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Returns and Exchanges
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A sweeping novel of one Kentucky family’s rise and fall throughout the 1980s—a tragicomic tour de force about love and marriage, parents and children, and the perils of mixing family with business, from the acclaimed author of The Animators
It’s December 24, 1979, just before closing at Baker-Taylor’s discount department store, and Fran (née Baker) is surveying her domain. Her husband, Fred, is charming customers in the front of the store, while last-minute shoppers in the toy aisle are fighting over the lone remaining Atari. The older Taylor kids are on register, while the younger ones’ chaos is contained to the stockroom. All is right in the world as the new decade approaches.
With four healthy children and financial stability their own parents could have only dreamed of, Fred and Fran are the picture of the American Dream—rags to riches—with a successful chain of family-owned stores built on years of hard work and long hours. Underneath the surface, however, the business is changing at a breakneck pace, and each member of the family is struggling to keep up.
Money is transforming Fred, and the extremes he will go to in order to fit in with the slicked-back high society crowd of Lexington, Kentucky, are embarrassing, if not downright dangerous. Josiah, the oldest son, wants nothing to do with the family business; Sam is seeing things that might not really be there; and Benny and Birdie are growing up with a fraction of the parenting that their older brothers had. Meanwhile, Fran, her family’s stable core, is falling for Wendy, a cashier at Baker-Taylor’s, risking everything along the way. While trying to maintain the facade of a perfect success story, Fred and Fran learn that in matters of love and money, once it’s gone, it’s gone—no returns, no exchanges.
It’s December 24, 1979, just before closing at Baker-Taylor’s discount department store, and Fran (née Baker) is surveying her domain. Her husband, Fred, is charming customers in the front of the store, while last-minute shoppers in the toy aisle are fighting over the lone remaining Atari. The older Taylor kids are on register, while the younger ones’ chaos is contained to the stockroom. All is right in the world as the new decade approaches.
With four healthy children and financial stability their own parents could have only dreamed of, Fred and Fran are the picture of the American Dream—rags to riches—with a successful chain of family-owned stores built on years of hard work and long hours. Underneath the surface, however, the business is changing at a breakneck pace, and each member of the family is struggling to keep up.
Money is transforming Fred, and the extremes he will go to in order to fit in with the slicked-back high society crowd of Lexington, Kentucky, are embarrassing, if not downright dangerous. Josiah, the oldest son, wants nothing to do with the family business; Sam is seeing things that might not really be there; and Benny and Birdie are growing up with a fraction of the parenting that their older brothers had. Meanwhile, Fran, her family’s stable core, is falling for Wendy, a cashier at Baker-Taylor’s, risking everything along the way. While trying to maintain the facade of a perfect success story, Fred and Fran learn that in matters of love and money, once it’s gone, it’s gone—no returns, no exchanges.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication May 19, 2026
3625 people want to read
About the author
Kayla Rae Whitaker
3 books481 followersKayla Rae Whitaker’s work has appeared in The Los Angeles Times, Buzzfeed, Literary Hub, Electric Literature, and others. Her debut novel, THE ANIMATORS, was named one of the best debut novels of 2017 by Entertainment Weekly and one of the best books of 2017 by NPR, Kirkus Reviews, and BookPage. Her second novel, RETURNS AND EXCHANGES, will be published by Random House in May 2026.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 10, 2026
Thank you to Random House for providing this ARC for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Returns and Exchanges by Kayla Rae Whitaker is an impressive, sprawling American family novel. Concerning the Taylor family, the owners and operators of Baker-Taylor discount store, it follows them through their rise and inevitable fall. The story is at once a portrait of the pitfalls of the American dream and of an evolving American family.
This book was absolutely captivating. Even though the pace of this book is slow and measured at times, it manages to maintain a high level of engagement as it skips from family member to family member. The way that the shifting focus and relatively leisurely pace manage to hold the reader’s attention is through absolutely meticulous character work. I thought that Whitaker did some of the most impressive character building I have recently read. Each of the Taylor family member, and many of the secondary characters, is distinctive and deeply detailed. They have speech patterns that are distinct, and unique emotional reactions that feel so natural to the characters the author has created. As the book progresses, each of the characters evolves and changes, in a way that is both interesting and realistic. There’s never a whiplash of choices or a complete 180 in terms of characterization. The ways that the players in this story evolve is so thoughtful and sensible. I also appreciated that there are very few true black-and-white characters in this story. Our main cast of six are given layered and complex attributes. Characters can be unfaithful wives but doting mothers, or driven businessmen who are out of touch and personally ineffectual.
I also loved the way that the American South plays its own character in this story. The economic and business climate is what underscores the story, including the looming threat of “the Beast,” a thinly veiled zeal-Mart clone. Whether it’s the attitudes of the established, moneyed, Lexington class or the reaction to the Taylor’s divorce, the role or the late 80’s Kentucky features heavily.
I was so happy to receive an ARC from NetGalley because this was a book that I really sunk my teeth into. I thought it was fascinating and yet not completely gut wrenching. I would recommend this as a book to both read and keep an eye on, 5/5 well-deserved stars.
Returns and Exchanges by Kayla Rae Whitaker is an impressive, sprawling American family novel. Concerning the Taylor family, the owners and operators of Baker-Taylor discount store, it follows them through their rise and inevitable fall. The story is at once a portrait of the pitfalls of the American dream and of an evolving American family.
This book was absolutely captivating. Even though the pace of this book is slow and measured at times, it manages to maintain a high level of engagement as it skips from family member to family member. The way that the shifting focus and relatively leisurely pace manage to hold the reader’s attention is through absolutely meticulous character work. I thought that Whitaker did some of the most impressive character building I have recently read. Each of the Taylor family member, and many of the secondary characters, is distinctive and deeply detailed. They have speech patterns that are distinct, and unique emotional reactions that feel so natural to the characters the author has created. As the book progresses, each of the characters evolves and changes, in a way that is both interesting and realistic. There’s never a whiplash of choices or a complete 180 in terms of characterization. The ways that the players in this story evolve is so thoughtful and sensible. I also appreciated that there are very few true black-and-white characters in this story. Our main cast of six are given layered and complex attributes. Characters can be unfaithful wives but doting mothers, or driven businessmen who are out of touch and personally ineffectual.
I also loved the way that the American South plays its own character in this story. The economic and business climate is what underscores the story, including the looming threat of “the Beast,” a thinly veiled zeal-Mart clone. Whether it’s the attitudes of the established, moneyed, Lexington class or the reaction to the Taylor’s divorce, the role or the late 80’s Kentucky features heavily.
I was so happy to receive an ARC from NetGalley because this was a book that I really sunk my teeth into. I thought it was fascinating and yet not completely gut wrenching. I would recommend this as a book to both read and keep an eye on, 5/5 well-deserved stars.
December 26, 2025
Completely blown away by this epic novel! I had just been wondering when her follow-up to her incredible THE ANIMATORS would be and I understand the wait. This sprawling family drama, which spans decades, is juicy, heartfelt, and quite the deep dive into a family business struggling to come of age, alongside the family itself. You are going to love this one, put it on the top of your 2026 reads NOW
December 1, 2025
I received this arc form the publisher. This is an absolutely wonderful novel that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it. The characters are so finely drawn (especially Fred!) that you will start to recognize them as people from your own life.
February 27, 2026
I read The Animators when it first came out and was blown away, so I knew that whatever Whitaker wrote next I had to read and I was *not* disappointed. What we have here is an epic tale that spans generations within a family line. What begins on Christmas Eve in 1979 in Kentucky, and ends in 2015 and told by the Matriarch of the family, is a story about a family’s journey with their line of discount stores and their evolution of each member as they change and grow and branch out into who they’re meant to be. It’s a whirlwind of a novel that was impossible to put down, writing that pulls you in and makes you laugh as hard as it makes you cry for their losses. I honestly found myself initially saddened by the ending only because I realized I hadn’t wanted it to be over, which is a sign of a really good book.
I thank Random House for providing this ARC for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I have pre-ordered my own copy because I want this beautiful book on my shelves, and I highly recommend everyone else purchase a copy as well.
Kayla Rae Whitaker is a treasure.
I thank Random House for providing this ARC for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I have pre-ordered my own copy because I want this beautiful book on my shelves, and I highly recommend everyone else purchase a copy as well.
Kayla Rae Whitaker is a treasure.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Kayla Rae Whitaker's THE ANIMATORS is one of my favorite books, so I was thrilled to see she had new novel coming out. RETURNS AND EXCHANGES is an interesting concept, starting with a family-owned discount retail store in the 1980s. The through line of stores like Baker-Taylor's and the disappearance of family-owned regional stores is fascinating. The arrival of the Beast stores felt like the arrival of the Costco-type warehouse stores and the way this is treated in the novel--with characters worried about it, gossiping about it, finding it shrouded in some mystery--was excellent.
Overall, I was not sure why I was reading RETURNS AND EXCHANGES. In THE ANIMATORS, the narrative driver was largely what the two main characters would do as a follow-up to their first film, a breakout success. It had an urgency to it. In contrast, RETURNS AND EXCHANGES did not have any urgency in its storytelling and, as I read, there was nothing I was asking myself as I turned the pages. However, I kept turning the pages. Was it the writing? Possibly! I highlighted quite a few great sentences. Was it the characters? Maybe. I was especially interested in Benny and Birdie as they grew up; although in the earlier chapters I was so very confused about their ages. I found the story of Sam to be very compelling and really enjoyed getting to read some of the book from his perspective. I also found Fran and Wendy's relationship very interesting and I did care about where that would go. (I do confess, however, that I skipped to the ending to make sure there was no "kill your gays" trope, especially give then time the story takes place and the family's worry about Fran's safety.)
Overall, I was not sure why I was reading RETURNS AND EXCHANGES. In THE ANIMATORS, the narrative driver was largely what the two main characters would do as a follow-up to their first film, a breakout success. It had an urgency to it. In contrast, RETURNS AND EXCHANGES did not have any urgency in its storytelling and, as I read, there was nothing I was asking myself as I turned the pages. However, I kept turning the pages. Was it the writing? Possibly! I highlighted quite a few great sentences. Was it the characters? Maybe. I was especially interested in Benny and Birdie as they grew up; although in the earlier chapters I was so very confused about their ages. I found the story of Sam to be very compelling and really enjoyed getting to read some of the book from his perspective. I also found Fran and Wendy's relationship very interesting and I did care about where that would go. (I do confess, however, that I skipped to the ending to make sure there was no "kill your gays" trope, especially give then time the story takes place and the family's worry about Fran's safety.)
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for an advanced copy of this book.
We start off slow, the setting Christmas Eve 1974. A discount store has just closed for the night, cleaning up the mess a last-minute rush has caused. We're introduced to the Taylors, a family consisting of Fred, Fran and their four children. Return's and Exchanges chronicles the lives of these 6 individuals as their family business successfully grows and declines, and how that influences social and family dynamics.
I was presently surprised at how much I ended up enjoying this book. I found the characters, even the minor side ones realistic and relatable. And while the story does take a while to grab your attention, once it does, it does not let go. I liked the pacing of the book, the movement through the years, since it spans decades from 1974-2015 were smooth and effortless.
We start off slow, the setting Christmas Eve 1974. A discount store has just closed for the night, cleaning up the mess a last-minute rush has caused. We're introduced to the Taylors, a family consisting of Fred, Fran and their four children. Return's and Exchanges chronicles the lives of these 6 individuals as their family business successfully grows and declines, and how that influences social and family dynamics.
I was presently surprised at how much I ended up enjoying this book. I found the characters, even the minor side ones realistic and relatable. And while the story does take a while to grab your attention, once it does, it does not let go. I liked the pacing of the book, the movement through the years, since it spans decades from 1974-2015 were smooth and effortless.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
As someone who was born in the 80s, I still felt a lot of nostalgia from this story. I love the characters and how well they were developed. Everyone is so complex with their life and their issues. I loved the plot and how it showcases struggles that are still relevant to this day. The book has a very easy flow to it and was very easy to follow. There was an endearing quality to the entire book, and it is one that I won’t soon forget. The writing was amazing and really made me consumed as I read. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 26, 2026
I really liked this book. Returns and Exchanges by Kayla Rae Whitaker is a solid family saga about ambition, money, and all the messy dynamics that come with both.
It reminded me a lot of books by Jonathan Franzen—that same close look at family, success, and the quiet damage people do to each other without meaning to. It’s not a fast read, but I stayed invested in the family and how their choices played out. Thoughtful and well written.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
It reminded me a lot of books by Jonathan Franzen—that same close look at family, success, and the quiet damage people do to each other without meaning to. It’s not a fast read, but I stayed invested in the family and how their choices played out. Thoughtful and well written.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews