This was a sharp take on immigration and how desensitised we as societies have become to the realities of precarious workers

One Minute Away centres around Damir, a Croatian man living in London who works as a delivery rider. The novel focuses on his day-to-day life and routine working in a job that requires a lot not only physically, but also emotionally. It's a role that seems to ask workers to be almost invisible, to serve other people in a dynamic that is often unfair and gruelling. After delivering an order late and incorrectly, through no fault of his own, a customer is extremely rude to him and discards the food in front of Damir. On another day, he ends up doing another delivery to the same address, but it is not the same man who answers; instead, his wife, Decca, is the one who receives it, and this chance encounter shifts Damir's life, as they embark on an affair.

I thought the discussion about the reality of delivery riders, especially immigrant ones like Damir, was very interesting. More and more, gig economy platforms, including delivery apps, cater almost entirely to customers, leaving workers in an extremely undervalued situation. In order to achieve a livable wage, they have to work day and night at an almost inhumane pace. Damir was leading a life that was gruelling and hopeless, in which he did not feel able to enjoy any free time without considering how much he could have been earning, all to cover basic needs. So, when this new woman came into his life, a person who desired him and provided small luxuries that seemed out of reach, she felt like a saving grace.

To me, Damir's relationship with Decca felt very out of touch with reality, and it did bother me as it became central to the book, because I simply could not believe or cheer for them as a couple. Instead, it felt doomed from the beginning, almost like a reprieve from the harshness of life for Damir. I think the book took their relationship and love seriously, and not as part of the overall critique of the exploitative work culture Damir was trapped in, and that's where I felt like it missed an opportunity. Still, this was a thought-provoking read.

Thank you very much to HarperCollins UK, NetGalley, and Rachel Quin for the copy!

One Minute Away follows Damir, a food delivery cyclist whose accidental meeting with Decca sparks an unexpected bond. Mark Watson captures the pace and anonymity of city life with warmth and humor, in particular the rise and amount of food delivery cyclist and drivers. While the premise is appealing, I found the relationship between Damir and Decca difficult to believe. But I have to say that I loved the relationship Damir had with his best friend Garon and would have loved more focus on them. Ultimately, and easy and thoughtful read that doesn’t quite reach its potential.

It's often tough to review books based on comedians I love because some of them are often a quick cash in. However with this you can really tell Mark loves the characters he's created.

I found the level of detail and insight given about delivery drivers really insightful and made me view them in a different light. You often take for granted the "invisible" workers around you that provide you every day services and this novel really highlighted how they help society move without anyone really noticing.

I think one of my favourite things about this story was the friendship and connection between Damir and his best friend. It was layered and felt incredibly real. There were many moments between them that made me think about my friendships and the importance of having the right people around you.

This is really character driven, so may not be for everyone but if you're somebody who loves well written, believable characters explore situations you may find yourself in i'd definitely recommend.

***advance review copy received from NetGalley in return for an honest review***
One Minute Away by Mark Watson is a solid, competent novel that delivers exactly what it sets out to do—no more, no less. The premise is intriguing: a single moment sets off a chain of events with far-reaching consequences, a concept that has the potential for both suspense and emotional resonance. Watson handles this with clarity and structure, keeping the reader engaged through well-paced chapters and accessible prose.

The characters are believable and the plot progresses with a satisfying logic, though at times it felt slightly too on-the-nose or emotionally calculated. While the story moves efficiently, it doesn’t take many risks or stray from familiar territory. This is a novel that knows what it is: thoughtful, tidy, and straightforward.

If you’re looking for a reliably engaging read with a clever concept and a clean finish, One Minute Away will satisfy. It didn’t quite surprise or move me beyond expectations, but it’s a fine example of a story doing exactly what it promises.

this was absolutely entertaining. i really enjoyed this funny & reflective book. thank you so much for the e-arc!! ♥️

One Minute Away follows Damir, a delivery driver who ends up having an affair with the wife of one of his customers.

I loved Damir - he came across as genuine and kind-hearted. I enjoyed his telling of the story which was well paced and well written.

However, I did not find his relationship with Decca believable. There didn’t seem to be much of a connection between them and I found it all a bit rushed. I enjoyed the parts of the story involving his work more than the affair plot. I also found a couple of the background characters to be irrelevant to the story.

I was a bit disappointed with the ending too which left a few plot holes and left me with more questions than answers.

Overall, an entertaining, if slightly disappointing read.

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the ARC.

July 7, 2025
This was a largely frustrating read for me but I definitely did enjoy it in parts.

One Minute Away tells the story of Damir, a Croatian who has come to the UK with his best friend, Goran, in the hope of a better life.

Both Damir and Goran work in the gig economy, working all hours delivering our food to us when we are too busy (or lazy) to cook ourselves.

One day when out delivering Damir is insulted by a man who is unhappy that he is given the wrong order, mistakenly blaming Damir rather than the restaurant.

Damir then meets the man's apologetic wife and they quickly begin an affair turning everyone's lives upside down.

Where this was frustrating for me was that the relationship between Damir and Decca wasn't really built up and it was difficult to see a connection between other than they really fancied each other and had great sex. We were also meant to gloss over the fact that, although I accept the husband was an arse, we should really be rooting for people who are conducting an affair. I get that life is never simple, but I just didn't find myself invested in their relationship.

Where I actually thought the book was really powerful was the behind the scenes lives of Damir and Goran, their relationship was actually more interesting than Damir and Decca's and gave a little known insight into the lives of people who work all day, in insecure employment to try and earn some kind of living. We all probably enjoy the convenience of these workers without thinking too much about their lives.

So largely frustrating but with some interesting parts and some humour thrown in.

I really liked the concept behind this book, it was fresh and exciting reading about a delivery rider, I have read many books but not one that is based around a delivery rider. It started off really good, Damir is the delivery rider and he doesn't have much to his name, he works to make ends meet and lives with his friend where they don't have a lot. However one night, one angry customer he does not realise how much this would change his life. The angry customer's wife gives him a tip and a big one at that and then they start messaging and meeting up. Damir is quids in quite literally and likes living this life. Life is good until it's not. I felt as though the first half of the book was really good, but the second half let it down, it was very drawn out and its one of those books that made me cringe a little with the affair storyline.

I didn't want to stop reading, but now I've finished I don't really know what I got from it. 

I didn't really get the connection between Decca and Dam. It was odd. I wasn't rooting for them. There wasn't really a plot. 
It was an odd book but not unlikeable

I really appreciated the simplicity and authenticity of Damir’s narration — the voice felt so unpretentious, quiet, and human. That straightforward tone is one of the novel’s greatest strengths, making his view of the world feel intimate and genuine .

However, I struggled with the power dynamic at the centre of the story. At times, Damir’s emotional dependency on Decca came across as childlike, which created an uneasy imbalance in their relationship. It made me wonder if that dynamic was intentional, but it left me feeling unsettled rather than emotionally connected.

The book doesn’t shy away from emotional darkness — it isn’t built as an uplifting romance. Instead, it leans into melancholy, and while that’s not a bad choice, it doesn’t leave much room for hope. The ending especially felt abrupt: key plotlines were left unresolved, and I was left with more questions than answers.

In summary, One Minute Away is anchored by a refreshing, clear voice and a relationship that defies romantic ideals. But the one-sided dynamic and lack of closure diluted my emotional investment. A thoughtful, quietly poignant read — though not always satisfying.

This is a novel about a man from Croatia working in London as a food delivery driver. Firstly, I found the insight into the gig economy interesting and pretty terrifying. There's a lot about the ins and outs of how food delivery works and the lengths the drivers go to to keep their feedback high so they're able to book more jobs. On his delivery this guy meets a married woman and they start an affair. She's wealthy and there's a bit of a power imbalance in their relationship. Overall I did enjoy this but some of the stuff through the male gaze is a bit icky. I'm not overly convinced in the idea of this woman seducing her delivery driver but it was a good read.

Review of ‘One Minute Away’ by Mark Watson, due to be published on 17 July 2025 by HarperCollins UK.

As a fan of Mark Watson, I was delighted to be able to read and review the book, ahead of its release.

The story follows Damir, a bike delivery rider in London, who has left his life and family in Croatia behind to join his friend Goran, both on a quest to earn money and a better life for themselves.

When Damir meets Decca, a customer, his life changes in ways he did not anticipate and finds himself torn between love and loyalty to both her, and Goran.

Amusing in places, especially when Damir is learning English ‘phrases’, heartbreaking in others, it’s a beautiful story of love, friendship, family and finding the courage to follow your heart.

Definitely a recommended read.