Would you say that including a love interest in a story is a cliche and a cheap way to get someone's interest? Or do you prefer them?

I think love interests are perfectly fine. It just depends on how they're written.

If a character is written into the story with only the sole purpose of being a love interest then I could do without. If the romance is all the character is there for and basically has no personality above being in love with another character, then I think it is cheap and pointless.

Otherwise, I don't really have a problem having two characters in love. Romance isn't really my favorite but if it can included as a subplot without taking over the book or being otherwise boring or cliche, then I'm good with it.

I certainly don't want cheap, cliche love interests and the presence or absence of would not be a deciding factor in liking a book or not. What you describe sounds like something you could incorporate in the story without it seeming tacked on which is generally what readers are objecting to when they do object to romances.

This is good. A story that has a great plot but revolves around love (hunger games) is not a good idea. A good example for a book like yours is the Artemis fowl series. The characters have feelings for each other but they are hardly note worthy and don't take away from the actual plot.