If you’re subscribed to my monthly newsletter, you already know that this book is my favourite read of 2026 so far, so I thought it deserved a proper review on the blog. I’ve recommended it to almost everyone I know because I loved it that much. The best part is that the people who have read it because of my recommendation have come back to tell me they loved it too.

Broken: Not a Halal Love Story by Fatima Bala is a contemporary romance novel, and before you roll your eyes at the romance genre, let me say this: we are not only meant to read self-help books, business books, and career books as adults. We are also meant to read stories that make us feel things. Stories that transport us into different lives, different cultures, different realities, and different experiences. This book does exactly that.

The story follows Ahmad and Fa’iza (the main characters) as they navigate love, faith, family expectations, culture, tradition, and the consequences of their choices. At its core, it is a love story, but it is also a story about identity, religion, self-discovery, and the tension that exists when what you want conflicts with what you believe.

As someone who grew up in a Yoruba Muslim family, some of the themes felt familiar and close to home. However, this story is about more than religion. It also explores the culture and traditions of the Hausa-Fulani people in a way that felt authentic, educational, and deeply human.

I read this book with very little information about it. It had been selected as a read in my book club about two months earlier, but I only got around to it when I finally had some free time. Boyyy, am I glad I did.

Now, let’s get into the review.

What I Loved

The Storytelling: Fatima Bala can tell a story. The writing is engaging without trying too hard, and the pacing kept me interested from beginning to end. I found myself constantly wanting to know what would happen next. The chapters flowed well into one another and the story never felt rushed. It is one of those books where you tell yourself you’ll read one more chapter and suddenly you’ve read five. Someone I recommended it to read it in one day, she just couldn’t drop it.

The Male Protagonist – Ahmad Babangida: Let’s talk about Ahmad. I genuinely loved his character. Beyond just wishing for my own Ahmad 😂, he was thoughtful, layered, and deeply realistic. Despite his liberal, non-traditional worldview at the start, he treated Fa’iza with immense tenderness, safety, and respect. He wasn’t perfect, which made him even more believable. There were moments where I wanted to challenge him and moments where I wanted to hug him. A well-written character should make you feel something, and Ahmad definitely did.

The Character Introductions: One thing I appreciated was how naturally the characters were introduced. Nobody felt forced into the story. Fatima Bala introduces us to a rich circle of friends and family that vividly reflects Northern Nigerian culture, balancing traditional expectations with modern realities. As these supporting characters appeared, they weren’t just background noise; they added genuine depth to the plot and helped build a realistic world around Ahmad and Fa’iza. The dialogue felt incredibly authentic to how people actually speak, making the relationships feel grounded.

The Different Situations and Perspectives: I loved that the book didn’t present life as black and white. Different characters with their own distinct struggles, parental expectations, personal desires, and cultural realities. It was a beautiful reminder that people can want the same thing and still arrive at completely different outcomes because of circumstances beyond their control. It made the conflicts in the book feel entirely justified and real.

Learning About Religion and Culture: One of my favourite things about reading is learning something new, and this book delivered. I truly enjoyed how the traditions, customs, family structures, and expectations of Northern Nigerian and Hausa-Muslim culture were woven into the narrative. Even though some overarching themes felt familiar, I still learned so much about the specific religious and cultural nuances of the community. I was genuinely wowed by some of these details, and they added a layer of depth that made the entire reading experience so much richer.

What I Didn’t Love

The Suspense: The constant push and pull in this story completely stressed me out. The separation, misunderstandings, and uncertainty had me turning pages desperately looking for answers. There were moments of hope and frustration, but through it all, I found myself fiercely rooting for them. I was emotionally involved and that’s always a sign that a book is doing its job. Of course, that also means the author did her job because I was completely invested. Still, my blood pressure suffered a little.

The Realisation That This Is Some People’s Reality: One of the things that stayed with me long after I finished the book was the realisation that some of the conflicts in the story are realities that people genuinely face. There were moments where cultural expectations and traditions created obstacles that felt difficult for me to understand. I found myself questioning certain things and thinking, “How can this be the rule?”. It offered a glimpse into experiences and realities that may be completely normal for some people while seeming surprising to others.

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This book surprised me in the best possible way. It made me feel, think, learn, and care deeply about the characters. It reminded me why I enjoy reading fiction and why love stories remain one of my favourite genres.

Broken: Not a Halal Love Story is about love, but it is also about a whole lot more. If you’re looking for a romance novel with depth, memorable characters, emotional tension, and cultural richness, I highly recommend it.

Rating: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Have you read Broken: Not a Halal Love Story? I’d love to know your thoughts.

Mariam Shittu

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