Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks for this arc.

Okay so if anyone has much scientific knowledge of what happens when stars explode, they will realize that there is much more to this story than is first explained to the dazed and confused guests by a resident astronomer who just happens to also live on the island. Watch for subtle clues that reveal a bit of what is happening behind the curtain. I appreciate that the clues are very subtle and allow the story to play out. I was surprised, and more than a bit horrified, at the reason for everything.

The book grimly shows what happens when society crashes down in the wake of a tragedy. It also presents human nature and how that plays into who rises to the top and controls what happens and who meekly accepts.

Along with a glimpse of how fucked up things can go, the story dishes out a heap of self discovery. Dan freely acknowledges that he’s a bit of a slacker. He admires his nurse girlfriend Mara who jumps in to help anyone in need even if this might cost her dearly. Dan isn’t the only person who wrestles with self preservation vs helping their fellow humans. Some will survive this battle and others will lose. There are also some truly evil fuckers on the island and that isn’t limited to the goon squad guards.

One thing though. The book is also darkly hilarious a lot of the time.

I’m not sorry I took a leap of faith and tried this book. I laughed a lot – even if Lenny and Charles were, at times, reduced almost to caricatures – and I was sad at the fates of some of my favorite characters. I think that many of the people in the book will be dealing with their demons and PTSD in the years to come. Right now though, they’re writing scathing yelp and tripadvisor reviews. B

The White Lotus meets Kevin Wilson was a perfect description of this book. Kevin Wilson is one of the few white guys on my short auto-buy list so I had to give this book a try. It didn’t disappoint. Funny, heartfelt, fast paced, and a little twisty, it will have you rooting for the Dan the average dude.

5 stars, absolutely do recommend!

I had downloaded this book and forgotten the premise only to be reminded on page two when the sun explodes and I'm thrust into the decisions of Dan, the relatable and professionally underachieving protagonist. It's so rare that I read a book that has a plot that hooks me right away, but this one got me and I quickly devoured it. The fact that I was reading a book based on the sun exploding while people are stranded on a small island in the bahamas and thought "yeah, I can relate" says it all.

The dark humor, satire, and tension all blended for a book that felt both funny and anxiety-inducing all at the same time. The characters were diverse and dynamic, and we even had a super-villain. What more could you want?!

This was a fun and fast paced read. Hard to believe it is a first novel. Great concept and lots of interesting characters. Four stars. I do recommend.

The end of the world has ended your vacation - what next?

"Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend" starts with the sun exploding, ruining Dan and Mara's sunny Bahamas vacation. From there, things quickly snowball, dividing the resort's guests into factions and dissolving into war.

I think this book is categozied incorrectly as "humour/satire". Once things start to go badly, the moments of levity are too few and far between for this to be considered humour. It would be described more accurately as an action-packed, violent, and dark exploration of how many might lose their humanity when faced with a disaster of apocalyptic proportions. It's definitely not *bad*, but it's just not what I went in expecting from the categorization, cover, and description. I did really like Lilyanna as a villain (mostly because I'm the most anti-MLM person I know), and overall the writing is strong. I saw the twist coming from a mile away, but that didn't ruin it. Dan's constant reminders to himself about being a man and what a man does fell flat for me since there wasn't a lot of growth for him overall - perhaps that's part of what was supposed to hit as satire, but for me it just felt awkward. And while I can see, unfortunately, humanity dissolving into this when faced with the apocalypse, I'd like to think there'd be a few more people willing to help each other out instead of solving things through violence. Even the helpers here were violent. If you think about it, it's quite a depressing view of the end.

Overall, if you're interested in a dark view of what might happen at a luxury resort in the end times, this may be up your alley. If you're looking for the comical apocalypse the cover suggests, you may have to keep looking.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

This story starts off with a bang, literally it opens with the explosion of the sun and what happens next is reminiscent of Lord of the Flies just way crazier. When the sun explodes Dan and his girlfriend Mara are on a luxury island which goes into chaos right after. The lady named Lillyanna takes over the island with her mlm style dictatorship. I definitely was rooting for Dan and Mara and their friends the whole time. This story had lots of twist. I definitely enjoyed it immensely

I never thought an apocalypse story could be fun, but M.J. Wassmer managed to pull that off in Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend.

This book lured me in by being a White Lotus meets Lord of the Flies plot. It was infuriating, laugh out loud hilarious, a bit romantic, scary, and managed to touch on some very on topic issues like class warfare.
I personally loved the tongue in cheek way the author poked fun at the kinds of people who take their pyramid scheme career way too seriously with the character Lilyanne. I thought it was spot on and hysterical.
The twist was unexpected even if I had guessed at it a bit beforehand and I thought it lead to a good resolution. It was a very unique storyline and I enjoyed it.

Overall, I thought this was pretty good for a debut novel. It was definitely unlike any book I’ve ever read which is hard to find as an avid reader these days. I would be interested in reading what the author writes next.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and the author for the gifted ARC from NetGalley.
Publication date 8/6/24

3.5 stars

I should start by saying this book would absolutely have a higher rating if I wasn’t so sensitive.

This book has one of the strongest beginnings I’ve read in a long time. I laughed out loud multiple times and was so excited for the story. However, I think the light-hearted beginning made me think it would be like that the entire time. But things did get pretty real and sad and I just couldn’t get over some of it. And the main character could be a real jerk and I didn’t want to root for him at times.

The author did a great job with the characters and I felt such a range of emotions throughout their story. It can be viewed as a basic and predictable story but I think it was still unique and fun and worth the read.

This is still such a strong debut novel and I would absolutely read more from M.J. Wassmer. I am fully aware that this is my fault. I mean they even mention a revolution in the book summary so what did I expect?? I’m just too sensitive for these types of books and shows and I need to accept it.

Also, I love the cover.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book did not disappoint. I loved, loved and loved this book. The whole premise of the book is automatically pulling. This story is one of a kind, and I would recommend.

5/5 Stars ⭐️

"Zero Stars Do Not Recommend" by MJ Wassmer is a masterful debut that takes readers on an unforgettable journey. Initially, it presents itself as a fun, light-hearted beach read, following a couple on a summer vacation. However, this seemingly breezy narrative takes a dramatic turn when the sun explodes, plunging the world into a post-apocalyptic setting. This unexpected twist is handled with such skill that it leaves readers both shocked and captivated.

The strength of this novel lies in its deeply relatable characters, like Dan and Mara. Wassmer has crafted them with such authenticity and depth that I found myself fully immersed in their struggles and triumphs. Dan’s resilience and Mara’s courage are both inspiring and heart-wrenching, making them feel like real people rather than mere characters on a page. Their journey is one of survival, but also of personal growth and discovery, which resonates on a profound level.

The emotional range in "Zero Stars Do Not Recommend" is impressive. There were moments that brought tears to my eyes, as well as instances that made me laugh out loud. Wassmer balances these emotions beautifully, creating a narrative that is as poignant as it is entertaining. The story's pacing is perfect, with each chapter leaving you eager to see what happens next.

One of the standout aspects of this book is its surprising and powerful ending. Just when you think you’ve figured everything out, Wassmer delivers a twist that is both unexpected and satisfying. It’s hard to believe that this is a debut novel, given the maturity and confidence in the storytelling. I always love a HEA!

"Zero Stars Do Not Recommend" is a book that deserves a spot on everyone’s TBR list. It's a thoroughly entertaining book that examines human nature. MJ Wassmer is an author to watch, and I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a story that combines heart, humor, and a dash of the unexpected.

Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend is so funny! I wanted to read this story just based off the title and I’ve found it to be very clever and it had me laughing throughout.

This was a little exhausting to read. The world is a mess right now. The last thing I want to do is read a book about the elite taking over when the end of the world is approaching. A little too close to home. I mean there is an “uprising” but by that time, I didn’t care anymore.

Even the narrator who is lumped in with the non-elite, spends so much of his time being judgmental. It feels like the point was missed… or if not, it was a conscious choice…

The story is juicy and incredibly entertaining, but the characters are so freaking exhausting. I’m meh about this one. It was clearly written by a white man and just didn’t give me enough to enjoy… except Mara!

This debut novel is one of the most interesting plots I have read in years! Couple Dan and Mara are set to enjoy two weeks in paradise at a new all-inclusive resort when the sun explodes and chaos unfolds as resort guest scramble to gain power over each other and scare resources on the island. While a terrifying situation unfolds, Wassmer brings unexpected humor and keen observations about the human condition and American culture. With critiques on Christian conservatism, MLM 'girl boss' culture, and sexism/classism, Wassmer uses this novel to reflect on how we would potentially handle a near catastrophic dystopian environmental disaster. I swung between cackling out loud to gasping in horror, and absolutely had to know how the resort residents would fare as the situation got more dire. Wassmer shows real promise as a satirist with a unique plot and memorable 'average' characters you will remember beyond the end of the novel!

Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend is a comedic take on the apocalypse. Dan & Mara are on an island vacation when suddenly the sun explodes. Poof. - 𝙷𝚎𝚕𝚕𝚘 𝚍𝚊𝚛𝚔𝚗𝚎𝚜𝚜 𝚖𝚢 𝚘𝚕𝚍 𝚏𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚗𝚍 - The temperature is dropping & they’re stranded with the other guests not knowing if they’ll make it home to their families. Everything descends into chaos immediately & Dan bands together with a few other guests to try & get Mara home to her mom.
This book had me giggling like an idiot. The concept for this book was so intriguing. I’ve read books & watched movies about the world ending before but never where the sun explodes. Before I even started reading I was racking my brain trying to figure out how this was going to play out. I had zero complaints & I 𝒟𝑜 recommend this book. Five stars all around. It’s not all comedy either. It’ll tug at your heart strings. There’s a good balance of seriousness too.
This is also the author’s debut novel so I’d like to take a moment to say what an amazing job he’s done & what a way to kick off your writing career. I hope to read more someday. Also his wife does their social media & she’s equally hilarious so if you want a laugh go follow them!

Thank you to NetGalley & Sourcebooks for this advance copy.

Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend is a completely different book than I thought it would be. I went into it thinking it was going to be a romcom and it’s definitely not that. Apocalyptic and with many classism issues brought up, this can be more serious at times. However, Dan’s commentary on everything adds much needed levity. He had the perfect one liners and irascible wit. Although about half way through this slowed down a bit, I really enjoyed the uniqueness of this plot. As the story progresses and you get to know the characters better and I grew attached to them, some of the things that happen hit hard. I definitely will read whatever Wassmer writes next. 4 stars, do recommend.

This was a good book. The plot was interesting and kept me engaged. It was interesting to see how people react in stressful situations. It was different than I expected, in a good way. The ending was shocking. I enjoyed the book.

Dan Foster has been underachieving for years, but now he has a girlfriend, Maya, and he’s finally taking his first vacation and lounging in the pool on a private Bahamian island. They’re at an all inclusive resort and while they are not in Building A - that’s for the super rich, but they are staying in the mediocre Building B (but not C because well, that’s for the riffraff). However, while sitting by the pool, the sun explodes and all the resort guests have to figure out how to deal with the impending apocalypse. The elite guests (i.e. Building A), led by a beachbody multi-level marking owner and her preacher husband, take over the resort and steal all the supplies and begin a rationing system based on labor. Now the plebs are looking to Dan for leadership and he has to decide if he can finally rise to the occasion. It’s a bit like a high end resort version of Lord of the Flies.

I really had no idea what to expect when I picked this one up (and I started with the audio which I felt like jumped you right in even more so) but this one was fun immediately. It’s satirical, funny and starts pretty fast paced. It has the same theme of One Perfect Couple but with a tongue in cheek quality to it. This is a social satire and so it brings up issues of socioeconomic bias, religion and science overreach. The narrator was perfect for the audio on this one but I enjoyed reading it as well. Because of the satirical nature of the book, it’s a spoonful of sugar while you ingest some deeper messages; you get to have some fun while you think about some of the ills of the world.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the ARC to review

What could be worse than the sun exploding while you’re on a private Bahama island vacation? How ‘bout an MLM Queen Bee appointing herself Boss Babe of the resort? Want to survive the apocalypse, hun? Be part of the (s̶c̶h̶e̶m̶e̶) solution, or else.

Dan, a snark-talking, underachiever, is coaxed by his out-of-his-league girlfriend, Mara into becoming the reluctant hero of the “this vacation is bullshit” rebellion. But are his true motives just as self-serving as the Dystopian Diva’s?

Would-be readers, look at the cover. It’s a cocktail-sipping dude in an inner tube, floating unbothered in a pool while the world ends. If you’re looking for hard-hitting survivalist drama or scientifically accurate fiction, you’re not gonna find it within these pages. It’s speculative satire with some pretty witty observations that made me laugh while also making me think.

"Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend" by M.J. Wassmer is an absolute must-read! This whip-smart social satire combined with apocalyptic elements made for one of the most engaging and entertaining reads of the year.

Dan Foster, the protagonist, is laugh-out-loud funny and incredibly relatable. His realistic portrayal as an everyday guy is something I think will resonate with a lot of readers! His journey from a professional underachiever to an unlikely hero is both hilarious and inspiring.

The blend of social satire and the high-stakes apocalyptic scenario kept me on my toes, with my emotions swinging from laughter to heart-pounding anxiety. This book had me crying, laughing, screaming, and throwing up (in all the best ways).

One particular plot twist (which I will not spoil!!!) left me absolutely reeling. As a friend of mine would say, M.J. really put the crocs in sport mode and had us RUNNING for the last 20% of the book.

This is an outstanding debut from M.J. Wassmer and I'm already geared up to hand over money to get whatever he comes up with next. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a read that's as thought-provoking as it is entertaining!

Full of humor, action and the best twist I definitely didn’t see coming! I loved it! It was a great read! Thanks NetGallery!