The Breakaway by Jennifer Weiner was a solid, enjoyable read. I loved the mix of friendship, self-discovery, and personal growth throughout the story. While it didn’t completely blow me away, the relatable characters and lighthearted yet meaningful plot kept me engaged. Perfect for fans of heartwarming fiction!

Another healing, compassionate, empowering novel from Weiner. The explorations of family, self-fulfillment, and love were rich and nuanced, and watching our protagonists grow into the people they need to be in order to find happiness together was a joy.

This body positive novel digs deeply into struggles the modern female goes through well beyond weight shaming. There were a lot of women supporting women relationships in this book, and while at first we question the mother's interactions with her daughter, the primary character, we get a glimpse into how her past defined her and how she was trying to provide her daughter with what she wished she had. Prior to reading this novel, I did not know that bike trips like this existed, and I love that they do!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve enjoyed Jennifer Weiner’s previous books, so I picked this one up without reading the synopsis, expecting another engaging and heartfelt story. Unfortunately, I was caught off guard by the heavy themes and found myself increasingly frustrated with the way certain topics were handled.

One of the most difficult aspects for me was the storyline involving abortion. The book portrays a group of women who help a 15-year-old girl obtain an abortion without her mother’s knowledge or consent. As a parent, this enraged me. I can’t imagine a close friend going behind my back and making such a life-altering decision with my child, especially while she is still a minor. What frustrated me even more was the lack of follow-up—when the mother finds out, instead of addressing the betrayal or the emotional fallout, the book quickly pivots to a revelation that she, too, had an abortion as a teenager. This moment is framed as a bonding experience between mother and daughter, but it felt forced and didn’t add much to the story beyond reinforcing a women’s rights message.

Another major disappointment was the way relationships were portrayed. The main character cheats on her long-term boyfriend, and while infidelity can be a complex and compelling topic in fiction, her reasoning felt weak. She uses her low self-esteem as an excuse, but instead of exploring the emotional impact of her choices in a meaningful way, it comes across as an afterthought.

Additionally, the mother-daughter dynamic was frustrating. The protagonist spends her life being belittled by her mother for her weight, only to later discover that her mother had been overweight herself before secretly undergoing bariatric surgery. The fact that the protagonist never saw a single photo of her mother at her heaviest—despite the fact that she was overweight on her wedding day—seemed implausible. It felt like an unnecessary twist that added more resentment to an already toxic relationship, reinforcing the book’s overarching theme of poor communication.

Ultimately, the entire novel seemed to revolve around dysfunctional relationships and miscommunication, making it a frustrating read. I appreciate Jennifer Weiner’s writing—her style is engaging, and the book is well-written—but the storyline and character choices left me disappointed. I wouldn’t read this one again, and while I usually enjoy her work, this particular book just didn’t resonate with me. Two stars for the quality of the writing, but the story itself missed the mark.

Jennifer Weiner’s The Breakaway is an uplifting and insightful novel about self-discovery, body image, and the complex relationships that shape our lives. With her signature warmth and humor, Weiner crafts a story that’s both entertaining and thought-provoking, tackling themes that resonate deeply, especially for readers navigating their own personal journeys.

At the heart of the story is 33-year-old Abby Stern, a woman who, on the surface, seems to have it all together. She has good friends, a supportive fiancé in Mark Medoff, and a community in her biking club in Philadelphia. But as the story unfolds, it’s clear Abby is stuck in a kind of emotional limbo. She’s still holding onto the memory of a one-night stand with a man named Sebastian, which lingers in her mind despite her seemingly perfect relationship with Mark. The plot takes a pivotal turn when Abby, in need of some space and reflection, agrees to lead a cycling trip from NYC to Niagara Falls—and is shocked to find Sebastian among the participants.

The book’s strength lies in Abby’s internal struggle and her complex relationship with her mother, Eileen, who played a significant role in shaping Abby’s body image and sense of self-worth. Eileen is the quintessential “diet culture mom” who pressured Abby into weight-loss camps and instilled a lifetime of insecurities. Their dynamic is tense, and Abby’s emotional journey is as much about healing from her mother’s influence as it is about reconciling her feelings for Mark and Sebastian.

Weiner skillfully weaves together Abby’s personal growth with the more external journey of the bike trip. Over the course of the two-week, 700-mile ride, Abby is forced to confront not just her feelings for Sebastian, but also the way she views herself—both in relation to her body and the people who have been closest to her. The cycling trip is both a literal and metaphorical journey, a chance for Abby to break free from old patterns and gain clarity.

The secondary characters, especially the other cyclists on the trip, are a wonderful addition to the narrative. They each have their own stories and struggles, and the camaraderie that develops over the course of the trip is heartwarming. A surprise addition to the group—a teenage girl with a secret—adds another layer of intrigue and gives Abby, as well as the reader, something to reflect on about family, secrets, and personal strength.

While The Breakaway is undeniably enjoyable, there are moments where the pacing feels a bit slow, particularly in the middle of the novel. The back-and-forth between Abby’s relationship with Mark and her ongoing attraction to Sebastian can feel a bit drawn-out at times, and a few of the revelations come across as a bit predictable. Still, Weiner’s knack for sharp dialogue and her ability to create richly layered, relatable characters keep the story engaging throughout.

The ending feels like a satisfying resolution to Abby’s emotional journey—one that doesn’t tie everything up in a neat bow, but instead offers a more realistic and fulfilling sense of closure. The book’s message about learning to love yourself, embrace your imperfections, and take control of your own narrative is powerful and uplifting.

Overall, The Breakaway is a charming, heartfelt novel that will resonate with anyone who’s ever felt torn between what they’re expected to do and what they truly want for themselves. Weiner’s writing is warm and accessible, and the book offers a refreshing mix of humor, romance, and introspection. It’s a perfect read for fans of women’s fiction, self-discovery stories, and anyone looking for a journey that’s as emotional as it is physical.

If you’re looking for a story about breaking free from old habits, healing from past wounds, and embracing who you really are—The Breakaway is the perfect book to pick up.

This book seriously made me mad that she actually ended up with the guy that was known for sleeping around.... and not just with a few girls but with so many. It just felt like a slap in the face to someone who struggles with weigh problems to end up with a boy who treated woman like garbage until he met her. I think the man character settled. I gave it two stars only because of the touch on abortion issues and the emotions in the story plot.

Well written and realistic. Very true to today's day and age which I am afraid will not resonate with many but I appreciated the outlook. I didn't feel terribly attached to the book or the characters.

I did enjoy this book and read it quickly. I was rooting for Abby to find happiness. This book had the right amount of spice and I thought it was pretty funny too!

The Breakaway by Jennifer Weiner is a delightful, heartwarming novel about self-discovery, love, and the unexpected turns life can take. The protagonist, Abby, embarks on a cycling trip that leads her to confront personal challenges and relationships with a mix of humor and sincerity. Weiner’s writing is engaging, and her characters are well-developed, making it easy to connect with their struggles and triumphs. Though the book occasionally feels predictable, its charm and emotional depth elevate it. Overall, it’s a highly enjoyable read that earns a solid 4 stars.

This novel is a heartfelt and engaging novel that combines romance, self-discovery, and family dynamics. A rom- com with meaningful and realistic characters. Themes of self-acceptance, complexities of family and love are explored.
Abby is a plus size woman (comfortable with herself) who enjoys cycling. She leads a 12-day bike tour from NYC to Niagara Falls. Her journey becomes complicated when two surprise participants join the group. Eileen, her alienated mother, who has been a source of her body image struggles, and Sebastian, a one-night stand from her past that still haunts her present.
Throughout the ride, Abby confronts unresolved tensions with her mother and questions her relationship with her current boyfriend, Mark. As she navigates her evolving feelings for Sebastian, the tour also reveals secrets among the group, explores themes of self-acceptance, and highlights the complexities of family and love.
Thank you NetGalley for ARC read in exchange for my review

Fun story with cute characters and good plot. Weiner never fails to disappoint and I always enjoy them@ Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher!

I have been a Jennifer Weiner fan for many moons, and I have appreciated the evolution of her work. The Breakaway adds depth of character development, and I want to be friends with Abby Stern.

Many thanks to the author, published, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me.

I like what this book was trying to accomplish, but I don't think it quite got there. It was long and there were a lot of side characters that teetered the line of being important enough to be mentioned time and time again but not important enough that I could remember who they were.

Basically Abby is plus-sized and she's at the point where she's comfortable with herself. She exercises but also eats what she wants. She's in a long-term relationship with Mark, who she had met at "fat camp" as a teenager. They went their separate ways, reconnected and are now dating. He's skinny now and there apparently is some resentment about it. So Abby doesn't feel like this is the relationship of her dreams. She also still thinks about Sebastian, who she had a one night stand with two years ago and then ghosted.

So now she's leading a bike tour and Sebastian is on it! And so his her mom! She's really mean to her mom (and that storyline really irked me). She still wants Sebastian - even though she has a boyfriend. Abby... makes some poor choices. She's not a nice person and I didn't like her as the main narrator. The book was predictable on what was going to happen but there are some weird gaps of time, especially at the end.

Overall, I think there were some good ideas, but it fell short.

Jennifer Weiner is one of my long-time favorite authors. I try to read every book that she releases, so requesting The Breakaway from NetGalley was a no-brainer for me.

The book opens with Abby attending a bachelorette party for a friend of hers. She's in the beginning stages of a long-term relationship and has a last hurrah of a night with Sebastian. Fast forward 2 years and Abby is still in the same place in life: relationship with Mark that is fine but not overwhelmingly great; no solid career; an ending lease and a big decision to make. When she is asked to lead a two week bike trip with a company she works with, Breakaway, she jumps at the chance. She is surprised to find that Sebastian is on the bike trip with her. Over the two week trip, she explores her relationship with Sebastian, with her mom (who joins the trip as a surprise to Abby), and she helps solve problems for some of the other riders as well.

This book has Weiner's trademark heart and character development, which keeps me entertained and reading. I like how she takes what's happening in the present and is able to insert past experiences in order to develop her characters and their relationships with each other. My one critique for this one is that a large part of Abby's character is built around her being overweight. That factor in the book becomes almost a plot driver, which I didn't love. I reached a point where I wanted to shake her and tell her to stop talking about it.

If you typically enjoy Weiner's books, you'll like this one too!

Thank you to Atria Books and Net Galley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I like but did not love this book. I felt like the book tried to tackle too many topics all at the same time and it just felt like a little too much. I also didn't connect with Abby all that much. Overall good but not great.

This was assumed to be my plane book for an up and coming trip... but I couldn't take off it alone or put it down. I cherish a great Jennifer Weiner book to go with my coffee on the yard!

Thanks to NetGalley, Atria and Jennifer Weiner for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. While I enjoyed reading the latest Jennifer Weiner novel this was not one of my favorites, hence the 3 stare review. I did not really connect with the characters. And was put off a bit by some of the politics. Maybe if I hadn’t read it during this election season I would have felt differently. I did enjoy the bike riding parts of the novel. The riders were an eclectic group of characters and wish they were developed further. So overall this was just an okay read for me…not a favorite.

Thank you to @NetGalley and @atriabooks for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Breakaway by Jennifer Weiner is an absolute gem of a novel that combines humor, heart, and a journey of self-discovery. This story follows Abby Stern, a plus-size cyclist who leads a group bike trip from New York City to Niagara Falls, encountering unexpected challenges and rediscovering herself along the way.

What I Loved:
Character Development: Abby is a deeply relatable and likable protagonist. Weiner expertly portrays her struggles with body image, self-worth, and relationships, making her journey both compelling and inspiring.
Engaging Plot: The storyline is both fun and thought-provoking. The mix of romance, personal growth, and the dynamics of the cycling group keeps the narrative engaging from start to finish.
Humor and Heart: Weiner’s signature humor shines through, providing plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. At the same time, the novel tackles serious themes with sensitivity and depth, creating a perfect balance.
Supporting Characters: The diverse cast of characters on the bike trip adds richness to the story. Each character brings their own unique perspective and contributes to Abby’s journey in meaningful ways.

Overall Impression: The Breakaway is a beautifully written and emotionally resonant novel that celebrates the importance of self-acceptance and the power of community. Jennifer Weiner has crafted a story that is both entertaining and deeply moving, making it a must-read for fans of contemporary fiction and romance.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

#books #bookishlife #booklover #readingisfun #iowabookstagrammers #iowabookstagram #netgalley #atriabooks #ltbreaderteam #thebreakaway #jenniferweiner

As usual, Weiner told a compelling story with many interrelated subplots. Some might think that she tried to cover too much in one book. But, I felt the underlying theme was that parents want the best for their children. However, as all of us who are parents know, we’re human, we make mistakes and for some of us those mistakes are so great we cannot help our children succeed. But, there are often others who can help. It was a book I couldn’t put down.

I’m a little surprised at just how much I enjoyed THE BREAKAWAY! I have only read one other book by Jennifer Weiner before, but I loved this one so much more. I found Abby’s struggles with self-esteem to be very relatable, and I thought all of the characters in this book were complex and realistic. I also loved the alternating chapters that followed the different members of the bike tour. I disagree with the reviews that complained that the author was “shoving her political views down readers’s throats.” Although this book involves discussion of political issues like abortion, I thought Weiner did an excellent job of showcasing the complexities of this issue.

The thing I disliked the most about this book was the constant COVID mentions. I honestly don’t know if I’ve found an author who has really figured out the right balance to strike with incorporating the pandemic. I don’t think it’s right to just pretend it didn’t happen, but the questions like “How was the pandemic for you?” felt dated in a book published in 2023. That’s not a question I could really imagine asking anyone in real life. There were a couple of other references that also struck me as dated, particularly the reference to Hilaria Baldwin. Not a major problem, but something I disliked nonetheless.