Triple Sec is TJ Alexander's latest stand alone romance novel. Mel is a bartender at an upscale NYC lounge, the site of many marriage proposals despite her own failed love life. When cute curvy Bebe flirts with her at the bar, Mel is interested, but then she meets Bebe's spouse, Kade. Mel's never dated someone in an open relationship before, but Bebe seems worth the try and she soon discovers the quiet and quirky artist Kade also might have some hidden romantic depths she'd like to explore.

Like all of Alexander's excellent queer romances, this story expands not only Mel's dating horizons, but also has her thinking more about her future, in this case of her career and letting go a past romantic failure. Bebe and Kade are also well developed characters. Kade is nonbinary and though not given a specific diagnosis reads as neurodivergent; both of which are handled in a nuanced way. When a cocktail contest that could fund Mel's dream of owning her own bar comes up it could be her chance to make all her fantasies come true.

This might be my favorite of Alexander's yet!

Thank you Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book. These opinion are completely my own.

I rarely fully read the book description so I totally missed the polyamory. That was a surprise that pleased me because I have yet to read a romance with that angle. It won't be the last.

Thank you to Atria Books for providing me with a widget to read and honestly review an e-arc.

4.5/5 Stars

This is my first TJ Alexander book and I can confidently say it will not be my last. I wasn’t sure about this book at first, I tend to really dislike third person single pov especially for polyamorous books but Alexander manages to pull it off. This is one of if not the best polyamorous romances I have read that is traditionally published. The amount of depth all three characters and all the relationships have is insane and the communication is so well done. These characters are flawed and human which I love to see.

Mel is a jaded divorced bartender who doesn’t believe in love anymore. She has witnessed her fair share of disaster dates and her own love life is in shambles. But that changes when Bebe walks into the bar and she can’t take her eyes off her, expect Bebe is happily married to her partner Kade. Mel is ready to accept that Bebe isn’t the one for her until Bebe makes her a unique offer to take her on a date as Bebe and Kade have an open marriage. What starts as something that is supposed to be casual and fun turns into a whirlwind romance between Bebe and Mel until Mel realizes that she has feelings for Kade as well. As all three start to explore their connection, Mel learns maybe romance isn’t a lost cause for her.

Alexander does an amazing job at developing each of the relationships individually while there is also very open communication. When Bebe asks Mel out on a date, it was over lunch where Kade also was there so Mel could know for sure that Kade was okay and knew about Bebe asking Mel out. I loved this scene as it was a great example of open communication but it didn’t feel forced or like just checking off a communication box. Mel and Bebe’s relationship develops first and I loved how we see Mel’s feelings for the relationship progress from thinking it is casual to it being everything. Mel and Kade’s relationship was realistic for them, it was very different from Mel and Bebe or even Kade and Bebe but it worked so well. Kade is neurodiverse so how they do relationships is going to be different than Mel and Bebe who are as far as we know neurotypical. And then to see towards the end all three come together it was such a beautiful moment of them coming together as a trio while still having individual relationships.

A lot of the time I feel like the relationships for polyam or why choose can get kinda blurred, they can feel super similar and not super individual. But this book does an amazing job at not only the relationship with all three of them but the individual relationships. I really loved Kade and I liked how we see more into their mind as the book progresses as it felt real to me as someone who is neurodiverse. I also can’t praise the communication in this book enough. I read this after I had dnfed a book that was polyam but there was no communication so to come from that to this had me jumping for joy.

I can’t wait to read more from TJ Alexander and I highly recommend this book if you want a romance featuring flawed but real characters and a book I have forever described as queer chaos in a good way. This is a woman x woman x nonbinary relationship and it is gay as hell. This book is out now so go check it out if you are looking for some chaotic queer goodness.

REVIEW: Triple Sec ⭐⭐⭐.5 (3.5)

I have read and enjoyed Chef’s Kiss and Chef’s Choice by TJ Alexander, so I was really excited to start reading Triple Sec.

First of all, I love the unique take on a traditional rom-com. I’m always for positive representation in romances, and TJ Alexander provided that with nonbinary and bisexual characters as well as polyamorous relationships. I love reading about different voices and points of view than my own, so this was perfect to dive into. Triple Sec gives you so many warm and happy vibes that make you want to keep reading. It has a sweet love story, it’s funny, and it even gives spice. TJ Alexander also does such a great job making the three main characters, Mel, Bebe, and Kade, unique with their own struggles and needs. It was fun seeing how their chemistry and care for one another developed as they all discovered more about themselves as well.

Personally, I wished Triple Sec was written in multiple POVs, especially in the case of a polyamorous relationship. We got to know Bebe and Kade only through Mel’s lens, and I think it would have been really interesting to see from their sides. I also wished there were a little more to the story with the three of them together. Their relationship as three developed quickly and I just wanted it to go on longer and get to a deeper level.

Overall, I really enjoyed Triple Sec. It was a great, sweet, but spicy rom-com that just hit the spot for me!

Thank you, Netgalley and Atria Books | Atria/Emily Bestler Books, for the free advanced copy for my honest review!

3.5 ⭐️

Soft DNF. Got about 20% and couldn’t connect with the MC’s.

Not usually a fan of writing in third person and having a hard time with Kades pronouns. Just personal but a single person can’t be plural?!

Interested in learning about Poly relationships but this is not capturing my attention at the moment

This was cute and fun! I love the plus size love interest and gender-fluid rep. Love seeing poly love stories!! I did feel like this lacked a bit in the plot department. The whole story felt like look!! They’re poly!! Which felt a bit weird and very surface level? Idk. The only other thing really going on is that Mel enters a cocktail competition. I knew they were poly when I picked up the book. That being the whole story line resulted in me not feeling as attached to the characters as I wanted to. I felt like I barely knew anything about them apart from their jobs and that they’re poly. I will say that Kade was my fave though :,) a sweet bb.

Triple Sec by TJ Alexander delves into the complexities of polyamorous relationships with a fresh perspective. I enjoyed reading a queer contemporary romance that felt like it was doing its own thing instead of following the same vibe and emotional beats as a lot of the popular queer contemporary romances lately. Wasn’t a huge fan of the three characters though which made it hard to become invested and stay invested. The topics of bar scenes and mixology in general I am not a fan of so I didn’t particularly care about those topics when they were brought up. Although perhaps I should have known that due to the cover and title. I still like Second Chances in Newport Stephen more than Triple Sec from this author and will be recommending that one over this one.

I am a HUGE fan of TJ Alexander and champ at the bit any time they release something new and this was no exception.

I've read polyamorous romance books before, but they've been on the binary, so this was my first reading one where there was a nonbinary character. So far, this has been my favorite of those. It's not something I would enter myself into, but seeing these three together made me understand and appreciate these types of relationships more. There's no cheating and there's a three way HEA. It's all good.

As much as I loved all the characters, I adored Bebe. She's so much fun. Also, shout out to Daniel. We all need a Daniel in our lives.
I also loved that we got a couple cameos in this one.

There's so much love in this book. Not only do you get three romances for the price of one, you also get Alexander's love letter to NYC and to the service industry ( I felt seen by that).

Overall, I loved it. It's really well written and right up my alley with humor. This is the sexiest and spiciest Alexander has gotten with their writing and I'm loving it. I will continue to devour anything they write.

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley. I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

I loved this story! I think it is worth ALL the hype its getting on socials and the pub date is perfect timing. The character's are so well written. The snow storm felt a little "clique" but I am absolutely here for it. This is the first book about a poly relationship I've ever read and I thought it was respectfully done. The stream was the right amount of spice. I LOVED the ending, because it was not totally predictable. It felt like it could have been a streamy LGBTQ+ Hallmark movie and I loved every minute of it!! Can't wait to read of TJ Alexander's work!

I was totally gripped by this novel and read it in a day - a perfect easy romantic read for Pride month, indeed. The plot is simplistic but not boring, the characters are interesting if occasionally infuriating (a very human combination), and the book has quite a few kick-up-your-feet, giggle-with-glee moments where your investment pays off. I love that representation in books is getting broader and broader, and I enjoyed getting to see a beautiful polyamorous relationship slowly develop.

However, I do understand the criticisms this book is receiving. The main characters can at times feel one-note. They also have personality traits that drive you up the wall (Mel, in particular, self-sabotages in a way that makes me want to shake her and say "go to therapy!"), but for me, that makes the characters feel more real. How often is it that you can just not read a person? How often is it that you want to tell someone they're getting in their own way? It's realistic. For me, I like having a little dose of real in my novels. I understand why other people might want it to feel less present.

4.25 stars, rounded up.

Triple Sec by TJ Alexander is a hilarious, steamy explosion of a love story that shatters expectations. Buckle up for a journey into the world of high-end cocktails, where jaded bartender Mel gets swept off her feet by not one, but two captivating characters (cue the blushing – that cabin scene!!!!). Alexander crafts characters so dimensional and lovable, you'll want to belly up to the bar at Terror & Virtue with them. Calling all fans of queer fiction, polyamory, and witty banter – this book is your new must-read!

This is my fist book from TJ Alexander, and I LOVED it. It’s a really great book and I fell in love with Mel at the start. She’s a great character, so full of life and so well written. She’s a bartender, she’s divorced, she doesn’t search for love. But she fall in love with two people, Bebe and Kade. They are a couple but Babe hits on Mel. She’s honest with her and I loved that. I love the way their relationship evolves, the way Mel fell in love with Bebe and Kade and the way Bebe and Kade fell in love with her.
This is one of my firsts polyamorous novels and I loved it so much. I wanted more! I want more! I need more! The rep is so good, I almost cried. Thank you TJ Alexander for writing it!
The only thing that doesn’t convince me is that there is little conflict. A wanted a little more conflict. Okay, this is a comfort book, but I wanted a little more drama. But it’s a really good book.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the arc.

This is one of the best books I've read this year! It's a polyamorous rom com that is incredibly funny, fresh, and perfectly sweet and spicy.

🍹This book was so fun! The tension between the characters was scorching 🥵 I fell in love with Bebe immediately and she could do no wrong in my eyes.

🍹I loved all of the characters in this book! Each one kept me laughing as I read. Mel is caring, considerate, and a kickass bartender. Bebe is hilarious and you can feel her charisma through the page. Kade is serious with a tough exterior, but has such a sweet spot as well. The three work perfectly together and it was so cute to see their polycule form!

🍹This book hits all the spots and makes you laugh, tingle lol, and feel warm and fuzzy. If you're looking for a funny and sweet romcom, definitely add Triple Sec to your list!

I absolutely loved this book. The book follows Mel a mixologist whose marriage and subsequent divorce at a young age made her hesitant about dating. Until she meets Bebe at the bar she works at. Immediately she falls for her. Bebe receptive to the advances is married to Kade and the practice a polyamorous lifestyle. Through our the book we follow the 3 characters developing relationships with each other. I loved each of these characters individually and as a couple. The communication between them was excellent and such a healthy representation of a queer poly relationship
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I received this book for free for an honest review from netgalley. Thank you for the opportunity

My first contemporary poly book. It was a wild ride but I really liked it

I really enjoyed T.J. Alexander's last novel, Second Chances in New Port Stephen, so I was excited to read Triple Sec (which, by the way, is the perfect title for this book). I love the representation in Alexander's writing, and the plot of this one sounded sexy and fun.

Mel is a bartender at one of NYC's hottest bars. She's not looking for love -- doesn't even believe it exists, really, after her divorce -- when Bebe walks into the bar. Bebe is gorgeous and charming and kind, and she wants to take Mel on a date. But Bebe is also married -- to her genderqueer partner, Kade, a surly artist. Mel has no idea how polyamory works, but she's attracted to Bebe and decides to give it a go. As their relationship evolves, Mel realizes she may be attracted to Kade too -- and that love can be expansive and empowering rather than limiting.

I appreciate that Alexander brings attention to polyamory, a topic that most people outside of the lifestyle don't know much about. I certainly didn't, and I learned a lot from this book; Triple Sec provides interesting insights into how that type of relationship can work, and tries to break the taboos associated with it. But narratively, I wanted more conflict and tension. I'm not one who necessarily needs a lot of drama in my romance, but I also didn't want things to be so easy for this polycule. It seemed like they were the shining, perfect example of a polyamorous relationship, which I'm not sure is entirely realistic. I'm not poly myself, so take my opinion with a grain of salt -- but I would imagine most poly relationships are a bit more nuanced and complex than the one portrayed here.

But if the goal was to tell a sexy and sweet love story, with a good amount of spice and fantastic gender representation, Alexander certainly achieved it with Triple Sec. I just have one lingering question: T.J., why in the world did you not give us Mel's cocktail recipes?? Thank you to Atria/Emily Bestler Books for the early reading opportunity.

This was my first foray into polyamorous romcoms and I really enjoyed the dynamics between Mel, Bebe and Kade. The communication between the three of them was refreshing as was their growth as partners. They were constantly shifting and amending their relationships based on each others needs which made for a nurturing, stable connection. I appreciated the care TJ Alexander took in creating the representation in TRIPLE SEC. They did a wonderful job at explaining pronoun usage and queerness in an accessible way. It was a smart choice to have narrator Mel learning about polyamory alongside us, as it gave both the reader and main character chance to grow and adjust expectations of what these dynamics contain.

I thoroughly enjoyed the mixology aspects of this book as well. I am a sucker for an intricately made cocktail and loved watching Mel’s process as she set out to create a competition worthy beverage. As someone who has perused many of NYC’s cocktail bars, I thought the commentary on the service industry and its hierarchy of establishments remained true to life. I wish that we had gotten more elements of the cocktail competition because Mel’s passion for her work was both delicious and electrifying to behold.

Highlights:
-F/F/NB romance
-Swanky cocktail recipes
-NYC setting
-Supportive friend group
-Varying manners of queerness
-Snowed in forced proximity
-A+ communication between paramours

Many thanks to Atria and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC.

Triple Sec was another cute LGBTQIA+ rom com from TJ Alexander! I loved all the different types of representation and how the main character was still trying to learn about herself and others throughout the story. This is my second TJ Alexander book and I would gladly read more!

4 stars!

TJ Alexander is one of my favorite authors, so I was excited to read "Triple Sec." It didn't disappoint! I thoroughly enjoyed this F/F/NB romance book. I feel like I learned a lot about the poly lifestyle I wasn't aware of before reading this book. I now realize that there is more honesty and open communication involved than I had previously thought, complete with mutual written agreements and frequent check-ins between all parties concerned. Rules for the relationship are written out ahead of time and are frequently updated and changed as the situation evolves and grows between the main characters, Mel, Bebe, and her wife Kade. I found myself drawn to each of these three characters for different reasons, both individually and while they are together. Mel is passionate about her job as a bartender. It's not just about a bar job for her: mixology is her passion, what makes her soul feel alive. She is divorced and a bit jaded in love. When Bebe walks into her life, all of that changes as their connection is instant, the chemistry between them palpable. Then, Bebe's wife Kade walks into the bar, and Mel's hopes are dashed. Still, she sees this as an opportunity to make friends and takes them up on their brunch offer. Imagine Mel's surprise when Bebe asks her to join their poly relationship. At first, Bebe asks Mel to be her girlfriend. Eventually, over time, Kade joins in the mix. I found myself drawn to these characters as each of them grows during their time together in their own way. The book explores more than just what a poly relationship is like. It explores the notion of gender fluidity, radical acceptance, and monogamy and heterosexuality as the "standard." Mel challenges her definition of "love" and what a"relationship" is, finding it much broader than she initially thought. The steam in this book is sooooo delicious! I laughed quite a bit at the banter between these three characters as well. Overall, a well-written, thoughtful, sexy, boozy delight!

Thank you to NetGalley, TJ Alexander, Atria Books, and Atria/Emily Bestler Books for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

I loved this! While I would argue there are three main characters, it is solely from the POV of Mel, a jaded NYC bartender. Bebe and Kade shake up her world when they walk in the bar Mel works at. Mel is new to polyamory, and in some ways, this book also works well as an introduction to the topic, giving the reader several definitions (and more words to look up) as used and experimented with by Mel, Bebe, and Kade. I wasn't 100% sure I would vibe with the story, but rave reviews from some reviewers I trust made me all ready to dive in. I ended up really enjoying it, devouring the book in one sitting. A great Pride month (and all year round) read!