Book Review: Dreaming in English by Laura Fitzgerald

by Jillian @ http://blueshelled.com . March 21, 2011 . 2:53PM

When I read Veil of Roses, the first book in this series, I was captivated by the story of Tami Joon. I watched her navigate the complex system of what it was like to be a foreigner in America and avoid deportation. So, when I learned that Laura Fitzgerald had decided to write a sequel, Dreaming in English, to tell more of Tami’s story, along with Ike, Maryam and other characters from the first book, I was more than excited to get my hands on it and read how this story progressed.

When we last left Tami, she’d narrowly avoided deportation thanks to the heroics of her new husband, Ike. He swept in on the proverbial white horse and saved her by a marriage born out of love and not necessity…well, it was a little necessary. Without their marriage, Tami would be deported, and this is the focus of the second book. Tami and Ike’s marriage causes problems with Ike’s family and a surprise visit from the “one that got away” changes everything. Ike’s family balks at what they perceive as a fake marriage, Ike’s dreams for his own coffee house are shattered and the government protests their marriage, which threatens Tami’s status in the country. Will she be allowed to stay in the country she loves so much or will she be deported as her mother was?

Ultimately, the characters are still well-developed and lovable. They are dynamic, though there seemed to be less humor in this book than in its predecessor. I found myself missing the friends of Tami’s from her English class and sympathizing more with Ike’s family than I’m sure the author intended. Tami’s ignorance of the way the government worked and Ike’s inability to empathize made me feel like neither of them were very likable in this book. The end felt cliched and too pretty for me. Everything was tied up in a neat little bow and lacked realism. When I was done, the feeling I was left with was that I’d just experienced Legally Blonde 3 and not the great sequel I was anticipating.

This was a disappointment after the first novel. If you haven’t read it yet, stick with “Veil of Roses” and allow yourself the option of dreaming your own ending to Ike and Tami’s story. You’ll feel better about it.

*Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in order to review it. Thanks for allowing me to read this book and share my thoughts on it with others!