Okay I’m just gonna say it, I had a hard time sympathizing with Abby. Maybe it’s my personal history that created the negative bias against their mother daughter relationship or lack thereof. I also think there are a handful of triggers in this book readers should be aware of before jumping in. Yes Jennifer Weiner has historically addressed weight issues in her previous novels but this one didn’t really have the relatable quality.

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for providing an advanced digital copy! All thoughts expressed are my honest personal opinion.

This was a slighly better Jennifer Weiner book than her previous Summer series books. For me, this author really has some awful and unlikeable main characters, so I did not have high expectations for this book. Abby, thank goodness was somewhat endearing, thank goodness, but the plot did and her story did not hold my attention. I am done wreading books by this author.

Ok. Definitely not her best, but also not her worst. Cannot recommend.

Thanks to Netgalley, Jennifer Weiner and Atria Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Already available

This book made me want to pick up biking myself! I love seeing representation of empowered, strong and adventurous fat heroines. The journey that the protagonist goes on in her career, her love life, and in her relationship with her mom is compelling and uplifting!

3.5 stars This author always has good stories to share with us and this was a cute story with a message.

Many children, but especially girls, seems to be targeted by parents as too fat. Some really are and need some help, but the mental pressure by parents can do harm to their relationships with their children. In this story Abby and her mom don't seem to agree on anything, even as adults, partly based on the mom's strict dietary rules and the use of a "fat camp" in summer. Abby has other interests that are ignored as she is forced to go to the camp which has more to offer than just diet. It also offers Mark.

Sebastian is the bar pick up who stays in her mind. Mark is the one who wants to be "the one" for her. What should Abby do?

Her biking has always been a lifeline for her as a child and now it becomes a lifeline as an adult, too.

Cute story, good beach read. Thank you NetGalley for an advance reader copy. My honest opinion of this book is offered freely

Jennifer Weiner's latest novel, "The Breakaway," left me with mixed feelings. While there were aspects I liked, the main character, Abby Stern, had moments that made it hard to connect with the story. On one hand, Abby's self-confidence and body positivity were refreshing and empowering, offering a positive representation for plus-sized women. But, she could also come across as self-absorbed and lacked empathy, particularly in her relationship with her mother, Eileen.

Additionally, I didn't quite agree with some of the political aspects woven into the narrative, which added to my dislike of the story. While the book is an okay read it doesn't quite reach the level of her best novels that I really loved.

I’m going to go ahead and put this in writing, mostly to remind myself, that this is the last Jennifer Weiner book I’m going to read. She just keeps writing the same character - the cute, chubby, all-around great girl trying to live her best, body-positive life in a skinnycentric world.
Except, she’s not a great girl. In fact, I found her quite unlikable, starting with how she thought she was basically “settling” for her sweet, loving, considerate, attractive boyfriend, who clearly adored her at whatever size she was, and had no qualms about cheating on him with a super hot guy she met at a bar who she figured was way out of her league.
Even overlooking the unpleasant, judgmental protagonist, the story was predictable and trite.
Thanks to #netgalley and #atriabooks for this #arc of #thebreakaway in exchange for an honest review.

I thought The Breakaway was going to be a nice, light hearted romance story! And while there was romance, there was so much more. Firstly, Abby is a fluffier girl so you learn about all the struggles of dealing with weight issues and a skinny mom. Then there is Sebastian who considers every woman an opportunity to enjoy for an evening but never for longer. And then there were the discussions about parenting, a woman’s right to chose (about ALL aspects of her life, and trying to figure out your life. There are so many great characters! And now I want to go on a bike trip!!

This book has romance but leans heavier into the „women's fiction" genre. Abby, the MC, lives in Philadelphia, she is 33, and kind of stuck and unsure whether to change something or just plod along. She has jobs, but not a fulfilling career - she is basically just managing to pay her rent with odd jobs. Her apartment isn't cared for or nicely put together, it is all a bit random. She has a relationship with Mark who could be great but they don't really share many interests, can she imagine moving in with him? She has a plus size body and has always had one. She is mostly at peace with that but feels antagonized by her mother's „helpful" hints. Cycling is her true love and she is asked to lead a bike trip New York City to Niagara Falls.
Unsure that she can lead the group the trip starts out with a quite heterogeneous group of people. But there are two familiar faces, Sebastian, a man Abby had a fantastic and memorable one night stand with two years earlier. And Abby's mom, Eileen, is this trip doomed from the start ?
The writing is caring, captivating and engaging. The characters are layered, supportive, and endearing. And the plot manages to touch on many important topics family, friendship, self-discovery, happiness, healing, taking chances, growth, romance, passion, body positivity, and the joy and freedom of cycling.
The Breakaway is another charming, timely, thought-provoking tale by Weiner that has everything I've come to know and love about her novels, including a good dose of hope, heart and healing, a kind warm comforting story with a touch of romance on the side.

Review will be posted on 9/22/23

Abby Stern has spent most of her childhood ashamed of how she looks, especially since her fit mother sent her away to a weight loss camp every summer. Abby could never really be the person that her mother wanted her to be and that was ok for Abby because she had the solace of her bike. Abby adores cycling, and fifteen years later has the chance to lead a cycling trip through New York. This is a great opportunity for Abby to clear her head. Also, things have started to get serious with her boyfriend, Mark, and while he seems perfect on paper, something is holding her back from taking the next step. She should like him - he's a Jewish doctor, a former overweight camper at the weight loss camp Abby attended, but he doesn't enjoy cycling and doesn't eat sugar. Just when Abby gears up for a relaxing cycling trip, there are two unexpected participants: her one-night stand from many years ago and her mother! Cue the drama. Abby had a one-night stand with Sebastian, who is perfect and likes her for who she is, except he is a known player and some of his antics have gone viral. As the trip continues, Abby realizes they still have chemistry. Also, the more time she spends with her mom, the more honest they both get about their relationship. Jennifer Weiner's The Breakaway is a quintessential women's fiction and includes many things I enjoyed including a romance, female empowerment, and messages of body positivity.

While I enjoyed Abby's journey both physically and emotionally in The Breakaway, there were some plot holes that I felt could have been fleshed out a bit more, especially between Abby and her mother. On the other hand, Abby's relationship with Sebastian is one of the best parts of the novel, especially if you enjoy a slow burn. I do wish she would have been more honest with Mark though, so if cheating is a trigger for you, be forewarned. I also enjoyed Weiner's overall messages about being in charge of a person's body, women's rights, and positive body image, but at times it got a little preachy. Lastly, I really can't relate to Abby's relationship with food, which at times was a bit unhealthy if you ask me, so I struggled there, mostly because I have dietary restrictions myself, so eating for pleasure isn't always an option. Shaming people who eat healthy is just as bad as making overweight people feel less than, so I had an issue with that aspect of the novel. Also, at some point, I think it's okay to admit that being overweight isn't the healthiest version of yourself, no matter how "strong" you think you are. So, I had a hard time with that aspect of the novel.

The details of the bike trip were superb in The Breakaway. I love how it juxtaposed Abby's emotional journey with her biking journey, as well when it came to figuring out her romantic life and her relationship with her mother. I am not a cyclist, but I could appreciate all the details that go into a trip like this as well as the beautiful New York scenery. Bikers will especially love this aspect of the novel as Weiner, an avid cyclist, truly brought this part of the story to life.

While The Breakaway wasn't my favorite of Weiner's novels, I thought it was a solid novel for fans of women's fiction and a great way to end the summer season. Have you read The Breakaway? Are you a fan of Jennifer Weiner? Let me know in the comments below.

I enjoyed almost everything about Jennifer Weiner's The Breakaway: the unusual premise, the diverse ensemble of flawed individuals, and, of course, Weiner's effortless writing style. The one issue I had with the novel, and I mean the only issue, was the main character's love interests. They irritated me, and my dislike for the characters of Sebastian and Mark only intensified as the story progressed. Fortunately for me, The Breakaway is more than just a love story.

The story follows Abby as she leads her first cycling excursion. To Abby's shock, her former one-night stand, Sebastian, and her mother join the multi-day ride. Abby is forced to deal with a disapproving parent, feelings for someone who isn't her boyfriend, a teenage pregnancy, self-inflicted body shaming, and other issues as she leads the group of unique characters. To put it mildly, The Breakaway is quite a ride (pun intended)!

Jennifer Weiner is always great at creating characters you care about and weaving a story around seemingly unconnected characters. The Breakaway was great from start to finish!

"The Breakaway" is another fun end of summer read from Jennifer Weiner. I really enjoyed the main character, Abby, and the focus on body positivity and healthy does not always mean thin. What brought the book down a little for me was in inclusion of almost every current hot button issue out there. I agree with everything Ms. Weiner was trying to say, but I feel like if she had stuck to one or two in this book the statement would be stronger.

Overall, other than that one issue, I enjoyed the story and the eclectic cast of characters on the bike trip.

Thank you to Atria Books and Netgalley for an advanced readers copy of this book for my honest review.

Abby Stern is lost. Her two siblings have successful careers but she has been unable to latch onto any program that she has cared enough about to complete. Her masters degree languishes so she turns to dog walking and part-time pursuits. Her apartment looks like a college student’s domain even though she is in her mid 30s. She blames her large plus sized body. Her mother sent her to fat kids camp each summer, hoping she would lose a couple of sizes and gain confidence. She unwittingly instilled a sense of unworthiness in the process.

Weight loss just isn’t that easy in a society that sets the standard as a svelte body and genetics says otherwise. Abby is passionate about biking and learns a lot about herself on a group ride that she leads for a company called Breakaway. Yes, there is romance, something she feared was off limits to a plus-sized woman, and to say more would spoil the story.

It is like an unspoken rule that you must be first in line to read the newest Jennifer Weiner once you find out a new book is coming out. She is the queen of keeping it real. Doesn't shy away from the controversial topics or those that aren't the social norm. Her books make it the norm.
<i>The Breakaway</i> was no exception. It highlighted that everybody has a story. What you think you know about someone, may not be their full story. There was a powerful message her about moms and daughters. Sometimes it's hard to keep up with expectations, but there might be a real reason why expectations are so high. Most moms try to raise their daughters by not having them make the same mistakes.
While I enjoyed this book, there was a theme of cheating and I have a hard time rating a book that romanticizing cheating.

Thank you Netgalley for the review copy. I loved the author's first three books, especially Good in Bed. But I had a tough time connecting to the characters in this book. Not my favorite of this talented author's work.

Thank you Atria for the gifted copy.

I have been reading Jennifer Weiner's books since her very first novel back in the early 2000's. Overall, I enjoyed this one, but I wasn't thrilled with the cheating that happened between Abby and Sebastian.

Abby has struggled with weight her whole life, and met Mark at a weight loss camp they both attended as teens. They reconnected years later, and are in a serious relationship. Abby can't help but think that their relationship is missing something, and although Mark wants her to move in, she's hesitant. She is offered a spot to lead a bicycle trip, and uses it as time to be away from Mark and think. As they're getting ready to leave, Abby sees a face amongst her cyclist group that throws her - it's Sebastian, of a one night stand she's been unable to forget. Oh, and then her mom shows up, putting another kink into her trip. Abby and her mom have had some issues over the years, mostly centering around Abby's weight, and her mom's desire for Abby to be thin/"Healthy". Abby is tasked with leading this trip dealing with all this, plus the secrets of other riders including a 15 year old girl.

Sebastian is king of one night stands, and has several a week, apparently. It all blows up in his face when he's called out on that on social media while on the bike trip. He remembers Abby though, and turns out she was the one girl he hooked up with that he would have liked to see again. But clearly, now is not the right time, between his social media issues, and OH YEAH, Abby has a boyfriend. He decides to just be her friend, but it's not always that easy, is it?

So all that being said, there were parts of this book that I really liked and other parts that I wish were handled differently. I liked the description of the bike trip, with the different spots they went to and the trail itself. I did like the second chance between Abby and Sebastian, but I never really got much of a connection between them besides one night of great sex. Then everything happened so quickly, then it came to a halt while Abby figured herself out. It's clear that Mark is not right for Abby but I wish that whole situation was handled differently. There was also SO MUCH emphasis on Abby's weight throughout the entire book, not just when Abby was a teen. I know it was a big part of the book, and supposed to be focused on body positivity, but it was just a lot. She's also so mean to her mom! I know her mom didn't handle the weight situation well at all , but man, Abby was so nasty to her! There's also quite a bit of politics in the book (abortion and the pandemic) which was okay but not my favorite.

I will, of course, read anything by this author, and can't wait for her next book!

Such a sweet story of a young woman looking for love and finding herself in the process. Loved the biking and motivational element of this story along with the family relationships and the extra-wild mother!

The Breakaway was just fine for me. I liked the Abby and Sebastian and I appreciated how fleshed out they are as characters. The relationship was a journey with bumps in the road, reflective of the bike trip.

This author is known to address social issues in her work and I appreciate that. I thought the way a lot of situations were handled in this book were well done, especially consensual sex scenes.

I would recommend this to readers of romance and contemporary fiction. I do think it would make a popular book club pick, too!

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review The Breakaway. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The first half of the book I loved! Abby was a beautiful soul and I love the wit and carefreeness of Sebastian. And then it plummets so fast I couldn’t even see it coming. A random 15 year old gets pregnant and has an aboriginal, her mom is perfectly okay with it and justifies it because she had one in the past. Meanwhile I’m sitting here like who were these people again and can’t we just get back to the Abby and Sebastian story? The Morgan and her mom saga totally took away from Abby and Sebastian’s story and didn’t add anything to the book. I also didn’t love, how much weight was focused on in this book. I felt like it was more focused on than who Abby actually is as a person instead of just her size. Rating 2.75 but upping to 3 for star sake.

Abby Stern is a thirty-something woman who isn't really settled in life -- she has not come to terms with her body image, still holds a grievance against her mom for sending her to "fat camp," and doesn't have the same feelings that her boyfriend Mark has for her.

A one-night stand with a handsome stranger named Sabastian ignites something in Abby that has been missing for most of her adult life. Fast forward two years later, and Abby (a devoted cyclist) is asked to host a cycling trip from NYC to upstate New York and .... (you guessed it), Sabastian is one of the cyclists on the trip. Abby is now faced to deal with her feelings for Mark as well as her growing feelings for Sabastian.

While I would categorize The Breakaway as romantic fiction and a light read, Jennifer Weiner does introduce some heavy topics such as teenage abortion. A quick and entertaining read. Thank you to #NetGalley and Atria Books for providing a digital ARC.