Powerful. Impactful. Beautifully written. I am a forever fan of Jennifer Weiner because of books like The Breakaway. This book is something that will stand out for years to come.

Unexpected delight of fun, wisdom and relevant issues. When beginning to read I found myself enjoying with a few laughs thrown in as Abby candidly shares her life experiences, with her relatable inner voice. Abby as the main character embarks on leading a bike tour which goes against her comfort zone. As we meet each of the bike tour participants, I was surprised by the complexity & how this story line raises profound issues and consequences. Sebastion's character delivers a sexy, naughty persona only to be humbled by his actions and attraction to Abby.

The group of bike riders all were hiding secrets that only could be opened as they developed a bond with each other. I enjoyed how the group rallied to help each other in dark times and bonds gave way to truths that when shared stunned the reader.

Grateful to having read The Breakaway, well written.

I haven’t read a Jennifer Weiner book in so long, and I forgot how much I love her style! The Breakaway was a great read and I loved learning about the biking world! Great beach/vacation read!

Hold on to your bike helmets! Jennifer Weiner’s newest novel The Breakaway is an exciting, funny, heart-warming read with layers upon layers of twists. It’s a love story, a coming-of-age story with so many women empowering themselves, sub-plots any woman reading will be able to empathize with…truth, trust, body uncomfortableness, keeping secrets and mother-daughter relationships. Am I right?

Abby Stern is in her 30’s. She likes her life, although she is still trying to find her purpose. Always having wrestled with her weight, and her mother’s constant intervention even sending her to Fat Camp when she was younger has always heavily weighed on the way she views herself. But after she met Mark, an old flame from the camp who was able to lose the weight and keep it off, they begin dating. Although he is very strict with his eating regime, he does not mind Abby’s joy of food. She has wonderful friends and is an avid bike rider, something unfortunately Mark cannot enjoy as he has never learned to ride a bike. Abby is still trying to figure out what she wants to do when she grows up. She has a few different jobs which she enjoys, but nothing which really excites her.

But one thing which did excite her for at least one night, was the one-night stand with a gorgeous man named Sebastian. Yes, she sort of cheated on Mark but they had only been back together for a short while. But Abby has never forgot the feelings she had for Sebastian but realizes she could never be his type when he was sober.

Two years later, she is now at a crossroads with Mark who wants her to move in with him, and not only is she unsure of that next step, but she also still floats from job to job still searching for her purpose.

One thing for sure, she loves to bike and when she is given the opportunity by a friend to lead a cycling trip from New York City to Niagra Falls, Abby is up for the challenge. Until her life begins to spiral out of control because on this cycling trip are two guests, she would never imagine being in the same place…Sebastian and her mother!

This trip will change the lives of these bikers forever, in so many ways. They will all bond as they never could imagine. Still, Abby can’t let go of the image she has of herself, no matter what is said and done. And Sebastian is making her decisions very hard, and her mother is still continuing her calories. How will she find peace with them as well as herself? And is she strong enough to handle all the trials and tribulations this journey will take all of them on.

The Breakaway is a terrific title for this extraordinary story. As the important layers of the issues are pealed back perhaps someone reading this tale will find the comfort or answer they have been searching for. What a ride!

Thank you #NetGalley #AtriaBooks #The Breakaway #JenniferWeiner for the advanced copy.

Thank you NetGalley, Atria Books and Jennifer Weiner for a digital ARC of The Breakaway. Once again, Jennifer Weiner has delivered one of the best reads of the summer! I hesitate to call it a “beach read” as that can bring to mind a light read without much substance. Anyway, I digress. Definitely can be a “beach read” albeit one with substance and life lessons. Abby Stern is a 33-year old Philadelphian who has reached a point where she is satisfied with the life she has made for herself. That being said, she does have niggling doubts about her career path or rather lack of career path as well as her engagement to childhood sweetheart Mark Medoff. This book deals with issues of body image, family and romantic relationships, sense of purpose and forgiveness. The characters are very well developed and multidimensional. The writing flows smoothly and is very descriptive. Definitely a book that is hard to put down so don’t start reading late at night! This book will appeal to adult readers of any age. Highly recommend to both long time fans of Jennifer Weiner as well as new readers.

Really enjoyed this one. Felt the abortion topic was overdone and it didn’t sit well with me. It did feel a little long towards the end but overall felt like a great story.

I am a huge Jennifer Weiner fan and this book is no exception. Something about the way she writes - so easy to stay up late reading just one more chapter. The Breakaway was a fascinating read to me because of the biking theme. I am not a biker, however my husband is and I’ve been trying to take more of an interest in those things he loves - watching YouTube bikers he follows, etc. I might even be able to get behind a bike tour like the one in the book with hotels and b&bs and nice dinners! As far as the characters and the story line - loved Abby and Sebastian - they are real and relatable and the Spoke’n Four are hilarious. Does it veer a little overly political at times? Perhaps for some? But that was fine with me and it all was part of the action. The body positivity and being comfortable in your own skin messages were great. Abby’s relationship with her mom felt very real. At one point there was a question asked by one of the characters about how to be a good parent during those teenage years and there was a line about you have just got to keep showing up. That resonated with me having teenagers now myself.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC! It’s available now!

I enjoyed this book. I haven't read one of Jennifer Weiner's books in a while. This makes me want to read more of them. It held my interest and covered a variety of subjects. It wasn't a book I couldn't put down. But, it was a nice relaxing read.

Jennifer Weiner's "The Breakaway" is a heartwarming and empowering novel that delves into the complexities of love, family, friendship, and the transformative power of self-discovery. Abby Stern, our relatable and endearing protagonist, takes us on a journey of self-acceptance as she navigates the twists and turns of life. Weiner's narrative captures the essence of Abby's plus-size body confidence and her desire for a fulfilling life, creating a resonant and uplifting story. The book's exploration of body image and the impact of societal expectations is both poignant and thought-provoking, making it a valuable addition to contemporary literature.

While "The Breakaway" is a touching and insightful read, it occasionally grapples with pacing issues that may leave readers craving deeper exploration of certain subplots. Additionally, the complexities of Abby's relationships, especially with her mother Eileen, could have been further unpacked to provide a richer emotional tapestry. Nevertheless, Jennifer Weiner crafts a moving and ultimately empowering narrative that reminds us of the importance of embracing our true selves and the enduring bonds of friendship and love. "The Breakaway" is a must-read for those seeking an emotionally resonant story of self-discovery and empowerment.

I love this so much! It's not as issue-driven as her past few books have been but instead a sweet and very soft story about two people falling in love and you know what? Sometimes that is exactly what you need and this book is such a hit with our patrons! It's just a delightful read and a fun one too.

I am a Jennifer Weiner fan and usually love her novels-and have for 20 years. This one fell a little short for me. The story has a few themes centered and built around main character Abby. Abby is in her mid-30s, educated but no solid career direction and a curvy or bigger woman. That is typically a theme in Weiner's novels and perhaps it's feeling redundant or stale-I felt that the weight obsession, diet culture and constant convincing that Abby is still great and loves herself even though she struggles and thinks everyone is watching her eat, workout, comparing her etc- was overdone.

As a curvy woman myself and a woman in our very appearance-obsessed culture, I get it. But it just didn't work for me this time. I enjoyed the biking story and know Weiner is quite a cycling enthusiast and I love both her and Abby's passion for it. What I didn't love is that Abby felt the handsome, fit, tall (as we are reminded) Sebastian (a one night stand from two years ago) wouldn't be interested in her FOR REAL and that she resents how women are objectified but was comfortable in her choices with him as it relates to their meetup two years later while she's in a serious relationship. There are other themes of women's choices, abortion, freedom and it felt like it was sort of piled on but not fleshed out as much in the ARC-more of an afterthought.

That said, Weiner's fans will mostly enjoy this novel and there are some fun scenes, great information about biking and scenic tours and a mostly happy ending. 2.5 stars rounded to 3.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

Jennifer Weiner is a must-read/will-always-read author for me. She spins a good tale. I liked this one (more like 3.5 stars). Nothing fancy, nothing mysterious, just a flat-out good story about cycling, mother/daughter relationships, self-esteem and dating. I mean, it's about a lot more than that too, but those are the basics that tie the story together. I couldn't help but picture the author as Abby, knowing of JW's love of cycling. I really liked the ending. It's not entirely tied up in a cute little bow - it's a bit open-ended and I think that made it refreshing. Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC.

I loved this book. I usually love Jennifer Weiner so I am not surprised. The main character was lovable, relatable, and funny. I felt myself rooting for her the whole time

Jennifer Weiner will always be one of my favorite authors! The character driven story lines are always done so good, and the stories are always much more than what they seem. At first this one seems like a romance, but it also has so many important themes - loving yourself, mother/daughter relationships, body positivity, mental health, and a women's right to choose.

Synopsis:
Thirty-three-year-old Abby Stern has made it to a happy place. True, she still has gig jobs instead of a career, and the apartment where she’s lived since college still looks like she’s just moved in. But she’s got good friends, her bike, and her bicycling club in Philadelphia. She’s at peace with her plus-size body—at least, most of the time—and she’s on track to marry Mark Medoff, her childhood summer sweetheart, a man she met at the weight-loss camp that her perpetually dieting mother forced her to attend. Fifteen years after her final summer at Camp Golden Hills, when Abby reconnects with a half-his-size Mark, it feels like the happy ending she’s always wanted.
Yet Abby can’t escape the feeling that some­thing isn’t right...or the memories of one thrilling night she spent with a man named Sebastian two years previously. When Abby gets a last-minute invi­tation to lead a cycling trip from NYC to Niagara Falls, she’s happy to have time away from Mark, a chance to reflect and make up her mind.
But things get complicated fast. First, Abby spots a familiar face in the group—Sebastian, the one-night stand she thought she’d never see again. Sebastian is a serial dater who lives a hundred miles away. In spite of their undeniable chemistry, Abby is determined to keep her distance. Then there’s a surprise last-minute addition to the her mother, Eileen, the woman Abby blames for a lifetime of body shaming and insecurities she’s still trying to undo.
Over two weeks and more than seven hundred miles, strangers become friends, hidden truths come to light, a teenage girl with a secret unites the riders in unexpected ways...and Abby is forced to reconsider everything she believes about herself, her mother, and the nature of love.

Something I really enjoyed about this story was the biking aspect of it. Although I am not much of a biker myself, it was interesting and I enjoyed the way it wove in with the story. I also found it neat that the route ended in Niagara Falls which is a place very familiar to me as its close to where I live. Its always fun when a book has little familiar tidbits like this.

I find sometimes with Jennifer's books that the characters stories get introduced and I feel confused as to how this fits in with the main character/main plot, but then somehow it always gets tied together so well in the end. Each character has a story that makes it hard not to love them, flaws and all. Jennifer never shies away from real issues people face on a day to day, and always handles it with grace. I think this book is one of my favorites this year, as usually the case with this authors books.

I highly recommend this one to anyone looking to get sucked into a good story with wonderful and unique characters. Be sure to check the trigger warnings first though as it does deal with some sensitive topics (some big ones include abortion, fatphobia, and alcoholism).

The Breakaway is the newest offering by Jennifer Weiner. This story has an interesting premise in that it features a two week, group trail ride through rural New York to Niagara Falls. The story is descriptive, atmospheric and showcases an adventurous community bike ride with multiple characters joining in.

Abby grew up struggling with her weight and the criticisms that follow, and she has finally owned who she is and made peace with her body and her life. Her boyfriend, Mark, is someone she met at a weight loss camp and they seem to be the perfect fit…or are they? Is their weight connection the only thing that links them together? While leading a long-distance trail ride, one of her passions and hobbies, she comes across Sebastian, a one-night stand from a few years ago. He’s on the ride with Abby and she is once again attracted to him and ends up questioning her feelings for Mark, her current long-term boyfriend.

The story focuses a lot on weight, diet, body image and the ramifications of such, which was the point, I’m sure. It had some worthwhile messages, but it was also a bit off-putting. Not only is there a lot of weight, diet and exercise talk, but some of it is fairly opinionated and therefore, controversial. There are also some other subjects discussed, such as one-night stands, pregnancy, abortion, and parental consent with particular leanings that won’t appeal to everyone.

I found the main character to be difficult to like and her choices were less than admirable. She preaches loving people based on qualities other than body image, and then she does the opposite, but with looks, as opposed to weight. I’ve loved several of Jennifer Weiner’s stories in the past, but this one just didn’t work for me for a variety of reasons.

Once again, I was swept up in a Jennifer Weiner novel. She possesses such an ability to grip the reader at the very beginning, and bring said reader along for the (bike) ride, in this case! The main characters and their stories were very relatable, plus a little spice, and this was a perfect end to summer read.

I really appreciate NetGalley and the publisher for my review copy.

The Breakaway was another solid read for me from Jennifer Weiner. The story follows Abby Stern, who on the surface, has a pretty good life - a decent job & a great boyfriend who wants to marry her. Deep down, however, Abby doesn't feel satisfied.

She wishes she had a career she was passionate about, and she wishes as passionate toward her boyfriend as she remembers feeling about a one night stand from a few years ago. Abby also wishes she had a healthier relationship with her mom. Abby has struggled with her weight all her life and her mom has always shamed her for it.

One thing that does make Abby truly happy though is cycling and when the opportunity comes up for her to lead a cycling trip across New York, even though it’s out of her comfort zone, Abby decides to go for it. The trip ends up being so much more than a physical journey for Abby; it's also a journey of self-discovery for her.

I really enjoyed the cycling aspect of the trip, and I loved the cast of characters. There were riders of all ages from teens to seniors, and all of them are multi-layered, which I also loved.

There were also two unexpected riders. One was Abby's mom, who really wants to mend fences with her daughter, and then there was Sebastian, Abby's one night stand from before. Both added lots of tension and awkwardness to the trip for Abby, but they were both very much a part of that journey of self-discovery.

Abby's journey was definitely the highlight of the story for me. Leading this team is so empowering for Abby, and it also allows her to see her life in a different way so that she can move beyond what isn't working for her and embrace new opportunities and passions. I also liked the way Weiner explores the often complicated dynamics of the mother-daughter relationship. In many ways, this trip allows for just as much personal growth for Abby's mom as it does for Abby.

The Breakaway is one of those books that has a little something for everyone, especially fans of women’s fiction.

I enjoyed this quirky book. Abby is leading her first cycling trip which happens to include someone she had a one-night-stand with several years prior.

I went in to this expecting a romance and while there are some rom com aspects, overall it really is more an assortment of interesting characters and their lives. While most of the chapters are from Abby and Sebastian's point-of-view, there are also a handful of other characters we get glimpses of. I was a little frustrated that we got invested with specific character's chapters and then didn't have any additional follow-up from their point of view.

I really liked Abby and was empathetic to her struggles with her mom -- I enjoyed seeing the changes in their relationship and loved that Abby was able to stand up for herself. I felt so sad for her as a teenager, and was so glad to see her have more confidence as an adult.

This book does tackle some very important issues and I am glad for that, and I love the organization that Abby creates in the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an early copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

What a fun ride (pun intended!). Really loved this quick, fun read with some thought-provoking topics. A story about a bike trip was a fun backdrop to meet many interesting characters and watch the story unfold like the miles they rode. Really enjoyed this book!

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Breakaway was a nice and easy read sharing about the story of a young woman who is struggling with where she wants to go in life. She feels unsure about herself which stems from her childhood memories of being overweight (and sent to fat camp by her parents). Although she believes she is at peace with it, you are able to see her internal struggle with it and is always worried what others think about her. Her one true love is her bike riding, something she has enjoyed doing since she was younger for that peace she feels as she rides her bike. Thrown into an uncomfortable task of leading a long trek ride, she is a natural at it but once again she feels unsure with someone from her past on the ride along with her mother and other great characters.

The book tackles multiple tough topics such as self doubt, self confidence, childhood trauma, difficult relationship with a parent, infidelity to name a few. While some scenes are a bit uncomfortable to read if you have ever been in any of these situations, Jennifer does a fabulous job with her writing to get you to keep reading. I would recommend this book to others. I give 5 stars for this book and the emotional feelings you get for the characters as you read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC.