A Summer of Discovery: An Amish Romance Novel

by Samantha Price

Iris has grown up an Englisher, but her heart has always belonged in her grandmother's Amish world.

When she finally gets to spend a whole summer living with Wilma, it feels like everything she has ever wanted. No phones, no noise, just the simple life she has dreamed about for years.

Except real life, even the simple kind, turns out to be nothing like a dream. The days are longer than she expected, the rules more complicated, and Wilma herself is a force of nature with opinions on everything and a habit of being right. Slowly, the summer Iris planned starts becoming something she never could have planned at all.

She came knowing exactly who she was. She isn't so sure anymore, and somehow, that feels like the best thing that could have happened.

A warm, funny, and quietly moving story about growing up, fitting in, and the grandmother who shows you who you really are.

Genres: Audiobook, Amish

182 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 18, 2025

About the author

Samantha Price is a USA Today bestselling author of Amish romance and cozy mysteries. Raised in the Brethren faith, she writes with a heartfelt understanding of the Amish way of life.
When she’s not writing, Samantha enjoys quiet moments at home with her rescue cat and her fluffy white dog, who bears an uncanny resemblance to Snowy from the Ettie Smith Amish Mysteries.

Find a full downloadable and printable Series-Reading-Order at: SamanthaPriceAuthor dot com

Samantha loves to hear from her readers. Connect at:
samantha@samanthapriceauthor.com
www.facebook.com/SamanthaPriceAuthor
Twitter @AmishRomance
www.pinterest.com/AmishRomance
www.SamanthaPriceAuthor.com

Reviews

[Jennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in a new series spun off from the Bonnet sisters. In this book, Iris, Florence’s daughter, is seriously considering becoming Amish and is living with Wilma for the summer. There’s several unanswered questions but I’m sure they will be resolved in later books. This book takes place about ten years after the Bonnet series ended. Several people have died and most of the same characters are in this book. Eagerly awaiting book two in the series.

[Shiree · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the book to read if you literally want several plotlines to be started and not one of them even remotely finished. Complete waste of time to read.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 1st in the new series, a branch off the Bonnet Sisters Series!
You will love this book!!
This first story shows Iris, Florence & Carter's daughter, grown up. She ventures over to Wilma's, because she wants to see if she'd rather live the Amish life or stay English. For her to do this, her parents let her spend the summer there learning the life more in depth. However, Chess, Iris's brother, decides he needs to antagonize Iris. Things get crazy for Iris and the families because of his antics.
Will things ever be right? Why does Chess want to disrupt Iris being at Wilma's?
Many of the characters from the other series show up in this series!! This makes it more exciting! It's definitely an adventure!

**I received an ARC of this book and the words are all my own**

[Jeanette Fallon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Samantha Price did me a favor.  She continued the stories of the Amish Bonnet Sisters' Series.  It was like a welcome home book. 

Wilma and Ada are still the closest friends.  They have been through a lot together.  

The next generation needs to figure out what they really want in life. Matthew still is single but he appears to have grown up.  It's about time. 

Iris decides to spend the summer with her Amish grandmother. Will she stay?

I really enjoyed the story. I knew the characters and it was a pleasure to read more about them.  As always, Samantha Price leaves you wanting more. What is going to happen next? 

[C Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Summer of Discovery by Samantha Price is such a great start to her new, Amish Bonnet Sisters: Legacy of Faith series. If you loved Samantha’s Bonnet Sisters, you are going to love this one.

Talk about exciting! Iris, Florence’s daughter, is growing up and spending the summer with Wilma in order to decide what she want in her life. Chess, her younger brother is always in some sort of trouble.

Returning are also some of our favorite Bonnet Sisters favorites, Wilma, Ada, Matthew and others. It is so good to be able to catch up with their lives.

The adventures and characters are so realistic that you want to know more and more.

John our friends as we begin a new series in their lives.

An ARC of this wonderful 5-star book was given to me by the author, but I was not required to give a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.Summer of Discovery by Samantha Price is such a great start to her new, Amish Bonnet Sisters: Legacy of Faith series.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

SUMMER OF DISCOVERY (1) A Legacy of Faith.
Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2025
The Bonnet Sisters. (Series 2.)
Legacy of Faith. Book 1.

The Baker Sisters (series 1) have all grown up, left home and had families.
Life has moved on, 12 -15 years from the
end of series 1.

Iris, Florence and Carter daughter has grown up, desperate to try the life of an Amish young woman.
Moving in with Wilma, dressing in Amish clothing is like taking a step back in time for a young lady, who has had the benefits of a modern childhood, whilst living on the edge of the Amish community.

I have been so excited about this new Bakers orchard series. I was not able to put this book down. I love catching up with characters that we have met in the first series, it's a bit like meeting old neighbour's years after you have moved away.
Samantha Price has really bought the Amish way of life into focus, whilst allowing the characters to explore their relationships to other characters within the community.
It has bought back together relationships that for various reasons including adoption back to a point of reconnecting.

I am looking forward to reading the rest of this series.
If you have not read any of the past series 1 of the Bonnet Sisters, to get the most out of series 2, you may like to go back to the beginning of series 1.
However you could start with this book of series 2. (Legacy of Faith) you will be able to follow along easily, if you choose not to read series 1.

🇵🇳💜📚
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[Myra Marquis Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read by this author. I was so hopeful, since Samantha Price has written so many Amish books. Right now I am in the need of reading clean wholesome books. (Too many suspenseful mysteries and romance novels that were a bit too graphic for me.) So I wanted to slow down and enjoy reading (well listening) again. I am a stroke survivor and I am having some vision problems so I am relying on audiobooks right now. I was pleasantly surprised to find the author was the narrator of this book. Again I was so hopeful.

I felt the narration was rushed and at spots lacking emotion.

As for the story itself....there was so many plot lines with absolutely no answers. I feel that this book was a "trailer" or promo for the rest of the books in the series. I am told there are 6 (with the 6th one being released in Jan 2026).

Here's hoping Book 2 "A Season of Secrets" has some answers.

[Torrie M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Summer of Discovery was everything I hoped for and more! I’ve been eagerly anticipating this book since I first learned it was in the making, and it did not disappoint. The story follows Iris, a teenage girl who’s always dreamed of joining her grandmother’s Amish community. She finally gets her chance to spend the summer experiencing the lifestyle firsthand. The book is filled with wit, organized family chaos, and heartwarming moments that kept me hooked. I especially love how the author beautifully crafted a legacy connected to the beloved Bonnet Sisters series. It’s a delightful, inspiring read that left me wanting more!

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cliff hanger ending

I enjoyed the bonnet sisters series very much. So when I saw this the legacy, I decided I wanted to see how it was. I guess it’s pretty much about Iris Florence‘s daughter. Some of the characters are interesting but as I’m reading it if it turns out they match Iris with Matthew then I’m done. from reading the bonnet sisters, I know how old Matthew was when Iris was born so that would be making them match her a young girl with this over aged person. But we will see. I will give it a try and review it when I’m done, but I do like Samantha Price books so far. But if she puts Iris with this, Sort of womanizing, Matthew and I’ve lost interest in her books

[Chanover55 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Iris wants to spend the summer with her Amish grandmother to see if she truly want to embrace the lifestyle and faith. But her younger brother, Chess, who has been a thorn in her side for years, continues to do so as he taunts and makes a pain of himself. When he becomes involved in a robbery, driving his father's car without permission or a license, his parents let him sit in jail for the night and tell him he will pay for all the damages from the accident he is in. The story is a cliff hanger for the next book.

[Evelyn Foreman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first in the series, Amish Bonnet Sisters - Legacy of Faith just whetted my appetite for more! Each character with his or her own story, leads to the culmination of an intriguing, “don’t put me down” masterpiece, as Iris, Matthew, Wilma, Ada, Grace, Chess and more keep you guessing as to what, when and where. Truly a work of art! I was given a copy of this book by the author and I’m leaving my honest review.

[Cori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love that this series is continuing with Iris now that she is grown into a young woman. At a crossroads between her English life and her love for her Grandmother's Amish world, Iris will begin a journey of self-discovery to find out who she really is and wants for her future. We get to visit our beloved characters from the original series and meet new ones. I could not put this book down and can't wait for book 2 to arrive!

[Bruce Dinsman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Back to the orchard

Nice to catch up with the Bonnet Sister families again. Florence’s children figure prominently, as well as revisiting Matthew and Grace, or will it be Grace and Daniel, Matthew and Ivy? All possibilities. How about Jared and Adeline? Wilma and Ada are matchmaking again, so that hasn’t changed.
PS - hire a real narrator, AI voiced still sounds like a computer recording.

[Robert Bouwer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Only half a book

I know that it's common now for authors to write a series, carrying on the characters stories. However, there is usually some 'rounding off' at the end of each book. This one just left everything hanging. Just a way to ensure you buy more books. Unfortunately I did not find the story worth following further, it was a little too childish for me. Reviewed by Rob's wife

[Mary-Anne O'Connell-Pope · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book because I really liked the characters from The Bonnet Sisters series. This novel, however, was extremely short more the story of a week or two rather than a whole summer. Since I get the books from kindle unlimited I guess that is okay . I’ll definitely read the next one but the brevity of the book was certainly disappointing

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good

It was so great to catch up with Wilma and Ada again. Wilma's granddaughter has come to stay with her to see if the amish life is for her. Of course, nothing happens easily for that family, and always excitement going on. I enjoyed this book and look forward to book two.

[Ruth Neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Summer of Discovery.

I have been hoping for another Bonnet Sisters book. As usual Samantha did a great job bringing our beloved Bonnet Sisters back. Wonderful book. I recommend everyone read this.

[Marta Ratliff · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick Aniah read

A Summer of Discovery is a fast fun read! Sometimes, I need to escape to Amish land. I'm glad I did it with this Samantha Price book. It was exactly what I needed!

[Becky Dooley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bonnet Sisters NEVER disappoint!

I am glad that more is being written about the Bonnet Sisters! I love the world Samantha Price has given us and is continuing in this new series!

[Deborah C. Fidderman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another series that I'm going to enjoy.

This is going to be another great series by Samantha Price. The continuing story of the Bonnet Sisters, their children, and their family members is great reading. I recommend this series to everyone.

[K H · Rating 5 out of 5]

First time author for me and I really enjoyed this book. It left off with me wanting to go on to book 2 immediately. I was worried as this was part of a series. Yet that really didn’t seem to be an issue.

[Jackalyn]

A different sort of "Amish" story. Well written and interesting, although it really did not end, but rather left you hanging needing to read the next book in the series to find out what happened to either the main character or her brother.

[Deb · Rating 2 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook read by the author. I will not continue this series as the reader was very boring. Seemed like she was rushing through to tit over with.

Too many plot lines in one book. It was hard to keep my interest.

[Bobbi Cooper]

I am so excited for this new series. I hope it goes as long as the other one! Great start with this fantastic opening book! Can't wait for #2.

[Sharon Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story

Wilma and Ada are up to their matchmaking ways again. Chess is acting out and nobody is sure what to do about him.

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness. This spin off series is just what I needed.

[Joianne D. Pettigrove · Rating 5 out of 5]

The next generation

Samantha Price does not leave just one ‘cliff hanger’, I want the next book, NOW! But my guess is, that is exactly what she wanted to achieve, well done.

[Cassondra Durham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

If you have read the Amish Bonnet Sisters, you will love this book. It follows the next generation. I loved the story.

[Ruth Magill · Rating 5 out of 5]

a great adventure

Couldn’t put it down. Enjoyable all the way. You are left with the suspense of what has happened and what is to come. I would recommend this book.

[Noms Haugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice and quick read.