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!

Spring Fling is a sweet, small town second chance romance with a whimsical vibe and a cozy cast of characters. The audiobook narrator, Amanda Stribling, did a great job bringing the story to life, and there were some parts I actually laughed out loud as well as some heartwarming moments throughout.

That said, it didn’t fully click for me. The third person narration felt off, and the frequent POV shifts—especially to minor characters like Ben’s mom—were more distracting than helpful. I also struggled to connect with the main couple, and some of Ben’s actions felt more like excuses than growth. Still, it’s a light, easy read with charm and low spice. Great for fans of small-town romance, best friends to lovers, and second chances.

We all need a big sister like Mylie👯‍♀️ I loved her character. She knew her worth and took such great care of her family 🩷 However, I really did not care for her and Bens love story. I dont think they were right for each other and it just needed closure in my opinion. I dont really care for the second chance trope anyways so I didnt have high hopes. Overall I didnt dislike the book, it was just a little dull for me. Giving this one 3 ⭐️

Spring Fling by Annie England Noblin is your classic small town friends to lovers second chance romance and it checks off all the boxes!

Initially I was wary coming into this book because of some of the other reviews but DO NOT LET THEM DISCOURAGE YOU FROM READING THIS FANTASTIC BOOK!

If you adore friends to lovers like me, you will love this book! It’s one of my all time favorite tropes and Noblin does a fantastic job at making a classic her own.

I love the dynamic between Mylie and Ben and the reverse side of the more common “girl wants to leave small town” trope. The dual timeline really adds something special to the book and really helps you understand their relationship when they were younger.

The audiobook is wonderful as well!

I enjoyed reading this all the way through and if you like Hallmark style sweetness and a couple good open door spice scenes you should give “spring fling” a try!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for this audio ARC.

Very cute spring time read, but lacked depth. Was so close to being great and maybe with more editing it could have been (this discussed a bit more later).

I love the sister-acting-as-a-mother figure conversation. Such an important thing to have represented in books!

Overall, the buildup to the romance and the romance itself was cute, but there was almost not enough chemistry or tension or…something. I think it could have been developed a little bit more. Ben was described as being The One that got away, but readers were not shown how or why he was The One.

Their conversational skills are not great and then all of a sudden they have a physical relationship. I did not expect this in this book - sometimes it’s fine, but for these characters who needed to be fleshed out, it didn’t work. The issues that they had at the start of their relationship were still present at the end.

The secondary characters in this book were chefs kiss. I would have LOVED more Granny. She was so funny throughout the book. The fact there was a raccoon named Fat Tony. Cute and quirky.

I think this would have been fun as a romantic suspense. The beginning of the plot of a romantic suspense is there, with a bit more revising/editing it could have been so neat. Without it becoming a romantic suspense, this plot line is almost useless. Robbie added conflict, but the fishing tournament could have been the plot device to do this.

The narrator did a great job! She was able to convey multiple characters with southern accents and make them all sound different. Talent!

Tropes:
- Friends-to-lovers
- Small town
- Second chance
- Slow burn
- Dual timelines

2.5/3 stars

Spring Fling by Annie England Noblin is a small town friends to lovers romantic comedy.

This book was fine. It’s not terrible, but I don’t think it was for me. I didn’t find the comedy funny or entertaining. Also the romance was not what I hoped it to be. Like I said, it was just fine. I wish the friends to lovers arc was also written a bit blah. Nothing was drawing me into the romance.

I received an ARC of the Audiobook and I think it would have been a better experience if there was a male narrator to go through Ben’s thoughts. It kind of took me out of the story. I think the audio book would have better suited if it was dual narrators.

I really wanted to love this friends to lovers romance, but I just found the story a little lacking and ultimately underwhelming. There is nothing abhorrently wrong with the plot, but outside of the characters and the quirky town, I think the romance didn't have the time to develop and shine the way it should have. While Ben and Miley were very cute together, their relationship progressed so fast and I wasn't able to feel their emotional connection, tension, and build up that often comes with a second chance romance. Overall, the small-town charm was there, but side characters and subplots overshadowed the romance and left me wanting more depth.

What a delightful spring read/listen.

Mylie lives in the small town of Clay Creek, Arkansas with her family and owns a major fishing store.

When Mylie hears her childhood best friend is back in town after 10 years, she has mixed feelings. The possibility they could have evolved their relationship into something more if Ben had not left always had her wondering “what if?”

Ben is not a small town kind of guy, he is there just to fix up his Grandfather’s house and leave asap, or so he thinks.
While Mylie thrives in the small town, owning a major fishing store that employs a good majority of the town.

As Ben and Mylie reconnect and their friendship starts to blossom into something more, they will have to decide if they are able to find a common future in which they can both be happy.

The narrator spoke clearly but the accent was a little different than what I have grown used to in audiobooks, so I found myself rewinding the book often just to double check on what I heard. But she made the book fun and really brought it to life, she speaks in a very even pace. I highly recommend this book & audiobook.


There’s slight family and work issues that adds to the plot, but this book does not focus on drama. There are flashback scenes which help you understand the backstory a little more.


Friends to Lovers
Small Town Romance

Thanks so much to NetGalley and HarperAudio for this ALc / ARC .

3.5 stars

This small town romance is a cute & light story about Mylie & Ben. They were friends growing up but then Ben left for college & never came back. Since his mother’s death, he now needs to come back to town to settle his grandfather’s property. He runs into Mylie & realizes that some feelings just don’t fade over time & distance.

It was a light story but nothing really captivating for me. A quick listen on a summer weekend.

Thank you #NetGalley for the ALC of this book.

Spring Fling by Annie England Noblin

Ben and Mylie were childhood friends and when Ben’s family moved away they lost touch.. Ben hasn’t been back in years… But when he has to deal with the house after his mothers death… He realizes it isn’t just the house he needs to deal with.

I hate books like this. There's no reason these 2 people couldn’t have reached out before he went back. That will never make sense to me. Having said that, it was really cute. I thought Mylie was awesome. I love who she was as a person and the love she has for her sister.

The bouncing between POVs… Yeah that failed for me. I did like the writing and narration but I would love a first person narrative in the next one.

3.5 stars

What a darling listen this was! Spring Fling is a swoony, small-town romance, a perfect little summer read with just a little bit of spice. From the fishing tournament to the gossip mill to her sassy Granny, everything about this book was a southern delight!

I really wanted to like this but the narration is not for me. I really struggled to follow along and often felt I got distracted while listening

I was drawn by the whimsical cover and the potential for a low-spice romance. I listened to it on audio. Nothing that I didn't like, just didn't completely captivate me but recommend for those who are looking for a cute, spring romance. Also read if you like: small town romance, best friends to lovers, side characters/subplots, second chance love. **I received a complimentary audio ARC from the author/publishing company via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts & opinions are my own.