Tea & Alchemy Review: A Cozy Vampire Fantasy with Heart
I clicked on Tea & Alchemy for the cover and the title alone, and honestly, that was all it took. Tea leaf reading, alchemy, a mysterious recluse, and a cozy nineteenth-century tearoom? Sold. What I didn’t expect was how fully this book would draw me in, blending romance, mystery, and a thoughtful reimagining of vampire lore into a story that feels quietly magical and deeply satisfying.
Hype Report
So far, I think this is under-hyped. More people should be talking about Tea & Alchemy
Aesthetic
The Cover
I’m a sucker for beautiful illustrations with integrated typography, and small testimonials and author names. The focus of the Tea & Alchemy cover is clearly the title and the surrounding illustration. The style speaks to the content of the story, cozy, fantastical, and mysterious. Appropriate symbolism is applied, and the styling is reminiscent of botanical illustrations in old manuscripts or texts.
Interior
The interior of the Tea & Alchemy ebook is fairly no-nonsense. It was easy to read; things flowed well. The Chapter headers had cute illustrations and large chapter titles that pulled from a phrase in the chapter. The POV of each chapter was also clearly indicated.
Did the design affect whether I bought the book?
Yep! The cover sold me on this book. I 100% clicked because I thought it looked cool and I liked the title. Once I noticed the author, I didn’t even read the description. Add to cart.
Summary
In Short
A Tea Leaf Reader and an Alchemist walk into a tea room… Kidding, this is a cozy vampire romance with a unique twist.
From the Publisher
A tea leaf reader in nineteenth-century England falls in love—and in danger—with a reclusive alchemist in an enthralling historical fantasy by the author of Salt & Broom and Grimm Curiosities.
Cornwall, 1854. The people of Roche have always whispered about the recluse in the black granite tower that looms above the moorland. But one young woman is driven to discover the truth behind the old tales.
Her life overshadowed by family tragedy, Mina Penrose escapes her lonely days by working at The Magpie, a cozy tearoom on the village’s edge. Lately she’s been seeing shapes in the sodden leaves that hint at the future. After one such omen, Mina stumbles upon a murdered man on the heath. Villagers immediately suspect Harker Tregarrick, a living, breathing mystery who never ventures beyond the bounds of his centuries-old estate.
Until the day after the murder, when the handsome and compelling recluse visits The Magpie…leading to a meeting that will change both their fates. Captivated by a man around whom danger and rumors of death swirl, Mina has never felt more alive. Can she uncover Harker’s heartbreaking history—and the truth about the murder—before tragedy strikes again?
“Being a woman is no excuse for being uninformed” was a favorite slogan of hers.”
Character Analysis
The character development in Tea & Alchemy is *chef’s kiss*! I love how, naturally, through the course of storytelling, we learn so much about the personalities and values of Mina and Harker. Fisher shows Mina to be compassionate, observant, kind, loyal, hardworking, as well as curious, headstrong, stubborn, and with a touch of temper through her words and her actions. Harker is tormented and lonely, smart and attentive, self-effacing, confident in things he knows but open to ideas (scientific).
For such a short book, at only 299 pages, so much personality was injected into this cozy fantasy. None of the characters felt flat, even the very minor side characters like the tavern keeper, who cares so deeply for his dog.
“I may not have spent much time around other people, but I’ve read more books than I can count, and I think if there’s anything that defines us as humans, it’s wanting things we shouldn’t.”
Writing Style
Along with beautifully built characters, Tea & Alchemy showcases a wonderful sense of place and time. The area where the story takes place is a real place, Roche Rock in Cornwall, England, and some artistic liberties have been taken. The period was not overly stressed, but elements of daily life intrinsic to the story build the world effortlessly.
This is a dual point of view novel, and it was clear who was speaking during each chapter, both in terms of what they perceived, but also in the tone of the narration.
The romance builds on connection and yearning, leading to a fade to black scene near the end of the story. The tension is delectable.
Themes
This is a romance, a love story with elements of forbidden romance. Obviously, vampire/paranormal themes often point toward “otherness” and persecution, as well as the importance of empathy and compassion.
The interplay of science and magic, fact and faith, is explored.
Independence, particularly of a female in a certain time and place, is a central concern. A love interest that will not hold the FMC back from pursuing her own interests is a key factor.
Mystery and detective work run through the story and are contributed to by a wide swath of the cast.
“As for me, this moment was a symbol and celebration of my own miraculous transmutation, worked not by potions or elixirs, by learned men or dusty volumes, but by the love of a maiden for a monster.”
Critical Evaluation
Tea & Alchemy takes a unique stance on the lore of vampires. This fresh take is very interesting while also being tied to the setting and period of the novel. Cheeky references to vampire canon tie this to the genre in an unexpected way. Fisher also references the main character in another of her novels, Salt & Broom. This self-awareness of the literature is charming and adds a bit of a wink to the familiar reader.
“Every time our eyes met, I felt his strange beauty and gentleness might break my heart.”
Personal Opinion
Tea & Alchemy was such a fun, cozy fantasy read! I enjoyed the characters and the plot, the unique spin on vampirism, the exploration of tea leaf reading and alchemy.
Recommendation
Tea & Alchemy is a big ol’ yes from me! Readers who enjoy cozy vibes but want to dip a toe in the paranormal without anything too explicit, this is for you.
Notes
Related Review: Salt & Broom by Sharon Lynn Fisher
Check out her Spotify playlist and Pinterest Inspiration Board to accompany Tea & Alchemy. More from Sharon Lynn Fisher
I read Tea & Alchemy as a part of my 2026 Playing Card Reading Challenge to fulfill the prompt: Read the newest release on your shelf. This book might also fulfill: Read a romance. Read a fantasy. Read a book with a beautiful cover.
What cozy fantasy do you love? Tell me in the comments.
Buy This Book
May your life be as full as your bookshelf and as long as your TBR list.
Happy Reading!
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