I struggled to finish "Spring Fling" but pushed through. The narrator was adequate, though not particularly memorable. The main characters seemed to have zero chemistry and argued a ton for those being in the honeymoon phase, which made their relationship unconvincing. The attempts at creating steamy scenes were underwhelming and seemed like they were put in just to say it had some spice.

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future.

Spring Fling is a cute romcom about two estranged childhood best friends who reunite in adulthood. Told from dual timelines, and multiple POVs, this story reveals the two main characters in a fun, layered way.

This story deals with hard things like grief, and parented children, but it’s told in a way that feels removed, so the story maintains a lighthearted perspective throughout.

I listened to the audiobook version of this story, which was performed by a single narrator, Amanda Stribling. It was well done. I listened at 1.75x speed (this is my normal audiobook listening speed).

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Audio Adult for this advanced listening copy.

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the audio version. I was very excited to read this novel. I was first drawn to the cover and I thought the synopsis sounded entertaining. But I was just kind of disappointed. First off the biggest issue for me was that the language is really really bad. I don't think it is necessary for this type of book. It is very very strong and to the point that it just turned me away from it. I don't really feel a connection with the the MC's... I feel like they are just toxic and just not fitted for each other. I was enjoying the other southern town characters more than the MC's. Just a pass for me.

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ .5 stars rounded up!!


This was a very quick, super cute read! While it wasn’t ground breaking the story was sweet and I enjoyed the characters. The reason it didn’t get to the 4-5 star range for me was simply based on the lack of true chemistry between the FMC and MMC. It was more of a “tell” than a “show” of how much each character felt about each other than seeing their love story evolve and play out. I think if there was some extra chapters from the past and maybe some more build up and tension in the present I would have bought their chemistry more. I enjoyed all the characters, main and side and the narrator did an excellent job!

Tropes:
Second Chance Romance
Forced Proximity
Friends to Lovers
Next Door Neighbors


Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for an ALC in exchange for my honest review!

I am a sucker for a good friends to lovers story. And this one was... okay. Good. Decent. It was cute, and I loved Mylie's family. Granny was a hoot, and her sister was a typical teen. I liked her best friend, who seemed like her ride or die. And I liked Mylie herself.
But I didn't really like Ben. He was very bland, especially for someone who loved "big city life". A lot of his actions didn't seem all that sincere, especially where Mylie was concerned. I felt like Mylie deserved better.
The storyline overall was fine. The ongoing drama with the town punk (I've already forgotten his name) and Mylie was over the top at times. The big climax scene with said punk and Cassie seemed way overdramatic, but I guess something had to provide a pinnacle for the story, because the romance between Mylie and Ben was not it.
2.5/5 stars.

Thank you Net Galley for the ALC!! What a fun, sweet, hilarious southern time! This story follows Miley our small town southern girl who owns a bait n tackle shop and lives with her grandma and little sister Cassie who she takes care of. We also follow Ben who used to live in this small town and was best friends with Miley. Ben is moving back to town because his grandfather passed away and he is selling the house (right next to Miley) and taking a teaching job in Boston. Ben hates small town life and can't wait to get out, but Miley and this small town slowly drag him back in. This story was so fun and I loved the small town southern vibes and I thought all the characters were written so well and had the best personalities. I also thought that the romance was so sweet. I did feel like I wanted more out of it, just a little deeper but overall I loved it!

This is such a cute book! It is a classic friends-to-lovers, small town romance. The book has such fun main and side characters. The story is lighthearted, but definitely keeps you hooked! I highly recommend!

Small town, second chance romance that reads like a hallmark movie. I found it to be cozy - I enjoyed the writing, pacing, and the setting of this story. I fish so loved having that component. I also loved Fat Tony, both he and Stanley provided so much comedic relief throughout the book.
Thank you to Netgalley for the audiobook- all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Audio for the opportunity to listen to the novel, Spring Fling by Annie England Noblin.

Ben and Mylie are from a small town called, Clay Creek, in Arkansas. Both have drifted apart after Ben moved away. Unfortunately, Ben returns under less than enthusiastic circumstances.

Both Mylie and Ben are faced with their past. Friendship, unresolved emotions, and everything unspoken before.

Amanda Stribling narrates this book. I felt she voiced Mylie well. I do wish she gave more emotions and definitive separation in voicing the other characters.

I recommend for those who want to read a small town romance and Friends to lovers trope.

This book is so cute! Best friends in high school, Mylie & Ben, secretly had a crush on each other. Ben moved away after graduation to go to college. Years later he returns to Mylie’s small town to sell his old house. Their reunion is such a sweet story of friends to lovers with a small town feel. I listened to the audiobook, it was quick, fun and full of quirky characters.

Thank you to Harper Audio Adult for the advance listening copy for an unbiased review.

Ben returns to Clay Creek after the passing of his mother. Ben never thought he would go back or see his childhood friend, Mylie. When Mylie and Ben reconnect, things start to pick up where they left off.

This was my first book by Annie England Noblin, but it wouldn't be my last! This was an enjoyable springtime listen. It was a cute, small-town, friends-to-lovers story. I enjoyed some of the side characters and the humor they brought to the story. Without them, the story would be less enjoyable. For me, the pacing of the story was a bit off. The love story between Ben and Mylie felt a little rushed, and as a result, I was not invested. The narration was **chef's kiss**. It set the vibe for the story.

I absolutely adored this book! This was a beautifully bittersweet second-chance, friends-to-lovers romance that had me rooting for the main characters from the start! The entire cast of characters were funny and well-developed as well (don’t forget Fat Tony!)

Flipping back and forth between the “then” and “now” too helped to get the full picture of the relationship between the main characters.

Thank you to Annie Noblin and Avon for the ALC in exchange for an honest review!

This was a old friends to lovers trope with small town vibes. The book overall was very cutesy, but also way spicier than I would have thought. I think it was a bit much for the vibes and was weirdly graphic during the spicy scenes that I felt came from nowhere. I didn't exactly fall for the main characters, and I think the end wrapped up too quickly.

Audio performance was good, no complaints

This was a quick and easy read, but I do wish there would’ve been a little more depth to it. The romantic plot line felt like a convenience rather than a genuine love story which was a let down for a romance book.

Ben wasn’t very kind or romantic toward Mylie in my opinion and I honestly wish she would’ve found someone better. I really enjoyed Mylie, and honestly was more interested in her subplot of caring for her sister Cassie. Although there is a scene at the end of the book with Cassie that was so random and ridiculous to me. It was a horrible excuse to redeem Ben and I was sort of rolling my eyes at all of it.

Overall I enjoyed aspects of this book like the small town and side characters, but I would’ve loved for it to get a little more in depth with the characters and some of the side stories.

Spring Fling is a heartwarming small-town romance that follows Mylie and Ben, childhood best friends who lost touch after high school. When Ben returns to Clay Creek to sell his family's home, both are faced with unresolved feelings and the possibility of new beginnings. The story beautifully explores themes of second chances and personal growth, set against the charming backdrop of Clay Creek.

Annie England Noblin's writing is cozy and engaging, and Amanda Stribling's narration brings the characters to life with warmth and authenticity. While the pacing is gentle, the emotional depth of the characters shines through.

I rated this book 3.5 out of 5 stars. All thoughts are my own.

#NetGalley #AnnieEnglandNoblin #SpringFling

firstly, thank you to the publisher for an arc and an alc!

unfortunately, dnf’d @50% — i just did not care about the plot whatsoever. there were also wayyy too many flashbacks to when our mcs were children and i just could not remain interested.

as for the narrator, she did an ok job!

Small town romance, Second chance romance, Friends to lovers, Childhood crushes, Southern charm, Fishing competitions, and Clean Romance.

Very cute and cozy story that I loved very much!

This was a feel good romance that just makes you smile. Best friends, lost love, small town vs big city, all things that make for a sweet story. Add in a high school bully who never grew up- and never amounted to much and you have a story.

Mylie and Ben were best friends until Ben moved to Chicago for college. Now Ben is back in tiny little Clay Ceeek to fulfill a promise to his mom and to sell his grandfather's house. He plans the trip to be quick and to keep to himself, but that's not the way of a small town, especially when you and your childhood BFF have unrequited feelings for each other and your houses happen to be next to each other. A wonderful supporting cast rounds it all out - foul mouthed but lovable granny, Mylie's little sister Cassie, and her best friend Melissa.

This is a wonderful romance to make you forget your troubles for a moment. I both listened to the audiobook and read the book. Both were fabulous.

I loved this book. I give this book 10 out of 10. I was excited to be able to
Read this book once I read what it was about. I knew I had to read it.
Now the cover of the book caught my eye right away. It was so pretty 🤩 perfect for summer.
The storyline, was very realistic and the characters all pop. The author made me feel like I was there the whole time. What a sweet story. And I loved Fat Tony. What a fun character. I could not put this book down.