This isn’t necessarily my genre of choice. But decided to give it a try when our book club was sent this book from @bookmarked for this months pick. The cover and title drew me in and begged me to love it. Although it wasn’t love for me, I did appreciate the story and the mystery to it. I could picture the resort in my mind as they were moving around and could see the different classes of guests. I did start to wonder why large groups getting bullied don’t stand up and fight. Not that I can say I would but definitely makes you think. All in all it’s a well thought out story and one I would recommend to anyone who likes the science fiction.

I did not expect to like an apocalyptic end of the world satire book as much as I enjoyed this one! There were elements that were a little much, naturally, but I thought the story was certainly original and I really enjoyed the themes touched on in this book. I suggest going in completely blind and enjoying your time with this book. I found Dan to be quite obnoxious in an older brother way, where you just wanted to roll your eyes at some of his decisions but could totally see somebody making the same poor choices. I really enjoyed the side characters much more, especially Lenny. He was definitely a real one. The narrator did such a fantastic job of bringing each character to life. I thought this was a fun ride, and will likely be one I think about for a long time in the future. Highly recommend if you like thinking about what you would do if it was the end of the world as you know it, and you enjoy a little laugh along the way.

Thanks to NetGalley and RBmedia for an advanced listening copy of this book. All opinions within this review are my own.

All I keep hearing in my head is that video clip that’s like “looks like a cinnamon roll, could kill you” - that’s this book 😂 the cover is adorable and gives major cute vibes. But the story is NOT a rom com and this is a seriously insane book. Think a dash of Emily Henry meets whole bucket full of Lord of the Flies - this book was a wild time!

I got some major Palm Springs (the movie) vibes from this book and therefore pictured the main character as Andy Samburg the whole time and it absolutely was a perfect fit.

This book took turn after turn - i literally could not put it down!

I saw another reviewer mention Shawn of the Dead vibes and I completely agree. This book is incredibly campy, dripping with satire, and so dystopian. It was a wild ride that I was not expecting.

The narration was well done and made the story even better.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy.

Thank you to Netgalley and RBMedia Recorded Books for the advanced copy.
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This was delightful. I had no idea what to expect and essentially picked the book for the cover and title. A dream vacation to the Bahamas turns into a nightmare when the sun explodes, plunging the world into darkness. The resort becomes a chaotic dystopia when the elite guests stage a coup, steal all the supplies and force the other guest into servitude.

Lead male protagonist and professional underachiever, Dan Foster accidentally becomes the beacon of hope to other survivors. However, when one six-person plane is discovered that could get them back to the mainland, Dan realizes he has a choice to make. Does he escape the island with Mara? Or does he stay and fight to become the most unlikely hero of the end of the world?

There's a lot more surprising twists and some memorable character bound to entertain readers.

3.5 stars.

This book is great for the right audience. The humor is dark and sarcastic, making this dystopian vacation story quite a bit lighter. I thought it was going to be a rom-com with this sci-fi theme due to the cover, because all roms and rom-coms seem to have the same style cartoon cover these days. Never judge a book....

The story was slow and I was downright frustrated that *no one* in the three groups of vacationers had any semblance of survival skills or common sense. Why were they so obsessed with the pre-stocked food and not with finding a sustainable source, fishing, hunting, etc.? Why weren't they utilizing fires more? I had so many questions and was so irritated but it seemed like the author went straight for the implausible and hung onto it for dear life. The story was all supposed to be fun, I suppose, despite the guns and murders, with everything hinging on being rescued, which itself didn't make sense. I did like Dan being this unlikely and resistant hero to the regular folks, even though he did almost nothing. Mara was fun and I liked her, as well as other characters, but it dragged on and on. Thankfully I was listening to the audiobook and could do other things. If it had been an ebook, I never would've finished.

The idea was creative and interesting, the humor was similar to my own, and I was entertained by how quickly it devolved into a class war. Would that really happen? Who knows? We haven't been in the position and everyone is different anyway.

What a fun and surprising book! While the characters were annoying at times, there was enough action and storyline to keep me going. With a little bit of White Lotus meets Hunger Games vibes (you will get it if you read it), this was a truly entertaining story. I loved the social satire aspect. Imagine you are at a resort on an island and the sun explodes. What would happen? What would you do? What would the people around you do in this post-apocalyptic world? The crazy plot and great writing were easy to follow. There were many laugh out loud moments. This was a page turner. I listened to the audiobook and could not put it down. Stephen R Thorne is the narrator, and he does a fantastic job. I almost didn’t request this on NetGalley because it was sci-fi. I am glad I did. For those looking for a book that is a bit different from your current reads, this one is outstanding!

This was a fun beach read with a twist. Experience your vacation with panic and worry, but don't worry we have food! Set in the Bahamas, this one has all the parts you'll need - humor, unlikeable characters paired with one's you can't help but hope come out on top, and a doomed planet. Enjoy this one for what's given to the reader and not what's truly plausible. Great pacing that made me really enjoy this one.

If you find yourself enjoying end of the world stories, look up The Hopkins Manuscript by Sherriff for one about losing the moon, originally released in the 1930s.

Who knew the apocalypse could be such a blast? This book turns the end of the world into an unexpectedly fun ride!

After the sun explodes, a man and his partner find themselves stranded on an island, grappling with the terrifying unknown.

The tension is palpable as they face the reality of having no escape, yet the story is peppered with moments that made me laugh out loud. The concept is pretty original—I’ve never read anything quite like it. While the middle lagged a bit, the final twists and turns had me on the edge of my seat. A thrilling and fun read!

I never thought I would read a quirky, comedic take on the apocalypse but here we are!

Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend definitely had a unique premise with the setting for when the world ends and a good mishmash of characters to add in drama and comedic relief. It had my interest with all the psychological aspects of human behavior in this setting because who knows how we would truly react when the world is literally falling apart.

I will say the middle of the book dragged for me. If it wouldn’t have been for the twist near the end, I probably would have rated it 3 instead of 4 stars.

Overall, it was a fun listen with a great narrator. I’d recommend for anyone needing something different.

Very funny book, didn’t think the end of the world would be this funny. I enjoyed the banter between all the characters. Dan Foster is dry and self deprecating and you want to root for him. He is a likely hero. The band of characters kept me laughing through the entire book. The narrator for the audio was perfect. He really was able to capture all the different personalities of each character. The only feedback I have is that the middle was a little long.

This was a fun concept and brought about some interesting societal interactions. I really enjoyed it. Loved the narrator too!

Incredibly over the top, campy, and hilarious in all of the right ways. It was one of those audiobooks that made me want to take the long way home or get the dog out for an extra walk just to keep listening. The characters were infuriating in all the best ways. The structure that emerged after the explosion was so frustrating to hear, but unfortunately felt so realistic. I loved this and will recommend to anyone with a similar sense of humor and frustration at the real world.

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.

I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was perfect for the book. I loved all the dialogue and situations the characters found themselves in. My only issue was that the ending felt rushed, I would have liked another chapter or two. Highly recommend this one, it’s very different and an all around enjoyable read!

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.

Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend was a fun, addictive audiobook! It’s the end of the world and gives lord of the flies vibes along with animal farm.

This was a fun campy apocalypse novel. Dan is on vacation in the Bahamas with his girlfriend. Unfortunately, the sun explodes and they are left in darkness. The people at the resort have to figure out what to do.

I didn’t know what to expect from start to finish. This is a good book for people who like cheesy comedy movies and for people who don’t like me. It was an easy audiobook to listen to. Thank you Netgalley and Recorded books for the chance to read the book. I recommend the audiobook. I had no issues with the voice actor or production. The book was easy to follow.

MJ Wassmer's Zero Stars Do Not Recommend is a masterful blend of dark humor and thought-provoking themes set against an apocalyptic backdrop. The novel balances its comedic elements with a genuine exploration of pressing issues such as class disparity and the essence of humanity. While I had a hunch about where the story was heading, Wassmer's unexpected twists kept me thoroughly engaged and surprised. This book is more than just a funny read; it's a compelling reflection on the world we live in. If you're looking for a unique, entertaining, and insightful experience, Zero Stars Do Not Recommend is definitely worth diving into. You won’t be disappointed!

I loved the concept and it had a lot of potential (the sun explodes and the "trapped on an island" premise with a bunch of privileged white people could have been a fascinating exploration of the darkness of humanity, a la Lord of the Flies). Unfortunately, I found all of the characters, including the MC, difficult to connect with, and the plot slow and repetitive.

I understand that the point of this genre is to kind of satirize the characteristics of already-ridiculous characters when placed in an apocalyptic scenario... but I felt like Wassmer was trying to make Dan, the MC, too much of an "everyday Joe" with all of the attending problematic views that only got exacerbated in the plot. His internal monologue consists of reminders to himself that he shouldn't do/feel/say X because "that's not what men do/feel/say"; he acts awkward around the gay men who attempt to be friend him and his girlfriend; he looks down on his fellow resort-goers for a range of reasons ranging from disgust to envy; and his attitude towards his girlfriend, Mara, a mixed Indian-and-white woman, was cringe.

This is not to mention that, for what could have been an entertainingly over-the-top plot, the pacing was slow, repetitive, and dull. The story is LONG not because so much happens, but because different characters have the same inane conversations over and over again, just in different configurations.

I also found the structure of the "influencer dictatorship" that gets implemented on the resort to be too reminiscent of modern-day governmental fascist directives to be entertained. It was difficult for me to read about cops-I-mean-guards going on a power kick and beating up guests just for the heck of it, or the arbitrary reduction of rations because those in power did not like certain guests, when similar things are happening in our society. I could have appreciated it if these aspects of the book were intended to be a critique of present-day society, but I didn't get the sense that the author intended it that way, so that was disappointing and a bit tone-deaf for me.