Diverse Romcom

Winner of the Bookbrunch Selfie Award for Best Adult Fiction. Meet the brown Bridget Jones... 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, 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. It'll change your view of matchmaking for good…

I found me a man, now I just need to figure out how to live with him… Step into the world of The Secret Diary of a Bengali Newlywed – An Unputdownable Tale of Love, Identity, and the Journey of Starting a New Life! Our acerbic protagonist is about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime. With a new husband by her side, a new city to explore, and a set of in-laws with their own set of expectations, she's ready to embrace the next chapter of her life as a Bengali bride. They say that when you marry someone, you marry their entire family. And as she navigates her way through this new phase, she quickly learns the truth behind that statement. After the whirlwind of finding a man and surviving the chaotic planning of her big fat Bangladeshi wedding, she assumes that the newlywed phase will be a walk in the park. But as reality sets in, she realizes that there's much more to this journey than meets the eye. Will she find her place in this new dynamic, or will she face unexpected challenges along the way? In this latest installment of The Secret series, award-winning author Halima Khatun weaves a captivating narrative that delves deep into themes of race, identity, belonging, and the intricacies of family dynamics. With her signature blend of self-deprecation and acerbic humor, Khatun invites readers to join her glass half-full heroine as she navigates the twists and turns of her biggest life changes yet. The Secret Diary of a Bengali Newlywed is a heartfelt exploration of love, self-discovery, and the complexities of cultural expectations. Through the eyes of our relatable protagonist, Khatun takes us on a poignant journey that will resonate with readers from all walks of life. Immerse yourself in this page turner that showcases Halima Khatun's unrivaled ability to capture the essence of human emotions and the triumphs and tribulations of life.

First comes love... then comes marriage... now the nosey aunties are asking when I'm going to have a baby. In this laugh-out-loud, heartwarming romantic comedy, our strong female protagonist - a British Bengali girl - is contemplating starting a family. But with a blossoming career and a transient life away from family, is she truly ready for the life changing journey of becoming a mum? The meddling aunties, competitive cousins, and her adorable, yet overbearing, mother all have something to say about it. As the community chimes in with unsolicited opinions, our heroine must navigate the noise while staying true to herself. Set against the backdrop of a vibrant and culturally rich community, this romcom delves into the themes of family, identity, diversity and belonging. Through laughter, love, and acerbic, glass half empty pessimism, our endearing heroine embarks on a journey of self-discovery and self love. Blending her signature humour with bags of emotion, Halima Khatun's The Secret Diary of a Broody Bengali is an unputdownable tale that will have you eagerly turning the pages, desperate for just one more chapter.

The brown Bridget Jones is pregnant... One couple. Nine months. Lots of decisions and even more opinions… Welcome to my life as a pregnant Bengali lady. I went through the arranged marriage process. I met a boy, married him, then learned how to live with him in a whole new city. Life has been an adventure so far, and this might be the biggest yet. I'm going to be a mum! But with a baby on the horizon and an unexpected curve ball, can my glass half empty nature survive the craziest nine months of my life? The Secret Diary of a Pregnant Bengali sees our heroine face her greatest challenge yet, negotiating raging hormones, NCT classes, and a whole host of Bengali old wives' tales. Exploring race, identity and belonging, former journalist Halima Khatun's acerbic protagonist will have you laughing and crying.