When you're reading you like to see the...

[defyalllogic]

Main Characters meet by page _______
They realize their attraction by page _______
The obstacle that keeps them apart by page _______
Dark moment _______
Recognition by page _______
Declaration by page _______
Betrothal by page _________
(assuming the novel you're reading is 350 to 400 pages.)

just curious.

[more explanation of terms and list adapted from: here (http://treva2007.livejournal.com/21002.html)]

[Nightmelody]

I want the couple to meet in the first chapter. After that i don't care.

[defyalllogic]

i hate when there are so many side characters/plots that the main couple doesn't spend time in the same room (after the initial meet) until like page 120

[sunandshadow]

It's boring if there's only one major obstacle that keeps them apart which is revealed near the beginning but not resolved until the end. I like to see them overcome an obstacle only to discover a new one.

Not one of the above questions, but one thing I keep track of is what % of the book at least one of the MCs is happy, hopeful, or in some other positive frame of mind. The book fails if this is less than about 10%, and it would be better if it were above 20%. Can't stand a book where everyone's miserable all the time.

[spamwarrior]

I like my main characters to meet early on, and realize their attraction (whether it's just omg s/he's so pretty/handsome or something) early on as well. I don't like there to be one big obstacle keeping them apart from the beginning and only resolving at the very end.

I also dislike the simple little misunderstandings used as obstacles. A lot of those misunderstandings would be resolved if one communicated to each other. For example, the hero hears from someone he doesn't know that his gf/wife has been cheating on him. He immediately believes that person despite the fact that the person has no facts to base this on.

[job]

Talking single title, here.

Main Characters meet by page: 100.
It's probably going to be sooner, because most everyone comes to Romance for the relationship. Me, I don't mind delaying the meeting.

They realize their attraction by page: same page as the meeting.
I expect the two to find each other intriguing at once.

The obstacle that keeps them apart by page: 5
I like this to be part of the major conflict of the story and that should be introduced from the start.

Dark moment: late in the story
I don't need just one 'dark moment'. Several is fine. If you want to play it so there is one Major Dark Moment, I'd put it more than 4/5 of the way through so we come to the resolution fairly soon afterwards.

Recognition by page: Not sure what this means.
Unless it's like, really dark . . .

Declaration by page: They should get around to it before the book ends.

Betrothal by page: ditto above.
Mutual committment, anyhow