That One Time with the Margarita

That One Time at the Bar #1

by Alex La Bruyere

After her latest failed date, bartender Sonny has all but given up on searching for her perfect person. As a balm for her woes, her boss, Athena, gives her a mysterious and battered recipe book. The steps to make a margarita read more like a spell, but Sonny begrudgingly follows them. Imagine her surprise when a man appears where her tequila cocktail had once been—and he’s dying to have her.



That One Time with the Margarita is a dark comedy sentient object MF romance short. It is the first in a series of interconnected standalones. This book is as unhinged as you think it will be. Please check TW in the book or on the author’s website. Feel free to contact the author for further guidance.

59 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 1, 2025

About the author

From a young age, Alex was told they’d be a writer someday… although the people who said that probably weren’t expecting it to be this kind of material. They have a Bachelor’s in English and are pursuing a Master's in Creative Writing, so they're not only proudly embarrassing their family but their professors by using their degrees to pen smut. They believe in hedonism and will absolutely recommend you take the day off to read that book you've been meaning to read. They're originally from St. Louis, Missouri, but now live in a queer, kinky, and polyamorous bubble in Orlando, Florida. They want you to live your best smutty life, whether that's through fiction or if it translates to the real world.

Reviews

[Ciara]

Unhinged. (In the best way)

Ok, so unhinged stories are NOT my bread and butter, but when this woman calls, I come running hahaha

To put it mildly, I’m ashamed to admit it took me until the reveal to put some pieces together. And I think that’s mainly because it was just slightly so unhinged to the side of madness that I wasn’t connecting things hahahaha

CNC, alcohol flavors *ahem*, and a good old round after round of *physical activity*

This is definitely a must read for anyone looking for the out of this world level of “what did I just read” style of literature hahaha

[Melissa]

Did I one-click this novella based purely on the title? Absolutely. Was it chaotic? Completely. But it was a wildly entertaining ride. A sentient margarita crafted to fulfill the FMC’s every kink and craving? Yes, please. Olay indeed—spill the tequila-soaked tea.

Can a margarita become the ideal man? Who’s to say—but Alex had me seriously reconsidering my feelings for human-shaped Jose Cuervo. She didn’t hold back in this spicy, slightly unhinged, and delightfully short tale. Packed with laugh-out-loud moments and some surprisingly creative twists, it explored exactly what happens when your drink decides to become your dream guy.

Quick, fun, and unforgettable. Bonus points: it kicks off the That One Time At The Bar series. I’m more than ready for the next sentient cocktail. Pour it up!

[Nisha]

I received an advance review copy for free on book siren, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

From the moment I read the title, I knew I was in for a wild ride—and this book did not disappoint. It had me cracking up, swooning, and side-eyeing some of these bold plot twists all at once.

Right out the gate, I appreciated the content warning (always a thoughtful touch), and the included playlist set the tone perfectly. The main character, Sonny, is a curvy queen who exudes relatable energy and confidence. After a truly awful fat-shaming date (rude!), things take a magical—and steamy—turn, thanks to her goddess-level boss and an old leather-bound book. One margarita later and… well, let’s just say her life gets very spicy.

Sonny's dynamic with her hilarious bestie Davey had me laughing out loud, and our love interest? Let’s just say if "tall, dark, enchanted, and knows-all-your-secrets" is your thing, you'll fall hard. There’s lots of humor, a bit of magic, and smut that definitely smuts.

While it’s more fun and fantasy than deep storytelling, the energy was there. It’s like if rom-com met magical realism and then took a detour into thirst trap territory—in the best way. If you’re looking for a quick, steamy read with chaotic fun and heart, give this one a shot (preferably tequila-flavored).

[Casey Newsome]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Where do I start? This is a short, sweet read that keeps you engaged from start to finish. It had me.kicking my feet and giggling the whole way through! Sonny had me laughing so hard especially when she found out where/how Jose came to be. She has no clue she who she was truly working for and the banter between her and Davey (the best friend) was good. The jealousy Davey had when Athena called him out was too funny. I love that Athena took care of someone she deemed worthy enough of a love spell and helped Sonny and Jose achieve Sonny's dreams!

[Racheal]

While the spice was darker than what I'm used to reading (be sure to check the TW list), I thought the connection between Sonny and Jose was really sweet. I mean, a man whose sole purpose in life is to please you? Who would say no to that!

I also really loved the humor that was sprinkled in. This book was just unhinged and had me laughing at the straight up golden retriever energy that Jose brought to the table. That's not to mention Sonny's thoughts and commentary. Overall, this was a really quick read with some really fun moments in it.

[argyle]

This is a super short sentient object book, a man made from, you guessed it, a margarita.

This was a fun book, 60 pages of quick reading. It’s not a super deep story line,

But if someone is looking for a quick smutty book for fun or maybe to get out of a book slump this book is perfect.

The characters are very likable and I’m pretty sure most readers will definitely enjoy it! It is pretty cute!

[Taylor Dockery]

Thanks Alex and BookSirens for the opportunity to read this book before its release.

This read was a super quick short read. There are a few pluses from the gate. There was of course a triggers warning ⚠️ and then there was a playlist 🎵🎤!

Diving into Sonny’s life we get a quick peak into her dire dating situation. However after a failed date a normal work task leads to more than she expected. Jose, is super adorable and bids to her will.

[Kendra]

ARC review

5 stars isn't enough for this novella. I'm in love with all of it. the hint of Spanish, the humor, and who doesn't love a good margarita?! This is a must read for sure! super quick, instalove romance. the smut isn't graphic but definitely there. I cackled at the epilogue it's such a vibe I wish I could read it for the first time again 🤣

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Ellen Summers]

This little snack was one of those moments where I found myself actually laughing out loud. Who doesn’t love a golden retriever guy with a spicy side? Especially when he is totally obsessed with our lovely leading lady who has had absolutely no luck in the world of romance?

I am hoping for more of these little drinky drink books because they are just the best little nuggets to breeze through.

[Pooj]

That One Time with the Margarita is a romance book between bartender Sonny and sentient margarita Jose. This was so cute and kinky. The depictions of kink were very accurate and I enjoyed reading them. 4/5 stars.

Thank you to BookSirens for providing me with a copy of this ARC for free. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Greta]

That one time with the margarita is a fast paced unique novella like no book I have read before. The author gives the main character, Sonny, a storyline that is hard to put down. When faced with rejection after rejection, Sonny is about ready to give up on dating entirely. She believes that she will never find her perfect man. That’s when her boss, Athena, steps in and gives her what she promises will be the answer to all of her problems: a battered recipe book to create the perfect margarita. After following the steps to what seems like just an average Margarita, Sonny find the man of her dreams standing right in front of her, José. If you are a fan of books that leave you surprised, and give you a twist you would not expect at all, along with a little humor, Alex La Bruyere’s new novella will be the perfect new quick read for you. I received an advanced review copy for free on book sirens, and am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to Alex and Book Sirens for giving me a chance to read this early. I would love to read more of her work in the future.

[Lucid Quill]

Silly and fun with spice!

This was a fun story, and I think the rest of the series will be as well. Hilarious set up and great banter with romance mixed in. I'll be looking into more from this author for sure!

[Char]

A sentient margarita that knows your most intimate needs, wants and desires?!?! Wow! Sign me up! Great writing, I really enjoyed this book. I'll never look at a margarita the same again.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Carra Girl]

As someone who loves Greek Mythology, this book had me hooked. I wanted it to longer and give more filler in between beginning and end. But overall good I would love more books like this. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Ashley Sette]

I'm not normally a sentient object romance girly but damn did this one have me laughing the entire time. Loved the cnc mixed with fun, cozy humor

[Morrigan Hinkle]

Thank you for the ARC read!
This was so funny and so cute, and I loved it.
Fast paced, and straight to the point 😏🤪😉
José is every girls dream margarita 😇

[Elizabeth Gee]

Personally not into CNC. However the rest was really fun. Also the sentient object was new and silly to me.

[Morally_Gray_Nola]

What a delicious, mouthwatering, hilarious, super-sexy-while-still-staying-cozy 60 minute read.

Jose and Sonny are both very likable characters, especially Jose. He makes me want my own magical margarita. Sonny deserves the incredible perfection that is Jose, after all the crap she had to tolerate before him. Loved this.

Recommended

Basics:
Length:
* Novella
HEA/Cliffhanger:
* HEA
Series:
* Book 1 of That One Time at the Bar
Epilogue:
* Yes

Nitty-Gritty…
MMC:
* Jose
FMC:
* Sonny
Tropes:
* Dark Romance
* Dark Humor
* Sentient Margarita
* MF
Triggers:
* 18+
* On Page Sex
* CNC
Burn Speed:
* Medium - Fast
Spice Level:
*