I was excited to read this book and it far exceeded my expectations. It read like a summer blockbuster movie and it was hard to put down. It was definitely one of my favorites reads of the year so far!

Just finished "Zero Stars Do Not Recommend" by M.J. Wassmer and was instantly intrigued by the wild premise—a tropical vacation interrupted by the sun exploding! I didn’t know what to expect, and the story took some surprising turns. Without giving anything away, I had a hunch about the ending, but the journey to get there was still enjoyable. Solid 3 stars for keeping me hooked!

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book early!

It is so hard to write a review without spoilers but this book was a rollercoaster comedy and plot twists! There is nothing but action right from the beginning and it’s non stop throughout. I’m normally not a huge dystopian novel fan but this was so beautifully mixed with comedy popping up often and in the most unexpected moments that it makes it an incredibly enjoyable read.

I immediately was drawn to Dan and Mara’s characters and liked them more and more as everything progressed. They were a perfect pair in every way.

I am such a huge fan of the conclusion and explanation of this novel! It’s one I will think about for a long time to come! So impressed - for a book called Zero Stars Do Not Recommend, I thankfully couldn’t agree less!

So, initially, I grabbed this book because the cover led me to believe it was a rom-com. Wrong! Insert buzzer sound here.
You could call it a modern-day Lord of the Flies, and you wouldn’t be far off, but there’s so much more to this book. It’s got a mix of romance, mystery, sci-fi, thriller, and satire. Like Lord of the Flies, it forces us to consider what would happen if the worst-case scenario became reality. What would society look like if our systems of law and order collapsed and we were left to fend for ourselves?
Who among us, male or female, hasn’t felt like Dan at some point in our lives? That kid in school who was told they could be anything they wanted but ended up only achieving mediocrity? And who doesn’t wrestle with the question of what it means to be a man or a woman and the stereotypes that go along with that? Mara is amazing in this story, loving Dan for who he is rather than who she could mold him into. She’s a total badass.
The writing is sharp; it’s funny while tackling some terrifying ideas and notions. The one-liners are hysterical, and the relationship between Dan and Mara is delightful to read. And who would ever expect a Bible-thumping preacher’s wife, who also happens to be an MLM creator, to be the one who stages a coup and steals all the food and power? But, as with all stories, not everything is as it seems, and there’s more going on at the resort than meets the eye.
I’d describe this as a “soft” thriller, not because it’s overly scary, but because it still gives you that anxious, “OMG, what’s going to happen next?” feeling that thrillers do. If you’re a fan of the Finlay Donovan or Riley Thorn books, I think you’ll really enjoy Zero Stars Do Not Recommend. As always, read it yourself and see what you think. I went in expecting a rom-com, but it turned out to be so much better!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the copy. Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend is an apocalyptic story that also has humor in it. The two main characters are Dan and Mara. They are vacationing at a private island resort. On the morning of their second day, the sun suddenly explodes. This plunges everything into chaos. Dan and Mara end up fighting for their lives. I believe that there were similarities to Lord of the Flies. I enjoyed the story overall. I do feel like it was a bit hard to get into, but around the half way mark, I did not want to put the book down. I did guess what would happen.

This is the silliest, most ridiculous, lighthearted quirky romp of an apocalypse story I've ever read. Totally fun, just a compulsively readable blast.

Dan is on vacation at a brand new island resort with his girlfriend Mara when the sun explodes. From there it's about the way the guests cope with their certain doom, being away from their families, and trying to manage their limited resources. Of course there's a rising dictator Lillyanna of the Beachbod exercising MLM empire, a blood thirsty head of security, and multiple average Joes trying to plot a way back to their families before the world ends. Chaos and hilarious madness ensues (with some darker elements, too).

I read this almost 400 pages in two days because I could not put it down, and I was actually partially surprised at the end. I do think it didn't need to be quite so long, it dragged a little in the last quarter, but overall the story was propulsive and exciting with plenty of dark humour and wit.

Super fun, four stars, would definitely recommend.

What would you do if you were at a beautiful resort on vacation and the sun exploded? That's what happens in Zero Stars, the debut novel from MJ Wassmer.

As you can probably tell from the combination of the title and the description, this book is full of humor and sarcasm. You may ask yourself, how can an apocalypse book be funny? That's where I'm super impressed with this author. He simultaneously creates a feeling of dread and hopelessness, along with comedic relief throughout the book. I thought the writing was super witty, and I really liked the author's voice.

Now, was everything super believable? Not totally, but it came close. I was surprised to find out that if the sun were to explode, we would not immediately all turn to icicles (is this common knowledge?). The characters were all really interesting and unique as well, and there were definitely a few surprises throughout the book.

I'd definitely recommend picking this one up. It was a super fun read, and I'm definitely looking forward to more from this author!

I highly recommend this surprising and entertaining story about what happens on an isolated island resort when the sun goes out and the world begins to end.

As far as post-apocalyptic novels go, there's doom and gloom everywhere, but this novel was quite different. I normally read a ton of post-apocalyptic novels, so this was definitely a refreshing change. It wasn't that the seriousness of the situation was lost on the characters or that awful stuff didn't happen. Rather, it was the snarky, self-reflective attitude of the protagonist, Dan Foster, and even the title of the novel itself that threw a positive wrench in the normal trope of doom.

Wassmer does a great job with characterization. The characters have a reality to them that is believable and earthy. You can picture yourself, your family, and your co-workers right in this environment. The struggles they face, and the myriad of ways the characters adapt certainly makes the plot a page turner, but the feelings they harbor, and the misgivings and lost chances they recall offers a true depth that is refreshing.

So many novels and shows have explored the what ifs of isolation and stranding amidst strange events, but this one seemed to be normal in its approach to a severed reality. People were isolated, and the choices they made redefined the events in new and creative avenues of action. Throughout, a strong dose of snarkiness and satire made this novel a wholeheartedly enjoyable read. And, yes, there are some seriously surprising plot twists along the way.

Enjoy, my friends! This one is worth the read.

This book was exactly what I expected but ended completely differently than expected. (But maybe not for others who can pick-up on foreshadowing) Dan and Mara are on the trip of a lifetime, too bad the sun explodes.

The resort is taken over by an MLM boss baby with a preacher husband. Work and ration cards come with a side of praise.

While there are humorous parts to this story and its billed satire, there is violence among the resort guest and a quick caste system initiated.

What a fantastical plot! I was intrigued when I read the description of this book, but I couldn't have imagined the way that it would play out.

The story was an interesting take on the classic literary good vs. evil, but with far more gray area. While the characters at times seemed a little stereotypical, I thought that Wassmer ultimately provided good background information, transforming many of them into well-developed, often relatable, characters. I'd expect to find these people in any place that would attract a diverse group. I found myself totally absorbed in the story, feeling at times like a silent observer on the island. I couldn't wait to see how the story would end.

I highly recommend this book!

Imagine going on vacation in the Bahamas to a grand, new resort. You're sitting on the beach, relaxing with your loved one when suddenly the sun explodes. It actually kind of fizzles out, looking like yolk dripping from an egg. Either way it's over. Your vacation. The world.

That's the situation professional underachiever, Dan Foster finds himself in. What's a guy to do? He's not used to taking charge or being a hero. But soon he might have to. His only goal at first is to get his girlfriend Mara off the island, but almost immediately the situation gets out of control when the A group takes the supplies and control. Somehow people begin looking to him for guidance, but Dan can't do anything. Can he?

This book is all kinds of crazy goodness. You've got action and drama. And more action. It's laugh out loud funny. One on hand it's unbelievable, but I could also see everything happening the same way if the sun ever did explode.

The characters slowly grow on you. There are many different personalities. You will find yourself caring about some and despising others as they represent different sides of humanity.

This debut novel would make an excellent movie. I really hope someone's working on it! Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend will be released August 6. Thanks to Sourcebooks for the chance to read!

Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend is a wild ride of a book. While the plot had its predictable moments, the fresh take on the apocalypse kept things interesting. The author has a knack for absurd humor and slapstick, creating a world that feels like a potential goldmine for a comedic TV series. It's a chaotic, funny read that left me wanting more.

What a fun, clever premise for a book! I really enjoyed this! The apocalypse has always been an intriguing topic for me so the synopsis really drew me in! I appreciated that the action starts right away and it really piqued my curiosity (I went on a googling frenzy about the sun 😂). I wish some things here and there had been different, but overall it was a funny, entertaining, and enjoyable experience. A great debut and I’m interested to see where the author goes from here! 4⭐️

Dan Foster is taking his girlfriend Mara on a vacation. They’ve been together a couple of years, and he’s decided to splurge and take a real vacation, after he saw it advertised on social media. It was a new all-inclusive resort on a tropical island near the Bahamas. And things are nice at first. They’re in Building B, which isn’t as nice (or as expensive) as Building A, where the ultra-wealthy stay. But it’s better than Building C. Dan and Mara are having a perfectly lovely time. And then the sun explodes.

Although is explodes really the word for it? Dan and Mara were outside enjoying the day when the sun just seemed to melt away. There was no big bang. It didn’t seem to dissolve into a million tiny stars. It wasn’t like it went dark even. It’s just it just melted from the sky, leaving then in darkness.

No one is quite certain what to do. Communications go down almost immediately, so they can’t contact anyone back in the states. They have to figure it out for themselves until the plane comes back to get them. If a plane comes back. CEO and owner of the resort, Brody Sheridan, isn’t entirely sure. The man who owns the rest of the island is Dr. Terry Shae, a scientist with a large telescope. As someone who studies the sky, he affirms that the sun is gone from the sky, but all the other planets and stars that he observes are all exactly where they should be.

But what they all really need is a leader. And one of the women from Building A steps up. Lilyanna Collins is the CEO of BeachBod by Lilyanna, an exercise pyramid scheme that draws in wine moms from all over. She is buff and beautiful and a natural leader. Lilyanna calmly explains that Building A took all the food overnight because they need to stay on top of the provisions, to make sure everyone has what they need until rescue comes. And when platters of breakfast food comes out for those in Buildings B and C, everyone is happy. So they don’t take the time to ask her about the armed guards now in front of Building A. And when she breezily explains that there will be tasks for them all to do, to work for their provisions moving forward, she makes it sound like it all makes perfect sense.

It’s not too bad at first. Lilyanna has them going through the resort building by building, scavenging supplies. With no sun, the island will be getting colder, and the electricity may run out at some point, so they’ll have to ration that at well. But as they days go by, and the rations get smaller for Buildings B and C, there is dissent. There is rebellion. And those armed guards have to take action.

There is a small airstrip on the island, and Dan’s friend Alan can’t help but wonder if there is a plane there also. He was an Air Force engineer, so he might be able to get a plane moving again. Dan and Alan make a sneak over to the airstrip and find that there is a plane there, a 6-seater, which would be enough to get Alan and his husband and Dan and Mara off the island. But it’s in bad shape. It will take Alan some time to get it in shape enough to fly it. It’s not an immediate fix, but it is hope.

While Alan is working on the plane, Dan and Mara are sewing warmer clothes to prepare for the coming climate change. They work hard, but the rules get stricter, and the guards get meaner. Mara is discouraged to see her friends going hungry. Dan and Mara get caught in the middle as friends from Building C want to stage an attack against Building A to get their power back. But it’s when Dan goes back out to the airstrip to check on Alan that he finds out the truth about the island and everything that’s been happening there.

But is that knowledge enough? With a class war, a coming ice age, and no way to get off the island, will Dan and Mara be able to survive their vacation apocalypse?

Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend is a tragically funny look at the possible end of the world from a fancy vacation resort on a tropical island. With intelligence and snark, this novel looks into the depth of humanity and finds that love may not conquer all, but it can go pretty far when the world is ending. With the social satire on the classes, some romance, and the whole apocalypse going on, this story is packed with adventure, humor, and heart. And when you finally find out what’s really going on in paradise, you might just book your next vacation right away, to stay home on your sofa.

I listened to Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend on audio, narrated beautifully by Stephen R. Thorne. I thought he brought the right amount of sarcasm to the humorous parts and warmth to the relationship parts. I especially loved his performance of Lilyanna and thought that elevated the performance to excellence. This book was a lot of fun to listen to, and it tells a great story. Plus, it is a fantastic reminder to buy yourself the pretzel whenever you get the chance.

Egalleys for Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend were provided by Sourcebooks Landmark, and an early copy of the audio book was provided by RBMedia, both through NetGalley, with many thanks.

For a debut novel, it was enjoyable. It is a bit misleading from the cover. It looks like the romcom type design, but I feel this one goes more into dystopian type themes. It has good banter, and the comedy kept me reading.

Some of the characters are really loveable. Some you are meant to hate. I will say that some of the things that happen really infuriated me, but I feel like they were meant to. It was definitely an interesting read and has a twist that is completely unexpected.

Thanks to NetGalley for my early access copy.

Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend was funny and wild and definitely not like anything I’d read before. I didn’t know exactly what to expect going into it, but I was pleasantly surprised. I did find the plot a little predictable at times, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing! I also found the main character, Dan, to be frustrating and exhausting sometimes; it’s hard to muster up sympathy for a straight white guy who is so committed to his woe-is-me routine. He kept saying his girlfriend was too good for him and, well, yeah. Perhaps just because the cover resembles contemporary romance covers, this book almost felt marketed at women, but I think it’s mostly men who would find some of the male characters endearing. Several of them have this sort of pseudo-macho schtick that’s just annoying, at least to me. But all in all, this was entertaining. Who knew apocalypse humor was a thing? I think it’d make a fantastic, snappy disaster comedy show, a la The Good Place, and some of the slapstick scenes and over-the-top characters made me think the author had that in mind too!

This book was so unexpected in the best way possible. This book was so ridiculous and hard to believe, but it was honestly part of the charm. I actually laughed out loud. Some of the characters were really annoying and I wanted to scream at them, but the story was so unexpected that it kind of added to the charm. It was a perfect escape from reality - because really what would you do if you were stuck on an island when the sun exploded?!? I both listened to this on audiobook and read the e-book of this and they were both amazing, difficult to put down and impossible to dislike.

Thank you netgalley for my advanced reader copies.

★4 stars, do recommend!

Wow this book was not at all what I was expecting, but everything I needed! Not me requesting the arc without reading the synopsis.

☆What to Expect:
What’s a solid island resort vacation without the sun exploding on you?? Dan and his girlfriend Mara find out exactly what happens when a seemingly picture-perfect all-inclusive vacation turns into a fight for survival amongst a hierarchical class system.

☆My Thoughts:
This was like if "White Lotus" and an apocalypse had a baby, and it did not disappoint in the slightest. I’m still laughing at myself bc for some reason I thought this book would be a romance, which may be why I put it off for so long! Had I known that I’d be flying through the pages, shoveling in the popcorn bc I couldn’t wait to see what shit would hit the fan next, I absolutely wouldn’t have left it til the last second.

Zero Stars is a social satire through and through, poking fun at the hierarchical dynamics at play. The main character exists in the middle class socially and physically in this book, which was a strategic way to see all sides of the story.

I did find the twist to be predictable, some aspects to be a bit too cliché, and the main character to be annoying and unlikeable, but the real thrill is just sitting back and experiencing the whole chaotic ride. Idk which character I’d be if I was stuck on an island and the sun exploded, but sure as hell rethinking all my future vacations LOL

DNF @ 7%
I could immediately tell this book wasn’t for me. Maybe it was the writing style, the plot, or ridiculous characters? I know it’s a satire and supposed to be outlandish, but I didn’t feel like forcing myself to keep reading!