I loved 'Veil of Roses', the book that preceded this one, so I was excited to have a change to read this. 'Dreaming in English' expands upon the story of Tamila as she tries to make a life for herself in America with her new husband Ike. Tamila and Ike barely know each other, and their relationship grows and is tested in a variety of ways while Tamila tries to figure out what she really wants at life. This book is not as cute and carefree as 'Veil of Roses' was, but is much more realistic and, in the end, full of hope.

Dreaming in English by Laura Fitzgerald is the sequel to Veil of Roses and a fantastic two book story. I absolutely loved both books.

Dreaming in English continues the story of Tamila Sorush, an Iranian woman who came to America on a three month visa with the hope of entering an arranged marriage so she would be able to remain in America. After two failed attempts at arranged marriages to Persian men, Tami marries the man she truly loves, Ike, an American.

Both Tami and Ike are special characters. The reader wants their marriage to be successful and their dreams to come true. Together they are an exceptional couple, but not without their critics. Ike's parents, especially his mother, is outraged by the marriage and tries to bully Tami into going back to Iran. A previous failed suitor, who has his own set of problems, is out to make sure her new marriage plans fail. Throughout the story, the reader is rooting for Tami and hoping that Immigration will approve her permanent residency request.

I so enjoyed the minor characters in this book as well. Rose, Tami's friend, and Ardisher, Tami's brother-in-law were two of my favorites.

This book will have you laughing, crying and cheering for Tamila. I highly recommend this satisfying sequel. ( )

First of all, I wish I had won this book from the Early Reviewers. . . alas, I was not picked for it, though I had read the first book, "Veil of Roses", five years ago or so. Anyway, of course my local library had this book and the first one as the author is local to my present location. Five years ago, I had now idea I'd been moving to Tucson the next year. . . but that is another story. I am still hoping to meet the author one of these days.

I love the character of Tami, and how she develops in this book. She learns to really fight for her freedom and not to give up. I love the relationship between her and Ike. I enjoy how Tami sees the world, too. What sticks with me after finishing "Dreaming in English" are a few things in particular. For instance, Tami points out that Americans seem to find it odd that when you have guests visit, you must have a "giant bowl" of fruit when you serve tea as well as nuts (in our household - my husband is persian-american - because of my nut allergies, bowls of nuts are verboten). I have learned how to serve giants bowls of fruit! Another thing thing that sticks with me are the places and locations specific to Tucson that are mentioned throughout the book. It makes it fun if you can really see the places in your mind. . . but if you've never been to Tucson, it should not take away from your reading experience, either.

I might have missed something, but Alibaba (the local Tucson restaurant) is never mentioned in this book, nor any of the middle eastern stores (we have one we go to on occasion.) I though that was kind of weird . . . I mean, I know my husband's opinion on their (Alibaba's) food, service, ambiance, etc, but apparently none of these characters ever go there? Hmmm.

I,too, hope there might be a third book someday! ( )

Laura Fitzgerald, where have you been all my life? First of all, I did not pay close enough attention that this was a sequel. And I did not wait to read the first one. Oh my gosh, I cried and cried and laughed and cried some more. I finally found a character I can cheer for. This is a story about Tami, an Iranian young woman who finds herself being sent back to Iran after her visa expires if she doesn't do something drastic. I think I hit just about every emotion with this book. (I still do not like Ike's mom...evil woman). I feel sorry for whatever I read next, it certainly couldn't compare to this one. Wow! ( )

Even though I really, really liked this book I am going to start this review with a complaint. I can't help it. Minor rant here and then we can move on to happy things. This has nothing to do with the book and more to do with the route in which it came to be in my hands. I participate in the LibraryThing EarlyReviewers program. I have almost since I started blogging. I thoroughly enjoy it. If they had included in the synopsis that this was sequel I wouldn't have requested the book and that would have been fine because it is a SEQUEL and I deserve to know this. However, no where in the copy in which I was given to choose this book did that come into play. I feel like it's false advertising. I deserve to know when I am reading a sequel out of order because then I would like to read the first one ahead of it if I can. Ok rant over!

I went into Dreaming in English with some misgivings, afraid I wouldn't know the characters or what the heck was going on. I shouldn't have worried! I quickly picked up the story and became enamored with Tamila and her plight in America. Tamila finds herself swept off her feet in Tucson, AZ by the American boy of her dreams, Ike. However all is not to be so easily blessed. Tami was here on a tourist visa from Iran. Even though her family had high hopes that she would perhaps marry one of the Iranian men they had arranged for her, she did not, and instead, at the last minute, married Ike and now she needs to apply for the proper paperwork to keep her in the country.

There is also the minor detail of telling Ike's family. See, Ike and Tami knew each other and fell in love before they got married but it was kind of a 'love at first site' situation, not a traditional date for a while, meet everyone's friends and family and then get married situation so Ike's parents might be a little blindsided by their new daughter-in-law. And yes, they are not happy, particular Tami's new mother-in-law.

What follows is a story of how a new couple fights not only to stay together but to stay in America. Yes, it's a sweet story but you can't help but root for the good guys and jeer the bad ones. I thoroughly enjoyed it and am so glad, in the end, I read it. Even if it was out of order! ( )