The Breakaway by Jennifer Weiner was such a fun read. The main character, Abby, is leading a bike ride through New York when she realizes both her one-night-stand and her mom are on the trip. The bike ride proceeds with several mishaps and the revealing of family secrets. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

This was one of the best books I’ve read in a while. I read this book in one day and it was very hard to put down. Bravo Jennifer Weiner!

Thirty-four year old Philadelphian Abby Stern is happy doing the things she loves….riding her bike, walking dogs and dating Mark, her once teenage camp crush. She’s mostly comfortable with her plus size though her controlling Mom Eileen, hasn’t let her forget about it since childhood. In New York for a bachelorette party, Abby meets handsome Sebastian at a bar and does something she’s never done before, embarks on a one night fling. Months later, Abby is asked to lead a cycling tour from NYC to Niagara Falls where she meets a cast of characters as her riders, including the man that she spent one glorious night with.

I really wanted to love this book and parts of it I did. But that became the problem, there were just too many parts, or rather plot lines with the various characters. Ms. Weiner tackled so many important topics in this novel but between giving backstory to each one while creating the tension and resolution each deserved, it was a little too much for this reader.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria books for the opportunity to receive an ARC in exchange for my honest review. Publication date: August 29, 2023

An overweight 34 year old, a one night stand, and an obsessive mother who wants her daughter to lose weight. Then along comes an opportunity to lead a group bike trip. So, she takes up that opportunity to bike from New York City to Niagara Falls...still having memories of that one night stand, but also trying to make up her mind about her current boyfriend. Yes she is still remembering that sexual encounter that happened two years prior. After reading that "episode' I'll probably remember too, just how long I don't know. I wasn't exactly impressed with this book, but I took a chance to read something different since I'm usually into HF. My thanks to NetGalley for this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I recently read a book that truly touched my heart. It's hard to describe, but I could feel the author's voice in the main character, Abby. I later found out that Jennifer Weiner, the author of this book, is an avid bike rider herself. No wonder the descriptions of Abby's biking experiences were so vivid and authentic.

This book covers a lot of sensitive topics, including Planned Parenthood and body image, but it does so in a respectful and eloquent manner. The love story between Abby and Sebastian is not a fairy tale, but a realistic portrayal of the struggles that many couples face. It's not easy to overcome our own insecurities, let alone the judgments of others.

Overall, I highly recommend this book. Like many of Weiner's stories, it's a must-read. In fact, I hope that someone out there has started a girls' riding club inspired by this book!

I want to thank Atria Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Jennifer Weiner's novel, "The Breakaway," proved to be a remarkable literary experience. The narrative revolves around Abby, the protagonist, as she grapples with issues surrounding her identity, weight, and relationships. Alongside her is Sebastan, a love interest who struggles with long term commitment in his own journey through life. As Abby embarks on leading an adventurous bike trip, we are introduced to an array of compelling characters who add layers of complexity to the overarching story. Immensely captivating, this book left me thoroughly engrossed, and I find myself longing to discover the present whereabouts of these intriguing individuals!

Oof this hit home in so many ways, y’all. If you have a difficult relationship with your mother, with food, with ideas of abortion or experiences therein, just be forewarned that, even though the most basic plot follows a romantic relationship, you’re gonna get more than just that in this book. Abby made me fall back into my own childhood, Elaine made me enraged, Sebastian made me want to hug and slap him, and Morgan made me cry for all the girls I know and have known and have been.

I loved it. It was so poignent, so well done, that I’m going to be recommending this to everyone I know.

Be warned: there are active depictions of abortion and cheating.

Thanks NetGalley and Simon & Schusters for this arc!

Part rom-com, part road trip/finding oneself internal drama, The Breakaway is the kind of elevated, authentic women's literature we deserve. This is giving modern Nora Ephron, checking every box without being on-the-nose. Some readers may find Abby's fixation with her body to be overdone, but I really appreciated reading about a character whose life is seen through the lens of her body. It feels like Weiner has truly captured what it is to live as a woman, or at least how I've experienced womanhood, where nearly every memory is recalled through the filter of one's corporeal form. There is no separation; good days or bad days are determined based on how one feels about their bodies, relationships are forged or damaged based on what is (or isn't) said or felt about one's body, romance is built around acceptance and a fear of never being accepted again, and, most upsettingly, one's self value is so often based on the number on the scale. Abby's obsession is frustrating because of its pervasiveness, but also precisely because it is so relatable, and it is a frustration the reader likely experiences with her own bodily obsession.
Abby's arc in the book is not about weight loss, nor is it to go from self-loathing fat woman, to body positive. Instead, we get the sense that her weight will always be part of her identity, but that there are other parts of her life that, if nurtured, can provide meaning and validation (and, equally important, those 'other parts' do not hinge on male or maternal approval or love).

Another summer read by Jennifer Weiner ,I was drawn in by her writing the characters their story.A combination of drama,romance.laughter a wonderful read perfect to enjoy during the lazy days of summer.#netgalley #atria

One of my favorite authors of all time. Jennifer Weiner always writes likeable characters that are funny and feels like a treat to get to know. Always a great summer read. I couldn't put it down!

I have read most of Jennifer Weiner's books and the last few have been hit or miss for me. This one was not a hit, but not a miss either. It was a quick read and I kept at it to see how the story ended between Abby, Mark and Sebastian. I agree with other reviewers that the storyline had a lot of big themes. The storyline between Lily and Morgan was disappointing, as when we reached the end of the events, Lily's story was exactly the same as her daughter's dilemma. Exactly. And then their story just disappeared. All in all, not a bad read, but it leaves me wondering if it time to move on from books by this author. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

This is my second Weiner book and I know how beloved she is so I was hopeful for this one. Sadly, I think she just may not be my cup of tea.

The opening spice scene seemed so cheesy I almost set this aside. It was sooo cringe and felt desperate or something? I hated the way Abby treats poor Mark and her mother too. Like I totally get characters have to have room to grow but it didn’t make her a sympathetic character. I wasn’t a fan of the Morgan plot line either.

Seemed like this book was trying to do too many things and it was just not for me.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

DNF - The tone and approach that this book took made it difficult for me to engage with the story as a whole. I found the main character rather difficult to sympathize with & realized early on that I wasn't going to have a positive experience with this book. I'll continue to read books by the author but this one was a miss for me.

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for my gifted copy. I really struggled to get into this story. I will however, continue to read Jennifer's future books.

I am an avid Jennifer Weiner reader and was so excited to see this new book! Although I am not a bike rider by any means this story really was the perfect start to my summer vacation. It was a quick read and I really loved all of the characters. The author does a great job at developing all of the characters and I loved how each chapter was from a different perspective. I love how it addressed many current topics in a tasteful way from planned parenthood to body image, it was a nice addition to the story. I found myself rooting for the main characters and really enjoyed the ending! Jennifer does it again, I give this book 5 out of 5 stars. Thank you netgalley and publisher for the advanced read.

Abby is content in her relationship with Mark, who she met at age thirteen at weight loss camp. However, just before they reconnected on their thirties, she had one steamy night with Sebastian. He often crosses her mind and has her wondering what-if. When Abby’s friend Lizzie asks her to lead a bike trip from Philadelphia to the Canadian border, Abby is thrown for a loop when two unexpected guests show up for the ride. Weiner weaves controversial topics into this novel, and, because of this, I was surprised by how quick the novel moved along; some of the topics were woven throughout the text, while others seemed to appear and resolve a bit too quickly for me. This was a great book that I devoured in just a couple of days. Jennifer Weiner is turning onto a “go-to” author for me! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Jennifer Weiner does it again with the perfect love story/drama for the summer! I loved the fact that there were two potential love interests and the way the heroine was on a journey of self acceptance and love. So good!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review!

I always enjoy a summer read from Jennifer Weiner, and The Breakaway was an enjoyable one. My one concern is that this book felt like it was trying to cram a lot into the piece. Morgan's side plot, while very important, didn't really land with the importance it deserved. However, I liked the character of Abby a lot and found her relatable.

I enjoyed Jennifer Weiner's latest novel! I have read all of her books, and this was one of my favorite reads of hers. It is what I would expect from the author. A quick rundown of this story is as follows: Abby Stern is in a relationship, piecing together jobs, and coasting through life. She isn't super satisfied or dissatisfied. She is dating Mark, a podiatrist who she met as a child at a weight loss camp and reconnected with years later. Abby starts to feel like she may be settling. To avoid getting more serious with Mark, she takes on a job as a bicycle tour guide. On the first day, she notices a familiar face in the crowd. A man she met and spent one night with, Sebastian, is part of her tour group. Her mom also surprises her by showing up to join the group. Over the days and miles, Abby spends time thinking about Mark and Sebastian and her rocky relationship with her mom who focuses a little too much on Abby's weight. There is an entertaining cast of characters, and I found myself wanting to know what was going to happen next. I would recommend this book! Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC!

Another fantastic, fast-paced, important book by Jennifer Weiner. I love all of her stories - they make me laugh AND cry. I hope there isn't political backlash about these important and relevant topics. I would have liked to see a more "finished" ending, but I appreciate how realistic her plot is. A few minor typos, but I cannot wait to buy this book for my daughters to read in a few years.