This book was a hilarious approach to the post-apocalyptic genre. As an elder millennial, former so called gifted child I related a lot to Dan's feelings about his life and not fufilling the sky high expectations of your potential. There were multiple characters that I've encountered the same type of person in real life - especially MLM girl boss Lilyanna. Wassmer's writing is beautiful and hilarious, and it really captures the harsh realities of life while gently reminding us even in the darkest times, there's always hope. This book is a must-read if you're looking for a humorous and unforgettable story.

Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend by M.J. Wassmer, The book starts with Dan and Mara on the beach at the T-Soak resort in the Bahamas. It is the first vacation they’ve ever taken since their two year relationship began and it will be one they won’t soon forget. Because while on the beach enjoying the whole vibe of the adult resort they hear an explosion and realize the sun has burnt it self out. Needless to say people panic and run to their respective rooms in the three buildings offered to guest; building A are the super rich, building B is for middle class and building C are those probably vacationing on a payment plan. When everyone is called together on the great lawn they’re introduced by the owner Mr. Sheredan to a researcher of astrology name Dr.Shey. He does his best to calm the guest down but they still have questions it isn’t until the next morning when all the guest from BNC wake up that they learned someone has already taken charge and has a game plan for everyone on the island well everyone in buildings BNC. Her name is Liliana and she’sa visitent from building A, Who made her fortune from a body positive pyramid scheme for women. She starts a ridgid plan with ration cards work schedules and has narcissistic psychopath Rico in charge of security. When they try to start an uprising someone is killed and when “low self-esteem” Dan finds hisself with the bull horn in hand this is how he becomes the group spokes person. Dan is the one everyone will look too to see what their next move is going to be, if only they knew Dan has no idea! Okay once again there is a lot to this book and it’s way too much to put in this review. Just know; people will die, there will be a wedding, all the food and medicine or stolen, and all this while the Island gets colder and colder. There’s also a broken down Cessna six Cedar plane The Dan’s friend Allen says he can fix and Dan wants him and Mara to have a seat on it when it leaves the island. The only problem is Mara doesn’t want to abandon everyone else on the island and she wants Dan to choose to stay and help. Will Dan prove he is everything Mara thinks he is or will he turn out to be the loser he believes hisself to be? This was the best book I have ever read in my life! The whole time I read this book I kept picturing it as a movie and what a brilliant movie it would be because it is an absolutely awesome book. I got so wrapped up reading this book it only took me two sessions to finish it. From the stellar writing the great world building an awesome characters in love to route four I can honestly say this is the best book ever I laughed even when I didn’t know I was about to laugh so many LOL moments in this book and I just loved it and totally totally absolutely recommend it. It is definitely on the list of the few books that I will definitely read again.#SourcebooksLandmark, #NetGalley, #MJWassmer, #ZeroStarsDoNotRecommend,

I'm obsessed with this book. From the premise of the sun exploding and the world ending while on vacation, to all the whacky apocalyptic shenanigans like knitting winter clothes with hotel towels, to Dan's wholesome relationship with Mara--it's an absolute joy to read. Wassmer writes with a dry humor that I could read forever. I especially love the MLM commentary and that whole plotline. The less you know, the better--just buy this book and dive into it knowing you will have a blast!!!

I was really excited to read this book, but the writing style and editing are unbearable to get through. I tried to push through, but I couldn’t do it. I wish the best for this author and hope other readers enjoy it!

Great premise. This book had an engaging start, an exciting twist, and a compelling conclusion. I was able to feel the confusion and the frantic chaos of the situation as it was translated through the writing.

However, I did have a few issues with this book. It was slow around the middle. There was one confusing, non-sequitur section. And there were some grammatical choices that I wasn't a fan of.

Good start. Good conclusion. Good tension. There were just a few issues that could have used some tweaking.

This is like an episode of the office but on a tropical island and the sun has gone out.

Dan finds himself a reluctant leader of an uprising when the sun goes out on a trip to the Dominican. Part Lord of the Flies, part social satire, this wild trip of a book will have you flipping pages like no one's business.

Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend is a hilarious look at societal degradation and breakdown when the world is ending. The characters are all very typical of this kind of story but there ends up being a lot of heart and you can't help but fall for their stories.

thank you to net galley for letting me get my hands on this early because i absolutely LOVED it. makes me want to participate in an apocalypse. it’s witty, it’s funny and i highly recommend it.

4.5 stars!!

A beautiful brand new beach resort in the Bahamas, an exploding sun, class warfare, rebellions aplenty, heroes and anti-heroes abound in this brilliant speculative satirical story!! I could not get enough of this book!! Stories of how humans react in moments of crisis, stories with an eat the rich mentality, stories about surviving despite insane unreal odds will always fascinate me.

Our unlikely hero(?) Dan just wants to enjoy his first vacation in years and relax by the beach with his girlfriend Mara, when all of a sudden- the sun seemingly explodes right above them and the world is plunged into darkness. He quickly joins ranks with fellow vacationers Alan, Charles, and Lenny to get their way off the island on an old plane- only to be stopped by dictator-in-waiting, Queen of MLM Lilyanna. What follows is an insanely intriguing (and incredibly frustrating) bout of class divisions with rationing, chores, guerilla style guards, and rebellion plans after rebellion plans.

And that’s only just scratching the surface of what this book is truly about (since obviously I don’t want to ruin the fun)!!! 10/10 would read again- and recommend highly!!

Thank you so much to MJ Wasserman and NetGalley for a chance to read this in exchange for an honest review!

I was really hoping this would be a “fun” apocalypse story, but there was honestly too much death and violence for it to feel comedic! Instead it was a stark view on the human condition, and a sociological look on what happens during catastrophes and power vacuums. There were some good satirical lines sprinkled throughout, but overall it was a little too cavalier with the intense stuff. That being said, it was a really interesting book and I definitely enjoyed reading it!

🌈Queer rep: Secondary gay male characters, MM relationship.

This one was just ok for me, rounded up to 3.5 stars.

Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend is a funny, satirical and thought provoking read, one that asks the questions: How would you behave if you think you’re witnessing the end of the world?

What I Loved:
the voice. I haven’t read realistic dialogue like this in a long time. The sarcasm was top notch, without feeling forced. I also love stream of consciousness.

The cast of characters: for an “ensemble” cast, most of them were very fleshed out.

The commentary on classism and socioeconomics.

The entire premise

The first 1/3 and last 3/3

What I think missed the mark:
The middle.

Mara - For quite a bit, I was unsure if Dan and Mara actually liked each other, or if their relationship would fall apart. Mara’s character definitely shines towards the end, but I feel like she should have shown more of her background and personality throughout.

The violence - while most of the book is goofy and light hearted, there was a lot of brutality that felt out of place

Overall, this was a fun quick read, and I’d recommend it to anyone who loves a dialogue/monologue heavy story.

### Book Review: Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend by M J Wassmer

I had a really fun time reading this. "Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend" by M J Wassmer is a whip-smart social satire that combines the tense drama of "White Lotus" with the quirky charm of Kevin Wilson's storytelling. The book offers a thrilling, yet humorous take on a man, Dan Foster, who suddenly finds himself in an apocalyptic scenario after the sun explodes during his vacation.

Dan and his girlfriend Mara share a delightful dynamic. Their banter and genuine connection make it clear they are not just a couple but also best friends. This relationship adds a layer of heart to the otherwise chaotic narrative.

Dan is incredibly relatable. He's a self-proclaimed underachiever who would rather avoid conflict, but the end of the world doesn’t exactly allow for much avoidance. His journey from a passive vacationer to an accidental hero is both humorous and inspiring.

The book does an excellent job of showcasing human nature under stress. As elite guests commandeer supplies and tensions rise, the natural class system reveals itself, leading to some sharp social commentary. While the situation is dire, Wassmer manages to infuse plenty of humor, making the darker themes more palatable.

The evolution of Dan is quite enjoyable, and Mara's unwavering love for him adds depth to the story. Her acceptance of Dan as he is makes their relationship a standout element.

M J Wassmer has immense talent, skillfully balancing comedy with authentic reflections on the human psyche. "Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend" is a satirical gem that left me eagerly anticipating more of their work.

3.5 of 5 stars

Zero Stars Do Not Recommend by MJ Wassmer was a fun take on an apocalypse that sprung up while the protagonist, Dan was vacationing with his girlfriend, Mara. The book is heavy on comedy and sarcasm, so if that plus armageddon is your thing, you may enjoy this book.

A couple days into the couple’s Caribbean island vacation the sun explodes. You’d think all life ceased on Earth at that point? Nope. It’s just dark and gets cold. After this catastrophic event, order on the island quickly breaks down. A woman who runs a MLM “boss babe beachbod” company takes over as the leader and a dictatorship is born.

The story is pretty entertaining as it unfolds, Dan kind of ends up the reluctant leader of the resistance and gets involved with a “team” of other vacationers to try to escape the island and/or release it from the clutches of its pyramid scheme running dictator. Determining to escape and or liberate the Island are very much at odds with each other across the book’s characters. Dan’s struggle with this is one of his biggest character drivers.

Overall, the characters aren’t very deep, the story is pretty “basic:” and the plot is predicable. But, that didn’t stop me from enjoying it.enough It was a beach read about the apocalypse - a romcom about the end of the world.

Thank you Netgalley, MJ Wassmer and Sourcebooks Landmark for the opportunity to read an e-copy of this book early in exchange for my honest feedback.

Let’s get one thing out of the way. When you read a book description that says the sun explodes while our protagonist is on an island resort vacation with his girlfriend, you have to accept right away that this will not be a scientifically accurate description of the end of the world. And it’s summer, so I’m totally fine with that. I’m more than ready for what I hope will be a send-up of elites versus normies during the apocalypse.

I wrote the paragraph above after reading the book description and the first couple of chapters of the book. The book is, to a certain extent, a send-up of elites versus normies during the apocalypse. But it’s more than that. I quickly realized that the first chaotic days after the disappearance of the sun are like a metaphor for what is happening and will happen in our world of climate change, dwindling resources, and a vast chasm of income inequality. A real bummer for anyone paying attention to current events. I kept reading, and it became less of a bummer and added more elements of resilience and human connection. Not that it turns all gooey; it’s definitely clear-eyed about the determination of the “haves” to stay on top, no matter what. But overall, I enjoyed the book and I think it is one that most readers will like. I can even see it turned into a movie or miniseries.

1 star. I’m sorry, but I would not recommend. At all.

The premise and cover caught my attention and I was very excited to start. However, this wasn’t for me.

The satire for me didn’t land. The amount of “men don’t cry” and “as a man, it was important to appear unshakeable in the face of an emergency” and even “he tried to fix it, because that’s what men do” drove me mental. I can’t. The growth of our main manly man obsessed man did not occur.
“He was the lowest form of man. Truly.”

Also, I think the cover is gorgeous - but a miss for what this is inside. This book is brutally violent. And this cartoon cover is going to draw in a crowd of critics thinking they are in for something very different.

One more thing that’s been nagging me; how many times can you reference Rachel Platten’s Fight Song in one book? I feel like 5 is too many…but hey…

Thank you to SOURCEBOOKS Landmark and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review…but you’re probably going to never send me another one. 🤣

I will not be reviewing this title as I don’t feel like I can give it the review it deserves. Thank you

I loved this book! This was not what I was expecting and I found this hilarious this has some relatable points and moments that I enjoyed

Rating: 4 stars


Danny & Mara go on a dream 2 week island vacation. A few days in? The sun explodes and an apocalyptic experience begins for them and the other travelers. What follows is absolute craziness!

I was pleasantly surprised by the storytelling in Zero Stars Do Not Recommend. Everything is not what it seems & there is so much going on. All out war between groups of travelers staying in the different buildings, fights over supplies/food, rationing of supplies/food, friendships and enemies are made… heck there’s even a wedding!

When some of the travelers find out there is a plane available with only 6 seats who will escape the island? Will the make it home? Will everyone even be able to survive?

This was an absolutely fun read and did not disappoint- a good change up from the normal thriller/suspense stories for sure with a lot of unexpected twists & different storylines happening.

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for the opportunity to read this arc in exchange for my honest review!

Did not finish. Was not holding my interest. Science behind premise did not resonate with me. Was an interesting concept.

FIVE stars. DEFINITELY recommend!

Despite the sheer intensity of the premise, M. J. Wassmer’s debut didn’t fail to make me laugh. This book managed to put the worst parts of humanity on full display in a unique and incredibly imaginative setting.

I also love that we are witnessing all of this through the eyes of a guy called Dan. Dan is awesome. I loved his commentary, his humor, and his sarcasm. If the world is going to end do yourself a favor and seek the nearest Dan.

ZERO STARS, DO NOT RECOMMEND is an incredible debut by M. J. Wassmer’s that offers a witty commentary on class difference in an intense high-stakes narrative that still manages to laugh at the stupidity of humanity when faced with its imminent demise.

This book is such a delight - as much as it can be and also be about the apocalypse. It has a cast of quirky characters that are all so unique. The author did such a good job with the characterization and I really felt they were real people.

This is such an interesting concept and poses the questions of class society, fascism, and how would you react in that situation? Would you fight or run? Would you save your loved ones or save the group as a whole? And what really matters at the end of the world?

I do think that the pacing could have been a little bit better - I think too much is happening in such a short amount of time....