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Sick World #1
Sick Heart
DARK MMA FIGHTER ROMANCE
Cort van Breda has won 35 death matches as a fighter in an MMA circuit so deep underground there are no rules and only the winner gets out alive.
They call him the Sick Heart.
They say he’s a shameless monster.
They say he’s a ruthless killer.
They say he’s as twisted as the man who owns him.
They say a lot of things about Cort van Breda.
But in our world violence is money, and money is winning, and winning is life, and life is the only thing that matters.
Except… he wasn’t meant to win that last fight.
And I wasn’t meant to be his prize.
But he did.
And I am.
And now his sick heart owns me.
WARNING: This is a sweet love story adrift in an ocean of evil. It is about two survivors dealing with their darkest secrets while they fight to change their lives. It is for mature readers only and has descriptions of deeply disturbing situations. There will be pearl clutching.
Cort van Breda has won 35 death matches as a fighter in an MMA circuit so deep underground there are no rules and only the winner gets out alive.
They call him the Sick Heart.
They say he’s a shameless monster.
They say he’s a ruthless killer.
They say he’s as twisted as the man who owns him.
They say a lot of things about Cort van Breda.
But in our world violence is money, and money is winning, and winning is life, and life is the only thing that matters.
Except… he wasn’t meant to win that last fight.
And I wasn’t meant to be his prize.
But he did.
And I am.
And now his sick heart owns me.
WARNING: This is a sweet love story adrift in an ocean of evil. It is about two survivors dealing with their darkest secrets while they fight to change their lives. It is for mature readers only and has descriptions of deeply disturbing situations. There will be pearl clutching.
542 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 29, 2021
1754 people are currently reading
2353 people want to read
About the author
J.A. Huss
135 books9,035 followersJ.A. Huss never wanted to be a writer and she still dreams of that elusive career as an astronaut. She originally went to school to become an equine veterinarian but soon figured out they keep horrible hours and decided to go to grad school instead. That Ph.D wasn’t all it was cracked up to be (and she really sucked at the whole scientist thing), so she dropped out and got a M.S. in forensic toxicology just to get the whole thing over with as soon as possible.
After graduation she got a job with the state of Colorado as their one and only hog farm inspector and spent her days wandering the Eastern Plains shooting the shit with farmers. After a few years of that, she got bored. And since she was a homeschool mom and actually does love science, she decided to write science textbooks and make online classes for other homeschool moms. She wrote more than two hundred of those workbooks and was the number one publisher at the online homeschool store many times, but eventually she covered every science topic she could think of and ran out of shit to say.
So in 2012 she decided to write fiction instead. That year she released her first three books and started a career that would make her a New York Times bestseller and land her on the USA Today Bestseller’s List eighteen times in the next three years. Her books have sold millions of copies all over the world, the audio version of her semi-autobiographical book, Eighteen, was nominated for a Voice Arts Award and an Audie award in 2016 and 2017 respectively, her audiobook Mr. Perfect was nominated for a Voice Arts Award in 2017, and her book, Taking Turns, was nominated for an Audie Award in 2018. Johnathan McClain is her first (and only) writing partner and even though they are worlds apart in just about every way imaginable, it works.
She lives on a ranch in Central Colorado with her family.
After graduation she got a job with the state of Colorado as their one and only hog farm inspector and spent her days wandering the Eastern Plains shooting the shit with farmers. After a few years of that, she got bored. And since she was a homeschool mom and actually does love science, she decided to write science textbooks and make online classes for other homeschool moms. She wrote more than two hundred of those workbooks and was the number one publisher at the online homeschool store many times, but eventually she covered every science topic she could think of and ran out of shit to say.
So in 2012 she decided to write fiction instead. That year she released her first three books and started a career that would make her a New York Times bestseller and land her on the USA Today Bestseller’s List eighteen times in the next three years. Her books have sold millions of copies all over the world, the audio version of her semi-autobiographical book, Eighteen, was nominated for a Voice Arts Award and an Audie award in 2016 and 2017 respectively, her audiobook Mr. Perfect was nominated for a Voice Arts Award in 2017, and her book, Taking Turns, was nominated for an Audie Award in 2018. Johnathan McClain is her first (and only) writing partner and even though they are worlds apart in just about every way imaginable, it works.
She lives on a ranch in Central Colorado with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 574 reviews
April 12, 2021
This is not a romance. I wouldn't even call it a dark romance.
There is barely any romance or "couples time" in this book. When there are sex scenes, it's with her, the hero, and the hero's best friends. They have sex alone a few times.
The focus of the book is on her past and his past and the little kids who are stuck in the death camps training to die or survive in the their next fight.
There is barely any romance or "couples time" in this book. When there are sex scenes, it's with her, the hero, and the hero's best friends. They have sex alone a few times.
The focus of the book is on her past and his past and the little kids who are stuck in the death camps training to die or survive in the their next fight.
September 3, 2023
Very compelling story!
The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💙💚💜❤️💖
Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📕📗📙📘📔
World building: 🌏🌍🌏🌎
Character development: 😟🙁😌😅😍
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration Type: Dual Narration
The Hero: Cort Van Breda (a.k.a. Sick Heart) - he is tall, handsome, has short dark hair and is covered in tattoos. He is every bit as dangerous as he looks. He is the reigning champion of underground MMA fights, undefeated in fight to the death matches for 22 years (since age 5).
The heroine: Anya - her father and his ilk are very interested in the underground MMA fight scene. Anya likes to see the underground MMA fights but is not at all interested in capturing Cort Van Breda’s eye. Any man that has survived as long as he has without having some issues in the head. He is fighting his last fight tonight, now that he is 27 years old. There are no rules and Cort isn’t favored in the fight. Anya’s father owns the opponent, Pavel, and plans to win.
The Story: The fight takes place on a ship, an oil rig that has yet to be put in place. It is serving as a hotel for the underground fight. It is owned by Anya’s father and Cort’s Father (owner). The 2.8-billion-dollar ship is not just the ring for the fight, but is also the prize, as is Anya. If Pavel wins, Cort’s Father will be knocked down from owning 81% of the shares of the ship to 49%. The ship is basically a floating city and generates an obscene amount of both legitimate and illegitimate money each year. So, this fight is the most important in all of their lives.
Pavel reveals something right before the fight. He reveals that Cort doesn’t ever talk in public, the same as Anya, she never speaks. Pavel is determined to win, and rumors say that he has a weapon hid somewhere near the ring. Right before the fight, Pavel punches Anya right in the mouth, laying her out on the ground. Then the fight begins. This is a very dark world, the crowd cheers after Pavel hits Anya. I can’t imagine that happening today, even in the underground like this. I think (or hope) the crowd would completely turn on a MMA fighter who does that.
The only reason that Anya wants Pavel to win is because she knows that he has other women, he has been fighting for women since he was 12 years old. Also, because if he wins, she doesn’t think he would give her out to other men, like she expects would happen if Cort wins. Plus, he is a known entity even if he does treat her like crap. Though just when Pavel is about to win, Anya does something that changes all their lives forever.
I have to say that this world is pretty cruel and depressing, the series name Sick World is certainly apt. Both the Hero and heroine are slaves and have been since they were children, and the lives of child slaves are about as bad as they can possibly be. Though there are secrets and mysteries which exist in the background, and they come out very slowly. Even though Cort won his freedom and only has to do one more session of training camp for his father before he and his three friends are free, there is still a huge sense of doom, especially for Anya since she doesn’t really belong to Cort, but to his father. The story does drag you in and keeps your attention. I hated it and loved it.
The audiobook was told in multiple points of view via dual narration. It was narrated by Lessa Lamb and Troy Duran. I really like both of these narrators. Troy Duran is my favorite with a deep and sexy voice that is absolutely perfect for Cort who is a dark character. Lessa has a clear, intelligent sounding voice that works well for Anya.
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The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💙💚💜❤️💖
Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📕📗📙📘📔
World building: 🌏🌍🌏🌎
Character development: 😟🙁😌😅😍
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration Type: Dual Narration
The Hero: Cort Van Breda (a.k.a. Sick Heart) - he is tall, handsome, has short dark hair and is covered in tattoos. He is every bit as dangerous as he looks. He is the reigning champion of underground MMA fights, undefeated in fight to the death matches for 22 years (since age 5).
The heroine: Anya - her father and his ilk are very interested in the underground MMA fight scene. Anya likes to see the underground MMA fights but is not at all interested in capturing Cort Van Breda’s eye. Any man that has survived as long as he has without having some issues in the head. He is fighting his last fight tonight, now that he is 27 years old. There are no rules and Cort isn’t favored in the fight. Anya’s father owns the opponent, Pavel, and plans to win.
The Story: The fight takes place on a ship, an oil rig that has yet to be put in place. It is serving as a hotel for the underground fight. It is owned by Anya’s father and Cort’s Father (owner). The 2.8-billion-dollar ship is not just the ring for the fight, but is also the prize, as is Anya. If Pavel wins, Cort’s Father will be knocked down from owning 81% of the shares of the ship to 49%. The ship is basically a floating city and generates an obscene amount of both legitimate and illegitimate money each year. So, this fight is the most important in all of their lives.
Pavel reveals something right before the fight. He reveals that Cort doesn’t ever talk in public, the same as Anya, she never speaks. Pavel is determined to win, and rumors say that he has a weapon hid somewhere near the ring. Right before the fight, Pavel punches Anya right in the mouth, laying her out on the ground. Then the fight begins. This is a very dark world, the crowd cheers after Pavel hits Anya. I can’t imagine that happening today, even in the underground like this. I think (or hope) the crowd would completely turn on a MMA fighter who does that.
The only reason that Anya wants Pavel to win is because she knows that he has other women, he has been fighting for women since he was 12 years old. Also, because if he wins, she doesn’t think he would give her out to other men, like she expects would happen if Cort wins. Plus, he is a known entity even if he does treat her like crap. Though just when Pavel is about to win, Anya does something that changes all their lives forever.
I have to say that this world is pretty cruel and depressing, the series name Sick World is certainly apt. Both the Hero and heroine are slaves and have been since they were children, and the lives of child slaves are about as bad as they can possibly be. Though there are secrets and mysteries which exist in the background, and they come out very slowly. Even though Cort won his freedom and only has to do one more session of training camp for his father before he and his three friends are free, there is still a huge sense of doom, especially for Anya since she doesn’t really belong to Cort, but to his father. The story does drag you in and keeps your attention. I hated it and loved it.
The audiobook was told in multiple points of view via dual narration. It was narrated by Lessa Lamb and Troy Duran. I really like both of these narrators. Troy Duran is my favorite with a deep and sexy voice that is absolutely perfect for Cort who is a dark character. Lessa has a clear, intelligent sounding voice that works well for Anya.
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April 21, 2021
This book is not at all what I expected it to be! The worldbuilding is phenomenal, and most of the time I was 95% sure that this is a dystopian dark romance, but everything that happens is almost possible in the world we live in. Parts of it remind me of the Hunger Games, but much much darker and obviously less far fetched, if it could be set in our world. Makes me want to finally get around to reading Battle Royale!
I want to reiterate: this is an incredibly dark book. It’s not for the faint of heart. There were parts that made my heart hurt--or maybe they made my heart “sick”. There are so many characters that I genuinely cared for, and knowing that things would likely not end well for them was truly heartbreaking.
Anya and Cort are very damaged souls. I loved Cort so, so much. I went into this book expecting him to be a true anti-hero, but he isn’t. He’s hard on those around him because it’s what is needed for survival in this twisted world he grew up in.
Anya is chock full of surprises, and I loved getting the chance to peel back the layers on who she is. Both Anya and Cort are silent by choice, which makes for an interesting dynamic, especially when pesky things like communication are necessary.
All this said, there was a little bit too much repetition in the narrative. We get POV scenes from both Cort and Anya, and there are quite a few times where I felt like I was reading the same passages twice. Not just for what was happening, but for their internal monologuing--talking about why they are the way that they are or commenting on the world they live in.
I would definitely love to read more books set in this world, or other dystopian dark romances by this author in the future!
I want to reiterate: this is an incredibly dark book. It’s not for the faint of heart. There were parts that made my heart hurt--or maybe they made my heart “sick”. There are so many characters that I genuinely cared for, and knowing that things would likely not end well for them was truly heartbreaking.
Anya and Cort are very damaged souls. I loved Cort so, so much. I went into this book expecting him to be a true anti-hero, but he isn’t. He’s hard on those around him because it’s what is needed for survival in this twisted world he grew up in.
Anya is chock full of surprises, and I loved getting the chance to peel back the layers on who she is. Both Anya and Cort are silent by choice, which makes for an interesting dynamic, especially when pesky things like communication are necessary.
All this said, there was a little bit too much repetition in the narrative. We get POV scenes from both Cort and Anya, and there are quite a few times where I felt like I was reading the same passages twice. Not just for what was happening, but for their internal monologuing--talking about why they are the way that they are or commenting on the world they live in.
I would definitely love to read more books set in this world, or other dystopian dark romances by this author in the future!
September 3, 2023
UPDATE
Cort van Breda is a monster but he’s also the love of my life. If I was going to date a tragic anti-hero it would be Cort. He is buff, tatted, knows how to make a girl cum and he doesn’t speak but he is an ASL master. However, let’s give a little meat and potatoes first and start with a few facts.
Cort literally won 35 death matches and he is about to begin his final fight at the start of this novel. The problem is in this house of lies no one wins. No one fights this long and no one stays alive to successfully fight 35 fights to the death. There are No rules except win and sometimes there’s even a weapon or seven. Cort is brutal in the ring and has been known to rip off limbs and gouge out an eye or two. As I mentioned before I love Cort. The main reason is because as a misunderstood 27 year old slave he takes a lot of crap but he loves hard. He takes care of his"camp” and if you’re his family that means he will protect you with his life. That is the making of a good man even if he kills for a living.
Now I know this book follows Anya as well but I don’t much care for Anya. She constantly makes Cort’s life so hard with all of her lies and shenanigans but what would you do in her situation? As a girl who was raised as a sex worker she takes a vow of silence to take control of something in her life. Is this smart ??yes.Has it kept her alive ? Sure it has for quite sometimes but like Cort her time is up. I would have saved Cort 1000x I would have saved Anya once and that took about 400 pages for me to get there.
This book was brutal, kind of scary and made me want to get sick a few times because this was all happening to small children. I unfortunately ended 2022 and picked up 2023 with a kick for the dark and strange so I kept up the momentum I was on and this delivered. If you are interested in this story but you’re on the fence read the trigger warnings. If those don’t scare you read a few of my highlights and if your pickle is still tickled give this a read. I promise it was beautifully written and tragic and it made me cry and scream and that’s the makings of a wonderful book.
original review
I don’t know what to say here just yet but the review will be a long one. This was well written.
Cort van Breda is a monster but he’s also the love of my life. If I was going to date a tragic anti-hero it would be Cort. He is buff, tatted, knows how to make a girl cum and he doesn’t speak but he is an ASL master. However, let’s give a little meat and potatoes first and start with a few facts.
Cort literally won 35 death matches and he is about to begin his final fight at the start of this novel. The problem is in this house of lies no one wins. No one fights this long and no one stays alive to successfully fight 35 fights to the death. There are No rules except win and sometimes there’s even a weapon or seven. Cort is brutal in the ring and has been known to rip off limbs and gouge out an eye or two. As I mentioned before I love Cort. The main reason is because as a misunderstood 27 year old slave he takes a lot of crap but he loves hard. He takes care of his"camp” and if you’re his family that means he will protect you with his life. That is the making of a good man even if he kills for a living.
Now I know this book follows Anya as well but I don’t much care for Anya. She constantly makes Cort’s life so hard with all of her lies and shenanigans but what would you do in her situation? As a girl who was raised as a sex worker she takes a vow of silence to take control of something in her life. Is this smart ??yes.Has it kept her alive ? Sure it has for quite sometimes but like Cort her time is up. I would have saved Cort 1000x I would have saved Anya once and that took about 400 pages for me to get there.
This book was brutal, kind of scary and made me want to get sick a few times because this was all happening to small children. I unfortunately ended 2022 and picked up 2023 with a kick for the dark and strange so I kept up the momentum I was on and this delivered. If you are interested in this story but you’re on the fence read the trigger warnings. If those don’t scare you read a few of my highlights and if your pickle is still tickled give this a read. I promise it was beautifully written and tragic and it made me cry and scream and that’s the makings of a wonderful book.
original review
I don’t know what to say here just yet but the review will be a long one. This was well written.
September 15, 2021
Not an actual romance between the MCs. No warning for MMF. Throughout the whole story both the MCs spend more time fucking other men than they do each other. The heroine even begins a relationship with one of H’s friends (who he also fucks alone and with her). Not my cup of tea, and I don’t appreciate misleading blurbs with no warnings.
April 8, 2021
Sick Heart was a constant battle between love and hate. It has been ages since a book has left me so conflicted about not only the story but the characters. Cort and Anya were a force there is no doubt in my mind about that but if you pick up this book thinking that you are going to get your perfect little happily ever after, think again. What these characters had to do to get their ending was nothing short of tragic, especially for the children. That about sums it up for me, if you are going to read this book then read it. Just go in blind with the story like I did because if you don't it won't really have the desired impact, I believe Huss was aiming for.
October 27, 2021
Troy Duran does SUCH a good job narrating this!
March 21, 2021
(3.9-4 Stars)
Cort “Sick Heart” Van Breda is lethal with his hands. As an underground fighter, there are few rules where he lives and that is where he meets Anya Bokori. A prize for winning his latest fight...a fight he should of lost. What will happen when fates change course for these two unique souls? This is hard to review without spoilers but I will say it has a futuristic, almost “apocalyptic” underground fighting world feel to it with the rules and rituals that happen within. “When you live in a world of sick hearts and dead voices, you only need eyes to say what needs to be said.” Two broken, silent souls and only one outcome in this world they live in. Will they make it out with their freedom? This is not your typical fighter romance at all. It is a very unique, slow paced, other worldly tale that I enjoyed reading however because it is such a different type of story it may take a bit to get into but it is worth staying with it until the end. It’s also better to go into this blind but just beware there might be triggers for some as this is unlike other books I’ve read and does involve difficult topics. These characters are damaged yet strong and really make you think. A dark, emotional story like you haven’t read before. MF, MFMM; Told In dual POV
📸 Teaser Collage by Miss Petite Brunette Book Blog
Cort “Sick Heart” Van Breda is lethal with his hands. As an underground fighter, there are few rules where he lives and that is where he meets Anya Bokori. A prize for winning his latest fight...a fight he should of lost. What will happen when fates change course for these two unique souls? This is hard to review without spoilers but I will say it has a futuristic, almost “apocalyptic” underground fighting world feel to it with the rules and rituals that happen within. “When you live in a world of sick hearts and dead voices, you only need eyes to say what needs to be said.” Two broken, silent souls and only one outcome in this world they live in. Will they make it out with their freedom? This is not your typical fighter romance at all. It is a very unique, slow paced, other worldly tale that I enjoyed reading however because it is such a different type of story it may take a bit to get into but it is worth staying with it until the end. It’s also better to go into this blind but just beware there might be triggers for some as this is unlike other books I’ve read and does involve difficult topics. These characters are damaged yet strong and really make you think. A dark, emotional story like you haven’t read before. MF, MFMM; Told In dual POV
📸 Teaser Collage by Miss Petite Brunette Book Blog
February 14, 2023
DNF
Sabah başlamıştım kafam dağılsın diye güya çok çok kötü bazı sahneler 😰
Sabah başlamıştım kafam dağılsın diye güya çok çok kötü bazı sahneler 😰
April 27, 2021
firstly advertise it is a rh if it is one. they both have sex with other people practically the entire time and that ruined the romance portion of it for me. i would’ve been fine with the first time if it never happened again but it continuously does. i didn’t feel anything for cort and anya bc all i could think about was how she had just fucked his friends. i don’t understand why the author did so without warning us. i feel like i was tricked into wasting my money on a book that isn’t even romance. by the end it was basically a ménage bc corts still fucking maart and on top of that anya and maart have some weird romantic thing going on. i’m so disappointed. if it’s an mfm say it is but safe to say i will never read this author again
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 19, 2023
3,5 / 5
Farklı bir kurguydu, hiç beklediğim gibi çıkmadı konusu. Dark romance falan zannetmiştim ama aşk, meşk olayları ikinci planda kalmış. Hafif distopik bir havası vardı ancak olaylar bildiğimiz dünya şartlarında geçiyor.
Farklı bir kurguydu, hiç beklediğim gibi çıkmadı konusu. Dark romance falan zannetmiştim ama aşk, meşk olayları ikinci planda kalmış. Hafif distopik bir havası vardı ancak olaylar bildiğimiz dünya şartlarında geçiyor.
dnf
June 24, 2021I’ve read and enjoyed a lot of books by this author. But I’m 23% in and honestly I’m bored.
This is supposed to be a dark romance I didn’t expect to be skimming at all let alone so soon.
This is supposed to be a dark romance I didn’t expect to be skimming at all let alone so soon.
March 30, 2021
SICK HEART by JA Huss is a contemporary, adult, dark, romance stand alone set in the author’s work of Rook and Ronin, and The Company. This is twenty-seven year old, underground MMA fighter Cort van Breda aka Sick Heart, and Anya’s story line. SICK HEART is a stand alone but as yet, has no direct connection to the other series.
WARNING: Due to the graphic nature and content of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.
Told from dual first person perspectives (Cort and Anya) SICK HEART is a tragic story of ultimate survival in a world of permeating evil. Cort van Breda has been trained from a young age to kill in a world of illegal fight clubs involving children and child slavery. His last fight was meant to free him from a twenty-two year bondage but Cort never expected to meet another warrior, another survivor, a young woman, whose own life was fodder for the corrupt and malevolent. One month together in virtual silence meant one month of watching the other persevere but all was about to come crashing down when someone else had plans to destroy them all.
SICK HEART focuses on survival and endurance; on child trafficking and slavery; on power, control, malevolence and death. J.A. Huss pulls the reader into a dark and brutal world of illegal underground fights to the death, a world fuelled by breeders and killers, perversions and control. SICK HEART is also a story of, not only existing but, of consciousness, viability, and the mortality of life. A dark, gritty, raw and haunting story that is dramatic and intense in both presentation and back story.
www.thereadingcafe.com
WARNING: Due to the graphic nature and content of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.
Told from dual first person perspectives (Cort and Anya) SICK HEART is a tragic story of ultimate survival in a world of permeating evil. Cort van Breda has been trained from a young age to kill in a world of illegal fight clubs involving children and child slavery. His last fight was meant to free him from a twenty-two year bondage but Cort never expected to meet another warrior, another survivor, a young woman, whose own life was fodder for the corrupt and malevolent. One month together in virtual silence meant one month of watching the other persevere but all was about to come crashing down when someone else had plans to destroy them all.
SICK HEART focuses on survival and endurance; on child trafficking and slavery; on power, control, malevolence and death. J.A. Huss pulls the reader into a dark and brutal world of illegal underground fights to the death, a world fuelled by breeders and killers, perversions and control. SICK HEART is also a story of, not only existing but, of consciousness, viability, and the mortality of life. A dark, gritty, raw and haunting story that is dramatic and intense in both presentation and back story.
www.thereadingcafe.com
April 7, 2021
This is the most "into" I've been into a book in awhile. Super unique, and it completely sucked me in. I pretty much read it non-stop all the way through. I connected with the story and the characters right away. It was dark and the back story was so sad and disgusting that my heart went out to all the fighters. I think my favorite part was the first month that Cort and Anya spent on the Rock alone. Loved their relationship progression and how the focus wasn't on romance; it totally worked. Seeing Anya grow stronger in mind and body was amazing and I really enjoyed Cort's thoughts/inner dialogue. Again, a very unique story that I really enjoyed and very memorable characters. I really hope that there are more books in this series. Definitely one of my favorites for 2021.
March 21, 2021
This is one of those books where it’s easier to read it than it is for me to summarize it. This author is queen of the unexpected, unique story lines, and all around plot twists. Well done
April 19, 2021
Good but not what was expected
From the description I was hoping for a romance between 2 people that had been through the same struggles in life. But then they threw some bi-sexual stuff in. Not a fan. So the female lead has sex with 2 and sometimes 3 men. Read it hoping that the male lead would stop sharing her but didn’t. Just warn a gal.
From the description I was hoping for a romance between 2 people that had been through the same struggles in life. But then they threw some bi-sexual stuff in. Not a fan. So the female lead has sex with 2 and sometimes 3 men. Read it hoping that the male lead would stop sharing her but didn’t. Just warn a gal.
April 1, 2021
2,5 stars
My head hurts
My soul hurts
My heart hurts, I'm heart sick.
There's so many bad things done to babies, toddlers and children that made me so sad.
That little relief in the end was not enough!
My head hurts
My soul hurts
My heart hurts, I'm heart sick.
There's so many bad things done to babies, toddlers and children that made me so sad.
That little relief in the end was not enough!
September 12, 2022
Wow! Difficult, emotional journey of survival and overcoming evil.Dark,Sensitive topics handled deftly! An absolute must read!
Julie ,so appreciated the sadly necessary,on target commentary at the end !❤
Julie ,so appreciated the sadly necessary,on target commentary at the end !❤
December 5, 2025
This was just not for me. The world building was great. The author did an amazing job describing everything. It was slow at certain parts and it was hard for me to stay focused and really grab my attention.
September 5, 2021
Not Dark! Painfully boring & Extremely Repetitive! There are so many problems with this book-
1. It's not dark, not even a little bit. It has a premise of child abuse which isbt enjoyable and felt very exploitative by the so called author, just to throw some shock factor into her ectrememly tedious and boring book. Because all that abuse to those children had zero impact on them as adults.
Despite being told that the hero and his three friends have survived almost 20 years of torture and rape to turn them into cold killers, suggesting they would understandably be very messed up psychologically and emotionally, but nope. They aren't even a little bit messed up or dark, not to the heroine or anyone. The hero is actually a really sweet guy, a completely normal, really good guy, who treats everyone well, including the heroine who he treats like a princess. It's so stupid.
2. This is incredibly, painfully, mind numbingly boring. It's gas a bit of a dystopian feel to this world wgere children are taken and killed, used and abused but there was no background, nothing enjoyable or interesting.
3. It's so heavily repetitive it made it even more boring. If something was said once it was said a dozen times. Like I must have read that, 'Pavo was his opponent', 'He was older than his opponent Pavo', and "tonight his opponent is Pavo..." and "Pavo, his opponent, was family, kind off", and on an on, half a dozen times in the first few pages, all before the fight even happened and before I gave up at 25%.
Add in the dual pov that was simply the scenes written in the heroine's point of view then the same scene repeated in the hero's point of view, completely wasting the readers time and increasing the already heavy repetition.
4. There's nothing to this book. It's just pages upon pages of fighting, punching, kicking, grabbing, which I skipped, but the rest was just as boring, reading their drug induced hazes, and more pages describing them walking into rooms to shake hands with their hated 'owners', than there was for even the very short, very basic, and very boring sex scene. That leads me to the next problem,
5. This isn't a romance. It's three men having quick sex with one woman, and with each other. Don't get me wrong, I've been known to enjoy a threesone read and harem/ reverse harem book, but there was nothng resembling ronance here, and the scenes with the four were short, basic and not enjoyable within so much depressing, boring and repeated text.
In short, this is a depressing and painfully boring to read. It's not dark, it's not a romance and it's not an MMA fighter read. It's extremely repetitive rubbish. If I could give zero stars, I would. Did not finish at around just 25% because I couldn't stand to bore myself with reading any more of this painfully boring writing and painfully boring story.
1. It's not dark, not even a little bit. It has a premise of child abuse which isbt enjoyable and felt very exploitative by the so called author, just to throw some shock factor into her ectrememly tedious and boring book. Because all that abuse to those children had zero impact on them as adults.
Despite being told that the hero and his three friends have survived almost 20 years of torture and rape to turn them into cold killers, suggesting they would understandably be very messed up psychologically and emotionally, but nope. They aren't even a little bit messed up or dark, not to the heroine or anyone. The hero is actually a really sweet guy, a completely normal, really good guy, who treats everyone well, including the heroine who he treats like a princess. It's so stupid.
2. This is incredibly, painfully, mind numbingly boring. It's gas a bit of a dystopian feel to this world wgere children are taken and killed, used and abused but there was no background, nothing enjoyable or interesting.
3. It's so heavily repetitive it made it even more boring. If something was said once it was said a dozen times. Like I must have read that, 'Pavo was his opponent', 'He was older than his opponent Pavo', and "tonight his opponent is Pavo..." and "Pavo, his opponent, was family, kind off", and on an on, half a dozen times in the first few pages, all before the fight even happened and before I gave up at 25%.
Add in the dual pov that was simply the scenes written in the heroine's point of view then the same scene repeated in the hero's point of view, completely wasting the readers time and increasing the already heavy repetition.
4. There's nothing to this book. It's just pages upon pages of fighting, punching, kicking, grabbing, which I skipped, but the rest was just as boring, reading their drug induced hazes, and more pages describing them walking into rooms to shake hands with their hated 'owners', than there was for even the very short, very basic, and very boring sex scene. That leads me to the next problem,
5. This isn't a romance. It's three men having quick sex with one woman, and with each other. Don't get me wrong, I've been known to enjoy a threesone read and harem/ reverse harem book, but there was nothng resembling ronance here, and the scenes with the four were short, basic and not enjoyable within so much depressing, boring and repeated text.
In short, this is a depressing and painfully boring to read. It's not dark, it's not a romance and it's not an MMA fighter read. It's extremely repetitive rubbish. If I could give zero stars, I would. Did not finish at around just 25% because I couldn't stand to bore myself with reading any more of this painfully boring writing and painfully boring story.
March 26, 2021
Was it a dream?Was it a nightmare? Whatever it is, the time I spent in the pages of Sick Heart by J.A. Huss was more real that anything I have read in a while. She pushed me deep into this twisted, beyond dark and soul shattering world. Complicated doesn't even begin to cover the depth and brilliance of this story. I am shocked. I am dazed. I am struggling with the waves of raw and gritty feels.
J.A.Huss always writes the most unexpected stories. Her mind works on another level. I am always left completely bamboozled with these unique stories she produce. This is the story of MMA fighter Cort van Breda and the girl he wins in his last fight, Anya. And they have this explosive, violent and mindboggling story. Oil rigs in open sea. Fighter children. The ultimate corrupt and inhuman world of dark side of humanity.
Do listen to the trigger warning. If you have any kind of trigger, just any kind, this book may not be for you. Now do you want to know what happens in heads of a MMA fighter and a slave? When both of them were tortured and abused and used and manipulated every way possible. And I mean, EVERY WAY YOU CAN AND CANNOT IMAGINE. And if you think you can handle, only then venture with caution. The author rips apart Cort and Anya. And exposed their broken and truly "sick" hearts. But this story is actually a hope story. Hope in darkness. Hope in middle of misery, death and blood. There will be unpleasant surprises making you scream. There will be deviant and sickening scenes making you want to hide. And at the same time you will be spellbound and fully drowning in the story because you will die to know what will happen next. An unlikely story of loyalty and friendship. A love story forged in survival battles and mutual respect. Cort is so much more than the animalistic fighter. Anya is so much more than the weak slave. They are both fierce and stubborn and truly a match made in hell. It was gory at times. It was insanely erotic some times. It was an adrenaline rush choking me and pushing me and testing me till the last page.
Sick Heart by J.A.Huss is so much more than a dark MMA romance. It's hard to explain this jaw dropping reading experience in words. It was volatile, explosive and sensual. It was suspenseful, mysterious and tragically beautiful. It was an example of exceptional writing from the genius J.A. Huss.
I reviewed an early copy voluntarily
J.A.Huss always writes the most unexpected stories. Her mind works on another level. I am always left completely bamboozled with these unique stories she produce. This is the story of MMA fighter Cort van Breda and the girl he wins in his last fight, Anya. And they have this explosive, violent and mindboggling story. Oil rigs in open sea. Fighter children. The ultimate corrupt and inhuman world of dark side of humanity.
Do listen to the trigger warning. If you have any kind of trigger, just any kind, this book may not be for you. Now do you want to know what happens in heads of a MMA fighter and a slave? When both of them were tortured and abused and used and manipulated every way possible. And I mean, EVERY WAY YOU CAN AND CANNOT IMAGINE. And if you think you can handle, only then venture with caution. The author rips apart Cort and Anya. And exposed their broken and truly "sick" hearts. But this story is actually a hope story. Hope in darkness. Hope in middle of misery, death and blood. There will be unpleasant surprises making you scream. There will be deviant and sickening scenes making you want to hide. And at the same time you will be spellbound and fully drowning in the story because you will die to know what will happen next. An unlikely story of loyalty and friendship. A love story forged in survival battles and mutual respect. Cort is so much more than the animalistic fighter. Anya is so much more than the weak slave. They are both fierce and stubborn and truly a match made in hell. It was gory at times. It was insanely erotic some times. It was an adrenaline rush choking me and pushing me and testing me till the last page.
Sick Heart by J.A.Huss is so much more than a dark MMA romance. It's hard to explain this jaw dropping reading experience in words. It was volatile, explosive and sensual. It was suspenseful, mysterious and tragically beautiful. It was an example of exceptional writing from the genius J.A. Huss.
I reviewed an early copy voluntarily
May 26, 2021
Review Scheduled to go live on blog on July 5th @ Naomi’s Reading Palace
It’s been a while since I’ve read a J.A. Huss book, and I’ll tell you that it was exciting to get back into her dark and twisted world once again! Huss introduced us to another part of her dark world through illegal boxing. It’s a deadly and scary world, where no one is safe. People are all pawns and for those in charge are expendable.
I loved the way the story began, and it had me questioning what was going on, as it’s not a usual beginning to a Huss read, but after a while I understood and was excited for the direction of this story. There were some moments that had me cringing, but it wasn’t long before we were thrown into crazy action and some steamy moments!
Cort and Anya were both very strong characters, stuck in a world that they can’t get out of. Cort was very successful in his world, and was doing everything he could to secure his freedom and that of those he help close. Anya knew that it was easier to keep to herself so she could get through the dark world she was in. When backed against the wall she could be fierce. I enjoyed watching her show more strength throughout the read and stand on her feet to face those stronger than her.
This was such a great read, and I cannot wait for more. I enjoyed getting to know both Cort and Anya, as well as Cort’s entourage. There were some sizzling scenes woven throughout the read, and I was constantly on edge wondering what would happen next! I am so excited to continue more books in this world!
It’s been a while since I’ve read a J.A. Huss book, and I’ll tell you that it was exciting to get back into her dark and twisted world once again! Huss introduced us to another part of her dark world through illegal boxing. It’s a deadly and scary world, where no one is safe. People are all pawns and for those in charge are expendable.
I loved the way the story began, and it had me questioning what was going on, as it’s not a usual beginning to a Huss read, but after a while I understood and was excited for the direction of this story. There were some moments that had me cringing, but it wasn’t long before we were thrown into crazy action and some steamy moments!
Cort and Anya were both very strong characters, stuck in a world that they can’t get out of. Cort was very successful in his world, and was doing everything he could to secure his freedom and that of those he help close. Anya knew that it was easier to keep to herself so she could get through the dark world she was in. When backed against the wall she could be fierce. I enjoyed watching her show more strength throughout the read and stand on her feet to face those stronger than her.
This was such a great read, and I cannot wait for more. I enjoyed getting to know both Cort and Anya, as well as Cort’s entourage. There were some sizzling scenes woven throughout the read, and I was constantly on edge wondering what would happen next! I am so excited to continue more books in this world!
December 3, 2021
DNF - nothing but spoilers ahead.
This book‘s bio is possibly the biggest case of misleading information I’ve ever encountered. I was fine with the fighting, brutal violence, etc. The author referenced pearl clutching in the description but that is not what the issue is here.
Do we even know how old the h is? H makes a comment that she doesn’t even look 18, while he’s 27. I have zero issue with age gaps, but how young is she actually? The first time they have sex, the group of FOUR (which was not built up to at all, no mention anywhere of this being an MMF,) are all under the influence of a drink that’s a hallucinogenic. A complete stranger puts it in her butt with zero permission, and ultimately h says she remembers nothing of that encounter. This is cool? How?
I skipped over the book after that scene because in both main characters POVs, they are hardly present for what they’re doing. I don’t jive with that shit.
Skipped ahead and the next scene I get to is her about to have sex with the other guy who’s not the main character and she is once again taking the hallucinogenic. Babe, if you have to mentally check out to get down, somethings not right.
I love why-choose books, but this was not that. This was masquerading as a romance. Don’t think there was a lot of love going around, just warm bodies being used for holes.
This book‘s bio is possibly the biggest case of misleading information I’ve ever encountered. I was fine with the fighting, brutal violence, etc. The author referenced pearl clutching in the description but that is not what the issue is here.
Do we even know how old the h is? H makes a comment that she doesn’t even look 18, while he’s 27. I have zero issue with age gaps, but how young is she actually? The first time they have sex, the group of FOUR (which was not built up to at all, no mention anywhere of this being an MMF,) are all under the influence of a drink that’s a hallucinogenic. A complete stranger puts it in her butt with zero permission, and ultimately h says she remembers nothing of that encounter. This is cool? How?
I skipped over the book after that scene because in both main characters POVs, they are hardly present for what they’re doing. I don’t jive with that shit.
Skipped ahead and the next scene I get to is her about to have sex with the other guy who’s not the main character and she is once again taking the hallucinogenic. Babe, if you have to mentally check out to get down, somethings not right.
I love why-choose books, but this was not that. This was masquerading as a romance. Don’t think there was a lot of love going around, just warm bodies being used for holes.
April 25, 2022
This was a unique dystopian story with an intriguing premise. Please check content warnings (below) before diving in.
We have Cort, a.k.a. Sick Heart, a heavily tattooed silent MMA fighter who's as damaged as they come. In the penultimate fight of his fighting career, he meets Anya, a house maid-typish slave who's father owns a portion of the shop the fight takes place in. He eventually wins the fight and she's part of prize. Off they go on a strange training rock to prepare themselves and a bunch of kids to fight to death. They win. The end.
The beginning was so full of thrill, gore and surprise. But the pace quickly falls by the 30% mark and I begun to find Anya's vow of silence thing to be more annoying than rebellious. The second part of the book was lost on me too - I didn't care for the excruciating details of Anya skipping rope and complaining about rehydrated chicken.
Anyhow, J.A. Huss is a brilliant author and never fails to deliver stories that are FRESH and DIFFERENT. I have other stories from her that I absolutely love so I guess this one just isn't for me.
Nevertheless, I would recommend this story to someone who enjoys gritty romances full of action.
CW:
Graphic depictions of violence , intoxication, SA and CSA. Please be careful going in!
We have Cort, a.k.a. Sick Heart, a heavily tattooed silent MMA fighter who's as damaged as they come. In the penultimate fight of his fighting career, he meets Anya, a house maid-typish slave who's father owns a portion of the shop the fight takes place in. He eventually wins the fight and she's part of prize. Off they go on a strange training rock to prepare themselves and a bunch of kids to fight to death. They win. The end.
The beginning was so full of thrill, gore and surprise. But the pace quickly falls by the 30% mark and I begun to find Anya's vow of silence thing to be more annoying than rebellious. The second part of the book was lost on me too - I didn't care for the excruciating details of Anya skipping rope and complaining about rehydrated chicken.
Anyhow, J.A. Huss is a brilliant author and never fails to deliver stories that are FRESH and DIFFERENT. I have other stories from her that I absolutely love so I guess this one just isn't for me.
Nevertheless, I would recommend this story to someone who enjoys gritty romances full of action.
CW:
Graphic depictions of violence , intoxication, SA and CSA. Please be careful going in!
March 28, 2021
4.5-stars.
I am not sure where to start. I loved Sick Heart by JA Huss, but do not want to give too much away. This is an original story, but this is true for everything this author writes. It was emotional, dark, and completely captivating. Cort is an underground fighter where he literally fights for his life. Anya is part of that dark world. They are both broken and lost and will steal your heart. What they have been through is unimaginable. Even so, their journey does have hope and I devoured it. This is a book I highly recommend.
Happy reading!
I am not sure where to start. I loved Sick Heart by JA Huss, but do not want to give too much away. This is an original story, but this is true for everything this author writes. It was emotional, dark, and completely captivating. Cort is an underground fighter where he literally fights for his life. Anya is part of that dark world. They are both broken and lost and will steal your heart. What they have been through is unimaginable. Even so, their journey does have hope and I devoured it. This is a book I highly recommend.
Happy reading!
April 11, 2021
What did I just read?
This is some really sick #hit....Not sure how anyone could think up this kind of thing. Not a word in description that most all the sex scenes are three some and not a word that they are men having sex with each other. Not my jam. This is a cruel,sick story line. Really just pornography with a lot of shock value pedophile and torture. Sure won't go near this author again.
This is some really sick #hit....Not sure how anyone could think up this kind of thing. Not a word in description that most all the sex scenes are three some and not a word that they are men having sex with each other. Not my jam. This is a cruel,sick story line. Really just pornography with a lot of shock value pedophile and torture. Sure won't go near this author again.
October 14, 2021
I went into this book expecting a typical MMA sports romance but I was completely wrong! Other than the fact that there is MMA style fighting at various parts of the book that is not the main focus of the story. The story and the characters are more about overcoming the evil that lurks within some people and society.
There is violence and there is a unique and twisted romance but clear your mind of everything you think you’ll find in this book. Because it will be so much more.
There is violence and there is a unique and twisted romance but clear your mind of everything you think you’ll find in this book. Because it will be so much more.
March 29, 2021
Wow wow wow. As always, Julie never disappoints. I wasn't sure what to expect with this book. It has a totally different feel than Julie's other books. It created this whole world that I couldn't even imagine. Cort & Anya story was a rough one but oh so amazing. A Must read for any JA Huss fan!
May 31, 2024
I really feel so guilty for doing this because I love this author, but I could not get past the 32% mark of this book. absolutely nothing and there was no plot no anything. one or two steamy sex scenes with no connection. so I’m sorry but I cannot in good conscience of my time finish this book.
April 4, 2021
Sick Heart
is the latest release from JA Huss. My first thought after “The End” was what a beautiful story this is.
Cort van Breada is an MMA fighter in a league where the ultimate prize is your life until the next fight. The fighters begin training at a young age; knowing early on that their tournament fights are to the death. Cort has been around the league for a long time, and he is still alive. That alone is a feat few have achieved. He just needs to win one more fight to buy his way out of this hell.
Anya Bokori is owned by one of the evil men who run the underground league. She lived a horrible life at the hands of Lazar. Anna has survived the unthinkable at his hands. In their minds she is only a woman and not worth much anyway. In her world, it is a miracle that she survived this long. Now, if Cort wins his last fight she is his prize too.
JA Huss is one of a handful of writers that I need to purchase every book she writes on release day. She takes me on a memorable journey every time and Sick Heart is no exception. Following Cort and Anya battle their demons both chilled and captivated me. Often, I read reviews where readers say they could not put a book down, but when I’m dropped into a world like this, I have to put the book down. Sometimes it is only for a few seconds, but I must wrap my head around what is happening. This story is fiction, but it could be going on some place in this world where we live. Evil is all around us.
Sick Heart is a romantic suspense thriller (in my opinion) with an MMA backdrop that will keep you turning the pages, but it is so much more than that. I guess I will use Julie’s phrasing. At its core, Sick Heart is a love story of survivors. It is a beautiful story that touches my heart in every way possible. There is violence (see the trigger warnings) and evil people doing evil things, but there is a lot of beauty too. There are twists and turns that surprised me. It is Julie’s way to make me think the story is going one way, then pull the rug out and send me down another path.
Sick Heart is another great story that shows JA Huss is still at the top of her game. I love Sick Heart. Now I need the audio to add to my library.
Review posted on Badass Bloggettes
Cort van Breada is an MMA fighter in a league where the ultimate prize is your life until the next fight. The fighters begin training at a young age; knowing early on that their tournament fights are to the death. Cort has been around the league for a long time, and he is still alive. That alone is a feat few have achieved. He just needs to win one more fight to buy his way out of this hell.
Anya Bokori is owned by one of the evil men who run the underground league. She lived a horrible life at the hands of Lazar. Anna has survived the unthinkable at his hands. In their minds she is only a woman and not worth much anyway. In her world, it is a miracle that she survived this long. Now, if Cort wins his last fight she is his prize too.
JA Huss is one of a handful of writers that I need to purchase every book she writes on release day. She takes me on a memorable journey every time and Sick Heart is no exception. Following Cort and Anya battle their demons both chilled and captivated me. Often, I read reviews where readers say they could not put a book down, but when I’m dropped into a world like this, I have to put the book down. Sometimes it is only for a few seconds, but I must wrap my head around what is happening. This story is fiction, but it could be going on some place in this world where we live. Evil is all around us.
Sick Heart is a romantic suspense thriller (in my opinion) with an MMA backdrop that will keep you turning the pages, but it is so much more than that. I guess I will use Julie’s phrasing. At its core, Sick Heart is a love story of survivors. It is a beautiful story that touches my heart in every way possible. There is violence (see the trigger warnings) and evil people doing evil things, but there is a lot of beauty too. There are twists and turns that surprised me. It is Julie’s way to make me think the story is going one way, then pull the rug out and send me down another path.
Sick Heart is another great story that shows JA Huss is still at the top of her game. I love Sick Heart. Now I need the audio to add to my library.
Review posted on Badass Bloggettes
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