The story follows a medical error discovered 14 years after characters Shona and Nathan James, and Kelsey and Raf Maccioni, respectively, welcomed newborns into the world following multiple rounds of IVF.
As the truth is uncovered, both families are forced to grapple with the complexities of identity, belonging and the true meaning of family.
Ms Ladd was inspired by a true case of an IVF mix-up in California, with her own professional background as a neuropsychologist prompting her to question the emotional and psychological implications on the families involved.
In The Mix-up, Ms Ladd considers what such a discovery would mean if it were found out later in life, where the once babies are now teenagers who not only have opinions, but the ability to themselves take action.
Personally, Ms Ladd has also used IVF herself for her own family, and has been an egg donor twice.
Ms Ladd is a novelist, psychologist and freelance writer, whose six previous novels have been published both in Australia and overseas.
Ms Ladd has also co-edited and co-authored two non-fiction books, and her essays and articles have been published in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald, Griffith Review, Meanjin, Kill Your Darlings and Reader’s Digest, among other publications.
Aside from her extensive writing career, Ms Ladd holds a PhD in Neuropsychology.
On Wednesday, April 2, Ms Ladd will visit Avenel Library at 2pm.
Ms Ladd will also be speaking at Cobram Library on Tuesday, April 1 at 2pm, and at Mooroopna Library on the same date at 6pm.
Copies of the book will be available to buy at each event, which Ms Ladd will be happy to sign.
To meet Ms Ladd and hear her speak about The Mix-up, bookings can be made online at gvlibraries.com.au/events or by calling Goulburn Valley Libraries on 1300 374 765 or emailing gvlibraries@gvlibraries.com.au
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