That Can Be Arranged: A Muslim Love Story

by Huda Fahmy

In this graphic memoir, the National Book Award finalist shares her “frank, funny” story of finding a husband as an observant Muslim woman in America (NPR Morning Edition). Chaperones, suitors, and arranged marriages aren't only reserved for the heroines of a Jane Austen novel. They're just another walk in the park for this leading lady, who is on a mission to find her leading lad. From the brilliant comics Yes, I’m Hot in This, Huda Fahmy tells the hilarious story of how she met and married her husband. Navigating mismatched suitors, gossiping aunties, and societal expectations for Muslim women, That Can Be Arranged deftly reveals to readers what it can be like to find a husband as an observant Muslim woman in the twenty-first century—offering a perceptive and personal glimpse into the sometimes sticky but ultimately rewarding balance of independent choice and tradition.  Praise for the work of Huda Fahmy   “Explores the complexities of identity . . . hilarious, charming.” —Kirkus Reviews   “Entertaining, frequently wry.” —Publishers Weekly

Genres: Graphic Novels, Memoir, Romance, Nonfiction, Comics, Humor, Adult

185 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 10, 2020

About the author

Huda Fahmy was born in Detroit, Michigan and attended the University of Michigan where she majored in English. She taught English to middle and high school students for eight years before she started writing about her experiences as a visibly Muslim woman in America and was encouraged by her older sister to turn these stories into comics. Huda, her husband Gehad, and their two boys reside in Houston, Texas.

Visit her store at
www.hudafahmy.threadless.com

Reviews

[MischaS_ · Rating 3 out of 5]

YAY! Review #700!

***Advance Review Copy generously provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.***

Seeing that this book was by Huda was an instant to-read for me. I enjoy her comics very much. And I like that she does not hesitate to joke on her account as well.

This book is not the usual "comics strips". It actually tells the story of how she got married, from her first crush, through getting her suitors and then finding the one under the supervision of her mother. There is actual text (minimal) which is accompanied by the art.

I actually enjoyed it that it all connected and said one story. Honestly, I would not mind more content, especially on his parents.

Overall, a charming read. I would say that it's probably like 3,5/5⭐.

[♛ may · Rating 5 out of 5]

the hijabis really won with this one 🥺🥺🥺🥺 i love it so much 🥺🥺🥺🥺

[Reading_ Tamishly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't expect to love this one so much!!!
It was really funny and yes, fun to read. The artstyle complimented the story so well and the way it's written was really wholesome for a graphic memoir.
This is the story of a woman belonging to the Muslim community whose life revolved around marriage at one time of her life so much that she almost got into some weird arranged dates. She used to have insane thoughts and perceptions regarding her own worth, to be someone who could decide things on her own. The book told about the various experiences she had while looking for a suitor ever since she was 17. Yes, it happens like that in some communities and families in order to marry off their daughters. Sad thing that such practices are still happening. Women in their early 20s are considered 'old' and 'broken' if not married.
This story has been illustrated really well, hilarious at times and so damn relatable.
I specifically loved the parts where the main character started gorging on Jane Austen's books and also when she considered taking classes to be better than just mopping around being sad and rejected.

Overall, this was such an amazing read. Thank you #NetGalley for the copy of #ThatCanBeArranged.

[Rosh ~catching up slowly~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most hilarious and honest books I've read in recent times.

Huda Fahmy, an American with Egyptian roots, is a popular comic artist with her "Yes, I'm hot in this" series that talks of life as a hijab-wearing Muslim in a light-hearted manner.

"That can be arranged" talks of the universal bane of all girls from traditional families: an arranged marriage. There are so many LOL moments in this book. At the same time, I could relate to most of her personal struggles as the Indian mentality is quite similar towards its daughters. (We're probably a little worse.)

Huda uses her own love story as the basis of this book. The illustrations are cute, and the humour is spot on. She writes about her insecurities before marriage in an endearing and honest way. I also loved her love for my love: Jane Austen. 😁😁

A lot of Muslim #OwnVoice representation in books sounds either extremely defensive or too offensive; this one is a welcome change as it's self-accepting without being self-effacing. I'd love to read more such books that show cultures truthfully without focussing on only the positive or the negative side.

The art panels are quite large and with clear fonts. There is minimal text in between consecutive comics. Go for this for a quick, genuine and entertaining read.

Also available on Scribd.

———————————————
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Facebook | Twitter

[S.K. Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this! SO much of it resonated with my life -- like no other book. It'll make you fall in love with love, while laughing your heart out! I'm smiling even as I write this review...

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

3.5/5 Stars

This comic book tells the story of Huda, the author, and her arranged marriage to the man of her dreams and the love of her life, Gehad. This book definitely gives a lot of information on this type of marriage that people may not be familiar with. It was quite funny and I adored the parts where her mother was involved in the courting process.
I also very much admired how the themes of self-growth and self-love were dealt with, it was very nice to see Huda realize things about herself and learn from them.
The drawing style was a bit simplistic in my opinion, but other than that it was a good read.

[My_Strange_Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

IT. WAS. SO. PRECIOUS.

I. CAN. NOT.

Y'ALL. ALL THE HAPPY, FLUFFY, PRECIOUS FEELS.

[Skye Kilaen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick, funny read by a cartoonist who's becoming one of my faves, this tells the story of how the author met and married her husband, with info along the way about how arranged marriages work in her Muslim community. This is my 2nd read by Fahmy and I'm already looking forward to her next book. She does a great job balancing on-page events, personal commentary, humor, and cultural insights, and she has a fantastic feel for pacing. Also, her cartooning is adorable.

[Yusra ☾ · Rating 5 out of 5]

i swear to God, this book gives me sm hope guys 😭
i think because i'm such a hopeless romantic that i genuinely think sometimes that i'm too delulu or unrealistic to get married or (inshallah this never happens) that i'll settle just for the sake of getting married but huda's story literally has the best life lessons for girls like us 😭 and considering i'm still a teenager, same age as her when she started this boy-crazy journey, i still have hope ya gama'atul khair 🫶🏽😭🙌🏽

[Scottsdale Public Library]

In this graphic novel, author Huda Fahmy uses a mix of text and illustrations to share her experience of meeting suitors and finally finding her husband by age 25 (which we learn is pretty old and almost into "never-will-marry / cat-lady" territory in her Muslim community). I love Fahmy's graphic novel style and storytelling and highly recommend this quick read.
--Diana F.

[aforestofbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely incredible! This is the book I wish I had when I was little. It’s funny and super relatable. I actually wasn’t expecting to connect with it this much, but it has the representation (both Islamic and cultural) I needed and wanted. The rules part was perfect and 100% described me when I was 5. And the different kinds of suitors cracked me up, especially the visa one 😂 I just want Huda to write and draw more because I can never get enough of her comics and stories!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had already pre-ordered this book, based on "Yes, I'm hot in this", Huda's first book, which was a collection of her strips.

I was not disappointed. Well written, full of humor, this is a great way to explain what arranged marriages are to the non-muslim world. Because of her English literature background, Huda is able to pull in Jane Austin, and explain, the similarities of dating then, with dating now.



Although, something that wasn't around in the Regency period, email that her mother had to read.



Through it all, Huda makes fun of her feelings, and her reactions, and generally has a good time telling how she met the man that would become her husband.



Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

[Intisar Khanani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful as usual. Definitely recommend!

[Silvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was sent this book as an advance copy by the publisher via NetGalley for reviewing purposes, but all opinions are my own.

I had such a fun time reading this! It's a very quick read but it made me laugh out loud a few times (I was drinking tea at the moment and I narrowly avoided one or two cartoon-style spit-your-tea-laughing moments) and it was also a fun way to open my eyes to a world I didn't know much about, the world of Muslim dating courtship and general pre-marriage shenanigans.

I didn't know Huda before but I think she did a wonderful job at opening up about her life in a humorous and honest way, and regardless of whether you come from a similar background or from a completely different one, it's very easy to relate to her. I was so happy for her when she understood her worth and didn't settle for something that would've made her unhappy, and when she found her husband.

I really recommend this if you're interested in the topic and I encourage you to go read reviews by Muslim reviewers rather than mine.

[Anniek · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of the "Yes, I'm hot in this" comics, so when I saw this was available as "read now", I quickly downloaded it and dove in. And I loved this! It was so funny, and the mix of text and comic works really well. It was a very quick, very entertaining read.

[Rameela (Star) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I NEED THIS IMMEDIATELY PLEASE AND THANK YOU uPDATE: THANKS, NETGALLEY!

Initial Thoughts: HUDA DOES IT AGAIN WITH THIS ABSOLUTELY HILARIOUS SUPER RELATABLE PERFECT STORY BASED ON HER LIFE. I LAUGHED AND FELT HOPEFUL AND IT WAS WONDERFUL I HAVE NO PROPER WORDS TO DESCRIBE MY ELATION THANKS.

Full review on my blog: https://starisallbookedup.wordpress.c...

I read Yes, I’m Hot in This in 2019 and it was so funny and relatable! I’ve been following Huda on instagram for a while and she had posted a sneak peek of this (featuring pac-man Huda, who is my favorite) and I couldn’t wait for it! I read this through Netgalley but it doesn’t change my thoughts about how perfect it is!

Huda does a phenomenal job of creating a fun and interesting narrative based on her own life while also making hilarious jokes and explaining about Islam. I obviously love her hilarious narration. I loved how relatable she made the story and even if it might not be related to my own experience at all times (I have yet to find my soulmate), Huda has a great disclaimer in the very beginning saying that Islam is not a monolith and that her experience shouldn’t be used as the only reference for all Muslims. I really appreciate how thoughtful Huda was when explaining all that. Not only was the storytelling brilliant, it also gave me hope for my own future and it gave me all happy vibes!

I would definitely would recommend this to anyone looking for a quick funny read while also learning about Islamic “dating”. If you enjoy hilarious and wholesome “meet cutes” and incredibly wholesome and relevant stories based on a Muslim woman’s experience, this is definitely something you should check out!

[Thushara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read through Storytel

[Tahoora Hashmi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't even express it in words how much I lovvvveeddd this mini book. It made me laugh out loud so many times and it was sooo cuuutteee. Aaah God bless the writer.

[~:The N:~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

OMG, Huda F's book keeps getting better and better. I seriously loved this one so much. It's such a delightful read.

[Haïfa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Witty, honest and enlightening ❤

That Can Be Arranged by the talented Huda Fahmy tells the romantic journey of a young Hijabi Muslim before she meets her "soul-meet" in a most funny and inspiring way.

My only complaint would be that I already read a good chunk of the story on the author's Instagram account (where I first discovered her work) but I don't really mind. It makes me really happy to support an artist who shares a daily dose of humor and joy with her readers!

Actual rating: 4.5 stars

[Alicia Bayer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful comic format book that tells the story of Fahmy's arranged marriage and her years waiting to find "the one." This is a great insight into a culture that's pretty foreign to me. Fahmy is so likeable and relatable. The book wasn't just informative but also just a fun read. I'm a new fan of Huda Fahmy.

I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for the purpose of review.

[sara سارة · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was so cute and wholesome alhumabarik 🥹 may Allah SWT grant us all spouses who will make us feel as if we've known them our whole life.

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

A humorous look at courtship and arranged marriages among Muslim Americans. It's a quick, breezy read that leaves one hungering for a bit more detail about the people involved. The format is sort of a picture book/graphic novel hybrid. Not as funny as the author's first book, but I'll certainly be seeking out whatever project she does next.

[sabilulu · Rating 4 out of 5]

good god we need more stories like this one! more representation!

I’m so glad my friend found this comics and send it to me. What a sweet short story that made me smile and giggle. Can’t wait to read other works of this author.

[Neelam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Andrew McMeel Publishing for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Excuse me while I squeal because I absolutely adored this comic book and I have already read it several times and oh my god I cannot wait for me to get a physical copy so I can appreciate all the art even more! This book has already become one of my favourite reads of the year.

I am going to fangirl several times throughout this review. You have been warned!

I absolutely adore Huda’s comics on Instagram and her first book Yes, I’m Hot in This was so funny and relatable that as soon as she announced this book I pre-ordered so fast! Then I saw it on netgalley and literally squealed with joy! This book is hilarious and adorable and so relatable and I cannot even begin to coherently express how much I loved this book! Also the clarification about her hijab at the beginning had me giggling because wow I have dealt with these questions for so many years.

Huda starts her book with her own twist on the iconic line from Pride and Prejudice and I just about died. Pride and Prejudice is one of my favourite books and any reference to it has me squealing! They are even wearing clothes that are reminiscent of the clothes the sisters wear in Pride and Prejudice and I just loved it all so much! I also loved how she doesn’t shy away from saying that actually when she saw her now husband she thought he was cute because we all do even though the Asian aunties would probably have a stroke if they ever found out!

I loved how Huda included all the etiquettes and Islamic rulings on interactions between genders but not in a preachy way, it was light hearted and fun to read and honestly can we all be taught this way instead of the popular fire and brimstone method. Reading about the different suitors was so hilarious and cringe worthy because I also experienced this and the sheer horror of being interrogated by his family and trying to talk to the guy you may end up marrying without 50 people trying to listen into the conversation.

The comparisons between Pride and Prejudice and Islamic courtship was so much fun to read and so true! (Maybe that’s why I love it so much hmm) Jane bint Austen had me cackling and honestly I just loved the Austen inspired clothes throughout the story too.

I loved how she incorporated seeing the red flags and that we deserve better than a man who won’t respect and appreciate us. It’s something that is so important yet rarely discussed in these situations. I loved reading about how she focused on herself and it was so relatable and attending the Islamic studies conferences which is something me and my friends did a lot in our twenties.

When I read bout her wedding and how Huda walked in doing her own zaghrouta I just sat there thinking wow I wish I had, had the guts to have more fun on my wedding! I also need to mention how absolutely adorable I find Huda and Gehad in the comics and they honestly remind me of me and my husband and how we are with each other. It was just so lovely to read.

Also special mention goes to Huda’s mum who I absolutely love in the comics and it totally reminded me of the women in my family who had to constantly tell me to “behave like a bride” on my wedding and I gleefully ignored them.

This whole book is hilarious and yet still filled with important themes which Huda never shy’s away from discussing and she written them in such a way that they balanced so well with the lighter funnier parts. I loved this from the first page to the very end. It was exactly the type of book I had hoped for when I started and honestly this is a book that I will read repeatedly because I jist love it so much.

I have actually already read it twice and I fully intend to read it several more times this year. It’s a book that you can read it again and again never tire of it. Everyone please do yourselves a favour and go and read this book and also go read her first book and check out her comics on her social media. You will not regret it!

[Elita ₊✩ˎˊ˗ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Content warning: stalking

Dislikes:

𓊘 I know this is a rom-com, but I wish we went a little deeper into the relationship and their struggles. It felt a bit surface-level.

Likes:

𓊘 This is based on the author’s own love story. That’s so cute!! Love it.

𓊘 Huda. She’s funny, relatable and romantic.

𓊘 The humor. Fahmy made her story hilarious without ever being offensive.

𓊘 The illustrations. They were simple, cute and colorful.

𓊘 Huda provided explanations for some Islamic rules. I have Muslim family members, so I was excited to deepen my understanding on the religion.

𓊘 Acknowledged that women often get pressured to marry by their peers. I’m only twenty, yet my relatives ask me on a regular basis when I’m going to get married or if I have a secret boyfriend. It’s stressful. People should not be shamed for not being married by a certain age. I feel like this is a problem that isn’t discussed enough, so I like that Huda tackled the issue by sharing her own experiences.

𓊘 It’s a super quick and easy read :)

[Bruna Miranda · Rating 3 out of 5]

**I received an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review**
That's really cute. Huda's story delivers an interesting perspective on arranged marriages, which is something very frowned upon by most non-Muslim people. We usually assume it is something "outdated" and that goes against the woman's wishes but guess what? Someone forgot to ask the women how they felt about it.
She makes it very clear that this story is her own and that, for better or worse, her story doesn't translate the "whole experience of Muslim women with marriage" – which you'd think someone doesn't have to explain about her own story, right?

It was a fun reading. The illustration style didn't do much for me, but that's a completely personal thing. It was funny and cute at the end.

[Dany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable comics!!!!

Huda tells the story of how she met her husband. Kinda like "How I Met Your Mother" but make it Muslim and short.

I'm not Muslim , but I can relate to so much stuff in this book. I love how hilarious Huda is (I actually love her comics) and she made a lot of jokes even about herself!

I loved and adored the book entirely and the comics wasn't my fave part. Ofcourse it was amazing. But Huda tells the self love she was able to attain and how she set boundaries, which was astonishing.

I received the e-ARC from the publisher and NetGalley. This has not affected my opinions.

[noor. · Rating 5 out of 5]

read this a few years ago but forgot to add it <3

EDIT: REREADDD

[⛅ Sunny (sunnysidereviews) ⛅ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars!

This was funny and charming. Loved it!