I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I love a nice light read with small town charm! The cast of characters is always so much fun.

The plot was cute but very predictable. It reminded me of those Hallmark Christmas movies (but make it spring) that our mothers love to watch every year. However, it was very enjoyable because I knew I wouldn't get heartbroken over it! Overall, it was a good plot but maybe needed more complexity for me.

Mylie loves clay creek, her little sister, and her granny. She loves her family and will put them above any man that wants to be in her life, which can be a good thing. It shows how strong she is about her choices in staying in her little town. I also relate to her on wanting to stay where you grew up because for many years,I wanted to do the same as well. However, Mylie didn't really have any personality...something that sets her apart from other characters. I also liked her better in the flashbacks in the story when she was a teen because it seemed like she had some personality then.

Ben has secretly loved Mylie for his entire life and hates Clay Creek. I liked ben when he was younger but in the present time of the book, I found him dry. Like Mylie, I liked Ben when he was younger. He seemed complex then but now his whole personality is him trying to get out of Clay Creek and back to his new dream life.

The other characters in this story were decent. None of them were really complex to me and seemed very dry. They were in the scenes if they were needed to drive a certain plot point but other than that they weren't there that often. The only characters really present were Cassie, Mylie's little sister, and Mylie's grandmother. When Cassie and Granny were present, they were good characters. Getting their povs in some chapters were refreshing and seeing part of Granny's past was so sweet and sad at the same time. I wish we had gotten more of these kind of wholesome moments from the different side characters.

Overall, Spring Fling was an okay story. The plot was predictable but entertaining but I just needed more out of the characters. I want them to see their quirks, their hobbies and in this story we didn't see much of that. I would also like to point out that the author told us a lot of things and didn't show us, which is something I'm really big on.

2.5 stars

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Plot:
The story follows Mylie and Benjamin who were high schools bffs in a town called Clay Creek. once ben moves away after high school to go to college, they lose touch with one another. 10 years later ben has to returned to clay creek to sell his grandma's house.

My Thoughts:
~ While this was entertaining to read, i found many things i disliked about the whole story. and also a few things i loved!

things I disliked:
- Ben and Mylie: they felt so wrong for one another. i couldn't connect to them or love them both. and i feel like they would breakup after 2 months of dating. the arguments say everything about their future relationship.
- the side characters, banter & pacing.
- the slowburn: i do love a good slow burn in romance novels but this one did not live up to expectations.
- lack of chemistry.

things I loved:
- the writing & third POV.
- the flashbacks to when they were young.
- the setting.

~ Overall, it was a good read. but i will probably forget all about it in the span of 2 days.

Utterly adorable! I have defenitly entered my romance era, and nothing makes me happier than a sweet romance that will make me swoon. Spring Fling is such a cute read with lovable characters. This was easily a one-sitting read for me. If you're looking for a cute pick-me-up, you won't be disappointed by Annie England Noblin's newest book!

This book is great for those who love a small-town, friends to lovers, light spice, romance book. It's cute and develops well in the beginning, but the miscommunication that happens throughout the last 50% of the book is frustrating - but maybe that's just because miscommunication is my least favorite trope. Overall, this book kinda fell in the middle - I'm not in love with it and I don't hate it, I guess I'm just ambivalent?

I received this book from the author for my honest review. Thank you to the author, NetGalley, & the publisher for allowing me a copy of this!

This is a cute little small town romance novel! It’s about high school best friend who went their separate ways after graduating and now are brought back together. If you’re looking for a quick, funny read with very little spice this book is perfect for that!

2.5⭐️
I was able to read this early with NetGalley and the publisher.

Mylie and Ben are childhood best friends that have grown apart after high school graduation. That is until Ben comes back to town to sell his grandfather’s home.

I quite enjoyed the first 50% of this book. I had to look up where the author was from because she nailed the small town vibes.
But after I hit that 50/60% I was dragging reading this. Ben and Mylie were getting into these little arguments out of nowhere that just felt so strange to me. There was so much miscommunication in this book about feelings and where the other person stands in their relationship that I didn’t feel was resolved by the end. I wish they would’ve just tried to have an adult conversation instead of Ben trying and Mylie shutting him down.





✨SPOILER✨
I liked the book being dual POV but why were there two random chapters in other characters POVs?? They were so out of left field and almost jarring. Also I didn’t like the Robbie scene at the end, I felt like that was just a little bit too much for what this book is.

Annie England Noblin’s Spring Fling is a delightful friends-to-lovers romance that perfectly captures the charm of small-town life, rekindled love, and the complexities of revisiting the past. Set against the backdrop of the scenic Clay Creek, Arkansas, this novel offers a feel-good, heartwarming tale of second chances, perfect for readers who enjoy the works of Jill Shalvis and Sarah Adams.

Mylie, the novel’s protagonist, is a relatable, down-to-earth character. She runs a successful tackle shop and is firmly rooted in Clay Creek, sharing her life with her quirky Granny and younger sister, Cassie. The dynamic between the three women adds a lot of warmth and humor to the story, giving the novel a real sense of community and family. Mylie’s dedication to her town and the all-women fishing team she leads is admirable, and her independence and drive make her a compelling lead.

Enter Ben, Mylie’s childhood best friend, who returns to Clay Creek after years of living in Chicago to settle his family’s estate. Ben’s plan to quietly fix up his childhood home and leave town is immediately complicated by the rekindling of his feelings for Mylie. Their shared history is written with depth and sensitivity, and Noblin does a wonderful job of weaving together their past and present. Ben’s internal struggle between wanting to return to his life in Chicago and the pull of his memories—and his feelings for Mylie—keeps the romantic tension alive.

The friends-to-lovers dynamic is at the heart of Spring Fling, and Noblin excels at building the chemistry between Mylie and Ben. Their relationship develops at a natural pace, with sweet, sometimes awkward moments that show how deeply their bond runs. There’s a sense of nostalgia between the two that makes their growing romance all the more poignant. The tension between Mylie’s deep ties to Clay Creek and Ben’s desire to leave adds complexity to their relationship, making it more than just a simple fling.

Noblin also brings Clay Creek to life with her vivid descriptions of small-town life. The annual fishing tournament adds a fun, competitive element to the story, and the town’s colorful residents provide plenty of humor and heart. Whether it’s the local gossip or the sense of camaraderie during the tournament, the town feels like a character in its own right. Mylie’s interactions with her family, particularly her sharp-witted Granny, add warmth and comedy to the story, balancing the emotional weight of her reconnection with Ben.

The novel isn’t without its conflicts, but they are handled with a light touch. Mylie and Ben’s opposing plans for the future—the former being deeply rooted in Clay Creek, and the latter set on leaving—provide a realistic tension. The emotional stakes are clear, but Noblin doesn’t let the story get bogged down by unnecessary drama. Instead, she focuses on the growth of the characters and their realization that love may require compromise and a reimagining of the future.

For those who enjoy a sprinkle of spice with their romance, Spring Fling delivers just the right amount without overwhelming the cozy charm of the story. The balance of humor, heart, and heat makes for a satisfying romance that feels authentic and engaging.

Final Thoughts:
Spring Fling is a heartwarming, witty, and feel-good friends-to-lovers story that captures the magic of small towns and the power of rekindled love. Annie England Noblin masterfully blends humor, charm, and a touch of nostalgia to create a story that is as cozy as it is romantic. With well-developed characters, a vibrant setting, and the perfect amount of romantic tension, this novel is an excellent 4-star read for fans of small-town romance and second chances.

I received this book as an ARC and I’m so glad I did. It’s the perfect light fluffy palette cleanser I needed! It’s has the best small town vibes with fun banter. Perfect summer read in my opinion. I do wish there was just a little bit more depth and development with the two main characters but overall loved this book!!

This sweet second-chance romance was truly enjoyable. It was just so good that I couldn't put it down. The much-anticipated fishing competitions were great fun, and the characters are genuinely relatable. incredibly thrilling and fun. I really cherished this book's small-town atmosphere. Everyone had a family-like feeling. You have to adore Granny! She quickly became my favorite character in the entire story because she was such an entertaining one. Ben and Miley seemed like the ideal couple to me! All they had to do was discover that for themselves. That's what, in my opinion, made this story intriguing. I cherished every second of it!.

This is one of the types of books I like to lovingly call “Hallmark Reads” where, just like a Hallmark movie, if you look too far into things, the plot starts to fall apart but you have such a great time watching it that it no longer matters (lol).

This is exactly what this book is! It is such a wonderfully cute story with lovable characters (looking at you, Fat Tony) and a very cute storyline of two childhood friends meeting again years later.

The story moves quickly and the dialogue, specifically the banter, flows naturally (though it is a bit overly cringey at times, for my taste).

There are parts I wasn’t a big fan of, such as: the relationship between Ben and Mylie felt a bit rushed, but I did appreciate the parts of the story that gave us some background on their friendship. I also wasn’t the biggest fan of how the on-going “big bad” antagonist of the book’s storyline went (kinda felt a bit unnecessary?) and wish it either impacted the overall story more or was written out. Also, while this point could go either way (and I still haven’t decided which way I feel about this), the story moved QUICK. I felt like I blinked and everything happened at once. Maybe that’s just me though, but I do wish the relationships and characters had been a bit more fleshed out so readers could fully enjoy them more. Maybe in the end, what I’m trying to say is, I just wanted a longer book (lol).

What I loved about this book:

The side characters!! Loved loved loved, the side characters, but, once again, I would have loved more time with them.
I also loved how the ending didn’t go in the way I half expected it to go! It was such a nice change from how it typically would’ve ended and I loved the author for this choice!!

Overall, this book was very entertaining to read and I did greatly enjoy it!

✅ friends to lovers
✅ first love
If you like Sarah Adams you need to read this!
This was a quick easy read. It was a great palette cleanser.

Comes out on mar 18, 2025

This book has most of my favorite tropes; 2nd chance romance and small town vibes. I loved the open door spice. This was a super cute and sweet read. I really enjoyed it!

3.5⭐️

This was a very sweet, quick read. Friends to strangers to friends to lovers. Grounded in reality with good dialogue and sweet, romantic moments of two people finding their way back to one another.

3.5 ⭐️

2nd chance romance, dual timelines for background and context

Overall I enjoyed this storyline. I felt that the characters lacked more development. Lots of things in the book felt rushed and not fully developed. A lot of the chapters were incredibly short. This was a fast read once I actually started reading it.

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon and Harper for the ARC.

Ben and Mylie are childhood best friends growing up in the small town of Clay Creek, Arkansas. Ben moved to the small town in grade school from Chicago with dreams of always moving back and that he did, immediately following graduation. Years down the road, his grandfather and mother passed and he is tasked with his moms last wish of him visiting Clay Creek once again before selling their home. He plans to get in there quick, sell, and collect the money for his new job move. However, things become complicated once reconnecting with Mylie, feelings spill out, and a quick "fling" begins, leaving them to determine how to navigate their clashing lifestyles.

I really did like this book and the sweetness of Ben and Mylie's relationship. I love love love a small town romance book. The closeness of the people, the long term friendships, the cute small businesses, all of it! I will say that it is sort of a quick type of chemistry, where the main characters had feelings before but never acted on them. When it was determined they still had feelings, it was quick, immediate sexual chemistry. I do wish there had been more slow burn, reconnecting type chemistry; however, I do understand the time perspective on it. Overall, I did enjoy reading this book and getting to know the various characters. I would definitely explore other titles from this author and am thankful to have read this book.

friends to lovers, open door spice, small town

Thank you to NetGalley and Annie England Noblin for allowing me to read an advanced readers copy of this book.

Such a great read! Highly recommend this one.

Many thanks to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

small town Friends-to-lovers romance. Flashbacks. Good chemistry between MC;s. Open door spicy scenes. Spice level 2/5.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the author for allowing me to read this ARC!!!
The description drew me in and so did the cover.

For the book itself, I loved the setting and Clay Creek. It sounds like a lovely place and you can picture the town. I finished this book in a day so it was engaging.

However, the romance was okay. Ben (love interest) seemed mature and grounded whereas Mylie (main character) seemed to think she was better than everyone. I wouldn't say I liked how she pretended that the bully was not an issue. The bully in this book seemed way meaner than a typical bully and ... that last couple of chapters made me think how the bully needs jail time and a restraining order. It was that bad. Yet Mylie did not seem to view it that way. Mylie also didn't allow herself to even think about the idea of leaving Clay Creek and seeing how another place could work...

This was a nice an sweet childhood best friends and a second chance romance. Clay creek is such a cute town! The last little bit l felt kinda rushed. I kinda just felt like I was missing something. Granny was absolutely lovely!