This was a solid, hardcore enemies-to-lovers workplace romance—entertaining, exciting, and engaging throughout. The storyline stayed focused on the workplace dynamic without relying on overly dramatic or annoying scenes, which made it a refreshing read. While there were hints of the miscommunication trope, it was handled in a way that wasn’t frustrating or overdone.

The characters were just as compelling as the plot. The tension between them was intense, which kept the story moving. My main issue was with Tris—her tendency to turn everything into a competition, along with her quick judgments and assumptions about Rafe, felt a bit overbearing at times. Still, I could understand where she was coming from, and it added complexity to her character. Honestly, the story holds a lot of promise.

As the story progressed, though, some parts felt slightly out of context. Rafe’s character became a bit confusing—at times, he seemed to represent two different personas, which made it hard to grasp his true purpose in the story. This inconsistency made me question the development of both main characters. The narrative occasionally felt scattered and lacked cohesion, but the potential was definitely there.

Despite its flaws, the story was cute and light-hearted in many ways. Some scenes carried heavier themes, but they served a purpose and conveyed meaningful advocacy. The smut scenes were a bit rushed toward the end, but they were present—no complaints there! If you’re looking for your next contemporary enemies-to-lovers romance, this book is a strong contender. This was enjoyable but needs some more improvements!

Just when I thought I couldn’t love Nisha more… she gives us Not Safe for Work—a contemporary romance that had me grinning, swooning, and thinking about “Lucifer in a Ralph Lauren model disguise.” Like??? Obsessed.

This book has workplace chaos, tropical retreats, STEM rep, and the kind of tension that crackles on the page. Trishara is a queen. Rafe is hot, supportive, and broody. Every glance, every argument, and every “accidental” touch had me kicking my feet. The vibes? Immaculate.

I genuinely love how Nisha can go from fae battles to office flirtation and make both feel equally addictive.

Thank you to Nisha J. Tuli and Forever Publishing for the eARC!

I'm not even shocked by the fact that I absolutely loved this book!! I've loved every book I've read thus far by Nisha J Tuli. Her writing style is truly so good, I love the way she goes into detail and I just love every single character she creates however I hold a special place for Tris, she is such a bad as* woman with such a strong head on her shoulders. I also loved Rafe, he is so dreamy and the ending of this book was truly chefs kiss. highly highly recommend!!!

I have had Nisha’s “Artefacts of Ouranos” series on my TBR for ages and when I discovered that she was writing this contemporary romance, I was instanstly in. However, Not Safe for Work fell a bit flat for me. While I completely understand the main character, Trishara, especially as a black woman who also works in the tech space, I was constantly disappointed by Trishara’s immaturity? I’m not sure how to describe her but I felt like she complained alot. They weren't really enemies to lovers as the rivalry was more lack of communication that anything. I was also a little turned off by the amount of times the MMC’s smile was mentioned. There is losts of pining and yearning so if you like that, you’ll definitely enjoy it. And the writing itself is great, I just don’t think the story was for me. I also listened to the ALC and will say that Soneela Nankani was excellent! The acting was great and her voice is amazing.

Thank you so much NetGalley for the ARC.

Nisha absolutely delivered with this rivals to lovers workplace romance. She is one of the few authors that can lure me away from romantasy and dark romance.

I related so deeply to Trishara (the FMC) and her experience in a workplace mostly dominated by men. The struggle to strive for excellence in order to compete with mediocrity is real. Because of this, Tris has had to put up some walls in order to protect herself. Then we have Rafe, our MMC who is so much more complex than Tris gave him credit for.

Nisha writes fabulous banter, and the dialogue between Rafe and Tris is no exception. The characters are quick and witty, and there’s just so much tension in the slow burn. I love some of the more vulnerable moments between the two main characters once some of the hostile exterior is peeled back.

I would definitely recommend Not Safe for Work for somebody looking for a rivals to lovers romance set in paradise. It’s a very quick read – I finished this one in just a few hours.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the ARC!

Just a general observation I have (with all the best intentions!): I think modern non-genre romance novels could often be more impactful if they were about 10-15% shorter. With Not Safe for Work, there was so much to appreciate. I loved the dynamic of the main characters who recognized their own imperfections, the lively setting, the engaging side cast, and, of course, the fantastic STEM representation. My only significant critique is that the frequent arguments between the protagonists felt quite contrived and could have been substantially reduced. Doing so would have tightened the narrative and made the character interactions feel more authentic.

If you enjoy authors like Ali Hazelwood, you'll likely find a lot to love here. This book has certainly made me a new fan of Nisha J. Tuli, and I look forward to her next release.

I loved Trial of the Sun Queen so I was super excited to see this one as a NetGalley option!

It was such a fun workplace romance with a lot of focus on equality in the workforce. I liked the note by the author at the beginning because she is coming from STEM before deciding to be an author and the book was rooted in some of her experience.

I will say one thing, Nisha, you are amazing at writing the tall, dark LI which I love.

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

Rating: 3.5/5

Thank you Nisha J. Tuli and Forever for an ARC of this book via NetGalley.

I really wanted to love this book but I didn’t quite get there. That said, I think it has enough potential that if it sounds at all interesting to you, I would still encourage you to go ahead and give it a try!

I loved Tris. I loved her strength in fighting for herself but I also felt her exhaustion after years of settling at the only job she could get (and I am still LIVID on her behalf at what happened). Now presented with a long overdue opportunity to advance her career, should she take full advantage of it or should she pivot? I wish the story explored this conundrum further. The story took place during a retreat that could lead to an even greater opportunity and while we did see her strive for that coveted opening, it felt like it fell to the wayside. The retreat activities felt short and fleeting and altho we did see her struggles navigating a male-dominated field, this was done primarily through her mentions of past experiences (which I appreciated!) and in that regard, the retreat activities felt lacking as they served to move the story in time rather than in depth. And that critical decision she had to make? To continue or change course? We got very few hints that another viable option was on the table until the last moments so it felt unfortunately sudden. And the events that led up to and including the critical point could have been so much more powerful had it been more developed prior to. As it was, it felt like it was included last minute to force a slowing plot to move along. That said, I do LOVE Tris' resolution and how she ultimately stuck it to corporate corruption. 👏👏👏

Rafe was also presented as a character with a lot of potential but unfortunately felt underdeveloped. He faced familial struggles that bled into his professional discontent but bc we only saw what Tris saw and he didn’t share much beyond feeling stymied, we didn’t see him make progress in addressing any of his issues. And when he finally did, it happened off-page and was briefly mentioned towards the ends as the book wrapped up. As a result, his personal journey felt rushed. Were we happy he finally did something for himself? Sure. But we didn’t get to share in that emotional victory bc we weren’t with him in any of it.

Unfortunately, I also found the connection between Tris and Rafe underwhelming. We *do* get a few heart-to-hearts and I LOVED those moments bc they felt real and intimate. But their interactions before they got together felt a little repetitive, namely the ones stoking Rafe’s jealousy. And when they finally decided to try, I understood Tris’ reservations but the way her insecurity was triggered also felt repetitive (as in the how, not her feeling insecure in and of itself). It felt like it relied on Rafe and his ex which, as a plot line, felt unnecessarily long. And it’s not that I thought Rafe should have been able to resolve the conflict quickly (communication is hard, I know that), but it recycled what felt like a single tactic to stay relevant throughout most of the story and at that point, with only Tris’ POV and no further insight, it started to feel stale. And in all honesty, I think I needed more from Tris and Rafe to fully believe their romance. I didn’t necessarily doubt them but I also wasn’t fully invested.

On the whole, I think this book had a lot of potential and while it fell a little short for me, I *do* think this book will be right for someone.

CN: open-door romance, sexism and racial microaggressions, nonconsensual touching, recounting of an incident involving the sharing of an intimate image from a past relationship

I had heard of Tuli's romantasy series, but this was my first time reading one of her books. I am absolutely a fan. Not Safe for Work was such a delightful romance with all of my favorite things: an awesome main character, an adorable love interest and a tropical location. Sign me up! I'm not an engineer, but like Trishara I do have experience working in a predominantly male office so a lot of the things that Trishara has to deal with I've seen with my own eyes. I love how Tuli navigates Trishara (Tris') journey to finding out what she wants and deserves both with her career and with her love life.

Going to a corporate leadership retreat in Hawaii sounds like a dream...except in becomes a nightmare when Tris ends up having to also be there with the boss' son, the handsome and infuriating Rafe. Rafe and Tris were so much fun together and it was such a joy to watch them fall in love with each other. Also...Tris is from Chicago! Precious few romance novels are located in Chicago and I loved that for Tris and also for me.

This was such a fun, hot and delightful read and I am definitely going to check out Tuli's other books.

Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

I cannot believe that this is the first book I've read by Nisha Tuli. It was incredible! It had all my favourite tropes - enemies to lovers, just one bed, forced proximity (on a Hawaiian island - yes!!). When I tell you this book was soooo so good - IT WAS SOOOO GOOD!! I finished it just a few days ago and have not been able to stop thinking about Rafe and Tris. Loved it so much that I ordered a signed and personalized copy from an indie bookstore, even though I read the arc.

Thank you so so much Forever Publishing and Netgalley for this incredible arc of Not Safe For Work!!

Quick Summary: A lighthearted STEM, enemies to lovers romance

My Review: Not Safe for Work by Nisha J. Tuli is a contemporary romance novel. It is scheduled for publication on 5/20/25.

About the Book: "Rival engineers dabble in personal chemistry while at a tropical company retreat..."

In My Own Words: A workplace hottie with a secret passion and a beauty with a spicy personality and a desire for more clash in a remarkable way.

What I Loved:

- Resilience of FMC...Total boss!
- Attraction between leads
- Snarky remarks
- Tension-laced innuendos
- Witty banter
- Slow burn pacing
- Steamy chemistry
- Tropical setting
- Close proximity setup
- Competitions and tests to assess leadership and personality
- Discovering the hidden parts of both leads
- Female squad friendships formed at conference (Tris, Lan, and Gabrielle)
- Best friend energy with Molly
- Shared love of yum yums

My Favorite Scenes (coded, so as to avoid spoilers):

- The Crashing
- The All Staff Communication
- The Favorite Villain

My Final Say: This story was a 50-40-10. The slow burn and nail-biting tension was like 50% steamy goodness. The kisses, chemistry, cuddles, and more were definitely 40% fire. The conflict and its resolution was like 10% yep. I loved it! If I say anything else, I would give too much away. All I can say is read it. Better yet, let's all secure a copy of what is sure to be an amazing audiobook experience. Let's go!

Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Re-read: Yes
Keeper: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes
Status/Level: ❤️‍🔥

Sincere appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Forever (Grand Central Publishing) | Forever), and to NetGalley. Thank you so very much for granting access to a digital ARC of this incredible work in exchange for an honest critique. I thoroughly enjoyed reviewing this title. I look forward to reading more from this writer.

Trishara and Rafe- Rival coworkers who spend 3 weeks in forced proximity during a leadership retreat in Hawaii.

This was so cute and fun!! I loved it!

Witty banter. Rivals to lovers. Workplace. Forced proximity. One bed. Slow burn. BIPOC rep. Women in STEM. Chronic pain rep. Hits on some common workplace challenges for women, especially women of color, in a male dominated industry including discrimination, sexual harassment, and nepotism.

This was a quick and highly enjoyable read for me. I could’ve easily devoured this in one sitting. It kept me interested and was the perfect mix of serious relatable topics balanced with humor and steamy tension.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the arc!

A workplace enemies to lovers romance set on a retreat in Hawaii? Sign me up!

Trishara is working to break the mold of nepotism and white male privilege within her company. When she gets chosen for a leadership retreat in Hawaii, she finally thinks that she has a chance - until she gets stuck in a one-bed trope with Rafe, her boss’s son and work rival. The two soon find out that the chemistry that they have for one another may outweigh the hate.

This book was such an enjoyable read and from the very beginning I was sold on Trishara’s character as she stands on her values and doesn’t accept less than she deserves. This is the perfect story to get your mind off work and into vacation mode. I highly recommend this spicy romance that also discusses important issues that are rampant in white male dominated work spaces.

Thank you Forever and NetGalley for the eARC for review consideration!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this free eARC

Trishara is a smart, sexy FMC who is frustrated with the lack of advancement her career. Rafe is her hot coworker who has a massive ego who definitely has gotten where he is in his career thanks to nepotism. He also clenches his jaw in a very sexy way.

These rivals find themselves together at a work conference, and are forced to share a room...with only one bed. Will the team building exercises, forced proximity, and their undeniable hotness be enough to overcome the fact that he's been kind of a jerk and she wants to avoid him like the plague?

While the story was not particularly relatable to me, I'm certain it is to a lot of women who work in male dominated industries. I do think the pacing is a little off, and the resolution feels a little too quick and tidy. Overall I enjoyed my time reading it and would certainly be interested in reading other works by Nisha J. Tuli in the future.

Not Safe For Work is a slow burn, rivals to lovers, open door romance. 4/5 stars

4⭐

if you're looking for a fun & hot summer read, look no further! not safe for work is the epitome of a fun work rivals-to-lovers and it was so good in all its spicy glory. it was full of tension and banter and it absolutely ate it up.

the fact that rafe was so protective of tris had me kicking my feet because who doesn't love a mmc who isn't afraid to care for the fmc (even with the glowering and broodiness). i really enjoyed his backstory and how he wanted to prove himself despite his image of being a nepo-baby. i also really adored how driven tris was! as a POC girlie who also works in a field that is mostly male-dominated, i could heavily relate to tris. she worked hard to get where she is and i loved that she stood up for herself. their romance was so good, as i said, i loved the tension and their connection. both of them longing for each other was just *chefs kiss*. it was the perfect amount of spice!

pick this one up if you enjoy:
- forced proximity
- work rivals-to-lovers
- only one bed
- rom-com vibes
- he takes care of her/protective mmc

thank you forever publishing for the arc, i am so grateful!

I think I prefer Nisha’s fantasy stories more but that is just my preference. Rom com fluffier stories have never been my go to choice. But this was written well and enjoyable! I had a good time reading and I laughed out loud at times and squealed over some of the scenes 🫣🥰🫠. I loved the Women in STEM rep and the cover is 🔥🔥🔥.

Rating: 4.5/5
I received an eARC for my honest opinion.

If you’re a fan of the following tropes you will like this book, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, work-place romance, one bed, and slow burn.

You will meet Trishara who is a brilliant engineer at a large firm, she is often overlooked for promotions and any advancement opportunities. She is now feeling the burnout of having to prove herself at her work so much, so when she gets the chance to attend a corporate leadership retreat in Maui, she is all in to make sure that she learns the most she can, shake hands and make friends. Sadly, her boss’s son Rafe is also going to be there, and she cannot stand him. Yes, he is sexy, and yes, she did have feelings for him but after seeing how he has treated her and knowing that he had a girlfriend made it easy but now that she is Maui and having to share the only room left with Rafe, she is seeing different sides to him that she never knew about.

I thought the plot was well done, and perfect for a workplace retreat romance, I found the pace of the book to be right for a romcom. The banter throughout the book was well done, and I found myself smiling or laughing at the situations that the characters would get themselves into. The romance in this book was slow burn and I mean SLLOOWW burn, but the way that Nisha writes it with all the tension between these characters it was just chefs’ kiss. I loved that throughout the book we got to know and understand the characters. I liked that once the characters started to really talk, you got to see the different layers that they hide from the world and see that just because someone seems happy doesn’t mean that they’re. I loved that Rafe was really a romance and knew what he wanted in life, but he didn’t want to disappoint his parents. I loved that we got to see the characters go for what they both really wanted and stand up for themselves.

Trishara is a sassy, confident, successful woman. She loves her work at the engineering firm, but she is not okay with being passed over and over just because she is a woman and a colored one too. I really enjoyed the scene where she stood up for herself and other women in the STEM community. She is a real GIRL Boss, and I am here for it. Rafe I was unsure if I should like this guy, and I would have loved to see him shine a little more throughout the book, but I felt as though the author did a great at making it, so the readers get to really see his true character and he is so cute. I loved that he was there for Trishara when she needed it and yes, I do think a certain act was a little much, but I enjoyed the way that Nisha wrote it, because it actually wrapped up everything nicely.

I also received the audio of this book, and I found the narrator really helped to bring these characters to life. I could close my eyes and picture the book as a movie and could feel what the characters were feeling. Soneela Nankani did a fantastic job and I would recommend this audio/book to all STEM romance lovers.

I want to thank NetGalley and Grand Central Pub for the opportunity to review this book.

This was a fun, engaging, enemies to lovers, workplace with a tropical twist romance. I enjoyed reading about these characters.


I voluntarily read an early copy.

If you’re a sucker for enemies to lovers tension, forced proximity, and sunshine drenched slow burns, this spicy romcom is an absolute must read!

Enter Trishara and Rafe…snarky, competitive coworkers who can barely stand to be in the same room, are chosen to attend a company retreat in Hawaii. Cue the *one bed* because we are out of rooms hotels debacle, awkward icebreaker activities, and one very scary storm..

What I loved most is how Nisha balanced humor with real character growth. The POC representation and women in stem… *chefs kiss*

This is a sweet contemporary romance. Tris and Rafe are coworkers at an engineering firm who have always been combative at work. They are chosen to attend a retreat in Hawaii and sparks fly. What I like about this book is the exploration of how difficult it is for women to succeed in male dominated work spaces. The author says in her intro that this is all based on things that she experienced. Tris and Rafe have a sweet relationship but I think the workplace enemies theme is a lot tired and I don't felt like there was enough in this book to really set it apart. Regardless, it was a fun quick romance read. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.