I find it difficult to equate some of the 'love story' suggestions here, in particular, that referred to in 'Wuthering Heights', set in an area of the country with which I am very familiar, as being 'love' in a true sense.
In fact, it probably is difficult to write an 'interesting and gripping' novel based on real love. Writers know that a good novel, movie, and TV program has to involve a good deal of conflict. A good source of this stems from strong emotions such as jealousy. Writers of 'soaps' know this only too well and over indulge to the extreme.
Jealousy comes from insecurity, and/or over concern with self esteem, rather than a deep sincere, unselfish, love of another person. True love requires unquestioning understanding, and unhesitating forgiveness, if, and when necessary.
When novelists introduce such mediating factors, we find there is a large measure of 'conflict' if only within the mind of the offended parties. They have to struggle, and sometimes emerge as a metaphorical martyr to the cause, in their process of reconciliation of their 'love.' It is this 'inner conflict with which we 'sinners' can relate, and stimulates our emotions and interest.
If we are honest, most of us can't really stand purity, and goodness, it makes us uncomfortable. But we are not really honest, and will refute that in the same way as we will always find an excuse for our misdemeanours.
When I have heard accounts of those rare marriages, especially these days for instance, of a couple who have brought up a 'loving' family through providing the right example to their children; a couple having reached old age and are still as happy, and comfortable with each other, as the day they took their vows, I have reflected that none would have made the best sellers list if their lives were recounted by no matter how famous an author.
But then, all this is just my simple opinion.
