3.5 rounded up

This was cute and I enjoyed the premise but it fell a little flat for me by the end. I didn't enjoy the constant inner monologue between the FMC and the fictional character Loretta. It started to take me out of the story.

The romance was ok. The spice was nice but at the same time not sure it'd be top priority when people are dying around you. Overall, it was cute but not as good as other's I've read in this genre.

This was a very good story. It had the perfect combination of wedding and mystery. Kate, a very famous author, gets invited to her ex-fiancé's wedding. The wedding took place on an island. While on the island, a massive storm traps them, and then a dead body pops up. Someone seems to be framing Kate by making it seem like one of her murder mysteries is coming to life. Can Kate solve this mystery? Does Kate reunite with her ex? Lots of twists and turns all the way to the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advanced copy.

I would rate this book 3.5 stars and would recommend it to my friends.

This book is a fantastic blend of cozy mystery and rom-com that had me laughing the whole time.
It has all the ingredients of the perfect cozy mystery. Start with a wedding on a private island that has been cut off by a storm, a historic home with secret passages, and a body drop and you have the perfect recipe for an Agatha Christie mystery. Mix in family drama with disinherited relatives and you have plenty of suspects to go around. Add in the trope of a mystery author protagonist who is being framed, and you would have a typical literary cozy mystery. Unfortunately, for Kate, " She doesn't have a Clue.". Unlike the amature detective book character she created, Kate is totally incompetent. The insecure woman is constantly channeling her creation. Her bumbling on top of all the tropes makes for a very funny story. With a groom who is an ex-finance, and an old friend who was almost a lover in attendance, Moke turns this mystery into a spicy rom com. The plot was far fetched but there were so many suspects, I was actually kept guessing. The author includes great banter and lots of funny moments. I loved the second chance romance. However, readers will want to be aware that there are a few very spicy sex scenes. The locations and timing of some of them, pulled away from the fun of the mystery. As much as I enjoyed the book, it has so much going for it, if she had kept those scenes closed door, the book would have had a much wider appeal.

The audiobook was narrated by Sarah Mollo-Christensen who does a fantastic job. Her comedic timing is perfection and her versatile acting provides easily identifiable characters. I alternated between the audiobook and the ebook which were both provided by the publisher. Although I usually prefer text, several times I found myself continuing to listen when I could have started reading. The narrator was that entertaining. No matter which format you prefer, I can honestly say that if you like cozy mysteries or spicy romcom, you will want to read this one.

ARC Book Review!

She doesn’t have a clue by Jenny Elder moke

5 / 5 ⭐️
3 / 5 🔥

“Our story begins, as these stories often do, with an awfully convenient murder. Not convenient for the murder victim, of course. They probably had plans, hopes and dreams, maybe even a date or a meal left unfinished. No, I guess their murder came as a bit of a shock for them.”

What a way to start a book! This immediately drew me in and spit me out on the other end. It has some serious the most dangerous game vibes crossed with Agatha Christie and I am here for it.
I loved that the chapters were separated into days. I found it very helpful to keep in mind the timeline. It was interesting the contrast between the FMC and the protagonist in her books.. Moke compared and contrasted them in such a delightful way.

This honestly was the easiest 5⭐️ I've given in a while. The pacing was excellent, the story was gripping, and the characters were phenomenal. I suggested my hubby read this book before I was even halfway done and I still standby recommending it!


This book is for you if you like :

A story within a story
Cozy Murder mysteries
Former pro athlete Australian MMC
Fake dating


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This was a cozy mystery with one of my favorite genre settings, a gothic manor with lots secret passages, and even more family secrets. I really enjoyed the premise of this story, a bunch of authors and their publisher and editor thrust together for what should be a joyful marriage celebration. Of course things aren’t as happy as they seem, when a dead body, or two turn up. The pacing was done well and it was easy to feel invested in the story since each character was described so well. I also loved that there was romance alongside the mystery. The only reason that I can’t give it 5 stars is because it did feel a bit like the plot of another recently published holiday cozy mystery. But it was still super fun and enjoyable!

Kate is an author, famous for writing mysteries about Loretta Starling. Her editor happens to be her ex-fiancé and she finds herself on a private island attending his wedding when she finds herself in a real life mystery…and the only person helping Kate is Jake. Jake is Kate’s biggest romantic regret in life, and due to a mix-up, they are also forced to share a room.

This book was a fairly cozy mystery with a touch of romance mixed in. It was pretty lighthearted, which was fun, but not quite what I was expecting from a mystery dealing with murder and poisonings. It never really felt like the characters were scared of what was happening on the island and I would have enjoyed a bit more suspense. While it started pretty slowly as all of the characters were introduced, the plot really picked up in the second half of the book. It was a little predictable, but overall a fun read for those who are looking for a lighter mystery.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC!

3 stars! 💫 Huge thanks to St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the ARC! 💖

Okay, so here’s the scoop! This book sounded like it had all the right elements for a gripping mystery—isolated private island? Check. Wedding drama? Check. Ex-fiancé drama? Check! Dead body? YES, PLEASE! But... while it started with so much potential, it ended up being more of a cozy mystery/romcom than the heart-pounding thriller I was craving. 😅

Kate Valentine, our main gal, is a bestselling mystery author who ends up at her ex-fiancé's wedding (awkward, much?!). Add in a dead body, an ex-crush (hello, Jake 👀), and plenty of wine, and we’re in full-on whodunit mode. But here's the thing... the execution? Kinda slow 🕵️‍♀️🔍. I was ready for suspense and twists, but it was more like a lighthearted romp.

The mystery itself was fun, but it lacked that “OMG, who did it?!” tension that keeps you up all night. Instead, it felt more like a Hallmark movie set on a private island—quirky, playful, and light. 🏝️❤️ I wanted more suspense, but it never quite delivered that rush I was looking for.

What did work for me? The humor, the banter, and the sizzling chemistry between Kate and Jake (the Aussie ex-crush? 😏 chef’s kiss). There was so much back-and-forth that it almost felt like I was in a love triangle with dead bodies mixed in. 🙈

It’s a cute, cozy mystery with a dash of romance, but it just didn’t have the depth I was hoping for. Still, if you’re into breezy reads with more humor and less blood-pumping suspense, this could be your thing!

It was fun, but I’m not sure it’ll stick with me long-term. Others might totally love it though, so definitely check out their reviews too! 💖

this was a good book! I love a good destination wedding book, but it is becoming overdone and all of the books are like cookie cutter similar stories. This one fell right into that trap. If this is the first type of this book, then good, it will be new for you, but if you've read any of the hundreds of other destination wedding romance/thrillers then this will be the same as those

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

Couldn't finish. Liked the characters and the idea of the premise, but it was a bit too frantic. I ended up putting it down and never going back. I think I would have liked more romance, fewer catty comments.

She Doesn’t Have a Clue by Jenny Elder Moke was such a fun and thrilling read! The banter between the characters was top-notch—sharp, witty, and kept me laughing throughout. 😂 The murder mystery had me hooked from start to finish, with twists and turns that kept me guessing. 🔍🕵️‍♀️

The cast of wedding guests was absolutely delightful, with a variety of personalities and backgrounds that made every interaction entertaining. From the quirky to the downright suspicious, everyone added something unique to the mystery. And oh, the aunt—aka “Bitch Bull of Wall Street”—she was so mean it was almost impressive! Her biting remarks and icy demeanor added another layer of drama to an already intriguing story. 😳😈

As for the romance, I loved the slow-burn chemistry between Kate and Jake. I loved their ex-friends-to-lovers dynamic and watching their relationship unfold was like watching a tangled web slowly come together. Their moments together were sizzling, and I couldn’t get enough of them. 😏🔥

If you love clever dialogue, an engaging whodunit, and a colorful array of characters (with a little romance thrown in), this book is a must-read. Highly recommend! 🙌📚

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/ 5

🌶️🌶️🌶️/ 3

This one just didn't work for me. The premise was good. It sounded like something I would like, but I never cared about any of the characters or what happened to them. I kept reading to see how it all tied together but even the answers were somehow unsatisfying.

I needed a cute light hearted read and this definitely did the job. I would describe this one as a cozy romcom with a hint of mystery. I enjoyed the characters: Kate and Jake. The plot was interesting and something I hadn’t read before . I can definitely see this one being a favorite

pretty cute romance and murder mystery where the two aspects do work very well together and very effectively. 4 stars. tysm for the arc.

This book has all the makings of a cozy mystery. A remote island setting, a spooky mansion full of secret pathways, a cast of quirky characters, a scary storm, an unexpected power outage, etc. etc.

Protagonist Kate Valentine is a best-selling mystery author. Loretta Starling, the main character in Kate's best-selling series, is a crime sleuth of sorts. Kate channels Loretta throughout her crime solving journey and the result is a confusing, unnecessary framework that takes away from an otherwise OK book.

Jenny Elder Moke does strike a good balance between rom-com and cozy mystery...and some parts are quite funny. However the back and forth between Kate and Loretta was distracting and it really killed this book for me.

3.4 rounded down to 3.

4-Star Review: A Fun and Intriguing Whodunit!

Jenny Elder Moke’s debut novel is a perfect mix of humor, mystery, and romance! Set on a remote island during a lavish wedding, it offers a locked-room mystery, colorful characters, and a second-chance romance that kept me hooked from start to finish.

Kate, the mystery writer at the heart of the story, is both relatable and chaotic, often hilariously overestimating her detective skills. Jake, the charming romantic lead, is the perfect counterpart to Kate’s chaotic energy, and their dynamic adds great tension to the story! The stormy island setting, with secret rooms and a poisoned bride, creates plenty of suspense and humor.

The supporting characters are memorable, and the plot twists kept me guessing. This is a fantastic blend of mystery and romance that I recommend!

Thanks to NetGalley & St. Martin’s Press for an advanced e-book exchange for my review.

Kate Valentine, a romance mystery writer, agrees to attend the wedding of her editor and ex-fiancee who is marrying the woman he jilted her for who also happens to work for the publisher. The wedding is being held at a private island in the PNW. Kate seems to handle a lot of her life through her alter ego book character, Loretta Starling. She is surprised to fine that the one who got away, Jake Hawkins, a Hemsworth Aussie lookalike, show up for the festivities as well.

Hilarity ensues as well as mayhem, a possible murder, and a host of slap stick comedic happenings with Kate the helm. Bad weather and creepy occurrences with Kate doing sleuth work pepper the weekend with a series of mishaps and drama making authors and spoiled rich kid family members.

Thank you St Martin's Press & netgalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I went into this thinking it would just be a romance but I was pleasantly surprised when there was a fun mix of a locked room mystery within the book as well!! This book is the perfect mix of romance and mystery while not being too serious because it's a total rom com!! When Rebecca mysteriously dies in a similar fashion to how one of Kate's novel character dies in her books, Kate becomes the prime suspect for the murder of Rebecca. Using her detective skills, she tries to find the real murderer alongside Jake, her longtime crush. Will Kate be able to solve the mystery and find the real murderer or does she not have a clue??

If you enjoyed "the most wonderful crime of the year", or enjoy movies like Glass Onion, I would highly recommend reading this book too!

She Doesn't Have A Clue: ★★★☆☆ (3)

Pub date: Jan 21, 2025 - preorder yours now!

Tropes:
- rom com
- locked room mystery
- third person POV

A romp of a cozy set at a wedding on an island. Weddings are always ripe for drama but this time someone poisoned the bride! Poisoned the bride in a fashion just like in a novel written by Kate who was once involved with the groom. She knows she didn't do it but everyone else is pointing fingers. Luckily, Jake's there to help her sleuth. This mixes classic cozy tropes with a bit of rom com. It isn't too twisty, the characters are good and it made me chuckle in spots. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

I really enjoyed this light hearted and fun story. I found myself laughing out loud at the shenanigans the characters find themselves in and I couldn’t wait for more! I immediately made my daughter read this when I was finished!

This is a murder mystery romance,that is an adult debut, told from a single pov of our FMC Kate who is a murder mystery writer. She is attending her ex fiancé’s wedding and runs into Jake there who is her biggest love regret as they were never really together. The wedding takes place on a private island in the PNW outside of Seattle. They end up not being able to leave the manor the wedding is taking place at due to a storm. Then things take a turn for the worse as they discover someone is trying to kill the bride using Kate’s books as a road map. I really was drawn into this book from the beginning with the writing style. Each chapter also ends in a dramatic fashion where you need to continue on with it. I was laughing at loud while reading this and also enjoying the back and forth with Kate and Jake. I would say the spice level is 3/5 ✨
This would be a great read during a storm ⛈️