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Retail

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There are a few simple rules in This is how it’s always been, and how it always will be… Until today. Enough is enough. It’s time to get even, one nasty customer at a time. Once you get past the sticky issue of morality, revenge is easy. No one really sees the cashier or the stock person at the grocery store. We’re irrelevant and forgettable. It’s amazing what you can get away with when you’re invisible.

159 pages, Paperback

Published January 6, 2022

2 people are currently reading
148 people want to read

About the author

Renee Miller

49 books200 followers
I'd like to say I hate talking about myself, but that would be a lie. I don't mind in the least. Will it be interesting? Meh, probably not.

Let's see, I write suspense, comedy, paranormal, horror and erotic horror fiction. Basically all the dark fiction.

Follow me on Instagram, Twitter (@ReneeMJ) and wherever else it's not creepy to follow someone.

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
Profile Image for Michael David (on hiatus).
836 reviews2,021 followers
January 21, 2022
If you’ve ever had a customer-facing job and fantasized about killing some unruly folks, this book is for you.

Before you side-eye me or cross the street when you see me approaching, remember that the keyword up above is fantasized. The main character in this novella doesn’t just fantasize about it.

She (unnamed narrator) works at a grocery store. She’s been spit on, called horrible names, dealt with criminals…you name it! Well, unfortunately for those customers…she is at her breaking point!

Hell hath no fury…

“I’ve simply had enough and I’m cleaning up the aisles of life by getting rid of these people.”

I had an absolute BLAST reading this! There was snark and wit galore, awesomely R-rated language, and some worthy kills. Our narrator is bonkers, and her commentary is hilarious.

I can see why this might not be everyone's cup of cappuccino, but I thought this was wickedly delicious! I can only hope we get more murderous shenanigans involving she who isn’t named.

🔪🔪🔪🔪 Now available.

Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com
Profile Image for Michelle .
1,080 reviews1,883 followers
December 3, 2021
If ever a book was written specifically for me than this is the one. What a hoot this is!!! I loved every minute of this novella!

There'll be swearing ahead. You've been warned. 😉

Let me begin with a little honesty. I hate most humans. I think most humans shouldn't be allowed to walk the earth much less procreate to bring more little assholes into the world. Every day I encounter rudeness. Every day I watch the news and my faith in humanity dwindles even more. So I have this simmering rage inside me whenever I come across an asshole or when I hear about an asshole or when I read about an asshole. I'm not a psychopath so I just grin and bare it and move on with my day. But the thoughts I have....oh boy! I am NOT a nice person. I should also mention that I've worked retail. And I've worked customer service. The customer is almost NEVER right and this book is the middle finger to every *Karen* and douchebag of the world.

Our unnamed narrator is a manager of a supermarket in a small town in Canada. She is subject to griping, rudeness, and verbal abuse every single day and she's starting to get sick of it. Then the pandemic hits and the lunacy that ensues brings it to a whole 'nother level and our narrator has finally had enough. Time to take these mofo's down to which I applaud wholeheartedly. You go girl! 👏👏👏

"Retail sucked the goodness right out of me. I just couldn't swallow one more piece of shit from some yahoo who thinks he's better than me because he's buying what my boss is selling."

"We're not going to talk about the moderately annoying people, though. The stories I'm going to tell you about are the overachievers. The Kings and Queens of Asshole. You might think there can't possibly be that many, but you're wrong. I used to think the same thing, and then the pandemic happened and then let me tell you kids, humanity is fucking swimming in assholery."

This book may very well be my savior. Whenever I encounter some dickwad that tries to ruin my day I will pick this book up and I will live vicariously through our narrator. It happens so often that I should probably just keep it on my nightstand. Better yet, maybe I'll take it with me everywhere I go just in case. Just in case I should ever get the urge to murder someone. This should scratch that itch. I hope. 😬

I guess the only thing left to say is....Renee Miller you are my new BFF and I would love it if you made this into a series as was hinted at the end of the book. EVERY. SINGLE. RAGING. STAR!!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Unnerving for my complimentary copy.
Profile Image for Holly  B .
953 reviews2,916 followers
January 18, 2022
I'm an outlier, again....

This is a short book, but it took me a week to read it and a month to review it!

This girl definitely snapped one day.

A little vengeance story for those who have worked in retail. She gets tired of being treated badly and takes matters into her own hands. She has a streak of evil that leads her to deliver karma to the worst of the worst.

Of course this story is over the top and takes things to a shocking level, I'm not sure I expected all of it.

A short book with a hellish message that left me feeling a little speechless. It just wasn't for me and not one I enjoyed.
Thanks to NG for my copy! OUT Jan 11, 2022
Profile Image for Stitching Ghost.
1,512 reviews392 followers
October 8, 2024
I liked the idea behind this one, anyone who's ever worked in a customer facing position will have encountered people who seem out to get the worst out of you, there's something cathartic about them getting the shaft for a change.

Our main character is something of an unlikeable hag with a superiority complex, I didn't like her but I understood her and mostly I really couldn't blame here, when you keep getting treated as a doormat you have to develop some narcissistic tendencies to survive, she did what she had to do to get through the day.

I also liked that Miller absolutely nailed how Canadian police is less than useless in cases of harassment (until someone actually sends you to the hospital or gives you 100+ pages of proof of their harassment and you harass the cops into actually taking a complaint, yeah they won't do shit, but if someone steps up to defend you, you can bet they'll be maced and arrested in short order).

What I wasn't a fan of with this one was that half of the villainous customers were lazy stereotypes, is a fat unemployed woman, the ? An unregulated schizophrenic. The whole punching down thing wasn't my jam.
Profile Image for Nicole.
494 reviews265 followers
November 20, 2021
If you have ever worked in retail you can definitely relate to the narrator of this book. Working retail sucks. Day in and day out, you are expected to deal with the Karens of the world, all with a smile on your face. However, the narrator in this book has had enough. You could say that she snapped. She describes various people she has encountered at her job at a grocery store and explains why she is going to murder these carefully selected people This gave off major Dexter vibes!

As the body count rises, and Covid hits, things really get crazy!

I flew through this book! I enjoyed the writing style and as someone who has experience working in retail, I could relate to the narrator.


Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc.
Profile Image for Derek.
262 reviews132 followers
December 26, 2022
If you have worked in a customer-facing industry and ever had wild fantasies about killing the "Karens" and the "Chads" of the world, then Retail is for you.

A short novella (approx. 100pgs) chronicling the day-to-day of a supermarket manager who has had enough of the awful people that come into her store. Each chapter covers a despicable human being who, although may not deserve to die, but surely the world would be a better place without them.

The events that trigger the narrator feel authentic. I'm sure the author was able to draw these stories from real life interactions, sadly enough! Like the swindler and the screamer and the creepy guy stalking younger employees.

And OF COURSE the rapist had to be named Derek 😫 Still searching for that fictional Derek who is good.

Cheers!
Profile Image for Kay Oliver.
Author 11 books198 followers
November 18, 2021
Thank you Netgalley, Unnerving, and Author Renee Miller for this ARC.

"I’ve simply had enough and I’m cleaning up the aisles of life by getting rid of these people."

I worked in retail for years, so the first couple pages of this unique and refreshing thriller resonated with me quite deeply. And I couldn't wait to find out more. I mean, a retail worker killing off horrendous customer? Delectable!

And it was . . .

The POV character is a strong woman you can't help but admire and appreciate. Though she's certainly no angel, that's quite evident. The setting puts these horrendous acts in such an ordinary place we all go to without even really thinking about it. It'll definitely have you thinking and feeling differently about your next shopping trip. It was well written with good pacing and characterization. I look forward to reading more from this author.
Profile Image for Hayla.
715 reviews65 followers
January 11, 2022
I hit preorder as soon as I saw this novella and binged it in two hours! It was everything I wanted it to be!

I ended up highlighting so many relatable lines and thoroughly enjoying myself while at the same time feeling a tad bit 🥴 because I related so much to our vigilante murderer main character 😂 the service industry will do that to you!

If I could offer one bit of constructive criticism, I’d say that Miller doesn’t need to make the murder victims so obviously evil (rapists, serial killers, Covid spreaders, etc) I know it’s not just me that would have rooted for a fitting end to that customer wailing about the Doritos and yogurt 🤷🏻‍♀️ just one act of cruelty against a service industry employee and I’m down for a fictional ganking.

Dear authors pretty please write more service industry horror! I need mooooore!

Everyone go read this phenomenal novella! And be kind to the service industry staff…or else!
Profile Image for Paul (Life In The Slow Lane).
883 reviews68 followers
January 24, 2022
Would you like fries with that (and a bullet - to the head)?

For most of my life, murder never crossed my mind. In fact, I've always been a positive, kind person. ~ By unnamed narrator and heroine of this story.

I edited my first review as I felt it might be a bit too controversially depressing.

After 45 years of dealing with the public in our business, we experienced everything Renee Miller writes about - and more. I think her book proves that rude, arrogant, ignorant, aggressive and criminal customers are to be found on every continent. They sucked all the kindness and compassion out of me with the result that I had to sell the business and retire early. So many times I imagined turning that rude customer's head into a red mist with a Dirty Harry revolver. I took one star off ONLY because I thought Renee could have added a few more chapters of revenge on the nasties.

Remember folks, retail staff are human just like you and me. It's not hard to be nice, so be nice to them...lest one of them decides to take revenge on you.
Profile Image for Ian.
560 reviews84 followers
November 25, 2022
'A full-on quest of horrifying fun, fun...fun!'

A female supermarket manager, angered by the attitude and behaviour of some of her 'special' customers, finally reaches breaking point, so decides to take action in her own hands to make life more bearable. And her own particular brand of retribution may just become permanent for some of the more noticeable and outlandish self-serving, despicable unfortunates.

A good fun read for a couple of hours - from 'Opening to Closing,' that is full of malice, spite and humorously appropriate, blood-spilling activity.

Very enjoyable.

Rating: 4.2 bright and breezy stars full of shopping shenanigans.
Profile Image for NiaKantorka.
276 reviews
May 20, 2023
That was a very fun read. The first half of the book was hilarious and everyone we got to see through our protagonist’s eyes was either a creep, an asshole or crazy (or all of it😂). In the second half she lost her marbles too and the story became satirically weird. It was still good but it made me yarn for that one book where a woman is the totally convincing badass murderer heroine who is as smart as she thinks she is and still not an arrogant toad.

I have tried it twice in a row with women-are-the-killer books now, but I’m not wholeheartedly satisfied.

But don’t get me wrong: Everyone who has ever worked in retail will happily nod along with many of the MC’s observations and it was an entertaining story to read away in about an hour or two.
Profile Image for Renée.
226 reviews3 followers
March 24, 2022
A fun and hilarious read and a must read for those who’ve worked in retail. I’ll be checking out this author’s other work for sure.
Profile Image for Suz Jay.
1,053 reviews78 followers
November 27, 2021
“I just want wrongs to be righted. I want vengeance for all those suffering in dead-end jobs in the service industry. That means I only kill when it’s deserved. There’s a sort of righteousness in that, even if it doesn’t fit with our laws or societal morals.”*

The protagonist of RETAIL is a manager at Valu Mart, a grocery store. Tired of being called names and suffering countless other indignities by customers behaving badly, she decides to hand deliver karma to the worst offenders. Each chapter introduces a new problematic customer, who makes the manager’s hit list. The protagonist of RETAIL becomes the patron saint of the essential worker as she delivers deadly retribution to a series of hellish shoppers.

Recipients of verbal abuse and rude behavior at customer-facing jobs are likely to experience catharsis as the body count increases, as will those subjected to creepy predators. The kills are creative, each customer brings their own brand of nasty, and the story moves at a brisk pace.

I liked how the pandemic is part of the story, amplifying the rudeness and disrespect, but is never used as an excuse for bad behavior. It’s been awhile since my own stint working retail, but the book triggered monstrous memories.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thanks to Unnerving Books for providing an Advance Reader Copy via NetGalley.

*Please note that my review is based on uncorrected text.
Profile Image for Emily Webb.
Author 21 books68 followers
January 28, 2022
I’m really loving what I’ve read so far from Renee Miller (She Ain’t Pretty was entry into Miller’s writing) and Retail is a great read. Absolutely kept me turning the pages. Retail is the first book I’ve read that weaves the Covid pandemic into the story (it’s not the whole part of the story but Miller bring it in seamlessly) that really communicated the absolute horror of what’s been happening, and it was perfect to be told through the perspective of retail workers because they’ve copped so much s*** on the frontline. If we didn’t all know this was real then you would never believe the behaviour of people through these past few years could actually happen. Sure, we’ve seen virus and zombie movies and TV shows but now we’re living through this real-life horror show. We know what people are capable of in their total disregard for others during a global pandemic. The revenge exacted in this novella is satisfying. I want to read more service industry horror!
Profile Image for Jay Kulpa.
69 reviews2 followers
December 11, 2021
Retail is a treat of a read for anyone who has worked retail in the past, especially over the last two years. A dollop of wish-fulfillment, a constantly believable premise and narrator, and customers who., while not right, receive exactly the service they deserve.
Renee Miller has a real gift for conversational dialogue and narration that never sounds awkward or tries too hard, and the story is effortlessly contemporary while proving how little the experience stocking the shelves has changed over the years, All in all, Retail rings perfect to my ear after years in the retail salt mines, and the conversations between staff when out of earshot and off the floor... especially considering what the holidays were like.
Seriously, this is one to share and gift to coworkers, new and old.
Profile Image for Jason.
170 reviews21 followers
March 18, 2022
Flashback Alert!

Let me start by saying I'm a retail worker for the last 5 years. I've seen a lot of things. Experienced a whole lot. 1st chapter had a lot of very funny truth bombs, then it got super dark and sparsely funny, but I wonder if the author has actually worked retail because most of what happens here does happen on a daily basis. Curses, threats, etc. What the blood does in The Riot chapter? Mine's done that, too. What the trucker says to the worker? Yes, we get that and worse, even in '22. Got a lot of flashbacks reading so much of this story. Still, it does have plenty of entertainment value.
Profile Image for Katy.
263 reviews1 follower
December 23, 2022
Retail
by Renee Miller
3 stars
If you ever hated your job in retail, you are definitely not alone just some take it a little too far.
I wasn't excepting it at all. She snapped and snapped she did over and over. Customers aren't always right and don't piss off the employees they have been there a long time and know most of what happens around the store. This was set in during COVID and during. I'm so happy the book was a short read I don't think I could have kept reading if it was any longer.

Thank you
Net Galley and Unnvering for the e-ARC for an honest review
Profile Image for Anna Kay.
1,458 reviews161 followers
October 18, 2023
As someone who worked retail for over half a decade, I can honestly say I definitely had moments where I wanted to tell customers to fuck off and rage quit my job. I never went so far as fantasizing about murder, but there is definitely something savagely satisfying about seeing horrible people get what they deserve. This was the perfect length, I really enjoyed the wry humor and writing style. One of my favorite horror pieces I've read this year! It uses the pandemic well as a plot point as well, though I haven't read much pandemic horror. I highly recommend this one!
Profile Image for Mandy Hazen.
1,399 reviews
November 13, 2021
This book was a page turner from beginning to end. Who has ever worked in retail and not wanted to yell back at a customer? I know we all have gone THROUGH it with COVID especially this past year. However this main character decides to give into her desires and just start killing these customers. Don’t get me wrong. Well written and quite a read just very dramatic. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Jennifer D..
93 reviews
November 23, 2021
This was a super quick read, and overall it was enjoyable. Not a lot of character development for the main character, and there were a lot of plot holes that were left hanging out there. But it is an ok, super high-level book if you don't want to get bogged down in any details.
Profile Image for Emily.
42 reviews
January 25, 2022
I expected more from this based on the other reviews 😅 not nearly as satisfying as I had hoped. Just tiny, little unbelievable stories.
Profile Image for Gokce G.
479 reviews69 followers
January 29, 2023
This was a very quick and entertaining book. I’ve never worked in retail but heard stories-and witnessed some unfortunately- and this story not only depicts what it means to work in retail and what these people have to face day in and day out, but also it’s working in retail during the pandemic! Needless to say things go crazy real quick, but the main character’s voice is witty and fun to read so I enjoyed it.

If you’ve worked in this field, or just simply looking for some quick fun of a murderous story, then check this one out.
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