The Secret Diary of an Arranged Marriage: laugh out loud British chick lit with a multicultural twist

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…

© 2025 Hayat House (Audiobook): 9798318234064

Release date

Audiobook: July 12, 2025