Carl, a teacher in an elite private high school, is about to publish his third YA novel, The Mating Instinct, which depicts a romantic relationship between a teacher and a student. After his wife reads an Advanced Reader Copy and identifies the student in the book as a senior named Mackenzie, she believes the affair is real. Rather than hide the misunderstanding, Carl escalates the conflict by making the accusation public. Soon Carl’s job, reputation, and relationship with his family are at stake as the line between truth and fiction becomes increasingly blurred.