We Don't Have Time for This

by Brianna Craft

Lemonade Mouth meets climate change activism in this enemies-to-lovers YA romance. A tied election throws two rival teen activists together to lead their school’s environmental justice club, and they are taken by surprise when their clashes reveal deeper feelings hidden beneath their antagonism.

What's more romantic than saving the earth?

Two presidents. One club. A sizzling connection.

Isa Brown wishes her life would slow down. She doesn’t want to leave for college. Not now that her dad finally gets to spend some time at home. Not now that she’s finally been in one place for longer than a year. But nothing lasts forever. With wildfires ravaging her community and a new natural gas pipeline threatening her dad’s job, the last thing Isa can do is relax. The school’s environmental justice club seems like a promising way to make real change. If only her annoying co-president Darius would stop being such a control freak.

Darius Freeman can’t stop hustling. If he does, how will he beat the other honors kids to be valedictorian? How will he get into the top schools in the country? How will he launch his political career? No. Darius can’t stop, and the next step in his plan is leading the environmental justice club this year—putting on a policy summit and rounding out his college applications with a leadership role. But then Isa joins the club and becomes co-president. Is she the stumbling block on his road to success?

As Isa and Darius clash over the best way to lead the environmental justice club, deeper feelings emerge. About what’s at stake for their communities if they can’t figure out how to work together. And about the sparks they feel between them.

Will Darius and Isa figure out how to burn brightly together? Or will their flames leave nothing but ashes behind?

Genres: Romance, Young Adult, Fiction, Climate Change, Realistic Fiction, Contemporary, Audiobook

272 pages, Hardcover

First published July 2, 2024

About the author

Brianna Craft researches climate change. She started in the UN climate negotiations in 2011. Four years later, she witnessed the adoption of the Paris Agreement first hand. Brianna works to further equity in the negotiations for the world’s poorest countries, which have done the least to cause the climate crisis but are the most vulnerable to its impacts.

From a small town in Washington State, Brianna lives in London. When she’s not writing justice-focused climate stories, Brianna works at the International Institute for Environment and Development. She holds a master’s degree in environmental studies from Brown University and is an alumna of the University of Washington. Brianna loves peanut butter.

Reviews

[Sammie Voto · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a cute book! This book showed how the next generation can use there unique skills to help fight for climate change. This story was hopeful while remaining realistic. Definitely give it a read!

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book about Isa & Darius as co-prez of an environmental club both wanting to make changes. Who will win? Could they have feelings for each other? #climatechange

[Frau Ott · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting book about climate change while bringing various cultures together.

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's so amazing to see yourself reflected in climate stories. As a former Model UN nerd, I loved this book and being challenged by the different ways to approach environmental activism. It's a fun story that switches back and forth between perspectives and has the classic misunderstandings at the heart of any good rom com. Highly recommend a read!

[Greg Gerritt]

I organized my high school for the first Earth Day back in the stone ages. I have been an activist, candidate, organizer, writer, and performance artist specializing in public hearings. I am a hard core climate activist who met Brianna when I was asked to pull together a panel of local women of color EJ leaders for her to talk with publicly as part of her first book tour. So i am biased.

I am not a young adult reader so while the teenage angst rang true, it did not particularly appeal, but the descriptions of organizing rang even more true to me, who despite my elder status still actively works with young activists. Brianna Craft describes well. I am involed in 6 or 8 campaigns most of the time, so reading time is precious. This book kept me reading and the politics of the kids is both hopeful and desperate as well as accurate. Helps us all prepare for the future fights.

[Mysia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 ⭐️

🌈 Rainbow Ratings:
Representation: 8
Atmosphere: 8
Intrigue: 9
Narrative: 9
Build-Up: 8
Originality: 8
Wow Factor: 8

If you've ever wondered what would happen if Lemonade Mouth met The West Wing (but make it YA and add climate activism), We Don't Have Time for This is the answer. This book delivers an electric mix of enemies-to-lovers romance, high-stakes activism, and the pressures of senior year—all set against the backdrop of a world that feels as urgent as it does real.

Isa Brown and Darius Freeman are the definition of rivals forced to work together. Isa, passionate but feeling untethered, sees the school's environmental justice club as her last chance to make an impact before everything changes. Darius, driven and strategic, needs this club to be another notch on his path to success. Their clash is immediate and fiery, but as they butt heads over leadership styles and what it means to truly make a difference, the tension between them transforms into something neither of them expected.

This book shines in its narrative strength—the balance between personal stakes and the broader fight for climate justice is expertly handled. Isa and Darius have such distinct motivations, yet their struggles are deeply intertwined, making their dynamic feel rich and layered. Their heated debates and slow-burn attraction kept the pages turning.

Beyond the romance, the book delivers a thoughtful look at environmental justice and the ways activism can be both empowering and deeply personal. The story captures the urgency of climate change with vivid depictions of wildfires, student protests, and the weight of real-world consequences. It’s a book that doesn’t shy away from the complexities of privilege, responsibility, and how activism can look different depending on your community and lived experiences.

While the the romance was extremely engaging, iWe Don't Have Time is truly a compelling, thoughtful read. The romance is chef’s kiss—the kind of slow-burn, high-stakes connection that makes every moment between Isa and Darius sizzle.

Final Verdict: If you love YA romances with sharp banter, meaningful activism, and characters who challenge each other to be better, this book needs to be on your shelf. It's a reminder that fighting for something bigger than yourself doesn’t mean losing who you are—and sometimes, it brings you closer to the person you never saw coming.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC provided by publisher, however all thoughts and opinions my own.

Climate change and love take the lead in Brianna Craft's new book 'We Don't Have Time for This.' In this engaging novel, two high school students find themselves working together for their school's environmental justice club after a tied election, revealing unexpected emotions beneath their rivalry.

In 'We Don't Have Time for This' Isa Brown is struggling with the rapid pace of her life. With wildfires endangering her community and a new pipeline threatening her father's job, she joins the school's environmental justice club to make a difference. However, her co-president, Darius Freeman, is focused on becoming valedictorian and securing a spot in a top college. Leading the club is another step toward his political aspirations, but Isa's presence and the feelings she brings up complicate his plans.

As Isa and Darius clash over club leadership, they begin to understand what's truly at stake for their community and discover a surprising connection between them. Their journey highlights the challenges of balancing personal ambitions with the urgent need for environmental action, ultimately uncovering a deeper bond between the two.

'We Don't Have Time for This' really captures the fear and uncertainty that many teens feel regarding climate change. Despite living in the Pacific Northwest, a place known for rainfall, the fires and their effect on the characters are what cause the most anxiety, and frankly that's relatable. Climate change is profoundly impacting today's generation of teens, who are growing up in a time of environmental uncertainty and escalating natural disasters like tornados and hurricanes.

This generation faces the immediate effects of climate change, such as more frequent and severe weather events, rising sea levels, and disrupted ecosystems so 'We Don't Have Time for This' is very timely. The two main characters Isa and Darius also have great chemistry and readers can't help but to root for them to get over their fears to fall in love and affect environmental change.

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book takes place in the general Seattle/Tacoma area on the west side of Washington, and refers to events in other parts of the state as well. Always nice seeing my own state represented!

Isa has had concerns about climate change for a while, but finally is prompted to join her high school’s Environmental Justice Club. Too bad the club’s planned activities are so disappointing. She finds herself speaking up and becoming co-president of the club with the rather boring Darius.

Darius isn’t quite sure what to do with himself when Isa’s ideas become popular and club attendance grows dramatically. And they actually start getting some things done.

Of course, for the very driven college-bound Darius, this puts a kink in his careful plans. Isa, on the other hand, isn’t sure what she wants to do after high school. Their advocacy for their community brings both to a lot more self-knowledge than they expected—as well as catching feelings for each other.

Naturally, things don’t always go smoothly. Isa and her best friend engage in some activities that are borderline illegal. Her blue-collar, AAPI heritage and his college-educated family on the rich side of town make seeing eye-to-eye difficult. But they are able to come together and fight for what they believe is important. They don’t necessarily have the success they want, but they do make a difference.

Possible Objectionable Material:
Mild cursing. Borderline illegal activities. If you don’t believe climate change is really that big of a deal, you might not like this book; it approaches preachiness at times.

Who Might Like This Book:
If you like high school stories where kids learn about the power of even a single voice, read this book.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book is also reviewed at https://biblioquacious.blogspot.com/2...

[Barbara Schultz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Title: We Don’t Have Time for This
Author: Briana Craft
Format: 🎧
Narrator: Angel Pean
Publisher: Disney Audiobooks/Hyperion
Genre: Teen/YA
Audiobook Pub Date was: July 2, 2024
My Rating: 3.4 Stars
Pages: 272

Story starts with high school student Isa Brown dealing with yet another wildfire endangering her community.. As a high school Guidance Counselor in Southern California wild fires have become a year round threat. We have very little rain and a lot of hillside dry fields. In fact, we have had had a ‘no burn’ restriction for several years – no outside bon fires as well as indoor fires in our home fireplaces. It is beyond me why we are allowed to have fireworks on the 4th. (I sound like one of the teens in the environment club!)

Isa also has concerns about a new pipeline threatening her father's job.
She is hoping her involvement in the school's environmental justice club will make a difference. She and Darius Freeman are co-presidents. Only Darius has a different focus. His goal is to get into a highly selective college. With a goal of going into political aspirations, and figures this will look good on his college application (Unfortunately this line of thinking is too true of many students,)
Needless to say, Isa and Darius clash a bit over club goals.
When Darius finally takes a good look what's truly at stake in their community he works with Isa on his ambitions as well as what environmental action, they need to be collaborate on.

Yes! I did like this story and know that high school teens really do want to make a difference and yes they find the time to do it!

Want to thank Disney NetGalley and Disney Audiobooks/Hyperion for granted me this audiobook.
Publishing Release Date was July 2, 2024.

This is a review of the audiobook.

[Gina Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

We Don't Have Time for This is a cute (but also not cute) story about two kids who meet in their school's environmental justice club.

Darius had it all figured out - he was gonna be president of the club this year, and work on a model UN discussion where the club got practice looking into the legal proceedings that come with working to save the environment.

But Isa, anxious AF about the state of the world, between the wildfires that plague their areas, the sweltering heat that their family can't afford to cool in their home, the new oil pipeline that's being worked on that's interfering with her dad's job at the docks, and just, like, everything. So she hears about the club and goes to a meeting - and she is not satisfied with what she hears. What is a model UN discussion supposed to do against REAL environmental distress?

With their conflicting views on what to do for the club, they both run for president, and welp, they tie. So they start off the collaborative efforts not getting along very well, and not really coming to decisions on what direction to take the club in.

They spend time together, of course, and start to like each other, and start to see each other's side of things more. Stopping the pipeline kind of becomes a big mission, and they have to rely on both Darius's more legal point of view for a meeting with the county commissioners and stuff, and on Isa's more activist side of things to get the word out for petitioning and whatnot.

I think that teens will feel seen by the general panic over what the world has going on currently, but also inspired by the way Isa and Darius stand up against the people harming their future. I didn't feel super deeply invested in this, but I did think it was sweet and I liked the characters.

[Chris G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Washington State’s summer wildfire smoke is still stifling on Isa’s first day of her junior year, so she and BFF Kat have to take the bus instead of biking. Climate change is on their minds; when Isa sees info about the school Environmental Justice Club, she decides to attend, even though her schedule is full with Samoan dancing, church, and working shifts at the restaurant where her mom waitresses. To Darius, the Environmental Justice Club will look good on his resume; he’s slated to be president this year and already has plans to focus the club’s work on policy in connection with the Model UN. Darius’s interest in procedure clashes with Isa’s desire to act, especially when they become co-chairs of the club and must figure out how to communicate and compromise. Big ideas include the racist impact of environmental policies, the difficulty of figuring out where to start to make a difference, and the connection between tribal sovereignty and land use. Engaging characters and a fun romance. EARC from Edelweiss.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Isa and Darius, while both share the purpose of saving the environment, seem to be at odds as to how best to do it. They are pretty much opposites of each other in every way: Darius is the son of a prominent lawyer, who has everything he needs and is on a one way track to Harvard. Isa is the daughter of a longshoreman and waitress, who has moved around more times than she can count, but who has finally been able to set down roots at this high school. When the school year kicks off, wildfires have been raging in the area, bringing smoke and destruction to their surroundings, causing many students to take notice in the school’s Environmental Justice club. This book is definitely more about the environment than romance, and while that might turn some away, it was really well written so that it didn’t feel pedantic. Readers get both views as it is told in both Darius’s and Isa’s voices. Characters are multicultural (Isa is Islander and Darius is African American) and the setting is along the Puget Sound in Washington. Highly recommended.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved this book! It is written from the POV of two high school students, Isa and Darius. Isa isn’t terribly interested in school but her parents want her to go to college. Darius is (of course!) just the opposite and puts extreme effort into doing everything he can so as to get into an Ivy League college so he can get into a top law school. Both end up as co-presidents of the environmental justice club. Both have reasons why that club and why they care in different ways. Both are not happy at sharing the presidency. They end up discovering how city councils and school principals can manipulate rules for their own benefits and not the environment.

This did not go the way I expected at several points in the story which is a definite plus. I love that the author is spreading environmental awareness to the group we most need involved in this: teenagers who are going to be growing up in this crisis! I got an ARC at ALA last summer. I am glad to see my system has 2 copies. I’m going to have to see what else this author has done!

[Elin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting book. I have read a few books touching on the environment but it’s been a while and this one sounded interesting.

Now to begin with, the plot is fairly unoriginal overall, but that didn’t mean it was bad. The pacing was good, the character build and development were well-written and I did like the combinations of parallels and contrasts between the two main characters.

What I really loved about this book, however, was its focus on environmental racism. The environmental injustice of climate change on islanders and people of colour was explored and discussed very well which was amazing to see as I feel like this is not often highlighted in novels or media even though it’s a big and present issue.

Besides that, the story was good. The ending did feel a bit rushed and abrupt, but that’s my only real complaint. I enjoyed it, I do recommend it, and I look forward to reading more from the author.

[Rebecca Morrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this YA high school book. Isa is concerned with her local environmental issues like wildfires, and the addition of a new gas pipeline that will mean hours cut for her longshoreman dad. Darius is a privileged boy that sees the environmental club as a way to look good on his college applications. Both needed each other- Isa needed to show Darius that the real world is about getting help and making real change. Darius needed to show Isa that doing your homework and making a plan is the best way. Overall, this book had important themes that are relevant to the world around us. The romance from rivals to falling for each other was cute and engaging. There is some cursing natural to high school speech, so if you give to grade 8 kids, just note that. Nothing else younger readers couldn't handle. Recommended for high school and grade 8 classrooms with discretion.

[C. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was disappointed with how this book turned out. I think the activism bits are so well developed and important, but sadly the rest of the book just doesn't hold up. There is a portion of the book that feels unfinished, like a bunch of unfinished plot points or missing plot lines that we don't get to see. Several times as I was reading the book, I was wondering if I had missed a scene only to find out that the author instead chose to leave them as footnotes in the expositions and, while this isn't necessarily a problem, it definitely sticks out when the footnotes are important interactions between the main characters and their families. I'm not really sure how the main characters really went from enemies to friends since it's never written out for us to see. Which makes a realistic romance even harder to see.

Overall, there was a lot of potential here and it just didn't pan out.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really great debut, dual POV, enemies to lovers YA romance between two BIPOC teen environmental activists concerned about climate change, the growing California fire season and plans to implement a local pipeline.

When Isa and Darius get appointed co-presidents of their high school's Environmental Justice Club, the two have to learn how to get along and gradually learn there is more to the other than initially meets the eye.

Excellent on audio narrated by Angel Pean and perfect for fans of books like Wings in the wild by Margarita Engle or Haven Jacobs saves the planet by Barbara Dee - both of which feature youth anxious about climate change and determined to take meaningful action.

[Gemini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blerd Love

This was a YA book that tackled a big environmental issue. The students stepped into the role of activists to address climate control. They each had personal reasons for wanting to combat the effects. Isa was exceptionally passionate about it. She was brave and intelligent. Darius was a little more strait-laced, but still very bright and competent. I was hoping for a swoon worthy love story, but their nerdy courtship was more of an afterthought. I enjoyed the journey from them being rivals to allies. They made for a good team. I loved that the book highlighted Pacific Islander culture and traditions. This was my first read from this author. I’m glad that I took a chance on it. I enjoyed it and plan to read more of her work.

[Larissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Affecting change can be hard. Especially when you must team up with someone you don’t always get along with. This book does a great job of showing that there isn’t just one right way to try and change the world. In fact, sometimes you need other people to help push you out of your comfort zone and challenge you to try new things. You never know what is going to draw people in until you try something. Resonating with people can be hard, but to affect change you need to step out on a limb and see what happens. Who knows along the way you might find that the people you think you could never work with might become people you can’t live without.
Thank you to Disney Audiobooks and Netgalley for allowing me to listen to a copy of this title.

[Boxofdelights · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is presented like a YA romance, but romance takes up very little of the book, because Isa and Darius really don't have time for it. Darius is so focused on the future that the life he is actually living only counts as a step on the path to that future, where he will have accrued all the credentials to get some power to be able to start changing the course of the climate catastrophe. Isa is already grappling with real consequences of the polycrisis, from the rain of wildfire ash to her grandmother's cancer. The book is realistic about how much teenagers really can accomplish, even brilliant, hard-working teenagers who make alliances with all kinds of people. But Isa and Darius do find a little time for each other.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's nice to have a current YA title addressing the climate disaster and showing teens trying to get involved, but I felt like the message of Isa being a teen wanting to fight climate change was way too heavy handed at the start. It made the writing feel a little clunky.

Aside from that, I think this book will be a good starting point for teens who are showing signs of being interested in activism. I could have done without the romance subplot.

Angel Pean does a good job with the audiobook narration.

Advanced Reader’s Copy provided by NetGalley, Disney Audiobooks, and Hyperion in exchange for an honest review.

[Kristy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm nearly done with this book and it is not something I would ever call a romance. It is a social justice plot with a hint of romance. But the male protagonist is so utterly unlikeable and rigid that I don't find their mini-romance at all plausible or even enjoyable. I definitley couldn't hand this to one of my students who like enemies-to-lovers trope as they'd get bored.

If someone want a social justice plot with some great Samoan and Puyallup representation, this book works. As anything else, I'd give it 2 stars.

[Nikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't a huge fan of Darius or the abruptness of the ending, but I did like everything else. Especially the way they never gave up with everything pressing against them. Real rating like a 3.25. (I think I would have rated it higher if I liked the main character more)

[Anyja · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

Another entry into the “I’m very passionate about this specific social justice issue and I made a YA book in order to get teens interested in the topic” which is probably why the only well-written thing was the climate change and social justice portions.

[Kari Turcotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a ya romcom, especially with an educational environmental movement! climate change awareness and sustainability education is a huge thing for me, so this was right up my alley! 5 out of 5 paint emojis for the murals 🎨🎨🎨🎨🎨

[Tiffani · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75!

[Micah Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A timely concept mixed with great writing!

[Teneisha (Teesbookjourney) · Rating 5 out of 5]

We Don’t Have Time for This is everything I love in a YA novel—sharp, passionate, and full of heart. Isa and Darius are two forces of nature, clashing, challenging, and ultimately pushing each other to improve. Their dynamic crackles with energy, making every debate, every moment of tension, impossible to look away from.
But this isn’t just a love story—it’s a call to action. The stakes feel real, not just for their growing feelings but for their futures, families, and planet. Brianna Craft masterfully balances personal struggles with the bigger picture, weaving together activism, ambition, and belonging themes without ever losing sight of the story’s emotional core.
The writing is fresh and vibrant, with characters so fully realized that they feel like they could step off the page. The romance is electric, the banter is top-tier, and the emotions run deep. I was completely hooked from start to finish, rooting for Isa and Darius—not just as a couple but as two young people fighting for what they believe in.
This book is bold, timely, and unforgettable.

[norah melden (death by tbr) · Rating 2 out of 5]

i'm sure this is a great book, but it wasn't grabbing my attention and frankly ✨i'm good✨. <3

[Kyle · Rating 1 out of 5]

None of the main characters were likable. It was a slog to finish.