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Honey, I Found a Starship
When Thomas Matheson moves his family into their new suburban home, he's hoping for a fresh start, a chance to reconnect with his teenage children and an opportunity to leave the pressures of his old life behind.
But when strange things start happening around the house, Thomas discovers something hidden in the a starship, buried beneath their home for years.
Before they can process what they've found, the ship's AI activates and the Matheson family is scattered across the galaxy.
Now Thomas must navigate a universe of hunted heroes, alien civilizations, criminal syndicates, and a government that will stop at nothing to claim their ship.
His family is out there somewhere, lost among the stars and to find them, he'll have to become something he never a captain.
Strap in for an unforgettable adventure with USA Today Bestselling Author J.N. Chaney and Matthew A. Goodwin.
If you're a fan of found spaceships, family adventures, and ordinary people thrust into extraordinary circumstances, Honey, I Found a Starship is the series you've been waiting for.
But when strange things start happening around the house, Thomas discovers something hidden in the a starship, buried beneath their home for years.
Before they can process what they've found, the ship's AI activates and the Matheson family is scattered across the galaxy.
Now Thomas must navigate a universe of hunted heroes, alien civilizations, criminal syndicates, and a government that will stop at nothing to claim their ship.
His family is out there somewhere, lost among the stars and to find them, he'll have to become something he never a captain.
Strap in for an unforgettable adventure with USA Today Bestselling Author J.N. Chaney and Matthew A. Goodwin.
If you're a fan of found spaceships, family adventures, and ordinary people thrust into extraordinary circumstances, Honey, I Found a Starship is the series you've been waiting for.
- GenresScience Fiction
405 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 22, 2026
About the author
J.N. Chaney
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
June 19, 2026
I don't usually rate things 5 stars. It really has to be spectacular if you want 5 stars from me. I'm like a grumpy food critic.
However, in this case what started as a typical 4 star book shot to 5 near the end. I nearly laughed my head off at the medical AI. I also laughed out loud at "Roll Tide." Give me understated humor in a book and I will 5-star the thing all over the place.
But beyond that, we have a family of people who generally like each other. Adventure all around. Battles where people really do get hurt. Clueless humans who are just trying to figure it out. As characters go, these were pretty good.
I will say that at the beginning, the AI has a strange 1940's-50's style gangster voice that was supposed to be funny. I wrote that off as just dumb with the hope that the whole book wouldn't be that way. I'm glad I did hang in there because the entertainment just gets better and better.
I almost wish I hadn't read this yet, because the future books have yet to be released on audio. Hopefully it'll be sooner than later. Give me more! Kyf Brewer was great on the audio.
However, in this case what started as a typical 4 star book shot to 5 near the end. I nearly laughed my head off at the medical AI. I also laughed out loud at "Roll Tide." Give me understated humor in a book and I will 5-star the thing all over the place.
But beyond that, we have a family of people who generally like each other. Adventure all around. Battles where people really do get hurt. Clueless humans who are just trying to figure it out. As characters go, these were pretty good.
I will say that at the beginning, the AI has a strange 1940's-50's style gangster voice that was supposed to be funny. I wrote that off as just dumb with the hope that the whole book wouldn't be that way. I'm glad I did hang in there because the entertainment just gets better and better.
I almost wish I hadn't read this yet, because the future books have yet to be released on audio. Hopefully it'll be sooner than later. Give me more! Kyf Brewer was great on the audio.
March 12, 2026
Better than I expected
I wasn’t sure in the beginning if I would like this storyline. Sometimes everyday humans thrust into space operas can lead to many situations where you really know you’re just reading a book. I found this story to be engaging, humorous, and at times believable. I will look forward to continuing with this series as it becomes available. Thank you Mr. Goodwin, and of course Mr. Chaney.
I wasn’t sure in the beginning if I would like this storyline. Sometimes everyday humans thrust into space operas can lead to many situations where you really know you’re just reading a book. I found this story to be engaging, humorous, and at times believable. I will look forward to continuing with this series as it becomes available. Thank you Mr. Goodwin, and of course Mr. Chaney.
March 10, 2026
Start of an interesting series
An interesting set of characters - a family and people they pick up along the way of dangerous adventures. Good personalities that are developing well. A good universe with an interesting backstory. Like most series kickoff books there is a lot of required setup but that adds to the story because of how well it is done.
An interesting set of characters - a family and people they pick up along the way of dangerous adventures. Good personalities that are developing well. A good universe with an interesting backstory. Like most series kickoff books there is a lot of required setup but that adds to the story because of how well it is done.
March 20, 2026
Very Well Constructed: A fun read.
This is an outstanding sf space opera. Relentless plot, believable storytelling, unusually good character developments, moral dilemmas. A very hard book to put down at dinner time & bedtime. Highly recommend.
This is an outstanding sf space opera. Relentless plot, believable storytelling, unusually good character developments, moral dilemmas. A very hard book to put down at dinner time & bedtime. Highly recommend.
April 2, 2026
Very good, could hardly put it down
April 9, 2026
Loved this story! Throwing a family of humans into space was hilarious
I found the story had a quick introduction to space via the Veritas. Lots of high energy, intense relations between a variety of species. The author did a great job infusing the many working parts. Well written with lots of action, beautiful descriptions, edge of your seat fighting, and so much more. Definitely recommend to a syfy fans and anyone interested in space contact.
I found the story had a quick introduction to space via the Veritas. Lots of high energy, intense relations between a variety of species. The author did a great job infusing the many working parts. Well written with lots of action, beautiful descriptions, edge of your seat fighting, and so much more. Definitely recommend to a syfy fans and anyone interested in space contact.
March 21, 2026
great storyline
I started this book not sure about the story .I have really enjoyed this book and Iam looking forward reading the next instalment can’t wait to continue the tales
I started this book not sure about the story .I have really enjoyed this book and Iam looking forward reading the next instalment can’t wait to continue the tales
March 30, 2026
Top Notch Science Fiction!
May 18, 2026
Could have been great
Honey, I Found a Starship had a genuinely fun premise and enough interesting sci-fi ideas to keep me reading, but I struggled with the execution. A lot of the tension in the story seemed to rely on characters making decisions that didn’t feel believable or logical. Several major conflicts could have been avoided if the characters acted with even basic common sense, and the lack of meaningful consequences for dangerous mistakes made it harder to stay immersed.
The another issue for me was the ship AI/computer. The story presents it as highly advanced, yet it repeatedly requires humans—often inexperienced kids—to manually handle tasks that a computer should realistically perform far better, such as combat piloting, calculating escape vectors, or managing jamming systems. Instead of feeling like believable limitations, it often came across as the AI being artificially weakened so the human characters could stay relevant.
That said, the core concept is still entertaining, and I can see why some readers would enjoy the fast pace and adventure aspects. For me, though, the constant “plot-induced stupidity” pulled me out of the story too often to fully enjoy it.
Honey, I Found a Starship had a genuinely fun premise and enough interesting sci-fi ideas to keep me reading, but I struggled with the execution. A lot of the tension in the story seemed to rely on characters making decisions that didn’t feel believable or logical. Several major conflicts could have been avoided if the characters acted with even basic common sense, and the lack of meaningful consequences for dangerous mistakes made it harder to stay immersed.
The another issue for me was the ship AI/computer. The story presents it as highly advanced, yet it repeatedly requires humans—often inexperienced kids—to manually handle tasks that a computer should realistically perform far better, such as combat piloting, calculating escape vectors, or managing jamming systems. Instead of feeling like believable limitations, it often came across as the AI being artificially weakened so the human characters could stay relevant.
That said, the core concept is still entertaining, and I can see why some readers would enjoy the fast pace and adventure aspects. For me, though, the constant “plot-induced stupidity” pulled me out of the story too often to fully enjoy it.
July 12, 2026
Not only a starship but new worlds
I have been pulled in by J.N. Cheney's universes, with bits of references to classic sci-fi, where we broadened our minds as youths. Now truly a new generation of science fiction we are still charmed by the humor, adventure, and slick portrayal of a modern world pitted against any life form including humans.
I will enjoy the next books in this series, the Matheson family has revealed inner strengths, interests beyond their family and initial goals... They are the new Galactic Arbitrators, we can hope they succeed to free the worlds from the tyranny and uniformity of the mean kids on the block-- the Enforcers and Unity.
Exciting reads await.
I have been pulled in by J.N. Cheney's universes, with bits of references to classic sci-fi, where we broadened our minds as youths. Now truly a new generation of science fiction we are still charmed by the humor, adventure, and slick portrayal of a modern world pitted against any life form including humans.
I will enjoy the next books in this series, the Matheson family has revealed inner strengths, interests beyond their family and initial goals... They are the new Galactic Arbitrators, we can hope they succeed to free the worlds from the tyranny and uniformity of the mean kids on the block-- the Enforcers and Unity.
Exciting reads await.
March 18, 2026
I'm going to give the second book a try, but so far, the series seems to be a little forced to me.
Yes, the good guys are VERY good guys, but having all four members of the family being ultra-talented and that capable seems like a stretch. The nerdy whiz kid teenaged boy, the ultra-competitive super fit teenaged girl, the super persuasive and ultra communicative mother, and Dad being the one who holds the family together, and turns out to be a tactical genius, as well? That's a stretch.
It's a good yarn, though. And maybe we need more on the backstory on the main characters to see how they got to be as seemingly fit for the job they accidentally fell into.
Yes, the good guys are VERY good guys, but having all four members of the family being ultra-talented and that capable seems like a stretch. The nerdy whiz kid teenaged boy, the ultra-competitive super fit teenaged girl, the super persuasive and ultra communicative mother, and Dad being the one who holds the family together, and turns out to be a tactical genius, as well? That's a stretch.
It's a good yarn, though. And maybe we need more on the backstory on the main characters to see how they got to be as seemingly fit for the job they accidentally fell into.
March 28, 2026
Honey I found a Starship is the first book in this series, and it's a pretty good one. If you like scifi, this is almost a must read. It has space exploration, aliens, peacekeepers that were wiped out so the criminal elements could control the galaxy, (not exactly a new concept in scifi), and a family thrown into the middle of it all by accident that just might be the saviors of the galaxy, perhaps not entirely by choice. This is fun stuff folks, highly recommended.
April 8, 2026
Do not take this as serious sci-fi. While the execution is questionable and excessively improbable, the book is entertaining on a purely superficial level. Initially the ridiculous elements had me scoffing, I finally decided to throw the practical concerns (such as not sleeping, no bathroom facilities mentioned, not eating, not showering, no what to do with the dog poop, etc.) away and to just enjoy the ride. I’m looking forward to continuing the adventure.
May 10, 2026
A Strong Beginning
Like so many of the series by JN Chaney, this has a strong, demonstrative and dramatic beginning. The character development is good, with growth shown as they grow into the storyline. Good drama and action sequences, interesting dialogue and situations keep the reader moving forward. This book ends thoughtfully, with only the recent issues resolved and an anticipated continuation for the series.
Like so many of the series by JN Chaney, this has a strong, demonstrative and dramatic beginning. The character development is good, with growth shown as they grow into the storyline. Good drama and action sequences, interesting dialogue and situations keep the reader moving forward. This book ends thoughtfully, with only the recent issues resolved and an anticipated continuation for the series.
March 23, 2026
An interesting and entertaining read
l definitely make no claim as to being an expert in the subject but my conclusion is that this interesting and entertaining tale was most likely written by a talented CBL with no sign of SBL involvement unlike another 3 book series I read recently.
l definitely make no claim as to being an expert in the subject but my conclusion is that this interesting and entertaining tale was most likely written by a talented CBL with no sign of SBL involvement unlike another 3 book series I read recently.
April 10, 2026
A silly premise but it works
A couple with 16 year old twins move to a new to them house in a new city. So far, sounds very ordinary, right? Then, the father and son check out the basement and ordinary goes right out the window.
A preposterous, yet fun romp that, nevertheless, manages to touch some serious subjects. Highly recommended.
A couple with 16 year old twins move to a new to them house in a new city. So far, sounds very ordinary, right? Then, the father and son check out the basement and ordinary goes right out the window.
A preposterous, yet fun romp that, nevertheless, manages to touch some serious subjects. Highly recommended.
April 14, 2026
A family finds a starship in a sealed area off the basement. When the son "accidentally" presses a big red button he and his dad are folded across space. The rest of the family that were not in the spaceship were flung across space to other locations. Let the rescues begin. Lots of aliens and bad guys to keep it interesting.
May 22, 2026
Excellent
Great read!!! And of course I purchased the next in the series. Gotta see what happens next... And I need to say how apreative I am of the fact that the author didn't devolve into the typical blood and guts/death and destruction that sooo many authors seem to think we need or simply use it as a way of avoiding the creativity of keeping good conversations flowing.🙂
Great read!!! And of course I purchased the next in the series. Gotta see what happens next... And I need to say how apreative I am of the fact that the author didn't devolve into the typical blood and guts/death and destruction that sooo many authors seem to think we need or simply use it as a way of avoiding the creativity of keeping good conversations flowing.🙂
April 6, 2026
What a delightful read
Great start to a new series, lots of potential ahead.
I enjoyed the inter character dynamics. The story flowed well while managing to both fully develop book 1 and set in place the bones of the series to follow.
I'll be reading book 2 asap.
Great start to a new series, lots of potential ahead.
I enjoyed the inter character dynamics. The story flowed well while managing to both fully develop book 1 and set in place the bones of the series to follow.
I'll be reading book 2 asap.
April 19, 2026
Wow! A tad of Backyard Starship, and Swiss Family Robinson.
Interesting that Mr. Chaney has elevated the roles of females from secondary color tofro tline characters. This is fictioninthegenre of the Masters and originators. Definetly will read further. Way to go.
Interesting that Mr. Chaney has elevated the roles of females from secondary color tofro tline characters. This is fictioninthegenre of the Masters and originators. Definetly will read further. Way to go.
May 8, 2026
An entertaining read
I thoroughly enjoyed this book the development of the characters and the children growing into their roles and becoming stronger together, also enjoyed Kino the dragon man who assists them and has become family.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book the development of the characters and the children growing into their roles and becoming stronger together, also enjoyed Kino the dragon man who assists them and has become family.
May 21, 2026
Wonderful
What if you were a family in a new home and you found a space plane in your basement. Your teenage son turning it on it went into space and the rest of the family was sent to different parts of the universe. This is a very good book!
What if you were a family in a new home and you found a space plane in your basement. Your teenage son turning it on it went into space and the rest of the family was sent to different parts of the universe. This is a very good book!
July 8, 2026
awesome book!
This is the best book I’ve read in a while. I absolutely love these authors although I am most familiar with JN Chaney. Never a dull moment! Looking forward to the next one. Enjoy!
This is the best book I’ve read in a while. I absolutely love these authors although I am most familiar with JN Chaney. Never a dull moment! Looking forward to the next one. Enjoy!
July 24, 2026
Too many plotholes
It is a fairly good story/plot but there are too many inconsistencies and holes on the plot. I don't think I'll buy the next book, even tho I'm curious to find out more.
It is a fairly good story/plot but there are too many inconsistencies and holes on the plot. I don't think I'll buy the next book, even tho I'm curious to find out more.
March 24, 2026
Enjoyable but some parts confusing so far as they take leaps in the story/plot to get around dead ends.
April 8, 2026
An Entertaining Story
I found this to be a very different type of story that was entertaining to read. I am looking forward to the next book.
I found this to be a very different type of story that was entertaining to read. I am looking forward to the next book.
April 9, 2026
Great Read
I throughly enjoyed this book. It had a good story line and kept me interested throughout the entire story. I recommend reading this book.
I throughly enjoyed this book. It had a good story line and kept me interested throughout the entire story. I recommend reading this book.
April 11, 2026
Very good!
Really quite a good book. I enjoyed the new storyline, in some ways similar to backyard starship, but in others all new. Definitely worth a read.
Really quite a good book. I enjoyed the new storyline, in some ways similar to backyard starship, but in others all new. Definitely worth a read.
April 14, 2026
Very nice story.
April 22, 2026
disappointed AI generated dreck
I usually love Cheney’s work. But this was nothing but the horribly wrong bad sad AI generated dreck that far too many people are presenting today.
I usually love Cheney’s work. But this was nothing but the horribly wrong bad sad AI generated dreck that far too many people are presenting today.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews