The first few chapters of the story I found Mel didn't capture my interest. She was a tad unlikeable, and I didn't care much about her, and had little interest in her journey, but around twenty percent in, something changed and I was rooting for her, and Bebe and Kade in their unconventional love story. I enjoyed the messy, but often sweet dynamic between them and how their sometimes awkward, but ultimately earnest affection for each other grew. Mel was a mess of a human who made mistakes, but Bebe and Kade gave her grace and love.

I'm glad I stuck with the book despite the slow start, it's definitely not like other books I've read, and I think that the depicton of her foray into a poly relationship was perfectly imperfect.

Before this book had even come out (happy release day, Triple Sec!), I’d already been recommending it nonstop on Our Queerest Shelves. Ever since I finished it, I haven’t been able to stop talking about. It’s definitely one of my favourite books of the year so far, and in my top five favourite romance novels I’ve ever read.

This is about Mel, who is a bartender who’s jaded about love ever since her divorce. But then Bebe walks into the bar, and they have undeniable chemistry. Bebe is interested in dating Mel — she’s also married and polyamorous. Mel has never tried an open relationship, but it seems like a good way to tiptoe back into dating. This will be totally light and casual, right? They mutually agree: no falling in love. And Bebe’s nonbinary wife Kade is so intimidating that Mel can’t imagine actually being a part of their lives. But obviously, feelings don’t obey even the most clearly written out agreements.

I’ve long thought that reality TV shows are missing out by not casting all bisexuals. (Other than that season of Are You the One?) Think of the drama potential! The opportunity for different pairings increases exponentially. Since reading Triple Sec, I feel the same way about romance novels and polyamorous main characters. You can have two falling-in-love scenes in the same romance! Twice the first kisses! Two — or more — completely different relationship (and sexual) dynamics! I feel like I’ve been spoiled and will have trouble going back to two-person romances.

I know romance novels are so specific to each reader, but I loved the relationship dynamics and especially the dialogue. When Mel shows Bebe her tattoo of Pompeii and Bebe replies, “I love a good disaster myself” — look, I also would have fallen in love right then and there. I also liked the friendship between Mel and her roommate, who both agree to follow the good word of Saint Channing Tatum.

It’s also very steamy. I’m not going to get into it, but wow.

I enjoyed the ongoing rewriting of Bebe and Mel’s relationship agreement as they renegotiate things like pet names, catching feelings, and the dynamics between Kade, Mel, and Bebe.

While the central plot is the relationships between Mel, Bebe, and Kade, there’s also a subplot about a cocktail competition. I don’t drink, but I still found it fascinating to read about Mel’s different creations and how she keeps reworking her creations leading up the competition. Winning would mean she could buy her own bar, a dream of hers.

I also liked reading about Mel’s job: Terror & Virtue is a high-end cocktail lounge, and Mel is very skilled and passionate about her work — but it’s also customer service. It means dealing with drunk, rude customers and worrying about your next paycheck. In fact, the only criticism I had with Triple Sec is that I feel like the class difference between Mel and Bebe/Kade wasn’t really explored, other than Mel admiring their apartment and feeling a little out of place. Bebe and Kade are wealthy — Kade is a successful artist and Bebe is a lawyer defending workers’ rights.

That’s a very small complaint, though, especially since the ending didn’t go where I thought it would. If you want a fun, queer, polyamorous romance with lots of kind people learning how to best support each other, I highly recommend Triple Sec.

I really enjoyed this read and thought the romance aspect was fun to read. It was my first time to read “poly” and enjoyed how they all formed their own relationships first.

Fun read, would recommend.

Thank you to @AtriaBooks @NetGalley & the author for this eArc in return for my review.

In this we follow Mel. She is a bartender at a the Terror & Virtue night club. One night Bebe, walks in and there is an instant attraction. Little did Mel know that is married to Kade. The three of them end up having dinner one night and Bebe wants a dating relationship with Mel. While all this is new to Mel, she discovers more about herself than she knew.

I adored the story between Bebe, Mel, and Kade. I loved contract, the openness, and the overcoming of insecurities that Mel had. I learned more about Polyamory than I did before. The relationship in this story was absolutely top notch.

In all honesty, this is the first poly-amorous novel I've read. I appreciated the experience, the cohesive and genuine way different genders and pronouns were woven into the story, and the discussions around different lifestyle/relationship choices. All of that was amazing and great. I love that this book had a positive ending and message and celebrated LGBTQ+ joy and not trauma. I think this would be a nice baby step if anyone is looking to gain access to polyamorous fiction.

That being said, in terms of plotting and writing, I'm going to consider this alongside any other romance in the broad genre. Unfortunately this book didn't really work for me in those aspects. I honestly didn't really care about the characters. Especially the main POV character Mel. I couldn't really get a read on her. She seemed a bit boring and nondescript despite the other characters saying she was so amazing and kind and interesting. I didn't get that from the narration or the way she was acting or her internal thoughts.

I also didn't really care all that much for the cocktail competition or the lengthy descriptions of cocktails. This might be a personal preference as I don't really know anything about alcohol. Some of these descriptions and the hemming and hawing from Mel (who apparently is like an amazing mixologist but then can't mix a cocktail to save her life until the very end???) about what to make really dragged the plot.

I guess I was hoping for a bit more tension. I know, I know... I just said that I loved this book was about LGBTQ joy and not trauma. But the tension doesn't have to be trauma. There was really no obstacles so nothing really happened. Even the almost break-up was contrived and silly, imo. No tension.

Having not read TJ Alexander before, I had no understanding of the spice level of their books. I guess I went in with the expectation that this would involve a lot of spice and more exploration of the threesome aspect of their relationship. This wasn't the case. I would put this at a 3 for spice. There were 2-3 short explicit scenes and the rest fade to black or are mentioned in passing. This isn't a criticism--I don't usually like erotica--but just didn't meet my uneducated expectations (that's on me). Something to be aware of going in.

Overall, I'm glad I read this book. I'm excited to see different pronouns and the spectrum of gender represented. If romance is the conduit to getting more of these stories out there, then I am here for it! I'm just finding that I like tension and a bit of realistic conflict in my stories to keep me compelled to keep reading.

This was so good! I couldn't stop readying for anything. I enjoyed reading this and thought it was a great idea and story line. This was written very well and I enjoyed it.

I really enjoyed this new romance by TJ Alexander, they’re an auto-buy author for me now! It was my first poly romance, and I loved Mel, Bebe, and Kade. It was very well-written, and I loved the characters, the banter, the cocktails, the competition… it was honestly pretty low angst which I appreciated, and as the relationships in the book evolved, the communication between the 3 of them was impeccable; rather than letting Mel shut down and retreat, Bebe and Kade brought Mel in to talk it out and revise the “guidelines.” Open door spice was included but the focus was definitely more on the relationship development. There were also reflections on friendships and reckoning with baggage/exes. I would have loved if this had been multiple POV (it was single POV from Mel’s perspective). Definitely give this one a read if you love queer romance with poly, lesbian, and non-binary rep!

Triple Sec by TJ Alexander is a lively and heartwarming romance set in the world of upscale bars. The story follows Mel, a bartender who’s a over love, until she meets the charming lawyerBebea and her nonbinary partner, Kade. The book does a great job of portraying their polyamorous relationship with authenticity and warmth.

Alexander’s writing is witty and insightful, making the characters feel real and relatable. The balance of humor and romance kept me hooked, and I loved how the book touched on themes of love, identity, and community. The chemistry between the characters is fantastic, and the representation is spot on.

Overall, Triple Sec is a fun, steamy read that celebrates love in a refreshing way. If you’re looking for a romance that’s both entertaining and meaningful, this book is a great pick.

this was very fun!! sweet and spicy and smart. I’m not much of a romance book girlie but I had a great time reading this and definitely absolutely recommend!

I really enjoyed this book! I've never read a poly romance before and this one was fun! Alexander's writing made me fall in love with all of the characters and this was a good book club book!

This book is very steamy so if that's up your alley, check this one out!

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this one!

This was a fun read and you should definitively grab it if you have enjoyed prior books by the author. This book felt a little slower that second chances in New port and not sure I felt as much emotion in between the main characters as I felt on the other book, It was still interesting to read the dynamics that can go on in a poly romance and the importance of open communication at all times.
I did greatly enjoyed the part of the bartender and the different cocktails created by Mel. I want to prepare them as well!

Flirty, fun, and thoughtful; the perfect cocktail. This novel was refreshing and I really sunk into these characters. More poly romance!

Read if you like: LGBTQ love stories
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Mel is a bartender who dreams of opening her own bar someday. At work she meets Bebe, a fun lawyer who asks her out. But Mel is unsure as she learns that Bebe is married, but Bebe and Kade are in an open relationship, so Mel decides to take a chance and date Bebe.
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This book was so cute. I loved how open all the characters were to exploring love, but with open communication and boundaries. I’m really glad I read this book and highly recommend it!

This was a new to me author and the description intrigued me immediately, especially since any poly or non-binary topic books I’ve read before have all been non-fiction.

Overall, I thought it was refreshing, fun, and spicy a.k.a. a perfect release for summer. I learned a little bit about mixology and loved how the competition theme was weaved into the plot. It wasn’t just a same old romance story that’s mass produced now, it was very modern and had a little more substance and interest to make it stand out. The title of the book totally went over my head at first as a poly x alcoholic beverage pun but it’s so funny!

3.5 stars ⭐️

Thank you to Atria, TJ, NetGalley for the e-galley!

It has been a long time since a book has reached my favorite book of all time status. Triple Sec is a love letter to the F&B industry, the queen community, and non-traditional relationships in the best possible way. For anyone who enjoys queer stories about love, connection, most importantly a romance that won't make you frustrated with a miscommunication trope, this is the book for you. TJ Alexander weaves these relationships together so well, making you root for all of them to not only live their best lives together, but as individuals. Love is not finite, it cannot be divided, only multiplied.

I had totally forgotten the book blurb when I started reading. Every once in a while I like to just grab a title in my TBR and be surprised.
It took a bit for me to get into the story. But I honestly just fell in love with the characters. Mel (a divorced lesbian bartender with quite a bit of insecurity going on), Bebe (bombshell hotshot attorney who is all confident sex appeal) and Bebe’s wife Kade (nonbinary artist and a more reserved personality). This book showed a refreshing take on what an honest and open relationship can be no matter how you identify, or who you love., or even how many people you choose to love.
Just a fun summer romance!
I received a ARC of this title from the publisher, all opinions are my own.

This book was wonderful! I have loved everything I've read by TJ Alexander and this was no exception!

S T U N N I N G.

No notes, TJ writes exceptional characters but this book was definitely a level above the others I've read. I haven't felt so invested in a romance in quite some time and I loved how layered the book was with the themes of cocktails.

Am I searching for my next polyamorous love story now? 1000%

Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books, and TJ Alexander for the advanced copy of Triple Sec!

Hold for full review

I enjoyed this book! Mel, a fancy bartender, is entranced by the woman flirting with her at the bar (Bebe), only to find out that Bebe is married to equally, but very differently, alluring Kade. I think it's really hard to write a triad romance because there are 4 relationships that need to be fleshed out (one between each of the 3, and then another for the unit as a whole). I felt I wanted a little more time with Kade and between Kade and Bebe, but overall this is a very fun read.