No One Ever Asks Mum (The Secret) / The Secret (ePub)

An 'own voice' women's fiction short story - the diverse read you need.

A mum on a mission to matchmake. A daughter with ideas of her own. A suitor that threatens to tear them apart...

When it comes to arranged marriages, you never hear the perspective of the mother of the 'bride'.

So now it's time.

This short story offers a unique insight into the struggles of someone desperately trying to blend traditional expectations with modern reality, whilst hoping to do the best for her children.

Because no one ever asks mum, it's time we heard her side of the story.

From the author of the Bookbrunch Best Adult Fiction 2021 award-winner The Secret Diary of an Arranged Marriage and The Secret Diary of a Bengali Bridezilla, comes this unique journey from Bangladesh to Britain. Taking you from rural life to suburban displacement, from hardships and heartache, all through the eyes of the woman who saw it all. It's not like any of the other Muslim girl books - it'll make you 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. This is where she also shares updates on her novels.

Halima is a regular guest on the BBC Asian Network and frequently contributes to the HuffPost.