Of Tangles and Tinsel by T.A. Lawrence

Of Tangles and Tinsel Reviews

• 
  AnnaScott

  I think it is safe to say this was the best Christmas book that I read this year. Imagine Tangled meshed with Harry Potter and a dash of Lorelei Gilmore’s humor. I laughed so hard, I was kept in suspense, I loved it. The story was unique while still having all of the cozy vibes I love in holiday rom coms. Definitely recommend!
• 
  Alissa J. Zavalianos

  A sweet Christmas, fantasy story!
  
  I enjoyed the aspects of what it’s like teaching in a classroom setting haha; it brought me back to my middle school English days, which is bittersweet.
  
  I think this story is perfect for those who love romcoms, flirtatious banter, and the miscommunication trope ☺️
• 
  R.J.

  Of Tangles and Tinsel is a cozy, winter romance that had me giggling and kicking my feet.
  
  Now, I must offer a disclaimer that I am not the target audience for rom-coms; the only reason I read this one was because of the tiny Christmas dragon and the fact that the characters are fae. So, it's a fantasy Christmas rom-com, and now that I know this genre exists, I'm going to be hunting for it next Christmas!
  
  Olwen and Quill are entertaining with their banter, the setting is beautiful, and the story is easy to binge. The Repunzel aspects of the story had me laughing, and Olwen is a hysterical representative of Repunzel, and I loved her every second of this book. And Quill...well, let's just say I liked him, too.
  
  Overall, I recommend Of Tangles & Tinsel to readers of holiday rom-coms, but especially to those like me who need an element of fantasy to enjoy the rom-com properly!
  
  Content disclaimers {possible spoilers here}: Romance is "closed door", though there are plenty of descriptions of thinking about kissing and dreaming of each other. Some mentions of a creepy and sleazy dude who makes advances, but he's stopped. There's no cursing. Very mild action mentioned.
• 
  Sarah Beran

  A magical, Christmas-y, academy rom-com with a prickly princess, a swoony rival, and baby dragons. Need I say more?
  
  No, but I will.
  
  This is the perfect blend of fantasy and rom-com. I loved the rivals to lovers angle. Olsen and Quill were the perfect grumpy/sunshine pair, and I so enjoyed watching their relationship progress. I also loved the clever way the Rapunzel fairytale was woven in, and the reason for her long hair made me laugh out loud.
  
  The perfect read for a wintery night!
• 
  Stephanie M

  Fantasy RomCom Gold
  
  Y’all, I don’t even know where to start with this book. It’s been a while since I am have laughed and swooned so hard while reading a book. The inner dialogue from both Olwen (FMC) and Quill (MMC) is some of the most relatable and entertaining tidbits that I have had the pleasure of reading.
  
  I love a good academic rivals to lovers trope and the book even includes some of my favorite microtropes that I will leave out so they don’t spoil anything.
  
  This is only the second book that I have found so far that is marketed as a fantasy rom/com and I need there to be more books like this. Think of the genre to be along the lines of Ella Enchanted or Shrek in terms of it being set in a fantasy land, there’s magic involved, but ripe with humor and banter that had me giggling and squealing for the majority of the book. There are some moments that are a bit deep, emotional, and may hit a little too close to home but the story didn’t stay with those moments long enough to really drag me down.
  
  I really enjoyed the introduction of Remy, a telepathic baby dragon. He’s a great animal companion and adds another layer of humor to the story.
  
  Also, definitely has strong Christmas vibes with their winter solstice decorations and dance/celebration making this a great holiday romance that doesn’t completely center around the solstice celebration.
  
  You may like this book of you like:
  ✨ Academic rivals
  ✨ Magic
  ✨ He falls first, fast, and hard
  ✨ Slow burn, no-spice romance
  ✨ Low stakes fantasy (no grand adventures, espionage, political discourse, war between kingdoms, death threats, etc…just every day living in a fantasy realm)
  ✨ Animal companion
  ✨ Dual POVs
  ✨ Happily ever after
  
  This work of fiction is just pure fun and entertainment. It’s nice to have fantasy aspects like the main characters beings fae, the burdens of the fae curse, the existence of dragons, and the abundance of magic coupled with some things that you may see in a contemporary romantic comedy. I love fantasy with deep and intricate worldbuilding, complicated magic systems, different magical creatures, and an end of the world scenario, but sometimes I need a break from it. This is definitely a great book to introduce people to some fantasy elements as well as giving fantasy lovers a break from high fantasy but still keeping it not so contemporary.
  
  If this were a movie, I feel like it would definitely be a comfort movie for me and may have just become a comfort read.
  
  *Some slight spoilers specifically regarding tropes that are commonly found in contemporary romance and romantic comedies are found below* ⬇️
  
  
  
  
  
  
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  Because I know this tends to get a lot of flack and people who read romance/romcoms hate being caught off guard, this does deal with quite a bit of miscommunication as well as a third act break up type scenario. The miscommunication does occur from both parties and it is a bit frustrating, but these tropes are not typically ones that makes me not read a book so they didn’t bother me too much.
• 
  India c

  Loved this book and the banter! I can’t wait to read book 5 and hopefully see them and their perspectives again
• 
  H.L. Burke

  Enjoyed this overall. There was a little too much "problems that would resolve in a fifteen second talk drawn out for the full book" for my personal preference but it fit the characters overall. I do think the logic leap the MC made at the inevitable "end of second act, everything goes wrong" and the drastic measures she chose because of it were a little over the top which is why I generally prefer external to internal obstacles being the main character conflict in romances (again, personal preference.).
  
  Fun and funny. Dragon was super cute.
  
  Some of the world building was a little light for me, but I don't think that's why most people read holiday romcoms.
  
  Lead guy was great. Lead girl was believable and I didn't dislike her, but found some of her choices a little too reactive. Maybe suits someone with a traumatic background, but it can be frustrating when her problems could be so easily solved with just a little talking to people/asking questions rather than jumping to worst possible conclusions constantly. I feel like this is pretty parr for romcom heroines, though, so other readers probably relate to this sort of anxiety. I'm more of an optimist, so probably just me vs the character not being very similar. Like I get she'd probably react that way, but I wouldn't so, she bugged me when she did (mainly just in the previously mentioned everything goes wrong bit).
• 
  starlys nyte

  I think I could drink myself to death on her attention. Anything to make her look at me.
  
  SWOON. Is this the best Ta Lawrence book yet? I haven’t finished Severed Realms so I’m sure not but So many great lines:
  
  As we dance, it’s as if Quill is just an extension of me, a cozy sweater I’ve worn holes into over the years, but one that fits perfectly to my body, wrapping me in its warmth.
  
  Just a girl who thought she locked her heart in a tower and the boy who had it in his pocket all along.
  
  Because it was so easy to convince myself that I was unloveable, I jumped to the worst conclusions without looking back, without examining other options.
  
  Also the professors and students plot was unexpected but LOVED the fun hogwarts vibe but with lots more vines lol
• 
  Melinda Cater

  This story left me feeling…depressed…not depressed because it was sad…not because it was dark…not because it was angsty in any way or gave me any type of anxiety…
  
  This WHIMSICAL! WONDERFUL! AMAZING! COMPLETELY COZY! UTTERLY HEARTWARMING STORY left me feeling a tad depressed simply because it was over…and…there was no more…AND I DESPERATELY WANTED THERE TO BE MORE! Because it was JUST THAT GOOD! It left my heart overflowing with joy and my soul doing a happy dance that I didn’t want to end!
  
  Princess Olwen has plans! Goals! And Complete Determination to Accomplish them! Even if it means forsaking all social contact and social events until she reaches said goal. Thank You Very Much! But things NEVER seem to go to plan and two long years after her plans explode into broken dreams she finds herself still alone and caged in a tower of her own creation. Determined to hate the man who stole her dreams from her. But does her heart truly hate him?
  
  And Quill…well Quill is handsome, and swarthy, and charismatic beyond words and when he finds the object of his interest—Princess Olwen—studying alone in the library instead of attending the Solstice Ball, her seeming indifference to him makes him desperate to make her notice him even if it means competing against her for the one thing she has been planning for almost her entire life.
  
  But the competition goes completely array and now, 2 years later, Quill finds himself on a mission to seek out Olwen in her tower and convince her to return to the school and apply for the headmaster’s position…one he himself desperately wants…but will only be considered for if he attempts to get Olwen to apply for as well.
  
  The tables have been turned. And with three short weeks until the Solstice Ball to convince the students and other staff that they are the right choice…the competition is on! Who will win the position of Headmaster?!
  
  This is technically a Repunzel retelling but it is so much more! The characters are so wonderfully written. Both have faults and imperfections but they added to the overall endearment of them and make them feel that much more real…that much more alive. There internal and external banter is top notch and left me chuckling over and over. Honestly I related to Olwen and her internal banter so much in this book. And I couldn’t have loved her any more. Add in some all around lovely holiday vibes…complete with tree trimming…sleigh rides…being locked together in a closet full to the brim with excess Solstice decorations…and you have yourself one unique, sweet, and swoony holiday story. And then there is the baby dragon, Remy, who is awesome and wonderful and brings a whole new level of cozy to this fantastical story. I mean—BABY DRAGON—doesn’t get much better than that!!!
  
  So yep…I LOVED THIS BOOK! If you love cozy stories filled with whimsy and romance, secrets and mystery, witty banter, unrequited love and sweet enemies to lovers romance, with wonderful holiday vibes woven throughly, then YOU WILL LOVE IT TOO!!!
• 
  Sierra

  Reader’s Notes:
  
  – this is told from Olwen & Quill’s points of view
  
  – this story is set in the same world as T.A. Lawrence’s The Severed Realms series, but it doesn’t need to be read in order to enjoy this story
  
  – there are mentions of characters having gone through childhood trauma (-these aren’t necessarily all the same character!- older fae of opposite gender than character trying to get them alone when they were a young child; same older fae requesting to be betrothed to the now grown character & getting betrothal accepted by parent; parent hating the other parent & demeaning them; guilt over a parent’s death)
  
  Review:
  
  This book has been on my TBR and I am so glad I finally got to it! I loved the tension between Olwen & Quill as well as the Rapunzel vibes & the winter holiday things! (Plus, who doesn’t love a baby dragon who’s a little clueless & matchmaking students?) It was such a perfect mix of romcom & fantasy! I loved that we didn’t get all the answers to their shared past right away and that there were little surprises even up until the end! I’m excited to check out The Severed Realms series when I get the chance!
  
  Summary:
  
  Olwen locked herself away in a tower when her dream of becoming High Mage was taken out from under her. And she likes living like a hermit with no one but her little dragon for companionship. But when her academic rival comes knocking with a reluctant offer, an offer he clearly hopes she’ll refuse, Olwen finds herself riding back with him to the school where it all went wrong…
  
  Quill has been working tirelessly in order to achieve his dream job of Headmaster when the current one chooses to retire. He never thought that he’d be tasked to bring the girl he can’t forget back to apply for the job too. Or what it’d do to his heart to see her frequently and be reminded of why he fell for her in the first place…
• 
  Kacy R

  Princess Olwen of Dwellen had her entire life planned out to escape a life her father had planned for her. Study hard, become a High Mage, swear a celibacy vow and live happily ever after. Quill had nothing planned out. Except to not try. At anything. Ever again.
  
  The night of Winter Solstice put a hitch in both of their plans. Quill wanted nothing more than to earn the affections of Olwen, so to take her focus from the High Mage trials, he became her competition. Hoping for more when Olwen will be a High Mage and everything that comes with it.
  
  Olwen couldn't help but notice the strikingly handsome, classmate who she would love to kiss., but there's that pesky celibacy vow that is quickly turning into a double edged sword. On one hand it will save her from the life Olwen never wanted but in the other now it may be in the way of the life she never knew she wanted.
  
  I loved this cozy fantasy so much! I think they might be my favorite duo from the series!
• 
  Cristina

  So I have to admit that my main reason for picking up this book was the cute cover. And I know that you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover but it is so adorable with the little baby dragon and the characters in festive clothing. I would consider this book a festive cozy fantasy, and it was a pretty fun read. I feel like this is the perfect book to read if you are in the mood to read something festive for the holiday season, but you also like magic and dragons. It had many fun moments, but there were some things I wasn't the hugest fan of that kept me from rating the book higher. I didn't like that part of the conflict in the book occurred because the two main characters didn't fully communicate with each other. I am happy that it all worked out in the end, and I thought that the romance between the characters was pretty cute. I also am such a sucker for a book where the male main character falls first, and Quill was completely smitten with Olwen, so I loved that aspect of the book. I really liked the whimsical vibe of the book, and it was definitely a cute read.
• 
  Tara Grayce

  Of Tangles and Tinsel is a lovely fae + holiday season (Solstice / Yule vibes in this case) book that I'd been eyeing.
  
  This one is set in the same fantasy world as this author's other books, but it can be read as a standalone (I haven't read the other books and I enjoyed it!).
  
  If Anne Shirley + Gilbert Blythe is your OTP (One True Pairing), then this book is FOR YOU. I've never read another book that managed to capture the rivals-to-lovers yet mutual pining vibes of Anne & Gilbert quite as much as this book! It drove me absolutely NUTS in all the best ways! I was yelling at the characters one moment, squealing over adorable baby dragon antics the next, giggling over the banter, then sighing over the swoony moments (super adorable no spice romance). It's SO GOOD.
• 
  Lary Martin Del Campo

  i had the pleasure of reading this book before it’s released and, as always T. A. Lawrence did NOT disappoint me.
  
  Olwen and Quill’s love story is a perfect slow burn, rivals to lovers, well paced, really well written and with the perfect amount of character development.
  
  but the best part is REMY! ❤️
  
  i hope you enjoy it just as much as i did 🥰
• 
  Ieva

  this was cute
  
  This really was cute and I got what I was promised - a cosy, warm, sweet read. Perfect for upcoming holiday season. Yes, it was very “Hallmark holiday movies”, but I don’t mind it if it’s well written and knows exactly what it is and does not pretend to be anything else.
• 
  Nikki Bee 🐝

  it’s giving Tangled and Harry Potter
  
  A sweet read. I’m really enjoying books with ‘closed door’ scenes and it worked well for this story and the characters. There’s no smut at all and I loved it!
• 
  HighMountainReader

  Very cute fae Christmas book!!
• 
  Yvonne van der Fluit

  Loved it❤️
• 
  Kara

  I absolutely adored this story. Real life struggles all around and the ultimate acts of kindness and forgiveness.
• 
  Angela Cuéllar

  Festive and utterly adorable.
• 
  Katelyn

  Very cute. A little cheesy at times but I don't mind it.
• 
  Abby Huffer

  Super cute enemies to lovers with the tiniest bit of Rapunzel vibes. I loved Quill and his POV chapters. He was the best. I loved that Olwen found herself. Great read!
• 
  Megan Lafferty

  3.5 stars, cute
• 
  Domenica

  Closed door. Loved it. Amazing tension.