This story is about a girl that has battled weight problems all of her life. Most of the pressure comes from her mother and other perceptions of what is acceptable. She figures out that this is not about her. There’s also an interesting love interest to add more dimension to the story.
I enjoyed this story and it’s a quick read. I’ve read other books by this author. It’s certainly not my favorite, but I do recommend it.

What a delightful book! I always enjoy Weiner’s books and this one was no exception.. A fresh plot-line that had lots of layers. I enjoyed the bike trip and the mother-daughter dynamics.

This one was a like, but not love for me. I didn't love the main character & I thought the story would have been better without the whole cheating component, and the side trip for Morgan seemed a bit out of place and too easily wrapped up. But, I like the overall message of body positivity.

Jennifer Weiner is a must have summer reading author. Jennifer's books have a lot of common themes, so you kind of already know what you are getting, but somehow love it anyway. I guess I am always up for a character working on bettering themselves and their relationships with others. Unfortunately, this book felt a little rushed a flat to me. While this was not my favorite of her books, it was still an enjoyable read.

I adore Jennifer Weiner’s writing so when I was invited to review “The Breakaway” (which I knew was coming out as I follow the author on social media), I was thrilled. I knew the author was bringing a lot of her personal experience into this story, so I could not wait to get my hands on it.

Abby is finding her place in the world, even if she does not have the lustrous career. Her relationship with her mom might need some work, but she has a great relationship with Mark, a former childhood friend from fat camp, even if they don’t like all the same things. But when she gets a chance to lead a bike tour from New York City to Niagara Falls, she jumps at the chance, even when Mark isn’t as supporting as he could be. But who should show up on that bike tour but a former one-night stand (Sebastian) that Abby cannot stop thinking about. But Sebastian is trending on social media for loving and leaving every woman in NYC. Hence, his friend encourages him to be friend a woman and not just sleep with her, which is what Sebastian tries to do with Abby.

Told in the altering point of views of Abby, Sebastian, and some of the other cyclists, I enjoyed the narrative, but I wasn’t in love with Abby the way I have been with many of Weiner’s main characters like Cannie from “Good in Bed.” The writer tries too hard with the size-acceptance issue, which so easily evolved in “Good in Bed.” I also thought the writer tries to cram in every hot-button topic. I know Weiner’s views but do not need to be hit on the head with them on every other page. Yet, what saves the novel is the details of a biking journey and a mother daughter relationship that needs serious attention. I could not get enough of Weiner’s evocative descriptions. I have never tried a long-distance bike trip but after reading this book, I wanted to.

A reader comes to a Jennifer Weiner novel with certain expectations, and I can attest that those readers will not be disappointed. She is a master at creating bright, self-depreciating but witty characters. While the novel has moments of humor (and romance), I would encourage new readers to check out Weiner’s earlier work before reading this novel.

Three and a half stars.

I received a copy of this book through Netgalley. My thanks also to the publisher, Atria, and the author, Jennifer Weiner.

Jennifer Weiner’s newest novel, THE BREAKAWAY, covers some familiar ground but in different ways. We have a mother-daughter relationship that struggles through years of misunderstandings hinging around body image and food; a classic set-up in Weiner’s books and one she uses to good effect here as she has in the past. We meet a number of relationship pairs in various states of togetherness and we experience their particular level of entropy. We meet someone for whom multiple random sexual encounters has become a way of life and the ultimate cost of that lifestyle when it is revealed to the world at large. For the most part, Weiner has explored these topics before in other novels and is drawn to them repeatedly; I’m not sure she does a better job with them in this book, but it is a good book. It’s just not a new direction for her or her repeat readers. I received my copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

This book did NOT do it for me. I thought this was an author that I enjoyed reading in the past but when I looked at books I’d read by her, I gave them all average ratings. This novel had a lot of potential; I thought the plot was strong and characters were likable. But the author seemed so caught up in making political statements at every turn, I just couldn’t. Don’t think I’ll be reading her again.

This book follows the main character, Abby, who is a thirty something, full figured woman who seems to trying to figure herself out and appears happy yet not fulfilled by her life. Abby has a doting boyfriend yet seemingly questions if she wants to move in with him and a series of part time jobs after she dropped out of her masters programs. Last minute, Abby is asked to lead a bicycle tour from NYC to Niagara Falls. After carefully consideration, Abby takes the job as an opportunity to get away from her boyfriend and reevaluate her life. When she arrives on the first day to meet her other cyclists, she runs into Sebastian her hot one night stand that she hasn't stopped thinking about but also thought she would never see again. I wanted to love this book but there was just so much going on and a fair amount of fluff and cringe worthy moments. I loved that Abby was a plus size woman who was an avid cyclist and how the story showed off her capabilities to be fit and active despite her weight. There was too much romance storyline for me and I just didn't find her love interest, Sebastian likable or the whole idea of their romance believable. There is a lot of talk about diet culture and fat shaming which could have been done better. The book had themes of self acceptance, fraught mother-daughter relations, feminism and the struggle with self love and worthiness for love. I am a big fan of Jennifer Weiner but this was not a one of her better books. Maybe for me there was too much romance in the plot line and not enough character development as well as the book just was tied up too easily at the end. I didn't love the book but I didn't hate it.

I would literally read the copy on a soup can if Jen weiner wrote it … lucky for me instead she writes books that are moving , thought provoking and funny. The Breakaway doe not disappoint. This book was graciously provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review .

Absolutely LOVED this one! It never fails to amaze me how easily I can fall into a book by JW within just a few pages. This book was a multiple POV which is one of my favorite narrative techniques because it allows the reader to understand characters before they understand each other, keeping you intrigued and turning pages, sometimes to know what’s coming next, sometimes because you just want to spend a little more time in your fave character’s head. A great summer read for especially bikers, nature lovers, etc, but also for readers who want a female MC that feels honest and authentic in her struggle to make peace with her body and her past, as well as her choices for her future.

I love Jennifer Weiner's books - they're so relatable and this latest book is no exception. She's real and addresses the issues I and so many other women stay up at night worrying about but she does it in a way that also allows me to escape from my own life and enjoy the lives I've been invited to join for the length of the book. Thank you for another excellent book!

Trigger warning: abortion

I’m a big fan of Jennifer Weiner but her last few books weren’t really for me. I’m thrilled to say that I really liked this one. I was a little worried when I realized that there was an abortion storyline because I prefer the books I read to be an escape from reality but this storyline did not detract from the overall enjoyment of the book. I would recommend!

Well written, fresh plot, fantastic love story, excellent heroine. Loved 90% of this book but thought that the abortion topic was pressed a bit too much. Medical abortion was discussed as “kind of like a period” instead of the very serious topic that it is.
The mother daughter relationships were well done, as were the teenagers (usually tough to get teenagers just right!). Excellent read.

Liked it. I tend to like all JW’s books, and imagine for her readers this will be a hit. I was pretty invested in the romance storyline as well as the friendships and mother/daughter dynamics that JW most often weaves into her stories. I’m not a bike rider and even so I really liked the bike-trip setting for the story and traveling on that journey.

Where the book almost lost me was in the almost constant COVID references (mentioning vaccination cards…”how was the pandemic for YOU???” conversations…) This was a major groan for me and made the book feel super dated even reading now in 2023. Not sure what the point was aside from virtue signaling the main character’s progressivism which was made clear in plenty of other ways that suited the story.

Thank you for the chance to read an advance copy of The Breakaway.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC of this book in exchange for honest feedback.

Jennifer Weiner has been one of my favorite authors for a long time but I was a little let down by her last book and was nervous for this one. Overall, JW is back to her old self. The story is good, the characters are fairly relatable and likeable. Did I think the side stories of each person on the trip bog it down a little? Yes. She could’ve kept the story focused on Abby and Sebastian and easily this would’ve been a 4-5 stars read.

Even with it reading a little long the book was still good and I’m looking forward to whatever she has ready next!

Abby Stern is our everyday woman - she is in her 30's and still maybe looking for that permanent job or career identity. She has a steady boyfriend but they haven't moved in together yet, after two years. Her sisters are far ahead of her in the "life game" and she isn't sure if she needs more or if she has everything she needs.

When she fills in for a friend on a 2 week bike trip she is completely shocked to run in to a man she had met at a bar some years ago - a time she never forgot! Join Abby on this trip as she faces many of her demons - her family, her weight and threaded through the story are points about abortion and covid. This is a truly contemporary story of one woman growing up!
#Atria #TheBreakaway #jenniferweiner

I have been a Jennifer Weiner fan since day 1 and was so excited to see her new book come across my page. I really liked the premise- Abby a curvy, heavier set woman who is dating her boyfriend she met in fat camp as a child is asked to lead a bike tour from NY to Niagara Falls... when she is reunited with a one night stand she had a few years prior to a gorgeous (quite the player) Sebastian. There is a fun group of characters on the trip and many of the chapters are from different perspectives- which I always enjoy. BUT- I did not like the political and COVID topics- it really made me so uninterested. I don't know, reading makes me want to escape a lot of the current nightmares we are experiencing and this just fell flat to me. Not my big cup of tea, but I will always continue to read her future books.

What a fun, fantastic book.

Abby seems to have it together, except her career. An avid bike rider and engaged to childhood crush, Abby seems to be growing up, but cannot forget a mind blowing night she shared years ago with a one night stand. While her life seems good, Abby cannot help with struggle that it's just not enough. While this seems like a cliched, chicklit start, Jennifer Weiner is a great author who is able to weave a great story, for everyone.

To find herself, Abby embarks as a leader on a bike trip, and quickly realizes her group not only contains her one-night stand, but also Abby's mother. An almond mother in direct contrast to Abby's more curvy and delighted feelings about food.

This book was empowering and actually made me want to ride a bike.

I cannot say enough about what a great author Jennifer Weiner is.

Advanced Book Review! Thank you @netgalley and @atriabooks for sending me this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
I was so excited to receive The Breakaway in advance. There’s something so comforting about reading the newest release from a favourite and familiar author and that’s what Jennifer Weiner is for me. I’ve loved so many of her books and am also (slowly) making my way through the rest of her backlist books.
The Breakaway is a book “about love, family, friendship, secrets, and the power of a trip to change your life.” Abby is a woman in her mid-30s trying to figure out her next career and relationship moves, when the opportunity to lead a two-week bike trip comes up. Abby is feeling underwhelmed by her current, but historically significant, relationship and uninspired by her employment. Little does she know that a former, much-thought about one-night stand and her mother will both be on the trip which will challenge how she feels about herself and the trajectory of her next moves.
It was honestly refreshing to read about a plus-size, mid-thirties woman, who enjoys good food and is in good shape from exercising on her bike. I think a lot of us can relate to older generations having different opinions on body image that may have shaped how we felt about ourselves growing up and still feel to this day.
While most of the book was written from the perspectives of Abby and Sebastian, I also enjoyed the sections of the book that were from the perspective of some of the other members of the bike trip. I thought this well-rounded the story and ultimately, their stories help our main characters, especially Abby, learn more about themselves.
As always with Jennifer Weiner’s books, I loved the Jewish representation in this one as well. I definitely would also question anyone removing the inside of a bagel for that post-Yom Kippur break fast meal.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Publishing for this early copy of The Breakaway.

At 34, Abby is starting to feel like a real adult. She has friends, a boyfriend, and is finally becoming confident in her body. Yet, something still feels off, so when she's offered to lead a two week group bike trip, she accepts. But on the first day of the trip, she sees someone unexpected - the guy she had amazing sex with a few years earlier (and still hasn't forgotten about it). Just when she thinks things can't get any weirder, *poof* her mother shows up to take the trip with them.

I've loved everything I've read by Jennifer Weiner, and this was no exception. She has a way of establishing such a setting - so much so that I found myself confused that my actual weather wasn't the weather in the scene. This book is sure to be a frontrunner when it's released.

I love that this book doesn't take the easy way out. It's easy to blame someone else for your problems, but it's harder to realize that you played a role in it as well. It takes a deeper look into the narrative we tell ourselves, and how what we choose to believe is how we end up seeing the world.

I had a hard time believing the love interest part of the story, and felt like it was a bit rushed. I would have loved for that to be developed more in the first few chapters of the novel. I also think there were two plot points that were a bit similar, but considering the characters I'm not sure there really was another option to how those parts of the story could play out.

Overall, I found myself really connecting with our main character, Abby, and really felt in-tune with a lot of her struggles. I think this book is perfect for anyone in their 20's-30's who isn't sure what to do with the cards that life has dealt them.