Tangled Up In You from Disney Publishing is the fourth installment of the Meant to Be series with authors Christina Lauren heading up this installment. This reimagining of Tangled (Rapunzel). This story features Ren, a 22 year old woman living off the grid with her parents in a homestead. She’s never been to school or been a part of modern day society. She’s self taught in subjects like physics and Mandarin. She shocks her parents when she applies to college and is accepted. Her parents reluctantly agree to send her as long as she returns home every weekend and never leaves campus. On her first day, she meets fellow classmate Fitz who is the class pet and rich dad boy. Her and Fitz attend the same immunology class and during a DNA data study, Ren gets some alarming results. The man she thought was her dad may not actually be her real dad. She doesn’t have a computer or cell phone and needs to contact this man on her results sheet. When she discovers Fitz illegally changing his grade she blackmails him into driving across the country to meet her father. He agrees and an epic roadtrip ensues. This book was very innocent. Ren is innocent but free spirited and a firecracker. This was heavy with Tangled references. It features a frying pan and of course long, blonde hair! If you love fairy tales and adventure stories, this is one to pick up!

Name of Book: Tangled Up in You
Series: Meant to Be #4
Author: Christina Lauren
Genre: Romance
Publisher: Hyperion Avenue
Pub Date: June 25, 2024
My Rating: 3 Stars
Pages: 320


Don’t judge me – okay- go ahead I can take!
Yes! It is True I am neither a big movie goer nor a TV viewer - I spend every evening reading for pleasure; so not familiar with the contemporary fairy tale of Disney’s Tangled –which is loosely based on the German fairy tale "Rapunzel" – now I am clued in as I read Rapunzel

This novel is about friendship, and blossoming of love.
Ren and Fitz are students at Corona College- An assignment in their immunology seminar leads them to a road trip that changes their lives in an unexpected direction.

Although this wasn’t a big WOW for me, I did love Ren's and Fitz turned out to be a good guy.
Yep a HEA story

Want to thank NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for June 25, 2024.

Omg this book made me SWOON!

At first I didn’t see much of a correlation between this book and Tangled, other than Ren’s long blond hair and her hostile relationship with her strict parents. But as the story went on, I could totally see how this was a reimagining of the classic Disney story.

I’m not much of a Disney person to begin with, but that didn’t stand in the way of how much I adored this book. If anything, the fact that this book was so modernized made me like it even more.

Fitz and Ren had such a sweet relationship… I loved it down to the last page!

(Please note that I will post the link once I share this review on my reviewer page.)

✨RATING: 4⭐️

✨REVIEW: Thank you @netgalley for my eARC in exchanged for my honest review. This “Tangled” retelling/modernization follows a young girl, Ren, who has convinced her parents to let her attend college Mon-Fri, but never been allowed off her homestead otherwise. She is on a quest to discover the truth and blackmails another student, Fitz, to drive her across the country to do so. Their banter and low funds lead to a lot of the comedy and enjoyment in this one. The characters are relatable and I loved pulling away Fitz’s layers revealing more of his character. This was super easy light read once I got past the edit notes and formatting (from being an early release)! Highly recommend!

✨PROS: short chapters, dual POV, tropes- enemies to lovers & single bed

Christina Lauren can do no wrong ... add that this was a Disney retelling and it's the perfect book. The retelling of Rapunzel was done so smartly, I loved every second of it :) And swooned so hard...

4 stars

This was everything I wanted it to be. Cute, fun, witty, romantic, funny.
Tangled is my be of my all time favorite Disney movies and I really think they did it justice bringing the story into the modern world in this retelling. I can see myself re-reading this many times.

Having not read any of the others in the Meant to Be series, I was not sure what to expect. But I'm a big fan of everything Christina Lauren writes, so I was excited to see how they modernized the Disney movie Rapunzel, in Tangled Up in You.

Ren Goldyn has lived a completely sheltered life on a homestead in Idaho with her parents, but finally has convinced them to let her attend Corona College. She is a major fish out of water in terms of social life and modern conveniences, but her years at home reading countless books and learning numerous life skills may be her saving grace.

Fitz is the handsome player who just needs to graduate and put his plan (of wiping some adolescent mischief off his record and starting fresh) into place. Fitz and Ren end up in the same class and both uncover secrets about the other, and eventually end up in a road trip neither of them expected.

Most of this book felt very light and fun. If you've watched Disney's Tangled movie, you will love all the touches and reimaginings of events; the book is beat for beat the same as the movie. The road trip gives you forced proximity and some delicious slow-burning, and I grew more interested in the characters the more I read.

But I was a bit shocked at the darker turn the climax took. It wasn't graphic or completely surprising, but it just got very real very quickly. Even the conclusion where Ren and Fitz are processing all that has happened is like trauma counseling 101, and much more of a modern realistic ending than a classic fairy tale usually has.

This book was so mid for me after obsessing over Tangled for years (I have long hair too and somehow that makes me more attached). I get that this was a contemporary retelling of a famous fantastical movie, which makes the story kinda predictable and hard to nail, but I was so underwhelmed by the way events were replicated in m0dern times.

So, this may be a mini spoiler, but the MMCs name is Edwards Fitzsimmons. He usually goes by Fitz, but later on in the story, he's referred to as Edward, and I really dislike the name, like why is it so unattractive? Of course, I see the reference to Flynn and Eugene, but I'm not a fan. I can't completely explain how the storyline differences in the movie and then the novel were not good enough without spoilers.

There were definitely a decent number of scenes that were beautifully crafted and I enjoyed a lot. Ren was an intriguing character, and I see the resemblance in Rapunzel. Honestly, it would be fun having a Ren in real life. I was also very impressed with the description of scenery, especially Ren's home. I think this is an ok book with decent characters, but needed a lot of work on the plotting.

I was so pleasantly surprised by this book! I’m a huge fan of Tangled and it’s one of my favorite movies period (not just a Disney favorite) so I am slightly biased. But, I had honestly expected this to just be a fun, silly, kind of throw away read. I was really surprised by how well done this was. It was fun, a little corny (in a good way), romantic, sweet, and surprisingly a little adventureful (idk if that’s a proper word or just a girls scout cookie but imma use it anyways). This was a surprisingly realistic rendition of the beloved animated film and I think is a perfect for classic romcom lovers and the Disney Adults.

When you wish upon a star…..! What’s not to love about this modern day fairy tale featuring whip smart, refreshingly self-sufficient and innocent farm girl Ren, who has been living off the grid, and a handsome, wealthy prince of a fellow college student called Fitz whose ride is a vintage car named Max and who has his own complicated backstory?! Among the many things I appreciate about the Christina Lauren authors are their strong, intelligent women and the sense of humor and joy they weave into each story they craft. And Tangled Up In You is a particularly fun and heartwarming tale of self-discovery, the meaning of family, romance, suspense and even brief sojourns across America. I loved it!

Highly recommended! Four and a half stars, rounded up for their highlighting a protagonist with a deep thirst for learning who is multilingual and as capable of fixing a tractor engine as she is mastering the study of immunology.

Many thanks to NetGalley and to publisher Hyperion Avenue for the privilege of a complimentary ARC. Opinions are my own.

Tangled Up in You tells the story of Ren, a 22-year old sheltered woman who finally talks her parents into allowing her to attend college. Her parents live off-the-grid, on a homestead in Idaho where they have no phones, no internet, and few if any friends. On her very first day at college, Ren meets Fitz and the two have a connection. I kept waiting for something to happen with these two to encourage me to continue reading and not bag it, maybe for Ren to stand up to her parents and become her own person. About half way through, the novel became interesting and I figured I'd continue reading. I usually love Christina Lauren novels but this one was just lacking for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Somehow I missed the memo that some of the most popular romance authors were rewriting the stories of Disney Princesses. This new book by Christina Lauren is a classic retelling of Rapunzel and I was here for it!! I LOVED the naive ways of Ren and her heart was classic princess, I really felt that the essence was captured in these pages.

I enjoyed the development of her relationship with Fitz and his own unraveling since his backstory isn’t as prominently known, it was fun to see where it came from.

I do wish the last 3/4 of the book was even longer I enjoyed it that much! I felt like it wrapped up too fast for my love but that could’ve been that I didn’t want it to end. It was a very PG romance department book, which is understandable given the nature of the story, but that’s a disclaimer if you go into it expecting traditional Christina Lauren spice.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. I can’t wait to go back and read the others in this series now!

Christina Lauren presents Tangled Up in You, a contemporary retelling of the classic Rapunzel story, weaving together elements of romance, adventure, and self-discovery. Ren Gylden, raised off the grid, embarks on her first adventure into the bustling world of Corona College, where she encounters Fitz, a meticulously planned-out student whose life is turned upside down by Ren's arrival. As they navigate their unexpected connection, they embark on a spontaneous road trip that leads to revelations both personal and profound. With humor, tenderness, and genuine emotion, Christina Lauren crafts a captivating narrative that captures the magic of falling in love and embarking on a journey of self-discovery, making Tangled Up in You a delightful read for fans of romance and fairy tales alike.

Prepare to be enchanted by a delightful retelling of the classic tale of Tangled! For aficionados of modern fairytale reinterpretations, Tangled Up In You is an absolute must-read. Drawing inspiration from Disney's beloved animated masterpiece, Tangled, which holds a cherished spot in my heart as one of the most captivating films, this novel expertly weaves a narrative that pays homage to its source material while adding its own unique twist. And how ingenious is the inclusion of Fitz's white Mustang, Max, on the cover? It's a subtle nod that true fans will surely appreciate.

In Christina Lauren's skillful hands, Ren emerges as a character who embodies the essence of Rapunzel from Tangled: kind-hearted, innocent, and yet imbued with a quiet strength. However, Christina Lauren elevates Ren beyond mere imitation, infusing her with a newfound sense of independence, intellect, and resilience. It's a testament to the author's talent that I found myself drawn even more to Christina Lauren's rendition of these characters than to their Disney counterparts.

But perhaps where Tangled Up In You truly shines is in its portrayal of Fitz. Unlike his animated counterpart, Fitz is given ample room to grow and evolve throughout the story. While I initially found his character somewhat unlikable, his journey of self-discovery and redemption quickly won me over. Learning about his past mistakes and witnessing his present struggles and motivations made him a deeply relatable and ultimately endearing character. The chemistry between Ren and Fitz crackles with intensity, underscoring the undeniable connection between them and ensuring that their romance feels both authentic and heartfelt.

Tangled Up In You offers a nuanced and compelling narrative that transcends age boundaries. With its emphasis on tender moments and emotional depth, this is a novel that appeals to readers of all ages. In a genre often characterized by its steamier offerings, Tangled Up In You stands out as a refreshing and wholesome alternative that doesn't sacrifice depth or emotional resonance.

In conclusion, Tangled Up In You is a captivating journey that breathes new life into a beloved fairytale. With its richly drawn characters, heartfelt romance, and expertly crafted narrative, it's a book that lingers in the mind long after the final page is turned. Whether you're a fan of Tangled, a lover romance, or simply in search of a heartwarming story to brighten your day, Tangled Up In You is sure to captivate and delight.

Thank you, NetGalley, for an advanced copy of “Tangled Up In You” by Christina Lauren in exchange for a review.

I wasn’t familiar with the ‘Meant to Be’ series when I requested this title, but I’m a big Christina Lauren fan so I was very interested.

Is this of the same caliber as say, “Love and Other Words” or “The Soulmate Equation”? Not even close…but I enjoyed it. The similarities to Disney’s Tangled are evident, and it was full of sweet moments. It had nearly no spice, which felt appropriate considering the subject inspiration. The ending felt a bit abrupt, though, and I felt some questions could have been answered more thoroughly.

But hey, who doesn’t love a good Disney inspired happily ever after?

This was a fun, modern interpretation of Rapunzel! It is always interesting to see how fairy tales can be retold in new ways, and this was a refreshing take on a classic.

Another great read from Christina Lauren!
A sweet hopeful story about finding yourself, trusting others, and firsts! But don't forget the drama, the excitement, and the chaos!
Thank you netgalley and hyperion avenue for the e arc.

I don’t usually LOVE fairytale retelling because it just feels so boring to me. THIS WAS NOT THAT! I loved this retelling! Also, if you’re familiar with the middle grade novel The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise, Ren reminds me a lot of a grown up Coyote if they’d stayed on the bus!

I've been obsessed with the "Meant to Be" series since the very beginning and Christina Lauren's attachment just grew that exponentially. Yes, it is based on Rapunzel (and a fairly accurate adaptation with a modern-day setting) but it is also such a delightful and fun romance with tropes including opposites attract, grumpy/sunshine and forced proximity. It's told in dual points of view and has such witty banter. Like, omg I couldn't help but literally laugh in parts. Super cute, fits right in with the rest of "Meant to Be."

This was a fun adaptation to Tangled. At first, I wasn't sure how the fairy tale would transfer to a contemporary romance novel, even after the first few chapters (which gave me Educated by Tara Westover vibes, and I wasn't sure I wanted to see her in a leading romantic role). However, once I adjusted my focus to this unique fairy tale, the adaptation began to make sense, and I enjoyed it so much. I did find the ending a bit unmatched in tone and style to the fluffy sort of plot throughout most of the book, yet I'll admit I was very invested and couldn't put the book down! I think many readers will love this adaptation, especially my high school students. There aren't any graphic or inappropriate scenes for YA readers, and they'll love the familiarity and suspenseful ending. On a personal level, it wasn't my favorite of all contemporary romance novels, but I did enjoy it, and I think it's a fun, creative idea.