All We Have Is Now by Lisa Schroeder

All We Have Is Now

The last hours before the world ends

Written byLisa Schroeder
Narrated byJulia Whelan
Length5h45m
Release dateAugust 1, 2015
LanguageEnglish
★★★★ 4.1 (4 ratings)

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Quick Facts

AuthorLisa Schroeder
NarratorJulia Whelan
Runtime5h45m
PublishedAugust 1, 2015
Rating★★★★ 4.1 / 5 (4 ratings)
CategoriesTeen & Young Adult, Literature & Fiction, Difficult Situations, Homelessness, Runaways & Poverty, Family & Relationships, Family, Romance
FormatAudiobook (Digital)
PlatformAudible

About This Audiobook

Lisa Schroeder’s *All We Have Is Now* isn’t just another end-of-the-world story—it’s a raw, intimate dive into how we cling to meaning when time is running out. Framed around a countdown to a meteor strike, the novel follows Emerson as she navigates grief, love, and fleeting connection in a city paralyzed by panic. Schroeder’s prose is sharp and unflinching, stripping away the usual doomsday clichés to focus on the quiet, messy humanity of survival. Emerson’s voice is the heart of the story, a mix of sarcasm and vulnerability that makes her impossible not to root for, even as the world crumbles around her. The pacing is relentless, mirroring the ticking clock of the approaching disaster, but it’s balanced by moments of stillness that linger long after the audio ends. If you’re craving a story that doesn’t just ask *how* the world might end, but *why* it matters how we face it, this is your book.

Julia Whelan’s narration is the secret weapon here, transforming Emerson’s journey from a compelling read into a visceral experience. Whelan’s delivery is understated but electric, her voice shifting effortlessly between Emerson’s cynicism and her raw emotional outbursts. She nails the humor and heartbreak in equal measure, making the audiobook feel like a whispered secret between friends. The production is clean and immersive, with subtle sound design that enhances the tension without distracting from the story. This isn’t a disaster flick—it’s a character study disguised as one, and Whelan ensures every beat lands with precision.

Tags: young adult dystopian fictionend of the world countdownemotional audiobookJulia Whelan narratorteen grief and loveshort apocalypse storycharacter-driven dystopia

Why Listen to All We Have Is Now?

  • Expert narration by Julia Whelan brings every character and scene to life across 5h45m of immersive audio.
  • Highly rated at 4.1 stars by 4 listeners.
  • Free with your Audible trial — keep the audiobook forever even if you cancel.
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Editor's Review ★★★★

AudioBook Atlas

Julia Whelan’s narration is the reason to experience this audiobook, full stop. She doesn’t just read Emerson’s story—she *inhabits* it, her voice oscillating between world-weary snark and gut-punch emotion with uncanny accuracy. The contrast between Emerson’s biting internal monologue and her moments of quiet vulnerability is what makes the character so compelling, and Whelan sells it all. I found myself pausing the audio at several points just to let the weight of a scene or a line of dialogue sink in, something that rarely happens with me. The pacing is another standout: Schroeder structures the story like a ticking bomb, and the audiobook’s production mirrors that tension, with pauses and silences that make the countdown feel real. That said, the story isn’t without its stumbles. The secondary characters occasionally veer into caricature—particularly the love interest, who sometimes feels more like a plot device than a fully fleshed-out person. And while the ending is emotionally resonant, it’s also a bit tidy for a narrative that’s otherwise so unflinchingly bleak. Still, these are minor quibbles in an audiobook that largely delivers. Whelan’s performance elevates the material into something genuinely haunting, the kind of story that sticks with you long after the meteor has (metaphorically) struck. If you’re in the mood for a dystopian yarn that prioritizes heart over spectacle, this is a gut-punch of a listen.

Download: All We Have Is Now

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All We Have Is Now by Lisa Schroeder is an immersive listening experience. Performed by Julia Whelan with a runtime of 5h45m, you can start with a free trial that you can cancel at any time. The audiobook remains yours forever, even if you end the trial.