The following version of the novel was used to create this study guide: Weiner, Jennifer. The Breakaway. Atria Books, August 29, 2023. Kindle.

In the novel The Breakaway by Jennifer Weiner, Abby Stern uses the opportunity to lead a bicycle tour to re-evaluate her priorities both in her career and in her love life. When Abby attended a bachelorette party in New York, she had a one-night stand with a man named Sebastian whom she never expected to see again. Two years later, however, Sebastian was one of the riders Abby was to lead along the Empire State Trail. In the meanwhile, Abby had reunited with her first love, Mark Medoff. Abby had first believed that Mark filled in all the empty spots in her life. As their relationship continued, Abby was not sure if she wanted to spend her life with a man who did not enjoy riding a bicycle and who saw food only as fuel.

Abby acknowledged her uncertainties about her relationship with Mark when he suggested that they move in together. Abby could not visualize how their belongings would fit together and worried that the same was true about their relationship. They had met and fallen in love as teenagers at a weight loss camp. Since that time, Mark has had gastric bypass surgery and keeps himself thin by following a strict diet and exercise routine. Abby has decided to stop dieting and concentrate on being healthy. She sometimes thinks that Mark is disgusted by her eating habits. During their night together, however, Sebastian made Abby feel beautiful even though she was big.

During the bike tour, Sebastian made it a goal to win Abby’s love. His intention is made more difficult when a woman with whom he had a one-night stand puts a video on TikTok stating that she and seven of her eight friends have slept with Sebastian. Hundreds of other women responded to the video saying that they also have spent the night with Sebastian. Abby was devastated because she believed that meant she was not as special to Sebastian as she had believed she was.

Abby was distracted from Sebastian’s drama when she learned that Morgan, a teenage girl who was one of the riders, was pregnant and seeking an abortion. Morgan feared her mother would make her carry the baby to term if she found out about the pregnancy. So, Morgan had an appointment at a Planned Parenthood clinic where she did not need a parent’s permission. Abby and the other women on the ride rallied around Morgan to ensure that she could get the medication she needed to end her pregnancy.

At the end of the ride, Abby was confronted by Mark who had seen a picture of her and Sebastian eating dinner together. Abby admitted to Mark that she had cheated on him during the trip with Sebastian. She also told him that she believed that she and Mark were not right together and that it would be wrong for her to marry him if she did not love him completely. Abby wanted to turn immediately to Sebastian. Instead, she decided that she needed to spend her time making a fulfilling life for herself even if it did not include a man.

One year later, Abby has brought to fruition her dream of starting a bicycle club just for girls. The girls not only learn about the basics of riding, but Abby also arranges for them to attend classes dealing with topics like body positivity and good study habits. She hopes to eventually lead bike tours for these girls with stops at Planned Parenthood clinics if any of the girls need those services.

Meanwhile, Sebastian also has been working on himself. He has determined that he wanted only one-night stands because he feared if he initiated a serious relationship that he would be hurt. Sebastian has learned to be more vulnerable. He also had been following Abby on the internet and surprised her when he joined the group of girls in Abby’s riding club. Abby agreed to allow Sebastian to ride with them. Even though she believed she and Sebastian were a good match, Abby decided to not rush things and enjoy the relationship one day at a time.