Book Review: Tangled Up In You

Last summer I saw that Christina Lauren released a book, Tangled Up In You, as part of the Meant to Be series – contemporary reimaginings of Disney/fairytale classics. This Tangled/Rapunzel retelling looked so cute and I quickly added it to my tbr. I finally read it last week and loved it!

The novel follows Ren, a 23 year old young woman who has spent her life isolated from most of the world. She and her parents moved to a homestead when she was 3 and she’s lived on that land with their farm animals since then. They don’t have tv, internet, or cell phones. They drive in to town to buy some supplies and sell things at farmer’s markets etc., but that’s as far as her socialization usually goes. She educated herself with books and self-taught her self multiple languages, advanced maths and sciences, and more. At 23, she finally convinced her parents to let her go to college away from home. They give in and allow her to attend Corona College, a few hours away, but she has to come home every weekend, she can’t leave campus, no boys, makeup, or alcohol, and a host of other rules.

Fitz is a college senior. He’s popular and everyone thinks he’s got an easy life because his father is rich. What they don’t know is that he doesn’t rely on his dad’s money, he has a troubled past, is on scholarship, and he needs to stay at the top of his class in order to get a recommendation for law school. When he meets Ren, he’s intrigued by her like most of the other students, but thinks she’s way too upbeat and naive. He also doesn’t have time to entertain the idea of getting to know her.

When Ren’s DNA results for a class project come back with a report that has Ren confused and questioning her life and parents, she is determined to find a way to Atlanta. So when she overhears Fitz say he’s going on a road trip to Nashville for spring break she begs him to let her tag along. Eventually, he gives in and the two embark on a cross country road trip together.

This book was so adorable. Fitz’s initial grumpy persona and Ren’s sunshine-y personality played off each other so well. You can’t help but love Ren and her positive outlook. She’s innocent, but wants to know and experience everything. Fitz acts like he doesn’t care, but is actually a softie inside and is so protective of Ren. I just loved the two of them!

Read this if you want a grumpy sunshine, forced proximity, fairytale retelling romcom.

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