generally speaking, what kind of SciFi do you like? I've been enjoying some trashy pulp scifi- the series is called Backyard Starship. Earth technically still doesn't know about space, aliens or the like; but there are humans that are out there... and the main character gets to be a space cop. this series is by JN Channey and Terry Magert

Alternatively, asimov's robot series might tickle your fancy- humans have jumped out and colonized other worlds, but the protagonist is an earthman, and it's all his first time, etc. (the iRobot short stories would be set well before that, actually, one of them does deal with development of the hyperdrive.).

Also, back in the pulpy category- this is more military sci fi, as well, there's the Semper Mars, by Ian Douglas. here, we got humanity finding some wacky alien shit on mars. Good. Pulpy. but good. (i mean, space marines, of course it's pulpy.)