To start with, I think it is important to remember that characters are constructs that serve stories, and are generally not intended to be realistic or representations of what healthy romantic relationships should be in the real world. The appeal of romance novels is ultimately in the fantasy, which itself relies on simplifying or heightening characteristics that are viewed as desirable. The desire to be desired is probably the fantasy that characterises the most romance writing (and erotica, as well), which means that in some cases characters in romantic novels will be devoted or invested in ways you wouldn’t be able to find in real life except, perhaps, in stalkers. But the thing that is meant to be appealing is not the idea of a stalker, but the idea or the fantasy of being desired and loved with devotion that is being expressed through a heightened, fictional form.
MXTX clearly likes her ML to be on the devoted side. It’s a sort of sliding scale, where we go from LWJ to LBH to HC, with HC being single-mindedly devoted to XL for hundred of years. As well, both the MC and ML in her three novels have never had any romantic (or sexual?) interest in other people: which is another fictionalised aspect of these relationships that heightens the idea of them.
As well, it is important to remember that beyond this question fantasy, characters as constructs also need to serve the larger story. And although I admit I do not have a finalised or very nuanced opinion of TGCF in its entirety yet, I do think that HC’s devotion is crucial not only narratively but thematically. It is not productive to ponder whether HC’s devotion succeeds in being ‘romantic’ when thematically that devotion serves multiple purposes: it is not so much a statement about romantic love than one regarding questions of existentialism, faith, loyalty, and many more.
What I think plays in MXTX’s favour when it comes to how the devotion fits within the romantic relationship between XL and HC, is that XL does not fall for HC because of it: he likes being around HC, realises he is able to feel happy because HC is with him. In turn, HC never feels like XL owes him anything in return to his devotion or that he is owned anything of XL’s. The one moment where, at least for me, I think the devotion plays a role in their romantic relationship is when XL is moved (and relieved) after finding out that HC not only knows what he did when he was at his worst but that he loved and stayed by his side during that time, regardless. This means a lot of XL, who had insecurities and thought no one could love him if they were aware of this side of him. And while that is an extremely exaggerated and fictional scenario, the emotional core of it can resonate with most readers: the desire or the relief of being loved by someone who has seen all of them--the good and the bad. And that’s why fiction is great--through made-up worlds and character-constructs that heighten them, it is possible to explore very grounded and real emotional experiences.
