Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book
Rate this book
セクシーな夢をみているだけではだめ。現実の男の人を見つけなさい。エリザベスは妹のリラに、いつもそそのかされる。夫が不慮の事故で亡くなって二年。彼女は幼い二人の子を育てながら、ホテルでブティックを経営している。そんな彼女の前に現れた二人の男性。ホテルのオーナーと建設会社の社長。エリザベスの心も体も激しく乱れはじめて...。全米で100万部突破の大ベストセラー。

256 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published January 21, 1997

72 people are currently reading
1520 people want to read

About the author

Sandra Brown

343 books19.3k followers
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Sandra Brown is the author of more than sixty New York Times bestsellers, including STING (2016), FRICTION (2015), MEAN STREAK (2014), DEADLINE(2013), & LOW PRESSURE (2012), LETHAL (2011).

Brown began her writing career in 1981 and since then has published over seventy novels, bringing the number of copies of her books in print worldwide to upwards of eighty million. Her work has been translated into over thirty languages.

In 2009 Brown detoured from romantic suspense to write, Rainwater, a much acclaimed, powerfully moving historical fiction story about honor and sacrifice during the Great Depression.

Brown was given an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Texas Christian University. She was named Thriller Master for 2008, the top award given by the International Thriller Writer’s Association. Other awards and commendations include the 2007 Texas Medal of Arts Award for Literature and the Romance Writers of America’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
705 (24%)
4 stars
836 (29%)
3 stars
965 (33%)
2 stars
300 (10%)
1 star
64 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
Profile Image for peachygirl.
299 reviews873 followers
November 22, 2020
Thad was straight out of my FantaC, if not Elizabeth's. Been so long since I read a book where the good guy gets the girl. Soft spoken, well mannered, nice to kids, kittens and puppies, he was just so adorable!
A super quick, cute read. Definitely on the way to becoming a Sandra Brown addict.
Profile Image for Mo.
1,404 reviews2 followers
January 31, 2015
A nice quick read. Thad is the sexy next door neighbour, with the cute dog. Elizabeth is a widow with two young children, a job, a kitten and a quirky sister.


Elizabeth's sister keeps telling her that she has to get out and about and start dating and not just live in her fantasy world. And Elizabeth does have an active imagination with her red hot fantasies ... an Irish stable lad, a hot pirate ... ya get the picture.


Fighting the urge to stare at the wedge of dark hair his open trousers had exposed ...


This was written well before she turned her hand to suspense. I prefer her later books, the ones with the mystery and suspense but this one wasn't bad at all.

Was looking forward to reading the next in the series about her sister!

Profile Image for Pepa.
1,042 reviews289 followers
March 11, 2023
Una novela donde el gran protagonista es el erotismo. Más importante que la pareja en sí, esas fantasías que dan título a la novela, junto a la tienda y la matrícula del coche de la protagonista: ama de casa, viuda, con dos pequeños.
Debería tener más en cuenta que está publicada en los ochenta (con lo que conlleva) pero no puedo evitar haberla leído ahora, con mi mente actual. Seguramente en aquellos tiempos me habría encantado porque las escenas hot están bien conseguidas, lo que no me ha gustado es el mensaje leído desde mi prisma actual.
Me gusta el título original, Fanta C, pero el juego de la pronunciación se pierde con el castellano.
Es una novela publicada en 1987, diré que no me he sentido con algunas de las fantasías que se plasman (todo hay que decir que son copias de las muchas que se encontraban en las novelas que he leído, y releído, en los años 80) gran prueba de lo mucho que también he evolucionado como lectora y me he desprendido de algunos conceptos machistas que tan arraigados he tenido, sí, todo hay que confesarlo.
Me lo quiero tomar como una gran crítica a las publicaciones de antaño, en el fondo, Thad es un encanto, pero la escena cumbre me ha parecido muy desacertada, por mucho que emule lo que emula, y me ha faltado un final muchísimo más desarrollado. Aunque en la última página se intenta arreglar.
Con las muchísimas novelas tan buenas que hay de esta autora, esta no la puedo recomendar
Profile Image for Preeti ♥︎ Her Bookshelves.
1,458 reviews18 followers
April 17, 2018
Fanta C has a ‘fantastical’ premise but falls short of delivering.
The h/H are well etched – the h, a wary ultra feminine widow with two kids and her very manly yet solicitous neighbor of six months. I don’t think his age is mentioned but he came across as an almost silver fox though not that old.

The h keeps fantasizing about a dream lover – sometimes during the nights but also in daydreams. She comes across as severely sexually famished/frustrated but doesn’t have the courage to act on it.
The h/H have only acknowledged each other a few times from afar and she always shies away from any closer contact. The attraction is mutual but the h is unwilling to admit and allow anything more to happen.
Her wariness results from her trying to keep her reputation intact, as she doesn’t wish to come across as the scarlet widow to her neighbors and the PTA ladies. That was a bit overdone and grates after a while but then the book is from the 80s.

I expected the story to develop into a full-blown affair by now with all her fantasies played out (which by the way she’s writing down and getting published on her sister’s encouragement) but the h keeps up with her skittish act. There is some making out now and then (outside the fantasies) but nothing much. It all seems like a delaying tactic by the h as well as the author.

Then there’s the om apparently waiting in the sidelines. He’s the H of the sequel (with her sister). That’s one flawed book but at least it was more annoying than disappointing like this one.



Another oddity in my opinion is that her husband has been dead for just two years and she’s weaving explicit sexual fantasies with faceless men - and never with the dead husband. A person needs that much time for mourning and even for emotional, psychological, financial and daily routine adjustments especially with two kids around. Even the H questions her why hadn’t she remarried in these two years? Obviously there can be no time frame for mourning and closure but is it just me who felt that two years is too short a time to bundle away a man whom you have loved and lost. So there were a few times when I felt that a longer period of at least 3-4 years would have been more fitting.
Profile Image for Lady Heather .
1,312 reviews772 followers
February 2, 2012
OH. MY. GOD! ..... Sandra Brown be still my heart!
This is the first book I've read from you and I think I'll 'stalk' the rest of them!

Even though this book was written 12 years ago... this is probably one of the most romantic/erotic books I've read in awhile.

LOVED the writing, characters, and story line. MY GOD...the fantasies this prudish character could whip-up were amazing!

This the type of book that your significant other benefits from as well *wink-wink*

...going to start the next story in the series (Adam's Fall)....IMMEDIATELY!
Profile Image for Coco.
1,137 reviews583 followers
August 22, 2015
Descubrir a Sandra Brown ha sido todo un acierto, y debo agradecérselo a Mayu.

La historia de Elizabeth ha sido dulce, tierna y muy romántica. Si es cierto, que cuando leí la sinopsis y contaban que era viuda, iba un poco asustada, ya que las historias de viudas que se dan una segunda oportunidad para amar y yo, no solemos llevarnos bien. Pero la historia me ha sorprendido.

Elizabeth es una mujer fuerte, que pese al terrible golpe que recibe, sabe no solo reponerse, sino hacer frente a su vida siendo madre de dos hijos que son unos terremotos y encima abrir una tienda.
Thad es un buenazo, es justo lo que Eli necesita, aunque me he encontrado una escena un poco surrealista (Momento enfermedad y posible allanamiento de morada).
Profile Image for Ahmed Ismail.
121 reviews73 followers
June 28, 2023
Still can't believe that I've rated a book of Ms. Brown's only one star, but this novel was a colossal waste of time. If it hadn't been for Ms. Brown's use of specific vocabulary and idioms in her books, I would have suspected that this had been the work of a mediocre writer. I will have to think a hundred times before reading the sequel.
Profile Image for Gabrielle Espinoza.
605 reviews55 followers
February 28, 2022
Releído ‘22
Thad y Elizabeth me encantan, es una historia súper cortita con muchas fantasías.
Cumplió mis expectativas por completo después de leer tantas veces Tentación (el libro #2) siempre quería saber la historia de Lizzie la hermana mayor de Lilah realmente me encanto, todo lo de sus fantasias fue muy sensual 🔥 y pues Thad era toda una fantasía 😍 me gusto demasiado ahora me quede con las ganas de releer por vez 1572653883 Tentación para cerrar mi semana con Sandra Brown, que suerte de haberlos encontrado en físico después de tantos años que encontré el primero 🤩✨
Profile Image for JenReadsRomance.
304 reviews1,601 followers
July 30, 2021
I honestly don't know how to rate this since I was basically rereading a book I haven't read in decades, but whew, those old Sandra Brown books were the forge that made me.
Profile Image for Bona Caballero.
1,608 reviews68 followers
March 12, 2022
Una novelita genérica que escribió Sandra Brown en los ochenta. Este Loveswept n.º 217 salió en noviembre de 1987. Tópico: segundas oportunidades.
Elizabeth Burke es viuda, con dos hijos a cargo y negocio propio… no tiene tiempo para más. Hasta que: a) su hermana la pica para que escriba sus fantasías sexuales; y b) conoce a Thad Randolph, su vecino, madurito interesante.
Creo que esta es la primera novela en la que realmente escuchas la voz de Sandra Brown con confianza, humor, y todo el aplomo de una escritora que ya sabía bien lo que se hacía. Lo de las fantasías escritas da juego. Y claro, aquí se conocen Lilah, la hermana de Elizabeth, y Adam, protas de una de mis genéricas favoritas de S. Brown, Tentación. Pero vamos, que la primera de las hermanas Mason también pasa el corte, a mi modo de ver.
Crítica más extensa, en mi blog.
Profile Image for Emma.
25 reviews3 followers
November 30, 2011
I won this book through Goodreads First Reads Giveaway.

I have to admit that although I enjoy a wide variety of books, I have a real weakness for Romance novels. In saying that, quite often I find myself a little disappointed with them, more often that not the leading ladies start to annoy me and although I enjoy the journey and the steamy bits - by the time I get to the end I'm feeling a bit disappointed. Often I feel like I've just read the same book over and over.

Thats where I was coming from when I started to read this book, I was looking forward to getting stuck in, but I didn't have high expectations.

I have to say I was very pleasantly surprised. I found Lizzie to be the right mix of softly feminine but tough, slightly naive and stubborn and I actually related to her and liked her the whole way through the book.

I throughly enjoyed the story including the indulgences in fantasy that set this book apart from others in its genre because the 'cheesy' romance was reflected in the fantasies Lizzie shared with us which gave more depth to her character and meant that the reader could enjoy the cliches of the genre without the usual detrement to the plot and characters of the story itself. I know when I'm slapped in the face with cliches I normally find myself rolling my eyes, but I thoroughly enjoyed the way Sandra Brown worked these elements into Lizzie's own fiction within the novel.

I also really enjoyed Sandra Brown's style of writing. The book was fast paced without being rushed, and yet at the same time I felt I was able to ssavour the story and the developing romance between Lizzie and Thad. I found it to be a quick read and rather than being put away this book will remain on my bookshelf as one to read again.
Profile Image for Kiss of a sniper.
119 reviews13 followers
Read
May 1, 2016

Bad translation in russian...sex scenes were cut out! I can`t believe it.

It`s like it has to be censored, cause it`s porn for the russian publisher.
(this is not the first time I saw this) No sex for russian romance reader!




I gave 3 stars, I didn`t know they just threw out all the steamy pieces (lol, I need my sex scenes); dialogue was wrong translated as well. I really thought what a crap...until I found out.




Profile Image for JC.
44 reviews27 followers
April 20, 2010
I read the description of the book it is so wrong. Fanta C is about Elizabeth Burke. She runs a little boutique of breakable things at a hotel. She is a widow and mother two kids. Life is okay but it would be better if she had someone to love. She passes time by dreaming up passionate scenarios. Things get out of hand when she decides to write them down and a sister sells them.
10 reviews
July 13, 2015
Amazing book...Sandra Brown is full of passion and imagination ! She is one of my favourite authors ! If you are among those who love romance books, then you should read Sandra Brown's books, even if in some books are she pass the limit and describe in details some intimate moments. Lovely book !
Profile Image for Diana Szaiak.
338 reviews15 followers
August 27, 2023

Una dintre cărțile simpăticuțe ale autoarei, cu umor și faze drăguțe cu animăluțe și copii.
Mari pretenții nu-i de unde și îndrăgosteala cât ai pocni din degete n-are cum să lipsească din schemă. Este ingredientul de bază din păcate. Dar nu asta m-a deranjat cel mai tare aici ci atitudinea lui tanti. El o ia cu forța, cică vrea s-o convingă cât ține la el și cât îl dorește și ea-i pe coclauri cu mințile. Știe că n-ar fi rănit-o, era doar așa, de sanchi.
Sor-sa în schimb este pe treaba ei și merită aplauze la scenă deschisă.
În rest, nimic demn de-a fi menționat.
Profile Image for Judy Churchill.
2,567 reviews31 followers
April 5, 2018
I read this book out of order, too. It really didn’t make a difference. This book was charming even though it was mostly fluff. I enjoyed the characters.
Profile Image for Koki.
673 reviews28 followers
March 5, 2017
Elizabeth je v podstate milé, hanblivé žieňa - navonok. Vo vnútri jej tlčie horúce a vášnivé srdce. Všetky svoje myšlienky dáva na papier... Neverí, že by sa jej v živote naskytla možnosť milovať a byť milovaná a tak všetku lásku sveta rozdáva dúškami svojim hrdinom. Sama ani netuší ako blízko má toho svojho pravého :-) Stačí len pozrieť von oknom do susedovho dvora.

Jej sestra Lilah chce pre ňu len to najlepšie. Predsa mladá vdova s dvomi deťmi potrebuje nejakého muža. Takmer denne ju provokuje a bombarduje otázkami či už stretla pána P. a ak nie, dáva jej rady a podáva pomocnú ruku vo výbere. Aj keď bezúspešne :-)

Čo sa má stať, to sa aj stane. Nič netreba nútiť, ani súriť. Platí to i v tomto príbehu.

Veľmi romantický, miestami šťavnatý ...a so správnou dávkou vášne :-)
Profile Image for Thenia.
4,405 reviews180 followers
May 14, 2019
The story of a widowed mother of two who finds love again with her next door neighbor.

I won't go into details, but while the story has many good points, Elizabeth was such an idiot that my annoyance with her overtook any other feelings I might have had about it.

The series continues with Adam's Fall and her sister Lilah's story with Adam. Those two should make an interesting couple, going by the animosity between them since their first meeting.
Profile Image for Anggia.
159 reviews23 followers
March 27, 2011
Thad the mysterious neighbor,
Elizabeth, feminine woman that lost her husband
How will they romance begin? Between Elizabeth's fantasies and their real life

I rarely read this type of book (purely romance), but why not give it a try :-)
I think this book is entertaining especially for the one who love romance story.

Profile Image for Tasha.
1,490 reviews26 followers
July 20, 2013
This was my first Sandra Brown story to read and I fell in love I absolutely can Not wait to read more books by her
Profile Image for elstaffe.
1,269 reviews4 followers
March 23, 2016
Not quite as good as The Little Dragon for sheer WTFery, but still pretty high up there for me for entertainment value. Looking forward to sharing this pain in a read aloud.
Profile Image for Penny.
167 reviews
February 3, 2022
Elizabeth Burke is a widow with two children running her own business, Fantasy, a women's gift shop located in a hotel. She's been a daydreamer since childhood. Encouraged by her sister, she starts writing some of her fantasies down with the idea of submitting them to a magazine for extra money.

About that same time, Elizabeth meets her neighbor, Thad Randolph, when he helps the family rescue their cat from a tree. Elizabeth's children take a liking to Thad and him to them. Soon he's attending the school carnival and becoming the main hero in Elizabeth's fantasies. But when he starts acting them out, Elizabeth gets suspicious.

This was re-read for me and I think I liked it better the first time I read it. A little dated today. Elizabeth's sister, Lilah and the owner of the hotel, Adam Cavanaugh, get their own story in "Adam's Fall". I re-read it last year and liked it better.
Profile Image for Catheryn.
1,324 reviews27 followers
January 31, 2025
This story was sweet and so spicy.

This is not a life changing story but it is a fun comfort read. Sprinkled throughout the story are fantasies that Elizabeth dreams up. Her sister convinces her to to send a few to be published. Elizabeth also owns a gift shop targeted towards women. I really liked Elizabeth's character. She was sweet and hardworking with a little saucy side. I thought her reservations about Thad were just. She lost her husband only two years prior and was nervous to date again. This story does take place in the 80's, so there is some dated language, clothes and views. But I still found the story very sweet and engaging.

Another cheesy and sweet romantic story from SB.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.