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.

Apologies, I am DNF'ing this book about 60% through....

Something I really did like was the small-town, but also very "Gilmore Girls" esk town. With everyone knowing each other, town contests, and a fat raccoon causing mayhem. I was humming the Gilmore Girls theme song sometimes reading because it felt so similar just in the south instead. And that is a wonderful setting that many will feel nostalgic too I think.

Why I am DNFing- I just personally do not feel that strong of a connection for the two main leads romantically, nor do I have deep opinions on them as individuals. I think I need more depth to the characters and a lot more flirty banter. As I got further into the book I hoped that it would build once they accepted their feelings for each other, but even after their first few kisses, I simply couldn't buy into the relationship fully.

While I do think many will like this book, it is simply not for me.

A growing up and moving away type novel, leaving behind who you were and trying to embrace who you have become. This is a quick read and follows the two characters one that stayed in the little town and one that left and came back. Ben and Mylie were best friend in high school, but when Ben moves away to go to college and they lose touch, life moves on. Until Ben has to come back to town to sell his grandma's house and sparks start flying all over again. You will find yourself kicking your feet and giggling with this small-town romance where old friends fall back in love. An easy fishing based, small time vibe book good for a beach read or waiting for the fish to bite read. Thanks to netgalley, the author and publisher for the opportunity.

I sadly dnfed this book, either I wasn’t in the right kind space or perhaps this wasn’t for me, thank you for the arc either way & hopefully I’ll be able to read it some day

Thank you for the ARC. This story had an interesting setting and there were some likeable characters. I just didn't love this story, though.

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. 🌼💕

Spring Fling by Annie England Noblin
4.75 ⭐

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon & Harper Voyager, and Annie England Noblin for this e-book in exchange for an honest review.

I read this book in May, and it was the perfect time to read it as the book itself takes place in May and early June so the atmosphere of Clay Creek, Arkansas was perfect. Mylie has worked hard on opening her successful business of Hook, Line, and Sinker, runs the yearly fishing tournament supported by her business, takes care of her little sister Cassie while living with her Granny, Mylie is busy, simple, and loves her life until a blast from the past comes back to town.

Ben, Mylie's childhood best friend and next-door neighbor, returns to town after a decade away. Not expecting to be in town long or run into Mylie things go awry from the start when he tries to enter the wrong house in his middle of the night return. He is planning a quick town trip to sell his childhood home and move to the east coast to start his new life but turns out that being back in Clay Creek with Mylie has rattled his plans. They never allowed themselves to find out what would happen if they took things out of the friend zone, but could this be their second chance?

I think the characters in this book are realistic and things do not always go easy or smooth. They have real raw emotions and have a tendency to either hide from their feelings or everything comes out all at once. It seems things are just about to go right but never at the right times and that is something I liked about this story. I enjoyed that it wasn't a everything goes perfect romance, and they had to work at it to figure out what it was they wanted.

If you are looking for an easy but honest to read romance, I highly recommend this book. It will have you laughing, angry, and yelling at the characters all at once.

Mylie has created a tackle business in her hometown while helping her Granny raise her younger sister, Cassie. She employs a lot of the town and helps sponsor the fishing tournament. He love life has been on hold between the business and her sister.
Ben goes back to the town where he mostly grew up in his grandfather's home. His goal is to getit ready to sell as he's about to take a job on the East Coast--he promised his mother to visit it one last time.
Mylie and Ben were close growing up, but the stars never quite aligned before he left for college. They have unresolved feelings and it's the perfect time for a no strings spring fling. But nothing is ever simple when it comes to friendship and the game of love.
Their friends and family are rooting for them, but the miles between his next job and their hometown are too far apart.  Will the stars finally align and can they find a way to make it work?
A fun romance with small town vibes, a hint of danger, and a second chance to get it right.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Annie England Noblin's Spring Fling offers a sweet and charming friends-to-lovers story set in the quaint small town of Clay Creek, Arkansas. While it wasn't quite a perfect fit for me, it's undeniably a cute read, especially if you're looking for something light and heartwarming for the spring season.

The story revolves around Mylie Mason, who owns a thriving tackle shop and lives with her Granny and younger sister. Her world is turned upside down when Ben Lawrence, her childhood best friend, returns to Clay Creek after a decade away, planning to sell his family home. What quickly emerges is the undeniable, unresolved history between them, leading to a tentative exploration of a future amidst the buzz of a local fishing tournament.

Tropes to expect:

Friends-to-lovers
Second Chance Romance
Small Town Charm
Childhood Best Friends
Opposites Attract
Grumpy/Sunshine vibes (subtle)
I adored the cozy, small-town atmosphere of Clay Creek; it truly felt like a character itself. Mylie is a compelling protagonist, admirable for stepping up for her family, and I particularly loved her sassy and spunky Granny, Violet. The glimpses into Mylie and Ben's shared past as childhood best friends were a highlight, hinting at a deep connection.

However, I did find the pacing of the romance a bit rushed, especially given that Mylie and Ben haven't communicated in over a decade. While I love a good friends-to-lovers story, I usually prefer a slightly more gradual re-establishment of their connection after such a long time apart. Despite this, the book is certainly enjoyable and delivers on its promise of a charming, feel-good read.

Overall, Spring Fling is a sweet escape for anyone looking for a cute, small-town romance. It's a testament to Annie England Noblin's cozy charm, and I'm sure many readers will find it to be a perfect springtime pick!

Cute and sweet. I always love a return to hometown plot and ex childhood friends to lovers is one of my favourite tropes and while I did enjoy both of those things here unfortunately I don’t think this book will be too memorable for me.

This was a cute, well-paced read! It was about childhood friends reconnecting in their adult age and realizing their feelings for each other. If you like cozy vibes, small towns, and all the feelings, this book is for you! I thought it was a really sweet story and the romance didn't feel too rushed which is something I struggle with in a lot of plots. Overall, I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for something light and fluffy and cozy!

Thank you to the publisher for letting me read an advanced copy of this author's work in exchange for my honest review.

Positives first. This was a good summer read. I could picture the lake, the characters were really entertaining, and it was a fast, easy read. But, it was definitely a little superficial. There was potential with some climactic events, but they were resolved simply and without much involvement. There wasn’t a lot of meat to this story. 3.5 ⭐️

A second chance on romance . This was definitely cute. I liked how they always pinned for each other and this time around they have to find their way to fit in each other life. I liked how the community is and how nosy they are. The raccoon was a great comedy relief and I enjoyed all the misadventures with it. Overall I really enjoy it and it was cute

A quick and cute read!
I enjoyed this but some parts were flat for me.
Small town Romance
Friends to lovers

thriller/mystery thrown into it, which I loved, as thrillers are my favorite genre to read. I loved the family bond and the friendship within the characters. Made the story very relatable. This was an easy and nice read, a good break from my usual reads. If you are looking for something light but good, this is one for you, especially if you like second chance stories.

Kylie and Ben are best friends in high school then go their separate ways. Years later Ben is brought back to their hometown that Mylie never left. This was a cute small town friends to lovers romance that is perfect for fans of Hallmark movies. It was predictable like those movie, but still an enjoyable fluff read.

Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This story is the perfect mix of youthful innocence, second-chance romance, and a touch of small-town suspense. Once I started reading, I couldn’t put it down. It was one of those, “Don’t talk to me…” books!

One of the main characters returns to his hometown and ends up finding more than he expected- friendship, healing, and love.

The characters felt real, like people I already knew, and the story had just the right balance of sweet, spicy, and humor.

Content Warnings: Mild language, light romantic content, and some suspense.

A great pick for fans of cozy small-town stories with heart, hope, and a little heat.

I tend to love these type of books, however, this story of Mylie and Ben fell short of my expectations. It was super predictable and it felt like it didn't really go anywhere. Nothing big happened, no twists that you didn't see coming. Cute story but felt like it needed more. Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy.

📒 Mylie & Ben. She’s small town girl and he wants to live in big city. They were once next door neighbors and best friends but now it’s been 10 years. He comes back unit own to sell his family house. Since they last saw he has changed and become more confident, and she still happily lives in a small town, but has opened up her own business. This town is known for their fishing season and her business is the local hook line and sinker bait shop in town. They allow themselves to have a spring fling and see what it would actually be like if they were together, but as the summer comes closer, he must make a decision as to whether or not he wants to keep it a fling or change all of his plans for her. This was my first book by this author, and it was a quick and fun read that I found myself wanting it to actually be longer! Super cute romance, and at times a little shallow, I wish there was a little more depth in their romance because I felt like I had the potential. Overall, a really fun and cutesy spring read!


Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

Spring Fling by Annie England Noblin is a charming friends-to-lovers romance set in the quaint town of Clay Creek, Arkansas. The story follows Mylie, a successful tackle shop owner, and her childhood best friend Ben, who returns home after a decade away to settle his grandfather’s estate. As they reconnect, old feelings resurface, leading to a slow-burn romance amidst small-town antics and community events.


Overall, Spring Fling offers a cozy and heartwarming read, perfect for fans of small-town romances and second-chance love stories.