Triple Sec is an adult contemporary rom-com. And wow. Five stars—all the stars!

I am simply blown away by how much I loved this book. It was funny. It was sexy. It was heartwarming. It was everything I’d want from a book.

Mel is a jaded bartender that no longer believes in love or romance. That is until irresistible and charming Bebe sits in her section. Mel enjoys flirting with Bebe until discovering Bebe is happily married to quiet and artsy Kade. Now trying to divert her attraction to Bebe into Just Friends, Mel is drawn into the couple’s world. When Mel learns the couple is polyamorous and Bebe wants to date Mel, Mel sees the opportunity as a way to casually dip her toe back in the water since she’s still healing from her divorce.

The novel begins with a sapphic romance between Mel and Bebe but develops into so much more. With engaging writing, fleshed out characters, steamy chemistry, and a fun plot, this book has everything you can want out of a rom-com. This is my first T.J. Alexander book and won’t be my last.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for a copy of this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Another 5-star book for TJ Alexander! If you're looking for your next favorite queer author, you found it!

I swear their books for me are a guaranteed 5 star read. Without giving too much away so early on this story at its core is about love. TJ Alexander always knows how to write such beautiful queer characters without making them corny, while educating you at the same time. There are some tropes as well, and you can't help but love it. No one does non-binary characters like TJ Alexander.

Thanks to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster and TJ Alexander for an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review, as always, all words are my own.

I really loved this story. The main character has walked herself off and she meets a couple who patiently take those walls down to help her find love again. It was really lovely.

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for this ARC!

This book was such a refreshing twist from the typical romances I've read. The development of the polycule was very organic, not to mention how absolutely lovely and realistic the characters were. I loved the development all around. I loved the lack of a third act breakup in exchange for actual conversation and development. The end was just a little rushed for my taste, but it still felt very well rounded.

Also, that end spicy scene... hot.

5.0

Setting: New York
Rep: lesbian protagonist; queer fat love interest; non-binary love interest; polyamory

Omg. What a win for polyamory. This book was fantastic. Every character is so hot and I loved how they work as a polycule (and how they reach that stage) and I often find sex scenes a bit cringey but these were fantastic. Especially that last one. One of the best I've ever read. I love Bebe, my queer fat queen and her non-binary wife Kade and of course, Mel, our insecure lesbian. This is my third TJ Alexander book and my third five star so I think they might just be an autobuy author!

As a fan of TJ Alexander’s Cher’s Kiss I was floored to receive an ARC of Triple Sec. Though the theme of polyamory might not bode well with all readers, this book beautifully developed the three main characters throughout the book and was such a breeze that I finished it in one day. Such a fun read to add to my suggestions for those who love a bar/bartender storyline.

The truth and representation of non-binary everyday realness almost made me angry and physically uncomfortable for Kade as I read, but made me love Mel just as much for their heroism. Perfect amount of steamy scenes with anticipation/buildup.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

As much as I hate to admit it, I just didn't fully connect with this book. I couldn't hit request fast enough when Triple Sec was listed on NG because TJ's Christmas book - Last Chances in Newport Steven - was one of my favorite books of 2023. With this book, however? Idk. By the end, I wound up liking a lot of the characters but at the start I didn't like most of them? The love stories were cute but felt superficial? I wasn't invested in any of the non-romantic parts of the story. The relationship between Mel and her roommate was one of my favorites at the start, but as the romance ramps up, she kinda turns into a bad friend and the resolution to that felt too quick. Overall I was underwhelmed by this story however I will still immedately and enthusiastically pick up whatever TJ writes next.

Thank you so much to Atria Books, NetGalley, and TJ Alexander for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5

Queer, nonbinary, and polyam representation? Sign me up! I enjoyed this book more and more as I read it. While it took me a few chapters to get into it, by the end I couldn’t put it down. I loved the way TJ Alexander described the nonbinary character, Kade. I thoroughly enjoyed the portrayal of a polyam, very queer romance and that miscommunication was not the main issue between the characters. The story was cute, felt mostly believable, and I really liked the dynamic between the main characters.
I appreciated that while Mel’s history was a decently large part of some of the issues, she grew throughout the book as a person both individually and in her relationships. The main reason I didn’t give this 5 stars is that the dynamic between Kade and Mel felt forced to fit the story and took me out of the moment at times.

I don’t often see queer romance books that involve polyamory, so this was a nice change of pace and would highly recommend.

TJ Alexander has done it again! These characters suck you in and you cant help but fall in love them. This is the first rom com I have read about a poly couple and it was so refreshing. I loved all the different representation in the book and cannot recommend this enough.

This was the absolute best first arc of the year I could have read! I was convinced "Triple Sec" would be amazing right from the dedication page (it's dedicated to sluts, and that is what 2024 is for tbh).
Mel and Bebe's chemistry from the start is undeniable and I loved watching their relationship progress from casual to something more meaningful. The polyamorous relationship between Mel, Bebe, and Kade was written incredibly well, and it was nice to read about a poly relationship where the miscommunication trope doesn't pop up. The three of them are incredibly good at communicating (minus a little blip here and there), and it makes the problems that arise in the book feel more meaningful when they're not based on the miscommunication trope, and they're all working together to find a solution. The build up with Kade and Mel getting to know each other was really interesting to read because their personalities are so different, and yet shockingly similar.
This is the second book I've read by TJ Alexander, and it definitely won't be the last. I love their writing and their stories!

<i>Special thanks to Atria Books and Netgalley for this eARC</i>

This was sooo good. I mean, number 1 it's just plain refreshing to see a polyamorous queer rom-com, but to find one this freaking good? Gah, amazing.

I'm not sure what it was about this book. I'm not particularly versed in bartender culture, NYC, or any of the particulars of this story apart from being queer and poly myself, but this story just grabbed me and would not let go, at all. It was wonderful.

Our protagonist Mel was great. An artist of her craft, a damaged dreamer, plus being a hot tattooed masc...well, yet, I fell for her as much as Bebe and Kade did. Speaking of our married love interests, they were also wonderful. Similar to their personalities, Bebe is easy to love right away, just diving right in, and Kade takes some time, but once you're there, you absolutely adore them.

I was amazed how Alexander managed to fit in tropes without taking away from the originality of the story. <spoiler>The inevitable third act break-up I hate in so many stories was moved to the middle, which surprised me honestly, I thought the smarmy lawyer guy would be a problem later in the book, so I was happy to see it happen and finish with still plenty of book to go.</spoiler> Also, the 'they were snowed in' trope? Classic.

Absolutely no notes, this was great. 5 stars.

This was a funny and sweet rom com with poly, non-binary, and some sapphic rep! Another beautiful story from TJ Alexander, one of my insta-buy authors. Mel, Bebe, and Kade are all such distinct personalities and the way they come together isn't smooth, but it is always heartfelt. I saved so many quotes from this book, I'm just in love with these characters and the way TJ has brought them to life here.

(This was a review of a free advanced review copy. Thanks to Atria, TJ Alexander, and NetGalley for that privilege!)

Triple Sec
Written By T. J. Alexander
Published by Atria Books
Release Date June 04, 2024

Mel has her sights set on opening her own bar one day. As a bartender she has seen it all and heard it all. She is divorced….almost and is having fun in life with her queer best friend. Yet when she meets a married couple Bebe and Kade, things start to turn for well you decide…..
Bebe wants to go out with Mel and since it is an open marriage Mel decides that it might be fun to go out with her. As she does though Mel opens up to Bebe and things start to open for her as well. Literally…… The three start a relationship together and Mel learns that life is not always the way it seems and the confidence to try new and exciting things….although she already started that right? Mel enters a competition that could earn her enough money to open the bar she has always wanted to open. As things start looking up for Mel, she realizes that she also has feelings for Kade and that now she has opened her heart and mind to something that makes her the happiest she has ever been.

This is a great rom com that will have you laughing and rooting for the protagonist all while realizing that fate sometimes has other plans for us. The author has written a great love story that has the main character learning that you are capable of anything you set your mind to and that love has no boundaries or gender. I truly found myself taken in by this book and felt a part of it as I was reading it. The characters are so well meshed together and you can truly see them grow as they lean on each other.

4 stars

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased and honest review.

WHY had I never read any TJ Alexander books before?! This book was everything I could have hoped for in a queer romance AND more!!!!

Quick synopsis: Our main character, Mel, is a bartender, semi recently divorced, and rooming with her best queer friend, just floating through her life. Avoiding any big love, and any big risks after her life went another direction than she expected.

But! Mel’s outlook changes when she meets Bebe… and her wife Kade. Since they’re in an open marriage, Bebe wants to take Mel on a date. As they date and Mel opens herself up to a new world, new possibilities and the idea that maybe love does exist (even if it looks nothing like she’s used to!). Mel notices a spark between her and Kade, too. The story unfolds as Mel, Bebe and Kade explore their connections, grow together, and learn (a lot) together.

Some of the major pieces I LOVED in this book are:
• The inherent queerness in all of the story. the characters are all queer without it being “a thing” or needing to come out. It normalizes being queer in a way I’m not used to, and it was amazing.

• I loved to see and experience a poly relationship through the loving characters in the book. Showing love in a positive, healthy, poly relationships that encourages growth was A+.

• The storyline was cute, the dates were fun, and the side characters were charming and funny too.

• Easy to read and upbeat. I read this one in just a few days!


This is a 5 star book for me :) I definitely recommend.

"Triple Sec" delivered an incredible love story that explored the dynamics of a relationship between three people. The portrayal of a slightly different type of love was refreshing, and I appreciated the depth it brought to the narrative.

The struggles Mel, Kade, and Bebe had to overcome added a compelling layer to the plot. While I noticed some lags in the story, I thoroughly enjoyed the journey, rooting for the characters as they navigated their challenges and eventually reached a happy ending.

One standout aspect was the well-crafted spicy scenes that were indeed the chef's kiss. They added a tasteful and passionate element to the narrative, contributing to the overall enjoyment of the book.

3.25 stars

I am all for more poly representation in romance novels but this one unfortunately missed the mark for me. All of the characters felt so flat and had zero chemistry. The main character, Mel, was constantly complaining and acting like she was better than everyone. In the beginning of the book it seemed like she couldn't understand poly relationships (as shown by a lot of the conversations with her roommate) but as soon as she was in one she was fully on board. To me this just really emphasized how self-centered she was. Mel's only fleshed out personality trait was "bartender". I understand that this was an important part of the plot but it felt like that was all she ever talked or thought about. She gave off the vibe of someone who goes into a restaurant and tries to connect with the servers by saying they're in the industry and then is an absolute menace.

I really wanted to like this one since it brings something new to the genre but I just felt like it wasn't done as well as it could've been

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria for the ARC!

T.J. Alexander books are just fun. And queer. What more could you want? This is no exception, and I loved reading about Mel, Kade, and Bebe.

The competition angle, the falling for your partner's partner, the staunch denial of falling for both people? It all worked for me and I really enjoyed this one. The characters were super fun, and I found myself wanting to know everything about every person that appeared on the page, but especially Kade. They were my favorite.

This one is a super fun read!

Get Ready to Be Bottoms Up for Triple Sec by TJ Alexander!

Triple Sec is a book unlike any other that I have read in my life. This book is officially the first poly rom-com that I have ever had the pleasure of reading and it blew me away! Mel, our main character in the spotlight, is a bartender who develops an acute interest in a bar patron, Bebe, one evening. The only issue is that Bebe just so happens to be married to the genderfluid Kade. However, Bebe & Kade, have an open marriage, and after a little self-reflection, Mel decides to give a date with Bebe a chance.

This book starts a bit slower than I was anticipating, but it builds a great understanding of the characters. Once the setting and the backgrounds are established this book takes a warp drive into the salacious life of Mel as she explores this new opportunity. Mel, like many main characters, is dealing with some emotional baggage. I felt pulled into Mel's mind so fully that I truly was FEELING everything that she was going through. I found myself laughing at loud at some of the comical elements of this story and through it all rooting for Mel, Bebe, and Kade.

These characters are so loveable. Kade in particular has to be my favorite after finishing this story. (SHH don't tell Mel or Bebe because we aren't supposed to have favorites, but I will protect Kade with my life). TJ Alexander's writing style is going to have readers head over heels for these characters and I found myself hoping that we might get more stories from this world (looking at you Daniel boy!).

All in all, this book is going to take 2024 by storm and I know readers are truly going to want a "double" of this story!

This was really cute! I liked the ending tied together with the title and relationship. I loved Kade's character most and how their relationship with the main character developed. The start was a little slow and then things got really fast, I wish the middle and ending had been longer! Can't wait to see what comes next from this author

Triple Sec by TJ Alexander is a cute rom-com that follows protagonist Mel as she learns to trust and love again following her divorce. Mel, who has sworn off romance, loves being a bartender at the upscale bar & lounge that she works at; one evening at work she meets Bebe, a beautiful lawyer that Mel can't keep her eyes off of. After Bebe introduces Mel to her wife Kade, and explains their poly marriage, Mel and Bebe begin a casual fling that quickly becomes more.
I don't usually read poly romances, but I did enjoy this author's previous book Second Chances in New Port Stephen, so I wanted to give this one a shot, and I'm glad I did. A well written story and likeable characters made this a fun, quirky read. This was definitely a little cheesy at times, and there were some unnecessary small side plots, but I did really enjoy this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of Triple Sec in exchange for my honest review.