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A review by marmaladereads
Triple Sec by TJ Alexander
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
A fluffy, low angst baby's intro to polyamory romance. Mel is an overworked bartender at a high end cocktail bar who has given up on love after her divorce from her childhood sweetheart (and really her only serious relationship) a couple years back. That is until Bebe sweeps into her bar in a blaze of grace, money, and confidence, and basically sweeps Mel into her world of glitz, glamour and polyamory, quickly followed by an introduction to Kade, Bebe's genderqueer spouse.
I thought this was a really cute introduction to readers who may not be familiar with polyamory. It gives a nice intro of what polyamory is and isn't, lays down some ground rules, and and features a wonderful cast of diverse queer characters. There's no real high stakes drama here - any points of conflict are resolved quickly, with healthy communication and low angst. The whole book is like a big soft hug. It's really quite healing. The sex scenes are hot when they happen but don't dominate the story.
I really enjoyed the addition of Kade into the relationship. Kade is a difficult character to get to know, and because they're overly reserved as a character, their gender presentation and expression is (I think intentionally) not explained very well - you're kind of just forced to accept them as they are. I think this is handled really well and the book really shines in it's genderqueer rep. I also liked that the book kind of leaned into the "polyamory is for rich pretty people" trope, I think in a bit of a satirical way. The love of cocktails shined in the attention to mixology and bar scene detail as well, each scene made me crave a different craft cocktail.
The caveat thing I can really note (not a criticism as long as you go in with the right expectations) is that because it's such a low angst book, it sometimes felt overly idealized. Bebe especially felt like a character who doesn't really have any flaws, though to some extent none of the characters really had any deep character flaws, and the characters didn't experience any of the insecurities, jealousies, or struggles that come with complex multi-partner relationship. It really is just a warm gooey marshmallow of a romance.
I thought this was a really cute introduction to readers who may not be familiar with polyamory. It gives a nice intro of what polyamory is and isn't, lays down some ground rules, and and features a wonderful cast of diverse queer characters. There's no real high stakes drama here - any points of conflict are resolved quickly, with healthy communication and low angst. The whole book is like a big soft hug. It's really quite healing. The sex scenes are hot when they happen but don't dominate the story.
I really enjoyed the addition of Kade into the relationship. Kade is a difficult character to get to know, and because they're overly reserved as a character, their gender presentation and expression is (I think intentionally) not explained very well - you're kind of just forced to accept them as they are. I think this is handled really well and the book really shines in it's genderqueer rep. I also liked that the book kind of leaned into the "polyamory is for rich pretty people" trope, I think in a bit of a satirical way. The love of cocktails shined in the attention to mixology and bar scene detail as well, each scene made me crave a different craft cocktail.
The caveat thing I can really note (not a criticism as long as you go in with the right expectations) is that because it's such a low angst book, it sometimes felt overly idealized. Bebe especially felt like a character who doesn't really have any flaws, though to some extent none of the characters really had any deep character flaws, and the characters didn't experience any of the insecurities, jealousies, or struggles that come with complex multi-partner relationship. It really is just a warm gooey marshmallow of a romance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Transphobia