Ok so I read the first part of this as a physical ARC. I was so set on seeing if we can get this as a pick for the Tournament of Books, but it was released too late. Sad day, because even though the romance did have its faults, I was very impressed with the way the climate activism was shown.

Ok so the thing that I didn’t care for in this one was the main characters. Isa was ok. She wasn’t very fleshed out, but I did like the way she stood up completely for what she believed in. And I really liked the way that she had that get up and get out there attitude. It was impressive to me because I’ve never been that type of person. I have always been the one behind the scenes that does the research and all the work, so seeing anyone, even if they are teens, getting out there and being the face of things is really something that makes me feel so proud.

But Darius……….. Yeahhhh he was annoying. I didn’t like that he kept not giving her the time of day. And then out of nowhere he was like “Oh yeah somewhere along the way I felt something more for her.” And I was like uhhhhhhhhh. It was very telly and not showy. It would be different if he was just like eh. But he was so mean to her. And he was so mean in general. He only wanted that one thing and refused to see anything else. Even when they were trying to help. And it was very weird the way he acted like he knew everything when the only thing he thought of, he hadn’t asked anyone else about it.

What I did like was the actual climate work they were doing. This book had so many great ideas. I really hope that some students somewhere use these ideas and make something big of themselves. I even learned some things from this book too. That moment with the posters were amazing. I even wrote some of those names down. I had no idea that that movement started right in my home state. I won’t say more to avoid spoilers, but this was important to learn. I loved this part because even though it was about wildfires, I still really related to it as someone who lives somewhere near a place where there’s hurricanes and now earthquakes as of recently.

I think this would have been a bit better if it was more showy than telly and if the character was more agreeable. But even if I didn’t like those things, I still really enjoyed the climate activism part and my hope is that it really hypes up some teens and gets them fired up and ready to work.

Thank you to #NetGalley, Brianna Craft and the publisher of the book for the eARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

Isa and Darius are rivals. They both can't get along and can't decide how to lead their environmental justice club. They must learn to work together to do what's best for their club and their community. Will they figure it out?


A great YA read to show teens that they can change the world if they put their minds to it!

In 'We Don't Have Time for This' by Brianna Craft, Isa and Darius, high school rivals turned co-presidents of their environmental justice club, navigate personal challenges amid wildfires and industrial threats while discovering unexpected connections. Set against the urgency of climate change, the novel resonates with today's teens facing environmental uncertainties and natural disasters, highlighting the struggle to balance personal ambitions with collective action. Craft's story offers a timely and heartfelt portrayal of youth activism and budding romance.

Interesting story and premise. Relevant to the current generation of teens, doesn't play into full stereotypes and shows that they are actively engaged in the world around them. I would recommend to teens looking for something different, beyond basic romance.

Brianna Craft’s We Don't Have Time for This is a timely and engaging young adult novel that intertwines romance with environmental activism. Set against the backdrop of a community threatened by wildfires and industrial development, the story follows Isa Brown and Darius Freeman, co-presidents of their school’s environmental justice club, as they navigate personal ambitions and budding feelings for each other.

Craft skillfully crafts a narrative that blends urgent environmental concerns with the complexities of teenage life and romance. Isa and Darius, initially at odds with each other's leadership styles, must learn to collaborate for the greater good of their community. Their journey is both heartwarming and thought-provoking, highlighting the challenges and rewards of grassroots activism.

The characters are well-developed, with Isa’s desire for stability and Darius’s drive for success creating compelling dynamics. The author’s portrayal of their evolving relationship feels authentic and adds depth to the story. The backdrop of environmental issues adds a sense of urgency and relevance, making the novel not only entertaining but also socially impactful.

While the romance aspect is central, Craft doesn’t shy away from exploring complex themes such as environmental justice, community activism, and personal growth. The story resonates with authenticity, offering readers a glimpse into the passion and dedication required to make a difference in the world.

We Don't Have Time for This is a captivating read that blends romance with environmental activism, appealing to young adult readers interested in both personal relationships and social issues. Craft’s narrative is engaging and thought-provoking, making it a commendable addition to the genre.

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/2024/07/lets-start-july-with-bang.html

I absolutely loved this book and can’t wait to add it to my classroom library! It tackles the complicated issues of climate change and youth figuring out how best to make a difference. I loved the diverse cast of characters and bringing everything together at the end. Excellent work!

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.