Room for Cream: A Maya Davis Novel by Erynn Mangum – Review

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.

About the 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?

Amazon // Goodreads

In My Opinion

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.