Kylie Ladd for Cobram Library

Author and neuropsychologist Kylie Ladd is known for her thought-provoking novels, often with a moral dilemma at their centre. In The Mix-up, a medical error leaves two families devastasted and a pair of teenagers wondering who they really are.

Fourteen years ago, Shona and Nathan James left the hospital with their newborn son, Zac, while Kelsey and Raf Maccioni welcomed their daughter, Ammy, after multiple arduous rounds of IVF. Fast forward to 2024 and a school DNA test reveals a shocking medical mix-up. As the truth unfolds, both families must grapple with the complexities of identity, belonging and the true meaning of family.

A true case of an IVF mix-up in California was the catalyst for Kylie, whose professional background made her question the emotional and psychological implications on not only the couples involved in this case but their children too. In The Mix Up she considers what such a discovery would mean if it were found out later in life, where the babies are now teenagers who not only have opinions, but also agency.

Kylie herself has used IVF for her own family and has been an egg donor twice. She has always been riveted by the psychological implications of assisted reproduction – donor embryos and surrogacy have featured in two of her previous novels. The Mix-up is a sophisticated extension of these favourite themes: blood and belonging.

A truly original concept, handled with care and humanity, The Mix-up is a compelling family drama that is in turns heartbreaking, insightful and honest.