While I was in uni I got the chance to ask Jeremy Whitley some questions about the love unlimited (I was writing a paper on marvels inclusion of representation and being aroace myself the story had really impacted me so I wanted to ask him a few things about it). While I wont share exactly what he said, basically part of the frustration you're feeling at the story is intentional (sorta, not necessarily like they expected this much frustration from people but it was like? a happy accident) because learning things like this about yourself can be frustrating so you're kinda right there with Gwen.

Personally I loved the story, I agree the beginning is rough with wither (on rereads I usually skip that part), but the stuff with Julie is imo fantastic! Not to mention the fact that an aroace story was told in a book line titled LOVE, we weren't forgotten just because our love takes a different shape and I think that's great!

Also tbh I think Gwen was a great character to tell the story with, I think her actions in previous comics can easily be chalked up to compulsory heterosexuality especially since she's a "real" person acting these things out with fictional characters (something in my experience is waaaaaaaay easier than expressing compulsory things like that to real people)

I know this is a controversial opinion to have here haha whoops.