This ARC sucked me in from the first page and didn’t let me go until I was finished. The biggest thank you to NetGalley and Forever for introducing me to this book and author. This is my first book from this Nisha J. Tuli, and it was such a fun introduction to her writing. I’m very curious to dive in her fantasy works next.

In Not Safe For Work, Trishara Malik has the honor of being an incredibly smart woman of color living in a white man’s world. She was top of her class and expected to continue that success in her career, but now she feels stuck in a dead end job. She’s been in the same position for 5 years, and keeps getting passed up for promotions by her nepo baby counterparts. She grows more and more frustrated, until finally it feels like the tides are changing. She gets picked as one of the best and brightest of the company (complete with a company work retreat where she can compete for a prestigious training program), but as it turns out—she was just selected for diversity... words that came straight from her boss’s mouth. So now she’s on her way to the retreat with the boss’s son, AKA the man who stole her promotion.

I devoured this book in one sitting. As a brown girl myself, I was rooting for Trishara the entire time. I loved the way it handled the topic of diversity in the workplace. Tris is frustrated by circumstances at work, and has a LOT of strong opinions… Some not always accurate, but it was such a realistic depiction of that feeling. I could empathize with her anger, and understood her assumptions about her coworker Rafe.

He’s basically her nemesis. But even worse, he’s hot. It was so funny watching these two go head to head with their banter. They had such a funny dynamic. She hates everything he stands for, meanwhile he’s just floored by how pretty she is. Tris’s witty jibes had me laughing out loud. Especially whenever Rafe would jump to her rescue, and it would just make her more mad.

The tension between them was great. It’s a slow burn, but I was hooked by their steamy chemistry. I enjoyed getting to know Rafe more as the story went on. By the end, I was rooting for him too. I especially loved getting his perspective to all the events that shaped Trishara’s opinion of him. They’re the cutest little goobers.

It was so easy to read and very funny. There’s a simpleness to it that left me smiling from ear to ear. I found myself laughing out loud so many times! I feel like this is going to be a great read for Spring/Summer. The setting just gives the perfect vacation vibes and made me crave a cold drink on the beach. It’s delightfully fluffy, and I loved every minute of it.

There's so much I can gush about for this book. The first contemporary romance from the author, this is a workplace rivals to lovers that occurs over a couple week span during a company retreat in Hawaii. I love Nisha's fantasy romances and new that I needed to read this one. This book gave me FEELINGS! All of the feelings. I squealed, I cried, I giggled, I smiled, there was even a face palm or two throughout my reading. I devoured this story and could not get enough. Trishara is an incredible character. She is flawed but knows her worth. I loved seeing her growth from page one and how she has to navigate the world as a women of color in STEM. A singular POV, we are in Trishara's head the entire novel and I think that really helps us se her growth. Additionally, Trish has chronic headaches/migraines and while not the focus, it's woven seamlessly into the story in the way those of us (hi, I'm us) experience headaches and migraines. Assessing the severity, determining the appropriate meds and then keep going. I haven't read many books with this representation and I felt super seen in the experience.

Rafe is, gah, I love him! He's caught between not upsetting the apple cart and going after what he wants. The only critique I could give is that being in Rafe's head would've made me lose my mind (in the best way). You can tell he has fallen hard for Trish in his actions. There is communication, there is comfort and caring, and finally finding strength to go after what you want. I loved watching their relationship morph from "hey we verbally spar" to "hey I want you" to "hey I love you" and all the feelings those encompass. The tension was tensioning and I cannot say enough good things about this book and cannot continue to revisit in the future!

Clearly, I loved this book and I cannot wait to get my hands on my pre-ordered print copy to underline my favorite lines! Content warning for sexual harassment and sexual assault (not from Rafe) and a crap ton of misogyny. This book is publishing in May 2025 and you should absolutely pick it up!

Thank you to the publisher for an advanced copy!

Super cute and quick read. I appreciated more serious topics of sexism, racism, workplace harassment/issues, etc being covered in a rom com type book. I liked the main characters and the romantic tension was great.

I think my only criticism would be that Tris seemed immature or over the top at points in her internal monologue when it came to her attraction for my personal taste. But, not a big issue that detracted from the book being enjoyable.

I did like the storyline but it didn’t quite catch me as I hoped it would. I felt like the chemistry was there but it was also very superficial and not as deep as I would have liked.

If you love a good workplace rivals-to-lovers romance with tension so thick you could cut it with a knife, this book delivers in every way. Set against the backdrop of a work retreat, the slow-burn romance between Tris and Rafe is as frustrating as it is addictive—in the best way possible. Their banter, laced with snide jabs and unspoken desire, feels like foreplay, making every interaction between them charged with anticipation. And when that first kiss finally happens at 59%? Worth. The. Wait.

Tris can be a tough character to love at times, with her defensive walls and sharp edges, but Rafe’s patience and kindness balance her.

The book tackles some heavier topics like racism, sexism, mental health, and chronic illness. The author handles them with care. Despite these heavier themes, the overall vibe remains very rom-com, with plenty of cute, funny moments to balance the steam.

What a cute, fast-paced romcom! The FMC, Trishara, was witty, determined, and relatable. The MMC, Rafe, was cute! The banter between them was cute. This made me feel like I was watching one of the old quintessential romcoms like You’ve Got Mail- and that’s a good feeling!!

I feel like Rafe’s character could have had a bit more depth. Trish could be a little less… immature when it comes to open communication, especially because she’s a full-fledged 30-something year old adult. BUT this was a romcom so miscommunication is almost required.

This is the first full length romcom I’ve read. I was not disappointed. If you love witty work-place romance, this book is for you!

Thank you Forever for the eARC!

Cute book overall! Love a good workplace rivals to lovers story especially when there’s only one bed involved. The romance was spicy and satisfying but I especially loved the commentary on being a minority woman in a male dominated field. Very relatable and the Hawaii setting makes it perfect as a beach read. Solid contemporary romance debut and I’m excited to see more of her works.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved everything about this story! While it had similarities to some other currently popular rom-coms, it had lots of unique touches that really made it stand out. I fell in love with the FMC almost immediately and really enjoyed the fact that we only got her point of view, as it kept me guessing about what the MMC’s next moves were going to be.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the free eArc in exchange for my honest review.

This workplace romance follows a woman in a male-dominated STEM field who is chosen to attend a company leadership retreat … for three weeks in Hawaii … but of course her longtime rival, Rafe, is also chosen to attend. The forced proximity leads to undeniable chemistry.

While I enjoyed the dynamic, this book didn’t capture me quite as much as Tuli’s fantasy novels. Some of Rafe’s personality quirks felt a bit stretched and I never quite understood the conflict he has to face toward the end, but the story was still engaging. A solid 3.5-star read for fans of workplace rivals-to-lovers.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

“With you, I’m always a million out of ten.” 💚

I absolutely loved this book and Nisha outdid herself with this one!!! No way could you tell this was her first rom-com because it was fantastic!

The way Rafe and Tris were equally obsessed with each other had me giggling and kicking my feet. Their bickering was top-tier and they served enemies to lovers so well! Also, Rafe in his jealous era was hilarious. That man was down bad for Tris.

The slow burn was worth the wait even though no joke I think I screamed “just kiss already” to myself at least three times. I really thought it was gonna happen when Rafe whispered in her ear in the gym. That scene was just so full of tension.

If you love enemies to lovers, forced proximity, only one bed, and a workplace romance set in Hawaii during a work conference, then do yourself a favor and read this book! Not Safe for Work releases on May 20!

Thank you so much to Nisha J. Tuli, Forever Publishing, and Netgalley for the advanced copy!

**3.5 stars**

This was pretty good. I liked the storyline. The pace was good. It's a slow burn. Does bring up quite a few issues that women have in male dominated workplaces. I thought that was very well done, and unfortunately, still accurate today. My main hangup was on the main characters. They weren't exactly the most likable. I felt like there wasn't a lot of depth to them either. It was still an entertaining read and I did enjoy it overall.

I just finished Not Safe for Work by Nisha J. Tuli, and it was a fun, steamy workplace romance with a little more depth than I expected. Trishara is a smart, determined woman navigating a male-dominated industry, and her banter-filled rivalry with Rafe, the CEO’s son, makes for an engaging slow-burn romance. The forced-proximity setup during a company retreat adds just the right amount of tension, and their chemistry is undeniable.

I also really appreciated how the book tackled real workplace issues like sexism and racism without feeling too heavy-handed. Trishara’s struggles felt authentic, and her friendships added warmth to the story. My only complaint is that the pacing dragged in some spots, and I wished for more development on Rafe’s side. Still, it’s a fun, addictive read with a mix of humor, heart, and heat. A solid 3.5/5 stars!

I really enjoyed the slow burn! I thought the tension was extremely well done.

I like how Nisha tackled the layers of being a woman in a male dominated career/field. It’s unfortunately still so relevant in today’s age.

We absolutely need more women in STEM and Nisha did a wonderful job highlighting this issue, especially for women of color.

Firstly thank you so much to Forever and Nisha (and her Team!) for an e-arc of this book! It was such an anticipated read this year!

Not Safe For Work by Nisha J. Tuli was absolutely just what I needed to read. It was full of banter, spice, and a badass female lead that absolutely healed something in me. I always love Nisha’s characters and Tishara was no exception.

I mean a woman who was like I’m done with all this bs and can recognize the toxicity in the workplace? Heck yes. But as a woman, it felt all to recognizable to be looked down upon and passed over. It was like being seen, and when Tish was like enough is enough. I wanted to shout it from the rooftops! Get your trip to Maui girl!

I also really enjoyed Rafes character 😍 I mean we get it mainly from Tish’s POV so we hate him with her… until we don’t 🫣👀. I was here for it when he was so caring and thoughtful but also he had some growing up to do and when he finally put his big boy pants on and did it. I was beyond sold! I mean standing up for himself, dealing with his ex, and then putting his dreams and his girl first?! Love.

I think this Contemporary Romance was just what I needed. The representation, the female badassery, and of course the swoon worthy MMC, it was like female empowerment in a book and I couldn’t put it down.

Definitely recommend if you need a feel good Contemp. romance with characters that are just as real and flawed as we all are.

All I want to do right now is gush about everything about this book. The characters. The yearning. The tension. The feeling of invisibility being a woman in a male-dominated feeling. All of it.

I have literally never laughed harder while reading than I did when I read this. I swear, I would have been institutionalized if I was reading this in public because I was spontaneously erupting into an array of different laughters, snorts, and “NOOOOOOs” of disbelief.

Tris and Rafe are such a fun couple to follow. Their dynamic as rivals (in Tris’ mind, her mortal enemy) only heightens the tension between them. Being told from Tris’ POV, it is so entertaining to see how she’s literally the only person that doesn’t see Rafe’s attraction towards her. And she thinks she’s subtle in her attraction to him, which, let’s be real, is extremely relatable.

If I keep talking, I’m going to spoil it and you don’t deserve that. It is such a fun ride and there are so many moments that, while the plot might not be spoiled, you need to experience it on your own.

As someone that works in a male-dominated field, so many parts of this book resonated in my bones, and not just being passed over for promotions and opportunities. Nisha hits on things that happen day to day, such as being expected to be the one to take notes or having your ideas echoed by a man that instantly becomes the hero or it being assumed you’re not the one leading the meeting. I’m lucky that I’ve not experienced anywhere close to the level of sexual harassment that’s depicted and alluded to, but it’s a harsh reality of many women.

Rating: 4. 75

My Review- I love reading from this author and she never disappoints and this one is another to add to tbr list. You have Trishara who works at a big engineering company and has trouble moving up in her career, because she is a woman and a woman of color . Her job chooses her and one of the higher up son named Rafe to a training program and have to share a room. This was fun to read it is kind of slow in the beginning but when you get to the middle that is where the fun begins. Trishara and Rafe's relationship is rival sexual tension all in one but when they get to know Each other they see a new light specially Trishara. One of things that the book goes into is how hard it is for women in their career and how men treat them and how hard it is not possible to move up in your career. I do love that she does give hints about her other fantasy stories this was an amazing read and I want more from this world.
Thank you Forever publishing and NetGalley for an Arc

I loved this book! Tuli did great entering into the contemporary world and her writing was so easy to get lost in. Her attention to lived experience as a woman of color in a male-dominate world was important and done so authentically. Author's note helped understand these things even more.

This was my first Tuli book and it won't be my last

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I'm already familiar with Nisha J Tuli because of her fantasy series' but this was the first contemporary I've read from her and I wasn't quite sure what to expect. Honestly, it was a pleasant surprise and I finished this book over the course of two days. (I typically read a book these days between 3-5 days, so two was extra quick!) Tris and Rafe were both amazing characters and dynamic in their own way. Tris is a strong woman of colour and has a take no bull attitude which I loved. Rafe seems like he's a cocky, nepo baby but in reality he is so much more than that and Tris and Rafe really get to know one another on a work retreat.

The only thing that I didn't love about this book was Rafe seemed to have TOO many facets to his personality. He's a decent businessman, an artist, a baker, a social media star, a gym buff etc. Some of that really came out of no where and it seemed a little over the top, especially later on in the book as I was reading. I think if he was pared back a little bit and something was cut, it would have come across as more genuine.

Overall though, I really enjoyed this book and the cover is STUNNING. Can't wait to see what other contemporary romances Nisha gives us in the future!

I'm not normally a contemporary romance reader, but I've loved Nisha since I received the ARC of Trial of the Sun Queen and knew I wanted to give this one a shot. I started giggling like an idiot as soon as it was mentioned Tris was reading Rule of the Aurora King and basically didn't stop until the book was over. The banter between Rafe and Tris was hilarious, the side characters were great, the fact everyone knew that they were into each other but them was perfection, and the heavier parts dealing with the racism and sexism Tris faces were done so well that it made my heart hurt.

All in all another solid read from Nisha and I really hope that she will continue writing contemporary romances like this one!

Thank you to Forever Pub and Netgalley for this eARC.

I LOVED Tris and Rafe. On top of the feet-kicking romance and alllllll the angst, I really enjoyed Tuli's writing style. I have not read her romantasy series yet (it is on my TBR), but she absolutely killed it in this contemporary romance debut.

The book also does the important work of shining a light on the egregious workplace behavior so many women in male-dominated fields experience. Especially those issues facing women of color. I highly recommend adding this to your TBR. Publishes on May 20, 2025.