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The Chemistry of Familiar Objects
57 Gresham Street is the most incendiary building in London.
Upstairs, unconventional chemist Emmeline Starling uses combustion to solve scientific mysteries. Downstairs, buttoned-up children’s book printer Robert Vane tries very hard not to panic when the ceiling catches on fire. And when these two opposing forces are contained within one small building? Explosions are just the beginning.
After two years of putting up with Robert Vane’s scowls, his precious rules, and the infuriating cleft in his chin, Emmeline has seized upon a solution to the problem of sharing 57 Gresham: she’s purchased the entire building. Her attempt to remove Vane is thwarted, however, when Em and Robert uncover the theft of one of Em’s most dangerous compounds.
Soon Em and Robert are on the run together, chasing a ring of industrial spies who mean to use her discovery as a weapon. From a ship to an island to a foundry in Wiltshire, Em and Robert keep finding themselves trapped together—and close proximity transforms their sparks into a conflagration. For two passionate people who’ve always been at odds, explosive chemicals are nothing compared to the biggest risk of all: falling disastrously, catastrophically in love.
Upstairs, unconventional chemist Emmeline Starling uses combustion to solve scientific mysteries. Downstairs, buttoned-up children’s book printer Robert Vane tries very hard not to panic when the ceiling catches on fire. And when these two opposing forces are contained within one small building? Explosions are just the beginning.
After two years of putting up with Robert Vane’s scowls, his precious rules, and the infuriating cleft in his chin, Emmeline has seized upon a solution to the problem of sharing 57 Gresham: she’s purchased the entire building. Her attempt to remove Vane is thwarted, however, when Em and Robert uncover the theft of one of Em’s most dangerous compounds.
Soon Em and Robert are on the run together, chasing a ring of industrial spies who mean to use her discovery as a weapon. From a ship to an island to a foundry in Wiltshire, Em and Robert keep finding themselves trapped together—and close proximity transforms their sparks into a conflagration. For two passionate people who’ve always been at odds, explosive chemicals are nothing compared to the biggest risk of all: falling disastrously, catastrophically in love.
172 pages, ebook
First published January 29, 2024
14 people are currently reading
2457 people want to read
About the author
Alexandra Vasti
11 books1,289 followersAlexandra Vasti is a British literature professor by day and USA Today bestselling romance writer by night. After finishing her PhD at Columbia University, she moved to New Orleans with her family. Her books have received starred reviews from Publisher's Weekly, Booklist, Library Journal, BookPage, and Kirkus, and have been featured in The New York Times, NPR, Entertainment Weekly, People, and elsewhere.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 225 reviews
February 6, 2024
There is a very specific type of romantic hero that I really like. And it’s actually kind of strange, because it’s that the hero doesn’t do something that I generally like in my books that makes me like him. Or at least he hasn’t done it previously. He usually does it in the book. And asks for instruction because he knows he might not be great at it. Also if the guy is obsessed with keeping his romantic interest warm, I’m all in. It worked for Sebastian, Lord St. Vincent, and it will work for you. Oh, and if he risks his life for the FMC due to Long-Term Pining™️. Salty huts; wayward curls; mild oaths; broken doorknobs; this book has it all.
April 24, 2024
“You are the first thing I think of when I wake. For years now. First—you. And then everything else. You are my dawn.”
thank you for this alexandra vasti🥰🥰🥰🫶🏼🫶🏼🩷🩷🩷😍😍😍🤭🤭
thank you for this alexandra vasti🥰🥰🥰🫶🏼🫶🏼🩷🩷🩷😍😍😍🤭🤭
August 28, 2025
“You are the most incorrigible woman,” he said, “and you shall be the most exasperating wife.”
such a cute romance w an *explosive* organic chemist and a publisher. i wasn’t my favorite of vasti’s but it still had all her strengths.
plus she always writes a down bad mmc i love it.
such a cute romance w an *explosive* organic chemist and a publisher. i wasn’t my favorite of vasti’s but it still had all her strengths.
plus she always writes a down bad mmc i love it.
July 20, 2025
i need alexandra vasti to write everything okay?
On 57 Gresham Street the true showdown is occurring. For Emmeline Starling, the building is the perfect space to test her skills in chemistry, but on the ground floor Robert Vane, a children's book printer is one explosion away from a complete meltdown. Years of towing the line and stewing in their personal hatred for each other all ends when a dangerous concoction of Emmeline’s is stolen. Together, Emmeline and Robert are entangled in a dark conspiracy to weaponize her compound and the only way to uncover it is to work side by side—if they can do so without first burying the hatchet directly in the other’s chest.
What would you say if I told you a real love language was blowing stuff up in front of a man who disdains you? What then? The Chemistry of Familiar Objects features all of my favorite things: man who is so sick of a specific woman he could vomit (but really), woman who can't stop blowing things up/lighting things on fire, and love stemming from schemes and conspiracy. Alexandra Vasti is an undeniable power within the historical romance space, whether that's writing full length novels or bite size novella adventures, and this novella is her pièce de résistance. How else does one craft something so profoundly moving and romantic all in under two hundred pages without losing any real depth from the page count. Em and Robert were (regretfully) in cahoots until it transformed into in cahoots (affectionate) and the entire journey is so delicious I could scream. Vasti doesn't lose up on any of that wonderful romantic tension she is known for, nor the jaw dropping sex scenes that will be seared into my brain for all eternity. The Chemistry of Familiar Objects is a masterclass in intimacy, vulnerability, and that kernel of hate to love that moves all of us one way or another. Also chemistry. Lots of chemistry!
Bookstagram | Blog
On 57 Gresham Street the true showdown is occurring. For Emmeline Starling, the building is the perfect space to test her skills in chemistry, but on the ground floor Robert Vane, a children's book printer is one explosion away from a complete meltdown. Years of towing the line and stewing in their personal hatred for each other all ends when a dangerous concoction of Emmeline’s is stolen. Together, Emmeline and Robert are entangled in a dark conspiracy to weaponize her compound and the only way to uncover it is to work side by side—if they can do so without first burying the hatchet directly in the other’s chest.
What would you say if I told you a real love language was blowing stuff up in front of a man who disdains you? What then? The Chemistry of Familiar Objects features all of my favorite things: man who is so sick of a specific woman he could vomit (but really), woman who can't stop blowing things up/lighting things on fire, and love stemming from schemes and conspiracy. Alexandra Vasti is an undeniable power within the historical romance space, whether that's writing full length novels or bite size novella adventures, and this novella is her pièce de résistance. How else does one craft something so profoundly moving and romantic all in under two hundred pages without losing any real depth from the page count. Em and Robert were (regretfully) in cahoots until it transformed into in cahoots (affectionate) and the entire journey is so delicious I could scream. Vasti doesn't lose up on any of that wonderful romantic tension she is known for, nor the jaw dropping sex scenes that will be seared into my brain for all eternity. The Chemistry of Familiar Objects is a masterclass in intimacy, vulnerability, and that kernel of hate to love that moves all of us one way or another. Also chemistry. Lots of chemistry!
Bookstagram | Blog
February 22, 2024
The chemistry of familiar objects it’s an adorable regency novella, with an unconventional heroine and her extreme opposite hero. I really liked the writing style and felt the relationship was quite well developed for such a short book
Robert is everything I adore in heroes: protective and utterly smitten by the heroine, caring and willing to learn and adjust.
“You are the first thing I think of when I wake. For years now. First—you. And then everything else. You are my dawn.”
Did I mention he writes children’s books? Robert must be protected at all costs!
If you need something light, short and easy, with a beautiful love story and palpable attraction between the characters, this is it!
P.S: Robert mentions something in the book that I feel it Kees being too real:
“I suppose I thought that if someone bought a book of moral lessons for a child without even investigating what it contained, then that child deserved . . . something special on the inside. Something magical.”
I read a lot of child stories, and I have been feeling that most of them are full of moral lessons. I understand the importance of those, but I wish I would see more books full with something magical. Can we turn Robert into a real person please?
Robert is everything I adore in heroes: protective and utterly smitten by the heroine, caring and willing to learn and adjust.
“You are the first thing I think of when I wake. For years now. First—you. And then everything else. You are my dawn.”
Did I mention he writes children’s books? Robert must be protected at all costs!
If you need something light, short and easy, with a beautiful love story and palpable attraction between the characters, this is it!
P.S: Robert mentions something in the book that I feel it Kees being too real:
“I suppose I thought that if someone bought a book of moral lessons for a child without even investigating what it contained, then that child deserved . . . something special on the inside. Something magical.”
I read a lot of child stories, and I have been feeling that most of them are full of moral lessons. I understand the importance of those, but I wish I would see more books full with something magical. Can we turn Robert into a real person please?
April 10, 2024
The sexual tension between me and the hero I’m trying to determine is a virgin or not.
February 29, 2024
It's another Alexandra Vasti novella. She's already written 3 awesome novellas and a really good book so it's probably time for a slump, right? WRONG. We have been #blessed with yet another bijou novella featuring two decent characters who just want to do the right thing and happen to fall in love while doing it.
Here, chemist Emmaline Starling and printer Robert Vane are unwilling suitemates: Emmaline has the upstairs portion of the building, while Robert has the bottom. Vasti smartly ignores the meet cute and moves straight into the "we’ve known and annoyed each other for years," allowing her to jump straight into the action. And by "action," we mean actual action! Emmaline's notes and some of her chemical materials are stolen, and Robert joins her in tracking down the culprits. And if they happen to be caught overnight in an (apparently) abandoned cottage, which leads to some renegotiation of what enemies-turned-reluctant-allies can do with (and to) one another, them's the breaks.
We just really loved this one, OK?
7-Word Summaries:
Laine: Genius brings suitemate along for crime fighting.
Meg: Smart hot idiots, hot for each other.
Full disclosure: we are social media mutuals with Alexandra, and Meg has co-hosted a limited podcast series with her. This did not affect our judgment of the book because - did we say this? - it's really good.
Here, chemist Emmaline Starling and printer Robert Vane are unwilling suitemates: Emmaline has the upstairs portion of the building, while Robert has the bottom. Vasti smartly ignores the meet cute and moves straight into the "we’ve known and annoyed each other for years," allowing her to jump straight into the action. And by "action," we mean actual action! Emmaline's notes and some of her chemical materials are stolen, and Robert joins her in tracking down the culprits. And if they happen to be caught overnight in an (apparently) abandoned cottage, which leads to some renegotiation of what enemies-turned-reluctant-allies can do with (and to) one another, them's the breaks.
We just really loved this one, OK?
7-Word Summaries:
Laine: Genius brings suitemate along for crime fighting.
Meg: Smart hot idiots, hot for each other.
Full disclosure: we are social media mutuals with Alexandra, and Meg has co-hosted a limited podcast series with her. This did not affect our judgment of the book because - did we say this? - it's really good.
February 28, 2025
Crímenes que cometió Alexandra Vasti al escribir este libro:
1. Que esto sea una NOVELA. Dame 100 páginas más, por favor 🙏
2. Me siento indignada en nombre de Robert y Em de que su novela sea gratis!!! Quiero decir, excelente por mí porque no gasté nada y me la pasé de maravilla y sí, GRACIAS, pero su historia merece ganar dinero ☝️
3. Robert no siendo real ni mi esposo :(
Como pueden ver, me gustó mucho, el capítulo 8: fantástico🤌, las declaraciones de amor? Fantásticas 🤌 Meter a una mujer química en 1813 y su esposo orgulloso de ella, malewife?? Fantástico 🤌 y él se SONROJA
Hablando de química, esto me trajo flashbacks a cuando esa era mi carrera técnica de la preparatoria y yo AMABA mis prácticas, de alguna manera lo había olvidado.
SAFE ⭐️ : Robert es virgen, ella no. Milagro, verdad? Puntos extra.
—-
Debatiendo si darle 3.88 porque es una novela y claro que no tenemos un desarrollo perfecto/cosas sin concluir o dejarlo en 4 estrellas porque en su categoría de “novelas cortas” fue genial y cumplió con lo que debía de dar. Hmmm
1. Que esto sea una NOVELA. Dame 100 páginas más, por favor 🙏
2. Me siento indignada en nombre de Robert y Em de que su novela sea gratis!!! Quiero decir, excelente por mí porque no gasté nada y me la pasé de maravilla y sí, GRACIAS, pero su historia merece ganar dinero ☝️
3. Robert no siendo real ni mi esposo :(
Como pueden ver, me gustó mucho, el capítulo 8: fantástico🤌, las declaraciones de amor? Fantásticas 🤌 Meter a una mujer química en 1813 y su esposo orgulloso de ella, malewife?? Fantástico 🤌 y él se SONROJA
Hablando de química, esto me trajo flashbacks a cuando esa era mi carrera técnica de la preparatoria y yo AMABA mis prácticas, de alguna manera lo había olvidado.
SAFE ⭐️ : Robert es virgen, ella no. Milagro, verdad? Puntos extra.
—-
Debatiendo si darle 3.88 porque es una novela y claro que no tenemos un desarrollo perfecto/cosas sin concluir o dejarlo en 4 estrellas porque en su categoría de “novelas cortas” fue genial y cumplió con lo que debía de dar. Hmmm
March 8, 2024
This has been my favorite of the novellas I've tried by this author, which I think might be an odd opinion out, but I loved The Chemistry of Familiar Objects. I thought the romance between Em (h) and Robert (H) struck a nice balance between quirky, humorous chaos and secret attraction coming to sweet fruition. I smiled a good bit, swooned a little, and ended this feeling happy and mushy with this quick historical romance. Note - at the time I read this, it's only available via signing up for the author's newsletter.
Em is a chemist from a wealthy and successful family who's trying to earn recognition for her own projects, while also struggling against preconceived negativity about a woman in science. She's brilliant and a very out of the box thinker. Robert is a printer and rule-follower with a sad past that makes him more sensitive to the perceptions and judgements of others, but he's also protective, sincere, and has some hidden anxieties that he covers up with starchiness. These two have shared different floors of the same building and been at odds since Em moved her laboratory in...but of course there's more bubbling under the surface and it all comes to a head when a dash of danger and a mysterious theft prompts the two to work together. True to the other author's works I've read, there's also quite a bit of well-written steam in these short pages. Written in third person, dual POV. No ow/om drama, h was not a virgin, and H was a virgin.
Even though Robert and Em aren't officially a couple until later, lots of forced proximity and shenanigans give them plenty of time to be intimate, emotionally and physically. Plus they needed time to erase some of the incorrect assumptions each had and see how lovely they were as a team. Both were clearly defined characters who I liked a lot and even though this moves quickly and there could have still been more development-wise (esp before the I love you's were exchanged), the relationship worked well with the limited page count imo.
The plot was more present to support the romance finally getting the spark it needed so the mystery/danger was interesting, but thin, as was that resolution. Em's family were hilarious and I could have kept reading about them, maybe with them all together once Robert and Em were officially a couple. But the epilogue was several years later with the characters in their HEA being adorably in love with a rambunctious family and I was satisfied.
Em is a chemist from a wealthy and successful family who's trying to earn recognition for her own projects, while also struggling against preconceived negativity about a woman in science. She's brilliant and a very out of the box thinker. Robert is a printer and rule-follower with a sad past that makes him more sensitive to the perceptions and judgements of others, but he's also protective, sincere, and has some hidden anxieties that he covers up with starchiness. These two have shared different floors of the same building and been at odds since Em moved her laboratory in...but of course there's more bubbling under the surface and it all comes to a head when a dash of danger and a mysterious theft prompts the two to work together. True to the other author's works I've read, there's also quite a bit of well-written steam in these short pages. Written in third person, dual POV. No ow/om drama, h was not a virgin, and H was a virgin.
Even though Robert and Em aren't officially a couple until later, lots of forced proximity and shenanigans give them plenty of time to be intimate, emotionally and physically. Plus they needed time to erase some of the incorrect assumptions each had and see how lovely they were as a team. Both were clearly defined characters who I liked a lot and even though this moves quickly and there could have still been more development-wise (esp before the I love you's were exchanged), the relationship worked well with the limited page count imo.
The plot was more present to support the romance finally getting the spark it needed so the mystery/danger was interesting, but thin, as was that resolution. Em's family were hilarious and I could have kept reading about them, maybe with them all together once Robert and Em were officially a couple. But the epilogue was several years later with the characters in their HEA being adorably in love with a rambunctious family and I was satisfied.
June 5, 2025
An impulsive chemist tries to evict her building mate and sort of archenemy, but instead, secures his aid in tracking down two sketchy Frenchmen who broke into her lab and stole some explosive chemicals. Emmeline and Robert have been butting heads at 57 Gresham Street for two years because he’s starched and scowly while she’s blunt and stubborn. They're forced to set aside their feud to save the country, which leads to some heavy petting in a desolate fishing hut before the owner returns and finds them naked on her floor. There are misbuttoned frocks, weaponized scissors, divorce corsets, and feline automatons. Robert calls Emmeline a terrible little witch more than once, which did nothing to quell my insatiable crush on him. Alexandra Vasti proves time and time again that you need not prattle on endlessly to develop a believable love story. Also, I'm really tired of modern romances being sub-500 pages, but I digress from the biggest takeaway here, which is that Robert Vane with his mild oaths, thicc pecs, and sexual inexperience completely rewired my brain and left me most ardently FRAUGHT.
April 28, 2024
⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
4½ stars.
➕ What I liked :
Tall/tallish heroine.
Not a overly tall hero.
(The hero is only 1 inch taller than the heroine.)
Not a naive or inexperienced heroine.
Inexperienced hero.
Interesting main characters.
Interesting plot.
Good steam.
Good romantic build up and chemistry.
A hero that is Not a aristocrat/nobleman but a working man (book printer)
Funny/witty moments.
➖ What I disliked:
A little too anachronistic in some places of the story.
January 29, 2024
Alex can’t keep getting away with this.
February 28, 2024
3.25✨, 1.25🌶️
A cute little histrom novella, about ~212 pages on my iPhone screen, in the classic Alexandra Vasti style. A little zany, a little whimsical, a lot romantic. A surface-level histrom for when you wanna feel good but maybe don't want to be too enmeshed in the intricacies of the historical setting, as this is definitely a character-focused story.
If you've loved Alexandra Vasti's past work, give this a try too - a freebie download when subscribing to her email newsletter (at least at the time of my reading, ~Feb 2024)
A cute little histrom novella, about ~212 pages on my iPhone screen, in the classic Alexandra Vasti style. A little zany, a little whimsical, a lot romantic. A surface-level histrom for when you wanna feel good but maybe don't want to be too enmeshed in the intricacies of the historical setting, as this is definitely a character-focused story.
If you've loved Alexandra Vasti's past work, give this a try too - a freebie download when subscribing to her email newsletter (at least at the time of my reading, ~Feb 2024)
February 29, 2024
4 stars
Headstrong Emmeline Starling is a chemist that shares a building with straight-laced, book publisher, Robert Vane. She resides on the top floor with her chemistry set, and he resides on the bottom with his printing presses. One night, Emmeline and Robert hear commotion from the top floor and realizes quickly there are thieves among them. Adventure ensues as they run after them, with love quickly at their heels.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novella. It was really sweet and spicy. I like both the hero and the heroine. It would be interesting to hear about Lavender's story (Emmeline's sister)!
Tropes: Class differences, working class, stem, sorta enemies to lovers
Headstrong Emmeline Starling is a chemist that shares a building with straight-laced, book publisher, Robert Vane. She resides on the top floor with her chemistry set, and he resides on the bottom with his printing presses. One night, Emmeline and Robert hear commotion from the top floor and realizes quickly there are thieves among them. Adventure ensues as they run after them, with love quickly at their heels.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novella. It was really sweet and spicy. I like both the hero and the heroine. It would be interesting to hear about Lavender's story (Emmeline's sister)!
Tropes: Class differences, working class, stem, sorta enemies to lovers
February 4, 2024
This book, like everything Alex Vasti writes, is perfect. Starchy, rule-follower Robert Vane and brilliant, incandescent Emmaline Starling are characters I will treasure forever and watching them fall in love was such a joy. After reading this, my heart is warm and glowy and full of hope, which is the best kind of feeling a romance novel can give you. A million+ stars.
January 31, 2024
Absolutely adorable. If you love historical romances with women in STEM, add this to your list.
Alexandra Vasti has a gift with novellas - hers never leave you feeling like you didn’t get a fully-developed story.
Alexandra Vasti has a gift with novellas - hers never leave you feeling like you didn’t get a fully-developed story.
February 25, 2024
A fun, “inadvertent adventure” plot, wonderful banter and chemistry, full-rounded characters with rich backstories and side characters?? With workplace rivalry?? All under 200 pages?? And it’s free?? This is hot bright sorcery. And I didn’t realize I could like grumpy x grumpy so much.
January 15, 2024
I will read anything Alexandra Vasti writes. Robert and Em are just adorable; I loved both their characters so much. There’s just something about a rigid, stuffy hero coming absolutely undone for his lady that I love, and Robert gives off this vibe in spades. Definitely a must-read novella!
I received an ARC from the author. This is my honest review.
I received an ARC from the author. This is my honest review.
February 3, 2024
Alexandra Vasti is a master at the novella. Even better, this newsletter freebie (!!!) came about when she polled her instagram followers to help create these characters. Emmeline Sterling is a brilliant and grumpy chemist who shares a building with the starchy Robert Vane, a publisher. When an explosive chemical compound goes missing from her laboratory, Robert and Em go on a mad dash to find the thief.
How she manages to pack full character arcs, a fun plot, and the absolute perfect amount of heat into 172 pages, I'll never know, but I'll read every word Alex writes.
How she manages to pack full character arcs, a fun plot, and the absolute perfect amount of heat into 172 pages, I'll never know, but I'll read every word Alex writes.
March 16, 2024
5 🌟's
this was so good i sob. it's giving lisa kleypas and sarah maclean and histrom that has CHARACTER and spice and emotional depth and humor and heartcrushingly love and quirky family dynamics and all the tropes
10/10 robert is such a #girldad and i am LIVING for it. everyone needs a robert in their life
this was so good i sob. it's giving lisa kleypas and sarah maclean and histrom that has CHARACTER and spice and emotional depth and humor and heartcrushingly love and quirky family dynamics and all the tropes
10/10 robert is such a #girldad and i am LIVING for it. everyone needs a robert in their life
June 22, 2024
This was super fun and sweet, I really enjoyed reading it. It was definitely light and breezy, had more of a short novella feel instead of a book. I would have gladly read more from these characters, I wish it was longer.
I think men like Robert make excellent heros. So uptight and proper but desperate for the woman they love. I just love it when the become unraveled.
"He was quite done in by the expression on her face. His heart shivered in his chest." Who wouldn't fall in the love with that.
My only complaint is I wish it was longer and a bit more developed. I would have sunk my teeth into this and glad read 200 more pages. Definitely recommend tho!
I think men like Robert make excellent heros. So uptight and proper but desperate for the woman they love. I just love it when the become unraveled.
"He was quite done in by the expression on her face. His heart shivered in his chest." Who wouldn't fall in the love with that.
My only complaint is I wish it was longer and a bit more developed. I would have sunk my teeth into this and glad read 200 more pages. Definitely recommend tho!
January 31, 2024
I feel very lucky to have gotten in on the ground floor with Alexandra Vasti's writing. This novella was charming, fun, and sexy! If you like a starchy man who YEARNS (and I definitely do!) this should have you in your feelings. I was certainly in mine.
February 4, 2024
4.5 stars rounded up. Featuring only one house on a deserted (?) island, only one closet, a female chemist, and 🌶.
February 1, 2024
Vasti polled us. We asked for “a stern working man” and “a grumpy wallflower” who are “literally trapped together.” She delivered!!
Em is a brilliant scientist who shares her lab with other local chemists “vinegar-distillers and beer-brewers and occasional fabricators of pigments and dyes” who need space to perfect their crafts.
Robert prints adventurous inspiring books for children with dreary moralistic titles so that the child who “someone bought a book of moral lessons for … without even investigating what it contained” would actually get “[s]omething magical.”
They’re co-tenants. She’s got a loud lab, her buttons are often done up incorrectly, she’s sharp, and he can’t stop thinking about her. He’s a rule following square with a long list of trivial complaints about her and her loud lab and she can’t stop thinking about him.
One night, after a particularly contentious conversation, they get pulled into a dangerous international scandal. They team up, he supports her, there’s a misadventure at the docks, they escape in a dingy only to get stuck in a fishing hut 😉, tell each other secrets, confess fears, sneak around her family home 😏, get locked in a dark room 🥵, fall in lust 🔥, realize they’re in love, and save the day. It’s MARVELOUS!
Also the epilogue is a delight and includes a lovely nod to working moms. Oh, and read the author’s note!!
Em is a brilliant scientist who shares her lab with other local chemists “vinegar-distillers and beer-brewers and occasional fabricators of pigments and dyes” who need space to perfect their crafts.
Robert prints adventurous inspiring books for children with dreary moralistic titles so that the child who “someone bought a book of moral lessons for … without even investigating what it contained” would actually get “[s]omething magical.”
They’re co-tenants. She’s got a loud lab, her buttons are often done up incorrectly, she’s sharp, and he can’t stop thinking about her. He’s a rule following square with a long list of trivial complaints about her and her loud lab and she can’t stop thinking about him.
One night, after a particularly contentious conversation, they get pulled into a dangerous international scandal. They team up, he supports her, there’s a misadventure at the docks, they escape in a dingy only to get stuck in a fishing hut 😉, tell each other secrets, confess fears, sneak around her family home 😏, get locked in a dark room 🥵, fall in lust 🔥, realize they’re in love, and save the day. It’s MARVELOUS!
Also the epilogue is a delight and includes a lovely nod to working moms. Oh, and read the author’s note!!
February 6, 2024
Alexandra Vasti has mastered the novella format—no doubt about it. It’s never too much story or not enough; just plenty of feels, hotness, plot and character development.
Here, Miss Starling and Robert Vane are almost literally Chaos and Order. She is a scientist who is focused on creating a better fertilizer, with appropriately explosive results. He is a book publisher and thrives on organization and tidiness. But they’re thrown together when her lab is robbed, and to precisely no one’s surprise, after they set off together to discover the culprit, sparks fly and they get it ON.
I loved this novella and have no notes. Universal blessings to Alexandra Vasti for giving us this book and these characters for FREE.
Here, Miss Starling and Robert Vane are almost literally Chaos and Order. She is a scientist who is focused on creating a better fertilizer, with appropriately explosive results. He is a book publisher and thrives on organization and tidiness. But they’re thrown together when her lab is robbed, and to precisely no one’s surprise, after they set off together to discover the culprit, sparks fly and they get it ON.
I loved this novella and have no notes. Universal blessings to Alexandra Vasti for giving us this book and these characters for FREE.
Read
January 31, 2024A delightful novella, featuring so many of the qualities I’ve come to know and love about Alexandra Vasti’s histroms.
In this fun romp we have:
- A complex, grumpy, afraid-of-feelings heroine
- A stern, buttoned-up, gone-for-her virgin hero
- Only one desk/dinghy/island
- A “divorce corset” (learn something new everyday)
- Bedroom banter
- “You plague me”/“You want plaguing”
”There is no risk to your heart,” she said very softly. “I will keep it safe.” (I see this “Flowers from the Storm” nod and I love it)
In this fun romp we have:
- A complex, grumpy, afraid-of-feelings heroine
- A stern, buttoned-up, gone-for-her virgin hero
- Only one desk/dinghy/island
- A “divorce corset” (learn something new everyday)
- Bedroom banter
- “You plague me”/“You want plaguing”
”There is no risk to your heart,” she said very softly. “I will keep it safe.” (I see this “Flowers from the Storm” nod and I love it)
February 9, 2024
Review originally posted on Overflowing Shelf
Rating: 4.5 Stars
CW: Death of a parent (off-page); non-graphic threatened violence, historical firearms, and explosives
I’m not a novella fan, but if Alexandra Vasti writes it, sign me up!
I’ve been dying to read A Chemistry of Familiar Objects since Vasti ran a poll on her Instagram account last September 2023 to pick the premise and tropes. I knew it would have a “stern working man” and “a grumpy wallflower” who are “literally trapped together,” but I didn’t really have any idea beyond that of where she would take the story. But oh my god, did she take this in a fun, sexy direction with well-rounded characters and an explosive plot. Reading this was a pure delight!
I’m always in awe of how much Vasti can pack into a mere 170-page story. Her novellas always feel like a complete, well-rounded story. A lot happens plotwise in this novella, from rushing after French thieves to uncovering treasonous plots to a daring escape off the side of a boat to being trapped in a closet. But the pacing never feels rushed, and the action ties in perfectly with the romance.
Vasti’s characters also burst to life off the page, with complex, rich backstories and personalities. I absolutely LOVED Robert Vane – he’s the perfect stern, rule-following button-up man with sexy shoulders, thanks to his hours working the printing press. He’s worked hard to do what’s right and make a name for himself – and he cannot stand his upstairs office mate, the chaotic Emmeline Starling, who is always blowing things up and bringing disorder to his orderly space. Despite being a wealthy heiress, Emmeline would much rather put her efforts and money into her chemistry experiments than into finding a husband. I loved how she was the complete opposite of Robert, and how passionate she was for her work (we love a passionate woman in STEM!). She’s bold and rushes head-first into action, even if she doesn’t fully consider the consequences.
The romance in this managed to be both incredibly cute and incredibly sexy. Robert and Emmeline have known each other for a few years, but their relationship was surface-level and based on misconceptions. Over the course of their escapades, they start to peel back the layers and see each other in a new light. I loved the banter and the sexual tension between the two of them. And man, oh man, can Alexandra Vasti write some sexy scenes! I love how she manages to build the tension in the scenes to make them hot, hot, hot, yet also incredibly emotional and impactful to the character’s relationships. Her novellas perfectly balance the heat with the romantic feelings, and I adore that!
I’ve said it before in my review of Vasti’s Halifax Hellions novellas, and I’ll say it again – I adore Vasti’s writing style! It’s so fresh, funny, and uniquely her own. She can make me laugh, swoon, and sigh all in one scene. I’m pretty sure at this point that if Alexandra Vasti writes it, I will read it.
If you’re looking for a delightfully fun historical romance novella where opposites attract with a bit of adventure sprinkled in, The Chemistry of Familiar Objects is perfect for you. And best of all, it’s FREE for all Alexandra Vasti’s newsletter subscribers! So sign up today and read this as an introduction to Vasti before her debut novel, Ne'er Duke Well , is published this summer.
Rating: 4.5 Stars
CW: Death of a parent (off-page); non-graphic threatened violence, historical firearms, and explosives
I’m not a novella fan, but if Alexandra Vasti writes it, sign me up!
I’ve been dying to read A Chemistry of Familiar Objects since Vasti ran a poll on her Instagram account last September 2023 to pick the premise and tropes. I knew it would have a “stern working man” and “a grumpy wallflower” who are “literally trapped together,” but I didn’t really have any idea beyond that of where she would take the story. But oh my god, did she take this in a fun, sexy direction with well-rounded characters and an explosive plot. Reading this was a pure delight!
I’m always in awe of how much Vasti can pack into a mere 170-page story. Her novellas always feel like a complete, well-rounded story. A lot happens plotwise in this novella, from rushing after French thieves to uncovering treasonous plots to a daring escape off the side of a boat to being trapped in a closet. But the pacing never feels rushed, and the action ties in perfectly with the romance.
Vasti’s characters also burst to life off the page, with complex, rich backstories and personalities. I absolutely LOVED Robert Vane – he’s the perfect stern, rule-following button-up man with sexy shoulders, thanks to his hours working the printing press. He’s worked hard to do what’s right and make a name for himself – and he cannot stand his upstairs office mate, the chaotic Emmeline Starling, who is always blowing things up and bringing disorder to his orderly space. Despite being a wealthy heiress, Emmeline would much rather put her efforts and money into her chemistry experiments than into finding a husband. I loved how she was the complete opposite of Robert, and how passionate she was for her work (we love a passionate woman in STEM!). She’s bold and rushes head-first into action, even if she doesn’t fully consider the consequences.
The romance in this managed to be both incredibly cute and incredibly sexy. Robert and Emmeline have known each other for a few years, but their relationship was surface-level and based on misconceptions. Over the course of their escapades, they start to peel back the layers and see each other in a new light. I loved the banter and the sexual tension between the two of them. And man, oh man, can Alexandra Vasti write some sexy scenes! I love how she manages to build the tension in the scenes to make them hot, hot, hot, yet also incredibly emotional and impactful to the character’s relationships. Her novellas perfectly balance the heat with the romantic feelings, and I adore that!
I’ve said it before in my review of Vasti’s Halifax Hellions novellas, and I’ll say it again – I adore Vasti’s writing style! It’s so fresh, funny, and uniquely her own. She can make me laugh, swoon, and sigh all in one scene. I’m pretty sure at this point that if Alexandra Vasti writes it, I will read it.
If you’re looking for a delightfully fun historical romance novella where opposites attract with a bit of adventure sprinkled in, The Chemistry of Familiar Objects is perfect for you. And best of all, it’s FREE for all Alexandra Vasti’s newsletter subscribers! So sign up today and read this as an introduction to Vasti before her debut novel, Ne'er Duke Well , is published this summer.
March 16, 2024
"The Chemistry of Familiar Objects" by Alexandra Vasti
.
Cover: 5/5
Story: 4/5
Steam: 🔥 🔥 🔥 (+fade out)
Ending: HEA with Epilogue
.
Stand Alone or Series: Stand alone novella.
.
London, Regency (1813)
Children's Book Publisher
Bluestocking Agricultural Chemist
Close Proximity
Loathe to Love
Virgin Hero
Stranded!
Mystery Plot
Human Hurricane Woman
Eccentric Family
.
I often observe readers bemoaning the "historical inaccuracies" of many modern historical romances. (Don't get me wrong, I love a nutty, wildly inaccurate HR from time to time.) In my observations, I have decided that some readers get stuck up on this specific idea of what they think women (and men) were doing in and how they lived their lives in the past. Humans are inherently curious creatures, and we may be shocked to discover that people of the past are much more like us than we realize.
While social proprieties have relaxed, for better or for worse, the reality is that people have always been ambitious, always wanted to test boundaries, and have always wanted to have sex (in a variety of ways, with a variety of people, using a variety of colorful language along the way.) In "Chemistry," Vasti's research is there, and her attention to historical details is impeccable. People looking for a historical with something more than high society chits and devilish rakes that puts an imaginative twist on historical facts are sure to enjoy this title.
The real star of this title is the walking, human hurricane that is Emmeline. I feel that she is a different kind of strong female lead because she isn't trying to be different or quirky just to rebel against society- she just simply IS naturally different. She can't help but be brash, clumsy, or curious. After meeting her family in this book, one can't help but understand why she is the way she is- she was allowed the space to develop into her own person. This isn't all to say that Robert is just some prop to support the story and that he doesn't have significant growth within the story. However, Emmeline is truly the backbone and driving force of the title.
If you are looking for an excellently written mad caper with a unique storyline and beautiful approach to historical accuracy, pick up "Chemistry."
As for steam, I mean, this is Vasti- it's going to be hot. Vasti uses mostly explicit language. Her writing is extremely detailed and descriptive. The scene lengths are longer than usual, especially for a novella and include a variety of acts. I would describe her writing as effortlessly sensual.
.
Read as an ebook. Honest review left voluntarily.
.
Content Warning (may contain spoilers):
.
.
.
.
.
Criminal father
De*th of parent
De*th in prison
G*n vi*lence
Threaten vi*lence
Explosives and explosions
.
Cover: 5/5
Story: 4/5
Steam: 🔥 🔥 🔥 (+fade out)
Ending: HEA with Epilogue
.
Stand Alone or Series: Stand alone novella.
.
London, Regency (1813)
Children's Book Publisher
Bluestocking Agricultural Chemist
Close Proximity
Loathe to Love
Virgin Hero
Stranded!
Mystery Plot
Human Hurricane Woman
Eccentric Family
.
I often observe readers bemoaning the "historical inaccuracies" of many modern historical romances. (Don't get me wrong, I love a nutty, wildly inaccurate HR from time to time.) In my observations, I have decided that some readers get stuck up on this specific idea of what they think women (and men) were doing in and how they lived their lives in the past. Humans are inherently curious creatures, and we may be shocked to discover that people of the past are much more like us than we realize.
While social proprieties have relaxed, for better or for worse, the reality is that people have always been ambitious, always wanted to test boundaries, and have always wanted to have sex (in a variety of ways, with a variety of people, using a variety of colorful language along the way.) In "Chemistry," Vasti's research is there, and her attention to historical details is impeccable. People looking for a historical with something more than high society chits and devilish rakes that puts an imaginative twist on historical facts are sure to enjoy this title.
The real star of this title is the walking, human hurricane that is Emmeline. I feel that she is a different kind of strong female lead because she isn't trying to be different or quirky just to rebel against society- she just simply IS naturally different. She can't help but be brash, clumsy, or curious. After meeting her family in this book, one can't help but understand why she is the way she is- she was allowed the space to develop into her own person. This isn't all to say that Robert is just some prop to support the story and that he doesn't have significant growth within the story. However, Emmeline is truly the backbone and driving force of the title.
If you are looking for an excellently written mad caper with a unique storyline and beautiful approach to historical accuracy, pick up "Chemistry."
As for steam, I mean, this is Vasti- it's going to be hot. Vasti uses mostly explicit language. Her writing is extremely detailed and descriptive. The scene lengths are longer than usual, especially for a novella and include a variety of acts. I would describe her writing as effortlessly sensual.
.
Read as an ebook. Honest review left voluntarily.
.
Content Warning (may contain spoilers):
.
.
.
.
.
Criminal father
De*th of parent
De*th in prison
G*n vi*lence
Threaten vi*lence
Explosives and explosions
April 8, 2025
Emmeline Starling and Robert Vane share a building at 57 Gresham St. in London. While Emmeline conducts her (often combustible) chemistry experiments upstairs in an effort to perfect a new fertilizer, Robert manages a press dedicated to the printing of children’s books on the first floor of the building. Emmeline is both brilliant and dishevelled—dress buttoned haphazardly, hair in disarray, gloves repeatedly lost. Robert, on the other hand, is as buttoned-up and proper as they come, and Emmeline can’t help but feel his judgmental gaze upon her.
While Emmeline and Robert don’t appear to see eye-to-eye on most things (Emmeline recently purchased the building and is actually evicting him!), a chance encounter with nefarious persons snooping about in Emmeline’s laboratory sets the two of them off on a wild chase across London. It’s a heart-pounding plot involving eccentric scientists, industrial espionage, and—crucially—a lot of sexy time in various locations along the way.
There are few things I like more than pretending I understand chemistry and reading clever children’s books, so Alexandra Vasti really managed to grab me from the get-go. It also doesn’t hurt to know that operating a printing press involves moving a lot of heavy machinery about, so our Mr. Robert Vane has a surprisingly hard physique to compensate for his soft and sympathetic heart. There was a lot of humour here which I always appreciate, and Vasti managed to paint an engaging and smile-inducing picture of Emmeline’s family—something that truly added to the story.
The two main characters have some depth to them: Emmeline, though strong and determined, also nurses feelings of inadequacy, while Robert is attached to a shameful past from which he cannot fully extricate himself. The plot moves along at a rollicking pace, and even though some points of forced proximity felt clichéd—hiding together in a cupboard, taking shelter at night in an empty shack when Emmeline was soaking wet—I didn’t particularly mind. This novella was a lot of good fun and a lot of good science with a virgin hero to boot!
While Emmeline and Robert don’t appear to see eye-to-eye on most things (Emmeline recently purchased the building and is actually evicting him!), a chance encounter with nefarious persons snooping about in Emmeline’s laboratory sets the two of them off on a wild chase across London. It’s a heart-pounding plot involving eccentric scientists, industrial espionage, and—crucially—a lot of sexy time in various locations along the way.
There are few things I like more than pretending I understand chemistry and reading clever children’s books, so Alexandra Vasti really managed to grab me from the get-go. It also doesn’t hurt to know that operating a printing press involves moving a lot of heavy machinery about, so our Mr. Robert Vane has a surprisingly hard physique to compensate for his soft and sympathetic heart. There was a lot of humour here which I always appreciate, and Vasti managed to paint an engaging and smile-inducing picture of Emmeline’s family—something that truly added to the story.
The two main characters have some depth to them: Emmeline, though strong and determined, also nurses feelings of inadequacy, while Robert is attached to a shameful past from which he cannot fully extricate himself. The plot moves along at a rollicking pace, and even though some points of forced proximity felt clichéd—hiding together in a cupboard, taking shelter at night in an empty shack when Emmeline was soaking wet—I didn’t particularly mind. This novella was a lot of good fun and a lot of good science with a virgin hero to boot!
March 14, 2025
this was so lovely! 🥰
the chemistry of familiar objects is a witty, sweet, and steamy regency novella. readers follow emmeline starling, an eccentric woman in STEM, and robert vane, her rigid, buttoned-up rival. the pair have been sharing a building for the past two years, with em conducting experiments in her laboratory on the top floor, and robert running his printing business on the bottom floor. needless to say, the premise had me hooked.
i was really impressed with the pacing of the story. it can be hard to nail a novella, especially when there's romance involved. often, the relationship between the characters ends up feeling rushed and very underdeveloped. luckily, that wasn't the case here. emmeline and robert were both distinct and fleshed-out, which made their dynamic feel much more authentic. despite their bickering and exasperation, it was clear that they both respected and cared for the other person. i love when relationships actually have a solid foundation, instead of just relying on something as fleeting as lust to keep the connection afloat.
it was heartwarming to watch our main couple scramble through disaster after disaster, all while gradually dismantling any preconceived notions they may have harboured toward each other. i love witnessing that aha! moment when the enemies/rivals realise that they have more in common than they originally thought. plus, all the forced proximity allowed for some truly delicious tension to unfold.
from what i've gathered, alexandra vasti was publishing novellas before she began writing full-length novels—so it would make sense that she's perfected the formula. if you're looking for a quick but satisfying regency treat, then you should definitely pick this one up!
the chemistry of familiar objects is a witty, sweet, and steamy regency novella. readers follow emmeline starling, an eccentric woman in STEM, and robert vane, her rigid, buttoned-up rival. the pair have been sharing a building for the past two years, with em conducting experiments in her laboratory on the top floor, and robert running his printing business on the bottom floor. needless to say, the premise had me hooked.
i was really impressed with the pacing of the story. it can be hard to nail a novella, especially when there's romance involved. often, the relationship between the characters ends up feeling rushed and very underdeveloped. luckily, that wasn't the case here. emmeline and robert were both distinct and fleshed-out, which made their dynamic feel much more authentic. despite their bickering and exasperation, it was clear that they both respected and cared for the other person. i love when relationships actually have a solid foundation, instead of just relying on something as fleeting as lust to keep the connection afloat.
it was heartwarming to watch our main couple scramble through disaster after disaster, all while gradually dismantling any preconceived notions they may have harboured toward each other. i love witnessing that aha! moment when the enemies/rivals realise that they have more in common than they originally thought. plus, all the forced proximity allowed for some truly delicious tension to unfold.
from what i've gathered, alexandra vasti was publishing novellas before she began writing full-length novels—so it would make sense that she's perfected the formula. if you're looking for a quick but satisfying regency treat, then you should definitely pick this one up!
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