F&H does have a hopeful end - I just thought that if you didn't know much about it, it was worth saying that it has a lot of complex, messed relationships under the light surface of it.

And, in answer to your question, oh yes! Sophie saves Howl in the same way, and Polly is the protagonist of Fire & Hemlock and tries to take her cue from Janet. DWJ is not much for the prince rescues princess sort of story. Those two both have a girl rescues boy theme (although mostly in her books, people have to rescue themselves, with some help, often by growing to realise the true nature of people close to them who aren't treating them well).