Dinner for Vampires
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wish list failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Dinner for Vampires
Buy Now for $24.99
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Bethany Joy Lenz
-
Written by:
-
Bethany Joy Lenz
About this listen
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 AudioYou may also enjoy...
-
The Third Gilmore Girl
- A Memoir
- Written by: Kelly Bishop, Amy Sherman-Palladino - foreword
- Narrated by: Kelly Bishop
- Length: 6 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 69
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 61
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 61
Kelly Bishop’s long, storied career has been defined by landmark achievements, from winning a Tony Award for her turn in the original Broadway cast of A Chorus Line to her memorable performance as Jennifer Grey’s mother in Dirty Dancing. But it is probably her iconic role as matriarch Emily in the modern classic Gilmore Girls that cemented her legacy. Now, Bishop reflects on her remarkable life and looks towards the future with The Third Gilmore Girl. She shares some of her greatest stories and the life lessons she’s learned on her journey.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Kelly Bishop’s Story: More Than Just Emily Gilmore
- By Nellie A. on 2025-02-24
Written by: Kelly Bishop, and others
-
The House of My Mother
- A Daughter's Quest for Freedom
- Written by: Shari Franke
- Narrated by: Shari Franke
- Length: 7 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 167
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 154
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 154
Shari Franke’s childhood was a constant battle for survival. Her mother, Ruby Franke, enforced a severe moral code while maintaining a façade of a picture-perfect family for their wildly popular YouTube channel 8 Passengers, which documented the day-to-day life of raising six children for a staggering 2.5 million subscribers. But a darker truth lurked beneath the surface—Ruby’s wholesome online persona masked a more tyrannical parenting style than anyone could have imagined.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Finished quickly
- By Chris Dalgleish on 2025-01-27
Written by: Shari Franke
-
The Rural Diaries
- Love, Livestock, and Big Life Lessons Down on Mischief Farm
- Written by: Hilarie Burton
- Narrated by: Hilarie Burton
- Length: 7 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 165
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 149
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 146
The beloved actress and star of One Tree Hill, White Collar, and Lethal Weapon, Hilarie Burton, tells the inspiring story of leaving Hollywood for a radically different kind of life in upstate New York with her husband Jeffrey Dean Morgan - a celebration of community, family, and the value of hard work in small town America.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Emotional in the most beautiful sense.
- By Anonymous User on 2022-09-01
Written by: Hilarie Burton
-
Your Mom's Gonna Love Me
- Written by: Matt Rife
- Narrated by: Matt Rife
- Length: 5 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 16
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 15
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 15
Matt Rife is well aware that he’s both the most loved and the most controversial comic in America today. And honestly, he thinks that’s your problem. Matt reveals (without apology, of course) what led him to becoming comedy’s biggest lightning rod before he reached thirty, in a story full of bold and hysterical takes on everything from Justin Bieber tramp stamps and rap battles with ex-cons to Matt’s struggles with depression and his many brushes with failure before finally hitting it big.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
A Funny, Charming Chat Over Coffee
- By Nick p. on 2025-03-03
Written by: Matt Rife
-
Over the Influence
- A Memoir
- Written by: Joanna "JoJo" Levesque
- Narrated by: Joanna "JoJo" Levesque
- Length: 9 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 27
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 26
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 26
Signed to a major recording deal at just 12 years old, JoJo catapulted to the top of the pop-and-R&B-infused charts in the mid 2000's. The relatability of her youth and the appeal of her cool-girl mystique earned her millions of fans around the world. JoJo was an undeniable superstar and pop culture fixture, spanning roles in major studio films, omnipresence on Top 40 radio, frequenting magazine covers, and appearing on national TV. Then, out of the blue, everything came to a halt and JoJo seemingly stepped out of the spotlight, leaving many fans to wonder: What happened to JoJo?
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
The only memoir I’ve ever been waiting for!
- By Mathieu Higginson-Loyer on 2024-10-10
Written by: Joanna "JoJo" Levesque
-
The Seven Year Slip
- Written by: Ashley Poston
- Narrated by: Brittany Pressley
- Length: 9 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 55
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 42
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 42
Clementine forms a plan to keep her heart safe: work hard, find someone decent to love, and try to remember to chase the moon. The last one is silly and obviously metaphorical, but her aunt always told her that you needed at least one big dream to keep going. And for the last year, that plan has gone off without a hitch. Mostly. The love part is hard because she doesn’t want to get too close to anyone—she isn’t sure her heart can take it. And then she finds a strange man standing in the kitchen of her late aunt’s apartment.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
DNF
- By Anonymous User on 2025-01-10
Written by: Ashley Poston
-
The Third Gilmore Girl
- A Memoir
- Written by: Kelly Bishop, Amy Sherman-Palladino - foreword
- Narrated by: Kelly Bishop
- Length: 6 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 69
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 61
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 61
Kelly Bishop’s long, storied career has been defined by landmark achievements, from winning a Tony Award for her turn in the original Broadway cast of A Chorus Line to her memorable performance as Jennifer Grey’s mother in Dirty Dancing. But it is probably her iconic role as matriarch Emily in the modern classic Gilmore Girls that cemented her legacy. Now, Bishop reflects on her remarkable life and looks towards the future with The Third Gilmore Girl. She shares some of her greatest stories and the life lessons she’s learned on her journey.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Kelly Bishop’s Story: More Than Just Emily Gilmore
- By Nellie A. on 2025-02-24
Written by: Kelly Bishop, and others
-
The House of My Mother
- A Daughter's Quest for Freedom
- Written by: Shari Franke
- Narrated by: Shari Franke
- Length: 7 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 167
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 154
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 154
Shari Franke’s childhood was a constant battle for survival. Her mother, Ruby Franke, enforced a severe moral code while maintaining a façade of a picture-perfect family for their wildly popular YouTube channel 8 Passengers, which documented the day-to-day life of raising six children for a staggering 2.5 million subscribers. But a darker truth lurked beneath the surface—Ruby’s wholesome online persona masked a more tyrannical parenting style than anyone could have imagined.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Finished quickly
- By Chris Dalgleish on 2025-01-27
Written by: Shari Franke
-
The Rural Diaries
- Love, Livestock, and Big Life Lessons Down on Mischief Farm
- Written by: Hilarie Burton
- Narrated by: Hilarie Burton
- Length: 7 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 165
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 149
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 146
The beloved actress and star of One Tree Hill, White Collar, and Lethal Weapon, Hilarie Burton, tells the inspiring story of leaving Hollywood for a radically different kind of life in upstate New York with her husband Jeffrey Dean Morgan - a celebration of community, family, and the value of hard work in small town America.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Emotional in the most beautiful sense.
- By Anonymous User on 2022-09-01
Written by: Hilarie Burton
-
Your Mom's Gonna Love Me
- Written by: Matt Rife
- Narrated by: Matt Rife
- Length: 5 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 16
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 15
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 15
Matt Rife is well aware that he’s both the most loved and the most controversial comic in America today. And honestly, he thinks that’s your problem. Matt reveals (without apology, of course) what led him to becoming comedy’s biggest lightning rod before he reached thirty, in a story full of bold and hysterical takes on everything from Justin Bieber tramp stamps and rap battles with ex-cons to Matt’s struggles with depression and his many brushes with failure before finally hitting it big.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
A Funny, Charming Chat Over Coffee
- By Nick p. on 2025-03-03
Written by: Matt Rife
-
Over the Influence
- A Memoir
- Written by: Joanna "JoJo" Levesque
- Narrated by: Joanna "JoJo" Levesque
- Length: 9 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 27
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 26
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 26
Signed to a major recording deal at just 12 years old, JoJo catapulted to the top of the pop-and-R&B-infused charts in the mid 2000's. The relatability of her youth and the appeal of her cool-girl mystique earned her millions of fans around the world. JoJo was an undeniable superstar and pop culture fixture, spanning roles in major studio films, omnipresence on Top 40 radio, frequenting magazine covers, and appearing on national TV. Then, out of the blue, everything came to a halt and JoJo seemingly stepped out of the spotlight, leaving many fans to wonder: What happened to JoJo?
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
The only memoir I’ve ever been waiting for!
- By Mathieu Higginson-Loyer on 2024-10-10
Written by: Joanna "JoJo" Levesque
-
The Seven Year Slip
- Written by: Ashley Poston
- Narrated by: Brittany Pressley
- Length: 9 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 55
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 42
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 42
Clementine forms a plan to keep her heart safe: work hard, find someone decent to love, and try to remember to chase the moon. The last one is silly and obviously metaphorical, but her aunt always told her that you needed at least one big dream to keep going. And for the last year, that plan has gone off without a hitch. Mostly. The love part is hard because she doesn’t want to get too close to anyone—she isn’t sure her heart can take it. And then she finds a strange man standing in the kitchen of her late aunt’s apartment.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
DNF
- By Anonymous User on 2025-01-10
Written by: Ashley Poston
What listeners say about Dinner for Vampires
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Tamara Shand
- 2025-01-20
Raw and real
Loved your raw and real approach that gave us insight and will undoubtedly help others!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Bianca Mattison
- 2024-11-03
Thoughtful and raw
Such a powerful story of finding freedom read beautifully by the author. This one will live with me for a long time.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jenn
- 2024-11-11
Raw Honesty
Book Review: Dinner with Vampires by Bethany Joy Lenz
“Dinner with Vampires” is a captivating and unfiltered look into Bethany Joy Lenz’s life, where she shares her journey with striking honesty. She offers a deeply personal glimpse into the high-control environment of her “family” at “the big house,” balancing the desire for love, belonging, and a relationship with god with celebrity, fame, and life in the public eye. Lenz’s candid portrayal of navigating fame while living under the constraints of a religious cult brings a unique perspective to her story, filled with emotional intensity and reflection. Her writing invites readers into the complexities of faith, fame, and family, making this a powerful and unforgettable read.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kelly
- 2024-12-27
Devastatingly raw
BJL really laid it all out on the table in this one. I was so hooked listening to each chapter as I listened. What a wild ride - I am so sad she went thru all that she did.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Éliane
- 2024-11-20
Loved it
Listening to the author tell her story was incredible ! Moving story. I learned a lot.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- katie
- 2025-01-09
I had no idea
heartfelt and well worded. loved that it was read by Joy with cameos from OTH costar. Great read!!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Travis
- 2025-02-13
Loved it
Not only is this a wild, heartbreaking, outrageous yet relatable story, it is read so well.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- MegLarso
- 2024-11-05
Epic retelling of a wild experience
This book was phenomenal. I laughed, I cried, I screamed. I also realized that I was totally in a cult too. Yikes. Bethany Joy Lenz told the story beautifully and so emotionally. I’m so glad I listened to it instead of just read it. I highly recommend it!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Ryan Lafreniere
- 2024-10-28
Brilliant
This audio book, brilliantly written and narrated by Bethany Joy Lenz, is an emotional journey that had me both laughing and crying. It resonates deeply with anyone who has faced abuse and control, making it a powerful and relatable experience. Highly recommended!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Fallon Chisholm
- 2024-11-01
Such an interesting story!
I absolutely loved listening to Joy read her story here. It was throughly entertaining. As a one tree hill fan it was crazy to hear all she's been through while still totally rocking haley James Scott. Highly recommend!!!!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!