Meet the brown Bridget Jones....

If you like British chick lit books with strong women of colour, then this is for you.

What the press are saying about The Secret Diary of an Arranged Marriage:

“Rebranding arranged marriages.” (BBC Asian Network)

“Halima Khatun decided to write a book because nobody was talking. More specifically, nobody was talking about arranged marriages.” (MyLondon)

“It’ll make you laugh a lot...and maybe cry a bit.” (Asian Life Magazine)

Blurb

A British-Bengali girl looking for Mr Right. A motley crew of men, some hoping it’s them. A mum on a mission to match make. And an age-old tradition with a twist.

Welcome to the world of the arranged marriage. 

“While I’m young, (somewhat) free and single, time is—by Bengali standards—marching on. I’ve got to meet my dream man, or at least someone I can grow to like, and get married. The trouble is, having never fully fit in with my English friends or Asian community, I don’t really know what—or who—I’m looking for. 

Luckily (or not) for me, arranged marriages are still a thing. So alongside my own dating efforts, it’s everyone’s business—from my adorable yet overbearing mum, to pretend aunties and profiteering opportunists—to find me a match. With all this help, I’m pretty sure I’ll land a husband, but will he be ‘The One’?” 

The Secret Diary of an Arranged Marriage lifts the lid on the intriguing world of British-Bengali matrimony. The debut novel from former journalist Halima Khatun explores family, identity, and belonging with acerbic humour. 

Not your average arranged marriage romance and unlike any of the Muslim girl books you've listened to, it’ll change your view of matchmaking for good….

About the author: Halima Khatun is a former journalist (having worked for ITV and the BBC), writer, and PR consultant. Since she was a child, she knew that words would be her thing. With a lifelong passion for writing, Halima wrote her first novel—a coming-of-age children’s story—at the age of 12. It was politely turned down by all the major publishing houses.