Not Safe for Work - Nisha J. Tuli

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

IF NISHA WRITES IT, I'M READING IT! I DEVOURED Tris and Rafe's story! Picture this.. a highly intelligent woman in stem, and a spoiled silver platter “douche” of a man get sent on a work trip to Hawaii for team building and meetings and what not BUT they end up being put in ONE room that they have to share for the entire duration of the trip! Mind you these two people hate each other, so obviously there’s tension. 😉 With a mix of loathing, angst, booze, forced proximity, WHAT COULD GO WRONG! Absolutely nothing. It all went exactly right and I devoured every. Single. Moment. Of it! One of my fave romcoms to date! Rate even has a sweet little secret that I wasn’t expecting but adored non the less. This book also represents how the real life is for todays woman who work in predominantly male dominated spaces. There’s equal parts relatability as there is comical relief and steamy fun! I absolutely loved reading NSFW and I hope you do too! 🫶🏻

What to expect:
-Women in stem
-Work place romance
-One bed/ one room
-Rivals to lovers
-Forced proximity
-Slow burn

This was SUCH a genuine delight of a read - I devoured this in one sitting and left no crumbs (though it did make me want desserts).

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Tris and Rafe’s relationship is FRAUGHT with tension of all kinds. Neither of them can get a good read on the other (though it is clear to us as the reader that they both are super into each other, obvi), and as we all know I am always down for a MMC who is typically composed and confident and turns into a bit of a bumbling mess around the object of his affections. A cutie little blushing mess???? Sign me UP babes.

And Tris would burn the whole world down - probably literally, honestly - for the people she cares about - and that includes herself. Being surrounded by members of the good ol’ boys club who are offended by a woman (a woman of color, no less!) being rightfully confident in her capabilities, appearance, and sense of self has made her unshakably strong, capable, and filled with abundant rage. And for that I love her.

Not only is Rafe willing to stand up for Tris even before they’re friends - he’s also willing to let her stand up for herself (and for HIM!!!!). They both want someone to feel safe around (get it??? SAFE around) and to be able to let their guard down for different reasons. And when their competitive spirits start hitting a little too close to home for both of them, it’s just enough to put a crack in the walls they’ve put up. And what a wonderful flood it unleashes.

I love Nisha's Artefacts of Ouranos series and I was so excited to see what she'd do with a lighter romance! Not Safe For Work is all the slow burn torture with *multiple* rewards🤭.

Workplace / vacation, rivals to lovers, forced proximity, protective, growly, just all the yes.

The villains are human and realistic and honestly they balance out the angst and desire so well as a reminder of the balance of life. You can have amazing within the bad.

Wrapped into this angsty romance is a reminder that too often we look the other way because it's easier, and not only harm ourselves, but others as well.

Tris speaks to my soul with her walls and her forearm obsession🥵 and Rafe definitely needs a lair.
A gym girl who loves dessert is a woman after my heart🥰

Overall, I enjoyed this so much and I hope you join me because I'll definitely escape back to visit Tris and Rafe again. Also the single POV was so frustratingly realistic with not knowing for sure what he was thinking😂

This is great read if you’re looking for a fun summertime romance book. I always enjoy a romance with a little workplace rivalry and a whole lot of tension (very much a hate to want you kind of situation). So while this wasn’t anything super unique or novel, it was still a fun time. There was just the right amount slow burn, good banter, close proximity, and a touch of seriousness regarding mistreatment and under representation of women, POC, and minorities in general in STEM/corporations. Overall a great mix that made for a quick and easy read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for the e-arc! All opinions are entirely my own.

First, I’m convinced Nisha Tuli puts something into her books because they’re incredibly addicting and I have devoured all of her work so far in one sitting, with this book definitely not being an exception to this!

I am obsessed with STEM romances (Ali Hazelwood being a favorite of mine in this particular niche, as an example) and I absolutely love how Nisha has also solidly made her mark in the genre with this book and truly captured exactly how it feels to be a woman in STEM and the challenges women face in the industry. There is plenty of room within this type of romance books (I’m begging you, Nisha, please write more) and I highly encourage everyone who enjoys them to check out both authors because they both truly capture the experience so well and with such incredible storylines.

I could feel the passion that Nisha put into this book and I thank her for writing with such openness and adding in personal touches within the story because the efforts were definitely noticed and I loved it all.

The romance within this book was one of my favorites from Nisha’s works and I adore Rafe (MMC) and Trishara’s ability to communicate most of all. There were several moments I was almost certain there would be a giant miscommunication that would drag on (this is just a trope I personally am not a major fan of) but instead, both acted like adults and talked things through!! This really elevated the story for me and made the characters being adults truly more believable.

I really have no criticism for this book other than I wish it was longer! Or part of a standalone, interconnected series (which, if Nisha wants to write that, let me be the first in line…).

Overall, a quick read but definitely a new favorite of mine!!

This was a sexy and fun summer vibes romance with the perfect dash of workplace romance.

I binged this very quickly, the premise is fun and engaging. However it did fall a little flat for me on the scale of unique characters and storyline.

I think the storyline was however extremely important and relevant in representing the way women and women of color are treated in male dominated fields and particularly directly in the work place.

The MMC was hot and the relationship between the two of them reflected this, I do wish the emotional chemistry ran as deep as the physical one.

Overall I still enjoyed this and think a lot of people will as well!

I enjoyed this book and felt like it accurately portrayed the workplace for many women in business. I loved the banter between Rafe and Trish. I could tell something about the Diane character was going to come and screw Trish over. I loved the email she sent. Definitely would recommend to a friend to read.

Where to begin?! The tension, the spice, the romance, ugh all of it was *chef's kiss* This book had me simultaneously kicking my feet and wanting to punch every man in this book. Tris and Rafe were both lovable characters, but Tris was very relatable as a woman in a male-dominated stem field. How she stood up for herself with the chairman and chairwoman near the end wanted to make me stand up and applaud. Would recommend to anyone with a heartbeat lol

✨📚 Give this book a promotion! 📚✨

Not Safe for Work by Nisha J. Tuli is a fantastic workplace romance that I absolutely loved! Huge thanks to Nisha, Forever Publishing, and NetGalley for the ARC! 🙌

I’m a sucker for a good rivals-to-lovers story, and NSFW definitely delivered! The chemistry between Tris and Rafe is so satisfying. Their push and pull had me hooked. I totally understood Tris’s initial hatred for Rafe, but as the story unfolded, I couldn’t help but fall for him. He’s such a lovable cinnamon roll once we get to know him outside of work and his father’s shadow.

Tris’s journey is tough. Being repeatedly overlooked in favor of mediocre white men is a reality so many women face, and it really hit hard reading it on the page. I was fuming on her behalf!

I also loved that Tris has chronic headaches, which felt so relatable to me. I am also a headachy girlie so it was nice to see that represented. I carry painkillers with me everywhere and often have to step away from events to find quiet, dark spaces to regroup. Thank you for the representation, Nisha!

As someone who’s read Nisha J. Tuli’s fantasy books before, this contemporary romance was a bit of a different vibe, but she absolutely nailed it.

If you’re a fan of workplace romances or rivals-to-lovers stories, I highly recommend this book! 💖

This was such a fun read! Definitely a great romance to kick off the summer with.

My favorite part of this book was the FMC. She was strong, she was unwilling to put up with any nonsense, and she was secure and knew exactly who she was and what she had to offer. I loved seeing this in a story - especially one where the male love interest was the CEO’s son, and there was potential for a concerning power dynamic. I even liked the MMC - he seemed like a genuine good person, despite some missteps, and he loved the FMC in a way that let her shine.

As a woman in STEM and in corporate America, I also resonated with some of the struggles the FMC faced, and I loved seeing her work though them in her own way.

I thought the plot was really fun to follow, there were some interesting side characters, and I absolutely loved the story arc. The ending especially I thought was well done.

Can’t wait to read any future contemporary romances from this author in the future!

Okay, so if you’ve ever wanted to rage-quit your job, fly to Hawaii, and accidentally fall into bed with the office enemy while grappling with corporate misogyny—Not Safe for Work is basically your new personality.

Trishara Malik is the definition of competence porn: brilliant, bold, and absolutely done with being passed over for promotions by mediocre men. Enter Rafe Gallagher, aka nepotism hire with a jawline sharp enough to cut glass and the audacity to steal Tris's promotion. Cue forced proximity at a corporate retreat in paradise, where the only thing hotter than the island sun is the tension crackling between them.

It’s enemies-to-lovers, but with spreadsheets and workplace sexism. Tuli doesn't just serve up steam (though there's plenty of that, thank you); she gives us a heroine who's fighting for recognition in a system that rewards the wrong people, and a love interest who has to earn his place (and her trust). And yes, the spicy scenes are chef’s kiss, but it's the emotional vulnerability that really hits.

Basically, it's the perfect read for when you're sipping something strong, pretending you don’t fantasize about setting corporate policies on fire. Tris is the heroine we all secretly are. Rafe is the guy we hate to love. And the tropes? Absolute catnip: enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, and "oops, there's only one bed."

✨ Out May 20, 2025. Mark your calendars. Call out sick. Thank me later.

Thank you Nisha J Tuli, Forever (Grand Central Publishing), and Netgalley for the ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Not Safe for Work is Nisha's first romance book, and it does not disappoint! This is a great STEM enemies to lovers romance, with a POC FMC! This book is expected to release on May 20th, 2025.

➼ enemies to lovers
➼ one bed
➼ slow burn
➼ woman of color (FMC)
➼ workplace romance
➼ women in STEM
➼ chronic pain

Trigger warning(s): slight racism? theres definitely hints of it throughout the book

I really enjoyed this first ever romance from Nisha! When I saw it was available for instant download on NetGalley, I RAN to grab it! This was such a cute and sexy romance! I absolutely loved the tension between these two! Obviously as a woman, I know the struggles in a work place compared to a man so it was nice to see it acknowledged in this book! I truly hope Nisha continues to make romance cause this was SO GOOD!!

Trishara Malik is a bad@$$ FMC! Not only is she a smart STEM woman, but she is a woman of color! I love the representation in this book and how the author acknowledges it throughout the book how one is treated differently because they are a woman, or a POC! I seriously love Tris so much and I love how she's not afraid to be herself and defend herself!

Rafe Gallagher is SOOOOO FINE! I love the obsession with his forearms 🤣 Like girl, I would be too! He is so misunderstood and I loved being able to see the true him shine through!

Book boyfriend? YES!! He is so cute, I just can't!

★★★★
🌶️🌶️

While going into this I expected a romcom about two enemies/ rivals and lots of tension. While this book delivered exactly that it also gave so much more. A truly powerful story on the misogyny and blatant racism that still plague the world today. And how hard certain groups have to fight that much harder for the same privileges that others are just given.

Trishana is hands down one of my favorite FMCs to date to read about. Scarred from her past she becomes such a force in this story, finding her worth and her voice to speak up about the way things are. I love that this book shows two characters who start one way but really open each other up to who they truly are together. Lending each other the strength to fight for what they really want.

Packed with so much tension and romance. Nisha did the forced proximity trope so well by giving a beautiful slow burn that finally lit up and stayed hot. I love how beautiful and raw both characters are. The plot was fast paced and I found myself devouring this in a couple hours .


A new to me author that is an immediate auto buy after this story.

I am honestly OBSESSED with this book - I flew through it. I’m a huge fan of Nisha’s romantasy books and was so excited to give this contemporary a try! Exceeded my expectations and had all my favorite tropes!! Truly loved both of the MCs so much and the banter/spice was on point.

Read if you love:

💃🏽 Women in STEM
💃🏽 Rivals to lovers
💃🏽 Workplace romance
💃🏽 Only one bed
💃🏽 Alllllll the banter

Genre/type: Contemporary Romance
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Series or standalone: Standalone
Tropes/themes: Women in STEM, Workplace Rivals to Lovers, Forced Proximity, Only One Bed, Only One Room, BIPOC Rep, Banter, Slow Burn, Open Door Romance

An absolute master class in STEM romance! This book had so many of my favorite tropes; forced proximity, he fell first (and so much harder), inn with one bed, and I sure as hell ate up every second of it.

The main character is such a badass, and I love her so much. She’s a walking reminder that just because we’ve had to put up with shit in the past doesn’t mean we have to keep doing it. Nisha J. Tuli absolutely delivered with this one, and I couldn’t put it down, in fact, I read it in literally one sitting. Thank you to Net Galley, Forever Pub, and the author for the advanced copy!

Obsessed. Obsessed. Obsessed!
I love Nisha's fantasy series Artefacts Of Ouranos but you guys...
Not Safe For Work was pure PERFECTION
I lived for the workplace rivals, enemies to lovers, Slowwwwww burn + so much chemistry it hurts! The banter 🤌🏻 The spice 🥵 So many happy tears shed & and the ending 💖💖
Thank you for this!

I had the opportunity to read a free advance review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Not Safe for Work was an enjoyable read that kept me interested until the end. We follow Tris, who is a woman of color working in a male-dominated industry. It really dives into some toxic workplace behavior that can be pretty eye-opening. I enjoyed the enemies-to-lovers romance that develops, even though some aspects of the situation seemed a bit hard to believe (coworkers forced to share a room with one bed). The fighting between them felt a little unprofessional at first, but I enjoyed the characters getting to know each other better as the story progressed. It's a bit of a slow burn for a while, but it eventually turns up the heat. Plot-wise there wasn't anything all that surprising and things pretty much went the way I expected them to, but it was still a fun escape.

After reading Nisha J Tuli’s Artefacts of Ouranos series and really enjoying it, I was really excited to hear she was writing a non-fantasy romance in Not Safe for Work. Something I love about Tuli’s work is her ability to interweave important, real-world topics into her fictional work.

NSFW follows coworkers Tris and Rafe, two sworn enemies, as they find themselves on a work training retreat in Maui. Tris is an BIPOC, female engineer in a field dominated largely by white men, and we see the way sexism and racism affect her in the workplace. I love the exploration of this topic, and I’m glad Tuli is using her own experience to speak out about this.

Tris suffers from migraines, and while I enjoyed that Tuli incorporated this struggle with invisible chronic pain, it felt like Tris taking painkillers was done in a weird way throughout the book.

Of course, I loved the HEA, but I wish the scene where Rafe comes to confess his love for Tris wouldn’t have been done for his whole Instagram-feed?

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
I absolutely *loved* this book—an easy five stars! It had everything I could want: an addictive office enemies-to-lovers dynamic, the always-iconic *only one bed* trope, and characters I couldn’t get enough of. The tension, the banter, the chemistry—it was all *chef’s kiss*.

And of course, Nisha’s writing is just *magic*. She has such a way of making characters feel real, relationships feel electric, and every moment feel like it *matters*. I already know I’ll be rereading this one! If you love romance with heart, heat, and all the best tropes, this is a must-read.

This was an amazing book!! Tris is such a strong take no crap girl and I love it!! Rafe was the calm in her storm and I fell for him too. Another amazing book from Nisha 🫶🏻