Keeping Mum: A Comedy Romance Novel

Keeping Mum #1

by Perrin Briar

The first novella in a brand new romantic comedy quadriology.

When modern-day Scrooge Hetty Loveridge saw the opportunity to exploit an inheritance tax loophole for her children, she took it. She need only live seven more years. One week shy, she keels over, dead.

With their inheritance at stake, Peter and Kate get more than they bargained for as they attempt to fool the tax-man into believing their mother is still alive. For seven days Peter dresses as his mother, speaks as his mother, acts as his mother, and soon discovers she wasn't just the difficult woman he remembers her as. And when an old flame enters the scene, it's a recipe for disaster.

At the heart of this fast-paced and funny tale is a story about family, redemption, and hidden secrets. Would you do anything to protect your inheritance?

From the writer who brought you the Skip series and The Swiss Family RobinZOM comes this hilarious first part in a new romantic comedy quadriology.

KEEPING MUM. Let the hilarity begin.


Q – So, what makes Keeping Mum so special?
A – I’m a big fan of great movies in the romantic comedies genre but always found it hard to find a true romantic comedy novel. Searches on Amazon always throw up books with front covers of muscle-bound men with their shirts off, so I thought a front cover with a man dressed as his mother might just shake up the genre a little!

At Keeping Mum’s heart is unrequited love, a teenage romance that refuses to die, and a brother and sister who come to learn the value of family.

Q - What made you decide to give the first book away free?
A – I wanted to gift a free book to everyone who enjoys the romantic comedy genre. I’m a new writer and it’s great knowing that someone out there is reading and enjoying my novel. There’s no greater feeling than that.

By the way, there’s also a special free gift at the end of the free book for adventure fans… :)

Q - Can readers get the whole series in one go?
A – Of course. I’ve bundled all the episodes up into one complete season at a hugely discounted rate

I have also written many other books. Readers can check them out at my author profile on Amazon.

Thanks for reading!

Keeping Mum Series eBook
- Romantic Comedy
- Family Life
- Coming of Age
- British Comedy

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Amazon, Humor

175 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 12, 2014

About the author

Perrin Briar is an English author best-known for his Blood Memory series, black comedy Keeping Mum, and revenge tale Square. He was born in Huntingdon, grew up in Norfolk, graduated from Bournemouth, worked in London, and then chucked it all in to live in South Korea.

He has written for BBC radio, and worked in the production and development departments of the BBC, ITV and Channel 4.

** Sign up to Perrin's newsletter at www.perrinbriar.com/mailing-list/ and get four free stories, news of forthcoming new novels, competitions, special prices, advanced novel previews and exclusive email-only serial story Skip! **

Reviews

[Montzalee Wittmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keeping Mum: Long Weekend ( Keeping Mum #1) by Perrin Briar is a very cute story about a brother and sister getting ready to get a big lump of money from their mom's estate in 8 days. They don't like their mother and take turns seeing her monthly. She lives alone, old and sick, but has someone come see her to care for her daily. Of course, mom dies a week before the money, tax write off, is due. Their solution is hilarious. It is a "part" so to finish the story the reader has to get Keeping Mum part 2. Great story except that it is a part, ugh!

[Tammy Ellis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Keeping Mum was a short story and free so I downloaded it....I surely didn't know that it would end in the middle of the story and they are making you purchase the next book to see what happens. Most books I read do not do this...they end and then if the author wants to write a second book, they can proceed where the first one left off.

[Miranda · Rating 2 out of 5]

There is a reason it is free. It is not even half a story I was waiting for something to happen funny or intresting but I imagine it's not till the 3rd book. Don't waste your time with it.

[Kemper · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'll never read a book by Perrin Briar because his so-called 'launch team' constantly spams me. I'm sure it's terrible.

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keeping Mum (#1)- a review by Rosemary Kenny

In literally a complete change of character from other books by the prolific and inventive Perrin Briar, Keeping Mum is an eye-opening what if...tale, that resonates with most readers (if we're completely honest!).

'Resting' actor Peter Loveridge's life is turned upside down after receiving a panicked call from his shopaholic, designer fashion victim sister, Kate. Their mother, Hetty lives in a rundown trailer where the electricity is paid for by the Council.
Kate has little or nothing to do with their Mum, despite the fact Hetty passed on many thousands of pounds that would become liable for Inheritance Tax if she failed to survive another seven years.

Why do Peter and Kate argue ? What is the outcome? What happens a week before the seven years are up? What is the new role actor Peter will have to play to perfection?

This amusing novelette will keep you chuckling at the small ironies of life expounded by witty and wonderful author Perrin Briar - don't miss it!

[Chris Blackton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the reviews said this was a short story and ended in the middle of the story. I am confused because my version was definitely complete.
This is a stand alone novel so it is not part of a series or a prequel or sequel and I liked that. The plot is not very original but it was nonetheless entertaining.
I did find myself disliking Kate due to her extreme selfishness and self-centeredness but this resolved by the end of the book.

[Christine woodward · Rating 1 out of 5]

Well I was expecting some kind of ending, little did I realise when I started reading the book that I would have to purchase part 2 and maybe even part 3 to find out what happens in the end. It does give you a link at the end of part 1 to download part 2 for free well guess what, the link does not work. I certainly won’t be reading any of Perrin Briars’s books again if I could have rated this book as zero I would have done. Readers, don’t waste you time

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this! It was funny and (almost) plausible. Brother pretends to be his (deceased) mom for a week so his sister won't have to pay an inheritance tax that she doesn't have! So funny, and they discover a lot about themselves and their mom in the process.
I can see it as a play!

[Charlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly loved this comedy romance! very interesting and attention keeping story! I love Peter and Kate! I hope this book can continue on past part 4! I especially loved Peter's Eulogy. It said so much! Thank you Perrin Briar for a wonderful read! Love love love the cover

[Anne Kinslow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anne Kinslow.
I enjoyed this book. There is a lot of humour and comedy which gave me a few laughs (to myself) here and there. There was never a dull moment as there was always something going on. I recommend this book to anyone with a good sense of humour.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Think, Tootsie, meets Cocoon, meets Weekend at Bernies, meets Calendar Girls! Yes, that's a lot to take in, but damned if it doesn't all work, and work beautifully. I LOVED THIS BOOK!

[Angel Graham · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nothing funny about stuffing your dead mother into a freezer just for her money.

This is episodic, meaning you'll have to keep buying subsequent books to find out what happens.

DNF.

[Pamela Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mummy Dearest Turns into the Drag Queen that Wears Prada

You foreign Drag Queens know how to dress you can teach us old Folgies Christian Women how to dress.I liked series didn't get into the PORNOGRAPHY to much I loved that!!!!!!!!!!!!!But did have PROFANITY Us Christian ladies don't want to see that???But keep the FASHION STORIES a coming us Christian Ladies alike to look british Columbia U.K. AUSTRALIAN brighten the church isles as we go down???Read time 1hrs.35min. 135 pgs.NO ERRORS in spelling Type Os Punctuation and paragraph spacing???Will RATE EDGY because of PROFANITY no age under 12yrs.PARENTAL CONTROLS and because NATURE of the WRITING.Mr.BRIAR your a good fashion and cosmetics author is how I see your work and teach us old Folgies how to dress!!!Chris and Pamela ROMANS 16:16.

[Cathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keeping Mum: Long Weekend by Perrin Briar is the first installment in what could prove to be a highly entertaining black comedy. Kate and Peter have a big problem--their penny-pinching mother has passed away 8 days shy of granting them their inheritance tax free. How are they going to keep the government from taking a slice of their pie? By putting Peter's acting skills to the test, of course. As Peter tries to bluff his way through visits to the local "senior center", Kate is suffering the backlash from her shopping addiction. This story is off to a rollicking beginning--can't wait to read more.

[Sally Wolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only eight more days until Peter and Kate's trust fund matures the only problem is their mother has checked out early. On Kate's weekly visit, she finds her mother has passed on and in desperation she convinces her brother to impersonate their mother for the remainder of the time so that they can get the money promised to them. This book was very rewarding I love the dynamics between the characters and the flow is wonderful. My only regret is I do not have the funds to get the rest of the story. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who likes mysteries, suspense, and humanitarian stories where characters do the wrong or foolish thing for the right reasons.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

I never liked Kate. She started off as a high society shopping snob and didn't get better. It is clear that neither Kate nor Peter like their mother but we don't really get a sense of why. I do really like Peter though. Handy that he is a starving actor. Who better to impersonate his mother!! I am curious to read how this all comes together. I don't care so much about Kate being homeless if her rent isn't paid but I do want to know if they are successful and I want to know what becomes of Peter and Claire.

[Vivianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am an avid reader, and typically read 3-5 books each week. This novel hands down has become one of my all time favorites. Words cannot describe how much I loved this book in its entirety. It was truly amazing how as adults we often have selective memories about the past and how much it shapes our future. I enjoyed watching and experiencing the shift in the relationship between Hetty and Peter by means of the community, and consequently Claire, Kate and Christopher. I was sorry to reach the ending of the story. Wonderful, thought provoking, funny and moving novel.

[Carole O'Brien · Rating 2 out of 5]

I do not usually touch a Romantic Comedy to be honest as it is not my cup of tea, but as I read a book by Perrin Briar all ready and loved it, I thought I would give it a go.

If you like Black Comedy I am sure you will like this , but again Black Comedy is not my thing, but I could see what attracts a person to this book, it is well written, but leaves the book on a cliff hanger so you will buy the next in the series.

This book is for free, so I would say to those who enjoy romantic comedy to give it a go, you never know it maybe right up your street.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keeping Mum-The Complete Season- Perrin Briar- This was a crazy little story set in England. Peter and Kate are trying to make it one week with their mom till they get their inheritance only to find her dead. Peter agrees to pretend to be his mom till they can collet. All sorts of crazy things happen in this little town. Quite entertaining read.

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2* I started this ages ago - the precis version - as a try this from the author. Finished the precis, but didn't download the rest. Finally got it and finished it - good fun read for a weekend or evening, characterization is good. Action a bit predictable, as was the ending, but it IS a romantic comedy after all, so it really has to have a predictable ending!

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved 'Keeping Mum'. The storyline was creative and well written. The way it played out had me shaking my head and laughing. Peter and Kate are great characters who might have bitten off more than they can chew. I can't wait to read more. A great add to your tbr list.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has all the earmarks of a BBC TV comedy show and I would love it! I laughed out loud a couple of times and I can absolutely picture the situation that Peter finds himself in. Well written and I love the save the Red Rec theme going on as well. Moving on to Episode 2.

[K.T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was really enjoying reading the novel and then it just stopped. It's very funny and bounces along with a fair amount of comedy but I would've liked it to go on longer and ended less in the middle of things. It literally does just stop as the action really gets going.

[Pat Langhelt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it brilliant ending so glad that Peter and Kate found out more about their mothers life shame it happened after she [died].

[Karen Keleher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed it. Page turner with laugh out loud moments...

[Lena · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is an interesting story. I wish that it was a full book, but it is broken down into episodes.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny book with some suspendful moments. To short but it held my attention until the end and I wasn't ready for the end. I enjoy Perrin Briar's writing and can't wait for his next one. Read and enjoy. ☺☺☺☺☺