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.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publishers for this arc.
This was a different read for me, it discussed polyamory , it has more than one love story.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publishers for this arc.

🥹 when will it be my turn to find love

I will be back to write a longer review!

This book was sooooo good! I instantly fell in love with Mel, Bebe, and Kade. I felt like I was a part of their world. It definitely made me forget that I was reading. And man what a small twist that was thrown in there!! This book is queer and proud!! I did not want their story to end. I could not put this book down. Fingers crossed for a second book!

This book was fantastic. You get three love stories in one which was a nice change to my typical books that I read with just one love story. This was the first book I have read with a non-binary main character, and I loved it. It was definitely a welcome change from my typical reads.

Thank you Netgalley for the e-arc of this release!

First and foremost, what a great read. It was a perfect blend of rom com and beach read. Also, it involves themes of polyamory or throuples, it’s something I hope to see more of in the genre!

Wow. This book was amazing! A fantastic queer romance that gives a glimpse of what a poly relationship could look like. I want more! Wish the book was a series and we could follow the characters and see what happens with their relationship throughout the years. There is strong character development and the characters were so loveable. It was so fun to read and I know I’ll be rereading this book for fun.

Ok so I liked this book. But I didn’t love it. It is the story of a bartender that falls for one customer and her nonbinary wife. The first section was the romance between Bebe and Mel (the bartender). Mel isn’t looking for love but Bebe is perfect. Which I guess was my issue. The first third of the book is two people dating because they like each other. And they are great and sensible and romantic. Which can be a nice palette cleanser to angsty books I suppose. But I just wasn’t feeling it. Now once Mel and Kade get snowed in at a resort….oh wait yeah, it’s me, I guess I am in a trope-centric space right now. This book is a sexy book about finding your people and making a family. And nourishing your relationships. Probably perfect for folks that need to hear that. I apparently need contrivances. (I received and ARC)

I haven’t met a TJ Alexander book I didn’t instantly love, and this one stands up to the rest. Huge fan.

Even though a dynamic poly relationship takes center stage, it feels like this is truly Mel’s story. She goes on multiple journeys throughout the book. The other characters are quirky and lovable in their own right, Mel is the one I was rooting for.

I love the cocktails with their vivid drink descriptions, and peak into the service industry. Where are the recipes!?

This story is sweet, the absolute queerest, takes its time in unfolding (in the best way possible), and is spiiiiiiicy. It’s one to savor with your favorite beverage nearby.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria books for this ARC digital copy.

What a treat!! Had all the great elements of a TJ Alexander book — lovable characters with full lives, the most excellent food descriptions in the world, and so funny. Kade, my unexpected fave!!! Our very own nonbinary Darcy. What a star. And some expertly employed character vs nature conflict in service of a romance arc (one of my fave tropes of all time). The relationship dynamics were great and hot. WHEW. Mel, Bebe, and Kade’s story lent itself to a satisfying plot structure that I particularly loved and haven’t gotten to read before! This was a perfect addition to the Chef’s Kiss universe.

Special shoutout to how Alexander writes about food/drink and the preparation of it. The descriptions are always so emotionally layered with the characters themselves; they have brought tears to my eyes on multiple occasions. :”)

Thank you very much to Atria for the ARC!

If there’s one thing I’m going to do, it’s drop everything to read the latest from TJ Alexander. Triple Sec is equal parts sweet and spicy, and is not your typical romcom. I found one of our paramours pretty one dimensional and corny, but I loved Mel, and watching her grow professionally and professionally. I would recommend this book to others who are looking for a fun, fast read that brings a new relationship dynamic to the world of romcoms.

I already new that I loved TJ Alexander's book and this new release did not disappoint! You fell for each of the characters through out this romance and loved both their strengths and their flaws. I loved that we got to see the individual relationships form along the way as well. If you are interested in a romance with phenomenal LGBTQ+ representation then you need to read this new release from TJ Alexander (as well as all of their other books)!

TJ Alexander has written a polyamourous romance that deserves as much love as any of their characters. Mel is down on her luck in love (and a few other things) working as an amazing bartender but stilted in her approach to romance and dating. Bebe and Kade are married, but polyamorous which Mel doesn't quite know what to do with. Mel first starts dating Bebe, the most outgoing of the trio leaving Kade and Mel as metamours - your lover's other lover. This leads to some interesting conversations and situations, rolling to a delightful finale and a different but highly enjoyable conclusion, one that emphasizes the different options and flavors for a happily ever after.

As a monogamous queer person, I specifically loved this book because TJ Alexander did such a good job of explaining what Mel, Bebe and Kade are seeking in polyamory. What they want is not interesting to me, but just as someone moving home to open a bakery isn't interesting to me, good authors like TJ can still make you understand why it's appealing to their characters.

I also specifically loved the treatment of Kade, a genderqueer person assigned male at birth. TJ Alexander does a great job of highlighting the unique challenges for this identity not in order to turn this into an afterschool special, but as a natural part of the evolution of the relationship between the three protagonists.

Finally, as a foodie who got REALLY into cocktails during her 20s, the descriptions of the food and drinks throughout always made me hungry. I would kill for a recipe for Mel's drinks, especially her last creation.