Just wrapped up 'The Breakaway' by Jennifer Weiner, and I must admit it was a struggle to finish. The central character, Abby, left a lot to be desired in terms of empathy and relatability. While exploring the dynamics of stagnant relationships is crucial in literature, Abby's handling of her situation felt inconsiderate and selfish.

In my opinion, literature has the power to expose the complex layers of human emotions, even those tangled up in infidelity. However, here, it seemed more like Abby's disloyalty was portrayed as a solution to her boredom rather than addressing her internal conflict in a mature way. It was disheartening to see Abby stringing Mark along while she navigated her feelings.

The subplot involving abortion had potential to add depth to the narrative, but it felt somewhat out of place in this storyline. The significance of this topic seemed overshadowed by the focus on infidelity.

Moreover, the character of Sebastian was another point of contention for me. His lack of respect for Abby's boundaries and his arrogance were off-putting. His 'change of heart' felt rushed and unconvincing.

All in all, 'The Breakaway' did not resonate with me. Abby's journey felt more like a missed opportunity to explore a character's growth through adversity. If you're looking for strong, admirable female characters, this might not be the book for you.

I just love Jennifer Weiner’s books, and I really liked this one centered on Abby, a young, plus-sized woman living in Philadelphia and dealing with the ups and downs of life, work, and dating. Her books are part fiction, part romance, and always with a big slice of real life! I will say that this one wasn’t my favorite as I felt the pacing was slow and I began to care more about Morgan (a side character) than Abby (the protagonist), but overall, if you enjoy her books I’m sure you’ll enjoy this one! It publishes later in August (2023).

Thank you for my review copy!

Description
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Weiner comes a warmhearted and empowering new novel about love, family, friendship, secrets, and a life-changing journey.

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 trip: 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.

About the Author:

jenniferweiner.com

Jennifer Weiner is an American writer, television producer, and journalist. She is based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her debut novel, published in 2001, was Good in Bed. Her novel In Her Shoes was made into a movie starring Cameron Diaz, Toni Collette, and Shirley MacLaine. Wikipedia

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of "The Breakaway" by Jennifer Weiner. I have been reading her books since "Good in Bed" and have always walked away from the story touched in some way. This was no different. I could relate to Abby as she set out on a quest, literally, and began the process of finding herself. The characters were richly engaging and relatable and the messages wrapped in Weiner's work are timeless and timely.

This is cute and I am kind of glad that the author has taken a break from those summer on Cape Cod books. I really do like this author. She adds something extra to her books that seems to either be unique to her or just missing from other people's books. They are always full of body image positive characters (like she makes a point of this) and she adds little extra touches like design elements that kind of stand out.

This book is about a young woman that takes on a two week job as a ride host for a bike touring company. She is at sort of a turning point in her life and takes the short term job as a sort of break from having to make life decisions. Just like a short term pause to work things out on her own. This does not go quite as she planned and you will have to read it because I am not divulging spoilers.

Abby Stern is a likable, average young woman. She is overweight and doesn't have a fantastic career, but she is a good person who stands up for herself regarding her love life and her mother's controlling interest in her diet.
I like the way Jennifer Weiner's female protagonists are usually someone relatable, she could be your friend or your sister. Someone who is slightly flawed, but is able to learn and grow from her experiences, which are always written with honest emotion and feeling.
Abby is engaged to Dr. Mark Medoff, a childhood sweetheart who lost weight at the summer camp they both attended and has successfully kept it off. He agrees with Abby's mother about her food choices and is a bit passive aggressive about it. He also does not enjoy bicycling, which is something she loves.
The plot thickens when Sebastian, Abby's one night stand from long ago, shows up for the 2 week bicycling tour she is in charge of, along with a surprise appearance of her mother (!) That is a stretch, but it was kind of fun - it is fiction, after all.
It was interesting to read about the specifics of the bike tour and the people who participate in it.
This author is not afraid to state which side she is on regarding political subjects. Luckily, I agree with her about abortion issues and Donald Trump, but it may be a deal breaker for some other readers deciding whether they want to buy this book.

This book had a lot going for it thematically, but the main character fell flat for me. It's hard to root for someone who is cheating on their partner.

This was a light romance about a plus size woman In her thirties trying to figure out life basically. There are quite a few themes happening throughout the story one being about abortion. At times, I felt the story was all over the place, so it was hard to connect to the story and the characters. That being said, I am a fan of this author’s books and look forward to her next one.

I have enjoyed reading Jennifer Weiner's books in the past and hence was excited to read ARC of The Breakaway which comes out on Aug 29, 2023

The story is about Abby who is a plus size girl and loves to ride her bike , while her boyfriend Mark, who is the perfect guy but doesn’t know how to ride a bike. Abby is an unsure when Mark asks her to move in with him and uses an unexpected opportunity, to head a two-week bike tour, to think over it. She is surprised to see Sebastian, her one-night stand, from a few years back, as one of the riders in her group and who is very much attracted to her.

I like the authors writing style and that’s why I like reading her books but this story is lacking completion of too many current issues that are inserted here and there throughout the book.

I still enjoyed reading it as a light read with few serious topics inserted here and there.

A light and fluffy summer read about taking on your first big challenges and learning how to build healthy relationships. A quick read with some predictable relationship tropes. I thought it was an ok read, but likely meant for a younger-than-me audience.

💕You might like this book if:
🔹 you like books that focus on finding your way through the ups and downs of romantic and family relationships
🔹 you like books that explore the impacts of body-shaming and the benefits of a body-positive environment

I have been a huge fan of Jennifer Weiner since the early 2000s. I've read all of her books. While some were better than others, they were all enjoyable.

I really hate to report that I had to struggle with the book. And, I can't pinpoint why. The story is about a group bicycle ride from New York City to Niagara Falls, Canada. Abby, our main character, leads the group. The chapters are about different members of the group, but they always interconnect.

Abby makes some choices that I don't agree with. But, that does not cause my struggle with the book. There are other characters that I don't like. Perhaps, that's the cause. Sebastian, in particular, was not likeable. The reconnection of Sebastian and Abby after 2 years is totally unrealistic. I did not enjoy the long descriptions of riding in the rain. Though, I’m sure it is realistic.

I follow Ms. Weiner on FB, I know that she had found great joy in riding over the last few years. She transfers that joy to Abby in the book.

A bright spot in the story was a foursome (2 couples) of senior citizens, well into their 70s. They were biking on the tour but also had a motor home along in case they felt they keep up at any point. They called themselves the Spoke'n Four. Great name, great pun! While they didn't have huge roles in the book, they were cute.

I think that there was too much packed into the book. The bicycle tour, Abby's struggle with her mother's views of a full-figured daughter, the relationships of Abby and Sebastian and Mark, the results of Sebastian's insecurities, the dilemma of a young teen girl on the ride. There's more but that would involve spoilers. And, there were still more characters, though they lurked in the background. There was a general mood of angst throughout. And, too much going on.

I did like the ending. Again, I don't want to give away anything. Everything was wrapped up to my satisfaction.

I can already see that there are many positive reviews, and I’m happy about that. There are some claiming that there is a political agenda. When a writer talks about things that are relevant in our times, I do not consider that an agenda. Not every book is for everyone. I still look forward to Jennifer Weiner's next book. And, I look forward to getting back in the groove with her next choice of story!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. The arc of the story taking place on a bike ride through New York was refreshing. I found it a good balance between the character, Stotts, and the action of the book.

4.25 Stars
Thank you Atria and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review this early. This post contains affiliate links.

It’s been about 15 years since I read a Jennifer Weiner book. Why did I stay away? I remember how relatable she was back then, and I found her just as relatable now. As a Jewish mid-to-plus sized woman with a skinny mom for whom weight is a big deal, I found Abby to be so relatable it actually freaked me out a little!

The following three quotes sum up Abby’s relationship with her mom:
“The less of Abby there was, the more Eileen liked it. The more Eileen liked her.”

“Just like pop culture buffs could link any actor to Kevin Bacon in fewer than six steps, her mother could swing any conversation around to weight in just two or three.”

“She knew about the weight-loss drugs, and the surgical options—mostly because Eileen insisted on mailing her links every few weeks, usually with a note attached that said something like Gary and I would be more than happy to help with this!”

These three quotes were 100% relatable to me, except I love my mom, she is amazing, loving, generous and complimentary, she just has this hangup about weight, and deep down I know it’s because she wants me to be healthy and happy. Abby never seemed to get past this problem with her mom. As a child, Abby wanted to go to drama camp, but instead she was sent to fat camp every summer where she met Mark, her current boyfriend. He has had weight loss surgery and is now very good looking and fit, and keeps to a VERY strict diet, while Abby wants to enjoy life and her food, and doesn’t mind if that makes her a little bigger.

Abby is 34 and healthy. For as long as she can remember she has been riding bikes and it is a major part of her life that sadly, her boyfriend doesn’t share. She is part of a cycling club and was just asked to lead a 2-week bike tour for the first time from New York City to Niagara Falls. Mark has been pressuring her to move in with him, but something was holding her back, so she decided that the two weeks apart would be a good time to work out what was holding her back.

When she meets the group she will be leading, she sees a familiar face: Sebastian, the guy with whom she had the most amazing one-night-stand ever 2 years prior. The one she never stopped thinking about. Also her mom decided to join the trip at the last minute in the hopes of bonding with her daughter. Surprise!

There was a lot to tackle in The Breakaway. We not only have Abby’s story, but we have Sebastian’s and all of the rest of the people on the tour. There was a large side story that included an abortion, so if that is something you are against, this is not the book for you. I thought it was handled very realistically and very well, but I almost think it should have been a novel in itself.

I felt bad for Mark. Abby knew he loved her more than she loved him, and it seemed like she was just using him because she didn’t think she could get any better.
“He’s smart, he’s kind, he’s employed, he’s generous. He makes me laugh. He loves me.” She paused. “And it’s not like there’s hundreds of other guys waiting in the wings.”

She didn’t want to deal with the dating:
“Guys whose eyes skipped right over her as if she were invisible. Men on the apps with weak chins and receding hairlines, beer guts and bald spots who felt absolutely no compunctions about inboxing her to tell her how much prettier she’d be if she went to the gym, went on a diet, ate less, exercised more. She loathed the idea of more of that.”

So totally relatable! But Mark was a really good guy and I felt bad for him. It made me not like Abby as much as I could have.

Likes:
•How relatable Abby is.
•Abby’s self-loathing thoughts—I totally got her.
•The book featured Jewish characters but wasn’t about being Jewish.
•The message that you don’t have to be skinny to be fit.
•The addition of a few other POV chapters. I thought it was interesting and unique.
•I liked getting to know the other riders.

Dislikes:
•There was cheating.
•Her mother’s disclosure at the end seemed very strange.
•I did not like the way Mark was treated.
•I didn’t love Abby.

Not sure:
•The abortion storyline. I really liked the whole story so much, but I almost think it should have been its own book. Lily had her own story as well as Morgan.
•The end. My romance-loving heart wanted a little more, but it fit perfectly in this story.

The Down & Dirty:
I really enjoyed The Breakaway by Jennifer Weiner. This wasn’t a romcom though there was some humor. It delved into some very serious topics including weight, self-loathing, settling for someone, abortion, religion, mother-daughter relationships, social media, promiscuity and so much more. There were some heartbreaking scenes and some fun ones. Though I didn’t totally love Lily, I found her to be very relatable which is the biggest reason why I enjoyed the book so much.

Rating: 4.25 Stars, 1.5 Heat

The Breakaway, by Jennifer Weiner, is a well-paced, fun story that tackles some current social issues without seeming preachy. I loved that the main character saw herself as being overweight, but it didn't keep her from living life. Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher, for providing me with an ARC ebook to review.

stepper at the gym— it’s 5⭐️ y’all.
This book might not be for everyone, but it will be EVERYTHING for some people. If you’ve ever struggled with body image, body positivity, parental judgement of your body— this is your book. Also, if you’ve ever wanted to walk a mile in those shoes— this is for you too.

It’s also just a really beautiful story of personal growth. I loved so many journeys in this book. There are so many people getting honest with themselves, seeking their true happiness, figuring out their worth— it’s beautiful. And it’s not just about body positivity— Weiner covers coming-of-age, internet shaming, mother/daughter relationships, abortion, different relationship choices, privilege— this book runs the gamut but also never felt overambitious or hard to follow.

This book was enjoyable throughout, but the way it ended was *chef’s kiss*— and definitely elevated it to a 5⭐️ read for me. I felt like it really was a gift and I was honored to read it. I’m so thankful @jenniferweinerwrites gave us this piece of her soul. I think a lot of people will see themselves in this book, and will get great joy out of reading it.

I had the opportunity to get an advanced copy of this book, I enjoyed it so much. I really related to the main character and what she’s going through. If you have ever felt like you were in a rut in life and feel like you could be doing morn, then you might be able to relate to this book as well. I thought it was very well thought out and well written. I definitely recommend this book when it comes out on August 29th!! Thank you to net galley, Simon & Shuster, and atria books for the opportunity to reading this great book a little early.

Jennifer Weiner does it again with The Breakaway! Jennifer tackles some major issues effecting women with grace and empowerment!

The Breakaway is a fun, steamy and heartfelt book that I truly enjoyed reading. I love how Jennifer writes her characters; they are never plastic cookie cutter molds. They are full of realness and substance. Same goes for the storyline.

Abby Stern is a thirty-three year old woman who still seems to be trying to figure out her life. She is overweight, has a job that doesn’t really fulfill her, a boyfriend who has just asked her to move in with him, a mother who always comments on her weight and just feels like she’s “lost”. Abby knows the one thing that she truly loves and makes her feel happy is riding her bike. When a friend asks her to be the leader on a two week bike trip on the Empire Trail that ends up at Niagara Falls, she accepts and figures it will give her a chance to do a lot of thinking about her future and possibly moving in with her boyfriend. At the start of the bike trip, she recognizes one of the bikers - he is a man she had a wonderful one-night stand with a couple of years earlier. She doesn’t think the man, Sebastian, will remember her but he does. He asks her why she left and didn’t leave her phone number or even tell him her last name. Their attraction is still strong. It may seem like a romance story, but the author also throws in a lot of different characters and relationships (Abby’s mother shows up to join the bike trip without telling her). There are very relevant issues that are touched upon - poverty, abortion, secrets, parents, kid, etc. I found the story interesting and entertaining. It made for an easy, enjoyable read.

I give this book 4 stars out of 5. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Weiner always does a phenomenal job of writing enjoyable books and touching on topical issues, and this book is no exception. I loved the main character and thought Weiner handled the difficult issues very well. Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy!

Although Abby still hasn't figured out what kind of career she wants, she has finally accepted her body and is in a good place in life. She is dating her boyfriend, Mark, who she met many years ago at a fat camp. A chance encounter with a man named Sebastian right after she re-met Mark leaves Abby thinking about him for years. Abby has pushed him out of mind and is on track to move in with Mark when her friend asks her to lead a bike tour. Abby agrees and is shocked to find that one of the people on the tour is Sebastian. All of her old feelings come back and she is torn in what direction her life should go.

This started out really strong and I loved the body positivity/acceptance from her love interest as she struggled through her weight acceptance journey. The ending could have been smoother and wrapped up better, but overall I enjoyed this.