Member Reviews
I’d like to thank NetGalley, Hyperion Avenue, and Christina Lauren for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
This book is perfect for those that are fans of the movie Tangled. Compared to the rest of Christina Lauren books, I would say that this one is a lot more PG in terms of the romance. Tangled is one of my favorite Disney movies, and I found that Christina Lauren really nailed it! It was cute and funny with some relatable moments. Both Ren and Fitz are quite the pair and I’m always happy to read a book with the grumpy/sunshine and slow burn trope!
Ren has never had a cell phone or gone to school. She’s self-taught through books, but when she’s 22-years-old, she finally convinces her overprotective parents to let her leave the homestead and get a college education—but only if she comes home every weekend and in the summer to help with the animals and other chores. She shares an immunology class with Fitz, who everyone knows to be a wealthy player (or so they think). In that class, Ren gets results back that shake what she thinks she knows about her life. When she gets some dirt on Fitz, she uses it to essentially blackmail him into taking her with him on his spring break road trip.
The mysteries about both Ren and Fitz’s past make the novel a page turner, and the romance makes it a fun and uplifting read.
NetGalley provided an advance copy of this book, which RELEASES JUNE 25, 2024.
Thank you, Netgalley and Hyperion Avenue, for this eARC.
This started a bit slow for me, but it definitely picked up and ended up being better than expected. This was such a well done modern day adaption of Tangled.
Both Ren and Fitz portrayed the characters of Rapunzel and Flynn beautifully. Ren was in awe of the world, optimistic, cheerful, and bright. Meanwhile, Fitz was battling the demons of his past, trying to portray one thing to the world while secretly being incredibly sensirive and tender hearted.
Their relationship development was so sweet and wholesome. Usually, I pride myself in foretelling plots, but this one definitely took me by surprise.
A retelling of tangled...sign me up. I was so excited to read this because i loved the movie so much. That said it took me a couple of chapters to get into it because my brain wouldn't stop making side by side comparisons. At one point I was convinced I didn't like this book because I loved the movie so much more.
Once I got over that weird self inflicted hurdle I really enjoyed the book. I know there are people out there who haven't watched tangled and would LOVE this book. It's written well and hits all the points of the movie without being to in your face the same about it.
Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced ARC
This was everything I hoped. I have loved this series of fairy tale retelling and I was so excited that one of my favorite duos would be publishing a story based on Rapunzel. Ren is a perfectly innocent and naive 22 year old who finds herself in college and leaving home for the first time. She finds her life intersecting with golden boy, Fitz, and isn't sure what to think of him. Circumstances beyond their control find them in a car together on a road trip across the country. This story is full of adventures and swoony moments. I loved the way the story of Rapunzel was woven through Ren and Fitz story. I'll definitely be pre-ordering this one! Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.
This was such a cute retelling of Tangled! Christina Lauren told the tale with an updated point of view and I loved it!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!
Ren finally gets to college at the age of 22. She had never been to school before or done anything modern. When she does a test in a class her life is turned upside down and she ends up on a road trip. ARC from NetGalley.
This is a retelling of Tangled and it was really sweet and delightfully charming. It follows Ren a young woman who is raised in a homestead far away from technology, pop culture, and city life. She gets accepted to a college an decides that she really wants to know what else is out there for her. She is intelligent, charming, and naive in the most positive way. She makes discoveries at her new school that take her on a trip with an unexpected friend to get answers to very pressing questions.
Thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC. This was my first Christina Lauren book and I enjoyed it, but felt that something we just not there for me. I am not a Disney adult by any means but the story was very wholesome at parts and very funny. The characters weren't really for me all that much but I thoroughly enjoyed the plot.
The Tangled retelling we’ve all been waiting for!
This is a reimagining of a movie based on a fairytale. I saw the Tangled movie back when it first came out. I loved it, but I haven’t seen it since. I remember parts of it, and this book has some great easter eggs back to the original movie, but you don’t have to have seen the movie to appreciate the book. If you’re a fan of rom coms, you should still check it out!
The entire book is told in third person from the points of view of Ren and Fitz. Ren grew up on a homestead with two very strict parents, but they’ve finally allowed her to spread her wings–somewhat–and go to college. She’s the oldest freshman there–at twenty-two–and she’s worried that her lack of knowledge about technology and the world will be embarrassing.
The book does have some pretty basic jokes (Why are you buying something from the Amazon?), but it’s super light and sweet, and there are several genuine laugh out loud moments. I adore the grumpy/sunshine dynamic between Ren and Fitz, and it’s mentioned numerous times in the book that Ren has serious golden retriever energy. And Fitz definitely has the soul of a black cat.
All this isn’t to say the book doesn’t have some depth. There are some heavier themes later in the book that I won’t spoil here. That said, the book is still very PG-13 (only kissing, no violence, minimal swearing), and could be read by younger adults who are graduating from binge rewatching the original Disney movie this is based on!
All in all, this is a super light and fun read and I highly recommend it to those who love the movie it’s based on–and even those who haven’t seen it!
Tangled Up in You by the dynamic duo Christina Lauren will surprise you; it's the fourth book in the Meant to Be series.
Ren Gylden is twenty-two years old; her parents, Gloria and Steve, raised her away from society and totally off the grid. Now, it is her first time away from home. She is starting Corona College freshman in January and living in the dorms. Ren knows what matters most: honesty, humility, hard work, and self-sufficiency.
Fitz shows Ren around campus and gives her some helpful information; they have several classes together. He has his life planned out, graduating at the top of his class, getting his criminal record expunged, and loving the life he thinks he deserves.
Plans don't always go as planned, and this story is an eye-opener with twists galore; it solves a twenty-year-old mystery.
The beginning is slow but picks up once Ren is in College. The story ends suddenly once the secret is revealed; I wanted so much more!
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of Tangled Up In You in exchange for my honest opinion.
My favorite Disney movie+my favorite author duo=a book I want to read!!
Ren lives on a remote farm, never went to a traditional school, and her only friends are the barn animals she cares for. She convinces her strict parents to let her go to college. Once there she sticks out like a sore thumb. As she navigates life away from her parents, she realizes just how much different her life is than everyone else's.
On her first day she meets Fitz, a rich, good-looking guy who shows her around campus and charms everyone around him. But Ren has her guard up, she's not going to fall for his charm.
They share a class together and do a DNA analysis for a class project where Ren finds out some surprising information. She finds Fitz cheating and blackmails him to let her join him on his cross country spring break trek to find the answers she's looking for.
Ren's life is turned upside down and she has to figure out a way to make it all make sense. Why did this happen to her? Will she be able to trust again?
There are a lot of parallels between this book and the movie but different enough to keep it interesting. It's truly a modern-day retelling!
I did find the ending a little abrupt and wanted a little more but overall a great read!
This was such a good romcom. I loved the ties to tangled as someone who was a fan of the movie. This was so cutely done and a solid 4.5 stars form Christina Lauren. Did not disappoint.
Cute read. The grumpy sunshine was such a fun troupe to follow. I truly enjoyed the character development of Fitz and Ren as they tackled both internal and external challenges in work and in their relationship. Both characters had a lot of overcome and this truly was a great read to cheer on these characters as they conquered their battles.
I received a copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Tangled Up in You by Christina Lauren is a modern day retelling of Disney’s Tangled. Ren has been living on an isolated homestead in Idaho with her parents for the past 18 years and has finally gained their permission to go to college as a 22 year old freshman. Naive to life outside of the homestead culture, she quickly learns there’s a lot she doesn’t know. She meets Fitz, an infamous senior who has an f-boy reputation, and eventually ends up on an road trip with him during summer break as she tries to gain answers to a question she never knew she would have. Readers are taken on a journey of the characters’ self-discovery as they learn the power of vulnerability, authenticity, and taking unexpected risks.
Overall this was a cute story with some heartwarming moments. I loved the backstory of Fitz! If you’re not a fan of Tangled/Rapunzel, then you might not like this book as much as others by the same author. Also while there are some romantic and slightly steamy scenes, this book has a YA feel to it. Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers, and author for granting me an advanced reader copy ebook in return for an honest review. My review is based off this draft and the book has more rounds of editing before it’ll be published in June 2024.
In the captivating novel, "Tangled Up in You" by Christina Lauren, readers are taken on a journey of self-discovery, unexpected love, and the transformative power of taking risks. The story revolves around two individuals, Ren Gylden and Fitz, whose lives collide in the most serendipitous way, leading them on an adventure that will forever change their perspectives on life. Ren Gylden is a young woman who has grown up sheltered from the modern world, devoid of technology and social media. Her upbringing on a remote homestead has shaped her into a resourceful and independent individual. Despite her vast knowledge gained from books and her impressive self-taught skills, Ren yearns for guidance on how to navigate the complexities of society. Her dream of attending Corona College becomes a turning point in her life, as she believes it will finally usher her into the real world. Fitz, on the other hand, has meticulously planned out his future. With ambitions to graduate at the top of his class, erase his criminal record, and masquerade as a charming and affluent playboy, he is determined to follow his carefully crafted path. However, everything changes when Ren unexpectedly enters his life. Fitz's well-constructed plan is suddenly thrown into disarray, as he finds himself irresistibly drawn to Ren's captivating presence. The catalyst for their intertwined destinies comes in the form of an assignment in their immunology seminar. This innocent task propels them into an unanticipated road trip that takes them to unexplored territories, both physically and emotionally. As they navigate the open road, their perspectives on life shift, and they begin to realize that the dreams they have been relentlessly pursuing might have been right beside them all along. Christina Lauren masterfully weaves a tale that celebrates the magic of human connection and the courage it takes to step out of one's comfort zone. The characters of Ren and Fitz are flawlessly developed, allowing readers to empathize with their vulnerabilities and root for their personal growth. The chemistry between them is palpable, and their journey together is filled with unexpected twists and turns that keep readers eagerly turning the pages. "Tangled Up in You" is not just a charming love story but also a profound exploration of self-discovery. It reminds us that sometimes, the most fulfilling dreams are the ones we never knew we had. With her signature storytelling prowess, Christina Lauren delivers a heartfelt and inspiring narrative that will resonate with readers long after they close the book. In conclusion, "Tangled Up in You" is a captivating novel that skillfully combines love, self-discovery, and the courage to embrace the unknown. Christina Lauren's writing is engaging, and her characters are relatable, making this book a delightful and thought-provoking read. Whether you are a fan of romance, personal growth, or simply enjoy a well-crafted story, "Tangled Up in You" is a must-read that will leave you feeling inspired and believing in the power of taking leaps of faith.
Thank you for the eARC!!
This was the perfect slice of a romantic rapuznel retelling!!
It followed the story loosely, included some very sweet details to the beloved Disney movie, but without feeling like a direct copy and paste. If I didn’t know it was a fairytale retelling, it would just be a cute rom-com.
This was a great grumpy/sunshine romance, with a FMC character who you wanted as your BFF, and a MMC who was straight from a hallmark movie.
I love me some Christina Lauren, but "Tangled Up in You" was really not my jam - and this is a "it's not you, it's me" thing, as I'm sure this title will have a lot of fans. I have not seen "Tangled", so perhaps that was the problem - I am not the target demographic, I guess. I expected more "Rapunzel" vibes than this. The heroine was frustrating in her naivety and some of it was just "cringe" to me - just not my jam. Other readers will feel differently, I'm sure & I am still down for the next title from this writing duo & already have the DRC waiting on me. My sincere thanks to Net Galley & the publisher for granting me the complimentary DRC...
Tangled Up in You is the fourth book in the standalone series of modern day Disney retellings - each by a different author. As suggested by the title, Tangled Up in You is the retelling of Tangled… the beloved Disney classic where Rapunzel finds her way into the world. As a huge Christina Lauren fan and an even bigger Disney fan, I was over the moon when I found out about this book. Christina Lauren - the dynamic author duo - absolutely blew this book out of the water. The story is put into modern times in a way that stays true to the original story, but makes so much sense in today’s world. Our Rapunzel, “Ren”, navigates the new world of college after being secluded from society for as long as she can remember and finds herself on a road trip journey alongside our Flynn Rider, “Fitz”, to uncover hidden truths about her life. Christina Lauren was able to brilliantly capture the personalities of each character, bringing the story to life in a unique and deep way. Not only is Ren’s character significantly developed as the story progresses, but Fitz has an amazing backstory that makes this absolute gem of a book one that is simply unputdownable. This book was beautifully written. Without giving away the story - this retelling shows how twisted and deep the original story of Rapunzel is. It’s a story of love, hope, found family, redemption and justice. It’s a loose “enemies” to lovers with a slow burn where the chemistry and curiosity is absolutely off the charts. This book is masterfully crafted and it was an absolute pleasure to read from start to finish.
Side note: I LOVE that the author took the time to include the word “tangled” in there quite a few times, and also worked in the lanterns in the most unique way!
Thank you to Hyperion Avenue and Christina Lauren for the advanced reader copy for an honest review. It was my highest pleasure.
This was a really cute little modern-day retelling of rapunzel. I thought they did a good job keeping it obviously close to the disney movie version without being TOO identical, and the characters were really sweet.
Cute book! I didn’t realize that I was getting into the tangled motif, but I still enjoyed it even not being a fairytale girlie!