"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.

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.