It's always so hard to rate memoirs, but Lenz's reflection of her time in a cult was captivating and surprising. I picked this up because I loved One Tree Hill and it's hard to believe all of this happened during the peak of her career.

**Dinner for Vampires** by Bethany Joy Lenz
A darkly whimsical take on the supernatural, this novel combines humor, intrigue, and a dash of horror in a fresh and fun way. Lenz's writing effortlessly balances the eerie with the relatable, creating a world where vampires and everyday dilemmas coexist in surprising harmony. It's an engaging, offbeat read that's both entertaining and thought-provoking.

I loved One Tree Hill in my teen years so I was so excited when this book was announced. I had no idea what Bethany Joy Lenz experienced during filming and throughout her life. It was a really interesting memoir and I was glad I picked it up!

Thank you to Simon & Schuester for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Dinner for Vampires is everything I expected and wanted from this memoir but don’t be fooled into thinking this is a good time or a new Lestat story.

Growing up with One Tree Hill, I was absolutely enamored with our big three (Brooke, Peyton, and Haley) and it shaped my ideal for female friendships before Sex and the City ever could. It was so disheartening to see how those relationships weren’t able to transcend into the real life (on set) of Bethany Joy Lenz and to experience her first hand account of living in a cult.

I identified with this story more than I ever hoped also living in a very distinct branch of Christianity and the wild similarities between this religion and cult like mentality. We get to see how anybody can be targeted, coerced, and then ruined by these vampires especially when that someone is a growing star on one of the most exciting shows on television.

This story focuses a lot more on Joy and her time in the cult, her experiences that were shaped by them, and her struggle to get free. Don’t go into this thinking it will be like The Drama Queens Podcast at all or even Hillarie Burton Morgan’s memoir because the topic and her life is vastly different than what we have gotten to hear from these beautiful and strong women. But don’t let the heavy topic dissuade you from reading either. Through an incredibly strong voice, Joy is able to convey her story without begging you to understand but is still able to elicit so much empathy and kindness for survivors of all types. And the insights to her and Paul Johansson’s (evil Dan Scott’s) dear friendship was one of my favourite things to come from this recounting.

Thank you so much for this ARC as this was one of my most anticipated books this year and I was THRILLED to get this months before I had to start my countdown. I can’t wait for everyone to hear her story and all collectively give her a giant hug.

I enjoyed this memoir so much. I was a huge One Tree Hill fan, so this was so interesting to read (and listen to) because we had no idea that Bethany Joy Lenz was going through any of this while she was filming the show. Her writing is lyrical and engaging, weaving together moments of humor, heartbreak, and resilience. She doesn’t shy away from the darker parts of her story, making this a compelling and sometimes emotional read. While some sections feel slightly disjointed, the honesty and warmth in her storytelling keep the reader invested.

For fans of Lenz’s work and memoir lovers alike, Dinner for Vampires is a thought-provoking and deeply personal book that lingers long after the final page. A heartfelt journey worth reading.

Very enjoyable and I really like the metaphors of cults being like Vampires. It's so interesting to see how the lives of the teen stars we looked up to really were

Drawn to this initially because I followed BJL ever since her days on OTH! Wow... this was a super interesting read and shed some fascinating light on her life and experiences. Really opened my eyes and I respect her so much for what she's been through! Definitely recommend!

I was so interested and excited for this because of my love for Bethany's character in OTH. What a fascinating and sad picture of what life was really like for her for this time...I have so much more love and respect for her, for all she has been through and because of how she has come out of that and been a beacon of hope for so many!

I have been fascinated reading about cults for many years! I typically read about fictional ones but this was my first nonfiction. Lenz does a fantastic job portraying her life in a cult and bringing awareness. Although, her story is heartbreaking, her writing is powerful!

Ok… full confession, I only grabbed this because of the cover and because I love memoirs. I had no idea no idea who Bethany Joy Lenz was and had never seen the show. That said, I did enjoy this and she definitely had a story to tell, I just felt lost at times.

Dinner for Vampires by Bethany Joy Lenz is a stunning and heartfelt memoir that offers readers an intimate glimpse into the author’s life, passions, and personal struggles. Lenz’s voice is raw, authentic, and captivating, making this memoir a page-turner from start to finish.

Through a collection of personal anecdotes, Lenz shares the highs and lows of her journey, navigating both the glamorous and the challenging moments of her career and personal life. Her wit and humor shine through as she reflects on the complexity of relationships, fame, and self-discovery, bringing a sense of relatability that will resonate with readers from all walks of life.

One of the memoir's strengths is how deeply Lenz connects her personal experiences with universal themes of growth and resilience. She doesn’t shy away from vulnerability, and this openness creates an emotional bond between her and the reader. The writing is lyrical, with a conversational tone that makes it feel like you're sharing an evening with a friend, listening to her life story.

Dinner for Vampires is not just a celebrity memoir—it’s a deeply personal exploration of identity, self-worth, and finding one's place in a chaotic world. It’s a delightful, thought-provoking read that will leave readers inspired and emotionally moved. Bethany Joy Lenz has crafted a memoir that is as rich in introspection as it is in charm, and it’s a must-read for anyone looking for a fresh, heartfelt perspective on life’s ups and downs.

Bethany Joy Lenz shares her story and struggles with grace and humor. She is a natural story teller and invites the reader into her experiences. I feel that her story is one that I would share with my students to help them see how a good situation can quickly turn into a bad one. I also recommended this to my teacher book club and it's the one that was selected!

Heartbreaking and expertly written! Very compelling and the vampiric through line was brilliant. If it were a movie, id be yelling at the screen “don’t go in there!” “Stay away from him!” “You in danger, girl.”

Her co-stars were facing sexual harassment and abuse on set (not documented in the book but widely known) and I guess she only avoided that by being abused and manipulated in her own home. I was upset that a fan got roped in but she Joy was in far too deep to see the ramifications.

I truly believe that the most important thing in this world, in our society, is to have control over and understanding of your money. Once that’s lost, it’s the hardest road you can take because your exits are severely limited. I’m so glad she got out and took control over her life.

I was not familiar with the author but was still engrossed in this memoir from start to finish. Bethany’s writing was engaging and I enjoyed reading about her life. I gave this book five stars and would highly recommend to fans of celebrity memoirs.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for this E-ARC!

Can I just start by saying there should be some kind of club for girls when they are growing up where women can discuss red flags! Where we just check in and discuss things that are happening in your life and if things are okay. I’ve read so many autobiographies where nobody helps the girls. I will help. If any young girl has any questions about relationships and if things that are happening are okay, just call me.

I grew up watching One Tree Hill during my teens! It was peek young adult, wishing I was in an American high school with jocks and cheerleaders! This show is a cult show. It changed so many people’s lives. I will be rewatching it now, thinking about this book the whole time.

It is hard to write a review about someone’s life! How do I judge whether or not that was a good book? It’s your story, you know? But I can with full confidence say that this is a 5 star read for me. The way it’s written is amazing!!!!! I listened to it and Bethany Joy is the narrator, which makes it even better. It’s like she is telling me the story herself! And what an incredible “story”. I can’t imagine going through this. I love her parents. I love her dad! I love the entire cast of OTH even more now.

If you ever watched the show, do yourself a favor and read this book. Or even better, listen to it.

I am glad she got out. I am glad she is doing better. And I am glad she has an amazing daughter that is the bright spot on this dark time.

The more you know!!! Who would have thought Joy was going through all this while playing the beloved Haley James Scott. I am a huge fan of the show, so I was excited to see Bethany Joy Lenz had written a memoir. I felt like I was meeting someone I thought I knew so well for the first time. This was incredibly unnerving, raw and honest. I highly recommend.

I had a hard time reading this book. While I wanted to feel for Lenz's experiences, I couldn't understand how she could talk about the cult she was part of while also connecting that to her own faith. I wonder if there would've been a better editor and/or more time between her experiences and writing this book that it would've connected better for me.

Additionally, I don't know if One Tree Hill is really considered a cult hit -- I felt it was a bona fide hit from the moment it hit the CW, but I could be wrong.

Anyone that knows me, knows that I’m an enormous One Tree Hill fan. Hailey James Scott also just happens to be my favorite character on the show. When I heard this book was happening, I was beyond excited. Then, I got the privilege of getting an ARC thanks to @netgalley! I’m not going to lie, I screamed when I got the email. How lucky am I?

Joy talks about what was going on in her personal life while on One Tree Hill. I had no idea at the time that she was living in a nightmare, living in a cult. Joy goes into great detail with her story explaining how she ended up in the cult when looking for a bible study group. They were in control of almost every aspect of her life. She even married the son of the cult leader and they had a daughter.

I appreciate how she tells the story and describes how easy it can be to be convinced that they are there to help you and love you. The idea of cults is very scary, in my opinion, and I can see how easy it can be over time to be convinced that they’re trying to help you.

She is so incredibly brave to leave for herself and her daughter and then to also put her story out there for the world.

Thanks to @netgalley for sending me this copy to review. I also listened to the audiobook to be able to hear Joy read her own story and it made it even more powerful to hear it in her own words. Plus, she has a great voice, and is an amazing storyteller.

I found this memoir of the author’s time in a cult to be very raw, honest, and reflective. It was refreshing to hear a firsthand account of how vulnerable people can be manipulated and abused, to the point where they are conditioned and groomed to the point of being unable to recognize their own abuse. I definitely watched One Tree Hill as a teenager, though I wasn’t a diehard fan. It’s amazing to think that all of this was going on behind the scenes during the show. It’s also a good reminder that cults are real and common, they aren’t as big and far-fetched as what you see on Netflix.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers Copy of Dinner for Vampires by Bethany Joy Lenz!