I read romance novels because I like stories about people falling in love and sticking together through thick and thin, no matter what happens. It's the ultimate happy ending for me. Not that life is perfect, but that love does conquer most everything.
That's why I like HEAs and not HFNs.
I am an escapist reader. I read for enjoyment for the most part. I know that life is tough and bad things happen in real life, and I am prepared to deal with that, but it's nice to read books with survivors who go through lots of struggles, but manage to come out on top because they have love in their lives.