I really loved the centrality of biking in this book. I found Abby to be a very likable character and was rooting for her and Sebastian. This was a fun, enjoyable read.

Rounded up from 4.5-ish

The concept/setting of the bike tour was great, and felt real real likely due to the author’s personal cycling.

The ancillary spoken four characters were a freaking hoot.

I liked Abby a lot and Sebastian’s arc was good

Loved this book even if a lot was jammed into it, some quite heavy topics but kept surface enough and resolved quickly/nicely (unrealistically sometimes too, but this is a novel, not the news) so they did not drag the book down. Despite some of the heavier themes, I ended this feeling happy like I just read a feel good book. Life is a ride.

Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review

This book grabbed my heart right away. Weiner’s passion for bike riding showed through the pages as Abby was asked to lead a group bike trip from New York to Niagara Falls. I felt like I was riding along with them through the group’s new sense of freedom and their self-discovery as they faced many different weather conditions on their ride. I love Abby's laid-back attitude and confidence in leading the team. Her relationship with Sebastian was sweet despite how they got there. I do not condone cheating, but I felt they belonged together, and the ending reconfirmed that. This book also incorporated heavy topics that are still hot today. It is not an easy task to write controversial topics in a book that not all readers will like, but I felt like Weiner did a great job of putting those topics into the story. The Breakaway is a great book that brings an important lesson about loving your body and trusting your instincts. This book is also purely a great summer read with some romance and tense drama.

Thank you to NetGallery and Atria Books for giving me a copy of the book.

Another solid summer read from Jennifer Weiner. For an author as regular and prolific as she is, I am rarely disappointed by her books, and this one is no exception. My only minor quibble is that there are a number of characters here who felt like they were really only there to forward the plot points - I'm looking at you, Kayla Presser - and, for the role they played in the story, didn't really have much characterization. But, overall, very enjoyable. Abby is lovely as a main character, and felt very relatable, particularly her fraught relationship with her mother. And the romantic in me loves the idea that the love of a good woman can change a problematic man (despite the underlying unreality in this!) I'm not entirely sure that I buy that Dr. Mark would still be so enamored of never-lost-weight Abby, particularly with all he went through. But, we never get to hear his inner monologue, so, who knows? I guess I found this book way more enjoyable when you just accept the facts that this world presents you with, and don't try to tether them to reality - which, it is a RomCom, I think that's a perfectly acceptable way to read it! It is a very enjoyable read, with fun, quirky characters, and interesting settings. A solid 4 star read.

The Breakaway was an enjoyable return to the style of Jennifer Weiner's first few books, and I really loved Abby's story. Abby is thirty-four, and she doesn't yet have a career that she's passionate about. She does have a passion for bicycling and a solid, two-year relationship with Mark, a handsome, kind, and dependable guy she met at weight-loss camp when they were teenagers. Like Abby's mom, Mark makes being fit and eating healthy his passion, and Abby is starting to have doubts if she can share her life with someone so different (who also doesn't share her love of road biking). When Abby leads a two-week trail ride through upstate New York, she is shocked that a previous guy she connected with, Sebastian, is part of the group, as well as her mom. I loved the way the book was structured around a journey which also mimicks Abby's journey toward self-discovery--highly recommended if you enjoy your contemporary fiction with some spicy scenes and an overall message of body positivity. Thanks to Netgalley, Atria, and the author for the librarian preview copy!

Similar to several of Weiner's other books, The Breakaway's main character Abby Stern has a disorganized life. Always a bit overweight and defensive about it, Abby, at 34, hasn't completed much in the way of life goals. She doesn't seem to have life goals. But, her mother has more than enough for her which include losing weight (she sends Abby to fat camp as a child), and finishing her master's degree or at least finding a better job than dog-walker in Philadelphia and helping out with bicycle trips.

Abby isn't too concerned. After all, she is expecting Mark, whom she's known since fat camp in their teens, to propose. And Mark is slim now and a Jewish doctor. But then Abby meets a man, Sebastian, and has a one-night stand she thinks about for years but assumes she will never see again.

Imagine her surprise when Sebastian, and Abby's mother, show up on a bike trip she is hsheperding across the state of New York. In addition to that, one of the other members of the trip, a teenage girl, has a problem that changes Abby's life goals.

After the trip, Abby reevaluates her life, with some surprise results.

I really loved the character of Abby and hearing about her struggle with others who didn't see her as thin enough. I liked the long-distance bike tour as a setting for the story and Sebastian, the kissing bandit. The relationships between mothers and daughters was also something to think about. This was an enjoyable read. I was given an advanced reader copy of this book and have left an honest review.

Easily one of the best books I have read this year. I love Jennifer, and this book is no exception. From the very first chapter, I was hooked on Abby and her story. I think any one who has gone through issues with their weight or family can easily relate. The book covered important and relevant topics without being too heavy. It was a fast paced summer read. I only wish there was an epilogue. Maybe a sequel down the line?

Thank you to netgalley, the publisher for this opportunity to read an arc in exchange for my honest review.

I received a free copy of The Breakaway by Jennifer Weiner, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
First of all I want to say that I am a big fan of Weiner's books in general. Weiner's new book stays on trend and tackles tough topics with heart and humor.
The main character Abby is at a cross roads in her life and I found her so relatable. The story tackles her relationship with her mother, her fiancé and her one night stand.
I also love the setting/concept of this book. Abby leads a group on a bike trip through New York state for most of the story and I thought that was a great aspect.
Lots of secrets are unraveled and the story wrapped up nicely for me. This was a 4 star read for me!

The Breakaway was not what I expected from Jennifer Werner. Without giving any spoilers, it takes you through some of the hot topics in our current culture through the eyes of the main character, Abby. I found it to be relatable as a female and made me develop a heart for the characters and want to pull for them all the way through the book. In my opinion, this is one of the best books by Jennifer Werner.

Another winner. Jennifer Wiener is a must read author for me and I was excited to read her latest. Abby is a wonderful heroine, her relationship with her mother is well crafted and I was very surprised when I got to the end and discovered why her mother had been so obssessive about Abby's need to lose weight. The romance is well done, I loved Sebastian and I thought the ending was perfect. Definitely recommend.

I have not always been a fan of Jennifer Weiner. So I approached this book with a certain wariness. However, and it’s a big However…this story just checked off all the boxes. Its warm hearted writing and relationships of Abby rang so true. The pages just kept turning and before I knew it, the story was over but the characters were fresh in my head.
Delightful, fun, and yes some real mother - daughter issues..but a fantastic Summer read and one that will definitely hit the top of all reader’s lists!

I will thank NetGalley and the publisher for tje opportunity; but I really have to give this a DNF. Maybe it’s not the right time for me to pick this book up, or maybe it’s just not hitting me right, but I could not connect with any of tue characters. I was completely bored after the first chapter; but pushed through in hopes it got better. For me, it didn’t. I am a fan of Jennifer Weiners previously reads; but this I just couldn’t get behind. I definitely recommend her as an author though, so not all is lost.

What I liked: The author is not afraid to touch on heavy-hitting subjects like teen pregnancy & pro-choice, Covid-19, body positivity.
What I didn't: Many sporadic character view points and lengthy introspection.

Abby Stern is an avid bicyclist in her 30s. She has a long-term boyfriend, an ok job, and happy with life. However, she wonders if there is more to life. Is her boyfriend really the guy she wants to marry?

A few years earlier, Abby was at her friend's bachelorette party and had her only one-night stand with this guy. It was an amazing night, and she was really into the guy. However, Abby is overweight which leads her to have low self-esteem. She leaves early in the morning before the guy has a chance to regret his decision for taking Abby home. But both Abby and the guy, who's name we find out is Sebastian, can't stop thinking about each other.

Fast forward back to now, and Abby gets talked into leading a bicycle trip through New York. When meeting everyone who will be doing the ride, Abby finds out Sebastian and his friend will also be riding. Abby tries to avoid Sebastian throughout the trip, but they can't seem to stay away from each other. Will Abby end up falling for Sebastian and leaving her boyfriend?

This book started out slow and was difficult to get into at first due to all the talk about poor Abby being overweight, but once the bike trip started, the book picked up and redeemed itself. I would give this book a solid 3.5 stars.

I’ve been a long-time reader of Jennifer Weiner’s work. As always, she tackles common issues facing women, as well as greater issues in today’s American culture. In this book, we follow Abby as she grapples with feelings of imposter syndrome and generally not feeling like she belongs.

While struggling with finding her life’s purpose and direction, her friend approaches her with an opportunity. Out of options and not wanting to let her friend down, Abby is forced to choose to be brave and leads a bike tour from New York City to Niagara Falls.

Weiner has a knack for telling stories through the eyes and inner thoughts of very flawed characters. Just like in real life, these characters often make poor choices and then spend too much time (or, sometimes not enough time) ruminating on the past. In this novel, we witness differing perspectives of a shared human experience, while several uncomfortable subjects from current culture play out in a way that gently explores various angles, especially the mother-daughter dynamic. It takes a specific hand to be able to do this well and this is the storytelling I’ve come to know and love from this author.

I do wish that there was more in the way of scenery along the bike trails, but this is acknowledged several times with variations of there not being all that much to see. As a biker myself, for me there is always something to see. I’d have liked to have seen a character who just got lost in the beauty and awe of nature – someone who slowed everyone down to appreciate the view, with messages of nature conservation.
While this novel does touch on sensitive topics that can be triggering, it is also still a beach read. It is a fast-paced novel that features believable characters struggling with difficult feelings, but also features enough comedy and steaminess to keep it on the lighter side. Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

The Breakway By Jennifer Weiner Book Review
Release Date: August 29th, 2023
Spice: 🌶️/5
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
{Spoiler Free Review}
Abby Stern is a plus size lady who has worked hard to overcome the stigmatism that has came from being plus size. She starts to be at Peace with herself and is on track to a bright future. She has great friends, a great bike/bike club, and has plans to marry a podiatrist who also happens to be her childhood sweetheart, Mark. Mark understands Abby’s struggle with her weight, because he used to be plus size himself. Mark loves Abby and treats her as if she is the only girl in the world, but Abby can’t shake the feeling that something isn’t right. Her mind keeps wondering back to one wonderful one night stand she had with a man named Sebastian.
Unfortunately, this was two years ago and Abby will never see Sebastian again. Or will she? Abby is called to lead a bike group, and she is happy to have time away from Mark to think about what she has been feeling. That’s when she sees someone she never thought she would see again, Sebastian. The chemistry and connection is undeniable and lucky for her, he has been thinking about her too.

Whew! This book was incredible. Usually I do not gravitate towards books like this but I was gifted an ARC copy through NetGalley and decided to give it a chance.
I was hooked from the first page. I did not go in to this book with high hopes. I loved the discussion of weight and that the book was not centered around the main character being completely disgusted with herself because of her weight. In my experience, most books about plus size woman, the plus size woman is always talking down about herself from the beginning, and it was refreshing to have a character be at peace with herself but still have the same thoughts we all do! I connected with the main character in so many ways. The thoughts she had, the regrets, and even her mom who reminded me of my own.
I loved all the characters in this book. There was no sections I wanted to skip over, I was engulfed in this book word for word.
The chemistry between Abby and Sebastian were undeniable, and I enjoyed watching their relationship unfold and the conversations they had.
If you enjoy second chance romance, right person wrong time, or even midsize, plus size body positivity books, I highly recommend this book!!

I started this book assuming that I knew what would be coming, your typical rom-com. While yes, this book does exist in the rom-com world, Jennifer Weiner delves deeper than I anticipated with this novel - covering women's rights and body positivity in addition to other relevant topics. A fun and thought provoking read all wrapped up in one!

Abby attended fat camp as a girl. And resented it (and her mother) despite the fact that she did have an okay time there. And who wouldn't? As an adult, she's struggled to not only accept her size, but to help her mother and the rest of the world understand that she has accepted it.

Still, when she meets a gorgeous guy and has a one-night stand, he seems too good to be true. But hey, it's just one night. She doesn't stick around to watch how it plays out (and if the perfect nights' aftermath crashes and burns).

So imagine her surprise when that guy shows up in her very first bike tour. Not only is she engaged to someone else, but her fat shaming mother signs up last minute too. Probably to make sure that the ride is aerobically effective for Abby.

I will say the "chubby girl gets hot guy" narrative is getting a little old for me. But here's the thing, the stigma is still very much alive in the world. So until that goes away, we'll have these stories of angst and misunderstanding. And while I wish we as a society could just dwell on weight slightly less, I know I personally dwell on it too much. So much toxicity to unlearn from our childhoods.

The Breakaway is a fun summer read. Abby is a delightful heroine and the whole thing just gave me all the Chick-lit and Jemima J vibes. Definitely pick this one up for a fun read. And please, let's just normalize beauty and love for people of all sizes already! We weren't all meant to look the same.

I really enjoyed Jennifer Weiner's newest novel The Breakaway. On one level it's a love story about Abby and Sebastian but on another level it's a love story where Abby and Sebastian journey to their more authentic selves. I also appreciated how Weiner weaves the current climate and topics into the book. This is a great read and I really enjoyed the characters, the setting, and the destination.
Thanks to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Highly recommend!