Title: She Doesn’t Have Clue
Author Jenny Elder Moke
Format: 🎧
Narrator: Sarah Mollo-Christensen
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Genre: Adult RomCom, Mystery
Pub Date: January 21, 2025
My Rating: 3.3 Stars!
Pages: 336

I am a big thriller fan but I do like a sweet romance full of anticipation of hope and love.
I am not a big fan of adult RomCom –however since our protagonist is an author of mysteries, I was sure I was going to at least like her!

Story starts when bestselling mystery author Kate Valentine is supposed to attend a wedding she is not interested in attending. Her editor aka ex-fiancé is marring Rebecca Hempstead. When Kate receives a special invitation from Rebecca, Kate decides she can plaster on a smile and get through the festivities plus the free champagne will help. When longtime crush, adventurer Jake Hawkins, is mistakenly invited as her plus-one she is now not so sure.
Jake however is enjoying their fake dating and things do heat up.

When the Bride is found dead before the ceremony even begin and has been poisoned similar to a murder in one of Kate's novels, Kate is now the prime suspect.
Kate knows she must find the murderer. Since she has a great imagination when it comes to writing whodunit mysteries she is on the case however there is one problem - she doesn’t have a clue how to solve a real crime!

Want to thank NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for granting me this early audiobook.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for January 21, 2025.

Thank you @Macmillan Audio and @NetGalley for the audio ARC. This book was filled with twist and turns and some spice, all my favorite things. Kate is a writer of mysteries but when she is invited to her ex's wedding, she never thought she would be in a real life mystery. It is also a second chance romance that does not disappoint. A must read.

3.5/5 rounded up

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the advanced listening copy!

Romance and mystery are my two favorite genres, and listening to them mixed together was super fun! The balance between these two genres was very well done, with enough of both to satisfy the itch! The setting was atmospheric and fun -- who doesn't love a remote manner wedding?! There were a lot of characters involved in the mystery aspect, though and it was fairly difficult for me to keep track of all the suspects and their potential motives. Some characters, like the bride for example, felt like they were there only to complement the FMC's story and goals, rather than be their own person, which was a bit irritating. While it took me a second to get into this one, I did enjoy it overall! I think with a different narrator I would have connected to this one much quicker. Overall, though, this was a fun read that drastically picked up in the second half, keeping me totally drawn in!

3.5 stars. I'll be honest, I think I read this too close to The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year. The murder mystery writer FMCs, traveling to secluded houses with secret passages and a murder mystery to solve that mimics the plot of a book one of the characters has written were all echoes of each other in those two books. I kept hearing familiar plot lines of the other book and that probably impacted my enjoyment and the ability to isolate this book in and of itself.

Overall, this was a well done mystery romance. The plot as I mentioned above was pretty standard fare and echoes closely some other books - but generally speaking it was intriguing and fast-paced. There were some interesting and unique elements that ended up loosely tying together but also felt like a bit of a stretch - the big game hunting/cougar on the island was one example of that.

I will say I was more engaged with this book in the second half - the first half took a while to come together for me and there were a lot of characters but not really a lot happening (it felt like). The second half pulled everything together nicely and moved at a much quicker pace. There were a couple of twists that I didn't see coming which kept me engaged - I enjoyed the cleverness that was employed to piece the twists together in service of the ultimate ending.

The narration was very well done - with accents and enough differentiation that the characters were brought to life in their own way. There were a lot of characters - I really enjoyed the way that this narrator handled them all!

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ALC and eARC of this book.

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an audio galley of this book to listen to and give an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
This is my first title I've read by Jenny Elder Moke and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by what I was given. It's a quirky, run, romantic, and mysterious read that had me drawn in from the first chapter.
I've not listened to any narrations from Sarah Mollo-Chirstensen before. I loved her cadence throughout the book. She easily switched between character voices and made them completely their own. She also easily infused the emotions in her voice which made me like the characters even more. She does a great male Australian accent, in case you were wondering! Her transitions are smooth and I would definitely add her to the list of narrators I will be looking out for.
Kate Valentine has agreed to attend her ex's wedding. What she isn't expecting is to find the guy she has been pining over for two years to also be in attendance. Or for there to be murders taking place that almost exactly replicate her own murder stories she writes!
Moke does a nice job developing Kate's character. She loves writing her character Loretta, but she often times looks to Loretta for advice, rather than taking hold of her own life and leading it. Throughout the book, she falls back on Loretta for advice while slowly realizing she needs to be able to let go of this character in order to move on with her life from all the things that have happened in the past. With Jake unexpectedly thrown in her path, she's not sure how to act or what to do. Her attraction to him hasn't lessened but she is sure he does not feel the same way. And given things that have happened between them in the past, she knows she must adore him from a far.
Jake's character was great. I love supportive he was of Kate. He's definitely a golden retriever in this story. The cast of side characters is diverse and fun to get to know, as well. And Moke gives us so many motives during the story to keep the reader on their toes.
Moke does a great job keeping you off the path of the "murderer" (this is in quotes because of how things happen in the book and once you read it you'll understand why). I never guessed who it was. I was actually a bit surprised by it, to be honest. There are so many unlikable characters with motive you really just don't know who done it! Plus she infuses quite a bit of banter between the characters. And the sexy times are quite steamy!
I will say some of the story is quite unrealistic. Who would not call the police when they find a dead body? If Kate or Jake were private investigators, then it would be more understandable. But so much happens at this wedding, one disaster after another, that I cannot imagine the authorities would not be called to solve the mystery, especially since it takes place over a few days.
Overall this book really was so much fun to listen to: forced proximity, murder mystery, slow burn and second chance romance! It's a cozy mystery read that readers of Lucy Score's Riley Thorn series will love.

I enjoyed thsi romanc and mystery, surrounded by the publishing world. I liked the mystery and also the side characters, I was surprised by the killer, and I lkiked the romance

Ahhh this was seriously so much fun!! I’ve been slowly dipping my toes into the romcom genre this year (I prefer them as mostly audiobooks I learned) and I’ve gotten pretty lucky with every rare one I’ve decided to give a go! I just knew I had every chance of enjoying this one though lol. I’m not a big romcom reader/watcher, however I’m a HUGE mystery fan and this book was the perfect blend of the two.

A locked room (island) murder mystery with a bit of second chance romance and a lot of humor really just did the trick for me on this one! The setting of an island they’re all trapped on during a raging storm where everything seems to go wrong was PERFECTION. But also the Steve Irwin type of hottie and the super sleuth who’s always stuck in her own head but is also hilarious also really just made this book for me lol.

Also there was a HUGE cast of characters to keep up with and really made me question everyone! lol Even though there were so many different kinds of people, they were easy to distinguish and it didn’t get confusing at all but really lend to the mystery and intrigue!

Overall, I would definitely read more mystery romcom’s, it truly was so much fun!

I wasnt quite sure what to expect when I started She Doesn't Have a Clue, but I absolutely could not get enough of it. This was the perfect blend between a fun romance and a good mystery. The mystery component was just right - the timing was right on point, with nothing bring given away too quickly or too slowly. The romance component added a fun and quirky element to the plot line and the mystery as a whole.

Overall I really liked the narration for this book as well. The transitions between scenes and characters were always smooth and the voice was always consistent.

A huge thanks to Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to listen to this title. I'm looking forward to experiencing more titles by Jenny Elder Moke and to recommending this title to others.

She Doesn’t Have a Clue is a twisty mystery with plenty of drama, humor, and a splash of romance, but it also comes with a few bumps along the way. It’s one of those books that tests your ability to keep track of a sprawling cast of characters, multiple subplots, and overly dramatic revelations—all while the main character teeters between solving a murder and navigating her own chaotic life.


This book throws you into the deep end with a slew of characters—some family, some friends, some enemies. Keeping track of who’s related to whom, who’s rich, and who’s scheming can be overwhelming at first. Add in the fact that Kennedy, the bride-to-be, is suddenly called “Ken” midway through the story, and I was convinced there was an entirely new character introduced. If you’re picking this one up, I highly recommend having both the audiobook and Kindle version handy—flipping back to clarify relationships saved me more than once! (as did consulting my notes I take on the characters)

The plot alternates between real-world events and the main character, Kate Valentine, mentally framing everything as if it’s part of her Loretta Starling mystery series. This added some insight into how Kate’s mind works and how she WANTED to be. However, it also slows the pacing at times. Kate’s self-absorbed tendencies don’t help, either—particularly her choice to not report a death…Despite this, I loved the chemistry between Kate and Jake. Their banter and eventual teamwork balanced out some of the more frustrating aspects of Kate’s personality. By the end, their partnership felt earned and satisfying.

The finale is… a lot. While the stormy wedding, hidden passageways, and long-buried family secrets felt perfectly on theme, the sudden appearance of a cougar (!!) pushed things into the absurd. I could almost picture the dramatic movie adaptation, but it was hard not to roll my eyes. There are also loose threads left dangling—Serena’s true identity and the publishing house mole are hinted at but never resolved, leaving me scratching my head.

Audiobook Note:
The narrator deserves a shoutout! She brought the story to life with just the right tone for this blend of suspense and humor. Her performance made the twists more engaging and helped me push through the denser sections of character-building. Still, when I got confused, it was nice to have the print version to consult, which I did a lot.

Tough Timing for My Reading List:
I made the mistake of reading this book alongside No One Was Supposed to Die at the Wedding, another stormy, remote-island wedding mystery where someone is out to kill a member of the wedding party. Talk about double the chaos! The overlapping settings and themes made it harder to keep the stories straight, so I’d recommend spacing out your murder-mystery-on-an-island reads if you’re planning to pick this one up.

Final Thoughts:
While She Doesn’t Have a Clue has its flaws—an overly large cast, a few too many loose ends, and some far-fetched moments—it still delivers a fun and engaging read. If you enjoy stories where personal drama collides with murder mysteries, or if you’re a fan of books that blur the line between the fictional and the meta-fictional, this could be worth checking out. Just be ready for a little confusion along the way and a plot that gets a little wild at the end.

The whodunit plunges bestselling author Kate Valentine into a real-life mystery. What starts as an awkward weekend at her ex-fiancé's island wedding quickly spirals into a deadly game of secrets and murder. When the bride's death mirrors elements from Kate's latest manuscript, the suspense soars and heightens the stakes for her. The colorful cast of wedding guests offers plenty of potential suspects. Kate's internal monologue adds a layer of humor to the tension and is entertaining as she navigates a wedding where the drama and grudges are on a rampage.

Kate's charming and enigmatic ex brings romantic tension to the otherwise grim storyline. Their banter and unresolved history add an intriguing dynamic as they team up to uncover the killer. The pacing is brisk, with each twist pulling the reader deeper into the mystery. Its clever plot and host of characters will keep you guessing and laughing until the final reveal. The audio edition was fun, and the narrator created many characters to enhance the reading experience.

I received an ARC audiobook for my honest review. Thank you, NetGalley and Macmillan Audio

Rating: 4/5 Stars
Pub Date: 1/21/2025
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This was a fun murder mystery. However, my number one problem with this - why in the world would anyone attend their ex-fiance’s wedding. Huge red flag. Not to mention the Jake of the story. I mean I totally didn’t mind the romance aspect of the story, but there was no way this was going to be a legitimate situation… Once I got over those two things I did enjoy this one a lot.
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The pacing of this one was pretty steady!! I loved that this mystery followed Kate’s detective book series. I liked how Kate was herself while channeling her inner fictional character Loretta throughout the story. I found the characters entering and I enjoyed the banter and their growth throughout the story. The mystery itself had the perfect amount of twists and it kept me on my toes. I think that the ending was plausible. An overall well done mystery!
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I listened to this one via audiobook. Sarah Mollo-Christensen was the narrator and she did a fantastic job with this story. It was super easy to follow along and I flew through this in just a few sittings.
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Overall, a really cute and fun mystery. I enjoyed this one. Highly recommend this to my mystery and cozy mystery fans. Huge thank you to NetGalley, Jenny Elder More and MacMillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.

A bit overdramatic for me. The cougar rescue mission at the end felt like a few steps too far. The mystery was OK but there was too much added for drama that made this feel too farfetched.

This book was such a fun and wild ride! I loved both the mystery and romance aspects equally! For the romance-Kate and Jake ar great together, they have excellent chemistry and banter, and the steamy scenes are great too! I love how supportive Jake is, even when he is frustrated or angry at Kate. They truly make an excellent team. I also loved the mystery at the center of the story. It truly had so many twists and turns, I was kept guessing until the killer reveal. I also loved that Kate was NOT a great amateur detective at all. She was a bit of a mess, but that is what made her so endearing. The narration for the book was excellent as well! Sarah Mollo-Christensen did an excellent job, each character had a distinct voice that made it easy to follow along and know who was who. All in all, a perfect read for both romance and mystery readers.

I absolutely adored this! I usually have a hard time getting into cozy mysteries, but this was amazing! The characters were a blast, the setting was spectacular and the romance was done great!

Loved this book! Just the perfect mix of mystery and romance. Loved the audiobook narrator—she did an amazing Aussie accent.

Thank you Macmillan Audio, Netgalley and Jenny Elder Moke for the opportunity to read and review this audio ARC. I found myself listening intently and constantly wanting to go back to my audiobook instead of adulting. I was so drawn into the mystery AND the romantic tension. I definitely didn't see some of the twists and turns coming but I DID have an accurate hunch about who the killer was!

"She Doesn't Have a Clue" written by Jenny Elder Moke and read by Sarah Mollo-Christensen was a fun read. While it is labeled as a mystery/thriller, it was pretty light-hearted.

Kate travels to an isolated island off the coast of Seattle to attend her ex-fiancés wedding. Upon arriving, she is met by Jake, the hot Australian who got away. Kate, a mystery writer, and Jake are thrown together immediately, and when life begins to imitate art (Kate's books), the two work together to solve the case.

The book was a bit goofy, but enjoyable. The narrator did a good job.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillian Audio for the advance audio copy in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book was a super fun little murder mystery with cute characters I couldn’t help but like, but unfortunately it was a little more graphic with the intimacy than I prefer. I totally get that not everyone has the same views when it comes to spice in a book, but even tho I prefer closed door or fade to black, I felt like the sex was over done and almost forced instead of coming natural. But besides that I think the plot was cute, and I loved the connection to the books Kate writes!

Because of the explicit content I will not be sharing this book on my personal Bookstagram profile.

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced audiobook copy. All views are my own.

ARC review - pub date 01.21.25

Kate Valentine is an author of a cozy mystery featuring a female sleuth, Loretta, and when she finds herself in a real life whodunnit on an isolated island, she refers to her own internal Loretta to try and solve the crime.

This one will be perfect for fans of cozy mysteries, romantic suspense, whodunnits and Mary Kay Andrews books.

3.5⭐️ I enjoyed it! The only thing I struggled with was there were SO many characters to keep up with i kept getting confused 😵‍💫 still a great story though.

Narrated by Sarah Mollo-Christensen who did an INCREDIBLE job , navigating through all the characters flawlessly. I’ll be seeking out more books she has narrated!

Thanks so much to NetGalley, Minotaur Books & MacMillan Audio for my ARC/ALC!

#MacAudio2024

This book was such a fun ride! Kate Valentine, a bestselling mystery author, finds herself in a real-life whodunnit during her ex-fiance’s wedding on a private island.

What really stood out to me was how Kate’s fictional detective, Loretta Starling, feels like a distinct character within the book. I loved the moments when Kate would channel her inner Loretta to piece together clues. It added a playful layer to the story, blending the mystery Kate writes with the one she’s now living.

he relationships with her ex, the rich family, and her lifetime crush lead to a lot of interesting situations, so the book never lacked in keeping my interest. There was plenty of tension and dynamics to keep things lively. There was never a dull moment, whether it was puzzling over the mystery or watching Kate navigate awkward or emotional interactions with the wedding guests who think she just wants to get back with her ex-fiance.

If you’re a fan of mysteries with a dash of romance and a colorful cast of characters, this book is definitely worth picking up.