This book was so much fun to read. The FMC was relatable and funny and I felt myself in her especially with her work microagressions. The MMC was easy to fall for and it was nice to see how he supported her and looked up to her in so many ways.
Great rom-com.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for this e-ARC!

This is my first book by Nisha J. Tuli and wow! I loved it! Running to get her fantasy series because her writing is just amazing!

This book follows Trishara as she faces various strives at her workplace. She feels that due to a traumatic experience at her last job that she is lucky to have this one, but after attempting to climb the ladder for five years and being overlooked, she’s had enough! That is, until she gets chosen for a lucrative opportunity to go to Hawaii for a Work leadership retreat. She decides to accept this trip and throw everything into this in hopes she can rekindle her passion to grow in her field.

There she is put into a “one bed” situation with her nemesis - Rafe Gallagher, a.k.a. the bosses son. Ummm, hello, HR? 😂During this retreat, she starts to soften towards Rafe and comes to learn he’s never been against her, but has actually been rooting for her the whole time.

This book showcases what it’s like to be a woman in a “man’s field” facing blatant sexism and racism, and brings awareness to the grossness of these issues.

4.25⭐️ Thank you so much to NetGalley & Forever for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

Was this the best romance I've ever read? No, BUT I am not ashamed to admit that I inhaled this fun, little smutty book in less than 24 hours. Not Safe for Work was the perfect romance palette cleanser to pull me out of the teensy reading slump that I've found myself in.

Tris and Rafe are long-time rival engineers at their firm and are both chosen for an all expenses paid leadership retreat in Hawaii, what could possibly go wrong? Rivals to lovers is quickly climbing my all time favorite trope list, and it was exceptionally well done in NSFW. I felt attached to the mc's from the start and absolutely loved the shit out of Tris, our badass FMC who was just so unapologetically her. Her inner dialogue was so sharp and quick it had me cackling throughout my entire read. And while this was also a cute romance, Tuli didn't hold back on calling out the racism and sexism that woman of color have to deal with in corporate America, which made Tris all the more admirable in my eyes. Rafe was her perfect complement and honestly if all men behaved like him, the world would be a better place lol. NSFW had all the tropes I love (and then a few more), but didn't feel too overdone and didn't annoy me like some romances tend to do. This most likely had to do with the fact that our mc's were a bit older (thank heavens) and more developed in the prefrontal cortex department. The spice was well written and came after some delicious tension-y slow burn. Like I said, I disassociated from all adulting and devoured this in one day, so I definitely was having a good time. I can easily see myself rereading this at some point in the future on a pristine beach with a pina colada in hand. Lastly, congrats to Nisha on this fantastic debut romance! I can't wait to see what she does next!

Well this was the cutest romcom! I definitely binged in one day! I adored Tris and Rafe and their entire relationship progression. It had me giggling, swooning and sweating from beginning to end!

Nisha Tuli is the Queen of slow burns and badass FMCs. I am so glad she made the jump into romance because this was so good! Also loved the Artefacts of Ouranos Easter eggs.

Read if you like: work place romance, rivals to lovers, force proximity, and men who fall hard.

*****
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley / Forever publishing, and this is my honest review

I really wanted to love this. I LOVE an enemies to lovers office romance and the added bonus of a vacation-type setting should've worked for me. but for some reason it never clicked and it didn't feel fresh. the romance felt too based on physical chemistry than anything else. I didn't really get where the attraction came from otherwise. I'm sure plenty of folks will like it but it just wasn't for me.

First time reading Nisha J. Tuli and it will not be my last. She perfectly balanced a discussion on major topics( sexism, micro aggressions, etc) while telling a love story that kept me laughing.

Would absolutely recommend to fans of The Hating Game or The Spanish Love Deception.

3.5 stars!

The first half of this book was a little too slow and repetitive that I wasn't sure I wanted to keep reading it, but I pushed through and I am happy I did. The second half was faster paced and a lot more fun. I really enjoyed the book overall, but I just wanted a little more from the MMC. He didn't feel fully developed most of the time. We got glimpses, but not enough of them for a full picture.

If you love reading about women in STEM and are a fan of Ali Hazelwood's books, this romcom by Nisha J Tuli is one to add to the list!
This was a very different story from the fantasy books that NJT has written, but I still thought it was amazing! While the main characters are VERY intelligent, they are also sometimes quite clueless about what is right in front of them (each other). There was a lot of focus on the FMC, Tris, and he story as a woman in a male-dominated industry, but there was still great banter and swoon-worthy moments between her and Rafe. It was a sweet HEA and I hope there is more of this genre in the future from NJT.

I am already a fan of Nisha and her other series, and I have been SO EXCITED to read her contemporary debut. NSFW delivered!

The story follows Tris, who is woman and POC in an industry that is dominated by men. She has been with the company for five years and has proven herself time and time again, yet she has been consistently passed over for promotions in favor of people like Rafe, her rival and the son of company leadership.

Tris is then selected, alongside Rafe, to attend a company leadership retreat in Hawaii. I LOVE this premise and how Tris reacts to being selected. She immediately confronts leadership about being the "diversity pick," and makes her own demands to fly first class and to buy designer luggage on the company's dime. I love how self-assertive Tris is - she is put into an uncomfortable situation, and she is unafraid to take advantage of it.

Of course, Tris runs into Rafe at the airport, but that is only the beginning. They sit next to each other on the plane, and then are forced to room together at the resort. This is forced proximity at its finest, but Nisha takes a different approach. Yes, there is only one bed, but Tris and Rafe are sharing a suite with a couch, so they can avoid sleeping together. They also have two bathrooms and are generally successful at avoiding each other.

Instead, Tris and Rafe get to know each other as people. They learn about each other's motivations and dreams, as well as their struggles. It's a slow burn, but when they finally give in, it's HOT and SO worth it. Plus, Nisha gives us a fair amount of forearm content along the way (IYKYK). I also have to take a minute to talk about the character art I have seen for Tris and Rafe. The COVER?! Their FIRST KISS?! I literally cannot wait for the pre-order incentives too - both the artwork and the Rafe POV content.

There is a third act breakup, but in my opinion, its really more of a pause. Rafe acknowledges he needs to handle some personal complications before he can move forward with Tris. He assures Tris he is committed to doing so, and he follows through. He handles those issues and then returns to Tris so they can have their HEA. This whole novel felt very rooted in reality - Tris and Rafe's struggles and misconceptions, as well as their joy and HEA.

NSFW was a delight from start to finish. I hope to read more contemporary romance from Nisha in the future!

This was such a fun, swoon-worthy romantic read—I couldn’t put it down! I felt like I was transported to a sunny beach in Maui, basking in the sunset while falling in love right alongside the characters. I love reading enemies/rivals to lovers and forced proximity, and Nisha J. Tuli absolutely nailed both. The tension, the banter, the slow burn—it was addictive.

I especially appreciated the representation in this book. Seeing a smart, capable woman in STEM having to deal with a toxic workplace and to face the challenges of being a woman—especially women of color—in male-dominated environments felt real and accurate. The way how women were underestimated and dismissed for promotions despite hard work and achievements really hit hard. On top of that, the FMC also deals with chronic migraines which is something I rarely seen or addressed in a romance novel. Not only did she had to face challenges at work, she also has a condition that affects her daily life. I highly recommend this book for someone looking for a fun romance read but also wants to have a meaningful representation in a book!

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review - I really enjoyed this take on a few of my favorite romance tropes. I particularly liked how well drawn the characters were, and how empowered. Female protagonists' tone can really make or break a book - I'm over the powerless or wobbly stereotypes, and this crashed right through them with an empowered and lovable voice.

NOT SAFE FOR WORK follows Trishara who feels stagnate in her engineering career, after continuously being passed over for a job promotion she is the most qualified candidate for. Instead, the position goes to ‘the good ‘ol boys club’. Finally, Trish catches a small break and is offered a chance at a leadership retreat, but one catch- it’s with her boss’s son, one of her sworn enemies.

With the belief she has nothing left to lose in her job, Trish takes the position and travels to Maui 🏝️ for the three-week retreat. Along the way, she comes to discover that some things (toxic workplaces) never change, while some others- aka- Rafe Gallagher- could have the ability to sway her opinion.

While I did like the pacing and overall story of NOT SAFE FOR WORK, there were times that I felt a little whiplashed in Trish’s behavior. For the most part I felt Rafe was smitten and polite with her, but she constantly flipped hot and cold on him. Some scenes I understood the reasoning, others I felt it was unnecessary drama.

Tropes…
Enemies/Rivals to Lovers 😡➡️❤️
Workplace Romance 💼
Forced Proximity 💕
Only One Bed 🛏️
Slow Burn 🔥
Women in STEM 🤓

Overall, it was an enjoyable, quick read. Perfect book to take on vacation this summer.

First off, I want to say that we NEED more female representation in STEM and medicine. Nisha J. Tuli did a fantastic job at bringing these issues to light, especially when women are in a male-dominated workplace and field such as engineering. It absolutely sucks that women have to work twice as hard to get the same recognition as their male counterparts and may even have to look the other way and pretend to tolerate male co-workers and their potentially inappropriate behavior because their job puts food on the table and pays their bills. The author's note at the beginning of the ARC saying that some of this was based on her own experiences as an engineer is just utterly heartbreaking. No person should ever feel uncomfortable in their place of work. We need to do better.
Enemies-to-lovers and forced proximity tropes set in a luxurious Maui resort—nope, I’m not talking about White Lotus (this isn’t a dark comedy-mystery), but rather a perfectly swoony romance that every reader should escape into for a delightful break from daily stress.

This was a one-sitting, popcorn-read that I breezed through with ease. The story follows Trishara Malik, a young, ambitious engineer who has been working at WMC Purcell for five years following a traumatic experience at a failed startup that left her heartbroken and humiliated. Unfortunately, her current workplace isn’t much better—she loses out on a promotion to her boss’s entitled son, Rafe Gallagher, her arch-nemesis and workplace pain-in-the-neck. She deals with constant mansplaining and the inappropriate behavior of Rafe’s cousin Rory, while quietly dreaming of better opportunities elsewhere.

Just when things look bleak, Trishara is selected for an elite company leadership retreat—on the tropical paradise of Maui! But there’s a catch: Rafe will be there too. Still, she’s determined to use the trip to network and secure a coveted training opportunity in New York. She can ignore him for three weeks… right?

Except she didn’t count on a mix-up that results in one room, one bed. Now trapped in each other’s personal space, Trishara tries to keep her cool around the maddeningly charismatic man she secretly kind of has a crush on. But as the retreat unfolds, she begins to see a different side of Rafe—a man frustrated with his own family dynamics, aware of the workplace injustice she faces, and maybe not the smug jerk she always thought.

What if Rafe doesn’t hate her at all? What if their undeniable chemistry isn’t just a fluke? And most importantly, can Trishara risk her already-bruised heart for a second chance at something real?Not Safe for Work
Nisha J. Tuli

Unexpected, fiery, angsty and set in a magnificent place? What else would I ever want from a contemporary romance - a debut from Nisha J. Tuli. NSFW was a quick read and a perfect palate cleanser between romantasies and heavier contemporaries. It would be the greatest read for a summer holiday by the sea with a sickly sweet cocktail in hand. This one has incredible banter, too, if you are a lover of that. ♥️

oh my goodness! first of all, all the thanks to netgalley and the publishers for an arc copy of not safe for work!!!!!! i absolutely DEVOUREDD this one!!!! it was such an easy and quick read that i was so invested in!!! i absolutely love forced proximity, and enemies to lovers so this was perfect! both rafe and trisha were so likable, and i absolutely love them together!

It was really fun to dive into a contemporary romance from Nisha J. Tuli. I’ve been enjoying her fantasy books and this book did not disappoint. I really enjoyed that the FMC, Tris, was a strong woman in STEM. I loved how hard she fought for an equal and diverse workspace. I enjoyed our MMC, Rafe, he was very swoon-worthy and he definitely had me blushing a few times. Tris and Rafe’s relationship was really fun and I thought they had incredible chemistry. I loved the ending that all the characters got. I definitely recommend this book, it will be a great summery read.

“My obsession that’s not an obsession has never been more obsessive.”

Enemies/Rivals to Lovers?? Consider me obsessed... This empowering engineering/STEM career focused read was the perfect pick me up after my last book. It has me dreaming of going on vacation desperately. Loved the characters and their growth!!

Pub Date May 20 2025

ARC provided by Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley. Thank you.

review posted to NetGalley & Goodreads

If Nisha writes it, I will read it!!! This book was amazing. It touched on a lot of hot topics within the workplace such as diversity hires, sexism, nepotism, LGBTQ+ and women working in STEM in general. We get to see some amazing newly formed friendships, new relationships, and women making the choice to stand up for themselves no matter what that means for their future working careers. The romance was spot on and I am so here for the hidden passion of our MMC! Give me more!

NOT SAFE FOR WORK offers the fantasy of an "only one bed" island holiday / business retreat with your hot work rival. But its also anchored in the reality of the ongoing struggles of women and marginalized people in STEM fields. Nisha's expert hand and personal experience balanced these two themes to perfection. I loved reading Tris' journey to reclaiming her seat at the table as well as her heart's desire.

The hook of Tris and Rafe as rivals is so delicious, but then layer on the drama of fighting as flirting, he got the promotion she deserved, she’s been burned by a workplace relationship before, and he's dating someone hand-picked by his family. It's always been the wrong time for anything to spark from their attraction. But with time and space away from the office they find moments to be truthful (sometimes very revealing even) with eachother regarding work and their desire.

This might be Nisha's contemporary romance, but there were villains I full on wanted to stab like I was in an epic fantasy. Honestly, there is nothing more villainous than old boy's institutions. It's grossness was made extra horrible knowing how real it is. I urge you to read with patience as Tris navigates this space. It is frustrating when she allows certain micro aggressions from coworkers and yet has no problem telling Rafe off for defending her. Consider the balancing act she's had to maintain to be in her field. How Rafe wasn't a safe person for her due to his connection as the boss' son. It takes work and vulnerability and trust to make this relationship possible.

And yes. Rafe is hot. His signature lean and whisper for your ears only is a direct attact. Supper effective. I did not survive. Tris gets the worship she deserves. Explicitly delectable. Blushworthy spicy spice.

I recommend NOT SAFE FOR WORK - especially right now - for its championing of women in places of power. For celebrating rest and desire and passion. Cus in the end it's not Tris' job to change to fit a misogynistic work place, its their responsibility to do better. And Tris deserves the absolute best.

Thank you Netgalley & Forever / Grand Central Publishing for the advance digital copy to read and review.