Diverse romcom

Winner of the Bookbrunch Selfie Award for Best Adult Fiction.

Meet the brown Bridget Jones...

Blurb for The Secret Diary of an Arranged Marriage

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 diverse fiction book from former journalist Halima Khatun explores family, identity and belonging with acerbic humour.

Not your average arranged marriage romance, It’ll change your view of matchmaking for good.

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If you want diverse fiction, strong females, a unique take on Bridget Jones Diary, funny books for women's book clubs, and south Asian stories with British wit, immerse yourself in this series.

The books in The Secret Diary of a Bengali woman series:

1) The Secret Diary of an Arranged Marriage

2) The Secret Diary of a Bengali Bridezilla

3) The Secret Diary of a Bengali Newlywed

4) The Secret Diary of a Broody Bengali

5) The Secret Diary of a Pregnant Bengali

6) The Secret Diary of a Bengali Mum

and

7) Sister of the Bride

What the marketeers say...

The Secret Diary of an Arranged Marriage – A hilarious romcom that will redefine your views on love and matchmaking!

Meet our British-Bengali protagonist, a spirited, acerbic woman on a quest for Mr Right. But in a world where tradition and modernity collide, her journey to find love takes a delightfully unexpected turn.

Young, free and single, our heroine finds herself caught between two worlds, never fully fitting in with her English friends or her Asian community. As time ticks away, she embarks on a dual mission—her own dating adventures and the rollercoaster ride of an arranged marriage hunt orchestrated by her larger-than-life family.

From her adorable yet overbearing mum to the army of pretend aunties and profiteering opportunists, everyone becomes invested in finding her the perfect match. With humour and wit, she embraces the chaos of this unconventional approach to love, never quite sure if her ideal partner lies within the boundaries of tradition or if she'll discover something entirely unexpected.

The Secret Diary of an Arranged Marriage is a fresh and captivating debut novel by former journalist Halima Khatun. She explores the complexities of family dynamics, identity, and the eternal search for belonging. This is not your average arranged marriage romance—it's a romcom that breaks barriers and challenges preconceptions.

Prepare to be swept away on a laugh-out-loud journey filled with unexpected twists and turns. Get ready to redefine your view of matchmaking and immerse yourself in a story that will leave you smiling long after you've turned the final page.

The Secret Diary of an Arranged Marriage is a romcom like no other, defying stereotypes and offering a fresh perspective on the joys and pitfalls of finding love, or a boy you can at least grow to like. Don't miss this heartwarming and hilarious tale.

Reader reviews of The Secret Diary of an Arranged Marriage

"This is a great book to read on transport or going on holidays. I finished mine in no time and laughed lots!"

"I loved reading this book! Such an enjoyable read which was hilarious at some points but also really highlighted how arranged marriages are viewed from different perspectives, especially in western society. It's hard to find a book that isn't too 'heavy' but also covers important issues and makes you really empathise with the main character. Highly recommend if you're looking for a fun read but something a bit different from the usual chick-lit."

About the author 

Halima Khatun is a former journalist (having worked for ITV and the BBC), writer and PR consultant.

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. Halima went on to study English and Journalism and was one of just four people in the UK to be granted a BBC scholarship during her postgraduate studies. She has since written for a number of publications including the HuffPost and Yahoo! Style, and has been featured in the Express, Metro and other national publications.

Keywords: Bridget Jones Diary, south asian stories, British wit, strong female protagonist, funny books for women's book club, diverse fiction, diverse romcom, The Secret Diary of a Bengali Woman, Halima Khatun.