I never knew I needed a modern retelling of the Tangled movie until I really needed a modern retelling of the Tangled movie. This was fun and fluffy and very PG-13, which felt exactly right.

This book is an absolute must read for 2024 in my opinion! The duo has done it again! This is my first modern-day retelling story and it won’t be my last! I laughed, I cried, I gasped! I didn’t want to put it down at times! It ended too quickly! I wasn’t ready but I loved it so much!

This makes me want to go and read all the Meant to Be series. My love for Christina Lauren continues

Did y’all miss me?

It wasn’t that I wasn’t reading, I skipped town and headed to the beach to binge read my backlog and celebrate the holidays with the fam bam. Unfortunately, we don’t have Wi-Fi.

(It’s actually a pretty glorious thing once you get used to it)

Tangled Up In You

It was a two hour drive to the beach and Craig lost in rock paper scissors (or I cheated) so he was driving and I was reading.

Sorry tutts!

Eeek! If you love Christina Lauren as much as I do you know that her books will never fall below our 5 star scale and this one was no different.

I was in love 😍

As we got stuck in traffic, craig huffed some non repeatable words under his breath while I tried to fight back my smile (yes! More time to read before we got down to the hustle and bustle of a full house!)

The book fairies were on my side, by the time we made it to the beach I was fully satisfied and had concluded my new favorite book.

Here’s the shocker… it’s a retelling !!!

I’ve never read a retelling before and although I knew the story sounded similar it made me look into what I was actually reading. Picture a very adult Disney’s, “Tangled” . I mean helllooooo right there you should be swooning

My heart rapidly pitter pattered the entire time.

This is a must read.

If I’m rambling, I apologize. That’s what Christina Lauren does to me. I get all flustered, overwhelmed, talk to much and yeah… ramble.

Five Stars, duh

Check out this teaser :

A witty and deeply romantic modern reimagining of Disney’s Tangled, by the New York Times bestselling author duo Christina Lauren, part of the acclaimed and bestselling Meant to Be collection.

She has a dream. He has a plan. Together they’ll take a leap of faith.

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.

But a simple assignment in their immunology seminar changes the course of both their lives, and suddenly they’re thrown out of the frying pan and into the fireon a road trip that will lead them in the most unexpected directions. Out on the open road, the world somehow shifts, and the unlikely pair realize that, maybe, the key to the dreams they've both been chasing have been sitting next to them the whole time.

I have always been a fan of Christina Lauren so when I saw they were doing the next Meant to Be novel I was so excited. My familiarity with the Tangled movie isn’t great so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised! I loved the road trip aspect and Ren trying all these new things for the first time. There’s a twist at the end I didn’t see coming and thought it added a punch to this Disney-esque love story.

I’ll admit, I was a little skeptical once I read this book blurb but it’s Christina Lauren so I went with it.

We immediately meet Ren and it’s instant Disney vibes as she carries out her chores. She’s leaving for college and her anxious parents are reminding her of all the real world rules. As we see her interact with college students we see how sheltered she’s been but also how lovable and innocent she is.

One of the first people she meets is Fitz, her college tour guide and a familiar face in one of her classes. She’s a thorn in his side but he can’t help but be drawn to her.

What starts as a blackmail trip, ends up being the trip that changes the course of her life.

This book drew me in even though I was very unsure of the storyline. Without giving anything away, it began with a fairytale feeling but turned dark and sad before the “happy ending”. I had a guess on where it was going but needed to know if I was correct. 24 hours later I’ve finished the book and am so glad I took a chance on it. If you’re a Christina Lauren fan, this one is different in all the best ways!

Thank you NetGalley and Christina Lauren for the chance to read this book a little early!

I loved reading this ARC! I rated this 4.5, but I can’t give half stars 🥰

If you know the Rapunzel story, you know the outline for this book, so I don’t want to write anything here about the book because I want you to be as pleasantly surprised as I was. Basic themes: love, trust, adventure!

As a mom to two girls, the Disney Rapunzel animated film was a staple movie in our house for many years; I loved all the little moments in the book that were nods to the movie character’s traits. Christina Lauren’s signature writing voice was present in this book—just another reason I loved this read.

Not really spicy; mostly sweet, clean romance. I would rate it for 16+. I would shelve this alongside Lynn Painter’s The Do-Over and Better Than The Movies for age/spice reference.

This book makes me want to go back and read the other books in the Meant to Be series. I’m so glad Disney trusted CL to write Rapunzel’s story!

Listen, I really wanted to like this book. Tangled is one of my favorite Disney movies. But this book didn’t work for me.

I honestly would have preferred a more loose reimagining of the movie. This felt very over the top, unbelievable, and the characterization was a bit juvenile.

This book would have been better if they’d removed any suggestive content (there’s no spice, but they talk about sex and ogle each others’ bodies). Because it felt like a YA novel. And it probably would have been better that way.

The last half was better than the first. The plot might have worked for a Disney movie but not for a romance novel—at least not on the way it was reimagined.

I’m sorry, it wasn’t overtly bad but it just didn’t work for me.

Fitz and Ren
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
(Releasing 6.25.24)

Tropes:
•College Romance
•Grumpy’ish + Sunshine
•Roadtrip

(No explicit scenes but some talk of sex/nudity)


Ren is one of the most lovable FMCs ever. She’s innocent, childlike and sunshine in human form. If you love the movie Tangled you’ll love this book. This book left me smiling as the development of Fitz and Ren’s relationship grows. It’s sure to be a mass market success.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Hyperion Avenue for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Tangled up in you was such a fun read. This is a re-imagining of the Repunzel fairy tale and pays a ton of homage to the Disney movie Tangled. This is a quick read but follows Ren off of her family's homestead to the nearby college so she can carry on with her education. It doesn't take long before she starts exploring the world with the help of Fitz and his trusty mustang- Max.

The story is mostly about the adventures had along a road trip from Washington to Tennessee but then, as with the fairy tale, Ren makes some earth shattering discoveries about where and whom she comes from.

It was a fun read but not entirely earth shattering. If you are in need of a Tangled fix but have seen the movie too many times, this is the read for you. Also be warned- you will want to read this right after.

This book really wasn’t for me. I thought it was an odd storyline and I didn’t enjoy the characters. I kept waiting for more, very slow moving.

This is a sweet and steamy retelling of Rapunzel that is perfect to bring with you to the beach this summer. Ren has just convinced her parents to allow her to enter the real world for the first time by attending college. Up until now, Ren's parents have kept her isolated on their homestead in Idaho. Ren is brilliant and lovely and immediately attracts the attention of Fitz, who is the college heartbreaker. When Ren finds out that she has a paternal connection to a man in Georgia, she convinces Fitz to take her to see him. The story follows their time together on this journey and as Ren and Fitz help save eachother.

Christina Lauren can do no wrong. They wrote the perfect romance novel retelling of this fairy tale.

This Disney reimagining series with romance authors has been a fun experiment. I’ve enjoyed all the books. This one is not my fave of the series but it is my favorite Christina Lauren since the Honey Don’t List. A charming update of tangled (a severely underrated Disney film) the road trip aspect and relationship between the two leads is a delight. As is the little Easter eggs thrown in to the film. However I felt the climax was rushed and the backstory not developed enough. I’m rarely one to go this needed to be longer but this needed to be longer.

A solid 7.5/10

Christina Lauren can do no wrong! This was a breath of fresh air of their writing style and such a fun spin on a Disney classic. I would love to see another modern day retelling rom com done by this dynamic duo! I have been recommending this read to everyone who needs a lighthearted escape from the real world & to all my reading Disney adults! Amazing five star read.

I didn’t know this was part of a series, but it reads as a stand-alone. Cute and charming! The characters were sweet, and the story (a modern retelling of Disney’s Rapunzel) was entertaining. Christina Lauren never disappoints!

A Tale as Enchanting as the Golden Locks!

Get ready to dive into a contemporary fairy tale that’s a brilliant reimagination of Disney’s Tangled - Christina Lauren’s Tangled Up in You is an absolute gem, and the magic it weaves is utterly irresistible.

Ren, our charming protagonist, brings a breath of fresh air to the classic Rapunzel tale. Raised off the grid, she's a bookish, wind-power-system-building wonder, stepping into the bustling world of Corona College for the first time. On the other side of this story is Fitz, a guy with a meticulously planned life, finding his world thrown into delightful chaos when Ren, with her encyclopedic brain and cascading blonde hair, enters his life.

What follows is a riveting adventure sparked by a simple assignment in their immunology seminar. Suddenly, Ren and Fitz find themselves on an unexpected road trip, navigating through a journey that takes unexpected turns. The chemistry between them is not only palpable but also beautifully woven into a slow-burning, heartwarming romance.

Christina Lauren brilliantly captures the essence of a grumpy/sunshine dynamic during this forced proximity road trip, reminiscent of the iconic Rapunzel and Flynn Rider chemistry. Ren's innocence and brilliance make her an endearing character, and Fitz's grumpy exterior hides a warmth that unfolds beautifully.

The narrative is paced to perfection, allowing the story to unfold organically while maintaining a suspenseful edge. The clever twist on the Rapunzel storyline adds a contemporary flavor, making it uniquely Christina Lauren. For those familiar with their work, Tangled Up in You offers a delightful departure while retaining the duo's signature charm.

The authors strike an impeccable balance between a fast-paced narrative and rich inner monologues, keeping readers engaged and invested in every twist and turn. The book not only charms with its romantic elements but also offers a dash of adventure and suspense, making it a thoroughly enjoyable read from beginning to end.

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.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for the chance to experience this enchanting journey in exchange for an honest review. Tangled Up in You is a golden thread in the tapestry of modern fairy tales, shining with brilliance and warmth.

I read this book in Disney World with a Rapunzel hoodie on… I think I might be THE target audience for this book! I love this series so much and I love Christina Lauren, so this was a perfect fit. The characters, while a little fantastical, were just right for the story… and the happily ever after.

Christina Lauren never disappoints. Even though I hadn't read the earlier books in this series, I loved the idea of these modern retellings of fairy tales. And who doesn't love Tangled? Written in their typical whimsical style, this is the tale of a girl who's brought up and homeschooled away from society.

When Ren goes to college for the first time, things are about to change. In ways you might predict and in ways you absolutely won't. A light, fun read that I loved.


with gratitude to netgalley and Hyperion Avenue for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

I love the Disney movie Tangled, so when I saw my favorite duo Christina Lauren was writing a modern reimagining, I was so excited.

This modern reimagining of Tangled was so well done, and different enough from Tangled to a be unique story. The characters were amazing. Ren was absolutely adorable and bright. Even though she has lived a sheltered life, she manages to enthrall all of those who she meets. Under the grumpy exterior, Fitz was warm, protective, and sweet. Even though he had a troubled past, you can tell he is a good person. I enjoyed the natural progression of their romance, and that it was not rushed. I also enjoyed the bit of suspense throughout the book, the romance, and the adventure. The pacing was great and the story kept my interest the whole time. This was a fun read from beginning to end, and I would highly recommend it.

Read if you enjoy:
💜Disney’s Tangled/Rapunzel
💜Grumpy-Sunshine
💜Dual POV
💜Slow burn
💜Forced proximity
💜Road trip
💜A bit of suspense

Thank you NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Although this was very cute, it ultimately felt too forced for me. I love adaptations of classic works so I was incredibly excited to read this one. I think Christina Lauren did a good job of making the tale of Tangled (aka Rapunzel) fit the modern day setting but it wasn't a very engaging story.

Not only did Rapunzel or Ren, as she's called here, feel inaccessible as a real woman, but the MMC was all over the place. I had to force myself to get into this story and then had to force myself to finish it. I wouldn't say this story was Christina Lauren caliber and wouldn't recommend it to anyone. I'll round this up to a 3 from a 2.5.