I didn't want to give up so I tried reading this book time and again, but in the end, it's a DNF. The concept of this was so interesting, but I genuinely fall asleep every time I try to read it.

This was such a fun read. Wassmer has a great written voice for this very tongue in cheek, wry humor that just really tickled me. I don't read a lot of MMC books, and this was truly a breath of hilarious MMC fresh air that was fun from the start.

Oh I loved this novel! It’s a great mix of general fiction, science fiction, humor, & satire and it all blended together so perfectly. The characters were all a hoot and I loved how they adapted and grew throughout the story. The villain character was so annoying (in the best kind of way!) because I always wanted ton punch her in her big dumb face every time she spoke.

A really fun & funny romp that was well structured, well written, and well deserving of a 5-star review.

Dan and Mara go on a vacation at an island resort. It is all fun and sun until the sun explodes. Now the 3 buildings are at war and it is everyone for the, selves. ARC.

This book definitely kept me guessing from start to finish! When I requested Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend, I honestly didn't really know what to expect - but I was definitely drawn in by the title and cover. The dark humor and satire really added to the suspense of the book, and I found the main characters to be relatable enough that I was rooting for them and their success. Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC!

This was such a fun read. A dream vacation goes wrong. I appreciated the humourous undertones of the book. I liked Dan and the ending was good. Would recommend this book.

This is a solid good time. The characters were loveable and the humor lands consistently. I also appreciate the social commentary that is found throughout the novel. Great twist ending.

From the very beginning, this book was a wild ride! A dream vacation gone wrong in truly unimaginable ways. Author MJ Wassmer creates a unique yet somehow familiar environment where neither the reader nor the characters can guess what will happen next! It would make a great beach read.

Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend has the building blocks of a great story, but unfortunately, the pieces never quite coalesce into something memorable. The book follows Dan Foster, an average guy (or even below average depending on his mood), who is enjoying a tropical vacation with his girlfriend, Mara, when the sun explodes. What follows is a chaotic series of events at an elite resort, as tensions between the wealthy guests and staff quickly escalate, leading to a dictator-lite situation driven by a fitness influencer with a pyramid scheme.

From a satirical perspective, the book is largely successful. The characters at the resort, each a caricature based on a few traits, represent a broad cross-section of humanity, and their reactions to the apocalyptic crisis are funny because they feel true. The exaggeration of personalities, like the overconfident fitness influencer or the girlfriend of a guy suffering from chronic self-doubt, creates moments of dark humor and satirical brilliance.

However, while the satire is strong, the rest of the book falters. Aside from Dan, very few characters are developed, and some of the storylines fizzle out instead of building toward anything impactful. Dan’s self-deprecating humor is initially charming but quickly becomes repetitive and stilted. There’s potential for deeper exploration of certain subplots, but these are unfortunately left underdeveloped, which could have added much-needed intrigue and depth to the narrative.

Ultimately, Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend provides enough entertainment to keep you reading until the resolution, but not much else. The humor, while initially engaging, grows tired, and several promising storylines are abandoned. Also, the book’s constant references to Rachel Platten’s "Fight Song" are excessive and, frankly, grating.

While the book might appeal to those who enjoy satirical social commentary, it falls short of being truly memorable due to its lack of character depth and the failure to fully develop its more interesting plot points.

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for my DRC!

Defying its own title, I dove into this book expecting one thing, only to be whisked away on a wild ride that I adored! It's a page-turner packed with zippy action, fantastic characters, and plot twists that explore human emotion and resilience. The pacing is perfect, with each chapter building suspense and intrigue, pulling me deeper into the story. I was thoroughly entertained from start to finish.

Sure, there were moments I wanted to shake Dan (the male lead) and even Mara, but Dan's redemption journey is so good that I couldn't not like him in the end! I literally LOL’d multiple times and got all misty-eyed, too! I don't want to spill any beans and spoil the fun, but imagine a mashup of Lord of the Flies and a movie which I won't name because, well, spoilers! This book is definitely one of my favorite reads of the year! Five stars. Do recommend.

This book was release August 2024 however I read the ARC provided by SOURCEBOOKS Landmark and NetGalley. All thoughts expressed are my own. There was no obligation for a review in exchange for an advance copy, and no commitment to provide one.

Wassmer's debut is quite a ride! I really liked Dan and his sense of dark humor and his girlfriend was a hoot, too. For a first book, the character development was great, even with side characters and the ones you hate. While the humor was good, the Lord of the Rings aspect gave it a dark turn, too. There's also quite a twist near the end that you kind of see coming, but it's still a good one. All in all, I liked this book and look forward to reading more from this author. Thank you to Sourcebooks and NetGalley for the early access in exchange for my honest opinion. 3.5 stars rounded up.

Such an entertaining read! Who knew there could be a fun apocalypse? Witty and well written.
Many thanks to SOURCEBOOKS Landmark and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend had a very decent plot. The book reminded me so much of Hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy.

The foundation of this book could have made it an amazing read. It was like an apocalyptic comedy - very heavy on the dad jokes. But a lot the book was very cringey. It started out super slow, picked up and then.. well.. read the book.

Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend by MJ Wassmer is a dark and satirical thriller that takes aim at the world of online reviews and the consequences of our digital actions. The story follows a disgruntled reviewer who takes their frustrations to dangerous extremes, leading to a suspenseful and gripping narrative. With sharp humor, a fast-paced plot, and an exploration of the impact of modern technology, this book offers a fresh and thought-provoking take on the dangers of anonymity and the power of the internet. Perfect for readers who enjoy dark humor mixed with suspense and social commentary.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers Copy of Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend by MJ Wassmer!

Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend is a dark, satirical take on the world of reviews and ratings. It’s funny, clever, and definitely has an edge, though it’s not for everyone.

I made it to about 20% in this book and just could not get into it. The writing style was all over the place and the storyline was weak. I didn't like any of the characters, either. Just not for me!

Truly unique plot that keeps the reader guessing. Was expecting a romance, but is more like an action packed movie of survival.

One of my favorite reads of the year. Such a unique, fresh read that I hadn't come across before. Part-hilarious, part-heartfelt but all pure fun and adrenaline, I genuinely loved every thing about it. I can't wait to read Wassmer's next book.

This was an interesting story that took me outside of my normal genres. I was expecting something a little lighter (I judged the book by its cover), and got more of of a doomsday dog-eat-dog tale. There was quite a bit of the story that I felt did drag, but I appreciated some of the humor and banter scattered throughout and felt that the ending was a surprise. I didn't expect the story to go where it did, and for that I applaud MJ Wassmer on his debut! I look forward to seeing what he produces in the future. Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this arc! This review was written after the book's publication date.