I think The Breakaway did a really nice job of tackling some topics that are pertinent in today's society while still weaving a story that entertained and kept the reader immersed. There were places where I felt that the author may have drug the storyline out a bit too long as she dwelt on some topics a bit too long. But that's just my personal opinion.

Our main character, Abby is relatable and definitely someone you want to cheer for. She is living as an overweight woman in a world that definitely judges you by that. Unfortunately for her, even her own mother seemed to always be trying to "fix her." It's something that Abby eventually has enough of and fights back. Unfortunately, as with most people, she's held it in for too long and when she lets it all out, it's brutal and she comes out almost viciously at her mother.

The general premise of the story is that Abby meets Sebastian before she commits to her new beau, Mark. They have a one night stand in a city away from where Abby lives so she never expects to see him again. She proceeds to get serious with Mark. But right as Mark really wants to take that next serious step and have her move in, she starts to get cold feet and is unsure. To give herself time to think about things, she agrees to help a friend out by leading a bike trip. Biking is something Abby loves that she does often to clear her mind. But she's never led a trip for others before. Everything is going smoothly until she realizes her one-night stand, Sebastian is in the group. It leads to more than just reflection for Abby. Now she is face-to-face with a guy that she assumed could never be more than a one-night thing but maybe she was wrong.

Meshed in with the basic storyline are some other storylines with side characters. One of these involves abortion, so if that is a potential trigger for you, please be aware. Personally, I felt that particular storyline was handled honestly and realistically. I could see what the author was trying to do with it.

Overall, even though I felt the book moved slowly in places, I thought it was well-written and handled some tough topics well. This was my first Jennifer Weiner book but it definitely won't be my last,

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to read and review it and the opinions contained within are my own.

It's been a while since I've read any of Jennifer Weiner's books and ultimately, this one was just okay. There are a lot of characters, many of which lack any development. I also think the author tried to address to many issues within the book with a main one feeling out of place.

Jennifer Weiner does not disappoint- ever!
I really felt this was like a love story but for your mother 💕 because it has all the feelings within it that you do feel about your own mother!
I also know the author recently lost her mother, so this could definitely be where the depth of feeling in this book came from
This book will make you want to call your mom !
I loved the brutal honesty which is a trait I have always loved about this author - she will make you really feel your feelings!
Thank you to Netgalley and Atria books for the ARC copy, amazing!

Thank you to Net Galley for the opportunity to read this new Jennifer Weiner book. I have been a long time fan of this author and was excited to read her latest book. I enjoyed it, but not nearly as much as her earlier books. It did have all of the aspects of her books that I usually like - (mostly) great characters, humor and an easy read. I loved the setting of a bike trip and am in awe of anybody who can ride a bike that far!

I can't really say it was predictable because the synopsis hints at what is going to happen, but I felt like some other aspects were too predictable. I liked the main character Abby, but just couldn't get myself to like Sebastian.

I found the depiction of Abby and Mark's marriage interesting, because I do think it's possible to have a comfortable marriage, but not a great marriage - and I liked that she recognizes this and stands up for herself. I know there is some controversy over the abortion in the book. The only problem I had with this storyline was that it kind of dropped off quickly and wasn't visited again until the end of the book.

Overall I enjoyed reading this book and I liked the ending, I just didn't think it was great. I will continue to read anything Jennifer Weiner writes!

I was excited to read this book after reading Mrs. Everything and absolutely loving it. But this one fell short for me.

I felt like there was too much going on, too many conflicts and story lines that I ended up losing interest and getting bored. I didn't think the POV's of the other characters were necessary and didn't add to the story. Also, I have no issue with the author's politics, but they seemed to be so over the top in-your-face and preachy in this book instead of being a complement to the character's personal struggles like in Mrs. Everything.

I also just didn't like any of the characters. I did like how Abby was body confident, but beyond that, I just couldn't connect with her. And I could not sympathize with her emotions towards her boyfriend, and think she ends up treating him horribly.
And cheating...just no.

After a few Jennifer Weiner books that just were not for me, I was surprised by how much I liked this one!

The book starts off with Abby our main character having a one night stand while she is away in NYC. Then fast forward two years where she's reconnected with her camp boyfriend, Mark, and is planning to marry him when her friend asks her to lead a bike trip from New York City to Niagara Falls. Not surprising at all Sebastian, Abby's one night stand ends up on her bike trip and she has to deal with him. Along the way we have the opportunity to hear from several of the bikers on her trip. I really wish that we had heard more of the teenage girls as her story dealt with some relevant current controversial issues, maybe we'll get a novella of her story?!

I loved how this book dug deeper than other Weiner books and she didn't shy away from dealing with some controversial issues. The book talks about Abby's struggle with body image and accepting her plus size self. I love that Abby encourages other girls to ride their bikes and overall just empowers them to be themselves.

Thank you so much to Atria Books and NetGalley for an advanced eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Please don’t let the low ratings discourage you from reading this book. Due to the topic of abortion covered in the book reviewers are choosing to give it one star, which is extremely unfair.

I have mixed feelings about his book. I loved how Abby is not your typical main character. She is strong, proud of her body, and smart, I loved watching her find herself and become more confident. At times I found the story a little too repetitive and a lot of loose ends at the end of the book. Not my favorite book by Jennifer Weiner.

I have been a fan of Jennifer Weiner for over 20 years. I love her stories and how she always makes me feel like part of her characters' lives. Her latest novel, The Breakaway, is fabulous from beginning to end!

I haven't been on a bicycle in ages but this novel reminded me of how I used to ride one all the time after I learned how. And it makes me want to relearn and also re-teach my daughter how to ride. (To be determined if that will happen anytime soon, but one can always hope!)

This story had a lot to say about body image and I was there for it. I could totally relate to Abby in that regard. I'm glad it also addressed body shaming and how toxic that can be.

I liked that we got more than just Abby's perspective throughout the novel. The dialogue was genuine and there were some humorous parts too. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and seeing how everyone came together on the trip even though they (mostly) started off as strangers. It was also easy to visualize the characters and settings thanks to Jennifer's great use of detail that didn't take away from the narrative.

Overall, Jennifer's new novel is a winner!

Sadly, I could not come up with casting ideas for this one. However, I had Finn Wittrock in mind for Sebastian the entire time.

Trigger warnings below.

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

TW: Abortion, body shaming

I consistently like Jennifer Weiner's writing and this was no exception. She takes on difficult topics with aplomb and heart. The characters are authentic and readers will be rooting for them all. This will appeal to fans of Jodi Picoult and Colleen Hoover.

Thank you to Netgalley, Atria Books, and Jennifer Weiner for an advance copy of The Breakaway in exchange for an honest review. Alright, I have seen mixed reviews on this one but I am here to say that this was a phenomenal read! This book tackled SO MANY topics that women go through or may have to face at some point in their lives. Abby was a fantastic main character who had to choose what was best for her life and her path rather then follow what the world thought was best for her. I found myself experiencing such a wide variety of emotions while reading this and I truly cant recommend it enough. This is one sale now and I really hope you do yourself a favor and add this one to your library.

Thank you SS Atria Marketing and NetGalley for this book. Abby Stern is 33 and was in NYC and had a one night stand and then went back to her life in Philly. She has a good life, but maybe not a true career, but she is happy and going to marry her childhood camp boyfriend that she reconnected with as an adult. Everything feels safe. Her friend asks her to lead a 5 day bike tour through NY and she agrees, little does she know this one night stand is part of the group and also her mother decided to crash it to spend time with her daughter. Will Abby go the safe route or take a chance with the one night stand? Will she mend her relationship with her mom?

I'm finding it progressively harder to review each new Weiner book. I used to adore her books and couldn't wait until the next one came out. I remember her being one of the few authors I knew I could read and have all the feels including some great humor. I just don't find myself enjoying these reads as I used to. I think she has started to try to for more substance and in doing so is trying to throw too many subjects into the book causing it to be then be too thin on all the different hot button topics.

This one follows Abby a 33 year old who is happy with her life. She has jobs (not a career) a boyfriend who she reconnected with from her childhood and plans to marry who is perfect except he doesn't ride a bike the one thing that makes her happier than anything else. She gets an opportunity to lead a long distance cycling trip and finds herself face to face to a former one night stand and her mother who she has a complicated relationship with.

I had a hard time connecting with the main character and found myself annoyed with her and her actions throughout most of the book which then detracted from the enjoyment of this book. This was a perfectly fine beach read but not one i'll remember down the road.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Growing up, Abby's mother would send her to a summer camp...which just happens to be a weight loss camp, where she met her kindred spirit, Mark, where she experiences her first love.

Fast forward 15 years, they reconnect and are the path to spending the rest of their lives together - Abby, still with her plus size body, and Mark who dropped half of his weight.

During a night out with her girlfriends, she has a hot romantic encounter with a man, who she never expects to see again....however, he shows up during a cycling trip that Abby leads, and drama ensues.

Along the way there are different characters/voices, within the group that take on each chapter.

Tackling a tough subject, drama, and also hilarious at times, The Breakaway is another loved novel by this author for me!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy.

First off, I typically love Jennifer Weiner books. However, this was not my favorite. I felt like over all there was too much going on, and though I wanted badly to like the main character, I just...didn't. That makes it a tough read in general when it's hard to connect. I wanted to love this one, and parts were certainly enjoyable, but over all this one fell flat for me.

Freedom is riding a bike, taking seven year old Abby away from everything that hurt her, she pedals and pedals trying to get far away from the constant negative comparison of living in a larger body. Everything adds to the negative reflection - her perhaps well intentioned mother always making a point of fresh vegetables instead of a cupcake, Abby’s inability to stick with her studies and her dead-end jobs that barely cover expenses but keep her from exploring her true potential. Used to being the largest and least accomplished girl in her group does not prevent her from an away from home, I’ll never be recognized, my boyfriend will never find out hook-up. Let the fun begin - or maybe not.

I like Weiner’s writing - she is engaging while developing important and diverse topics. Her characters are mostly believable, and the devices she uses to move the story forward are creative and informative. While I think she could dig a little deeper I am not going to criticize what is an enjoyable book by whatever baggage I might bring to the story.

Thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for a copy.

The Breakaway is about Abby Stern, a 33 year old who is a biker with a long-term physician boyfriend, a complicated relationship with her mother, and who still thinks about a one night stand with whom she had amazing chemistry. Her life seems to be going along an expected track when she is asked to lead a bike tour from NYC to Niagara Falls. The tour happens to include her mother and Sebastian, her one night stand. As you could expect, a lot happens and changes on this trip.
Weiner is a master at complicated relationships, especially mother/daughter ones. She also writes about the issues of being plus-sized, body acceptance, and what it means to be healthy so well. Abby and her mom felt very familiar and if you have ever felt judged by your mother by your food choices you will also relate. I really enjoyed the romance between Abby and Sebastian and seeing them both grow as individuals. The other bikers on the trip were fun and I really liked the bike trip itself. I read this in an afternoon on a long car ride and it was perfect for that. I really enjoy her writing style and how she can address multiple heavy topics with a light hand. I fell in love with Abby and was rooting for her and Sebastian. There is a side story about body autonomy which felt important, but a little tacked on. Thank you to NetGalley and Atria for the advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review. 3.5 stars

I really enjoyed this book. It was my first Jennifer Weiner novel and it won't be my last. Her writing grabs the reader from the very beginning and keeps you engaged the entire time. It was a fast paced story and I enjoyed all the different points of view from the different characters.

I really enjoyed the fact that the story was more about the main characters personal development and it wasn't all above the romance. This book really felt like it was a celebration of women and all the difficult choices we make. Overall the characters were related able and likeable. I would definity recommend reading this book!

Jennifer Weiner is always an auto buy author for me, but this book blew away her other books! This book was full of the controversial topics of the last few years. It was full of feminism, support for women’s rights, relationships and so much more!

I always appreciate that Jennifer Weiner uses sweet romance in way that gives the predictably expected but attention to heavy topics along the way. Weiner did this yet again in The Breakaway. However, this isn't my favorite of hers. It seemed a bit underdeveloped and the characters weren't as engaging as in other books. Overall, a quick read that's sweet but forgettable.

Jennifer Weiner always writes books that make me think and generally just interest me. I love that, for once, not everything is going wrong in the main character's life. Even still, she ponders her life and takes the time for some self-exploration. Of course, that ends up being more complicated than she expects, but it's that life? As someone who is plus-sized, I loved reading this book and the body-positive message it sends!