“The Breakaway” is a modern piece of fiction that incorporates a few different characters’ stories that deal with heavy topics such as body image, insecurities, and abortion. Despite all of this, there was also a compelling love story being explored. While it did feel that at times, there was a bit too much going on with the incorporation of all of these themes in one book, I do appreciate Weiner not being afraid to broach such topics. There were some thought compelling aspects to an interesting fictional story, which is absolutely what I prefer in my fictional reads. 3.5 stars ⭐️ rounded up to 4. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy for review.

Abby Stern is 33 and finally starting to come into her own. She’s been dating her long-lost friend turned boyfriend, Mark for awhile and feels like it’s time for the next steps in life: moving in together, becoming engaged and eventually married, and having kids. But Abby can’t help feeling like she’s still a step behind - she’s working gig jobs, her apartment looks like she just moved in, and she’s still fighting for the approval of her parents. Is she ready for the next step?
When she’s tapped to lead a 2-week bicycling trip in New York, she thinks it’ll be the perfect opportunity to clear her mind and get her priorities straight. Enter: every curveball you could imagine. From her mother surprising her, to the one-night-stand from 2 years ago that she hasn’t forgotten (and who hasn’t forgotten her), this trip is full of surprises. While Abby and Sebastian (Mr. One Night) are the main characters, we also learn the stories of some of the other riders, including mother-daughter pair Lily and Morgan - who are in for their own surprises as well.

It’s not secret that I am a huge Jennifer Weiner fan, and her latest novel certainly did not disappoint! It’s written post-COVID and reflects our current world and how certain laws are affecting women in this country - I loved this part of it (although I hate that it’s our reality). I liked that it focused on not just romantic relationships, but also friendships and parent-child relationships as well. Definitely give this one a read if you’re looking for a modern, heartwarming, and character-driven story.

I always know that when I pick up a Jennifer Weiner book, it's going to be a meatier read than most of the others in this genre. Sure, there's a romance, but also some deep subjects, too. In this case, the main focus is self-image, body confidence, and mother/daughter relationships. I almost didn't read it because I don't like to confront those things in my own life, but I powered through, and it was pretty painless. You do have to know going into these types of books that it won't be an easy breezy read, so you need to be in the right mood or mindset to get through it. The main storyline involves a bike riding group, which is interesting. I thought that gave it a unique spin and I liked the fact that there was a "guy that got away" involved in the story.

Fun quick read by Jennifer Weiner, loved the storyline and the characters. Abby, an avid cylist who has struggled with her weight all her life, is coerced into leading a bike tour for the first time. Although she has a steady boyfriend, one of the riders on the tour happens to be someone she had a one-night stand with several years ago. It was interesting to watch this relationship develop, and also to see how the author brings in the stories of several other characters. All in all, an enjoyable quick read that I would highly recommend. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy.

I often enjoy Jennifer Weiner’s books, and The Breakaway was no exception. I connected in some ways with the story and found that helped me enjoy it more.
As always, I look forward to the next book from Weiner!
Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for this ARC!

This is a cute, easy read. Breakaway is part romance, but also tries to tackle serious social issues such as abortion and body positivity. Abby has struggled with her weight all her life but mostly has struggled with other people's perception of her weight. She is also an avid cyclist and has a steady boyfriend, Mark. While Mark is perfect on paper, something is holding Abby back from moving forward with him. So when Abby gets the opportunity to lead a two-week bike tour through NY to Niagra Falls, she jumps at the chance. However, one of the participants on the ride, Sebastian, turns out to be a guy she had the one and only one-night stand of her life. The book is told from both Abby and Sebastian’s perspectives, along with occasional perspectives from some of the other people on the tour as well. I enjoyed reading this book.

A fun read about Abby and her struggles with relationships, self-acceptance, family, and purpose. It was enjoyable to watch Abby find herself as well as get to know a cast of characters on her bike trip.

Overall this was an enjoyable chick-lit read with decent (but flawed) characters. Abby was generally likable, although she was also pretty self-absorbed, and played the victim card a bit too much for my taste. I actually liked Sebastian's character quite a bit, even if he was a total womanizer. The storyline flowed well although the coincidences were pretty far-fetched. I also enjoyed all of the smaller subplots and supporting characters. So while I wouldn't call this a barn-burner of a novel, it served its purpose as a typical beach-read type book that was a quick and easy read.

3.5 stars 🌟
Abby Stern was fat all her life, and her mom did not let her forget it. She even made her spend her summer at a fat camp where they ate 1200 calories and did tons of exercise. When her parents divorced, Abby started riding her bicycle back and forth between her mom and dad's, and it made her feel free.
Sébastien is a womanizer, man whore, sex fiend etc He goes through women on his dating app like underwear but he is completely upfront with them so there is that. One day, he meets a woman in a bar that feels different to him, but sadly, she leaves before he wakes up the next morning 🌄
Sébastien and his friend Lincoln decide to go on a bike trip with a tour company called Breakaway that goes from Manhattan to the border of Canada. Who do you think is leading the group? None other than the woman Sébastien can't stop thinking about.
This book was really good. It had a good curvy girl rep, a Jewish rep, and good pacing. I found the back story for both protagonists enduring. I loved the idea of the bicycle tour. It was really fun to read about how many miles they rode a day, the different locations they stopped, and the bikers' individual stories. Jennifer Weiner always writes great stories that grab me immediately, and this was no different.

I LOVED THIS BOOK. I don't really know why but I think following the author's socials and seeing how much of the author is in the book - just made it more personal. The main character is dealing with lack of direction in her life (maybe a crisis) when she is given the opportunity to lead a bike ride on the #empiretrail in New York. While leading the group you learn about growing being told she was needed to look better for pictures (ie, lose weight). This book is so strong for women/girls who deal with others thinking they are overweight and cannot do something. (this might another reason I liked it as I fall in that category). I highly recommend the story of character growth, empathy, social media crisis, relationships and so much more. Just put your earbud in and go for a ride.

aw man, jennifer weiner will always have a special place in my heart, good in bed is one of my old school faves, like when i was first 'allowing' myself to read books with romantic plots in them without feeling shame. i really enjoyed this one - had a few heavier topics with some light funny moments, thought provoking, inspiring, realistic (i know nothing about cycling, but now i feel like i do). sure, some of it resolved a little easier and simpler than in real life, but i'm ok with that. i ended this book with a smile on my face, overall it made me quite happy.

A fun, entertaining book. It was a fast , and easy read. If you are looking for something just to sit back and read for enjoyment, this is a good choice.

"The Breakaway" by Jennifer Weiner is a pleasant and light-hearted read that offers a mix of entertainment and thought-provoking moments. While it didn't quite reach the level of excellence I had hoped for, it certainly had its merits.

The storyline was engaging, offering a blend of humor and emotional depth. It touches on important themes like family dynamics and self-acceptance, which I appreciated. However, I found that the plot lacked some originality and at times felt somewhat predictable.

Weiner's writing style is easy to follow, making this a great choice for a casual read. However, the pacing was a bit uneven, with certain sections feeling slow and others rushed. The book also delves into multiple subplots, and while they added depth to the story, they occasionally distracted from the main narrative.

In conclusion, "The Breakaway" is a charming, well-written novel that strikes a balance between entertainment and introspection. It might not be a groundbreaking masterpiece, but it certainly offers an enjoyable reading experience. If you're looking for a light-hearted contemporary fiction with relatable characters, this book is worth a read.

This was between 3 and 4 stars for me. I went with 3 because I couldn't get over (spoiler in original review regarding Mark)

Spoiler issue aside, I enjoyed getting to know these characters. I loved Abby and Lizzie. I tolerated Eileen (she wasn't all that bad, but annoying at times) and applauded her mini-transformation. I liked the cycling aspect. I'm not a biker and I wanted to sign up for a Breakaway tour. I wish every tour group could be as kind and fun as the fictional characters on this trip.

All in all, it was worth the read.

Perfect for anyone who loves a heartwarming story and a journey of self discovery.
Many thanks to Atria and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

As always, Jennifer Weiner writes a compelling story facing difficult, relevant, and controversial topics of our modern day- in this case, abortion and women's rights to choose. This story hit me very personally, not only for that topic, but also the tricky relationship Abby and Sebastian have with their parents. I found their struggles super relatable, and that made me really care about these characters and rooting for them throughout the book even though they both made some pretty bad decisions. The cheating trope gives me the ick, but ya know, people cheat. It's not right, it's horrible, but it's reality and an author like Jen doesn't shy away from those tough realities. Overall, I did enjoy the characters and the plot, but much like a lot of her books, she also tends to be a bit preachy, maybe even judgmental, and definitely not for a reader who doesn't share the same political, religious, or moral ideals of the author. For that reason, it's getting 3.5 stars for me, however I will round up to 4 stars.

This book make me want to buy a bike! I love stories where there is a physical struggle along with everything else going on. The vulnerabilities of the characters was appreciated and as always, Weiner did an exceptional job.

It's been awhile since I read one of Jennifer Weiner's books. I just couldn't get into them but this book made me a fan again. I loved the flawed but strong main female character. All the other characters around her made for a complicated but yet rewarding storyline. Thanks NetGalley for the advanced copy. #NetGalley #TheBreakaway

There are some controversial issues in this book that some may struggle with. Abby is a strong person who feels good about herself even though she feels others may not think she is. The biking storyline was great fun but would like to have heard more of the storyline of those on the bike trip. Looking forward to more from this author. 3.5 stars

I adored this latest from Jennifer Weiner. She’s so great at writing realistic women who aren’t perfect that I can identify with. This is a favorite!