What if Rapunzel was trapped in a dangerous cult, and Flynn Ryder was trapped in the foster care system? How would they still find their way to each other and to the lives they dream of?
Zella has been faithful to the Program her entire life, never doubting Mother’s choice to keep her in isolation since birth. As the first “Child of the Lighthouse,” she’s always had a responsibility to be an example to the others—be grateful, be obedient. But after seventeen long years up in her lighthouse all alone, it’s getting a lot harder to push down her secret—and forbidden—dreams of living a normal life, no matter the risks she’s heard of. She secretly dreams of freedom.
Ryder can’t count the amount of “families” he’s had over the years. He’s been bounced around from home to home for as long as he can remember. That’s why he’s not exactly impressed by this new family’s fancy house, or the fancy new school they’ve enrolled him in. They’re putting on a friendly face, but they’ll show their true colors eventually. They always do. Luckily, he only has to make it a little while longer because soon he’ll be eighteen, and he’ll finally be free.
One whirlwind night changes everything for Zella and Ryder, as the two dreamers cross paths and open each other’s eyes to what true freedom could really look like.
You know what, despite being surface-level and having a bit of fanfiction-y style, this was decent.
Look, Tangled is my fave movie ever, and of course, I'll read any and every retelling ever. This book wasn't bad, but it wasn't amazing either. Everything is quite shallow - the topic of cults and emotions left from being in one wasn't explored that much, the problems of adoption systems and adapting to new environments, dealing with bullying and even sexual predators online...it was all so oversimplified and didn't have any layers. And yet I read it in one sitting because a girl needs a "no thinking book" from time to time 😅😂
Zella is an interesting character. At first she blindly believes everything. When she finds out the truth, she immediately switches her thinking and doesn't believe in anything the cult told her. That's great of course, but you'd expect some scepticism after believing in that stuff for 16 years. Idk, it was a severe transition and basically confirms what I said about the rest of the book - it's oversimplified. It's almost as if the author had a certain word limit and had to cram in as many cute romantic scenes, but didn't have enough space for actual layered character development. 😂 I will admit, I liked Zella's initiative. She took risks and handled a lot of things on her own.
Also, there's this thing that bothers me about the plot - Zella had access to a computer connected to the internet (she had to make video calls to people who questioned their religion and she had to livestream while playing an instrument), and yet she never Googled anything? You could say that her mother somehow monitored her 24/7 or switched off the internet after each call but...surely there were a few seconds between calls to check things up?
Then there was that completely unnecessary plot twist with the mother and Ryder which didn't sit right with me for plenty of reasons 😅 I know it looks like I hated the book with the amount of cons I just listed, but I truly didn't!! It's just that after reading it, I realized how ridiculous it is, but I can't say I didn't enjoy it.
The romance between Zella and Ryder was super adorable and cute. They had an adventure around town, had some nice moments together, and both respected each other a lot. I liked the way he treated her, gently without attacking her beliefs but also supported her and gave her enough info to make a decision on her own.
In the end, I kinda got what I wanted - a fast, light Rapunzel read to start up my romance binge.
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