Thank you, NetGalley & RBmedia / Recorded Books for this advanced listeners copy ✨

I really wanted to like this one. I didn't hate it, but I didn’t feel like it should have with this premise. I have tried 3 times to listen to this book. 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 was initially drawn to this book by its intriguing title and eye-catching cover, but unfortunately, it didn’t quite live up to my expectations.

It is the end of the world, or at least this is what Dan thinks after the sun explodes during a vacation to a exclusive island resort with his girlfriend Mara. What we see in this story is what would happen if you leave people of different "social status" in an island after a catastrophe. The result is actually very predictable, the upper class dominates everyone else, living in luxury and from it the rise a manipulative leader that is represented by a christian woman and her husband and her ability to take the control thanks to their background as professional scammers or more know as CEO of a pyramid company that sells healthy lifestyle to the janes and joe doe's of the world.

The book has so much potential but the plot was flat, and even though it was funny, and I enjoyed the narrator, I felt it was predictable and inconclusive.

Thank you Netgalley for the ALC in exchange of my honest opinion.

This was quite the entertaining read I was looking for! With a cast of characters that brought this funny and heartfelt story to life, I enjoyed it and would recommend the audio.

*many thanks to RB media, sourcebooks, and Netgalley for the gifted copy for review

Netgalley ARC Audio

This is a fun little dystopian book. Dan is honestly a bit of a loser. He and his girlfriend are at an island resort when the sun explodes. A class war ensues with the Wealthy Main Line Marketing Liliana taking control of the resort. Dan for some reason finds himself the face of a rebellion, but he has trouble stepping up.

I enjoyed the book. It was a lot of fun and well written. I also liked the audiobook narrator.

Zero Stars. Do Not Recommend by MJ Wasteman is a darkly comic and surprisingly insightful social satire that blends absurdity with apocalyptic tension. The novel follows Dan Foster, a professional underachiever who is enjoying a lackluster vacation with his girlfriend at a tropical island resort, when the unimaginable happens: the sun explodes. Suddenly, Dan finds himself trapped in a chaotic world where survival takes precedence over everything else.

The story unfolds with sharp wit and biting humor, as the once-idyllic resort becomes a powder keg of class warfare, dwindling resources, and growing desperation. With a coup staged by wealthy guests and class divisions growing ever more evident, Dan is thrust into the unexpected role of a reluctant hero. The absurdity of his situation—caught between the desire to escape and the pull to help his fellow stranded vacationers—provides both the comedic and emotional heart of the story.

Wasteman’s writing skillfully blends satire with action, taking jabs at the entitled attitudes of the rich, the vacuity of modern life, and the complexities of human nature in a crisis. At its core, Zero Stars. Do Not Recommend is a clever commentary on the collapse of societal norms, with an everyman protagonist who may not have much going for him, but finds himself in the most unlikely of positions.

Fans of The White Lotus and Kevin Wilson will enjoy the novel’s quirky humor, sharp character insights, and exploration of morality in the face of the apocalypse. Wasteman crafts a story that's equal parts absurd and profound, a blend of high-stakes survival and dark social critique that offers more than just laughs—it leaves you questioning what you'd do when the world as you know it falls apart.

I really enjoyed this one. It was witty and funny and sad all in one. If you like satire pointing out societal issues, I would definitely recommend this one.

This ended up being really fun! I went in with zero expectations and enjoyed the witty banter paired with social commentary. I laughed, almost cried, and would absolutely recommend this to a friend

Loved the narrator Stephen Thorne, hated the main character and couldn’t connect with him which made it hard for me to listen to him be the good guy

This was a very fun read. A bit silly, but I really enjoyed it. The characters were likeable and the setting was fun. Didn't feel like an author debut, will definitely keep an eye on this author in the future.

Apocalypse? Yes please.

Thank you Netgalley for my audiobook arc.

I enjoyed this story, it’s an easy one to listen to.
I had picked up on a lot, and I wasn’t surprised with the plot twists and revelation but still really enjoyed this story.

✨ALC Review✨

Read this book. Listen to this book actually. The narrator, #stephenrthorne is impeccable. Flawless. This book is immaculate.

So, we start with Dan, on vacation in the Bahamas with his girlfriend, Mara. They’re enjoying the beach as one does on a Bahamian island when the sun literally explodes. What do you do when you’re trapped on a tiny island during the end of days? Well, if you’re Dan, you kind of fake it til you make it.

You also end up becoming a cog in the fascist regime started by Lilliana of Beach Bod MLM fame.

Y’all, this book literally had me laughing out loud. It is funny, and moving. It’s complex and absolutely thought-provoking. I cannot stress enough how fantastic it is.

There is so much going on and I don’t want to spoil anything. Just trust me when I say it is phenomenal. I give it all the stars!

Thank to #netgalley and #RBmedia for the ALC. All thoughts are mine alone. Also, thanks to @sherry_reads_books for making me push this up the TBL. I’m stunned with how much I love it.

#booksbooksbooks #contemporaryfiction #speculativefiction #postapocalyptic #bookstagram #audiobooks #narrators #voiceactors #voiceacting #fivestarreads #fivestarbooks #bookrecs #bookreview

Two stars, do not recommend.

I had high hopes for this book. The description caught my interest immediately, and I impatiently waited for an ARC opportunity (thank you Netgalley!).Unfortunately, the narrator was not a personal favorite, and often times made it difficult to follow along. The characters were difficult to like and the story took turns that were kind of out there, not in a good way. Two stars for the concept, but I ended up DNF'ing it about 30% in.

This was a humorous and adventurous "end to the world". I liked the way the story starts with the sun blowing up and the fact that the title itself is an intentional pun.

So weird and so creative! I didn't know quite what to expect but I was really impressed with this, it went in so many different directions from where I was expecting in such an interesting way. I was talking to some friends about how often the partner of the reluctant hero is the true hero and that I liked that this actually addressed that, at least to a small extent. This book is a bit bananas but in a fun way! The narration was good too!

This might be the funniest book I've ever read.

Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend is a delightful comedy about everyman, Dan Foster, who is relaxing at a luxury island resort when the sun explodes. Over the course of the next two weeks, he and the other resort guests must survive resource hoarding from wealthy "building A", tribal politicking from an MLM cult leader, and near death in hopes of being rescued.

I had such a fun time with this! The story was compulsively readable and brimming with satire. Recommended for fans of The Righteous Gemstones or Patricia Wants to Cuddle.

I have to say, this book is a rollercoaster of emotions! From the very beginning, I was drawn into the protagonist’s journey through the ups and downs of life, love, and everything in between.

Wassmer’s writing is sharp and witty, with a perfect balance of humor and heart. The protagonist’s voice is so authentic and relatable that I felt like I was reading the diary of a close friend. The book tackles some heavy themes with grace and sensitivity, but it never loses its sense of humor. There were moments that had me laughing out loud, and others that made me pause and reflect.

One of the standout aspects of this book is its honesty. The protagonist doesn’t shy away from sharing their raw, unfiltered thoughts and experiences, which makes the story all the more compelling. It’s a refreshing take on the struggles we all face and the resilience it takes to keep going.

If you’re looking for a book that will make you laugh, cry, and think, “Zero Stars Do Not Recommend” is a must-read. MJ Wassmer has crafted a story that is both entertaining and deeply moving.

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!

An interesting premise and fun title. It struggled to hold my attention, but I appreciated all the humor.

Picture being on vacation and BAM the sun explodes and disappears- what next!? Dan Foster finds himself facing this impossible predicament when he away at a grand opening of an island resort with his girlfriend, Mara. With no access to internet, phones, or the outside world, all of the people staying must figure out how to survive. Overnight, the wealthy guests manage to get their hands on all the food, medicine, and the armed security guards of the resort and through a well-spoken MLM "boss babe" Lilianna and her pastor husband turn dictator persuade and force the others to get in line with their regime. Dan knows he has to escape this island and will do anything he can to get his girlfriend Mara back home. With the help of other guests, they find an old airplane. Will he be able to push the other guests fate aside and do what it takes to get him and Mara back home?

This audiobook was insanely entertaining. Combining the skills of Stephen R. Thorne, the amazing narrator, who did such an amazing job at giving each character a distinct voice and the gripping story by MJ Wassmer- I was instantly hooked. Most stories I read that deal with the end of the world, are post-apocalyptic so I loved this change of getting to read through the apocalyptic event and the direct aftermath. The characters were all so real and I could picture each and every one of them. The addition of adding an MLM dictator and religious figure using their combined skills to convince others to get in line with their regime is hauntingly accurate to current events and show how people will act against their own best interest in supporting leaders like them. So that aspect started off hilarious to me but quickly sobered me up when looking at the real world. Great read and I look forward to reading and listening to more from both the author and narrator!

Thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia for an advanced copy of the audiobook!

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.

Audiobook is well narrated and a joy to listen to.