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.

Triple Sec is a triple threat (ha) romance with an excellent cast, lots of heart, and a handful of delightful spicy scenes.

Jaded bartender Mel no longer believes in love after the ending of her decade-long marriage. She meets Bebe and is instantly drawn to her. Bebe and Mel begin dating, and eventually, Mel begins dating Kade, Bebe’s wife as well, until they form a triad, all while Mel is practicing for a cocktail competition.

The pacing of this one is <i> so fast </i>, like I was at 50% and five seconds (probably actually an hour) later, I looked down and was at 75%. Triple Sec is a fast easy read that focuses more on the here and now of Mel’s relationship(s) than having her wallow in the past with lots of internal dialogue as romance with divorced characters are sometimes wont to do, understably. But with Mel we get this fresh forwarness that I really enjoyed. Every problem our intrepid heroes encounter is discussed and problem-solved like well-adjusted adults. There is no contrived interpersonal drama, which was GLORIOUS TO READ. Even a tense run-in with Mel’s ex-wife was awkward but fine. And that is something that we see so rarely in romances, and I honestly loved it and I think it’s a big part of why I read this book in a 24 hour period. It was delightful and I will be checking out TJ Alexander’s backlist based off this read!

Triple Sec is much like Mel’s favorite drink, a paloma—refreshing, light, and easy to consume in one sitting.

I received an advanced copy for review. Thanks to Netgalley, Atria/Emily Bestler, and TJ Alexander for the ARC.

Thank you @atriabooks for a copy of this book. Mel is a bartender at one of the hottest spot and meets Bebe and there's instant connection. Mel learns that Bebe is is married but is in an open relationship. The story explores how an open relationship develops between Mel, Bebe and Kade. I thought the story was cute but I felt like I didn't get to know the characters and the love develop.

A 3.5 for me that I feel comfortable rounding up to a 4. This was my first foray into fiction that focused heavily on an open relationship/polyamory dynamics. I don't know much about all of the rules of ethical non-monogamy and have never been in the lifestyle myself so I can't speak about the accuracies/ethics or not in this book. I can say that I enjoyed reading it but I didn't find myself overly connected to the characters or blown away by their connections. I bought all of it but it wasn't a butterflies level romance for me so it sits at the 3.5 rather than higher.

The story follows Mel working at a fancy cocktail bar. Mel is super passionate about the art of drinking cocktails but her passion is being smothered a bit by the restrictions of the cocktail bar. One night she meets an enchanting lady, Bebe, who she has a little crush on and flirts with only to find out later she's married to a stoic, nonbinary human named Kade. Mel is even more confused when she is invited to a brunch at their home. Turns out Bebe wants to date Mel as the marriage to Kade is an open situation. Mel ends up on a journey not only of dating within an existing couple but also entering a cocktail competition she hopes can put her closer to her dream of owning her own bar.

It was interesting to see how this book was plotted. Like the relationships portrayed within it, it couldn't follow the "standard" romance timeline because of the many relationships that had to be explored and built. The author billed it as 3 romances for the price of one and that feels pretty accurate. The middle part felt a little disconnected and not as flushed out for me almost as if this could have been a series of three books rather than just the one. I don't know but I thought Alexander did a good job at making me as the reader invested in seeing what would happen and keeping me interested and informed along the way. I continue to be excited to see what Alexander does as they continue to write.

I received a free ebook copy of this from Atria Marketing for review. I also ended up coincidently receiving a physical ARC copy from Goodreads.

T.J. Alexander is quickly becoming one of my favorite romance authors. I love how they take tropes or types of relationships I’ve seen before, but present them in a completely new way. In the past when I’ve read polyamorous romances they’ve been about an existing couple that adds a third and instantly becomes a triad. So I thought it was really interesting in Triple Sec that Mel starts dating Bebe, but initially Bebe’s wife Kade is not involved at all with Mel. Later on Mel and Kade do begin their own romance, and it was a lot of fun seeing everything evolve separately and then together.

I loved all of the characters individually. Mel is a bartender who is apprehensive about a new romance after her divorce. She has a lot of development when it comes to opening up and trusting romantic partners again alongside her professional development of creating new cocktails and wanting to open her own bar. I also loved how Bebe and Kade seemed like complete opposites. Bebe is very bubbly and easygoing while Kade is a more serious, reserved artist. I especially enjoyed watching the scenes where Kade lets their guard down a little bit and starts to get closer with Mel.

Something that I really appreciate with T.J. Alexander’s writing is how they use descriptions of food and drinks. Everything is just bursting off the page, it adds so much atmosphere to the story. And it’s not just extraneous description, Mel is so passionate about mixology and cocktails, so seeing her love for her career intensifies those parts of the plot.

Definitely check this one out if you’re in the market for a queer, polyamorous romance. It’s a fun, sexy read that also touches on topics like healing after a serious breakup and learning to trust again.

Triple Sec is a beautiful representation of one of the many forms love can take. The story follows Mel, a divorced bartender at a high-end cocktail lounge in NYC, as she embarks on a journey into the world of polyamorous dating. Her path is filled with discovery, personal growth, and unexpected connections.

This was an entertaining, uplifting, and spicy read. TJ Alexander does a remarkable job creating characters that are both relatable and deeply human. Even though I don't have personal experience with polyamory, Alexander made it easy to connect with the characters' journeys and emotions. Themes of healthy communication, honesty, love, and support are delightfully front and center, making the relationships feel authentic and inspiring.

In addition to the compelling romance, I enjoyed the detailed depiction of the cocktail scene in NYC, complete with intriguing recipes and insights into life in the service industry. It added a unique and enjoyable layer to the story.

Triple Sec is perfect for readers seeking a romance that breaks traditional molds with its heartfelt and spicy narrative.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books/Emily Bestler Books for providing this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

I've never read a poly romance before, so I wasn't totally sure what to expect. And I liked this! The communication was absolutely next level and I really enjoyed each character individually as well as their relationships with each other. I do wish there had been more of their dynamic as the three of them together. The cocktail competition subplot gets a little bit buried, but I do really enjoy it. This was a fun read!

I'm consistently entertained and impressed with the work that TJ Alexander does.

Somehow Alexander has managed to capture and center a polyamorous relationship in a way that seems both genuine and real. I thoroughly enjoyed the chemistry between all three parties: Mel, Bebe, and Kade. However, I think my favorite character was Bebe - solely because her energy matches mine the most.

This is a lovely and uplifting story about love and the many forms that it can take. It's a feel good experience!

There is spice sprinkled throughout - though I don't think takes away from the plot, and if anything adds to the chemistry between the characters.

It's also a really great insight into examples of polyamory and what it -could- look like. I think that it's incredible that it's being traditional published and I cannot wait to see this one in stores!

Also, LOVED the cabin scene. I could read a whole book of just that trip.

This book will have you wanting to grab a nice cold cocktail while you read. I enjoyed this book, it was a fun and light quick read. I liked the dynamics between Mel, Kade, and Bebe. This book did leave me wanting more though, I wish there was a little more emotional depth on the page (and a few more spicy scenes because the ones that were in the book were fab). This is a great book for people wanting to dive into their first book involving a polyamorous relationship. I think fans of Love & Other Disasters by Anita Kelly would enjoy this one.

BOOK REVIEW - TRIPLE SEC by TJ Alexander

⭐⭐⭐⭐

I just wanted to thank NetGalley, Atria Books, and TJ Alexander for providing me with an eARC of "Triple Sec" for review. I enjoyed reading it!

The world that TJ Alexander created in Triple Sec is both immersive and refreshingly modern, which I found very engaging. As someone who appreciates a good romance, I felt this book offered a unique take on polyamorous relationships, done with much more depth and realism than some of my other recent reads.

One thing that stood out to me was the chemistry between Mel, Bebe, and Kade. As individuals navigating the complexities of their own lives and relationships, their dynamics felt authentic and deeply relatable. Mel's internal struggles and evolving feelings were portrayed with a blend of humour and sincerity that made her journey both entertaining and touching.

The mixology competition and Mel's career as a bartender added a layer of fun and excitement to the narrative, highlighting the importance of personal growth and self-discovery. I loved how Mel's involvement in the cocktail world led her to unexpected realizations about herself and her relationships. The exploration of polyamorous relationships and the intricacies of trust and communication was both heartwarming and insightful.

This book was so cute!!

I loved the cocktail aspect of it and how the author included all these details that immersed you into the world they created.

I loved all 3 characters and relationships but I think Kade might be my favorite. Kade is very standoffish at first but eventually falls under Mel's spell and they start to build a relationship that's 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Overall I loved how the author wrote the characters and interpersonal relationships. You get to go through each phase of the polycule getting to feel those feelings along with Mel.