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!

Dan and his girlfriend, Mara, are enjoying a nice island vacation when the sun suddenly blows up and the island (presumably the world) plunges into darkness. It's survival of the fittest on the island as socioeconomic tribes quickly form and the rich residents of Building A suddenly become the lords of the island in charge of food and a small army of paid-off guards. Dan's underachiever tendencies push him to just go with the flow and keep his head down, but a former military neighbor and his girlfriend's soft heart land him in the middle of everything and in the tough position of having to decide between escaping when he can or staying and helping everyone on the island.

I was kind of mad that I'd figured out the big twist long before it was revealed and that some of the things that happen towards the climactic ending feel a bit unnecessary, but it's overall an enjoyable read that feels like a lighter version of Lord of the Flies or some of the darker postapocalyptic books out there. We do get the darker side of humanity, but it's all served with tongue-in-cheek humor and wry observations that keep things on the lighter beach read end of the spectrum.

Do some of the characters feel like caricatures? Yes, but it feels like a deliberate choice further to push the tribe and chaos vibes of the book. Plus, it's what makes it interesting because you know exactly how they're going to act so that it takes some of the pressure off and lets the enjoyable elements stand out.

Happy thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the interesting read!

I requested this book from NetGalley because of the adorable cover. No, I did not read the summary of what the book was about. So, imagine my surprise when I start reading it and discover that it's not actually the cute little rom-com that I'm expecting;) I stuck with it, and it's really an interesting book! I can't go into too much detail without exposing a major twist (that I definitely did not see coming!), but I really enjoyed this book, and I would recommed it to a friend! Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you to @netgalley, @bookmarked, and @wassmerwrites for this digital ARC! Also, shoutout to Leslie for being a great wife and marketing this book so I could read it. ✨ Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

‘Dan Foster was on his fifth Miller Lite when the Sun exploded.’ I was on my first Modelo Negro, but I digress.

I was excited about this book from the moment I saw the first booksta post; the story, the cover, the couple behind it all. I knew I wanted to read it and I was incredibly grateful when I was approved for an ARC.

Like Dan and Mara, I didn’t know what would meet me when I opened this book. I didn’t know life would get crazy. I didn’t know my leadership would change. I didn’t know someone I love would die.

Unlike Dan and Mara, I didn’t have to endure rationed food, a pyramid scheme dictator and her doesn’t-know-Jesus-but-calls-himself-a-pastor husband, or what humanity really looks like when people are afraid.

Ultimately, I’d like to write as well as MJ when I grow up…and that’s good in my book. ⭐️

One of the biggest pieces I miss and feel judged on in the Christian side of bookstagram is the real humanity contained in books. I’m talking stuff that WENT DOWN. Y’all know what’s in the Bible, right? Yet we have cultivated a culture that praises clean, closed-door literature with redemption arcs and shuns absolutely everything else.

This book has grit. It has power. It has family and friendship and fear and collaboration and working together as a village- erm, island? It was incredible, and I’m going to continue to share incredible books, that I enjoy, on my bookstagram, without fear…how very Mara of me!

I could see glimpses of myself in this book. Of my husband and our marriage. The dialogue and sweet parts, of course- Ethan would absolutely slay in an apocalyptic world and we talk about that regularly.

After Dan and Mara watched the sun explode, they ate food, clung to one another, cried, and played cards. Sometimes you just gotta do those things, because feelings exist all at the same time and life goes on.

Here we are, living.

You’ll have to read the book to find out if Dan and Mara can say the same.

4.5⭐️

I am not going to lie, the main thing that attracted me to this novel was the title. Every time I look at it it makes me laugh. That being said I actually found what was inside of it quite enjoyable too. I related to the main character, and the villains were really interesting. I also have to say that I did not see several of the twists coming. So kudos to Wassmer for that. I think in the end what's keeping me from giving this book a full 5 stars is that I wanted more, and that in the end it became a little campy. It's supposed to be a satire, but I'm not entirely sure what it was supposed to be satirizing. Modern life, maybe? I don't know. But I almost feel like to be satire in my mind it just needs to go bigger. Go balls to the wall wild. This was attempting to keep it more grounded while also trying to be satire, and in the end it just didn't work for me. I think I also just wanted a little more from the main character. From the description of the story I think I was really expecting him to step up, and while I think his character ARC was interesting, and I appreciated the depth (for lack of a better term) it gave him, I thought it might play out a little differently than it did. As a whole it was an quick, fun read that I won't hesitate to recommend to people who are looking for something a little different, but I think in the end it was a slight let-down. I'll still be curious to see what Wassmer comes up with next, because if this is his debut I only expect bigger and better things from him in the future.

This was a fun read for me - even with the apocalypse thrown in! I definitely got White Lotus vibes. If you enjoy satire this is the perfect #summerread for you!

This is such a unique story. It’s hard to go into details without any spoilers - you want to go into this blind. I liked our two MCs Dan and Mara. Imagine being on a private island in the Bahamas when the sun explodes - probably worst vacation ever. Chaos ensues.

When supplies are set up by social class and tensions begin to rise, underachiever Dan accidentally ends up as the voice for his group. But he has to choose: save himself or help fellow guests make it off the island alive...

The characters in this book are quirky and funny (and some are really fun to hate!!) There are some good twists and a mystery to figure out. Like any good satire, this book isn’t all laughs. It looks at social class/class warfare and how people react in times of chaos and stress.

This was a surprise hit for me - be sure and give it a read!

*4.5 Stars On My Instagram Account*

"Will we ever get on the Internet again?"
"I want to check Instagram so bad."
"Can you imagine the stories?"
"Hey guys, if you like this video of me slowly starving, make sure to hit like and slam that subscribe button for daily starvation videos...and giveaways."

Oh the satire! This eye opening look at our society and what might transpire during an apocalyptic event is on full display in the hilarious speculative fiction satirical thriller, Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend, by comedic genius, debut author, M.J. Wassmer.

Dan's floating in a pool, happy with the deal he got for himself and his girlfriend to vacation at this new resort; when all of a sudden the sun...yes, the sun...explodes and darkness surrounds him.

After the initial shock, survival instincts kick in, and class warfare begins. The resort's owner feels the guests who paid the most should be in charge. After all, they are rich and that must mean they are smart... sound familiar?! But when rations are cut, water is scarce, and slave labor is kept in check with armed guards, even calm unassuming Dan knows it may be time for a rebellion.

The precision comedic timing of voice actor Stephen R Thorne was perfection. He brought the writer's insightful awareness of the ridiculousness of our world's conduct to a heightened level.

Reading and listening to this new exciting author, I laughed, rooted for the heroes (here's to Lenny from NJ. You were Born To Run!), and cursed pyramid schemer Lilyanna, who ruled like a fascist. The main twist was Stephen King worthy. If you want to laugh, think and fall in love with a ragtag group of misfit heroes I highly recommend, with sun shining stars, this exceptional debut.

I received a free copy of this book/audiobook from the publishers via #NetGalley for a fair & honest review. All opinions are my own.