Ben and Mylie were friends that lose touch after Ben leaves the town, and reconnect when Ben's mother passes, and he returns to sell their old house. I loved the second chance romance/small town vibes that this book had to offer, but the execution could use more work. Their first meeting again was good and stuck with me, but the rest of it just didn't leave a lasting impression and the main source of tension throughout the book was a side character causing issues with Mylie and her business on multiple occasions and it just felt like it broke up the story too much.

Thank you to Harper Audio Adult, Annie England Noblin, and NetGalley for the eARC of this book. This is my honest review.

Thank you to the publishers, author and NetGalley for the free copy of this audio book.

Light hearted romance, with cute MC's. I enjoyed listening.

Spring Fling delivers cozy small-town vibes and a charming friends-to-lovers romance. Mylie and Ben have chemistry, and the setting is easy to get lost in. Still, the story drags in places and doesn’t break new ground—but it’s a pleasant escape if you’re in the mood for something sweet and simple.

Thank you, first, to NetGalley for an audiobook for a copy of this book!

Spring Fling is a sweet and spicy, easy listen. Mylie, owns and operates her own tackle shop in her hometown, something she has wanted since graduating high school. Her best friend, Ben, only ever wanted to get out of town. This story starts as Ben has to come back home to sell his grandfather’s house before he makes a big move for his dream job. This second-chance romance is full of fun anecdotes, and at the heart of it, what home really means. I really enjoyed getting to know these characters and their sweet town. I was drawn to the many relationship dynamics throughout the book, too. It was a great listen!

Annie England Noblin's "Spring Fling" is a sweet story about Mylie and Ben, childhood friends who reconnect when he returns to her small town. Their old feelings are still there, making for a charming friends-to-lovers romance with relatable characters and a great audiobook narration. Set in Arkansas, I could sense the humidity and southern charm coming alive. It’s an incredibly sweet story but also felt real and gritty, dealing with different types of loss and love. Very spicy and had some language some people may not care for, you’ve been warned. I didn’t mind, it felt natural to the characters and setting.
An enjoyable read for sure.
Thank you NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult for the audiobook. All opinions are my own.

Loved the audio, It’s the perfect read on a warm summer day. A second chance romance had me giggling and laughing . Granny witty I love her character the most

Thank you for the opportunity to review this lovely title. This was a first for me for this author and I laughed, a lot! Fat Tony and Stanley were hilarious! The narrator was spot on and kept me entertained. I will definitely be recommending!

Unfortunately, Spring Fling didn’t quite land for me. The plot felt slow and uneventful, lacking the spark or standout moments that make a story truly engaging. Nothing about it really stood out, and overall, it just wasn’t a very memorable or emotionally resonant experience.
The narrator was fine—I actually enjoyed her performance overall. She had a pleasant voice and good pacing, but the story itself didn’t give her much to work with. Even a strong narration can only do so much when the material feels flat.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to listen to this advance copy.

3.5/5 stars.
This is my first book by Annie England Noblin. I found this book to be a very cute spring filled contemporary romance. This story follows Miley and Ben who were childhood neighbors and best friends. Who loved each other when they were younger and then got seperated by time and distance when Ben moved away for college. Ben's mother left him his grandfather's home when she passed away and the only stipulation was for him to have to return to this small town before selling the house. Such a sweet second chance story as Miley and Ben get to know each other again. Strong found family vibes and small town hallmark-ish themes. I found the side characters to be just as notable and relatable as the main characters. All in all if you are looking for a spring small town romance this one would be a great pick.

Spring Fling by Annie England Noblin
Publication Date: March 18, 2025

From the very first line, Spring Fling hooked me. I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator did a fantastic job bringing these small-town characters to life—I could’ve sworn I was right there in Clay Creek with them. The story centers around Mylie, who runs a bustling tackle shop, lives with her hilarious Granny and younger sister, and is gearing up for the town’s annual fishing tournament. When Ben, her childhood best friend, returns to handle his late family’s estate, the past comes rushing back, and their story slowly unfolds in the sweetest way.

This book was such a joy. The characters were layered and lovable, and I appreciated how the backstory was woven in so naturally. It felt like more than just a romance—it was about home, community, and second chances. If you’ve ever lived in a small town, you’ll recognize the charm (and chaos!) instantly. It gave me major Boy Meets World vibes and left me smiling long after the final chapter. Heartfelt, witty, and rooted in all the best things—this is one I highly recommend, especially in audio format!

🎧 Review of Spring Fling (Audiobook):

Overall, I loved listening to this book—it was such an easy, enjoyable listen. The audiobook production was well done, and while I appreciated the narration, I do think a dual narration would’ve enhanced the emotional depth, especially with the flashbacks.

Even though I personally don’t find the appeal of a small town in Arkansas (not somewhere I’d ever think to visit!), the setting felt incredibly cozy and inviting. The small-town atmosphere added warmth and charm without feeling cliché.

The friends-to-lovers trope was executed beautifully. I especially appreciated the flashback chapters—usually not a fan of dual timelines, but these were done so well! They built such a solid emotional foundation, showing how Ben and Mylie always had feelings for each other but didn’t want to risk their friendship. One particularly touching moment was the prom night flashback—it gave major Ross-and-Rachel energy and broke my heart a little.

What I loved about Ben (MMC):

He felt like a real person—practical, thoughtful, and deeply loyal to Mylie.

His dislike for small-town life was realistic and understandable, yet he made the most of it because of his bond with Mylie.

His high school flashbacks were especially sweet, and that prom night scene will stick with me.

What I loved about Mylie (FMC):

I adored how grounded she was, always putting her family first.

Her relationship with her little sister and Granny was so heartwarming.

While her fear of dating due to her mom’s past felt a little underexplored, I still appreciated her emotional journey.

Her slow-burn feelings for Ben were believable and tender.

The side characters really shined too—Cassie and Granny added heart and humor. The subplots wrapped up nicely and never felt distracting.

And one of my favorite moments? When Ben’s mom quietly chose to keep the house—just in case he ever decided to come back for Mylie. That moment sealed it for me.

This was a wonderfully done friends-to-lovers romance with great emotional payoff. If you enjoy small-town stories with heart, nostalgia, and sweet character development, this one’s worth the listen!

This is small town romance at its finest. Mylie stayed in her hometown after graduating high school. She opened a tackle shop which employs a third of the town. Ben moved away from the town as soon as school was out, and he had no plans on returning. Ben did make one last promise to his mom before she passed. He would return to their house before he sold it. His plan was to go to the house get it ready to sell and leave in the shortest amount of time as possible. The town had other plans for his visit. This was a sweet story of friends to a lovers romance.

Thank you #NetGalley for allowing me to listen/read and review this book at no cost!

I would actually rate this book 3.5 stars if I could! This was my first NetGalley read and review so I wasn’t sure what to expect! I was immediately drawn in to the cover because I am honest and will say I judge books by their covers. It matches the storyline so well of a small town girl and small town boy that have a spring fling that eventually turns into more. I think I would have rated it higher but it felt like the author tried to write like Emily Henry and then rushed the romance part of the story. There were so many storylines going on that it pulled away from the main one. There could actually be different books in a series that talk about each character in more detail! Overall, if you are looking for a cutesy YA written novel with some not so YA spice, this is the book for you!

THANK YOU AGAIN NETGALLEY FOR ALLOWING ME TO HONESTLY REVIEW THIS BOOK! 💕

3.5⭐️ Rounded Up

Spring Fling is a super cute, novel equivalent of a Hallmark movie! You’ve got cute characters, good banter, some emotional turmoil, and stubborn personalities. Unlike Hallmark, however, we also get some delicious spice with the sweetness. It’s nothing crazy, not super graphic, but I really like it.
I loved Granny and her crazy personality. That is one free spirited woman who knew how to raise independent women with compassion. Kylie is also feisty but a genuinely nice person. Sometimes too nice for her own good. I liked her and I loved the fact that she was a business owner who didn’t toss it away to follow her partner’s dreams.
Ben reminds me a bit of Rory from Gilmore Girls at first. He has a plan and nothing can persuade him to change it. He’s a little selfish in his hopes for Mylie, even when proposing long distance. I really appreciate that this story focused more on him reevaluating his goals than the women doing so.
Amanda Stribling did a great job with the narration. She reminded me of Reese Witherspoon in Sweet Home Alabama, and I was all for it. It made me enjoy the story even more.
In short, a very nice, feel-good story, that is a quick read. Great for a palette cleanser between chunkier books or stories with intense plot lines.

This book was so good! Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to have an ARC audiobook of this story. Such an enjoyable read. I loved the friends to lovers/second chance/smalltown tropes. Miley and Ben were both such great characters and the character development with the dual timelines gave it a real nostalgic feel! I look forward to seeing other titles by this author! Highly recommend :)

Omg y’all, this book was SO CUTE. I listened to the audiobook (thank you NetGalley for the ARC! 🫶) and honestly?? The country accents?? Adorable. I know some people might hate on them, but for me, it made the whole vibe even sweeter. Total small-town, cozy feels.

This is classic rom-com goodness... the perfect little escape. 🥰 I LOVED the dual timelines!! You get to see all the history between the couple, how they got to where they are, why they’re so ✨emotionally messy✨... and it just made me root for them even more.

Also, shoutout to the side stories 🙌 Sometimes authors just drop the ball on those, but Annie kept them fun and actually interesting to the story without dragging anything down. Robbie irked me in ALL timelines!

If you want a feel-good, small-town romance with a little extra heart and a lot of charm, Spring Fling needs to be on your TBR!! 🌸🐝

Cute story about second chance romance. The setting was charming and the characters were quaint but there wasn’t anything different about this story than any other romance. I didn’t really connect with the characters and felt that the romance was rushed between them. The employee issue, while entertaining at times, didn’t really fit into the story. This was a quick, easy read that was a good distraction on a rainy afternoon.

This was just okay. I don't think I felt anything for any of the characters, really. It was a decent listen while at work, at the very least.

This was a cozy, small-town second chance romance with plenty of heart. Mylie is holding it down in Clay Creek with her thriving tackle shop, her quirky family, and a fishing tournament to win. Then Ben rolls back into town, all grown up and unexpectedly handsome, bringing old feelings and unfinished business with him.

The story flips between present-day and flashbacks, which gave a sweet look at their friendship-turned-almost-romance from the past. I liked seeing their history unfold alongside their reunion, even if the story didn’t fully sweep me away.
The romance was cute and easy to root for.

What really stood out was the audiobook. Amanda Stribling's narration brought everything to life, and her Southern accent made it feel even more grounded and authentic.

Overall, this is a nice, low-stakes read perfect for spring. Comforting, a little nostalgic, and just the right length.
3.5⭐️

I enjoyed this book Immensely. I found myself rooting for the main characters, not only for their potential romance to succeed but also for them to do well in their other endeavors. Great beach read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.