If I’ve ever read a queer romance, it definitely didn’t stand out as much as this one. This poly rom- con was fun from the beginning. Steamy, full of queer joy, and the dialogue between the characters was compassionate and informative for the reader. I really enjoyed the concept of the cocktail competition and everything Mel tries to create her perfect drink. The descriptions made mixology sound so beautiful! I will say I didn’t really emotional connect to the relationships or the drama in the book, but Alexander did repeatedly touch on how different people love differently. It you’re looking for a lighthearted summer read, this one is definitely a feel good read.

I received an advance review copy for free via Netgalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

"Triple Sec" by TJ Alexander is a delightful and refreshing take on the rom-com genre, introducing readers to a polyamorous romance that is both steamy and heartwarming. Set in the chic and exclusive cocktail lounge, Terror & Virtue, the story follows Mel, a jaded bartender who has sworn off love after witnessing countless disastrous dates. However, her outlook changes dramatically when she meets Bebe and her charming partner, Kade.

The relationships in "Triple Sec" are layered and intricately developed, making the story engaging and multifaceted. The communication between the characters is open and refreshing, adding a realistic touch to their evolving dynamics. The balance of details is perfect, offering just the right amount of insight without overwhelming the reader, and the steamy moments are extra steamy, making for a truly entertaining read.

One of the highlights of the book is how it handles the polyamorous relationship with care and respect. Mel's journey from skepticism to embracing a more expansive view of love is beautifully portrayed, and her interactions with Bebe and Kade are both touching and believable. Kade, a non-binary character, is given nuance and depth, showcasing TJ Alexander's inclusive and thoughtful writing. Non-binary characters often feel like an afterthought in many stories, but not here—Kade's identity is treated with the respect and complexity it deserves.

While the ending felt a bit rushed, leaving me wishing for a few more chapters, this only underscores how much I enjoyed the book. TJ Alexander's writing is funny, intelligent, and aware, making "Triple Sec" a standout in the romantic comedy genre. I loved exploring Mel's evolving expectations of relationships, love, partnership, and her own self-imposed limitations.

Overall, "Triple Sec" is a must-read for anyone looking for a fresh, inclusive, and thoroughly enjoyable romantic comedy. I can't wait to read more from TJ Alexander!

This was my first time reading a polyamorous romance and I hugely enjoyed it - I hope to read more now! This book felt like a really in-depth, fleshed out romance. The characters were unique, believable, and had great character arcs and chemistry with one another. The romance was central but there was also more to the story and the characters lives which really added a lot to the story and kept the pace up.

Triple Sec by TJ Alexander offers a refreshing take on romance, delving into the complexities of polyamory with charm and wit. The story follows Mel, a jaded bartender at an upscale NYC cocktail lounge, who is swept off her feet by Bebe and Kade, a quirky and open-minded couple. As Mel navigates her evolving relationships and newfound passions, the narrative explores themes of love, self-discovery, and acceptance.

While the book shines in its representation and humor, the pacing felt uneven at times, with some plot points resolving too quickly and others dragging on. Additionally, the romantic development, while heartfelt, occasionally leaned on predictable tropes.

Overall, Triple Sec is a delightful and thought-provoking read, though it may not fully satisfy all romance enthusiasts. Fans of queer romance and polyamorous dynamics will especially appreciate its fresh perspective and the vibrant world of high-end cocktail culture. A solid 3-star read.

I don't think this is my fave book by this author but I enjoyed it. Mel is a bartender who starts dating someone in a poly relationship. She is also trying to come up with a signature cocktail for a competition with a prize of $200,000 which would get her so much closer to opening her own bar. The relationship dynamics between Mel, Bebe, and Kade were interesting for me to learn from as someone who isn't part of the poly community. I love that romance is a genre that's working to be inclusive of all the different ways love and sex occur in the world. Thank you to NetGalley and Atria for the ARC, this book releases June 4!

Recently divorced Mel is content with her fun job, sharing an apartment with one of her best friends, and her non-existent love life. When flirtatious and vibrant Bebe enters the swanky bar where Mel crafts gourmet cocktails, she instantly captures Mel’s attention, sparking something that had been dormant for a while. She agrees to meet up with Bebe, despite their first interaction ending with Bebe’s wife showing up and them seeming delightfully in love. Mel is content with just having a friendship with the effervescent Bebe, but it’s clear the flirty lawyer wants more. When Bebe explains her and her wife Kade’s poly lifestyle, Mel is thrown. It’s not a world she is familiar with, but is willing to give it a try with guidance and rules set in place. Set amongst the backdrop of a career-making cocktail contest that Mel wants to win, her new situation is thrown for a bigger loop when it becomes clear that her and Kade share an attraction too. Life has never been more complicated or exciting for Mel, and can she handle it?

This was a super cute and fun take on a polyamorous relationship and probably my fave book of Alexander’s yet. I loved Mel’s character right from the start and found her engaging, sweetly awkward, and real. Kade was mysterious and deep and soulful, and while Bebe didn’t leap off the page for me, I appreciated her lightness. Overall this was a great mix of flirty, sexy, and emotional without super high stakes drama, but still contained a really good relationship to cheer for.

A traditionally published Queer Poly Romance - with a bartender and a drink making competition? OF COURSE I SIGNED UP IMMEDIATELY. Also I had definitely just been marathoning Drink Masters on Netflix and most definitely needed more of the vibes of all those fancy drinks - and I am so happy to report that Triple Sec absolutely delivered on all of its promises.
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First let's talk about the cover - how stunning and perfect is it?? And the title?? This book is set up for all the big swings and it was an absolute delight to read.
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I loved the set up of all the relationships, alongside the secondary plot of Mel preparing and participating in a cocktail contest for prize money, but my one qualm was that there was a bit of a lull between when Mel and Bebe got together until the time that Mel and Kade. I think that something else could have happened to support the plot during that lull (not sure what though) - but once Mel and Kade figure out what they want from each other - the pacing returns right back to its perfect range.
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I have no idea how such perfect factors - poly, queer, fancy cocktails - all blended together into the existence of this book - but I am so happy for it.
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PS - highly recommend watching Drink Masters before or after reading this book - it will help with the visualizing of all the beautiful cocktails and you’ll thank me later ;)
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Hisses & Kisses 🐍
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*I received an eARC from Atria Books, Atria/Emily Bestler Books, & NetGalley. All opinions are my own.*

3.5 rounded down. Just like with [book:Second Chances in New Port Stephen|203322719], I blazed through this really fast even though the beginning was also tough for me to get into at first for some reason. The characters were fun and charming in their own way, and I enjoyed the dynamic and the buildup as well. But I think there was some oomph missing here for me, even if I did love the polyam rep a lot. This is also my first NB/F/F book and I loved it! The spice that we do get is pretty nice, but I wish there were at least a couple more scenes and less fade to black.

The best thing about this book is that nothing hurt. There was honestly only good feeling vibes the entirety of the time and in a time when romance books tend to have drama and a shitton of miscommunication, this was incredibly refreshing and welcoming. 😂 But honestly at the same time, I think that while the emotional bonding was okay, I kind of wish we got to go a little deeper with them.

I'm excited to see what Alexander writes next!

Mel, a bartender at upscale, trendy Terror & Virtue, is over it: pushy finance bros, a boss who won't let her express herself behind the bar, and is absolutelty over romance after the end of her decade-long marriage.

That is, until blond bombshell and hotshot lawyer Bebe sits down at the bar. Mel picks up some vibes until Bebe's wife Kade, an ethereal, brooding, nonbinary artist, glides in. Bebe couldn't have been flirting... could she?

Bebe definitely was flirting and Mel now finds herself negotiating a polyamorous relationship as Terror & Virtue gets sold to a VC group that starts cutting corners to increase profits. With dreams of opening her own bar, Mel enters a cocktail competition with a huge cash prize, if only she weren't distracted by the feelings she's catching for Bebe... and her hot wife.

A love letter to industry queers, Triple Sec is a sweet, swoony, light-hearted romance with some open-door spice that celebrates queer joy and love in all its many forms, and the magic that comes from going your own way.

Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

Mel is an NYC bartender. On a shift one night, she picks up Bebe only to find out that Bebe is married to Kade. That's not a problem for them though, because Bebe and Kade are polyamorous. Mel is willing to try it out for Bebe.

This was a great read. I didn't love being in Mel's head because she seemed a little immature but I did like that this was single POV. I liked the poly aspect of the romance because I haven't read a contemporary romance like this before. Also love the inclusion of a nonbinary character because TJ always writes them well. Another hit for TJ!

Triple Sec follows Mel who is a bartender at a fancy cocktail lounge in New York City. Mel does not think love exists because of her divorce. But everything changes when Bebe walks into the bar. She is married to her partner Kade. But Bebe and Kade are in an open marriage and Bebe wants to take Mel on a date. Soon the two become an item. Mel soon realizes that there might be a spark between her and Kade too. Soon Mel begins to think that love does exist.

I wanted to like this book more than I did. But it did not live up to my expectations. I did like that this book showed a polyamorous relationship. I have never read a book with this kind of relationship. I love each character came into their own and discovered what they really wanted. I did feel like this book had some plot holes though. I also felt like this book was super repetitive. I also found the characters kind of boring. I think if the characters were a little more developed I would have liked them more. This book was not bad though and I did enjoy it for the most part. This is my first book by this author and I would like to read more by them.

I have historically really enjoyed TJ Alexander’s work…that said this was not a favorite. Over half the book focuses on the relationship between Mel and Bebe, and I strongly preferred Kade, which made that a struggle. I found Bebe’s brat tendencies outside of the bedroom to be irritating and maybe selfish? With both Bebe and Kade, I struggled with the path to “I love you” when with Bebe it was constant sex and with Kade we got one meaningful set of conversations in the cabin and a time jump that wasn’t satisfying. Realistically, Kade/Mel had a deeper understanding of each other after one night than Bebe/Mel after three months…no?

I think overall there are points being made about the expansiveness of romantic love and community here that work, and others that left me wanting, but I will read more of the authors books moving forward because they have a strong track record for me.

I’ve never dabbled with this author’s books before, but oh my, I must get my hands on their other books immediately now!

Mel, heartbroken from her divorce, attempts to find love again, and finds it in unforeseen places. Will she be able to accept all the love she deserves? Or will her self limiting beliefs, along with trying to label her love, keep her from it after all?

I loved every character in this book, so deeply described and detailed that you can’t help but fall in love with them yourself. The love stories displayed on the page were incredible, I want to spend every waking minute with these characters! So excited to see them through their ups and downs, and experience this life with them. Highly recommend to all who enjoy love stories with spice-a great book indeed!

This was my first TJ Alexander and won't be my last. I loved how the author explored polyamory in this romance, with an emphasis on strong communication and consent, debunking many stereotypes that folks who have never been exposed to this relationship might have. Moreover, Triple Sec was such a fabulous example of how a couple can grow through a relationship, always assessing how it can best support each partner's wants and needs. This definitely won't be a romance for everyone unfortunately, but it is one I won't hesitate to recommend to those looking to diversify their romance reading.

A fun romance highlighting healthy queer and polyamorous relationships. Bartender Mel doesn't usually flirt with customers, but she makes an exception for the gorgeous Bebe. She starts having second thoughts when she realizes that Bebe is already married to Kade, but once the two of them explain that they are in an open, polyamorous relationship, Mel must decide if she's comfortable enough to continue the relationship. There's a nice subplot about a cocktail competition and lots of delicious drink descriptions.

It took me a little while to get into this one, but I ended up really enjoying it! I felt like the dialogue was realistic, and I appreciated the story being told from Mel's perspective so we, the readers, could get answers to any questions about polyamorous relationships along with her. The book was a pretty quick and easy read overall and the spicy scenes felt appropriate within the context of the story and characters. There was quite a bit of emotional depth to the characters as well, which was impressive for a relatively short book. I would definitely recommend this and will be looking out for more from this author.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first book by TJ Alexander! And overall I’ll say that I liked it! I liked how different all three of the main characters were. Each had a different personality and you could easily tell them apart. Mel met Bebe first while working her shift at the bar one day. I liked seeing their relationship form. First the relationship between Mel and Bebe formed and then one between Mel and Kade formed and then eventually they all came together.
I wish we would have gotten to see more about the drink competition that Mel enters, but other than that I thought the plot and the characters were great!

Thank you for the arc!!

Thank you Atria Books for my copy! All thoughts are my own.

I think I have become a professional TJ Alexander fan girl and I’m proud. Ever since this ARC arrived, I was saving it for the perfect time to read it because I knew I wouldn’t be able to out it down. I’m so glad I saved it but I’m also so sad it’s over! I have read “why choose” romances before but never a poly rom com so i wasn’t sure what to expect but TJ does everything with such care and wonder. I love the way TJ writes dialogue and the queer joy that leaps off the pages of their books. This one definitely felt the most lighthearted and aspirational, especially when it came to the healthy communication between the characters. If you’re looking for a joyful, steamy read this summer that doesn’t scream “beach read” but is still frothy and fun, this is the perfect book.

Synopsis:

“As a bartender at Terror & Virtue, a swanky New York City cocktail lounge known for its romantic atmosphere and Insta-worthy drinks, Mel has witnessed plenty of disastrous dates. That, coupled with her own romantic life being in shambles, has Mel convinced love doesn’t exist.Everything changes when Bebe walks into the bar. She’s beautiful, funny, knows her whiskeys—and is happily married to her partner, Kade. Mel’s resigned to forget the whole thing, but Bebe makes her a unique offer: since she and Kade have an open marriage, she’s interested in taking Mel on a date.What starts as a fun romp turns into a burgeoning relationship, and soon Mel is trying all sorts of things she’d been avoiding, from grand romantic gestures to steamy exploits. Mel even gets the self-confidence to enter a cocktail competition that would make her dream of opening her own bar a reality. In the chaotic whirl of all these new experiences, Mel realizes there might be a spark between her and Kade, too. As Bebe, Kade, and Mel explore their connections, Mel begins to think that real love might be more expansive than she ever thought possible.With TJ Alexander’s signature “witty and insightful voice, complex characters, and full-throated celebration of the joy of queer community” (Ava Wilder, author of How to Fake It in Hollywood), Triple Sec is a passionate, thirst-quenching love story that will have you asking for another round…or three.” —NetGalley

What I Liked:

The Characters—I loved all the characters. I wish I was as confident and bright as Bebe. I loved Kade’s stoicism but I really loved how all the characters communicated and weren’t afraid to communicate. It was truly delightful to see such healthy adult conversations happening in a romance, where you’re always waiting for the third act break up.

The Dialogue—TJ Alexander is so funny. SO FUNNY. I love the dialogue in their books.

The Snowed In Trope—I wasn’t ready for it and it delighted me endlessly. An utterly fantastic use of it!

What Didn’t Work for Me:

Just Wanted More of the Competition—I feel like I kept losing the B plot, which was Mel competing in a competition for a hot new cocktail to take over NYC. I think that needed a little more exploration, especially cause it provided a source of conflict.

Character Authenticity: 5/5 Spice Rating: 2.5/5 (Open Door) Overall Rating: 4.75/5

Content Warnings:

divorce, ableism, transphobia, homophobia

3.75 stars

I definitely was not expecting that much spice, this was *steamy*. I like the format of this being everyone coming together on their own paths, on their own time. It wasn't a relationship looking for a third it just happened. I wasn't super invested in the cocktail competition but it was entertaining. Enjoyed Kade & Bebe more than Mel and Daniel was a great side character.

Thank you to Atria Books and Netgalley for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review. I look forward to more from T.J..

Another slam-dunk from TJ Alexander! This was a fun and relaxing romance read that I read in one sitting. The cast of characters in this one were super engaging to follow along with, especially the main three of Mel, Bebe, and Kade. I also always like how Alexander includes a broad range of queer identities and relationships without it ever feeling like I'm reading a pamphlet or being lectured to.

One thing I really liked about this book is that it didn't have a huge third act breakup conflict. I get why a lot of romance reads have it, but it is so exhausting for me, someone who is primarily not a romance reader. Because of the absolute breakneck speed of these relationships, most of the drama is front loaded, so the rest of the book I just kind of vibed.

This is my first TJ Alexander book and I really enjoyed it! I loved following Mel as she navigated a polyamorous relationship for the first time and watching her open up to love again and then love to more than one person. One of my favorite aspects was Mel and Kade's relationship. It's rare to find a book where two love interests do not understand each other at first and have to learn how to communicate with each other on the level that Mel and Kade did. Once they understood each other better, I was screaming at their chemistry. Snowed in at a cabin is really one of my favorite versions of the forced proximity trope and it worked so well here.