Cute read! I enjoyed the small-town feel as well as the flashbacks- they weren't executed the smoothest but the small peeks into their younger years were a nice touch.

The chemistry between them could have been fleshed out more. It was a lot of "I loved you in high school so these feelings sort of carry over" except neither one of them truly show feelings outside of lust that carried over. It's hard because it's been so long since they've last seen each other, so the "I've loved you ever since" part didn't vibe all that well.

thank you Netgalley for the arc

I really enjoyed this sweet second chance romance.
I simply couldn't put it down because it was soooo good.
The characters are relatable and I really enjoyed the highly anticipated fishing competitions. Very fun and exciting.
I especially loved the small town feel of this book. Everyone felt like family
Gotta love Granny! She was such an entertaining character that she quickly became my favorite person in the whole story.
I thought Miley and Ben were perfect together! They just needed to learn that for themselves. To me, that's what made this story interesting. I loved every minute of it.
5.stars from me. I highly recommend.
My thanks for a copy of this wonderful and sweet book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.

Ben and Mylie were best of friends since 6th grade. They stay in touch until they don't. One day Ben is faced with a promise he must fulfill until he can move on to the next chapter in his life. As he is trying to fulfill this promise he is faced with some obstacles and he's unsure what he should. Will Ben fulfill his promise to his deceased mother, or will he go against his gut?
I enjoyed this book so much that when I wasn't reading it. I was wanting to pick it up and finish the story. I was able to finish it in 2 days. I have never read anything prior by this author, but I will definitely be checking out her backlist. Thank you again netgalley and HarperCollins Publishers for letting me get this arc.

This was a cute little romance. I thought that for the most part it was a relatable story for many. Ben and Mylie finally gave being more than friends a chance and made it work. I enjoyed getting to read both of their perspectives as they navigated the change from friends to being in a relationship. Friends to lovers is not normally my favorite trope but this one was enjoyable.

Thank you Annie England Noblin, NetGalley, and Avon + Harper Voyager for the chance to read this early.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Spring Fling by Annie England Noblin offers a charming exploration of friends-to-lovers romance set in the picturesque small town of Clay Creek, Arkansas. The novel centers on Mylie, a successful businesswoman deeply embedded in her community, and Ben, who returns to town to settle his family's estate. Their reunion rekindles old feelings and unresolved emotions, providing a heartwarming backdrop against the backdrop of a bustling fishing tournament and vibrant local characters.

The strength of Spring Fling lies in its endearing portrayal of small-town life and its rich, nostalgic look at the protagonists' shared history. Noblin skillfully blends humor with romance, creating a story that is both cozy and engaging. Mylie and Ben's journey from childhood friends to lovers unfolds with a mix of sweetness and tension, though some readers might find the romance slightly rushed or lacking in depth.

While the book is delightful in its depiction of a close-knit community and the charm of springtime renewal, it does encounter a few issues with pacing and character development. Despite these minor flaws, Spring Fling remains a pleasant, feel-good read perfect for fans of lighthearted romance and small-town settings. The novel’s warmth and humor, coupled with its picturesque setting, make it a worthwhile escape for a cozy afternoon.

I received this book in ARC form from Netgalley this review will be posted to Goodreads, Instagram and Netgalley. This book is a super cute second chance romance. I love that it takes place in a small town! I loved how fast paced this book was and kept me hooked the whole time! Can we talk about those flashback? I love how they have a little Insite to who they were growing up and how their relationship developed! I will be giving this book 4 ⭐️ and a 2 🌶️ (it’s barely there but it does go into details) This is a book I will definitely be recommending to friends and family!

I enjoyed reading this so much. It’s childhood friends to lovers as well as second chance romance although they never dated until he returned and they finally confessed to each how they feel, have always felt. It was nice. It’s not totally dual point of view although we do get Ben’s point of view every once in a while, and it occasionally does jump from past to present. I liked being able to see them when they were kids, and be there when they had certain moments. The amount of pining from both of them was insane. I kept screaming at them to just do it. Stanley and Fat Tony were amazing. Their feud rivals the Capulets and Montagues. Thank you NetGalley and Avon or Harper Voyager for giving me an arc in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars. I enjoyed the plot of this book, and thought the cover was super cute! The supporting characters were great and well written. The romance felt rushed, and I did notice a few grammatical errors!

"Spring Fling" is a heartwarming small-town romance that perfectly captures the essence of springtime renewal and second chances. Set in the charming fishing community of Clay Creek, Arkansas, Noblin weaves a tale that's as refreshing as a cool lake breeze.

The novel's strength lies in its well-crafted protagonists. Mylie, a successful businesswoman deeply rooted in her community, embodies the spirit of small-town America. Her character arc, balancing personal aspirations with family responsibilities, resonates authentically. Ben, returning to his roots, provides an excellent foil to Mylie's steadfastness, his journey of rediscovery adding depth to the narrative.

Noblin excels at creating a vivid sense of place. Clay Creek comes alive through rich descriptions and a colorful cast of supporting characters, making readers feel like they're part of the community. The annual fishing tournament serves as an engaging backdrop, infusing the story with excitement and local flavor.

The friends-to-lovers trope is handled with finesse, building on Mylie and Ben's shared history to create a romance that feels both fresh and familiar. Their rekindled relationship unfolds naturally, with just enough obstacles to keep readers invested without feeling contrived.

While the plot follows a fairly predictable path for the genre, Noblin's writing style, peppered with wit and warmth, keeps the story engaging. The pacing is well-balanced, alternating between moments of tension and softer, reflective scenes.

One minor criticism is that some subplots, particularly those involving secondary characters, could have been more fully developed. However, this doesn't significantly detract from the main narrative.

"Spring Fling" is a delightful read that combines small-town charm with contemporary romance. It's perfect for readers who enjoy stories of homecoming, community, and love blooming alongside spring flowers. Noblin has crafted a cozy, feel-good novel that's sure to leave readers with a smile.

This second-chance romance set in a charming small town has moments of sweetness but leaves much to be desired. The story follows Mylie and Ben, who reconnect in their hometown after years apart, with a dual timeline, adding depth to their past and present relationship. While the book offers a fresh, fun escape with a quick pace and enjoyable side characters like Granny, it’s marred by some significant issues. Punctuation errors and inconsistencies, such as the changing spelling of the main character’s name and mix-ups about family details, detract from the experience. Additionally, while the romance has potential, it feels underdeveloped and lacks the emotional depth to fully engage readers. Despite these flaws, the book is an easy, fluffy read that's great for those looking for a light romance, though it could use more polish to truly shine.

This book was a very basic second chance romance in a small town situation with high school should’ve been sweethearts. Overall, just kind of simple and there. Nothing to write home about. However, there were many punctuation errors in the book and two major plot/character errors. First, the spelling of the main character’s name in the opening chapters changes. Second, at the end, it is said that Cassie’s family has a hunting cabin… by Mylie… her sister. It should’ve been Allie’s family. This book needs a lot of work for sure.

This book was cute! I liked that it was fresh and fun, especially since we're winding down summer now, and I enjoyed that there (as the summary mentioned) a dash of spice since I'm not overly into it. I appreciated the pacing, how quick things moved, and the atmosphere.

What I struggled with was Ben and Mylie, which makes me sad. I know on paper they were together, but I felt like their relationship wasn't as fleshed out as it could have been. It wasn't that I didn't enjoy it--I just wanted a bit more. Dig a bit deeper, promote more visceral feelings--and not petty miscommunication that could have been easily fixed, you know?

However! The side characters were so much fun to watch. Granny (a favorite) and the mystery/danger aspect with Robby's subplot was also fun. At the end of the day, I just wish the main arc had a bit more.

Still recommend if you're looking for an easy, fluffy read!

3.25/5 stars

This romance was so freaking cute. I loved the dynamics between the characters and their relationship arc. I didn't like the middle just because it got a bit boring for me.

Spring Fling
By: Annie England Noblin

This is a great second chance romance with a dual timeline. This book is about Mylie and Ben who get a second chance at a romance they never gave a chance growing up.

Mylie and Ben meet in grade school after his mom moved them in with his grandpa in the small town of Clay Creek. Mylie befriended Ben who felt like he never fit in. After Ben moved away after high school distance took its toll. When Ben comes home for a quick trip to sell his family house he gets reminders that this might be closer to his home than he thinks. I love that this dual time line brings back memories associated with present time. I love the closeness of Mylie and her family, while you don’t get to meet Ben’s family present day, the dual time line gives you a glimpse into how they felt.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a great wholesome romance. I would recommend this book to any romance reader looking for a book with minimal spice.

✨ARC Review✨

So, I just read back-to-back childhood friends-to-lovers novels and I ain’t mad about it. This one had much less emotional trauma than Catch the Sun. I needed the breather, honestly.

Mylie and Ben become neighbors and best friends when Ben moves to Clay Creek, Arkansas from Chicago in sixth grade. They remain besties until graduation when he moves to go to college back in Chicago. They both have a lot of unresolved feelings that were never discussed because what was the point when they both knew he wanted to be anywhere but Clay Creek and Mylie didn’t want to be anywhere else.

Ten years later, Ben is back in Clay Creek to sell the family home before he moves to Boston. As you may imagine, those old unresolved feelings need some resolving.

They strike up the old friendship, but the old attraction plus their new maturity leads to “let’s be friends with bennies until you leave again.” Ahh. That ol’ chestnut. It never works, does it?

The town and its side characters are over-the-top and delightful, especially Granny. I had a Granny too, but she was nothing like this Granny. 😂

I very much enjoyed this book and basically read it in one sitting except for the hour when my husband took me out for a hot Saturday night date to Culver’s. 😂😂😂

I was given this ARC via #netgalley and @avonbooks @HarperVoyagerUS All thoughts are mine alone.

QOTD: Have you ever visited the Ozark Mountains?

#romance #romancebooks #contemporaryromance #bookreview #bookrecs #booksbooksbooks #bookstagram #springfling #annieenglandnoblin

An adorable friends-to-lovers romance that just reeled me right in! It was a fun, cute, quick read, which was exactly what I was looking for! I haven’t found many fishing-related romances, so it was great to find one that flowed so fluidly. I loved the dynamic of Mylie’s family and the relationship/banter between her and Ben. It was a little spicy, but not overwhelmingly so. I really enjoyed this one and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a fast, fun, flirty read for their next vacation - Or fishing trip.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Super cute small town romance book - childhood friends finally get a second chance to tell each other their true romantic feelings. It was sweet, funny and such a fun read. From page one I was hooked and enjoyed the small town ride. Fat Tony was an epic neighborhood pet, the gossip speed of the town was very impressive, and I loved reading the past chapters - my heart ached for young Ben and Mylie. I did find young and older Ben to be a pretentious douche throughout the book - the way he belittled people from the town was annoying. Overall this was a fun read and I would definitely recommend it to friends.

While I enjoyed this book, it didn't feel like a must read for me. I struggled a little bit with the chemistry between the main characters. I didn't doubt their friendship, but the "feelings" they had for each other didn't seem to shine through, until they got together and even then didn't do much. While I liked all of the characters, Robbie/Bobbie (not sure why his name kept changing) was just out of place. I was also really disappointed when Cassie ended up with her ex boyfriend at the end. I understand "young love," but was turned off by the relationship. I did enjoy the dual narration and Granny's spunk. The chapters that were told from another character's point of view helped to highlight some things, as did the flashbacks. I loved the small town setting where everyone knows everyone. And I loved how the town had an event that really brought everyone together. Fat Tony is amazing and such a fun addition to the story.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

This book was honestly so cute and I finished it in the span of a day. The angst, the tension, the Highschool best friends trope all had me in such a happy mood the whole time I read it. Personally, I would recommend this book to anyone looking into getting into a romance book!

Ok wait. This book was actually so perfect. I loved this small town, the stories, the multiple POVs, and the characters.

I came down a star just because the last 10% felt a bit rushed and I would have liked to see more character growth (or at least a bit of communication) from the two leads. Though to be fair, I absolutely adored the leads and the main storyline. I also appreciated the flashback scenes we received throughout to help better understand where everyone was currently standing. Though back to the above comment on growth/communication - those flashbacks were sometimes a crutch for the story as well. Granny's character meant everything and was by far my favorite secondary character and was the perfect push and pull for the plot.

I am so, so pleasantly surprised by this book and now need to check out more of Annie's work to see if they measure even a fraction up to this one. Can't wait for this to come out and for everyone to experience it!