On its surface, this is the story of a plus-sized woman in her early thirties who has no direction in life, aside from struggling with society's (and her mother's) perceptions of weight. Beneath that, though, you have Jennifer Weiner's plea that we see health, not weight, and not assume we understand someone based on the number on their scale.

You know that expression about everyone struggling with something you know nothing about? That's a big thing in this book. Abby, our heroine, has always sort of drifted, not committing to anything except avoiding her mother. Weiner prods Abby's background, which is a little too predictable for a Jennifer Weiner book, helping us understand Abby's motivations, or lack thereof. She plumbs some depths in other characters, too, yet it all feels, again, predictable.

Abby isn't the only one who can't commit, though. She meets Sebastian, to later discover that he, too, can't stick with something (or someone). Her boyfriend Mark, on the other hand, is VERY committed, and he shares the object of that focus with her mother. Then there is Morgan, a teenage girl who goes on a bike ride Abby leads. It took me a minute to figure out the purpose of Morgan's story arc because it doesn't seem to fit, but upon further review, I think Weiner is saying something about the power of womanhood and friendships. Relationships, of which there are several varieties in this book. We need to find our support system, Weiner seems to say, in whatever form this takes.

As a resolute fan of Jennifer Weiner's books, I can't say this one cracks my top five. It's good--I kept reading and wanted to find out what happens--but I also skimmed parts. I never quite invested in Abby the way I wanted to, and most of the secondary characters were so one-note that I never felt like giving them much attention.

I liked THE BREAKAWAY, even if I can't say I fully invested in it.

I have read all of Weiner’s novels, and this is one of her best. The main character is Abby, who is leading a bicycle trip through upstate New York. Weiner’s characters are always so relatable, and it is as if you know them. The inspiring story is told in chapters from different points of view. Sensitive and timely issues are handled sympathetically and with common sense. Highly recommended!

What I know about Jennifer Weiner books as a long-time reader is, she always, I mean always, holds true to two things: body image and her personal politics. The Breakaway is no exception. Abby, an avid cyclist that doesn't look like a athlete, takes on the leadership of a biking group set to ride a multi-day trek through New York.
Along the way we learn Abby has left behind her serious boyfriend whom she met in her youth at a weight loss camp. Mark, is physically fit and handsome as the weight loss camp has worked its magic on his mind and body (harrumph). We also get to meet as a rider of the biking group, Abby's one and only one-night-stand, Sebastian. Sebastian has always been gorgeous and to Abby, out of her league. Body image is such a strong theme in The Breakaway, I was a bit disappointed at the end of the book as Abby was still surprised and lucky to have snagged a guy that was gorgeous by any standard. She was still valuing who she can be with romantically based on her looks and those of the potential man.
Another strong theme was abortion. Though the premise on how to include it within the ride felt a bit contrived, the message was clear. This, in turn, lead to some real growth in Abby's character. Extrapolating what young girls might need in life to help them thrive, Abby finally starts to get an idea of what she can do to better focus her own life and to mentor those in need of female leadership and a sense of can-do. Biking becomes a conduit to that end.

Thank you to Atria for access to an early e-copy via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

The Breakaway by Jennifer Weiner is different that other books I have read of hers. While completely enjoyable, it wasn't exactly what I was hoping it would be. I understand that is just my opinion. I think I couldn't relate to the characters or situations.
I still recommend this as it well written (obviously, since Jennifer is a word genius), an enjoyable read and fun characters.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for the Advanced Copy of The Breakaway by Jennifer Weiner. This is another strong outing from Weiner, I look forward to patrons picking it up

This was a cute read! A little corny for me but cute! I had never read a story surrounding biking, but I did love our curvy queen main character!

This book has a lot to offer: it's a light read with a refreshing point of view. I loved that it was told from the point of view of a fat cyclist who is constantly battling against her own impostor syndrome as a Fitness Person. There were a lot of themes crammed into this book - abortion, expectations of the modern thirty-something woman, generational trauma. It was a little too saccharine for me at certain points - every single conflict gets resolved in the neatest, most convenient way possible and there are a lot of touchy-feely conversations. Overall though, it was cute.

I really enjoy how Weiner is able to effortlessly weave real important topics into a fictional narrative. I really loved the story of Abby but my heart broke and I was really invested in Morgan’s storyline. This was perfect from start to finish.

I really enjoyed this book! Abby, our plus sized protagonist, is feeling lost in life and leads a bike trip that could spark a change in her life.

At first, I felt Abby was a little too in her head about her body and how she presented to others, but then I sadly realized it’s the voice most of us have in our heads too. While I was annoyed at her tearing herself down, I realized I was rooting for her. Sebastian, the guy who throws her off her game, is a good dash of chaos for her - I don’t know how realistic he is, but I liked him. ◡̈

Some people might take issue with some topics presented and supported in this book, but I think they are important, timely, and well done.

As for the writing - I don’t always love multiple perspectives, but I felt they served the plot well and I liked hearing others perspectives. Overall this was an enjoyable read!

{This ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.}

The Breakway by Jennifer Weiner is a timely novel, with themes that are resonant in 2023. It is published by Atria Books and will be available on August 29th. It takes place during a two week bike ride from New York City to Niagara Falls and includes an eclectic cast of characters, a couple of macho men, two older couples, a mother-daughter pair, a family of four and the group leader Abby and her mother Eileen.
An avid bike rider, Abby is tricked into spending those two weeks on the trail with her mother in an attempt to reconnect. Eileen was always hounding her daughter about her weight, and as a result a rift had formed in between the two women. However, her mother is not the biggest surprise guest. Unbeknownst to her, an old one night stand happens to be there as well. Sebastian, one of those aforementioned macho men, who can’t seem to get Abby out of her head, is surprised to see her there and attempts to rebuild the connection that they had shared. Throughout the two weeks journey the two attempt to bridge the chemistry between them, but it is undeniable.
The remaining cast of characters also have their own tales to tell and they bring additional richness to the tale as well. Throughout the two week journey, the reader gets to know the ups and downs of these people’s lives and the hurdles they have had to overcome to get to this place. A truly unique novel, Weiner has once again presented us with an entertaining tale, with some surprising attributes. It takes place in the present, and deals with modern themes which may be triggering to some, such as abortion and the effect that social media has on people’s long-term lives. Although there is some Jewish content, it is not an important part of the story and lends itself to a broader audience. I highly recommend this book to book clubs as the characters’ rich backstories lend themselves to much discussion.

I really enjoyed this book! I'm not even remotely a bike person, but this book made me want to get on a bike. I loved all of the characters, and I feel like there are timely stories being told. Part of me wishes that there was more on the other people on the bike trip, however I understand why there's not. I think there are so many important things said in this book, and also it's a fun book to read. I've already recommended this book to friends and I look forward to continuing to recommend it. Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for this ARC.

The Breakaway is another of Jennifer Wiener’s large collection of chick-lit novels. It’s the usual story - young woman seeking meaning in life, a good job, and love and marriage.

In this book, the protagonist, Abby Stern, is a thirty something woman who can’t figure out what to do with her life, and she feels exceptionally burdened by the fact that she’s a hefty woman., one who has been criticized and made the target of bullying as a child, and now that she’s an adult, harangued by her mother to lose weight. It’s a story we all know. But the twist is that despite her size, she’s very fit: an avid cyclist who goes on group rides that can cover fifty miles in a day.

Abby is currently dating Mark, someone she met at a fat camp. Except he’s no longer fat; he’s slim, trim, and rigid in his eating habits. It’s pretty obvious that he’s not the man of her dreams. In fact, she finds him kind of boring and the fact that he doesn’t ride a bike is beyond disappointing.

Complicating things is a one-night stand she has with a great guy, Sebastian. However, despite the current between them and Abby feeling that he could be the one, he never calls her again, possibly because she lives in Philadelphia and he lives in New York, but still, Abby feels hurt.

An opportunity to lead a group bike trip from New York City to Niagara Falls arises suddenly, and, while Abby has been on rides like this, she’s never led one. But she quickly realizes she has the skills and knowledge to take on this challenge. When she meets her group for the first time, she meets an interesting cast of characters, who, to her horror, includes Sebastian and her mother. So the stage is set for an interesting, and potentially emotionally challenging, event.

Will Abby and Sebastian finally become a couple? What secrets will be revealed on the ride? And will mother and daughter finally move past their tense relationship? You will have to read the book to find out.

This is a fun short read, but really not much in terms of substance. The characters are stereotypical and the conflicts ones that have been beaten to death in this genre. I did think the bike ride added an interesting element, but overall, when I finished this book, I just said, “blah”.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher.

the breakaway is a nice beach read—abby, the main character is spunky but without direction. her weight has been a main theme throughout her life but she has been a wonderful proponent of body positivity. her mother has always pushed her to lose her weight and her almost perfect boyfriend accepts her for who she is. or does he? abby finds herself riding a bicycle to get away from things, will she be able to use it to go forward. i do love jennifer wiener books but this was not my favorite.

The Breakaway would have easily been 4 stars for me if it didn't feel so forced in trying to be politically correct. The abortion part with a 15 year old girl was not ok, and she constantly referred to certain men as white and therefore privileged. There were also several digs to God, referring to him as she. The underlying story would have been so good if all of this other stuff had just been left out.
Thank you for an advance copy of the story in exchange for my honest review.

My first Jennifer Weiner novel and I’m an instant fan. The main character, Abby Stein, has gotten at least one thing right. She’s reconnected with Mark, an old boyfriend who loves her! She can see wedding bells and babies. She should be happy, right? And yet here she is, about to embark on this bike trip though the entire state of New York. Hopeful to find the answer to why she’s so hesitant to move in with her steady boyfriend, she’s not expecting this gorgeous Sebastian who she had a very passionate one night stand with, to be there. Or her mother.

Girl! How many of us have felt like we should be happy because nothing’s necessary wrong? How many of us have felt like we can’t live up to the expectations of our mothers? Abby, I get you.

But that’s the best thing about Weiner’s characters. At no point is any one character defined by some shallow number like how much they weigh. But that doesn’t detract from Abby’s struggles. You understand that she’s a big girl but how you imagine her is up to you. It would be easy to give us a number. But by Weiner refusing to place her in a certain weight class, the reader can imagine any girl, even herself and still understand the struggles. The bullshit BMI, the doctors who see her weight, not her concerns. All of these are real digs that hurt.

Weiner continues to impress me by how refreshing Abby is. When they go around introducing themselves at fat camp, rather than being derogatory or talking down about herself, she proclaims she’s amazing. Hell yea! Weiner continues this beautiful way of describing all the characters without being shallow. Her friends are “brash” and “funny”. Abby is “warm” and “soft”. This thoughtful attention is extended to all the all characters, not just the women.

Honestly, this novel continued to surprise me. Yes, she does find her answer at the end of this trip, just not the way she expected it. Weiner’s description of the struggles and passion Abby feels is real and vivid. It’s beautifully refreshing to read about a woman who is happy to proclaim “amazing” when describing herself. I think we could all learn a little from her.

Either way, I hope to get my hands on a copy so I can hand it out to everyone. Especially to the beautiful, thoughtful, brilliant women in my life.

Also, to Jennifer Weiner, thank you for writing

Love, relationships, confusion, mom issues, body image issues, and so much more! That is what The Breakaway is about. Jennifer Weiner always delivers a story that won’t allow the reader to put the book down for long.

Abby attended a fat camp, Camp Golden Hills, as a teenager due to her weight-conscious mom, Eileen insisting upon it. This gave Abby terrible body image issues as she grew up as well as in her adult life now. She is currently in a secure relationship with Mark and he accepts her just as she is. What more can a girl ask for?

Well, she could ask to be with someone she truly finds interesting and that she has things in common with. Right now though, she may be settling and thinking no one will ever love her because of her flaws.

She has a one night fling with Sebastian before she and Mark made it official. She runs into him down the line and is shocked by it especially when she finds out some dark secrets about him. But he still piques her interest!

Eileen invites herself along on a trip that Abby is leading with the bike club, The Breakaway. Lordy, Abby is anxious having her along. She is critical and so weight-conscious it makes Abby afraid to eat in front of her.

Within The Breakaway group, we meet some nice people while on the bike trip with Abby and her bike riders. We travel with them for over a week and A LOT happens. You will have to read the book to find out more because I need to stop now to avoid spoilers.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC of this book!

Loved this book! Characters, story, setting and story are perfect for a summer read. Once you start reading you will not want to stop. Recommend.

Abby is getting through life, she has a boyfriend, part time jobs, is overweight but she is an avid bike rider
When she has the chance to lead a bike ride, she jumps on the opportunity.
During the ride she gets a blast from the past, Sebastian, her one night stand from long ago. Oh and her mother joins the trip!

I enjoyed this book as I do enjoy this authors style of writing!

I liked this book a lot!

I was a little hesitant, because I did not love Jennifer Weiner's last release (the summer place). Some of the family drama was inappropriate to the point of being off-putting. I enjoyed Big Summer and loved Mrs. Everything, so I felt this was worth a go.

Redemption! I loved the setting of the book taking place during a bike trip. I read a lot, and can't say I've ever read anything quite like that. I enjoyed all of the side characters and learning their stories... especially the young women dealing with her unwanted pregnancy and all of the women on the trip eager to support and comfort her.

Usually infidelity in books is a major cringe factor for me, but it didn't bother me too much in this book. Although I don't know that it was critical to the story for her to cheat.

The romance in this book was nice, but I moreso enjoyed reading about the main character and her confidence and growth throughout the bike trip. And how her and her mom's relationship evolved throughout the story.

4/5

Jennifer Weiner's characters come alive for her readers. They are current with problems and issues we can all relate to on one level or another. The Breakaway kept me interested until the very end. For me it was a book about not giving up or settling for less than the best.