Nightlife, bar culture and cocktail-making scene. Not really my kind of contemporary fiction but I managed to enjoy part of it for its love, identity and ambition related themes. The earliest part was light with average tension and drama centered around the two rivals behind the bar at Love and Death, Robbie and El; the talented cocktail makers who grappled in between their passion, friendship and career. The plot traversed years, drifting from one city to another following both POVs through their life choices, heartbreaks and the undeniable connection and chemistry they keep avoiding only for it to resurface when they eventually meet again.

A slow progress with atmospheric writing. Bit underwhelming at times with all the emotional mess and the dissatisfaction that was dragged after an incident that urge El to leave for California. A come and go conflicts, of regrets, hesitations and betrayals told in alternating chapters of El and Robbie— nothing go too twisty and quite foreseen with no high drama on its romance; just a slow-burn connection and how both fate and timing unfold the unspoken feelings between two people across years of separation.

An emotionally tense and moody premise throughout for me. Would recommend if you’re into contemporary read with mixtology, bar drinking culture or love it-hits-reality lovetale in a light romance premise. 3/5*

**Nothing Good Happens After 2AM is expected to be published on 29th January 2026!

Thank you Times Reads for the gifted ARC!