common characteristics of romance stories?

All romance must be in the point of view of the female character, unless it's a male-male or female-female romance. (Like all rules, you see this one broken occasionally, but it's really rare.)

All romance ends with either HEA (happily ever after) or HFN (happy for now).

Many romances start out with a man and woman not getting along at all, then gradually coming to realize one another is terrific.

The female lead of most romances never worries about money or her attractiveness. It's a given that she has enough of both.

The male lead of most romances never works in a 'boring' job which would have to be explained to the reader. There are no insurance actuaries or market analysts, only guys with jobs which the reader can immediately understand well enough to know how his time at work is filled.

Sounds like an interesting assignment--have fun with it!

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However you feel about love - love it, hate it, wish you knew, wish you didn't, or feel too scared and confused to even try to find out - this book will show you that your feelings are okay, and most important, that you are not alone. In it you'll find letters from other teens and Kimberly's responses to their questions, concerns and confusion and you'll get a wide-ranging perspective on love and relationships.

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Mary and Billy could never fall in love, they're way too different/ are seperated by social/ racial/ etc. groups, but they fell in love anyway.

Love hate relationship that ends up with love.