This one was a RIDE. There was some self-aware humor throughout, particularly at the start, and enough zany and surrealistic twists and turns to keep readers guessing. The premise was super I interesting. I did feel like the characters were trying to walk a line between satirical stereotypes and more complex and life-like folks — for me, the balance wasn’t quite right and they would have been better served going one way or the other. All in all, a pretty fast and unique read if you’re looking for something different and are willing to plow past some of the more basic elements!

The cover of this novel is deceiving. At first glance, it looks like a light summer/beach read with its colorful design plus playful title. Who would guess that it is actually a post-apocalyptic story where the sun exploded while people were vacationing in Bahamas?!?! And in the aftermath, the people immediately went into a class system mode where the rich took over while the average people “worked” to earn their meals and basic necessities! Intriguing right?!?! Right!

I had so much fun reading this satirical novel! I loved the author’s humorous writing and how memorable the characters were. I even enjoyed hating the villains (Lilyanna, CEO of BeachBod and Rico and Pete!!! Ughhhhh!!!) I also cheered for Dan and was really glad to see his transformation throughout the story. The unexpected twist was clever and it fit with the bizarreness of the whole situation. The book made me think long and hard how I would react and fare should this happen in real life. Will I surivive? Will I be one of the good guys? Or will I succumb to my fate and just be a follower?!🤷🏻‍♀️

Suffice it to say, despite the title, I highly recommend this unassuming novel to be added to your tbr pile. It’s a doomsday story yes, but also one with humor and heart. Ignore the title, it sure deserves all the stars in the world!!!!

Don't let this fun summer cover fool you, this book is jammed pack full of apocalyptic destruction. Think modern day lord of the flies based on class systems at a resort in the Bahamas. I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It has a dash of romance and though the underlying theme is deep it's done well, with fun characters and tons of comic relief. Very entertaining I was sucked in constantly questioning how I would handle this if I was in this situation.

This is a hilarious and yet interesting look at a world-ending event while away on vacation. How does a random group of strangers survive after witnessing the death of our sun?

I loved our main character. I did this as an audio and it really brought out the story and the characters. Dan was not a great boyfriend but I couldn't help but love him. Mara was feisty and yet so empathetic. They were a cute couple to adventure with through the apocalypse!

But the breakdown of this island and the social order of things was so funny and, yet, scary. I absolutely loved it! It felt realistic but kept things light, at times, so it didn't get too deep. The story did the perfect juggle - keeping it entertaining while making you really think. The twists were interesting and the reveal was so good! I really loved this one, highly recommend the audio!

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

Started with a bang (pun intended) and then felt a little slow, but about halfway through I binged it until the end. I LOVED the twist - I suspected it after Mara talked about Jane's disappearance but, like Dan, I was like, "Nah, it couldn't possibly...". Lots of one-liners that either made me laugh out loud or reflect on my own life. Overall I really, really enjoyed this one!!

Dan Foster is on a dream vacation with his girlfriend Mara on a secluded Caribbean Island that hosts their beautiful new resort when the sun explodes, leaving everyone on the island desperate to get back home before the end of the world comes.

I found the plot of this book a little triggering (I mean, it's the end of the world), but I also really liked the flow of the book and MJ Wassmer's writing style. I loved Dan, the main character, who is self-depreciating, funny, and relatable. Other characters, I really hated, and they kept me invested in the outcome. The book was both loveable and heartbreaking. I'm looking forward to MJ Wassmer's next one.

Thank you to NetGalley for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What would you do if the Sun exploded while you were on a vacation in the Bahamas? Zero Stars Do Not Recommend explores a post apocalyptic world where everyone has to fight to survive on a tropical island.

Not gonna lie, this one took me a bit to get through. I am not a huge fan of plain fiction books, but this book is anything but plain. I have not laughed so much reading a book in forever. This has it all: romance, murder, intrigue, mystery, and a deep dive into the human psyche while keeping it grounded in a sense of reality.

Obviously, this book has already been published, but if you haven't picked it up yet, I highly recommend it.

More like 3.5 stars for me.

I thought the overall premise was intriguing - The main characters are Dan and Mara, and they're on a tropical vacation in paradise, when the sun explodes. What follows is how all of the resort guests respond to and deal with the lack of light, allocating resources on the island, etc. The resort is already set up to divide its guests based on class, and those ramifications are heightened as the power dynamics of the groups play out. It had a "Lord of the Flies" feeling to it at times.

Some parts of the book were engaging, some were funny, and some went completely off the rails in an over the top way. Unfortunately the ridiculousness of some of the plot overshadowed the parts I liked and ultimately this book just didn't land for me.

This was wild and far-fetched and didn’t do it for me. I wanted to like it so much more than I did. The story had a good concept but the way it was executed wasn’t for me.

I am so so sorry, I really did not vibe with this book. It might be a good book for someone, and I would encourage those to give it a try but I struggled to connect and have the story pull me in. Sorry.

Really unique take on the post-apocalyptic novel. I had a great time reading this, however the humor did start to feel pretty repetitive after a while. Would still recommend to anyone looking for a funny, unique story.

DNF. The characters and plot line were interesting but I just wasn’t invested at all in this. I think this has a lot of potential but it just wasn’t for me. I listened to both the audiobook and tried reading the e-book but I couldn’t get into it. To me it wasn’t funny but I could tell the author was trying a little too hard, and even though it was supposed to a parody I couldn’t get over the social injustice of the rich taking over. It bothered me so much , I know it would probably happen in real life so I don’t want to read about it too. I think this would appeal to a lot of people but I don’t thinks it for me

Thanks to NetGalley, RB Media, Sourcebook Landmark, and MJ Wassmer for the e-ARC and ALC

I don’t know what I was expecting going into this book, but a funny story about the sun exploding was definitely not it. I hardly ever read book synopses, and it was a lot of fun to dive right into the plot of this one and get swept up in something so unique. (Should I have paid more attention to the cover? Probably.)

There were a lot of things I enjoyed. I loved the humour. The author did a great job of including satire while still keeping things heartwarming and a bit panic-inducing. I also LOVED the plot twist. Did not see that coming in a million years. Once I hit about the 70% mark, I flew through the rest of the book because I was totally blown away.

Unfortunately, I found that the rest of the book before the twist didn’t interest me the same. It was cool and I liked it, but there was no desire for me to pick it back up and keep reading. I think it could’ve been a bit shorter to maintain the investment of the reader.

Although my rating is a bit on the lower side, I recommend you check it out if the premise sounds interesting to you. It could be a winner!

Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark for my gifted copy!

Imagine going on an incredible vacation, only to be soon left fighting for your life. This dark humor novel was entertaining and fun!

Thank you, NetGalley, for an advanced copy of this novel.

Oh my goodness! This is the most amazing contemporary adult version of Lord of the Flies ever! Seriously you need to read this!

# Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend
# 8/20/2024 ~ 8/22/2024
# 5.0 / 5.0

4.5 stars rounded up. This book was so much fun to read. I really had a hard time putting it down and had to resist the urge to jump to the end to see how things worked out. Definitely the most entertaining apocalyptic book I've read.

The characters were great in this one. I really liked all of them. Even the villains were fun to hate. The class warfare was fun in an entertaining, timely way.

I read an ARC of this book from NetGalley. All comments are my own.

At the start of this novel, main character Dan and his girlfriend Mara on vacation in the Bahamas at the grand opening of a new resort - when out on the beach one day, everyone sees the sun melt and go dark. As they prep for the end of the world, things quickly go crazy, and Dan and Mara are left trying to figure out how to survive, how to get back to the mainland, and how to help the other people at the resort from the craziness that ensues at the resort.

Despite the end of the world premise, this book is more satirical/funny than serious. It’s entertaining and page turning, but the satire was a little over the top for me. I feel like the author was trying for a John Scalzi vibe but didn’t quite get there. It definitely was a fun read though and I’d definitely try the next book by this debut author.

3.75 stars

Dan Foster's vacation paradise turns into chaos when the sun explodes, plunging the island into darkness and sparking a rebellion among elite guests. As he faces a choice between escaping with his girlfriend or leading a fight for survival, Dan unexpectedly becomes a beacon of hope in the apocalyptic upheaval.

This book was so funny and just outrageous. I found myself giggling at so many funny lines and witty remarks. It felt very millennial coded which is a yes from me.

It is an apocalyptic world when the sun explodes and everything is dark. People go on power trips, start rationing food, and forcing people to work. Dan is the person people turn to, which he finds baffling.

I absolutely ADORED our main cast of characters. They were a hoot. I loved Mara and Dan so much, and how much they loved each other. That wedding was chaotic to the highest degree and I was here for it.

The action from the story never lets up at all, and I found myself really looking forward to reading. I was incredibly happy with the book and am SO happy I read it!!

Thank you to the publisher for this digital copy to review!

Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend is utterly fantastic, over-the-top, often hilarious, fun reading - which is a feat when you consider it's a plot about the end of the world.

I love a good apocalypse plot and this one is certainly unique - a couple is on vacation on a remote island when the sun explodes in the sky and the world is thrown into chaos. Everything from here is a race to navigate their new reality as the resort they are staying on devolves into chaos. There is SO MUCH ACTION in this book, and the characters are just so much fun to follow along with - and the twists are fast and furious and impossible to guess.

This book is also just filled with perfect laugh out loud moments - the absurdity of the situation paired with the deadpan responses by Dan as a lead character are perfectly crafted. Dan is the most delightfully flawed man, who is all too aware of his shortcomings and completely confused by the fact everyone else seems to see him as some sort of revolutionary leader. That combines for the ideal combination of entertainment and kept me glued to the page.

Overall this is pure, easy entertainment, popcorn thriller fun. Literally the most ideal book for end of summer TBR's when you want something satisfying, a little silly and wholly enjoyable to read. Be sure to grab yourself a copy.

Many thanks to the publisher for the copy!

Do not let the title fool you!!! Stars are definitely recommended! This title is it folks! Honestly this title screams, read me!!! I need this book to be a movie!