MY LIFE AS AN INTERNET NOVEL

An emotionally layered second installment following Dani’s adventures living inside an internet novel.

This translated work from South Korea opens with a flashback to three years earlier, with a scene in which Dani and Cheonyeong share a sweet moment that sparks their friendship. But after Cheonyeong—in front of the whole class—turns down an invitation from another girl to go on a date, Dani reminds herself that she must be careful around these boys. After all, they’re the male leads in the novel she’s been transported to. Regardless, it’s difficult for her not to get her hopes up when it comes to Cheonyeong, especially when he comes out and says that he likes her. The contemporary storyline resumes, and readers learn about the leads’ recent fight, which led them to stop talking. Cheonyeong believes he can’t trust Dani, but she can’t get over something he said years ago. Their friends want to help them make up, but Dani can’t shake the reality that they’re not real people. Dani’s anxiety is portrayed well as she experiences vivid dreams of going back and forth between worlds, belonging to neither. The beautiful artistic style that’s a hallmark of romance manhwas uses dreamy colors and cute emoticons to tell this relationship-driven story. Unfortunately, the vague time markers and constant back-and-forth between timelines make following the story confusing at times.

Engaging, if sometimes unclear.