A traditionally published queer poly romance novel? Hell yes. I found all of the relationships compelling, and the chemistry was really hot. It’s definitely written to reach an audience that is not familiar with polyamory - which felt accessible, but not quite as realistic as I’d like. I also wanted the characters to have more depth. I’m thrilled that we have this representation, and loved the cameo from CHEF’S KISS! Thanks Atria for the ARC.

Trans Rights Readathon 2025 #1

Maybe CHEF'S CHOICE was a fluke for me, because I loved this and SECOND CHANCES IN NEW PORT STEPHEN.

While I ignored all of the ENM men on various dating apps, after this book, maybe you shouldn't. If you're not a jealous person. And if you can love that many people. I am, however, a very jealous Taurus sun. And I can barely focus on one man. It's a hate crime to be straight, y'all.

I love a cocktail. I think I would love Terror & Virtue. I don't, however, love Mel's management team. I do love Bebe and Kade, and the dynamic the three end of having. Could it be me? No. Did I love reading about it? Every second.

rep: poly

📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Atria/Emily Bestler Books

TJ Alexander can do no wrong! Everything I pick up by them is gold.

As a married, straight, cis-gendered female, I live for books that allow me to get insight into experiences that are unlike my own—I am pretty much always going to get that from TJ Alexander—and always in a way that is accessible and so well written that you can feel an experience you wouldn’t otherwise have.

TJ Alexander has solidified the eir place among my favorite/go to authors when I know I don’t risk a let down.

Mel is a bartender at a fancy NYC bar and in walks Bebe who is married but is in an open relationship. Her wife Kade comes later to the bar, after Bebe invites her to a brunch, Mel is trying to figure it all out. Bebe and Mel start a relationship and later on Kade comes into the picture more. I did enjoy how this felt real- messy and hard with their pasts, learning, understanding, double booked, and a snowstorm.

Get ready for needing a fancy drink with this one. This is a very good lesson on poly - as the lead (Mel) is also learning as we go along. Overall I enjoyed it!

Thank you NetGalley and Atria for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book follows Mel, a few years post divorce and a now does not believe in love, after finding chemistry between a woman, Bebe, who walks into the bar she works at and her wife, Kade. They enter into a polyamorous relationship.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I really enjoyed TJ's writing style. I love how lighthearted this book felt, even when discussing some more deeper subjects. I read this on a plane, and I need books that I read on planes to keep my attention throughout. Luckily with this book, I was also finding myself easily engrossed in the plot of the book. I was interested in seeing where this book went and seeing where the characters ended up. I also really enjoyed the communication between the characters, and how there was no third act breakup.

Here's what did not work for me. I felt that the characters were a little one dimensional. I thought that the author keeps the characters pretty one toned and are not fully expanded, in my opinion. For example, Bebe is described as a lawyer, and there's not really much development or depth into her character. I did enjoy Kade as a character, they were probably my favorite. I also really did not believe that there was a romantic connection between Kade and Mel, it would have been nice to see some form of friendship between them before any sort of romantic endeavor, if there were to be any romantic endeavor.

But overall, would recommend, really enjoyed.

Hot! and fun! This book surprised me a lot and I really enjoyed it. Love to read a queer poly love story, but some of the tone / pacing / overall vibe of this book felt a bit clunky and unpolished? Happy I read and will certainly read more from this author, but this wasn't my favorite.

Gimmie more throuple relationships in Trad Romance!! Love the representation. The writing was just okay but if you’re looking for a fun, poly-positive romance, this one is worth picking up!

This was a good poly romance read that had pretty good plot. It offers good representation to the queer community and also into poly relationships which is a benefit considering some stigma towards these types of relationships. Overall an enjoyable read.

I enjoyed this one so much. The premise was fun and I loved the way that Mel's relationship skills grew throughout the book as she was given a safe space to learn better communication and lean on others in her life both romantically and platonically.

THIS WAS SO HOT!!!!!!!!!!! Adored so much and immediately bought copies for all of my friends -- cannot recommend enough

I signed up for an ARC of this book and put it off for so long because life got busy. I very much regret that decision. This book was a lot of fun! It’s not a typical book that I read for but I still enjoyed it thoroughly!

Mel continues to overcome obstacles after her divorce from a 9 year marriage and gets herself into a polyamorous relationship.

Everything that happened in this book was a lot of fun to read! I will definitely be picking up more from this author!

Tropes:
Polyamory
Same sex couple
Nonbinary couple
Mixology competition

4/5⭐️ 1.5🌶️

this book is steamy!! very quick and enjoyable read. didn’t feel particularly connected to the romance but still enjoyed it

Really enjoyed this one! Was my first time reading a book about a polygamous relationship and it was really interesting seeing the dynamic between the three individuals in this relationship. I also loved the backdrop of the drink making competition! Not the biggest fan of the "we're trapped in a cabin and now realize we are attracted to each other" situation, especially since it happened so quickly but overall this quick read was quite enjoyable.

What I thought was just going to be a hot polyamorous book really surprised me with the depth of storytelling and likability of its characters. Mel is gender queer, but has always been a one partner kind of gal. But when sultry smart pin-up happily married attorney Bebe walks into Mel’s bar, asking Mel to go on a date with her, it gets Mel thinking about what it means to date. Bebe is so effervescent and fun like a pink fluffy cloud to Mel’s cool kid edge. In a way they’re as opposite as they come, but Bebe has a theory that how ever you are in life is the opposite of how you are in bed. And Mel is very curious to explore this.

From the start, Bebe is very open and explains her marriage even though Mel is unnerved thinking she might be taking someone’s possession. But as Bebe and Mel go from dates to more of a relationship, it’s inevitable that she will meet Kade, Bebe’s partner. I wasn’t sure what to think of Kade at first who seems the epitome of the word aloof, but that’s just hidden behind a veneer of shyness and also protectiveness for Bebe. I absolutely loved the communication aspect of this book. T.J. Alexander does an exceptional job of acknowledging consent, boundaries, and addressing all of the questions that would be expected with a character becoming part of a poly relationship. For something that seems very taboo from the outside, this relationship felt very normal and probably even more secure than a single couple. Dare I say I learned a little about poly couples while reading? Sure! The other aspect of this book is the career paths of each character. Kade is an artist, Bebe and attorney, and Mel a bartender and I felt like sure care was given to what each of them brought to the table via their career. Funnily enough, the individuals shined through the group dynamics and that’s what made this book memorable. I received an early copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

I appreciate the glimpse into poly relationships that was portrayed in this book! This book, while it was a fictional story, taught me so much about a community that was truly accepting of individuals whose sole desires were to be loved for being themselves.

The New York City setting is so iconic for the plot line of a bartender pushing limits and wanting to exercise their creativity through mixology! I loved the nods to the city life and found it a perfect fit for the story as a whole.

I enjoyed following Mel on her journey of discovery and overcoming some of her past trauma related to love. Her being new to the world of poly relationships highlighted different parts of this type of lifestyle that I would have never thought about.

This one is not short on steamy moments that's for sure! The snowed in cabin scenes with Mel and Kade...you'll forget about the chilling snowy weather for sure!

Thank you to @netgalley and the publisher for providing an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Triple Sec by TJ Alexander is a poly romance that was light on bedroom scenes and heavy on relationship building. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Triple Sec is such a fun and chaotic ride! TJ Alexander perfectly blends romance, humor and character development to create a story that’s hard to put down. The main character is sharp and relatable, and the romantic tension is spot on—equal parts sweet and spicy. While a few twists were a bit predictable, the lively writing and clever dialogue kept things fresh. It’s the kind of book that leaves you smiling and craving a sequel.

Rating: ★★★★☆

While I found the story fine I didn’t feel a lot of chemistry nor did I find myself rooting Mel in the cocktail competition. I really didn’t feel anything for Kade in particular. Bebe and Mel were interesting characters and TJ Alexander is a talented writer but this just missed the mark for me.

3 stars

I enjoyed this book a lot and thought it was a great representation of poly relationships while managing to not be problematic. I don't think I really understood mel and kade together and would have liked to have seen that progressed/developed better. I also found mel to be a bit grating at times but overall really enjoyed the characters and the story.

I felt a real pacing issue with this book that left Kade severely shafted (pardon the pun) in terms of character development. Since the story is from Mel's perspective, more than half of the book at first is focused on her relationship with Bebe, and Kate being closed off to begin with, we really don't get to know them at all and don't get to see how their relationship with Mel develops. I also felt somewhat icky with the power dynamics in the story (and this might just be related to my own experiences and triggers), but with Bebe being older, richer, more powerful and independent at work, and already experienced in ENM and poly relationships and introducing Mel into it, it felt a little icky to me (I intentionally don't want to use a harsher term). And on a personal note, I thought the winning drink (Everything Bagel Boozy Egg Cream) didn't sound like a winning drink at all and without any context on how it was presented at by whom, felt rife with cultural appropriation.