Neer Ya’s debut novel, Vanilla Hour, delves into love, loss, and the courage to confront the past.
Between Dusk and Dawn: The Fragile Space Where Memory Meets Love
In the quiet moments of dusk, when the world pauses and reality blurs into memory, there exists a tender, liminal space. It’s a fleeting period between yesterday and today, where the ghosts of past loves and regrets linger. For Dr. Nandini Yadav, the protagonist of Vanilla Hour, this is where the heart is tested, and where forgiveness becomes a choice, not a destination.
Set against the dramatic coastal landscape of Goa, India, and spanning continents from Delhi to Tokyo, Vanilla Hour is a deeply human story of healing, redemption, and the irrevocable marks of love. Its complex layers of romantic suspense, literary thriller, and intimate family drama invite readers to confront their own memories, relationships, and the untold stories that shape them.
The Genesis of Vanilla Hour: A Journey of Rediscovery
Neer Ya, a neurodivergent introvert with a background in tech and banking, has always been a storyteller at heart. Whilst balancing high-pressure careers and the demands of motherhood, she found the courage to share her voice through Vanilla Hour. The novel, set to be published in December 2025, is a reflection of her own journey of growth, vulnerability, and emotional resilience.
Vanilla Hour is more than just a love story; it’s a journey of self-discovery and the willingness to face difficult truths. In it, Dr. Nandini Yadav is forced to return to Goa, where an unexpected reunion pulls her into the orbit of a man whose memory still haunts her—one whose shadow lives on in her daughter’s smile. As Nandini grapples with unresolved trauma, she uncovers long-buried truths and confronts emotional scars that have shaped her life.