When The Masks come off, people usually run away. Tell me, little mischief, are you gonna run along with them? In the dark and mysterious world of Masked Mayhem, not everything that glitters is really gold. Those concealed behind masks hide far more than just their identities; beneath it lay their fears, their desires, and the commitment to a life that has become painfully surreal. Here, darkness knows no bounds. Mayhem's grip is relentless, trapping you like the intoxicating first taste of the devil's poison that you find impossible to resist. You're tasked with keeping secrets that contradict your very beliefs, all while donning a smile to mask the turmoil within. You're expected to gaze into the eyes of those you love and pretend that everything is okay, yet deep down, you understand that nothing will ever be right again. Masked Mayhem is a world of toxicity, corruption, and depravity. Yet, in this distorted reality, twisted love, toxic kisses, and dangerous temptations are what you find yourself craving the most. But when the masks finally come off and the truth is revealed, allegiances will be tested and facades will shatter like glass beneath relentless pressure. Will the reasons behind the lies be enough to outweigh the haunting darkness you let envelope you? This is your battle—your reckoning in a world that demands your silence. Will you be able to step forward into the light, ready to confront not just the others behind the masks, but also the demons you kept hidden deep within? In a world where secrets cut deeper than any knife and betrayal is more common than trust, what side will you stand on?
KM Rogness is an indie author known for writing dark, twisted, and smutty why choose romance novels. She doesn't shy away from addressing real issues and draws from personal experiences, with a focus on intense and emotional storytelling. Residing in North Carolina with her husband and three sons, she is expecting a daughter. Rogness is inspired by nighttime and rainy, stormy days. Her books are packed with intense themes and captivating male main characters, promising an enthralling reading experience.
This story hurts more than the first one did!!! I have alot of answers to questions I had from the ending of book one though. Kasey did a wonderful job with this beautiful story. Whit her 4 men and Boston are my all time favorites. What Whit went through in this book was so heartbreaking to me I couldn't stop reading! I read this in one day. I can't wait for whatever is next. The spice was on point!!!! So hooooot. It made me cry too
Wow! What an ending to the Behind the Mask duet! This book was just as unhinged as book I and filled with chaos and spice!! The amount of trauma & heartbreak that Whitney has to endure in this book had my heart locked in a vice grip. Even with the amount of pain she's forced to experience, she's still a strong, resilient woman. I absolutely love Hawk and Raze! They do everything in their power to protect and love Whitney, even when battling their own demons. Red & 13 also had my heart. They had some sweet moments in this book, that really made me fall hard!! They all really would burn the whole city to the ground for her! This book touches on some heavy topics, so for your mental health, please read the trigger warnings before entering the world of Club Mayhem again!! Otherwise sit back and enjoy the book!
Contains:
🖤 Why choose ☠️ Unaliving 🖤 Heavy drug use ☠️ MMFMM 🖤 Physical Abuse ☠️ Stalker 🖤 Possessive/Obsession ☠️ Masked men/Bikers/Strippers 🖤 Mental Health Struggles ☠️ SA (not by MMCs) 🖤 Trauma Bonding ☠️ Suicide
Favorite book quotes:
"I won't let anything happen to you, Whitney. You're my priority, my everything: And I'll carve a path through fucking hell just to keep you safe."
"I'm not fucking around when I say you're mine to love, mine to hate, mine to fix, and mine to break... and I'm not just going to ruin you, Little Mischief, I'm going to fucking destroy you."
"We won't let them get you again, Whitney. You're safe with us." My words feel strong and defiant, and for a brief moment, I see flickers of her usual spirit returning. "Promise?" she asks, her voice trembling with a hint of vulnerability. "Promise," | say, locking my gaze onto hers and letting all my conviction bleed into that single word.
What an ending. I can't believe this duet is over already. The book was exactly what I would expect from KM Rogness. Dark, spice, chaotic, and completely unhinged. The devastation that is brought upon Whitney this entire duet is heartbreaking and painful. But she is strong, resilient, and she has men that will burn the world down to get to her. This book was perfect, but I warn readers to check their warnings. The scenes are descriptive and raw, mental health is real in this book, and no matter the preparation, I don't think anyone is ready for it, but the book was an exceptional read.
Blurb: When The Masks come off, people usually run away. Tell me, little mischief, are you gonna run along with them? In the dark and mysterious world of Masked Mayhem, not everything that glitters is really gold. Those concealed behind masks hide far more than just their identities; beneath it lay their fears, their desires, and the commitment to a life that has become painfully surreal. Here, darkness knows no bounds. Mayhem's grip is relentless, trapping you like the intoxicating first taste of the devil's poison that you find impossible to resist. You're tasked with keeping secrets that contradict your very beliefs, all while donning a smile to mask the turmoil within. You're expected to gaze into the eyes of those you love and pretend that everything is okay, yet deep down, you understand that nothing will ever be right again. Masked Mayhem is a world of toxicity, corruption, and depravity. Yet, in this distorted reality, twisted love, toxic kisses, and dangerous temptations are what you find yourself craving the most. But when the masks finally come off and the truth is revealed, allegiances will be tested and facades will shatter like glass beneath relentless pressure. Will the reasons behind the lies be enough to outweigh the haunting darkness you let envelope you? This is your battle—your reckoning in a world that demands your silence. Will you be able to step forward into the light, ready to confront not just the others behind the masks, but also the demons you kept hidden deep within? In a world where secrets cut deeper than any knife and betrayal is more common than trust, what side will you stand on?
Just as I like it after a massive cliffhanger that everything picks right up where Masked Mayhem horribly left off by ripping my heart out and shedding a lot of tears. However, Omg Holyfuck what a wild ride this story will take you on till the end.
I also appreciate the mental illness representation, and showing some of the realities of the struggles with having them. Please please read the warnings but also read book one first Masked Mayhem because if not, you have no clue what’s going on
Though I knew going into this it would be a great and marvelous read, I just didn't expect such an emotional ending, and I loved every word of it!!! The plot was it was great. It brought you all around from where you left off to where the new story took over with every element, but I felt it was more thrilling and heart wrenching at first because of Whit missing.
What she endures while she’s captured makes her such a hero of mine so brave so strong feel bad ass and one of my favorite FMC’s of the year. Oh, my the SPICE!? SO hot, especially the MFM scenes. Whitney's love for all of her guys, and the passion they have for her is so beautiful.
Now for Hawk and Raze are amazing MMC’s. I hated them at points, but not even out of the time I love them. They are so protective of the ones they love and it shows in the second book even . and I hated them at that moment because of the fact that they knew and watched on camera stuff and did nothing when they said why I understood the reasoning. When they go searching for Whitney however they do everything but burn the world down while trying to find their girl brought them all the way back to Cali. I hope you enjoyed this as much as I have.
Masked Mayhem left us with a cliffhanger and this book picks up right away with the crazy chaos of Whitney and her men. It’s packed full of EXTRA spice, chaos, lots of darkness, pain, sadness, and several tears shed. Please check all warnings before reading this book. Mental health is represented throughout and everyone should put theirs first before diving into the dark world.
Whitney is so darn tough and brave. She has been through so much and holds strong, even when she doesn’t think she can. When someone from her past is lurking in the darkness her men have to try and keep her safe, but at what cost?
All of Whitney’s men, Hawk, Raze, 13, and Red care about her and will do whatever it takes to keep her safe. They are all dealing with some darkness and demons on their own also. Secrets are exposed and Whitney finally finds out who the men are behind the masks. Will she be able to accept them for who they are?
I had to put my phone down and walk away a couple of times because my heart was broken. I was mad at Kasey!!! I screamed. Unfortunately not every book is all sunshine and rainbows and there are some darkness and hearts are broken. But there are also those moments where the love came through and my heart burst. These 3 went through a lot at a young age and they would burn the world down for each other.
Masked Mayhem is not a light romance. It’s dark, edgy, and provocative. If you're into stories that push boundaries, mix erotic tension with psychological suspense, and you don’t mind morally grey characters and rough moments, this book delivers a strong, compelling experience. It’s well-written for what it aims to do, and Rogness gets you invested in Whitney and the masked men, even as you mistrust them.
However, it is very much “first half/entry into something bigger.” Because of the volume of mysteries and trauma, unfinished arcs, cliffhanger ending, and heavy content, it might not satisfy readers who want a more self-contained romance, or who prefer lighter, cleaner stories.
Would I Recommend It?
Yes—with caveats. If you like dark romance with high spice, intense psychological tension, stalker tropes, masked identities, power imbalance, and are okay with trigger content, this is worth picking up. It succeeds at doing what it promises: being twisted, seductive, suspenseful.
If instead you prefer lighter or more consensual power dynamics, clear resolutions, happier / safer romance tropes, then this might not be the best pick (or at least read the warnings carefully and be prepared for discomfort).
Unmasking Mayhem is book 2 of a duet - reading book 1, Masked Mayhem, is very helpful for understanding this book. The story centers around the FMC, Whitney, and her 4 MMCs. Their world is one of darkness, and it's wild - sex, drugs, murder, all of it.
The history of the characters with Whitney, their complicated pasts, and how they all want her and want to take care of her is so moving. As in any good why choose book, Whitney's boys all want to make her feel loved, safe, and supported - and they also want to claim her and own her completely. Though she doesn't know who her masked men are at the beginning, secrets are uncovered and the masks come off along the way - with plenty of drama and craziness along with them.
The emotional connection between the characters is amazing. The spice is smoking hot - and every word of it is so carefully crafted that it's not only sexy, it's powerful and moving. And the ending is so devastating, it will ruin you and leave you feeling wrung out completely.
This is super super dark - if it sounds good to you, please check triggers before reading.
K.M. threw me through the ringer with this one, but it was so worth it! I think one of the best ways to tell you about this book is to say: rainbows after the storm are rare to see - we don't always see them but when we do they're beautiful and make you realize, that even in all the darkness around you, there's hope and there is light. Even if only sometimes, because sometimes is better than never in a dark and gritty world.
Whitney and her men give us one hell of a time in this book. We went from tender moments that had me smiling, to spicy moments that had me drooling, to shocking moments that had me clutching my snc necklace (my equivalent of clutching pearls), to moments that had me setting my kindle down and taking a step away to take in the complete disbelief of what I had just read - Unmasking Mayhem is a book in a category all on its own.
If you haven't read the Behind the Mask duet yet, and the triggers are not an issue for you, I cannot recommend this duet enough! (Please, please, please check all the trigger warnings before going into these books. They are incredible but very very dark and your mental health matters 🖤)
After Masked Mayhem ended on a cliffhanger, I was super pumped to receive an early copy of Unmasking Mayhem! Both of these books were a wild fvcking ride. You must read Masked Mayhem first!
Kasey…WTF??? This book fvcking BROKE me. I am not okay! The chaos, the trauma, the heartbreak that these characters endured tore me apart. BUT the plot was thrilling, the suspense and danger sucked me in, and the masked men had me in a chokehold. There were twists and turns that I definitely did not see coming and I couldn’t put this story down…even though I wanted to throw my kindle across the room a couple of times.
This book was dripping with lust, temptation, twisted love and spicy scenes from start to finish and an ending that will leave you reeling! I highly recommend!!
“I kiss him back, letting him have every last breath I have because when it comes to Crow, I’d happily give him anything, including my very last breath on this earth.”
“She’s like a fucking fire – a blaze that sears my skin, that draws me in with heat I can’t fucking control.”
“I won’t let him have that kind of hold over me again. If I want to fuck both of you, I’m going to. If he’s watching, fucking let him.”
“You’re fucking mine, Whitney. Just mine.” “Forever,” she gasps, her body betraying her with every grind against me.
Thank you KM Rogness for an advanced copy of this book!!!
The emotional damage I have suffered 😭😭😭😭 but worth it! Ugh I just wanna reach into the book and pull Hawk out and squeeze him so tight 😭😭😭😭
Honestly did not see any of it coming 😳 so many shocking twists and I was like NOOOO and everything happened so quickly 😭 I defs cried through the last 2 chapters but also so happy that Whit is out living her best life and not letting the bad days and dark thoughts win 🥹
It is fast paced just like book 1, everything happens very quickly and characters react just as quickly. King is a mess and honestly I wanna nut punch him so badly throughout this whole book 😂
So it did start off as a MFMMM why choose but ended as an MF. There is still a bunch of spice in this one! I feel like it was more Hawk/Raze centered than Cade/Carter, though they do still get some scenes. I’d say this book is a touch darker than the last just because of some drugging and forced intimacy with characters not the MCs.
I’m not sure what I was expecting.. but it wasn’t that. It definitely wasn’t that. This book hurt so much more than the first one. Not sure how I survived this world. My soul is demolished.
Kasey you always seem to take me on an adventure I will never forget. But your books always destroy me in one way or another. You did an amazing job with this book.. I binged it in less than 24 hours I couldn’t stop I needed my answers.
What Whitney went through in this series absolutely destroyed me. I’m ruined by this. She deserves so much more than the hand life dealt her. God I can’t wait for whatever comes next for Kasey.
𝕋ℝ𝕆ℙ𝔼𝕊/𝕋𝕎: 🩰why choose (4, MMCS) 🎀stalking 🩰kidnapping 🎀masked men 🩰abusive ex 🎀domestic violence 🩰dancer/stripper 🎀psychological torment
okay this book was absolutely amazing but can't lie & say I didn't cry about the ending between book 1' Masked Mayhem till book 2 you really connect to the characters and grow to like those who protect Whitney . Some battles though cant be fixed. A lot of truth unfolds in this book many twists and turns but as usually Kasey pulls you into the chaos world of MAYHEM and it's spicy, it's heart throbbing aches and pains with some shit the characters go through and you can feel the emotion and struggle. Whitney is a strong and bad ass fmc even with crow, red,Havoc and Boston by her side the trauma they all face tells them as a character the plot to this was magnificent I hope this isn't the end of this duet but if it is This will forever be my favorite one of the two! a must read to be added to your tbr !!
I’m late to the party but I made it and I’m crying!!
Soo many things happened. Dustin is finally out the picture so Whitney’s dark past of book has finally hit the last chapter..
Carter.. I can’t believe that..
Hawk!!!!! The reason for my tears. I was hoping that he would be convinced to stay. But that just broke my heart.
The story was great and picked up from where we left off and there were ups and downs and twists and turns that had me hooked..
But one thing that really broke me was hawk dealing with his mental health and not believing he was worthy of Whitney and raze.. he was worth it. And those of you dealing with the same issues he was, talk to someone. So many people choose this route because they are afraid to talk. There’s your life lesson people. Excuse me while I go cry over hawk some more..
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Unmasking Mayhem was such a great read! The story pulled me in from the first chapter and kept me hooked with its fast pace, action, and twists. What I really enjoyed, though, was how much depth there was to the characters. Whitney’s personal struggles weren’t just surface-level—they felt real and added an extra layer to the story.
The relationship dynamics between Whitney and her boys were also a big highlight for me. The banter, tension, and emotional pull between them kept me invested in their journeys just as much as the action. It made the stakes feel higher and the spicy moments hit with a punch.
This was suspenseful, emotional, and really hard to put down. If you like stories that balance danger and action with strong characters, this duet is definitely worth reading.
I didn’t think there was anyway that you could have made this one any more suspenseful and spicy, but I was soooo wrong. This one quite literally had me on the edge of my bed reading as fast as I could to get to what happens next. Two words…Hawk & Havoc. One number…13…Ughhhh. Chapter 25…grab tissues (and definitely make sure you’re in an okay place to read…remember the trigger warnings..your mental health matters🫶🏻)
I loved that there was so much more mental health representation in this one, too! A great depiction of the dark thoughts and feelings those of us with mental illness experience. I also appreciated the empowering moments that made Whitney no longer the victim, but her own hero. She’s a true fighter, through and through.
Oh and uh art commission request…the kitchen sink scene!!!!
Besties… "Unmasking Mayhem" wrecked me. This final book in the duet delivered the answers I needed from book one, but I am not okay. It’s intense, gritty, and full of that edge-of-your-seat suspense that makes you forget what time it is. And the spice? Whew—KM Rogness did not hold back. 🔥 Just when I thought I could breathe, that ending hit me like a punch to the chest. My heart still hurts, and I’m questioning all my life choices for getting this invested. If you love dark, dangerous romance with jaw-clenching tension and seductive heat, this duet is a must. But I’m begging you—read those trigger warnings first. You’ve been warned.
If Masked Mayhem was the intoxicating first taste of Club Mayhem’s glittering darkness, Unmasking Mayhem is the moment the mask slips—and the truth bites back. K.M. Rogness doesn’t ease you into the finale; she throws you straight into the fire, with emotions running hotter, the stakes sharper, and the tension between the characters almost unbearable (in the best way). It’s got that perfect mix of danger and devotion—possessive, morally gray men who would burn the world to protect what’s theirs, and a heroine who’s finding her power in the chaos. The atmosphere is still dripping with danger, lust, and club politics, but this time, secrets get dragged into the light, and the fallout is deliciously messy.
Whitney and the Masks took me on a wild ride, full of steamy scenes, sweet moments, big secrets, and old trauma coming back to the surface. The characters grew so much in this book- I went from loving them, to hating them, and back to loving them again.
KM Rogness did an amazing job showing mental health in a real, honest way. The characters live messy, gritty lives instead of the perfect, cookie cutter dark romance world you usually see. This book had heat, heartache, and tenderness and I loved every second.
An amazing ending to a duet. Not the ending I was expecting, but an amazing ending nonetheless.
This book picks up exactly where book 1 left off, so please read book before or you'll miss a lot of context.
Red, 13, Raze & Hawk are the very definitions of Ride or Die for Whitney. Their love for her and her love for them is felt throughout this entire duet. This is filled with so much chaos and heartache, but it is also filled with so much love. We FEEL everything they're all feeling. We see everything from their eyes. The love, the hate, the heartache, the sadness, all of it.
KM has an absolute amazing writing style and I'm obsessed.
ARC REVIEW OF UNMASKING MAYHEM by KM Rogness. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ I couldn’t’ put it down. Not going to lie one chapter had me bawling my eyes out. This was such an amazing book. KM did an amazing job tying the story together. The characters come together in this book and some questions I had from the first book were tied together in this book. Very well written and I enjoyed the book entirely. This book had me crying, screaming and overall gasping throughout. I don’t know which character I enjoyed more—as they were all well written and have their own characteristics that I enjoyed reading and learning about. #ARCReview #UnmaskingMayhem #KMRogness #booktok #booksta
Kasey never dissapoints you. This book is packed with spice, chaos, darkness, pain, sadness and so much more. The book picks up right where Masked Mayhem stopped. This book will be hard if not impossible the put aside untill the end. It will grab you and not let you go. Everything Whitney has to go trough is heartbreaking but she has her boys. They would destroy the world for her if needed. This is one serie you do not want to miss.
This book has heavy warnings. Make sure you read them. Because your mental health matters. Also make sure to read Masked Mayhem first to fully understand this book.
Unmasking Mayhem by KM Rogness Freaking intense! I was on pins and needles this whole freaking time reading this! Suspenseful , couldn’t step away waiting for the shoe to drop. I wasn’t mad at the guys as much as I was so pissed at KING! Oh my gosh! This story has me ready to throw my phone at these guys. And yes some are psycho but Holly sh*t I still love every part of this story. Trigger warning are to be read before hand for some people. You better read book one to enjoy all the details and the emotional mayhem these characters go through. I have to recommend this authors work. She has one hell of an imaginary sight to come up with her storylines.
Kasey you never disappoint! Read masked mayhem first before going into unmasking mayhem I love that it picked straight up after the cliffhanger in book 1. This book was just as crazy as book one and I loved every minute make sure you read your trigger warnings. Secrets/spice/ and sweet moments it has it all. Kasey always comes in with spice and it never disappoints I will read everything Kasey releases like it’s oxygen! You don’t want to miss out on meeting Whitney and her boys❤️ Quote “ I make all the dark thoughts in that pretty little head of yours go away.”
This story completely tore my heart out. Grab the tissues—you will need them!
It's a fantastic but dark and emotional read, so be sure to check the trigger warnings.
I couldn't put this book down. The danger, the secrets atop lies, the pain of betrayal, and the many broken characters drew me in from the very beginning. I couldn’t choose a favorite; each character evoked a range of emotions while I was reading. Hawk and Carter, in particular, affected me deeply. This book is definitely worth the read!
Everything that Whit goes through in her life and in this book could make anyone break. Whit is one of the strongest characters come to love. She is someone you can relate to in so many ways. The love shared between the ones she keeps closest is amazing. so many questions left from the first books were answered. Please for the love of all things check your triggers with this one. This book made me laugh and smile but it also broke my heart. Not every happy ending is happy. Cant wait for the next adventure with Km Rogness.
Thank Goodness!! I needed this so bad …. Picking up right where book 1 ended this story seized me in place.
Whitney is a strong female character that I just adored and what a deserving chicky to have 4 men who would burn the world for her !!
This book is filled with all the answers I needed but also there is so much emotion in this story I truly felt it …. Please look for author notes for content awareness as this is a DARK romance. This is a must read … don’t take my word go read it yourself !!
Book 1 I absolutely devoured and couldn't wait for book 2 to come out. Was I disappointed, absolutely not. Book 2 delivered on so many front, we get the emotional turmoil, the rawness and the brutality that we came to expect that intertwines with the spice. Whitney is that fmc that you absolutely love as she is force of pure strength, this girl gets hard in this book but always ends up standing strong. The men at her back that show time and time again they have her and love her.
This book needs to be read to be truely appreciated. Check triggers before reading.
This book follows straight on from book 1 (Masked Mayhem) so please make sure to read that first!) I was blown away by UM. It took me through all the same emotions as the first but magnify them x3. I cried, I shouted wtf’s, I was laughing at parts and generally in awe of the writing. I love Whitney and her men so much. They are in no way perfect at all but they would watch the world burn for each other and I’ll be thinking about them for a very long time. Kasey is one of my OG auto-buy authors and she never disappoints