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. 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. However, proving that writing was indeed her forte, 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. Halima also blogs on lifestyle, food and travel and parenthood on halimabobs.com. This is where she also shares updates on her novels.

An ambitious British-Bengali woman and her happy-go-lucky husband. A baby that doesn’t sleep. Lots of unsolicited advice and old wives’ tales. Welcome to the world of a new mum. “My life has been a rollercoaster so far. I met my Mr Oh-you’ll-do, turned bridezilla whilst planning my big fat Bangladeshi wedding, relocated to a new city and navigated life as a career woman and wife. Now, armed with the help of my parenting books, this next stage should be a cinch. At least that’s what the books say…” The latest in the award winning Diverse Romcom series sees our brown Bridget Jones face her biggest life change yet, becoming a mum. As she embarks on this next chapter, can she keep her marriage, sanity and identity intact? This novel tells you what others won’t… what it’s really like to be a new mum. The unputdownable story from former-journalist Halima Khatun tackles race, identity, and belonging as the protagonist marries modernity with the motherland. You’ll laugh and cry. 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. However, proving that writing was indeed her forte, 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. Halima also blogs on lifestyle, food and travel and parenthood on halimabobs.com. This is where she also shares updates on her novels. Perfect for you if you love: Family stories, diverse romcoms, multicultural stories, Bengali stories, strong female protagonists, clean romance, romantic comedy.

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. 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. However, proving that writing was indeed her forte, 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. Halima also blogs on lifestyle, food and travel and parenthood on halimabobs.com. You can find her books and more on halimakhatun.co.uk.

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.

And I Thought Finding a Husband Was Hard… Prepare for a laughter-filled journey through the chaos of wedding planning in The Secret Diary of a Bengali Bridezilla, a hilarious diverse romcom that will make you laugh and cry! Join our acerbic protagonist as she dives headfirst into the whirlwind of her big fat Bangladeshi wedding. With just three months to go, a guest list of 600 (including strangers she's never met), and a barrage of unsolicited opinions, she realises that finding a husband was the easy part! As she tackles her wedding to-do list, which includes finding the perfect makeup artist, creating meaningful favors, and outshining her cousin's impending nuptials, she can't help but wonder if she's on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Will her dream man and the perfect wedding day align, or is chaos about to take center stage? Imagine Fleabag and Bridget Jones teaming up over tea and samosas—this uproarious tale is the delightful brainchild of former journalist Halima Khatun. In this hilarious follow-up to The Secret Diary of an Arranged Marriage, Khatun brings her signature British wit to the forefront. Prepare for an adventure that blends cultural traditions, wedding mishaps, and a healthy dose of self-deprecating humour. With every page, you'll find yourself laughing out loud and nodding along as you witness the ups, downs, and unexpected moments of this unforgettable journey. The Secret Diary of an Arranged Marriage is a must-read for anyone seeking a multicultural romcom that transcends boundaries and captures the essence of British wit. 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. However, proving that writing was indeed her forte, 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. Halima also blogs on lifestyle, food and travel and parenthood on HalimaBobs. This is where she also shares updates on her novels.

The first three books in The Secret Diary series, starring the brown Bridget Jones, our acerbic heroine, will have you laughing, crying and desperate for one more chapter. From book 1, The Secret Diary of an Arranged Marriage: A British-Bengali girl looking for Mr Right. A motley crew of men. 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, free and single, time is - by Bengali standards - marching on. I must meet my dream man, or 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 to find me a match. I’m pretty sure I’ll land a husband, but will he be ‘The One’? From book 2, The Secret Diary of a Bengali Bridezilla: And I thought finding a husband was hard... One couple. Three months. 600 guests (most of whom I’ve never met) and LOTS of opinions. Welcome to my big fat Bangladeshi wedding. To do: Find top makeup artist Create meaningful favours Outdo my cousins impending nuptials Have nervous breakdown? I’ve found my dream man but will my wedding day be a nightmare? From book 3, The Secret Diary of a Bengali Newlywed: New husband. New city. New in-laws and new expectations. Welcome to my life as a Bengali newlywed. They say you don’t just marry the guy, you marry the whole family. They also say you don’t really know someone until you live with them. But, surely, after the challenge of finding a man, and the nightmare of planning my big fat Bangladeshi wedding, this newlywed phase is the easy bit, right? Right?! 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. Halima also blogs on lifestyle, food and travel and parenthood on HalimaBobs. Keywords: diverse romcom, diverse books, diverse reads, romantic comedy, muslim comedy, british bengali, women's fiction, clean and wholesome romance.

Winner of the 2021 Bookbrunch Selfie Award for Best Adult Fiction. Meet the brown Bridget Jones... I know I'll land a husband… but will he be the one? The Secret Diary of an Arranged Marriage – A hilarious romcom that will redefine your 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: "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. Halima also blogs on lifestyle, food and travel and parenthood on HalimaBobs.

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.

How can we understand the educational disengagement of urban, working-class young people? What role do schools and education policies play in these young people’s difficult relationships with education? How might schools help to support and engage urban youth? This book critically engages with contemporary notions of 'at risk' youth. It explores the complexity of urban young people's relationships with education and schooling and discusses strategies for addressing these issues. Drawing on a two year study of urban 14-16 year olds, educational professionals and parents, the book focuses in depth on the views and experiences of ethnically diverse young Londoners who had been identified by their schools as 'at risk of dropping out of education' and as 'unlikely to progress into post-16 education'. It provides an informative and accessible overview of the key issues, debates and theoretical frameworks. It is important reading for school leaders, teachers and learning support assistants as well as trainee teachers and educational researchers.