This is a cute, quirky rom-com that will leave you breathless from both the passion and the laughs. The characters were sparkly, fun and believable. I enjoyed the storytelling . . . especially the descriptions. I felt like I was on my bike! This is a good book to read late into the night on the deck by the twinkle of fireflies.

Jennifer has done it again! "The Breakaway" weaves a compelling narrative of family secrets, resilience, and self-discovery. Through vivid characters and poignant storytelling, Weiner explores themes of identity and the complexities of relationships. With its emotional depth and engaging plot twists, this novel captivates from start to finish.

"The Breakaway" written by Jennifer Weiner, is a thought-provoking and emotionally charged novel that explores the journey of a young woman struggling with self-acceptance and the complexities of love. This contemporary fiction delves deep into the main character's internal conflicts and takes us on a rollercoaster of emotions. This novel explores the protagonist's journey towards self-discovery and self-acceptance. As a fat girl confused about her life, she grapples with societal expectations and struggles to find her own voice amidst the pressures to conform. The author sensitively portrays her insecurities and vulnerabilities, allowing readers to empathize with her and cheer for her personal growth. However, her life takes an unexpected turn when she coincidentally encounters the same person during a bike ride excursion, what are the odds! This encounter forces her to confront her decisions and evaluate her priorities. The romance storyline add a layer to the narrative. The chance encounter with her one-night stand, while she is still in a relationship, presents her with a moral dilemma. This complex situation adds depth to the plot, highlighting the complexities of human emotions and the fragility of relationships. The writing style is engaging and vivid, enabling readers to immerse themselves in the protagonist's emotional journey.
While "The Breakaway" is a compelling read, there were moments when the pacing felt slightly uneven. Some sections of the book seemed rushed, whereas others delved into intricate details.
In conclusion, "The Breakaway" is a poignant and introspective novel that tackles themes of self-acceptance, love, and the pursuit of personal happiness. It is a book that will resonate with readers who appreciate stories that explore the complexities of human relationships and the power of self-discovery.

Jennifer Weiner is a favorite author of mine, and this book was a delight. It follows characters on a bike journey from New York to Niagra Falls. I also enjoyed the diversity of body size in this book. I think this book would be great for an easy, summer beach read.

I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing this book to me.

I rate this book 4 stars.

Jennifer wiener is one of my favorite authors and this book did not disappoint. This felt very different than other things she has written. I really enjoyed this story and the backdrop of the bike trail from NYC to Niagara Falls. I also appreciate that many of her characters are plus sized!

Like many of Weiner's novels, this was well written and enjoyable. I don't know if it's me having read too many of her books, outgrowing her storylines, or just this book in particular, but it felt a little stale. It would be good for taking to the pool or beach when you need something that doesn't require your full attention, but I'm at a point where that isn't the reading experience I'm looking for. I will definitely continue to read her books, but with lowered expectations knowing that they are starting to all feel the same.

Loved this book. Jennifer Weiner managed to make heavy themes enjoyable with likeable characters. The setting of an extended group bike trip was so fun and different from other books I have read. Sign me up for a bike tour with stops along at Indie bookstores. Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced digital copy.

Depicting Jesus or God as a woman is a big ole fat “no” for me. I had already been debating finishing the book because of some reviews I read hinting at abortion, so once I got to this line, I just knew I was donezo.

I used to love Jennifer’s books. Good In Bed came out at a pivotal time in my life when I was dating in my 20s as a heavier gal.

Unfortunately I just feel like the story is the same every new book that comes out, with a slightly different backdrop. And every book becomes more political commentary than the last. Just not what I’m looking for in a romance novel.

The Breakaway was fine, and fans of the author might find familiarity here, but otherwise this wouldn't be a go-to recommendation for me. Some of the socio-political aspects to this novel felt a little heavy-handed, and seemed to create a disconnect for me while reading. It was hard to connect to any particular character. While I typically enjoy lighthearted fare, this one just fell sort of flat for me.

Unfortunately this book didn’t speak to me! I think it’s more a subject matter preference - well written but not what I was hoping for.

This was a fine book but not my favorite by the author. I found most of the book muddled with too many characters to keep track of. There were too many characters and not enough backstory on them to get to know them to really care what happened to them. I did like the storyline that prompted members of the team to work together, leading us to learn more about certain characters.

Waited too long after reading to review this one but I know that I enjoyed it, especially on audio because Nikki Blonsky narrated the main character!

This book was so good. 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.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

Jennifer Weiner's novel "The Breakaway" is a compelling narrative that explores the themes of self-worth, personal growth, and the complexities of human relationships. The protagonist, Abby Stern, is a character who resonates with authenticity and depth, making her journey not just a plot to follow, but an experience to be felt.

Abby's passion for cycling is more than a hobby; it's a lifeline that has pulled her through the tumultuous waves of an overweight childhood, a divorce, and the relentless pressure from a judgmental mother. Weiner's portrayal of Abby's struggles with body image and self-acceptance is both sensitive and raw, striking a chord with anyone who has ever grappled with self-doubt.

The story takes off when Abby embarks on a 12-day cycling trip from New York City to Niagara Falls, a physical and emotional journey that promises escape from her stagnant relationship with Mark, a man who loves her yet embodies the life she's unsure she wants. The trip, however, throws her life into sharper relief with the unexpected inclusion of Sebastian, a charming one-night stand from her past, and Eileen, her critical mother.

Weiner skillfully weaves a tale where the road becomes a metaphor for life, with each pedal stroke pushing Abby towards a deeper understanding of herself. The dynamics between Abby and Sebastian offer a slow-burning romance that is as much about finding love as it is about discovering one's capacity for it. The rekindling of their relationship is handled with a deft touch, allowing the reader to savor the tension and tenderness that unfolds.

Equally compelling is Abby's strained relationship with her mother. Weiner doesn't shy away from the uncomfortable truths of their past, yet she offers a glimmer of hope for reconciliation and healing. It's a testament to Weiner's writing that she can balance the weight of such issues with moments of humor and levity, provided by the colorful cast of characters that Abby encounters on her journey.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley. This is the first Jennifer Weiner book I couldn’t finish. I will continue to read the author unlikable unrelatable characters glad she used a plus size character jumped right into sex scenes. Even tried listening to the audiobook and still didn’t like the book

"The Breakaway" by Jennifer Weiner starts with a fun set-up: 33-year-old Abby is leading a long-distance bike trip from NYC to Niagara Falls that gets complicated when her fiance Mark, her ex Sebastian, and her mother Eileen, all come along for the ride. Unfortunately, the promise of this premise didn't pan out and the book quickly becomes a vehicle for Weiner to cycle through a lot of current issues (body acceptance, abortion, female empowerment) without a compelling plot or believable characters. Eileen, Mark and Sebastian seem to exist just to represent stereotypes of how people deal with weight, whether it is the constantly-dieting mother who body shames her impressionable daughter, the boyfriend who loses weight and then becomes obsessed with maintaining his new physique, or the clueless guy who thinks that a plate of pasta is the perfect post-coital snack for his plus-size date. The biggest problem, however, is that main character Abby is defined not by who she is but by what she's missing--a career, a relationship with her mom, a socially-acceptable body--and her weight quickly becomes her most salient characteristic. But in making Abby's weight the most important thing about her, Weiner ironically undermines Abby's empowerment narrative and reinforces the very stereotypes she wants to invalidate. Read novels by Linda Holmes for smart, funny, fully-developed women who also happen to be plus sized.

Thank you to NetGalley and to Atria Books for providing me with an ARC of this title in return for my honest review.

ARC provided by Atria Books via Netgalley in exchange for a review.

Jennifer Weiner does it again in her latest book, The Breakaway. Those familiar with Weiner's writing will find comfort in a full cast of characters, sprinkled with some humor, and adept handling of social issues of body image and women's access to healthcare. Weiner is one of the author's who is automatically added to my TBR list when she announces a new book.

Jennifer Weiner has done it again. Her latest novel, The Breakaway, is a testament to the power of family, friendship and believing in yourself. I appreciated how this novel has a wide cast of characters that each brought something specific to the plot. Weiner writes with such clarity about the cycling experience and subsequent trip the characters travel that I have no doubt, she writes from her own experiences.

My one criticism of the novel is how Weiner writes and speaks about Abby's weight. Many times the "fat shaming" language Abby uses to describe herself would never be tolerated in real life. It was almost as if Weiner was commenting on body shapes, diets, and difficulties as a deflection mechanism directly from her own life, as the author has spoken openly about her own weight journeys in the past.

Overall The Breakaway is an enjoyable contemporary fiction novel with a bit of romance. Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Publishing for the chance to read this book.

The Breakaway was off the bat way too spicy for me. I do look forward to reading more by the author though. Thank you for the opportunity to read this e-galley.