Mel is jaded on the idea of relationships but is instantly enthralled when she meets Bebe and the two of them seem to hit it off. Unfortunately, Bebe turns out to be happily married to Kade. Surprisingly, its an open relationship and Bebe asks Mel out on a date. What follows is Mel failing to keep things as casual with Bebe, while also unexpectedly developing feelings for Kade.

This novel was an absolute delight from start to finish. It was different from most of the novels I have read (just featuring a poly relationship) and was executed so incredibly well. The characters were delightful, and all of the relationship permutations were thrilling to experience. There wasn’t too much conflict or angst which I appreciated, and I don’t think it was needed in the slightest. I would recommend this novel to anyone; I think it is one of my new favorites.

Some Highlights:
-This novel was very well balanced. There was just the right amount of plot, conflict, and external influences on the story to counterbalance the sweet and spicy relationship development. There was enough plotline to keep the novel interesting and make it feel fuller, yet not distract from the romance (the main point, am I right?). It was all woven together very effectively and worked to create the overall novel.
-Their relationships were all so adorable and perfect. Two (three?) for the price of one novel! Each relationship was very different but all satisfying, and the whole situation simply worked very well. The characters differences and chemistry together worked interestingly and very well, both in and outside of the bedroom. On the surface it was enjoyable to read, but looking a bit deeper it also worked well to demonstrate how relationships vary and can work for you in different ways; not better or worse but simply different.
-The spice was excellent. I just wish there was more of it!!!
-As a (very happily) monogamous person I could empathize and understand Mel’s anxiety about trying out a poly relationship. It was very easy to get into her headspace and gave me a lot to think about and reflect on while reading this novel. This is the first poly romance novel that I have read, and it was very interesting on multiple levels.

I have nothing bad to say about this novel. The closest thing would be complaining that there wasn’t more of it! It could have used so much more spice (but not at the expense of cutting anything else!), more dates, more sweet relationship moments, more working through little issues, more time with the characters following the end of the novel. More everything. I would happily devour a sequel.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

TJ Alexander’s new novel explores polyamory and love after difficult break-ups. Mel is a divorced mixologist that has been hesitant towards love, until Bebe enters the bar that she works at. She’s everything that Mel is looking for in a partner until Mel finds out Bebe is married. Mel has never been involved in an open relationship before and sets strict boundaries on what is acceptable. But over and over again she finds herself reevaluating these boundaries as a feeling akin to love begins to arise. I loved the character development in this novel as well as the support that each character has for one another. Alexander does a great job of highlighting LGBTQIA characters in a way that also provides eduction.

TJ Alexander’s writing is always fantastic, and Triple Sec is no exception! This romance is sexy, funny, and features characters that jump off the page (Bebe is so charismatic, and Kade as an artsy, neurodivergent genderqueer person made me feel very seen!) I devoured this book in around 24 hours and am already excitedly waiting to recommend it to customers in store.

I think romance books featuring queer polyamory are still far too rare for how common it is in the LGBTQ+ community, and reading this book was really refreshing and features important diversity and representation.

Triple Sec by TJ Alexander is a good fit for those seeking a heartwarming and steamy romance that explores the complexities of polyamory and the power of queer love.

I already posted on good reads! But I’m so happy to have gotten this book. I’ve loved TJ in one past and their writing didn’t disappoint here. It was such a good and fun story, with engaging and fun characters, realistic descriptions, and 🌶️🥵 that was the queer content we need.

This was such a fun poly/queer romance. I loved it!

The characters were all relatable (even though none of them had careers I would succeed in), and somehow, they fit together like the world’s most satisfying puzzle.

Spice: 5 chilis

I also very much loved:
-the cocktail competition
-open communication as a rule
-body positivity
-the blizzard
-Bebe’s bed? I need one of my own

PUBLISH DATE: June 4 2024
Thank you NetGalley + Atria Books for the advanced readers copy, here's my honest review!

This was such a cute, simple, and cozy story that felt very slice-of-life at times!! I hope I get to read more books with great queer & polyamorous representation just like this one in the future!

Unfortunately, I didn't find myself connecting with the characters much, they fell a bit flat for me. I wish that they were more fleshed out. Alongside that, I wanted more relationship development between the 3 of them especially Mel & Kade but I just didn't get that. I felt very detached from their relationship as well as the characters individually.

Surprisingly enough I actually did enjoy the smut scenes in terms of what was going on but if I cared more about the relationship between the characters I would've loved it so much more.

A little bit later on in the book there was a scene where mel basically yells at an employee for misgendering Kade & not only did it add nothing to the plot I kind of felt like it was unnecessary.

I wasn't really interested in Mel's drinking competition & the outcome with how the competition would go was very predictable. I just feel like the time talking about the competition could've instead been more relationship development & going deeper into learning the characters especially since the competition didn't really seem to matter much in the end.

Overall I am really glad I read this book, it was sweet & cozy & a pleasant read.

If you're looking for a queer poly romance I reccommend you check this one out!

“She had roots in a disaster zone; she'd been born into it. Maybe, instead of running from it, she could stand still, face the eruption, and embrace whatever came.”

the queer romance book of your dreams! this is the first TJ Alexander book I read and I was hooked by the plot summary alone (the cover is A+, too). This is a refreshing romance that thoughtfully focuses on non-traditional relationships. The author did a great job at creating realistic situations without adding unnecessary drama for flair. The main characters are so lovable and I would infiltrate their friend group in a millisecond.

I read The Lifestyle by Taylor Hahn last year and didn't love it. Triple Sec gave me what I was looking for with The Lifestyle; a non-traditional romance that's fun and realistic.

highlights:
- hot edgy bartender main character
- non-binary love interest
- polyamory / non-monogamous romance
- sapphic + spicy
- sub-plots unrelated to the romance

I received this book as an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The writing was great! Half the time, I felt like I was in NYC with Mel and experiencing the same things she did. Her frustrations, her love, her passions.

Bebe is my favorite, and can see why she is loved so much by Kade and Mel. She’s the light in the dark, which is just what they needed.

I have a soft spot for Kade. At first I didn’t like them very much, and much like Mel I assumed jealousy would factor in. Getting to know them by forced proximity is my favorite trope. 😇

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book is doing exactly what I want new romance novels to be doing--it's presenting a type of relationship dynamic that hasn't already saturated the market, and it's doing so thoughtfully and well. Mel is a bartender who is charmed by a high femme customer Bebe...until Bebe's partner Kade shows up. Bebe continues to flirt though, and invites Mel over for brunch. Mel is confused by the vibes, but Bebe and Kade are quick to communicate that they are nonmonogamous and that Bebe wants to take Mel out on a date. The ensuing navigation and negotiation of their relationship between themselves and with Kade is realistic, fun, and refreshing to see. If you're starting to tire of fake dating, extended miscommunication, and other oft-used tropes, TRIPLE SEC offers a new take on what a romance novel can look like, and I loved it. And for those who like to know up front, there are two explicit sex scenes and several more closed-door scenes.

Love triangle with a twist!

A lovely queer poly romance that is accessible for Romance readers that are new to ethical non-monogamy dynamics, that is still fully representative of the community.

Beloved tropes/character types/ elements include: love triangle (compersion not conflict!), forced proximity, found family, sharing one bed, plus size femme fmc, non-binary mc, tattooed butch fmc, bdsm undertones (perhaps even overtones tbh)

This is my first book by this author and I LOVED it. The representation was fantastic. I loved the premise of the mixologist and the competition she participated in. Loved the relationship dynamics and the adult conversations between all of the characters. I wish there had been slightly more relationship dynamic development and learnin more about Bee and Kade in general. Overall, super fun and fast paced read that I didn't want to put down. Can't wait to check out more from this author!

It was certainly messy, which I think was the point. The author did a good job of rounding out the characters and the relationships between them.

I really enjoyed the book but there was a few things I found to not be my cup of tea, for one it felt inauthentic. Like the author tends to be a bit too much online and needs to touch some grass as they say. I did love the MC and enjoyed her being in her 30s. I also liked the town of the writing.

What a great book! I was so excited to see this poly romance and requested it immediately! The dedication set the stage for what I knew was going to be a fun read. Bebe and Mel's instant chemistry flew off the page. The way the relationship was expanded between Mel and Kade was also handled so well. I loved the little updates to the relationship agreement as the story went on. This book was so sweet, funny, and steamy! There was some moments of miscommunication but the story didn't rely on it heavily for the plot and that is always a relief for me. TJ Alexander's books are always enjoyable and I look forward to reading more in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Quick and cute queer romance. Triple Sec by TJ Alexander is the third book I've read by the author but won't be my last. This book is written by and about a gender non conforming character & follows a polyamorous couple that decides to add a third member to the mix. Recommend to anyone who likes author's like Anita Kelly or Alison Cochrun

I enjoyed this a lot! I’ve been on a romance kick lately, and I appreciate how this is structured differently than the average. The plot problems felt a little contrived, but it was an interesting relationship study. The characters’ dynamics were fun, and Mel was a good protagonist. This was my second TJ Alexander book and I found it to be leaps and bounds better, sweeter, and more enjoyable.

My only real issue, which unfortunately was a BIG issue for me, was the treatment of Kade, one of the two love interests. As a genderqueer autistic-ish person I was so excited to find a genderqueer autistic-ish character, but the narrative is so, SO weird about Kade’s neurodiversity (the word autism isn’t used which is fine, but that’s how I read it). About half the book has Mel believing that Kade hates her because they aren’t warm and enthusiastic, and even with 100% confidence that it would be resolved eventually, it was really annoying and honestly saddening for Kade’s actions to be incessantly misconstrued as hatred or distaste.

With that caveat aside - I’d recommend this book to friends. It’s fun! It’s charming! Just maybe not my autistic-ish friends, at least not without a heads up.

A bit slow to start, but worth it. Mel finds herself in the position to date a married woman, and explores a polyamorous relationship with Bebe. Bebe’s artist wife, Kade, is supportive of the relationship, even if they are a bit aloof at first. Eventually Mel and Kade grow closer and decide to test out their connection as well. The communication was superb. Mel’s hesitance to get involved with a married person meant a lot of negotiation took place to make sure everyone was comfortable, and she worked through past relationship trauma through the course of falling for Bebe and Kade. I liked that their guidelines were constantly evolving, and reflected the way their feelings deepened over time.

This book also contains one of my absolute favorite micro tropes—two characters are snowed in together. It was the first time I’d read it in a poly relationship, and it was great.

4.5 ⭐️

OKAY have you been waiting for a queer polyamorous romance of some Northeast 30-somethings (tbh i read at least one of them as being in their 40s but that might be a selfinsert)??? apparently i have! this book was sweet and dirty and fun and full of tropes that i love--i appreciated the "only one heat source!" twist on "only one bed!" and the ending!!! the ending is my favorite microtrope!!! i saw it coming and it kept me THRILLED the whole rest of the way through. i loved that the couple in it had been polyamorous for a long time AND that what they were doing was still new to them. i loved that the MC's relationship with their best friend was also something they had to work on. i loved that this was single POV--i think it helped a lot in this relationship, in particular. i just had such a great time with this book, and i love TJ Alexander more with every book.

Interesting story . I've never read a polyamory story, or atleast not one I can remember right now. The characters were well written. I enjoy this authors books and can't wait to read more