That Can Be Arranged

"It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single woman of 25 will probably never get married. Well... That was the truth in my community anyway..."

In her second book, Huda Fahmy--author of the hilarious "Yes, I'm Hot In This" webcomic--tells the story of how she met the love of her life, Gehad. She recounts the ups and downs, the feelings of longing and jealousy for a husband, how a bad suitor led to her reconnecting with God, how she relates to the struggles of Jane Austen's heroines, and ultimately how all of that led to meeting Gehad. With her quick wit, humor, and love for all things nerdy, Fahmy bares her soul and addresses a near universal concept: longing for someone to love, and struggling to find the right person--and, most importantly, get married for the right reasons.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that everyone will fall in love with "That Can Be Arranged"!

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC, in exchange for an honest review. Huda the Great delivers again! I can’t wait to order this! Our library has “Yes, I’m hot in this!” and it’s in steady rotation! Snarky, witty, honest, and relatable. I admire her love and devotion to her beliefs, the way she shares her experiences as a Muslim woman without attempting to speak for all Muslim women. I can’t wait to share this one with our patrons!

This was such a fun sequel to Huda's first book! She delves into how she met her husband, along with all the muslim traditions that go along with that. I really enjoyed her warmhearted humor.

I really liked this book, it was very light and sweet. I really enjoyed Huda's sense of humor and her openness. I also appreciated the Harry Potter & other pop culture references :-)

***Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review***
This is the second book I've read from Huda Fahmy and I am so thankful for her! She has a fresh, fun take on her life and is teaching the reader about her culture. I want to be her friend!

Opening narration in a jane austen style.
Enough said!!
This little gem made me smile today! Read it!!

I would like to thank the publisher for giving me a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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.

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

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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.

I can’t tell you the absolute happiness I felt at seeing Muslim characters not only in a book, but featured on NetGalley! I felt seen!!! I follow Huda on every single social media possible, and we love her relatable and adorably hilarious comics! When I found out she had written this book, I snatched it right up! Hilarious, relatable, and heartwarming, I absolutely loved it ^_^

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.

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.

I love Huda and her comics! This was a super cute book all about her sort of kind of arranged marriage (she knew her now husband before and liked him, it's not like her parents married her off to some rado!) which was facilitated by her family and observed some very strict Islamic rules. You can tell how much she loves her husband Gehad from this and it's adorable that they are just two massive dorks who found each other.

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.

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. 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⭐.

I enjoyed reading this book, thank you Netgalley for a copy. I really liked the story and it was very cute to read, especially the 'Dear Reader' note at the beginning about how Huda will always draw herself with her hijab on. Her story was very honest and down to earth which made it more relatable to the reader. I thought the format was a bit odd with how she writes a little story blurb and then adds comic illustrations as little add-ons in the story. But other than that it was a well written, enjoyable read! Also the glossary was a really helpful addition!

<p>I read <em>Yes, I'm Hot in This</em> 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!

<p>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! Definitely would recommend this to anyone looking for a quick funny read while also learning about Islamic "dating".

This was an amazing (and funny!) view into the reality of growing up an Arab-American Muslim and how some arranged marriages come to be plus the ups and downs on the way. The preface was hilarious. I can’t wait to see more from Huda!

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.

Review to come in February 2020 on blog/goodreads.

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.

Huda Fahmy is back again! After her amazing first book: Yes, I'm Hot In This (see my review for that here) I was hoping for more books by her. And here it is. Of course I immediately clicked the request button on Netgalley to get this book in my hands, because come on, I just can't wait until 2020, no matter how soon that one is. :P

This one is about marriage. About finding the one. About meddling moms and weird suitors who have a slew of reasons to marry someone (from a visa to having someone do everything for them (no, just no)). And how she finally met the guy who is now her husband.

In the start we see her meeting her hubby, or well, he doesn't know he is going to be her hubby, but she has set her eyes on him. I had such a laugh at how she acted when she saw him, yes, a bit stalkerish, but I mostly found it cute. After that we go back in the past and see how Huda was back then and also how her family was. From first crushes to rules set for boy/girl interaction (or I should say none unless he is family). I have to say I was pretty delighted how her family thought she was too young to get married (as Huda's friends were getting married quite young).
We see the first proposal, and I had a laugh how Huda's mom was all excited and how her dad wasn't. Then again, dads will generally be like that. Protective of their daughters.

We see that Huda is realising that marriage may not be the end of the road, may not be the end of all be. She learns to love herself. I was just so happy for her here in that part.

And then time rushes by, and then we are back to where the book started. At the conference. At that fated moment. Destiny if you want to call it that. The talk with the sheikh was fabulous, that was so wonderful of him to tell her that. Though I had a laugh that she didn't even tell him about Gehad, but no worries, apparently the sheikh guy is magical. :P

I loved the chapter on the first dates and the first things blooming between Huda and Gehad. So sweet! So romantic! Just a shame it all had to be chaperoned. I can only imagine how awkward it is to be with the guy you are liking and he is liking you and your mom is sitting there at the table. *shudders*
But I loved the connection between Gehad and Huda. How they could talk about nerdish things (like pokemon and darkwing duck (good choices btw)), how they laughed about the same jokes.

And then we read about the wedding and how that works. It was quite interesting. I knew a few bits and pieces, but not everything, so I just soaked up all this information. And of course, I also had a laugh, especially that last illustration. Yep, these two are meant to be.

I love the combination of comics, illustrations and text.

So this was an interesting, hilarious, fun read and I learned quite a few new things. I wish Gehad and Huda all the luck in their life together. And I would recommend this one to everyone. I am so going to be adding it to my shelves when it comes out.

In her second comic, Huda Fahmy recounts the story of how she met her husband, Gehad. Marriage is always tricky, and especially for Huda as she faces gossiping aunties and overbearing parents who want the best for her. That Can Be Arranged is hilarious, quirky and quite refreshing. A simple story which also discusses misconceptions about the autonomy of Muslim women, and offers another way to understand what life is like for a Muslim woman in a modern age.

Fahmy’s sense of humour is strange, but I surprisingly enjoyed it. I see a lot of her art on Instagram so I knew I had to read this one. The story is practical, nothing too extreme, and I really enjoyed how open she was about her spirituality in her story. I also appreciated how she’s so unabashed when it comes to expressing all her struggles.

I’ll admit the art style isn’t my taste, but her wit and humour really makes up for it. Fahmy’s story is quick and simple, yet makes its mark about her longing to find someone, the struggles it entails and making sure she gets married for the right reason and with the right person.

This comic was EVERYTHING i wanted. It's the ridiculously adorable story of Huda's Jane Austen-esque marriage. Huda's ability to be humorous while discussing important and sensitive topics like self-acceptance and personal growth, alongside the religious boundaries and cultural expectations was so well done. I loved the cute moments with her family, with her watchful mother, her protective father, her charming sisters and friends.

Basically, it was the perfect read for me.

I love Huda Fahmy's books. They are funny and thoughtful, and they give me a window into a world I want to know more about. I appreciate her perspective so much. She proves that our experiences may be different but we still can connect at the deepest emotional part of us. I relate to Huda Fahmy in ways I may not have expected, and it thrills me! My students will, too.
Can't wait to put her books into my classroom.

Funny, informative, relatable, and entertaining, this book has earned a place on a shelf of my favorite Muslim-authored books. Definitely worth multiple reads for multiple laughs. I highly recommend anyone, Muslim or not to read this book and I've done a full of it on my blog. Link below!

https://notepadnomad.wordpress.com/2019/12/06/that-can-be-arranged-a-muslim-love-story

I'm really far from familiar with this culture, so I think i've read this with no expectations. I laughed quite a lot, it was funny and interesting. The illustrations are not in my favorite style but it worked with the text. Liked it!

This book was amazing. I loved the characters and it was made even better that they were based on real people. The humor was relatable and I laughed out loud a few times. I also learned so much about a culture different than mine. Highly recommend!

That Can Be Arranged tells the series of events that eventually lead toHuda Fahmy's arranged marriage. Huda talks about her early romantic life, which was very limited, previous attempts at proposals, the dating process for an arranged marriage, and the ceremony itself. Huda's cartoons are funny and self-deprecating., and the information about the process of arranged marriages is very interesting.

This was really fun and interesting to read! It was really cute at times and really funny at times. While I don't really like the art style, I really enjoyed the story. I hope others like it as much as I did!!

An inspired follow up to YES, I’M HOT IN THIS.

I adored cartoonist Huda Fahmy’s debut book, 2018’s YES, I’M HOT IN THIS: THE HILARIOUS TRUTH ABOUT LIFE IN A HIJAB. In it, she challenges and straight up slays the bald-faced bigotry and racist, sexist, and Islamophobic microaggressions hurled her way. (As a Muslim WOC living in Amurica, sadly there is little shortage of such.)

In many ways, THAT CAN BE ARRANGED: A MUSLIM LOVE STORY feels like a natural progression: her husband and BFF Gehad is a frequent character in her comics (as is his ubiquitous red shirt), and of course her readers are dying to know how those two crazy (read: delightfully nerdy!) kids got together.

Huda and Gehad’s was an arranged marriage – but, as you’ll see, arranged marriages (not to be confused with forced marriages) take many forms. In her parents’ case, this meant marrying after just a single meeting – and divorcing many years later.

Huda, by contrast, spent several years trying to get matched with a suitable man. After turning down her only suitor (who turned out to be a stalkery sociopath), she spotted her dream dude by chance at an Islamic studies conference and promptly fell head over heels (all at the ripe old age of twenty-four – the horror!). She appealed to Sheik Z (aka Doctor Love), also in attendance, for relationship advice; it was Qadar (destiny) when he set Huda and Gehad up.

What came next was a chaperoned courtship (involving some of the funniest panels in the book; to wit: Huda’s mom eavesdropping on their Pokemon debate), meeting the ‘rents, setting a date, the kitab (signing of the marriage contract) and, finally, the walima.

Huda, by contrast, spent several years trying to get matched with a suitable man. After turning down her only suitor (who turned out to be a stalkery sociopath), she spotted her dream dude by chance at an Islamic studies conference and promptly fell head over heels (all at the ripe old age of twenty-four – the horror!). She appealed to Sheik Z (aka Doctor Love), also in attendance, for relationship advice; it was Qadar (destiny) when he set Huda and Gehad up.

What came next was a chaperoned courtship (involving some of the funniest panels in the book; to wit: Huda’s mom eavesdropping on their Pokemon debate), meeting the ‘rents, setting a date, the kitab (signing of the marriage contract) and, finally, the walima.

Like YES, I’M HOT IN THIS, THAT CAN BE ARRANGED dispels a lot of misconceptions that non-Muslims might have about arranged marriages. For example, while their courtship was governed my myriad rules, Huda and Gehad had he final say in whether to do the thing (again: arranged, not forced). I especially loved how she compared her own experiences to Jane Austen, giving many Western readers a reference point to relate.

I can’t wait to see what Huda does next. (Me, I’m rooting for the cat hotel!)

Thanks to netgalley for the ebook preview copy.

My rating is 4 stars.

I follow Huda on Instagram and like her uncomplicated art style and humour, providing an insight to her life and learning bits about arabic and islamic faith.

'That can be arranged' explains the meeting and marriage to Gehad through Huda's eyes. I loved the fancy party dresses and the chaperones on dates.

I asked my local library to purchase Hudas first book, and will recommend they purchase this also.

A good edition to a YA graphic novel collection that offers a window into Muslim cultural practices. Fahmy's illustrations and dialogue and warm and humorous.

Thanks to Netgalley, I was able to have an arc copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

That Can Be Arranged by Huda Fahmy is a graphic novel which illustrates the true reality of so many Muslim girls around the world and how halal dating isn't as easy as most people would think.

The story follows a reflection of the author's experience with romance and halal dating in the modern world. It is told in a humorous and realistically honest style.

It sheds light on the various societal struggles faced by single females in Muslim communities, common stereotypes, the process of halal dating and marriage in Islam.

This graphic novel has easily become one of my favourites! I relate so much to the main character (aka the author, Huda) and her family. I am so glad that she's found her soulmate and embraced her life and self-love in real life.

I highly recommend this book! And I am going to buy it once it's out in 2020.

I laughed out loud several times, learned some things, and wished I could meet her because she sounds dope.

Recommended: Yes!
For insight into what it's like to have a modern-day arranged marriage (note it's not a FORCED marriage), for a funny story about finding yourself and finding love

Thoughts:
This was like having a friend you can ask questions about without worrying you'll accidentally be offensive. Like the answer to the questions you want to ask but aren't sure you're allowed to. It was also HILARIOUS! And so, so sweet. I can never turn down a cute little love story!

And oh, man, was this funny. I laughed a lot, and those are often my favorite kinds of reads. Between moments in the story itself and the art that enhanced the jokes, I was positively cackling. It probably sounded a bit like my own zaghrit at times.

It's obviously a love story, and you pretty much know where it's heading considering the dedication is "To Gehad." That just makes it all the more delectable to follow along, cheering for her and thinking "Ooooh girl just wait till you see what's coming your way..."

There were also some good words of wisdom in there too, and one I particularly liked was when her mother challenges Huda, asking her "What, you think people who date first don't get divorced?" Like... yeah good point, right?

The main thing keeping it from five stars was the feeling that something was missing from the art style. It felt a bit awkward at first and took some getting used to. I think this is primarily due to the lack of variable line thickness and depth, which made it look very flat and like it was done entirely in MS paint. If it WAS done entirely in MS paint, then I'm actually super impressed. It took some getting used to it, but what she does with her art is fantastic and easily overrides any awkwardness in the style itself. The extra bits of humour and story done through visual elements added a lot to the story and the personalization of it.

PS - I read the foreword, and I recommend you do too. The "I don't sleep with my hijab on" disclaimer alone was worth it.

Thanks to NetGalley and Andrew McMeels Publishing for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Cute but very simple, both in art and story. Simple isn't really a fault given that we don't have lots of accessible stories about arranged relationships or religious Muslim women finding love. It would be a good choice for a teen learning about other cultures, or a new college kid wanting to understand new friends (I didn't know any Muslims my own age until college, nor did I know anyone considering arranged marriage, so that would have been a great point to have something like this). The author compares her view of courtship to Jane Austen's, and it would be a good read along with some Austen or other Western work from that time period.

Definitely a book for Muslim girls to read after they've "got another wedding invitation." Or if someone asks to marry you and says, "I find you...r citizenship attractive."
Although anyone would enjoy reading this book because it is so hilarious, it's especially relatable and enjoyable to read as a (single) Muslim American woman.
I can relate to all of Huda's horror and humourous stories.
There are even some words of wisdom! "Find someone who shares your level of faith wants to grow with you."

Thank you for the ARC! I enjoyed it!

I loved the author's previous book so when I saw this one I knew I needed to request it right away. It was just as good as the last one. It gives you an idea of what her life is life but far from dry. You can really get a sense of her personality. I would highly recommend this book.

I've followed Huda Fahmy (@yesimhotinthis) on Instagram for a while and I find many of her comics to be hilarious. I'm not Muslim-I'm actually not even religious-but that doesn't mean I can't identify with a lot of the messages in her work, or even sympathize or emphasize with her experiences.

I hadn't read her previous book, but I added it to my to-read list immediately after finishing this one, which I absolutely adored. While Fahmy's experiences may not be those of many non-Muslims (and even several Muslims), the way she creates her comics makes them easy to understand and often quite relatable to experiences you may have had. And she's freakin' hilarious! Her wit and, specifically, her snark, made me absolutely love this collection.

I can also see how this book would be a great guide for a Muslim woman who may be following in Huda's path, to see that she's not alone (and it's okay if you're not married by 25!).

Highly recommend this one!

This very amusing graphic novel tells the story of how the author, Huda Fahmy, met and married her husband. The artwork and colouring is quite simple in style but I think this enhances the story because the simple style manages to convey the complexities around life, love and relationships.

Huda Fahmy tells her own story about her marriage and how she navigated societal and religious expectations. She takes the time to explain that arranged marriages come in different forms and are not the same as forced marriages. As someone who comes from a conservative culture I could recognise some of the aspects of her story even though I am not a muslim. The aim of courtship or 'dating' is marriage and there are very clear steps to marriage which involve the entire family and sometimes community, not just the couple themselves.

As someone who was brought up in both liberal global north cultures and conservative global south cultures, I really appreciate this book and I could see elements of myself in it. I remember my mother trying introduce me to the son of her friend and that didn't go anywhere because the young man in question liked his food too much. After that my parents left me to my own devises.

Huda's story echoes the concerns of anyone hoping for love and marriage. As she hopes for her future she discovers more about who she is as a person. She learns to love who she is and this helps steer her path. It doesn't mean that she isn't anxious about meeting someone, it is just that she eventually manages to balance her desire for a relationship with the need to live her life to the full. Huda goes to university, goes on conferences qnd gets on with life, all the while dealing with her anxieties about her biological clock. What I liked most is the way her culture and religion empower her to voice what she wants from a husband. Her expectations weren't vague and she wasn't afraid to say that she wanted to get married.

I also appreciated the way that her family and friends supported her quest. Some of this support was a bit too intrusive for my global North ways. I dont think I would have wanted my mother to chaperone my dates, but I liked the way her Dad was there for her when one suitor became unsuitable.

A lot of emotion is conveyed in this story, as well as the complexities of culture and religion, and the challenge of expressing both of those in a liberal more secular culture. It is a great book because it tells a story about a young woman's search for love in a very humorous and engaging way.

Copy provided by Andrews McMeel Publishing via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

A humouristic and honest look into the life of a visibly Muslim woman in the US. Huda Fahmy (@YesIamHotInThis) shares her experiences with relationships and marriage in an accessible manner. A great a quick read, laughs guaranteed but most importantly; it will give insight in a world which for many of us seems far away. Highly recommended!

*ARC provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

I have not read many illustrated books but this one caught my attention and I had to read it. I am so glad I did, because I loved it!

This comic book tells the story of the author and her arranged marriage. For people like myself who are not familiar, I loved the insight this provided into their culture. I also loved the humor that was through out the book!

A solid four stars!

I absolutely loved this. It was cute, it was funny and I learned about arranged marriages. I liked it so much I even read the acknowledgements and glossary.

The writing is very witty and the art is a perfect match to it. I would highly recommend this as a quick, fun read.

An utterly engaging and hilarious memoir in a graphic novel about Huda Fahmy navigating the, sometimes difficult and oftentimes funny, terrain of finding love and arranging her marriage under the tenets of her Islamic faith. Fahmy is the ripe old age of 25 (a cat-lady in training) when she finally lays eyes on her future husband Gehad and begins to spin the wheels to get her marriage arranged. But before the big day arrives, she laughingly takes the reader through her history of dating and not-dating to get to Mr. Right. Fahmy is a little snarky, a little self-deprecating, a little nerdy, and a lot funny. I really loved how she drew her cast of characters (overbearing but loving mom , gossiping aunties, etc) with such irreverence - poking fun, but always with a loving heart. And, while this is an overwhelmingly cute little love story, there is great import here too, as Fahmy doesn't pull punches on the sexism and Islamophobia she experiences on a daily basis.

If you want to smile, check out this little gem, and the rest of Huda Fahmy's work.

Thank you to netgalley, the author and Andrews McMeel Publishing for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A quick and hilarious read. Huda Fahmy seamless tells the story of how she met her husband and offers a little insight into what dating and marriage looks like to some Muslims. I will definitely be looking out for more of Fahmy's work in the future as she has such a brilliant voice and I will gladly support her work.

The topic of arranged marriages - regardless the religion --- enjoys a considerable popularity, being often considered with curiosity yet repulsion for its unnatural approach of free love and choice of partners. It's just an observation, as I do not want to start now a critical discussion either about this choice of topic nor about the issue of arranged marriages in general.

That Can be Arranged. A Muslim Love Story is a graphic memoir about how the author Huda Fahmy met her husband. It has a lot of similarities with Ayesha at Last as it has to do with marriage between observant Muslims, except that it is mostly expressed as a graphic novel and is autobiographical. Personally, I liked Ayesha at Last but I've read reviews by Muslim bloggers who were not so impressed about it so I suppose besides the literary standards the approach of the content makes a difference between curious people about other traditions and culture and those who are part of the respective culture.

Huda Fahmy prefers rather to be single than stuck in a horrible marriage. Although she is to meet her matches in the classical way - after they get in touch with her father, a research via CV of the potential match takes place and the meeting is taking place in the presence of the mother - she is the one who will chose in the end the one and only, who will later become her husband. Long before they met 'officially' she saw and liked him and only further circumstances made the encounter possible. Her story adds a note of diversity to the main story of visible Muslim women in America: she goes to university, loves Jane Austen, her parents are divorced, she is interested in someone to connect with spiritually and less in the dowry. It is an unique story which invites the reader to open his/her mind and accept diversity without too much ado.

I've found the voice of the writer authentic with hilarious accents, which makes the story readable for the less knowledgeable audience. I only was not impressed by the illustrations.


Rating: 3.5

A funny and educational read about muslim arranged marriages based on the author's experiences. The cartoonish artwork was cute and the story challenges myths and stereotypes about modern arranged marriages. a quick and enjoyable read.

*I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for the free comic book!*

"That Can Be Arranged: A Muslim Love Story" is the autobiographical story of Huda, searching for a partner and finding one -- not where she expected him. The marriage was arranged in the sense of both parents giving consent and going through a courting phase and whatnot, but it wasn't forced. Huda is incredibly funny, well versed, and I just LOVED all the Jane Austen comparisons (because it isn't that different!). Even though I have a totally different approach to men, meeting and dating them (marriage isn't for me), this was also really cute.

This was also wholesome and cute.

5 Stars

Finding the person you want to spend the rest of your life with is hard enough. Now just imagine how much more complicated it gets when your parents are part of the process. That's the case with Huda, a Muslim woman on the hunt for a hubby. A Jane Austen loving, hopeless romantic, Huda is worried she may never find the right man, but thanks to a chance encounter, and a matchmaking sheikh, she might just find the man of her dreams.

This book was a quick and refreshing read. The main character was hilarious, relateable and the pop culture references were on point. This book reminded me of how much I really hated dating.

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-copy in exchange for an honest review. *

This was amazing. I love Huda Fahmy's webcomics and I really enjoyed her first book. This one did not disappoint. I'm glad we got to learn about Huda and how she met Gehad. She still inserts her humor into every page even though this book takes on some very deep and important issues.

I follow her on Instagram and love her work.
Characters 9
Atmosphere 7
Writing Style 7
Plot 7
Intrigue 7
Logic 7
Enjoyment 7
I really really liked it, it was full of humor and sarcasm. It got me thinking about how aunties are the same around the globe and we should really think harder about it!

I loved this! It was such a great explanation of Muslim customs as well as Huda's own love story and I loved how she told it as if it were an Austen novel.

As a big fan of her comics, I was surprised that this was more of a picture book rather than a collection of her comics. That being said, enjoyed reading this book about her Muslim love story.

*Disclaimer: I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.


I'll be honest, I know very little about Muslim culture and faith and it's something that I've wanted to learn more about. This was a great way into that for me. In graphic novel form, with few words to a page and expressive illustrations, Huda Fahmy tells of her journey to marriage. It is a great contemporary story of how an observant Muslim woman can find a husband nowadays, breaking norms whilst trying to please her family.

I would really recommend this. The only downside to this book is that it isn't very detailed because of the medium in which it is told, but I think if you're looking for a quick read that explores this topic, this is a fun book.

3 out of 5 stars!

I skimmed through her first book but this one was lovely! It had more of a storyline than the previous one. It was funny, delightful and relatable on my levels.

Huda is amazing! She’s funny, she’s sassy, and she is taking out stereotypes. She is my favorite for comics.

I absolutely loved this book by Huda! It was a super quick read, yet I learned a lot. I follow her comics online and she is hilarious and so real! Just like her comics, her novel stays true to herself as she shares her personal experience of finding her husband. Witty and charming - you should definitely pick this one up! The only negative is that I wanted to read more! Hoping for more comics and novels!

I really enjoyed 'Yes, I'm Hot In This' and Huda Fahmy's second book is possibly even better. In it, she recounts how she met her husband as a modern Jane Austen romance. It's very funny, sweet and I can't wait to see what she writes next.

disclaimer: got this free off netgalley, weigh this review as you will

this was so much fun. :D that can be arranged is a short graphic memoir detailing how huda fahmy met her husband gehad. it's super cute and funny! i already knew she's egyptian from her webcomics but this would've enlightened me even without it, i only see arabs and south asians do the biodata thing. i did not, however, know they elele too so that's neat! huda's sense of humor and personality really shone through, definitely recommended if you want a funny, irreverent look into the 'dating'* scene for practicing muslims

(*depending on level of conservatism they may or may not be willing to call what they're doing dating. courtship? halal dating? take your pick friends!)

4 stars

'That Can Be Arranged' by Huda Fahmy was a breathe of fresh air. To say that I had such an incredible time reading this novel, would be such an understatement. Fahmy's ability to intertwine humour, the tensions and love of family as well as educating non-Muslim readers. In some respects, it also worked towards deconstructing stereotypes non-Muslims have towards 'arranged marriages' as well as towards Muslim people in general. Fahmy's writing was just exceptional - concise and brief but still quite powerful.

The love story is depicted is so wholesome and beautiful - I especially enjoyed seeing how the family was incorporated in the courting as well as how the love grew and developed over time. Though the drawings themselves were quite simple, I think it needed to be in respect of this as though the writing itself was brief, it packed a punch. I just absolutely adored this novel and I would highly recommend it to everyone to read it. My review is brief because I really do not want to spoil it at all for others. It's a beautiful novel with beautiful themes and will forever remain at the back of my mind.

Stunningly poignant and infintely hilarious.

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.

I may not read the webcomic, but I did read Huda’s first book and quite enjoyed it, so it was a pleasure to be granted a digital galley of this title. It was full of comic art, but not quite a comic. It’s part comic, part nonfiction book about how pre-arranged marriages work, and part biography about Huda’s specific experience. I enjoyed every page. I loved seeing a positive book about arranged marriage, and a positive experience with the comic interludes. Over all i think this was well done, funny, and heartwarming.
#Booked2020
#popsugarchallenge2020
#beatthebacklist

I loved this just as much as I was expecting to! I adore the YesImHotInThis comics on Instagram and have wanted to read this book since it was announced. As soon as I heard it was currently 'Read now' on Netgalley I jumped at the chance to download it and devoured it within the next hour.
Huda's comics are so refreshing and uplifting whilst also fighting stigma and stereotypes surrounding muslim women, particularly hijab wearing women. I would recommend this book to everyone!

I love these books! Huda Fahmy is honest and funny!
I have learned a lot about Muslim culture as well as bonded with the character over the reality of the world. This book about her marriage is honest humorous and easy to connect with.
I recommend her comics to all my friends.

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.

A quick, hilarious, relatable read. I love huda's comic strips and I loved this book even more so (SO MUCH MORE CONTENT!).
This comic tells the story about how Huda and Gehad first met (I was laughingg), the parents meeting, the (chaperoned) dates and finally, the marriage!
The comics were simple and funny, just like what's her style, and the dialogues were amazing. I loved the wedding, and how she explained things for non-arab readers. I knew about most of the things, but the arab wedding tradition was a new thing for me and the way she explained it in simple words was so easy to understand, while appreciating the culture!

This was a delightful read! I really enjoyed reading about Huda's love story and a look into how a modern woman might look at love & relationships while keeping deep faith in her religion. Would definitely recommend and I absolutely love the fact that this has a linear storyline & isn't just a rehash of some of her most popular comics (which I also really love!).

It was a cute, funny and unexpectedly geeky read, full of pop culture and Austen references. It's basically like a short, graphic novel version of "Ayesha At Last." In the current political climate we really need more stories like that. I think that this one can be enjoyable to both Muslim and non-Muslim readers, but is definitely aimed more at the latter: everything is made very approachable and all cultural references are explained in depth. There is even a small dictionary at the beginning. It makes me so happy that we're getting more and more non-white-Christian-centric representation because, honestly, it's way overdue. So here is to many more books like this one!

Title: That Can Be Arranged



Author: Huda Fahmy



Genre: Nonfiction, Comic, Humor, Romance.



Plot: Huda Fahmy is the author of the popular web comic, Yes, I'm Hot In This which humorously talks about her day to day life as a traditional Muslim woman in today's modern world. Her debut book features all new content and tells the often-hilarious story of how she met and married her husband, Gehad.



Divided into easily managed sections, this book tells us about Huda's early days of crushes and searching for a suitable suitor while swamped in Jane Austen's famous novels. Eventually, she beats the naysayers in her life and does find her dream man.



Likes/Dislikes: I would like to note that I personally am not Muslim but I love reading about Huda's adventures. I have learned so much about her culture and strongly encourage everyone to check her out when you get a chance. I don't usually read a lot of graphic novels so I'm very picky when I decide to read one and I'm glad I read this one. My one real complaint is that it was too short. I really wanted to keep reading and learn more about Huda, Gehad and their baby, their daily life and what other books she's become obsessed with over the years. Maybe there will be a sequel. I really liked that it was original content and not just her popular posts printed up. My favorite bits were the interludes as her empty coffee cup pile grew as she told the story.



Rating: G-all ages but mostly 14 and up.



Date Reviewed: January 25th, 2020



I received a copy of this book courtesy of Netgalley for my honest opinion and I wasn't required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed in the above review are my own.

This book was absolutely epic! I love how I can relate to this whilst not actually having gone through any of it purely because I've had family members go through it! And there's something to be learnt as well. Cannot wait for more from Huda!

**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.

I've heard of Huda Fahmy and seen her comics around the internet but I never really read anything of hers before. I admit it's mostly because her art style doesn't seem too appealing to me. But I'm glad I gave this a shot because I really liked it! The story was relatable and funny in a cute and cheesy kind of way. I'll most likely check out more of her work in the future.

Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this comic!

Rep: Muslim MC

This was such a fun read! I flew through this in one sitting. The art and writing style is very easy reading and super engaging. It was also funny and insightful. I would definitely recommend this comic memoir and I can't wait to read more by this author in the future!

#partner Andrews McMeel Publishing
What a fun book this was. I have followed Huda on Instagram for a while now, and I love how she takes time to share and educate about her faith and life. This book is solely about her experience with arranged marriage. I loved how each page incorporated her comics and some more text to better explain some situations. I would have really enjoyed there being more at the end of the book, but maybe she’ll write another one one day.

I follow Huda Fahmy on Instagram and LOVE her comics. I am a Christian who love to learn about other religions and cultures. I knew many traditions of Muslims but Huda adds her own personality and humor to everyday situations. I absolutely understand how she felt about eventually finding the right one. I enjoyed reading about their love story and sharing her experience in an arranged marriage.

A very light, short and uplifting graphic story of how Huda Fahmy in real life as an observant Muslim woman of the twenty-first century, found her soulmate.

Dodging shady suitors, societal expectations and impossibly nosy aunties, this book is all about Huda’s real life quest to find a perfect partner who is her equal.

My first graphic book in a very long time it’s definitely an enjoyable read that would also be very enlightening for non-muslim readers specially those of the Western world.

Though I would have preferred it more as a longer book, it’s a quick read that explores the subject of identity and Muslim/Arab representation deftly.

P.S. the introduction letter of the book is hilarious!

I discovered Huda and her comics last Ramadan on instagram and totally enjoyed them.

I liked that someone who really knew what they were talking about was presenting it in such a fun way.

So when I saw this I couldn’t resist.

This is the story of Huda going through potential suitors and her marriage to the One.

Every page has a little writing along with a comic.
I liked that it represented and showed the Islamic tradition in marriage.

But to me it added nothing really.

A light fun read with accurate information and lots of laughs.

This review is for a free copy courtesy of Netgalley

An important book to tackle the Islamophobia.When hijab is associated with oppressed women this book shows how hijab wearing women are living their lives on their own terms.A light funny and funny read for everyone.

Adorable, hilarious, and (I assume) relatable, Huda Fahmy's book about wanting love, coping with the struggles of not being in love, and falling in love fully and sincerely touched my heart. While I'm aromantic, this short book sold the feeling of being in love as something positive, something that could be both fun and lively, as well as hammering in that it's all right to find love in your own time, free of other expectations.

This short book is fun, relatable for my fellow muslim sisters and it will give readers a wider perspective on marriage and finding ‘the one’. The one thing that I will absolutely take to heart is that even though the main character felt hopeless, she did something about it instead and take matters into her hands.

This book has a lot of humour which I can sense must have come from the author herself. I didn’t feel bored at all reading this book and actually had a really great time. I was deeply amused most of the time. I’ve seen before this author’s comic strips on twitter and always adored it. Its really great that its now available longer and in book form.

To anyone who is coming of age for marriage, I highly recommend you to read this insightful book. Because she didn’t give up, instead worked harder to be closer to Allah by learning about the religion and taking classes. She also said that she is worth the wait and the right guy will come along eventually. Just a matter of time and I find this really beautiful and reminer for myself and to all the women out there. You are worth the wait, no matter what people say.

I really love this book so much and I could have read it in one sitting but I didn’t want to. Instead, I took my time reading it and take in all the cute illustrations one at a time. Its such a great book, funny and relatable for any muslim girls.

Huda Fahmy is a Muslim living in the United States, sharing her real life experiences in the form of comic strips published on Instagram. I started following her somewhere around last year; I mean who wouldn’t love the at times acerbic humor and wit that flows so smoothly through her meaningful comics that most Muslims can relate to?

When I found out that Huda was releasing her new book, That Can Be Arranged sometime this year, I have been counting down the days. That is until during one of my once in a blue moon forays into Netgalley served me with the best of surprises; this title was up for grabs for an ARC review. Quickly downloading it and reading through it in one setting, I was fascinated by the story of how Huda found her soulmate for life in Gehad her husband.

Islam is a pivotal part of Huda’s comics, and the way she so brilliantly imparts Islamic knowledge and wisdom without sounding preachy is something I have come to appreciate immensely in her work. As a romance lover, I loved Huda and Gehad’s story. As a Muslim, I loved it even more. Why? Because Huda’s real life journey towards finding her soulmate gives hope in a way not many stories can; that valuing your own self and loving yourself is a first step towards finding someone who would love all of you, imperfections and all of that. That is not a lesson that many learn before they make huge mistakes, which I believe for the most part Huda managed to skirt around.

Easier said than done, right? Huda too felt the same when she first started out on her journey, trying to fit certain molds that society can often project on your subconscious. The well-meaning family, both immediate and otherwise can often dampen the spirits of the most enthusiastic, especially when they have a tendency to kick you where it hurts when it comes to affairs of the heart.

Luckily, Huda is spared most of the heartbreak because she is strong in many ways from the onset, her mother and father being supportive of what she wanted for herself rather than trying to marry her off to the first thing that crosses over from the realm of eligible men. Her continued efforts towards learning more about her religion which actually brings her finally to Gehad and identifies in him her soulmate was beautiful in a way that is indescribable.

There is a certain allure in the way Huda combines traditions with that touch of modern flair which I identified with on a deep level. While I know that living as a Muslim, especially in a country like the US at a time when Islamophobia is on the rise and is rampant must be difficult, I did identify somethings that I wouldn’t mind having over here, a “100%” Islamic country as well. One of them being Muslim scholars who are more approachable and understanding of the unique challenges faced by Muslims of the world today. That in essence is a huge gap in most Muslim societies, the inability of scholars to get to the heart of the issues and reach out to the disillusioned among us. It is so easy to give into despair in a world that is so skewed in favor of the few, it is so easy to get lost in the fray.

In short, I loved it all. Recommended for anyone who appreciates humor and wit, combined with the belief that God indeed works in the most mysterious of ways.

Final Verdict: A unique portrayal of navigating the marriage market in a Muslim society, giving insight into the traditions and societal expectations on women, and a journey of self discovery and spirituality towards finding the one!

Rating = 4.25/5 [AWESOME READ]

Imagine Jane Austen’s stories written in the style of Sarah’s Scribbles, centered around a devout young Muslim woman in the contemporary USA, and that pretty much exactly describes That Can Be Arranged: a Muslim Love Story. It’s a fun, sweet, extremely readable graphic novel about Huda Fahmy, author of Yes, I’m Hot in This: the Hilarious Truth about Life in a Hijab, and how she met her beloved husband Gehad. I enjoyed her first book, with its simple but evocative art, and snarky humor, and started following her on Instagram, so I snapped up a chance to read this book via NetGalley.

I actually ended up liking this even better than Yes, I’m Hot in This, probably mostly because there’s a coherent narrative throughout, and, even better, a sweet, funny, romantic one. Huda’s sharp, snarky, engaging wit and humor are still in full force this time around, but are elements of a bigger story. We get a bit of an insider’s view of a (geeky) Muslim woman’s search for love and eventual courtship and marriage, complete with all the practices peculiar to her expression of her faith. We also get lots of laugh-out-loud moments, like when she points out the potential awkwardness of having her bearded, visibly Muslim husband talking gamer smack to her in public (“I’m going to beat you so bad tonight.” etc), complete with the horrified nice white lady in the background.

I feel like I learned a little about what Muslim daily life and romantic courtship and relationships can be like. As a fellow nerd, I was able to relate to some of Huda’s struggles. Others were so culturally different from my own practices that I had a harder time relating–but she still helped me, the reader, understand her feelings in those moments, and what the practices meant to her. I’m so glad I read this; I really enjoyed it, and finished in one sitting. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a fun, diverse little graphic novel about geeky love in a hijab.

Thank you to #NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for allowing me to read a temporary digital advanced copy of #ThatCanBeArranged . This is my honest opinion.

***Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review***

I follow Huda on instagram (@yesimhotinthis) and have loved the comics I saw there. Reading this book by her gave such a nice background story on how her and her husband, Gehad, met. I really enjoyed the story and it was something that I had not seen on her instagram! The story was heart warming as well as funny!! I also enjoyed getting to learn about Islam and the ways in which she celebrates her religion. Overall, a really fun read.

Absolutely delightful, charming, and funny biographical comic about the author's romantic experience and ultimate marriage. I'm only passingly familiar with this artist, but I absolutely want to know more now.

I found this to be hilarious! Not only it is perfect for Austen lovers but for the romantics that feel so hopeless and societal expectations that are against them. Not only are readers learning about another culture but finding a story that they will find both relatable and funny at the same time. I couldn't stop myself from laughing! The artwork was just an amazing added touch!

A fun read, I sat down and didn’t get back up until I’d finished it! I enjoyed Huda’s sense of humor and even laughed out loud in several places. There’s a great cast of characters involved in Huda and Gehad’s love story and I especially liked getting to know Huda’s mother. Told with a combination of thoughtful reflection and self-deprecating humor, everyone who reads this book will be rooting for Huda to find true love.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing a digital ARC for review purposes.

I love Huda's comics! I learned a lot about her culture and she told her story in such a funny and endearing way. I look forward to seeing more from her and hope she publishes many more comics.

This is my second book by Huda Fahmy and I enjoyed it as much as the first one. She helps bring such knowledge to a culture I didn't know much about. It is also a beautiful ode to her and husband love story. It is so heartfelt and sweet but at the same time funny and quirky. It did not disappoint.

I opened the first page and laughed like hell. It was hilarious right from the start and as i turned the pages, it only got better. The first quarter of pages explain the terminologies of marriage, types of men and women and nosy aunties while also giving a bit on the storyline.

It's a short and sweet read. The illustrations were awesome. Over all, the book is absolutely hilarious. It's Pride and Prejudice set in the background of Islamic culture and traditions. The story follows author's journey in finding a groom while navigating the societal know how of the culture she is born and brought up in. 

A must read for all Jane Austen fans.

Sweet, funny, and insightful. This book was a delight to read and is full of the wit and wisdom found in "Yes I"m Hot in This", the authors online comic series.
A modern day Jane Austen story indeed.

I enjoyed Ms. Fahmy's first small, humorous graphic novel, "Yes, I'm Hot in This" and like this one even more! She delightfully relates her own experiences as a traditional young Muslim woman who finds appeal in the similarity of her culture's courtship patterns to those in Jane Austen novels. Ms. Fahmy's story of her own thoughts and experiences of romance and marriage are a delightful blend of Muslim tradition (chaperoned courtship, parental involvement) and American culture (spoilery or I'd relate the fun!)

Ms. Fahmy's art is simple yet appealing with a delightful color palette suited to her light and romantic themes. Her rendering of facial experssions in particular add visual humor to her laugh-provoking text.

A delightful book recommended to both Muslims and those of all faiths or none who enjoy romance and humor graphic novels and comics.

I received an e-advance reader copy with the expectation I would write an honest review.

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.

Representation: Muslim & hijabi characters throughout

Huda's search for love combined with her absolutely adorable illustrations made for one of my favorite reads thus far in 2020.


What I Enjoyed


Huda's humor was infused in nearly every moment of this story, from when an auntie makes a snide remark about her age & marrying at that point (there was reference to a cat hotel 😬😲) to when she first sees/meet her future husband Gehad at a conference (🥰😍).

The callbacks to earlier times, earlier loves/crushes, etc., also had these asides that I'd call tea time episodes because Huda would come to us with commentary from her favorite seat with a warm cup of tea, dispensing the wisdom thindsightight had granted her.

Readers will also get insight into Huda's experience as a Muslim woman growing up, learning the Rules as she puts them, that govern her life and interactions with regards to dating & marriage. Her confusion about finding The One may be familiar to readers who experience similar feelings and even if not, her journey is peppered with, as aforementioned, Huda's brilliant handling of any and all material with signature humor.


To Sum It Up


From Huda to Gehad to her parents, whether assorted side characters or Huda's own asides, there is no shortage of content for laughs. Something for everyone to laugh with as you read alongside Huda's journey, as I did, in That Can Be Arranged. 😊

I’ve been following Huda Fahmy’s Instagram (@yesimhotinthis) for a while now and love all her content. So when I got my hands on an #AR copy of her upcoming book, That Can Be Arranged, I was super excited. And, boy, she doesn’t disappoint.

This book isn’t a comic book but rather more of picture book about her journey to finding a husband. She shares the traditions and the crazy aunties who make finding a husband just a bit more difficult for young Muslim women but, she also provides a lot of food for thought. I think her experience and the lessons she shares will be valuable for any young Muslim, boy AND girl, who is in that season of life.

Moral of the story is that there is no ticking clock. You don’t have an expiration date regardless of what the Auntie Brigade say. Having your priorities straight and waiting for the right person will pay off.

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!

It can certainly be arranged, especially if you do it yourself.

Social media has certainly helped create FOMO, but I believe that relationship status is one thing that has had women compete for the longest time. No matter what culture you come from, it's difficult to see friends and family get hitched before you. Particularly as you start maturing in age. It was interesting to see how Huda wasn't an exception. It was only once she starts to release that pressure and focus on herself that the universe brings a perfect suitor for her.

Witty and short.

I've seen some of Fahmy's comics on Twitter before and found them pretty funny so I was looking forward to reading this one. I really like her sense of humour, it's slightly sarcastic and I found myself grinning and even laughing out loud at points. One of my favourite scenes was a conversation Huda has with her mother after her first meeting with her future husband, where she says "but we had such chemistry!" and her mum says "well...you did get that B in chemistry" - probably because I could imagine my mum or one of my aunt's coming out with a come back like that! I'm also a real sucker for books/comics written by Muslim authors with Muslim protagonists as I get really excited by characters and conversations that I can relate to on that level, and this comic didn't disappoint.

Another thing I liked about this comic was that despite it being quite lighthearted there are moments where the author reflects seriously on things she has learnt but without it changing the tone of the comic. For example, her comments about realising her self-worth following her first proposal. The comic is also quite honest about the pressures Muslim women can experience from family, friends and the community to get married before they're "too old", and the loneliness you can feel when everyone around you seems to be getting married and you've never been on a date.

Lastly, this was a super cute love story. Huda and Gerad's story is really sweet. One line that I particularly liked was, when talking about her first meeting with him, Huda says "with Gehad, I knew almost instantly that our souls had met before".

Overall, a lovely short read which is genuinely funny and has great illustrations.

I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I've been following Fahmy's Instagram for quite some time and always thought her comics and content were truly funny and great. And this book definitely delivered. 'That Can Be Arranged' is an endearing read where we follow Fahmy's journey to finding a husband. I liked the insights Fahmy shared upon her journey (self-worth, self-love, taking initiative, staying true to your belief, etc.) and how she kept a light-hearted tone despite covering some serious topics.

I truly enjoyed this read. There were plenty of moments that made me smile and chuckle. I'd definitely recommend this to any hopeless romantics, fans of Jane Austen, and anyone curious about this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I follow Huda online and I was so excited to read this book! I loved her previous book, Yes, I'm Hot in This. She's hysterically funny and very open about what it's like to be a Muslim woman who wears a hijab. She describes all the ridiculousness that she has to deal with on a daily basis and still manages to be positive despite people's ignorance.

Initially, I thought this book would be in graphic novel format, but I was glad to discover that it was almost more of a (long) picture book style, with longer text passages that are illustrated. I really appreciate getting to hear her story firsthand, sort of in her own words rather than reenacted. Does that make sense? It feels like you're sitting down with your new friend as she "once upon a time"s her life.

Anyway, I loved this book and can't wait to see what she does next!

*Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for providing a digital copy.*

Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was definitely a graphic novel in the most ‘novel’ sense of the word. Though there is a lot of artwork in the book, the story itself is conveyed mostly in the narrative, which is embellished by the clean, funny art. The story itself is simple – a girl grows up, dates a bit, goes for an arranged marriage, happily ever after. Fahmy’s telling of the story, however, lends heart and empathy to the tale. It’s a nice, heartfelt romance. What really makes this book stand out is the way that Fahmy demystifies how things work for Muslim youths. The author explains how things work, and digs into her personal experience to really engage with readers who aren’t familiar with Muslim customs work or wonder how arranged marriages can possibly be something any young person wants. The novel warmly welcomes the reader to explore these elements and the author’s romance – it’s a sharing of her culture and heritage and life, and it’s truly a beautiful thing.

More Muslim rep, please!
I loved this. It was so cute. I'm glad that I found it on Netgalley's Read Now Section. I've always loved Huda Fahmy's comics on Instagram (@yesimhotinthis); they're hilarious, fun and fresh.
Being a Muslim and hijabi myself, oftentimes I could relate to her.

'That Can Be Arranged' was an easy read. I got through it in less than an hour.
Thank you to Netgalley for the Arc in exchange for an honest review.

This was easily my favorite graphic novel of the year, and I know it's still early but nothing is going to top this. I already love Huda from her Instagram, Yes I'm Hot in This, and I loved reading this. It was a super light, easy read and it was lots of fun! I enjoyed getting to know a little more about the Muslim faith, and I really liked how it shed new light on arranged marriages. American society could do with learning a little more about different cultures, and I think this was a cute way to offer that perspective. I would highly recommend this graphic novel!

I loved this graphic novel soooo much! It was funny, romantic, and insightful. Also, I totally want to be friends with Huda Fahmy in real life now!! There aren’t many people that I wouldn’t recommend this book to!!

DISCLAIMER: I received an eARC of THAT CAN BE ARRANGED from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

4.5*

Listen, as a Muslim girl, if there is a book centered around a Muslim out there, you know I'm going to read it. If it is a graphic novel memoir, I'm definitely going to request it. My expectations for THAT CAN BE ARRANGED were rather high, and this book did deliver. Fahmy's art style is quirky, but it's mutual to how lighthearted the book is.

I'm pretty young to say that I relate to this, since I'm not married, and I'm aro/ace. But Fahmy shows the expectations a Muslim woman has to meet for a relationship to go well. I don't want to spoil, but I'm well-reminded of these said expectations. Because of this, I found the book fun to read.

Do I recommend this?
Yes. It will be especially fun to all Muslim girls.

That Can Be Arranged by Huda Fahmy is one Muslim woman's account of the trials, tribulations and rites of passage involved in courtship and marriage, in a simply illustrated and honest yet funny graphic novel.

The book opens with a riff on the opening line of Pride and Prejudice, and the author notes that Austen is one of her favourite authors, and one that she references again at a couple of points during the book. As a devout Muslim woman, Huda wears the hijab and always draws herself wearing it . In her introduction at the start of the book she clarifies the differences between arranged and forced marriage, and reiterates her happiness with her husband. The author is very open about her experience ( or lack thereof) of dating and how when she did go on a date with a potential suitor, it was always chaperoned, as was any communication between them. Her anecdotes are charming and funny, and I am sure many women, Muslim or not will relate , but what I enjoyed most about the book was the journey of self acceptance that Hulda went on as she became more self aware and more aware of what she wanted and needed in a life partner.
The artwork is deliberately simple, yet still expressive , and the authors wit and personality leaps off the page. She is not afraid to wear her heart on her sleeve, and open up in the pages of this wonderful little book.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher.

This is a sweet memoir that starts with Huda’s childhood her introduction to Muslim courtship customs and ends with her marriage a few weeks before she turns 26. In between, we learn about her hopes (that she won’t turn into an elderly cat lady) and dreams (how to find the perfect husband??) as well as see some of the, well, not-so-successful suitors.



Huda, an English major who admits she read a very large amount of Jane Austen, compares Muslim courtship to Austen-era courtship, and while it leads to several funny running gags, it’s also a pretty apt comparison. It’s a very different process than typical American dating (chaperones and the amount of parental involvement were the two that really made me raise my eyebrows), but Huda does a good job explaining why it’s important to her. She doesn’t shy away from both the pitfalls of the process (how to even meet guys?) and the strengths (avoiding getting involved in a relationship just for the sake of being in a relationship). So, while it’s very different from my experience in some ways, in others, not so much!



I really liked the advice she got from a sheikh. When she tells him about her checklist of what she wants in a husband, he gently points out that she wouldn’t pass her own checklist (fluent in Arabic, memorized the Quran, etc), and that she should look for someone at the same level who wants to grow together. Good advice for anyone, I think.



The art style is simple but colorful, and the faces are hilariously expressive. My one criticism is that it wasn’t fully “illustrated” – most pages would have a paragraph or two of text at the top of the page followed by a drawing. I wish all of the text could have been incorporated into the images, as the differences in style between the two fonts was pretty jarring.

Overall, I found this a fascinating and sweet glimpse into a different culture’s view of romance. I’ll definitely be looking up her previous book!

I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

<i>That Can Be Arranged</i> tells the story of author Huda Fahmy's own arranged marriage by drawing parallels between contemporary Muslim dating customs and the rules of courtship in Jane Austen's novels.

The book is a combination of brief paragraphs describing, and illustrations and comic strips illustrating, the series of events that led Fahmy to meet and marry her husband. The text was witty and sprinkled with fun pop-culture references, and all the characters were fun, from perpetually-internally-screaming Huda to the usual supporting cast of gossipping mamas and embarrassing in-laws. The illustrations were a bit too simplistic for me to really adore them, but the characters' expressions were well-done and definitely served to get the story across.

I chuckled at "A weight I never even knew I carried had been lifted". That's a new one for the "breath I hadn't realized I was holding" hall of fame...

3,5 stars, rounded up.

3.50 stars ⭐

I read this only knowing a few basic things about Islam, even though we came from different worlds, I could easily relate to her struggles.
Her journey is one worth reading, I'm very happy that she put herself first and didn't go for anyone who would want her.
It's a good read for those who don't know much about arranged marriages and the Muslim culture.

//"I'm wearing pants on my wedding day!"
"You wouldn't dare."
*on the slab of her mom's grave*
-Her Daughter Got Married In Pants-//

I relate to this quote from the book on the deepest level of my core. I will not be able to thank Andrews McMeel enough for this e-arc through NetGalley!

Reading this book was pure joy as Huda explores her religion's take on courtship and love in the 21st century, where arranged marriages are non-existent on a major scale. As I come from a society where arranged marriages are respectful and regarded as the only true mean of marriage, most of this felt relatable and vocalised! Even though this book revolves around the topic of arranged marriages, it also deals with Huda's journey into discovering self-worth, self-growth and self-love. It also explores her relationship with her mother, her parent's marriage and their skill in weeding out the bad suitors.
Huda has brought in comparisons from Jane Austen by adapting Austen's essence and it just makes this read so much more fun! The illustrations accompanied are humorous and super-cute! I will never be able to get enough of them!
As totally adorable and informative, this read is truly joyous and is very necessary for today's evolving cultural climate for bringing the balance between the traditions and independent choice.

I screamed, "You go girl!" when I read the acknowledgements. This is one of the best quick read I have had recently! I enjoyed this and I assure anyone who picks this up will...

Rating: 5/5

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!

I had a fun time reading this book. I've read quite a few of @yesimhotinthis comics. I've enjoyed them and literally laughed out loud at some. So when I saw eARC of this book I made sure to read it as soon as possible. I wasn't disappointed.

The book starts with a list of common Arabic terms that everyone might not know in advance. As a hijabi myself, I could relate to many of the incidents. The book is not just humorous, it also busts some preconceived notions about hijabis and Muslims at the same time. Even serious matters are portrayed hilariously that I just couldn't help myself laughing out loud.

The book is about how Huda (the author) meets her husband and marries him. She navigates through mismatched suitors, gossiping aunties, and societal expectations for Muslim women hilariously. The illustrations are perfect. It's a short and sweet read which you can finish in one sitting.

My Rating: 4/5

Imagine you're a twenty-something-year-old female in a conservative Muslim American family. You're not allowed to date and you're not really interested in dating, but you are interested in getting married. (Certain Muslim cultures just don't allow for dating y'all, get over it.) All of your friends are getting married. Your sisters are getting married. You, on the other hand, are not. This was Huda Fahmy's life. Huda wasn't seeking an "arranged marriage" per se, but she was looking for something akin to the marriages found in Jane Austen novels. As a matter of fact, she actually refers to Jane Austen novels in her search for the perfect husband. Muslims (and other cultures) prepare a dossier or "biodata" that is used to "match" compatible couples when all else fails, and at this point in Huda's life, all else had pretty much failed (or had it). What is in this "biodata" you ask? Ms. Fahmy provides the perfect definition in her book:

"biodata (noun): personal information about one's life, work, family, personality, goals, financial status, values, beliefs, health history, favorite Pokémon, and other preferences about things both religious and secular. Think super-detailed Tinder profile, except instead of dating, they'd get married."


That Can Be Arranged: A Muslim Love Story is a quick read but one that had me laughing out loud, choking on my chai, and bookmarking pages to return and read later. Any author/artist that can reference Jane Austen, J.K. Rowling, and Pokémon in one book is beyond amazing in my opinion. Huda's quest and it was a quest, for a husband was rife with hilarity. Although I know her story ended well (I follow her on social media), I was beginning to believe she might actually become a single cat lady at one point. (Hey, there's nothing wrong with being single or owning cats). She pokes fun at the meddling aunties (trust me, read the book and you'll understand this reference) and the variety of suitors she encounters throughout her quest. I cheered when she met Gehad and achieved her happily ever after, this is a love story, it says so in the title! FYI, this isn't every Muslims' story but it is one specific Muslimah's story of growing up in this country and her quest to find love and get married within the bounds of her religious beliefs. Ms. Fahmy tells her story with style, grace, respect for the religion, and quite a bit of humor. Although this graphic novel/memoir discusses bits of Muslim culture and the Islamic faith, this is a book that can be read and appreciated by any reader. If you're into graphic novels, memoirs, humor, or just want a quick read, I strongly encourage you to grab a copy of That Can Be Arranged: A Muslim Love Story by Huda Fahmy to read. If you can't tell, I thoroughly enjoyed That Can Be Arranged: A Muslim Love Story and will be re-reading again in the near future. I look forward to reading more from Ms. Fahmy in the future.

Happy Reading y'all!

I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this unique story! Fahmy’s life story and how she got married was interesting to read because of all the hilarious moments that happened. I also liked the Muslim representation in this book. Although each culture has different practices, her character was relatable to other Muslim girls living in the West. The best part about this book was when she worked to improve herself by learning new things and engaging in hobbies rather than being disappointed because she wasn’t married early.

My only concerns with this book was the format. I liked the idea of the graphics but just having one line of text on each page felt like it was too short. I feel like this book would have been better if there were more details included. Overall, it was a nice and easy read!

I really enjoyed this book! Oh my gosh, so sweet and adorable and geeky! I wasn't familiar with Huda Fahmy before reading this, but now I've got to get her first book, and get caught up before her next one comes out. I could relate to so many of Huda's struggles to find love- the feelings of self doubt, that something must be wrong with me, why doesn't anyone wanna go out with me, when will I meet that special someone? Reaching that point where you'll try to mold yourself into who a potential mate wants, rather than being yourself. I think most, if not all, women can relate to these feelings, and Huda handles them well. Seeing her go through almost settling for a bad match, then realizing she was worth the wait to find the right person was inspiring, and it made me feel the giddiness of finding "the one" again. I'm so happy she found her HEA, and that she shared her story (with lots of fun and laughs included!) with us. *cue swelling chick-flick end credits soundtrack*

#ThatCanBeArranged #NetGalley

3.5
This was cute and funny and I found myself talking about some of the things that happened to my friends.

While I will be the first to admit, this style of art is not my thing, I loved this graphic novel. It explores what a modern-day arranged marriage can be like and while the subject matter may not seem relatable to many, it absolutely draws the reader in by its humor and commentary on finding love and discovering self.

I always love a great graphic novel that is solidly woven around a theme. That Can Be Arranged checked all the boxes for me.
It was biting in the right places, but mostly a story. Often illustrators who pivot/diversify into books take a standalone approach - which is to say, they look at each page as a standalone comic strip. So it is refreshing to see this story-length feature.
The icing on the cake? It is a story told about a culture in a sensitive manner. It respectfully talks about the idea of love, marriage and other allied themes.

This is a hilarious graphic novel memoir about Huda’s experience with an arranged marriage.

It starts with a disclaimer about her wearing a hijab in the illustrations. The character in the graphic novel is an extension of herself, so she is always drawn wearing a hijab. However, in real life, she doesn’t wear it to bed, to shower, or to get her hair done, even though her character in the book does. She made this disclaimer funny, because she said anyone who skipped that disclaimer would wonder why she was wearing it to bed. She drew the character with a hijab every time for consistency in the book, not because that is what she actually does.

I loved the way she compared the courtship of an arranged marriage to a Jane Austen novel. They both have nosy, older women poking their noses into the lives of young people. There were suitors who came to meet her parents, like in an Austen novel. She also had to be chaperoned on any dates, like Austen’s heroines. This was a great way to compare her situation to older novels. It shows how universal these ideas of courtship are, because Jane Austen’s characters were doing the same things hundreds of years ago as what Huda did today.

This is a great graphic novel!

Thank you Andrews McMeel Publishing for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Huda Fahmy's follow up to Yes I'm Hot in This, again sharing details of her life as a Muslim woman, balancing modern perspectives with the traditions she observes. In this book, she shares her experiences as a woman in her twenties feeling like an old maid as she watches her friends marry. She suffers through a number of false starts with meetings set up by the community's "Auntys".Finally, she finds her own potential mate, when she is smitten by Gehad, a speaker at a Muslim conference.

Since Gehad appears in Fahmy's first book, it's not a big surprise when they marry, first however, they must go through the dating rituals of their culture. Every meeting is chaperoned, even email between the couple is monitored and leads to humorous situations.

I know sometimes Fahmy's art is criticized for its simplicity but I love it.

People who are looking for an #ownvoices book with humour will appreciate this one.

Another comic I have followed since Instagram and I was so happy to see their work in a book! Truly educational, heart warming, and just amazing.