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Nisha J. Tuli’s Not Safe for Work is a contemporary workplace romance that offers a mix of steamy tension, witty banter, and timely social commentary. Centered around engineer Trishara Malik—one of the few women of color in her company—the story follows her reluctant pairing with her office rival, Rafe Gallagher, during a corporate retreat in Maui.

The book leans into familiar romance tropes like enemies-to-lovers and forced proximity, particularly when a room mix-up lands the two in a honeymoon suite. These elements create entertaining (and often spicy) moments, and the chemistry between Trishara and Rafe is a consistent highlight. Their banter feels sharp, and their attraction palpable, making for some engaging scenes.

Where the novel shines is in its acknowledgment of real-world workplace dynamics—specifically, the subtle but persistent biases faced by women, especially women of color, in male-dominated fields. Trishara’s internal struggles and observations are thoughtfully handled, adding emotional weight and a sense of purpose to the story.

However, the book doesn’t always strike the right balance. The heavy focus on physical attraction and sex can at times overshadow the characters’ emotional development. Rafe, while charming, doesn’t always feel as deeply explored or compelling beyond the love interest role. Additionally, the pacing dips in the middle, and some of the conflict resolution feels a bit too tidy or rushed.

Overall, Not Safe for Work is a fun, quick read that blends romance and relevant themes with moderate success. While it may not fully break new ground, fans of steamy rom-coms and office drama will likely enjoy the ride.

Thank you NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the advanced audio copy in exchange for my honest review.

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DNF this at 25%. I found parts of this book frustrating and it's just not for me. I do think this book can appeal to people, I'm just not one of those people. I recieved this as an audiobook and I thought the narrator was great .

Thank you for this ARC.

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I really enjoyed this book, the SLOW burn was everything and I was hooked from the beginning. The setting in Maui was perfect and I'm a sucker for forced proximity! I ate it up! I loved Tri's personal growth and I squealed every time she stood up for herself.

Soneela Nankani was exceptional as narrator. She literally brought every character to life and made the listening experience that much better! I highly recommend the audio version!

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This was definitely a cute read! I loved the women in stem vibes. It reminded me very much of an Ali Hazelwood rom-com in such a good way. Considering this was Nisha’s first real foray into contemporary romance, I thought it was really good! Definitely well written and it scratched that witty rom-com itch I needed.

This book is the epitome of fun. The banter was top tier and there was tension for days. This book was definitely on the higher side of the “com” in a rom-com but I was not mad about it at all. And I really loved the BIPOC representation along with the women in stem representation. I know I saw this a lot, but this is a great summer beach read.

For fans of:
🔎BIPOC MFC
🔎Banter
🔎Rivals to lovers
🔎Tension
🔎Workplace romance
🔎Only one bed
🔎STEM (specifally FMC)

I also had the pleasure of having the audio book and I loved it! I’ve really started to realize that if it’s Hachette Audio, I love it!

A very special thank you to NetGalley, Hachette Audio, and Forever Publishing for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

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All the best tropes in the best way. This was a fun and sexy read. The narrator had the best tone for every scenario and reaction. It felt like listening to a friend tell me about her Hawaiian vacation, her work dilemmas, her venting.

This was an enemies to lovers, workplace romance, one bed, forced proximity romance with slow burn that sizzles and then sets aflame.

As an POC female in a male dominated career, Tris was a true badass. It was tough to see the prejudice and sexism she faced as a woman in STEM, but I enjoyed the representation, and her strong wills. And RAFE!!! Omg, forget cinnamon roll, he was a delicious lemon macaroon. This was romantic, spicy, and fun.

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I really enjoyed this one! While the workplace setting could’ve used a bit more depth, everything else totally hit the mark. I listened on audio and the narrator was phenomenal...elevated the whole experience. I’m always a sucker for a witty, smart FMC and a broody grump (I have a type, okay?). Funny, sexy, and super cute...this was such a fun read overall!

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https://www.instagram.com/p/DJ4ED-PRVkH/?igsh=MWdlZzIwZW5zcWZsMg==

I really enjoyed this book! The tension between the main characters made it that much more satisfying when they finally got together. This book has a little bit of everything - work-place, enemies-to-lovers, long-time attraction, only-one-bed, forced proximity, and slow burn with building tension!! 🔥

The narrator was fantastic too, the perfect voice to bring Tris to life ❤️ she kept a great pace throughout the book!

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⭐⭐⭐⭐ I love this charming workplace romance in a beautiful setting!

Trishara and Rafe are sent on a workplace retreat in Maui, and Trishara is determined to prove herself worthy of advancing in the company after years of working hard and being overlooked. Rafe, the boss's son, seems to get everything handed to him. Although Trishara can't deny her attraction to Rafe, she is NOT pleased to discover that she is sharing a hotel suite with him to due a mix-up. Not Safe for Work is a sweet and spicy romance full of witty banter, growth, and a little bit of chaos on the beautiful island of Maui. I absolutely adore Trishara and Rafe as individual characters and I loved watching them grow together and fall in love! Not Safe for Work is heavy at times, showcasing the reality of working as a woman POC in STEM. I love how Trishara grows throughout the story, and isn't "saved" by Rafe, but he is an amazing supportive and dreamy love interest.

I knocked off one star because some parts of the book felt a little too slow for me, but overall I enjoyed reading this story very much! If you are a fan of The Hating Game (one of the first romances I ever read) you will definitely enjoy the playful and tense dynamic between these two co-workers. Thank you so much for NetGalley for providing an ARC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review! The audiobook performance by Soneela Nankani is wonderful. She has a very smooth and pleasant voice and does a great job differentiating between the different characters with genuine emotion.

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I loved how this book had both tension and sweet love, rivals and lovers, and both characters had aspects about them that were so unexpected. I also loved their romance and how they build their relationship.

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Thank you NetGalley and Hachette Audio | Forever for this ARC Audio Copy!

This is officially my favorite romance book of all time! I had such a great time with this story, literally kicking my feet and giggling, which is rare for me. The rivals to lovers in a contemporary setting can be challenging, but this was done so well. The setting was lovely and well fleshed out, I really felt like I was there right along with the characters, and I was rooting for them from the very first moment of eye contact.

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Omg this book was freaking fantastic!

Thank you NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the ALC! This was my first time reading her work and wow! Great introduction to her, I can’t wait to delve into her fantasy series!

The audio actress, Soneela Nankani, was STUNNING! Captured every single character in their unique ways, the author and audience truly made the story come to life, it felt like the best 2000’s - 2010’s romance I’ve read yet! I throughly enjoyed the banter, the tension, the ANGST, the hand flexing!

This I can see myself re-reading forever! This touched on so many important topics when it comes to women in engineering ( a male dominated field) especially women of color, it was beautifully written!

Thank you Nisha!

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3.75 ⭐️
Thanks to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the audiobook.

This is very Ali Hazelwood coded but it’s also significantly less sciency - there are less jokes especially centered around science. It’s women of colour in STEM corporate struggles so of course I related a LOT.

It’s a rival workplace romance and the fmc is completely unaware of the admiration the mmc has for her 🤭 there’s a “I ran into a wall-oh no it’s the mmc chest” scene.

Tris and Rafe had so much tension between them I was just waiting for it to explode. The only thing I disliked was the Hannah story, the lack of communication from Rafe about this felt out of character?

I am adding this to my stem romances list 🫶🏼

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Overall, I would give this book 4 stars. I enjoyed this book and binged it in a day. This book is about so much more than just the relationship between Tris and Rafe. It reflects so much on corporate America and how it is to not be only female, but a non-white female in white male dominant industries. Nisha did a good job building the tension between Tris and Rafe and the spice that follows. I spent so much of this being angry on Tris's behalf that at times it made it hard to really enjoy the book.

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Rating⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Spice🌶️🌶️

This was so much more emotionally impactful than I thought it would be! I was so pleasantly surprised by this book! I fell in love with the characters and their story was adorable!

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Thank you Hachette Audio and NetGalley for the ARC!

I enjoyed this book. It was a nice enemies-to-lovers classic set in a beautiful environment. It was definitely a very spicy romance, so make sure you're not out in public listening to this one lol.

Thanks again for the ARC!

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Oh this is slow burn romance at it's absolute best! Trishara is absolutely going THROUGH it at her engineering job. She is undervalued and the constant victim of micro aggressions. Yet somehow, she ends up nominated to spend 3 weeks at a leadership retreat in Hawaii with a chance to really accelerate her career. The catch? She has to do it alongside her work enemy/work crush, nepo-baby Rafe. But the more time Trish and Rafe spend together (including sharing a hotel room with only one bed) the more she realizes that he's not who she thought he was and he's thought the world of her all along. I am an absolutely gonner for a romance where he's been into her for ages but kept his distance for...reasons, and this book also scratches that itch. I highly reccomend this read!

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This book was such a fun, empowering, and heartfelt read. Trishara Malik is the kind of main character you can see yourself in no matter where you work. Watching her navigate burnout, sexism, and microaggressions in a male-dominated field felt both real and validating.

The banter between Tris and Rafe is absolute gold. Their chemistry builds slowly and satisfyingly, and the “one bed” setup? Perfectly executed. Rafe, despite a few frustrating moments, completely won me over. Their emotional growth, as individuals and as a couple, made the ending feel well-earned. I loved the whole premise of the book, the retreat, the sub-story of the workplace sexism, knowing your worth as a professional, and knowing when to walk away.

The themes around workplace inequality were handled with nuance and honesty, adding depth to the romance. I listened to the audiobook and the narration brought the characters to life so well, making the whole experience even better.

If you love rivals-to-lovers, strong female leads, sharp dialogue, and a tropical setting, this one’s for you. This is a romcom I'll be recommending to everyone!

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Thank you Netgalley for the audio version of this ARC.
It wasn’t bad but it wasn’t anything memorable. Not a story that stands out. It also too steamy for my likings. The narrator was great though . I think the story was just lacking depth and deeper connection.

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This was my first experience with Nisha’s writing and I’m definitely hooked! The witty banter between the MCs was perfection! I loved Tris and Molly’s friendship. And Rafe? Swoon worthy! I loved their rivalry turned heated glances turned spicy romps. But what put this in my top reads list, was how accurate Nisha portrays some of the misogyny that is so prevalent in male dominated fields. I’ve experienced so many of the things portrayed myself and it was a breath of fresh air to have this accurately described including Tris’ feelings and reactions to them. I’ll definitely be reading more of Nisha’s work in the future. I also listened to the audiobook and have to not how great the narration was! The different voices, the inflections and tone all felt realistic and really drew me into the story!

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This book was a lot of fun and pretty spicy. The banter was great between the characters. I loved the audio version the narration was great. I would highly recommend this book to a friend.

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