Book title: Lettuce Leaves
Author: sxphxo
Genre: Short Story
Stars: 3.5 out of 5
***SPOILER FREE***
Lettuce Leaves... Surely an odd book title, but that's probably one of the things which draws readers to it. With it's minimalistic cover and metaphoric description, this short, on-going book surely promises you to give you a nice time and deserves the award it won.
The main plot is what some would call cliché, something many of us have already read or even wrote about — two strangers who fatefully end up having an unusual conversation over the phone and fall in love in the end, or that is what we assume. In spite of it's cliché characteristics, Lettuce Leaves promises you an original cliché, something we utterly love.
For starters, it is not written in the classic story-telling style. The mix of phone calls, text messages and some full-leangth chapters aren't something new, but are certainly something which catches the eye of readers, especially does who seek a quick reading.
Secondly, Lettuce Leaves is set on a fictional city called Scape, which appears to be something of a tiny and beautiful kingdom. Unfortunetly, we don't get anymore information of it on this story. Stories need to be grounded on a specific place for it to have coherance, however, it is understandable since most chapters are conversations between the main chatacters.
Overall, it is a book that definetly has amazing potential. I must say that I'm looking forward to find out how it ends. It is without a doubt a book designed to make you sigh in satisfaction, not bring tears to your eyes, so if you're looking for something like that, then you should definetly give it a shot.
***SPOILERS AHEAD***
Regarding it's characters, they are not exactly something new, but are surely likeable ones. In this type of books is normal to have crazy and sarcastic people who engage in an interesting conversation, and this is something that does not raise disappointment on Lettuce Leaves. With many private jokes who ran along the plot line, Jake and Leila make those short chapters enjoyable and leave you wanting some more.
As for recurring characters, such as Sammy and Milan, it would be more interesting to have a little bit more of development, especially Milan. Her role in the book is clear, she's the cute, little sister who ships the two main characters and isn't afraid of showing it. It would be nice to see her on the full-leangth chapters, and maybe not so centered in Jake and Leila's relationship. That also goes for Jake's uncle and Sammy. In almost all of their appereances, the main subject they refer to is Jake and Leila's relationship. It was as if they represented the fangirls reading the story, wondering about their future and what will happen next.
As it is a short story, it is common and understandable that things escalate rather quickly since time passes quickly. When they first meet, for instance, and Leila thinks she will be forced to leave. Milan then confesses to her how Jake would be devasted if she left, how he actually considered to follow her. That seems a rather quick move to make for someone you haven't met for over a year. Anyhow, it is important to remember that some people tend to be reckless and act over impulses, so that pretty much could be the reason behind it.
Another thought was that Leila's scare of leaving was solved rather quickly. Books need to keep us on our toes so the reader will continue being entretained and surprised by it. Although it did had a horrible timing, when they first met, that was possibly the best part of that issue. While you are reading it, you aren't expecting her to run away like that, so it was a good type of bad timing :) However, if I remember correctly, there were only two or three chapters in which the issue was unresolved. It would have been nicer to maybe have Leila fight back more, not give in so quickly, the same goes for Jake's uncle. Maybe even have another reason behind it, if the issue was a job then surely she could get another one in Scape? But I'm sure that it was just a small bump on the road, the last chapter, for now, on the other hand promises more than a simple bump.
If you are looking for a dynamic and satisfying read, then Lettuce Leaves is bond to suit your needs. I certainly enjoyed reading it and am sure that, except for some few exeptions, everyone would like it very much.
