I recently had the pleasure of reading "Triple Sec" by TJ Alexander, and I must say it was a delightful journey into the world of polyamorous romance and comedy. Alexander's storytelling is refreshing and heartwarming, offering a unique perspective on relationships that goes beyond the conventional.

The protagonist, a female bartender, adds a layer of authenticity to the narrative, bringing a relatable and down-to-earth quality to the story. The dynamic between the female bartender and the couple, consisting of a female and non-binary spouse, is both charming and captivating. Alexander skillfully explores the complexities of polyamorous relationships with a touch of humor, making the reader feel a genuine connection with the characters.

One of the standout aspects of "Triple Sec" is its representation of diverse relationships. The inclusion of a non-binary spouse adds an important layer of inclusivity to the narrative, making it a truly modern and progressive rom-com. The characters are well-developed, and their interactions are filled with genuine emotion and witty banter.

TJ Alexander's writing style is engaging, with a perfect balance of humor and heart. The dialogue flows naturally, and the pacing keeps you hooked from start to finish. The author's ability to address the intricacies of polyamory with sensitivity and humor is commendable, making "Triple Sec" a standout in the romance genre.

In conclusion, "Triple Sec" is a must-read for anyone looking for a fresh take on romance and relationships. TJ Alexander has crafted a story that is not only entertaining but also thought-provoking, challenging societal norms in the most delightful way. I highly recommend this book to readers who appreciate diverse love stories and a good dose of laughter.

This was my second TJ Alexander book, and I once again have pretty mildly positive opinion of their work. It was fun and pretty quick to read (I read about a third of it in an hour on a plane). It's one of the first in likely many mainstream poly romances, so it was at times didactic and definitely focused on the concept of polyamory as a main part of the plot, instead of it being an incidental fact about the characters. I think once we have a handful of books like this that introduce polyamory to the mainstream romance industry, we'll be able to have more books where the author doesn't have to explain basic polyamory concepts.

I agree with some other reviewers that Mel's anguish over her divorce was a bit hard to fully grasp--we never got a full concept of WHAT happened and WHY it's affecting her the way that it is. All of that exposition can be hard to show instead of tell since it all happened way in the past, but it still felt a little flat.

I'm taking away a whole star for the scene where Mel verbally abuses an airport lounge waitress, and the fact that Kade then ends up citing that as a reason they've fallen in love with her. Truly brutal scene and absolutely not a good representation of what one should do when their companion has been misgendered by a stranger.

Luckily, the book was then immediately saved by the appearance of the "snowed into a cabin and they have to huddle for warmth" trope--that was definitely my favorite section of the book. You could see every part of it coming a mile away but that only made the anticipation build and made me eager to keep reading.

Overall, if you like cute silly queer romance novels, this one will probably be up your alley!

Pour yourself a drink and settle into the intoxicating world of 'Triple Sec' by TJ Alexander! I had never read any of their books, but now, I am going to devour their entire catalog.

This polyamorous rom-com brings you three love stories and focuses on Mel, a bartender, and her adjustment to non-ethical monogamy. I also loved that this book takes us behind the scenes of high-end cocktail bars. I loved hearing and reading about the wonderful cocktails that Mel made.

Alexander kicks off with Mel's skepticism about love, shattered relationships, and a chance encounter with the enchanting Bebe, who has a wife. As Bebe introduces Mel to the realm of polyamory, the story unfolds with many expected and some unexpected twists and turns.

Bebe gave me my favorite quote from this book: "I made bottoming an art form." BRAVO Bebe! Wooohooo.

All of the characters, but particularly her wife Kade, are beautifully written, and their chemistry leaps off the pages. The characters are very multi-layered and I loved how they addressed the good, the bad and the ugly of being in this kind of relationship. Every word helps to contribute to the overall authenticity of the story.

While the plot is lighthearted and fun, it also delves into the complexities of being in a polyamorous relationship. Alexander skillfully explores themes of forgiveness, self-discovery, and the multifaceted nature of love.

In 'Triple Sec,' Alexander not only serves up a refreshing romance but also celebrates the joy of queer community and the expansive nature of real love. This novel is a must-read for those seeking a blend of humor, passion, and a unique exploration of relationships.

Thank you Netgalley and Atria books for three e-arc. My opinions are my own. I already loved tjs previous books but this was absolutely their best work yet. I loved a trad published poly book. I appreciated the drinks I literally got thirsty and want to try them all. Also loved the way things were explained and how fluid it wad even with the "rules"

Loved I need this book on my shelf

**ARC provided by NetGalley for an honest review**

The overall premise of Triple Sec is a great one. Divorced bartender meets a beautiful woman who happens to be poly. I was excited to see a romance novel take on polyamory, but this book... didn't quite feel like "it". I won't harp on that because I am not poly, so I won't take the space that a poly person could take to comment on that aspect of the book.

I will, however, comment on the writing. The relationship itself was handled just fine, the conflicts that came up felt trite and like self-sabotage, which just made me frustrated with Mel. Mel is afraid of falling in love again because of her divorce, but that surface level answer is all we get for the majority of the book, which makes it hard to root for Mel in any way. We don't know why this was such a great tragedy for Mel, or why it shattered her view of love, and thus her moving past it and into this new relationship just felt... meh. Mel as a whole feels meh, and Bebe is too perfect, and Kade is trying too hard to be a mystery - and I say all of this because they are too obviously one-dimensional characters. There was no push or conflict to move the story along, it was all Too Convenient. I absolutely hate when people review queer books saying it's "unrealistic" to see so many specific types of queer people, but I think it was hard to swallow that suddenly after meeting Bebe, Mel realizes her BEST FRIEND is also poly, and all of these folks from her past crop up that happened to also be poly and "oh, I had no idea!". It is absolutely realistic to have this many poly folks in the real world, obviously, but it was so poorly done in this book that it just made Mel seem like a low-key crap person that never took interest in even her best friend's life. How do you root for that person to have a happy and healthy relationship of any kind??

This was a super fun read and I loved the characterizations of all three main characters. It's great to see a queer, poly romance getting so much attention!

requested and received an ARC of Triple Sec from Atria Books via Netgalley. I’ve seen this title floating around on “Most Anticipated” queer romance lists and was intrigued. Typically, I’m an M/M reader, but I love romance and diving into the waters of queer femmes and nonbinary folk was definitely a wonderful experience. I was hooked from the first chapter! Mel is a divorced bartender working in a trendy NYC cocktail lounge, which is where she first meets Bebe, a warm and bubbly, curvy power-lesbian who charms the reader from her first appearance. The chemistry between the two women is off-the-charts and the flirting almost made me wish I were a lesbian (try not to be seduced by Bebe!) Mel grapples with confusion when she realizes that Bebe is married to Kade, the seemingly aloof nonbinary artist. Her worry is soon put to rest when she is assured that Bebe and Kade have an open marriage.

I really thought this was a fun and unique romance. I enjoyed the characters, particularly the early scenes where Mel was sort of in awe of Bebe and Kade’s lifestyle (I mean class disparity here, btw.) The story never dulls, but I did find myself craving some sort of drama within the pages. There is a misunderstanding between two of the partners, but this doesn’t occupy much space in the narrative. There is almost a moment of violence in the novel between two men, who are in no way central to the story, that one of the characters inserts themselves in (and resolves) that felt a little bit too much of a stretch for that took me out of the story (I thought it would be followed up with some sort of statement on avoiding danger or maybe about certain privileges in navigating those situations, but it never came up.) For me, the second half of the novel was perhaps a bit too predictable and things came together too neatly. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it is romance after all, but I thought perhaps a bit more angst thrown in there would have made the final result more satisfying.

All things considered, this was a sweet and funny romance. There are steamy moments, though I tended to sort of skim through these. I found the story refreshing! Polyamory isn’t something I typically seek in romance novels, but I thought this was well done and spoke to many common insecurities one might have about it. I think this novel has great appeal and between Mel, Bebe, and Kade there’s someone for us all to swoon after. Me? I’m a Kade fan. Sarcastic, sensitive and a little aloof? Sign me up. Then again, I was rather partial to Bebe’s relentless sunshine as well!

Triple Sec was a cute, fun, steamy at times, romance that follows Mel as she develops a relationship with Bebe and Kade.
This was my first time reading about a poly relationship and I think that TJ Alexander did a great job explaining the nuisances of the relationship and I feel like I came out of this book learning something. I really appreciate their representation of people from the LGBTQIA+ community. On top of that, the plot was light hearted and enjoyable, focusing on a bartender and a cocktail competition. The romance between the characters was also fun and I really enjoyed their banter. There are three steamy scenes total in this book and the author did not hold back! Overall, a great romance read!

I started this book, and could not get into it. I’m not a lover of third person POV, so maybe I was a little bias, but there was just no hook or anything in the beginning to get me wanting to read. I wanted to like it because I like the permits and I’m usually into books with this description or genre, but it was a soft no for me:

This ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

What a fun, quick read! I haven't dabbled into queer romance much, but I loved the plot and the characters. As a recently-divorced straight woman just starting to date again, I was surprised I connected to Mel's struggles and thoughts at first, but watching her blossom as she rediscovered herself has been quite inspiring to me on my journey.

Plenty of on-page action. Lovable characters. And I wish it came with a cocktail recipe book because they sound delicious!

I read an arc of TJ’s book, Second Chances in Newport Steven in the fall and it quickly became one of my favorite books in 2023. I’m pleased to announce that Triple Sec is just as good and possibly even better! I hate to compare the two since I loved them both so much, so I won’t pick a favorite of the two.

I have so much love for these characters and their love. Every interaction between any of them left me feeling so warm. They had moments of poor communication, but it felt so human. And they always worked through it together like adults. IT WAS SO REFRESHING TO READ. I genuinely would read another five books just filled with little adventures they have together.

I really appreciated how intentional this books felt with how it talked about and handled the conversations around gender identity and sexuality. I loved it, really.

I’ve never read a poly romance before (I don’t know why, since my biggest complaint with love triangles is that they aren’t all just in love with each other), but I see that changing after I read this book. I love TJ and their writing and how they build these characters up.

I also really enjoyed that they all had lives outside of their relationship. Too often, romance books have very one dimensional characters who have no life outside of their partner, and I really like how this book wasn’t like that. They each had something else that gave them character and life. There was a plot to follow and a story to tell.

I will gladly and quickly read anything TJ writes from now on until FOREVER THANK YOU AND GOODNIGHT

Wow. Funny, sweet, super sexy romance with LGBTQIA+ characters…this one hits all the right notes if you’re open minded enough for it. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it was the first time that I have read anything by this author, but I will definitely be looking for more work from them in the future..

I was intrigued when I saw a traditionally published, queer poly romance, so I hit the request button on NetGalley — and I’m so glad I did. Before I even finished the first chapter, I was putting holds on TJ Alexander’s other books at my library. That’s how quickly their writing drew me in.

TRIPLE SEC is about Mel, a thirtysomething divorced bartender in Manhattan with dreams of someday opening her own bar. Currently she works at a trendy cocktail lounge, which is where she meets a beautiful, curvy, and vivacious customer named Bebe... then learns Bebe has a wife named Kade. (Kade is nonbinary and “wife” is the term they use.) Soon she’s pulled into Bebe and Kade’s orbit, learns about polyamory, and after drafting some guidelines for their relationship, begins dating Bebe.

As I read, I kept wondering how Kade — who’s kind of an enigma to Mel — was going to figure into the romance. It took until the second half of the book, but when Kade and Mel finally connected, it was so good and so hot.

This book is steamy and fun and everything I look for in a contemporary romance. I loved it.

(Heads up that if you’re in recovery or if alcohol is a tricky topic for you, this might not be the best thing to read as it goes into detail about the creation and tasting of cocktails.)

Thank you to Atria Books for the ARC, which was provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

"Triple Sec" inspired me to craft my beloved elderflower G&T (which I believe Kade would appreciate) and snuggle in. This lively romance was a delight, captivating me with each character's unique personality and passion. Much like Mel's well-balanced cocktail, the book offered a perfect blend of storyline and romance. I found myself falling in love with the characters and wishing they were my friends too. Cheers to this refreshing novel—I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Thank you Atria Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read this advance reader copy!!!

I cannot believe that this is trad. 💀😭
This was so hot! And fun! And sexy. And young (but we love a MC in her 30s).
The mixology element felt new and fresh. Really fun read!

I am a sucker for a good service industry story and Triple Sec brought that, plus a super cute polyam romance with down with capitalism vibes. Mel is just a divorced bartender getting through her days on autopilot until Bebe walks into her bar throwing her completely off kilter. When a few hours later she's introduced to Bebe's wife, Mel is left confused and intrigued.

TJ Alexander not only gives us a swoon worthy trio romance, the plot takes readers through some of the twists and turns of having a passion for the service industry (as well as art AND law). In addition to all that, because Mel is new to polyamory there's a bit of training wheels about what all of that might mean in a relationship. Overall very cute, fairly spicy, and fun read!

Five stars for pulling off a trad-published poly rom-com alone! A feat! Some really incredible sex writing happening here, too. I was a bit hesitant to read this as a sober person, so definitely take care if you find sensory cocktail descriptions triggering because there are quite a lot.

I really loved this story! This cute romance follows bartender Mel who has had a cynical outlook on love since she and her wife divorced years ago. Mel meets Bebe and feels an instant connection with her only to quickly realize Bebe is married. Bebe and Kade inform Mel that they are in an open marriage and that Bebe would like to date her. The book follows Mel as she allows herself to try love again and learn about polyamorous relationships and how to navigate them, and finding out that love can be so much more than she realized. I was so excited to read this book and it did not disappoint. I loved the banter and emotional intimacy, along with the story line as a whole.
This book is a 4.5/5 for me!
All opinions here are my own. Thank you to Atria & NetGalley for the e-ARC!

What a book! Thank you to Atria & NetGalley for an advanced copy!
I have many mixed feelings, but overall I think this book is an enjoyable read and a needed contribution to contemporary romance.
At various points, I struggled to connect with each of the main characters, which made it hard to feel invested in their romance/s. This book also managed to somehow feel too long and too short at the same time.
But on the flip side, this book was full of so many beautiful and insightful gems about queerness, polyamory, and love in general.
I think this snippet from the author’s acknowledgments ultimately sums up why this book is important: A soft, tender, well-deserved forehead kiss to everyone who loves in their own way, with their whole heart, in defiance of anyone who tries to tell you otherwise. Cheers, my loves.

Very heavy on dialogue that left me a bit confused as to what was happening with the main characters. I love the idea of the story but it didn’t come together how I had hoped it would. Great cover! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.