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They’ll get their second chance at love… if they don’t kill each other first!

If I ever cross paths with Gatsby Spearman I might just push him from the tallest building in San Francisco.
Saying that I don’t like him is an understatement—I hate him.
The prick ghosted me in college, stole the program we created to start a billion-dollar company—oh and I failed a class because of him.
I want revenge. And I want it to be petty.
I created an infallible five-step plan to make him pay for what he did to me.
1. Destroy his company.
2. Hire him out of pity.
3. Make him fall in love with me.
4. Rip out his heart.
5. Ghost him while he’s crying from a broken heart.
Simple, right?
Except, I didn’t take into consideration the old college chemistry rearing its ugly head and bringing us closer together despite everything we do to fight it.
I want vengeance, all he wants is to flirt.
Though, I don’t plan on falling for his antics.
I’ll play this to win.
Let the games begin.

Can’t Help Love is a sexy, fun, at time angsty enemies-to-lovers billionaire romance that’s the perfect combination of seduction and sassy with a couple who live to torture each other!

268 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 10, 2022

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About the author

Claudia Y. Burgoa

109 books6,194 followers
Claudia is an award-winning, USA Today bestselling author.
She writes alluring, thrilling stories about complicated women and the men who take their breath away.
She lives in Denver, Colorado with her husband and her youngest two children. She has a sweet Bichon, Macey, who thinks she's the ruler of the house. She's only partially right.
When Claudia is not writing, you can find her reading, knitting, or just hanging out with her family.
At night, she likes to binge watch shows with her equally geeky husband.

Instagram: http://bit.ly/ClaudiasIG
TikTok: https://bit.ly/CBstiktok
Bloggers/Influencers: https://geni.us/CBBloggers
Newsletter: https://geni.us/CBNewsletter

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5 stars
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136 (34%)
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49 (12%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews
Profile Image for Night reader .
276 reviews5 followers
May 11, 2022
So Gatsby ghosted Maia for freaking 14 year, stole her intellectual property, and broke her to pieces, but he doesn’t understand why she won’t talk to him? Or surprised when she’s upset with him?

“And for some godforsaken reason, she hates me. How am I supposed to fix what I broke?”

I don’t want to be politically incorrect but he comes across as mentally challenged.
I would never ever forgive someone like that considering his excuse for ghosting her is sooooooo ridiculous.

Oh, yeah. He was also celibate for 14 years. Right.

I didn’t finish reading
Profile Image for Jackie Wright.
5,025 reviews110 followers
May 17, 2022
AUDIO REVIEW
If you love second chance romances look no further than Gatsby Spearman and Maia Ocampo’s entertaining, emotional and heartwarming story. Can’t Help Love in Book two in the Paradise Bay Billionaire Brothers and it’s time for protective and caring Gatsby to tell his tale, it’s a wonderful, captivating addition to what is becoming one of my favourite series and for me this is second chance romance at its best so urge you all to one click this gem.
Maia and Gatsby thought they were forever when they met 14 years ago in college but fate stepped in and when Gatsby lost his father unexpectedly, he ended up breaking her heart by walking away without even a goodbye. Fast forward to today and Maia is out for revenge, stealing business transactions from under his nose is one thing but messing with his siblings has Gatsby banging on her door looking for answers……
Can’t Help Love has it all, I smiled, I giggled, I swooned and at times I held my breath as I found myself wishing and hoping that this couple got the HEA they both deserved. I fell hard and fast for the swoon worth, protective Gatsby and I adored the strong and independent Maia but what took this book to another level was the determination Gatsby had when he set out to win his soulmate back.
The narration by Sebastian York and Stephanie Nemeth-Parker was perfect. They did a wonderful job bringing the characters and their story to life.
I can’t wait to see where we are taken next when we visit Paradise Bay for Book three.
Profile Image for Nadine Bookaholic.
3,638 reviews457 followers
May 10, 2022
Gatsby Spearman and Maia Ocampo's story starts with their junior year in College where they had a hot and heavy relationship for almost a year before he just disappeared and ghosted her. We know what happened, if you've read the previous books in the series, but Maia has no clue all she knows is that his disappearance changed her life and she wants revenge.

No one likes being ghosted and not only that Maia felt betrayed as well so there were a lot of hurt feelings behind her current actions but what happened to her after he left really sat heavy in my heart and when you read this you'll understand why.

I like Gatsby, a lot actually, and I understand his reasoning behind things. He loves his family and would do anything for them and he proves that time and time again, but now is his time to be happy and win back the girl he has always loved.

When Maia and Gatsby see each other for the first time after so long the chemistry is still strong so it's up to Gatsby to show Maia that he's the one for her and boy oh boy does he do a good job of it.

I loved them together, they worked well and as I said the chemistry was amazing. I know that this is being called a RomCom but the angst is high, just the way it's meant to be with these two, so while there are plenty of Laugh Out Loud moments there are some deeper moments too.

I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys Steamy Contemporary New Adult Romances, Second Chance Romances, Billionaire Romances, or Enemies to Lovers Romances.

Happy Reading!!!

Find out more here ➡ https://bit.ly/NBReviewCHL

can't help love by claudia burgoa

Nadine's Obsessed with Books **I have voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Readers Copy of this book for my Blog, Nadine's Obsessed with Books
**I also pre-ordered a kindle copy
You can find me here:  https://linktr.ee/NadineBookaholic
Profile Image for Laurie Anne.
824 reviews17 followers
May 13, 2022
🅰🆄🅳🅸🅾 🆁🅴🆅🅸🅴🆆 🆄🅿🅳🅰🆃🅴:

Sebastian and Stephanie are amazing as Gatsby and Maia. Stephanie has the perfect voice and is exactly who I imagined when I read this book first. Sebastian is my absolute favorite and I could listen to him narrate every single day. I love that Claudia chose him for Gatsby!

Claudia has a 5 step plan on how to hook her readers:
1. Create lovable and fallible characters
2. Interconnect them so you get all giddy when they pop up in eachothers books
3. Heap on the emotions so we HAVE TO HAVE to have a happy ending
4. Add the perfect amount of sexy times to each book
5. Rinse and repeat 1-4

Maia and Gatsby's story started off with a happy, perfect love story of finding your one true love in college. They're just kids (incredibly smart and driven kids, but still, kids).
Tragedy strikes G's family and he ends up ghosting Maia which destroys her heart and soul.
What's a girl to do but pick herself up and declare war and plot her revenge!

The ghosting and miscommunication was sooo frustrating but it lead to the people they were meant to be. And this would've been a short story if this had their HEA in the beginning!!
Profile Image for Michele McMullen .
2,359 reviews78 followers
May 12, 2022
Can't Help Love is the second book in the Paradise Bay Billionaire Brothers series. I couldn't wait to get my hands on Gatsby's and Maia story. This is a second chance for these once college lovers.
When Maia Ocampo finally gets to spread her wings away from family and go to school, she never expects to meet the love of her life. Her and Gatsby have a whirlwind romance with so many plans for the future. It is filled with hopes. dreams for a bright future running the world together but one call sets their lives in a totally different direction. When Gatsby gets called from his family with tragic news and he picks up to goes and take care of them. He continues on the path that he and Maia set out but knows that he can't tie her down with his problems. It is now years later and fate has placed them in front of one another. It is time for Gatsby to set the story straight and right the past and hope that their love was strong enough to stand the test of time! Loving this series and all the wonderful characters in it !
~~Michele McMullen ~~
Profile Image for LianaReads blog.
2,467 reviews216 followers
May 10, 2022
One of my favourite tropes is second chance romance. Add in an enemies to lovers and I’m all set up for the night.

Maia and Gatsby still have a sparking reaction towards each other. After years apart and so many difficulties, their paths crossed again. She wants revenge, and he wants her back.

There’s a lot going on here. That push and pull magnetic chemistry is so on point. Their interaction makes for some hilarious scenes and their love is nice.

As we get the full disclosure of what happens years ago, I found it a bit too easy for him to get back into her good graces, but that’s just me.


Arc review
Profile Image for TMR.
548 reviews722 followers
January 15, 2023
Note: I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Note 2: This is a series. Please read in order, as they are interconnected.

Triggers: domestic abuse.

Gatsby is the villain of the hour, or so Maia thinks, in this topsy turvy of a fabulous romance.

Gatsby and Maia were college sweethearts, before tragedy befell Gatsby and took him away from her, and left her heartbroken.

Now they're back, this time, enemies of the corporate world against each other, and out to outdo one over the other.

But let's face it, can you deny sparks with the one you always cared for?

----
Another smash hit by Claudia.

I loved being around Gatsby and Maia, a lot. Really got to see in their world, after having experienced snapshots in other books. And now we were here finally.

I loved knowing how they were together and not, and how Gatsby still pined over Maia. I seriously love a dude when he pines and my book boyfriends are no exception here.

Even with their family shenanigans, families, and past history, I knew they knew they couldn't deny what they once had, and just fell in. And I was so here for that - so much development from when they were kids to adults, more responsible and just more mature even though her pranks at him were anything but.

Loved the chemistry, loved how they tried to deal with hard topics like domestic abuse (nothing happens to the main characters), and just being apart for so long, and as a woman moving up in the corporate world (that is too real of a problem unfortunately), and just their heartfelt confessions and all that PINING! I loved it.

Truly loved being in Gatsby and Maia's head, but definitely can't wait for more books to read of Claudia's!

Until the next read,
-TMR
May 7, 2022
I just can’t help but LOVE this book!! Can’t Help Love is the second book in the Paradise Bay Billionaire Brothers series and it’s cleverly written with a beautiful, fun and hilarious storyline.

The Spearman family has solidified themselves as one of my favorite fictional families and Gatsby Spearman is such a charming and delicious devil. Gatsby and Maia’s relationship starts off great as they were college sweethearts and madly in love with each other until Gatsby ghosts Maia. After this devastating loss, Maia pulls herself together and being the strong and brilliant woman that she is, she creates an empire and sets the tech world on fire. Maia also puts a plan in motion to seek vengeance against Gatsby who happens to be her biggest rival in the tech world. And when these two collide, this is were the real fun begins. Maia is feisty, she holds nothing back and while Gatsby may be clueless as to why Maia is so angry with him, it’s more than obvious that he’s still 100% in love with her. And she’s still in love with him. Fourteen years later, their lovers to enemies to lovers’s connection, chemistry and love has never died.

The humor, romance, banter, steam, sexual tension and passionate sex is absolutely everything! Claudia Burgoa does a fantastic job with Gatsby and Maia’s characters as they are realistic, genuine and flawed characters with issues that we can all relate to. The storyline is engaging, full of depth and binge worthy with an excellent blend of emotional and tender moments. Can’t Help Love is a book that’s definitely worth reading!
Profile Image for The Romantic Bosnian.
1,230 reviews325 followers
May 10, 2022
project_20210714_1940242-01
My DNF simply came down to personal dislikes, I am a mood reader and honestly do not want to read something that just doesn't feel right to me. I didn't connect, simple as that. FULL REVIEW & All CLICK HERE and I wish the best to the author, she is an amazing person.
May 10, 2022
I can not think of a better book to start the month of May with! Can’t Help Love is one of the cutest second chance romances I have ever read!!

This story starts off with a bang and that first chapter wooooo what a way to start a book!!

I wasn’t sure if Gatsby could get himself out of his mess and back into Maia’s heart but boy he set his eyes on the prize and fought!!

Maia is a fighter! I think that’s why I love her so much! She fought for her place in the world and wasn’t anyones fool! So tough and such a beautiful heart!! Gatsby though even at his worst was the best! These two are everything! I absolutely love this book!
1,278 reviews
May 15, 2022
​I've enjoyed reading all of the books of Claudia Burgoa, but this one, not so much. I have to admit to the bias of not liking second chance stories when the breakup is understandable but the reason they're apart for so long is lame and unbecoming a hero. From the beginning, I loved Gatsby's character, and the way he was written, until he ghosted Maia and never found the time to contact her for 14 years. ​He made no attempt, telling himself that he couldn't be there for her because he was raising his siblings and watching over his mother. Just no. Spoilers: He leaves Maia's studio to go home to pick up his computer, gets a call from his brother that his father had died, but doesn't think of picking up the phone to call Maia to let her know that he's leaving and the plane is waiting for him? That's where the believability went right out the window. It gets worse...he can't figure out why Maia is angry at him after 14 years. She tells him her heart was shattered and he wants to know who could do that to her! Could it be that he disappeared from her life without a word? Didn't have the decency to get in touch with her? Took the app that they were working on and introduced it as his own to make millions? While Gatsby was making me want to wring his neck, Maia was set on hating him no matter what. That got a little old, but I understood why she did it. The other characters saved the story and I really liked Gatsby's siblings and how they let him know what a dope he was. When Keaton told him that in order to win her back, he had to grovel and then grovel some more, that was the best advice ever. Too bad he didn't take it! He slightly apologized, but still wasn't sure for what. He never made a grand gesture, but the little things he did to help Maia with her family and to show her how much he still loved her were sweet. There is so much that is good in this story but, for me, it was overshadowed by my dislike of Gatsby. It's a sign of how well the author writes her characters that I'm ready to slap the leading man! The letters they wrote to each other, while Maia was away, were really cute and the epilogues were wonderful and hopeful.
Profile Image for Laura Fabian.
475 reviews44 followers
May 6, 2022
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review

I don't know if I've written this before, but Claudia Y. Burgoa is officially one of my favorite authors! With each book she steals my heart a little more and with each story she makes me love her characters more and more, plus I always manage to identify with some aspect of the plot and I love it.

The plot of Can't Help Love is one of the best I've read and I think I can say that it's my favorite of Claudia so far, and although I think I say that with every book I read by this author, I'm also sure that Gatsby & Maia will always have a special place in my heart: I loved reading the beginning of their love, how much they always meant to each other and what happened for everything to end between them, but what I liked the most was their attitude towards each other: Maia look for revenge on Gatsby, the man who broke his heart, put his future at risk and stole his dream 14 years ago, for his part Gatsby wants a chance to talk to Maia again, correct his mistakes and win her heart once again.

Gatsby & Maia have a complicated story from the beginning: they were a loving couple with excellent chemistry when they were in college, but fate separated them in an unexpected way, Gatsby made bad decisions, he left without giving Maia any explanation and broke both of their hearts in the process, but a little more hers, and read the path they traveled to meet several years later broke my heart a bit too, but I still really enjoyed the dynamic between the two of them when their paths cross again: Maia is ready to make Gatsby suffer in the funniest ways possible, sometimes without even trying, and he only seeks to meet the new version of the love of his life, and in the process he also understands the reasons behind the changes in Maia, supports her whenever she needs it and she gives to his life the light he needed. These two have an adorable, love-filled story that was SO worth reading.

🇪🇸
ARC amablemente proporcionada a cambio de una reseña honesta

No sé si ya había escrito esto antes, pero Claudia Y. Burgoa es oficialmente una de mis autoras favoritas! Con cada libro se roba un poco más mi corazón y con cada historia me hace amar más y más a sus personajes, además de que siempre consigo identificarme con algún aspecto de la trama y me encanta.

La trama de Can't Help Love es una de las mejores que he leído y creo que puedo decir que es mi favorita de Claudia hasta el momento, y aunque creo que digo eso con cada libro que leo de esta autora, también estoy segura de que Gatsby & Maia siempre van a tener un lugar especial en mi corazón: me encantó leer el principio de su amor, lo mucho que siempre significaron el uno para el otro y lo que pasó para que todo terminara entre ellos, pero lo que más me gustó fue la actitud de ambos hacía el otro: Maia busca vengarse de Gatsby, el hombre que le rompió el corazón, puso en riesgo su futuro y robo su sueño hace 14 años, por su parte Gatsby quiere la oportunidad de hablar con Maia de nuevo, corregir sus errores y conquistar su corazón una vez más.

Gatsby & Maia tienen una historia complicada desde el comienzo: eran una pareja amorosa y con una química excelente cuando estaban en la universidad, pero el destino los separó de manera, Gatsby tomó malas decisiones, se fue sin darle ninguna explicación a Maia y rompió el corazón de ambos en el proceso, pero un poco más el de ella y leer el camino que ambos recorrieron separados para encontrarse varios años después también rompió un poco mi corazón, pero aún así disfruté mucho de la dinámica que hay entre ambos cuando sus caminos se cruzan de nuevo: Maia esta lista para hacer sufrir a Gatsby de las maneras más divertidas posibles, a veces sin siquiera quererlo, y él solo busca conocer a la nueva versión del amor de su vida, y en el proceso también comprende las razones detrás de los cambios en Maia, la apoya siempre que lo necesita y le da su vida la luz que él necesitaba. Estos dos tienen una historia adorable, llena de amor y que vale MUCHO la pena leer.
3,233 reviews29 followers
May 9, 2022
This is book two in The Paradise Bay Billionaire Brother's Series and it is Gatsby and Maia's story and omg it is definitely a must read. When Gatsby and Maia meet in college they start out as friend's but soon fall in love and not only did they plan to start a company but also they were going to have a life together only for Gatsby to walk away from everything leaving Maia not only betrayed but devastated and heartbroken. Now fourteen years later and Maia has had to fight and climb her way to become The Founder and CEO of MarkTech Express and even though it has been a tough ride and she has had to work so hard to get there she is now expanding all around the world but she will never forgive Gatsby for what he did to her and she is determined to get her revenge on any way that she can. Gatsby is Founded and CEO of Global GAAM Corp and he continues to acquire more tech companies but for some reason something or someone is missing from his life and now Maia is messing with everything including his family and he will have to confront her to find out what is happening and why is she constantly trying to mess with him and his business. When they meet again after so many year's things don't go as planned but the more time that they spend together the stronger there feelings for each other grows not that they ever went away but will Maia let the last to and let herself be open to loving and trusting Gatsby again giving them the happy ending that they both deserve. Omg this book takes you on a roller coaster ride of emotions and I cried with everything that they had been and still going through and I couldn't put this book down as it was so addictive and kept you on the edge of your seat wondering what would happen next and the characters and storyline pulled you in and kept your attention throughout and I can't wait to read the next book in this amazing series.

I Voluntarily Reviewed a Copy of This Book.
Profile Image for Jenn  M..
561 reviews12 followers
May 2, 2022
Can't Help Love is the second book in the Paradise Bay series by Claudia Burgoa and I think this one will be a little hard to beat. Gatsby Spearman and Maia Ocampo's enemies to lovers/second chance had me glued to the pages for the entirety of the book. Can't Help Love is filled with humor and witty banter, some heartbreak and angst while still making my heart swoon with hope and happiness. It's a long road for these two but they also pack some heat once the tension of their slow burn finally ignites.

4.5 stars

I enjoyed Aslan and Keaton's story- but even then I was intrigued by Gatsby, one of the other triplet brothers and what secrets lurked in his past that made him so good at giving relationship advice. And now that story is here. This second chance was 14 years in the making- but those lost years didn't dampen the connection and feelings between these two at all, even if Maia chose to bury her's down under layers of anger and hurt.

I didn't fully understand or agree with Gatsby's reasoning behind his quick dissolution of his and Maia's relationship the first time around but the further I was in the story the more I understood why he thought he had to do things that way. But when this second chance finally presents itself- that man went full loyal, protective and romantic swoon artist that I was shocked how long Maia was able to hold herself back from jumping back in with both feet. Maia is interesting in that she is both strong and an independent woman while also being incredibly insecure and unsure of herself and her life.

Claudia's books always seem to hook me, but there was just something about this story with these two characters that I just couldn't put it down- even if that meant I was struggling the next day in my classroom of preschoolers. Every bit of their journey was just built and written so well- though the letters both cracked my heart while also making it glow from love.

Gatsby and Maia are going to be hard to top- but I definitely won't mind the journey with the rest of the Spearman crew as they start finding their HEA's.
Profile Image for BookAddict.
1,768 reviews148 followers
May 8, 2022
If you'd asked me before, I would have said, hands down, the Baker’s Creek series is my favorite from this talented lady. But this Paradise Bay family of Spearmans, with its literary named characters, is definitely giving the Aldridge brothers a run for the money.

Gatsby Spearman and Maia Ocampo fell in love in college, and that first, young love was glorious. They were both computer nerds, designing their own destined-to-be-a-hit app, until Gatsby disappeared without a word.

Fourteen years and many therapy hours later, Maia’s main mission in life is to use the successful company she's built to destroy Gatsby Spearman. Revenge is a dish best served cold, fourteen years cold, but fate has other ideas. Gatsby sees the possibility of a second chance with the only girl he ever loved and is definitely on board. Maia, however, takes a little more convincing.

Each new book is better than the last and right now Gatsby and Maia are my fave. After such a long time, Maia is certain her heart is hardened and immune to Gatsby, but all it takes is one of his adorable grins to fan the ember that’s buried deep in her protected heart. And Gatsby certainly doesn’t make it easy for her, pulling out all the stops to win back his girl. Charming, heartfelt, steamy and humorous, this phenomenal, poignant romance has all of the best elements to make it the perfect reading escape. You won’t want to miss this one!
Profile Image for Elle Golden.
Author 4 books48 followers
May 9, 2022
This is just the second book I've read by this author, but I'm already calling myself a fan.

4,5 stars.

This story was incredibly sweet. Undeniably a feel-good romance.
Gatsby and Maia had such a wonderful love blooming between them, but circumstances and immaturity forced them apart.
Even after so many years away from each other, though, their love was still alive, only simmering right under the surface, waiting for the moment to explode again.

Their connection came easily, no matter how hard they tried to fight it (well, Maia did; Gatsby was all for them giving it a go).
Their way back to each other was a journey, and not only around their dreams and purposes. It was also a journey inward.
It was incredibly touching how they realized they needed to work on themselves before making their relationship work. It showed maturity and it led to building a healthy relationship between them.
They both deserved that devotion for each other and themselves.

And I couldn't ignore Gatsby's family.
I love family-oriented series. I love the banter, the familiarity, how they know and understand things without them having to be explained. How they get on each other's nerves, but they do so coming from a good and protective place.
And that's the Spearman clan.
The Spearman siblings were as overwhelming as they were loyal. They brought even more colors to the story. Gatsby and Maia's story was so beautiful, but his family made this book even better.

I can't wait to read their stories!
Profile Image for Jennifer Pierson.
11.6k reviews166 followers
May 10, 2022
This author is so talented & addictive that no matter how I feel about this hero, I couldn't put the book down for anything. See, Gatsby & Maia were in love while they were in college and planning a future together when tragedy strikes, and he ghosts her. It caused quite the chaos as there were more than just her feelings involved with his actions, and Maia planned to get revenge. I can't understand why he handled things the way he did as there were better ways that wouldn't have ended with the chaos that followed. He tried to apologize to her over the many years they were apart, but Maia wasn't having any of it, and frankly, I didn't blame her. Finally, she goes too far in her vengeance & tries to mess with his siblings so he finally goes to have it out with her. You know, he really had no clue to the damage he did with his actions so long ago (it drove me crazy but people are flawed in real life so flaws in my books aren't a deal breaker LOL), but there's no doubt that he never got over her so the entertaining second chance tour gets going. Do I wish he had groveled better?! ABSOLUTELY but that's just me, and in order to see if she forgave him, you'll have to hit those one click buttons as I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
Profile Image for Sarah~ Book Obsession Confessions.
1,100 reviews78 followers
May 12, 2022
3.75 STARS
Maia and Gatsby’s second chance romance started in the past and was so passionate and beautiful. I fell hard for them as a couple. They were almost perfect.
Then they become suddenly separated and are apart for 14 years.
Maia has a very ambitious vendetta she’s playing against Gatsby. She’s being cutthroat in her revenge.
There’s some really fun and cute moments of their battle of the wills.
I enjoyed the lightness of the story and Gatsby is pretty dreamy.
Their chemistry is hot and emotional.
The secondary characters are funny, it’s part of a series of interconnected standalone’s.
There’s a few serious issues that the story covers, it’s not too heavy or detailed. It adds some realistic issues that are common. I think this elevated the story from being just a sweet romance.
I thought Gatsby was a bit too smart to not have a clue all those years what he did wrong.
Overall, I enjoyed the characters enough that it wasn’t too irksome.
Super sweet and definitely a HEA. I think for fans of low angst, sweet and steamy romance with a family vibe this is perfect.
Profile Image for Tania's Book Blog.
1,650 reviews19 followers
May 22, 2022
These two were amazing and frustrating wrapped in one. Gatsby met Maia when ge helped her move into her dorm and relationship started. They were young and in love and in their own bubble until tragedy struck but Maia was clueless about it. Fast forward 14 years and she’s out for blood while Gatsby thinks the total opposite. They were competitors but it was one sided; Gatsby didn’t have it in him to fight her. He did everything in his power got her to give him a chance and she realized that he had a genuine heart. Especially after she found out the real reason of their breakup 14 years earlier. The moment of her finding herself before going all in was amazing. Gatsby showed her the meaning of true love. Their epilogue beautiful; can’t wait to read more about them. Gatsby is a great older brother and no one messes with his family.
Profile Image for Favourite Book Corner.
751 reviews6 followers
May 6, 2022

4.5* Second Chance Love Stars

Can’t Help Love is the second book in the Paradise Bay Billionaire Brothers Series and is Gatsby’s story. Gatsby Spearmen and Maria Ocampo met when they were in college, fell in love pretty quick and were inseparable until they weren’t! Maria has never forgiven Gatsby for leaving her unexpectedly and without an explanation, especially when he was her partner in their college presentation.

Maria has vowed to revenge Gatsby in all his business acquisitions and has succeeded at best mostly because Gatsby has let her. He has never forgotten Maria and is still secretly in love with her. When Maria crosses the line by wanting to acquire a company that belongs to his younger siblings Gatsby sees red and needs to put a stop to it. It was fun the lengths both took in their endeavours, Gatsby desperately trying to meet with her after she constantly ghosted him for 14 years and Maria sabotaging his Aston Martin car and making it look like a cow! This was hilarious!

This enemies to lovers romance was funny and the chemistry between them undeniable even after 14 years apart.

Their journey to their HEA was not instant. They had to learn how to forgive and heal each other after misunderstandings tore them apart.

This was an enjoyable addition to The Paradise Bay Series and catching up with the sexy Spearman brothers.
964 reviews
May 1, 2022
Gatsby and Maia’s second chance love story was wonderful. I feel like they both made mistakes in their relationship in college. Gatsby should have found a way to let Maia know shortly after he left why he ended up leaving and Maia should have tried a bit harder to figure out why he left. I also think Gatsby was a little naïve to think she wouldn’t be mad at him for ghosting her. Beyond that, he made a few mistakes in his bid to win Maia back but, he went out of his way to treat her well, listen to her and just be there for her when she needed someone to lean on. Maia took a bit more time to come to terms with her feelings for Gatsby but she was wise in that she wanted to make sure she addressed her personal issues before she committed to him to make sure that what they had was real and strong. As always, Claudia brought me into their lives and made me feel their emotions. The characters were strong and their extended families add to the book. I wonder which of the Spearman siblings will be next, can’t wait!
I received a free copy of this book via BookFunnel and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Mari (Mystics & Metaphysics Book Blog).
7,756 reviews169 followers
May 10, 2022
Okay, this had me unable to put this down. Gatsby and Maia have so many misunderstandings that could have been cleared up if they just talked but the banter and hate/love relationship they had going on made for a great story.
Profile Image for mimi_reads.
190 reviews11 followers
May 13, 2022
I absolutely loved this book! Gatsby and Maia might just be my new favourite Claudia Burgoa couple. The banter between these two was just perfect.

This one had a great balance of laugh-out-loud moments and more serious moments. If real life hadn’t gotten in the way this would have been one of those books that I read in one sitting, I just devoured the pages!
Profile Image for M..
507 reviews715 followers
May 11, 2022
what do you want me to do? i just love my silly little romances no thoughts just fun
Profile Image for Caroline F.
2,223 reviews43 followers
May 29, 2022
This was a fab story!

"He left me naked and vulnerable. And all I want to ask is, why did he leave me?"

Maia Azul Ocampo AKA Little Blue and Gatsby Spearman fell in love at college. They were planning a future together until one night, Gatsby disappears out of her life with no explanation. Fourteen years later, Maia's plan to bring Gatsby's business empire down is in full swing. However, when she starts to encroach on a business that is owned by Gatsby's younger siblings, he's no longer able to tolerate the war that she seems to be waging against him. It's time to finally get some answers.

"I lost my heart to her and never cared to recover it."

Oh my heart! I hurt for college-aged Maia and Gatsby. Gatsby's actions changed Maia's life. She held firm to her bitterness and hatred while all he did was continue to love her. Gatsby, bless him, was clueless of what his actions triggered but, at the same time, I could totally see why he thought it was all for the best. I loved the angst, the banter between Maia and Gatsby, as well as the banter between the Spearman siblings. Such a fab read! Can't wait for the next one!

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Profile Image for Isa.
130 reviews3 followers
May 3, 2022
ARC Can't Help Love is the second book in the Paradise Bay series by Claudia Burgoa
Gatsby and Maia’s is lovers to enemies to lovers again story. Where their second chance at love comes back after 14 years apart. It is a book full of humor, smart banter and some heartbreaking moments. It brings to your attention the importance of communication, self-love and metal wellbeing.
A great addition to this new series, I cannot wait to read more about this family.
Profile Image for Chrissy Busick.
752 reviews44 followers
August 9, 2023
I feel like second chance enemies to lovers is not a combination you come across often in romance. After reading this one though, I sure hope I can find some more. Claudia Burgoa once again brings us new characters to fall in love with and fun moments with some of our favorites.

Maia comes across as a strong woman, with a great business sense, and an incredible drive to see her company become the best out there. However, there is a lot she doesn't show anyone, especially her family.

Gatsby is a family driven man, in that he puts his family first even when that means giving up what he wants most in life.

This story shows us the importance of communication in any and all relationships. It also shows us the importance of loving ourselves first. A truly great story.
591 reviews12 followers
May 9, 2022
I absolutely loved Can’t Help Love by Claudia Burgoa; it is an incredible second chance at first love story. It is the second book in her Paradise Bay Billionaire Brothers series. I am looking forward to reading the other books in the series. Claudia Burgoa showed that she is an amazing storyteller and has once again provided her readers with amazing characters. I love all the characters in Can’t Help Love, they feel like family! Can’t Help Love filled me with a rollercoaster of emotions, I could not put it down, and I loved every moment on every page. Who does not love hot sexy men, strong females, loving families, and friends, who always support one another? I love how Claudia Burgoa always manages to create the "perfect" heroine, who is a strong woman on her own, to balance out the sexy, swoon worthy men. I really enjoy how the book is told in the first person from the perspective of the main characters. I love getting the insight and feelings from the different characters. I love the lighter moments where I find myself smiling and laughing out loud. My favorite moments are the ones that pull at my heartstrings that cause me to sigh, as I read the heartbreaking moments. Can’t Help Love is filled with heartbreaking and heartwarming moments that I have come to love and expect in Claudia Burgoa love story, and she did not disappoint, especially with the poignant and bittersweet moments that filled this page turner. Can’t Help Love is a second chance love story between Gatsby Spearman, founder and CEO of Global GAAM Corp and Maia Azul Ocampo, founder and CEO of MarkTech Express. Gatsby and Maia originally meet fourteen years ago on move in day at the University of Georgia as they are about to start their junior year. Maia and Gatsby find themselves sharing the same classes. As a class assignment, they create the Rencontrer application, and along the way begin a romantic relationship, until a fateful night when everything changes for Gatsby and Maia. Seeking revenge against Gatsby for perceived wrongdoings with Recontrer, Maia slowly outbids Gatsby on company’s he plans to purchase, and he allows this to happen. I love Maia’s five step revenge plan. Over the years Gatsby has contacted MarkTech to schedule a meeting with Maia, but he is always informed that she is too busy to meet with him. When Gatsby finds out MarkTech has offered a deal to Haux Drinks, his siblings, Hux and Cory’s business, he finds another way to meet with Maia. Gatsby kidnaps her with her own car and drives her home. I love what Maia did to Gatsby’s car to retaliate. As they spend more time together, things begin to change between them. They share secrets that they have not revealed to each other before. I love the chemistry between Maia and Gatsby. I love that both Maia and Gatsby were both so vulnerable and that each of them changes because of their love for one another. I love how they share things that they have never shared before, especially the secrets that Maia shares regarding her relationship with her mother, and the actions that Maia take to improve her relationship with her family. I love all the things that Gatsby has secretly done for Maia but was not able to reveal since she would not meet with him. I love how everything gets so beautifully resolved between them. My favorite parts are the letters between Gatsby and Maia, and Gatsby’s five step plan to woo Maia. I also love how the epilogue went above and beyond a happily ever after. I loved Gatsby’s proposal, and how it did not go according to his original plan. I love the characters and the family dynamic in Can’t Help Love, the characters feel like family and friends. I enjoyed all the interactions between the Spearman family, the characters feel like family and friends. I enjoyed all the interactions between the Spearman siblings especially their teasing that made me laugh. I loved all the characters in Can’t Help Love, and I am looking forward to reading the other books in the series. Who does not love family and friends that always have each other’s backs? I thoroughly enjoyed Can’t Help Love, who does not love a second chance at first love story? Highly recommend this incredible love story and am so looking forward to reading the other books in the series.
Profile Image for Valeen Robertson (Live Thru Books Blog).
5,397 reviews203 followers
May 10, 2022




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Maia was the good girl who did everything she thought her parents wanted, but she had one thing, one person, they didn't know about. Gatsby was her first love in the way of all young love. But he ghosted her, breaking her heart, and set Maia onto a path of revenge. Now years later, she's made herself into a successful force to be reckoned with, and is set on breaking Gatsby's heart the way he broke hers. Except...she didn't count on all those old feelings still being there when she's confronted by him. He seems to want a second chance, but she's a different person now - how could they ever be together again?



Maia and Gatsby's second chance was filled with the tension that second chance stories always are, with witty snark, sizzling chemistry, and two lovable leads surrounded by an equally lovable secondary cast. Maia was the real standout for me, at turns strong and vulnerable and insecure, full of anger and pain, but ultimately just waiting for her true love to come back around. Gatsby was swoony for sure, even though he was the one who set them on the painful journey they had to take to get to happiness, and hadn't gotten over Maia anymore than she had gotten over him. Second chance love has never been so good!



ARC provided by author for an honest review.

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