12:01: The Aftermath

by Bella Jay

This is a novelette that will take you deeper into the world of Midnight and Tyme. It’s a timelapse of the next chapter of their journey filled with heartwarming (& hilarious) text threads, juicy social media posts, and key scene snippets chronicling their first year together. This novelette's purpose is to bridge the gap between the end of 12:01 and the epilogue. It’s not necessary to complete their story, nor is it a second part, but it’s a great addition.

NOTE: Do not read this before reading 12:01 as this is meant to be read after (specifically between the end of 12:01 and the epilogue).

Genres: African American Romance, Romance

100 pages, ebook

Published November 1, 2023

About the author

Miami 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.

Reviews

[Dionne Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This update was everything! 💕💕💕

[Trice Roe · Rating 5 out of 5]

They deserve all happiness‼️ KARMA chewed Mal & Tia up 😝

[GREEDY · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this read. Short and sweet and straight to the point.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️
This was a great follow up to 12:01!❤️ And the text message threads were definitely a nice touch! Lol It’s definitely worth reading before getting to the epilogue(in 12:01)!

[Keesha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This supplement to 12:01 is everything! This is a deep dive into what takes place between the final chapter of 12:01 and the epilogue. It really rounds out the story and makes it feel complete when the epilogue ends. The insta posts and group chats are so cute and a great touch. Fun read!

[Jamia Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved how realistic she made this with the text format....after reading 12:01, I had to read the aftermath of Tyme and Midnight.... Although the epilogue shedded alot of light on them, I wanted to know their relationship development the writer didn't tell in "12:01". Bravo Bella Jay for your writing and your creativity

[Chichilovestoread · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t know what was better, the full book or the group chat fiasco in this novella lol.

Tia, girl please go kiss grass somewhere and worry about your baby and your “man” 🤣 🤫

Nene is my girl hands down and I love Mid lil sister.. she need her own book.

[Sharika Sellman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the piece of the story that would have made the original a 5 star read for me !!! Love love love that we were able to see what life was like once they actually decided to be together!!

Loved their story

[S LaSha Dates · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this novelette. I was fully invested in Tyme and Midnight's love story. Seeing their relationship and their family grow was a delight. Malachi learned the hard way that karma is real and the grass is not greener on the other side. He and Tia did not work out, which was to be expected. The epilogue was everything I hoped it would be. The proposal was well planned. There was a happily ever after type of vibe.

[LaShonda Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love that the author actually wrote this novelette to let us see what happened between the end of the story and the epilogue. It was a great cute read.

[Taylora Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

ahhhh nothing screams black love like a sequel book dedicated to a look into the future of Midnight and Tyme.

Their relationship SCREAMS black love—I’m so glad they found each other through their lowest of times. In the first book, she went to a wedding ceremony looking to spite her ex-fiancé and ex-friend through traitorous acts including befriending (well more like despised) her ex-fiancé’s brother Midnight. Throughout that book, they went from slight enemies, to friends with benefits, to eventual lovers who realized their hearts were looking straight at each other.

Malachi giving Tyme the long-awaited apology she so proudly deserved made me happy. Granted, how Malachi acted throughout the couple’s journey was not only childish but disgusting. I was glad he realized how wrong he did Tyme and his brother. Tia—being the bitter person she was—kept displaying her hatred towards Tyme and Midnight which brought her and Malachi’s relationship down it its demise. KARMA? I think yes.

Baby Mira is so cute and full of fluff 🥹❤️

THE SET UP?! 10/10.

THE SPEECH?! 100/10.

THE PROPOSAL?!? 10000000/10

I enjoyed the check in with them—hopefully they’ll be more special bonuses because I love Tyme and Midnight so much.

A must-read if you enjoyed Tyme and Midnight’s journey in the first installment.

[Toya Davis-Stokley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The audacity of them damn kissing cousins! Ohhh.... they got on my nerves so bad, with all that ish talking, and not taking accountability for any of their actions! 😤🤬 Especially that Tia, what the hell was her problem anyway? I was hoping either Nene or Mo, just popped her one good time! 😡

Anywho, Midnight and Tyme 🤩 I loved how they were committed to allowing their relationship to blossom, although all that messy ish was going on around them. They both had more tolerance and patience than most cause, somebody needed to throw some hands for real, for real. 🤷🏾‍♀️ The text messages and social media posts were hilarious, and perfect. 💖

Then life got real in a hurry, but Midnight was calm and ready for anything that came their way. He was all in with Tyme, and it was beautiful to witness. Now Malachi really surprised me when he gave Tyme a sincere apology, for his fboy behavior, and really helped her out when she needed him.

Perfect aftermath, for a great story! 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

[ybookie_wanderlust · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knocked this one out in just a couple of hours — it was that good! If you haven’t read 12:01, please do yourself a favor and start there, because The Aftermath picks up right where the storm left off.

This sequel dives straight into the emotional fallout between Tyme and Midnight. And of course, the drama wouldn’t be complete without Malachi — Midnight’s twin and Tyme’s ex-fiancé — showing up with his own chaos. Let’s not forget his messy wife Tia, who just might take the crown for most chaotic energy in this entire book. Cousins? Exes? Baby mamas? It’s tangled, but so addictive.

Bella Jay gave us the perfect mix of drama, emotional tension, and just enough closure to leave me wanting more. Loved it.

[Tanesha Abernathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Y’all know I’m nosey and can’t let the book rest without seeing it through so knowing that I had the option to by-pass this book and go straight into the epilogue was a no-go! Got to see it through my boy! It answered so many questions and helped wrap everything up with a bow. Now I would like to know what happened with sour ass Tia and Malachi outside of what was told…even if it’s a quick one pager…I wanna know more. Did they divorce, find new partners, opt to go to counseling and fix their issues? Did she ever stop making Tyme her inspiration, lol.

Anyway, I appreciate the intermission of this book! So worth it!

[Katie Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

The moment I heard bats was swinging I was hooked 😂. I am going to try not to say too much! Key word here is TRY! But the way I read this book in one got damn sitting baby. The way Midnight flipped Tyme every which way but loose. In what made the book even better Tyme is a PLUS SIZE BADDIE! I love reading about a thick queen getting treated like a queen.And that Tia B**ch can catch me outside that’s all I am going to say.


But that mf MIDNIGHT omg ya’ll I am in love 🥰. My playlist went from The Dream: I Luv Your Girl to Tank: When We ! A TYME was had baby. I highly recommend this book to anyone!

[Monique · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though the author says it’s not necessary to read this, I found that reading this before reading the epilogue of 12:01 really completed the story. You got to see how the family managed the fall out from Wynter & Tyme being together, you watched relationships progress, and you got so much more of the wit and banter from everyone. I also loved the formatting of this novelette because it’s heavy on text messages and instagram posts intertwined into the chapters, and I thought that was creative and added life to the story & characters.

[The Urban Fiction Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the update YOU NEVER KNEW YOU NEEDED. The best update on Tyme, Midnight and others. The growth, the forgiveness, the karma, the blessings, the LOVE. Yes!!!!!!! The way Midnight did not play with anyone when it came to Tyme, and Tyme standing up for herself. YES!!!

It was beautiful to read. Baby this was perfect. Watching all the little details that we didn’t think was needed but turned out to be the best. And to see Tia ugliness come to light, Thank God!!!! But what ATE the most and filled me so beautifully was the restaurant scene. It will live rent free in my head forever. When I say it touched me in an indescribable way. WHEW!!! It was pure perfection. 10 outta 10 recommend reading this once you finish 12:01.

Stamped,
The Urban Fiction Librarian

[Bianca C · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novelette was included in the version I read. After finishing the epilogue I'm glad the author included this as it gave a very detailed description of events that folded between the ending and the prologue. Honestly, just needed to be included in the book. Convos between the brothers and other family conversations helped answer any lingering questions that may have popped up during the epilogue. Bella Jay gets that we wanted to know and therefore, included it for us.

[Vonetta Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

So this book is not a standalone and should be read after reading 12:01. It is not necessary to read because you do get a little more in the epilogue to 12:01 but it's just a little something extra and must be purchased from the author's website.

That being said, I thought it was nice to see the text messages in the different group chats and the social media posts. It was also nice to see how the relationships became what they were between Tyme and Midnight's family including Malachi. Overall, it did what it was supposed to do as a novelette to add just a little bit more to the story between these two.

[Tiffany Manning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the book.. I definitely need the wedding.
Their love story is messy but beautiful.
I enjoyed the text thread additions and the social media posts.
I hope we get more about their story , or the love story for the other characters. Malachi did wrong but I’m rooting for him, he deserves to find love !

[Shonika · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Aftermath was a cute novella that I didn't know I needed. I absolutely love how intentional Midnight is with Tyme. I pray this type of love finds every woman who deserves it. The messages and Instagram posts were chef kisses. I am looking forward to reading more work by Bella Jay.

[🦋 Semaj 🦋 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was definitely needed after reading the first book, I loved seeing their relationship progress and everyone just coming together. Like such a fun and flirty book with the perfect people. That Karma always comes in due TYMEEE

[TK Steward · Rating 5 out of 5]

All I know is, I need a man that looks, acts, makes money, and sexes me like Midnight Drayton. YOU HEAR ME!! That man was everything. Regardless of him being Thymes exe's brother, he technically had her first and knew he messed up. Buy, once he got her back, BAYBEE🥰🥰🥰 Love all over me!!!

[Tiara Lashae · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Aftermath was needed. It filled in so many gaps!

No need to question what happened at the end of the book and before the epilogue because The Aftermath answer every question that I possibly could have thought of.

Definately worth the read! Highly suggested.

[Alexandria Larice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super entertaining! I enjoyed the text message threads and social media posts. Such a fun read!

[Constance · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

[Tasha N · Rating 5 out of 5]

So glad Tyme got her happy ending!!!

[She Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is what a novella should be about. I just knew I needed to get this. I swear this makes Mid and Ty’s story even more swoon worthy. I was kicking my feet and giggling soooo hard ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

10s 10s ACROSS THE BOARD

I was cheesign so hard the entire time.

[Brisace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the little in between messages and update