“Someone Like You” Trailer: Author Karen Kingsbury Brings Her 'Breathtaking' Romance to the Big Screen (Exclusive)

"Of all the books I’ve written, 'Someone Like You' is easily my readers' favorite," Karen Kingsbury tells PEOPLE

A story of unexpected love is on its way to the big screen.

PEOPLE has the first trailer for Someone Like You, an adaptation of Karen Kingsbury's 2020 novel, written and directed by Tyler Russell. The film's cast includes Jake Allyn, Sarah Fisher, Robyn Lively, Bart Johnson, Scott Reeves and Lynn Collins.

The bestselling author self-financed the project under her Karen Kingsbury Productions company. As she tells PEOPLE, "Of all the books I’ve written, Someone Like You is easily my readers’ favorite."

And when it came time to consider an adaptation, "I’ve learned when it comes to filmmaking, money holds the creative power," she explains. "My books have been adapted into other wonderful films and TV shows, but the only way to make the movie in my heart was to make it myself."

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"Last year we had built up a bit of savings, so one day my husband and I looked at each other and said, 'What if we use it all to make a movie? And if not now, when?' " she adds. "We prayed about it, and the next day we took the leap."

The story is about architect Dawson Gage (Allyn), who mourns the sudden death of his best friend London Quinn (Fisher). Dawson then sets out to find London's long-lost secret twin sister, twins separated during their parents' IVF procedure.

That twin, Andi Allen (also Fisher) was unaware of her conception and sets out to meet her biological parents. But Dawson and Andi are both caught off guard when they form a romance of their own.

Kingsbury, 60, says the film is "breathtaking, truly," featuring "sweeping cinematography, gripping acting and an unforgettable score."

"We had one priority when we cast this film: to hire actors who were brilliantly talented and who believed in the project," says Kingsbury.

She says Lynn Collins, who plays Louise Quinn, "told us that, for personal reasons, the script made her cry. 'I had to make this movie,' she told us."

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Additionally, since the movie is Russell's directorial debut, "it was important that our gifted actors trusted him. They all did, and now they all say Someone Like You showcases some of their best work ever," Kingsbury says.

The author had an emotional experience writing the novel and says the movie "follows the deep emotion of the book."

"When I wrote Someone Like You, I didn’t feel like I was making it up," says Kingsbury. "Lost in the lines of the story, I didn’t want to come up for air, but only to live there on the lake with Dawson and Andi, riding the jet skis and watching the sunset and helping them find a way to make it work."

"I ached for them, laughed with them, and cried with them," she continues, "and when I wrote the last sentence, I looked at my husband and said, 'One day, that is going to be my first movie!' "

Someone Like You is in theaters April 2 from Fathom.

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