This is a laugh out loud funny part romance, part mystery. A murder mystery at a destination wedding on a private island in the Pacific Northwest with a storm approaching.

Absolutely loved the characters, though the plot seemed to take a lot of twists and turns.

Very entertaining!! I hope there are more books..

This was a super fun whodoneit read with a very realistic FMC!

While I can’t recommend to my HS aged students, I will definitely be recommending to adult readers.

This is an entertaining mixed genre romance/ comedy/ mystery that gave me an enjoyable afternoon of reading. The cover synopsis gave a great set up for the story and the author threw in several twists along with some laughs that you'd not usually find in a murder mystery. Kate's the author of a mystery series led by a woman named Loretta. So when the wedding party turns into a murder investigation, Kate becomes Loretta to save the day.

What a hilarious book! I love a murder mystery at a destination wedding!

This was a super entertaining and quick read that had be guessing until the end. I enjoyed the character growth between the main characters. I loved the setting too! So unique.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Mystery author Kate Valentine’s editor is getting married on Hempstead Island off the coast of Seattle, and she has decided to attend even though he is more than her editor—he’s her ex-fiancé. With enough champagne, it won’t be awkward at all. She can be on her best behavior for a weekend, and she may have time to complete the next Loretta Starling mystery.

But a storm is moving in, and a surprise guest is on the boat when she boards for the last trip to the island. That is when the chaos begins—chaos similar to the happenings in her latest book. The bride is poisoned, a dead body is found, the storm outside is raging, and Kate is channeling her protagonist to figure out how to catch the killer because She Doesn’t Have A Clue.

Author Kate Valentine is the total opposite of her main character Loretta Starling, bartender by night, and amateur sleuth by day. Loretta is confident, fierce, and ready to stir up trouble to solve a case. Kate is clumsy, insecure, and inept when it comes to being an amateur sleuth. She can write mysteries but she needs help to solve one. Enter Jake Hawkins, former pro surfer and elite travel guide, also known as Hotstralian and the one that got away. He is ready, willing, and able to help Kate in any way he can. They are surrounded by a quirky group of authors and other literary folks, friends, family, the wedding planner, and his assistant, the bride, the groom, and the woman in charge Rebecca Hempstead.

The mystery was cozy with being set on a private island in a big spooky mansion for a wedding, a murder, a house full of suspects, and tons of family drama. A classic closed-room puzzler. Bring in a brand new amateur sleuth trying to follow clues while the killer is trying to pin the murder on her. There were many suspects to keep track of and I thought I had a good handle on them but I didn’t solve this whodunit before the killer was revealed.

Then the romance is brought in and it is not cozy, it is steamy and graphic. You could cut the romantic tension with a knife until the passion took over. I would give it a strong R rating, but this girl didn’t skim. I had to laugh when I read the acknowledgments –

To my family – I love you, you’re so supportive, for the love of Pete, please don’t read this one. And if you do read it, let’s never, ever, discuss it. I love you.

You see the author is an award-winning children’s author and this book is her adult debut. She did alright, but if you like your intimacy mentioned not described, you may want to skim over some passages. There is also strong explicit language you normally don’t find in cozy mysteries.

Now the comedy is present throughout the book. Kate finds herself in some crazy situations and she comes up with bizarre theories and wild story ideas. I totally enjoyed the character’s banter. It was spot on and at times so funny.

One thing bothered me, and I hope it was because I read an advance copy. When we were taken to Loretta’s world, sometimes the text was in italics to differentiate, but most times, it wasn’t; it just flowed as a new line of text. This was confusing and slowed down the pace.

She Doesn’t Have a Clue is a fun mashup of mystery, romance, and comedy with an amusing protagonist, a hunky love interest, a dysfunctional group of friends and family, and Fluffy. You have to read the book to find out about Fluffy. I am intrigued to see what Jenny Elder Moke has planned for her next adult venture.

*Explicit language and scenes.

Kate Valentine a bestselling mystery author is headed to her ex-fiancé’s wedding on a historic private island. What could possibly go wrong? Well, for starters, Kate’s ex friend and co-author on her adventure series, Jack happens to be on the boat headed for the island. If that is not frustrating enough, things go completely sideways on the first night of the wedding reception dinner when a body is found. This looks like a mystery Kate’s lead character in her novels Loretta could possibly solve, but can she?

This novel by Jenny Elder Moke is well written so I will give the writing a four-star review. As for the story line, I found I lost interest quite quickly when the story kept changing from Kate and Jacks perspective, to a perspective from Loretta. The story had all the ingredients of a good mystery but something for me was lacking. Kate and Jack were fun, but there were too many supporting characters mixed in for my taste, so on that note, I give the plot three stars. My thanks go to the author and St. Martin’s Press for my advanced readers copy which I voluntarily read and reviewed.

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