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.

I do love books about small towns. I can never get enough of them! This was definitely entertaining, and I thought it was very cute. I wasn't overly excited about the whole storyline, but it could have been my mood. I do think Annie is a good writer, and I would give her books another try.

Thank you so much, Netgalley for my advanced copy of this book. I"m sorry it took so long for me to write my review!

Spring Fling was such a charming and enjoyable read! I loved the playful energy and the lighthearted romance, which made it a perfect feel-good story. The characters felt relatable, and their interactions kept me smiling throughout. While a few plot moments felt a bit predictable, I still found myself fully invested and turning pages quickly. Overall, it was a delightful, breezy read that I’d happily recommend.

Spring Fling captured my heart with its cozy, small-town charm and second-chance romance. Mylie’s tackle-shop life in Clay Creek and her reconnection with childhood best friend Ben felt both adorable and emotionally resonant. I loved the slow burn between them, the witty dialogue, and all those delightful touches, like the raccoon antics that kept me smiling. It’s a sweet, feel-good read that left me yearning for summer afternoons and lingering memories.

Love this genre and this was a fun read, but nothing particularly stood out to me. Would recommend for cute and quick summer read!

This story didn't engage me. The characters and their relationship seemed ill fitting for each other. The side characters were also lacking. I did however enjoy the flashbacks.

Disclaimer: I received an e-arc of this book from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: Spring Fling

Author: Annie England Noblin

Book Series: Standalone

Rating: 4/5

Spice Rating: 2.5/5

Recommended For...: Adult Readers, Contemporary, Romance, Friends to Lovers, Small Town Romance

Publication Date: March 18, 2025

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Age Relevance: 18+ (parental abandonment, parental death, alcohol consumption, underage alcohol consumption, sexual content, romance, cursing, religion, cancer, violence)

Explanation of CWs: There are mentions and showings of parental abandonment and death. There is alcohol consumption and one mention of underage alcohol consumption. There is romance and sexual content. There is some cursing. There are some mentions of the Christian religion but it does not play a prominent role in the book. There is a mention of cancer. There is slight violence in the form of fighting.

If This Was a Taylor Swift Song: Tis the Damn Season

Publisher: Avon

Pages: 304

Synopsis: Rekindle your belief in the magic of first love and the charm of small towns with Annie England Noblin’s delightful friends-to-lovers romantic comedy, perfect for readers of Jill Shalvis and Sarah Adams. Spring is in the air and Mylie has everything she could ever want: her tackle shop is thriving and employs a third of Clay Creek, Arkansas, and she lives with her beloved Granny and little sister Cassie, who both keep her on her toes. As tourists pour into town for the annual fishing tournament, Mylie is in her element and ready to bring her all-women team to victory. After moving to Chicago, Ben never thought he would return to Clay Creek. But with both his grandfather and mother gone, he’s left to deal with their estate. His plan is simple: come in quietly, fix up his lakeside childhood home, sell it quickly, and get out. He underestimates how quickly his arrival will stir up the local gossip, and how intensely his unresolved feelings for Mylie, his childhood best friend, will resurface. Amid the buzz of competition and the rhythm of small-town life, Mylie and Ben find themselves unable to ignore their shared history. They tentatively explore a future together, despite the impending sale of Ben’s house and Mylie’s insistence on staying put in Clay Creek. Flings are easier said than done, and Mylie and Ben will have to address their clashing lifestyles before their feelings get away from them. Told with Annie England Noblin’s signature wit, cozy charm, and a dash of spice, Spring Fling is the perfect friends-to-lovers read.

Review: I thought overall that this was a very cute romance book. It wasn't very heavy in the romance and it had a lot of plot and other things going on with it, but it was romance based. The book was a multi-POV small town romance with a friends to lovers trope thrown in there. I loved that. The small town was so incredibly messy because it just reminded me so much of my hometown. I thought that the character development was very well done and the characters were so lively that even in chapters that weren't divided to the main couple, the book was still very entertaining without them. The World building was good and overall I just had a very fun time reading this.

However, I didn't really enjoy how it wrapped up. In the end. I thought that it was a little too quick and that a little bit more of it could have been explored overall.

Verdict: It was a cute romance read!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was exactly the sweet, small-town rom-com I needed. The Arkansas setting was charming, the romance was soft and nostalgic, and the animals (including a surprise raccoon) were delightful. The friends-to-lovers storyline was comforting and familiar in the best way. While the plot didn’t totally surprise me, I didn’t mind — I was there for the cozy vibes and emotional payoff. This would be a great one to toss in your beach bag or save for a rainy afternoon when you want something light and low-stakes.

Spring Fling is a cute premise - childhood friends are reunited when one of them returns to their small town as an adult - 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!

I really enjoyed this book! Loved seeing how the story progressed. I was immediately brought in trying to unravel how everything fell apart between the FMC and MMC.

Small town romance done right! Spring Fling is sweet and simple with the funnest side characters and a quick, pace!

While I enjoyed the town of Clay Creek, and the various side characters, I had trouble really getting invested in the relationship of Mylie & Ben as it felt a bit rushed. Nevertheless, this book was a fun springtime read, and I would recommend it for those who really enjoy any form of second chance romance that also includes tons of fun side characters. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

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.