Sometimes a five-star read isn’t a book that changes your life. Sometimes it’s a book that makes you smile every time you turn the page.

Without a Clue was that kind of book for me.

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💜 The Premise

Melissa Ferguson’s Without a Clue was an absolute delight. A mystery aboard a cruise ship in the middle of a reader’s convention had me wanting to sign up for next year’s Love Lit Cruise pronto. Penelope Mae Dupont (AKA Pip) made a fantastic main character as she raced to uncover the truth behind a mystery that seemed tailor-made for her to investigate.

Part romance, part mystery, and part comedy, this book completely won me over. I listened to the audiobook and read the e-book version, and I found myself looking forward to every opportunity to press play or turn the page. The story was charming, funny, and surprisingly engaging as the mystery unfolded.

I knew the direction the plot was heading and still enjoyed the main character’s journey towards the big reveal. It wasn’t a surprise to me when the mystery unraveled, but the way it warmed my heart was a surprise.

One of my favorite things about this book was the cast of characters. The interactions felt lively and entertaining, and I loved watching the relationships develop alongside the investigation. The mystery kept the main character guessing while never losing the lighthearted charm that made the story so enjoyable.

As an avid reader and aspiring writer who attended Love Lit Con this year, I also appreciated reading a story that felt like a love letter to book lovers and aspiring writers. The bookish atmosphere, humor, and quirky energy made it a particularly fun read. More importantly, the story celebrates the importance of community, encouragement, and believing in your dreams—messages that resonated with me long after I finished the book.

While the romance is very sweet rather than spicy, the emotional connection between the characters was satisfying and believable. Readers looking for a low-spice romance should feel right at home here.

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💥 The Dynamic

The romance itself was a slow and light with low-spice. The male romantic interest, Nash, was a perfect gentleman. He was sweet and attentive and concerned about Pip’s safety. I wanted more spice between Pip and Nash, but appreciated how sweet and lighthearted the romance was given the mystery that needed solving.

The authors aboard the cruise, the Magnificent Seven, were all such unique and distinct characters. I really loved seeing how different their personalities were and how those personalities were reflective of the genres they wrote. I started reading the book expecting a rom-com with mystery elements, however what I discovered was that the book was really a comment on found families and the lengths your loved ones will go to in order to encourage you to chase your dreams. This is what pushed the book into a five-star category for me.

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🎧 Pacing & Progression

I read both the ARC and the ALC so that I could properly and honestly review both versions.

I found the narration by seasoned narrator Karissa Vacker (whose voice you might recognize from Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood or Love Is An Algorithm by Laura Brooke Robson – read my review here!) easy to listen to. I liked listening to the audiobook and found it just as enjoyable to read.

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✨ Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a feel-good mystery with a sprinkling of romance, humor, and plenty of heart, I highly recommend Without a Clue.

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🔥 Rating & Spice Level

🌶️ Spice Level: 🌶️

⭐️ Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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📚 Where to Read

👉 Pick up a copy today!

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