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Secret Diary of a Bengali Woman #6
The Secret Diary of a Bengali Mum
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.
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.
350 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 23, 2024
15 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
About the author
Halima Khatun
8 books33 followersHalima 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 10, 2026
enjoyed this book so much I ate it all up in 4 days. Would have been less if I had the time!
This book was a lot more heart-wrenching especially with the transparency of Helena struggling with new routines, losing a sense of self-identity, her constant panic and anxieties around raising (keeping alive) her daughter and the lack of support she has, even from her husband who is so nonchalant about everything! He can be logical and practical, but there’s times when I want her to scream at him and tell him what she really wants to say! The intergenerational trauma is something that I really liked in this book too. The theme of micro aggressions came out, albeit more subtly than previous books but that’s just how life is! It’s not always overt.
It was nice to see the reflections on how Helena’s relationship has changed and evolved with her siblings, and I’ll definitely need to read the ‘Sister of the Bride’ books to get the other POVs. I’m particularly interested in the perspective of the eldest and youngest daughters to see if I can relate from my own experiences. The last 20 or so pages were got me feeling teary because as annoying and frustrating Helena’s mum can be, I really do have a soft spot for her. The next book is out next month and I have the ARC, so you can guess what I will be doing from tonight!
This book was a lot more heart-wrenching especially with the transparency of Helena struggling with new routines, losing a sense of self-identity, her constant panic and anxieties around raising (keeping alive) her daughter and the lack of support she has, even from her husband who is so nonchalant about everything! He can be logical and practical, but there’s times when I want her to scream at him and tell him what she really wants to say! The intergenerational trauma is something that I really liked in this book too. The theme of micro aggressions came out, albeit more subtly than previous books but that’s just how life is! It’s not always overt.
It was nice to see the reflections on how Helena’s relationship has changed and evolved with her siblings, and I’ll definitely need to read the ‘Sister of the Bride’ books to get the other POVs. I’m particularly interested in the perspective of the eldest and youngest daughters to see if I can relate from my own experiences. The last 20 or so pages were got me feeling teary because as annoying and frustrating Helena’s mum can be, I really do have a soft spot for her. The next book is out next month and I have the ARC, so you can guess what I will be doing from tonight!
July 23, 2024
This episode in the life of Helena invokes both laughter and tears. The way life with newborn daughter, nicknamed H2, is portrayed is insightful, and brings back the overwhelming nature of being at home with a baby fulltime after having a career. Everything is complicated by living away from family support, including the way mums tend to say everything is fine, when generally it is not! An engrossing read.
I received an ARC from the author, but my opinion is given voluntarily.
I received an ARC from the author, but my opinion is given voluntarily.
July 24, 2024
Wow! I don’t know where to start. The book was heartfelt, honest and poignant. I was laughing and crying with the author, and felt so much compassion for the struggles they were facing as a new Mum.
I think this book will help other new mums to know these feelings and emotions are normal.
Another great and honest read.
August 16, 2024
Brilliant book. Loved it
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews