3.5 stars ⭐️
What a heartbreaking vulnerable story. It was so brave of Joy to write her story. It showed such an interesting perspective in how one can get wrapped up in a cult when they are just looking for family and acceptance. It was crazy what Joy was dealing with behind the scenes while she was filming One Tree Hill.

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for a copy of this book.

This was such a heartbreaking and eye opening memoir. The things this poor girl and so many more went though is absolutly devistating. I was instantly pulled into this book and learned so much traveling through the timeline of Joys life.

I absolutely could not put this book down. I've always been someone saying that I'm not dumb enough to fall for a cult, but I am curious enough. However, after reading this, I can 100% say I would have fallen for the same shenanigans and been wrapped up in the cult. Bethany writes so well that you can see yourself in her shoes and feel the loneliness, confusion, and need for acceptance that she's going through. I'm so glad Bethany spoke out and that she got off that ship!

Bethany Joy provides a well written, intriguing, and devastating account of her cult experience. The way she wrote demonstrated beautifully how easy it is to be drawn in and how quickly things can turn sour even when you have a support system wishing they could pull you out. The book provides often unheard of insight into the mindset of cult survivors and how they could not see the danger coming.

"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."

I have never watched an episode of One Tree Hill. After reading this book, I plan to! The book doesn't dig too deep into the show stuff anyway so my unfamiliarity with the content of the show didn't matter. Of course, being a human who doesn't live under a rock, I was aware of the cast members and the general premise.

This book is so compellingly written and full of honesty. Anyone who is a fan of memoirs of any kind will enjoy this one. It is heartbreaking to read about the control that the members of the cult held over her during that period. I am so glad that she was finally able to break free and to share her story. I highly recommend this title. I put it up there with Jeanette McCurdy's memoir, which I also gave 5 stars. They both write with honesty and humor, while showing kindness to their younger selves.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to read this title!

Such an unbelievably good book. I have been a fan of Bethany Joy Lenz for a long time now, knowing and loving her for her role on One Tree Hill, yet I had absolutely no idea what she was going through behind the scenes. In Dinner For Vampires she dives deep into her life in a cult. It’s such a sad story, not sad as in you want to cry, but sad in a way where you take a step back and think “woah I can’t believe this can happen to someone, I’m so sorry.” She really shows you how easy it is to get sucked into a cult without knowing that that’s what it is. She does such a good job showing you that it isn’t as black and white as you might think.

This was a quick read. Overall I enjoyed it, but I felt like the story skimmed the surface instead of truly diving deep into Joy's past.

This was so deeply disconcerting that I found myself actually staring at the page in visible horror on multiple occasions.

It’s so easy, in retrospect or as an outsider, to see each manipulation or calculation or ill intention. She sees it now - just as we see it while reading.

The fact that she is still able to have empathy for her ex husband in spite of everything is a testament to her determination to move forward unattached from the years of trauma.

There is still, in spite of the hope, a vaguely ominous undertone to the ending of the book. I don’t know that it was intentional, but it feels like something is lurking in the background that has not quite surfaced yet. Or maybe that’s just because everything was so dismal for the entire book that I’m not out of it yet!

Dinner for Vampires by Bethany Joy Lenz is a raw and deeply personal memoir detailing her time as a lead on One Tree Hill while secretly living a double life in a cult. Lenz takes readers through her journey, starting with her search for belonging, which initially led her to a Bible study group of Hollywood creatives. However, the group evolved into a manipulative and abusive cult known as The Big House Family. Over time, Lenz unknowingly surrendered her autonomy and wealth, eventually relocating to the cult's compound, controlled by a domineering minister. The group’s sinister influence extended into every part of her life, even assigning minders to her on set. It wasn’t until she became a mother that she found the courage to escape, with the surprising help of a One Tree Hill superfan.

Lenz writes with unflinching honesty, sharing her trauma, resilience, and ultimate journey toward healing. With touches of dark humor, Dinner for Vampires is more than just a recounting of her cult experience—it's a powerful exploration of identity, faith, and the dangerous allure of false security. Lenz’s story is both inspiring and cautionary, a testament to the strength it takes to reclaim one’s life.

I don’t typically rate memoirs, but for the sake of writing, excitement, and enjoyment I’m giving this one 5.

I was excited beyond words when I got the approval email for this one. One Tree Hill is my favorite show and Joy plays Haley, who is one half of my very favorite tv couple. #Naley4Life

I don’t listen to the Drama Queens Pod— I can’t do rewatch pods, I don’t know why— so I had only really read headlines about the fact that Joy had started to open up about being in a cult so I went into this book with very limited knowledge.

I learned that Joy was in the cult the entire time she was on the show, which is a LONG time. It helped explain why there seems to be some distance between her and Sophia and Hilarie— she had to distance herself to please the ‘family’ as they were called.

It is so odd to think of what Joy was experiencing while she was filming my comfort show. She was being abused, isolated, manipulated, and having her earnings sucked away by people she trusted.

It brought me joy to know how much of a rock Paul Johansson (Dan Scott) was for Joy during her time on the show and after she left her abusive husband, who was the son of the cult leader.

You don’t need to be a fan of One Tree Hill to read this book. It is a memoir for anyone interested in cults, religious trauma, and starting over. I don’t think the subtitle of this book gives a super accurate description of what this memoir is about— the fact Joy was on TV was a small part of this story.

All in all, I really enjoyed reading this and am happy to see Joy thriving.

"Dinner for Vampires" was an insightful but heart-breaking read. I knew exactly what was going to happen from the minute she met Les, but despite this, I still kept hoping that somehow the ending would be different. Writing a memoir about one of the most traumatic things in your life is hard and opens you up to a lot of vulnerability, so with that, this book was a five-star read and was a pleasure to experience as someone who has only seen her work but has no relation to her personally. I hope you end up getting your money back, Joy, and I wish you a happy and peaceful life with your friends and family!

4 stars for Dinner for Vampires! I honestly had no idea that Bethany Joy Lenz was ever in a cult - though she does mention in the book that her involvement in a cult was discussed way back when in One Tree Hill discussion boards online. I was genuinely interested in learning more about this aspect of her life as I am a fan of One Tree Hill. The cult she was involved in very much isolated her from everyone in her life, including her parents. She met her now ex-husband in the cult and he was emotionally, verbally, and physically abusive. As One Tree Hill ended and with a new daughter to care for, Bethany finally decides to leave her husband and her cult "Family".

Lenz writes in a way that is easy to understand and allows a reader to develop a scene in their mind. The focus of this book is primarily focused on her experience in the cult, so those who are looking for a lot about the "cult TV show" may be disappointed. I know that I was left longing for a little more insight into her time on One Tree Hill and in Wilmington, NC.

Thank you to Netgalley, Simon & Schuster, and Bethany Joy Lenz for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. Dinner for Vampires is available on October 22, and I am looking forward to seeing Bethany speak at Meredith College on 10/23!

This is a painful book to read. It is well written but the account of her drifting into a Bible study that slowly morphs into a cult is heartbreaking. The first half of the book is her venture into acting, getting auditions and acting roles. That part is a good read for anyone who would like to know what such a journey is like.

She relates how, as a Christian, she began attending a Bible study with other actors. She did not see the warning signs as the leaders became more domineering. Select Bible verses were used to defend control. The Family was to be the most important of relationships for her. And then there was the controlling husband.

For readers who grew up in Christianity, the buzz words will be familiar. The Scripture verses used will be recognized. Not allowing any questioning of leaders or to even think differently might bring back memories. The subtle and then not so subtle coercion for money too. The answers to prayers for direction that benefited the leader. The ignoring and hiding misconduct.

Lenz says she was willing to tell her story because she wants others to know the common signs and patterns of all cults, even a small one like she was in. The most encouraging part of the book is knowing that Lenz retained her belief in God.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

Absolutely insane story about Bethany Joy Lenz’s time in a religious cult that lasted longer than One Tree Hill’s screen time history. Haley has always been one of my favorite fictional characters, and to read a story like this gives me a newfound respect for Lenz and what she had to endure throughout that whole time. Looks like it’s time for another One Tree Hill rewatch…

I find it hard to rate memoirs as it’s a picture of someone’s life. So I usually rate them on how well they are written and keep my attention. This book dives into Bethany Joy Lenz’s life as she was in a cult for 10 years while on a very popular TV show. She talks about how she first came to be a part of this cult and how it affected her life during those 10 years. It was very eye-opening into how cults work. And how you can be so gaslit and not even realize it.

I loved her on One Tree Hill and this was a very interesting read, a glimpse into what she went through during that period in time. I hope it helps others who find themselves in similar situations.

This was VERY interesting! I have heard bits and pieces about her life in a cult, but she gave a ton of details that I hadn’t heard before. I don’t agree with a lot of her political views, but I still really enjoyed hearing about her life!

This is just crazy to me! The manipulation and control that this “cult” had over her was almost unbelievable. What they took from her financially and emotionally is disgusting.10 years of being taken advantage of, but still living her life out in the world is shocking! Horrible that it was done under the guise of religion. I hope that she has now found some peace. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced reader’s copy.

Bethany Joy Lenz was cast in a star role in the show One Tree Hill. As the show became more and more popular, no one knew that she was living a secret double life in a cult.

I think I would have really loved this one if I was familiar with One Tree Hill. I loved all the parts that discussed acting and being on set. I definitely want to watch the show now. The cult aspect was fascinating but the religious aspect was heavy for me. I know that was the point of the cult but it was so cringy for me. This is a difficult read but in the end Joy makes out.

“I had never felt further from healthy and happy or further from god. It was hell.”

Dinner for Vampires comes out 10/22.

Dinner for Vampires made my TBR list when its publication was first announced. I was excited to receive an ARC. Bethany Joy Lenz did not disappoint. I finished her memoir in just under two days. As a teenager when One Tree Hill originally aired, there was so much I identified with in the popular culture she described. It was interesting to read how someone who seemingly had a "normal" life could get brainwashed into a cult. Lenz's memoir should appeal to a variety of wheelhouses: cults, leaving fundamentalist religions, OTH fans, the Me Too Movement, and fans of Hilarie Burton Morgan's memoir.