From the sun-drenched cliffs of The Notebook to the toxic tension of Gone Girl , from the slow-burn friendship of When Harry Met Sally to the fantastical courtship in Bridgerton , human beings are obsessed with one thing: love .

But what is it that truly draws us to romantic storylines? Is it the thrill of the chase, the catharsis of the first kiss, or the comfort of the "happily ever after"?

As a psychologist and relationship expert, I argue that it is none of these things in isolation. We are drawn to romantic storylines because they serve as a mirror, a map, and a medicine for our own real-world relationships. They validate our struggles, fuel our fantasies, and often—dangerously—distort our expectations.