Member Reviews
This was a really sweet story, and a nice adaptation of Disney's "Tangled". Ren and Fitz were great together, and I love that she is the bookish, whip-smart character and Fitz is the playboy. I enjoyed their chemistry and thought that the storyline was done well, but it wasn't really anything that hasn't been done before. Overall a fun read.
This book was not at all what I was expecting but it was so much better. Ren and Fitz were absolutely perfect. Ren was such an unconventional romance character and I really loved the energy she brought to the story. The story unfolded so beautifully on their road trip. The part I wasn't expecting was the suspense and how Ren's story would play out. I couldn't put it down as I got to the end. I will recommend this to my friends and high school students.
I have read very little by Christina Lauren as it is not the kind of book I usually read. However, thanks to @Netgalley, I was able to get an eArc of this book. I completely enjoyed it! Ren was such a delight! Away at school for the first time, and I mean the first time ever going to school, Ren discovers the world around her. Enter in Fitz…
Quick, delightful beach read.
In a modern day retelling of Tangled, Christina Lauren created Ren, a sheltered 22 year old girl who is leaving her home to go to school for the first time. She has always been at her parent's farm, with no official education or access to any technology. Ren has taught herself everything from Calculus to Mandarin, and was admitted to college with a full scholarship. There, she meets Fitz - the charming guide appointed to show her around campus, who has a few secrets of his own. When a DNA test in one of their classes shows Ren something unexpected, they go on a journey that leads to a discovery of some secrets and a discovery of themselves.
This is the first book from the Meant to Be series that I read and I am definitely going to be adding the others to my list! I was not sure what to expect with a modern day fairy tale retelling, but this was so enjoyable! Ren was sheltered but never gave the impression of being a damsel in distress. She was tough, brave, smart, charming, and curious. Fitz had no option but to fall for her This was such a cute modern take on Rapunzel/Tangled. Christina Lauren perfectly translated Rapunzel’s sunshine-y optimism and naïveté to Ren, as well as the cynicism and sarcasm of Flynn Rider, aka Fitz. There’s also the bit of a mystery surrounding Ren’s parents, their origins and true intentions. I loved picking up on all of the references from the movie, both small and large, like the cat named Pascal or Fitz’s white Ford Mustang named Max. As Ren and Fitz journey across the country, their relationship goes on a journey as well, from enemies to friends to lovers. In keeping with the theme, it's light on spice, but you can definitely "feel" the chemistry between Ren and Fitz. I also really enjoyed that this book was a dual POV. It was great to be able to get both MC’s perspectives and to be able to read their thoughts and feelings. I wish we could have gotten just a bit more about Ren and Fitz’s happy ever after. It had everything I love from a Christina Lauren book including lovable characters and snappy dialogue. The novel balances witty banter with moments of introspection perfectly, creating a story that is not only entertaining but also emotionally sound. I would recommend it - especially if you’re a Tangled fan! Thanks to Christina Lauren, Netgalley and Hyperion Avenue for an e-arc in exchange for my thoughts. I am looking forward to reading Christina Lauren’s next book.
This was a cute, fun retelling of Tangled! It was well paced in my opinion, and very clever on how the author handled the storyline.
Also-- if you're ever wanting a romance that's clean but with a little burn, this is a great option!
Tangled Up in You will definitely become a best seller when it is published on June 25th of 2024! Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of it!
As you all know, I am not a huge fan of contemporary romance. But, when I got an ARC for this novel, I thought since it is based on some fantasy and magic, I would give it a go. As far as contemporary romance goes, this might be one of my favorites. Somehow, Christina Lauren managed to modernize almost every single key component from the original movie, including some plot points that I did not even imagine could be in there. This led me to actually be surprised at some of the events, even though I seemingly knew the story. This was a lovely surprise and I found myself eager to see how it all would end.
The main characters, Ren and Fitz, are very true to the personalities of our original Rapunzel and Flynn. Her unwavering optimism, and his pessimism masked by charm, created tension and banter throughout the entire novel. Both of their character developments throughout the story were also very heartwarming and realistic and made their subsequent growing fondness for one another even more fun.
There was an added plot point to Fitz’s character that I do not think necessarily needed to be there, but nevertheless helped add to the concept of the “mask” he wore around everyone (except for Ren). While there were definitely no smutty scenes in this novel, the few kissing scenes shared between Fitz and Ren were still beautifully written and made me want to root for their relationship even more.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this novel to both contemporary and fantasy romance readers. It was easy and fun, while also diving into some deeper emotional characterizations and growth.
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this audio.
What a cute book!! I love this series and this one is probably my favorite! It had me from page one!
Ahhh this was such an adorable book to read. I’m a huge fan of Disney and Christina Lauren so that was a hit for me. The book is a retelling of the fairytale Tangled. Ren is a naive, sheltered 22 year old young lady who is attending college for the first time. Fitz has a troubled past but is determined to graduate at the top of his class. When Ren finds out something surprising about her family, she tags along with Fitz on a roadtrip across the county. The storyline has a bit of suspense, romance, self-discovery, and adventure. This book had a different feel than other CLo books but it was really fun to read and I definitely enjoyed it!
Read if you like:
🚘grumpy x sunshine
🚘forced proximity
🚘one bed
🚘dual POV
Ren has lived on a homestead her entire life with her parents. They have no internet or phone and have lived a very sheltered life. Ren convinces her parents to let her attend college, and they reluctantly agree. It's here she meets a charming Fitz and convinces him to take her with him on a road trip.
Thoughts 💭
This book is the fourth book in Disney's Meant To Be series of modern fairy tale retellings. This book focuses on the movie Tangled (rapunzel), and Christina Lauren adds a fun twist to the story. Ren is adorable and lovable. Her take on the world is charming and refreshing. It's easy to see why Fitz becomes enamored by her. Fitz is a guarded bad boy who is trying to find his place in the world. Ren brings out the best in him and helps him open up. For fans of Tangled, there were a lot of familiar names and circumstances that are similar to the movie. They did a great job of staying true to the original but also adding a new flare. It's a sweet and easy read without any spice, and I think fans of the movie will be really happy with this.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Not for me. I can't put my finger one it, but I couldn't after the first few chapters. I wasn't connecting with the characters and I think they were a little one dimensional
Thank you to Hyperion Avenue & NetGalley for an ARC of this book, in exchange for my honest opinion.
I had only ever read one Christina Lauren book, a while back but I hear nothing but great things so I was super excited about this book. And it did not disappoint.
It was one of those books that made you forget everything around you while you read, and was just a total comfort read. Think of how you felt reading a fairytale as a little girl, and now you’re reading it again as a grown up, and it’s completely reimagined in the real world. It was simply a joyful read, that I enjoyed so much!
I was a little nervous about the “retelling of Rapunzel” but these authors absolutely nailed it! They stayed true to the plot of the original fairy tale, but immersed it in a very modern and realistic story. The book catapults you right into the middle of Rens’ world and life, and you soon feel as “tangled” as she does (See what I did there 😉).
The road trip Ren and Edward end up on together is full of honesty, so many laugh out loud moments, and self discovery. The way this book ends with a bang, and a lot of suspense was executed perfectly. And of course the happily ever after was just swoony & perfect.
Just please stop everything you’re doing if you’re a Romance book girly, and pick this book up because it will be such a fun and sweet read!!!
Tangled Up In You is part of a larger Disney-based series, and is- unsurprisingly, based on Rapunzel. This book is like the fish out of water meets grumpy x sunshine trope on steroids. I found so much of it very cliche and therefore hard to enjoy. IMHO, this trope has been done before, and better. A sweet read I guess with some twists but not really unique. A unfortunately blah book from one of my favourite author duos.
In the beginning I thought this book was kind of slow. By the time I got to the second half I was really interested and couldn’t wait to see how this story progressed. I just realized this is sort of a spin on Tangled and I really liked that.
On their road trip I really felt Ren’s excitement for all of the new things she saw and learned that she’s never scene or heard by living on the homestead. I loved that Fitz wanted to help her explore as much as possible.
Thank you Hyperion Avenue and NetGalley for an ARC
LOVED THIS.
So cute, so imaginative, exactly the slice of sweet pie I needed to kick off my summer.
This was a nice adaptation of Disney's Tangled, especially turning it into a romance novel without losing the heart of the original story. The key scenes were adapted very well without being just a rewrite, and the story felt fresh enough to keep me guessing and intrigued in how everything would play out. That being said, I think this was way too long and I found myself skimming a lot of the middle. There was so much backstory, which I'm sure added to the characters and their motivations but I wanted more plot. Overall it's worth a read if you're fan of the movie. If not, it may be a skip for you.
🌈Queer rep: none
"Tangled Up in You" is a heartwarming tale of two individuals, Ren and Fitz, who come from different worlds but find themselves embarking on a journey of self-discovery and growth together. Ren, a young woman raised off the grid, and Fitz, a determined and ambitious college student, form an unlikely bond that leads them on a road trip filled with twists and turns.
The author beautifully captures the essence of stepping out of one's comfort zone and embracing the unknown. As Ren and Fitz navigate challenges and unexpected circumstances, they learn valuable lessons about life, love, and the importance of following one's heart. The character development is rich, and readers will find themselves rooting for Ren and Fitz as they forge a deep connection.
With a perfect blend of humor, romance, and introspection, "Tangled Up in You" is a captivating Rapunzel retelling that leaves a lasting impact.
Overall, this novel is a delightful exploration of personal growth and the beauty of embracing the unknown. Perfect for readers who enjoy stories of self-discovery, Rapunzel, and the magic of unexpected connections,
Tangled is one of my favorite Disney movies, and Christina Lauren's modern retelling checks all the boxes!
Ren has lived an isolated life on a homestead, dreaming of going to college and learning how to better harness her intelligence and engineering skills to better the farm. But when she finally arrives at Corona College, she's unprepared for the realities of the real world. Nonetheless, Ren excels at her classes until a DNA project reveals a startling truth. Enter Fitz, the charming, All-American rich boy whose golden smile is hiding a world of secrets. Ren blackmails Fitz into a road trip, and what should've been a few simple days in the car changes their lives forever.
This story has everything you'd want from the Disney film but set in modern day. CL do a great job of translating Rapunzel's life in a hidden tower into Ren's isolated homestead upbringing, and the road trip trope is the perfect update of Rapunzel and Flynn's adventure to Corona. Although this does have some of the romance elements readers would expect from a CL novel, the spice is low, which makes sense since Ren is really meeting people and seeing the world for the first time. Frankly, it would be awkward for the romance between Ren and Fitz to move too quickly, but that doesn't mean there aren't some incredibly sweet moments and a whole lot of kissing.
The ending wraps up well and gives the book some high stakes. Although things do end a bit quickly, it's the typical fairy-tale HEA, which I can appreciate. Although I haven't read any of the other books in this series, this Tangled retelling is a hit and will appeal to fans of Tangled, HEAs, and Christina Lauren.
Tangled is one of my favorite Disney stories and so I was super excited when I heard about this book.
I can only imagine the challenge of trying to create a new story, but still staying true to the original inspiration. Ren felt just as naive as Rapunzel and Fitz felt just as sneaky. I really enjoyed them together.
I think this story was well done and the modern twist was done very well. True to a Christina Lauren book,I was smiling and chuckling through the pages.
I’d definitely recommend this fun read, especially if you enjoyed Tangled, but you’ll probably still like this even if you haven’t seen the movie.
Thank you so much NetGalley for the arc of this book!
This was a really cute book by Christina Lauren. I was drawn on to Ren’s character at the beginning of this book and her journey of discovering the world after being raised on a secluded homestead. She definitely gives off Disney princess vibes living up to the premise of the book. Things stalled for me in the middle of this book and I actually had to put it down for a while. I forced myself to come back and I’m glad I did because the ending was much more action packed and exciting. Once they reach Atlanta all hell breaks loose and the story picks up. If you’re familiar with the Tangled story, non of what happens will come as a big surprise, but I feel like Christina Lauren were able to put their own writing style into the story. Overall this story has what you would expect from a book based on retelling of a Disney story and I walked away happy.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for the ARC of this book!
Thank you to NetGalley and Hyperion for the ARC of this book in exchange for honest feedback.
I’ve enjoyed this series of Disney “retellings” for adults and was super excited to see a Christmas Lauren one coming out. They did a great job merging “Tangled” with their signature store telling and at times I kind of forgot this was supposed to be a Disney book. There’s no spice in it so super safe for anyone to read. I finished this one in about 6 hours so it’s a great vacation or by-the-pool book.