Samantha: The Next Chapter

American Girl Legacy Novels

by Fiona Davis

From American Girl and New York Times bestselling author Fiona Davis comes the next chapter of Samantha Parkington's story--now an adult searching for justice after her legacy is stolen in New York City in 1920.

It’s 1920, and 25-year-old Samantha Parkington is working hard to educate women in New York about suffrage and encourage them to vote in their first presidential election that fall. But when Samantha’s large inheritance, including her childhood Mount Bedford home, is stolen in a shocking scheme, she goes from socialite to shop girl overnight and experiences a very different side of New York City living in a boarding house. Searching for clues regarding the theft of her inheritance, she infiltrates the business of a notorious criminal in New York City. Determined as ever, Samantha will do whatever it takes to find answers and save her family’s legacy.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Mystery, Historical, Adult Fiction, Adult, Mystery Thriller

272 pages, Hardcover

First published October 13, 2026

About the author

Fiona Davis is the New York Times bestselling author of eight historical fiction novels set in iconic New York City buildings, including The Stolen Queen, The Magnolia Palace, and The Lions of Fifth Avenue, which was a Good Morning America Book Club pick. She's also the author of Samantha: The Next Chapter, the first legacy novel for American Girl. She first came to New York as an actress, but fell in love with writing after getting a master's degree at Columbia Journalism School. Her work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Oprah magazine, and elsewhere, and her books have been translated into more than twenty languages. She's based in New York City.

Reviews

[Miranda Reads]

This is not a drill. I repeat. THIS IS NOT A DRILL.

American Girl is releasing their first ADULT book - focusing on Samantha and her life as a 25 year old activist whose inheritance is stolen - including the Mt Bedford home.

I AM FREAKING OUT HERE. Samantha was my first foray into the American Girl-verse and I could not be more excited to read this book!!

DEFINITELY my most anticipated book of the year!!

More reviews in the Samantha-verse

Main Series:
Meet Samantha - ★★★★☆
Samantha Learns a Lesson - ★★★★★
Samantha's Surprise - ★★★★☆
Happy Birthday, Samantha - ★★★★☆
Samantha Saves the Day - ★★★★★
Changes for Samantha - ★★★★☆
Samantha's Boxed Set - ★★★★☆

Best Friend Book:
Nellie's Promise - ★★★★★

Short Stories:
Samantha's Winter Party - ★★★★★
Samantha Saves the Wedding - ★★★★☆
Samantha and the Missing Pearls - ★★★★☆
Samantha's Blue Bicycle - ★★★★★
Samantha's Special Talent - ★★★☆☆
Samantha's Short Story Collection - ★★★★☆

Mystery Books (My Order):
The Curse of Ravenscourt - ★★★★★
The Stolen Sapphire - ★★★★☆
Clue in the Castle Tower - ★★★★☆
Danger in Paris - ★★★☆☆
The Cry of the Loon - ★★★★☆

Additional Historical and Activity Books:
American Girl Cross-stitch - ★★☆☆☆
The American Girls Cookbook - ★★★★★
The American Girls Party Book - ★★★★★
Everything I Need to Know I Learned From American Girl - ★★★☆☆
The Making of American Girl - ★★★★★
Minute Mysteries - ★★★★☆
Minute Mysteries 2 - ★★★★☆
The Official American Girl Cookbook - ★★★★☆
Samantha's Cookbook - ★★★★★
Samantha's Cooking Studio - ★★★★★
Samantha's Craft Book - ★★★★★
Samantha's Friendship Fun - ★★★☆☆
Samantha's Ocean Liner Adventure - ★★★★★
Samantha's Theater Kit - ★★★★☆
Samantha's Valentine Crafts - ★★☆☆☆
Samantha's Wedding Memories - ★★☆☆☆
Samantha's World: A Girl's-eye View of the Turn of the Century - ★★★★★
The Titanic (American Girl: Real Stories From My Time) - ★★★☆☆
Welcome to Samantha's World · 1904 - ★★★★★

Beforever (Re-Release of Main Series in mid 2010s):
Manners & Mischief - ★★☆☆☆
Lost and Found - ★★★☆☆

Abridged Version (Re-Release of Main Series in 2020s):
Samantha: The Gift - ★★☆☆☆
Samantha: Lost and Found - ★★★★☆

Beginner Reader & Picture Books:
Happy Birthday! (Little Golden Book) - ★★★★☆
Happy Holidays! (Little Golden Book) - ★★★★★
Making a Difference (Little Golden Book) - ★★★☆☆
My First American Girl Boxed Set - ★★★★☆
Samantha Helps a Friend (Step Into Reading) - ★★★☆☆
Time for School! (Little Golden Book) - ★★★★☆

[Elizabeth Anne Matthews]

Big day for millennial women

[Maggie]

An adult American Girl Novel?? About my girl Samantha? And she has to solve a mystery?

I am so in.

[christine ✩]

im SORRY WHAT HELLO

[Babbity Kate]

AG send me an arc and many sins will be forgiven

[Tova]

Not only will I be the same age as Samantha when I get to read this book, but we are both the same age as Uncle Gard was in the original series. I always thought Uncle Gard was so much older, even though I always thought he was really hot. If you didn't know, I made a celebratory post in honour of this book's release that I am very proud of, and I'd love if you'd check it out!

[Kara]

A very smart move by American Girl company.

[Gabs]

I literally squealed when I saw this book announced on IG and I’m not ashamed at all

[Aubrey Stewart · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

You guys!!! This book completely exceeded any expectations I had of it.

It’s crazy but I still remember going to the library when I was probably four or five and checking out my first American Girl doll books for my mom to read aloud to me. We called my aunt Kara who would have been in her teens at the time to figure out which ones I would enjoy and would be age appropriate for me. I LOVED those books so much. I was a Kit girl from the very start and then when I turned 8, my dad and I rode the train from our small town in Illinois up to Chicago to go to the American Girl Place to buy my Kit doll. Still in the top ten days of my life.

All that to say that I was so excited to hear that an adult novel about Samantha would be coming out. But let’s be real. My expectations were pretty low. And I was sort of prepared to be disappointed. The truth is, I am not always super into this type of historical fiction for adults.

But the one really got me! Is it the nostalgia talking?? Potentially! But I immediately got sucked in. It was so fun to see Samantha as a grown woman and also reconnect with some of our favorites from the original series as well! Anyone else have a huge crush on Uncle Gard as a kid!? Just as dreamy to me now!!!

I thought Fiona was so respectful of the source material and took it really seriously which I loved! And I could tell she had done her research because grownup Samantha felt like young Samantha! She still cared about the same things.

I liked the mystery element. To be honest, it wasn’t hard to figure out but, I didn’t feel like that was a huge deal because I wasn’t really going into this book for the mystery. It was just a fun byproduct.

The romance was also very cute and chaste. Can you imagine if they had a sexy romance for an American Girl!? Perish the thought!

I want more of these please! I have a dream of Felicity and Ben getting married and running her dad’s store! Haha! American Girl make it happen PLEASE!

Anyway. Loved it!

[Clare Mulroy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this! A quick, pacey new adult addition to the American Girl canon. Loads of nostalgia for longtime fans but any historical fiction reader would find something to enjoy.

[Angela Hull]

Okay someone please get an arc of this so I can live vicariously through them!

Pre ordered my copy at Barnes today when I went, the countdown is on

[Tiffany E-P · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fitting for the times we are currently in. Samantha is all grown up and educating women about how to actually use the newfound right to vote. The author’s historical notes at the end of the book also point out that 1920s were a time of progressives fighting for rights of workers, children, women etc against the wealthy capitalist class and the patriarchial system. Their efforts led to the New Deal and a time of relative peace and prosperity in the 1950s. It seems history may be repeating itself a hundred years later and the 2020s are a time of re-emerging progressives again fighting for women’s rights, workers’ rights and equal rights for people of color and the LGBTQ community. Hopefully this will result in peace, prosperity and equity for all.

[Daurie Bogart · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Next Chapter” is the perfect title for this book - it truly feels like a continuation of Samantha’s story. This book was thrilling, touching, and had all of the heart of the classic American Girl stories we know and love.
I appreciated Davis’ dedication to recreating Samantha’s world- we even got a Wood Tick Inn mention!
If you love Samantha’s stories and all they taught us, you will love this!

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

🎧 Audiobook Review 🎧
**Thank you to @prhaudio for the gifted audiobook. All opinions are my own.

Title: Samantha: The Next Chapter
Author: Fiona Davis
Format: 🎧
Narrator: Saskia Maarleveld
Running Time: 8 hours 1 minute
Pub date: October 13, 2026
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


📖What’s it about?

Samantha Parkington is a 25 year old woman working as a suffragist and educator in New York City in 1920.

Samantha's large inheritance and her childhood Mount Bedford home are stolen in a financial scheme, so Samantha is forced to leave her life as a socialite and move into a boarding house.

Samantha is determined to reclaim her family's legacy and does not want to have to wait months for court, so she launches her own investigation.

💭My thoughts
I was not into American Girl dolls growing up, I was past my doll phase when they became popular, but it did not hinder my enjoyment of this book! I loved the setting of this story and the way the mystery and the investigation played out. I also loved that Samantha’s character was the same person with or without money.

🎧Audio performance: Saskia Maarleveld is the narrator for the novel. She is one of my absolute favorite narrators, so I highly recommend listening to the audio of this one! She really brought the story to life.

If you enjoy strong female characters and 1920s historical fiction, you should give this one a try!

✔️American Girl story
✔️1920s NYC
✔️financial scheme
✔️a love interest
✔️riches to rags
✔️undercover spying

[Angela Verry · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚✨ Book Review: Samantha: The Next Chapter 🇺🇸🎀

AMAZING! AMAZING! AMAZING! 😍📖

An American Girl book for the grown-up girlies?! YES, PLEASE! 🙌💕 I absolutely LOVED this new chapter!

As a lover of historical fiction AND American Girl, this book was right up my alley! 🥰 We get suffragettes, the fight for women's rights, the 19th Amendment in 1920, strong women standing up for what they believe in, and SO much more! 💪🏻🗳️✨

I love how this story brings history to life while celebrating the women who fought to make a difference. ❤️📜 It was such a treat to revisit Samantha's world and see these important historical moments woven into her story!

The little girl who loved American Girl is VERY happy with this one! 🎀📚 And the history-loving adult me? Just as obsessed! 😍

⭐ Have you read it yet? Which American Girl character would you love to catch up with as an adult? 👀💕

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this peek into Samantha’s 25 year old life. She is still the same resourceful, kind and inquisitive girl!

Even though this is billed as an adult novel, I am comfortable reading this again with my 10 year old and talking about the content warnings (see below) as we go.

Content warning—death of loved one, kidnapping, murder, organized crime, and danger

[Eva B.]

HELLO?!
I spent a month reading every AG book AND I have my aunt's original Samantha doll...this was MADE for me...

[Grace Geffken]

Pre-read:
Loved the American Girl books as a kid and I'm gonna be pretty mad if they mess it up now.
Love the premise though!

[jodi]

what do you mean i grew up with american girl and now get to read a book about samantha at 25 when i’m also now 25 🥺

[Allison · Rating 2.75 out of 5]

To be fair, nothing could live up to the hype for Xennial Women when we found out there would be a Samantha adult novel. That being said, I really expected more from such a favorite author as Fiona Davis. I usually love her work.

This fell flat. The first 10-15% of this book was nostalgia, rehashing memories from the original books and explaining things from the original story that just didn't need explaining. (I don't need an explanation as to why she's called Grandmary; that's just her name.) From there the plot just meandered. Ooooh the will has been tampered with! But then we take a sharp veer and we see poor little rich-girl Samantha walking in the rain carrying a suitcase and get blisters and for *once* doesn't know where her next meal would come from. Aw. And then chapters of her interviewing for and getting a job. I don't care. Get back to the mystery!

This book seems too self-aware. Samantha doesn't like being called a shop "girl". Ma'am. It's 1925. That's what they were called. She's intersectional in her social work. Really? Rich, White, private-school educated Samantha cares about *every* demographic AND cause. She's part of the LWV, she cares about worker's rights (oh no she has to work retail and only gets one break and only a half hour lunch break!), WWI PTSD; she bumps up against rum running, she sees Babe Ruth play for the Yankees, she hates rote memorization in school and wants to take her students on field trips....AND the knows self-defense and how to throw a punch?! It's just....a lot. I think it's trying to be too much. It reads like YA instead of a fully thought-out historical fiction novel for adults.

If there are other adult American Girl books I won't be buying them, I'll just get them from the library and I won't have high expectations.

[Fay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you @prhaudio for the free audiobook! #PRHAudioPartner #AmericanGirlPublishing #AmericanGirl #FionaDavis #SamanthaTheNextChapter

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐚: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: 𝐅𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚 𝐃𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐬
𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫: 𝐒𝐚𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐚 𝐌𝐚𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐝
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟑, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

4★

Calling all American Girl fans! This one is for you! When I first heard about this book, I knew I had to preorder a copy. I loved these books growing up and I am a huge Fiona Davis fan. Also, these sprayed edges! I love how they match Samantha’s original plaid dress pattern. This book did not disappoint! It blended so many amazing elements and included so many favorites from the American Girl series. I loved the mystery element and how it kept me guessing about what really happened to Grandmary and Samantha’s inheritance. I also loved how Davis stayed true to Samantha’s character and for me, she is how I pictured her as an adult. I love Samantha’s work with educating women about suffrage and just truly felt like this book was so well done!

📖Samantha Parkington at age 25
📖Set in the 1920s in NYC
📖An American Girl Easter Eggs
📖Blends Historical Fiction, Mystery, and a hint of Romance
📖A Must Read for Fans of An American Girl Series

🎧I thought Saskia Maarleveld was perfect as the narrator of this audiobook! I always love whatever she narrates, but she just had the perfect voice for Samantha and brought her character and the others to life so flawlessly. Maarleveld’s narration, combined with the amazing storyline created by Davis had me on the edge of my seat as I followed along as Samantha set out to save her family’s legacy. I cannot recommend this one on audio enough!

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fiona did a great job of continuing the Samantha stories. My daughters had ALL the books, and were sucked into the American Girl World. We are all excited to visit a reimagined Samantha (of course mom footing the bill to preorder the book, ha ha), especially by Fiona Davis- I have read all her other books. I did go dig out the Samantha box set before picking up this one. I was glad I did- not that it was needed, but for nostalgia sake.

What a delight when I opened my preordered box and saw the beautiful spayed edges in the pattern of Samantha’s gingham dress! Perfect! The first chapter revisits all the old characters and memories from the original books. It picks up flawlessly.

The rest of the book continues with historical accuracy Davis is known for, including New York City, suffragette, even some broadway and jazz thrown in. It reads like a YA novel, half mystery, half mob story. Very reminiscent of Nancy Drew. It is well tied together with the old Samantha books, in the same themes and temperament. It even has the “living in history” section in the back! I am thrilled AG chose Fiona Davis for this, and I will be excited if they will continue on with future stories of the rest of the historical girls.

*** I do think this book will only appeal to those already familiar with the American Girl Samantha, otherwise the historical fiction audience would probably find it young and simplistic.

[Courtney Pityer · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are someone who grew up with the beloved American Girl series here is your chance at seeing one of them all grown up! I have to say that I enjoyed reading this story as it had so much action and adventure! This book reminded me a bit of the American Girl mystery novels that came out after the orginal series. In this book we will witness Samantha taking up an adventure that will surely be worth it and all of you ladies who used to swoon over Uncle Gard he does have one 'BA" moment in the book.

The year is 1920 and Samantha has managed to accomplish a lot such as being a college graduate and being a spokeswoman for woman's rights. However, with growing older she deals with the life tragedy of losing Grandmary. To make matters worse it was discovered that someone falsified a will before her death to make sure Samantha loses her rightful inheritance. Rather than sit around and do nothing Samantha investigates the matter putting herself into a sketchy corporation. But it will be all worth it in the end.

[Jessna Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I'm an American Doll adult collector over a select few historical characters. Samantha is of course one of those. I'm also a lover of historical fiction leaning more to the "no spice" side, so this book was awesome news for me. I was loving the return of beloved characters to see where they were now and the complicated layers Samantha had to navigate keep the story moving. As a Samantha book reader as a girl, I wasn't surprised when she barreled right into danger even though everyone warned her not to. It wasn't until that choice to when the reveal happened that the story lulled and I felt we spent too much time stuck in that moment when the story had moved along fast up until then. Then it got preachy... I love Samantha got to see women vote and tying it to the books when she first was introduced to the movement in the original books... I felt it was a little too holier than thou. The lull and the preaching brought it down, but other than that I was impressed with the first AG Adult Novel and think it was smart to pick an already popular historical fiction writer.

[Vitalia Strait · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

I remember reading Samantha's books when we were both nine years old (and earlier for me). Now we're both twenty-five, and I'm just as thrilled!

Fiona Davis did a great job at capturing the American Girl feeling while raising the stakes enough for an adult audience. With that said, I don't know that I would have cared nearly as much if there wasn't the previous connection, so I'm not sure if it works as a standalone novel. With the context, though, it's a charming book that presents Adult Samantha in a way that feels very natural.

My fingers are crossed very tightly for an Adult Kit book now!

[Rowan McDavid · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was going to like this book no matter what. That being said, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it! There were definitely moments of "fan service" and memory. And a few "Hallmark movie" moments. But I didn't mind those. I was just so excited to be back with Samantha and those moments made sense for the story. I read this book very quickly. There were even two unexpected twists which I thoroughly enjoyed! And it did what American Girl books do best, taught me something I didn't know about history and inspired me to be a better woman. Anxiously awaiting an announcement for a sequel and hopefully American Girl Legacy books for Felicity and Kirsten!

[Henry Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely perfect. For those who want nostalgia, it’s exactly that. It’s the same characters you know and love, while also allowing them to grow and change with times. (Grandmary being a big one, which I loved because it fit her in the course of the first 6 books and movie.) Fiona Davis somehow captured the same voice of the original series, while maturing it for the adult readers. Samantha is my favorite historical, so I was excited for this. But this went FAR beyond what I expected. Do not wait to read it, do it now. (Also let’s note the actors from the original movie are near the age of the characters in this book….just sayinnnnggggg) 100000/10. It was perfect.

[Abigail · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Such a great book! I loved it (besides a few religious words, was my only complaint!)I was worried this would be more feminist since it’s all about women’s rights and voting but the author did such a great job with this mystery/ historical fiction.Samantha was always my favorite and I felt like a little girl turning the pages reading about her again. Highly recommend.I couldn’t put the book down and I really hope they continue this with stories for the others American Girls.

[Sydney Aerin · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

This is about what you’d expect, which I appreciate. From what I remember from childhood, this stays pretty true to Samantha’s character. It feels like an American Girl book. The first part of the book still felt kind of childish, but it picks up as it goes along… although I will say it definitely feels much more YA than adult fiction. I enjoyed it and would read more American Girl books for adults!

[Ashley Grisham · Rating 4.75 out of 5]

I was so excited to hear the announcement that the Samantha book was coming out but was very skeptical that an author would be able to capture the nostalgia of my favorite character while still being able to give her an adult storyline. Leave it to Fiona Davis to bring all the history, mystery, and storytelling one could hope for this franchise! It felt very true to the character of Samantha while also being historical and entertaining for an adult audience!