I went in, really excited for this book, but it just felt too repetitive for me. I wasn’t intrigued and therefore DNF at 20%. Maybe one day I can revisit this book but for now onto something else.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

TJ ALEXANDER YOU'VE DONE IT AGAIN! I held off on reading this because I knew as soon as I finished it, this book would become my entire personality. I have indeed been making craft cocktails/mocktails nonstop since.

Mel is a jaded bartender, content with slinging drinks at the best craft cocktail bar in NYC, living with her best friend, and generally minding her own business. One day, a vision of a woman comes into her bar, flirts so hard Mel actually realized she was being flirted with, and Mel finds herself flirting right back. It all seems too good to be true when Bebe's wife Kade joins her, and Bebe invites Mel to a brunch at their apartment. After the brunch, Bebe and Kade reveal that they are polyamorous, and Bebe would love to take Mel out on a date. Mel tentatively accepts, and is soon introduced to some of the best poly representation I've ever seen!

I loved every single page of this book, and desperately want more!

I loved TJ Alexander’s Chef’s Kiss and Chef’s Choice series, and when one of my favorite authors talked about their excitement for Triple Sec, I knew I had to read it! I loved seeing Mel’s evolution throughout the book as her relationships deepen and circumstances change. I sped through this book in less than a day and really enjoyed it; it was a light and fun read in the best sense. TJ Alexander also does such a great job writing in the food and beverage space, and I loved the cameo from Ray (from Chef’s Kiss and Chef’s Choice) in this book! I’ve never read a book about a polyamorous romance before and enjoyed learning more and seeing Mel’s dynamic with Bebe and Kade. Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for the ARC!

I loved this book!! It was fabulous and well done. The characters were on point and I thought the plot was well developed. I would recommend this book to others.

Honestly- I really liked this booked. I was a bit cautious after Second Chances in Newport Stephen (SCNS) but for me, this book did everything right that SCNS did wrong. There was a bit of a social justice moment in describing Bebe's job, as well as with Kade's gender identity, but it didn't drive the plot like the issues of Florida did in SCNS. I actually liked the way these issues were woven into the plot for seeds of drama.

The other thing I really liked about this book was that it felt sensical, the way Mel entered into relationships with.both Bebe then Kade. If someone who had been married for 9 years jumped into a poly relationship without any reservations I would have struggled with believability, but living solely in Mel's POV showcased her vulnerability in each scenario and I felt like we were on the journey with her.

I also liked how this book strayed from the irritabile predictability for the ending. I enjoyed the ebb and flow of each character coming to terms with different hold ups, as the story moved and didn't get stagnant.

As much as I enjoyed the majority of the book, there were a few moments where I needed more. I felt left on the edge of a cliff as intimacy heightened between the characters building relationships, and a few moments felt unfinished. I think this was intentional but it just bugged me when some scenes skipped ahead. This didn't fully deter me from falling for these characters, but it just doesn't feel perfect.

Overall, I will recommend this book. I think it was very well written and I enjoyed the subject matters and characters immensely. The story didn't feel too long or overdone, and I enjoyed the perspective it brought. I look forward to more from Alexander!

Triple Sec by TJ Alexander is a quick and spicy read! The novel explores polyamory in an educational and nuanced way--accessible for all readers, not just those who are familiar with polyamory. Through our main character Mel, we learn the guidelines of a emotionally mature poly relationship, one built on trust and mutual respect, as Mel tries to expand her world. Bebe brings out a side of Mel she didn't know she had as Mel learns not to take life so seriously.

I found this book enjoyable--diverse, charming, and not too over-the-top with cliches--but I was struggling to get through the story at times. Everything felt a bit too perfect and wrapped up too nicely. There wasn't a lot of depth to the characters or their backstories, despite those stories being laid out quite well (and seemingly left the door open for a more emotionally engaging novel).

Nonetheless, this is sweet foray into the poly community which doesn't seem to be too often written about as a focal point.

I am a tj alexander stan! Anything they write I will read and this book did not disappoint. I can’t wait for the world to read it because it’s definitely a must read of 2024

Captivating from start to finish, this romance novel weaves a spellbinding tale of love and self-discovery. The characters are richly developed, and the author's vivid prose brings their emotions to life. A perfect blend of passion and heart, this book is a must-read for anyone seeking a delightful escape into the world of love and romance

This is the first poly romance novel I’ve ever read, and I absolutely loved it. All of the negotiation, the weirdness between Mel and Kade at first, the super hot sex! The drama and conflict wasn’t over the top, and it totally made sense that they would struggle when navigating a relationship between 3 people with different hang ups and issues and levels of comfort with each other. The world felt so joyful and lived in and I just love books that really celebrate being queer. <3 I’m also not much of a drinker anymore, but I loved reading about all of Mel’s cocktail creations! I’m also obsessed with the cover!

Thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for the ARC; all opinions are my own.

a wonderfully short read but because of me being in our musical lol it took me so long. i don't have much to say besides i thought it was extremely diverse book with a wonderful relationship between the characters. also three love stories in one amazingly done. I enjoyed it throughly but it the grand scheme of things its just a good read not anything jaw dropping but definitely what i am looking for in a why choose romance where all parties are committed to each other. also the characters seem hot af.

TJ WHY DID YOU DO THIS !!!!

Y'all this book is so good -- tasty and funny ! I haven't fist-pumped my way through a romcom like this since The Roommate by Rosie Danan. Every romance trope you desire-- now with a wider cast of characters <3

I love TJ and I love this book.

I saw the author promote this as "three love stories for the price of one" which I thought was really funny. I tend to enjoy polyamorous romances, but I haven't read too many, as I feel like most of them lean more towards erotica than genre romance. It's great to see a polyam romance being traditionally published!

I inhaled most of this book in one sitting, and I really enjoyed it. Of course it's not so much three romances as one overarching romance between three people. It was so nice seeing the connection between these people grow, both separately and together, and watch their relationship dynamics change and see them adjusting to that.

I do have to say I felt a little removed from the romance at times. The characters show a lot of emotional maturity and take a lot of care to communicate well, which is of course so great and so important. But it overshadowed the emotion for me at times. Everyone was just being so... polite all the time. I wanted a little more FUN, and a little more messiness, maybe.

4.5 stars. The love story between cynical bartender Mel and sunny Bebe, and then enigmatic but generous Kade, is sweet and unexpected. In addition to the high stakes of new relationships, there’s also a craft cocktail competition that Mel is trying to make a winning drink for. I don’t even like most alcohol but I wanted to try every single one of her creative concoctions.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC to review. All opinions are my own.

4.5/5 stars for me!! I throughly enjoyed this book by author T.J. Alexander. I want to thank Atria, Net Galley, and the author for an ARC of this book.
I loved this story about polyamorous couple Bebe, Mel, and Kade. We first meet Mel who is a bartender at a hot New York place. Bebe comes in for a drink and the chemistry between these two leaps off the pages.
Bebe quickly introduces Mel to her world. Mel and Bebe enter a relationship with the blessings of Kade. Their relationship progresses to the point that Mel, Bebe, and Kade take a vacation together. Kade and Mel get there with Bebe being delayed due to a work emergency. This allows Kade and Mel to bond when a blizzard descends upon the region and they are forced to be together.
From that trip forward, Mel and Kade begin seeing each other as well. Soon it becomes to much for Mel to juggle both at separate times so they amend their relationship.
I greatly appreciate the honesty of the characters with each Other during this story.

I always enjoy a TJ Alexander romance and this newest one is no exception! loved seeing a romcom explore a poly relationship and I thought outside of a few heavy-handed/cheesy scenes it was all really enjoyable. big mistake to read it without a cocktail on hand though, these drink descriptions were incredible 🍹

"Triple Sec" offers an exploration of polyamory and queerness through the lens of Mel, a woman who, after divorcing her wife, finds unexpected romance with Bebe, a polyamorous individual who is already in a relationship. While the premise holds promise, the execution falls short, lacking in tension and genuine emotional depth.

The novel attempts to delve into complex themes such as polyamory and queerness, but struggles to portray these dynamics with authenticity. Instead, the interactions between characters often feel contrived, with conflicts resolved too easily and lacking in genuine emotional resonance. Scenes where characters express anger or frustration come across as simplistic and fail to add depth to the narrative.

Moreover, the novel's handling of sensitive topics such as gender identity and mental health feels superficial, reducing characters to mere representations of their identities and experiences rather than fully fleshed-out individuals. The inclusion of therapy-speak in resolving conflicts and oversimplified portrayals of characters' struggles with ADHD and pronoun usage detract from the authenticity of the storytelling.

While realism in romance novels can be compelling, "Triple Sec" struggles to strike the right balance, resulting in a narrative that feels disjointed and lacking in depth. The focus on characters' identities and traumas at the expense of genuine emotional development hampers the reader's ability to connect with the story.

Overall, "Triple Sec" presents an important exploration of polyamory and queerness but ultimately falls short in its execution. The novel's simplistic portrayal of complex themes and characters detracts from its ability to engage and resonate with readers, making it difficult to fully invest in the story.

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley and the Author for allowing me to read this ARC.

Another great book by TJ Alexander the characters were charming. The characters are so easy to fall in love with and the writing of Queer love is done so well.

I will never not love TJ Alexander but Triple Sec has brought my respect for them as an author to an all time high.

To be able to craft not one or two but three fully flushed main characters with such dynamic personalities is no easy task. To do it in a way that pays homage to the extremely complex world of human gender and sexuality while bringing a polyamorous relation to traditional publishing was a breath of fresh air in an otherwise often stagnant publishing world.

TJ Alexander is so so talented at writing dynamic and lovable characters. The dialogue in was excellent as well- I felt like I could see and hear Bebe, Kade, and Mel. Mel’s growth from the start to the end was very realistic

This is my first TJ Alexander read and I can't wait to explore more of their books! Mel is a jaded bartender, who is going through the motions post-divorce, and meets Bebe and her wife Kade. Mel opens herself to a new world full of possibilities. I enjoyed the plot and Mel's growth. The descriptions of the bar scenes and restaurants made me want to jump on a plane to New York for a cocktail. Experiencing a poly relationship through Mel was enlightening and liberating. The characters are charming and fun. A sweet, spicy, quick read.