I've been quietly sitting and processing after having just finished this memoir. It made me very emotional, and I just keep thinking about the bravery needed to take a story so painful and personal and not only write it all down, but also share it with the world. Memoirs are hard to review, but it felt like an honour to get to witness Farah Naz's story.

I don’t like to give star ratings on memoirs but I found this book compelling and hard to put down. I also appreciated the tiny parallel of the author participating in her writing retreat at the same time I bought my house next to the same college, and that she was there with RF kuang. Wild. This story is heartbreaking, poignant, romantic, and incredibly difficult. Having recently lost my father to cancer I can commiserate more than I wish with the author. Watching the struggles with her mother was frustrating and sad. Definitely check trigger warnings

This had me from the get-go!

The author knows how to perfectly grab your attention with her captivating writing and beautiful storytelling.

This was humorous and heartfelt but so incredibly heartbreaking at the same time and moved me in many ways. The best memoir I have ever had the pleasure of reading. I am awestruck by how strong this woman is.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

An emotional, raw memoir that follows Farah Naz Rishi’s journey to becoming a writer, meeting her best friend and eventual husband Stephen, and fraught familial relationships, Sorry for the Inconvenience grapples with love, duty, and loss with tact. Beginning with Farah meeting Stephen in college and how he provided an anchor to support her to defy her parents’ expectations and follow her dreams of being a writer, the title refers to Farah’s marriage of convenience with Stephen in a sweet, friends to lovers relationship.

However, while I expected the memoir to center her romantic relationship, familial relationships with Farah’s father, mother, and younger brother also take center stage. Growing up the eldest daughter in a Pakistani Muslim household, Farah feels pressure from her family and community that impacts her relationships. These relationships are far from perfect and never idealized but recounted honestly. Farah never shies away from difficult discussions especially surrounding death and grief.

With her writing style, this memoir is easily accessible, which lends to Farah’s abilities as a YA writer, though the shift in tone from chapter to chapter varies. Though the content is heavy, it’s a hopeful, vulnerable reflection on evolving through loss to become the person you want to be with the support of loved ones.

This story is heart wrenching in all the best ways. I find Farah incredibly relatable and their storytelling is wonderfully poetic. I was drawn into their life completely. I rooted for them standing up for themselves and cried with them through the sad moments. My heart goes out to them. I can’t wait to read more amazing works from this author.

Sorry for the Inconvenience by Farah Naz Rishi is a wonderful, warm, often turbulent look inside a culture of tradition that remains strong, even though the world and the new country of residence has moved onward.
Born into a Muslin South Asian family living in suburban America, Farah and her brother where expected by their parents to get a very good education, get married, preferably to someone within the community and the faith, and follow in their parent’s footsteps by producing grandchildren.
But, things go wrong at an early age when Farah and her mother could not get along, mainly due to her mother’s rages; what appeared to be almost a form of hatred towards her daughter. Her father a man who was proud of the life he had carved out as immigrant in a new country, tried to keep the peace at home with some success.
Even though she studied Law, she desperately wanted to write, to be a writer and made the decision to attend a writer’s workshop, rather than finish her study and sit for the Bar examination, which caused considerable issues within the family. She often felt like she was the outcast, the unloved member of the family, only really understood by her beloved brother Shaz, who was facing some serious personal issues.
It was only after the death of her father through Cancer, her brother’s death and then her mother’s death all within a few years, that Farah understood the reasons why her parents were the people they became.
She also realised she had found the love she so desired and why she was so very fortunate to have meet the one man who loved her unconditionally, waited patiently in the background, who was her anchor and support when her world collapsed around her.
Told in a loving and accepting manner, with a soft and gentle style, Sorry For The Inconvenience is full of love, heartbreak, sadness, tragedy and hope, told with compassion and understanding which shares a delicate slice of life to which so many can relate.

Thank you to the publisher and author for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was drawn to this book because it was a part of Mindy's Book Studio. The vulnerability it takes to write a memoir is vast. The author had It had me hooked from her first confession on page 1. I loved learning about her life experiences and look forward to reading her fiction!

Farah Naz Rishi's memoir, Sorry for the Inconvenience, explores her journey as a Pakistani American navigating complex family dynamics, cultural expectations, and personal relationships. The narrative spans thirteen years, focusing on her experiences in college and her evolving friendship with Stephen, a Jamaican student, against the backdrop of familial pressures and grief.

The memoir is a candid reflection on love—familial, platonic, and romantic. Rishi's story unfolds as she grapples with her identity and the challenges posed by her family's traditional values, particularly regarding marriage and personal aspirations. The book delves into her struggles with acceptance and the unpredictability of relationships, emphasizing the emotional turbulence that accompanies her experiences.

Farah Naz Rishi is an accomplished writer and voice actor with a diverse background, including stints as a lawyer and video game journalist. She holds a B.A. in English and a J.D. from Lewis & Clark Law School. Rishi's work often reflects her unique experiences as a Pakistani American, and she aims to resonate with readers through her storytelling

All the awards to Farah Naz Rishi for writing a memoir that just takes your breath away. The perfect book to make you reflect and cry. To remember that you're not alone in your feelings. Memoirs like this often make you feel so seen and happy that another person has captured the way you feel even if you're sorry that they've experienced the troublesome feelings you have. Second-gen immigrants, eldest daughters and those afraid to fall in love will all find themselves in this book. I cant wait to see the impact it has on readers! I am also so keen to continue following Rishi's career and her next upcoming YA romance!

I loved how raw and emotional this memoir was especially as an arc and I plan on rereading the final copy soon. This book is incredible and I can’t wait to read whatever Farah writes next.

Farah's book was incredibly moving, strong, and interspersed with beautiful, heart-touching moments. When I finished this memoir, I was at a loss for words. You could sense the full range of her emotions in your heart because of the way she written some moments.
I'm not exaggerating when I say that this is the most exquisite book I've read this year.

As she opens up to us, Farah—a Muslim immigrant from Pakistan—reveals the intricacies of her troubled family, the close relationship she has with her siblings, and the steadfast support of her best friend. She starts her writing journey, investigates her beliefs, and works through the conflict between her two identities and cultural expectations.

Farah reveals the most trying times in her life and is incredibly honest about her experiences. In the process of determining what kind of life she wants, we learn about her struggles with complex grief, cultural expectations, and generational cycles and loss. I am grateful that she shared her story with us.

I really enjoyed reading this, and I will definitely check out more of her future works!

I found this memoir fascinating though I am not sure exactly what the focus was supposed to be: life as a Pakistani American? Relationship with Stephen? Her journey to be a writer? All of these things are covered but not one is the actual focus. Regardless, there was an interesting story to follow here, raw with emotion at times, and the writing flowed well to keep you invested in the story. Everyone should be so lucky to have a Stephen in their life.

Farah Naz Rishi’s “Sorry for the Inconvenience” is a heartfelt exploration of adolescence and identity. Set in a small, tight-knit community, this novel captures the essence of growing up with remarkable sensitivity.

The story follows Aaron, a teenager struggling with the recent loss of his mother and the emotional distance from his father. His passion for music becomes his refuge. Enter Maya, the new girl in town, harboring her own secrets and struggles. Their friendship becomes a lifeline, helping them face their pasts and step into their futures.

What struck me most was Rishi’s ability to create characters who feel so real. Aaron’s journey is a mix of vulnerability and resilience, his love for music a metaphor for his quest for identity and connection. Maya is a complex, strong character whose story intertwines with Aaron’s in unexpected, meaningful ways.

The novel’s themes of grief, friendship, and self-discovery are beautifully woven together. Rishi addresses the tough parts of growing up with honesty but also infuses the narrative with hope and the promise of new beginnings. Her prose is lyrical yet grounded, capturing raw emotions with authenticity. The dialogue is sharp and realistic, making the characters’ experiences even more relatable.

“Sorry for the Inconvenience” is a moving read that delves into teenage turmoil with compassion. Farah Naz Rishi has crafted a story that’s deeply personal yet universally relatable. This book is a testament to the power of friendship, the importance of self-discovery, and the strength of the human spirit.

Rishi’s latest work left a lasting impression on me. It’s more than just a story—it’s an experience that stays with you long after you’ve turned the last page.

"Sorry for the Inconvenience" is a poignant and skillfully crafted memoir by Farah, spanning her freshman year in college and extending over a decade, interwoven with reflections from her childhood.

Farah, a Pakistani-American Muslim with immigrant parents, invites us into her life, revealing the complexities of her dysfunctional family, the deep bond with her siblings, and the unwavering support from her best friend. She explores her faith, navigates the tension between her dual identities and cultural expectations, and embarks on her writing journey.

The memoir often brought me to tears with its depiction of Farah’s struggles and her remarkable resilience, and I found myself rooting for her as she pursued her writing and attended a workshop where she met Rebecca, author of "Yellowface," "Babel," and "The Poppy War" trilogy.

I appreciated how Lewis & Clark Law School offered a mentor network for students of color, especially in Portland, where the population is predominantly Caucasian. Farah’s references to cases like Dred Scott v. Sandford and The Chinese Exclusion Act highlight the persistent issue of overt racism.

Her best friend’s dedication to understanding and respecting Farah’s faith, including fasting with her during Ramadan, was a testament to his steady and supportive presence in her life.

I find myself drawn to stories of grief, perhaps due to my work environment or the way these narratives highlight our capacity for love, hope, and appreciation for the everyday beauty of life despite the pain.

I look forward to experiencing the audiobook, narrated by Farah herself, and reading her novel, "It All Comes Back to You."

TW: Complicated Family Dynamics, Intergenerational Trauma, Emotional and Physical Abuse, Gaslighting, Eating Disorder, Death of a Loved One, Depression, Suicide, Grief, Racism

Favorite Quotes:
ᥫ᭡ "I don't believe in love at first sight. What even is that?  A person can't love someone they don't know.  Love is many things, but it isn't, by my definition, instant.  What I felt was more of an inevitable, imexplicable connection."

ᥫ᭡ "I wanted the kind of mom I'd see on TV, or the kind of South Asian mom who oiled their daughter's hair and smothered their children in kisses - whenever their child was sad. Or simply just because."

ᥫ᭡ "In many cases the question isn't just What are you?  The unspoken question they're asking is, What are you so I can figure out if I should be racist toward you or not?"

ᥫ᭡ "Immigrant parents, my own included, made sacrifices for the future of their children -- like leaving their countries behind to give their children more opportunity elsewhere.  An act of sacrifice, done out of love."

ᥫ᭡ "The way you have put a lot of thought into which school you want to attend, what career you want -- this is the kind of thought you need to put into who you're going to marry," he said. "More so, maybe.  These are the most important choices you make in life; the same way your school and career will help you go where you want to go, your partner will help you become who you want to be."
"You're still so young," Dad went on.  "You still have time. You can always focus on school until the right person comes along.  Then you'll know."

ᥫ᭡ Mom believed that love and happiness were a zero-sum game, that love was a finite resource to be earned from others. Others expect the best of love would swoop in and save them, like some big, dramatic storybook moment -- like a knight in shining armor rescuing  them in the nick of time. But even if Stephen's love had bolstered me in so many ways, so many times, I wasn't sure it was realistic to expect love to save you.
Love -- maybe love simply sees you in a room when no one else does.  Love was a paqt on the head at the end of the hard day, a kind word of acknowledgment in a world so damn hard to live in.  Love was refugee. Love was comfort. Love was ease. And, sometimes, that was enough to hold on to."

Thank you NetGalley and Mindy's Book Studio for the electronic readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

I decided to read this popular adult memoir to see how Islam was represented by the Muslim author, as someone's real lived life experience is not something I have any right to critique. Ultimately I enjoyed the book, I was pleasantly surprised how much Islam is contained and how it is presented. The book starts with a disclaimer that this is not a representation "of the Pakistani American Muslim experience," nor should it be "taken as a reflection of Islam." Which in most fictional books means haram acts are going to be normalized and that the book has an ax to grind, in this non fiction read though, it somehow was an apt mindset to read about a desi Muslim American, her Muslim family, and the ups, downs, details, traumas, and every day experiences of her life. Did I agree with it all, of course not, and readers won't either, but did I see familiar paradigms and relatable feelings, absolutely. The author is fairly young, writing a memoir clearly asserts she has lived and experienced things that most readers have not. It is an adult read, there is sexual assault, trauma, gaslighting, close male female relationships, alcohol, suicide, bisexuality, music, lying, death, mental health concerns, illness, and yet for me, reading it felt like a conversation (albeit fairly one way). The tone and writing style make it a fast read, sure at times I wanted to know more, or I felt like something was glossed over, or a tangent really not that entertaining, but just as if you were listening to someone talk, you might not want to pry, or interrupt, and that was how the book felt. I've read a decent amount of memoirs over the years, and stopped a few years ago when the Muslim written ones seemed to be heavy lesson preaching, predictable, or feeling like a list of grievances. I didn't find that with this book, at times it read like fiction with the character arcs, climaxes, emotional investment, and consistent side characters. The book is billed as a love story, and I think that is a bit misleading. Yes that is the framing, but if anything that thread is the least centered, her husband is a constant, no matter the label of the relationship, there isn't some spotlight or fireworks regarding their connection. The author identifies as Muslim, at times she notes she is struggling to pray, at other times she is reconnecting with her faith. At times she shares ayats from the Quran and Islamic concepts she finds comforting and reassuring, at other times she is angry at God. She doesn't other Islam, it is part of her background and who she is. (SPOILER) Regarding her brothers bisexual identity, she is angry at members of the Muslim community, but doesn't go beyond that. I feel non Muslim readers will see Islam in the author's life, but not assume her experience is a broad stroke for all Muslims. Similarly, Muslim readers will find things they disagree with, as being the author's experience, and carry on reading. The author keeps the focus on her and the quick pacing doesn't let one thread take up much space before moving on.

Farrah Memoire is undoubtedly my book of the month. It made me experience different emotions and shed a tear here and there, but it kept me reading. It made me think a lot about my background, the family I am building, the place of Faith in our home, and how we have managed loss/ grief. Farah's memoir is a journey that I found profoundly personal and thought-provoking.

I hadn't heard of Farah Naz Rishi before and I wasn't sure what to expect in this autobiography. I went on an emotional roller coaster ride with this book. Learning more about the life of a Pakistani family and the pressures that can be placed on the members of the family, you experienced the highs and low Farah went through. I was frustrated and heartbroken on her behalf and was so glad for her friendship with Stephen.
While the book started a little slow, it was an easy read. I want to say it was an enjoyable book, but that doesn't feel like the correct word given everything Farah went through.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

I was completely speechless after finishing this memoir. I don't personally know what it's like to be a child of an immigrant parent, but Farah Naz Rishi wrote about her experiences in great depth and gave me her perspective. She stripped down the triumphs, failures, love, and loss in her life. For her will and perseverance I am grateful. Reading about her life in raw detail and then rewarded in the end as an extra sweet note. She found love in the process. I appreciate her sharing her story. was completely speechless after finishing this memoir. I don't personally know what it's like to be a child of an immigrant parent, but Farah Naz Rishi wrote about her experiences in great depth and gave me her perspective. She stripped down the triumphs, failures, love, and loss in her life. For her will and perseverance I am grateful. Reading about her life in raw detail and then rewarded in the end as an extra sweet note. She found love in the process. I appreciate her sharing her story.

Okay, so Mindy Kaling's quote that "this story ripped my heart in two, had me grabbing for the tissues, and then put me back together again," set the bar a bit high. I definitely didn't have that reaction, which kind of stressed me out-- I kept waiting for something that wasn't happening and feeling different emotions in the meantime. I'm not even sure this is meant to be a tearjerker. Instead, it's an exploration of a woman's relationship with her immigrant parents. It's about the seemingly impossible expectations placed upon so many children (and especially the children of immigrants), the desire to please one's parents and yet to also live a life that is personally fulfilling. And these expectations and demands extend to society at large, one's own culture and extended family, encompassing everything from education to career to religious practices, to the circle of friends you choose, to relationship prospects. There are so many ways to be judged, so many ways to be found lacking. Rishi's story is tragic as she grapples with her tumultuous relationship with her mother and deals with the loss of essentially everyone close to her.
The audiobook version of this surprised me, as the author's voice wasn't at all what I expected (I hadn't seen her on Tik Tok until afterwards), and I felt there was a strange distance between the performance and what was on the page. That being said, after looking at her Tik Tok, I liked the audiobook version much more.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and all opinions expressed are mine.

I should however state that it started a tad bit slow for me but it picked up eventually. The book is centered around Farah's college experience particularly the collegiate perspective on how one goes to college to learn and discover themselves and not necessarily fall in love. However that changes when she meets Stephen who is different from a guy her mother expects to marry. A great read on the power of love. Gripping is the word.

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Rating:3.5