Lauren's Crammed Bookshelf: Sandra L. Martin

17.7.17

Love was Near by Sandra Martin (Review, Giveaway, and Excerpt!)

*To view my review for the movie Trust Fund and to watch its trailer, click here.*

Summary/Cover Image from Amazon:

If Trust Fund left you wanting more, Love was Near, gives young adult fans a chance to find out what happened outside the screen and fills in the missing pieces. You’ll find out exactly what Reese is thinking in her book as you’re transported along on a very personal journey. As she sprinkles in childhood memories with her everyday struggles you’ll discover what happened in the Donahue family before the movie begins.

Review:

Love was Near offers up an interesting experience for readers and watchers. Inspired by the movie Trust Fund, it gives us the ability to learn more about Reese and her journey, filling in blanks form the movie.

Love was Near was told in a unique style. Each chapter, or segment, revolved around a central part of the movie. For example, Reese's first time in Italy, Reese's family problems, etc. Journal entries, pictures, and/or text are offered up, and at the end a series of questions are given for the reader to answer and think about if they wish.

I thought this layout was well done. I enjoyed reading Resse's most inner thoughts (it did manage to fill in some spots from the movie more clearly) and I also enjoyed learning more about her life that wasn't exactly covered by the movie (i.e. her mother's untimely passing). It also helped me to understand Reese better. In the movie, I struggled with her behavior at times (it felt very young), but in Love was Near, we more clearly see a Reese who craves finding herself and until that happens she has some growing up to do. While I felt a little too old to fill out the question and answer segment, I could see younger girls (probably preteens) loving the opportunity to write in the book and get a say in some respects.

The one question you all may have, though, is "do you need to watch the movie in order to read the book?" No, I don't personally think so. While it may enrich your experience by watching the movie, the book still stands on its own, giving the full story behind Resse's eventful year.

In all, Love was Near was a fast paced addition to the Trust Fund world.

Grade: B

Love was Near (Amazon | Goodreads | Barnes and Noble) is now out!

Source: Publicist/Author - thanks Amy and Sandra!

About the Author:

Sandra has authored three books and award winning short films. She just finished post production on her most recent feature film “How to Pick Your Second Husband First" a romantic comedy set in Boston. She has experience in the fields of film production, film editing, post-production, and marketing. Sandra and Isaac have been working together for over fifteen years.

Giveaway:

Thanks to Amy and Sandra, I have one paperback copy of Love was Near to giveaway!

This giveaway is open to US mailing addresses only.

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Want to read an excerpt from the book? Click read more!

Movie Review: Trust Fund

To learn more about Love was Near, the book inspired by Trust Fund, click here. There's a review, giveaway, and excerpt!

About Trust Fund:

The wealth of the Donahue family proves money is no solution to personal and family problems. Each of the characters are struggling for the same thing, but going about achieving it in very different ways, they each are looking for love. The younger sister, Reese, is a free spirit on a quest for self-discovery. Audrey, the older sister, is a perfectionist, and rivals for her father’s attention through her achievements. Both girls use their father in their own way to get what they want. The father is long-suffering in the antics of his children, but knows neither one of them are ready for the responsibility that a large sum of money requires, determined that they will become the people that he and their mother knew they could be.

Compelled to follow her heart, Reese leaves the safety of her family behind, willing to risk all that she has for the dream of what could be.

When all that Reese had hoped for comes crashing down around her and she realizes that she has made a terrible mistake. She runs back to her father to ask for forgiveness. His grace and acceptance are more than she expected, but Audrey is confused by her father’s willingness to forget all that her sister has done.

As Reese is no longer chasing after what she thinks is her destiny, she’s able to see what has been waiting for her all the time.

Movie Review:

Confession time: movies aren't always my thing. However, when I got the amazing opportunity to watch Trust Fund and read Love was Near, the book inspired by the movie, I couldn't resist. Both sounded amazing, and I loved that they had to do with the publishing world - Reese was an aspiring author while Reese's family was deeply rooted into the world of publishing. As it turns out, I really came to love this movie, and I enjoyed the tie-in opportunities the book provided, as you can read about in my book review.

Reese was a complicated character. At the start of the movie, she was incredibly lost. She didn't know where her place was in the world. She wanted to be a writer but she didn't want to do so on her family's dime nor did she want to end up working at the family company like her sister. Reese was impulsive, adventurous, and passionate. While she wasn't always the best friend, sister, or daughter, it was easy to see she tried her hardest to be. At first I didn't like Reese all that much. I didn't like how she treated her family nor how she was so willing to give up such a great opportunity at her family's company. However, as the movie progressed, I began to like Reese more and more. She was one of those characters who needed to learn from her mistakes, and boy, did she make a ton of mistakes in this movie but also learn from them. By the end of the movie, I loved how much her character had developed and grown. I was incredibly proud.

In addition to Resse an assortment of other characters were introduced. I didn't like Milo. I got bad guy vibes from him from the get-go; however, he did introduced some twists, turns, and conflict to the movie, which I enjoyed. It was interesting to see his relationship with Reese bloom and die and then repeat that process. I also came to love Reese's family. Her dad was such a great guy, and while sometimes I wished he would be harder on Reese, it was easy to see he was letting his love for her steer his actions. Reese's sister was a tough cookie, and while at first I didn't like her that much either, she began to loosen up and humanize as the movie progressed.

In addition to the characters, I LOVED the settings in Trust Fund. The movie took place in Chicago and Italy. I loved the serenity and calmness of Italy. It was easy to see why Reese liked it so much there. I also enjoyed the bustle and big city vibes Chicago had. I especially enjoyed the scenes taking place at the publishing house. They truly managed to help flesh out those portions of the movie.

In all, Trust Fund is a great romantic coming-of-age movie. It's slightly slow in the beginning but by the end it's well worth the journey.

Starring:

Jessica Rothe: La La Land, Mary + Jane, The Hot Flashes

Kevin Kilner: House of Cards, One Tree Hill, Home Alone 3

Ana Ortiz: Devious Maids, Ugly Betty, Marry Me

Rose Abdoo: Gilmore Girls, Scandal, Parenthood

Willie Garson: Hawaii Five-0, White Collar, Sex and the City

Writer/director: Sandra L. Martin

Producer: Isaac Alongi

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