Mylie & Ben are high school sweethearts who grew up together in Clay Creek, but it’s been 10 years since they’ve seen each other last when Ben moved away for college. Now, he’s back to sell his grandmothers house..
I was very fond of the cute/quant setting and the sweet feel of the flashbacks to when they were young. Overall the story was a slow burn and the characters lacked the true chemistry to desire in a to romance. I found myself wanting to fast forward through parts and really enjoying it in others.

Second-chance romance is not usually my go-to trope, but I did actually enjoy this one. I liked how we weren't just told plainly about the characters' past; instead it unraveled slowly as a series of flashback chapters throughout the book. I like the two leads together, and I enjoyed watching them learn to trust each other again. Overall it was a yummy bit of brain candy to escape into.

Spring Fling by Annie England Noblin is a second-chance romance set in the small town of Clay Creek. Miley is the owner of a large and busy tackle shop and lives with her Grannie and her little sister Cassie. She loves her small town and the people in it. She is gearing up for a large fishing tournament in town, when her childhood best friend Ben returns to town in order to get his late grandfather's home ready to sell. He doesn't intend to stay in town, but seeing Miley again after 10 years reignites feelings that they both had during their senior year of high school. Will this second chance to explore those feelings be enough to keep them together this time?

I was hoping to really love this one, but it was just okay for me. I felt the characters lacked any depth and didn't really have any emotional connection. They were kind of cute together, but it immediately jumped into a physical relationship. I thought there could be a lot solved with a little communication and openness. As far as the other characters and storylines, there was a lot going on with a lot of different people and many of it was unnecessary. I enjoyed the small-town charm and Fat Tony the raccoon.

The audiobook was narrated well and kept my attention for the most part, but I did find my attention waning during some parts.

If you enjoy small town second-chance romance stories, this one is an okay read - a pallatte cleanser if needed between books, but not one that I will remember in the long run.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Thank you to Annie England Noblin, Harper Audio Adult/Avon, & NetGalley for a ALC of Spring Fling!

4/5 Stars

I enjoyed this book so much! It was a very quick listen and I really enjoyed the dynamic between Ben and Mylie. While I was a bit frustrated with Ben being so adamant about moving away, I was charmed by Mylie's love for her hometown, traditions, and the quirky people. The cast of characters was so fun and made listening that much more enjoyable. While the ending felt a little too wrapped up in a bow, that is what rom-coms are all about.

Definitely a great quick read to kick off the Spring! Great for fans of Tessa Bailey or BK Borison!

Mylie and Ben were best friends through high school. Ben always knew he would be going back to Chicago for college. It was home for him, even though he'd moved to Clay Creek at the end of middle school. He never tried to fit in, he'd had Mylie and that was enough. What was between them, they didn't need to explore, they wouldn't start something just for him to leave.

Ten years later, after his mom's death, Ben is back in Clay Creek. To sell the house his mom had insisted on keeping, even though they hadn't lived there since he graduated. But it was his mom's last wish that he go back to it one more time before he sold it. Even though going back means seeing her.

Mylie's just the same. Living across the street, at her Granny's house, with her 14 year old sister Cassie. She's made her dream come true, she has her bait and tackle shop, something of her own that she's been able to build up. And when she sees Ben again, those old feelings come back, just like before.

They're adults now. Ben might be going back to Chicago once more, but neither of them wants to wonder what if anymore. They have until he sells the house, and they'll try to make the most of it. Even if an old high school bully, Robbie Price, has set his sights on bringing down Mylie and her family.

The audio was great, easy to listen to and was my go to listen when doing things around the house.

This was a great read. This second chance friends-to-lovers story is heartwarming and fun. I love that there is a strong female lead that is not willing to give up her dreams and accomplishments for anything.

This was such a cute small town, friends to lovers romance. I love the writing style a mixture of the past and present of Mylie & Bens story. They have been best friends since the 6th grade. Ben goes off to Chicago to college and they both leave things unsaid. But then Ben is moving back to Chicago after graduation for college, as a last wish of his mothers. Ben had a crush on Mylie in high school but never took the chance to do anything about it. The more time they spend together, the more things heat up but Ben is torn between a new job teaching elsewhere and staying where his heart is. The banter and sexual tension between Mylie and Ben from the start was right up my alley. And the slow burn almost killed me.

I absolutely loved this book! If you love good banter, sexual tension, slow burn, small town, friends to lovers, second chance and a lovable but mischievous animal side character, you would definitely love this book too!

This book took me way to long to finish. It was because I didn't care for the character chemistry becuase they didn't seem to have any and the story didn't have anything spectacular to offer. At the beginning I felt like it might be a good story but then it just kept dragging on and on. While it was a cute and sweet ending it's too bad that they want different things and one of them had to sacrifice.

While the narrator was great even she couldn't make me like this book.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the audiobook arc.

Spring Fling is a cozy, second-chance romance that takes place in small town Arkansas. There was a lot of quirky things going on in this book. I liked the writing and the narrator of the audiobook. Everything in this book is typical of the “city boy visits small town girl” trope, right down to the miscommunication fight at the end. This was a sweet story, but nothing groundbreaking. There are a few spicy scenes, but they are very short. I would read another book by this author.

This audiobook is the first book I’ve read by this author and it was quite a cute book. The storyline revolves around an old friendship (10 years prior) and the storyline goes back and forth in time to present day and past. I’m not usually a huge fan of those types of stories, but the writing was well executed and not hard to follow the time jumps. The characters were more meh for my taste and didn’t make me feel for them or root for them in any major way, but I was happy they found their HEA. I’m not sure I would read more by the author, but I was a HUGE fan of her using Arkansas as the main location in the book!!! First time I’ve read a book with my adult son’s home state as the setting. Brava on that!!!

Spring Fling by Annie England Noblin
🎧 Audiobook ARC via NetGalley | HarperAudio Adult
⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3)

Spring Fling was a charming, light-hearted small-town romance that made for a cozy listen. Big thanks to NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult for the advance listening copy!

This story has all the elements of a classic friends-to-lovers, girl-next-door tale, and the Southern charm is strong throughout. I especially enjoyed the narration—Mylie’s Southern accent (along with those of her friends and family) added a warm, authentic layer to the setting that really brought the story to life.

That said, while the romance had its sweet and spicy moments, I didn’t fully buy into the chemistry between the main couple. It felt a bit trope-driven, as if they were checking boxes for childhood besties turned lovers, rather than a pair who truly clicked organically. Still, I appreciated Mylie’s strong support system, especially the brief POVs from Callie and Granny, which gave the story some extra heart and humor.

This was a solid palate cleanser for me—low-stakes, feel-good, and easy to listen to. I liked it, truly, even if I didn’t fall head over heels. Perfect for fans of small-town romances who want a breezy audiobook escape.

this one was super cute! I love that it didn't just focus on the couple but actually had a good plot line outside of the romance. I found the writing to be well done and I particularly enjoyed the small town aspect. I loved all the characters as well. Honestly it was a good cheesy cutesy romance and I would recommend.

2.5 out of 5 stars

I was hoping to enjoy this small-town friends-to-lovers romance more than I did. The premise was promising and had a lot of potential, but unfortunately, the story never really went anywhere for me. The characters lacked the depth needed to keep me engaged, and I struggled to connect with them.

The one saving grace was the narrator, who did a fantastic job bringing the story to life. Had I been reading a physical copy, I likely would have put it down about a third of the way through and not picked it up again. Overall, this was a somewhat disappointing read despite its charming setup.

Thank you to NetGalley, HarperAudio, and Annie England Noblin for giving me access to the ALC.

Mylie and Ben were high school best friends, secretly in love with each other, but Ben had to leave, his dreams were bigger than this small town that his mother had dragged him to. 10 years later, at the request of his mother, he finds himself back in this small town he ran so far away from. And whose house does he happen to–accidentally—try to break into in the dead of night?…None other than his high school secret crush and former best friend, Mylie’s. As he works on getting his grandfather’s house ready for selling, he ends up back in the folds of everyday life in this small town community, and closer to Mylie. Mylie allows herself to just enjoy what could have been for just a little bit, he’s planning to leave town anyway, it feels like he wants to stay more each day, but will he? For her? Mylie and Ben are both funny and strong characters, and both are serious about work and their lives. They both seem to loosen up and allow themselves to live in the moment with each other. This a lighthearted, small town second chance romance that gives all the Hallmark movie feels.

I enjoyed the tone of the audio book, it was a great read and a great listen.

This was a cute, small town friends to lovers romance. I wish there was more depth to this, but it just left me wanting more.

I found this one hard to continue. There wasn't much of a plot and the characters were lacking. There was potential.

The narrator did a fantastic job.

⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
Cozy, sweet, and full of small-town charm—Spring Fling is a friends-to-lovers romance that blooms with heart and homegrown humor.

Annie England Noblin delivers an endearing story that’s as comforting as a spring breeze off the lake and as satisfying as a hometown win. With lovable characters, fishing tournament antics, and just enough emotional depth to tug your heartstrings, Spring Fling is the perfect seasonal escape for fans of Jill Shalvis and Sarah Adams.

🎣 Why it reels you in:
Mylie is a delight. Tough, independent, and fiercely loyal to her family and hometown, she’s the kind of heroine you root for from page one. Her dynamic with Granny and little sister Cassie adds warmth and humor throughout.

Ben brings the nostalgia. His return to Clay Creek is filled with emotional baggage and quiet longing, making his reconnection with Mylie feel layered and real.

Friends-to-lovers done right. Their slow reconnection feels natural and earned, balancing flirtation, friction, and real-life stakes. You feel the shared history—and the lingering tension.

Small-town setting is pure comfort. From local gossip to fishing tournaments and lakeside renovations, Clay Creek feels like a place you’d happily get lost in.

Amanda Stribling’s narration adds charm. Her performance captures Mylie’s sass, Ben’s softness, and the warm rhythms of Southern life.

🪻 Why it’s not quite a five:
Conflict stakes are fairly low. The emotional tension is gentle, which makes for a relaxing read—but may not hit as hard for those looking for a bit more dramatic push and pull.

Predictable beats. While cozy and satisfying, the plot stays safely in its lane, with few surprises along the way.

💕 Final thoughts:
Spring Fling is a heartfelt reminder that sometimes the best love stories are the ones that circle back home. With its blend of humor, hope, and hometown magic, it’s a feel-good romance that leaves you smiling.

Four stars—a perfect pick for a lazy spring afternoon or anyone dreaming of second chances by the lake.

Do it qualify as second chance romance if they never actually got together when they were young? Like it was an almost romance as teens. But it was definitely a friends to lovers trope. If you love small town romances, this absolutely delivers (with the entire town rooting for their relationship). I read this as an audiobook and it was such a great choice for Mylie's southern accent! It just put me in the story even more than if I'd read it in my head. I read this within a day because I was really into the story. I have some issues with how it ends and how rushed that felt. I read romance books with the expectation of a HEA and this one does give me that... except I'm not sure the characters would actually make it in the long run. So that's part of the reasons why I gave it 3 stars.

Okay, picture this: small-town charm, one lovable dog, a pinch of sass, and just the right sprinkle of springtime magic—Spring Fling gave me all the warm fuzzy feelings I didn’t know I was craving.

This book felt like sipping sweet tea on a front porch swing with your favorite people around—relaxing, full of heart, and a little bit messy in the best possible way. The main character? Relatable, hilarious, and the kind of woman you'd absolutely want to grab brunch with. The romance? Slow-burny and delicious like biscuits straight from the oven. And the dog? Show-stealer. Total scene-stealer. Would adopt in a heartbeat.

Annie England Noblin just knows how to write characters that feel like old friends. Spring Fling isn’t just a rom-com, it’s a hug in paperback form. If you love second chances, quirky neighbors, and stories that bloom just like the season itself—don’t walk, run to pick this one up. 🌼💕

Thank you for the opportunity to review this book. Unfortunately, it was archived before I could download it and provide honest feedback.