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A review by rotellareads
Dinner for Vampires: Life on a Cult TV Show by Bethany Joy Lenz
4.0
I was a One Tree Hill fanatic and especially loved the character that Bethany Joy Lenz played on the show. I didn’t know much about Lenz’s personal story, other than the speculative rumors that popped up in entertainment gossip. When I saw she was writing a memoire, I knew I had to read it!
Bethany Joy Lenz did a phenomenal job of documenting her life, which made for an authentic and factual retelling of how she came to be in a religious cult as a young adult and its impact on her personal and professional life. Her recount of how she joined a seemingly harmless Bible study group which slow progresses into becoming a controlling and manipulative presence in her life was so heartbreaking. She had so much going for her and was constantly being held back and gaslit for the personal benefit of others.
Lenz told of her abusive marriage, a severed relationship with her parents, her loss of close friends and how 2 million dollars was stolen from her without her knowledge. As time passed and Lenz became more involved in her religious group, she so clearly lost more and more of herself and her individual identity. It took years before she finally came to understand the truth of what was taking place right under her nose. How she was deceived and corrupted under the guise of God fearing elders. Her strength when it came to finally standing up for herself and her daughter, leaving her loveless and abusive partner and “family”, was so impactful and empowering!
Overall I thought the story was very well written and the flow of the book was well paced. The author’s vulnerability came through the writing so clearly. I laughed, I cringed, I felt so much compassion for the author and others like her. This book had you feeling an array of emotions! This book was clearly written as a way to heal and help others who may be in similar situations or experienced circumstances resembling hers.
Listened to this book on audio and I’m so glad I did! The story absolutely came to life with Bethany Joy Lenz’s voice behind the mic.
Bethany Joy Lenz did a phenomenal job of documenting her life, which made for an authentic and factual retelling of how she came to be in a religious cult as a young adult and its impact on her personal and professional life. Her recount of how she joined a seemingly harmless Bible study group which slow progresses into becoming a controlling and manipulative presence in her life was so heartbreaking. She had so much going for her and was constantly being held back and gaslit for the personal benefit of others.
Lenz told of her abusive marriage, a severed relationship with her parents, her loss of close friends and how 2 million dollars was stolen from her without her knowledge. As time passed and Lenz became more involved in her religious group, she so clearly lost more and more of herself and her individual identity. It took years before she finally came to understand the truth of what was taking place right under her nose. How she was deceived and corrupted under the guise of God fearing elders. Her strength when it came to finally standing up for herself and her daughter, leaving her loveless and abusive partner and “family”, was so impactful and empowering!
Overall I thought the story was very well written and the flow of the book was well paced. The author’s vulnerability came through the writing so clearly. I laughed, I cringed, I felt so much compassion for the author and others like her. This book had you feeling an array of emotions! This book was clearly written as a way to heal and help others who may be in similar situations or experienced circumstances resembling hers.
Listened to this book on audio and I’m so glad I did! The story absolutely came to life with Bethany Joy Lenz’s voice behind the mic.