Copycat Sam Book

This is not a story for me. I was drawn to the early-20th century time period and the interracial friendship touted on the back cover. But the 1913-1932 setting really had very little bearing on the story.

I can handle some of the overblown prose, and even some seeing of spirits. But. It all just goes too far and what's the point?

I can't believe that Skeet wouldn't try to rape Cass for fourteen years. It's just that the plot needed Cass and Allie to have enough money saved by the time he did it.

What was the point of Thane and that whole non-story? Like, at all?

I don't understand how Cass thought she hadn't earned any of the money that Allie was sending her when *they had been running a successful business together for years.* Where was the sense of accomplishment after all the hard work? Allie was supposed to be doing it all single handedly when Cass left? I can't believe they wouldn't have hired any staff and built a community of people around the restaurant.

There just could have been so much more to their story. Instead we get spirits serving tea (and eating cake at the end there!) and Lloyd painting one canvas over and over and Cass dying in a never-worn wedding dress at the age of thirty-four.

I'm just astounded that that's the story this author wanted to tell. Since it's based on her family, maybe that's why Cass or Ruby doesn't ever fall in love and no one is ever truly happy or anything. If it's going to be that realistic, you gotta give me something else to *enjoy* or at least appreciate about it. Alas.