I really enjoyed this memoir by Bethany Joy Lenz. While we would all like to believe we wouldn't fall into a cult, I think Lenz showed us how that it's true. It was really heartbreaking to read her story, and I never would have guessed what she was going through while filming OTH. I'm glad she and her daughter were able to safely remove themselves from the cult.

I used to watch One Tree Hill all the time and even lived close to Wilmington, North Carolina for many years. I had no idea what Bethany was caught up in and reading about how she got there was also interesting. This was a quick read, and I enjoyed seeing all the insight she had about cults and how easy they can be to get caught up in without even realizing it happening. Her story is very captivating, and it also makes me want to go back and watch One Tree Hill all over again. I have so much more respect for her and her career after reading this memoir. Thanks, NetGalley for the ARC.

I remember Bethany Joy Lenz, not from One Tree Hill (which I didn't watch), but from Guiding Light, and yes, I'm 100% dating myself! I love reading and reviewing memoirs anyway, so when I saw this one, especially when it mentioned cults (another dark obsession of mine), I couldn't wait to read it. Wow, am I glad I did. Reading about how Bethany Joy was drawn in little by little by a religious leader who took advantage of her desire to be closer to God was very enlightening. When you hear about people who fall under the spell of these types of leaders, who give up everything for them and what they're selling, including their relationships with friends and family, it's hard not to wonder how anybody could be that gullible, but this book explained how it happens so slowly that you can't see from inside the bubble they build up around you what is really happening. Your family and friend's truths don't match up with your truths at the time, and when you go to your "leader", for want of a better word, for help, they jump at the chance to force even more distance between you and everyone around you. I was totally taken in by Bethany Joy's story and began to understand how she was taken in, how she lost her independence, but more importantly, how she got out, and the price she paid when she did. By the time I got to the end of the book, I had developed mad respect for Bethany Joy, and I admired her strength in taking back control of her life the most of all.

I loved this book so much, and highly recommend it to my readers.

5/5 stars.

*** I would like to thank NetGalley, Simon and Schuster, and Bethany Joy Lenz for the opportunity to read and review this fascinating book.

ARC REVIEW

Dinner for Vampires
By Bethany Joy Lenz

Publishing date: 10/22/2024

I don't rate memoirs, but I really liked this one! It gets my stamp of approval 💯 (but netgalley requires a star rating so 5 it is)

I wasn't a One Tree Hill fan, but I do love reading about cults and member experiences. I'm also a HUGE hallmark movie lover. This memoir is Bethany Joy Lenz sharing her story and cult experience with the world.

I had no idea she was in this situation. Luckily, the group she was a member of wasn't as EXTREME as others I've read about, but it doesn't make her experience any less traumatic. She was not only robbed of money(LOTS), but precious moments and years she will never get back.

I loved the book, but not what she went through. Memoirs can be hit or miss for me. But this was a big hit. I loved learning about Bethany's acting experiences, as well as her involvement in the cult. It kept my interest, and I read the bulk of the book in a couple days.

I definitely recommend this one when it is released next month. Great memoir!

As always, thank you to the publisher @simonandschuster as well as @netgalley
For the early read opportunity. Also, thank you to @msbethanyjoylenz for sharing your story-very brave!

I didn't watch OTH when it was originally one, but I have watched and rewatched several times since it first came out; so, when I heard this book was coming out...I knew I wanted to read it. And, plot twist dear reader, this was way more cult than it was OTH - and I loved it! I think Bethany Joy shows such a compelling story about how and why people get sucked into cults, and why they stay.

I definitely did enjoy the peeks into her career (both OTH and beyond) - I especially liked her insight into how the OTH costars saw her, her involvement, and, ultimately, her relationship with them after the fact. However, I really LOVED that this was not a drama-filled, celebrity memoir, but was truly about her own experiences, reflections, and struggles.

I learned so much - both about how cults work - but about how easy it is to lose control of your own life, without even realizing it.

If you like reading about cults, you'll like it. If you like reading celebrity memoirs, you'll like it.

As a fan of both One Tree Hill and memoirs, I’ve been excited about this one for a long time. This wasn’t exactly what I expected, but I did end up really appreciating Joy’s voice and how she was able to shed light on how even smart, talented people can end up in a cult. This story was entertaining and endearing and although this wasn’t really about Joy’s time on One Tree Hill, I loved that some of her costars played an integral part in her finding her way out. Overall, I enjoyed this one.

I respect those who are able share their personal journeys with the world. The vulnerability that it takes to share your experiences is not an easy thing.

Readers expecting a deep dive into Joy’s experiences on "One Tree Hill" might find themselves a bit let down. While the book does touch upon her time on the show, its primary focus is on Joy's harrowing experience with a cult and her subsequent escape. The narrative reveals a distressing and, at times, chilling account of how she was drawn into and manipulated by the cult leader, Les, who exploited her vulnerability and also taught others how to do the same. The way the cult distorted Joy’s perception of herself, what a marriage should be and those around her is both troubling and tragic. Yet, her bravery in breaking free and ensuring her daughter would not be subjected to that environment is truly admirable.

I sincerely hope this isn’t the final word from Joy in the realm of writing, as she clearly possesses a remarkable talent. Her story is engaging and compelling from start to finish! Thank you to Net Galley and Simon & Schuster for the ARC.

This was a lot.
Thanks to author, publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book. While I got the book for free it had no bearing on the rating I gave it.

Really fascinating peek into how a person can get caught up in a "high demand group" aka a cult. Bethany Joy Lenz takes an unflinching look at her own experience that came from a good place of wanting a relationship with God but getting manipulated by a con-man and his cronies. Yet she was still able to discuss her experience with humor and warmth, and there was honestly very little bitterness in her words. I loved the inside look at the television business, how actors navigate auditons and salary negotiations. I also loved how transparent and earnest Lenz was about her relationship with God and how that evolved during different parts of her life. I highly recommend this book to those who find cults interesting, fans of One Tree Hill, and those looking for Christian-based memoirs.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

This was my first time reading a memoir and honestly, I don’t hate it! I am a huge One Tree Hill star and she’s one of my favorite from there. Reading this, I didn’t realize that she was going thru so much.

Insecurity and feelings of loneliness are not unfamiliar to the rich and famous. This story is riveting and shows what can happen to anyone. A satisfying read.

when i was asked to review this book, i was definitely hesitant. a memoir from a tv star from the early 2000s on a show i never watched? definitely not my first pick. but i am so glad i did.

this memoir demonstrates how common feelings such as loneliness and wanting to feel accepted can easily be taken advantage of in the most unlucky situations. lenz, throughout the memoir, describes how she wanted to simply be part of a loving group of people, and that ended up with her being manipulated into a religious cult for years. her desire to belong led her to be in an unhappy abusive marriage, have millions stolen from her, and reject the star role in a broadway play. the story shows the power of trusting your instincts, that the worst situations have a silver-lining, and that we are all just humans wanting connection.

i believe this is a read for any and all readers and i hope that you enjoy it as much as i did. overall: 4.5⭐️

Am I the vampire? I finished this memoir in a single sitting and true to its adverts, it is deliciously witty and inspiring. Bethany Joy Lenz tells her story of living in a cult and how she finally broke free.

This story is told in a linear timeline form but Joy does a great job of balancing her voice of hindsight with who she was as she experienced life in the Big Family cult. Reading this memoir allowed me as the reader to walk a mile in her shoes— and it was terrifying and soul crushing and in the end, inspiring and bold.

I read this book having no prior awareness of One Tree Hill or Bethany Joy Lenz, but that didn’t stop me from feeling connected and engaged in her story. This memoir is well done and a five star read.

I’d like to thank Simon and Schuster and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Bethanyyyyy!!!
Wow, this makes me want to rewatch One Tree Hill and just think about the amount of gaslighting and trauma she was going through during her filming. This is the story of Bethany's experiences in a religous group turned cult that gaslighted her in every way imaginable. It is a good reminder of how no matter what we believe, to always question people in power and to have the highest compassion for those manipulated by monsters.

This was definitely an interesting read. It was hard to connect the story I learned with what I thought I knew about Lenz. Her story is intriguing and captivating and just shows that you never really know what’s going on in someone’s life. I just wish she wasn’t such a right-winged conservative.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this title.

I was obsessed with One Tree Hill growing up. A Nathan and Haley forever kind of fan. After I listened to a few episodes of Bethany's podcast, I was really intrigued by her back story. While some of the other stars' public lives were out in the center, not much was known about Bethany. This book changes that.
Watching the show as it was broadcast over the years, you never would have guessed what turmoil Bethany's life was in and how isolated she had become. I think this speaks to what an incredible actress she is.

What I loved about this book is how Bethany describes the discreet manipulation of the leaders of the "cult." How charismatic and charming they all were. The feelings of belonging and being loved is so universal and Bethany was no different. Growing up as an only child with divorced parents, you get the sense that she was always searching for that missing puzzle piece to make her feel whole and complete. She ended up finding that piece in her daughter.

I never realized how people could be that naive to not know they were in a cult, but Bethany lays it all out. Even I couldn't see it at first as I was reading. Despite the amount of dignity, and years they took away from her, she isn't bitter and found a light in all of the darkness.

I wish that the story had an epilogue to tell the reader where is she now. I would have enjoyed reading more about her after leaving the cult.

Brave and Honest

A Heartbreaking story from a beaytiful soul that was taken advantage whike trying to find a more spiritual life.
Admittedly, Inever watched her OTH show when it was on the air unless visiting some who did.

Love her work on Hallmark Channel
Recommend athis book to get a look behind the scenes of one who was a victim, but never let it define her or use her tragedy as an excuse.

THANK YOU to Joy Lenz for sharing her cult experience with us! Her style of writing made me feel that I was right there with her as she experienced the horror of emotional and financial abuse by the leaders of her Bible Study. I was shocked by how those in her "family" distorted the word of God for their own gain. As a fellow Christian, I understand her desire to follow God in all of her life, and I am encouraged by her faith that brought her through the absolute worst type of Spiritual abuse, and the power of the Holy Spirit to strengthen that faith after the abuse was brought to life. This is a story that everyone needs to hear. It's a lesson that we need to pass along to our children and grandchildren. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to experience Dinner for Vampires!

I found this to be a quick and easy read despite the subject matter. It was sometimes hard to think about her going thru all of this but it was eye-opening to see that it could happen to anyone. It made me feel for her, all that she went though and lost.

As someone who watched One Tree Hill and had no clue with Joy went through, this was a fascinating look into her life.

Bethany Joy Lenz was famous for her role as Haley James Scott, but behind the scenes was involved in a religious "cult" that took advantage of her fame and fortune. Most people will chalk that up to a person being gullible or susceptible to this sort of organization, but BJL really makes it clear how these groups and leaders entrap people. The group managed to steal millions of dollars from her over the years and break her away from her family.

She describes her time in the group and her escape to protect her daughter.

Great for anyone who has interest in this sort of organization or One Tree Hill!