"Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend" by MJ Wassmer is a satirical take on the classic vacation-gone-wrong trope, but falls short of delivering a truly engaging or memorable story. The novel follows Dan Foster, a self-proclaimed underachiever, as he navigates a series of unfortunate events on a seemingly idyllic island vacation.

Wassmer's writing is light-hearted and humorous, with moments of wit scattered throughout the narrative. However, the story's premise feels contrived and lacks the depth needed to sustain reader interest. The sudden and improbable turn of events, such as the sun exploding and the island being plunged into darkness, strain believability and detract from the overall enjoyment of the story.

One of the novel's shortcomings is its character development, particularly with regard to Dan. While he is presented as a relatable and likable protagonist, his journey lacks emotional depth and fails to resonate with readers on a meaningful level. Additionally, the supporting characters are largely one-dimensional and serve more as caricatures than fully fleshed-out individuals.

Despite its shortcomings, "Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend" has its moments of humor and may appeal to readers looking for a light and entertaining read. However, those seeking a more nuanced and engaging story may find themselves disappointed by its lackluster execution.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for an advanced copy to review for my honest opinion.

Thank you to both #NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for providing me an advance copy of MJ Wassmer’s #debut novel, Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend, in exchange for an honest review.

#ZeroStarsDoNotRecommend swiftly morphs from dystopian satire into an apocalyptic reimagining of the Third Reich. Any traces of satire quickly dissipate after the mob incident in chapter five, which is when the plot turns dark (no pun intended). The futuristic and comedic elements fortunately return for the final quarter of the novel. Think more injustice, less comedy, and readers will easily enjoy this well-written social commentary that is hopefully an inaccurate depiction of future civilization.

The story opens with the sun exploding, immediately jumpstarting the plot and introducing the reader to two of the main characters—Dan Foster, the protagonist, and his girlfriend, Mara Nichols. The duo is eventually joined by two other married couples, who assist them in leading the resistance.

The guests are ushered to a central location where resort management confirms that the sun no longer exists and banishes them to their rooms to await further instructions. The situation devolves overnight upon the wealthy visitants’ seizure of all available resources on the island, triggering survival-of-the-fittest mindsets and creating class-based factions among the guests. Once a seemingly innocent party is fatally injured, absolute chaos erupts.

Although the plot is fairly predictable, the novel is well-organized and contains an entertaining cast of characters, including the villainous Rico, the lifestyle guru-cum-dictator Lilyanna, and Shae, a quasi-Dr. Jenkins archetype a la #WaywardPines; all of whom partake in milestone events ranging from funerals to even a wedding.

There are also many insightful passages scattered throughout that prompt the reader to consider such circumstances long after finishing the novel.

Overall, the book was a refreshing spin on a genre that is typically depressing. In contrast to the title, four stars and highly recommend this novel for both avid and unfamiliar readers of #apocalypticfiction alike.

🏝️ ℤ𝕖𝕣𝕠 𝕊𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕤 𝔻𝕠 ℕ𝕠𝕥 ℝ𝕖𝕔𝕠𝕞𝕞𝕖𝕟𝕕 🏝️

Dan Foster has spent most of his life being mediocre. After being told his entire adolescence that he was something special, he truly feels he’s never reached his full potential. The only right thing he’s ever done right is love Mara, a woman so “out of league she’s playing a different sport.” Which is why when the opportunity to take her to a new, all inclusive resort in the Bahamas comes up on social media, he jumps at the chance.

Everything is perfect, until the sun explodes. Or disappears, or something, it’s just gone. As panic starts to set in, the wealthy residents of Building A institute a system just a hair shy of fascism, and the worst of humanity comes out to play. With nothing but bad options to choose from, Dan has to decide if he’s ready to reach his full potential, or if he wants to face the end of world being mediocre.

Wow!!! I don’t even know where to begin. I’ve never been a huge reader of contemporary fiction, but I struck a home run with this read. From the very first page I was all in.

Everyone knows someone like Dan, or has felt like him at some point in their life. He is completely relatable, both in his moments of self doubt and when he’s questioning what it means to do the right thing. His love for Mara is so sincere and the kind every girl wants to find.

Yes, this book is funny, and I enjoyed that about it, but what I enjoyed most was how well it depicted what happens when society breaks down. How easy it is for the worst in us to come out, for the strong to prey on the weak, and for even the best of us to turn a blind eye if it means survival. It was so well done, and honestly so unexpected, that it’s what pushes this from like to love.

If you like end of the world stories that will make you laugh and as well as gasp a time or two, please give this book a try. Four and half stars, highly recommend! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
(Rounded up for NetGalley)

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for this free e-reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

In the whip-smart social satire "Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend," author M.J. Wassmer takes readers on a wild ride through an apocalypse unlike any other. Imagine a vacation that goes from bad to worse when the sun literally explodes, plunging an island resort into darkness. Professional underachiever Dan Foster finds himself trapped in this chaotic situation, and suddenly he must choose between saving himself or helping fellow guests make it off the island alive.

Wassmer's offbeat premise and quirky characters immediately grab your attention. Dan, our unlikely hero, is relatable in his averageness, and his journey from underachiever to beacon of hope is both heartwarming and hilarious. The elite guests staging a coup and commandeering supplies add an extra layer of tension, as class tensions rise and revolution brews on the island.

The novel skillfully blends humour, heart, and unexpected plot twists. As temperatures drop and desperation sets in, Dan becomes an accidental hero, caught between escaping with his girlfriend, Mara, or fighting for the survival of everyone on the island. The stakes are high, and the choices are anything but straightforward.

Wassmer's writing is sharp and witty, and the pacing keeps you turning pages. The island setting, with its crumbling luxury, becomes a character in itself: a microcosm of society on the brink. The author deftly explores themes of resilience, sacrifice, and the fragility of our modern world.

"Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend" is a refreshing and entertaining read that will leave you laughing out loud while pondering the deeper questions. With its unpredictable twists and memorable characters, this speculative comedy thriller is a must-read for fans of dystopian fiction and dark humour.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for a temporary e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was freaking hilarious from the first sentence. I did guess the twist, but it was still executed well. The character development was great. The writing was easy to follow. There were several movie references and even a Stephen King reference, which cracked me up. If you’re looking for an easy mindless read, pick this one up when it’s published on August 6th. It’s highly entertaining. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys apocalyptic books and going on vacation on a deserted island. Overall, I had a blast reading this.

A twist that you never see coming makes this a great read for the beach or late at night when you should be asleep. I see a streaming series in the future.

What would you do if you were stranded on a tropical island and the sun exploded? This book was so freaking good. I couldn’t put it down and finished it in less than a day. This debut by MJ Wassmer was the perfect mixture of funny and post apocalyptic, with plenty of social commentary on human nature. And it’s perfect that it comes out in August because it’s the beach read with a twist you didn’t know you needed. The main character takes a vacation with his girlfriend to the Bahamas and then has to navigate the aftermath of life on the island when the sun explodes (implodes?) in the first few days of their trip. This isn’t quite like anything I’ve ever read before and I love that about it. It’s lord of the flies with class battles, larger than life characters, the end of the world, and a hearty dose of humor. Definitely worth the read!!

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks landmark for the ARC!!

4.5 Stars rounded up!

What a fabulous debut! I started it Thursday night and finished it Saturday morning if that's any indication of how sucked in I got. Imagine you are taking a much needed vacation in the Bahamas when a day into your vacation the sun explodes. Yup, it explodes and then the owner of the resort doesn't know what to do so he shifts power to an MLM mogul and her preacher husband. Everything goes to sh*t as you can imagine and it's basically a weird episode of Lost meets the LuLaRoe documentary. The writing was hilarious and I haven't laughed out loud while reading in a long time. BUT this book also has some depth that I didn't see coming. The ugly side of humanity, social class advantages and disadvantages and also the bonds of loyalty. I don't want to say too much  more and spoil it, but this book is going to be big. There were so many unexpected twists that I'm just so impressed this is a debut book. Can't wait to see what comes next from MJ Wassmer! Thank you Sourcebooks and NetGalley for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review. Pub Day is August 6th.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐢𝐬𝐭:

Dan Foster, a self-proclaimed professional underachiever, has finally decided to treat himself to a vacation. His life so far has been nothing out of the ordinary, always falling short of his true potential. However, as he sips on a few Miller Lites in paradise with his girlfriend, Mara, he starts to feel a glimmer of hope for the first time in a long while.

But just as he begins to relax, the unexpected happens - the sun explodes.

The once idyllic island resort is now shrouded in darkness, and Dan's lack of travel insurance suddenly becomes a regrettable oversight. As tensions escalate amidst the plummeting temperatures, a revolution brews, and Dan finds himself unintentionally becoming a beacon of hope for the remaining vacationers.

When a small plane capable of transporting six people back to the mainland is discovered, Dan is faced with a monumental decision. Does he choose to flee the island with Mara, or does he stay and take on the role of an unlikely hero in the face of the world's end?

𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐬 & 𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
☄️ Apocalypse
😂 Humorous
🌀 Twists and turns
🫂 Unlikely friends


𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝕝𝕠𝕧𝕖:
✳︎ Sarcasm & satire
✳︎ Dystopian sci-fi
✳︎ White Lotus

𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:

I was absolutely captivated by this story. It's unlike anything I've ever read before! The main characters are so intriguing, and I found myself drawn to them the most. Watching their growth and development throughout the narrative was truly a delight. The plot had unexpected twists that kept me on the edge of my seat, and I couldn't help but giggle at the adorable moments sprinkled throughout.

This was such an enjoyable read and I can’t wait to read more by this author in the future!

𝕄𝕪 ℝ𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (𝟺/𝟻)

𝚃𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚔 𝚢𝚘𝚞, 𝙽𝚎𝚝𝙶𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚎𝚢 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙰𝚁𝙲!

I can't seem to write this review using anything but clichés, so here goes. Holy cow, what a ride! I was really looking forward to this one and it did not disappoint. How the heck is this a debut novel? Because it. Was. Amazing! We have the extremely reluctant hero Dan, and his brave and reactionary girlfriend Mara, who take a 2-week vacation at a new all-inclusive resort in the Bahamas. Little did they know that mysterious events would soon throw them into chaos as they worry and wait for the end of the world. Both Dan and Mara are totally likable and believable. I loved how Mara made Dan want to be a better person, and Mara believed in Dan just as he was. It's written from Dan's POV, and thank goodness he has a sense of humor. There's a lot of observational writing, which I enjoyed. Dan's voice and personality put me in mind of the main character from Alas, Babylon (Randy), who was also a reluctant but ultimately effective post-apocalyptic anti-hero. Bit of a slacker but very smart and decent at heart, who would do almost anything to make sure those he loved were safe.

This is not a criticism but it was hard to pin down exactly what this book wants to be, it's like a few different enjoyable books in one. Wry observational humor, apocalyptic drama, action-packed fight for survival, critical social commentary, romance and human relationships, and a bit of a puzzle, all wrapped up in a big beautiful package. It morphed a lot over the course of the book, and not once was I bored. I pondered where it was going, multiple times, and trust me when I tell you to avoid spoilers before reading.

This is a sarcastic and absurd and tragic and hopeful story that will keep you guessing all along the way. I'll be looking forward to more from this new author in the future! Thank you NetGalley for providing an ARC of this story in exchange for my objective review.

This was a fun book that'll be an ideal beach read. Imagine you go on your dream all inclusive vacation to a brand new resort and then the Sun explodes?! Suddenly things get real apocalyptic real fast with the guests being divided up by class and a MLM boss babe pushing her way in charge.

I laughed, I cringed, I rolled my eyes and I cringed some more. Overall, an enjoyable read that was fun as long as I didn't think too much about the plot.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an e-arc of No Stars, Do Not Recommend by M.J. Wassmer.

This is a twisty locked room thriller with a sci fi heart and the dark humor core. Told in 3rd person, our MC Dan’s dream vacation with the girl of his dreams, Mara becomes an actual nightmare after the sun explodes on the second day at a recently opened Bahamian resort. After a coup by residents of elite Building A led by Beachbody boss, Lilyanna and her preacher husband Pete, the residents of Building B and C look to Dan as a leader following a megaphone fueled rally speech. But all our reluctant hero wants to do is find a way to get off the island with Mara and new found friends. Through temperature drops, work camp conditions, rationing, a few fight scenes, and a chance encounter with the island’s resident scientist, Dan begins to piece together the truth behind his new reality. Who knew that the end of the world could bring about new beginnings?

I guessed the twist…but the explosive ending made up for it. I would recommend this book, but maybe not as a take along to an island retreat. 4/5 star read

I was so thrilled to get an advanced copy of this book! I loved the idea behind it.

What would you do with your time if the sun exploded and the world was about to end?
Overall, I felt this was a good book. It was funny, witty and pretty enjoyable!
The author did a decent job of painting a picture in my mind. With the repetition though, it was difficult to get lost in the book and fully love it.
I ended up giving it less stars, because the amount of times that words were repeated began to make me roll my eyes. The banter was funny, but became a bit much at times. I feel like in this one, less would be more.
I liked the way it wrapped up. I questioned at times throughout, if it was something like that.

Thank you NetGally and Sourcebooks Landmark for allowing me to read it early.

Absolutely hilarious! Smart writing that grabs your attention with it's relatability. And though this was full of humor, it did not lack depth and character development! I loved seeing the characters evolve as they faced their apocalyptic challenges, and how they handled every twist and turn they encountered. What an absolutely fun read! Would love to read more from this author!

Thank you to NetGalley and SourceBooks for this ARC.

Loved this a lot more than I expected! This is much more a Stanford prison experiment and less an apocalyptic dystopia, but I really enjoyed the writing style and almost satirical nature of the plot.

Thank you NetGalley for this advanced copy! I went into this book not reading much of what it was about or what to expect, but I did end up liking it. Great novel!

While I was slow to get into this book (more a comment on me than the writing), once invested, I was hooked and couldn't put it down. It read like a Gilmore Girls level stream of consciousness from a dude who has long expected nothing from himself. The pop culture references were there. The humor had something for everyone. There was action, adventure, and intrigue - I didn't see the ending coming! I absolutely 100% DO recommend this book.

Thank you #Netgalley for the advanced copy!

This was not what I expecting at all, but I loved it! I thought oh this nice couple is on a private island we will see what they get into. Little did I know there would be an end of the world type situation and we see how all different people react. Loved Dan's sarcastic perspectives and how he navigated this situation. This was a funny read and really surprised me at the end!

This book is going to do well.

Think:
Witty.
Lord of the flies.
An all inclusive resort with strict class division.

I can hardly believe this was a debut novel.

Dan and Mara go on a vacation. Finally.

Life has been so stressful and the stars finally aligned that they could get away. Until one of the stars goes out. Specifically the sun.

What’s a Caribbean vacation without the sun? Chaos.

Who steps up? Who bands together? Is it a free for all? How can they get home to their loved ones when their phones won’t work?

I honestly didn’t expect to find a book set at the end of the world so funny. Well done. I can’t wait to see what MJ Wassmer writes next!

This book was a surprisingly fun and interesting read. I had no expectations going in and I was pleasantly surprised with an enjoyable book.

The characters were mostly well rounded and unique. I couldn't exactly identify with the main character but he was a sympathetic character overall despite his lack of confidence and lack of any sort of skills beyond talking a lot and speaking up against injustice. The girlfriend Mara probably deserved a bigger role. I could hear the New Jersey deli owners voice as I read his parts. The villains were entirely believable and all too human. The story was elements of science fiction with human drama and a bit of apocalyptic survival story.

The setting was perfect. The secluded resort. The 3 socioeconomic tiers of guests and their separate buildings. And of course the remote observatory complete with an eccentric scientist.

If it had a rating, it would be R for violence and language. Sexual content was fleeting and not crass.

Continuity was well done. Items were not mentioned and then promptly forgotten. Just about everything was in the book purposefully and effectively.

The firearms use could have used some work. The only guns mentioned by name were Glock 19s but then reference was made to cocking them and Glocks don't need that particular action.

Overall a worthy effort and it hits the main point for fiction. Be enjoyable.