Thank you to the publisher for the early release copy of The Breakaway by Jennifer Weiner. I've read everything that she writes and will continue to do so. Jennifer writes what she knows and she brought her love of cycling into this novel. I enjoyed the bike trip and the descriptions of the places that they stop at and there's even a bit of sizzle too. Additionally, she tackles a tough topic here but handles it well. This was a good enveloping read.

I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really liked this book but am also very conflicted by many parts of it. First, I loved Abby. I really identified with her and struggled in many of the ways she has. All the characters were good and added to the story. I liked the storyline and the speed of it. It had a lot going on but it didn’t detract from the main plots line.

Now my conflicts. 1 Abby and Sebastian apparently really initially liked each other and not just for the sex, but I feel that it didn’t show enough of a reason why they would be so hung up on each other when they really didn’t have much interaction but the sex. 2. I didn’t like that everyone thought it was okay to take a girl that wasn’t their daughter to get an abortion. And that her mom ended up being okay about that after finding out. 3. We talk all this book about body positivity and being more than how we look etc, but Abby goes on and on about how hot both guys are and how they could have anyone they want. Kind of hypocritical. These were the thoughts I was having as I read but overall liked the story.

Abby Stern feels unsettled, unfulfilled, like she hasn't quite found her niche. She probably should be happy - she has a loving boyfriend - Mark, a doctor, who is eager to have her move in with him; a supportive best friend; enjoys her bike riding club; and despite having a constantly dieting mother, has learned to love and accept her plus sized body.

But Abby has never found a career, instead working a series of gig jobs to pay the bills. And though getting back in contact with Mark, who had been her sweetheart when they met as teenagers at a weight loss camp, felt like fate and Mark has many wonderful qualities, many aspects of their lives don't seem to mesh. So when Abby's best friend Lizzie asks her to lead The Breakaway - a two week, 750-mile bike adventure group on the Empire State Trail. Abby accepts the offer, hoping the time away will give her some clarity on her life.

Already insecure about her lack of experience as a group leader, leading the bike adventure group gets off to a rocky start. Amongst the unexpected members of the group is Eileen, Abby's mother, who says she wants to spend quality time with Abby; and Sebastian, a handsome stranger Abby had a mind-blowing one night stand with years prior.

As the trip progresses, Abby begins to get clarity on what she wants from her life, Sebastian becomes a viral internet story, and we get insights into the colorful cast of characters who comprise the other members of the group and their reasons for being on the trip.

4.5 stars, rounded up to 5. Jennifer Weiner always writes entertaining, readable, stories starring strong, relatable characters and The Breakaway is no exception; it's perfect to curl up with for those last lazy days of summer. I enjoyed the storyline, the entertaining cast of characters, and the real world issues that Weiner touches on in The Breakaway.

I am a Jennifer Weiner fan and also a completist. This was probably my least favorite of her novels. The bicycle trip, and the characters on it, was such an interesting premise, but the main character Abby drove me crazy. I felt as though the themes Weiner was trying to weave into the story to create fuller and more relatable characters were clunky and too heavy handed. Body image issues, abortion, feminist idealogy and mother daughter issues are all topics I typically really enjoy in my books, but nothing felt authentic here. I will continue to read her books, and cheer her on, but this was disappinting for me.

I have been a fan of Jennifer Weiner since I read Good in Bed 20 years ago. I love her flawed and interesting female lead characters. I was so excited to get a chance to read The Breakaway!

You know you enjoyed a book about cycling when you finish it and head to a bike shop the same day. I will be out on the trails more this fall thanks to Jennifer Weiner! The Breakaway is definitely worth the read. I was disappointed that there wasn’t more about the NY bike trail system but I enjoyed the plot, the messy characters, and the intertwining story lines.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster Atria Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the new book by Jennifer Weiner - 4 stars!

Abby is sort of living the life she thinks she wants - but not quite. She still hasn't found her career passion, her apartment looks like she just moved in, and she isn't completely bought into a future life with her boyfriend, Mark. But she can't help thinking about Sebastian sometimes, her one and only one-night stand, who made her feel beautiful like no one has ever done before. Abby has made peace with her body, but she still struggles, plus her mom is there is remind her that she would be happier if she were thinner. Biking has always been her salvation and when she gets an opportunity to lead a bike trip from NYC to Buffalo, she is happy for the time and experience. Until she realizes that Sebastian is in her group. And her mother.

While Weiner's books usually feature a beach, if you follow her on instagram, you know that she lives the biking world she wrote about. Her real world trips and travels are amazing, so all of that rings totally true in the book. Since I live even more upstate NY than this trail, I liked tagging along the trip. While there are a few too many coincidences in this story and plenty of controversial subjects, it was a good book and definitely promoted body positivity. I also enjoyed the growth of the mother-daughter relationships.. I would say the story would be good for young girls, but there's some steamy scenes to begin with and pro-choice messages so maybe best for adults.

I typically love Jennifer Weiner’s books but I thought this one was just okay.

I loved the unique concept of the book taking place over the course of two weeks during a cycling trip. I really enjoyed the main character, Abby, and the multiple POV’s of the other cyclists on the trip. There were a lot of important social issues throughout the book such as body positivity and abortion, but my biggest complaint is there was way too much going on. The author tried to jam pack the book with too many social issues and topics which overshadowed the plot.

I'm giving this one 4 stars. I love Jennifer's Weiner's characters. They are just so rich and layered and you feel like you could be friends with all of them. This story was very easy to read and definitely kept my interest the whole time. I did feel like it was almost a story within a story - I did not really see the connection of the main story line to the secondary story line and it felt quite disjointed. But I do believe both were timely and relevant. A good one!

Abby’s only in her thirties but has endured a lifetime of extra helpings of shame and ridicule for her weight. She’s learned to settle for what she thinks she deserves in love, career, family and friends. An emotional, timely, uplifting, heartbreaking yet hopeful perspective on body shaming. I’m from the generation when being “twiggy” skinny was the norm. It had nothing to do with health or well-being, just where, who or what being thin got you. The subjects tackled in Abby’s story introduced me to many interesting viewpoints. The well written observations and examples were thought provoking and reflective for me. I’m still rolling over thoughts and feelings from the many relevant issues addressed.
The organized, lengthy bike route in upstate NY was fun to follow along, as were the diverse types and ages of the participants. Abby’s mother was a deeply layered woman and I enjoyed insights into her life. The more mature group of riders were a hoot, I liked them a lot. Abby’s one night stand was also a great twist with an unexpected outcome. There are many more great characters and situations – just read it!
Of course I had a very simple plain bike as a kid, never rode or knew anything about the fancy stuff available now (preferred riding my horse and later motorcycles). I still see no need to punish oneself for miles, but admire those who enjoy the challenge. Many of the historical stops and such were quite interesting since I know little about upstate NY. Would have liked even more about the area, what’s the point of all those miles if you don’t see new things and places?
I knew of the author’s first-class reputation but hadn’t read any of her books before. It was wonderful having the opportunity to finally read one. The story is easy to follow, with surprising depth, meaningful topics, romance and love. Abby is a character that will stay with me, her message is important.

I absolutely loved this book! The author tackles some serious and very relevant issues. Abby has struggled with body positivity and self worth all her life and this was handled in a positive manner with her personal growth and emerging confidence. Mother/daughter issues are also a big component of the book that I really enjoyed. Abortion and all the complications and emotions with that are dealt with in a sensitive manner. I always love good dialogue and this book definitely has that. The cycling aspect was fun and the secondary characters are great. Overall I loved this book. The author covered a lot of ground but it didn’t feel rushed. This is definitely one of my favourite books of the year.

Abby has fought her whole life to find confidence in who she is and how she looks, and her love for cycling plays a huge role in that. I loved seeing her grow to love herself throughout the story, but she still made some questionable choices along the way. I had never heard of the Empire Trail before reading this story, but I think it made for a beautiful and inspiring backdrop and made me want to get back on a bike again! I struggled with a lot of the choices various characters made throughout the story, and some of the interactions felt very disingenuous. At the same time, the characters were all deeply lovable despite their very apparent flaws!

Another fun book by Jennifer Weiner! This is the story of Abby as she try to figure herself out in adulthood. Abby has spent most of her life holding herself back from what she truly is capable or even wants for herself. One of her greatest joys is bike riding and she embarks on a group bike excursion as the leader. There is a a love interest, growing pains, and confidence as she finds her voice during this 2 week adventure. I truly was rooting for Abby and many of the other characters in this story and felt like I was right there with them. Jennifer Weiner does a great job of writing a light story with deeper issues intertwined. I am so thankful to netgalley and the publisher for allowing me the opportunity to read an advance copy.

I have always loved Jennifer's books and The Breakaway was no different. I love that she features strong plus-size women and isn’t afraid to touch on hot-button issues in her writing. This book is so much more than just a contemporary romance. Abby is a beautiful young woman in her early thirties who’s trying to decide if she’s content with the life she has built or if she should take a leap of faith and see what else is out there. She is unexpectedly offered a chance to lead a bike group on a trip from NYC to Niagara Falls, riding her bike has changed Abby's life in ways she cannot explain and decides this is the perfect chance to get some distance from her everyday life and help her clear her head to make the right decisions.

I loved getting to know Abby, this book touches on so many topics, body positivity, self-love, mental health and a woman’s right to choose. If you’ve read any of Jennifer’s previous works you would know many of these are topics she touches on frequently and I personally love books that bring forth issues and encourage the conversation. Abby is 33 and I found it refreshing to see her still “figuring things out”, I loved that she took those 2 weeks to do something she loved and in turn, it helped her realize a way to make her passion a career. Abby is flawed and imperfect just as we all are and I think that is why you cannot help but root for her to find her passion and pursue it.

There are a lot of side characters in this book and we get a good glimpse into quite a few of their lives. While the scenery of NY offers some absolutely breathtaking views and Jennifer does a wonderful job of painting a picture of the setting these characters add so much to this story. Raising children is challenging and through the characters, we are introduced to 3 parent/child relationships and the contrasts and similarities are really interesting. Abby's own mother surprises her by joining the ride and we really get a good feel of who Abby is and the experiences that shaped her, however as time goes on we are also let into her mother's past which helps explain why she made the choices she did. I found these parent/child dynamics really interesting.

I will say for me the romance storyline played a much smaller role in this book. We are told early on about Abby's relationship with her boyfriend and I think it is pretty obvious that while he is a great guy he isn’t “the one” for her. We then meet Sebastian. Abby had met him at a bachelorette party shortly before she began dating her boyfriend and they had spent an unforgettable night together. Abby purposely didn’t leave her number wanting to remember the night for what it was and not give him any opportunity to taint it by not calling her. The last thing she expected was for him to show up on her bike trip. While they obviously have great chemistry and are very drawn to each other I have a hard time getting over the timing of their relationship. I really wish she would have spoken to Mark first.

I'm a big fan of Jennifer Weiner's books because of how well she addresses issues of body positivity. This book follows Abby, a plus-size woman who loves biking, who unexpectedly finds herself leading a trail ride that just happens to have her mother, and the gentleman she had a one night stand with, in attendance. There are multiple other characters (and many are going through body related struggles as well), and it's amazing how easily Jennifer Weiner weaves them together. The back and forth between modern day and flashbacks were seamlessly done, and I found myself holding my breath at each turn in the metaphorical road.
This is a great novel for anyone who's loved their body, but felt the judgment and shame from others. The 'love yourself' message is woven into the pages, without feeling like you're being preached to. I can't suggest this title enough!

Nope, this book wasn't for me. I can't stand when authors think you want or need to hear about their political views. I read fiction because I DON'T want to hear your political views.

“𝘉𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘱𝘴—𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘱𝘴—𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘢 𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘦, 𝘢 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦, 𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘫𝘰𝘣 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘶𝘱 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨.” ⁣
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I loved this book! Jennifer Weiner has written a character-driven story about mother-daughter relationships, romance, body positivity and so much more! I couldn’t put it down. ⁣
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The author, a cyclist herself, takes the reader on a bike tour through upstate New York. Abby is in her early thirties, with a serious boyfriend named Mark who she met at “fat camp” when she was a preteen, and leading this trip for the first time as a group leader. She has a fraught relationship with her mother and is also not entirely sure that Mark is the man she wants to spend the rest of her life with. She hopes this bike trip with give her some clarity and perspective.⁣
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I loved getting to know the rest of the biking group and the multiple points of view. I especially loved Sebastian and his slow-burn romance with Abby. All of the characters were very realistic, flawed and relatable. I e particularly loved and appreciated the Jewish representation in this book. Most of all, I loved how this book inspired me to check my bike, fill my tires and go out for a ride!
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“𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘱𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘧𝘧 𝘪𝘯 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦, 𝘢𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘶𝘱, 𝘥𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘰𝘳 𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘬𝘴 𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘩𝘴 𝘰𝘳 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳, 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘦𝘭𝘴𝘦, 𝘣𝘶𝘵, 𝘮𝘢𝘺𝘣𝘦, 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘦𝘭𝘴𝘦. 𝘏𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳.”

This book was so much fun. I went into it with mid expectations, even though I enjoyed Jennifer Weiner's previous books, and this blew those expectations out of the water. It almost made me want to go on a bike trip.... almost. This is a great end of summer read that I would recommend to anyone.

There are a lot of topics covered in this one. Freedom of choice, body image, mother/daughter relationships, a lot of heavy stuff that you usually don’t find in a rom com but it works. Weiner has a knack for creating multidimensional characters that you love getting to know. Thumbs up! I just reviewed The Breakaway by Jennifer Weiner. #NetGalley

Abby Stern is 33 years old and in a rut. When she is offered the chance to lead a cycling trip from New York City to Niagara Falls, she takes it. Abby doesn’t exactly have a career, her apartment feels un-lived in, and even though he is the nicest guy in the universe, Abby doesn’t feel compelled to marry her former childhood sweetheart Mark, with whom she reconnected two years ago. She hopes that the cycling trip provides clarity and helps her make some decisions about a number of things. Little does she know that her mother, whom Abby blames for a lifetime of body insecurity, and her unforgettable one-night stand Sebastian, have both joined the cycling trip, muddying her chances for clarity and decision making.

There is a lot going on in this novel, and the fact that it is 400 pages long should be readers’ first clue. All of the characters that are on the cycling trip have their own subplots that range from adorably amusing to tragically heart-wrenching, but ultimately this is Abby’s journey. And what a journey it is! It may be hard for some readers to understand the pull that Sebastian and their one-night stand had on her, but I was 100% rooting for the man who made her feel like she could be herself as opposed to the man with whom she had to pretend to be someone else. Having said that, I hated the infidelity and wished that Weiner had gone a different route. Overall, however, this was a powerful book filled with body positivity, mental health awareness, strong female characters, the intricacies of mother/daughter relationships, and the importance of freedom in making choices.

Recommended for adult readers. Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I'd read the back of a shampoo bottle and love it if Jennifer Weiner wrote it, but this book was definitely a favorite of her recent novels!

The Breakaway is about Abby and a group of bike riders riding from New York City to Niagara Falls on The Empire Trail. Abby wants to take this time to decide if she should move in with her camp sweetheart turned boyfriend of two years, Mark. Unbeknownst to her, another rider has a past with her and shakes everything up.