I love her books. I’ve been a long time
Fan. When I go this book, I couldn’t wait to get started. She is a plus size rider and meets an old one night stand. I had to know how the story unfolded between the two points of view.

Jennifer Weiner’s latest novel,“The Breakaway," tells the story of Abby Stern, a thirty-four-year-old woman who embraces her plus-size body and slowly navigates her way to a content and fulfilling life on her own terms. Abby may not have a conventional career or a home that reflects who she feels she is, but her life is far from lacking. Weiner skillfully portrays Abby as a relatable and endearing character who finds joy and contentment in her small circle of friends and her beloved bike in Philadelphia, 

"The Breakaway" also explores the significance of supportive relationships in our lives, as told through alternating chapters from the perspective of other members of the cycling trip Abby leads through Upstate New York. Some of the group begin to serve as pillars of strength and encouragement for their fellow riders, providing readers with another layer of storytelling beyond the main character. Weiner's portrayal of these new friendships, and familial bonds, is written in a very relatable way. Abby reminds readers that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes. Through hard times in her adolescence (as told through flashbacks) and her adulthood, Abby's story is a testament to the power of wanting more than “good enough” and finding happiness within oneself.

I found "The Breakaway" to be a really fun read from start to finish. The novel flows smoothly, and kept me interested in finding out what would happen next. Abby Stern's journey towards a fulfilling relationship, her strong female friendships, and her desire to live her life on her terms serve as a reminder that true happiness lies in embracing oneself and finding joy in life's simple pleasures.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

** spoiler alert ** Thank you net galley for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review

I loved this book so so much. I feel like it was written from a very personal place and it really touched on so many issues that so many can relate too. I love how imperfectly perfect Abby was and she really found her match (maybe) in someone who was just as flawed but together they just made sense. I also loved how Abby was being loved and respected by someone who the outside world would see as worthy of love and she made her choice to seek something more, and not just good enough. I will keep these characters with me for a long time.

This book just had too much happening for me - literally. At times, I even felt like I was reading two books at the same time. This was especially hard given the two different plots. The provided summary indicates this is a romance, but there is a secondary plot (given only a passing mention in said summary) that is emotional and a significant part of the story. It was hard for me to go back and forth between the two as a reader. There was also just an overwhelming number of "things" involved with each of the characters. Because of this, none of them truly get the attention they deserve, and they end up being tied up a little too nearly. The complexity in this one came with the breadth of what this book entailed, and I craved more depth. Thanks to NetGalley for the look at this August 2023 release in exchange for an honest review.

Jennifer Weiner is such a great story teller. You become deeply involved in the characters and the story. Love the women coming together to support a young girl. Love that Abby and Sebastian worked on themselves before finding their ways back to each other. Love love!

This book does not disappoint. I can barely ride a bike and yet I wanted to go on a 30 mile bike ride by the end of the book. I loved it

I was surprised to find myself liking this book, which many will categorize as a romance but for me was about women finding solidarity among other women. I liked the fat-and-fit protagonist, the way everyone teams up to help get one character an abortion, the fact that older folks are depicted as active--both on their bikes and in bed--and that, for the most part, the characters are thoughtful, learn from their mistakes, and try to do better. The romance is just a cherry on top, not the entire focus of the protagonist's life, and even with the sweet ending there's no promises made. It's a smart book.

Love Jennifer Weiner and this doesn't disappoint. The story of Abby Stern and her journey (literally on bike) to discovering herself and relationships.

I love how Abby's journey evolves and how she resolves her life, choices and perceptions.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC

Thank you Net galley for this ARC. Jennifer Weiner is one of my favorite authors and she did not disappoint this time.
The theme of body image and acceptance of who you are is string in this story. It also involved romance and mothers daughter relationships. A very good read.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book. I loved it! So many of the themes resonated with me. I too had a mother who looked at being “fat” as a flaw and she was constantly trying to diet and lose weight. It certainly tainted my own viewpoints and self esteem as I grew into a woman. I could identify with the main character so much about so many things. I also really liked the ending! No spoilers.

I was so excited to have been approved for a Jennifer Weiner novel on NetGalley. I admit that I haven't picked up one of her books in quite a while. I really enjoyed getting back into this author. I enjoy her style of writing.

I really enjoyed reading The Breakaway by Jennifer Weiner. This was my first novel by this author and I loved her writing style. I was a bit skeptical of the story line, but I was pleasantly surprised. I related so much to Abby and her relationship with her mom. The constant criticism regarding her weight, the constant analysis of foods she consumes, etc. Also, I related to Abby on a mental level (being self conscious, etc). It was really nice to see a plus sized main character for once. The author did a great job building the characters and relationships between the cyclists. I can’t wait to read additional books by this author!

Thank you to #netgalley for this ARC!

This is a good beach read, but with some serious themes included. I enjoyed the bike tour setting, it made me want to go on a trip like that. Overall, a solid three stars from me. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I devoured this book. This is my all time favorite Jennifer Weiner book. I loved the characters, loved the story. Please, please, please let this be the first in a series. Pre-order this book now, you will thank me later!

I am grateful for the opportunity to read this uncorrected proof of the Breakaway (from NetGalley & the publisher) in exchange for my honest review. I loved our main character, a plus sized woman who is comfortable in her own skin & perfectly fine with who she is. I enjoyed the setting, a bike ride from NYC. to Niagara Falls & the myriad of characters who are on the bike tour. My favorites were the mother/ daughter pregnancy and pro choice story. Thank you Jennifer Weiner for tastefully depicting both sides of this while acknowledging the value of a woman’s right to her own body.

The love story added fun and romance…. A book I’d recommend to all!

I've been a fan of Jennifer Weiner books from the beginning, but I’ve preferred her older novels with more character growth, humor, and challenging family dynamics. This one feels more like her earlier works. I am also a cyclist so enjoyed the bike tour setting. The romance in this book takes a back seat to the main characters personal growth during the bike tour. This book is perfect for anyone looking for an summer read with a little more depth.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I’ve been reading Jennifer Weiner for a long time and this is absolutely her best book yet. Loved the bicycle setting (and I can’t even ride a bike), the mother/daughter storyline, and the ending. (Reminded me a little of Good in Bed. Fantastic, fantastic read.

Jennifer Weiner always delivers a well crafted story filled with relatable characters and this book is no different! I enjoyed this story of a body-positive cyclist and recommend it!

This is a fine summer read but it wasn't for me. I wish more of the character growth happened without a love interest pushing it forward. I'm annoyed at it from all sides of the equation. But for those romance lovers, you'll probably like this book.

For one there's a point in the book when the MCs mom says 'he doesn't eat sugar and doesn't ride a bike and isn't willing to change" (he does like to run, how she likes to bike). But the truth is, the MC wasn't willing to change either. Not really. And that's why I can't give it more than 2.5 stars. JW is a good writer who can plot a story and keep in moving.

Like many Jennifer Weiner fans, I’ve been reading her books for a long time. I enjoyed the pivots in her style and tone in the last ~5 years, but my favorites of hers will always be books from the 2010’s like ALL FALL DOWN and WHO DO YOU LOVE, stories that focus on the complexities of love and family and a woman’s relationship to her body (and, as a bonus, are set in Philly).

Her newest, THE BREAKAWAY, following a 34-year-old cyclist who agrees to lead a bike tour from NYC Niagara Falls, feels like a return to form: a plus size woman finding her purpose and confidence, a messy mother-daughter relationship, a complicated love story, all written in JW’s approachable prose. I was surprised by how much I loved the cycling story line (should I start long distance biking??) and unsurprised by how much I enjoyed the romance plot line, because Jennifer Weiner does romance so well. I found myself rooting for Abby and her love interest even though Abby is already in a relationship with a nice guy who loves her.

This book is also very pro-choice, and breaks structure a bit to fit this in. If I had to find something to critique about this book, it would be how on-the-nose and sometimes clunky this part of the story is. But even as I type that, I want to take it back, because I think given the current world we’re living in in America, we NEED stories that are blatantly pro-choice, and I’m so glad Jennifer Weiner made it a part of this book.

Thank you to @atriabooks for my copy! Out August 29 #AtriaPartner