Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Modern Girl's Guide #1

Modern Girl's Guide to Vacation Flings

Rate this book
Beth Riley wasn't looking for commitment.
Beth left Chicago to escape her ex's upcoming marriage to her sister. She thought a hot no-strings-attached vacation fling would help her forget her latest dating disaster, and the sexy guy she’d meet on the plane seemed like a perfect candidate. But Matt wasn't what she expected.

Matt Carver wasn’t looking for a girlfriend
Matt was trapped on a TransAtlantic cruise with his entire family, and his mother was set on fixing his dating life. He just needed to convince everyone he was already in a relationship. He knew the perfect woman for the role: Beth Riley, an adventurous beauty who’d already rescued him once.

The whole ruse was supposed to be harmless, but things quickly got out of hand when their made-up relationship and fake kisses turned to real passion.

Note: This book features plenty of panty-melting sex! Not for the timid!

240 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 3, 2015

170 people are currently reading
353 people want to read

About the author

Gina Drayer

16 books95 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
172 (27%)
4 stars
232 (37%)
3 stars
167 (27%)
2 stars
32 (5%)
1 star
15 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
Profile Image for Sher❤ The Fabulous BookLover.
964 reviews588 followers
November 1, 2015
This was a cute, sweet read. If you like chick lit then you'd probably find this one to be enjoyable. It was nothing outstanding, but it's a beachy kind of read that's good to pass the time.

*ARC graciously provided in exchange for an honest review*
Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews132 followers
Want to read
April 28, 2019
🎁 FREE on Amazon today (4/28/2019)! 🎁
Profile Image for Ashleyjo.
826 reviews525 followers
August 25, 2015
A more apt title would've been "Modern Girl's Guide to Napping Through A Book."

This book starts off fine, nothing uber exciting, but it's okay. Basically, Beth and Matt meet on a plane, have a moment, and part ways with business card exchange. Only, it turns out their headed for the same cruise ship. She's there to escape the mindfuck of her sister marrying her ex, and he's there for a family event. He's trapped on a ship with his mom and becomes the center of discussion because he doesn't have a girlfriend. Enter Beth to save the day as pretend girlfriend.

All sounds okay, right? Then it has to go and get all weird while boring me to death.

Matt Is About As NON-Alpha As It Gets

She almost felt sorry for Matt. The poor guy couldn't get in a word - not that they (his family) seemed to listen to him when he did speak.


^ There's this little thing called a spine, Matt! It goes from your brain to your ass... Real easy to find!

Bring us tequila shots. I'll pass, Matt said to the waiter. It's not even noon.


^ You're on a cruise and your family is driving you crazy ~ you're worried it's not noon? Anal retentive much?

Beth is free spirit - take your clothes off in front of strangers is no big deal- kind of girl. Whereas, Matt is an awkward nerdy guy that runs from a chick in a wet t-shirt & nearly has a nervous breakdown over being alone in Beth's room. It was awkward & weird with her throwing herself at him, his inner monologues about how f'able she is, and then him literally running away from her clear 'lets f' offer. What guy turns down & runs from a girl for no good reason that he clearly digs in his thoughts? Less than 24 hours later, she's brushing him off and he's all hurt because they're not spending time together. Wtf? Make up your minds! Back and forth this goes....

He asks rational questions that any sane mfing would ask when a chick runs off in the middle of an event, after sex, etc. She immediately gets her ass over the dash about said questions and he turns into a sniveling, apologizing shrinking violet. A guy that's an ass is unattractive, but damn if sniveling is even worse:/

Hector's hands kept wandering to her ass. Every time his hand lowered, she'd reach down and gently readjust their position....

Matt wasn't the alpha, possessive type, but as he watched them glide across the dance floor, he held a new appreciation for that type.


^ At least he admits it :/

Nonsensical Shit

Then there's the stuff that just don't make sense.



She took every opportunity to make a snide comment in her passive-aggressive way. "Wow your work in Haiti sounds amazing," Bridget said with a saccharine-sweet smile. " I don't think I would have been able to live with three men in those horrible conditions. It doesn't sound like there was a lot of privacy."


How is that snide, passive aggressive, or jab statement?

Full of over and under-reactions. Full of wishy-washy angst that's not even appropriate responses.

Bottom Line

I tried to make it through this book. But, between the characters being dull and far from my version of sexy & the pure boredom of a plot solely based on which one just wants sex and which one ponders a possible relationship going back and forth and back and forth, I'm tired! I'm bored! I'm completely uninterested! I could care less; so why keep reading? DNF - 1star
Profile Image for Erica Paré.
464 reviews5 followers
October 16, 2019
This was a really cute book. I really enjoyed how there was an intertwining stories of her past relationship and her future one. Beth is a strong woman who does medical work in poverty stricken countries. She shows how a woman can do what ever a man can do. She is able to rough it with no luxuries even though money is not really an issue for her. Beth also doesnt need to have a man to complete her, well at least thats what she thinks in the beginning. The story line includes just enough smut to make it for adults but not where it over powers the story line. Matt is part of a family where his mom just wants him to get married and give her grandbabies haha Also those rules were hilarious in the book.
Profile Image for Manda  Lee.
253 reviews5 followers
June 23, 2015
To read my entire review, go to onebooktwo.wordpress.com/2015/05/25/r...

Shave those legs, slide into your best bikini, and throw this book into your beach bag because I have found the first beach read for the summer.

When I first received Modern Girl’s Guide to Vacation Flings, I made the mistake of taking a look at the first chapter to see what it had to offer. At that point, the book grabbed me by the ears and pulled me in head first. I realized (with some horror) that I had reached my “point of no return” (PNR) and I was destined to spend the rest of the night reading this hilarious love story.

Modern Girl’s Guide to Vacation Flings offered me all of what I expected to find, but I also got a lot more. Beth and Matt are well-formed, three dimensional characters that have fears, family situations, and life experiences that I can relate to. Author Gina Dryer did an excellent job of creating the modern dysfunctional family that you love and hate at the same time. Plus the intelligent humor of this book surprised me but had me laughing out loud as I ate breakfast one morning in a Holiday Inn. Other customers looked and that was a tad embarrassing but I felt sorry for them because they didn’t know what they were missing. As for the love scenes, I would give it an R rating. They are not too racy but they do get the heart going.

By the end of Modern Girl’s Guide, I wanted to be friends with Beth and wanted to date Matt’s brother. (But his brother is already married so that would be difficult and awkward.) This is the first book in the series. The next one is The Modern Girl’s Guide to One Night Stands. That story will be added to my must read list.

Review copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Profile Image for Rosanna Ingram.
669 reviews5 followers
August 4, 2015
I found the book to be a fun and quick read. I found myself laughing at the situations in the book and, at times, wanting to strangle either Beth/Matt/both for their stubbornness. Unlike other reviewers, I found the hot-as-sin sex scenes to be enough and what would be expected in a book about a vacation fling!! I found this to be a charming story about how despite the walls we put around our hearts and the path we lay out for ourselves, even the best laid plans don't stand a chance in matters of the heart and love.
694 reviews17 followers
May 8, 2015
I found this to be a sweet and soothing easy read. Nothing outstanding, but a cute bit of escapism. I liked and was intrigued by Beth, with her unconventional lifestyle, and Matt made a great book boyfriend.
Profile Image for L.M. Mountford.
Author 34 books1,277 followers
January 5, 2018
I'd say that Vacation Flings is the wrong title for this, Guide to faking a relationship might be more apt.

Well, I suppose all i can really say about this book is that it's... perfect. Not a perfect story for myself, but taking in its genre and theme, the story is a utterly perfect rom-com. There is sex, drama, and a pain in the ass bimbo looking to stir up trouble and get in the lead's bed. All that's missing is Jennifer Aniston and Matthew McConaughey
Profile Image for Donna Feibusch.
1,785 reviews23 followers
Read
September 9, 2015
An Awesome Read!

I loved reading Modern Girl's Guide To Vacation Flings, all about Beth a young women who hates to fly & Matt Carver who is stuck next to a Chatty Cathy on the flight to Florida! Beth is sitting in first class white knuckling the arm rest when she says Matt can you come and sit with me and keep me calm. Matt jumps up and plops right down next to Beth and grabs her hand, all the while the plane is lurching to and from. Beth had over heard the conversation Matt was having with his seat mate, and realized he was about to pull his hair out, if he didn't get away so she helped him out, and he was extremely great full. The author wrote a very interesting story, and the characters made the story come to life! Read this book, because it will make you laugh, cry, sigh, shake your head and cum up a storm! Take the time to read this book and book two, both of them, will make you laugh out loud and fall in love with all the characters. I loved reading this series, and I can't wait for the third book to come out!
Profile Image for Terri.
467 reviews2 followers
December 14, 2015
I liked this book better than I thought I would. It is a light romantic comedy with some very steamy parts thrown in just for more fun. It is an original story and I was thrilled with the ending. Beth is escaping a bad relationship by taking a cruise. Matt is on the same cruise for a family wedding. Matt meets Beth and begs her to be his pretend girlfriend during the cruise and Beth agrees. The fun takes off from there. I especially enjoyed the epilogue!

This is my first read by this author. The author, Gina Drayer did a great job writing this story. It was fun, sweet and exciting and I read it straight thru in one sitting. The narrator, Lynn Barrington did a fantastic job in her delivery of this story. Complete with multiple voices and accent, the narrator delivered a flawless read filled with emotions too. Good job ladies.

I received this audio book for free so I could read and leave a honest and unbiased review about it.

Profile Image for Ann Cooper.
392 reviews15 followers
May 10, 2015
I enjoyed this book. It was fun, funny and had a good storyline. Beth is man-shy after her sister gets engaged to Beth's ex and the wedding is looming. Beth escapes onto a transatlantic cruise.

On the flight to the port, she meets Matt and they get on well. Once on board, she discovers Matt is there with his huge family. She agrees to pretend to be his girlfriend to keep his mother and sister-in-law's matchmaking at bay.

Of course emotions and feelings soon come into it and there is a lot of misunderstandings and making up (the sex is well written too). Gina describes shipboard life well and I enjoyed the cruise!

Her descriptions of sister-in law and her sister are brilliant - and so bitchy!! In fact all the characters are well drawn and really support Beth and Matt well.

I look forward to Simon's (Matt's work colleague) story in the next book.
Profile Image for Meghan.
735 reviews2 followers
June 6, 2015
This book was an ok summer read. Quite a bit of sex, which I didn't expect. It was a fun idea. Beth meets a guy, Matt, on a flight and just randomly kisses him before the end. There was one of my problems with this book. The physical stuff came so quickly, like before they had even known each other a day. I mean that's just ridiculous. Another problem I had it started to feel like the book was just repeating itself. They like each other but she doesn't want to get too close, and repeat. It made for a quite boring and tedious middle. Overall what made this 2 stars was because Matt was a good character and I liked him.

**I was given a copy by Netgally and the publisher in exchange for a review**
Profile Image for Lori.
1,784 reviews5 followers
May 31, 2015
First off I have to thank Netgalley for allowing my to read this story before it is released. The story starts with Beth escaping Chicago so that she doesn't have to help her sister plan a wedding to a man Beth used to date. This defection on top of her parents divorce, years ago, has made Beth less than optimistic about marriage. Then she meets Matt!! What starts out simple turns into something that will turn her life upside down and cause her to doubt everything she previously thought about relationships. This was a great summer read, not for the prude though, I loved it! I can't wait to read more from this author. Gina Drayer will be added to my watch-list.
Profile Image for A little birdie told me....
627 reviews31 followers
December 14, 2015
Predictable but cute, this is yet another book where characters need to learn to communicate. Fears and insecurities are understandable, but Jeez, a little confab or two where no bull or double speak is allowed would solve all the world's problems, or at least many of the problems in these romances.

The characters were likable, all except that petty, mean girl shit that went on with Matt's sister in law. Holy cow, do thirty year olds really still act like high schoolers? That was a bit ridiculous.

All in all, it was an easy read. It would be a nice summertime beach read or something for beside the pool.
Profile Image for Samantha Crawford.
29 reviews
September 24, 2015
I absolutely loved this book! The story was so sweet and I loved how it all started on a plane. The way that the author created the characters and their personalities is what absolutely set this book over the edge for me. I loved how the characters were, not only with each other, but with other people as well. I honestly wish there was a sequel to this so I could keep on reading their amazing love story. Can't wait for my friends to read this too!
Profile Image for Alysha DeShaé.
1,264 reviews38 followers
August 24, 2017
I loved this book! I read it mostly in one night (finished in the morning because I passed out during the last chapter due to exhaustion - not the book). I absolutely cannot wait for the rest of the series. The ending was perfect for the flow of the book and, while I originally didn't realize just how many sex scenes there would be, the author kept them realistic, achievable, and fun.
Profile Image for Constance Burris.
Author 16 books168 followers
May 16, 2015
I started reading this book and couldn't put it down until I finished. That's rare for me. The best part was Beth, the female lead. She was smart, gutsy, and extremely likable. All of the other characters were well rounded also. The Modern Girl's Guide was one of the best-written books I've ever read.

Five Stars

49 reviews
May 15, 2015
Why oh why oh why? It started off not too bad, well-written and fun. The next minute I found I was reading a detailed account if female m@sturbation! Why do so many authors spoil otherwise good reads with unnecessary sexual exploits. Shame you can't award zero stars. In the bin with this one for me!
Profile Image for Sally.
13 reviews
April 15, 2015
Great book! Drayer twist the vacation romance with a heroine who isn't the super love sick type! The book never slows down and keeps you guessing if the two main characters will get together in the real world, instead of just on vacation.
Profile Image for Melissa Travis.
184 reviews2 followers
October 22, 2015
Perfect book for a quick read! I actually read this book after A Modern Girl's Guide to One Night Stands. I wish I wouldn't have because there are spoilers even though the book is focused on other characters. Oh well! It's still a cute fun read.
Profile Image for litljen.
1,239 reviews41 followers
February 3, 2016
Great read! I had read Modern Girl's Guide to One Night Stands first so I had a bit of a spoiler but was glad to go back and read Matt and Beth's story. Strong characters, steamy love scenes and an HEA---my kind of book! Can't wait to read the next installment (Friends with Benefits).
Profile Image for Caroline.
139 reviews
June 17, 2015
An ideal book for sitting on holiday. Easy going, good storyline. Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Nicole Mcclain.
796 reviews9 followers
July 30, 2015
Nice cute read

Very cute story of when your feeling down in the dumps...the best thing might be around the corner. Matt is very dreamy and love Beth's spunk. Good beach read!
Profile Image for Denise Smithson.
799 reviews12 followers
September 21, 2015
Loved it and I couldn't stop laughing! Loved these characters and I want more of them!
Profile Image for Shantel.
303 reviews
October 27, 2015
Cute Feel Good Read

I liked this book. It was a sweet romance with a happy ending. I enjoyed the read! On to the next!
Profile Image for AC.
126 reviews4 followers
December 14, 2015
it was a nice book to read...I enjoyed it
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.