What You Need to Know About Tied Up In You by Erin Fletcher
Tied Up In You Erin Fletcher: A Book Review
If you are looking for a sweet and funny best friends to lovers romance with a hockey twist, you might want to check out Tied Up In You by Erin Fletcher. This book is the second installment in the Breakaway series, but it can be read as a standalone. It follows the story of Luke Jackson, a hotshot goalie who has a crush on his best friend Malina Hall, a brilliant math whiz who has no clue about his feelings. When they accidentally kiss one night, things get awkward between them, especially when another guy starts showing interest in Malina. Will Luke be able to win her over before it's too late? Or will he have to let her go for her own happiness?
Tied Up In You Erin Fletcher
Introduction
Tied Up In You is a young adult contemporary romance novel written by Erin Fletcher. It was published by Entangled: Crush on July 10, 2017. The book has 222 pages and is available in Kindle, paperback, and audiobook formats. The book has received mostly positive reviews from readers and critics, who praised its humor, chemistry, and character development.
The book centers on Luke Jackson and Malina Hall, two high school seniors who have been best friends since kindergarten. Luke is a star hockey player who has a reputation as a ladies' man, but he only has eyes for Malina. Malina is a math genius who has been accepted to MIT, but she struggles with social skills and self-confidence. They have always supported each other through thick and thin, but they have never crossed the line of friendship. That is, until one night when they share an unexpected kiss that changes everything.
Tied Up In You is a light-hearted and charming book that explores the themes of friendship, love, trust, and identity. It has a witty and conversational style that engages the reader from start to finish. It also has a lot of hockey references and scenes that add some excitement and drama to the story.
Plot summary
The story begins with Luke and Malina hanging out at Luke's house after a hockey game. They are watching a movie when Luke decides to make a move on Malina. He leans in and kisses her, hoping that she will feel the same way about him. However, he is surprised when she pushes him away and runs out of the house. He follows her and tries to apologize, but she tells him that it was a mistake and that they should forget about it.
They agree to act like nothing happened, but things are not the same between them. They feel awkward and tense around each other, and they avoid talking about their feelings. Luke is frustrated and confused, because he thinks that Malina likes him back, but she is too scared to admit it. He also notices that one of his teammates, Zach, is flirting with Malina and asking her out. He feels jealous and angry, but he doesn't want to interfere with Malina's choices.
Malina is also conflicted and nervous, because she does have feelings for Luke, but she doesn't know how to handle them. She is afraid of ruining their friendship and losing him as a friend. She is also worried about their future, since they have different plans and goals after graduation. She thinks that Luke is better off with someone who shares his passion for hockey and his outgoing personality. She tries to convince herself that Zach is a better match for her, since he is smart, nice, and interested in math.
As the story progresses, Luke and Malina try to move on from their kiss, but they can't deny their attraction and connection. They end up kissing again several times, but they always pull away and pretend that it doesn't mean anything. They also have some arguments and misunderstandings that test their friendship and trust. They realize that they have to face their feelings and make a decision before it's too late.
The story ends with Luke and Malina confessing their love for each other and deciding to give their relationship a chance. They also agree to support each other's dreams and ambitions, no matter where they end up. They share a romantic kiss on the ice rink, surrounded by their friends and family.
Character analysis
Luke Jackson
Luke Jackson is the main male character and narrator of the book. He is a 17-year-old senior at Lakeview High School. He is the goalie of the varsity hockey team and one of the best players in the state. He has brown hair, blue eyes, and a muscular build. He is popular, confident, and charismatic. He has a lot of admirers and fans, but he doesn't care about them. He only cares about Malina, his best friend since childhood.
Luke is a loyal, caring, and funny person who always stands up for his friends and family. He has a close relationship with his parents and his younger sister, Katie. He also has a good rapport with his teammates and coach. He loves hockey more than anything else in the world, and he dreams of playing in college and professionally someday.
Luke's main flaw is that he can be impulsive, stubborn, and reckless at times. He sometimes acts without thinking of the consequences or the feelings of others. He also tends to hide his emotions behind jokes and sarcasm. He has a hard time expressing his true feelings for Malina, because he is afraid of being rejected or hurting her.
Luke's main goal in the book is to win Malina's heart and make her his girlfriend. He also wants to win the state championship with his team and get a scholarship to play hockey in college.
Malina Hall
Malina Hall is the main female character of the book. She is a 17-year-old senior at Lakeview High School. She is a math prodigy who has been accepted to MIT with a full scholarship. She has blonde hair, green eyes, and glasses. She is shy, quiet, and nerdy. She doesn't have many friends or social skills, except for Luke, who has been her best friend since kindergarten.
Malina is a smart, kind, and sweet person who always helps others with their homework or problems. She has a close relationship with her parents and her older brother, Max. She also has a good rapport with her teachers and mentors. She loves math more than anything else in the world, and she dreams of becoming a famous mathematician someday.
Malina's main flaw is that she can be insecure, timid, and indecisive at times. She sometimes doubts herself and her abilities. She also tends to avoid confrontation or conflict with others. She has a hard time expressing her true feelings for Luke, because she is afraid of losing him as a friend or ruining their friendship.
Themes and messages
Tied Up In You is a book that explores the themes and messages of friendship, love, trust, and identity. Some of the main themes and messages are:
- Friendship is a precious and powerful bond that can withstand any challenge or change. Luke and Malina have been best friends for most of their lives, and they have always been there for each other. They share a deep understanding and respect for each other, and they know each other's secrets and dreams. They also have fun together and enjoy each other's company. Their friendship is the foundation of their relationship, and it helps them overcome their fears and doubts. - Love is a risk worth taking, even if it means facing rejection or losing someone. Luke and Malina have been in love with each other for a long time, but they have never confessed their feelings. They are afraid of ruining their friendship or hurting each other. They also think that they are not good enough for each other, or that they are too different to make it work. However, they eventually realize that they have to take a chance and express their love, because life is too short to waste on regrets or what-ifs. They also learn that love is not about perfection or compatibility, but about acceptance and compromise. - Trust is essential for any relationship to grow and thrive. Luke and Malina have to learn to trust each other with their hearts and their futures. They have to trust that they are on the same page about their feelings and their goals. They also have to trust that they will support each other's dreams and ambitions, even if they are miles apart. They have to trust that they will be faithful and loyal to each other, even if they are tempted by others. They have to trust that they will communicate and resolve their issues, even if they have arguments or misunderstandings. - Identity is something that one has to discover and embrace for oneself. Luke and Malina have to figure out who they are and what they want in life. They have to balance their personal interests and passions with their social expectations and obligations. They have to deal with the pressure and stress of being high achievers and role models. They have to cope with the changes and challenges that come with growing up and moving on. They have to find their own voice and path in the world. Writing style and techniques
The author of Tied Up In You uses language and tone to create the mood and atmosphere of the book. The book has a witty and conversational style that reflects the personality and voice of the narrator, Luke. The book uses informal language, slang, humor, sarcasm, and pop culture references to make the reader feel like they are listening to a friend telling a story. The book also uses emotive language, imagery, metaphors, and similes to convey the feelings and emotions of the characters.
The author also uses some literary devices and techniques to enhance the story. Some of them are:
- Foreshadowing: The author hints at what will happen later in the story through subtle clues or statements. For example, when Luke says "I'm pretty sure I'm going to regret this later" before kissing Malina for the first time, he foreshadows the awkwardness and tension that will follow. - Flashback: The author reveals some information or events from the past that are relevant or important for the present situation or character development. For example, when Luke remembers how he met Malina in kindergarten, he shows how long they have been friends and how much they mean to each other. - Symbolism: The author uses objects, actions, or events that represent something else or have a deeper meaning or significance. For example, when Luke gives Malina a necklace with a star pendant, he symbolizes his love for her and his support for her dream of becoming an astrophysicist. - Irony: The author uses words or situations that have a different or opposite meaning or outcome than what is expected or intended. For example, when Luke says "I'm not jealous" when he sees Zach flirting with Malina, he is being ironic because he is actually very jealous. The author also balances dialogue, narration, and description in the book. The book has a lot of dialogue between the characters, which shows their personality, relationship, and emotions. The dialogue is realistic, natural, and engaging. The book also has some narration from Luke's point of view, which shows his thoughts, feelings, and opinions. The narration is honest, humorous, and relatable. The book also has some description of the settings, actions, and appearances of the characters, which shows the context, mood, and atmosphere of the story. The description is vivid, detailed, and sensory.
Conclusion
Tied Up In You is a book that I enjoyed reading and would recommend to anyone who likes young adult contemporary romance novels. The book has a lot of strengths and few weaknesses. Some of the strengths are:
- The characters: The characters are well-developed, realistic, and likable. They have their own personalities, backgrounds, and goals. They also have their own flaws, challenges, and growth. They are easy to relate to and root for. - The plot: The plot is simple, but engaging and entertaining. It has a good pace, structure, and flow. It has some twists, surprises, and conflicts that keep the reader interested and invested. It also has some humor, drama, and romance that make the reader laugh, cry, and swoon. - The writing: The writing is clear, concise, and captivating. It has a style and tone that suit the genre and audience of the book. It also has some devices and techniques that enrich the story and the message. Some of the weaknesses are:
- The originality: The book is not very original or unique. It has a common trope and premise that have been done before in many other books. It also has some clichés, stereotypes, and predictability that make the book less fresh and surprising. - The depth: The book is not very deep or complex. It does not explore or challenge any serious or controversial issues or topics. It also does not have any subplots or secondary characters that add more layers or dimensions to the story. Overall, I would give this book a rating of 4 out of 5 stars. I think it is a fun and sweet book that delivers what it promises: a best friends to lovers romance with a hockey twist. I think anyone who enjoys this genre and theme would enjoy reading this book.
FAQs
Is Tied Up In You a standalone book or part of a series?
Tied Up In You is the second book in the Breakaway series by Erin Fletcher. However, it can be read as a standalone book, since it features different main characters and a different storyline than the first book, All Laced Up. The first book follows the romance between Pierce Miller, a hockey player who has to coach a figure skater for community service, and Lia Bailey, a figure skater who has to deal with an injury and a stalker.
Is Tied Up In You suitable for young adult readers?
Tied Up In You is suitable for young adult readers who are 12 years old and up. The book does not contain any explicit or graphic scenes or language that would be inappropriate or offensive for this age group. The book does deal with some mature themes such as love, sex, trust, identity, and future plans, but it does so in a respectful and responsible way.
Is Tied Up In You a romance or a comedy book?
Tied Up In You is both a romance and a comedy book. It has a lot of romantic elements such as attraction, chemistry, kisses, dates, confessions, and declarations. It also has a lot of comedic elements such as humor, sarcasm, jokes, pranks, banter, and mishaps. The book balances both genres well and creates a fun and heartwarming reading experience.
Where can I buy Tied Up In You online or offline?
You can buy Tied Up In You online or offline from various sources such as Amazon, Goodreads, Barnes & Noble, Audible, etc. You can also check your local library or bookstore for availability.
Are there any other books by Erin Fletcher that I should read?
If you liked Tied Up In You by Erin Fletcher, you might also like her other books such as Where You'll Find Me, Pieces of You and Me, Minerva's Journey, etc. You can find more information about her books on her website or her Goodreads page. 71b2f0854b