Book Review: The Best Advice by Amy Dressler

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July 05, 2025

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Book Review: The Best Advice by Amy Dressler

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Book: The Best Advice by Amy Dressler

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Modern Retelling

The Best Advice by Amy Dressler is a contemporary romance and modern-day retelling of Shakespeare’s As You Like It. The book follows a fervent advice columnist, Rosalind (Roz), as she navigates life, her career, and eventually love after the loss of her mother. 

I love retellings, and Amy Dressler does such a good job of modernizing Shakespeare’s comedies. You don’t have to read or know As You Like It to enjoy The Best Advice; however, if you have the background of knowing the play, you will have an engaging reading experience when comparing the similarities and differences between the original and this version. Although the main focus of the story is Roz’s journey, the supporting players and their storylines are equally as important and interesting. The author really replicates the Shakespearean feel of a robust, interconnected cast of characters moving the story forward together. 

The plot unfolds over a short amount of time, so there is an aspect of instalove to all of the romantic relationships that form in this novel. Dressler uses multiple POVs and a balance of sweet romance and witty banter that contributes to the quick pacing of the book. The dynamics between characters are very sentimental, but they also possess a comedic element that will make readers laugh. 

Dressler excels at writing about heavy themes in a light way without lessening the gravity of the topic at hand. This book tackles subject matter related to the grief of losing a parent and LGBTQIA+ acceptance and inclusivity. It also touches upon the nuances of divorce, harassment in the workplace, and personal boundaries within relationships. More than anything, the way that The Best Advice approaches how one may deal with grief is quite moving. 

❝

“This is how you say goodbye: squeezing a hand that still feels alive, kissing the warm cheek, whispering into the ear you know can’t hear to say you love her and you wish you’d told her more often, that you’re not ready, but you promise you’ll be okay.”

-Amy Dressler, The Best Advice

Just like How to Align the Stars (Book #1 in Amy Dressler’s Shakespeare Project), The Best Advice is another heart-warming book in this series to give you all the feels. I recommend this to anyone looking for a romantic comedy that includes the substance of essential and culturally relevant topics and themes. 

Thank you to Amy Dressler and Egret Lake Books for allowing me to read this copy in advance.

This book will be published July 8, 2025, and it is available for preorder. View The Best Advice on Amazon.

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