Triple Sec: A Novel

A jaded bartender is wooed by a charmingly quirky couple in this fresh and sizzling polyamorous rom-com, set in the glamorous world of high-end cocktail bars—from the acclaimed author of the “tender, decadent, and sparklingly funny” (Lana Harper, New York Times bestselling author) Chef’s Choice.

As a bartender at Terror & Virtue, a swanky New York City cocktail lounge known for its romantic atmosphere and Insta-worthy drinks, Mel has witnessed plenty of disastrous dates. That, coupled with her own romantic life being in shambles, has Mel convinced love doesn’t exist.

Everything changes when Bebe walks into the bar. She’s beautiful, funny, knows her whiskeys—and is happily married to her partner, Kade. Mel’s resigned to forget the whole thing, but Bebe makes her a unique offer: since she and Kade have an open marriage, she’s interested in taking Mel on a date.

What starts as a fun romp turns into a burgeoning relationship, and soon Mel is trying all sorts of things she’d been avoiding, from grand romantic gestures to steamy exploits. Mel even gets the self-confidence to enter a cocktail competition that would make her dream of opening her own bar a reality. In the chaotic whirl of all these new experiences, Mel realizes there might be a spark between her and Kade, too. As Bebe, Kade, and Mel explore their connections, Mel begins to think that real love might be more expansive than she ever thought possible.

With TJ Alexander’s signature “witty and insightful voice, complex characters, and full-throated celebration of the joy of queer community” (Ava Wilder, author of How to Fake It in Hollywood), Triple Sec is a passionate, thirst-quenching love story that will have you asking for another round…or three.

TJ Alexander, the critically acclaimed author of Second Chances in New Port Stephen, Chef’s Kiss, and Chef’s Choice, writes about queer love. Their latest novel is Triple Sec. Originally from Florida, they received their MA in writing and publishing from Emerson College in Boston. They live in New York City with their wife and various houseplants.

ISBN: 9781668021989
Format: Paperback
Pages: 320
Publisher: Atria/Emily Bestler Books
Published: June 04, 2024

"A perfectly balanced cocktail of sharp humor, complex characters, and sweet romance spiked with delicious heat."
"Saying we need more books like this sounds trite, but it’s true. It’s true because TJ Alexander is a queer author writing queer characters with depth, authenticity, and skill. It’s true because polyamory in the genre is woefully underrepresented. But it’s also true because this book is hilarious and hot as hell, with characters you can’t get enough of.""I read the whole book with a smile on my face. A delightful, joyful romance with tempting cocktails and three unique, lovable characters.""Putting polyamory front and center, TRIPLE SEC is like nothing else I’ve ever read, in the best possible way. It’s sweet! It’s sexy! It’s a completely charming celebration of queer romance, where every person is loved and cared for in the exact way they deserve. I adored it.""Alexander’s fresh take on the genre is a must-buy.""In this appealingly fluffy triad romance, Alexander (Chef’s Choice) explores sweet and authentic queer relationship dynamics . . . Readers hungry for representation of community-supported nonmonogamy that doesn’t skimp on either love or sex will happily gulp this down."*Praise for the novels of TJ Alexander*"Urgent and intimate.""Uproariously funny and incredibly romantic.""Utterly incandescent . . . This is one of those books that you finish and immediately hand off to someone else, hoping you’ll be able to talk about your favorite scene."