~ Review: Six Days in January ~

Andrea Richmond is a beautiful young woman who epitomizes the prototype of the urban working girl. She’s an administrative assistant at a Midtown Manhattan insurance company. She has everything going for her, but she’s embroiled in more drama than a Broadway play.

William McCall is the last of the good guys. The handsome young man works for a prestigious New York law firm, is intelligent, drop-dead fine and sensitive. He’s close to his family and truly loves them. However, he knows how to have a great time when he gets his party on. Well-rounded, he’s everything a woman could want in a man.

William meets Andrea and falls in love with her, practically at first sight. He goes all out for her and is the best man she ever had. But something’s wrong with the relationship: it’s one-sided. William gives his all and Andrea gladly takes it, often pulling back. She’s involved with a fancy executive type who’s loaded and has a big position, but little else to offer. She knows that he’s bad for her, but she can’t seem to break free of him--nor does she really want to. She strings William along because she knows she can (although she knows that she is the best man for her).

SIX DAYS IN JANUARY is a refreshing story about a nice guy who falls in love with the wrong girl. William isn’t perfect, though. He’s a wonderful young man who has issues, but the good thing about him is that he’s trying to work on them. When we first meet him, he tries to face up to mistake he made with his then-girlfriend, Della, but she won’t let poor William live it down. He’s a gentleman about apologizing to her, but Della uses it against him. 

It’s a welcome relief  not to read a story about a hero who’s a mack or player. William’s hard-working and allows the readers to see his emotions. He doesn’t pretend to be anything but what he is. When he does, it’s not him, so he reverts to his real personality.

Big up goes out to Frederick Cooper who writes a hero who is always respectful of  women and isn’t ashamed of it. Cooper’s a brilliant, new voice on the romance and mainstream scene who dares to break out of the traditional mold. However, Cooper holds his own with his honest writing style and well-crafted, three-dimensional characters. This novel is an easy, quick read that readers will read to the last word.

SIX DAYS IN JANUARY made this reviewer homesick for New York City because Cooper set the storyline in some of the most happening places in the Big Apple. This novel points up an author of great promise with its fast-paced plot and drama happening at every turn. Granted, there are a few errors sprinkled throughout the text, but please overlook them because there’s a tender love story going on as well as a great plot. Whenever you have a free moment, pick up a copy of  SIX DAYS IN JANUARY, your favorite beverage and chill. You won’t be able to put this pageturner down and you will definitely lose some sleep to finish it! This novel is a job well done!

12th March 2001