Cult Bride: How I Was Brainwashed – and How I Broke Free

by Liz Cameron

How are people like you and me brainwashed into cults?

In her gap year after high school, Liz is approached at a shopping centre by a woman who asks her survey questions about her Christian faith. Liz is slowly brought into her small, friendly church community – but little does she know that her new ‘friends’ are members of the South Korean cult Providence, which currently operates in more than 70 countries.

This is the story of how Liz endured mind-control techniques and a visit to the cult’s convicted serial rapist leader in prison and came out the other side alive. She takes us behind the scenes to show us how cults operate in plain sight – and how we can unpick the systems that enable them to prey on vulnerable people.

This powerful, candid memoir tells one woman’s extraordinary story of how she was broken down by a secretive, predatory cult – and how she broke free and remade her life. 

Genres: Nonfiction, Audiobook, Memoir, Cults, Adult, Biography, True Crime

Kindle Edition

Published June 3, 2025

Reviews

[EmG ReadsDaily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreakingly raw, yet hopeful memoir detailing experiences of indoctrination, love-bombing, deprivation and restriction, coercive control, cognitive distortion and grooming into a cult.

Liz Cameron eloquently details her cautionary tale of psychological manipulation into Providence, a Christian cult that originated in South Korea. She also shares the deprogramming that assisted her escape, as well as her experiences for reclaiming her identity.

This is a powerful story that highlights how methodical indoctrination targets vulnerabilities and is not exclusive to cults.

I really appreciate that Liz narrated the audiobook herself, as it really added to the compelling nature of her experiences. Thankfully content warnings and support services are also included at the beginning, which is important given the nature of this story.

If you have any interest in true crime or cults, then definitely give this one a go!

[Jo Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Happy publication day 🎉🥳🎧

Wow! I am so impressed by Liz Cameron’s memoir, she not only provides a clear and concise account of her time in a cult, how she felt, how she was treated, what she believed etc but since being deprogrammed and continuing to work with other cult survivors she is able to interject her own story often to explain to the reader exactly where she was in the process at any given time. Liz also details her heartbreaking escape from the cult, I don’t want to give that away too much for anyone who isn’t aware, but expect tears.

Liz provides in her intro a content warning along with multiple helplines, and in the outro acknowledges several groups and individuals who have helped her through.

This is a must read for true crime enthusiasts, those with an interest in cults and in general an interest in the human psyche.

Outstanding work, narrated beautifully by the author.

All the stars 🌟
#Jorecommends

Huge thanks to Tantor Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC 🎧

[Alexandra Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow this was so fascinating and eye-opening

[Mia Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

i feel like it’s gotta be 5 stars right? super powerful book about coercive control and a way of learning about cults and cult psychology without centering the story on some gross controlling/abusive man

[Heather Fox · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cults are fascinating

[Bella Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gonna hand a copy of this out to the Melbourne central cult recruiters

[Emilie Fletcher · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up after recently becoming interested in cult culture, having loved ‘When She Returned’ by Lucinda Berry. When I spotted Cult Bride at my local library, I was immediately drawn in by the idea of a true account from an Australian woman who had been trapped in a cult.

The memoir is honest, raw, and deeply personal. Liz Cameron’s slow pacing and repetition reflect the real experience of being drawn in, and how manipulation happens in small, almost imperceptible steps. While I understand this choice, it made the book harder to stay engaged with, and I found myself taking frequent breaks. At times it felt repetitive, but in a way that mirrored the psychological control she endured.

Some passages hit me on a deeply personal level. One in particular stayed with me: “I grieve for the insecure young girl growing up who didn’t know whether she was worthy of love or belonging and was made vulnerable because of that… I wouldn’t tell her she’s stronger than she knows, because she shouldn’t have had to be.” These words brought me back to my younger self, between the ages of 18–21, and reminded me of the ways vulnerability can be exploited.

While it wasn’t a fast or easy read, Cult Bride offers a valuable, authentic insight into the gradual process of coercion, the difficulty of leaving, and the grief that comes with reclaiming yourself.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow this book was heartbreaking and beautiful and hopeful and I can't believe things like this happen in Australia nor can I believe there is no help avalible I got teary eyes a few times as listening to the narrator bring us through this journey was tough but worth it

[Ashleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye opening! A look into how someone can be brought in. This was fascinating and horrifying. I really enjoyed how brought you on her journey and you almost get to experience the brainwash with her

[EJP · Rating 4 out of 5]

terrifying, hectic, informational, needs a chaser if you listen while decorating your christmas tree

[Sarah-Louise Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won’t lie, I struggled at the start of this book, especially through the introduction and grooming stages. My opinions on religion of any kind kept over shadowing the story. I wanted to DNF at times. Not because the book wasn’t good, it was. It’s just I have strong beliefs and I was finding it difficult to let myself understand. It’s a great book, especially being told by the author herself, who has a lovely speaking voice for audiobooks. What she went through was harrowing and awful, how these people can live with themselves knowing that they groomed her into this, is unreal, and her story on how she finally escaped. (No spoilers)

I’ll rate the book 4 stars ⭐️
simply because taking away my struggles it was actually a good book, which broached conversations about it with my son and parents about my beliefs, and my mum even told me, your letting what you feel darken the story. And it’s true.

If you want to read or hear from the author herself, first hand, about her experience of being in a cult and managing to break free - then I highly recommend this book.

[Aisling · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ so so interesting! i listened to liz’s interview on ABC’s conversations and wanted to hear more of her story. i thought this book was presented so well and i learned a lot about how cults operate - her writing entwines the psychology of cults and her own personal experiences beautifully. would definitely recommend!

[Jacinta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heart breaking and eye opening to how people can be manipulated/brain washed into a cult. Insane this is still happening and so big in Canberra!!!!!

[Susannah PK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liz Cameron's Cult Bride is a fascinating and relatable recounting of her involvement in the South Korean cult "Providence" aka "JMS".
I found Liz was able to describe the startling methods of "evangelising" (grooming of new members, particularly young women), and how that was effectively the foundations of the cult in a very raw and humble way.

I liked the way Liz broke the memoir into four key components- Part 1- Unfreezing; Part 2-Changing; Part 3- Refreezing and Part 4- Deprogramming. Essentially, Cameron broke it down this way to enhance the psychological aspect of being in a cult and how much hard work is involved to not only reach cognitive dissonance but to eventually leave and heal.

I feel some sadness that Liz wasted several years of her life devoted to this apparent "second coming of Christ"- convicted rapist- Jeong Myeong-Seok as one of his many brides. Just like many other cults- the hidden goal which becomes more and more evident as you read the book, is that the cult leader, guru, "Messiah" etc is really just a creepy pervert who wants to have a sex harem.

Essentially, I devoured Liz Cameron's book within a day over the Christmas long weekend.

I hope that Liz will be able to full heal from her time in JMS/Providence. It is very very scary how susceptible well meaning empathetic people are to cults. We see that playing out on a much grander scale globally right now :(

[Sinead Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cult Bride: How I Was Brainwashed and How I Broke Free by Liz Cameron, read by the author, is a raw depiction of the process of indoctrination, psychological manipulation and abuse that the vulnerable Australian teenager suffered at the hands of South Korean cult JMS/Providence.

Cameron, already from a devout religious family and an active participant in her Church, met a member of JMS, seemingly at random, when she was on a gap year before starting university. Over time, JMS preyed on Cameron, enticing her to join them through encouragement and flattery, before eventually isolating her entirely, abusing her physically, mentally and emotionally in the process.

Though Cameron’s parents were the ones to aid her escape through a professional intervention, I was struck throughout by how blinded they were by their own faith that they failed to recognise all the red flags in another sect, starting with their daughter going to the house of someone she randomly met at the mall, and then throughout her entire time living with the cult when both mother and father had seen inside and witnessed the behaviour firsthand. It was hard not to be frustrated by them.

I don’t rate memoirs or autobiographies but, while I did enjoy this, I think it would have been better executed as a podcast.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW. What a gripping, deep and revealing memoir exploring not only Liz's personal experience, but also the plethora of techniques that cults use to deceive, manipulate and control their followers. It was admirable how she held space in her memoir to educate us on this and leave us hopeful that society will better indentify warning signs and provide support to those vulnerable to modern slavery/exploitation by cults. Her writing was engaging with all chapters executed with honesty and thoughtfulness, each one left me very emotional, as I reflect3d on the way in which those who abuse their power can ruin the lives of our youth. Heads up for this one, BIG trigger warnings for coercive control, sexual assault and eating disorders (discussed in detail).

[Chloe Vigliaroni · Rating 4 out of 5]

A recommendation from tayah! I really enjoyed listening to this as an audiobook on my drives to work. Gave insight into the craziness of cults and how they subtly creep up on people. I enjoyed that she was based in Australia so landmarks were familiar and the story felt somewhat close to home… or something that could happen to someone I know!
Very interesting hearing a first person recount of coercive control within cults, the many months and years that were dedicated to her indoctrination!

[Claire Stollery · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a long-time fan of Sarah Steel’s LTAS podcast, reading this book was a no-brainer for me but it still surprised and affected me. Liz’s depiction of herself as a lost 18 year old was incredibly relatable despite our different upbringings. The tenacity of her mum made me cry! I would recommend this memoir to anyone with an interest in cults, psychology or in general.

[Jessica Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

It feels wrong to rate such a deeply personal and traumatic story but nevertheless

This was particularly interesting at times re: the world of cults, especially those of religious connotations or founding and I was deeply disgusted and shocked at so much of the information being shared. After a hot minute, the religious talk does get to you and I had to take multiple breaks

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this / I liked that it was her story, her perspective and she speaks from each phase . The reflections and theories she draws from make it not just a narrative but a story based on the chaos that is coercive control . I think it was a great tale to listen to and to hear about it happening in our backyard is sobering

[Lili Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story of a woman’s survival in a religious cult. I loved how it was a mix of the psychology behind cults and victims, with Liz’s lived experience.

[Catelyn Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was an incredible read that I'm thinking about days after finishing it.

[Danya Button · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do hope this book helps people either get out or say no from the very beginning.
Did you want to take part in this survey. No.

[Jodie]

Well written account of the author’s recruitment into a cult and her successful escape.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

rounded up, I always find listening to individuals experiences getting into & out of cults fascinating and more awareness about these stories is always good.

[Cat Siciliano · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was soooo interesting!

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

A brave and confronting memoir by Liz Cameron as the would be 'bride' of a South Korean cult leader who at the time was in prison in his own country!

The incidious ways in which Liz is brought into the thrall of the cult and brainwashed are explicit and disturbing. They are from the 'playbook' of other organisations who prey on innocent, vulnerable individuals to achieve their diabolical aims.

[Trish Booth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an earnest and riveting read. Good balance of informative theories and stats interweaved with story telling, makes cultic theories come to life.

Truly so tragic that there are so many cults out there who master in these things.

[Tayah White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible!!!!!!!!! Everyone must read/listen!

[Imogen · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 this was chilling