Dinner for Vampires

De: Bethany Joy Lenz

Narrado por: Bethany Joy Lenz

A deliciously witty and inspiring memoir by One Tree Hill star Bethany Joy Lenz about her decade in a cult and her quest to break free.

In the early 2000s, after years of hard work and determination to breakthrough as an actor, Bethany Joy Lenz was finally cast as one of the leads on the hit drama One Tree Hill. Her career was about to take off, but her personal life was slowly beginning to unravel. What none of the show’s millions of fans knew, hidden even from her costars, was her secret double life in a cult.

An only child who often had to fend for herself and always wanted a place to belong, Lenz found the safe haven she’d been searching for in a Bible study group with other Hollywood creatives. However, the group soon morphed into something more sinister—a slowly woven web of manipulation, abuse, and fear under the guise of a church covenant called The Big House Family. Piece by piece, Lenz began to give away her autonomy, ultimately relocating to the Family’s Pacific Northwest compound, overseen by a domineering minister who would convince Lenz to marry one of his sons and steadily drained millions of her TV income without her knowledge. Family “minders” assigned to her on set, “Maoist struggle session”–inspired meetings in the basement of a filthy house, and regular counseling with “Leadership” were just part of the tactics used to keep her loyal.

Only when she became a mother did Lenz find the courage to leave and spare her child from a similar fate. After nearly a decade (and with the unlikely help of a One Tree Hill superfan), she finally managed to escape the family’s grip and begin to heal from the deep trauma that forever altered her relationship with God and her understanding of faith.

Written with powerful honesty and dark humor, Dinner for Vampires is an inspiring story about the importance of identity and understanding what you believe.

©2024 Bethany Joy Lenz (P)2024 Simon & Schuster Audio

I Love Her, Her Story and her Heart. 💗

Not only do I adore Bethany Joy Lenz (AKA Joie) for her talent as an actress and singer, but I also applaud her for her perseverance as a woman and eventually Mother, for her strength as a Human, and for the Beauty in her Heart and Soul.

Growing up watching “One Tree Hill,” I now have a significantly deeper appreciation for Bethany’s dedication to her work, as well as how difficult it was for her behind the scenes, in her version of “the real world.” She does a phenomenal job conveying all of her ups and downs, letting us peek into the window of her life.

I also have to take a moment to applaud her narration skills, which are off the charts! (Her vocal portrayals of fellow friends, colleague, etc. are amazing to listen to and so spot on sometimes - no Spoilers to be given here. 😄)

I was absolutely captivated, while also heartbroken, by her story. I genuinely appreciated her retelling her own life experiences and perspectives not only with her own words, but also with her own Voice.

Hearing her - actually hearing HER voice - narrating these difficult and also amazing experiences made all the difference for me. I’m glad that I “audiobooked it” rather than just read the text.

Bethany is just SO talented, and SO Beautiful in all the ways. I only wish I could have kept listening even longer to continue the journey even further with her. . . Sending her all the Love & Harmony for her future as an individual and for her future with her Beautiful Daughter. 🥰

Vulnerability

I appreciate the vulnerability in her story. I'm so glad she didn't blame God for what humans did. The cursing of God (though very hard to listen to audibly) is so common with Christians and non Christians. We all have that moment of "WHY God?" God is, however, Sovereign. He is always good. This world makes us long to be home in Heaven. May us never forget that our identity is in Christ, not rooted in this broken world.

riveting

Authentic and thoroughly thought provoking. insightful and relatable, even never having been in a cult. 100% worth the listen.

Finished in a day!

Wow. I couldn’t put it down. As a major fan of OTH I always wondered why she didn’t continue on. My friend asked me last week if I knew she had been in a cult and was shocked. I researched what she was talking about and pre-ordered the book. As I listened to her I could see how easily it would be to find myself in a cult. How longing for that connection would lead me to that situation.

Heartbreaking, Funny, Inspiring

It’s so easy to see how these evil people over powered Joy. I’m so thankful she has beautiful “Rosie” as the dawn that came after the darkness. Haley James has always been my favorite OTH character, and to now know the pain Joy was living through while performing beautifully is remarkable. Oh how I hope she gets her broadway dream one day. I hate what these people took from her. I’m now listening to the book for my second time… this time on Spotify after finishing on audible so I can support her in multiple ways.

Wonderful!

Such an interesting and well written story. Enjoyed this listen very much. It was wonderful to have Joy read!

Absolutely phenomenal

What an absolutely incredible story and narration. I highly recommend this whether you are an OTH fan or not. I can't wait to see what is next for her in her career! I hope nothing but success and all the Broadway roles for her!

Just a fan

I love Joy in OTH . I had no idea she was in a cult. This book is captivating , heartfelt and I listened to it in one setting . I have a new respect for her. Absolutely loved her story and her narrating made it even better !

INCREDIBLE AND ENRAPTURED TO THE END

Beautiful written, BEAUTIFUL. Reading again immediately! Highly recommend. I have so much respect and love for this Joy and all she has been through. Just incredible.

Great read!

The way she wrote her story (and read it) made it hard to put down!