"Tangled Up in You" by Christina Lauren offers a charming yet somewhat predictable tale of two contrasting characters who embark on a journey of self-discovery and unexpected romance. Ren, a young woman who has spent her life off the grid, and Fitz, a seemingly perfect student with a hidden past, come together in a story that explores themes of identity, growth, and the transformative power of connection.

Ren Gylden is an intriguing protagonist. Raised on a remote homestead, she’s never used an iPhone, browsed the internet, or engaged in social media. Instead, her life has been filled with books, painting, and building practical systems like wind power from scratch. Her transition to college life at Corona College is fraught with challenges as she navigates the complexities of modern society for the first time. Ren’s innocence and raw intelligence make her a compelling character, though at times her naivety can feel exaggerated, stretching believability.

Fitz, on the other hand, presents a stark contrast to Ren. With his life meticulously planned out, Fitz aims to graduate at the top of his class, erase his criminal record, and maintain his polished facade. His initial portrayal as a stereotypical rich, handsome player gradually unfolds to reveal a deeper, more vulnerable side, especially as he interacts with Ren.

The plot kicks into high gear with an immunology seminar assignment, leading to a road trip filled with unexpected twists. This journey serves as the crucible for their developing relationship, challenging their preconceived notions and personal goals. The dynamic between Ren and Fitz is engaging, with their conversations and interactions providing moments of genuine warmth and humor.

However, while the premise and characters are engaging, the story occasionally falls into predictable patterns and clichés. The opposites-attract trope is well-trodden, and some plot developments can be seen from miles away. The road trip, intended to be a transformative experience, sometimes feels like a convenient plot device rather than an organic progression of their relationship.

Despite these shortcomings, Christina Lauren’s writing is undeniably captivating. The narrative is sprinkled with witty dialogue and vivid descriptions that bring Ren and Fitz’s journey to life. The emotional arcs of the characters are well-developed, even if the resolution feels a bit too neatly tied up.

In conclusion, "Tangled Up in You" is a pleasant read that blends romance and self-discovery in a familiar yet enjoyable package. While it may not break new ground in the genre, it offers a heartwarming story with likable characters and a touch of adventure. Fans of Christina Lauren and those looking for a light, feel-good read will likely find it a satisfying addition to their bookshelf.

4.5 stars!

Ren, a 22 year-old who gives new meaning to the term "sheltered," embarks on a college experience, encountering Fitz, a charming co-ed with skeletons in his closet. She looks at the world with wonder and optimism, while Fitz is decidedly cynical and calculating. They wind up on a road trip together, each with their own goals in mind. But as they experience life through one another's eyes, they begin to empathize, and then fall for, each other. But some serious villains could ruin everything before the big happily ever after!

I love a good road trip, and this one delivered! This book was SO MUCH FUN!!! If you couldn't tell from the cover or title, this novel is a grown-up version of Disney's "Tangled". There were so many Easter eggs in this book that relate to the movie. I had a blast from start to finish! I thought the slow-burn was incredibly yummy, but still left us wanting more. The story still felt fresh and had some surprises in store, which left me pleasantly surprised. I have't had the pleasure of reading the other books in the "Meant to Be" series, but they are now on my TBR!!

Trigger warnings: shooting/guns, violence, kidnapping of a child, child brought up the foster system, alienation of affection from a father figure, adolescent in juvenile detention

I'd like to thank Hyperion Avenue and Netgalley for the eARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

I just finished Tangled up in you by Christina Lauren and here are my thoughts.

When Ren finally convinces her parents to let her go to college, she cannot believe her luck! Her parents are so disconnected from the real world on their homestead that she has never held an iphone. She is so pure in the real world but she has skills most people don’t have.

When Fitz, a rich kid who's the big man on campus is asked to show Ren around, he wasn’t prepared for what she was bringing into his world. He has a plan and he is ready to go! That is, until Ren takes an immunology course and finds out that her dad isn't really her dad but a man in Atlanta might be. She blackmails Fitz into taking her with him on his road trip across the country and with each stop they make, they make a new connection to each other and beautiful experiences for Ren. Fitz begins to soften as he experiences these things through Ren’s eyes and it changes the landscape of his whole world.

What they have both been missing is now right next to each other.

Oh man this book was so cute! It’s loosely based on Rapunzel and they did a fabulous job of the grumpy sunshine fluffy romance and I was hella invested in it. One of the things I love about Christina Lauren books is the beautiful level of cheese that they bring. I need it. I crave it.

The book comes from both Ren and Fitz’s POV and I loved how high energy Ren is and that everything is magical. I loved seeing the world through her eyes. Watching Fitz thaw out was really something to connect to. You can’t help but feel a little heartbroken for him, even after the spectacular ending we get for Ren, it's Fitz I feel bad for.

It had more of a YA vibe even though the characters were in their 20s. It didn’t take away from the enjoyment for me, you can totally understand how Ren is like a clean slate with how little interaction she has had in the real world.

I really enjoyed it even though the beginning was a little slow off the mark. The romance was really subtle, it doesn’t move fast so if you are looking for romancy romance, you may be a bit disappointed. (I didn’t need that so it worked for me)

4 stars. It was really solid and really entertaining.

Thank you @netgalley and @hyperionavebooks for my gifted copy

Ren is the new kid on campus having finally convinced her parents to let her off of the homestead to attend college. She missed a lot of conventional milestones having lived a very sheltered life. Juggling classwork and going back to the homestead on weekendsand she has a lot to catch up on socially and with farm chores.

Fitz is the opposite in every way. He is popular on campus, well known for his track record with women. He also is well known for having a rich and powerful father. Never having stepped foot on a farm. When their two worlds collide on a spring break road trip, what could go wrong?

The author duo Christina Lauren are one of my all-time favorite authors. Tangled is high on my list of favorite Disney movies. It was such a disappointment that this was not one of my favorite books. For me, it did not really pick up speed until about 80% into the story. What really slowed down the pace was the Mary Sue character of Ren. Everyone fawned over her, school newspapers wrote articles on her and it was overwhelmingly boring. I almost gave up 70% in because it felt like a chore to read more. Especially since it closely follows the Disney’s Tangled plot line, it was very predictable. On the other hand, I do appreciate the fun nods to Tangled side characters such as Pascal and Max.

I will say that once I reached the ending, I was glad that I stuck it out. As far as romance, this is very tame and I feel that young adults and older teens would be a suitable audience.

At the time of this review, this book is set to be released on June 25, 2024. An electronic Advanced Reader Copy of this book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review. Thank you!

A charming retelling

Ren, a 23-year-old college freshman, has lived off the grid her entire life. An assignment for her immunology course turns her world upside down, leading her to blackmail Fitz, the campus lothario, into taking her on his spring break trip to Nashville. Their personalities clash, but as they spend more time together, they discover common ground and a romantic connection blossoms.

Chapters alternate between Ren and Fitz’s perspectives. Ren is a bit much to take, especially at the start. She has a lot of energy, and to highlight her secluded upbringing and nativity, she is portrayed as a bit childish. Her voice had a YA feel and grated on my nerves. But I was able to move past this as her character developed. Thankfully, her voice changes.

Ren and Fitz are not what they appear to be on the surface; they have compelling backstories and palpable chemistry. Ren might be a bit overwhelming initially, but she grows on you, while Fitz is likable from the start.

Though the beginning was rough for me, this fades as the characters and the plot develop. There is also a notable level of cheesiness. However, the mystery surrounding Ren’s childhood and Fitz’s upbringing kept me invested. As the plot and the characters grow more serious, the entire dynamic changes, and the tone shifts to match.

There is a dramatic turn of events in the last 20%, which elevated the plot and upped my rating from 3.5 to 4 stars.

I wasn't sure how I felt about this novel going in. I saw Tangled

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue in exchange for an honest review.

Christina Lauren's fans will likely agree that this offering is somewhat different from their previous romance novels, in that the steam level is greatly reduced, and they address some heavier themes than usual. But if a good romance is about the emotions, their fans won't be disappointed as all the feels you expect to find in their stories is evident on nearly every page.

Unfortunately, this book was a DNF for me even though I've like Christina Lauren books in the past. The tropes just weren't for me.

Oh boy. I love Christina Lauren, I love Disney, and I've loved every book in this series so far. I, however, did not like this one. I know the story of Rapunzel is dark, but I was not anticipating this much darkness in what I perceived to be a lighthearted romance novel. Ren was wonderful. Fitz...I did not care for until the very end.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

I loved this take on the story, Rapunzel. With just the right number of twists and turns, it’s easy to root for Fitz and Ren.
I can honestly say that I hated REN’s parents from the get go. I wanted to wrap Ren up in a giant hug every time they were brisk or condescending to her. I wanted to rush through this to make sure they got their just desserts in the end.
I would love for Christina to write more stories like this.
5 stars!!!

This story was very fun.

Ren has spent her whole life living on a homestead with her parents. She has never gone to school and does not have any friends her own age. When she’s 22, she finally convinces her parents to let her go to a nearby college. Their rule, however, is she needs to come home every weekend to the homestead and they will pick her up, she cannot use the internet for anything other than assignments, and no going off campus. She also does not have a phone. When she meets Fitz, who is assigned to give her the welcome tour, he immediately dislikes her optimistic attitude. She’s warned to stay away from his charm, but when she finds out her dad may not be who she thought he was, she joins him on a road trip.

What I liked most about this story is that even though it’s a modern retelling of Tangled/Rapunzel, it feels like it exists in its own world. I could see a lot of the nods from the movie but it didn’t feel like pandering or like the story was being told just to hit story points.

I really loved how optimistic and naïve Ren was, while also just being kind and genuine. Fitz was charming, yet also struggling with his own demons. His story actually confused me the most. There was a lot of backstory which I appreciated, but it unfolded slowly.

Christina Lauren always do a great job with slow burn romances and with chemistry and this book does not miss. It’s a little less spicy than their usual stories, which I think a lot of people will appreciate. I loved the banter and I also liked the road trip aspect where Ren got to experience a lot of things for the first time.

This book was a quick, easy, fun read. I pretty much read it in one go on the airplane. Even though I knew, essentially, how the story was going to end, I was excited to see it play out and see how the ends were tied up together. I loved that the story didn’t just end with Ren/Rapunzel finding out about her real parents too. We got a little after of dealing with some of the consequences and where it felt more like real life. If you like Disney and romance, I highly recommend checking this out. I might go back and read the other ones in this series!

⭐️: 4/5

Ren was raised off the grid on a homestead, so she’s excited to attend Corona College and live in the real world for the first time. Fitz has a plan for the rest of his life, and it doesn’t include falling in love. When an assignment in their immunology seminar sheds light on some hard truths, the course of both of their lives change when they find themselves on a road trip across the country together.

It’s funny, because you’d think that because this is clearly advertised as a Tangled retelling and thus, all the plot twists and the ending are known, that this wouldn’t be as exciting of a read, but then you’d be wrong! I loved Disney’s Tangled, and I don’t think I’m alone in that regard, so this modern adaptation of it was so cute. The way that Fitz slowly and begrudgingly falls for Ren is just off the charts adorable, and I definitely swooned for how much he was falling for her. The whole “I should tell her the truth but I can’t right now but I really want to share but words are hard the time just isn’t right” thing was a lot though, since it felt so miscommunication-y, which is objectively one of the worst tropes. I loved the relationship though, and devoured this book.

Thank you to @netgalley and @hyperionavebooks for this free eARC for my honest review!!

This unfortunately wasn’t for me and I didn’t get too far into it. It was much more cutesy and fluffy than I was expecting, although maybe I should have expected this since it’s based on the Tangled movie from Disney. I found Ren pretty annoying and the way Fitz responded to her at their first meeting also very clichéd and annoying - he came off as pretty unlikable. It didn’t feel worth it for me to continue.

I'm a longtime fan of Christina Lauren, so I was so excited to get an advanced copy of Tangled Up in You. As expected, the leads are charming and the plot is a creative spin on Tangled.

In terms of character development, this read more like a novella, which feels weird to say considering how heavy some of the subject matter is. But in many ways, it felt surface-level to me. For instance, Ren goes through some massive life changes, but I didn't really see her evolve as a character.

It was still a fun and engaging read, and I will obviously pick up whatever Christina Lauren releases next.

This was a great contemporary retelling of Disneys Tangled (which is based on the classic Repunzel).

Christina Lauren did an amazing job of bringing this to modern times, while keeping a lot of the fun and joy that movie watchers loved from the movie.

Ren was an absolute ball of sunshine and I just adored her. Fitz’s backstory was heartbreaking, and I truly think Ren was so healing for him.

This was definitely a more YA book, even though the characters are around 21/22 years old. It was a very fun read for me!

I absolutely adores the movie Tangled, and obviously knew that I was going to live Tangled Up In you because of that. It’s Christina Lauren, so I knew I wasn’t going to be disappointed. This was such a charming and sweet read! I loved Ren and Fitz so much

If you love Disney's Tangled, you will absolutely eat this literary reimagining right up.

It was an absolute delight! I came to adore this book just as much as I adore the movie.

Tangled Up in You is very faithful to Disney's Tangled. The setting is, of course, entirely different. The journey doesn't look quite the same. And our protagonists Ren and Fitz stand on their as separate characters to Rapunzel and Flynn Rider.

Nevertheless, the story beats the same, it's quite easy to decipher what lies ahead.

And I loved that.

Knowing the forecast never once dimmed the experience, if anything, it heightened it, as anticipation build over the course of the narrative, eagerly awaiting certain reveals. It felt fresh at every twist and turn. I became fully immersed within this world and the personal and intertwining journeys of Ren and Fitz.

Their relationship is truly what made this book for me. Their romance unfolds at a perfect pace, their emotional connection sparks stunningly. Ren is so optimistic, hopeful, and eager and while Fitz wants to feel annoyed by her, wants to view her as a nuisance, he can't help but find the weight he's carrying on his shoulders feel lightened by her proximity. By getting to know her, getting to see her change with every new thing she experiences, he finds himself changing too. She's addicting and she's contagious in all the best ways.

Fitz may be Ren's tutor of all the 'street' smarts she lacks, but she teaches him just as much as he starts to view the world through her eyes. And while they may seem different, over the course of the story we come to have just as many similarities as differences. It all sums up for a gorgeous balance.

I don't want to delve into spoilers, but something I deeply appreciated was how the narrative advocated for therapy when it became a necessity. This isn't a major focus, but its introduction was very pleasant to witness. The narrative took great care of the mental health of its protagonists upon seeing their world turned upside down. I'm glad it wasn't simply swept away in its aftermath, but rather acknowledged as work to be done to ensure their well being is protected and cared for.

I do wish there had been a proper epilogue, but I still found the ending so lovely, hopeful, and right.

Thank you NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for this complimentary copy, I leave this honest review voluntarily.

Tangled Up in You is a delightful, charming, and perfect rom-com and something I will be reading again and again.


Well, I am in love, and I am not afraid to show it. The movie Tangled is probably my favourite Disney princess movie. I just love how fun, carefree, and energic Rapunzel was, and I might have had a tiny (not-so-small) crush on Fylnn Rider. So, as you can imagine, when I heard that Christina Lauren (who I also adore) was writing a re-telling of Tangled, I knew I needed to get my hands on it. I loved, loved, loved everything about this book. Christina Lauren managed to capture the heart and soul of the Tangled movie and weave it into a modern-day love story. At its core, this book is fun and sweet. That's not to say there isn't any steamy tension between the two characters, but that steam is not front and center it's sprinkled lightly throughout the story. I have to admit that I am really grateful for this because if the book had a lot of spice and dirty talk, it wouldn't have fit with Ren's character and her journey. She is sweet, kind, caring, and wants to experience everything the world has to offer, and yes, that does mean some heated kisses with Fitz, but nothing progresses beyond kissing.

Now, let's talk about the story. The story's pacing is pretty steady; the first bit of the book takes place at Corona College, where we see Ren try to adapt to college life. I adored Ren's ability to befuddle all those around her. Her sweet and kind attitude and her unusual upbringing instantly captures the attention and love of everyone on campus. Everyone is instantly captivated by her, well everyone but Fitz, who thinks Ren will be eaten alive by the cruel and harsh world we live in. Well, at school, this one-sided rivalry starts. For romance reasons, Fitz needs to be the top student for each of his classes, which isn't a problem until Ren walks into his class and steals that number one spot from him. Fitz has perfected this image of being the golden boy, and I loved watching as Ren sees right through that act and just shakes up Fitz's carefully ordered world.

The next part of the book is a road trip, which I love. Christina Lauren knows how to write a tremendous road-trip romance. They know all those key things to include, like one-bed situations, force proximity, slightly spicy pool situations, hilarious road trip antics, and just so much more. They brought in memorable moments from the movie and adapted them to real-life situations. There was just so much to love, and it was just so entertaining. Between all those fun and light moments are some really beautiful quiet moments between Ren and Fitz. I adore a book that is full of fun antics, and Ren just keeps on knocking down those walls Fitz has built.

The romance was everything I wanted it to be. From the moment these two first met, they both knew something existed between them that they'd never felt before. For Ren, this is her first time ever experiencing anything that has to do with romantic and lusty feelings. There is this sweet unsureness about her behaviour when it comes to pursuing anything romantic with Fitz. She wants to just dive right in but often loses her confidence when Fitz retreats behind those carefully constructed walls he built. For Fitz, he knows that there is something different when it comes to the feelings he has for Ren. He is also plagued with this sense of not being good enough for Ren and that being with her may jeopardize his carefully laid plans for his life. There are plenty of will they won't they moments between these two. Fitz is often the reason why things stop in their relationship. I loved the banter between these two. Ren constantly keeps Fitz on his toes, and I love how she brings out that softer side of Fitz's character.

Tangled Up In You is a swoonastic and un-put-downable romance from the fabulous duo Christina Lauren.

This book was adorable. If you're a fan of Disney's Tangled, then definitely pick up a copy of Tangled Up In You.
The FMC, Ren, lived a fairly sheltered life on her parents' homestead in rural Idaho, and at the age of 22, she decided to enroll herself in college in Spokane. Her parents obviously weren't thrilled with the news and set out an entire list of absurd rules for her to follow while she was at school, and insisted they be able to pick her up every Friday to bring her home.
While at school, everything is a first for her. She's never used any modern technology, and yet she can fix just about anything with random things laying around, and she's kind and gracious to everyone she meets. An assignment from one of her classes basically tilts her entire world on its axis, and she takes off on a cross-country road trip with Fitz, one of her classmates, who she basically has to blackmail to take her with him.
Their adventures are lovely, and Ren's personality is just so endearing. The way her relationship with Fitz blossoms more the farther across the country they go is just so sweet to watch develop. The ending may be a bit surprising for those who aren't familiar with the original Tangled, but this tale as a whole was a nice, modern take on Disney's story. Highly & enthusiastically recommend!

Technically the fourth in the Meant To Be series, this book can be read as a stand alone. It is a retelling of Disney's Tangled. A bit saccharine, it was a cute story about Ren, a book-smart girl who is sheltered by her parents. She then goes away to college and meets bad-boy Fitz, who is assigned to show her around campus. They end up on a road-trip together and the story goes from there. It dragged a bit in the middle, but ultimately was a triumph in the end.

In this charming retelling of "Tangled," Ren, a young woman raised off the grid, embarks on her dream of attending Corona College. Fitz, with his carefully planned future, finds his path disrupted when Ren enters his life. A simple assignment leads them on an unexpected road trip, where they discover that their dreams might be closer than they realized. Despite initial reservations, I found myself enjoying this story more than I anticipated.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc!!