The wittiness begins with the title- Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend which must refer to the stars in the sky after the sun explodes. It cannot possibly refer to the stars awarded for THIS debut novel by M. J. Wassmer.
Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend is a witty, diabolical look at the apocalypse through the eyes of Dan Foster. Dan is vacationing with his girlfriend, Mara in the Bahamas when the sun explodes. A dystopian society forms with a satirical cast of characters that will have you laughing out loud.
Thank you @netgalley for an ARC of this debut novel by @wassmerwrites in exchange for an honest review.

When Dan and Mara take a vacation to a brand new resort in the Bahamas, they figured they’d have a nice relaxing vacation in paradise, right? WRONG! Shortly after arrival, there’s an explosion, turning the entire island into an apocalyptic nightmare. The buildings are set up by social class, leaving the elitists to attempt to take over and fend for themselves, leaving the others to work together. This romantic comedy was an enjoyable book with friendships and relationships, being tested, while also working together for survival. Will the vacationers ever make it home? Or will they be stuck on the island forever?

Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read and review this book. These opinions are completely my own.

DNF. After reading the first 100 pages I have concluded this book was not my cup of tea. I urge y to try reading it yourself and form your own opinion. The story is well written, just not to my liking

This was an absolute shining star and blew my world up (yes, all puns are intentional)! The debut book “Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend” by MJ Wassmer was easily a riveting five star read for me. I can’t wait to see what he writes next!

Needing a much overdue break, Dan and Mara book a two week vacation on a remote island in the Bahamas. All is seemingly going well in Building B at their resort where they enjoy views of the courtyard and pools (they decidedly couldn’t afford Building A since they’re not the Uber wealthy; and B was better than Building C which appeared to have subpar conditions).

Enjoying the warm temps and sun, adult beverages, people watching, and time spent together, Dan and Mara aren’t sure what to think when the unthinkable happens: the sun explodes and throws everyone into darkness.

Their vacation quickly becomes a nightmare when they’re told all communication is down meaning there is no way to call for help to get off the island. And when a wealthy southern woman from Building A, a fitness and wellness influencer with a huge following, takes control of the food and security guards things go from bad to worse.

Alliances are made, lines are drawn, people are killed and all of that is on top of the SUN EXPLODING!
Will Dan and Mara form an alliance of their own? Will the situation bring them closer together or tear them apart? And how on Earth do they try to get back home to their family?

I was instantly hooked from the first sentence of the book to the very last. This was thrilling, engaging, and fast paced. It made me seriously question what I’d do in their situation. This five star read is one you don’t want to miss! Again, I can’t wait to see what the author writes next!

𝖹𝖾𝗋𝗈 𝖲𝗍𝖺𝗋𝗌, 𝖣𝗈 𝖭𝗈𝗍 𝖱𝖾𝖼𝗈𝗆𝗆𝖾𝗇𝖽 • 𝖱𝖾𝗏𝗂𝖾𝗐

𝖬.𝖩. 𝖶𝖺𝗌𝗌𝗆𝖾𝗋

𝖱𝖾𝗅𝖾𝖺𝗌𝖾 𝖽𝖺𝗍𝖾: 𝖠𝗎𝗀𝗎𝗌𝗍 6, 2024

★★★.5

I saw this cover and immediately wanted to read it. I will say the beginning of the book does just as good of grabbing your attention as the cover does! The story follows a man who finds himself trapped on an island resort after the sun explodes and he’s conflicted in saving himself & girlfriend or fighting for all the other island resort guests. I definitely wouldn’t want to spend my summer vacation that way but definitely would love to read about it happening to other people!

As intrigued as I was for how this would all play out, I found myself unable to connect with or even really like any of the characters (and there are quite a few to choose from). I look forward to seeing what else this author puts out as the storyline it’s self was very entertaining with the craziness and humor!

Thank you NetGalley & Sourcebooks Landmark for this advanced readers copy ✨

✌🏼Two for Tuesday Book Review✌🏼
*
I’m rapidly falling behind on my book reviews so today I’m on vacation and doubling down on my reviews 😂
*
Zero Stars Do Not Recommend- follows our male main character who is visiting an all inclusive resort when the sun explodes. It’s a fun end of the world romp and totally unique I loved this one it was a 4 star read for me and totally unique. Special shout out to @netgalley and @sourcelandmark for the advance copy this one is out today !
*
Bitter house- was not my favorite Kiersten modglin unfortunately. It was a quick audiobook, clocking in at under 6 hours but it was a ⭐️⭐️💫 read for me. This was a weird forced proximity mystery that was just so wildly unrealistic. It’s follows a FMC who is left the family house by her grandmother who unceremoniously throws her out at 18. She leaves the house to her granddaughter and a friends son, they both don’t get along. They begin getting notes that reveal secrets about the house. It was just not good and forgettable. I was disappointed by this.
*
QOTD- any fun plans this week ? My hubby and I are on vacation this week 🥰

I was so excited to read this. A comedic apocalyptic story where the sun explodes and people lose their minds?! Sounded fun! However….., it didn’t land for me. It was supposed be satirical? But it reminded me of that obnoxious, offensive humor like Bert Kreischer……no thank you. It was dated and just not funny. Witty title though and fits. Zero stars. Do not recommend.

MJ Wassmer's debut novel, "Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend" is a witty and quirky dystopian social satire focused on professional underachiever, Dan Foster, and his less-than-ideal tropical vacation.

Dan and his girlfriend, Mara, have just embarked on their vacation at an all-inclusive beach resort (think Sandals) on a secluded private island in The Bahamas. However, their time in paradise is short-lived when the sun literally explodes, plunging the island resort into chaos.

As the end-of-the-world scenario unfolds, the Elite-level guests from Building A stage a coup, and Dan inadvertently becomes a beacon of hope for the surviving vacationers from the lower-cost Buildings B and C. As class tensions between the guests rise and temperatures drop, revolution brews on the island. When they discover a small, six-person plane that could take them back to the mainland, Dan must make a choice: escape with Mara or stay and fight as an unlikely hero.

Wassmer’s writing combines quick wit, humor, and tender moments. The seamless narrative will make readers simultaneously love and hate humanity at the same time. This book is a page-turner that explores different types of masculinity and the nature of romantic relationships, adding depth to the humorous romp. Dan’s struggle to find purpose and inner strength is sure to resonate with readers and leave them pondering what “success” truly means in life.

Overall, “Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend” is a delightful, fun read that balances satire, pathos, and unexpected heroism.

I really enjoyed the escape that was Zero Stars Do Not Recommend. With a title like that, I was instantly drawn in. The plot was creative and interesting. It deals with darker subjects with dark humor (my kind of book!)— what happens when the world decides to end while you’re on vacation? A little sci fi, a little dystopian, mixed with a unique and funny voice that I enjoyed reading. The story starts off with a bang— you don’t have to wait long for the action to start. I enjoyed the deeper look into relationships and human nature, and the witty commentary on humanity in general. It reminded me of Lord of the Flies with adults. I liked that the MC’s main concern was drinking fruity cocktails instead of being a hero because honestly, same. I think this is a strong debut from MJ Wassmer and enjoyed this eARC from NetGalley. Thank you for sharing this story with me!

I don't often read dystopian novels, but when I do, I definitely like there to be an aspect of comedic relief to take away from the pit in your stomach, "could this really happen one day?" feeling. Zero Stars delivered on that much-needed level of comedy to offset the horrific anxiety this book gave me.

Dan is on a beautiful tropical vacation with his girlfriend when the sun explodes and everything goes to hell. The island is enveloped in darkness, their phones aren't working, temperatures are dropping rapidly, and the rich guests from Building A have taken all of the food and control of the island. Now, guests are forced to work laborious jobs to earn their rations, subjected to the religious regime of the rich and power hungry. He doesn't know how he's going to do it, but Dan is determined to find his way off the island and back home.

If Black Mirror had an element of comedy, this would totally be a Black Mirror episode. It was totally different than anything I would typically reach for, and I really enjoyed that aspect of it. I will say the plot started to drag a bit for me around the 60% mark, and I totally could sense the way this was going to end. Like fully predicted how this would actually wrap up.

All that being said, this is a great sci-fi leaning read that still has some lighthearted moments and can totally be classified as a beach read. If you're looking for something that is unique AND funny, add this to your list!

Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for providing me with an egalley of this title to read and review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
The blurb for this book drew me right in. Dystopian? Check! A little romance? Check! Male narrator? Check! I was excited to see what it was all about. Plus the blurb was giving me Seeking a Friend for the End of the World movie vibes and I really enjoyed that film.
I want to let the author know that I loved how he took his own experiences with work and sewed them into this book. I loved that he had that first hand knowledge and was able to use it to build his main character's personality. It made the character much more authentic and real. I was able to connect with this character so well as he was flawed in ways that were concrete and genuine. He wasn't a super hero and he knew it. He was straight forward about who he was and what he could do. But despite his flaws, he still put himself out there and tried his hardest to be better and do better.
The other characters were developed well. I loved all the different personalities Wassmer wove into the book. It was really important to the theme he created. And he used so much humor in a situation that was quite dire. I definitely had laugh out loud moments. But the author was also able to create a lot of tension between the characters. And he demonstrated well how each character played off the others emotions and reactions.
The theme of the sun exploding and the characters' world coming to an end gave the book a very tense feel. This is not the first book I've read these past months that has taken place on a secluded island. As a matter of fact, it's my fourth. The plot gave an almost Lord of the Flies quality to the book. A testament to what humans will do when put into a position where they must defend themselves and their lives against other humans. The book dug down to basic human needs.
The pacing in this book was hard for me. If there was something I didn't like about the book it was that. This being Wassmer's first book I wasn't sure what to expect. Overall, he did a good job moving the book along. However, I did find it a bit slow. And while I liked the characters and the theme, I didn't feel an extreme pull to continuously have it in hand to see what would happen. It dragged a bit after the first 20% or so. I will say the last 25% really picked up and I tore through that much more quickly than the rest of the book.
The twist was great. I did know there would be one somewhere. There had to be. But I wasn't sure how it would play out and I really loved where the author took it.
Overall, this was a fun story and I'd love to read more from this author in the future.

I received this audiobook advanced digital copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest thoughts:

The post-apocalyptic / dystopian genre is one of my favorites. While this audiobook maybe doesn't quite fit that category, it does scratch that itch for me. The narrator was great (however, I almost exclusively listen to audiobooks at 1.50 or 1.75 speed - anything less feels like I get annoyed and beg for whoever the reader is to 'just spit it out already!')

This book is quirky, thought-provoking, and unexpectedly hilarious. The characters are well developed and relatable, if not a touch caricature-y. I found heartwarming moments where character growth occurred which inspired me even during such a fantastical story (the sun exploded / melted and we're stuck on this island with a Boss Babe running the show?!)

I did not read this on vacation but I could see myself enjoying it as an un-stereotypical beach read in that it's like a fun treat.

What would you do if you were on an island vacation and the sun exploded? Would you try to save yourself, help others, take charge? Lots of interesting characters kept this story moving. This book was a lot of fun and didn’t end how I thought it would. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced reader’s copy.

What a fun book! It’s hilarious, devastating, and beautiful all at the same time. It’s the end of the world times and you find out all the different ways people will react. There’s a lot of power dynamics and mind games. You have some egomaniacs, some unlikely heroes, and everything in between. I’ve always found these types of stories so interesting. None of really know how we would react but it’s fun to imagine.

I really liked how each person’s dialogue was so different and you really could tell what kind of person they were by how they spoke in the book.
I loved the writing. I really felt like I was in the moment with all the characters.
And then there’s the end. I won’t say anything because it’s special and you just have to read it to find out… but I loved it. Never once did I see where this book was going and that truly makes me so happy when that happens.

If you’re looking for a really great and unique apocalyptic story to read, read this. Immediately.

‘Always get the pretzel.’ 😜 🥨

Rounding up from 4.5 stars.

This is the author's debut book! All I can say is wow! Well done M.J. Wassmer!

This book was not what I expected it to be. I thought it would be a rom com with a little apocalypse thrown in. Basically a light little book. I was wrong! There was very little comedy and as the book goes on, the action picks up and doesn't slow down. I loved the pacing!

I loved the variety of characters (even the characters I hated). They were very distinct and easy to picture. I read this book cover to cover and I can't wait to see what this author releases next!

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Release date August 6, 2024

A cavalier and darkly humorous take on dystopian. The title and cover initially drew me to this book but I was quickly captured but the story. The concept is outlandish and a bit ridiculous but the writing is intelligent and sharp. The characters are wildly varied and well developed, some likable and others despicable. This was a quick paced and easy read that had me eager to know how it all would turn out. Who knew that the apocalypse could be so lighthearted and amusing?
Rating: Liked

Novel Concept: 5/5
Novel Execution: 5/5

Title: 5/5
Characterization: 4/5
Dialogue: 4/5
Plot: 4/5
Atmosphere: 5/5
Theme: 5/5
Prose:5/5

Does this pass the Bechdel Test: I think so?

Title
Zero Stars Do Not Recommend is borrowing from the internet language of how things are rated. I do think that despite it sounding fairly generic it does fit the book fairly well. Thematically the whole plot is that the sun is gone, so quite literally it is Zero Stars, and that is Not Recommended which gave me a laugh.

Characters
While I love the camp of all these characters I will say that someone of them seem to fit fairly predictable molds. Rico feels like he was pulled out of any action movie ever. Lilyanna is sort of what you'd expect as an MLM founder. Even Danny feels like like what you'd expect. Shae is...Shae. Exactly what you'd expect a character like Shae to be.

But even though these characters feel a little peel and stick there are moments that feel so genuinely fun and unique that I don't think the predictability is all that detrimental. Lilyanna being the militaristic dictator is unquestionably hilarious. Her husband's moment of vulnerability--a slip of the mask--is truly interesting. Alan's decision at the end of the novel is shocking even though he's never wavered once from his own goals. He's so likeable but there he is, making such a dangerous choice. Rico wanting desperately to be a stuntman is fucking gold. I wished I had seen more of that in Rico, for example.

Dialogue
The dialogue sounded natural for the most part but every character held the same kind of cadence. Again, it's not something I feel very harshly about but in terms of dialogue only Gloria and Lenny felt different because they're supposed to be from Jersey and so they've got Jersey accents. But even then it did feel like most dialogue exchanges happened the same way. This is hard to explain and I wouldn't blame you if you thought I'm just a crazy person and moved on with your day.

Plot
The best part about this book is that MJ Wassmer is not afraid of readers like me--in that I mean smart readers trying to figure out the plot before the reveals actually happen. In the writing you can tell that Wassmer is not very concerned about people piecing the information together, and this for me made for a much more enjoyable read. I pegged the plot twist at about 50%, not knowing the exact details of the twist, but having the broader strokes accurately pinned down.

Wassmer does this very effectively by planting his information and making subtle indication marks to the reader. Having the scientist explain the puzzle of seeing the sun explode verses the observation that earth has not been obliterated or flung out of orbit was smart. It gets readers like me trying to draft ideas and I will admit, I did have "maybe an alien ship is just parked in front of the sun," because IDK--I'm just guessing here.

The other thing that was really good but subtle is the repetition of how people found the island resort. The fucking genius line about discounts (if you know you know) was such a smart and quiet way to get you thinking if that's the enjoyment you get out of the book. Fuck all these other lines--that discount line is diamond for plot development.

One I didn't catch until the reveals has to do with someone Danny thinks is familiar. When someone says someone is "familiar," it usually means that we've meet the character before as the reader. Danny has encountered them in some meaningful way--but because of the context I couldn't reasonably place how Danny would know and so when the reveals happened I was like "OH MY GOD." It was good. IT WAS GOOD.

I do feel that the devolution of island life felt fairly predictable--but maybe that's just because of Lord of the Flies and the Standford Prison Experiment. That didn't make it any less fun, but it was easy to see where exactly we were going.

Also, I don't understand Lenny's introduction. I felt so blindsided at Lenny's introduction. I don't know how we got there. I read and re-read it but I still didn't understand.

Atmosphere
The novel is well researched. The astronomy details are accurate or accurate enough to the world that I bought into them as rules of the story. The tropical island turned winter nightmare felt very real--I did often forget that it was dark out but I think that's because most stories have a day cycle. There's also this feeling of dread of things going from bad to worse that persisted throughout the whole novel which I also liked.

Theme
The book is about morals vs survival. Morals are the first thing sacrificed on the altar of instincts--as people begin to chart out their survival and their loved ones. Dan frequently struggles with this--he is out for himself because morality is a luxury. But the contrast that Mara brings helps argue against survival being the death of morals. A lot of people believe that the mark of Civilization is when those naturally selected against either by birth (such as a mental disability) or circumstance (Such as a broken limb) are taken care of and if available, restored to health. The grave of someone who lived to an old age with evidence of a healed broken bone is what some people consider the difference between civilized and uncivilized.

Mara is the embodiment of civilization--she will mend the broken bones. (That makes sense, she's a nurse) and she contrasts most with Alan, the veteran who's whole life has been to cut himself out of the problem and survive. He leaves people behind because that's how he's always survived. Mara will always go back for someone because she's a nurse. Dan finds himself in the middle, unsure of which road is best--which is his character arc for the novel. And throughout the novel we see people fall into these two categories: do you cut yourself out and survive or do you go back for someone who's fallen behind.

Prose
The book is beautifully written and aside from Lenny's introduction I never really got lost. There's a tone to the book that attempts to keep itself light and humorous, which I found worked for me. There were a couple of times the dialogue was getting to me but that's a small detail.

And I have to say again, the twists of this story were really good. Not just because they were interesting, but because the story was well structured as Wassmer wasn't concerned about people solving the plot before his dramatic reveal.

Conclusion
I found this book because I queried his agent and he passed on me--and while I am sad that I got passed by his agent I did find what I think is the best book I've read this year. A win is a win.

The title alone is catchy! I loved this book, it hooked me right from the start! I love any kind of book about summer! I would 1000% recommend!

Oh man, this was a fun one! Here are five reasons I loved this five star book:

1) The tone. The book is told in such a relatable, conversational voice, and it immediately drew me in, and set the right expectations for what is to come

2) The MC is the perfect amount of ridiculous mess. He does not want to save the world. He just wants to sip fruity cocktails in a vacation resort. But he someone must manage to do both, and he reacts exactly how most of us would in that type of situation

3) The plot is bonkers. What do you mean the sun is GONE?? But the mystery of what happened unfolded in a way that made total sense while also being completely crazy - it was a great mix!

4) The zany cast of characters are HILARIOUS. It’s such a perfect microcosm of insane people, and there wasn’t a single one who wasn’t completely believable in their wackiness

5) I said it above and I’ll say it again - this was just FUN. It’s been awhile since I’ve read a book that was this enjoyable to dive into. I loved every second of reading it!

This is definitely five stars, do recommend for me! Thank you to Sourcebooks and Netgalley for this ARC. Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend is our 8/6!

Exceptionally average Dan has finally decided to go on a nice vacation with his girlfriend Mara, but less than a day into their life in paradise, the sun explodes. With the guests already divided by class, the wealthiest among them stage a coup and take control of all of the supplies. Things go from bad to worse, when a six-seater broken plane is discovered and only one man is able to fix it.

ZERO STARS, DO NOT RECOMMEND by M.J. Wassmer is one of those books that’s hard to categorize genre-wise. I’ve seen it already being shelved as “romance,” but sci-fi or dystopian would probably be the better slot!

Wassmer did a great job of adding in dashes of humor as everything delves into chaos, and really added a lightness to the whole “well, this is the end of the world” thing.

There are plenty of characters to hate with some to really root for, and we really get a good look at the different facets of humanity.

While slow at times, this one really picked up the pace in the latter half and I, overall, really enjoyed the conclusion!

Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Publication Date: August 6