This book obviously tells you its a tangled themed book. However, IMO (yes just mine ) it was TOOO tangled eque and therefore just kinda felt like the same story. It was very disney if disney actually showed you romance outside of the one true loves kiss but also keeps it YA. For me the book was okay.

Okay I absolutely loved this book. What a fun twist on Disney's Tangled! I thought that the two mcs were extremely likeable and their lovestory was so wonderful to watch grow. I will say that this book does have some pretty aggressive triggers in it (especially at the end) and boy oh boy did it leave me absolutely gutted. Please read this book.

CLo for the win! This is definitely my favorite in this series of Disney retellings. Ren is off to college. She's a little later than her peers and a lot sheltered after growing up homeschooled and off the grid. But she charms every one at college instantly...everyone but Fitz. A class assigned DNA test reveals that she is not her parents' actual daughter. So she convinces Fitz to take her on his spring break road trip.

This Tangled story was fun and funny and an easy enjoyable read for a girl who doesn't like a road trip. Christina Lauren wrote an adventure that was fun from start to finish and that I will likely revisit from time to time. I loved that it's YA so I could hand it to my 13yo and that it was grown up enough to keep me turning pages all afternoon.

This was my first from the Christina Lauren Meant to Be series; I don't know that I will actively seek out the other books from the series as much as I will continue to eagerly anticipate their other titles, but it is still enjoyable. I think my appreciation of their stand-alone books just overshadows this retelling too much! The characters are likable, even if fairytale sickeningly sweet (or Mother Gothel grrrr-y) and the book is a quick, light read.

I haven't read all the books in this series, but I knew I wanted to grab this one because, well, it's Christina Lauren. These two main characters are much younger than I usually like in my romance novels, but, again, Christina Lauren. Even if I hadn't known going in that this was a Rapunzel book (the whole series is contemporary romance adaptations of/homages to Disney princesses), I would have definitely noticed the similarity to Tangled. Female main-character Ren is like a manic pixie Mary Sue, a sheltered but completely brilliant farm girl out in the world for the very first time. She has had virtually no exposure to 21st century life, having been raised by her parents on an off-the-grid homestead farm until, at age 22, she convinces them to let her go to a small college. She has strict rules to follow there, and while the other students think she's a total weirdo at first, she gets kind of a cult following on campus when people realize that she's totally genuine about her excitement and wonder. The only person who isn't so impressed is Fitz, a hot, soccer-playing senior who is just trying to finish at the top of his class, graduate, and move on to law school. All of this changes when Ren takes a DNA test as part of a class assignment, and learns something that shocks her to her core. She very quickly seems to learn how to both lie and blackmail someone else, managing to convince Fitz to take her on his cross-country road trip over Spring Break so that she can meet someone whose name came up on her profile. This was mostly kind of frothy and fun but also dealt with some really intense themes, including (several) VERY manipulative parents, the foster system, and the juvenile justice system. I appreciated the nods to Tangled and the heavy use of romance novel tropes, including forced proximity (road trip), only one bed, and opposites attract. A fun read for fans of Disney, Christina Lauren, or - ideally - both!

This one absolutely sucked me in. But really what @christinalauren doesn’t? They did an excellent job of a modern day Tangled book. Ren is in college now after being raised off the grid. She even never had a cellphone until now *gasp* Fitz needs to graduate at the top of his class to get his record cleaned. But Ren shows up and challenges his perfect plan. During their immunology lecture, Ren gets life changing news which puts her on the adventure of a lifetime—a roadtrip with Fitz. This one was seriously perfect. Cannot recommend it enough!

Tangled Up in You is more than just a retelling; it’s a modern fairy tale that captures hearts with its innocence, brilliance, and a touch of magic. Christina Lauren’s artful storytelling has once again created a masterpiece that will leave you enchanted and eagerly recommending this book to anyone who loves a blend of romance and adventure.

4.25⭐️

Christina Lauren writes another winner!

You have to be a fan of Disney’s Tangled to cry like a baby at the end of this story and to hear the soundtrack weave through this story as you read it. If you don’t know that this is a retelling of the Rapunzel fairy tale, it’s too unbelievable.

I loved it, crazy wild story as it was, and it is slow burn and appropriate for teen readers.

Ren Gylden grew up on a rural homestead with her parents, animals and few interactions with the outside world, despite being extremely bright. At 23, she decides to pursue her dream of attending College, not realizing how much she has to learn about the outside world. Fitz meets Ren at school, she’s the only person who’s ever threatened his perfect academic record and to break down the emotional walls he’s built around himself over the years. Getting a surprising piece of information, Ren and Fitz head out on a road trip together, getting into a lot of shenanigans and discovering parts of themselves and each other along the way.

I read this in a weird way, a bit at the beginning, then left it for awhile, then about 60% of it, then left it for awhile, then finished it. I did really enjoy this, it’s funny and sweet. I liked the relationship between Ren and Fitz, they had a lot of chemistry. I think the twist is very predictable, but that’s okay. I thought Ren was equally interesting and hilarious, but also slightly annoying, just her being so naive, which I understand is her character. Fitz was a bit insta love with her, but protective and lovely. I liked the ending and I loved all the time they spent together on the road trip in the middle. I definitely recommend! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the free preview in exchange for an honest review.

Christina lauren never disappoints, and when i saw they where doing a mean to be novel i had to read it, this series i have adore and this book was perfect , such a fun story, it has its ups and down, the set up was really nice . Really hit the rapunzel vibe , loved it

Tangled Up in You is a quick read and cute reimagining of Disney's Tangled.

Raised in relative isolation and away from the influences of modern technology, Ren is a curious, open-hearted brainiac. Fitz is a street-hardened, smart charmer with a criminal record. When circumstances force them together on a cross-country road trip Fitz realizes that he has unwittingly become Ren's protector and guide; opening the word to her. Little does he realize that simultaneously she is finding ways to open his heart.

stars 4/5

TW: childhood abduction, failings of the foster-care system, toxic parents

2024 is the year of the fairytale retellings, and I’m here for it.
Tangled is one of my favorite animated movies. Rapunzel and Flynn Rider, Pascal and Max. They are exceptional and severely underrated as far as I’m concerned.

My heart exploded into fireworks and confetti when hearing that Christina Lauren wrote a Tangled retelling, and I have no doubt they would rival the spectacle that was the ‘lights’ from the movie. This novel has it all: mystery and intrigue, incredulity (who hasn’t Googled something in 2024?! Even my dad is familiar with Alexa), road trip adventure, and romance.

Manage Those Expectations, Folks
“Tangled Up In You” is definitely based on the animated movie of Rapunzel and Flynn Rider, of that there is no doubt. I would be remiss, though, if I didn’t warn die-hard Tangled fans to manage your expectations. Like any other adaptation or remake, there is always going to be changes that deviate from the original and this novel is no different. The characters’ names, setting, and heck, even the plot are variations of the initial story. Try not to get too hung up on the differences. If you’re able to take the general theme of the movie and apply it to this story, I believe you’ll find it altogether more enjoyable.

“Two people who barely know each other.“
Let’s talk romance.

Ren and Fitz don’t have that initial passionate dynamic at the beginning of the story, but their relationship grows during their forced proximity.

“She was completely irresistible as long as she wasn’t speaking, which, unfortunately was never.”

They learn to appreciate each other on their adventure and show readers that you can be very, very different people and still find things in common. Fitz learns to trust Ren and open up to her more than he’s ever opened up to anymore before. Ren, trusting and innocent, learns that there will be someone to have her back in the end. Sometimes building that respect and admiration for another person means more than just an initial attraction. Sometimes that relationship built on mutual shared experience just hits different.

“Even though Ren wasn’t patient – grabbing at life with both fists was more her style – Fitz wouldn’t expect her to know how to navigate everything on the first try either, and was amazed how fast she was learning. Whereas he’d spent his first year in his new world quietly observing, Ren was running forward, arms outstretched. He wanted to tell her how impressed he was, how hard and disorienting and intimidating he knew it must be. Most of all he wanted to tell her just how desperately he wanted to hold her hand – and much, much more.”

Final Thoughts
I really enjoyed reading “Tangled Up In You” and thought that Christina Lauren did a great job of taking the themes we all love from the movie and incorporating them into a brand new story. These two dynamic authors take the time to flesh out their characters and their stories, and ensure that readers are treated to a unique and fun experience with every new novel. I appreciate that while I know what I’m in for when I pick up a Christina Lauren novel, I never truly know what I’m going to get until I’m in the thick of it, right along side our main characters.

I don’t know that I’ve ever picked up a Christina Loren novel, and not known immediately upon first glance that this was my kind of story. Without spoiling, let me prepare you for an intriguing hilarious sometimes heartbreaking romance that I had to force myself to put down incrementally just so I wouldn’t devour in one sitting.

Tangled Up In You by Christina Lauren is part of the Meant to Be collection of Disney story retellings. This book is a retelling of the Disney movie Tangled.

Ren Glyden has never been away from the homestead before. She's been sheltered there by her parents her entire life with no TV, no internet, no formal schooling with other kids. She's managed to convince her parents to allow her to go to college under certain conditions: home every weekend, no internet, no off-campus, and no boys.

Fitz is handsome and rich, but when Ren catches him in a compromising situation, she uses it to her advantage to find out more about her own past. Together, Fitz and Ren travel to Nashville and break all of Ren's parents' rules at the same time.

Amidst this quest for answers, who will fall first, and what will they do about it?

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to the publisher, the author, and Netgalley!

I love princesses’ stories and Tangled is one of my favorites, that and throw a road trip into the mix and this book was a go for me.
The story was sweet in many ways, but I couldn’t give it more than three stars, mostly because the main characters were borderline annoying. Ren innocence instead of being funny was over the top irritating, and Fitz instead of being the confident cocky guy I was promised, he was a rude cranky dude.
The story felt flat, the road trip wasn’t exciting at all and what was supposed to be the high point of the story lacked emotions.
I did like that the story included the importance of professional help for emotional traumas.
I received an ARC from Hyperion Avenue through NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. And I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

a tangled retelling was everything i ever wanted! i loved this so much but i can’t say i’m surprised! christina lauren always writes top notch banter, romance and characters. i was hooked from the start and fell in love with both characters so quickly.

This was genuinely a struggle for me to get into just cause I kept picturing the movie Tangled.
The story was good enough for me to enjoy as always is with the author duo.
It was unfortunately not my favourite by these authors.

Christina Lauren and Tangled? Sign me up. I loved the characteristically hilarious Christina Lauren humor in this and if you're a fan of theirs, this is right down your alley. Not a new favorite by any means, but it was a really good time!

Christina Lauren are my favorite writing duo and one of my auto-read authors. I am obsessed with all things Disney, so I have read the other books in this series and have been eagerly awaiting Tangled Up In You--Tangled is my favorite Disney Princess movie. I wasn't sure how closely the book would stick to the plot of the original movie. I really think the authors did a good job of following the general premise without having to make the circumstances of the book too contrived. As a Tangled adaptation, I whole-heartedly approved. I liked how Ren and Fitz were so similar to their movie counterparts and small details that a reader would only know if they had seen the movie were included.

This story gave life to one of my favorite Disney princesses. It was sweet, cute, fierce, brave, and exciting. Very very well done. Great job Christina and Lauren.