Oh, that's so sad -- the setting and plot sound GREAT, but it's difficult if one needs chemistry between romantic interests. I like reading books with zero romance, sadly rare as that is, and I like books with romance based on a genuine bond. I like nothing in-between, which is also why Seanan McGuire's InCryptid books fall so flat for me regarding Verity and, to a lesser degree, Alex: Their significant others are incredibly (Dominic) and pretty (Shelby) flat.