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.

Perfect small town romance for Hallmark movie lovers! This is a second chance romance with Mylie living in her small town and Ben coming back to sell his mother’s house is told in a dual timeline.. Mylie and Ben were best friends and neighbors with an unsaid attraction. Ben left the small town immediately following graduation for education and big city living. He doesn’t want to live in the small town but wants to explore this reconnection with Mylie.

Sadly this story felt flat and had very little plot. I didn’t care for any of the characters and felt that the story dragged on too long. The “connection” between them felt unrealistic and forced. This was one of the stories that I was ready to finish and don’t care to remember much after.

Thank you Netgalley and HarperAudio Adult for this advanced audiobook in exchange for a review.

Spring Fling offers a cozy, small-town friends to lovers story with plenty of charm and nostalgic moments. Annie England Noblin’s writing is witty and warm, creating a pleasant setting and atmosphere. However, I couldn’t really click with any of the characters, which made it harder to fully invest in their story.

The plot is sweet and predictable, with some nice moments of tension, but it didn’t quite stand out for me. If you enjoy light, feel good romances set in charming towns, this one might be a good fit. For me, it was an okay read but didn’t leave a lasting impression.

I loved the narrator's voice for this book! The story was cute, and easy to listen to. I like small town/rural romance, and second chance depending on the circumstances. I didn't love how it felt like one of them would have to give up everything in their lives for the other, but I stayed invested in the story right up to the ending.

I was hooked from the first chapter! The description pulled me right in, and I immediately loved the sweet bond between the main character and her best friend 🥰 The southern charm, small-town gossip, quirky family dynamics, and just enough drama made this such a fun and heartfelt read!

The chemistry between the main characters? CHEF’S KISS 😩💋 The slow-burn tension, flashbacks from middle and high school (which gave so much depth!), and those “omg just kiss already” moments had me kicking my feet like I was watching a rom-com. And the side characters? Iconic. The granny is a legend with her broom-swinging sass 😂, the little sister is dramatic and adorable, and the blue-nosed pitbull? INSTANT LOVE 🐶❤️

There’s also a perfect blend of humor and emotion—from awkward reunions to vulnerable heart-to-hearts. I laughed, I cried, I rooted so hard for this couple through all the misunderstandings and second chances.

My only complaint? My boy Seth deserved better 😭 but let’s be real… he never stood a chance against Benjamin 😏

Highly recommend for fans of second-chance romance, southern settings, and books that feel like a warm hug with a side of chaos. Big thanks to NetGalley for the chance to read this early! 💅💖

3.5 stars - good book but not a favorite.

Mylie and Ben knew each other in high school and were kind of a thing and then Ben left. 10 years later, Ben is back to oversee the selling of the house right next door to Mylie. Chemistry between them wasn't really there, it didn't really feel like they were pining over each other all these years. Ben coming back after all that time didn't really have the impact I was expecting. The story was okay, I did like the suspenseful moment involving her sister and the town misfit.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

This was a sweet read that highlighted the beauty and passion of first loves. I love the way this small town loves and lifts each other up.
I want to live in clay creek!
The writing and narration of this one was delicious.

Spring Fling is a small town romance that centers around Mylie and Ben. The two of them were high school besties that each secretly had the hots for the other. Then he moved away for college and they lost touch. 10 years later, he returns to sell his grandpa’s cabin that is right next to Mylie’s.

This was a cute, quick read. I liked Mylie’s sassy granny and that Mylie ran a woman-owned business. However, the villain seemed pretty forced and honestly, there wasn’t much unique that stood out about the book.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ALC to me.

Thank you, Annie England Noblin & HarperAudio, for this ALC audiobook of 𝘚𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘍𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨.

This was such a silly-cute book. I enjoyed the narration by Amanda Stribling, and I enjoyed the storyline.

My favorite character was Granny. She's a sassy Southern grandma, and she looked out for her family! I loved all of the Southern sayings and the small town gossip.

The second-chance romance between Mylie & Ben was sweet but mostly complicated. Their lack of communication with each other was exasperating!

I do recommend this book if you're looking for a sweet and funny small town romance. The audiobook with the different accents really adds to the story. ❤️

I didn't expect to fall so hard for this book—but wow, it got me right in the heart. The small-town setting felt like coming home, with all its charm, nosy neighbors, and the kind of slow-burn magic that only happens where everyone knows your name.

What really pulled me in was the second chance element. There’s just something about reconnecting with someone who once meant everything to you. The history between the main characters added so much depth, and I could feel the years of love, hurt, and unresolved feelings between them. Their friendship was so natural and full of quiet moments that spoke volumes—then watching that friendship shift into something more was incredibly satisfying.

I loved how the story didn’t rush anything. It gave space for real emotions, forgiveness, and growth. And of course, the chemistry? Off the charts in that sweet, yearning kind of way.

If you're into second chances, friends becoming lovers, and stories that make you want to pack your bags for a quiet little town with a big heart, this one's for you.

I wasn’t quite sure where to start with this review because Spring Fling wasn’t a bad book—in fact, it had a lot going for it. The storyline was solid, and I’m always a fan of small-town romances, especially when they involve a friends-to-lovers arc and a slow burn.

One of the things I absolutely loved was how dedicated Miley was to her hometown. Her roots ran deep—she was passionate about starting a business and building a life where she grew up. Ben, on the other hand, had a very different perspective. Having moved to the town as a child, he’d always dreamed of returning to the big city—Chicago, specifically. Their childhood friendship seemed destined to remain just that: a fond memory.

But when Ben returns to town to sell his childhood home, old feelings begin to surface. I liked the concept of them reconnecting, but I struggled a bit with how quickly they fell back into step. The emotional tension from Ben’s leaving—and the impact it had on Miley—wasn’t fully explored, and I wish that part had been more developed. That would have added some much-needed emotional depth to their reconnection.

That said, I enjoyed the romantic progression and the presence of charming side characters. The flashbacks to their childhood gave the story more heart and context, and I appreciated those glimpses into the foundation of their bond.

Overall, Spring Fling was a good read. It just lacked a bit of the emotional connection I typically look for in a romance, which is why I rated it four stars instead of five. Still, I’d definitely recommend it as a light, heartwarming spring read.

Thank you to author Annie England Noblin, NetGalley, and Harper Audio for providing me with an audio ARC of this book.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for the ARC of this story.

While i was intrigued buy the concept, this story did not work for me.

The pacing was off, I didn't really feel the chemistry between the characters and it felt chaotic as a whole with the dual story line and flashbacks.

Overall, this was not for me but I can see the potential of this author.

3.1/5 ⭐️- Thank you to NetGalley and HarperAudio for the ALC copy of ‘Swing Fling’ by Annie England Noblin. This one had the cozy friends-to-lovers vibes, but sadly it didn’t totally hook me. I was craving a bit more spark—more sass, more humor, just... more.⁣
⁣
That said, I did stick with it, and the ending was super sweet. 💕 If you love a slow-burn romance, it might just be your jam!

What a cute and fluffy spring/summer read! Three cheers and five stars for the friends to lovers slow burn! I know some are partial to an enemy to lovers or rival to lovers but friends to lovers is just that girl for me!

This was a great feel-good romance. I enjoyed the short chapters. I listened to the audiobook, and I really liked the narrator's performance. The author did a good job of creating the setting for the story. It was easy to visualize the small town and the characters in it. At times, the MMC did bother me with his behaviors. This book would be a great palette-cleanser between other reads with heavier subjects. Overall, this book was a fun time and I enjoyed getting to know Miley and all of the characters in this story.

Read If You Like:
• Friends-to-lovers romance
• Small-town settings with quirky charm
• Second chances and rekindled first loves
• Cozy, feel-good romantic comedies
• Strong female leads with deep community ties
• Stories centered around local traditions and events

Mylie is thriving in her hometown of Clay Creek, Arkansas. Her tackle shop is bustling, she lives with her spirited Granny and younger sister Cassie, and she’s gearing up for the annual fishing tournament with her all-women team. Life is predictable and fulfilling. 

Enter Ben, Mylie’s childhood best friend, who left for Chicago and never looked back—until now. Tasked with settling his late family’s estate, Ben returns with plans to renovate and sell his lakeside childhood home quickly. However, the town’s gossip mill churns, and old feelings between Ben and Mylie resurface.   

As the fishing tournament approaches, Mylie and Ben find themselves drawn together, navigating the complexities of their shared history and the diverging paths their lives have taken. Their rekindled connection challenges them to consider what they truly want and whether love can bridge the gap between their differing dreams. 

Thank you so much to the publisher for my ALC and ARC!