Fifteen Minutes

by Amanda Prowse

‘One last touch, one last word, one last I love you…’ Fifteen Minutes – the new novella from Amanda Prowse that will take you on the wildest emotional adventure.

It gets us all in the end, time.

What if I told you that time was not as unyielding as you might have believed? What if I told you it was in fact a fluid, bendable thing and that there are gaps in it, if you know where to look.

Interested? You should be.

What if I told you that the makers of time made a small error, an oversight if you will that allows us to give time back.

Fifteen minutes to be precise - gifted to the most deserving, where they get to spend precious time with someone they have lost.

A chance to right a wrong, ask that burning question or maybe just be held, one last time…

I guess the question is, who would you choose or more importantly when?

“Fifteen Minutes – is the new emotional, heartbreaking, life affirming novella from “The Queen of Family Drama” – Amanda Prowse.”

Genres: Novella

115 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 7, 2026

About the author

Welcome to my Goodrerads page. If you love relatable, emotionally driven, character lead fiction that shines a light on family life and the trials and tribulations that affect us all, then you’re in the right place!

My name is Amanda Prowse, now nearly sixty, I started writing in my mid-forties. I divide my time between London where I live by the river and our farm in the West Country.

I’m passionate about the representation of women. My characters range in age from six to ninety-six and come from all walks of life.

The women in my stories face adversity head on, they grab opportunity by the handful and run towards the horizon, often doing so with a large dollop of humour.

My stories sometimes punch you in the gut with their realism but also leave you with a glimmer of hope – and the feeling that you are not alone. Tales that will make you ugly cry and laugh out loud – sometimes on the same page!

I’ve sold millions of books, translated into dozens of languages all around the world. Described by the Daily Mail as ‘The queen of family drama’ my novels have won awards, including the coveted Sainsbury's eBook of the year Award and I’ve had two books selected as World Book Night titles; 'Perfect Daughter' in 2016 and 'The Boy Between' (co-written with my son Josiah Hartley) in 2022.

I’m a huge supporter of libraries and am a proud ambassador for The Reading Agency. My ambition is to create stories that keep people from turning the bedside lamp off at night, great characters that ensure you take every step with them and tales that fill your head so you can't possibly read another book until the memory fades...

I’m a passionate advocate of ageing naturally and gratefully, and see every wrinkle, every line, every blemish on my face as a badge of honour – remembering always what a gift ageing is. This part of my wider belief that when women support women, magical things can happen.

When the time comes – this is what I’d like written on my headstone:

‘Wrote great stories, made a cracking roast potato…’ – what more could I ask for?
Praise for Amanda Prowse:

‘Amanda Prowse is “The Queen of Family Drama”’ – Daily Mail

'You'll fall in love with this...' – Cosmopolitan

'Powerful and emotional drama that packs a real punch' – Heat

‘Heartbreaking and heartwarming in equal measure’ – The Lady

'Deeply moving and emotional’ – Red

‘Amanda Prowse handles her explosive subjects with delicate skill’ – Daily Mail

‘Captivating, heartbreaking and superbly written’ – Closer

‘Amanda Prowse is the new Amanda Prowse’ – Mr Prowse

‘Uplifting and positive but you will still need a box of tissues’ – Hello!

List of Amanda Prowse works in order (oldest at top, newest at the bottom)

NOVELS

Poppy Day
What Have I Done
Clover’s Child
A Little Love
Will You Remember Me?
Christmas for One
A Mother’s Story
Perfect Daughter
The Second Chance Café (was 'The Christmas Café')
Three and a Half Heartbeats
Another Love
My Husband’s Wife
I Won’t be Home for Christmas
The Food of Love
The Idea of You
The Art of Hiding
Anna
Theo
Kitty (was ‘How to Fall in Love Again; Kitty’s Story’)
The Coordinates of Loss
The Girl in the Corner
The Things I Know
The Light in the Hallway
The Day She Came Back.
An Ordinary Life
Waiting to Begin
To Love and Be Loved
Picking Up the Pieces
All Good Things
Swimming to Lundy
This One Life
Ever After
Life as Planned
The Way Home (publishing August 2026)
Holding On Tight (publishing January 2027)

MEMOIRS

The Boy Between
Women Like Us

NOVELLAS

The Game
Something Quite Beautiful
A Christmas Wish
The Ten Pound Ticket
Imogen's Baby
Miss Potterton's Birthday Tea
Mr Portobello's Morning Paper
I Wish…
A Whole Heap of Wishes
A Wish for Forgiveness
Fifteen Minutes

COMPILATION OF FIRST SEVEN NOVELLAS
Something Quite Beautiful

Notes on Books.

All books are standalone stories, but some do share characters who pop up for cameo appeara

Reviews

[Sharon_🌺 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amanda Prowse, you have a gift with words!
Oh, but for a 15 minutes chance like this!
Chen! Pick me,pick me!

🌺Read what you love!🌺

[Bookworm86 · Rating 5 out of 5]

BLOG TOUR REVIEW


Review for 'Fifteen Minutes' by Amanda Prowse

What another absolutely stunner from the extremely talented Amanda Prowse!!! Well done Amanda on another absolutely beautiful and perfect read!!

Clear your schedules, get the tissues ready, get cosy and fall in love with 'Fifteen Minutes' today!

The book is extremely well written with beautiful descriptions that completely drew me in. The synopsis and the cover match the storyline perfectly!!

This is the second book I have read by this absolutely incredible author and I cannot wait to get stuck in to more! I have previously read 'Swimming To Lundy' which I loved and would also HIGHLY recommend!! Who wouldn't give anything to get just an extra fifteen minutes to spend time with a person they have loved and lost? How many of us have regretted certain things that have been said or done to somebody who is no longer with us? Well, in this absolutely extraordinary and unique beauty six people are given the chance to spend fifteen minutes with a lost loved one. At the start we meet Chen who is a master of time and explains that there is extra time that he can use to give to certain people that can then choose who they wish to spend fifteen minutes with. There are certain rules that have to be followed for this to happen and he explains these to the 6 lucky recipients of this extra time. Chen never has or never will tell a lie so follow him and six people on a journey where they will get a beautiful gift given them to by grabbing 'Fifteen Minutes' today! Considering this beauty is just a novella with the paperback edition having 149 pages and the kindle version being 115 pages long how Amanda packs so much in to it I will never know but I am just so pleased that she did. In this absolutely stunning read you will meet 98 year old Violet who has lived through the war and lost family and friends but who shall she chose to spend the time with? Then there is 36 year old Lewis who is struggling to live on his own after losing his wife Jane. We move on to 23 year old Ruby who was only young when she tragically lost her baby daughter. In chapter 5 we visit 36 year old Verity whose sister was murdered and whose killer was never caught. Benjamin is 30 years old and preparing a eulogy for his Dad's funeral and Mikey who is 47 years old feels guilty after his son took his own life. In the epilogue we revisit Chen and find out what happened to these people who got the gift of extra time and see the difference it made in their lives. With a storyline ram packed with family, friendship, emotions, regret, love, heartbreak, guilt, second chances, beauty, uniqueness, history, hope and so very much more why are you wasting your time reading this? Grab your copy of this absolute beauty today and I can promise you will not regret it. You can thank me later but do make sure you have tissues at the ready!! I am a pretty hard hearted person and unless there are animals involved it is extremely rare for me to cry in books but Amanda managed just that with the raw emotion written through the pages. I absolutely LOVED how unique this storyline is! I have read hundreds and hundreds of books and have never come across anything like this before and I very much doubt I ever will again so thank you Amanda. It will also live rent free in my mind for an extraordinary amount of time and that is if it ever leaves!! It is such a stunning, thought provoking and emotive story that will make you smile, feel warm and fall in love. My heart did go out to Chen who was only trying to help people but in the World we live in and what he was telling them those people he told did not believe him and didn't treat him in the nicest of ways. However, as he mentions at the end, he is just happy with the outcomes. I am not going to say more as I do not want to give anything away and this is a beauty that really does need to be read by anyone and everyone! If you need even more of a nudge then this book is actually FREE with Kindle Unlimited so RUN and grab it NOW!!!

Do not turn a single page of this book until you have cleared your schedules and when you do get ready to go on a stunning holiday you will not want to leave!!

Congratulations Amanda Prowse on yet another absolutely gorgeous success!!! I'm definitely looking forward to getting stuck in each and every one of your previous and future books!! This is exactly why you are one of my favourite authors and here is to your next success 🥂 !!!

Overall an absolutely stunning, unique and must read emotive beauty!

#FifteenMinutes #AmandaProwse #LionheadMedia #lovebookstours #Ad #LBTCrew #LBTCrewbie #BookTwitter #FreeReview #FreeBookReview #Bookstagram

@AmandaProwse @LionheadMedia @LoveBookTours @LBTCrew


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[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amanda Prowse knows how to write a book which tugs at the heartstrings and my goodness Fifteen Minutes certainly does!

Seven people are visited by Chen, a man who promises never to tell them a lie and explains they will have the opportunity to spend fifteen minutes with someone they have loved and lost. They’re sceptical: well, you would be wouldn’t you? The seven people are of different ages and have lost their loved ones in various ways, some more traumatic than others. We see just how grief has affected their lives.

I so enjoyed reading about the seven people in the book. In each chapter, we meet a new character and find out about their life now before travelling with them to meet the person they have chosen to spend their fifteen minutes with. It was very touching to see how their loss lived with them and they way their lives had been changed as a result. What was even more poignant though, was reading about their emotions as they reconnected and how what they learned or remembered helped them in their present day. I thought it is so true, as one character says, that “it’s the small things that are actually the big things. These quiet moments. They’re what shape us, what bind us.”.

Fifteen Minutes is such a powerful and emotional read. I don’t think anyone who reads it could fail to be moved. Despite the grief experienced by each character, it’s such an uplifting and hopeful read. Amanda Prowse shows just again what a great insight she has into human emotions and her uncanny ability to connect with her readers. Who would you spend your Fifteen Minutes with if you had the chance?

[Maddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amanda Prowse is one of my very favourite authors, and I devour everything she writes with alacrity. However, this book is in a league of its own and might just be my new favourite of all her novels. Parts of it feel incredibly personal, and my only complaint is that it was far too short.

Chen tells each person, “I promise you that I have never and will never tell you a lie,” and then offers them something extraordinary — fifteen minutes with someone who has passed away. They can’t explain what’s happening, can’t give warnings, and can’t leave the room, or their time ends instantly. Each chapter follows a different meeting, and those brief fifteen minutes change that person’s life in some profound way. It’s impossible not to imagine what you would do with that chance yourself — to say goodbye, to say I love you, or simply to see someone’s face again. The whole concept is just incredible, and so beautifully handled.

I found this book incredibly moving, and each chapter left me thinking about who I would choose and what I would say in those precious minutes. Amanda Prowse writes with such tenderness and insight that it’s impossible not to feel every moment, and the idea behind the story lingers long after you’ve finished. It’s a beautiful, thought‑provoking read that touched me deeply, and one I know will stay with me.

[Helen_t_reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

You have probably never heard of Chan. He's wise, he's clever, and, he is a master of time. As we'll discover, he has an amazing amount of discretion, permitting him to reapportion small amounts of this precious commodity in deserving cases, so long as certain rules are followed, but I'll come to that.

First of all, in the prologue to Amanda Prowse's new novella, Fifteen Minutes, Chen reminds us that the measurement of time is a human construct. He tells us that time is actually fluid; that longevity isn't everything; that short lives have had extraordinary impact; and that everyday kindness makes much more of a difference to someone's life than heroics, achieving physical feats and attaining riches.

What's more this guy NEVER tells lies, and, as mentioned above, he can choose the people whom he sees as the most deserving, to receive an extra 15 minutes of time back with someone precious they have loved and lost, so long as they follow some simple rules.

In the course of this novella we see how six different individuals are granted this amazing gift: why they deserve it; how the gifted time is spent; and the psychological and emotional impacts upon them. Rather satisfyingly Chen then gives us a little catch up on each of them in an epilogue, and we can see how this regifted time has benefitted and changed their lives.

I won't reveal more than that because this is a no spoiler review, but, what I will say is that this new novella is yet another example of the truly impressive talent Amanda Prowse has for weaving immersive, emotional stories with relatable characters that you can emotionally connect with, which are guaranteed to keep you turning those pages.

Fifteen Minutes is an emotional, powerful, thought-provoking, moving and satisfying read, exploring the theme of grief. It reminds each and every one of us about the brevity and transience of time. How we should value the time we have with our loved ones because none of us know how long we have. How we shouldn't take anything for granted because we don't know how much of our respective timelines have been used up already; and that "it’s the small things that are actually the big things" because "these quiet moments. They’re what shape us, what bind us”. These are things we should be treasuring. It's a small but mighty piece of writing, handling big emotional themes, but in an ultimately hopeful and life-affirming way.

Thank you Love Books Tours and Amanda Prowse for my GIFTED copy. I absolutely loved it, and totally recommend it.

[Ritu Bhathal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a powerful, emotional short by one of my favourite authors, Amanda Prowse. Imagine, indeed, if you could have fifteen minutes with a dear loved one who is no more.
Chen is someone who can give that exact gift to specific people, and though they don't always believe he can, they are thankful for the opportunity.
From a grieving friend who wants permission, to a widower who can't let go of the past, to a father grieving his son... each section of the story brings tears to the reader's eyes.
I was reading on a plane, and it was pretty tough to control my emotions, I tell you!
If you love stories that pull on the heartstrings, then this is for you!

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

*paperback

This was a thought provoking book but didn’t really keep my attention. The idea was cool and the writing was fine. I just think maybe I wasn’t the best audience for it. Or maybe I’m just not in the right headspace for it right now.

[Sue - Recos and Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was reminded of something after reading this book, sometimes you need to let a story sit with you before you can truly understand how it affected you.

When I finished, I had all the thoughts I expected:
* What a beautiful concept.
* What would I do if I were given this opportunity?
* Who would I choose?

But I was surprised that I wasn't more emotional while I was actually reading.

Then the next day, I was telling my husband about the book (we always debrief our latest reads), and suddenly the tears started. Completely out of nowhere. I couldn't hold them back.

Clearly this story had lodged itself much deeper in my heart than I'd realized.

The premise is simple. During an ordinary day, a stranger named Chen stops to chat and offers you something extraordinary, the chance to spend fifteen minutes with a loved one who has passed away.

As someone who tends to be a little cynical, I did spend some time wondering how I'd react if a random stranger approached me with that offer. But once I accepted the premise and went along for the ride, I was completely invested.

The story follows five people who are given this opportunity. Each experience is quite different, yet every one feels powerful, moving, and deeply human. Through grief, regret, love, forgiveness, and connection, each character's journey left its mark.

And then there's Chen himself, the mysterious stranger tying it all together. By the end, I'd gone from questioning him to hoping I might bump into him one day. And if I do, I promise not to dismiss him the way my instincts probably would have told me to.

Many thanks to the author and to Love Books Tours for the gifted copy and the opportunity of a place on this book tour.

[Teresa Nikolic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chen is a master of time and he has a job to do, he has the ability to select people, but only the most deserving, to spend a short amount of time with someone they've lost, fifteen minutes to be precise and, for those that he selects, they get to decide who that person is and which fifteen minutes of their life they get to revisit. In this book, six people are selected by Chen, all being given the opportunity to see a loved one again and share their stories with us.

Fifteen Minutes is a story like no other by the fabulous Amanda Prowse, imagine being given the opportunity to go back and spend time with a loved one, although I have to say if a stranger stopped me in the street and told me this was actually possible I'd probably think they were crazy! What a ride this was though, i adored every story that I read here today and loved going back with each of them to visit their loved ones. If I was lucky enough to be approached by Chen, I know exactly who I would choose to revisit, to hear their voice, see their smile and hug them one more time and boy, would I make every one of those fifteen minutes count! This is an emotional, uplifting read that I could totally relate to, and it's a must read. Thank you Chen!

[Claire Carruthers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very different type of book than I would usually read and a very eye opening read that makes you think of the loved ones around you.
Fifteen Minutes is a story narrated from the perspective of someone who I wouldn't say is a god , but is somebody who can give fifteen minutes to select people who he thinks need it- with somebody that's passed away in their life. Someone who they need to speak to remind themselves of what they once had or to find peace.
Novellas are short but I loved that with Fifteen minutes you could read a chapter at a time. The Seven chapters follow different people of different ages and backgrounds and who they would spend their fifteen minutes with and why.

[Spacy Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

tissues not included!

Unashamedly I cried at every chapter, but the last one just did me in! An extraordinarily thought provoking book, which makes you examine each angle, each conversation, each person, and actually made me evaluate just how I am with my own family … my 15 minutes? To be able to speak with my jolly mum once more, before the sickness and the cancer took hold… love you mummy xx

[Sammy Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a gorgeous read, and wow if only 🥰

[Brett Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a lovely concept for a story. Loved all the characters, you are able to form an emotional connection with them in and for such a short time

[Jane Hadfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book, beautiful concept wish it had gone on for longer …..

[tals · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was sobbing uncontrollably the entire time

[Hayley · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a read! I would absolutely love to be visited by Chen and receive his gift of fifteen minutes and I’m sure many others would too.

This may only be a short book but it sure packs a punch. It features the stories of people that Chen visits, it shares their struggles and their heartbreaks and we get to see who they decide to spend their fifteen minutes with and if it changes how they feel afterwards.

It’s so lovely to see some of them getting closure, some the strength to carry on, some being brave enough to change how they live and much more. I loved the writing style and I just found myself deeply invested in each persons story.

[Tea Leaves and Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fifteen Minutes is Amanda Prowse's first novella and if you thought that it might be impossible for Amanda to break our hearts and then put them back together again in the space of a very short novel, well, think again. The Queen of domestic fiction, heartbreak, hope and healing, has done it again.

The book focuses on a different character in each chapter, each person visited by Chen, a Master of Time, who gives them a gift of fifteen minutes more with someone they have lost. Chen visits six people and gives them the gift of more time, from an elderly woman who has lived with guilt for her whole life, to a grieving Father who lives with a 'What If' question, the common thread is the same - the characters are given the option of more time, and us readers hearts are broken, repeatedly, as we witness their time through the pages of the book.

Amanda Prowse knows how to write books that we fall in love with, and I thought it impossible with a book of this short duration, but she has done it again. A deviation from her usual style, this book almost feels like it could feature main characters from her previous novels, exploring the 'What If' question. But each story is fresh and unique and deeply philosophical.

The moments that define us are laid bare, the seemingly ordinary-ness of what we would choose if given the option to relive a moment in time is stark, surprising and natural all at once. For a collection of stories that ask us to suspend belief, they are also at the same time incredibly relatable. You cannot help but connect, reflect and consider - which fifteen minutes would you choose?

This is the first time I have experienced Amanda Prowse's shorter writing and her ability to capture deep emotion in just a few pages is remarkable. Her characters are authentic, warm and linger long after the book has been finished. This collection will both break and mend your heart, and remind you that the most significant events in your life are often the ones you least expect.

[Chen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have such a soft spot for magical realism, and Amanda Prowse's novella Fifteen Minutes certainly fitted the bill. It poses the question: if you were given fifteen minutes to spend with someone you've lost, who would you choose? Each chapter introduces a new character, allowing you to experience their joy, grief, and heartbreak as they're granted one precious final meeting with a loved one.

Being a novella, it's a quick read, and I enjoyed it. I liked the characters we met and the choices Prowse made about who they spent their fifteen minutes with. It's an emotional story that tugs at the heartstrings while also encouraging you to reflect on your own life long after you've closed the book.

I particularly enjoyed the structure, with each chapter acting as a self-contained story. It made the book incredibly easy to read, and I appreciated how varied each character's experience was despite the shared premise. The emotions explored feel universally relatable, and there's an authenticity to Prowse's writing that makes each story resonate.

However, I would have liked the author to push the concept a little further. As the book progressed, the chapters became somewhat formulaic and predictable because of the established structure. I also have to admit that, while I understood why Prowse made a significant change in the final chapter, it frustrated me because it seemed to break the very rules the story had established. It didn't quite make sense to me and felt as though it was sidestepping a particularly difficult subject, perhaps to soften the emotional impact for readers. Ironically, this was also the chapter I connected with the most, so the change pulled me out of the story.

Overall, though, it's impossible not to be moved by these stories. There's something wonderfully bittersweet about Fifteen Minutes. It aches to think that I'll never have fifteen more minutes with the people I've lost, but perhaps that's exactly the point. It's a reminder to treasure the fifteen minutes we have with the people still in our lives before those moments become memories.

A heartfelt, thought-provoking read that reminds us the little moments are often the ones we end up missing the most.

Thank you to Love Book Tours for providing this novel in exchange for an honest review.

[Bianca Duthie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful book. I had to stop reading several times because I was too busy sobbing and couldn't have made out a single word on the page through the tears! Please, heed my warning and keep tissues handy when you read this.
The premise of the story sees the mysterious Chen visit people who have faced a loss on their life and tells them he will not tell them a lie, and that they will get 15minutes with a lost loved one, there are a few rules they must adhere to and they know when it will happen. As you can imagine there's a number of reactions but most are along the lines of leave me alone you mad one! Each chapter tells of a different person's current life, meeting with Chen, their 15minute chat and how this impacts their life going forward.
We see murderers being brought to justice, widows changing their ways, mums getting a second chance at a special moment and a friend finally getting the blessing they always wished they knew was there. The tales are so wildly different, with people from all corners of the UK, all with very different lives and needs, the way they all fit into this couldn't be more different, but they all share that one moment of meeting Chen and receiving these special fifteen minutes. Just imagine it, fifteen minutes with someone you've lost. Part of me thinks how wonderful, but part of me also thinks how heartbreaking, but I guess thats the magic of it, there's method to who needs this time and will be approached by Chen, seeking them out at just the right time to soothe their needs.
It's a really short novella, I would have loved for more, but I understand why it is the length it is.
I've read a few books by this author, and they are always written absolutely beautifully, with real depth and emotion. This one absolutely hits the same standard I have come to expect. I would absolutely recommend it, curl up with a cuppa and a sweet treat - this will be the perfect accompaniment.

[Sonja Charters · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this author but still have only read a small number of the huge amount of books that they've written!

But, so far, they've all been 5* reads for me and this new release was no exception.

 

Something quite different to the usual novels, this book contains six connected stories which centre around Chen who is able to grant fifteen minutes to those deserving individuals, to go back and visit someone who isn't in their lives anymore.

 

If you've read the "before the coffee gets cold" books, then this scenario won't be unfamiliar to you.

But the settings vary and the stories, you'll find, will be very relatable to many readers.

 

I loved this whole premise and it was great to see the diverse characters and to see who they went back to talk to.

 

Obviously, with those visited having passed, this is a heart-wrenching read, but for those who are gifted, they often get some closure or hope for the future, which they were missing beforehand.

There's also a treat in the final story which I really didn't see coming.

 

I love Amanda's writing and this collection really shows how skilled she is at creating wonderful characters and storylines.

Even in the short number of pages for each of these stories, I found it so easy to connect to each of them and get a feeling for their situations.

 

I loved the different reactions to Chen and couldn't help wondering just how I'd react if he approached me and told me about this opportunity!

Not much different to Violet I'm sure ....disbelieving and a little apprehensive - just shows how our world has changed over the years.

 

A great quick read that will leave you thinking about the way we all relate to others and how we handle situations that might come about in our own lives.

[Bookshortie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chen, is a Master of Time. He has the power to bestow 15 minutes of time to individuals giving them the opportunity to spend time with someone they have lost.
 
This is a fairly short read coming in at around 137 pages and it's one that I truly adored. I found myself questioning after each chapter who I would spend this time with and wishing that Chen was real.
 
I loved the concept of the book and Chen. There was something about him that was not only magical, but trustworthy. The stories were all unique where characters were given the chance to spend time with a loved one whether that was a family member or friend. Violet chooses her best friend, Lewis chooses his late wife, Ruby spends time with her baby daughter, Benjamin revisits time with his father and Mikey chooses to have one last conversation with his son. I loved all of the stories and I found myself thinking about them long after I had finished the book. I couldn’t choose a favourite but the ones that struck a chord with me were Verity’s, Lewis’ and Benjamin’s story. Although the stories were sad Chen’s appearance in the characters lives gives them hope, the opportunity to move forward and a sense of closure.
 
I was quite teary and emotional by the time I finished reading. My only wish is that the book was longer. I would have happily read another 100 pages and wasn’t ready to say goodbye to Chen or the other characters. The epilogue was brilliant and tied up nicely all the loose ends to each story.
 
Fifteen Minutes is a collection of short stories about grief, loss and hope.

[Marion Sheppard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fifteen Minutes by Amanda Prowse is a much more speculative, almost fable-like story built around a haunting “what if” premise. It opens with Chen, a mysterious, almost otherworldly figure who approaches people at pivotal moments in their lives and offers them a simple but profound choice: an extra fifteen minutes. What follows is a series of interconnected vignettes, each exploring how different individuals use—or misuse—that brief extension of time. Some characters are given the chance to repair relationships, confess long-held truths, or make peace with regrets, while others squander the opportunity or discover that even a few extra minutes can’t undo deeper consequences.

Prowse uses these snapshots of human behavior to examine themes of mortality, regret, forgiveness, and the weight of small decisions. The structure feels reflective and episodic rather than traditionally plot-driven, allowing each story to stand on its own while contributing to a larger meditation on what truly matters at the end of a life. Chen himself remains an enigmatic presence, less a character with clear motives and more a symbolic guide—prompting both the characters and the reader to consider how they would spend their own final moments. The result is a poignant, sometimes unsettling novel that lingers on the idea that time, even in the smallest increments, can carry immense emotional power.

This could be an appropriate book for book club reading and subsequent discussion.

[Susan (Purplegalaxyreads94) · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, I’d like to thank Amanda Prowse and LoveBooksTours for sending me a gifted physical copy of Fifteen Minutes to read and provide my honest review!

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

My Thoughts:
When I first heard of the premise of what Fifteen Minutes was going to be about…I remember feeling like I absolutely had to read it. That feeling turned out to be right. Time is such a complex thing..but what if somehow…someway..a person could have fifteen minutes who a person who has passed away?

When I read the blurb on this book, I instantly felt emotional. I feel like Amanda Prowse has written this book with the intention to help heal a lot of people. I had tears the entire time I was reading these stories of people who were given their fifteen minutes with someone they knew who passed. Seeing their life story and the things they wanted to say to the person they chose before time was up just made me feel emotionally invested.

I personally have lost a lot of family members, especially my father and I always thought about what I would say or do if I had just a little more time with him. I was only 16 when he passed away but even now I know that I have forgotten things about him, mostly what he sounded like. I have pictures of him but not remembering what he sounds like anymore really hits hard. I felt like this book found me in a time that I needed it and I’m so happy I got the chance to read it.

[Veronika Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I asked my husband if he had ‘fifteen minutes’, who would he choose to talk to. He said his father. I was very surprised. I won’t say why I was surprised at his choice or his reasons. I would probably choose my own father as well, but for very different reasons.

This all set up a discussion with other relatives at dinner. The father (again) who never got to meet his great-grandchildren. Could fifteen minutes be all it would take to tell him who or what might be coming in the future? And that unanswered question – how did they get their furniture up the fire escape to their new flat? All the things you wish you had asked before it was too late.

Fifteen Minutes is not my usual genre these days, but I really enjoyed this. It’s interesting to see who people would choose. I was very pleased at the end that the author recaps the various characters and tells us what happened to them afterwards, as it would have felt incomplete without it.

I don’t want to go into too much detail as that would spoil it for others, but basically six people at various stages of their lives are visited by the mysterious Chen who tells them he can give them each fifteen minutes with a loved one who has passed. He also says, “I promise you that I have never and will never tell you a lie.” But the one proviso is that they must NOT try to change the outcome as it has already happened. If they do, the person will immediately disappear and their fifteen minutes will be cut short.

They are of course all sceptical but still find themselves in the right spot at the right time, just in case it’s true. Chen has chosen those who – like many of us – never got the chance to say goodbye, or tell that person they loved them, or ask them something really important. The one about the baby was the one I found the most heartbreaking.

I have never read anything by this author before, but it’s beautifully written, and packs a lot of emotion into what is actually a short novella.

Many thanks to @lovebookstours for inviting me to be part of the #FifteenMinutes tour.

[Zara Dal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a reflective and emotional read.

Imagine being given just fifteen minutes with someone you've lost. Who would you choose? What would you do with that precious time? One final goodbye? A last hug? Answers to questions left unresolved? Or simply one more chance to say, "I love you"?

That's the question at the heart of Fifteen Minutes as we follow Chen, a Master of Time, who gifts fifteen extra minutes to individuals longing for one final moment with someone they've lost.

Each chapter introduces a different character, their present-day circumstances, who they choose to spend their fifteen minutes with, and why. Every story is beautifully and delicately told, yet each carries a powerful emotional impact of its own.

I think most readers will find at least one story that resonates deeply, whether through shared experiences of loss or the desire for conversations they never had the chance to have.

While grief is a central theme, this isn't a sad book. Running throughout the stories is a real sense of hope, comfort, and healing. There are moments of forgiveness, the easing of misplaced guilt, the lifting of old burdens, and the chance to find peace where there was once pain.

Beautifully written and thought-provoking, Fifteen Minutes is a hopeful, heartfelt read that encourages you to reflect on what truly matters and who you would choose if given one final chance.

[Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the Author & LBT for allowing me to read Fifteen Minutes

Who would you choose if you had 15 minutes with a loved one. Would it be an hard pick? I know I’d have an hard time picking someone.

Amanda has a way with words and her style of writing is easy to work your way through. This author is new to me, so I wasn’t sure how I’d roll with their books. Let me tell you, I read the blurb and I knew I needed to read it.

It got me really thinking who I’d pick, what I imagine the interaction would be like, what we’d talk about, if we’d hug or not (absolutely) - FYI, I would pick my late bestie Sammiie 💜 - all the minor details. I’m an emotional flump, so this dragged out all the emotions I’d been holding onto for several people over the years, it made me wish for those 15 minutes so much.
Each of the stories was captured beautifully, how they got where they were, how they coped with grief, why they picked the person they picked etc it all worked brilliantly put together.

Thank you Amanda, honestly I needed to cry like an absolute emotional wreck for every scenario and this got all of that out of me.

Would I recommend it?
Yes, 1000% yes! Not your normal genre? I still recommend it!
I’ll be looking into more of the authors books soon 🩵

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read a lot of books by this author and they are all emotional but this is probably the one that got to me most, albeit it isn’t her usual family drama. This is a novella that imagines you can have fifteen minutes to go back in time to meet someone you have lost. Beautifully written I didn’t want to put this down until that last page.

Briefly, the conduit to these paranormal events is a man called Chen, a master of time, we don’t know exactly who he is but he “will never lie to you”. There are six people visited by Chen and given this gift of fifteen minutes. From an elderly woman who has lived with guilt her whole life to a grieving father who lives with a “what if” question.

I honestly can’t choose a single favourite story as they are all so fantastic. All very emotional and as someone not prone to tears when reading this got me very close, in fact it was only because I was in a plane full of about 300 people that I didn’t! So thought provoking I bet everyone reading this will be thinking about what they would do given this previous fifteen minutes. A poignant novella that makes you feel like you’ve been wrapped in a warm hug. Wonderful.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now, I really like Amanda’s books, but wow! This one is just another level!
It’s breathtaking, heartbreaking and heartwarming all at the same time. It’s beautifully written, with so much care and attention to detail.

The first chapter absolutely captures you and really won’t let you put this book down.

This novella is broken down into chapters which focus on one person, each individual story is so well written that you feel you know the person within the chapter so well, like you have read a whole book about them.

I really like how Amanda captured the different reactions to when the same thing was told to them, how some hoped to believe and others reacted with anger and grief. It really shows just how different we all are when dealing with difficult situations, especially when fuelled by grief.

Now trust me, you will need the tissues for this one, and plenty of them, yes, there is sadness running through this book, but also hope, strength and courage.

The last chapter is a perfect summary for the book and leaves you with the hope and belief that no matter what, life goes on and sometimes you just have to believe the unbelievable.

[Chapters_and_Cabernet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fifteen Minutes by Amanda Prowse follows seven people who have each experienced loss or trauma. They are approached by a man named Chen, who asks them one question: If you could spend 15 minutes with someone you've lost, who would it be?

I wasn't sure how connected I would feel to the characters since each story is fairly short, but Amanda Prowse did an amazing job making each one feel meaningful. Every character has experienced some type of loss, and when they're given the chance to spend 15 minutes with someone they've lost, the emotions really come through on the page. The author was really good at packing emotion into each short story.

This is one of those books that makes you think about what you would do if given the same opportunity. Who would you choose? What would you say? It was emotional, thought-provoking, and a really unique read. I really enjoyed it and made me teary at times. Great read for when you want to contemplate the deep things in life. I love books like this that really make you stop and contemplate.

Thank you @MrsAmandaProwse
@LoveBooksTours
@LBT.Crew for the gifted copy of this lovely book in exchange for my honest review.

[Paterson Loarn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you @LoveBooksTours and @MrsAmandaProwse for giving me a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
The theme of #FifteenMinutes is that Chen, an earthbound spirit who describes himself as a ‘master of time’, has the power to deliver a life-changing gift. Chen’s chosen few are permitted to revisit any fifteen minutes of their past lives - so long as the time is spent with someone who is no longer with them.
This premise alone is enough to make many readers feel emotional, especially if they are of mature years. Life moves on, and opportunities to set the record straight, ask a significant question or simply say thank you are rare and frequently missed. The thought of having a second chance to right a wrong can bring a tear to the most cynical eye.
Ninety-eight year old Violet thinks she betrayed her best friend. Single Mum Ruby could not say the most important goodbye of her young life. Ben lacked the courage to speak up for his beliefs. Each of these six beautifully crafted stories takes the reader to a different dark place, but their conclusions are life-affirming and heart-warming.
Fifteen Minutes is the first book by Amanda Prowse I have read. I was impressed by her everyday but expressive prose and her ability to identify the types of life experience that leave a permanent mark on the soul. I intend to read more of her books in the future.
Highly recommended.