Mainstream

Mainstream stories feature deep characterization along with social issues or themes. The writing style is emphasized and it may veer from category romance by adding subplots and wandering into thoughts of the character(s) and making statements about our culture or society of the time. Along with this is often a strong romance or burgeoning romance in the main story line, and possibly more than one. The romance is described subtly instead of vividly, with much detail left to the reader's imagination. A book may or may not be romance, may or may not have a HEA/HFN, often has several sub-plots, looks at life, prejudices, irony, etc.