Five years ago Trishara took an engineering job at WMC Purcell after being forced to leave her dream job at an environmental startup because of a man. Ever since, she feels like she’s stalled out professionally, having been passed over for every opportunity to advance in the company, despite being overly qualified. This year the company is holding a leadership development retreat in Maui, where each branch will select two rising stars to represent them, and compete for a chance to snag one of two executive fast track roles at the New York branch. Tris thinks nothing of the retreat because the Chicago office where she works has been known for its nepotism, but in a shocking turn of events, she is chosen to represent them alongside their boss’s son, her workplace nemesis, to fulfill a diversity role and make their branch look good good after they received a slap on the wrist.

This book made me feel all of the corporate rage, but I loved Tris and was rooting for her to burn it all down! Although there were a few too many mentions of the glass ceiling in the first half of this book, I enjoyed the themes of sexism, racial micro aggressions, and nepotism in the work place, and i thought that the way these were represented were extremely realistic and infuriating. Rafe’s character was great as well. I love that he was also a victim of the white-male corporate nepotism-baby cycle, but rebelled in small ways when he could. I love a man with a secret hobby and a soft side. Their rivalry was entertaining in that it was so obvious to everyone else how they felt about each other. I loved the ending, the side characters, and the setting of this book! It’s a good summer romance for fans of The Hating Game, The Spanish Love Deception and Ali Hazelwood. I think this would make a great romcom movie!

First, thank you to Lauren at Book Huddle, Orbit, and NetGalley for the ARC!

This was such a fantastic read! I've only read fantasy books by Nisha J. Tuli's before, but she absolutely nailed this forced proximity, enemies-to-lovers romance. I flew through it— was completely hooked on the slow burn and all the tension. What I really appreciated, though, was that it wasn't a typical "everything works out perfectly" story. Nisha did an incredible job weaving in real-world challenges women face in the workplace and exploring the tough, realistic choices we sometimes have to make. It was the perfect blend of feminism and I loved it. Highly recommend!

A rivals to lovers romp at a tropical company retreat filled with forced proximity, zippy banter, and a woman fighting for her spot in a male-dominated industry.

It took me almost half the book to be sold on these characters, but by the end I was having a pretty good time thanks to Tris and Rafe’s raw attraction and their individual journeys to finding happiness and confidence in their careers. I was a little thrown off at the start expecting a slow burn but not expecting that there was still an element of insta-lust thrown in, and without Rafe’s POV it’s a little bit more of a struggle for the reader to get on board with him since all we know for a while is that he’s hot and infuriating.

But overall I really liked Tris, and the story was full of fun and classic romance tropes and tackled women’s issues in STEM while keeping a fairly good balance between fluffy romcom and creating some depth.

Not Safe Work is an enjoyable rivals to lovers romance about two competing colleagues who end up at a retreat together and are thrown together for better or worse. It also touches on what it's like to be a woman of color in a white, male dominated field, which the author notes is based on her real experiences. As a fan of Nisha J. Tuli's previous fantasy works, I enjoyed this book and her ability to write tension between characters translated well here.

Not Safe For Work

OH MY GOSH I LOVED THIS BOOK! The tension! The banter! The CHEMISTRY. Unreal. I loved Nisha J Tuli's romantasy works and was stoked at the opportunity to read her first contemporary romance and BOY did she deliver.

Trishara sees the writing on the wall for the end of her career at her current engineering firm that prefers promoting based on nepotism and promoting men, when she is astounded to be selected for a 3-week leadership course in Hawaii, with the potential to earn a top stop on a leadership track program. Only drawback? She's attending with the boss's son, her way too attractive nemisis. AND THERE'S ONLY ONE ROOM RESERVED FOR THEM. Don't get too excited though, y'all. Tuli is the QUEEN of slow burn, and it's a hotel suite with a couch (cue eye roll). Even still, Trish and Rafe can only find so much space in their small confines and it does not disappoint.

As a female engineer, there are some very relatable situations and comments that Trish deals with throughout her career and the book. Tuli doesn't hold back on what it can be like for females working in a male dominated field. I appreciate the accurate and honest represetation!

Check this one out if you're looking for:
Epic slow burn
Enemies to lovers
Woman in Engineering FMC
Single POV
Only one room / forced proximity
Work place romance

Thank you to Forever for this ARC! My opinions are my own. Not Safe For Work is on shelves May 20, 2025!

Absolutely ate this up!
I read all of the Trials of the Sun Queen series by Nisha and loved them, so figured I would also enjoy a contemporary romance.
The characters were great, the dynamic and office rivals to lovers flowed so nicely.
This was such a quick read for me and I really enjoyed the entire thing.
At this point, if Nisha writes it, I'll read it.

I went into this ready to love it and it just did not land well for me. I really appreciate the opportunity to try! n

Enemies to Lovers? Coworkers on an island getaway complete with BS corporate team building exercises? Hotel room mix ups with only one bed? Sign me up. NSFW is a fun story that considers real life problems and allows the reader to truly dive in head first. Tris is a great lead character, she's realistic in her decision making and incredibly funny and caring. Rafe is the hot coworker you can't help but tease, and then you find out he's a compassionate artist? I loved how the story played out, with the romance intermingled with micro (and macro) aggressions at work, and that the dynamics played together (yes Rafe, stand up to your dad about how the women in the office are treated!). I didn't really care for the ex-girlfriend plot line, I felt that it was unnecessary since there was already a significant amount of conflict between Tris and Rafe, and Andy, and Rafe's dad, especially considering Tris's history, but it's not a deal breaker by any means. Just give me more forearms and pastries and I'm good to go.

Many thanks to Netgalley, Nisha J Tuli, and Forever publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review

This book takes some time to pick up, but once it does, I was literally fighting sleep to read more of it. I think the first half of the book is a bit too slow. I understand wanting to establish how Tris and Rafe "don't get along" but Tris's back and forth feeling between hating him and lusting after him got a bit boring as we approached the 50% mark. That being said, I also found her obsession with him hilarious. Like even though she "loathed" him, she really was putting out so many signals for him read. I LOVED their competitive spirits!!!! It made their banter so much fun! I thought the ex-gf sublot was a little.....ugh, that went on too long. It was just dragggging considering how obvious it was that Tris and Rafe were falling in love! I also liked that this workplace romance was set at a retreat! One thing that always took me out of an office setting is the fact that it felt like HR was non-existent lol.

I think the writing style is where my rating drops - there were way way waaay too many metaphors, and they definitely didn't feel necessary. Certain physical reactions felt repetitive (ie. he snorted x100) and I would have like some variation in language.

All in all, I really enjoyed reading about Tris and Rafe falling in love. They mesh really well together as a couple once the story really starts to develop passed its slow beginning.

I went into this kind of knowing I’d get annoyed, mostly with the FMC and heavy emphasis on STEM (as a liberal arts girlie, I’d like a little airtime too). It’s clearly inspired by the author’s life, and while that gives it weight, some parts still didn’t land for me.

I know the work trip established the setting but it was a huge, walking HR violation. Entertaining, but slightly unhinged.

I struggled to really root for Tris. From her demands of a full luggae set (Louis Vuitton, really?) to her constant whining, and overly dramatic reactions, I just couldn’t support her most of the time. She's 29 but acts 25, and while her grievances are often legit, the way she handles them is... not it. As a fellow 29 y/o, I have a leg to stand on here.

I will admit that I didn’t love Molly, especially when she was teasing her to be open to sex. I understand the sentiment but to tell her to just sleep with anyone regardless of who they were was mind-boggling. On the flip side, I liked Rafe. A secret a baker? Yeah, I was into that. I wish we got more from him. He was pretty guarded but suddenly a massive marshmellow. I needed a bit of a build up.

I did have massive respect for Tris when she stood her ground to executives who thought they could get away with inappropriate actions and words. That was the correct time for her to blow up. Overall, I did like this. I just wasn’t a huge fan of Tris or her characterization.

Rating: 5⭐️/5

Such a great romance. I thought Rafe was the perfect aloof, sexy male co-worker/boss while Trishara was a fierce and witty FMC taking on the patriarchy of her outdated engineering corporation.

If you love one bed/one room, forced proximity, enemies to lovers, and a slow burn, this rom-com is for you!

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Rating / Recommend
3.75 ⭐️/ 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/ Maybe

My Thoughts:
If you like romance especially with a slow burn rivals to lovers aspect you may like this read.

Personally, this felt a little too surface level for me? There was a lot of stuff in here that I felt was brushed over.
The relationship between the FMC and MMC didn’t feel deep enough. I felt like they still had a lot they needed to work through.
It wasn’t a bad book I just didn’t care for it. I can’t say much else without involving spoilers.

CW: Adult Only Read.
Explicit Open Door Scenes.
On page se*ual harassment to FMC (not involving MMC).

3.5 ✨
This is an enemies to lovers, forced proximity, one bed fun little romance. A slow burn for sure and I liked banter between the two and their chemistry start to grow.

It’s very heavy on misogyny and it’s all soo real. My biggest gripe were how the two mains behaved. For their age they were super immature.

Overall it was cute and quick and I liked it!

Thank you NetGalley and Hatchette Audio for early copy for review.

I am so incredibly conflicted about my thoughts on this book. The parts I loved were so good, and the parts I disliked were things I struggled not to focus on.

For the good: if you love enemies-to-lovers, and more like pure loathing to lovers, then you will enjoy this story. I also loved the diversity and representation in this story, from an Indian main character to the LGBTQ+ community being featured, as well as the corporate rage that I think a lot of us feel on a daily basis (or at least I know I feel it). It truly was unlike other stories I've read, and I loved that. It was just nice to get other perspectives, and while it's featured, the whole story doesn't revolve around it like it's a placeholder that needs to be constantly acknowledged.

Where I struggled with this story was the lack of development for both Tris and Rafe's characters. Tris has many legit reasons to be mad at work, from coworkers to promotions to Rafe himself. But there were points when, as a woman of color who has been screwed over in the corporate world more times than I can count, her character felt hateful and there were times when it was hard to like her. Rafe's character is fine, but many times, he felt like he fell into every stereotype. He doesn't hate her, he really likes her. He says things, and Tris rips his head off, but then he's immediately issuing a heartfelt apology. Even when both characters are having vulnerable moments with each other, it felt off because it was like out of left field that they are sharing some really deep story, but there has been no hint throughout the rest of the book.

This story is fast-paced, and there is spice, although it does not come until later in the book. I don't know that I'd call it a slow burn since there is the build-up to the romance, and it never felt painfully drawn out.

If you enjoy enemies-to-lovers in a corporate setting with only one bed, this may just be your next favorite book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this Arc.

This is an “enemies to lovers” workplace rivalry about a man and woman who are forced to go on a work trip on a resort and forced to share one room.

I always am hesitant about contemporary romance books advertised as enemies because what really makes someone your enemy outside of a fantasy setting? And this unfortunately had the same problem as most “enemy” books in the sense that outwardly she said he was her enemy but from the first moment she mentions him, her inner dialogue is her obsessing over how attractive and perfect he is.

This FMC would have interactions with the MMC and then say “he’s so mean, he’s the worst” when he didn’t do or say anything outside of the ordinary. Ultimately, I don’t know why she was thinking of saying the things she was.

I made it to 35% and couldn’t continue. As someone who loves Trial of the Sun Queen, I was very excited for this author’s debut romance novel but it was unfortunately not for me.

Delightful banter, colorful quips, and a steamy romance!

I absolutely love books featuring women in STEM, and I especially love it when it includes the difficulties female and BIPOC employees face in a white, male-dominated field. This book definitely balanced those difficulties and the romance splendidly, all while providing us with some amazing characters and dialogue.

It was a nice twist to have it featured around a training program. A lot is exposed at those types of events, especially in terms of true corporate values. You really get to know the integrity of the higher ups when you're around them for longer bursts of time. As such, it made perfect sense that Tris and Rafe would be questioning their career choices at this retreat.

The romance came about naturally, though it was set up with the one-bed and forced-proximity tropes. Even though not truly honest, the enemies-to-lovers trope was well done. (Does it count if your enemy isn't your enemy, but was misidentified due to your past?) Either way, I approve of the tropes that set this romantic pairing up at the beginning of the book.

Come the end, we get a proper Happily Ever After. It's not over the top, though it does give us the best situation for all.

For it being Nisha J. Tuli's debut contemporary romance, I am honestly in love! I'm a fan of her fantasy books, and am grateful that NetGalley gave me the opportunity to read and review this debut. (Thank you!)

4.5 stars for this Hawaiian adventure!

I enjoyed getting to know our FMC Trishara, a South Asian woman trying to climb the corporate ladder. We meet her at an unfortunate time in her life where she feels lost and alone, trying to succeed in a place that keeps overlooking her for every promotion she tries for. In the tech world, especially in a large corporation, it can hardly be breaking news to anyone that her workplace rivals are the local boys' club made up of nepo babies and incompetent braggarts without any real braincells.

Nisha sets the scene realistically and completely in these first few chapters. Everything she injects in this book screams of a woman who truly knows what it is to be in the tech world where you're constantly questioned about your competence OR you're just ignored because your superiors automatically assume you don't have anything of consequence to add to the conversation. I like that we learn of Tris's history slowly and almost at every point where she's ruminating on her life and future. Something every overthinker does.

She describes her parents and her fear of disappointing them as she reflects on how they reacted the last time she was out of a job, every time she's got a moment to ponder on her life choices thus far. She contemplates on how many layers of protections in the form of ambivalence and rage she has erected around herself because of what an ex-boyfriend did, every time she has a vulnerable interaction with Rafe. I loved all these moments and I found them to be so truthful to a real woman's experience in this world that I couldn't help but applaud Nisha for displaying everything in this book.

I enjoyed Rafe as an MMC and the atonement and care that was exhibited by him. The steamy and spicy scenes were so lovely and sweet! Definitely befitting of the setting!

I thank Nisha J Tuli for making me feel so seen with this book and letting me feel less alone and giving me hope!

Not Safe for Work is a smart, sharply written workplace rom-com with a tropical twist. Trishara is easy to root for—ambitious, a little burned out, and deeply wary of the corporate boys’ club. When she ends up stuck in paradise with her workplace nemesis (hello, only one bed), the tension sizzles, the banter lands, and the chemistry builds just right. Rafe is charming in a way that sneaks up on you: an artist, a baker, and definitely not the spoiled legacy hire Tris thought he was. I loved their competitions, their dueling treadmills, and the slow unraveling of assumptions. That first kiss? Worth the wait.

While I would’ve loved even a peek into Rafe’s head, Tris’s voice carries the story well. She’s smart, stylish, and some of her outfits made me wish I still worked in an office just to have an excuse to dress like that. A fun, flirty read with some sharp edges—and a couple of lines that made me laugh out loud.

I loved this one so much!! Workplace enemies to lovers, sign me up! And Tuli's debut romance? I hope she writes more romances because I am not a fantasy gal and want more! Trishara and Rafe have great chemistry, and Soneela Nankani was a great narrator choice for this audio.

Thank you Hachette Audio for the ALC and Forever for the ARC.

This story kind of gave me the Spanish Love Deception. A broody MMC who's always been hot for the FMC. Then a FMC who has always been interested in the MMC, but after a few strange early interactions always thought that he never liked her. Of course there are certain different plot points, and while this was one written better, overall I didn't find this one too special. 3.5 stars