Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Fresh off the Starship

Rate this book
Wrong place, right time? A starbeing was supposed to travel light-years across the universe to help humanity by working in Washington, D.C.—but she accidentally lands in a small Kansas town in the body of Missy. Join her on this whimsical journey as she discovers the beauty of life and love on Earth.

Author Ann Crawford's trademark optimism brings us a witty and wise book filled with memorable characters and insights into what makes us all so very human.

137 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 12, 2018

76 people are currently reading
474 people want to read

About the author

Ann Crawford

8 books174 followers
Ann Crawford is a bestselling and award-winning author, eternal optimist, and lifelong lover of love. She writes books that explore joy, connection, healing, and the wild, wonderful adventure of being human — with heart, humor, and hope.

Her work invites readers to remember who they are beneath the noise, to listen for what’s true, and to create lives, love, and meaning rooted in that deeper knowing. Along the way, there’s usually laughter — sometimes out loud in the grocery store.

A world traveler who has circumnavigated the planet twice, Ann has trekked in Nepal, spent time in the King’s Chamber of the Great Pyramid of Giza, belly-danced in Turkey, hitchhiked New Zealand’s South Island, meditated in India, played with children in Soweto, scuba-dived a sunken shipwreck, and chin-chucked a kangaroo in Australia. She’s also firewalked, flown a plane, and made an award-winning documentary film about Vietnam veterans. Her work has also been recognized for humanitarian impact.

Her latest book, The Life of Your Love: Calling in the Love of Your Life, invites readers to remember that love is who they are — and that living from this place naturally reshapes what (and who) they call in. She is also the author of Bazoomerangs, Spellweaver, Mary’s Message, Angels on Overtime, Life in the Hollywood Lane, and Fresh off the Starship — stories that celebrate love, connection, and the courage to live fully.

Ann lives in Colorado with her family and a deep appreciation for sunsets, laughter, and the quiet magic of being alive — plus a brazen fondness for coffee and chocolate that occasionally finds its way onto the page.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
78 (49%)
4 stars
40 (25%)
3 stars
24 (15%)
2 stars
10 (6%)
1 star
5 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
Profile Image for Sherrie Cronin.
Author 10 books618 followers
May 25, 2019
I applaud (and thank) the author for creating a world that held me spellbound and happy for many hours. You can read my full review at https://tothepowerofzero.org/2019/05/...

What I liked best:
Yes, it made me laugh. In some ways it reminded me of a modern (and more enlightened) Stranger in a Strange Land. Who can’t chuckle at an alien being wondering what a vibrator is?
Nothing will make one more grateful for ordinary life than an outsider’s perspective. I dare anyone to read this book and not really enjoy the next shower they take!
The book is told from the perspective of an alien being (she prefers to be called a star being). It’s not a trivial thing to pull this off. Kudos to the author for making her star being a sympathetic narrator.
I liked her overall view of the world. It’s kind, gentle and positive. There is plenty of dark stuff out there to read and I found this novel to be a nice change of pace.
It held my interest. The writing was fine, the pacing was good and I had so many questions. That’s high praise.

What I liked least:
Allow me a short insert here. It continues to amaze me how the reading of a novel is a dance between the author and the reader. As an author, I accept not everyone will enjoy my books. As a reader, I understand my complaints about a novel say as much about me as they do about the writer. Please consider this when reading what is below, and do keep in mind I enjoyed this book.
Accents: I’ve never been too fond of spelling words the way people talk, and I quickly tired of the fer (for for) and t’al (for towel) and so on. I suppose my growing up in Kansas didn’t help 🙂 but honestly I don’t care for drawing attention to accents. On the whole I prefer to let people be people when they talk, and not risk making them into “others.”
New age: This one is tough. I outright believe in or am open to most new age concepts. Yet whenever I find a more enlightened being in fiction explaining to a poor human how the things that make them cry into their pillow or toss and turn all night are really their own choices, designed to help them grow, it sounds glib and insensitive. (Even if it could be true.) I credit this author with making an effort to have her star being appreciate human struggles and empathize with pain, but this dynamic has yet to work for me.
Romance: Ah, it makes the world go round. I find it delightful in real life and lovely as a side plot, but I’m always disappointed when the book centers around getting lovers together. That makes it a romance novel, in my opinion, and I don’t particularly like romance novels. There were so many things I wanted more of: outer space, politics, star beings, saving the world ….

In spite of my complaints, I’d recommend this book to anyone, actually. I suspect its ideal demographic skews towards females, and those open-minded about new age beliefs (and open minded in general.) None-the-less, it’s a quick and fun read and I think most humans would find something to enjoy in this alien-out-of-water tale.
Profile Image for Lubov Leonova.
Author 5 books137 followers
February 12, 2023
A Wonderful Spiritual Journey!

This story impressed me in many ways. The main character, Missy, is a spirit who takes over the body of a deceased young woman. Her journey starts in a hospital where she has to rediscover who she really is. 

Like a child, she discovered the beauty of simple things that many take for granted, like falling snow and a touch of a fluffy towel. I was amused to start paying attention to such details, too.

Another thing that I enjoyed a lot in this story is the deep bottom line. The author shows the true value of human existence through the dialogues between Missy and other characters. Their process of healing is very inspirational.

I would recommend it to people who love exploring spiritual themes.
Profile Image for Gigi Sedlmayer.
Author 6 books65 followers
April 22, 2020
Excerpt from the book, explaining humans:
"The pain you have to endure on this planet is what makes you so special. It's what can turn you into a superstar."
"You are among the luckiest beings in all of creation with the amazingly beautiful things you get to experience through your five senses.'
"Remember humans that you are light and to light you shall return."
Profile Image for Billy Buttons.
Author 19 books193 followers
November 10, 2018
THE WISHING SHELF BOOK AWARDS
29th October 2018
TITLE: Fresh off the Starship
AUTHOR: Ann Crawford
Star Rating: 5 stars

‘This truly is a wonderful story from a very talented writer. Smoothly-written prose, a fascinating. lightly-penned plot and a strong, slightly confused hero to cheer for.’ The Wishing Shelf

REVIEW
This (sort of) fantasy novel is very, very different. Mostly, in a good way. Firstly, the premise is cool. The story follows Missy – she’s a woman but we soon discover she’s not – from the Andromeda Galaxy. Waking up from a coma, she finds herself part of a family (human) with a husband (Matt), and what follows is a funny look at how she (it) attempts to conform to living on this planet.
So, what did I like? Well, the opening chapter is a real ‘grabber’. I’m very fond of books which open with a ‘BANG!' and not with endless paragraphs of flowery prose. Well, trust me, this opens ‘bizarre’, hooking the reader into the story. Just a note, the characters’ western Kansas drawl can be a little ‘unsettling’ at first – I’m a Brit – but, don’t worry, it’s not difficult to follow.
The writing style (present tense – always slightly bugging) is fast-paced and flowery prose are, thankfully, kept to a minimum. However, in the first half of the book, the author works hard to describe character and setting in an interesting way. Take her description of a hospital room: Everything else is white. And gray. And some more white over there. With more gray. Rather fun, I think.
The author works particularly well with setting. She understands how important it is not to just simply describe the setting but, rather, have the characters interact with it in a natural and unobtrusive way. Many authors seem determined to describe every silver spoon and every woolly tunic. Thankfully, this author has not fallen into that trap. This is particularly important in this story, as the protagonist attempts to understand a totally different world.
There were plenty of twists and turns to keep me interested and the characters were interesting, quirky and well-developed. There are a lot of comical moments that, often as not, hit the mark; and the ending was excellent. Closing my computer, I knew I’d be happy to open another of this author’s books.

A ‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review
www.thewsa.co.uk
Profile Image for Renee.
Author 24 books146 followers
May 14, 2019
A starbeing was meant to go to Washington DC, to aid the President of the United States via a close friend/advisor, but got accidentally rerouted to the host-body of a Kansas rancher's wife. She has to relearn everything about being human, and learns it's important to make a difference wherever you are.

This was pitched to me on a blog-hosting site as a romantic comedy, so I signed up to host. Loved the book, but I wouldn't call it a romantic comedy. It started a bit awkwardly, in a weird POV voice--third person present tense isn't the usual fiction-norm. But I'm glad I stuck with it because she grew on me, and I loved the philosophical slant about what makes humans special and what makes even an ordinary life worth living. It left me feeling renewed and hopeful, and glad I read it. A total surprise from what I was expecting. Kind of like my life! LOL
Profile Image for Irene.
837 reviews
May 29, 2019
When I first started this book, I was like haven't I read something like this before?
As I kept reading, I realized how different this book and the other are.
Missy wakes up after being in a coma and has amnesia. Let's just call it that for now ok!!
You could tell there was something wrong with Missy and Matt's marriage from the get go.
I had my giggles reading about Missy and her adjusting to her Earth life. Then there were serious moments and it's like okay, that's a real life situation, but yet it's in a book.
It was a great read, very eye opening in some parts like I stated before. Then you'd laugh because Missy said a phrase wrong. I did like the part where she could turn on and off, of what she wanted to see when she looked at someone. Not turn it on or off, but to filter it. I'd be a basket case for sure.

4 reviews
May 11, 2020
I purchased this book in the middle of the great pandemic of 2020, looking for some joy and lightheartedness amidst all the fear and chaos on this planet right now. The book had me at the title. It did not disappoint.

It is the first book I have read by Ann Crawford and I am hungry for more. Her lightness of spirit, her joy and her love of life all come through, and it magnetizes me. I am not going to detail the story ... that's already been done by other reviewers, but in this quirky, loveable book, she has made me appreciate the earthly plane and human realm in ways I did not before. This book left me feeling light and in love with myself, and all of life ... all over again. I highly recommend it.

Thank you Ann!
Profile Image for Read Ng.
1,367 reviews26 followers
August 1, 2019
This was a GoodReads giveaway win of a Kindle Edition ebook.

I am not the target audience.

This was a very light hearted book about people and the trials and tribulations they suffer during their lives. It is presented in a light SciFi manner as a interstellar energy being inhabits a human and discovers first hand what it means to have a body. I found it to be mildly humorous and did make a couple of interesting thought provoking observations. I would have to categorize this as "chick lit" and did not find it spoke to me very well. But it was an okay story.

Have a GoodReads.
5 reviews
September 10, 2020
I truly love the way that Ann writes her books, as they are filled with a genuine heart and adventure that can be applied to one's life. I couldn't put this book down, as I was pulled into the story that has been told in so many ways, but this drew me in with it's truth and sincerity. I love her books as she writes from an alternate reality and angle that is creative and imaginative at the same time pulls in truth and makes you ask the question: what if this were true? I definitely recommend her books. JN
2 reviews
April 4, 2019
This very talented author has a great way of combining humor with deep insights. Here she takes a starbeing to reveal to us the many awesome wonders of being human--and makes us laugh along the way. As I mentioned in another review, I'm a guy's guy and sports fanatic and all, but Ann Crawford's books are really compelling...even to me sitting in my man cave. I highly recommend this book and I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.
6 reviews
November 20, 2019
Fresh off the Starship is a magical story with memorable, quirky characters. Imagine a loved one has been in a serious accident. She lives, but she’s ... different. And her family has no idea just how different. Now imagine a starbeing sent to Earth on a special mission accidentally finds itself in Kansas in a married female’s body. This book is by turns humorous, thoughtful, heart-warming, and poignant, but always entertaining.
Profile Image for Sue Billings.
4 reviews
May 8, 2019
Once again, Ann has written a very entertaining and insightful book. Her character Missy took me through just about every emotion possible. Being born and raised in Kansas, I can relate to this story and laugh while making sure to pronounce all the syl-bals of a word.
Profile Image for Lisa.
1,729 reviews1 follower
April 23, 2020
This was weird. It's sci-fi chicklit and had potential, but it just fell flat.
2 reviews
April 29, 2020
Review

Great premise and great beginning.plot and characters became very forced midway through.kept reading with hope that the story and writing style would return. It did not.
Profile Image for Janna.
779 reviews60 followers
June 4, 2019
General info

This is a book about an alien who is sent out to earth to help the humankind to be better. However, due to unexpected events she lands in the wrong place and in the wrong body. This is the story of how she adapts to life on a Kansas ranch.

What I liked

To me, it is really nice that in this book all the alien beings are kind and want to help humans and the earth and not destroy it.
The story itself is also great and interesting. I also think that it shows that you can do important things even in the smallest of places.

Conclusion

All in all, this book was an enjoyable read and only took be about a day. It is a beautiful story about the humankind and the secrets and problems they keep hidden. Truly this is a worthy read

* Free copy received for an honest review
Profile Image for Aaron Fown.
Author 2 books
August 21, 2021
I thought this trope was overplayed, but that shows you what I know. This book was a fun ride all the way through, largely because the stakes were low and the perspective was fun. The story, had the main character 'hit her mark' would have been far less interesting, in the end. Well edited, and evenly paced, and I hardly noticed the present tense format after the first few minutes, which is rare and good. It's a work of fiction, sure, but there might be a thing or two to learn in it. All in all, a dollar well spent.
Profile Image for Cecily Wang.
Author 3 books27 followers
January 31, 2024
"Fresh Off the Starship" by Ann Crawford is both easy-to-read and insightful, blending light-hearted humor with a deep exploration of human nature. The story follows a starbeing who accidentally lands in a small Kansas town, then gaining a human perspective on life and love on Earth. Crawford's writing is smooth and witty. With relatable characters and a plot that celebrates the strengths and fragilities of humanity, this book is perfect for readers seeking both entertainment and deeper meaning.
13 reviews
November 16, 2024
Fun little story

Fresh off the Starship is a fun and heartwarming story about a cosmic being who accidentally lands in Kansas and has to figure out life on Earth. It’s full of humor, kindness, and big questions about love and life. The characters are easy to connect with, and the story mixes everyday moments with deeper ideas about purpose and spirituality. It’s light, enjoyable, and makes you think without being heavy. If you like stories that make you laugh, feel good, and reflect on life, this is a great pick. A simple, uplifting read that leaves you smiling!
Profile Image for Josephine Spire.
Author 10 books20 followers
March 8, 2021
Well written and entertaining!

“But even with looking away from the fields, the assault of the roomful of underlying emotions are way too much for her, and she feels quezy. The emotions seem to be layered in tiers: everyday irritations of getting through life- what with physical pains, complicated relationships, hard work and financial concerns just to make a few .......” Quite an entertaining and enjoyable account, a credit to the author!
Profile Image for Anne Barker.
221 reviews18 followers
May 1, 2019
I win this in a goodreads giveaway.

At first this book was a little frustrating because Missy doesn’t know anything but I had to keep reminding myself that she isn’t from Earth.

It’s also interesting once Matt learns the truth about who she really is, he doesn’t freak out and run. I mean, he kinda gets mad but the whole idea of this girl taking over Missy’s body isn’t freaking him out.
3 reviews
May 31, 2019
I am very grateful to her. She super kind. And she has an amazing smile. I did an interview with her.

This book I already like because it has to do with aliens. Anything with aliens. I am all in.

This remind me of old movie from 1988 my stepmom is an alien. I love it. This book make you laugh. It very inspirational, and sad.

It help me imagine my wife as alien haha.
Profile Image for Julia Stephanie.
2,114 reviews6 followers
April 13, 2020
My cousin recommended this book to me saying it seemed right up my alley and I agreed. This was an interesting read, though I’m not sure I’d classify it as a RomCom because I didn’t do a whole lot of laughing as it felt more serious given the topics covered. Cute and sweet, quick read. I hope she was able to do all the things she needed to do!
Profile Image for Katie.
8 reviews
January 13, 2021
I absolutely loved this book - this is the second of Ann's booked that I have read and I was not disappointed. She makes the knowledge that we all have inside accessible and creates fantastic stories to tell the message.
I'm off to read her other 3 books now.
If you're wondering whether to buy - YES!
Profile Image for Miguel Jr..
Author 17 books53 followers
April 17, 2023
So-so.

The story was OK. The pace was slow and my reading engagement in this book was not that high.

What helped my reading experience was that this book was properly formatted. What I did not like were some of the word choices in this book as it hampered my reading experience. I also liked that this book was not too big in length.
Profile Image for Mickey White.
84 reviews1 follower
August 23, 2023
Definitely different

The book is a bit too complicated while also being very basic. In my opinion, it probably should be classified as something else. The placement is just strange. That being said, the story isn't bad. If you are into exploring metaphysical concepts through narrative, this will provide you the chance to do it.
90 reviews
February 9, 2024
Captivating read!!

This is a captivating read that will appeal to fans of both science fiction and heartfelt storytelling. What truly sets this book apart is its ability to blend science fiction elements with poignant moments of introspection. This book is sure to leave you feeling uplifted and inspired!!
Profile Image for Nancy.
2 reviews
January 13, 2020
Wonderful read. Ann is skillfull. As a Star seed I related to so much in this story. Mostly Ann has reminded me how beautiful living in the 3rd dimension really is. I see myself more grateful for everything. thank you, Ann
120 reviews1 follower
April 27, 2020
Wonderful!

I read the whole book in one sitting. it was uplifting, funny, thought provoking, and heartfelt. It had laughs and tears as any really good story does. I will be on the lookout for her other books.
733 reviews1 follower
May 7, 2020
Delightful!

What a wonderful story. Enjoyed it immensely! To the other readers, you just have to pick up the book. You won't want to stop till you are done. It's a short book which makes it easy to read in one sitting. I look forward to reading more books by this author.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.