Christina Lauren has delivered yet another charming romance with Tangled Up in You. This contemporary reimagining of Tangled is filled with heart, adventure, and just the right dash of whimsy.
The Summary
She has a dream. He has a plan. Together they’ll take a leap of faith.
Ren has never held an iPhone, googled the answer to a question, or followed a crush on social media. What she has done: Read a book or two, or three (okay, hundreds). Taught herself to paint. Built a working wind power system from scratch. But for all the books she’s read, Ren has never found one that’s taught a woman raised on a homestead and off the grid for most of her twenty-two years how to live in the real world. So when she finally achieves her lifelong dream of attending Corona College, it feels like her life is finally beginning.
Fitz has the rest of his life mapped out: Graduate from Corona at the top of his class, get his criminal record wiped clean, and pass himself off as the rich, handsome player everyone thinks he is. He’s a few short months from checking off step one of his plans when Ren Gylden, with her cascading blonde hair and encyclopedic brain, crashes into his life, and for the first time Fitz’s plan is in jeopardy.
But a simple assignment in their immunology seminar changes the course of both their lives, and suddenly they’re thrown out of the frying pan and into the fire on a road trip that will lead them in the most unexpected directions. Out on the open road, the world somehow shifts, and the unlikely pair realize that, maybe, the key to the dreams they’ve both been chasing have been sitting next to them the whole time.
Book Review
Ren, the sheltered yet resourceful protagonist, is a delight to follow. Her off-the-grid upbringing gives her a unique perspective that adds an interesting angle to the story. Fitz, the grumpy yet secretly soft-hearted counterpart, perfectly complements her sunshine personality. Their chemistry is undeniable, and Christina Lauren does a great job balancing slow-burn romance with laugh-out-loud humor and heartfelt moments. The sharp banter, the brisk pacing, and the witty dynamic between the two leads make this a book you won’t be able to put down.
Fans of Tangled will love the clever nods to the movie scattered throughout. Fitz’s white Mustang, “Max,” is a fun callback to Maximus, while the lantern scene gets an update with fireworks that feel just as magical. The Snuggly Duckling turns into the Screaming Eagle biker saloon, setting the stage for a hilarious reinterpretation of the “I Have a Dream” number. From frying pans (who knew?) to Ren’s birthday paint set, and even a playful nod to Fitz’s nose (Flynn would approve), the story is peppered with Easter eggs that will leave fans of the animated classic grinning from ear to ear.
With no explicit scenes and only mild language, Tangled Up in You has a youthful, almost YA-like quality that fits Ren’s innocence while still offering enough emotional maturity and wit to keep adult readers engaged. It’s a clean yet captivating read that blends humor, heart, and a touch of nostalgia.
The story moves at a fast pace, blending romance with an intriguing mystery subplot that keeps the pages turning. However, this same mystery occasionally feels over the top, detracting from the otherwise grounded emotional stakes of Ren and Fitz’s journey. Additionally, the ending felt slightly rushed compared to the careful build-up earlier in the book.
Still, Tangled Up in You is an entertaining read that offers a mix of romance, humor, and a dash of suspense. The adventure-filled plot and the undeniable charm of the characters make it well worth the read—even if the conclusion left me wanting a bit more. If you love tropes like road trip, grumpy/sunshine, brainy/jock, only one bed, and contemporary spins on classic stories, this book deserves a spot on your TBR.
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