Meh. It's the whole 'soul mates' idea that drives almost all romantic fiction, whether Harlequin or fanfic -- and you are so right, it is simply the externalization of problems, and the externalization of solutions. It just does not appeal to me and I try to be tolerant, but part of me views it as irresponsibly dangerous. The message is that if you live in the right place or fall in love with the right person, ALL your problems will be SOLVED!!! Ta DA!!!!

Which is patently false.

One reason I don't think my original romance fiction would ever sell mainstream. My characters tend to have really messy romantic lives that are not very idealized...and this despite my penchant for happy endings! LOL! oh well.