I would say the romance makes some sense - not why it's Peeta's main priority when he should be paying attention to the childmurder games, but if you read between the lines it's a relatively consistent, if squicky, portrayal.

See, Peeta's a great actor, we know that from his interactions with other people at the capital. He doesn't want her to reject him, so he never admits he's in love with her, he just keeps doing more and more things to obligate her to like him. I think there's a good chance the author would say that what Katniss is doing, kissing him when she doesn't feel anything for him yet, is what she's supposed to do anyway because she really is obligated to be his girlfriend to pay for him giving her help she didn't ask.

It's a perfectly accurate view of the Nice Guy beliefs on how relationships should go - she should reciprocate to pay him back and make herself fall in love.

It's just that none of what I just said is a healthy way to have a relationship.