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12:01
Picture this: Your fiancé cheats on you the night before your wedding with someone he claimed was his cousin. Then, just months later, he's at the altar with the same "cousin.".
What would you do?
A: Crash their wedding and unleash chaos.
B: Accept an invite to attend a play party with his brother.
C: Get the ultimate "lick back" by having a fling with his brother at that very party.
For Tyme Henley, it's all of the above.
But things take an unexpected turn when Tyme finds herself falling for Midnight Drayton, the very person she's despised for a solid two years. As emotions and schemes collide, Tyme navigates a path filled with revenge, unexpected attraction, and a messy entanglement. Step into Tyme's shoes as she seeks to rewrite the narrative she once knew, exploring the thin line between vindication and unanticipated romance.
What would you do?
A: Crash their wedding and unleash chaos.
B: Accept an invite to attend a play party with his brother.
C: Get the ultimate "lick back" by having a fling with his brother at that very party.
For Tyme Henley, it's all of the above.
But things take an unexpected turn when Tyme finds herself falling for Midnight Drayton, the very person she's despised for a solid two years. As emotions and schemes collide, Tyme navigates a path filled with revenge, unexpected attraction, and a messy entanglement. Step into Tyme's shoes as she seeks to rewrite the narrative she once knew, exploring the thin line between vindication and unanticipated romance.
ebook
Published November 1, 2023
About the author
Bella Jay
23 books823 followersMiami bred, Bella Jay (born Precious Rodgers) has had a love for books since she was a little girl. Getting lost in them was a favorite past time but writing them has become a true love. In 2018, with a little push she stepped out on faith and released her first novel to the world allowing her writer alter ego, Bella Jay, to take flight into the writing industry.
She writes spicy & contemporary Black romance books with unapologetically flawed characters who she loves to fix.
When she’s not wrapped up in her characters, she can be found traveling the world, building her empire, sipping on tea or wine while reading a book, and wishing healthy eats were pancakes or cupcakes.
She writes spicy & contemporary Black romance books with unapologetically flawed characters who she loves to fix.
When she’s not wrapped up in her characters, she can be found traveling the world, building her empire, sipping on tea or wine while reading a book, and wishing healthy eats were pancakes or cupcakes.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,494 reviews
November 30, 2023
If what you not gon’ do is play in my face and think I’ma let that shyt slide was a person, that person would 100% be Tyme Henley. Allow me to set the scene. Tyme thought everything was good between her and Malachi until she finds out he’s been f*ckin’ his “cousin” damn near their entire relationship the night before their wedding. As if that weren't disrespectful enough, Malachi marries this trick six months later and gives her the winter wonderland wedding he gaslit Tyme out of. Now, ask yourself, what’s a girl to do when Sir Cheater breaks your heart, and your supposed “cousin-in-law” betrays you so horribly?!!! You and your trusty bat catch a flight and pull up to their wedding to remind them who TF you are. Duh! Tyme said it best, "They had to know I wouldn't let that shit slide." 😏😏😏😏 F*ckin’ up your ex’s wedding and becoming social media famous does come at a cost so, Tyme has to spend a few days in jail and, while there, she reflects on her actions. Does she regret what she did? Absolutely TF not! Insert “And I’ll do it again” GIF here. While she's stewing in jail, Tyme is shocked that her archnemesis and ex- fiancé’s twin brother Midnight Drayton bails her out. The thing to know about Midnight and Tyme is, they have history but you gotta read the book to find out about all of that. These two decide to press pause on their animosity towards each other and call a truce so Midnight can take Tyme on a journey of revenge she’ll never forget. Lick back season activate! 12:01 far exceeded my expectations. Just saying it was a good book almost feels like an insult and minimizes how good it really was. You will absolutely fall in love with Tyme and Midnight. Their love for each other was so genuine and organic and the witty back and forth banter between them was effortless. I really loved how Bella Jay incorporated the social media posts into the storyline. It gave such a real life feel to the book. And, it sucks to be you if you didn’t pre-order 12:01 and get The Aftermath because, you really missed out. There just aren’t enough good things I can say about 12:01. If I could give it 10 stars I would. Bella Jay put her whole right leg and left arm in this book and sis owes nothin’.
November 3, 2023
“No buts……”🥰🥰
Have you ever had your heart broken? That DEEP public humiliation heartbreak that left you in shambles making rash decisions that landed you in jail? That heartbreak that had you turning into Babe Ruth at your ex’s wedding because he in fact did not have the right one that day and instead had the wrong one?! Well if you answered yes to any of these questions you may be entitled to get your lick back just call 1-800- fk-dat-n*gga 🤣🤣🤣
Chyyyyy this was the ultimate get back story and this need to be the standard, the blueprint and the protocol moving forward! Tyme was the true definition of getting your lick back and Midnight was the true definition of taking one for the team!
Midnight and Tyme had a few things in common but the main one was Malachi, Tyme’s ex who also happened to be Midnights twin brother! After experiencing the ultimate heartbreak, Tyme’s arch nemesis Midnight came to her aid in more ways than she could ever imagine! Malachi went low but these two took it 20 levels below hell!
12:01 was a breath of fresh air. I mean I didn’t expect anything less from Bella Jay so it was no surprise that I enjoyed 12:01 as much as I did! The concept of the story held my attention and the witty banter between the characters was entertaining to say the least. I loved the creativity behind 12:01 and all I need to know is who sneaking me in to the next event because babyyy Neo knows how to throw a party!
This is a book you definitely want on your tbr! The visuals, the drama, the seggs, the comedy was cohesive and the story just flowed really well! Don’t sleep on this one y’all! *chefs kiss*
Have you ever had your heart broken? That DEEP public humiliation heartbreak that left you in shambles making rash decisions that landed you in jail? That heartbreak that had you turning into Babe Ruth at your ex’s wedding because he in fact did not have the right one that day and instead had the wrong one?! Well if you answered yes to any of these questions you may be entitled to get your lick back just call 1-800- fk-dat-n*gga 🤣🤣🤣
Chyyyyy this was the ultimate get back story and this need to be the standard, the blueprint and the protocol moving forward! Tyme was the true definition of getting your lick back and Midnight was the true definition of taking one for the team!
Midnight and Tyme had a few things in common but the main one was Malachi, Tyme’s ex who also happened to be Midnights twin brother! After experiencing the ultimate heartbreak, Tyme’s arch nemesis Midnight came to her aid in more ways than she could ever imagine! Malachi went low but these two took it 20 levels below hell!
12:01 was a breath of fresh air. I mean I didn’t expect anything less from Bella Jay so it was no surprise that I enjoyed 12:01 as much as I did! The concept of the story held my attention and the witty banter between the characters was entertaining to say the least. I loved the creativity behind 12:01 and all I need to know is who sneaking me in to the next event because babyyy Neo knows how to throw a party!
This is a book you definitely want on your tbr! The visuals, the drama, the seggs, the comedy was cohesive and the story just flowed really well! Don’t sleep on this one y’all! *chefs kiss*
May 9, 2025
4/5
- This book was WILDDD and I couldn’t put it down! Definitely only of the spiciest books I’ve ever read, but I loved the plot. It felt like a movie!!
- This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I really loved it because her banter is so good. Found myself laughing out loud.
- It’s rare that I pick up a book by a new to me author and immediately want to start more books from their backlist, but that’s exactly how I felt after this read!
- This book was WILDDD and I couldn’t put it down! Definitely only of the spiciest books I’ve ever read, but I loved the plot. It felt like a movie!!
- This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I really loved it because her banter is so good. Found myself laughing out loud.
- It’s rare that I pick up a book by a new to me author and immediately want to start more books from their backlist, but that’s exactly how I felt after this read!
May 18, 2026
4.5 ⭐️
Revenge is sweet, but it's even sweeter when it's with your cheating ex's TWIN brother. 😋🖤
Imagine being anonymously sent a sex tape on the eve of your wedding day showing your beloved fiance balls deep in the girl he told you was a "cousin."
Now, six months later, the cheating duo are having the winter wonderland wedding of YOUR dreams. What's a girl to do? Of course, it's showing up to the wedding with a trusty little bat, ready to raise hell and break stuff. 🏏😈
Unfortunately, her little "performance" lands Time (the FMC) in jail. Record scratch. That is, until the groom's delectable twin brother, Midnight (the MMC), shows up and bails her out, and the story fully gets underway with 72 hours of FILTHY and unforgettable fun at a New Year's Eve party. 🔥
12:01 The name of this novel comes from the name of the aforementioned New Year's party where, the minute after the clock strikes midnight, the party goes from cute, nostalgia-riddled games such as Twister and Musical Chairs to truly freaky deaky in the best way possible by turning into a sex party. BDSM. Orgies. Voyeurism. You name it, 12:01 has it. 🥵
But once those lines are blurred, can a simple revenge fuck stop at just that? Or will the leads find that the chemistry that they've been ignoring for the last two years is out with a vengeance too hot to stifle now that they've tasted the forbidden fruit?
Midnight's voice actor (Emmanuel Ingram) was trying to win some kind of award with his performance. Why was this man moaning and grunting in my ear mid-sex scene!!? 🥵
It made me feel like I was intruding on someones private moment; that's how PASSIONATE his narration came across. HOT HOT HOT!!! 🔥🔥🔥
After the spicy scenes were underway, it was like they held the plot by the throat and threw it to the side. As in, who needs her? This was borderline erotica with sex scenes lasting for chapters on end.
Heavy on the insta-lust and insta-love. The two-year background between these two isn't helping, as they were practically drooling over each other from chapter 1. I will say that the leads had EXCELLENT banter, exchanging barbed insults and not-so-subtle innuendos like it was a sport and they were both Olympic-level athletes!
Now, typically I am a plot-focused girly—preferring smut sprinkled amidst a well-developed story. But in this case? I was a happy, happy girl reading a messy smut-focused book. 😋 12:01 was F-I-L-T-H-Y in the best way possible.
Revenge is sweet, but it's even sweeter when it's with your cheating ex's TWIN brother. 😋🖤
Imagine being anonymously sent a sex tape on the eve of your wedding day showing your beloved fiance balls deep in the girl he told you was a "cousin."
Now, six months later, the cheating duo are having the winter wonderland wedding of YOUR dreams. What's a girl to do? Of course, it's showing up to the wedding with a trusty little bat, ready to raise hell and break stuff. 🏏😈
Unfortunately, her little "performance" lands Time (the FMC) in jail. Record scratch. That is, until the groom's delectable twin brother, Midnight (the MMC), shows up and bails her out, and the story fully gets underway with 72 hours of FILTHY and unforgettable fun at a New Year's Eve party. 🔥
12:01 The name of this novel comes from the name of the aforementioned New Year's party where, the minute after the clock strikes midnight, the party goes from cute, nostalgia-riddled games such as Twister and Musical Chairs to truly freaky deaky in the best way possible by turning into a sex party. BDSM. Orgies. Voyeurism. You name it, 12:01 has it. 🥵
But once those lines are blurred, can a simple revenge fuck stop at just that? Or will the leads find that the chemistry that they've been ignoring for the last two years is out with a vengeance too hot to stifle now that they've tasted the forbidden fruit?
Midnight's voice actor (Emmanuel Ingram) was trying to win some kind of award with his performance. Why was this man moaning and grunting in my ear mid-sex scene!!? 🥵
It made me feel like I was intruding on someones private moment; that's how PASSIONATE his narration came across. HOT HOT HOT!!! 🔥🔥🔥
After the spicy scenes were underway, it was like they held the plot by the throat and threw it to the side. As in, who needs her? This was borderline erotica with sex scenes lasting for chapters on end.
Heavy on the insta-lust and insta-love. The two-year background between these two isn't helping, as they were practically drooling over each other from chapter 1. I will say that the leads had EXCELLENT banter, exchanging barbed insults and not-so-subtle innuendos like it was a sport and they were both Olympic-level athletes!
Now, typically I am a plot-focused girly—preferring smut sprinkled amidst a well-developed story. But in this case? I was a happy, happy girl reading a messy smut-focused book. 😋 12:01 was F-I-L-T-H-Y in the best way possible.
January 15, 2024
3.5
not sure why this is marketed as enemies to lovers when they just didn’t like each other… that’s not enemies lol. this was fun in the beginning but i found the FMC insane and really stubborn, it came off really immature and got frustrating after a while.
not sure why this is marketed as enemies to lovers when they just didn’t like each other… that’s not enemies lol. this was fun in the beginning but i found the FMC insane and really stubborn, it came off really immature and got frustrating after a while.
Did Not Finish
July 30, 2026⋆˚࿔ DNF @ 56% 𝜗𝜚˚⋆
What kind of fuckass names are Tyme and Midnight?? Are we in a competition for who can have the stupidest name? 😭
Anyways, this was trash. I don’t mind smut at all, but don’t sell it to me as a romance when there’s barely any romance to be found.
That man hasn’t had a single romantic thought about her. EVERY thought is basically she makes me hard. Oh my god, someone blow him up please . I kept waiting for literally anything that would convince me he actually liked this woman as a person, but apparently that was asking for too much.
And somehow, despite all of that, I STILL didn’t DNF. So let me tell you what finally took me out:
“Not him having my coochie blowing bubbles in anticipation.”
Now I’m genuinely curious… how did we let this slide? 😭 That fucking line is HAUNTING me. I tried to continue reading afterward, but I kept hearing it in my head. What does it mean??? What is the correlation??? What purpose did those words serve???
You’re telling me this book went through drafts, edits, proofreading—MULTIPLE pairs of eyes presumably saw this sentence—and everybody collectively decided, yeah, keep that in???
Ohhh my god.
That was my final straw. I couldn’t do it anymore.
Can we PLEASE learn how to balance romance and spice? I’m begging. Give me attraction AND emotional connection. Give me something besides that man being horny every time she breathes.
DO BETTER. 😭
What kind of fuckass names are Tyme and Midnight?? Are we in a competition for who can have the stupidest name? 😭
Anyways, this was trash. I don’t mind smut at all, but don’t sell it to me as a romance when there’s barely any romance to be found.
That man hasn’t had a single romantic thought about her. EVERY thought is basically she makes me hard. Oh my god, someone blow him up please . I kept waiting for literally anything that would convince me he actually liked this woman as a person, but apparently that was asking for too much.
And somehow, despite all of that, I STILL didn’t DNF. So let me tell you what finally took me out:
“Not him having my coochie blowing bubbles in anticipation.”
Now I’m genuinely curious… how did we let this slide? 😭 That fucking line is HAUNTING me. I tried to continue reading afterward, but I kept hearing it in my head. What does it mean??? What is the correlation??? What purpose did those words serve???
You’re telling me this book went through drafts, edits, proofreading—MULTIPLE pairs of eyes presumably saw this sentence—and everybody collectively decided, yeah, keep that in???
Ohhh my god.
That was my final straw. I couldn’t do it anymore.
Can we PLEASE learn how to balance romance and spice? I’m begging. Give me attraction AND emotional connection. Give me something besides that man being horny every time she breathes.
DO BETTER. 😭
January 23, 2024
The story was nice, and the romance was captivating but the dialogue was cringing at times. Midnight is said to be a successful rich black man who is "private jet rich" by the way, and his vocabulary makes him sound like an uneducated broke-ass corner boy, same for his entire family, (they didn't read like rich people), actually everybody in this book read like they didn't utilize the common vocabulary often. Actually, their inner monologues were written better. I can understand slang written in some cases but it was ALMOST EVERY TIME THEY SPOKE. I was rolling my eyes every time I read coochie, lick back, nigga, bet, nah, and a whole lot of other words that I don't care to remember because I just tried to skip over. GEEZ, we don't sound like this in most conversations, even around friends and family.
For instance, for a grown man to say- you think because you can smashed my ex...yo bitch ass. There were many more cringe-worthy quotes that I can't remember because that would require me to go back and read to find them, and I can't have my IQ dropping even more.
For instance, for a grown man to say- you think because you can smashed my ex...yo bitch ass. There were many more cringe-worthy quotes that I can't remember because that would require me to go back and read to find them, and I can't have my IQ dropping even more.
March 25, 2026
3.75⭐️ a fun spicy time hehe
November 6, 2023
I wasn’t sure where this story was going but I wanted to see it through. This plot is messy but I was here for Tyme GET BACK. Cause how you tryna play her face AT YALL WEDDING !! I couldn't believe Malachi and his hoe still didn't realize the error of their ways. It seemed strange to me that Malachi's family wasn't sympathetic to how she was feeling; how was she expected to recover so quickly? Midnight and Tyme's adventure through 12:01 seemed like it dragged on for the better part of the book for me. Their connection following that night was not explored in any great depth. But I enjoyed Midnight and Tyme's banter and just the relationship they had. Midnight and Tyme had a great connection, and I liked seeing them interact. To be honest, I believe Midnight understood how to deal with Tyme; but, being Malachi's brother caused him to second-guess his choices.
November 7, 2023
Wheww 🥵
Lick back season , but leveling up !
Tyme and Midnight were a match I didn’t know I needed. What started as Midnight trying to save Tyme from spiraling and ending up stuck in jail , turned into a spicy filled new years. Their journey is definitely one to read. I highly suggest you also go get 1201 Aftermath.
I hated the way Malachi acted and treated Tyme , so to say he definitely got what he deserved he did. Tia was just sick and honestly obsessed with Tyme.
Lick back season , but leveling up !
Tyme and Midnight were a match I didn’t know I needed. What started as Midnight trying to save Tyme from spiraling and ending up stuck in jail , turned into a spicy filled new years. Their journey is definitely one to read. I highly suggest you also go get 1201 Aftermath.
I hated the way Malachi acted and treated Tyme , so to say he definitely got what he deserved he did. Tia was just sick and honestly obsessed with Tyme.
March 31, 2024
I LOVED this book! 🥰🥰🥰🥰 RTC later.
March 14, 2026
That damn Emmanuel Ingram!!!!
March 21, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
Well, this was FUN! After reading a heavier HF book, I needed to jump back into the romance genre. I'm so glad I picked this one up! I really enjoyed this story! The banter between Midnight and Tyme was hilarious. This book was HEAVY on the spice, so be prepared!
After reading the first several chapters, I had no idea where this story was going. 🫣
I was worried that the spice would overtake the story, but the author did a great job incorporating a strong (believable) love connection between the two main characters. I just wish I could've felt that connection sooner in the book.
Overall, I enjoyed this book, and I would recommend it! 🍷🕐
Well, this was FUN! After reading a heavier HF book, I needed to jump back into the romance genre. I'm so glad I picked this one up! I really enjoyed this story! The banter between Midnight and Tyme was hilarious. This book was HEAVY on the spice, so be prepared!
After reading the first several chapters, I had no idea where this story was going. 🫣
I was worried that the spice would overtake the story, but the author did a great job incorporating a strong (believable) love connection between the two main characters. I just wish I could've felt that connection sooner in the book.
Overall, I enjoyed this book, and I would recommend it! 🍷🕐
March 16, 2024
DNF at 45% I just couldn’t keep forcing myself to read this book. It wasn’t terrible, so it’s probably the cup of tea of someone else, but I just can’t get into books which a good portion of the whole plot surrounds one main event (usually a party). It takes a really good author to keep me intrigued. This wasn’t one.
So the book is about the relationship between Tyme (weird name) and Midnight (also weird name, why??). They had a thing very briefly, but he ended it cause he was in a bad place, and she went on to date his shitty brother by coincidence. The shitty brother cheats on her with his “cousin” (*family friend) and eventually marries her. On the wedding day, Tyme goes to fuck it up, understandably. She gets arrested, Midnight gets her out, they have a moment, blah blah blah.
Things I liked:
-the first 2/3 chapters, where they were acting like their normal bantering selves.
Things I disliked:
-their names (Tyme and Midnight, really??)
-the cheating ex
-the stupid sex party that took up most of the book, ALSO that readers were not warned about the length of cause Lord knows I wouldn’t have even bothered with this otherwise.
-their POVs really, especially Tyme’s. She’s quite immature, and their entire monologue was trying too hard to sound trendy by using popular slangs that just made it seem like it was written by an older person who thinks this is how all black, young, ‘hip’ people speak. I just couldn’t get into it.
-the fact that Midnight never apologized (at least not early enough for me to read anyway) to Tyme for the hurtful message he sent her calling her desperate and all. Maybe that’s just cause I personally wouldn’t be able to move past that if it were me, cause it was so unnecessary. Also, yes, I get you were going through some shit, but she didn’t cause it, neither was she aware of it.
-the weird tension. I sometimes didn’t feel like these two actually liked each other cause every interaction was so sexualized. That’s all that was emphasized, how they turned each other on with every action and word. It got boring real quick.
-couldn’t get into the pacing of the writing. It just felt like things were being dragged out, which they were, but the reader shouldn’t feel that way really.
-oh, did I mention the sex party? It was so cringe.
Anyway, I won’t bother finishing this. On to the next.
So the book is about the relationship between Tyme (weird name) and Midnight (also weird name, why??). They had a thing very briefly, but he ended it cause he was in a bad place, and she went on to date his shitty brother by coincidence. The shitty brother cheats on her with his “cousin” (*family friend) and eventually marries her. On the wedding day, Tyme goes to fuck it up, understandably. She gets arrested, Midnight gets her out, they have a moment, blah blah blah.
Things I liked:
-the first 2/3 chapters, where they were acting like their normal bantering selves.
Things I disliked:
-their names (Tyme and Midnight, really??)
-the cheating ex
-the stupid sex party that took up most of the book, ALSO that readers were not warned about the length of cause Lord knows I wouldn’t have even bothered with this otherwise.
-their POVs really, especially Tyme’s. She’s quite immature, and their entire monologue was trying too hard to sound trendy by using popular slangs that just made it seem like it was written by an older person who thinks this is how all black, young, ‘hip’ people speak. I just couldn’t get into it.
-the fact that Midnight never apologized (at least not early enough for me to read anyway) to Tyme for the hurtful message he sent her calling her desperate and all. Maybe that’s just cause I personally wouldn’t be able to move past that if it were me, cause it was so unnecessary. Also, yes, I get you were going through some shit, but she didn’t cause it, neither was she aware of it.
-the weird tension. I sometimes didn’t feel like these two actually liked each other cause every interaction was so sexualized. That’s all that was emphasized, how they turned each other on with every action and word. It got boring real quick.
-couldn’t get into the pacing of the writing. It just felt like things were being dragged out, which they were, but the reader shouldn’t feel that way really.
-oh, did I mention the sex party? It was so cringe.
Anyway, I won’t bother finishing this. On to the next.
October 17, 2023
I was blessed to receive an ARC and completely devoured this in less than 24 hours (over a 3 day span b/c adulting). I’m going to take some tyme (see what I did there) to collect my thoughts but Bella Jay I got a bone to pick with you!! Teasing me with the novelette and now I have to wait until the release to finish. I can’t even touch the true epilogue yet because I NEED to finish “The Aftermath” first.
Well done sis! 5 starts across the board!
UPDATE:
City girls up by 1 million by the end of this one! After seeing a few tease videos on TikTok, I just knew I had to request the ARC! I’ve read “The Countdown” “12:01” and “The Aftermath.”
If you love a little mess and a great love story this one is for you! We enter this story with Tyme crashing the wedding of her ex-fiance and his “cousin,” well at least that’s what he claimed her to be until Tyme caught them together during what would have been Tyme’s wedding night. This lady her in jail and she was eventually released only to come face to face with her ex-fiance’s twin brother, Midnight Drayton.
Tyme and Midnight has a complex “hate-hate” relationship. I felt their chemistry during their first on page encounter. And the banter? *chefs kiss*
Tyme’s journey had some ups and downs. I loved her as a character. Obviously she had a right to be hurt and I can’t even be mad at her for crashing the wedding and wanting to get her lick back.
Midnight Drayton…MY MAN. The way he cared for Tyme and acknowledged his wrong doings. Love him down!
By the time the ending came (before the epilogue), I was wanting more time with the couple. The Aftermath was just what I needed and the drama carried through with that. It was the perfect wrap to this couple and the epilogue was evening sweeter.
10/10 highly recommend!
Let’s talk about the meaning of the name…got me ready to try some things 🫣🫢
Thank you Bella Jay for the ARC. Will be purchasing the paperback as soon as it becomes available. ❤️
Well done sis! 5 starts across the board!
UPDATE:
City girls up by 1 million by the end of this one! After seeing a few tease videos on TikTok, I just knew I had to request the ARC! I’ve read “The Countdown” “12:01” and “The Aftermath.”
If you love a little mess and a great love story this one is for you! We enter this story with Tyme crashing the wedding of her ex-fiance and his “cousin,” well at least that’s what he claimed her to be until Tyme caught them together during what would have been Tyme’s wedding night. This lady her in jail and she was eventually released only to come face to face with her ex-fiance’s twin brother, Midnight Drayton.
Tyme and Midnight has a complex “hate-hate” relationship. I felt their chemistry during their first on page encounter. And the banter? *chefs kiss*
Tyme’s journey had some ups and downs. I loved her as a character. Obviously she had a right to be hurt and I can’t even be mad at her for crashing the wedding and wanting to get her lick back.
Midnight Drayton…MY MAN. The way he cared for Tyme and acknowledged his wrong doings. Love him down!
By the time the ending came (before the epilogue), I was wanting more time with the couple. The Aftermath was just what I needed and the drama carried through with that. It was the perfect wrap to this couple and the epilogue was evening sweeter.
10/10 highly recommend!
Let’s talk about the meaning of the name…got me ready to try some things 🫣🫢
Thank you Bella Jay for the ARC. Will be purchasing the paperback as soon as it becomes available. ❤️
October 18, 2023
Lick back season has arrived. Enjoy it.
January 21, 2024
Karma wins
Karma is a b*tch and Tyme made sure those words were true for her cheater, arrogant, trash azz ex fiance.
Tyme was devastated after the life she planned with her ex came tumbling down. The situation was beyond messy and she just wanted him to feel some remorse. However, all the mess she pulled just showed she wasn't over him yet.
Then enters her ex's twin brother who is shorter, but finer and swag on 100 thousand. Midnight felt like Tyme was the one that got a way and he hated to see her hurting at the hand of his brother. So, he set out to get her thinking about other things.... One weekend of fun, left them both feeling like something was missing. What started out as Tyme getting the ultimate lick back, turned into maybe just maybe she found her one.
Listen the seggs was on point, chemistry hott, banter funny. This is a good read!
Karma is a b*tch and Tyme made sure those words were true for her cheater, arrogant, trash azz ex fiance.
Tyme was devastated after the life she planned with her ex came tumbling down. The situation was beyond messy and she just wanted him to feel some remorse. However, all the mess she pulled just showed she wasn't over him yet.
Then enters her ex's twin brother who is shorter, but finer and swag on 100 thousand. Midnight felt like Tyme was the one that got a way and he hated to see her hurting at the hand of his brother. So, he set out to get her thinking about other things.... One weekend of fun, left them both feeling like something was missing. What started out as Tyme getting the ultimate lick back, turned into maybe just maybe she found her one.
Listen the seggs was on point, chemistry hott, banter funny. This is a good read!
October 31, 2023
Now listen!!! Bella Jay, you really just changed the game with this one. I love how you write the unexpected. I can tell that time was taken seriously (no pun) in creating these characters and storyline. I feel like I really got to know them and I'm in love. There are so many aspects that were amazing. Midnight is top tier book bae. Malachi probably gonna be book bae in another life, I'll wait on it. I have a tendency to love the ones everyone hates. This story was so thoroughly told, it really is complete and I am beyond satisfied. I laughed, I cried, I swooned I definitely clutched my pearls at 12:01...this was a full experience. Worth every penny...actually it was a steal. I highly recommend supporting this author by pre-ordering her work. You won't regret it.
March 16, 2026
3.5-3.75/5 ⭐️
imagine homie hopping but where you can defend it. fun time.
imagine homie hopping but where you can defend it. fun time.
November 10, 2023
RESD READ READ!!!
From the cover I didn’t think I’d like this but boy was I wrong. Tyme gave that girl and I love that for her. She was hurt but I love how she gave into her feelings. Midnight was the better twin- period. He gave all the vibes! Def book bae material.
I honestly loved their relationship from knowing the background to the engagement. It was so cute and it gave what it was supposed to give- she understood the assignment. I just loved them as a couple and the kissing cousins definitely got what they deserved.
From the cover I didn’t think I’d like this but boy was I wrong. Tyme gave that girl and I love that for her. She was hurt but I love how she gave into her feelings. Midnight was the better twin- period. He gave all the vibes! Def book bae material.
I honestly loved their relationship from knowing the background to the engagement. It was so cute and it gave what it was supposed to give- she understood the assignment. I just loved them as a couple and the kissing cousins definitely got what they deserved.
July 7, 2026
4⭐️ - This book had me SAT from the first two sentences! Midnight and Tyme were out here calling themselves enemies, but baby… I’ve never seen enemies act like that. 😂 The delusion was strong, the chemistry was on 10, and I had the best time reading this one!
November 8, 2023
Lick back season in full effect! Well, Miss Bella, you just got it poppin’ right off the bat huh? No pun intended! 🤣 Tyme was a woman on a mission! Think you can embarrass and humiliate me like that? Hmmmm…. let me show you my Louisville slugger! Sis tore the club up, well the wedding, but you know what I mean! 😂
I felt so bad for Tyme, cause that was some punk ish Malachi pulled! Ughhh…. anywho, as Tyme is sitting in jail, who comes to save her? None other than her arch nemesis, and Malachi’s brother, Midnight!
Midnight wonders, why am I here? This woman hates me, and I go out of my way to be an asshole to her, this is what we do. I get that she is angry about what went down, as she should, but I can’t leave her in jail! The back and forth between Tyme and Midnight, along with Tyme’s internal conversations were hysterical! I mean laugh out loud funny! When Midnight poses question to Tyme about spending time with him, on some get back ish, I knew all hell was bout to break loose!
Midnight, is it honey! Bae all day! 😍 He still has regrets about fumbling Tyme and uses this opportunity to show her what a real man is like. This man is everything that Tyme needs, and she hates that she is starting to feel things for him. NOW, 12:01! Are e-tickets being sold in every city, cause imma need to cop a couple! That party was lit! 🔥
I thought I would feel a way about the whole brother situation, but NOPE! This read was so much fun, and a bit messy, but the love shined through. Loved it!
I felt so bad for Tyme, cause that was some punk ish Malachi pulled! Ughhh…. anywho, as Tyme is sitting in jail, who comes to save her? None other than her arch nemesis, and Malachi’s brother, Midnight!
Midnight wonders, why am I here? This woman hates me, and I go out of my way to be an asshole to her, this is what we do. I get that she is angry about what went down, as she should, but I can’t leave her in jail! The back and forth between Tyme and Midnight, along with Tyme’s internal conversations were hysterical! I mean laugh out loud funny! When Midnight poses question to Tyme about spending time with him, on some get back ish, I knew all hell was bout to break loose!
Midnight, is it honey! Bae all day! 😍 He still has regrets about fumbling Tyme and uses this opportunity to show her what a real man is like. This man is everything that Tyme needs, and she hates that she is starting to feel things for him. NOW, 12:01! Are e-tickets being sold in every city, cause imma need to cop a couple! That party was lit! 🔥
I thought I would feel a way about the whole brother situation, but NOPE! This read was so much fun, and a bit messy, but the love shined through. Loved it!
November 21, 2024
11-30-25 reread update:
Thank you to Bella Jay for sending me an ALC of 12:01’s audiobook! Emmanuel Ingram! Madison C. Marie! Y’all know y’all ate! They played Tyme and Midnight so well and truly breathed new life into this story overall. The narration was well worth the wait. I still really enjoy this book!
Overall, I loved Midnight! He truly stood on bidness and didn't care about nothing or no one but Tyme. However, Tyme needed to get a GRIP during the first half of the book, and her back-and-forth about how she felt about Midnight really slowed down the narrative at one point, but she ended up being really likable by the end—I felt like she had a lot of growing up to do and she did that growing gradually. Malachi was insufferable and controlling and immature and served as a very lackluster villain, but I loved the times Midnight dealt with him. Midnight is a MAN, honey!
While this book had several unfavorable terms for body parts during the spicy scenes and I felt like the BDSM aspect and 12:01 as a whole was tame, I overall really enjoyed this!
4.5 ⭐️s
3 🌶️
Thank you to Bella Jay for sending me an ALC of 12:01’s audiobook! Emmanuel Ingram! Madison C. Marie! Y’all know y’all ate! They played Tyme and Midnight so well and truly breathed new life into this story overall. The narration was well worth the wait. I still really enjoy this book!
Overall, I loved Midnight! He truly stood on bidness and didn't care about nothing or no one but Tyme. However, Tyme needed to get a GRIP during the first half of the book, and her back-and-forth about how she felt about Midnight really slowed down the narrative at one point, but she ended up being really likable by the end—I felt like she had a lot of growing up to do and she did that growing gradually. Malachi was insufferable and controlling and immature and served as a very lackluster villain, but I loved the times Midnight dealt with him. Midnight is a MAN, honey!
While this book had several unfavorable terms for body parts during the spicy scenes and I felt like the BDSM aspect and 12:01 as a whole was tame, I overall really enjoyed this!
4.5 ⭐️s
3 🌶️
October 20, 2023
ARC REVIEW
Midnight and Tyme are entirely too cute. I didn’t like the way he played in her face at the NYE party. It legit rubbed me the wrong way, but outside of that one moment I truly enjoyed both the book and the novelette, The Aftermath. I can’t recall if the internal dialogue that the mains do is a signature writing tool for Belle or not but I liked it. It’s where a good majority of the humor and emotions took place. Leaving everything else to be dialogue, making it an easy and quick read. I know that’s kind of common but something about the way it was done here was really enjoyable. This was messy and outlandish in such a fun and entertaining way. And who doesn’t love a romance where a thick fine fmc is protected and catered to? This book also has a few little detail touches that I really loved. I know the lick back is the catalyst but it’s really the second chance, taboo romance for me!!
Midnight and Tyme are entirely too cute. I didn’t like the way he played in her face at the NYE party. It legit rubbed me the wrong way, but outside of that one moment I truly enjoyed both the book and the novelette, The Aftermath. I can’t recall if the internal dialogue that the mains do is a signature writing tool for Belle or not but I liked it. It’s where a good majority of the humor and emotions took place. Leaving everything else to be dialogue, making it an easy and quick read. I know that’s kind of common but something about the way it was done here was really enjoyable. This was messy and outlandish in such a fun and entertaining way. And who doesn’t love a romance where a thick fine fmc is protected and catered to? This book also has a few little detail touches that I really loved. I know the lick back is the catalyst but it’s really the second chance, taboo romance for me!!
July 26, 2024
This book was nothing but drama, drama, drama and I loved it! I'm a fan of mess and 12:01 was full of it. Definitely add 12:01 to your TBR if you haven't already.
November 26, 2025
The rent MUST have been due for these narrators.. my God. Stay tuned for a full review.
October 12, 2026
⋆˙⟡ ── ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ 4⭐️
Initially, I wasn’t sure how I was going to rate this. Then I got to the epilogue and was sold. First of all, I’m not sure why this is labeled as an “enemies to lovers.” They’re barely rivals. This is a quick, straightforward, revenge-ish book about a scorned ex who gets back at her ex-fiancée by getting close to his twin brother.
It’s not as cringe as it sounds. And upon reading it, there’s more history behind our main characters that makes it tolerable and enjoyable. It’s definitely on the spicier side, so read whenever you’re in the mood for something like that.
Initially, I wasn’t sure how I was going to rate this. Then I got to the epilogue and was sold. First of all, I’m not sure why this is labeled as an “enemies to lovers.” They’re barely rivals. This is a quick, straightforward, revenge-ish book about a scorned ex who gets back at her ex-fiancée by getting close to his twin brother.
It’s not as cringe as it sounds. And upon reading it, there’s more history behind our main characters that makes it tolerable and enjoyable. It’s definitely on the spicier side, so read whenever you’re in the mood for something like that.
February 17, 2024
This book took me through a rollercoaster ride & I enjoyed every bit of it. A little bit of enemies to lovers, a lot of my ex fiancés twin LMAO! And guess what? I support it (in book life ofcourse) I can’t write much on this review without spoiling, but Midnight and Tyme are everything.
February 5, 2026
Tyme has a little Midnight fun with her ex’s twin brother. Heavy on the erotica 😈... I actually didn’t mind Tyme starting a new year tasting how sweet revenge could be. Getting folded like a pretzel on NY should always be the ultimate goal, ijs. 🎉
There’s nothing really going on but fkn, no emotion, no romance, no deep conversations, just fkn. Gotta give me more than that. Black women deserve romance, not just getting cracked
narration was pretty good!
There’s nothing really going on but fkn, no emotion, no romance, no deep conversations, just fkn. Gotta give me more than that. Black women deserve romance, not just getting cracked
narration was pretty good!
April 22, 2026
Chaotic, funny, and full of tension that keeps you hooked the whole way through. Tyme and Midnight’s chemistry is messy in the best way, and the friend group moments had me cracking up. The drama builds perfectly, and that rooftop scene 😍 was the emotional payoff I didn’t know I needed. A fast, addictive read with just the right mix of chaos and romance.
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