From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia

• Happy ending
• Love story is the most important facet
• Usually triangulation--romance is being challenged by person or problem
• Told from point of view of both lovers
• Miscommunication--characters hate each other, then love each other
• Escapist reading
• Emotional appeal
• Fast read--less complex style
• Strong female characters
• May be read for other details: Historical setting, clothing, adventure, mystery
• Participate in characters’ lives--you’re privy to their inner feelings and thoughts [1]