Widow's Reluctant Mission

Lady Rosamund Hawkhurst, recently widowed and still reeling from her husband's death in a border war, is summoned by Queen Eudosia of Bevoria. She's tasked with a dangerous diplomatic mission: to cross war-torn lands back to her homeland, Abrenia, carrying a truce proposal. The assignment is suspiciously under-resourced—she's given only a single guard for protection, raising questions about the queen's motives and Rosamund's expendability. Driven by a fierce desire to protect her children from being conscripted or used as pawns, Rosamund accepts, determined to survive and return home.

Author Invades the Story

The narrative is repeatedly interrupted by Caroline, the story's own author, who appears inside the fiction to argue with her characters. Caroline is frustrated by Rosamund's resistance to romance tropes and her refusal to act like a typical heroine. The meta-layer becomes a running commentary, with Caroline trying to force the story into a romance structure, while Rosamund pushes back, prioritizing survival, family, and realism over banter and flirtation.

Hot Enemy Assigned Escort

Rosamund's sole escort is Captain Collins, a stoic, competent, and emotionally reserved soldier—her so-called "Hot Enemy." Caroline insists on the enemies-to-lovers setup, but both characters resist the trope, focusing on the mission. Their initial interactions are awkward and businesslike, with Rosamund suspicious of his loyalty and Collins wary of her reputation and rumored involvement in her husband's death.

Bandits, Blades, and Banter

The journey quickly turns perilous as Rosamund and Collins are ambushed by bandits. Both prove capable in combat—Rosamund kills to protect herself and Collins, who is wounded in the fight. The violence forges a grudging respect between them, but also deepens the tension, as each wonders about the other's secrets and motivations. The author's attempts to inject romantic tension are repeatedly undercut by the characters' trauma and pragmatism.

Patchwork and Proximity

Seeking shelter after the attack, Rosamund tends to Collins's wounds, revealing her practical skills and emotional resilience. The close quarters and mutual care create opportunities for vulnerability, but both are haunted by grief and suspicion. Caroline tries to orchestrate romantic moments, but the characters' emotional wounds and focus on survival keep intimacy at bay, even as trust slowly grows.

Nightmares and New Names

Rosamund's nightmares about her late husband and the war surface, and Collins's own trauma is hinted at. They share a rare moment of comfort, but the specter of suspicion—about Rosamund's possible involvement in her husband's death and Collins's true loyalties—remains. The journey is marked by silence, small acts of care, and the slow, painful process of letting down their guards.

Masquerade, Murder, and Misdirection

Upon reaching Abrenia, Rosamund is swept into court politics, a masquerade ball, and a failed assassination attempt on her sister, Queen Catherine. The attack implicates Rosamund, and a knife belonging to her late husband is found, deepening the mystery. The author's attempts to force romantic tropes are derailed by the escalating danger and Rosamund's growing paranoia.

Flight, Fear, and False Accusations

Convinced that she's being set up—possibly by her own escort, Collins, who she learns once served her family's enemy—Rosamund flees the court alone, desperate to protect her children and estate. The narrative fractures as Caroline, the author, loses control of her protagonist, and Rosamund's actions become increasingly driven by fear, guilt, and a sense of betrayal.

Authorial Crisis, Editorial Rescue

Caroline, overwhelmed by her characters' refusal to follow the plot, seeks help from her editor, Henry. Their real-world relationship mirrors the story's themes of miscommunication, trust, and vulnerability. Henry encourages Caroline to let the characters' choices stand, even if they break genre conventions, and to trust the organic development of the story.

Spies, Secrets, and Swords

Rosamund is intercepted by Collins and Robin, her childhood friend, who reveal themselves as members of a secret society working against Baron Mabry, the true villain. The truth about her husband's murder, Mabry's war profiteering, and the political machinations threatening her family come to light. Rosamund, exhausted and desperate, proposes a marriage of convenience to Collins to secure her estate and children's safety.

Homecoming in Flames

Rosamund and Collins race home, only to find her estate under attack—fires set, her children in danger, and the staff in chaos. Together, they save the household, but Rosamund is injured. The crisis cements their partnership, and the marriage—initially a legal maneuver—becomes a source of genuine support and mutual reliance.

Marriage of Necessity

The marriage is formalized in a hasty, pragmatic ceremony, witnessed by friends and allies. Both Rosamund and Collins struggle with the emotional implications: she is still grieving, he is unsure of his place, and both are wary of the expectations and vulnerabilities that come with intimacy. The consummation is delayed, not by lack of attraction, but by the need for healing and trust.

Feast, Fire, and Family

The estate hosts the Feast of Remembrance for Rosamund's late husband, attended by both queens, the king, and Baron Mabry. Mabry attempts to seize control through legal and violent means, but is ultimately exposed and arrested, thanks to the combined efforts of Rosamund, Collins, and their allies. The peace treaty is signed, and Rosamund's family is finally safe.

Baron's Last Stand

Baron Mabry's crimes—murder, smuggling, and treason—are revealed through the testimony of captured assassins and the evidence gathered by the secret society. He is stripped of power and faces execution or exile. The threat to Rosamund's family and estate is ended, and the political landscape is transformed by the new peace.

Healing, Havoc, and Hope

With the external threats removed, Rosamund and Collins focus on healing—physically, emotionally, and relationally. The estate is rebuilt, the children return to school, and the couple begins to navigate the realities of their partnership. The author, Caroline, reflects on her own journey, drawing parallels between her struggles and her characters' growth.

Dancing Towards Trust

As Rosamund and Collins prepare for a celebratory ball, they confront their fears and insecurities. Through dance lessons, shared laughter, and honest conversation, they move from guarded partnership to genuine intimacy. The consummation of their marriage is depicted as a mutual act of trust and love, not just duty.

Love, Loss, and Letting Go

In the aftermath, Rosamund finally allows herself to grieve her first husband fully and to accept the possibility of new love. Collins, too, finds a sense of belonging and purpose. The story closes with the promise of a new life together, the estate secure, and the author herself emboldened to take risks in her own life, mirroring her heroine's journey.

Characters

Lady Rosamund Hawkhurst

Rosamund is a widow, mother, and reluctant heroine, driven by duty to her children and estate. Her psychological complexity is rooted in profound grief, guilt, and a deep-seated mistrust of political power. She resists romantic tropes, prioritizing survival and family over personal happiness. Over the course of the story, she evolves from a guarded, traumatized survivor to a woman capable of trust, vulnerability, and love—though only after confronting her own fears and letting go of the past.

Captain Leo Collins

Collins is the archetypal "Hot Enemy"—a soldier with a hidden past, tasked with escorting Rosamund. His silence masks a deep well of trauma, honor, and longing for connection. Initially suspicious of Rosamund, he becomes her protector and, eventually, her partner. His journey is one of learning to accept care, express emotion, and find a sense of home and belonging, both in Rosamund and in the family he helps save.

Caroline Lindley (the Author)

Caroline is both the creator and a character within her own story, constantly breaking the fourth wall to argue with her creations. Her struggles with control, perfectionism, and vulnerability mirror those of her protagonist. Through her interactions with Rosamund and Collins, and with her editor Henry, Caroline's arc becomes one of learning to let go, trust the process, and embrace imperfection—in writing and in life.

Robin Waverley

Robin is Rosamund's childhood friend and a member of the secret society working against Baron Mabry. He provides comic relief, practical support, and emotional grounding. His role as confidant and ally is crucial in both the political intrigue and in helping Rosamund and Collins navigate their relationship. Robin's own marriage serves as a model of partnership and trust.

Baron Weston Mabry

Mabry is the primary antagonist, orchestrating war, murder, and political chaos for personal gain. His psychological profile is that of a narcissist and opportunist, using legal and illegal means to seize power. His downfall is engineered through the collective action of the protagonists, symbolizing the triumph of integrity over corruption.

Queen Eudosia

Eudosia is the ruler of Bevoria, whose motives are often ambiguous. She manipulates events from behind the scenes, sometimes putting Rosamund in danger for the greater good. Her relationship with Rosamund is complex—part mentor, part adversary, part ally. Eudosia represents the burdens and compromises of leadership.

Queen Catherine

Rosamund's sister and the Queen of Abrenia, Catherine provides emotional support and a safe haven. Her presence highlights the importance of family, loyalty, and the personal costs of political power. Catherine's own vulnerability and strength serve as a counterpoint to Rosamund's journey.

Edmund and Charlotte Hawkhurst

Rosamund's children are both her motivation and her vulnerability. Their safety drives her decisions, and their presence humanizes the stakes of the political and personal conflicts. Edmund's coming-of-age and Charlotte's spirited defiance add depth to the family dynamic.

Henry Walker (the Editor)

Henry is Caroline's editor and confidant, providing both practical advice and emotional support. His relationship with Caroline mirrors the story's themes of trust, communication, and the courage to take risks. Henry's presence in the meta-narrative blurs the line between fiction and reality, reinforcing the story's self-aware structure.

Sally (Rosamund's Maid)

Sally represents the everyday resilience and competence of the household staff. Her care for Rosamund and the children, especially during crises, underscores the importance of community and support systems.

Plot Devices

Meta-Narrative and Authorial Intrusion

The most distinctive device is the author, Caroline, appearing as a character within her own novel, directly interacting with and attempting to control her creations. This meta-layer allows for commentary on genre conventions, the writing process, and the tension between authorial intent and character agency. It also mirrors the psychological struggles of both author and protagonist, blurring the boundaries between fiction and reality.

Enemies-to-Lovers Subversion

The classic romance trope is invoked—Rosamund and Collins are forced together as "enemies," but both resist the expected arc. Their relationship develops not through banter and sexual tension, but through shared trauma, mutual respect, and the slow building of trust. The story interrogates the artificiality of romantic tropes and the real work of intimacy.

Political Intrigue and Secret Societies

The plot is driven by layers of political machination: Baron Mabry's schemes, secret societies, and the hidden agendas of queens and courtiers. Foreshadowing is used through mysterious attacks, ambiguous loyalties, and the gradual revelation of past betrayals. The narrative structure alternates between action, investigation, and emotional reckoning.

Marriage of Convenience

The marriage between Rosamund and Collins is initially a pragmatic solution to external threats, but becomes the crucible in which both characters confront their fears, grief, and desires. The consummation is delayed, subverting expectations, and becomes a metaphor for the slow, painful work of building trust after trauma.

Parallel Realities and Mirrored Relationships

Caroline's real-world struggles with her editor, her job, and her own fears are mirrored in the fictional narrative. The relationships between author/editor and protagonist/partner reinforce the story's themes of vulnerability, risk, and the courage to love.

Analysis

Just Stab Me Now is a witty, self-aware deconstruction of both the fantasy romance genre and the act of storytelling itself. By embedding the author as a character within the narrative, Jill Bearup explores the tension between control and chaos, intention and improvisation, trope and truth. The novel interrogates the artificiality of genre conventions—especially the enemies-to-lovers and marriage-of-convenience tropes—by forcing its characters to resist, subvert, and ultimately transcend them. At its heart, the story is about grief, trust, and the slow, often painful process of healing and connection. Rosamund's journey from guarded widow to open-hearted partner is mirrored by the author's own struggle to let go of perfectionism and embrace vulnerability, both in writing and in life. The book's meta-narrative, humor, and emotional honesty make it a fresh, engaging, and deeply human take on fantasy romance, offering readers not just escapism, but insight into the messy, beautiful work of loving and being loved.

Last updated: June 19, 2025