I wish I could give this book more than five stars, seriously. Christina Lauren's Tangled Up in You, a retelling of Disney's Tangled, is everything you could ask for in a retelling and more. They were able to capture all the beats of the movie, the nuances of the characters, and somehow expand on them and make them even better. If you liked Tangled, I think you'll love this.

Ren Gylden grew up off the grid, has never used a cell phone, and counts pigs, cows and cats among her only friends. So, when she finally convinces her parents to let her attend college it is with a very strict set of rules. Fitz is the resident playboy, top of every class, stereotypical rich kid. At least, on the surface. What he's worked very hard to keep everyone from seeing is a history of struggle and a quest for revenge. When circumstances lead to Ren and Fitz travelling across the country together, both are forced to reexamine their beliefs and goals.

Maybe spoilers ahead?[ One of the things I really loved that Christina Lauren did in this book was keep the essential characteristics of the main characters, Ren especially, but bring them into a modern world in a way that felt very real. I've long felt that the movie Tangled (a favorite of mine, I'll admit) paints Rapunzel's naivete and wonder as almost childlike throughout the movie, so for her character to enter into what seems like a very adult relationship with Eugene at the end felt kind of icky, because she seemed so young. Christina Lauren threaded this needle very carefully with Ren's character, creating a person who, while she had been shielded from most of the world, was not ignorant of its ways or realities. She was a full blooded twenty-three year old, and while she was experiencing many things for the first time, including her own blooming sexuality (note: this is not an explicitly spicy book, just lots of well-written kissing), she didn't feel like a child at any point. (hide spoiler)]

I'm sure I'll have a lot more to say about this book, I truly loved it and it brought me a lot of joy to read. I'm so grateful to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for the chance to read this book early, and I'll be preordering a physical copy from my local indie bookstore soon, because I know I'm going to want to read this one again.

A forced proximity, Grumpy/sunshine story inspired by Rapunzel and Flynn Rider. It's got romance, it's got adventure and suspense, and of course this is something that bares repeating- It's got A FLYNN RIDEResqe love interest. Don't pretend I need to say anymore.

Tangled Up in You is a captivating tale that beautifully intertwines themes of self-discovery, redemption, and the transformative power of love. Ren is an enchanting protagonist whose journey from homestead life to college is both intriguing and inspiring. She's so brave! Her naivety is balanced by her intelligence and creativity, making her a character readers can root for. Fitz, on the other hand, is a complex figure, wrestling with his past while trying to fit into a world that demands conformity. Their dynamic is electric, showcasing a slow-burn romance that is both sweet and realistic. The chemistry between them builds gradually, making every moment of tension and connection feel earned. The pace is expertly crafted, with twists that keep readers engaged and guessing.
I don't usually enjoy a road trip romance, but in this case, the road trip acts as a catalyst for both characters to confront their fears, question their paths, and ultimately embrace the unknown. The vivid descriptions and relatable dialogue made me laugh out loud and kept me entertained. I switched back and forth between the audio version and the e-book ARC, which really heightened the reading experience.
Christina Lauren masterfully blends humor, heart, and depth, creating a moving story that will stick with me for a long time. This book is a must-read for anyone who believes in the power of love to change lives and the importance of taking leaps of faith. If you're looking for a story filled with unexpected twists, relatable characters, and a slow-burn romance that will leave you smiling, this book should be at the top of your list.

Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this book. I didn't really enjoy this book primarily due to the writing. It was my first Christina Lauren novel and it didn't make me excited to read their other books. I did think that they probably didn't put as much effort into it because it is just a retelling.

Overall, this one was just okay for me. It was a bit cringey with the Rapunzel references, but it was pretty funny. Not my favorite by this author, but a quick and easy read.

I usually love Cristina Lauren’s books but I couldn’t get into this one!!! The MC was hard to connect with, but I appreciate the retelling of Rapunzel, just not for me!

To be honest, I wasn’t really loving this book. The main female character just wasn’t for me. I wish I did like because in theory it does sound like a book I would like.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No spoilers. Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to. Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Maybe even a book club pick.

I so wanted to love this book. Rapunzel is my favorite. But I think I have outgrown Christina Lauren as writers, which makes me sad.

I am such a huge Christina Lauren fan, and this one did not disappoint! I love their writing style, their character development, and their story lines. I will continue to read anything that they author together.

This is a cute retelling of Rapunzel. Ren is a girl who grew up on a homestead with zero influence of the outside world. They lived off the grid, grew their own food, made their own clothes, and even home schooled Ren. However, Ren wants more, and she is able to gain a scholarship to a nearby college. Of course, her parents are very concerned this will taint their daughter, but they reluctantly let her go on the condition that she only goes to class, then back to her room, and they pick her up on Friday to take her home for the weekend. However, when one of her classes does an ancestry test, Ren’s world is flipped upside down and she finds herself questioning everything.

I really liked that the author’s made this story their own while still maintaining that original essence of Rapunzel. Ren’s development while at college is gradual, but it’s there and it was what made the story what it is. She starts off so innocent and I was worried she would remain that way, but she is quick on her feet to adapt to situations that I wouldn’t have thought she could. The romance between Ren and Fitz is slow and gradual. He reluctantly allows her to join him on a road trip, and along the way he becomes protective of her and they strike up a friendship. I liked that it wasn’t lust at first sight or anything like that. Everything with this book was well balanced and grew at a steady pace.

If you are looking for a modern day retelling of Rapunzel that takes place in college, then I recommend you grab a copy of this book and read it.

A cute twist on the Rapunzel story. I enjoyed the way the author made it more modern. It did have. YA feel to it, but I think it may have needed to.

Cute retelling story, I love a few of this authors books and can’t wait to get through there backlist. Would overall recommend

I have read and loved all of their previous books but this is not my favorite by the duo. I loved the fairy tale similarities but this just felt very YA for me, choppy writing, and wasn't very invested in the characters.

A cute twist on the Tangled story or Rapunzel. I love the way the author updated it for modern times and set it in a college town.

I think I must be a moron, because aside from the long hair on the cover and the word "tangled" in the title...I really didn't realize it was a Tangled retelling until I was a bit into the book. I think I'm blind and slightly slow in that regard.

REGARDLESS.

Christina Lauren never fails to disappoint. These ladies know how to weave a tale and do it very, very well. This was such a cute reimagining of the Rapunzel/Tangled story and I was into it every second. C&L managed to make a girl being raised as a recluse in today's ever connected society actually work and work well. Sure it was a bit unbelievable that she was able to master so much educationally with little to no assistance, but I still bought it hook line and sinker. Fitz was a MMC with surprising depth, which is always nice. I loved how Ren was able to take even the direst of circumstances that she found herself in and find the positive in it.

My only complaint was that despite both MCs being 22-23 years old, they came across as far more juvenile - maybe late teens at most - for most of the story. With as much as Fitz went through in his life, you would expect a little more gravitas from him to contrast Ren's naïveté to balance it all out.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
Tangled is one of my absolute favorite Disney movies so I went into this one with mixed emotions...and I didn't want to set the bar too high! But the Christina Lauren duo knocked it out of the park! I loved how true they stayed to the story in the movie. I flew through this one!

Tangled Up in You by Christina Lauren is another great installment from the Meant to Be series. I enjoyed this read with its well developed characters and great plot points.

I couldn't imagine how any author could take Disney's Tangled (a favorite of mine) and turn it into a contemporary romance but when I saw that Christina Lauren was just that author I knew it was going to be good. Goodness, they did not disappoint. The way in which these authors manage to take our main character, Ren, and make her believable as a naive recluse in today's world was so creative. I loved her adventure with Fitz and all the nods to the original story this has, including the scene at the bar. The transformation was flawless. I loved the experience of Red and Fitz as they traveled together across country. It was a lot of fun and perfect for those who love the traditional film. This book is a blast sure to make so many smile as they experience the romance all over again.

A perfect retelling doesn't exi--... wait... it does... because THIS BOOK EXISTS!

The whole Meant To Be series is extremely fun, but this story had the perfect mix of original content and homages to the original story. I loved how I could still be surprised by the story even knowing Tangled forwards and backwards.

Ren was such a unique character--not only because of her circumstances but how she was so positive in reacting to them. She saw the best in everyone but wasn't an idiot. I loved how positive she was. Fitz was a perfect foil to her and I loved how she rubbed off on him and how he just wanted to care for her by the end.

A road trip plot is veryyyy hit or miss for me, but this one was a hit! I loved the tropes (one bed, forced proximity, etc.)! Do I think they needed to stop in St. Louis after starting their day in Kansas City? No. But, I understand it for the sake of character and relationship development. Haha

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for my honest review.