This was fun and different. It's not fast paced, so avoid if that's what you're seeking. The author has a good imagination and puts it to good use here.

I really appreciate the free ARC for review!!

Everything about this book had me intrigued.... the vaguely religious title, the concept, the pop visual cover, plus its a debut novel. I was sold and so so grateful to get a digital ARC approved via NetGalley. I struggled a bit at the onset of reading On Earth as It Is on Television. Initially I struggled to connect with characters who referred to their spouse as "The Wife" and with so many US based characters to follow it started off a bit more scattered than I expected. The moment we entered the mind of a cat around the 30% mark, however, I knew that I at least needed to find out what was going to happen to Sir Muff Mitts and the other cats compelled by an unseen force to leave their homes and families.

I AM SO GLAD that I kept reading!!! This was a unique, touching, intriguing take on not just an invasion story line but also consumerism, the meaning of family, grief, and understanding what we truly want and need out of life. I spent the first 30% wondering if I would ever connect with all of these characters and the last 70% worried about having to say goodbye to these characters when the book came to its natural close. I found myself laughing and also genuinely crying through this novel. I know that this is one I'm going to pick up again and I cannot WAIT to see what Emily Jane does next. If this is your debut, I know we are going to see some truly fantastic things from her.

3 Stars

Unfortunately this book didn't end up being for me, but I do think is an audience who will really enjoy it.

I like how the book is setup like a television series and parts are broken into episodes and then into character stories. There is even a perspective from the cat of the main family.

Owens perspective by far my favorite. I'm a vegetable state for 20 years after a crash, he suddenly just awakes when the alien ships appear. It's like nothing ever happened to him and he's perfectly healthy. That was so interesting to me.

What I struggled with was the pace of the book. It went pretty slow and was difficult for myself to follow.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hyperion ave for this advanced reader copy. My review is voluntarily my own.

On Earth as It Is on Television by Emily Jane

This felt like a real bait and switch. I couldn’t finish this book - I couldn’t get past the prologue.

I picked this book up because the blurb text made it sound like a fun romp: “First Contact stories have never been as intoxicating and fun as in Emily Jane’s novel of the sudden arrival—and equally sudden departure—of spaceships above Earth.”

Instead the prologue begins with a child on the run from her rapist, who happens to be her mother’s boyfriend. Driving her is her half brother, who drives while impaired by marijuana and drives them off a cliff.

This is NOT the fun first contact story I was expecting when I requested an eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I also didn’t love the writing style - it felt too dreamlike for my tastes, but I didn’t really get to encounter too much of it before I had to nope out of this terrible reading experience.

Maybe NetGalley should put some content warnings on its postings. This is NOT the book for me. I hope it finds its audience.

Hilarious and razor sharp story of an invasion of aliens!

What would happen if aliens invaded, but then they left?

Three. Blaine and his family, Heather and recently awaked (from a coma) Oliver deal with this contemporary issue as they live life in the aftermath of the invasion. Similar to a Tom Robbins, this book will get you thinking! If you like satire, aliens, and life's hard questions, this is a book for you!#Hyperion