That’s why I ended up dropping it. I understand these films are supposed to be for 12 year olds but I thought that was a bit heavy-handed even for them.

Here’s what Google AI said:

Compassion is a feeling of empathy and understanding. It’s a selfless action that involves forgiving others and feeling their pain. Compassion is also the motivation to reduce suffering, not because it’s aversive, but because it has a loving motivation to end it.
Love is about treating others with kindness and care. It’s wanting others to have happiness. Love is often selfless, but it can also be selfish

I guess you’re right that love in a generic sense can be applied to Rey and co., visualized by the group hug at the end and Reylo kiss. But my thinking was that compassion is what is always shown by Leia to both Kylo and Rey. Kylo definitely doesn’t deserve it, but she realizes he’s in pain over everything he’s done. Leia could also have every right to hate Rey because her grandfather caused so much suffering in her life. Ya know, destroying her homeworld. She could refuse to train her. Instead, she noticed how pure of heart she is and how devastated she was by that vision. She wants both of them to be free of their suffering, in a motherly sort of way.

I think it all goes back to the sand serpent scene. Rey certainly doesn’t have love for it, per se, but she is showing compassion because she understands it’s been hurt and just wants it to feel better. Which ultimately leads to the serpent being her friend and showing them the way out.