The Truth About Melissa: A Soul Mate Experiment

by Lisa Mayme Corbit

When challenged by his family to create his ideal soul mate, Jonathan becomes consumed with the process of composing her life story. He writes letters to her and even the replies. He imagines her in every detail. She is his soul mate; she is his Melissa.

Years later, frustrated his fictional woman has not come into his life, he writes Melissa one last letter – the breakup.

Then…Lisa.

Focused on her schooling, but at the same time yearning for the comfort and security of a committed relationship, Lisa is unaware of the soul mate experiment. Yet, as she spends more time with Jonathan, she becomes aware there is ‘someone else.’ Before long, Jonathan must introduce Lisa to Melissa.

The Truth About Melissa: A Soul Mate Experiment is the novelized experience of the power of manifested creativity and the culmination of what happens when that creation unites with reality.

291 pages, Paperback

Published October 28, 2017

About the author

Lisa Mayme Corbit taught secondary English in the US, the UAE, and Paraguay before deciding to become an author. The Truth About Melissa: A Soul Mate Experiment is her debut novel and is based on her experience of meeting and marrying a man who had 'created' his ideal soul mate four years before their first meeting. She currently lives on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington state.

Reviews

[Dorothy Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lisa Mayme Corbit has accomplished what it is very difficult for a beginning writer to do: capture a personal story, a memoir, and present it in a way that reads like delightful fiction, with an engaging story, fascinating characters, drama and comedy all rolled into one. The story involves some real people, besides Lisa herself, including Jonathan Bach, wannabe writer, and son of Richard Bach, the famed author of JONATHAN LIVINGSTON SEAGULL, which a few decades ago became a worldwide bestselling novel and later a movie. Jonathan decides to find the perfect soul mate, challenged by his father and other family members, and he calls this fictional version Melissa. Then he proceeds to try to find Melissa in real life. Lisa Mayme shows up on the scene and Jonathan decides she is his Melissa. He proceeds to court her. A young and innocent college student, Lisa is carried away by his efforts to get to know her--little realizing that she is always being measured by a fictional counterpart. His life fantasy, Lisa's reality, the extended group of friends, co-workers, and family members all make for an amazing, page-turner read. Congratulations, Lisa, and on to your next novel!

[Heidi Lynn’s BookReviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, I want to thank Lisa Mayme Corbit for providing me with this book so I may bring you this review.
When I heard about The Truth About Melissa A Soulmate Experiment by Lisa Mayme Corbit I was incredibly intrigued by this unique story line I just knew I had to read it. I am drawn to authors who think outside of the box for stories. Who wouldn’t want to create their own perfect soulmate?! Just by the prologue I was captivated by this book!

I really liked the cover of this book. The background color, the lettering, and the silhouettes of woman I assumed to be Melissa brought life to the cover. Kudos to the graphic designer whom did the cover of the book.

My heart went out to Jonathan is so incredibly lonely and sad he had to make up his perfect soulmate in Melissa whom he eventually falls for. However, how does he explain her to everyone?
I was very excited to learn that Jonathan is an author whose book is going up to galley.

The conversation that Lisa was having with Jonathan I really enjoyed. Both at first didn’t care for eachother but realized they had a lot in common. It was refreshing to him not depressed and being animated.

[AJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author took an experience and told it in a way that was relate-able (even though I've never experienced the scenario in the book). I don't know the author, have never met her. I have a nostalgic familiarity with Richard Bach's "Jonathan Livingston Seagull". The story centers around the relationship between Jonathan Bach, and Lisa and how they met and developed a relationship. The author drew me in with the story.
It's also set in Seattle which is south of where I grew up.

I don't know how to give a very good review without leaving spoilers. I was lucky enough to download this book when it was offered for free on Cyber Monday. I never know what to expect from new authors. But because this was a memoir told in a fictional style, I was able to feel like I was getting to know a part of this author's life. The story was very well written, and I could not put it down.

[Theresa Wade · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is unlike any book have read lately. You get suck into the story and wish you had more time to keep on reading and finish it. The author did a great job with building the characters through the story. I too was like the book where Lisa wanted to find out parts of Johnathon's story was true versus exaggerated. I felt sad that on how the story ended but they don't always end on a good note. Excellent book.

[Deborah Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Memoir, fictionalized, of socially awkward young man, with literate father, struggling to find a woman, a socially perfect woman. Enter Lisa. This a well written, layered, story, with crafted characterizations of real people behaving like well, humans! I was charmed, and look forward to more. I recommend this very well written book.

[Sheena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this Book. It Was The First Time I Have Read Anything By This Author.

[Sue Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Lisa meets Jonathan, a socially awkward, clumsy, geek and it wasn't love at first sight for either of them. Lisa is recovering from a breakup and Jonathan's love life doesn't exist. One of Jonathan's brothers and his father, the author of Jonathan Livingston Seagull, are tired of Jonathan whining about his social life so they suggest a project to keep him busy and out of their hair for awhile. They suggest he create a fantasy girlfriend. His perfect mate. He goes for the idea and begins thinking about what he wants in a perfect mate, right down to hair color. He names her Melissa. Meanwhile, Lisa decides to become a court reporter. She moves to Seattle and moves in with her cousin that she has met only once. That is Cathy, a hyperactive Type A person with an effervescent personality. They say opposites attract and Lisa and Cathy do get along fine. Cathy, if you read this, I'm sorry, but you would drive me nuts. Jonathan hangs out frequently at a billiards parlor and by chance, Lisa gets a job there.
I loved the characters, Cathy too, as long as she is on paper, and I loved the story. I don't know how Lisa could have tolerated some things and I wanted to tell her, "No, don't do that.". But this was her life, not mine and I don't have nerves of steel like Lisa must have. She also has the patience of a saint. There were definitely places in her story that made me angry and others that made me giggle.
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway and highly recommend it.

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