Not Safe for Work by Nisha J. Tuli is a smart, contemporary romance that blends workplace dynamics, chemistry, and emotional depth in a refreshing and captivating way. The novel follows the journey of two strong-willed individuals who find themselves irresistibly drawn to one another despite the many complications their relationship brings, particularly in a professional setting.

Tuli’s writing is sharp, witty, and engaging, which perfectly suits the modern office setting in which much of the story takes place. The chemistry between the protagonists is palpable from the very first interaction, and Tuli does an excellent job of building tension throughout the book without making the relationship feel forced. The push and pull between the characters feels natural, driven by both professional stakes and undeniable personal attraction.

What sets Not Safe for Work apart from typical workplace romance novels is its depth of character development. The main characters are multidimensional, with personal struggles and growth arcs that make their relationship feel more than just a simple romantic storyline. The author skillfully touches on themes like ambition, vulnerability, and the balance between personal desires and professional responsibilities, giving the book emotional weight without overshadowing the light-hearted nature of the romance.

The pacing is spot-on, with enough twists and turns to keep readers hooked, but without overloading the narrative with unnecessary drama. Tuli also brings a sense of humor into the book, offering moments of levity that balance out the more intense emotional scenes.

The supporting cast is another highlight, with well-rounded secondary characters who add richness to the story without detracting from the central plot. The dynamics within the workplace feel believable and add another layer of tension, making the stakes feel even higher for the main characters.

While the book features a familiar trope of workplace romance, Tuli manages to make it feel fresh and exciting, largely due to her well-developed characters, snappy dialogue, and emotional depth. The romance is steamy without being over-the-top, striking a perfect balance between sensuality and sweet moments.

Overall, Not Safe for Work is an enjoyable, heartwarming, and engaging read that will appeal to fans of workplace romance and contemporary fiction. Nisha J. Tuli has crafted a story that is both entertaining and thoughtful, with characters you can root for and a romance that feels real and satisfying.

Trishara Malik, an ambitious engineer, is devastated when her long-awaited promotion goes to Rafe Gallagher, the boss’s son. Given a second chance at career advancement, she attends a corporate leadership retreat in Hawaii—only to find herself stuck sharing a honeymoon suite with her longtime rival. As they compete for a coveted executive training spot, Tris starts to see Rafe in a new light, forcing her to question whether he’s truly her enemy or a surprising ally in her journey to success.

NSFW was the first romcom I’ve ever read and it was solely because I love Nisha’s fantasy books that I considered reading a book outside of the genres I’m used to. I started reading NSWF at 7pm and stayed up until 3am to finished it because I just couldn’t put it down. It was tense, feisty, funny and steamy. The corporate rivalry is something that way too many women trying to make it in corporate America will relate to.

The following tropes are in this book:
- Women in STEM
- South Asian FMC
- Corporate retreat in Hawaii
- One room to share
- So much banter
- Rivals to lovers
- Chronic pain representation (migraines/headaches)

I really enjoyed this book! If this is your introduction into Nisha J. Tuli, I recommend that you also check out her fantasy books! Thank you Forever and Nisha for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I received an eARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Forever and NetGalley for the chance to read this book early!

It’s been awhile since I was able to cruise through a book! I really loved Nisha’s first story in a rom com setting when normally she writes fantasy. I truly hope we get more from her in this genre going forward!

Tris was a strong lead and made me want to stand up for her in situations as if she was my own friend. I liked the way Rafe is built up in Tris’s mind to be an “enemy” because it felt realistic. I would have loved to have his POV, but they grew to communicate well with each other so I ended up knowing how he felt in most scenes.

I wish there were a few more chapters at the end because I wanted to see more of what happens after their trip! The story was fun and I know I’ll pick up more books by Nisha.

4.5 stars!

This was Nisha’s breakout rom-com book and I had such a fun time! As an engineer I love reading rom coms that have engineer/stem nature and this one did not disappoint!

What I loved:
The banter
The subtle ties to her other series
A woman who stands up for herself
The romance
The tropes were some of my favorite - don’t want to give too much away
And it’s cute

I could tell the author really resonated with the FMC and it added so much depth at the end of the book that I was tearing up.

Nisha Tuli has done it again with another exceptional book! I wish I could give it more than 5 stars! She crafts the most amazing and hot slow burn romances, no matter the genre.

Thanks you Forever for granting me an ARC! All opinions are my own and not influenced by the publisher.

Thanks to Read Forever for the chance to read an advanced copy of Not Safe for Work! The premise was intriguing, but I didn't connect with the main character's voice and DNF'd at 12%. Though marketed as enemies-to-lovers, I wasn't convinced since Tris, our MC, is very clear from the introduction of Rafe, our love interest, that she finds him very attractive and is very defensive of her overt lust for him. Tris outlines why she considers Rafe an enemy due to workplace disagreements, but I'm not buying the annoyance and animosity. I think the love story would be better off being marketed as strictly a workplace romance.

The author's note at the beginning of this ARC truly touched me as a former corporate gorlie. I empathized with Tris' struggles so I do think readers who want to read and relate to a story about a woman of color empower herself in that environment should give this book a try.

This is a truly fun and luxurious romance, set in a beautiful spot, with lots of page turning angst and indecision, sweeping gestures and hidden sweet things. I enjoyed it very much, and thought the writing was witty and trendy, really funny at points and heartbreaking at others. I loved uncovering these characters through layers of hurt and recovery, and thought they were a beautiful match. Their grumpy banter and snide remarks made for excellent pillow talk, and really made it satisfying when they finally came together.

3.5⭐️ not a bad read! It was enjoyable for me. I felt that it became a little repetitive at points with the physical attraction of the FMC to the MMC (specifically all of the descriptions), but it did add to the build up overall.

4.5 Stars

Not Safe for Work follows Tris and Rafe as they go on a leadership retreat for their company. While Tris expects their contempt for each other in the office to follow them to Hawaii, and their shared hotel room, they get to know each other better and the walls built between them slowly start falling. As they compete for a special program awarded at the end of the retreat, readers learn alongside Tris that there is more than meets the eye at their company and with Rafe himself.

This was a phenomenal read with plenty of heart and humor that left me aching for more contemporary work from Nisha J. Tuli! Tris was a lovely character to follow as she grows throughout the book and Rafe was the classic workplace romance MMC - full of whit, banter, and obviously he rocked the rolled up button down sleeves (every girl's weakness, am I right?). This book is perfect for lovers of The Hating Game and The Unhoneymooners, and will be a perfect beach read this summer!

Absolutely adored this book!! The setting was so fun and unique and the characters were both angsty and sexy. I would definitely read another romance by this author.

In NSFW, we have two rivals sent on work trip to Hawaii, but then the reservations get mixed up so they have to share a room? Yes, please.

And then they're both protective and supportive of each others hopes and dreams? Give me 5 more books.

🌶️🌶️/5

✨ Workplace romance
✨ Rivals to Lovers 💕
✨ Banter
✨ One bed
✨ Women in STEM
✨ Slow burn

This was a super fun "Rivals to Lovers" read. I love Tuli's fantasy series', and her first straight romance didn't disappoint!

* Thank you to Forever and Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for my unbiased review *

This book was soooo damn funny. The banter was bantering. Nisha can write any genre and I’ll read it- she’s next level.
I esp loved this because poc, stem, and chronic migraines hellooooo this book was meant for me. NSFW was such a treat and I can’t wait to read more cont romances from her!!

Nisha J. Tuli's first contemporary romance is a perfect vacation read! Set in an idyllic Hawaiian resort, NOT SAFE FOR WORK follows Trishara Malik, who's jaded about both love and work but nevertheless takes advantage of an opportunity to enjoy three weeks in Hawai'i, even if she wasn't thrilled about how it came about. Unfortunately, Tris is stuck with co-worker Rafe Gallagher, the privileged son of the boss who she does NOT get along with. I love a good enemies-to-lovers romance and Tuli captured all the best parts of this trope in this book. Rafe and Tris have great chemistry as workplace rivals turned friends turned lovers and I loved watching them grow together and individually as well!

Okay well I opened this up today and finished it today…. This was such a fun & good time 💀

Tris wanting to murder Rafe half the time while he just stumbles around 🥹 & he blushes ✨


Thank you Netgalley, Forever Publishing & Nisha J. Tuli for an earc in exchange of an honest review.

I am in awe of how Nisha J. Tuli was able to write a feel good workplace romance while weaving in serious messages. Sexism, sexual harassment, & racism is sadly something many folx experience in their place of work and unfortunately other public places as well. I absolutely loved the sexual tension, forces proximity, and forbidden romance this story gave us! Tris was my hero when she sent that email, I love a bad bitch moment.Another 5 star read from Tuli!

From the author of Tiktok's beloved The Artifacts of Ouranos Series (you know the Romantasy quartet that Katherine Heigl famously binged and raved about) comes a new contemporary romcom that's cleverly infused with its own Romantasy elements. Nisha J. Tuli makes Romantasy come through in her latest, Not Safe for Work, in such a delightful and highly relatable way, all thanks to our first person narrator, Tris Malik. She is not only a kick-ass STEM girlie by day, she's an avid Romantasy reader by night (and by day too when she can, let's be honest). Tris even gets to live aspects of Romantasy lore in real life. Her love interest slash mortal enemy slash workplace rival Rafe totally has benevolent-dark-lord vibes.

I'm amazed at how Nisha J. Tuli translates my favorite Romantasy elements into a workplace retreat romance. We've got daring contests, titles at stake, corrupt (corporate) royalty, underdogs and entitled nepo babies, found (work) family, and more comfortably couched in a high stakes workplace retreat setting. The retreat is designed to choose the company's next generation of elite executives from the company's rising stars. The Romantasy-real-life interplay works so well as background details. This book has such seamless, clever, and page-turning writing. 

So, yeah, you'll definitely want to read this romcom if you like reading Romantasy, but also if you like watching The Great British Baking Show (there's lots of dessert in this book!); if you enjoy the grey sweatpants trope; and if you crave a light dose of the fated mates trope (and what that trope could look and feel like in the real world). 

Also, this book is a joy to annotate! I annotated (1) a motif of lemon-flavored things; (2) how Nisha J. Tuli characterizes scenes and characters with color (especially gray and pink); (3) of course, any and all Romantasy mentions; (4) the theme of safety; and lastly (5) celestial imagery that plays with the idea that Tris and Rafe are just two rising STEM stars destined to collide in a crash that will supernova their lives in the best way.

Thank you Net Galley for the Valentine's Day surprise of the Read Now e-arc! All opinions are my own.

It might be cold here, but this book was hot!!

This book was everything! Thank you @readforeverpub and @nishajtwrites for the opportunity to ARC read this book!

Releasing May 20th!

Nisha's writing knows no bounds and I had so much fun with this romcom! I read Artefacts of Ouranos by her as well and I can say, this was just as well written!

I NEEDED a FMC like Tris! She is a no BS taking, strong bipoc woman in a male-driven STEM field. She has always worked hard to further her career, but has had difficulty attaining these promotions. Tris also struggles with Chronic migraines and as someone who also has the same problem, it was fun to see it represented in a book.

Rafe, our MMC is the son of the CEO of the company, WMC. He is tall, athletic, and has magical forearms (IYKYK). He has passions outside of work, and you also have to love a man that steps between his girl (even if she isn't *his*) and a sleazy man.

From the get-go, Tris and Rafe had a tumultuous relationship, so when both are invited on a company retreat/career furthering adventure, of course, things go sour initially.

I was laughing out loud with the banter, swooning, and kicking my feet like a school girl. It was SPICY, too!

I really enjoyed the journey of Tris and Rafe's relationship, all the ups and downs, miscommunication, and triumphs.

Tropes:
💥 Rivals to Lovers
🏢 Workplace Romance
✨️ Force Proximity
🛏 One bed
🏝 Tropical setting
💋 Confident, badass FMC
🧠 Chronic health condition rep

Trigger warnings:
▪️Sexual and racial microaggressions
▪️nonconsenual touching (not between our MCs)
▪️sharing of an intimate image from previous relationship (again, not between our MCs)

#arcreview #nishajtuli #nsfw #notsafeforwork #foreverpublishing #netgalley #upcomingrelease

This was such a fun and hot read!

I loved Trishara’s confidence and fierceness. She wasn’t hesitant to call out on anyone’s bullshit and stood her ground. Rafe is someone who knows her worth! His storyline went down a path I didn’t expect but was pleasantly surprised! Now these two together, the chemistry was there as they find a new kind of spark within them!

While this is a well-paced rivals to lovers rom-com, it also has some scenes that depict the harsh realities that women of color face in the STEM field or really any male-dominated career. I would read the author’s note in the beginning. While this is an important theme within the story, there were so many moments that had me laughing, blushing, and overall a good time.

This was my introduction to Nisha J. Tuli and I think this was a great rom-com debut. In the meantime, I will be excited to read her romantasy series! Lastly, let’s take a moment to appreciate how stunning the cover is!

Overall, I would rate this book 4 out of 5 stars. I really appreciated how it gave a glimpse into the lives of women in male-dominated fields in a realistic way and let this plot shine while still primarily being a romance novel. In terms of the romance aspect of the book, I liked that both main characters had clear voices, aspirations, and personalities. Too often, male love interests have no discernable personality traits beyond liking the female main character. However, Rafe is multidimensional- ambitious and confident on the surface but with complicated relationships with himself and his family that make for an interesting exploration into his past and the ways in which it affects his relationship with Trishara. Trishara herself is a well-rounded main character. She's likeable and funny but not so perfect as to feel unrelatable. Her feelings are torn between her previous ambition and passion for her career and the disappointment she's felt from these aspects of her not being recognized by those in power around her. I think her story is one that many young, early-career women can relate to and one that deserves to be told.

There are a few reasons I don't feel that I can rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. The most prominent reason is that the romance felt deeply predictable. The love interest was clear from the first chapter, This still could have allowed for interest to be promoted later in the story if the way in which they came together was less predictable. I love a good "forced into a room with only one bed" trope as much as the next romance reader, but when combined with the obviousness of the romantic pairing itself, it truly sucked the intrigue out of the romantic plot. I appreciated that the trope wasn't taken to the extremes of ridiculousness that I've experienced in other books, but it still felt like there was an excessive amount of predictability in the romantic plot- literally the who, what, when, where, and how were clearly spelled out in the first few chapters.

Overall, the book was an enjoyable take on a romance novel which had some unexpectedly poignant commentary on the struggles facing young women in the workplace. While I would have preferred for the romance to be less predictable, I believe that plenty of readers will appreciate the feel-good comfort of knowing where the story is headed and being able to sit back and enjoy the journey.

A fun, quick contemporary romance. A great read during the winter when you want to be sitting on a beach, on a tropical island while drinking a fruity beverage. If you want that vibe then this book would be the one for you! And I was LIVING for all those vibes. It was plane ride home read and it was perfect for that!!

There were times that I got SO angry for Tris for the things that were said to her and I think that goes to show that Nisha’s writing is just THAT good.

I really hope there are more contemporary romances from Nisha in the future because I want them all.