A romance mystery in Seattle área? Sign me up! I loved it. Very cozy but also romance. I forgot I was reading most bn of the time.

This book was a cute, light, and fun read.

I liked that the setting was a high end wedding on a private island. Perfect place for a cozy mystery. I enjoy rom coms, but like a bit more banter and tension befor the MC’s finally connect. It felt a bit too rushed for me.

I would say that this would be good as a nice light beach read,

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martins Press for providing me with an eARC to read and review.

As I was reading this novel I definitely was getting Clue vibes, “It was Professor Peacock in the library with the brass candlestick!” There were so many crazy family members and wedding party guests that it felt kind of comical, but slowly the plot tightened up and became a little easier to follow. Kate was a bit of a mess, but when she channeled her fictional character Loretta Starling she had moments of lucidity, but too much champagne, always running into someone who had nefarious intentions, and fighting her mixed feelings about her ex getting married and her attraction to Jake gave the book a rather hectic feel that both made me eager to turn the page and find what happened AND turn the page so that I’d be closer to the end of the book. I had mixed feelings while reading this and I think it may have been the rather hectic nature of the pace that gave me a few misgivings.

Despite that hectic pace and Kate’s flighty nature, there was still something to like about this story. The characters were eccentric and interesting, the gossip was fun and engaging, and Kate and Jake’s budding romance both fun and sizzling. The tension held up through the conclusion of the mystery and I found myself liking the book by the end of the last page, but whew, it was quite the journey!

She Doesn't Have a Clue was messy. The main character, the plot, the everything. It felt like a bad game of Clue. Honestly, this book might have been more enjoyable had everyone been playing a game instead of trying to solve an actual murder. Then the cutesy rom-com aspect would have made more sense. As it stands, the romance in this one felt forced and happened at the most inopportune moments. Don't even get me started on their "fights" and the lack of communication for 98% of the book.

It was also impossible to take anyone seriously. The characters were so over-the-top and exaggerated, I couldn't believe they were real people. Again, their personalities would have been better suited to characters and people acting out a game. The author was also trying too hard with the list of suspects, so it was obviously the least obvious person. The only reason I didn't DNF this one halfway through is because I wanted to see if I was right (I was).

There were also things that just didn't make sense:
"Kate could barely put her arms out with Jake wedged in the space, though, much less feel her way around for a secret latch or hidden release."

"He grabbed her thighs and lifted her up, wrapping them around his waist as he gently pushed her back against the opposite wall, bracing her on a cross beam that put her mouth on a level with his."

Where did all that room come from? They went from barely being able to move in a super confined space (Kate even mentioned being claustrophobic and needing to scream), to having plenty of room for sexy time??

Also, why did she keep touching dead bodies?? If she doesn't want to be accused of murder, she should stop leaving her DNA and fingerprints all over the place. Furthermore, no one should be that calm when finding a body. Yes, she writes murder mysteries or whatever, but that doesn't mean she's chill as a cucumber when it happens in real life.

I also understood the Loretta comparisons, but thought that entire aspect of the book detracted from the story. Kate would end up thinking like her character, or playing out scenarios in real life as if she were in one of her books, and it just didn't work for me. She was too scatterbrained and very much the "bumbling idiot" she's compared to later on. Kate herself lacked substance and didn't have much of a personality, which made her hard to relate to as the main character.

Kate honestly didn't have the brain cells to solve anyone's murder, and the clues just happened to fall in her lap whenever she needed them to. She also found herself in the strangest predicaments and somehow managed to get herself accused of being the murderer on several occasions. Despite this, everyone seems to carry on with their personal lives and only hash out problems when the author needed to move the story along. It was all too convenient.

She Doesn't Have a Clue has an interesting premise, but I think it would have worked better as a lighthearted rom-com. They should have been taken to some rich person's island for an eccentric game of Clue - complete with fake murders - and the focus been on developing a realistic and authentic relationship between Kate and Jake. One without the dreaded miscommunication trope. (★★⋆☆☆)

She may not have a clue, but Kate Valentine has a murder on her hands! And a second chance at love with the handsome Jake, that she has been crushing on forever. I really enjoyed the combination of mystery and rom-com in this book! While hoping that Kate can channel her inner mystery solving abilities, I found myself also hoping that her romantic challenges will also, be solved! With a great cast of characters (and suspects!) this book was a fun read!

What could possibly go wrong on a secluded private island in the middle of a storm? How many dead bodies will show up? Who wants to stop the wedding?

Kate is a mystery author but seems in a bit of a funk. She can't get into her character's head; worst of all, she has been invited to her ex-fiance's wedding. Or maybe Jake, the hunky Australian that she has lusted over, seems to be her plus one. The wedding appears jinxed, and they use parts of Kate's books to throw suspicion her way.

There is an interesting cast of characters, lots of misunderstandings, and revelations that slowly bring all of the pieces together to solve the crime.

Even though Kate writes mystery novels, she seems to have issues uncovering the truth in this case. But her bumbling is somewhat endearing. I love that she has a sleuthing sweater and uses one of the walls in her room as the "murder wall." Oh, and speaking of her room, it is in the attic! You read that right: the attic with a pull-down staircase and everything. 

I would not classify this as a cozy mystery because there are several f* bombs dropped and some gratuitous sex. However, it is a mash-up of a romance and a mystery, which results in some humorous situations for Kate, Jake, and the others.

I enjoyed reading this book, especially when some of Kate's books are quoted. Kate might be thinking about how Loretta would solve the crime, but can she live up to the hype?

We give this book 4 paws up.

Jenny Elder Moke’s She Doesn’t Have a Clue is a lively blend of mystery and romance, set against the backdrop of a destination wedding gone awry. While the premise is intriguing and the setting atmospheric, the execution leaves a bit to be desired.

Kate Valentine, a bestselling mystery author, is a compelling protagonist with her quick wit and relatable insecurities. Her decision to attend her ex-fiancé’s wedding (and use the occasion to finish her latest draft) sets up a delightfully awkward situation that only becomes more chaotic when the bride is poisoned. The parallels between Kate’s fictional detective, Loretta Starling, and the real-life mystery she’s drawn into add a clever meta layer to the narrative.

The romance subplot with Jake Hawkins, Kate’s charming but frustrating former flame, provides some sweet and steamy moments. However, their rekindled relationship often feels rushed, and the chemistry between them isn’t as electric as it could be. The colorful supporting cast of wedding guests and family members adds plenty of drama and humor, but some characters feel underdeveloped, making it difficult to fully invest in the story’s twists and turns.

The mystery itself—while entertaining—isn’t particularly complex or surprising. The culprit’s reveal is predictable, and the final resolution feels a bit anticlimactic. Additionally, the book’s pacing is uneven, with a slow start that eventually picks up but leaves certain subplots feeling unresolved or rushed.

Despite these flaws, She Doesn’t Have a Clue has its moments of charm. The setting of a private island wedding is vividly described, and the combination of humor, romance, and suspense makes it an easy, light read. Fans of cozy mysteries with a dash of romance might find this book enjoyable, even if it doesn’t quite live up to its potential.

This was so much fun! I enjoyed most of the characters. The only thing that threw me a bit was the split second third act "break-up" that seemed to come out of nowhere.

Also... no one can tell me that Jake isnt Jason from True Blood.

I loved this book! I love a good murder mystery, especially when love is thrown in. There was drama, intrigue, and lots of shenanigans. I'm now a big fan of this trope, so I'll definitely be on the lookout for more from this author!

This is a cozy type of mystery that is on the light and fluffy side. I had trouble following the beginning of the story and how the characters were all connected. Overall the story is not a tension-filled murder mystery, it reads more as just a rom-com with a splash of murder Its a breezy sort of read that makes the pages go by quickly. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to provide my honest review.

Kate Valentine is behind schedule on her new book in a mystery series. Her editor and former fiancee has been getting after her and she received a mysterious wedding invitation to his wedding this weekend. Her plus one Jake is a former colleague who she's had a little crush on. When she trips over the body of the bride and things seem familiar from her book series. She decides to investigate.

This was such a fun mystery/romance. Feuding family members. I enjoyed following the clues and antics of Kate & Jake. The writing captivated me right away and had me laughing out loud numerous times.

She Doesn’t Have A Clue: 🏝️🔎🧩⁣
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Thank you @minotaur_books and @macmillan.audio #MacAudio2025 for my gifted copies. ⁣
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This one was a miss for me, but I do know a lot of people have enjoyed this! I did guess correctly the culprit in the first chapter, and it just was a long bit to get there. I do feel like the book had a lot of unnecessary filler on descriptions. It was a lot of talking about what people were wearing instead of what in the world was going on. ⁣
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I thought once we got into the story the banter was in, but Kate girl, you’re a mess. Not like a fun messy but just.. a mess. I liked that we had snark and a cozy with a dollop of romance to even it out. Jake sounded like a dream. I liked Loretta’s passages (she’s Kate’s character in her books) and would have loved to have read that series. It did get a bit confusing in between reality and the passages as to which was which. ⁣
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Audio was great. Sarah Mollo-Christensen really carried the audiobook. I think this would have been a DNF without audio.

Cute little cozy mystery with some romance. It’s nice to read these types of mysteries sometimes. I will definitely be on the lookout for more from this author!

I received a DIGITAL Advance Reader Copy of this book from #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I'm not really sure how I feel about this book. It was cute and a decent read but I didn't love it. Nothing really stands out for me in it. It took a little bit for me to get into the book but once I did get into it then it was fun to read but ultimately it's going to be one of those books that I end up forgetting about.

3.5 stars rounded down

This is a cute rom-com mystery perfect for cozy-mystery fans. Nothing too dramatic or heavy, but also just enough character self-reflection that kept the story and characters from being too superficial to be invested in. Each of the characters was likeable to some degree, and the main character's reflection on how she lives vicariously through her fictional female detective for her book series was relatable on a variety of levels. I did find several of the romance scenes to be ill-timed, which took away from some of the romantic vibes, but Kate and Jake are too cute together to be upset about it. A quick read that is interesting enough to keep me guessing while being light enough to enjoy casually without feeling burdened down by the plot. Perfect light-hearted read!

**Thank you, NetGalley and publishers, for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.**

A high-end wedding on a private island off the coast of Seattle sounds like something out of a magazine. But for bestselling mystery author Kate Valentine, it’s more like a nightmare.

This is a perfect fit for readers who crave a delightful blend of romance, mystery, and wit, with a dash of humor and a touch of sophistication, making it an ideal choice for fans of authors like Agatha Christie and Emily Giffin.

DNF@ 21%

This wasn't for me. I didn't like the writing and the main character and her love interest had zero chemistry.

This was a fun, sexy romp with interesting characters and a great historical mansion setting. Loved the details about the publishing world as well. Slightly bugged by the clumsy woman trope used multiple times, but still very enjoyable.

I love a good whodunit but with some romance and spice! And especially when the MMC is Australian and calls her Katie-cakes! AHHHHH I smiled so big everytime I read that nickname. This was such a fun read and kept me guessing til the end!