**This post is lovingly and wittingly co-authored by Ellie, a candy-stealing, reading, sleeping, ninja wanna be.
*** However, I take FULL credit for that gorgeous work of art above. I think my effort on that manip is evident.
We’re fairly sure that the past couple of weeks have alerted you all to the awesomeness of Outlander, Diana Gabaldon, and Jamie Fraser. Maybe you haven’t jumped on the bandwagon yet. Maybe you’re still caught up in our book choices for this month’s Boozy Book Club, and haven’t gotten around to it yet. Maybe you didn’t think Sam Heughan was hot enough for you to bother with an 8 book epic historical series (sidenote: YOU MUST BE CRAZY). Whatever’s holding you back, this is the post that will tip you over the edge*.
WHY are we so obsessed with Outlander and JAMMF lately? Well, the epic book series is becoming a brand new series on Starz next year. AND the man himself was recently cast, and we felt compelled to welcome Sam Heughan with a series of reasons why he is perfectly cast and why we are better than other Outlander fans. #NoJudgment #HoWhyIsYouHere
But about the fictional man in question. Why is he so great, you Outlander virgins may ask? Is he really better than Barrons or Four or Edward or the guys from Nashville or Henry Cavill or JGL or our other book boyfriends? Really?
Yes. Here’s why.
NOTE: There may be some book spoilers ahead. We are going to be quoting passages and dialogue from the first book, so read at your own risk. It’s safe to read if you already assume the following about the book:
- Claire travels back in time in 18th century Scotland and meets Jamie
- Claire and Jamie get married
- They do married stuff (brown chicken brown cow)
- They are also SUPA DUPA in love
If that much was clear to you, then proceed.
He’s Honorable
This might seem like a requisite characteristic for a book boyfriend, but nobody has more opportunity to prove it.
When they first meet, Jamie is injured but still offers to put Claire on his horse as they ride off in the night. As the horse ride continues Claire begins to see bits of JAMMF’s endearing personality begin to emerge. He keeps her warm with his plaid and then takes the blame for her obnoxiously loud stomach growls.
Long before they are married, while traveling with some of Jamie’s clan, Claire wakes and is irritated to find Jamie asleep outside the door to her room at the inn.
Claire watches Jamie take a public punishment for a young girl. Basically, he gets his head beaten in because this idiot girl is a piece of crap.
“What?” he said, straightening up and wiping his face on his sleeve. He felt the split lip gingerly, wincing slightly.
“Offer to take that girl’s punishment for her. Do you know her?” I felt a certain diffidence about asking, but I really wanted to know what lay behind that quixotic gesture.
“I ken who she is. Havena spoken to her, though.”
“Then why did you do it?”
He shrugged, a movement that also made him wince.
“It would have shamed the lass, to be beaten in Hall. Easier for me.”
“Easier?” I echoed incredulously, looking at his smashed face. He was probing his bruised ribs experimentally with his free hand, but looked up and gave me a one-sided grin.
“Aye. She’s verra young. She would ha’ been shamed before everyone as knows her, and it would take a long time to get over it. I’m sore, but no really damaged; I’ll get over it in a day or two.”
“But why you?” I asked. He looked as though he thought this an odd question.
“Why not me?” he said. – chapter 10
He’s even honorable when it’s totally not in his best interests.
He’s Amusing
We are all in agreement that no book boyfriend can be hot and not be funny, right? Who wants to *ahem* a dry piece of toast?
“Big enough for most things,” he answered.
I was encouraged, and moved casually closer, so as not to be overheard by any stragglers from the square. “And tolerably strong in the fingers?” I asked.
He flexed one hand and the smile widened. “Aye, that’s so. Happen you’ve a few chestnuts you want cracked?” He looked down at me with a shrewd and merry glint.
GEEZ, Jamie. She just wants you to help out this little kid stuck to post. PERV.
Except, he kind of IS a perv. This is right after a fight when they’re outside sleeping with like everyone they know. All dudes.
They have this sweet moment when he’s telling her he’s loved her all along, and he turns it into this business while Claire basically hurls shit at him.
He’s Protective
No one has ever saved anyone’s life as much as Jamie saves Claire’s. She kind of saves his too, but let’s focus on the hotness of his protectiveness for a minute, aye?
Here he is making a promise to her when they barely know one another.
Here he is promising her he’s totes gonna protect her with his hotness and stuff.
Here he is getting her to safety and being totally surreptitious and sexy while doing it.
Here he is saving her life from a total asshole.
Oh, here he is saving her life again with LOGIC.
He’s Brave
This might go without saying, but he’s like LITERALLY the bravest.
When Claire is pretty overcome by some scars from his past flogging.
His uncle Dougal telling Claire how Jamie got those scars. Poor boy.
And his own feelings about the limits to his courage.
HE’S DEVOTED
Devoted is better than just being romantic – that could work with anyone, anywhere. He’s romantic inclinations are Claire specific.
HE’S SEXY
You were waiting for the good stuff, right?
On their wedding day. Confidence is hot, James.
Well over six feet tall, broad in proportion, and striking of feature, he was a far cry from the grubby horse-handler I was accustomed to – and he knew it. Making a leg in courtly fashion, he swept me a bow of impeccable grace, murmuring, ‘Your servant, ma’am,’ eyes glinting in mischief. -chapter 14
I’m skipping the honeymoon chapters because that would make this already WAY too long post WAY TOO TOO LONGEST. But here’s the culmination.
Claire, upon waking from a dream about a meadow (no relation to that other dream about another meadow).
Being all playful.
Before Jamie leaves for a hunting trip:
Ok, this admittedly, is a line you may have heard before but then he says this:
FLIBBERTY GIBBET.
Trust me, the trade paperback I have sitting next to me is 627 pages. There is A LOT more where that came from. It just does NOT get any better than Jamie Fraser … oh, until later books when he’s ALL OLDER MAN AND STUFF. #GAH
*This post may have been written solely for Bekah’s personal reference. I will not comment further.
**Ellie wrote all the cuss words, mom.