Member Reviews
This second chance, small town romance will have you in a chokehold! The author presents this story based on two timelines, then and now. It gives you a glimpse into the past relationship between Ben and Mylie. This story allows you to fall in love with the idea of the couple, giving you hopes of what could have been, and then crushing those hopes. The current timeline lets you regain all those feelings and brings those hopes to life.
I loved this book! It was such a cute second chance small town romance. Granny is my spirit animal and Fat Tony had me cracking up. All the characters were likeable and it was a short and easy read. Thank you so much for the opportunity to read and review this arc.
2⭐️⭐️! Just because this was a 2 star read for me does NOT mean this is a bad book. This was a sweet, small town romance that appeared perfect for fans of Sarah Adams. Mylie and Ben are high school friends who, by chance, are reunited in their small hometown. It’s a fast-paced, quick read, with a dash of spice and plenty of heart melting moments.
I think my 2 star rating stems from problems that are preference based rather than book-based. Please do not let my rating dissuade you! I love a good friends-to-lovers trope, but I struggled to attach to the characters, perhaps due to the quick pace. I found the characters and their conflict a bit young or juvenile, sometimes feeling as though I was reading a young adult novel. The strong “miscommunication trope” throughout the book, which I tend to generally dislike, added to the juvenile feel. Also, be aware this is written in the third person POV, which added to my level of detachment to these characters and their story. I struggled to see myself in this story, but perhaps that says more about me than the book itself!
Despite my own personal preferences, this book is a fun, cozy read that will leave you smiling. Thank you very much to the Annie England Noblin, HarperCollins, and NetGalley for my very first ARC!
I really enjoyed this story! The town was so cozy, and it reminded me of Gilmore Girls in a lot of ways. The townspeople if Clay Creek were so whimsical & fun, and Granny was such an incredible character!
I thought Ben was very charming, and reminded me alot of Ted Mosby from HIMYM. Mylie’s character left a little to be desired, she was very serious, and understandingly, she had to grow up fast raising her baby sister, but Mylie’s character wasn’t as fun and engaging as Ben’s character.
Overall, I enjoyed the characters, but the plot and ending weren’t as solid as the character development of the town, its people and the MMC & FMC.
However, I would definitely read from this author Shaun because the writing was whimsical, the banter was cute and the story had so much charm.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! This was a very pleasant, easy read. I love a friends to lovers trope, especially when it is two people reuniting from childhood. I felt there were a few plot holes but generally enjoyed the read.
Love, love, love this story of Mylie and Ben. It’s so much more than friends-to-lovers. The supporting characters are just as fun and love able. A perfect summer read.
Well hmm. I guess this book was fine. It didn't give off the best friends vibe very strongly and that was disappointing. I mean, they go ten years without seeing each other and it takes them a couple of days to go all the way? I feel like it jumped the gun a little bit. I also didn't get a sense of closeness or feel like I got a really good understanding of their deep love for each other. This also felt like a HUGE miscommunication trope and I hate that. Mylie needs to grow up and own that part of what happened was on her too, not just Ben. I felt bad that she was trying to get him to take the blame for most of whatever happened between them. There were plenty of characters that were written really well. Robbie though.... what was his problem?? The ending made it seem like he'd been out for Mylie's blood for years but they kept writing him off as some typical bully that was just rude to everyone but then he cornered those girls in the house??? That felt a little more serious than just bullying. I don't know.
This is a sweet second chance novel with a cast of lovable characters. For those who liked Gilmore Girls, this it what would happen if you put Stars Hollow in Arkansas and replaced the coffee with moonshine. As I was reading, my rating was much higher but for me things fell apart in the third act. The villain plot in particular went a bit off the rails.
I would absolutely read this author again and would happily recommend this novel for someone looking for a sweet escape. There is a lovable raccoon and sometimes that's really all you need.
I want to thank Avon and Harper Voyager as well as NetGalley for the ARC and the opportunity to leave my honest review on this novel.
2.25 ⭐️: “Spring Fling” by Annie England Noblin is a sweet, small town romance story that was a quick and easy read
I am a sucker for a good friends-to-lovers romance, and this one was just swoonworthy… in the beginning. I loved the glimpses into Ben and Mylie’s childhood together; they made their connection so much better!
Around the 50% mark, the story lost me. I thought a lot of the conflict was external and their relationship seemed only physical.
Honestly, the best part of the story was the relationship between Mylie and Cassie. Everything else fell a little flat.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I thought 'Spring Fling' by Annie England Noblin was an absolutely delightful read that did not disappoint. The story of Ben and Mylie is a classic second-chance romance set in a charming small town, which I always enjoy. The dual timeline, with flashbacks to their younger days, adds depth to their relationship, allowing readers to witness both their missed chance at love and their second shot. The book is filled with wit, small-town charm, and a touch of spice, making it an easy but engaging read. I particularly loved the setting of Clay Creek, Arkansas, and the unique backdrop of Mylie's tackle shop. The ensemble cast of family and local townsfolk adds warmth and depth to the story. The subplot also provides an interesting twist, adding more layers to the narrative. 4/5 stars.
This book by Annie Noblin did not disappoint. I absolutely gobbled this one up. Ben and Mylie are your classic story of second-chance love. I'm a sucker for small-town romances, so I knew I'd enjoy this one.
The story has a dual timeline, present-day and then flashbacks of the past. I loved getting a glimpse into Ben and Mylie's younger days. As a reader, you witness the missed chance at love alongside the second shot.
I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a friends-to-lovers rom-com. It's an easy but delightful read. 3.5 stars, rounding up!
“Did you miss me?”
“Every single day for the last ten years..”
Thank you to the author and publisher, Avon and Harper Voyager, for providing me with an ARC of this book. Spring Fling is filled with wit, small-town charm, and sprinkled with dashes of spice. The publication date is set for 18 March 2025 - be sure to add this one to your TBR!!
Unfortunately this book was just not it. The premise was cute but there was a lack of character development and growth and chemistry. It was hard to understand truly why Mylie wanted to stay in Clay Creek so badly and why Ben wanted to leave. The side characters were entertaining and probably the best part of the book. The plot with Robbie was silly and didn't really seem necessary. Everything moved so quickly and I found myself skipping the chapters that were flashbacks because I didn't super care to read brief flashes of them as kids. I wanted to see them as adults and learn where that was going.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing an ebook copy in exchange for an honest review.
Ben and Mylie are your classic story of second chance love told in a small town Hallmark story sort of way. It's a perfect one day ready for Spring or Summer. I enjoyed how a lot of the story is told in flashbacks so the reader is able to get a chance to see the beginning of Ben and Mylie before Ben returns and they try and rekindle what was once lost.
This wasn't my most favorite love story of all time but it was an enjoyable read nonetheless.
This book was so cute! Like many books, the start of it I spent trying to figure out the character development during an intense scene. Three chapters is I kept wanting to get to the next chapter! It’s the perfect friends to lovers/ small town trope with a touch of danger. I would totally recommend this book!
A quick friends to lovers read. I thought it was a cute quick book to maybe get you out of a slump. Growing up in a small town I could relate to wanting to get away but always coming back because it feels more like home than anywhere else. Sometimes it feels like things never change even if you have left for a while. I would recommend this book as it was a good comfort read!
Mylie lives in her hometown Clay Creek with her sister Cassie and her grandmother and runs a large tackle shop. She wants nothing more than the life she is currently living - happy in her place in Arkansas with her business and family. Yet, when her former best friend and neighbor Ben shows up from Chicago to sell his mother’s house, everything changes. The two pick right back up from where they left off and they have to choose what sort of future they want.
I liked the setting, the unusual job of owning a regionally successful tackle shop supplier, and the overall “Hallmark” vibe of a boy returning home and former best friends having to figure out where they left their relationship. The ensemble cast of her family and the local folks in town are a lovely addition to the romance between the former best friends. The villainous subplot adds depth to the plot, giving the book something else to hinge on than the main character’s romance. I enjoyed Ben’s decision, but it was obvious that he was beginning what would happen. All in all, I enjoyed the book and thought it was a refreshing change of pace characters, and setting-wise in the romance genre!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.
I thought this book had all the right pieces to be a totally adorable book but something about it just didn't click for me. Now it still was good, and I read it one day but it felt rushed in a way. They were no contact for ten years and then over the course of a week fell in love? There was too much miscommunication and something about the dialogue felt off. That doesn't mean there weren't things that I loved because it was a hilarious book with some serious high points. I'm an absolute sucker for a second chance best friends romance, definitely my favorite trope. It just felt long and off at times.
I love a good friends-to-lovers trope, and this one revolves around that inevitable feeling we get of wanting to be as far away from our hometowns as possible but also never wanting to leave. I love how strong and hardworking Mylie is (epitome of strong, independent woman), the ease of her relationship with Ben, and the strong themes of friends, family, and community that this book includes. This was a very clever and witty read!
This is a sweet story or Mylie and Ben, childhood best friends that meet up again ten years later. They each knew their feelings for each other was more than friendship back in HS, but upon his return to town they both realize their love has never faded. The characters are great, Granny especially is a riot, along with a couple of non human ones. The plot had it all - friendship, family, love, second chances, and humor. Great read!
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Oh boy.
This one fell a bit short for me. ( Not to say it isn’t for someone else! ) the story was cute, but it seemed a bit rushed to me, and the writing felt sort of…clunky? For a lack of a better word. Especially the dialogue. There wqs a lot of “Mylie said” “Then Ben said” “So Ben asked” etc. But, we do love a tall nerd to hot love interest! It was a super quick read though, good for spring OR summer.
And Granny?? Granny gets ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ easily! Talk about an ICON! 😅 she was hands down the best part of this book!!
Thanks so much to NetGalley, Annie England Noblin, and Avon and Harper Publishing for the opportunity to read this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!