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Maya Davis #4

Room for Cream

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Presley McCoffrey just wants to make the mark. The only child of two doctors, she’s never lived up to their dreams for her life. Choosing to do zookeeping was a huge disappoint to her parents and they’ve never let her forget it. But now, there’s a chance to be the manager of the Hudson Zoo. And after putting in time at the place for ten years, Presley is bound and determined to get it. Maybe then, her parents will finally see that not only is she good at zookeeping, she actually likes it. Ten years at Hudson Zoo should make this job a shoe-in. But just as she submits her resume, she sees the job isn’t a shoe-in after all. Jack Dominguez, her old co-worker and friend, is moving back from Seattle and also applying for the job. And everyone is talking about the new guy, coming from San Diego, who is also vying for the position. When the Board of Directors suggests a two-week interim trial for each candidate, Presley knows she’s got the upper hand. After all, she knows the zoo like the back of her hand. She knows the staff, she knows the animals, she knows exactly what will happen. But then everything goes wrong and all of a sudden, life doesn’t look as cut and dry like she thought it would. In the midst of it all, Presley gets close to Jack’s wife, Maya, who is also discovering that life isn’t what she planned. Does God have a plan that is better than theirs? And if so, what could He possibly be doing?

234 pages, ebook

Published November 30, 2018

11 people are currently reading
172 people want to read

About the author

Erynn Mangum

34 books673 followers
I love to read, love to write and am very blessed to be a wife and mama of two precious boys and a beautiful little girl. My latest books are The Broken Branch and Mind the Gap! Look for the Lauren Holbrook series (Miss Match, ReMatch, Match Point, Match Made and Bake Me A Match), the Maya Davis series (Cool Beans, Latte Daze and Double Shot) Sketchy Behavior, and the Paige Alder series (Paige Torn, Paige Rewritten and Paige Turned) and the Carrington Springs series (Katie in Waiting, Once Upon Eliza and Happily Ever Ashten) in paperback and ebook format, along with lots of ebook novellas. :) To learn more, visit me on Instagram @ErynnMangum.

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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
Profile Image for Lindsey (Books for Christian Girls).
2,176 reviews5,147 followers
April 9, 2020
About this book:

“Presley McCoffrey just wants to make the mark.
The only child of two doctors, she’s never lived up to their dreams for her life. Choosing to do zookeeping was a huge disappoint to her parents and they’ve never let her forget it. But now, there’s a chance to be the manager of the Hudson Zoo. And after putting in time at the place for ten years, Presley is bound and determined to get it. Maybe then, her parents will finally see that not only is she good at zookeeping, she actually likes it. Ten years at Hudson Zoo should make this job a shoe-in. But just as she submits her resume, she sees the job isn’t a shoe-in after all.
Jack Dominguez, her old co-worker and friend, is moving back from Seattle and also applying for the job. And everyone is talking about the new guy, coming from San Diego, who is also vying for the position. When the Board of Directors suggests a two-week interim trial for each candidate, Presley knows she’s got the upper hand. After all, she knows the zoo like the back of her hand. She knows the staff, she knows the animals, she knows exactly what will happen. But then everything goes wrong and all of a sudden, life doesn’t look as cut and dry like she thought it would.
In the midst of it all, Presley gets close to Jack’s wife, Maya, who is also discovering that life isn’t what she planned. Does God have a plan that is better than theirs? And if so, what could He possibly be doing?”



Series: Book #4 in the “Maya Davis” series. Reviews of Book #1 Here, #2 Here, and #3 Here!


Spiritual Content- Scriptures are mentioned, read, & discussed; Prayers & Blessings over food; Going to a Bible study, Church going, & sermons/discussions; Being witnessed to; Talks about God & Christians; ‘H’s are capitalized when referring to God; Presley says believes there’s a Deity, but doesn’t believe in there being only one way to Heaven; As the book continues, Presley starts thinking more about God; Mentions of God & His timing; Mentions of prayers, praying, & blessings over food; Mentions of Bibles & Bible studies; Mentions of those & events in the Bible; Mentions of churches, church going, church events, Sunday school, church groups, pastors, & sermons; Mentions of Christians & sharing faiths; A few mentions of Heaven; A few mentions of miracles; A couple mentions of sinners; A mention of praising God; A mention of Godspeed; A mention of a missionary; A mention of a blessing; A mention of hail Marys;
*Note: Presley’s mother told her that they don’t need a crutch like religion & that because of they are good people they’ll be in Heaven; A mention of reincarnation; A mention of haunted spirits; A mention of ghosts.


Negative Content- Noticing; Minor cussing including: a ‘dang it’, a ‘darn’, a ‘duh’, a form of ‘dumb’, a ‘holy cow’, a ‘sheesh’, two forms of ‘crap’, three ‘gosh’s, three forms of ‘heck’, and eight ‘oh my gosh’s; Sarcasm & Eye rolling; Mentions of a crime show’s murderer & blood; Mentions of wondering if a murder happened; Mentions of animal manure; A few mentions of a death from a car accident; A few mentions of lies & lying; A couple mentions of (thinking a guy may be) a mass murderer; A mention of a hanging in a movie; A mention of a divorce;
*Note: Mentions of movies, TV shows, TV channels, actors, & fictional characters; Mentions of a restaurant; A few mentions of social media sites; A few mentions of car brands; A couple mentions of Starbucks; A mention of something sounding too “brown-nosy”; A mention of Hallmark; A mention of the Hunger Games; A mention of an energy drink;


Sexual Content- Blushes; Noticing; Mentions of dating, dates, girlfriends, & boyfriends; Mentions of blushes; A couple mentions of gorilla mating behaviors (no details);
*Note: Mentions of a married couple trying to have a baby & the different options for treatments (barely-above-not-detailed); A mention of menopause; A mention of a shot in the tush; A mention of butting out.

-Presley McCoffrey
1st person P.O.V. of Presley
228 pages

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Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars
While Presley might have been a bit different than Erynn Mangum’s previous main girls in the sense of her family background and opinion on God, she still had the quirkiness and movie-loving attitude that everyone else has.
After finally finishing the original Maya Davis series, I knew this book may feel a bit strange if only because of the time skip of ten years. It shockingly didn’t bother me as much as I was expecting.
There was such a special feel to this book because of how the faith content was done and the ending message. So many parts brought tears to my eyes for Presley and Maya, but also the faith discussions about God’s timing and our worth. I love how this novel explained certain elements and the genuineness of the characters. Yet another amazing book by Erynn Mangum.


Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...


*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
Profile Image for Cayla.
658 reviews
December 28, 2018
Not a huge fan of the cliffhanger ending, but I always enjoy Mangum's stories.
Profile Image for Celestria.
380 reviews464 followers
January 25, 2024
Not as good as the original trilogy, but still good. Looking forward to more romance in book 2 because this one didn't have any.
Profile Image for Suzie Waltner.
Author 13 books148 followers
December 11, 2018
Of all Erynn Mangum’s series couples, Jack and Maya are my favorite. So, as you can imagine, I was ecstatic when Mangum announced a new book with these two. I love that this author is revisiting some old friends.

While Jack and Maya are secondary characters in this novel, readers get to catch up with them as they return to Hudson, California.

Presley’s new friendship with Maya (Davis) Dominguez allows her to open up about her future. As Maya shares her own unrealized dreams and disappointments, Presley is a bit disillusioned at the God Jack and Maya confess to love. But Maya isn’t about to let Presley wallow there. God is God and His plans are the best plans even when they aren’t what she envisioned for her life.

Mangum explores how we handle the unexpected challenges and unanswered prayers in our lives (or better put, the prayers that aren’t answered as want them to be).

With new friends and a great little coffee shop, Presley begins to wonder what’s important and how to more forward when everything she knows is taken away from her. With a bit of a cliffhanger at the end of Room for Cream, I’m already anticipating the next installment in a few months.

I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Profile Image for Natalie.
3,465 reviews125 followers
September 7, 2019
My favorite of the series for sure! Erynn Mangum has done it again! I liked seeing the struggles of both Presley and Maya and how they were able to lean on each other and help each other. Set 10 years after the last book, a lot has changed in Maya’s life, and Presley (who was a minor character in the earlier books) becomes the narrator, and as a result, gets some more dimension to her character.

The message of this book was great - let go and let God.
Profile Image for RebekahAshleigh.
240 reviews
May 9, 2022
Room for Cream was so good! This is book 4 in the Maya Davis series, although unlike the first three books, this book as well as book 5 follows a different character. We still get to see Maya though. This book does start 10 years after book 3, so because of those two facts I honestly was a bit hesitant to dive into this one. I shouldn’t have worried though. I have loved all of Erynn Mangum’s books.
Room for Cream was so amazing. I loved the new character Presley. I really enjoyed getting to learn about her and get to see her friendship with Maya.
I also really liked Alex. He was pretty great.
It’s really hard to put into words but this book really spoke to me.
Profile Image for Maggie Carr.
1,383 reviews44 followers
April 10, 2020
Okay, so totally forgot the cliff-hanger at the end and Amazon won't deliver #5 for a few days so now I'm just gonna be lost in my head for the future of a fictional book character. It's okay though because my inner-struggle feels an awful lot like what Presley is facing and our shared love for our jobs & coffee just make us soul sisters. The Biblical passages we just what I needed to hear right now. Sigh.
Profile Image for the_bookish_took.
616 reviews56 followers
January 28, 2023
3.5 stars

Let it be known right here: Erynn Mangum is one of my favorite authors. I love her stories, they never fail to make me smile, and they really are so cozy. The problem is me and my mood.

Even so, it was so good to be back in Hudson and revisit some old friends! I liked the direction the story went, and despite my mood, excited to finally finish this series!
71 reviews
December 5, 2018
Oh my goodness, it was worth the wait for this new bo!

Oh man, I loved this 4th book in the Maya Davis collection. I couldn't put the book down. I loved it all. My favorite part of the story was a kitchen scene at Jack and Maya's place. Thanks Erynn again for a great Maya story Can't wait for the next book.
Profile Image for Phyllis.
1,288 reviews35 followers
March 12, 2019
Another great book by Erynn Mangum

My rating is 4.5 stars

Erynn Mangum is one of my go-to authors. I absolutely love her novellas - the first of her books I read is one called Fish and Chips. If you haven't read it, do yourself a favor and read it now!

I try to read all of her books and though I purchased this one shortly after it came out in November, I was unable to squeeze in reading it until now. And, ironically, I realized after I was partway through that I haven't read any of the other books in this series. How did that happen? I was glad that I didn't feel lost not knowing Maya or Jack from the previous stories.

Paisley's love for the animals and her daily trips around the zoo were so fun to read about. The various problems she had to deal with added interesting insight into what it would be like to work at a zoo. I appreciated that the author didn't overly romanticize it and showed the reality of smells and other problems she would have encountered on a regular basis.

Room for Cream had me torn. I was cheering for Presley to get the zoo director's job, yet really wanted it for Jack and for Alex. Each had such a compelling reason to be the best one for the position! I kept making up scenarios where somehow they could all get it but if the author had resolved the story in that way, I would have felt cheated with the easy solution.

My heart was torn for Presley and her feelings of inadequacy. With my parents supporting me so well, it is very hard to imagine what that would be like, yet the author had me experiencing a little of that emotion.

The friendship that sprung up so unexpectedly between Maya and Paisley was so refreshing. I loved Maya and am looking forward to going back and reading all her books to learn more about her. She and Paisley bonded over their grief for life not working out according to their own plans.

In the midst of the yearning, are fun zoo puns, a budding romance, and especially a growing awareness that God just might be more than a disinterested Creator and that He just might have a plan for Paisley's life that is beyond what she imagines.

The ending of Room for Cream was satisfying and yet a cliff-hanger. It certainly left me hungry for more. The next book is slated for release sometime this spring. So I now have the opportunity to go back and start from the first book of the Maya Davis series!


Read my full review with a Preview at Among the Reads
Profile Image for casserole (matching with lyds).
120 reviews
October 19, 2025
🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩
Wow… what?… did I just read? This is BY FAR the best book in this series! I was sorta disappointed with the third one, but THIS ONE?! Oh Lord TAKE ME NOW. I LOOVVEEEDDD IT!
Presley is just the best fmc eeevveeeerrr! She’s funny, nice, quiet, and modest! Sadly she isn’t Christian, but I think that changes in the second one, we’ll see.
AGGGGHHHH ALEX?!?! Don’t get me STARTED!!!! He’s THE BEST GUY IN THIS SERIES! I thought Jack was cool, but Alex is just an angeelllll
I looovvveeeddd seeing Maya again! She was hilarious! You guys can check out my highlights and notes, o highlighted my favorite funny moments 🤗
Jack was pretty funny too 😄 it was great seeing him back!
I was happy to see Jen had kids, but I wish I would’ve seen Travis as well, it never really even mentioned him. Plus, I really hope Maya has a baby because I really feel bad for her.


❤️| sexual content | not much, a but of blushing and noticing. Alex asks Presley out in the end of the book, but Presley turns him down saying she needs some time to herself. Maya and Jack have been trying to have a baby for a couple years, but it hasn’t worked out. A couple mentions of gorillas mating behavior.

🤬| language | pretty much no language, a couple uses of dang, darn, what the heck, no cussing tho.

🏳️‍🌈| lbtq | none, squeaky clean!

✝️| Christian content | tons! Bible verses quoted, church going, Bible studies. Presley isn’t a Christian, but believes there is a “deity”. As the book goes on, Presley thinks that maybe God really is real.

💭| final thoughts | this book was awesome! It was super cute, and I loved all the new characters as well as the old ones. Can’t wait for the next book!
🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
156 reviews2 followers
September 1, 2021
I have been reading books by Erynn Mangum since her first novel was published and I have enjoyed every one. This was no exception. As with her other books, there is friendship, humor, some great Biblical wisdom, and a little bit of romance.

I loved reconnecting with Maya and Jack and seeing them through Presley’s eyes. However, the thing I appreciated most was the emphasis on finding your identity in Christ. Although there is preaching, this is not done in a preachy way, if that makes sense.

This book sets up a sequel, which I am thankful is already out! I’d suggest reading the first three books in the series before this one. It’s not necessary, but they provide backstory and are excellent reads as well!
Profile Image for Jenn.
1,222 reviews3 followers
September 8, 2019
After rereading the first 3 Maya Davis books, I didn't have super high hopes for this one because it was self-pubbed, but I was pleasantly surprised. It's actually much tighter of a story and the character shift to Presley was wrll done. Sometimes characters can seem too similar, but Maya and Presley are distinct. I wish it was 50-100 pages longer rather than a cliffhanger ending, especially since the next book hasnt been released yet, contrary to the expected date she listed in the book. I do look forward to #5
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Meagan | The Chapter House.
2,045 reviews49 followers
December 9, 2018
Wow. Just ... wow.

I was initially disappointed when I discovered this was a “Maya Davis” series, but Presley was the main character.

Well.

Dang, what a story Presley has.

I nearly cried several times and...can’t believe I have to wait for another book! Ha!

A few grammatical and homonym issues throughout the book, but it didn’t distract too much, and I’ll certainly reread Presley’s story. Such an important message shared here!!
Profile Image for Bridget Ann.
189 reviews15 followers
July 30, 2023
This was not my cup of tea. I'm just not the biggest fan of zoos or animals in general. Presley got on my nerves, and the romance was not my cup of Joe. I was so happy to see Maya and Jack again, even if my heart hurt to read about their hurts. Maya was such a great friend, and I loved the banter between her and Jack.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for lucy_reads.
70 reviews
November 12, 2024
a sweet continuation of Jack and Maya's story

Something I love about Erynn's books is that while the main characters have some familiar traits throughout each book, they are still distinctly different. Presley isn't just a copy of Maya (or Paige or Lauren) but a complex character with Erynn's trademark humor still woven in. Can't wait to read the final book in red the series!
Profile Image for Becca (Reflections From My Bookshelves).
226 reviews17 followers
December 24, 2018
I started and finished Room for Cream in one day. I can't wait to read more of Presley's story! :) But seriously. Erynn Mangum books are so amazing and just the right message I need to hear at that moment. I love how she weave truth throughout a fun and engaging story.
Profile Image for Teresa.
35 reviews5 followers
January 15, 2019
Great story in the Maya Davis continuing series.

Really good. Loved catching up with some of the characters from the previous books in the series.
Also enjoyed the teaching from Ephesians.
Profile Image for Rachel Bennett.
117 reviews
July 2, 2025
Good gravy!

I was surprised to find that Maya isn’t the main character in this book. But most of all, this one kept me laughing and guessing. I wasn’t intending to devour this series, but here we are… four books in a week. Next, please!
Profile Image for Torie.
8 reviews1 follower
January 9, 2019
Perfect

Love Erynn! Live all of her books and characters but GIRL!! You leave me hanging!!! Thank you so much for your Godly messages and making me laugh!! - Torie Jones
Profile Image for Shelley.
141 reviews1 follower
January 23, 2019
Really enjoyed this series and this new addition was great.
13 reviews1 follower
March 14, 2019
I absolutely loved this book!! Such a great sequel to my favorite Maya Series. Can’t wait for the next book!
Profile Image for DM.
160 reviews
May 14, 2019
I loved this! It was so fun AND encouraging! Also, I need a cinnamon roll now... 😄
16 reviews1 follower
February 6, 2024
When I say that I loved this book....it was not an understatement. It felt like I waited forever for this to come out but it was well worth the wait. The depth that this author has, paired with her ability to captivate you and make you feel like you're living the life of the characters...it's unreal and so beautiful!!
Profile Image for Beth Warwick.
128 reviews1 follower
August 8, 2024
I love the author Erynn Mangum. I loved the Maya Davis books. I have had the "sequels" on my shelves for forever and finally got to one.

Erynn Mangum is just always cozy and lovely. Her books make you laugh and her books give you hope. I liked that this one didn't go 100% the way you thought it would. I won't say much because, yes, these books are fluff but some really really nice fluff that you should just read.
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