Romance, Historical or Otherwise discussion

Hi Everyone! I just read "What You Left Behind" and I am still trying to get my thoughts together. Do you think a past relationship/crush qualifies as romance? The main character, Ryden, lost his girlfriend (this is not a spoiler, it is in the write-up/back of the book cover) and her previous crush on him is cited quite a bit. I don't think her crush qualifies as "real" feelings. Thoughts?