I must be in the minority because i could not get into this book. I really enjoy beach books so thought I would give it a try. But the sun exploded....interesting concept right there. Then people steal food, kill people, make them do chores. I just couldn't get interested in any part that I tried to read. Then when I skipped to the back and understood what happened, I didn't even care to finish it. Not for me.

This was such a funny and entertaining story. I had no strong or any specific expectations going into this book and still, it was nothing like I expected. It was such a bizarre mix of so many bad things happening juxtaposed with so much humor and sweetness. There were twists, there were turns. There was a lot of cheesy humor that somehow escaped the feeling of being cheesy.
The ending…will be something that you either hate or don’t mind one bit. I didn’t mind it at all, as strange as it was. For much of the book, the facts of the story require significant suspension of disbelief. However, what this story said about human nature was insightful and all too real.

Thank you to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS landmark for providing the free e-galley copy for review.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

Besides the hilarious title, the blurb hooked me right away because I LOVE the TV show White Lotus so I was all in on this.
This story was a lot of fun and filled with jaw-dropping moments that make you think "What the......". Several characters are absolute extremes of specific stereotypes which I could see some people may think is too over the top, but I truly believe these extremes exist out there in the wild and this is exactly how I would expect them to react in an apocalyptic event.
The plot is fast paced and has so many "laugh out loud" moments. I didn't want to put the book down so I could see what would happen next. The main character, Dan, was relatable in a way that sometimes I genuinely felt sorry for him or was rooting for him only for him to turn around and make a complete idiot of himself. Humanity at it's finest when placed in a high stress situation.
Without spoilers, I did feel like the ending was extremely rushed and I would have liked some more information about the situation at hand and how it unfolded. It left me slightly disappointed to end the book that way.
However, this will certainly be a book that I DO recommend to my book club group when members ask for a book that will make them laugh!

This book sucked me in from the first page. I loved The White Lotus vibes it had. But really any locked door mystery always makes me happy. This book also had so many other tropes I loved, which I can’t say or they would be a spoiler. This is a page turner that will keep you up all night trying to figure out the mystery.

Unlike the title, I do recommend it!

Thank you to NetGalley, Sourcebooks and MJ Wassmer for an eARC for an honest review of the book.

While this started off slow with disliking the main character, I ended up loving this! It was hilariously written and while I saw the twist sort of coming, I wasn't disappointed in the least. Very well written, and would love to read more by this author.

Dan is minding his own business and thriving as a mediocre man not living up to his full potential when the sun explodes. Luckily (?!), he’s on a beautiful island with his stunning girlfriend at the time. As the resort guests spiral and various alliances are formed based on social class, Dan must figure out what he’s willing to fight for and whether to fight at all.

This was as funny as it was grim. The plot is bonkers and entertaining!

Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a copy.

A cast of rather unlikable characters even before the apocalyptic events, plus the fact that I mostly had guessed the twist took it down for me. A little lord of the flies, a little island of dr. Moreau, things went feral real quick. None of it was unrealistic, even if the characters were a little caricature (or a lot, actually).

If you ever ask yourself, "is it too soon to make a joke about Rodney King?" just know that the answer will always be a resounding yes. Up to that point the micro aggressions and prejudice comments were awful but they made sense coming from a self-described mediocre white man from middle America. I have no idea how anyone thought that making Rodney King a laughable moment was remotely okay.
The rest of the book was fine. It was predictable to a certain extent but entertaining with an interesting take on influencer and religious culture.


Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the ARC.

This book was funny and super well written! TOO well written actually. I had to DNF at 70% because it was just TOO REAL. Wassmer does a fantastically horrifying portrayal of the way capitalism and classism fold into the end of the world.

The Horrors Persist-- it is told through the lens of a mid white guy failing up through the apocalypse. He literally is cracking jokes and doing bits (unfortunately actually quite funny) in the face of atrocity.

Extremely well-executed -- I just got way too depressed <3

It was a slow read and boring in the beginning. I hated the main character and thought his girlfriend deserved way better for most of the book, but he mostly came around by the end. The big reveal was almost a let down for me, but the whole series of events were an intriguing insight into human behavior, so I'll let it slide. It was an entertaining read on the whole. Also the funny back-and-forths during tense moments were much appreciated.

I was extremely excited about this book just based off of the premise, and it did not disappoint. I LOVED the twist! This was sassy and hilarious and I enjoyed every minute of it. Some formatting issues on the kindle issue but not a big deal. I absolutely loved the Hollis-esque Lilyanna and spicy Mara. I wish we got an epilogue with a “where are they now” sometime in the future!

Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend MJ Wassmer is a debut novel. Congrats! Please keep on writing!

Dan and Mara have been dating, they go to the Bahamas for a two week vacation ... and the sun explodes.

This book is really quite entertaining. I like the authors quick wit and writing style. "His mornings were slow, morose little things, but hers were set afire, from the bed to the shower to the sink to the coffee maker to the closet to the car, all one unstoppable bolt of activity, God help whatever's in the way."

Many thanks to NetGalley ... especially for introducing me to this new author. Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for approving my request to read the advance read copy of Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend in exchange for an honest review. 384 pages. Publication Date is 06 Aug 2024.

A vacation gone wrong—the sun has exploded and a boss babe has stepped up to restore order at a resort. This book explores societal classes, social consciences, and perceptions of masculinity. I appreciate how this book doesn't hesitate to show the ugliness of human nature, but yet has plenty of heart and humor. This book has a lot of layers and would make for an interesting book club read. A fewwww things about the ending I wish were a little different, but I don’t want to reveal any spoilers.

This was an interesting read, but a slight disconnect for me. My challenge was the title, premise, and cover really leads you to believe this is a funny book. While it starts out with a bit of humor, IMO, this is not a funny story (more of a survival/adventure "Lord of the Flies at a resort" kind of story.)

Once I got past the lack of humor, I was able to enjoy the book more. Lillyanna and her dolt of a husband are amazing characters who leap off the page. Sadly the way things go down during the end of the world in a remote location rings very true, with people clinging to old socioeconomic boundaries and roles even when they no longer make sense.

This book makes you think about what it means to be a "leader" and what it means to live a life you're proud of. We'd all like to believe we'd be the hero that would step up when things fall apart, but who knows?

Overall a solid read with a cool premise and some nice adventure at the end. Thank you to the author and NetGalley for granting me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

A humorous and exciting debut from MJ Wassmer, this novel perfectly captures the complexity of the human experience while giving readers a thrilling plotline, heroes to love, and villains to hate. Dan's emotional arc is layered and realistic, and every character in the book jumps off the page. A must-read for 2024, and a must-watch author!

Thanks NetGalley and Source Books for this eARC in exchange for my unbiased review.

Zero stars is about how humanity handles a catastrophic event like the sun exploding, and it’s not pretty. Dan and Mara are a young couple excited for a 2 week all inclusive vacation when suddenly the sun melts like a cracked egg in the sky. Chaos ensues as a class battle begins between the haves and the have nots. Who should dictate the rules of the world when the world is ending?

Frankly, I’m not sure what the hell I just read. The concept and the absurdity of it all drew me in initially but I lost interest quickly. I appreciated the frequent sarcasm but I honestly HATED most of the characters. I contemplated giving up because even though it was a quick read, it felt long to me. The reason I give it 3 stars is because of the epic twist that I would never have predicted. Sadly it took until the book was 80% finished for this mind shifting turn of events. If you want an absurd slightly unhinged beach read then pick this up when it officially publishes in August. 3 stars, maybe recommend.

This book is everything, I HAVE to pick up the physical copy of it when it comes out. I was scared with the author's witty, satire writing at first because sometimes it can be too corny and cheesy where it drives me away from reading it, but this one....I NEED MORE. To be honest, I requested the book as I thought it was rom-com-esque but it's so much more than that, absolutely loved it.

In the realm of literary wonder, MJ Wassmer's "Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend" emerges as a quirky and unpredictable tale that takes readers on a wild and hilarious ride. Protagonist Dan Foster, a self-proclaimed professional underachiever, embarks on a much-needed vacation with his girlfriend, Mara, seeking respite from his monotonous and unfulfilled life. Little do they know that their tropical paradise is about to be turned upside down by a cataclysmic event—the sun decides to explode. With the island resort plunged into darkness, Dan's holiday takes a drastic turn for the worse. Elite guests, driven by primal instincts, stage a coup and seize control of essential supplies, leaving the remaining vacationers in a desperate struggle for survival. As temperatures plummet and social hierarchies crumble, a revolutionary spirit ignites among the survivors, and Dan, quite意外地, finds himself thrust into the role of a reluctant hero. In this chaotic and surreal scenario, Dan's journey of self-discovery unfolds, as he grapples with his past choices, confronts his insecurities, and discovers hidden reserves of strength and leadership. His transformation from an apathetic underachiever to a beacon of hope for his fellow vacationers is both endearing and inspiring. Wassmer's witty and satirical writing style shines through as he weaves a tapestry of absurd and humorous situations, poking fun at the absurdities of modern society and the lengths people will go to survive. With its offbeat premise, quirky characters, and unpredictable plot twists, "Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend" is a refreshing and entertaining read that will leave readers laughing out loud and pondering the fragility of our modern world. Wassmer's unique voice and captivating storytelling talent make this novel an unforgettable experience, reminding us that even in the most extraordinary circumstances, hope and laughter can prevail.

What an interesting book! Unlike the title, I definitely recommend that you read "Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend." As this is a new author with his debut novel, I took a chance on this book based on the title and the book description. And I was happy that I did! This book is about a couple who goes on a vacation to a new resort and as they're at the resort, the sun blows up. The resort guests are forced to come up with ways to survive and are forced to work with (and against) each other to make it through each day. The book had a lot of interesting twists and was actually pretty humorous for a dark topic. Definitely take a chance on this one - you won't be disappointed!

In this captivating read, the author masterfully weaves a narrative that is both engaging and thought-provoking. Through a blend of richly developed characters and a meticulously crafted plot, the book offers a unique exploration of its central themes, inviting readers to immerse themselves in the story's depth and complexity. The narrative is paced perfectly, balancing moments of intense action with thoughtful reflection, ensuring that readers are hooked from the first page to the last. The author's ability to evoke emotion and create a vivid, immersive world is truly remarkable, making this book a must-read for anyone looking for an exceptional literary experience.

Beyond its compelling storyline, the book stands out for its insightful commentary on the human condition, weaving philosophical questions into the fabric of its narrative. The author's skillful use of language not only enriches the text but also elevates the reader's experience, offering new perspectives on familiar themes. Whether it's the intricate dynamics of relationships, the exploration of identity, or the confrontation with ethical dilemmas, this book tackles complex issues with sensitivity and intelligence. It's a testament to the power of storytelling to illuminate the nuances of life, making it a valuable addition to any book lover's collection. Regardless of genre, this is a work that resonates on multiple levels, affirming the enduring impact of well-crafted literature.