What a fun book! I loved the premise and the novel didn’t disappoint. Fast paced, funny and speedy to read

Completely bonkers but in a good way - and with a heart. The characters are all flawed, except maybe one (it’s for you to decide who) but they are all relatable. The book is humorous and shocking in equal measure. A real exploration of what desperate people will do.

Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend by MJ Wassmer is one heck of a debut! This is an apocalyptic comedy that you just won’t be able, or indeed want, to put down.

Zero Stars takes us to a beautiful, and secluded, island in the Bahamas. Those on the island are the first guests at the grand opening of the Tizoc resort. Amongst them is Dan, our MMC, a man who feels as though he’s never lived up to his potential. Whilst contentedly nursing a Bud Lite with his girlfriend Mara, Dan finds himself witness to the sun exploding.

With the island suddenly plunged into darkness, the ultra rich guests hijack the remaining supplies and declare themselves in charge. Led by a fitness influencer turned ruthless dictator, martial law is declared. As temperatures drop and class tensions rise, Dan thinks he’s found a way to escape with Mara, but this would mean abandoning the burgeoning revolution that he might-have-kind-of-sort-of single-handedly started.

There is so much I could say about Zero Stars, but I also don’t want to say too much as this book has so many great twist and turns that I don’t want to spoil it for anyone. So here’s what I will say:
☀️ the blurbs likening this to a mash up of White Lotus with Lord of the Flies are so on point. Witnessing what happens at the start of the apocalypse in a luxury resort is something else!
🤯 if you like dark humour (think Edgar Wright’s Cornetto trilogy) you’ll love this
☀️ there is some incredible social satire going on here
🤯 we’re gifted a brilliant cast of characters that bring so much to this story, and each of them feel so real and cleverly crafted. In some cases you’ll be rooting so hard for them, whereas for others you’ll be booing like they’re a pantomime villain
☀️ though the narrative being third person took a little getting used to it worked so well and you’ll reach a tipping point where you simply cannot put this down
🤯 the twists are brilliant and the final one especially so! It’s the kind that has you thinking back to find the bread crumbs that were so carefully left out for us

I really enjoyed this one, and can’t wait for more people to read it so I can chat to them about it. It would make an incredible film. Given this is Wassmer’s debut I cannot wait to read whatever he writes next. For Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend I give five stars and would certainly recommend.

I thought I was going to love this. The premise is so fun but it just didn't connect with me as I would have liked. Enjoyable though.

If Stephen King's Under The Dome and Edgar Wright's 'Cornetto Trilogy' of movies merged together to make an apocalypticomedy, this would be the outcome!

When Dan and his girlfriend, Mara, wind down to enjoy their all inclusive Bahamian holiday of a lifetime, they didn't realise it would be so literal. The sun explodes as they are enjoying the sandy beach on the newly built luxury resort, and everything starts to go very pear shaped.

The twists in this book caught me off guard a few times! The action never stopped. Fast paced, loveable characters, so many laugh out loud moments, and an absolutely awesome plot. Thoroughly enjoyed this book and loved MJ's writing style!

Thank you, NetGalley, Bonnier Books UK, and mostly MJ Wassmer for the opportunity to read this before release!

I love dark British humour so I knew this book was a definite one for me and really enjoyed it / felt immersed in the nightmarish occurring's throughout.