Chinmoy Bose is a slightly overweight adolescent devoted to family and friends in a humble neighbourhood in Kolkata. But when his parents win an unexpected lottery the family moves to an affluent part of the city. At Vanilla Apartments, he meets the best friends of his life and acquires the nickname, Tiger. The lives of highrise house misfits, wannabes and vamps are like chopped green chillies in vanilla ice cream. There is never a dull day for Tiger and his four spirited friends Kirit, Robin, Signal and Pluto at Vanilla Apartments. Tiger observes complex lives in transitioning middle-class India and begins to nurse the desire to rise out of his humble beginnings. He pines to leave the country for the perceived riches awaiting him on American shores. But will a surprising betrayal short circuit his dreams? Tiger s journey is filled with deceit and loyalty, heartbreak and hope. Interesting characters with a crisp moving plot combine to make a fascinating read. Represents the bewildered also the playful mind of the youth. The contemporary youth can relate to the protagonist, and his desire to rise of his humble beginnings to acquire the riches awaiting him on American shores. The book will appeal to the young as well as the old, as it evokes the sentiments of the children along with their parents also hinting at the middle-class ideals.