Neurodivergent zookeeper Ellie Clark prefers animals over people, as relationships come hard to her due to ODC. When she saves the daughter of a doctor, she discovers a unique bond with the child and an unusual attraction to the girl’s sexy single dad, Dr. Sullivan Green.
Sullivan Green had been taking care of his daughter on his own since his ex-wife left, and Charlotte is always his top priority. But when the woman who saved his daughter wakes something inside him he thought long dead, will he be brave enough to take a risk on love?
Renown romance author Mariah Ankenman is back with Perfect Imperfections, a swoon-worthy romance with important representation. We spoke with Ankenman about OCD, writing from experience, and meet-cute disasters. This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
Your main character in this romance book has harm based OCD. Can you tell us how that comes up in the story and how that influences her character?
Ellie has harm based OCD, which is the same OCD type I have. Harm based OCD means a person has intrusive thoughts about harm coming to themselves or loved ones through accidents that are somehow their fault. Performing their rituals is how they avoid the harm from happening. Ellie must do things like unplug electronics and check her stove so her apartment doesn’t burn down. She checks the animals’ food to make sure she isn’t inadvertently poisoning the animals by giving them the wrong thing. And she must check multiple times, not just once.
I based Ellie’s intrusive thoughts and rituals off of my own experience – obviously it’s not exactly the same as I have never been a zookeeper – because I wanted readers to see the realities of a mental health condition that is often played off as “quirky” or “neat and tidy” in the media (which is so wrong because my house is a mess, lol). OCD isn’t a funny quirk. It’s a serious condition that many people live with.
Your main character is also a zookeeper! She meets the love interest through saving his child from falling into the penguin exhibit. That’s so creative and I’d love to know what inspired that.
I love to write what I call “meet-cute-disasters.” The thing with OCD is that you’re constantly worrying about things happening, so you’re hyper vigilant. I admit I’ve had the intrusive thought of one of my kids falling into an animal enclosure. I wanted to give this thought to Ellie and then have it actually happen because sometimes our intrusive thoughts do happen and it can set us back or help us fight what I call “the dark voice inside.” In Ellie’s case, she acted quickly and ended up a hero. Maybe it was my way of giving my intrusive thoughts the middle finger.
You have written many romance books. What makes Perfect Imperfections stand out from the others?
It’s my first full length self-published novel. Diving into self publishing is scary and a lot of work – don’t let anyone tell you it’s the easy way out; it is not. I knew there were readers out there like me who needed Ellie’s story, needed to see themselves in a positive light, deserving of love. This story has more of me in it than any other story. It’s scary to be so vulnerable in such a public way, but if Ellie’s story helps other people love and accept themselves or gives someone insight into what it’s like for those who live with OCD, then I’ve accomplished my goal.
What got you into writing? Did certain books inspire you?
My mom was a professional clown and from an early age, I helped her write her clown skits. I was involved in the theater and even got a degree in playwriting. I’ve always loved writing, but it wasn’t until my mid-twenties when I found romance and fell in love. From then on, I was hooked!
Do you have advice for aspiring romance writers out there?
There’s only one rule: To be a romance book it MUST have a happy ending. They don’t have to be married with kids or anything, just happily in a relationship at the end. The great thing about the Romance genre is you can write everything from super sweet with not even a kiss, to so scorching hot it burns the pages. There’s every subgenre imaginable – contemporary, paranormal, romantasy, historical, mafia, sci-fi, western, and more! But you MUST end it happy to be considered a romance. It’s a contract between the reader and author. We read Romance because we know no matter what heartbreak the characters go through they will get their happy ending.
Is it realistic? No. Life rarely ends happily, but life can suck and we need an escape. Romance offers that. Don’t harm your reader by trying to be edgy and give the book a sad ending. I promise you, they will be angry.
Anything else you would like to add?
You can keep up with me through my newsletter or follow me on socials, where I talk a lot about books and being a disabled writer. While most of my books are on the funny, light side, I do have content warnings for all my books on my website: mariahankenman.com.
I want every reader to have a safe and enjoyable reading experience. Happy reading!
