This may be my favorite Jennifer Weiner book I have read in years. The premise was unlike most romantic comedy books. The book explores what happens when your only one-night stand reappears in your life two years later. From fat camp romances to weeks long bike trips, this book entertained through the bumps in the road and flat tires. There was a complexity to this novel that romcoms often lack. I’m not sure everybody doesn’t already want to read a book with Jennifer Weiner’s name on it, but if you are one of the few who is unsure, I recommend this book!

Abby is a thirty something woman in a relationship with Mark. Mark was Abby's first boyfriend. They met as teenagers when away at fat camp and were able to reconnect as adults. Mark seems perfect, he is kind and hardworking- a doctor and he has worked hard to keep off the weight that plagued him during his teen years. Mark is looking for commitment and would like for them to move in together. Abby is feeling stressed by this decision and agrees to lead a bike tour from NYC to Niagra Falls, hoping to figure things out while she is away.

It is a surprise to both when one of the tour members is Sebastian a one-night stand from several years ago. On one hand this was an entertaining and interesting read, but while being entertaining it was able to tackle several topics such as body image, mother/daughter relationships and abortion.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

I love Jennifer but this one didn’t do it for me. I really enjoyed aspects of the novel
But some subplots were just too much for leisure reading including teen abortion and “himbo” behavior.

The Breakaway
By Jennifer Weiner
Atria
Pub Date: August 29, 2023
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Chic Lit
This novel was disappointing to me. I found this book to be predictable and superficial
It’s the story of Abby Stern, overweight and unhappy. Trigger: abortion
This is the second Weiner book I have tried and I know many love her books, but for me it’s a miss
2+

Thank you NetGalley for an advance copy of this book from one of my favorite authors! This tells the story of Abby, a single/about to be married young woman who is questioning some things in her life. She has struggled with her weight her whole life, and she finally has Mr Perfect to marry..but is he Mr Perfect for Abby? Or is she settling because of her weight? I loved so many things about this story...the main character having body image issues, the bike riding, and of course the romance between Abby and her one night stand Sebastian. I also enjoyed the tense mother/daughter relationship. This is a fun, touching, well written adventure.

This is classic Jennifer Weiner (and if you have read other Weiner books, you know what I mean), but better. In this story she gives the reader a variety of characters. Yes, there are the late 20s early 30s main characters, but then she offers a teen story and a surprising twist on oldsters. It made a nice variety and "something for everyone". The plot, against the background of a bike excursion had a nice variety of drama and humor which as the characters were pedaling through New York kept the reader turning those pages (or swiping that screen. I am always excited by a new Jennifer Weiner book and this one does not disappoint!

I adore Weiner's books so was excited for this one. Even though it bogged down a little in the middle, I ended up really enjoying it! Abby's life has been a whirlwind of disappointments with her weight, men, and family. But now she's a leader of a biking group that travels to exciting places as she meets new people and leaves boyfriend, Mark behind. But of course an old 1-night-stand man, Sebastian is on this trip so things get dicey as they encounter all sorts of minor disasters--from the weather to moral dilemmas! But Abby navigates her life as well as she can and shows us perseverance wins!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

Thoroughly enjoyable, especially knowing the author's penchant for bike riding and struggles with her own body image, I imagine much of Abby was modeled after her own personal experiences. Jennifer Weiner rides above the rest once again!

I received this book as an ARC through NetGalley, this is my unbiased opinion. Weiner does a really good job with a number of things in her novels. What is best done is the character development. Even peripheral characters are well drawn and contribute texture to the story. The second thing she does exceptionally well is address body image stigma that impacts women even if Abby gets a bit whinny. I also liked the dynamic between Abby and her mother. I did not the ending. It felt rushed and incomplete.
Edit Review

Thank you for this ARC! I really enjoyed this book. It was well-paced, had likable characters and a strong feminist message. Trigger warnings for abortion and body image. It was not fully a romance, but did contain a nice romantic storyline. Ultimately, it was an empowering story for women and girls. I highly recommend this one!

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.

The Breakaway by Jennifer Weiner was pretty good. I was so looking forward to this release! Not one of my favorites, but still worth the read. This is a book of self confidence, love, and friendships. It is well written with a number of subplots related to the lives of the people whose bike tour Abby is supervising. I think Abby's struggles will be relatable for a lot of readers.

Another great book by Jennifer Weiner! I've loved her books and was so glad to read 'The Breakaway' as an ARC from NetGalley. The book follows a bicycling group through a trip in New York State. While I initially thought the book would be mostly about the main character and her relationships, it delved into more relationships among the group members, sometimes in surprising ways. Being from the Buffalo, NY area helped me visualize the New York stops along the way and I also appreciated the research Ms. Weiner had done in mentioning the smell of Cheerios when the group arrived in Buffalo (well done)! I found this book a lovely balance of light and heavy topics, with very relatable characters.

Jennifer Weiner once again provides readers with a fun, beach read for the summer. A love story for all people, perfect or imperfect!

Loved reading about Abby’s biking adventure! The flashbacks giving the readers insight on her childhood was a nice way to get to know the character while still enjoying the biking adventure storyline.

The Breakaway's heroine, Abby, in her 30's, having educated herself about "health at any size" and diet culture, has chosen to accept herself as a fat woman. She's a passionate cyclist and can ride for miles, but living outside social norms (where a thin body is deemed morally superior) is still a struggle. Abby knows people see her as unhealthy and undesirable, and her mom-- obsessed herself with staying thin-- has always pushed Abby to lose weight. Abby knows that most people on restrictive diets "yo-yo," packing the pounds on again within two or three years. However, Abby's hard-won knowledge, independence, and self-esteem falter in her mother's presence in particular, and she cannot help feeling she is somehow unsuitable when a desirable man desires *her* as she is. Love and/or passion do not exactly triumph here.

The narrative is broken up by segments of the bike trek Abby is leading through much of the book-- cycling, bikes, and gear are involved. This reader perceived all that as naturally occurring in a story framed around a long bike ride. However, the subplot about a teenage girl and her mom did seem a wee bit out of place and didactic-- the author is making a point.

Overall most enjoyable and highly recommended. A terrific book club pick. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC.

In the past when I was looking for a romcom, I always turn to Jennifer Weiner. I have to tell you this book and her last book were a bit of a disappointment. I guess I’m tired of the fat girl story. Her books are all starting to feel the same and I was disappointed in the last two. I gave it a three star review and that’s a stretch… I found the characters to be similar, and some of her earlier novels in the storyline, same old, same old.

Ahhhh, love this adorable book!! Jennifer Weiner never disappoints and always delivers for a cute, heartwarming and fun book to read. Abby is a character that's easy to love and the story flows from page to page so quickly. Loved this book!!

Thank you to netgalley for the arc in exchange of an honest review!

This book is for romance book readers. It’s filled with a delightful main character, a variety of interesting side characters and bicycles galore. You’ll find yourself rooting for the main character to find her true love.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this fun book in exchange for an honest review. From the publisher: Thirty-four-year-old Abby Stern has made it to a happy place. She’s got good friends, her bike, and her bike club in Philadelphia. She’s at peace with her plus-size body—at least, most of the time—and she’s on track to marry her childhood sweetheart.

They say if you want to write well, write what you know. Jennifer Weiner’s character Abby is a chip off the writer’s block in many ways – she loves to bike – just check her social media, she admittedly has struggled – but come to terms with – her weight (she looks fantastic as is); and she is decidedly feminist (but not annoyingly so).

It is clear from the get-go that while Abby dearly cares for Mark, something is missing in her mind – not to mention he doesn’t bike and he doesn’t really eat – having had weight loss surgery to finally lose his excess weight. He couldn’t be kinder and treasures her, but there’s no zing; that “it” factor that propels people into truly soul satisfying relationships. And Abby knows zing. Two years ago, she had a one-night stand with a man named Sebastian that revealed off-the-charts chemistry between them both in and out of bed – but when Abby’s insecurities about her physique and attractiveness raised their head in the dawning hours, she quietly gets up and dressed and leaves while he’s still sleeping and without saying goodbye. But she doesn’t forget him.

When Abby’s friend begs her to lead a lengthy New York group bike trip, Abby looks forward to the opportunity to distance herself from Mark’s pushing her to move in and just breathe. When she shows up to lead the trip and sees two familiar faces: Sebastian and her mother, who just wants to spend time with her, she panics – but presses on.

This is a book of love, friendship, confidence and confidants, helping others and some managing our regrets. It is entertaining, sweet, and well written. I won’t spoil any of the surprises or plot beyond this except to say that everything works out as you might hope.