I'm bummed to say that this book was a miss for me. From the moment I saw the cover and read the summary, I was soo IN for the rivals-to-lovers workplace romance set in a tropical destination setting. Unfortunately, I found the story lacking in its execution.

There was little depth to the characters which made it hard for me to become invested in them and even more difficult to root for their relationship. Some moments between the main characters was cute but given that they were supposed to be in their late twenties/early thirties, I found a lot of their dialogue to read like they were high schoolers.

I will say, though. that my favorite part of this story was the focus on women (particularly women of color) in STEM. I appreciate the author's effort to tackle some very real issues that women (including the author herself) have had to deal with in male-dominated fields including sexism and racial microaggressions.

Although this book wasn't for me, I'm sure it will still be a hit with many readers.

holy shit this this blew me away!

I've been a big Nisha Tuli fan for quite some time, her ability to transport a reader is top tier, when I saw this contemporary I was intrigued and it exceeded all my expectations.

As a corporate baddie living in a man's world this book was everything I didn't know I needed from my TBR.

My favorite element of this book was the multidimensional characters, gosh Rafe and Trish are so perfect 🥹🤌🏻......and the ending 💕

Deliciously dirty and hella funny… For a girl that hasn’t read a lot of rom-coms I ate this up in one sitting.

This was my first Nisha J Tuli book and I’ve heard nothing but great things about her work. I loved the bickering between the main characters and it was so, so funny! I personally don’t currently work or have ever worked for a large, corporate company like the characters in the book but everything was very believable, unfortunately even the blatant male privilege and sexism in the workplace. Props for the representation and Trishara fighting back, as she should!

I anticipated the suite turning into an only one room and ONLY ONE BED situation and I was so here for it. Are you kidding me, perfection. The smut scenes were a 5 out of 5 and had me giggling into my Kindle under the blankets.

Thank you to Netgalley and Dana with Forever for the free ARC in return for a fair review.

#NotSafeForWork #NetGalley

This book!!!! First, I loved that Trishara is a women in STEM, I was cheering her on the entire time. But oh dear lord the situations she was in had me so mad. Not at the writing or the author, but that these are real things that happens. I will add that this part did bring me out of the story a bit, but I think Rafe definitely made up for it. This was a great enermies to lovers, and the pining was just bliss!

Anyone else here from the Artefacts of Ouranos series? 🙋‍♀️

If you're a minority in the workplace, especially a woman of color, the most triggering thing about this book is going to be the comments that Tris receives throughout the book.

That aside, this was SO much fun. It felt like watching a rom-com.
The witty banter and between two intelligent, ridiculously attractive main characters? Sign me up. The spice was also well-placed and perfectly fit the mood of the book and the pacing was just the perfect balance between slow burn and pay off.

If you're looking for a fun read this summer, definitely pick this up!

https://www.instagram.com/p/DHBrxmbx9wm/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Despite it not (😉) being safe for Rafe and Trishara to indulge in their mutual pining for the one they thought they could keep at arm’s length, it’s perfectly safe to say that Tuli, with her debut contemporary romance, completely stole my heart.

Reading Not Safe for Work feels like experiencing The Spanish Love Deception and The Hating Game having a love child - combining everything I adore about those two classics while adding that special something only Tuli’s storytelling can deliver. Watching Rafe and Trish absolutely down bad (okay, more like sweating - but listen, there were definitely tears involved) at the gym, and their interactions throughout their forced-proximity work retreat in Hawaii (an undeniably perfect setting I will accept no arguments no further questions your honor) had me giggling, kicking my feet, and hanging onto Tuli’s every word. Her masterful descriptions and seamless transitions between scenes made this book impossible to put down.

Tuli’s signature humor shines through every laugh-out-loud exchange between Trish and Rafe, and the phrase made for each other has never felt more fitting. This book, along with its absolutely stunning cover (seriously, a huge thank-you to the artist for bringing Rafe and Trish to life 😍), is one of my favorite reads of 2025, and I can’t wait to see what Tuli has in store for us hopefully in the near future 🫶

I was already a fan of Nisha’s fantasy novels but Not Safe for Work proves that she can make a strong debut in contemporary romance. The main character, Trishara, is a bright and spirited woman navigating the challenges of a male-dominated workplace as a female engineer who is passed over for career opportunities in favor of nepotism, and lets face it - white men. Her struggles and sticking it to the system and not “accepting the status quo” is everything.
The romance is spicy and has a well executed rivals-to-lovers dynamic, bringing the best tension, banter, and chemistry. Add all of that to a resort in Hawaii and “only one bed” trope (which I love). We are just huge fans of Rafe, okay? Not to mention Tuli always gives us the happily ever after that we need!

A short and sweet, fun read! I loved Nisha's Artefacts of Ourenos series so was super excited for this intro into the contemporary space for her! Loved some parts and others missed the mark for me: I wish there had been less “telling” of the story and more showing through more dialogue, banter, and the things that allow the reader to experience the story alongside our characters instead of just being told what happens. But overall I enjoyed the story and premise and tropes we love to see!

I’ve read books from this author before so it was no surprise that even in her first romcom she does a wonderful job in writing a strong and smart woman (of color) lead. And even better this one is in STEM. I love to see the representation in both!

I really enjoyed the story line and thought it was well paced for the enemies to lovers trope and honestly the banter and tension/build up is written so well. I would definitely recommend! Thanks to NetGalley & the publisher the for arc!

3.5 stars. I thought I would like this one more than I did but I honestly don't think I'm a rom com type of girl so this rating may be a me thing!! If you like Meghan Quinn's books, I think you may like this one.

What I love:
- Rafe and Tris's intimate moments felt really sweet and genuine. When their chemistry is on, it's ON. Steamy moments are fire.
- I liked the inclusion of women supporting women in this story (for the most part).
- I don't want to spoil the book, but I do love a vengeance moment and I was LIVING for the one in this book. I know anyone who has ever felt a power imbalance in the work place will get joy out of reading this part of the story.

What wasn't for me:
- It felt like Tris wasn't into engineering anymore so it felt like the moments that were work specific were a bit boring. I didn't believe that this career was something she REALLY loved.
- Like I said, I'm finding I don't like rom coms as much as I thought I would so the juvenile banter gets really old for me. I can do a little bit at the beginning but I prefer there to be a gradual incline on enemies, to friends to lovers. This was more so we're enemies now were friendly, now it's a little spicy, and now we're back to bickering. Could just be a me thing!

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC <3

Listen, this book is actually NOT safe for my sanity (see what I did there😉). I came here for corporate enemies-to-lovers tension, and I left with heart palpitations and an urgent need for a Hawaiian vacation. The BANTER between Trishara and Rafe’s? So acidic in the best way possible I felt it burning in my stomach. Their chemistry? Hotter than that one time I tried the hottest chip in the world that almost sent me to the hospital. And the forced proximity? HR…I would like a word please.

Aside from this being a MUST read if your looking for a diverse love story by the one and only amazing Nisha J. Tuli- this is perfect If you love workplace drama, and two very attractive engineers pretending they “totally” don’t want to rip each other’s clothes off (spoiler: they do and I wish I was with them *cough cough*) , then this book is for you.

Just don’t read it during work hours because it’s NOT SAFE FOR WORK. Your productivity will suffer. The same way mine did🤚

This book had zero lag, and I flew through it and enjoyed every second.

Work rivals go on a corporate leadership retreat in Hawaii, booked in a suite no less. But what’s that? They have to share the same suite?! Just one?! Now Tris has to live with her nemesis, Rafe, for the duration of their stay. You can imagine the constant arguing… Or is it flirting?

Something happens that triggers Tris’s anxiety, and Rafe helps her through it. Is he actually nice?! This is bad. Tris isn’t supposed to LIKE Rafe! Oh, the delicious tension.

And let’s not forget to mention the very real and authentic representation and portrayal of women of color, racial microaggressions, sexism, and blatant nepotism in the workplace.

Even though this story deals with these heavy topics, it is also very funny. And hot.

This one’s a banger, friends. Read it!

A big thank you to Dana at Forever Publishing and Nisha for a ARC of Not Safe for Work.

Being a fan of Nisha’s other series I was very excited to be gifted a copy of her latest book Not Safe for Work. I was curious as to this being a strict romance how I would like it compared to her fantasy books.

I will say that it did not disappoint and although I do love a fantasy element, this book was still a great slow burn, tension filled read. Exactly what I love about Nisha’s romance!

I loved the deeper elements discussed in this book regarding women and race. It’s clear Nisha put herself into this book.

4/5 ⭐️

Oh. My. God.

I couldn't put this down!

Trishara and Rafe's chemistry was off the charts. And this book is definitely, "Not Safe for Work". But, I want to mention the other aspects that push this over the edge from fun contemporary romance to memorable love story.

Trishara is a woman of color at a top firm where she works as one of the only female engineers. For years, she has been passed up for every promotion she has applied for and she's completely lost the competitive fire that used to get her up every morning. She isn't sure if she can make it in this career much longer. Being both a woman, and of color at that, in a white, male-dominated field has allowed her confidence to wane. When she -- shockingly-- is awarded one of two spots for a leadership development retreat in Hawaii, she realizes that maybe the fire is left in her after all.

Rafe is the son of the Chicago branch's CEO and the obvious recipient of the other leadership retreat slot. Only, he doesn't seem to want to be here at all. Not that Trish cares since all he's been is an asshole to her ever since she started working at the firm. When circumstances beyond their control force Trish and Rafe to spend more time together, both of them realize that the other is not what they seem.

I am currently reading Nisha’s fantasy series and loving it so I was super excited to read her first contemporary romance! I enjoyed the book overall, but had one hang up that is totally a me thing but had me dropping it a star, and that’s other woman drama. So if you’re like me and don’t love the constant reminder of the MMCs ex, then this is your warning. Besides that, I enjoyed the book and it was a fun read. It has rivals to lovers, cute banter/fighting, some spice, forced proximity, and a smart FMC in a male dominated field. I’d recommend this if you enjoy workplace romances.

This was so good! Highly recommend. The characters were delightful, Tris had me in the first chapter. I’ll forever be cackling at the description of the khakis.

Probably more like a 3.5/5 rounded up.

This is a sizzling workplace rivals to lovers romance set in Hawaii. Trishara (Tris) is stuck at a stagnant job at an engineering firm 5 years after her romance at an environmental start up left her burned. She has been passed up for several promotions, but none have hurt as much as when Rafe Gallagher, the unfortunately hot son of one of the firm's executives, is selected to lead the division when really it should have been Tris. Ever since, she and Rafe have butt heads at work. When the firm announces a retreat for 2 "rising star" engineers out of each office in Hawaii, with 5 spots for an exclusive executive training program in New York City up for grabs, Tris is shocked when she is selected...along with Rafe, of course.

Three weeks in Hawaii with a bunch of your coworkers including one that you hate? And the executives including his father and uncle? And of course a terrible mix up by the company and the resort means that Rafe and Tris are stuck sharing a honeymoon suite with (gasp) one bed! Rafe and Tris let their competitiveness flare up and the sizzling tension and chemistry leads to more. Rafe assumes that Tris hates him, and he's keeping secrets about the way the company has been treating Tris. Meanwhile Tris isn't sure if she can open herself up again and isn't sure if she's willing to risk her career even though she's not sure if her heart is in it.

Overall I think there were two main weaknesses for me: Rafe was very hot and cold with Tris for truly like 60-70% ish of this book? It was giving me major whiplash. Second, the book is tackling a serious issue: the treatment of women, particularly women of color, in the corporate workplace. What really grinds my gears is that Rafe didn't come clean with Tris and he didn't speak out and act like an ally. No, not a savior, that's not what I'm talking about. But being a woman in a corporate job myself, women are still vastly outnumbered. It's an unfortunate truth that women like myself still have to hope and rely on our male allies to speak up. Not to save us, but to stand next to us, and stand up for something when it isn't right when you notice mistreatment in the workplace. Rafe straight up did not do that. And Tris essentially shrugs her shoulders and says well I guess he did what he could. DID HE? I certainly don't think so.

Nevertheless, this was an enjoyable romance with a fun setting in Hawaii and great chemistry between the leads.

I don’t usually read contemporary romance, but I read everything that Nisha J. Tuli publishes. I got an ARC copy (thank you!) at the perfect time, because university is kicking my butt and it was a perfectly light and well-paced read that kept my attention the whole time. I couldn’t wait to unwind at the end of the day with Not Safe for Work. I can’t read to read more of Nisha’s books!

"My heart stops. Literally stops. I hold my own funeral on the floor of a hotel bathroom covered in threadbare carpet, hideously patterned to hide a decade of coffee stains. Rafe Gallaher just told me my ass is hot. I know it is. I bought this skirt expressly for how hot it made my ass look. But he just said it out loud, and the result is an exhale on the tightly knotted bow we've been keeping on this package."

I LOVED IT SO MUCH. Just immediately. I ran off and pre-ordered a shelf trophy before I even got 60 pages in. It’s classic Nisha writing, unleashed to its full potential (though I can’t wait for her to dive back into the romantasy side of things, contemporary writing really lets her voice shine). It FEELS like a tropical vacation with your rival-to-lover – sassy and sexy and light and biting and fun and full of anticipation.

Tris is a great FMC - extremely skilled and competent, but suffering from a feeling of stagnation in her life at the outset. The book is set in a world inspired by the author’s own pre-author life, as a woman of color in a male-dominated field, and her deep frustration with how she was treated comes through so well on the page and adds dimension to the story beyond the romance. And y’all, about that romance. The slow burn here is agonizing (though, thankfully if you’ve read her other work, this is a standalone so you don’t have to wait multiple books), but so hot and fun the entire time. And once that spark ignites – whew! *fans self* Rafe is a dreamboat of an MMC - as someone coming from primarily romantasy reading, I wouldn't necessarily categorize him on the morally grey-to-cinnamon roll spectrum, but he combines being a charming sweetheart with thoroughly embodying Tris' villain fantasies. How can you not?

Rating: 5/5
Spice: 3/5

Tropes:
- Rivals to lovers
- One bed
- Forced proximity
- Touch her and... well maybe not die since this is corporate America but definitely get heavily intimidated by a very large man
- Banter
- Slow burn to spice
- Contemporary romcom

Thank you to NetGalley and Dana with Read Forever for the chance to read an advanced copy.

Such a cute RomCom!

*Enemies to Lovers
*One bed
*workplace
*slow burn

Their antics had me cackling many times. I hope you guys read this book and love it as much as i did 🤍 Releases May 20th!!