Furthermore, a romance novel must have an "emotionally satisfying and optimistic ending."

"There'll always be a satisfying ending, always," Ms. Roberts explained.

"If this were a ballad, there would have to be another complication, preferably with a great battle, to make a satisfying ending."

Klingon tales rarely had such a satisfying ending.

Though fictional trials almost always end with a surprising twist, the real-life versions tend not to have neat and satisfying endings.

I found myself imagining a score of different and more satisfying endings for my confrontation with her.

"There has to be one man and one woman and, no matter the ensuing complications, an emotionally satisfying and optimistic ending," she said.

School Library Journal described the novel as an "engaging, well-written story with a satisfying ending."

With dedicated book blogs, it's possible to inch closer to that most elusive of non-fiction goals: a satisfying ending.

A satisfying ending is one that delivers on the promise, providing new insight or comfortable confirmation or vicarious happiness.