Thank you to Atria Books and Net Galley for an advanced copy of this book.

It took a while for me to get into Abby’s world but once I did, I was hooked. This story touches on important topics such as abortion, weight and how women’s bodies are viewed and talked about. I really connect with Abby’s weight and self love struggles.

An important read that was eye opening for me.

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, her childhood summer sweetheart from fat camp, and get a chance to reflect and make up her mind about things. But things get complicated when Abby spots a familiar face -Sebastian, the one-night stand she thought she'd never see again.

Some positives:
Great writing: Jennifer Weiner is an author I’ve enjoyed many times before
Likable FMC: Abby is mostly good in my book
Body positivity: we love a fit, plus-sized woman leading a cycling adventure for others

Negatives:
I think there was one too many hot topic issues in this one book- Weight loss, body image issues, settling with a partner, uncertainty about career, making decisions about life, relationship issues, mother/daughter strained relationship, among others.. it was just too much.

I liked it, but didn’t love it.

** spoiler alert ** Thank you to NetGalley for letting me read this book ahead of publishing!

Caution: spoilers ahead!

Jennifer Weiner's books are always quick reads for me, and this one was no exception. Abby was a well-developed protagonist with complex emotions that this reader could identify with. I was impressed with the female empowerment aspect of the book, especially in this political environment. I think it's important for girls and women to hear that they're more than their weight, that their health and their weight are not one and the same, and that what they weigh shouldn't determine their dating pool. Abby's relationship with her mother was more than meets the eye; I think it is a lesson for us all that we can try to be the best mother we can be, but we are all fallible.

I have such fond memories of reading Jennifer Weiner's debut novel, Good in Bed, many many years ago. It was one of the early novels that sparked my love of reading. I was elated when I was given the opportunity by Atria and NetGalley to read The Breakaway as an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for honest feedback.

Jennifer Weiner was inspired to write The Breakaway during the coronavirus pandemic when she began riding her own bike again. She fell in love with cycling and developed the FMC, Abby, at that point. Abby has a complex relationship with her body and her mother's fat-shaming nature, which she works through via biking. Abby feels her life is mostly, happily on track except the niggling sense of not being completely committed to her boyfriend Mark. In the back of her mind she always maintained a "what if" about a old one-night stand.

I feel like I had an opportunity to really love Abby as a character, but simply couldn't connect with her. She was remarkably selfish and poorly developed. Any time infidelity is a theme with a character that is intended to be likeable, a book will automatically lose a star in the rating. Abby is not someone I'd be friends with in real life due to her poor decisions and willingness to hurt others. The book tackled important issues of body-image, insecurity, love and romance, but overall fell really flat to me.

Generously rounding up to 3 from 2.5 stars

I'm often mixed on Jennifer Weiner books but I really liked this one and even stayed up late last night to finish it. BUT, I really liked it once I decided to just suspend my disbelief on what is a somewhat key factor to the plot -- that of all the hundreds and hundreds of women that infamous player Sebastian has been with over the years, the only woman he has kept thinking and has been hung up on was Abby, the overweight protagonist of The Breakaway. I'm not saying I can't believe he was attracted to her -- she is awesome. Smart, confident, athletic, capable, a bit uncertain about what to do with her professional future, but overall a great woman. I am just saying THE. ONLY. ONE. ONLY? ONE? Really? I don't feel like Weiner included enough explanation for that to make sense with Sebastian's character.

Anyway, once I got past that, I really enjoyed being taken along on this literal journey as Abby leads a group of cyclists on a 2-week trip from Manhattan to Niagara Falls. In addition to the story about Abby's romantic life -- should she stay with safe boyfriend Marc or follow her attraction to Sebastian? -- the book also centers on several different parent/child dynamics, including those between Abby and her mom who surprises Abby by showing up on the trip and between a young teenager and her conservative mother, among others. I appreciate Weiner's treatment of the abortion issue, though it may be a turn-off to some and commend her for presenting it for what it is: a valid, safe option for women confronted with an unwanted pregnancy.

I am sure this will be another Jennifer Weiner bestseller. It will be published just before Labor Day weekend and it would be a good choice for your last read of the summer.

Abby has a good life-a boyfriend who loves her, a job to pay the rent, and a hard earned conviction that regardless of her size, she is fit and content...until her boyfriend suggests they move in together and doubts appear. A long distance bike tour that she leads causes her to seriously ponder her life, especially with one night stand, Sebastian, in the group.
Relationships, doubts, fears, and love travel with the group as they cycle from Manhattan to Niagara Falls. A very engaging novel.
I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book. all thoughts and opinions are my own.

The queen of summer beach reads, Jennifer Weiner (favorite author), returns following The Summer Place and That Summer with THE BREAKAWAY —a moving, heartfelt story of friendships, family, secrets, humor, finding your path in life, and a fun cycling journey to self-discovery.

"Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving."
—Albert Einstein

Abby Stern, the 33-year-old protagonist, is somewhat lost in her life. Bicycling saved her when she was an overweight child of divorce, forced into attending weight-loss camp every summer by her judgmental mother. Flash-forward 15 years, she is mostly happy. But something is missing.

She is dating Mark, her boyfriend in Philadelphia. They met at a fat camp years ago. Golden Hills a short story. He is a Jewish podiatrist, but there are flaws in their relationship. He does not ride bikes or cycle like she does, and he has lost weight (gastric bypass) and stays on her about her weight constantly.

Philadelphia: It is the summer of 2023, and Abby is nervous and excited about leading a 700-mile bike trip from New York City to Niagara Falls.

2021 New York City. Now, there is the hot guy Sebastian, whom Abby meets at a bar, and they have a one-night stand. He loves sex and food, the same as Abby. She does not think she will ever see him again. Not someone she will forget.

Abby is shocked when she discovers Sebastian turns up as a rider on the bike trip! And another shocker: Abby's fat-shaming mother also turns up! She, too, has secrets.

She meets others along the ride with different POVs. We also meet a pregnant teen with highly charged topics, women's bodies and their lack of choices.

WEINER DAZZLES! I loved this book. Anything bike or cycling-related I LOVE! As a cyclist for many years, I can appreciate it. As always, Jennifer delivers a thought-provoking read with THE BREAKAWAY with emotional depth. There is romance; however, the vital parts are those involved in finding your path, self-discovery, and second chances.

I adore Jennifer Weiner, a huge fan, and have read all her books! THE BREAKAWAY is a perfect summer/fall read. Avid cyclists such as myself will devour. I love the cover and the title. #CoverLove

Thanks to Atria for a gifted ARC via NetGalley for an honest opinion.

Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Aug 29, 2023
My Rating: 5 Stars
Aug 2023 Must-Read Books

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria books for the ARC! I really wanted to love this book because darn it's about cycling! I love cycling! And I'm an overweight road cyclist. But it fell flat and had too much going on in this book. The main character was not likable at all. But I will still give it a 3 star only because it did have cycling in it and it was based in NY!

I loved this book! I think it tackled a lot of polarizing political issues in such a thoughtful and sensitive way. I appreciate that this book was a joy to read - I couldn't put it down, but I also feel like I learned something and gained valuable insight. I loved the mother-daughter dynamic and how some things are not always shared, but difficult situations can lead to valuable insight.

Jennifer Weiner has been an auto-buy author for me for 20+ years, and as much as I wanted to love 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗔𝗪𝗔𝗬, I didn't. I found the main character completely self-absorbed, and while I agree with the stance taken on a politically hot-button issue in the book, the plot line around it felt out of place and preachy.

I'll keep reading everything Weiner writes but I wish I enjoyed her new books as much as I did her older ones.

3.25 stars

Thanks to Atria Books for the copy to review.

Thank you NetGalley for this advanced reader copy for my free and voluntary review. I will,preface this review with the statement thank am a thriller, suspense novel fan. This book has changed that, and it was so good I read it all in one sitting and stayed up half the night doing so. This is a phenomenally written story with many life themes and lessons included and I absolutely loved it. Even cried a little at the end, but that’s all my spoiler. Currently going to find other books by this author. Highly, highly recommend!

I loved this ride on NY's Empire State Trail, as ride leader Abby and others got to know themselves and others on this eventful journey. As always, Jennifer Weiner addresses some very important and timely issues. Even if some readers don't agree with the decisions and actions as written, I really hope it inspires parents and children to look at each other's lives with more understanding. Thanks to Netgalley and Atria Books for the advance digital copy!

Really enjoyed this storyline and characters. Jennifer Weiner writes about many controversial topics in a nuanced , thought provoking manner which grabs the readers attention.
She claims this story is for anyone who wants a sense of possibility. Indicating you are never too big and it’s never too late to do something you love. This positivity is infectious and greatly needed in this world. I look forward to a new novel from Jennifer every summer. Thank you so much to Jennifer Weiner and NetGalley for this wonderful ARC.

I was provided a free advanced copy of this from @netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
I have been a huge @jenniferweinerwrites fan for many many years. She is excellent at writing authentic characters who become your friends! She is not afraid to shy away from tough topics. TWs for this one would include abortion, alcoholism, and body issues (fat shaming).
This was another great story about a strong woman, discovering more of who she is and what she deserves in her life! I appreciated the authenticity of how the relationship storyline ended. I felt like it wasn't necessarily your typical HEA, but was a more realistic ending.
There was one pretty big issue/scenario that occurred and I don't want to spoil it, but I do think that was the most unrealistic part. The non-reaction of the mother seemed unrealistic and a little too idealistic for the storyline. I am a mother to a daughter (who is 9) and I don't know what I would do in that situation, but I can tell you I would react bigger than she did. She seemed to just brush off the others involvement.
Overall I still enjoyed the book as a whole, but know some of my followers who would feel similar to (or more extremely) how I felt.
I'd still recommend it to the majority of my followers!
It is set to be published this Tuesday, 29 Aug!
#NetGalley #TheBreakaway

I read one or two of this author's books 10 years or so ago. I moved away from women's fiction for a long while. When the opportunity to read this one came up (thank you, Netgalley and Atria), I took a peak at the reviews and was instantly curious as to why some were so upset with the book. I personally liked the fact that she wasn't shying away from current issues, both politically and environmentally. I think that many of the issues discussed are issues that we need to have serious and frank discussions about with all the women in our lives. Bodily autonomy and self-esteem are a constant battle for women, and I liked how the author addressed these and several other issues, including addiction and mental health. I found the bike trip itself to be interesting and the romance to be plausible and sweet.

The Breakaway is Jennifer Weiner's latest book and I absolutely loved it! Abby Stern is living in Philadelphia with several jobs to pay her rent. She walks dogs, dog sits, and helps her friend with biking trips. Abby has loved riding her bike ever since her father taught her how as a young girl. It's been a way to escape things, cope with things, and visit places she wouldn't otherwise be able to. Abby's boyfriend Mark is a doctor and they have known each other since they were young kids. They met at "fat" camp when their parents sent them in the summer to limit their food choices, get more exercise, and help them to lose weight. Abby hated it because she loved acting and had been accepted into an acting camp when her parents told her she was going to this camp instead. The only good thing about the camp was Mark. He was such a good friend and snuck Abby candy and goodies at times. Abby's mother was thin and always watched what she ate very carefully. She was constantly telling Abby what to eat and how much to eat. Abby was heavier than her mom would've liked.

Abby has good friends, is on track to marry Mark, and loves riding with her Philadelphia Bicycle Club. One of Abby's friends is getting married and they have a bachelorette weekend away. While celebrating and dancing at a bar at the end of the night, Abby meets Sebastian. She noticed him watching her while she danced with her friends. He worked his way onto the dance floor and ended up dancing with Abby. They connected immediately. Instead of going back to the hotel, Abby went back to Sebastian's place. That night was the best night Abby had ever had. Sebastian was so good looking and he was genuinely into Abby. He was a phenomenal lover, the best Abby had ever had, and took his time to make sure she was satisfied. He even got up and made them pasta to eat in bed before round 2. Abby thought this guy was too good to be true. Abby is so overly aware of being plus-sized, that she snuck out of bed, and out of Sebastian's apartment while he was still sleeping. She thought if he saw her in the daylight he'd be disappointed at how she looked. She didn't leave a note and they didn't even know each other's last names.

Mark and Abby reconnected 15 years after their last summer camp, but Mark was only half the size he used to be. He was very strict with his diet and ran 6 miles each day. He had never forgotten Abby and was thrilled to see her again. They started dating regularly when he had time off from his podiatrist practice. They knew each other so well that it was easy. Mark didn't mind that Abby liked to eat and eat foods that he wouldn't touch. The only bad thing about Mark is he didn't ride a bike. He had never learned as a kid and had no interest in learning now. His thing was running and he enjoyed entering 10K's to push himself. Abby's mom, Eileen, has always loved Mark and they seem to chat more than Mark and Abby at times. Abby notices the looks she gets when out with Mark because he's so thin, fit, and good looking. She thinks the looks mean they think she's not good enough to be with him. However, Mark never looks at anyone else and knows that Abby is the one he wants to be with. Abby has never felt the way with Mark that she felt with Sebastian and she tries hard not to think about that night.

Abby gets a call from her best friend who wants her to lead a trip of cyclists from New York City to Niagara Falls. The person who was supposed to lead it can't do it at the last minute. Abby has never led a trip like this and is worried about doing it. Time away from Mark is appealing as Abby is having second thoughts about spending her life with him. Things get crazy fast. When Abby shows up to meet the group and set the schedule for the cycling trip she can't believe who's there!! It's Sebastian! As if things couldn't get more awkward, Abby's mom Eileen shows up unexpectedly and tells her she's signed up to do the trip! Eileen doesn't even ride bikes other than her Peloton. Abby still blames her for a lifetime of insecurity related to her body image. Will Sebastian and Abby hit it off again? Will Abby and her Mom get along or will it be awkward the entire trip? What will the other riders bring to the two week trip?

It's an amazing trip with rides of 60 miles a day on average, Abby has Jasper with her and he follows the group with a trailer. He's there with bike parts, supplies, first aid kits, water, snacks, and a place to rest when cyclists can't do the entire daily ride. The group ranges from teenagers to senior citizens. A lot happens along the way to Niagara Falls and Abby comes to realize many things about herself and what she wants. Will that involve Sebastian, Mark, or neither? Will Abby and her mom come to understand each other better? The Breakaway is a fantastic book that I rate 5 stars. What starts out as a cycling trip becomes a journey of self discovery and realization of what life can be. I'd like to thank NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for an advanced copy of The Breakaway in exchange for a fair review. #TheBreakaway

I have been a Jennifer Weiner for years. I love her strong female characters and they way she develops and grows her characters throughout the story.

I live in the Finger Lakes area of NY, between Syracuse and Seneca Falls and really enjoyed the way the author described the area. I will definitely be checking out Sacketts Table.

My only criticism is Morgan’s side story. I read to escape the divisive, political rantings of our world. I do not feel that storyline added anything to story and it had absolutely nothing to do with the main story line. That bring said, I did enjoy Abby’s story.

Thank you to Ms. Weiner, Atria books and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this nook.

Overall, another enjoyable read by Jennifer Weiner. This one felt similar to her other books - likeable characters, no excess drama, personal growth, relationship growth, struggles and happiness. I wish there was a little more drama or excitement in the middle - there were parts that felt predictable and kind of forced. However, it was an easy read that I overall enjoyed.

Abby's life seems great - gig jobs, good friends, hobbies, comfort in her plus-size body and a perfect boyfriend. However, she can't get that one night stand from two years ago out of her mind. When she is asked to lead a cycling trip from NYC to Niagara Falls, she finds herself relieved to be escaping her life at home. When her one night stand ends up on the trip, she can't deny the chemistry. Or her mother. When a teenage girl unites the riders of the trip, Abby is forced to consider what she wants from her life.

Thank you Netgalley for my advanced reader copy.

Thank you @atriabooks @netgalley for a copy of this. Let me start with infidelity always me cringe and knocks down the rating. Cheating is never okay and it felt like Abby didn't care about her consequences knowing what she was doing was wrong turned me off.

I enjoyed that Abby wasn't a thin bike leader and that her mom went along the ride. I liked that Abby and Sebastian did have a connectivity from their one night stand and did develop a friendship. There was a lot of drama that was added to the story with side characters that felt like extra stories without too much depth.

2.5 stars

This book really covers a meriad of topics like body shaming, self esteem, slut shaming, and reproductive rights. It was written in a very relatable way and I respected how honest it was.

There was way more spice than what I usually read with a very steamy open door scene at the beginning. Other than that it was fairly mild and most of the focus of the story was on building healthy relationships.

Abby was a great MC and I was rooting for her to get everything she could ever want. The cycling aspects were also very fun to read about and, being married to an avid cycler, certain comments about them were hilarious to me. I was also very fond of the parts set in Philadelphia, having lived in Center City for three years I have a soft spot in my heart whenever I read books set there.