I was so excited to receive this Arc! Jennifer Weiner is such a talented author.

The Breakaway has so many important elements & covers lots of topics.

Abby is asked to lead a bike tour for her best friend Lizzie’s work. She’s be taking a 14 days trip with guests through NY. Right before she’s asked to do this her boyfriend hints that they should move in together. This seems to stimulate her decision to say yes to the bike trip, as something in her isn’t ready to say yes to him.

The trip has a wild cast of characters. A troubled mother daughter duo, a foursome of bike lovers, a family, Abby’s mother, and even the only guy she’s ever had a one night stand with. Sebastian being on the trip really complicates Abby’s thoughts about her future with Mark, the boyfriend. Abby has also struggled with weight her whole life. Her mother is a catalyst for all her heavy feelings towards her body. Being that her mother joined the trip also makes things challenging for Abby.

This book touched on many topics including weight, health, how to measure success, fidelity, and other hot-topic issues. One extremely important issue was well covered (which I prefer not to spoil.) It’s amazing so much was weaved into this story. I loved the mix of some of the riders stories along with Abby’s. It felt like we were joining them on a mental journey while following this physical one.

Sebastian’s character was my favorite part. There was something so genuine and charming about him. While I do have an issue with how things played out with him & Abby- it was very realistic.

As a resident of the suburbs of Philadelphia, I always LOVE Weiner’s books. I love all the Philly references of places and things. I also learned so much about biking! Weiner’s message always seems radiate the importance of being true to yourself. As always she provides an enjoyable read while focusing on important issues.

Jennifer Weiner's The Breakaway is a book that takes us on the journey of Abby. She is a thirtyish female who has struggled with her weight since she was young. A critical mother, Eileen, who was there to remind her of her faults in the world of her weight. Mark, the first man to make her feel beautiful and Sebastian who opened a whole new world to her for just one night. The book while somewhat predictable in plot speaks beautifully on the issues that females face today regarding their bodies and their choices. It also gives a very real journey into what social media, what we believe others think we should look like and the true challenges of "weight" for females and how that makes us who we are today. I enjoyed Abby's journey.

Women with big bodies can be healthy and fierce; they cannot be fat shamed and they deserve love and happiness without diets. Abby has been trying to tell herself that all her life…when her super thin and judgmental Mom insisted that she go the summer “fat camp” when she was a kid, when bullies at school called her “flabby Abby” and when men looked past her or were embarrassed to be seen with her. Now in her early 30’s, Abby has dropped out of 2 Master’s degree programs, is still working part time gig jobs to pay her rent and has no idea what she want to do with the rest of her life. Abby knows that she loves to ride her bike is incredibly lucky to have reunited with the love who she found at fat camp, Mark,only now Mark is a podiatrist, fit, runs 6 miles a day and doesn’t eat carbs. Mark still adores Abby and they seem so happy together….except that Mark only drinks black coffee when they go out to a bakery and he doesn’t ride bikes. He ignores all the attractive women who flirt with him and the people who stare at them because they don’t seem to make sense as a couple because he only has eyes for Abby. Over two years, they settle into a comfortable rhythm of almost living together, having sex two times a week and going their separate ways for running and biking. Right after Mark and Abby reunited but before they became more serious,Abby was in NYC on a bridemaid’s weekend and had a one night stand with a HOT guy named Sebastian. After they best night Abby has eve had, she leaves while Sebastian is still asleep and doesn’t leave a note. He has no idea who she is but wanted to see her again. Right before Abby is pretty sure that Mark is going to propose, Abby is asked to lead a NYC to Niagara Falls bike trip. A week of biking during the day and staying a B&B’s at night. Abby is excited because she loves to bike, wants this challenge and needs a break from her life in Philadelphia to decide if she really wants a comfortable like with Mark who loves her or something more. The folks on her trip are a diverse but friendly group except for two surprise bikers…Sebastian who she’s never really forgotten and her critical and judgmental Mother. Let the journey of Abby’s life begin….

I loved this book. So gripping. I loved the character development of Abby. I appreciate Jennifer Weiner touching on topical issues - especially abortion and weight issues. Thank you for this copy - it is my favorite read of 2023

Jennifer Weiner has written another amazing book that shows the power of women helping and empowering women.. Primarily focused on Abby, a plus size bike tour leader, as she wonders if she really was meant to be with her summer love from weight loss camp at the same time she is asked to lead a group tour across New York. What she thinks will be an escape to think ends up not being much of as escape as an old one night stand and her mother are both on the same bike tour. I loved the glimpses into other women on the tour and an especially kind moment were a bunch of women came together to help one of the other tour members. It's hard for some of the women to get past their assumptions of what others think and I truly think this is a real life quality captured and not everyone communicates well or just has been conditioned to not talk about things.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the chance to read this book!

Not my cuppa

Weiner is one of a handful of chick-lit writers I like, but man did she disappoint this time. So much so that I’m staying away from her books in the future. This is a little romance about a thirty-something woman named Abby. She’s in a good relationship, but she gets involved with another guy. The one lonely item in my Joy Jar: the unique setting, which is a bike trip that Abby is leading. My Complaint Board runneth over, I’m afraid to say.

Complaint Board

- The book is trying to be all feminist-forward. But it’s overly simplistic and the message is banal. It seemed to be written for a 10-year-old.

-A long scene, with copious details, about applying makeup, as Abby gets ready for a date. She is very invested in looking good for this guy. All girly-girly and boring as hell. It didn’t seem to match the sentiments of a supposed feminist.

-Where did good old mom go? Mom had signed up for the bike tour without Abby knowing, which of course didn’t thrill Abby. Mom was in her face for half the trip, but then we hear barely a peep from her as Abby is off being flirty.

-Two “oh guess who I ran into” huge coincidences. Please! (Eye roll.)

-Porn alert! At the very beginning, there’s an explicit sex scene. Maybe the publisher insisted that the writer lure the reader in with something juicy. Except I didn’t think it was juicy; it was off-putting. Plus, I didn’t know the main character yet, so what did I care that she was getting it on.

-There’s a hot-topic subplot that resolved in the middle of the story (tied up in a bow, bluck), and those characters dropped out of the picture. Didn’t like the disappearing act.

-Flat characters.

-The ending had way too much syrup! And the scene was so cutesy (gag-worthy, if I’m honest); I kept thinking maybe a middle-school girl might like it?

-I didn’t like Abby so I really didn’t understand why these two guys completely adored her. One guy kept saying she was funny, yet never once did I hear her say anything humorous.

-Abby is overweight, and too big a deal is made of that. The overall message is that hunky guys love big girls, too—and the book goes overboard.

-Male bashing.

-Hot topics, trying to be cool and relevant.

-The plot was trite and inane, the romance babyish and embarrassing. And I didn’t believe in the “connection” the lovers had.

Other things annoyed me, but I’ll stop whining; you get the gist. Many people liked this book, so please check out other reviews.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy.

Publication date August 29, 2023

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.

I loved the location of the ride as I am very familiar with upstate New York. My son lives in Fort Erie, Ontario which is a 15-minute drive away from Buffalo and I have been to Niagara Falls on many occasions. What I also liked were the different points of view of the other riders as it helped me to get to know them and appreciate what they brought to the group and the book itself. Abby is aware that her life is pretty chaotic for someone her age and she struggles to find her place in the working world, taking on the bike tour gives her some confidence and she gets to know her mother a little better along the way.

As much as I hated the cheating aspect I was really cheering for Abby and Sebastian. They were both so real, flaws and all. The sexy scenes were hot enough without bringing any of the ick factor. The 400 pages just flew by because the story was so engaging and highly entertaining. I loved this book, it was in a word, propulsive. I suggest you pick it up and just sit back and enjoy the ride. (No pun intended)

I am a huge fan of Jennifer Weiner but thought this book was just ok. This book tells the story of Abby a bicycle enthusiast who fills in as a last minute tour guide on a bike trip from New York to Niagara. There are many topics covered in this novel - including abortion. The novel just seemed eh - nothing to get overly excited about. I still look forward to more books by Jennifer.

I enjoyed the story and was invested in the characters finding their way. The book teaches you a lot about making assumptions and how those assumptions affect your choices and relationships. I liked that the characters found their way through by working on their issues and not having everything magically resolve itself. I also enjoyed the setting of the bike tour.

Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books, and Jennifer Weiner for the eARC.

I'll always read anything Jennifer Weiner writes and I was saving The Breakaway especially for my vacation. This book made me want to hop on my bike and ride. Many thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy.

I absolutely loved this book! ANOTHER WINNER from Jennifer Weiner. I was really hoping that things would work it. It did not seem possible that her love and her mother and her years of issues with weight and her fiancee would work out...BUT!!! I was so happy when it all did.
LOVED IT!
Thank you!

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