Masquerade Mayhem

by Kort Combe

Ivey Bourdeaux has it all. . .

Dream job. Perfect apartment in the heart of New Orleans. Amazing friends.

What more could she want?

The Masquerade Mardi Gras ball was supposed to be a fun night where Ivey let loose and forgot about her demanding job as the New Orleans Oysters lead reporter. That all changed when she stumbled upon a mystery man who sparks her interest for the first time since her messy divorce. Little does she know, he happens to be the newly traded point guard to the team she works for. They were both more than happy to play a little game of anonymity for the night, but when they both seek each other’s identity, things get complicated.

Monroe Waters needs to rediscover his passion. . .

Being an NBA star comes with a lot of responsibility and hard work. On the brink of burnout and a mid-life career crisis, Monroe gets traded to one of the worst teams in the league–the Oysters. Instead of letting the move break him, he uses it as his fresh start to reinvent himself. When he meets an intriguing mystery girl at the Mardi Gras ball his agent forced him to attend, he realizes that New Orleans may be the move he’s been needing to create the life he’s always wanted.

When Ivey and Monroe reveal each other’s identities, will they become Mardi Gras royalty or crash and burn in the process?

82 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 10, 2026

Reviews

[Carrigan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Kort for the ARC 🫶🏻

I always love supporting local authors and it’s even better when their new release is about one of my favorite Louisiana things… Mardi Gras!

This novella follows Ivey, who is a sideline reporter for the New Orleans Oysters basketball team that wants to make it big, and Monroe, the recent all-star transfer on the team. Their story was so sweet from beginning to end. I love all of the little nods to NOLA sprinkled throughout. Kort did a great job bringing the ambiance of Mardi Gras and New Orleans to life.

If you’re looking for a short and sweet read, check this one out! 💜💛💚

[Becky (IG: BeckysBookHaven) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first ever Novella and it was a great one to begin with! I missed the fact that it was a novella before I started reading, so it took me a minute to catch on with the pacing and quickness of the story telling. Once I caught on, I got nice and invested in Monroe and Ivey’s story. They have such a sweet relationship where they deeply care for each other and want to be there in every way for each other. Their support of each other’s career is really sweet to witness, and their excitement over their future is contagious. I would love to hear more from Monroe and Ivey in a future story!

Tropes:
- professional athlete x sports reporter
- workplace romance
- basketball
- FMC is #1 at her job
- sweet supporting characters
- swoon > spice
- closed door

I received an ARC of this book from the author. My opinions in this review are my own.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

BOOK REVIEW — Masquerade Mayhem by Kort Combe
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)

This book is flirty chaos with a heart — masked identities, simmering tension, and the kind of attraction that gets more dangerous the longer secrets stay hidden.

Characters:
🎭 Ivey — bold, curious, and way too tempted to cross lines
🔥 Monroe — confident, protective, and hiding more than just his face

Vibes:
• masquerade / hidden identity
• forced proximity
• slow-burn tension
• secrets + mistaken assumptions
• flirty banter
• “I shouldn’t want you but I do” energy

What the story gives:
Thrown into a night of masks and mischief, Ivey and Monroe find themselves pulled together by instant chemistry they can’t explain. What starts as playful tension turns into something deeper as secrets pile up and the lines between who they are in disguise and who they are in real life start to blur.

There’s chaos, misunderstandings, and that delicious tension of wanting someone you don’t fully know yet — all wrapped in a fun, fast-paced romance vibe.

What I Loved:
• the masquerade setting adding intrigue and tension
• Ivey’s bold, emotionally open FMC energy
• Monroe’s protective MMC vibes with hidden depth
• flirty banter mixed with genuine emotion
• secrets that actually drive the tension
• the fun, bingeable pacing

Final Vibe:
Playful, dramatic, and addictive.
Masquerade Mayhem is a flirty romance full of secrets, sparks, and chaotic attraction. If you love hidden identities, forced proximity, and tension that builds through secrets and chemistry, this one is such a fun ride. 🎭✨

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cute and fun read, if you enjoy basketball and the excitement of Mardi Gras you'll absolutely love this novella! I'd love to get a longer story about this two and see where their journey continues. Thank you so much, Kort for the arc copy of this novella. 🤗🤎

[E.L.]

I received this book as an ARC from the author

Super cute novella with no spice. My only complaint is I didn't want it to end!

#indieauthor #arcreader #contemperaryromance #kortcombe #masquerademayhem

[Chrissytina Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This was such a cute, no-spice sports romance novella! I especially loved that in this one, the FMC 100% takes care of herself. The MMC doesn’t “save” her in any way, except to allow her to open up again. Her career, her dreams, her life—it’s all her.

[Kort Combe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this story, and I hope all my readers do too!

[Bianca Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book and I think Ivey & Monroe definitely need their own full length book!

[Stephanie Compton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun, quick read. Even though it was a short book, the message was clear about doing what makes you happy!

[Kayla Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being a Louisiana girl myself, I always look forward to reading stories set in my home state. Masquerade Mayhem is such a cute novella with so many Mardi Gras and Nola references! Kort did such a great job bringing the vibes of New Orleans to her audience.

Ivey and Monroe’s meet cute during the Endymion parade was the cutest. Their relationship was so sweet and I love the way they both fell HARD for each other. I wasn’t prepared for the story to end!

Thanks so much Kort for the arc!
🎉Laissez les bons temps rouler 🎉

[Suri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun and entertaining story. The only downfall that I can find is that I needed a full story about Ivey and Monroe. They were so great together and I loved their interactions. The masquerade was a blast and I felt like I wanted to dive into the book and enjoy the night with Ivey.

Having visited NOLA, it took me back to walking through the streets and enjoying the fabulous treats. This is the perfect palate cleanser between longer stories and you won't be disappointed.

Tropes:
⚜️Workplace romance
💚Mardi Gras in New Orleans
⚜️FMC + MMC in their 30's
💚Cinderella vibes
⚜️Mystery identities
💚NBA player
⚜️Closed door