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.

Dan and Mara are excited about their two-week vacation to a brand new resort on a private island in the Bahamas. But almost as soon as they arrive, the sun explodes, leaving them and all the other people on the island stranded in the dark. Things quickly devolve into chaos. The inhabitants quickly break into separate and opposing groups as supplies are hoarded by the wealthiest and Dan, who has always been a slacker with bit of a low opinion of himself, is shocked to find himself the reluctant leader of a rebellion by the rest who oppose them..

Zero Stars Do Not Recommend by MJ Wassmer is his debut novel and what an exciting, addicting debut it is. In many ways, this is a very dark tale with some shocking events but Wassmer lightens it with a strain of humour running through it. The characters are well-drawn on both sides of the class divide and Dan makes for a flawed but very likeable anti-hero. I did find the ending somewhat bittersweet but, overall, I loved this one. Definitely a fun read, perfect for fans of Jason Pargin or, really, anyone who enjoys a dystopian tale but with some laugh-out-loud moments.

I received an audiobook of this novel from Netgalley and RBmedia in exchange for an honest review. It’s narrated by Stephen R Thorne who does an amazing job of giving individual voices to a large and diverse cast of characters.

I wanted to love this. The premise was unique, but unfortunately, it did not work for me. Typically, terrible characters work for me. They can be complex and riveting when written well. Unfortunately, none of the characters worked for me. I think this was a case of the wrong book at the wrong time, so if the premise sounds interesting, I would give it a try.

This was a new narrator for me, and I did enjoy his narration.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Although the book's premise sounded intriguing, I wasn't particularly fond of the narrator after listening to the first few chapters of the audiobook. Before I can provide a more thorough assessment of the narrative, I believe I might need to read the book or ebook in its entirety rather than listening to the audio version.

This was a wild ride. I actually did have a hard time getting into this book. It’s so different than my usual. Ultimately though, I found it to be quite entertaining. It was outlandish, sarcastic, a bit irreverent, and quite the adventure.

I would first of all like to thank NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to review this ARC of "Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend" by MJ Wassmer.

It took me a moment to get into this audiobook, but once I did, I enjoyed it.

Zero Star, Do Not Recommend, is a story about a post apocalyptic world where the two MCs are stranded on a tropical island where all the guests of the posh resort make rules and learn to survive the apocalypse.

I feel like the narrator did a good job with the different characters within the story, all in all, I enjoyed this story.

This was such an interesting read!
The characters are well developed and relatable.
Narrator Stephen R. Thorne did a wonderful job with the characters' voices.
Overall I enjoyed this book.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sourcebooks and MJ Wassmer for an eARC for an honest review of the book.

The premise of the book sounded interesting but after getting through the first few chapters of the audiobook, I just wasn't really a fan of the narrator. I think I may need to read the actual book/ebook instead of listening to the audiobook and then I'll be able to give a more accurate review of the story.

Wild story. Narration utilizes different voices well to create a fun experience. Will be keeping an eye out for more from this author.