This was cute but not my cup of tea. So many dialogue tags pulled me out of the story often. Also, I was bored until the end and then let down by the ending. I also felt like the subplot was non existent until the tournament which made the romance parts feel rushed and not really make sense. I didn’t really care for the characters either. The grandma was the best part!

Thanks HarperAudio for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

By Annie England Noblin
Narrated by Amanda Stribling

Published March 18,2025

I love a second chance, small town romance, friends to lovers book. Mylie and Ben were so cute and I loved watching them grow. I loved all the glimpses into their past when they were younger from then up to now present day.
Mylie, owner of a tackle shop and Ben who is back in town to sell his grandfathers house meet again. The more time they spend together the more things between them heat up.
I cannot wait to read more by Annie, and have added a bunch of her books to my massive TBR list. The narrator Amanda did a really good job and her voice was so relaxing to listen to.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult for the ALC audiobook. All opinions are my own.

This book encapsulates everything that people love about small-town romances. I love the relationships between the various townspeople and getting a glimpse into someone's real life not just only the conversations they have with their best friends and their love interest. Perfect summer read for people looking for a sweet second chance romcom!

The story was okay. friends to lovers/ second chance just isn't my favorite. Mylie and ben are childhood friends, but he ends up leaving clay creek after graduation and doesn't come back for 10 yrs to sell his grandpas home if it wasn't for his moms dying wish he probably wouldn't have come back. I have to say I loved mylies grandma she was a fun time. I think ben was a little self centered so he rubbed me the wrong way at times.

Mylie grew up in Clay Creek, Arkansas and never left. When she finished school she started up her tackle business and now employed a third of the town’s population. She still lives with her Granny and half-sister. Ben grew up in Clay Creek and left to Chicago as soon as he could, never expecting to come back. Now after his mom’s passing he must go back to clean out and sell the house. Hoping to sneak in and out without having to interact much with the locals, he of course, gets sucked back into life in Clay Creek again including his childhood friend Mylie. Can the two make it work this time or are they destined to want other things?

This audiobook started out strong. I was really hopeful it was going to be a great little listen. Overall it was…okay. I liked the narrators, they both did a great job! The storyline was your typical friends-to-lovers small town romance. The ending was just far-fetched… I know people CAN be terrible, but I just feel like it was drama for the sake of drama and it took away from the story. Also the MCs were relatively immature in terms of communication for 28-29-year-olds.

Thank you to Harper Audio, the author, and NetGalley for a copy of the audiobook!

Spring Fling
By: Annie England Noblin

The vibes:
- strong FMC
- childhood friends to lovers
- second chance romance
- small town + quirky characters
- dual POV

This was a cute small town love story between Mylie & Ben, childhood friends who have always had underlying chemistry & romantic feelings. Ben wanted to get out of their small town and achieve his dreams of becoming a college professor, while Mylie has her grandma and her younger sister who need her. 10 years later, Ben is back in town to sell his childhood home after losing his mom. He fully intends to sell the house and get out, but when he and Mylie reconnect and rediscover their connection, his plans may just change for love!!

I gave it 3 stars because I didn’t connect with Mylie & Ben — cute & sweet characters, I just didn’t click with them so much. The part of the storyline that involves Robbie was also frustrating, it could have been avoided and it seemed to be

The audiobook narrators were good & brought the personality of the characters to life!

Content warnings: brief violence, alcoholism, loss, grief, neglect/abandoned by a parent

Thank you to NetGalley & the author for access to this ARC in return for my honest review!

Spring Fling is a cozy, second-chance friends-to-lovers romance full of small-town charm and heart. Mylie and Ben’s slow-burn reconnection feels natural and sweet, with just the right dash of spice.

Amanda Stribling’s narration brings warmth and personality to every character—perfectly capturing that Southern comfort vibe without overdoing it.

4 stars. A feel-good listen that’s perfect for spring.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperAudio for the arc.

I really enjoyed this book it's small-town romance and perfect for springtime. I liked the how there are flashbacks to the past between Ben and Mylie. I like the banter between characters and how the story evolves. It kept me entertained the whole time and left me feeling happy. I would definitely recommend this book!

4 stars I enjoyed this book. I like the banter between the characters but did feel like the romance was a little rushed but it was cute none the less.

thank you for the advance copy

Cute easy listen but nothing super special. The narrator did a great job with the different voices and accents. I’m glad I listened to this audiobook!

⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3 stars)

Spring Fling is a charming small-town romantic comedy that follows Mylie Mason, a tackle shop owner in Clay Creek, Arkansas, and her childhood best friend, Ben Lawrence, who returns home after a decade away. As they reconnect amidst the town's annual fishing tournament, old feelings resurface, challenging their perceptions of love and home.

I liked that the novel beautifully captures the charm of small-town life, with vivid descriptions of local traditions and a cast of endearing supporting characters. The plot is engaging, and the interactions among the townsfolk add warmth and depth to the story.

I wasn't really a fan of the central romance between Ben and Mylie felt slightly underwhelming. Their relationship could have benefited from more development to make their connection more compelling. At times, their interactions seemed rushed, leaving me wanting a deeper exploration of their bond.

The audiobook, narrated by Amanda Stribling, was a pleasant experience. Her clear narration and well-paced delivery made it easy to distinguish between characters, enhancing the overall enjoyment of the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperAudio for providing the ALC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Truly enjoyed this sweet reconnection. Sometimes people need time to grow up and find themselves before they are ready to share their life.

3.75🌟 This book follows Mylie, who is living her dream of owning her own business and being an amazing girl boss in her small hometown of Clay Creek, Arkansas. Living with her sassy Granny and her little sister, Mylie feels like everything is going perfectly until her childhood friend and secret crush, Ben shows up back in town to sell his family home. Reconnecting with Ben makes Mylie start to wonder what could have been and if her life is really as complete as she thought.

I thought this book was very cute and I did enjoy it as a fun spring read. It took me a little bit to get into it and I found myself a little frustrated with the main characters and their refusal to really communicate their feelings. The further I got into the book, however, the more I enjoyed it and the author did a great job towards the end of the book bringing the small town to life and made it a really fun part of the story.

In the end, I would recommend Spring Fling is you are in the mood for a fun, lighthearted read with very little stress or complicated plot lines. The audiobook was very good and the narrator did a great job with pacing. I have both read and listened to this book, and I have to admit, I think I enjoyed listening even more!

I always love a good second chance romance and this book did not disappoint! I loved the banter between Mylie and Ben, childhood friends. Ben moves away after high school and hasn’t seen Mylie for years until he fulfills the wish of his deceased mother and return to Clay Creek.

Spring Fling by Annie England Noblin is a sweet, heartwarming story about second chances and small-town charm. Childhood friends and neighbors Mylie and Ben lost touch after high school when Ben left their small town. Years later, he returns to Clay Creek, Arkansas, to sell his grandfather’s house before relocating for a new job. What was meant to be a quick trip turns into something much more when he reconnects with Mylie — and realizes his feelings for her never truly faded.

Annie’s descriptions of Clay Creek are so vivid and inviting that I found myself wishing I could visit. The town feels like a character itself, wrapping the story in warmth and nostalgia, making this book perfect for a cozy night in or a relaxing afternoon.

I thoroughly enjoyed the plot, the characters, and the emotional journey Ben and Mylie embark on as they navigate their past and uncertain future. Their ups and downs kept me engaged, and the romance had just the right amount of spice — I’d say a solid 3 out of 5 — enhancing the connection without overshadowing the story. My only wish was for a bit more character development, as Ben and Mylie’s motivations weren’t always entirely clear to me.

Overall, Spring Fling is a charming, feel-good romance that will appeal to readers who love small-town stories, second chances, and a sprinkle of spice. I’d give it a solid 3 stars and recommend it to anyone looking for a comforting love story.

One highlight for me was the audiobook—Amanda Stribling delivered a really enjoyable narration that added warmth and emotion to the characters

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Audio for providing the ALC in exchange for an honest review!!

Thank you NetGalley for the ALC!

Very quick listen. I loved their banter it was very bingable and kept you entertained!

Mylie lives in a small town with her grandma and younger sister. She owns a tackle shop and has everything she needs except she is still single. Her childhood best friend comes back to town and her life gets mixed up. It's sweet and has a little spice.

Thank you to NetGallery and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

2.5 stars rounded up.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for approving this ALC!

The story itself was cute, but the main characters lacked chemistry in my opinion. The banter seemed forced and the romance was extremely rushed. For them not seeing each other for so long they really went for it.

Cute story, but ultimately missed the mark.

Spring Fling is a solid 3.5 out of 5 stars. It was a cute romance book that I would read and enjoy., but probably wouldn't buy based on the cover. I enjoyed the story, even though it felt pretty predictable about 10 chapters in. I like the idea of childhood friends who get separated and end up together in the end. The only thing is that the main heroine seems so petty and annoying about both the past and future for the characters - but that's something to expect in a romance book. Overall, the story is cute and enjoyable, and I would definitely read it again.

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.