Member Reviews
Thank you net galley and publisher for this ARC. This as a cute and modern take on Tangled. I would recommend if you are a Disney fan.
The fourth romance in the Meant To Be series is a modern retelling of the Tangled/Rapunzel story. It's a delightful fairy tale featuring an almost too-charming-to-be-true heroine. Ren is accomplished at almost everything, having read all of the books in the town library, schooled herself in every possible subject, and turned herself into a capable auto mechanic, linguist, farm animal expert, and more. But because her rigid parents have kept her close to their homestead, not allowing her any liberties, she is definitely NOT schooled in the real world.
When she finally gets their grudging approval to go to college, having won a full scholarship, Ren starts to realize what she had been missing and sets out to experience everything she can, with the caveat that she must return home every weekend and complete her full weekly complement of chores. Early on, she strikes up a relationship with Fitz, a campus ladies' man who has secrets from his past and an action plan for the future that he won't share and that he can't risk anyone derailing. How they come together on a road trip for their mutual benefit is the crux of this very entertaining story.
I feel the character of Ren is unnecessarily over-the-top, but it's a fairy tale after all. Her romance with Fitz is slow going, as they learn to trust each other. And the ending sequence is unexpectedly suspenseful. It's my first read in the series, and I'm curious about the rest.
My thanks to Hyperion and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review of this book.
This writing duo is amazing. They never lets me down. I cried after I finished reading this book. I was so sad that it was over, that’s the kind of hangover I’m currently experiencing. I loved getting to know the main characters, they were adorable. And, the flow of the writing was wonderful as always. It was absolutely one wonderful tale to read.
While this isn't my favorite Christina Lauren it was still super cute and fun! The fact that this is a retelling of Tangled is SO much fun!
I just wasn't as invested in this as I always seem to be in the author's books. It got a little boring in the middle and I could feel myself skimming at points. The beginning and end were great though!
If you're looking for a fun romance pick this up!
Thank you to the publisher for an eARC.
Thank you NetGalley for a free e-galley of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Christina Lauren's "Tangled Up In You" is a charming and witty modern reimagining of Disney’s "Tangled", seamlessly blending romance, humor, and a dash of adventure. This novel, part of the Meant to Be collection, tells the story of Ren, a young woman raised off the grid and seeking to experience the world, and Fitz, a man with a meticulously planned future that Ren inadvertently throws into disarray.
The novel thrives on its character dynamics. Ren, with her insatiable curiosity and sheltered upbringing, is a delightful protagonist whose journey from isolation to the bustling life of Corona College is both heartwarming and humorous. Fitz, on the other hand, is a well-layered character whose facade of confidence and control masks deeper vulnerabilities. The chemistry between Ren and Fitz is electric, evolving from initial misunderstandings to a deep, genuine connection.
Lauren’s writing shines in its ability to infuse the story with both light-hearted banter and meaningful depth. The narrative is peppered with references to the classic tale of "Tangled", yet it stands on its own as a unique and contemporary love story. The authors skillfully navigate themes of self-discovery, dreams, and the courage to step into the unknown.
The road trip element of the story adds an exciting dimension, offering both characters a chance to break free from their past constraints and explore new possibilities. This journey not only propels the plot but also serves as a metaphor for their personal growth and the evolution of their relationship.
However, readers expecting a direct retelling of "Tangled" may find "Tangled Up In You" veers significantly from the original tale, focusing more on character development and modern-day challenges. Additionally, the novel’s pacing can feel uneven at times, with some plot points resolved too swiftly.
Content warnings for themes of identity and confronting one's past are appropriate, and the book will likely appeal most to readers who enjoy contemporary romance with a fairy tale twist.
In conclusion, "Tangled Up In You" by Christina Lauren is a delightful, heartwarming novel that offers a fresh take on a beloved story. It’s a testament to the authors' ability to craft a narrative that is both entertaining and emotionally resonant, making it a must-read for fans of modern romance and fairy tale retellings.
Ren and Fitz - warms my heart! I think it followed the original story modern-style well. If I didn’t know it was based off Tangled / Disney, then I would be bummed how PG it was. Additionally, it has all the makings of a thriller (come to think of it) but it’s really a Disney story, haha. So, again, because I knew the original story and concept, it was cute for me! I would recommend it - especially if you’re a Tangled fan!
Thank you so much Netgalley for this opportunity: I jumped the SECOND I saw a Christina Lauren book. Especially one modeled after Tangled, easily top 5 Disney princess movies for me? Immediate click.
This was good. I wouldn't call it great. The setup for Ren and Fitz felt a bit off, and trying to modernize this story and set it in modern day was definitely not easy. It worked, but it was clear how hard it was to stay on the Tangled pathway. Particularly, for me, the biker bar scene.
That being said: this banter is perfection. The tension and chemistry is perfection. This is so PG / maybe PG-13, and yet the tension between the main characters was palpable. That's what makes it a Christina Lauren book: you are immediately bought into the chemistry between the leads. That saves this book for me and makes it a good read: I fell in love with these two and their love story, even if the plot felt like it was lacking.
This book was pulled out right from inside my brain. I've always loved CLo and when they announced they were doing a Tangled/Rapunzel inspired romcom I actually couldn't have picked a better combination for this story. I was hooked before I knew anything about it.
Ren and Fitz were such a great spin off Flynn and Rapunzel. I loved how they incorporated things from the movie in their own unique way and found an opportunity to make the story its own. It was fun to follow, well written, and a great nod to a favourite story.
Christina Lauren is an auto-buy author for me, and I was really excited to see what they’d do with a Tangled retelling. I had SO much fun with this book. Christina Lauren’s books are so compulsively readable — I’ll start reading and before I know it, I’ve inhaled 100 pages.
Going in, I wasn’t sure what to expect because I haven’t read any of the other Meant to Be books, but Christina Lauren provide a fresh twist on the Tangled storyline. I’m a sucker for a road trip romance, and this was a great one. Watching the development of Ren and Fitz’s relationship as they traveled across the county was a joy.
If you’re a fan of Christina Lauren, modern retellings, and Disney movies, I think you’ll love this!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
So sweet. A retelling of Tangled done right. If you have seen the Disney version of Rapunzle you will see the obvious similarities, but this story still unfolds in an original way. I absolutely loved the characters and the pacing was perfect.
Ah Christina Lauren are one of my favorite authors. I was so happy to receive this ARC. I did a little dance. I love retellings of favorite childhood stories. Tangled was never my favorite but I enjoyed this one version quite a bit.. Ren was the perfect heroine that didn’t need saving per se, but needed to know more about her history and her future. Gloria and Steve were not great people, very secretive and living off the grid. Yet, I wanted more information about them. They were also a bit creepy. Fitz was an amazing guy. He was caring, compassionate, smart, and all around good guy. He was perfect for Ren. Their road-trip to Nashville was filled with fun and interesting spots. And a great way to falling for each other. My only small issue was I needed more of the aftermath in regards to Gloria and the ending felt a bit rushed. Overall, it was a very sweet romance that I highly recommend and enjoyed. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I will read anything from Christina Lauren. I was so intrigued to see what would come of a Tangled retelling and I was not disappointed!! If you were a fan of the movie, you will be thrilled and if you didn’t see the movie you’re still going to get butterflies.
I loved Ren and Fitz as individual characters and as they grew together. There were many parts of this story where I laughed out loud (no saluting, now bowing.) Ren is truly one of my favorite FMCs I have read recently. Christina Lauren managed to capture the joy in her naïveté, she’s someone whose outlook I aspire to reach.
This was such a fun story and my favorite of The Meant to Be Series! Thank you to Hyperion and Net Galley for the advanced read!
I didn't love this modern retelling of Rapunzel by Christina Lauren. They tried to make the kidnapping storyline plausible for a modern audience but it just felt a little ridiculous. The story felt rushed and I didn't feel that Ren or Fitz (Edward) had very much chemistry. Also, as far a spice goes, it's very PG. Not my favorite.
Such a fun read! I love the movie Tangled and found this to be a cute retelling full of love and swoon worthy romance. Somewhat cheesy but still made me smile.
An enchanting 5-star read! Christina Lauren's modern twist on Tangled is a delightful journey into love and self-discovery. Ren and Fitz's chemistry leaps off the pages, blending humor and romance seamlessly. The authors masterfully balance wit with heartfelt moments, creating characters who feel both authentic and endearing. The road trip adds an adventurous twist, propelling the story in unexpected, delightful directions. A beautifully written and captivating tale that explores dreams, love, and finding one's place in the world. A must-read by my 2 favorite authors!
3 stars. Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the ARC for review. I wanted to love this. I have enjoyed his series based on Disney stories and I usually love Christina Lauren, but this book was just ok. I really struggled to get into the book until I was 42% in, but then read the rest quickly. I thought Fitz was a (slightly) better developed character than Ren until she faced some challenges in the last third. This book was just missing that quality that normally pulls me into a CL book.
Thank you to the publisher @netgalley for this retelling of Tangled. I have never watched Tangled so I am not so sure how close the story resembles the fairytale. Ren grew up extremely sheltered and is attending college, really being out in and about on her own for the first time. She mets Ren, a charming handsome student and was warned of his player ways. They end up on in a situation where they go on a road trip. I thought the story was cute but Ren was a tough character for me. Her naivety and way too sunny disposition got too much for me. Their adventures was a lot of fun.
Oh it was just adorable. If you’re a fan of Rapunzel, you’ll especially want to pick this one up! It had such a nice balance of romance and adventure, and I loved the characters. I truly don’t have a bad thing to say about this book, so if the synopsis appeals, I would tell you to read it asap!
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC!
5 Stars Tangled Up in You might be my new favorite Christina Lauren novel! This was such a cute modern take on Rapunzel/Tangled. Christina Lauren perfectly translated Rapunzel’s sunshine-y optimism and naïveté to their FMC, 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. Tangled is one of my favorite Disney movies and I loved picking up on all of the references—both small and large—to the movie, 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. Their unwavering support for one another by the end of the book was so sweet and I especially love reading about them both attending therapy (always a fan of people going to therapy in books). Towards the end of this book, I found myself setting it down a lot because I simply didn’t want it to end. I wish we could have gotten just a bit more about Ren and Fitz’s happy ever after. Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!
Ren never went to school, she has lived on a remote rural farm with Gloria and Steve.
When finally her parents agreed to allow her to attend college at age 22, Yay!! So many experiences and firsts to be had for Ren!
After taking a DNA test, the results tell her Steve is not her father. Ren has to more than bribe Fitz, the senior playboy to take her with him on spring break. It's a fun ride beginning to end!