Sparks & Slapshots

by Lilith Crowe

Ice flows through her veins, but drama flows through her life.

Skye has one thing on her winning the Olympic gold. Keeping her crazy life out of the headlines has become a sport all on its own. With a clingy ex, the title of Team Captain, and health issues ailing her favorite family member, Skye has no time for distractions. Especially not feelings.

Violet is a worldwide pop sensation who sings in a full disguise to hide secrets that the world would devour. She’s attending the Olympics to perform at the closing ceremony. She’s not there to fall for a brooding women’s hockey player who seems to have a problem with glitter.

Skye is all hockey sticks and slapshots. Violet is a whirlwind in designer boots. Their styles don’t mesh, but their sparks do.

And in the hottest spotlight in the world, someone’s about to get checked straight into something they never saw coming.

Genres: Contemporary, Hockey

325 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 7, 2026

About the author

Hey, hi, hellloooo! I'm Lilith - a dark romance author from Pennsylvania!

I write all things dark and steamy (contemporary, sports, sapphic, fantasy, paranormal, thriller, etc.) Dabbling in a little bit of everything so there's a little something for everyone!

Look around my titles and see if anything strikes your fancy! Writing is something I enjoy doing in my spare time, so make sure to give me a follow - tons of titles will be flooding Goodreads with my name on the cover.

Reviews

[Sarah S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ for me!

Thank you so much for the ARC opportunity to the author, Lilith.

I wasn’t going into this with many expectations and holy cannoli, did it knock my socks off!

This sapphic romance is getting added to my recommendations list, stat.

Violet is one of our FMCs. Her alter ego is Solace, a world-famous pop star. But by day, she’s just Violet.

Then there is Skye, our USA women’s Olympic hockey team captain who’s a bit of a domme 😏

Violet catches her boyfriend cheating, who is a men’s Olympic hockey team member. They’re forced to go to Italy together because he’s playing and she’s singing at the closing ceremonies as Solace.

What Violet didn’t expect was to meet Skye and learn what she has been missing her entire life.

We love a gay awakening!

The twists and turns along the way are crazy and the spice was oh so good.

Definitely recommend!

[Alyssa Lynn]

ADD THIS TO YOUR TBR!!!!
I can't rate this because I wrote it, but my alpha and beta readers are OBSESSED! With good reason 😉

💋 Dark Sapphic romance
🏒 Hockey
📱Group chat
💔 No third-act breakup
🌍 Olympics
☠️ Touch her and X
🥷🏻 Secret identity
🎤 Rockstar
🪢 BD$M

Pre-order is live now!

[Melissa Mejia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of reciting this as an e-ARC and voluntarily will be giving my honest review. Lilith just wow!! You rocked this out of the park!! I absolutely loved this book!! If you like dark sapphic romance with BD$M, secret identity and touch her and ☠️ you will definitely love this one!! Violet is a rock star with secrets and Skye is a USA an Olympian hockey player. The build up and character building was phenomenal!! You could feel all the emotions that these characters went through that they felt so real!! I especially loved the end of the book where Lilith adds her story bloopers they had me laughing!! Chef kiss Lilith for your debut novel!!

“In her debut novel, Lilith Crowe weaves a standalone tale of sapphic romance, Olympic hockey, a dangerous secret identity, and a love story no one was prepared for.”

[ReadingMomma · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Going into this book, I was honestly a little hesitant because it was my first F/F romance, and I wasn't sure if it would be for me. I'm so glad I gave it a chance because I ended up really enjoying the story. 💜

Skye is a hockey player selected to represent Team USA at the Olympics. 🇺🇸🏒 After a painful relationship with her ex, she's guarded and reluctant to let anyone get too close. While staying in Milan, she meets Violet, a famous singer drowning her sorrows at the hotel bar after discovering her boyfriend cheated on her. When Violet passes out, Skye makes sure she gets back to her room safely, leaving a note letting her know she was helped and that nothing happened. That simple act of kindness is the start of a beautiful relationship. ❤️

I loved watching Skye slowly tear down the walls she'd built after her past relationship while Violet began questioning everything she thought she knew about love and attraction. Watching Violet realize she might be falling for someone completely different than she ever expected was one of my favorite parts of the story. 🥹

Violet's backstory added another layer to the book. After years of writing and singing behind the scenes for a powerful record label, she created Solace as a way to reclaim her own voice. But when the people from her past refuse to let her go, the suspense really starts to build. 🎶🖤

The chemistry between Skye and Violet was a slow burn that paid off, and the spice definitely delivered. 🌶️🔥 And let's just say... I will never look at grapes the same way again. 🍇😳 If you've read it, you know exactly what I'm talking about! 😂

Overall, this was a story about healing, trust, finding yourself, and taking a chance on love when you least expect it. 💕 If you enjoy sports romance, celebrity romance, romantic suspense, slow-burn chemistry, and self-discovery, I'd definitely recommend giving this one a try!

Thank you so much to Lilith Crowe for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. 💜 I'm grateful I was given the chance to discover a story I may not have picked up otherwise!

[Sarah Strawinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book and I was sad when the book was over. I really hope that we get another book with Skye and Violet, even if it’s just a novella.
There were spots in the book where I was holding my breath and was on the edge of my seat, IYKYK
I can’t wait to see what else Lilith writes. I know I will eat it up. I found another one click author to add to my short list.

[HarlieQuinn66 · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off I want to say Thank You for letting me being an ARC reader for this fantastic book!! I love this so much!! I love the diversity of Vi’s life with Solace’s pop star life! I love the hockey world as well, the fact that her team (even if they are from different teams) suck by her side after the encounter with the crazy ex! Girl I have to say the Dom/Sub 🤯🥵🪭 like wow!! Amazing all around! I definitely need to get me a physical copy to mark all my favorite parts!! Also I didn’t forget the best friend/wife (lol) Cas oh how I love her!! I want her as a best friend!!!

[Stef · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sapphic hockey romance? Well, hello there. 😏

First off—I don’t know what it is about strong, confident women that has me in an absolute chokehold, but hello? Skye? I love her.

From the prologue, I looked at my girl and said, “Okayyy, honey, I’m sat.” And believe me, this woman had me trailing after her the entire book. I loved the depth of her character, the layers to her story, and the way she carried herself differently depending on who she was with. And the soft side she had for Violet? 😭 It was so cute, I swear.

Now, while Violet was a nice contrast to Skye’s more dominant nature… I don’t know. I found it a bit harder to connect with her as a character. She was sweet, and like Skye, I definitely had a soft spot for her, but I felt like there could’ve been a bit more depth to her characterization.

Don’t get me wrong—she’s a well-written character, and the chemistry between them was off the charts. The spice was spiiicccyyy, and I may or may not have been blushing and audibly gasping at 1 a.m…. (I did, in fact, stay up past my bedtime because I was obsessed. 😅)

The dialogue felt natural, and I loved that both characters had lives outside of their relationship. Their individual struggles and experiences influenced the way they behaved, making them feel more real. That said, I did feel like the pacing fluctuated a little in a few places, which might’ve been part of why I didn’t connect with Violet quite as much.

Overall, this was such an enjoyable read, and Lilith Crowe… thank you for destroying the rest of my romantic standards. Because while fictional MMCs already set the bar incredibly high, Skye showed up and said, “Hold my gear.”

And honestly? I’m not even mad about it.

This was a debut? Ma’am. 👏👏👏

[AB Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. When I decided to read it, I somehow missed that it was FF but I was committed and liked the storyline idea so I decided to keep on going. My usual preference is MFMMMM whatever times one million or MM so this was a different experience for me. And I LOVED it! The writing was well done. It had a good flow. The characters were lovable and really had me rooting for them. The idea was fresh and unique. I really enjoyed the dynamic of their relationship and the relationships with their friends. Ty is was the kind of book that could have been twice as long with a lot of extra scenes and details that wouldn’t have been necessary but would have fleshed out the story more and I would have eaten them up instead of wishing the author had cut the BS and just gotten to the point with the plot movers. Sometimes they can get too extra with additional info and scenes that don’t add to the plot and it feels stagnant but I think I would have happily read side quests and extra stories from both povs here. I would absolutely recommend this book. I would definitely read from this author again. Also, she is a kind person because I received and ARC for this book in exchange for an honest review and I didn’t see the email for it so had no idea I was chosen. When she reached out about not receiving my review she was extremely kind about the situation when I apologized and promised to read it asap for a review. So supporting nice people is always a plus for me! The story did move fast. The only thing that kept it from being 5 stars is I wish we had gotten a little more depth and deeper into the backgrounds of the characters as well as showcasing more of their D/S aspect, especially rhe intro into it. It was very solid and easy to enjoy. Great debut!

[SpoiledBookgirlie (Sarah M) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hockey romance books are all the rage right now. If you know, you know.😉 Immediately add this one to your TBR!!
My hockey romance virginity has been officially popped, and I am changed! I didn't expect to be thrown into a time machine, but one specific line had me laughing so loud I was suddenly back in the 90s, aggressively blasting Meat Loaf's Bat Out of Hell in my car. If you had told me a dark, BDSM, romance, set at the Winter Olympics would give me nostalgia, I would have called you crazy, but here we are. What I loved most about Skye and Violet is that they are actually healthy. Usually, when a book says "dark BDSM romance," I brace myself to read about two people who desperately need a therapist and an intervention. Instead, Lilith gave us a relationship that is palpable, realistic, and refreshingly mature. Also, can we talk about the side characters? Like, Cassie? She is hilarious and reminds me so much of my own best friend (which is both a compliment and a mild safety warning). If you want a masterfully crafted story about a broody, smoking hot Olympian hockey player skating face first into the world of a popstar, pick this up immediately. 10/10, no notes.
Incase you missed out on this little gem, while reading and have no idea what I am referring to in my book rant, here ya go..
“Meatloaf.” I drop the toy in my hands onto the bed and put my hands up. I keep repeating Violet’s safe word over and over. Mostly because it’s funny, and her reasoning of “it means I’ll do anything for love, but I won’t do that” had me cackling.”

[Kira · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the Author, this is an honest review! Thank you so much to the Author for this opportunity!

Spice level 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️
BDSM
Secrete identity
Touch her and Die
Dark Sapphire Romance
Female/Female Romance


I really enjoyed this book. It follows Sky who is a women’s Team USA Hockey player. and Violet she is a masked singer. Violet and Sky meets in a bar at the 4 seasons and violet gets extremely drunk becuase her ex boyfriend cheated on her with her cousin in their home. Sky winds up taking violet back to her room and then leaves.

Violet and Sky goes out on a date and Violet realizes she likes Sky and may like females. They start dating and Sky presents Violet with a Dom contract. Violet signs it and finds out that she enjoys being her submissive. Sky leaves bite marks on Violet because she wants to leave her mark on her.

Violet is putting on a concert for team USA hockey teams and Sky figures out that it is Violet and get really mad that she did not tell her she was the masked singer and also gets mad that she does not have her collar on that she is suppose to wear. Sky punishes Violet for not telling her who she was and also for not wearing her collar.

Violet also gets kidnapped and her kidnappers are wanting to throw her in the river.

This book was so well written I wanted more. The only thing that I need to know and I may have read over it was how Violets mom found out she was the masked singer.

[Fallon Owens · Rating 4 out of 5]

We all love a good hockey romance book; especially a dark one! And Lilith Crowe crushes that goal with this one!! 🏒🖤🔥🌶️
Violet is a secret pop star by night and a regular gal by day! Violet recently finds her boyfriend cheating on her; unfortunately (or maybe fortunately for other reasons) for Violet she still has to go to Italy with him because he is a hockey player and she is rockstar, Solace, who is to perform. But along the way, Violet meets Skye, who is an USA hockey Olympian player!
Violet finds what she’s been missing her entire life! The way these two helped each other with opening up…swoon and exactly what they both needed! The emotions that you can feel between these two characters is cosmic! The tension; the suspense; the banter; the character building…all chef’s kiss! 💋 This book will leave you gasping! 🫢
If you want something with:
🖤 Hockey
🖤Dark Sapphic Romance
🖤BD$M
🖤Dom/Sub
🖤Secrets and Twists
🖤Pop Star
🖤Touch Her and ☠️
Add this book to your TBR ASAP!! Lilith nailed this debut and I will be so impatiently waiting for more from her!! 🙌🏻

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Going into it, I wasn’t sure what to expect because it was my first (F/F) romance, but that didn’t matter at all. The story pulled me in from the beginning, and I quickly became invested in the characters and their relationship.

The chemistry between the main characters was fantastic, and I loved how their connection developed throughout the story. It had the perfect mix of romance, tension, emotion, and unexpected twists that kept me turning the pages. I found myself wanting to know what would happen next, and it definitely didn’t disappoint.

It’s a well-written story with memorable characters and a plot that keeps you hooked. I can’t wait to read more from Lilith Crowe!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Highly recommend!

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sparks and Slapshots by Lilith Crowe
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ .5

If you are looking for a sapphic romance, with some BDSM, and secrets, this is a book for you!

Thank you, Lillith for the Advance Advance copy of this book! I enjoyed it so much!

Skye and Violet have the tension that every book needs!

Skye is an Olympic Hockey player and heads to Milan for the games. Violet is a mega pop star that is being hidden and is also heading to Milan to close the games, she is also being taken advantage of by her record label and just broke off her relationship!

Violet is struggling with her sexuality when she finds herself bumping into Skye and can’t stop thinking about her.

The character building and the story were great, and I look forward to reading more from Lilith!

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The shots slapped and oh boy did the sparks fly! I absolutely loved this book! Both characters are so relatable, and you can tell Lilith spent time making these characters real. I honestly vibe so much with Skye on a personal level, and her energy was the best. The banter, “found family”, and emotion in this book was top tier. I hope we get something more of Violet and Skye in the future, because I had so much fun getting to read about these characters and how they interacted with one another.
An absolute masterpiece of a debut by the Queen herself!

Thank you, Lilith, for sending me an ARC! I cannot wait until the next one.

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW. MY THOUGHTS ARE MY OWN current 87% no spoilers. But flag JUST IN CASE
Will edit at completion


PROS
bi-awakening
Hockey
WOMENS HOCKEY

Cons
Spice took about half the book
I debated insta love or true love (reserve there right to amend at completion)

Spice
🌶🌶🌶

As someone who somehow manages to always find their way to sports stories, i truly appreciate the detail in watching Skye play.

I absolutely love how Violet embraced herself without question.

Rissa & Cassie are amazing at grounding us to the story.
Side characters are my favorite. They bring out the emotions we needed for a good time.

Self discovery is so important and my favorite part of the story.

[Carmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC from the author.

Violet and Skye had me invested from the moment they met. I loved watching their relationship develop, and Violet’s journey of discovering who she really is added so much heart to the story.

The romance had great chemistry, the plot threw in a few surprises along the way, and the spice definitely delivered.

If you’re looking for a sapphic romance with sports, celebrity drama, emotional growth, and plenty of tension, I’d definitely recommend picking this one up!

[CozyreaderLisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this dark sapphic romance. When I say I couldn’t put it down, I mean it. We follow Violet, who’s a pop star, and Skye, a female Olympic hockey captain. Both end up in Milan for the Olympics for different reasons. When they meet in the hotel bar, things get interesting! If you love dark sapphic romance, hockey, group chats, No third-act breakups, behind-the-scenes Olympics, touch her and 💀 secret identity, rockstar, and BD$M then this book is for you! I can’t wait to see what Lilith Crowe gives us to devour next! 5⭐️Add this to your TBR immediately!

[Keasha M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story, it was a great bi-awakening with intro to kink/BDSM. You have Skye who has all this pressure on her shoulders to perform the best she can in hockey during the Olympics. She has this other half of herself hidden so well that its affected how she shows emotions and interacts with others. Then you have Violet who has a whole other secret identity of a famous singer. They collide and sparks fly.

[Erin Tselepis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. From start to finished it was like being a character in the story. You have hockey players ,a singer and craziness everywhere you go. To go to the winter Olympics to find yourself and someone who loves you for who you are is priceless. No more hidinging behind masks. No more hiding behind closed doors. Best book yet this year. Check your trigger warnings before reading but read this book. You wont regret it

[Ariel Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm still fairly new to the dark romance and sapphic genres. I feel like this was an excellent introduction to both. It's not too extreme if you're unsure or just starting to get into it. I found the pacing to be perfect and of course the ending I couldn't put it down. There were twists that I didn't expect. The main characters were well developed and we got a good dive and explanations of their back stories. I really enjoyed it and recommended it.

[Ashley Egipciaco · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had not read a sapphic romance before and didn't know if I would like it. I really loved the plot and characters. Skye was such a lovable personality! Violet is smitten by Skye while hiding a big secret. She handled her bi-awakening with such grace. I loved all the twists and turns it took as they built up the love story. If you are a hockey romance girlie, this is the book for you. You will get a great HEA.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I love a good hockey romance, this one was 🔥🔥 so good!! I absolutely loved Skye and Violet! I couldn’t get enough of them! And that roller coaster, and twist at the ending! WOW is all I got I didn’t see that coming! If I could rate this book more than 5 stars I would! I can’t wait for the next book Lilith puts out!

[erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finding yourself along with love

Wow. Absolutely blown away from this book. Truly felt like I was part of the team. The ups the downs. The pure craziness it's right there front and center. Woman hockey and a singer the winter Olympics to just name a few good points. But it's finding yourself to be yourself it's the most important thing in this story.

[Natasha Durgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first I didn’t know if I was gonna love this book! But I ended up loving it so much!!! Skye and Violet are complete opposites who somehow wind up being so much the same. I really enjoyed watching their relationship blossom and grow. Watching the two of them grow into who they are and who they want to be was so fun to read! It had all the right elements in all the right places!

[Sheria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this ARC and began reading it blind with no expectations but my-o-my how this sapphic dark romance took me for a ride. This is my first time reading a sapphic, sports-themed dark romance and it didn’t disappoint. The storyline was engaging… and the spice?! 🥵 it was spicin’!

Sparks and Slapshots Lilith Crowe is a must add to your summer TBR!

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

LILITH GIRL YOU REALLY DID SOMETHING HERE! I went into this arc read blindly and this book did not disappoint! The end had me anxious as hell and I ate that up! Definitely be on the look out for Lilith’s other books because this was truly chef’s kiss!

[CoCo · Rating 5 out of 5]

BDSM and Hockey! Yes!

Violet is a secret pop star whose world collides with an Olympic hockey. Skye is not only going for gold in women's hockey, but in the bedroom as well. These women have a spicy, good time during the Olympics.

Also, the team group chat is so funny.

[Andreina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book sucked me in from the get go!! I couldn’t put it down! Violet and skye are made for one another and the writing/storyline show it beautifully. Loved this book and dynamic. I really want more!!

[Jessica Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off I normally am not drawn into FF books and this one had me drawn in from second one. I loved Skye and Violet so damn much and loved seeing them blossom together as they navigate their relationship. The plot was plotting and pure chefs kiss. This one I will recommend over and over. And definitely be on my list of comfort reads.

[Ashley Argueta · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.8

This was my 1st venture into this type of book and I'm glad this was my 1st. I truly enjoyed it. I loved Violet andSkye.