hot! thats all i have to say for this book honestly and it explains everything. just hot! would read more books from this author!

There are parts of this book I really enjoyed, and parts that took me out of the story.

I appreciated the realistic portrayal of polyamory, especially within queer relationships. I also thought the jealousy and struggles to unlearn mono-normativity that Mel experienced were accurate and made her character more interesting. It was also nice to see compersion represented, since I feel like that is not typically part of non-monogamous story arcs.

It was fun to watch Mel develop independent relationships with Bebe and Kade, especially since the two of them are presented as polar opposites. I found Mel's voice and experiences to be relatable, both in terms of rediscovering herself after a breakup and also learning how to navigate polyamorous dynamics. That said, I felt the other characters (including Bebe and Kade) were noticeably less developed than Mel. They both felt a bit one-note, and I would have liked them to have more depth.

The pacing of the story kept me interested all the way through. Although many elements of the story were predictable, I didn't necessarily mind - I'm not reading romcoms for the plot twists! I also found certain parts of the story to be overly sweet and earnest, to the point of being slightly cringe-worthy.

All in all, it was an enjoyable read and I felt it was a realistic portrayal of what it's like to enter into polyamory for the first time.

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria for the ARC!

This book was really fun and awesome representation for more diverse types of relationships. I really enjoyed the dynamic between all characters and can’t wait to see what TJ releases next.

A daring and unique romance that turns the genre on its head. TRIPLE SEC was a delight to read, and had everything you could want in a romance: sexy scenes, fun dialogue, and drama galore. This poly-romance stands out in a sea of traditional straight romance and I ate up every last word.

I received an advanced copy of Triple Sec by TJ Alexander from the publisher Atria via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

What It’s About: As a bartender at one of the most swanky cocktail lounge known for its romantic atmosphere, Mel has witness plenty of disastrous date and her own romantic life makes Mel convinced love doesn’t exist. But everything changes when Bebe walks into her bar, she’s beautiful, funny, and even knows her whiskey. Mel believes they have an instant connection, but is disappointed to find out that she is happily married to her partner, Kade. Then Bebe invites Mel into their life, and shares that Kade and Bebe have an open marriage, and wants to take her on a date. What starts out as a fun romp turns into a relationship, Mel gains confidence in her romantic life but also professional life, and even starts noticing a spark between her and Kade. As Bebe, Kade, and Mel explore their connections, Mel stars to real love might be more expansive than she thought possible.

My Thoughts: TJ Alexander is a wizard at telling stories. I have only read one of their books but it was one of my favorites of 2023, and so I was eager to read more! When I got an advanced copy of this book, I was a bit skeptical, I had never read polyamorous romance. However, I trusted TJ Alexander and dove in. This book was quite good and I loved so much about this. On the B-plot side, it was really eye opening to see how the high-end bar scene works and the life of a mixologist. I learned so much and I would love to have had a whole book about the competition. The romance is just extraordinary. This book is pitched as three love stories for the cost of one, and I would say that I quite apt and one could say four! I loved the romances here and I loved getting to see three highly capable people in love with open communication and clear discussion of boundaries. The three relationships are all quite different from each other but also piece together well. This is a lovely polyamory romance, my only desire was that I wish we had more time in the book getting to see Kade and Mel together and the three of them establishing their own joint connection.

Who Should Read It: People who love rom-coms. People interested in the NYC high end bar scene. People who love queer romances and want more nonbinary rep.

Summary: Mel finds a connection with Bebe who is an open marriage with Kade but also maybe Mel also has a connection with Kade. Romance abound!

This was not my first TJ Alexander book and it definitely will not be the last either! I loved this one. TJ always does an amazing job writing consent, communication, and setting clear boundaries in their stories, and it was no different in this one. They have a way of taking the most serious conversations about such things and turning them into something so sexy. They include important and meaningful conversations about gender throughout the whole book, which I loved too. I enjoyed how all of the characters were written, and I was constantly rooting for all of them to work out. TJ essentially created three different relationships, and each one had unique qualities, all different in their own special ways, through actions, dialogue, everything. I can't wait to see what they do next, I will absolutely be reading.

Triple Sec is an interesting romance where a bartender is brought into a relationship with a couple after being attracted to one of the people in the formerly mentioned relationship. The story is an interesting reflection on sexuality and determining what one wants from a relationship.

Thank you, Netgalley, the author, and Atria Books for the gifted e-book! ❤️ #gifted. My review is comprised of my honest thoughts.

Read this if you like: Polyamory, spicy 🔥, cocktails

I don't read very many polyamorous books. I need more! This was an accurate representation. The characters were well done. The communication and the spice are great. I highly recommend it!

The premise for Triple Sec had me intrigued, and, as TJ Alexander is one of my favorite authors, I thought it'd be a great toe dip into queer poly romance. And I think it is. This novel hits the high notes for steam and touches upon some of the obstacles that polyamorous individuals encounter in the workplace and world in general. I found that informative and thought-provoking. Of the three individuals, I definitely liked Mel's character and personality the most, and Bebe's smart and sexy vibe made for some fun scenes throughout. Kade was more of an enigma, and they surprised me a few times (in a good way). Overall, I could see the appeal of their connections with each other, but I wasn't 100% sold on the romance of it all. Big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review! Opinions are 100% my own.

Thanks to Netgalley and Atria Books/Emily Bestler Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

It’s been a hot minute since I’ve last read a poly story, and this is my favorite thus far. Triple Sec is my third read by T.J. Alexander.

The story of Mel, a mixologist/bartender who meets Bebe and her wife Kade, while tending bar, is sweet, sexy and spicy. If you like poly stories with strong characters and equally amazing supporting characters, this book is for you.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers Copy of Triple Sec by TJ Alexander! They're one of my favorite queer authors, this was another super creative and brutally romantic book!

The first time I tried to read this, I had a hard time getting into it. I recently decided to give it another try and it actually drew me right in. I really loved the characters, spice, and banter. It’s the perfect book to read when you want something light, spicy, and fun!

This was great! This is my second book by TJ Alexander and their voice really works for me. And this book had really lovely and thoughtful poly rep that I enjoyed reading about. The character work is great - especially with only one POV character but three main characters. I did find Mel a bit difficult to spend time with sometimes - especially during the conflict moments (which I didn't love in general), but on the whole I liked her and all the characters.

Like my last TJ Alexander book, I hardly know what to write because I enjoyed the book so much and went through it so fast I don't have much analysis. There were a few things that didn't land quite right but It's well paced, overall well written and kept me entertained. And it was pretty hot too.

Wholeheartedly recommend.

TJ Alexander writes books that make me want to do more. The books feel like a warm cozy hug with people that care about each other. I love the explorations and variety of romances in the book and the spice was top notch.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

There is little I love more in this world than a TJ Alexander romance. And Triple Sec delivered, threefold (pun intended). While it was a whirlwind romance set around a cocktail bar, it was also a window into the world of polyamory. Mel, Bebe, and Kade were lovely characters, flawed in all the right ways. There was an opportunity for there to have been significant miscommunication tropes, but I appreciated that the author didn’t force that. I think since the type of relationship the characters all have has an extra emphasis on communication, it would’ve felt out of place. I really appreciated the updated rules list throughout the chapters - it added levity and humour in what could’ve been tense situations. Triple Sec was the perfect mix of spicy and sweet - just like the perfect margarita.

The ice clinked in her glass as she watched the other patrons in the bar. Laughter, smiles, and cheers filled the space as many people mingled. Her eye was specifically on the bartender though, who was masterfully crafting the most delicious drinks she’d ever sipped.

Triple Sec by TJ Alexander is a queer romance following Mel, a bartender residing in NYC with hopes of one day having her own bar to craft her signature drinks. When a beautiful stranger enters her life with a relationship proposition she never saw coming, Mel’s life starts to change for the better.

I’ve read a few of TJ’s books and I love their writing. This one wasn’t my favorite, but still had heartwarming moments, quirky characters to love, and hilarious banter that had me laughing. I really enjoyed getting to follow Mel as a bartender and the scenes of her making drinks were fun to read. I wish the drink competition would have had more page time though, because I was really interested in that. This book explores polyamorous relationships and I appreciated the healthy communication between the characters.

If you’re look for a spicy queer romance, then I’d put this one on your list!

Thanks to Atria books and Net Galley for this advanced reader copy of Triple Sec by TJ Alexander. This was a great book! I loved reading Mel’s story of finding love again after marriage and loved her growing relationships with Bebe and Kade. It was nice to learn more about polyamorous relationships and more about gender identity. I definitely recommend!

T.J. Alexander is quickly becoming a go-to author for unique and refreshing takes on romance. *Triple Sec* delivers a new twist on polyamory, stepping away from the typical triad setup. Instead, we follow Mel as she begins a relationship with Bebe, while Bebe’s wife, Kade, stays out of the picture at first. It’s so interesting watching Mel’s relationships with both Bebe and Kade grow individually before they all come together, giving the story an organic, slow-burn feel that’s truly satisfying.

Each character stands out on their own, too. Mel, a talented bartender fresh out of a divorce, is on a journey of self-discovery, both personally and professionally. She’s learning to open her heart again while also pursuing her dream of crafting new cocktails and opening a bar. Bebe and Kade, though opposites in many ways, add so much charm to the story—Bebe’s lively, carefree energy contrasts perfectly with Kade’s serious, artistic vibe. Watching Kade warm up to Mel was especially heartwarming!

T.J. Alexander’s descriptive style makes the story even richer. Mel’s passion for mixology really shines, with each cocktail description pulling you deeper into her world. It’s one of those details that makes the book feel so alive.

If you’re looking for a queer, polyamorous romance that’s both fun and heartfelt, *Triple Sec* is worth picking up. It’s a spicy yet thoughtful story about love, trust, and starting fresh after heartbreak.

✨Book Review✨
Triple Sec by T.J. Alexander
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This book was lovely! The polyamory representation was something I've sadly never seen in a rom com before and it was so nice to read! I really liked the characters and the bartending/cocktail vibes. It was very spicy, which is not my favorite, but I did think the sex scenes were very well done so if you like spice this will definitely be for you. I also loved the non-binary representation. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who likes romance!