I loved this book even though it isn't my usual type of book. If dystopian comedy is a new genre than sign me up! Thank you NetGalley for the advance ecopy.

A++ 100% do recommend, despite the title sayinfg the opposite. Loved it, loved it, so much fun, totally worth it.

Dan Foster is average, but he always expected to be something greater than that. He takes his girlfriend Mara on vacation to an all-inclusive resort in the Bahamas, where they encounter a little hiccup when the sun explodes. Soon the resort falls into chaos and a class war ensues. Can Dan finally achieve greatness by being the hero that Mara and his fellow vacationers expect him be?

The publisher hooked me when they said "for fans of Kevin Wilson." However, this book is a little campier than Wilson. The first third of the book had me enthralled and telling everyone I know to read this book but then I figured out where the story was going and at that point, I felt like it needed a better editor to cut 100 pages and make the story tighter. However, it's a really unique book and had many cultural references that made me laugh out loud. Definitely would still recommend to most readers but falls short of great.

Overall 3.75/5 rounded up

I loved this book so much it was downright masochistic. I read the Arc through the first time and found myself talking to my husband about it so much I picked it up to read it again. A few days later the audiobook was released and we immediately picked it up on audible and listened together in the evenings. I love how at first the characters make you cringe but how quickly the story carries the reader through SO many other emotions, practical and impractical...because honestly, how WOULD we behave if the sun exploded to nothing while we vacationed? How DID we behave when global devistation roared through our communities? We still took the time to hate Beard guy. To find our chosen family. To rise up to help others or do nothing at all and go along to get along. Some of us still sang along to Fight Song and clung to our Lillianna's and our Pelotons.

I laughed, cried, raged, related, continued to cringe and was humbled as the ending forced insightful thoughtfulness and awareness of our reality. Zero Stars. And Five Stars. I cant wait to read this again.

Readers of present day dystopian and speculative fiction will likely find this title engaging. This is a fantastic addition to any book club and would provide fascinating character, moral, philosophical discussion that could be lighthearted enough to not have your members robbing the vending machines! Highly highly recommend. Did I mention I love this book?

I was provided, by Netgalley, with an electronic copy of Zero Stars Do Not Recommend by MJ Wassmer in return for an honest review. I greatly appreciate the opportunity to read and review this title. I look forward to further writings from Mr. Wassmer, but also hope this title will ultimately become a show/movie!

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

While this book explored intriguing themes, I had a hard time connecting with the story. However, that is obviously on me and not the book. I recognize that it has great potential to appeal to other readers and I encourage others to try it out! Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book.

This one was super funny but in a dark and extra over the top way! I found myself laughing along at how ridiculous the circumstances of this book were. But with that said, it also sort of slowed down for me about a third of the way in where it just sort of felt like more of the same.

Absolutely love the cover and title of this book!

✨Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the gifted advance copy of this book!✨

4.5⭐️, do recommend.

This book was everything I was looking for. It was funny, it made me think, and it had really great characters.

I think the commentary on society as a whole was spot on, and I really enjoyed the humor. All of the characters had great development, even if they were the worst. 😅

If you’re looking for a witty apocalypse story with an interesting plot, this one is for you!

Instagram post coming soon!

1. The title was witty, and I enjoyed this aspect.
2. The cover had me thinking this was a light summer read, but found it to be much more of a comedy.
3. The premise of this book was very original and unlike any book I’ve read before. The characters are compelling, the story line was rock solid, and the developments throughout the book kept me focused on reading.
4. Would I read it again? Probably not. This book did open up a new realm of novels I didn’t know existed. I think many people will like this book.

Thank you to the author, publisher and Net Galley for the chance to read this book prior to publication in exchange for an honest review.

This is less an apocalypse book than a satirical social commentary. A mild Eat-the-Rich/Lord of the Flies hybrid. And funny, with characters that will have you cheering.

Things are not as they seem as the island resort where Dan and Mara are vacation is plunged into cold and darkness after the sun "disappears". Astute readers will pick up on the clues given and realize what is happening as you fly through the pages. Wild, quirky read that does get a little heavy handed but doesn't disappoint.

I'm not sure that I even know how to write a review on this book, because I don't think I really enjoyed reading it. I didn't like any of the characters at the start, or even by the end, as some will grow on you. In fact, I hated lots of the characters, which I know is a necessity in some books, but for this one it just made it unbearable. So many other aspects were just so frustrating as I read, and the story continued to unfold. I did like the surprise twist at the end though. And, overall I give this book major props for being very unique and creative. 

If you enjoy apocalyptic fiction, with a touch of mystery, and a lot of satire then this book you will love!

I don't know what I was expecting, but this exceeded those expectations. The story starts with our sometimes unlikable main character and his girlfriend watching the sun explode while on vacation on a remote Caribbean island. As in most apocalyptic stories, the humans quickly begin fighting for supplies and control of island along class lines. Who comes out in front -- an MLM "boss bitch." Despite the darker implications of class warfare, power struggles, and fascism, this was a super fun read. The characters and author don't take themselves too seriously. The plot and action move at a great pace. And I didn't guess the twist until closer to the revelation. This book reads like an action-adventure dystopian film with some unlikable characters. I really enjoyed the experience of reading it and was smiling throughout. Then again, I have a bit of a dark sense of humor. Unlike the title, I HIGHLY recommend this fun, fast read.

I have to say I was so stoked for this book. My social media feeds are full of ads for this book. I wanted to like it a lot more than I did. It was a bit too chaotic for me. I can’t say that I would recommend this book to anyone that I know either.

3.5/5 ⭐️
Dan and his girlfriend Mara are at an all-inclusive resort in the Bahamas when the sun explodes. Everyone there can't tell if it is a joke at first, but then reality sets in. Soon, the wealthy people on the island commandeer the supplies and put a strict work regime in. Dan is desperate to get off the island, but finds himself torn when he becomes a sort of people's champ.

I'd say the first half of this one felt more like a horror novel with the way people were being treated and the situation the characters were in. It wasn't really until Dan's wedding that I felt it shift, but still even then it didn't really meet what I was expecting it to be. I guess I just thought it was going to be more of an apocalyptic romp, but it was more like Lord of the Flies at a resort. Maybe the humor was supposed to be the craziness of some characters? But I guess I just didn't get it. I'd say this is more for people looking for a commentary on society rather than people looking for a post-apocalyptic world.

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Trapped on Island Resort After Sun Explodes

Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend by MJ Wassmer is a speculative social satire that follows the story of Dan Foster, who finds himself trapped on an island resort after the sun explodes. The novel, described as a blend of "White Lotus" and Kevin Wilson's works, explores the chaos and survival tactics of vacationers stranded in this apocalyptic scenario.

Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend excels in its satirical take on an apocalyptic scenario, providing both laughs and moments of reflection. The characters are well-developed, and the plot is engaging with unexpected twists. However, some readers might find the blend of humour and serious themes a bit jarring. Overall, Wassmer's debut is a commendable effort that promises more exciting works in the future.

Listen, I tried. I tried to read it but MCs Dan and Mara didn't quite click for me. The plot was intriguing enough to catch me for the first 25% of the book, but I couldn't seem to get past the 35% mark without losing interest.

This is definitely in my top 5 books of the year. This book was absolutely bursting at the seams with wit and humor, but was genuinely anxiety inducing in the right moments. I also mostly (looking at you Lilyanna) loved the characters, but each was written masterfully. One of the best debut's I've read in a while!

Mara and Dan go on a trip to a Bahamian island when all of the sudden the sun disappears.

Prior to the sun disappearing everyone came to the island paid to stay in one of three buildings. Building A full elite experience , building B the middle of the road, and building C the motel.

As you can imagine this plays right into the post apocalyptic fight for survival and hierarchal class system.

Will they get off the island, or won’t they? And most importantly did the sun really explode? The book takes you on a fun journey with an exciting twist at the end.

Such a great read! Highly recommend this one.

Many thanks to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to the publisher and @netgalley for the ARC! This was the most unique book I have read all year. I didn’t expect to be not only thrilled by the dystopian action and compelled by the story, but also hysterically laughing.

The narration was great (I did a tandem read with the audio), all of the characters were so lively and distinct. What a story, with many twists and turns, and pauses for me to finish laughing, this was incredibly fun! Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend is actually a book I highly recommend!