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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.

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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.

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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.

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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...

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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.

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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.

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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!

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Tangled Up In You

4.25 ⭐️

This book is for anyone who loves the movie Tangled! It is so spot on with this modern retelling. All of the little pieces click together so perfectly!

Dual perspective really lends itself well in this story. I think if you didn’t know the movie some pieces might have felt like they were interjected for no reason, but if you’re familiar, it’s great!

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4.5 stars!
What a fun read! I thoroughly enjoyed this modernized version of Disney's Tangled. Will add more tomorrow.
Thank you Hyperion Avenue and NetGalley for the digital ARC in return for an honest review.

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Such a cute, sweet rom com. Loved it. What a time read for a lazy weekend. It was a little silly, but still a cute book.

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5/5 stars! I absolutely loved this book and read it in one sitting. I couldn’t put this book down. Tangled Up In You is a retelling of Tangled and I loved it. This book is about Ren and Fitz, Ren has never got to experience real life before. She has grown up on a remote secluded farm but at the age of 22 she gets to attend school for the first time. At school she meets the school’s bad boy Fitz. This book is released June 25,2024. Thank you to Hyperion Avenue, Christina Lauren, and Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advanced of this book.

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Ren grew up in Idaho on a homestead with minimal interaction with the outside world. Ren is permitted to go to college, but she must follow her parent's strict rules. Ren’s world is rocked when a DNA test(done in her biology class) reveals her biological father's name. The man's name differs from who has been her father for over twenty years. After bribing a Teaching Assistant, they embark on a road trip to find her biological father. What follows is a story of friendship, self-discovery, and love. As the story unfolds, Ren learns about herself and what she wants from life. This is an endearing story about love, secrets, and lies. It was easy to get caught up in Ren and Edward’s story. Full of warmth, tenderness, and love, these likable characters will stay with the reader long after the story ends.

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A modern day Tangled retelling with a Christina Lauren twist.
Ren grew up off the grid- no wifi, no cell phone, growing her own food. So when she decides to go off to college at age 22, it's a whole new world for her.
This was a real cute, fun story.

Thanks to Netgalley and Hyperion publishing for an early copy for review.

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I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book and it was a great retelling of Tangled! Christina Lauren did a great job of modernizing this tale, keeping the same earnest excitement in Ren and that charming and disarming, slightly bad boy with a heart of gold in Fitz. The dynamic, the earnestness, the revelations, and the culmination of it all left me reading and reading with smile after smile stuck on my face!

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I am such a sucker for Christina’s writing and all of her books. This book was so SO cute! REN and Fitz are absolutely ADORABLE and stole my heart. These characters in the book were so well developed and the storyline/plot was just what I thought it was going to be like, super cute with all the feels. I love how Christina turned this story into a very sweet and cute Tangled retelling. I love retellings more and more every time I read them and this one is one of my favorites. I loved seeing what became of the twos relationship and how they grew closer together. I recommend this to all of my book besties.

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Unlike a more traditional romance, this book has two full story lines. Ren’s unique upbringing added a unique dynamic to the romance and there was lots of good banter, but the touch of mystery in the second story line is really what kept me coming back for more. While it wasn’t my favorite by Christina Lauren, fans will definitely enjoy Tangled Up in You.

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I am a huge fan of Christina Lauren and have read (and re-read… again and again…) every book they’ve written. I am truly disappointed to say this was my least favorite of them all. I was thrown off by how uncharacteristic this story was for CLo - their amazing character development, witty funny banter, that CLo sparkle and spice - were all missing. I would even describe the plot as tedious and boring. The Tangled/Rapunzel story was distracting and I just did not enjoy this aspect of constantly being mentally pulled back to the Disney movie. Upon reflection, I wonder if this is an outlier due to a collaborative effort with Disney, but I unfortunately can’t recommend anyone read this.

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This retelling of Tangled, Disney’s Rapunzel, sets the updated story on a college campus. Ren grew up isolated and without technology but is now finally starting school. Fitz, the campus golden boy, is forced to bring Ren along for his cross-country road trip while hiding his family secrets. This opposites attract romance will enchant readers who want intelligent, supportive characters building a sweet and deeply romantic relationship. This is the fourth book in Disney’s adult Meant to Be series that adapts fairy tales.

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3.5 ⭐

The retelling of Tangled is perfect for Disney fans. It's a light, fairly chaste romance, and would be good for older teens/adults.

Ren was raised on a homestead. She's never used the internet, doesn't have a cell phone, and doesn't have any friends. She lives with her parents, Steve and Gloria.

In her 20's, she finally convinces her parents to let her attend college. They have strict rules and she spends every weekend back at home.

When she arrives on campus, Fitz has been tasked with showing her around. He's charming, full of himself, and comes off as a rich playboy.

Not everyone or everything is as they seem though and when they end up on a trip together, everything Ren thought she knew is challenged.

Thank you to netgalley for a copy to review.

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This was a super cute and fun read! I d0 think it got a little bored and it felt like they liked each other in the first 20 percent in the book! But this also was such a cute disney re telling! The road trip was such a cute plot in this book it really added to the story and it was so similar to the actual movie tangled and how she found herself after being locked away from the world her whole life!


Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

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