Dinner for Vampires

By: Bethany Joy Lenz

Narrated by: Bethany Joy Lenz

Includes exclusive audio cameos from One Tree Hill cast members Tyler Hilton, Paul Johansson, James Lafferty, and Chad Michael Murray!

An “incredible” (Alex Cooper, Call Her Daddy), “riveting” (People) New York Times bestselling 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 break through as an actor, Bethany Joy Lenz was finally cast as one of the leads on the hit drama One Tree Hill. Her acting career was set to soar, but her personal life was beginning to unravel in ways her fans could never imagine. Unknown to the millions of viewers and even her costars, Lenz led a secret double life within a cult.

As an only child seeking belonging, Lenz thought she found a safe haven in a Bible study group with fellow Hollywood creatives. However, the group morphed into something more sinister—a web of manipulation and fear under the guise of a church covenant called The Big House Family. Piece by piece, Lenz surrendered her autonomy, eventually moving to the Family’s Pacific Northwest compound overseen by a domineering minister who convinced her to marry his son and secretly drained millions from 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 escape and spare her child from a similar fate. After nearly a decade (and with the unlikely help from a devoted One Tree Hill fan), she broke free from the family’s grip, beginning her healing journey from deep trauma that reshaped her faith and identity.

Written with powerful honesty and dark humor, Dinner for Vampires is a “tart, refreshing” (The New York Times Book Review) story about the importance of identity and understanding what you believe.

Critic reviews

"Actor-singer Bethany Joy Lenz’s vulnerability and resiliency radiate as she narrates her memoir, which is focused on her decade in a religious cult...Lenz’s wry laugh matches her dark humor, and she navigates accents well. Listeners will enjoy snippets of Lenz’s incredible singing and her rendition of actor and friend Sophia Bush’s famously husky voice. Lenz’s angry screaming at God highlights her journey from obedience to hopelessness to finding her faith again."

Cult behavior

Amazing how these sort of people are living out in the open and have no ideas what goes on behind peoples closed doors.

Were we in the same cult?!

This book was so relatable. From meetings held in basements that were intended to “help” someone (and really just ended up with person crying and gaslighting themselves) to being told to die to your dreams so you could learn and grow spiritually to having money stolen or being used as free labor, Joy’s story is honest, raw, and real. If she had been in Vermont instead of Idaho, I would have thought we’d been part of the same group. I cried over it, laughed with her, and was healed in ways because of her telling her story.
She reads the book herself, which means it feels like sitting down with a friend and having her just tell you about her life. After all, this IS her life.
Highly recommend to anyone coming out of a high control group or abusive family dynamic.

I can't stop listening!

Joy does such an amazing job painting the scene for the reader (or listener). Absolutely captivating from start to finish. I completed this in 2 days! Popping my headphones in while I clean, organize, or fold laundry has had me looking forward to my home duties! I now understand how Joy brought Haley to life so well. I hope Joy writes more about her childhood, her interests, her love life. I will listen to it all! This woman is gifted with words and so many other talents! I'm grateful she has gotten away from all those who have tried to use or stifle these gifts for their own selfish desires.

Fascinating

This was an amazing read/listen. Joy is an amazing actor, writer, singer, and person. I have been in an abusive marriage. Unless you have been there you do not know what it is to be in one nor get out of one. I never knew she went through these experiences. I am so glad she made it out and with her beautiful daughter. Thank you Joy for sharing your story.

I enjoyed how real and raw her story was!

I never knew anything about Joy being involved in a cult for all those years she was on One Tree Hill. It was interesting to learn her story and I really enjoyed hearing it told be her! I’m happy she has come full circle and is happy with her daughter on the other side of things now!