MJ Wassmer

Author of Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend
USA: AVAILABLE NOW!
UK: AVAILABLE NOW!

ZERO STARS,
DO NOT RECOMMEND

Vacation Checklist: 
Pack swim trunks. 
Apply sunscreen. 
Survive the apocalypse?

Professional underachiever Dan Foster is finally taking a vacation. Sure, his life has been average at best, and yeah, he’s never quite lived up to his potential. But after a few Miller Lites in paradise with his girlfriend, Mara, things are starting to look up.

Then the sun explodes.

With the island resort suddenly plunged into darkness (he really should’ve sprung for the travel insurance), Dan’s holiday goes from bad to worse when elite guests stage a coup and commandeer supplies. As temperatures drop and class tensions rise, revolution begins to brew on the island, and Dan accidentally becomes a beacon of hope for the surviving vacationers. But 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?

PRAISE

“A life-or-death action-packed debut…a romp and a page-turner…Wassmer’s debut novel succeeds in being the opposite of its title. He might become a new favorite for fans of John Scalzi and David Wong.” ― Library Journal, STARRED review

“A smart-talking and unexpectedly moving look at human nature. …As in all great satires, the humor here works because of its foundations in truth. Many stars, would recommend.” Shelf Awareness, STARRED review
 
“Debut author Wassmer maintains a sense of tension and intrigue that keeps readers eagerly turning the pages…every plot twist is expertly executed, keeping readers guessing until the very end. This is a must-read for fans of disaster fiction and character-driven narratives alike. With its captivating plot, finely crafted characters, and skillful pacing, readers will be eager to discover whether Dan emerges as the unexpected hero and saves the day.” ― Booklist
 
“Worst Vacation Ever―Five Stars, Would Recommend.” ― Grady Hendrix, New York Times bestselling author of How to Sell a Haunted House
 
“Lord of the Flies crashes headfirst into The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy in this rollicking look at the end of the world.” ― Benjamin Stevenson, bestselling author of Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone
 
“Fresh, fun, and completely brilliant. Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend combines a terrifyingly plausible apocalyptic fallout with an utterly original comedic voice. Who would have thought the end of the world could be this much fun!” ― Sarah Bonner, author of Her Perfect Twin and Her Sweet Revenge
 
“Fabulously original and relentlessly clever, Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend is one of the best debuts I’ve read in ages. I loved every single thing about it.” ― Allison Winn Scotch, bestselling author of The Rewind
 
“Part scathing social commentary, part post-apocalyptic romcom, Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend is an absolute marvel―MJ Wassmer’s debut is clever and cunning, touching and witty (with twist after twist). I adored it―bravo, can’t wait to read more from him!” ― Ashley Tate, internationally bestselling author of Twenty-Seven Minutes 
 

“The end of the world has never been so fun! Explosively funny and terrifyingly plausible in its depiction of the apocalypse, this cinematic debut had me LOLing, cringing and cheering throughout. I absolutely blazed through this earth-shattering action romp.” ― Josh Winning, author of The Shadow Glass

“Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend is a seamless read that made me love humanity, hate it, and then love it again. I took few breaks in between starting it and finishing it, pausing only to eat and wash myself. MJ Wassmer debuts with a fully formed voice that is at once hilarious, nihilistic, and tender. It’s the kind of balance that takes most writers three or four books to truly nail. Zero Stars reminds me of the first drink of a well-deserved vacation, it’s refreshing, bittersweet, and surprisingly strong.” ― Kyle Prue, TikTok personality and author of How to Piss Off Men

“This is Lord Of The Flies meets an all-inclusive bar, with incredible results. MJ Wassmer has written a totally original brainmelter―part thriller, part comedy, and part inspiring love story.” ― Alice Bell, author of Grave Expectations and Displeasure Island