Those who spurn romance stories because the outcome seems set are mistaking what the plots are about, I think.  The question a romance plot must pose, and answer (showing one’s work!) is not “Do these two people get together?” but rather “Can I trust you?”  Which is most certainly not a trivial problem, in art or in life.

Lois McMaster Bujold, response to a reader question on Goodreads (10/30/2017).