same class and when Ren discovers that her family isn't really her family and that her DNA matches someone else, she is determined to go meet him, and when she catches Fitz cheating she makes a deal: she wont tell on him if he takes her to meet her biological father. Fitz hopes that he can just take her on the trip and get her out of his hair as fast as possible... but the more time they spend together the more he's beginning to realize that he is very much tangled up in her. Ren is everything Fitz's isnt, she's so true to herself, so kind and honest, and unjaded... and if he wants to make a relationship with her it means he'll have to take off his persona and truly let her in to know him or risk losing the only girl who has actually ever seen him. Oh I had an absolute blast with this book!! I love Tangled so much so hearing that it got a modern day romance remake I couldn't wait to pick it up! It's absolutely such a fun read and and I think the authors did a fantastic job of keeping the elements of the original story while adding their own take on it. The romance was really well done and I just fell in love with both characters! I would highly HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of the movie!

Release Date: June 25, 2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Hyperion Avenue for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

If you haven’t seen the movie Tangled, do yourself a favor and watch it now. You don’t need to have seen it to enjoy Tangled Up in You, but if you have, the enjoyment will be so much greater. This book brings those characters to new life, here in the forms of Ren and Fitz, and puts them into an all-new scenario that works perfectly with the original story arc.

Ren Goldwyn (our modern-day Rapunzel) has spent her entire life living on a remote homestead in Idaho, largely isolated from society. At 22, she’s extremely smart and knowledgeable, even though she’s never been to school. She’s finally starting college in Spokane, WA, despite her parents’ extreme reservations and strict rules, and her naive innocence and irresistible personality make a big impression on her fellow classmates. But when she takes a DNA test as part of a class, the paternal match she makes is a shock. Could this man way out in Atlanta be her real dad? What about the man she’s known as Dad all her life? What about her mom? Ren blackmails her classmate Fitz into driving her across the country, without her parents’ knowledge. Guarded as he is, the two are catching feelings for each other… but Ren’s world may be about to be turned upside down.

At first what I loved most about Tangled Up in You is simply all the ways it felt true to the film Tangled. Christina Lauren did a fabulous job of capturing Rapunzel and Flynn’s personalities and adapting them to the modern world. Ren is just as enthusiastic, likable, naive, and determined, and I could easily envision her. Likewise, Fitz has the same charming front hiding a secret past and is a man who is very guarded. There are also so many little references that fans of the movie will immediately catch. For example, Fitz’s vehicle is a white Ford Mustang that he’s named Max.

But beyond the obvious movie tie-in, Tangled Up in You fully stands on its own. It unfolds into a beautiful story that is at once engaging, sweet, heartbreaking, and believable (even with its bombshell revelations). I fell in love with these characters not simply for their movie counterparts, but for their own individuality that shines throughout this book.

Tangled Up in You is a fabulous story for Disney fans and non-fans alike. It will appeal to people who’ve seen Tangled as well as those who haven’t—it stands on its own, even while fully paying homage to the film. It’s part coming-of-age story, part slow burn romance, with a healthy dose of shocking action by the end. I found this novel utterly charming, and it’s probably my favorite in the Meant to Be series so far. This is my first time reading Christina Lauren, and I am excited to read more from them soon!

This was a very fun and engaging romance. There were lots of callbacks to the Tangled movie (even certain lines!), and the romance was very sweet. I liked the update to this fairy tale.

I enjoyed Tangled Up In You by Christina Lauren. You will fall in love with all the characters. I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely. Happy Reading!