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.

The Breakaway is a novel about a bike trip through upstate NY. We meet Abby, the leader of the bike trip, a plus size main character - in true Jennifer Weiner style. But more than the bike trip, this book is about Abby and her relationships - that with her mother, her boyfriend, and her fellow riders. It is about healing from past shame and trauma and learning to live a fulfilled and happy life.

I felt that I was able to draw a lot of parallels between Abby's life and my own. I really enjoyed this book. I have always been a Jennifer Weiner fan, but I found it particularly interesting that she wrote a book about a bike trip. It is interesting to see her draw from her own life and love of biking. I am not a biker and would probably have loved it even more if I was!

**Many thanks to NetGalley, Atria, and Jennifer Weiner for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!**

breakaway (noun): a divergence or radical change from something established or long standing

Abby has finally Broken Away from her childhood: growing up overweight with a highly critical mother was far from easy, and she's struggled with her self-worth for most of her life. The one bright spot of going to a weight loss camp as a teen was meeting Mark Medoff, a guy who always saw her just as she was and became Abby's first love. Years later, Abby has found a new path for herself and is a cyclist who loves leading long rides with her cycling club. When she runs into Mark yet again, it feels like fate, and the two end up in a long term relationship. Everything finally SEEMS right...and yet, Abby can't shake the feeling that something is missing. And then there's also that nagging memory of a one night stand she had after a friend's bachelorette party that just won't go away...

Abby's newest adventure has her leading a group down the Empire Trail, from NYC to Niagara Falls, with many scenic New York stops along the way. It seems like the perfect opportunity to mull over her future...until who should show his face? Sebastian, the Casanova from two years ago and that one passionate night. He's on the bike ride with his friend Lincoln, and before Abby can catch her breath, ANOTHER familiar face pops up: Abby's mom Eileen. When Abby learns that Sebastian is a bit of a playboy, however, she feels even MORE conflicted. Why does this man make her forget all about her loving boyfriend at home? Can she reconcile with her mother and heal their strained relationship? And when she is entrusted with one of the other riders' secrets, can she maintain confidence AND keep the whole group together long enough to reach their final destination?

My first encounter with Weiner was several years ago, when I picked up Mrs. Everything and was drawn into the multi-generational tale and the beautifully written characters. That book had depth, emotion, substance, and humor, and I soon added all of Weiner's other books to my TBR without a second thought...but I haven't had a chance to grab another one as of yet. That being said, I'm not sure if Weiner has been on this track for a while now or not, but this book was less a work of literary fiction and was more along the lines of a cookie-cutter, eye-rolling romance.

Much of the book is focused on Abby's weight or other characters discussing or criticizing weight, appearance etc. This would be fine, except I feel Weiner makes a LOT of problematic statements, such as basically stating at one point "diet and exercise don't work." Well. I know everyone's situation and body is different and there are LOTS of factors involved, but I think most people would agree that diet and exercise at least AFFECT weight to some degree. Weiner also implies at times that skinny/skinnier people don't eat ANYTHING unhealthy (or only eat tiny portions of vegetables) or formerly overweight people have ALL had bariatric surgery to be skinny and I just found all of the rhetoric over the top.

It's very possible to eat foods you like and still be a healthy weight, and I think living life at EITHER extreme is what is unhealthy. Rather than focusing her messaging on acceptance of all bodies, it felt like a very 'them vs. us' mentality, which is sort of the opposite of accepting, so that personally rubbed me the wrong way. I've read so many other body positive books that handle this subject beautifully, and I can't say this is one of them.

There are also LOTS of characters and unnecessary story lines just to create extra drama, but they felt more like page-filler than moments for true emotional storytelling. I didn't feel a close bond with anything that was gong on with them, and if a bike ride group didn't require so many people, they honestly could have been eliminated from the book entirely without detracting much from the plot. It's hard to even comment on the personalities of most of these other riders, because we just don't get to know them on a deep level.

And then there's Sebastian. A stereotypical 'love em and leave em' playboy who goes through women like tissues and even gets called out on TikTok...and yet, Abby still finds him irresistible. Weiner spends SO much of the novel trying to make him palatable, but it never worked for me. Growing up with problems at home isn't necessarily an excuse for this sort of behavior, and there was nothing THAT incredible about him, aside from his supposed incredible looks. And that's yet another thing that bothered me...the journey Abby is on is supposedly about acceptance etc., and yet her biggest reason for being so head-over-heels for Sebastian is that he's SO attractive...and was good in bed...once?

🤦‍♀️

As much as I wanted to cheer for Abby, I found myself wishing (even by story's end!) that she would have followed the steps laid out in Kelly Clarkson's "Break Away":

1) make a wish
2) take a chance
3) make a change

(and you all know the fourth one! 😉)

3 stars

Jennifer Weiner is known for her character driven storylines and The Breakaway is no different. It is so much more than a romance, she tackles a lot of tough topics in this one…It’s about loving yourself, mother/daughter dynamics, body positivity, mental health and a woman’s right to choose. Fans of the author will see familiar themes that are in most of her books, but Weiner manages to keep it fresh.

*Special thanks to Netgalley and Atria books for this e-arc.*

I appreciated that this book felt like a more current take on some women’s issues than what I’ve seen in the past. While it did have a heavy emphasis on fatness, it embraced a fat acceptance/HAES philosophy, and questioned the value of bariatric surgery. I also appreciated the nuanced and realistic presentation of abortion. As always it was well written and I enjoyed the characters too. It wasn’t an obsessive must read for me, but it was a quick read with some meat to it and I enjoyed it.

I've loved Jennifer Weiner books for a long time and this one did not disappoint. I took away from this one that you are so lucky to find what you love to do and where for a life career path. Also, you are so lucky if you find the right one to love and spend the rest of your life with.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of the Breakaway in exchange for an honest review, which comes out 08-29-2023.

This book is another great one by Jennifer Weiner!!! Abby is the girl you’re rooting for from the very beginning as she figures out her way in the world while on two wheels. She is lovable and flawed in ways that we all can relate to, which only makes you want her to end up happy in love & in life (especially with her mother!) The story includes the journeys of another family, a mother/daughter duo, two college buddies and Abby’s mother (who she’s not exactly best buddies with) on a long distance bike ride. I really loved reading this book & highly recommend it!!

A very solid effort from Jennifer Weiner. While the bike talk bored me a bit, all else had me totally hooked.

Another hit for Jennifer Weiner! Loved this book! Great end of summer read! Loved the characters and the plot. Read in one sitting!

I’ve been a Jennifer Weiner fan since Good in Bed. Her books are emotional powerhouses that never fail to remind me of the power of self-love, body positivity, and friendship. The Breakaway is the latest to inspire and challenge me. Any real woman can relate to Abby and her feelings, and I love the humor and sensitivity that Jennifer brings to her characters. Thanks so much for the opportunity to review!

This was definitely a fun read and very well written, as always by Jennifer Weiner. Abby is a young woman who decides to lead a bike trip. The plotline that was kind of 'the one that got away' has been done a lot, but it still happens in reality. I liked the scandal that enveloped the male lead, that was an interesting twist. I also liked the mother-daughter plotline except would have preferred that the 'unveiling' happened earlier in the book so you could get to know the mother more fully. The teen sex plotline was very thought-provoking. Glad I read this! I always love Jennifer Weiner books, That Summer is still my favorite!

I absolutely loved this book and could not put it down! The story is centered around Abby who has struggled with pressure from others about her weight (her mother, her boyfriend) and in the end, it is an empowering story about being valued and seen by others and the complications of mother/daughter relationships. Different chapters introduce us to other characters on a bike trip from NYC to Niagara Falls and I found these stories interesting and heart-felt. I felt a range of emotions in a good way and really empathized with the characters. This book felt very cinematic in its descriptive language and I really enjoyed visualizing the scenes and characters. In fact, when I finished the book I thought "when will this be made into a movie - it would be a fantastic romantic comedy!" I highly recommend this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for an ARC and I left this review voluntarily.