trishara is the badass fmc in stem who gets picked to attend a work retreat with her coworker and rival rafe who has more to him than trishara sees. this was the perfect rom-com with banter between the two, one bedroom, and a fun summer setting. this was such a great debut contemporary romance! it also has some spice!!!! i listened to this on audio while also following along on the e-arc (thank you to forever publishing)! i really enjoyed the audio narrator! i do wish it was dual pov to get more insight on rafe and his internal feelings.
this touches on topics of racism and workplace struggles for women in stem careers which is so important as it's extremely relevant to today!!!!

As my very first ALC, I was ecstatic when it was by one of my favorite authors, Nisha J. Tuli! I absolutely LOVE her style of writing and she hooked me completely with the Artefacts of Ouranos series. As I expected, she’s done it again with Not Safe for Work. Not only did she write an amazing debut rom-com, but she included deeper themes that I could resonate with as a woman of color who has worked in male dominated workforce. It had all of the ingredients I could have asked for in this genre: banter, spice, enemy to lovers, forced proximity, all while set in one of my favorite tropical locations. While I usually prefer dual or duet narration, Soneela Nankani once again crushed it! She did a phenomenal job and truly brought the story to life in every scene! I genuinely cannot wait for more books from this brilliant author & more audiobooks from the narrator.

𝑨𝑳𝑪 𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘: 𝑵𝒐𝒕 𝑺𝒂𝒇𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒌 𝒃𝒚 𝑵𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒂 𝑱. 𝑻𝒖𝒍𝒊


Having enjoyed Tuli’s 𝘈𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘖𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘴 series, I was curious to see how her voice would translate from fantasy to contemporary.

Perhaps ironically, this felt more fantastical than many romantasies I’ve read lately.

I was expecting a spicy, forced-proximity work trip romp. What I got was a sexier version of a corporate leadership retreat—complete with workplace politics, microaggressions, and management lessons that felt ripped straight from my MBA & corporate experiences. And honestly? It worked.

One of the reasons it worked? The MMC.
Rafe is pure fantasy: “young Henry Cavill” hot, feral-in-his-texts filthy, cinnamon-roll sweet, and—most magical of all—he listens. He sees the misogyny and racial microaggressions Tris faces—and actually shows up for her, both professionally and personally. For Tris, who has been worn down and silenced for years, this means everything.

And what makes this arc believable—even with all the spice—is the precision. Tuli doesn’t just toss in heat; she patiently layers emotion and plot like a baker constructing a perfect croissant. Every beat is measured, every reveal intentional. The result? A romance that feels rich, real, and fully baked.

𝑶𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒆:

🌺 Authentic representation: South Asian identity, chronic illness, and women in STEM

🧡 Trauma handled with care, not used as shorthand
👩🏽‍💻 Corporate girl fantasy fuel—especially if you’ve ever dreamed of rage-quitting mid-meeting

🩵 Spice level: high. Dirty talk, roleplay, and edge-of-the-bed tension

🩷 Peak MMC behavior: jealousy, pining, and respectful obsession

🏝️ A heroine with ambition, competence, and a growing sense of self-worth

🧁 Actual fun banter, with no romcom try-hard aftertaste

And while the romance delivers, it’s the representation that lingers. It made me crave stories that go even further: where the FMC is valued for her intelligence and ambition without needing to be super-model hot, and the MMC does the work—even when there’s nothing in it for him. (Though I’ll admit, that’s a harder sell without the Cavill jawline.)

𝑩𝒐𝒏𝒖𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒖𝒅𝒊𝒐𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒈𝒊𝒓𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒔:
 As with Tuli’s last series, Soneela Nankani absolutely nails the narration. She brings both emotional depth and playful rhythm to the story—and yes, even the MMC lines land. Huge thanks to Macmillan Audio for the ALC on NetGalley—this was a joy to listen to.

𝑻𝑳;𝑫𝑹: If Henry Cavill’s younger brother fell for a smart, skeptical FMC on a business trip and then actually respected her career, this would be the book. It’s spicy, sharp, and surprisingly heartfelt—with workplace politics, corporate feminism, and South Asian rep all trapped in a Hawaiian hotel suite with only one bed. Add it to your carry-on bag immediately.

This is the first book I’ve read by the author, and I need to read more from her immediately! Tuli is able to create a fast-paced story, that has heartfelt and comedic moments that I thoroughly enjoyed. The characters are complex and really came to life.

I received the audio from NetGalley and thought Soneela Nankani did spectacular!

This book follows Tris, an engineer who keeps hitting a roadblock from advancing in her career (the roadblock is called the patriarchy and nepotism) No one is more surprised than Tris to find out she’s been selected for a 3-week corporate leadership retreat to Hawaii! But just as she starts feeling like her luck is turning around, she herself in a hotel booking fiasco. Rooming with her work rival, Rafe in the honey-moon suite. 😳 How dare he simultaneously be her bosses son as well insanely hot. Tris’ Hawaiian vacation just became a lot more complicated.

A huge thank you to NetGalley, Forever Publishing, & Hachette Audio for this Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for my honest review; all opinions are my own

This was my first book by this author so I was unsure how I was going to feel about this book, but I really love it which is saying something because I tend to steer clear of workplace romances. This was my first Nisha J. Tuli story, and I will now make it my personal mission to read everything she writes. This was such a masterpiece. The chemistry between Trishara and Rafe was off the charts and the banter was absolutely amazing. I genuinely wanted Rafe for myself.

The actual writing of the book was amazing for me. Everything about this book was how to execute book tropes correctly. The narrator, Soneela Nankani, was a new one for me and I thoroughly enjoyed her performance.

My only true con is Trishara’s inner dialogue when it comes to Rafe. For someone who discussed sexism and how women are treated within the workplace all throughout the book, the objectification of Rafe in her head just felt hypocritical in a sense.

This setup had all the delicious rom-com tension I love forced proximity, sharp banter, and slow-burn chemistry but what really stood out were the deeper themes. Tris’s struggle as a woman of color in a white male dominated field felt authentic and necessary. I was cheering when she finally reclaimed her power. And Rafe? Total book boyfriend material. Charming, layered, and yes he bakes. Their back-and-forth made me laugh, swoon, and sometimes even want to knock their heads together. I wish they’d been more open with each other earlier on, but their journey was satisfying all the same.


The audiobook was fantastic Soneela Nankani’s narration was pitch perfect ,her delivery nailed everything from the snappy dialogue to the steamy moments to Tris’s fierce, funny voice. I’m so glad I listened to this one.



Many thanks to Hachette Audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve already had the privilege of reading NSFW and when I got approved for the audio I was so stoked!! Soneela Nankani did a great job bring the story to life for my hearing pleasure, giving the emotions and characters their own uniqueness.

This book was perfect! The slow burn was definitely burning! The tension had me kicking my feet and yelling into my pillows. Gosh and forced proximity, this read has all my favorite tropes! This was my first ever read from Nisha but I'm definitely keeping up to date with her from now on.

- A rivials to lovers book that has me hooked. A woman in a male dominated field, showing how common women can be passed over in jobs. Rafe is a 10, they can’t stand each other but he still wants to watch out for her and keep her safe. I also really like the pinning and yearning they both seem to have for each other.
- The writing style felt familiar enough that was expect from romance book but different enough that I was hooked. Although there was a couple repetitive phrases that look me out a bit (e.i, the look on rafe’s face that wasn’t quite a smile but a look of amusement).

I absolutely love Nisha J. Tuli's style of writing. I was a big fan of The Trial of the Sun Queen, so when I had the opportunity to receive an ARC of Not Safe for Work, I was super excited.

I listened to the audiobook and first off, the narrator was perfect. She really brought the story to life.
In the book, Trishara is an engineer for a company she doesn't love. The company, like many companies, is stuck in the "man's world" mentality. So when they announce they are sending specific employees to a leadership retreat for 3 weeks. Trish is sure she won't be picked. She knows Rafe, the boss's son will be one of the people going, because he's the boss's son. However, Trish is selected after all and that begins a trip that changes her life.

Trish has had to overcome some major things in her career, some of which have taught her to write off men she works with. However, when she gets to the retreat, she finds she is stuck sharing a suite with Rafe. From there, their relationship grows, from enemies, to friends, to more.

Definitely a cute read. There is a decent level of spice, but not enough to where it is super awkward to read in public. It was nice having a main character that didn't fit the norm as well. Trish is an engineer, a really good one, who graduated top of her class. She also is a minority. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more Tuli work in the future.

4.5/5 Stars!
Not Safe for Work is the perfect little romcom, for when you just need a feel-good read/listen. There were many times where I would laugh out loud while listening to it! The MMC is not what I was expecting, in a good way, and ***slight spoiler***there is an unconventional “third-act breakup,” if you can call it that. Nisha wrote some great witty lines. I absolutely enjoyed the story. I also enjoyed the realistic aspect of the story that spoke on issues that arise when females work in a male dominated environment. I will say, there was one point where I got super annoyed with the main character, and what was happening, that wanted the story to just move on.

If you take a chance on this book (which I think you should), I highly recommend the audiobook! Soneela Nankani does a fantastic job at narrating! She truly acted out the scenes with her voice, saying things the way I would hear them in my head if I were physically reading. The lines were read in a way that made it seem like a movie dialogue. Her male sounding voice didn’t make me cringe, which is always a big feat with audiobooks.

Definitely pick this story up for a fun summer/vacation read! Thank you to Netgalley and Forever Publishing for the ALC!

I am so grateful to have received advanced access to the audiobook of Not Safe for Work.

Soneela Nankani’s narration was great! You can feel the annoyance and disdain dripping from her voice. Delivery and enunciation was solid, emphasizing words to draw out contempt or anxiety— all emotions were so well captured. Really made you feel like you were in Tris’ subconscious. Her breathiness when things get intimate. Soneela Nankani has narrated a few of my highly-rated authors, including Sonali Dev, Alisha Rai, Elsie Silver, Sara Desai so I was already excited to hear her voice in my ears.

Transparently, I was drawn to this book for its title. Then the cover. But when I read the synopsis, I was intrigued. I love a workplace romance, but I love that this wasn’t an alpha-hole CEO MMC. In fact, Rafe is full of surprises that flipped every initial thought I had of his character on its head— from his views of the company to his passions. And when he turns his beautiful eyes on you, well, apparently he sees right into your soul.

There’s something refreshing about seeing yourself from someone else’s perspective. When Tris finds her portraits in Rafe’s sketchbooks, it was a peek into the beauty she doesn’t see in herself. But just as he could see into her depths, she sees his talent, beauty in his confidence and honesty in how he captures the world around him.

All those years of working in close proximity, sneaking stares and smothering crushes, the tension was bound to overflow, and the retreat just sets the stage to take this relationship to the next level. The complements workshop opens the door for blatant flirting. But what’s new after so many innuendos exchanged throughout this retreat?! I mean where’s HR?! The banter is 4/5. They could definitely dial it up, but they’re at a work function so I suppose that makes sense. I’ll take what I can get and I am not upset.

Thank you for the ALC!

This boo had a lot of potential to showcase sexism in the workplace, a woman holding her own in a male dominated field, and the intricacies of dating a coworker with more social leverage than you. However, we get none of things.

Instead, we get to watch people in their late 20s act like teenagers on a senior trip. Complete with pigtail pulling, alpha bro machismo duck measuring contests, silly squabbles over nothing, and an absolute lack of any meaningful connection between the couple that I’m supposed to be rooting for.

The spice was incredibly subpar, which is shocking for a book with THIS title. It also took ages of weird, stilted tension that could have been resolved WAY sooner.

I also don’t understand the Trishara’s character arc regarding her job. She starts off wanting to quit, hesitates about it, and then ends still wanting to quit. Is this supposed to be a good for her for finally seeing her worth? But she was already seeing it at the start! She was on her way out the door!

Very disappointing read :(

This was the ultimate enemies-to-lovers slow burn—except he was obsessed with her the whole time, and she had no idea. I loved every second of this book. Soneela Nankanis’ narration captured every thought and emotion perfectly.

I felt such pride every time Tris stood up for herself or put someone a man in their place. Nisha created a female main character that women and BIPOC readers can truly look up to. And Rafe? An incredible MMC—completely obsessed, never held her back, and wanted to let her shine.

Forced proximity is one of my favorite tropes, and the tension between these two for the entirety of the book was written so well. I can’t wait to read more from her!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)

This book is scorching! A slow-burn, rivals to lovers workplace/paradise/only one bed masterpiece. Nisha J. Tuli’s NSFW needs to be on your summer TBR. And if you listen to the audiobook, you’re in for a treat with Soneela Nankani’s narration!

Trishara and Rafe are work rivals at their engineering firm, where there always seems to be some simmering attraction buried underneath the glares and hate. When they are selected to represent their location at a tropical leadership retreat, it’s game on to see who can come out on top. But there’s a room mishap (oops), stolen glances (and touches), and maybe there’s more to each other than they expected…

I inhaled this book, it’s SO good. Romance, real life, and friendship served up in paradise. What more could you want from a book?! I received an advanced reading copy, receipt of which did not impact my review.

This one’s giving work enemies-to-lovers with a touch of insta-lust—and I was here for it. First off, I love Soneela Nankani as a narrator and I’m already a fan of Nisha J. Tuli, so this combo was promising from the jump.

Our FMC is strong, confident, and refreshingly complex—she knows her worth, but still has room to grow and open up emotionally. Honestly, she was really likable, which isn’t always a given in rom-coms. The MMC had some great qualities too, though he did lean a bit into the “standard book boyfriend” formula at times.

Now listen… workplace romance always makes me cringe just a little (because, hello HR violations??), but it’s fiction—so I did my best to suspend reality and enjoy the ride.

The spicy scenes were well-placed and didn’t feel forced, and the supporting cast and setting helped round out the story in a fun way. All in all, a solid 3.5 stars.

☀️Not Safe for Work☀️
By Nisha J. Tuli
🎧 AUDIOBOOK REVIEW

- Review posted to Goodreads, BookBub, and TheStoryGraph on 5/19/25
- Review to be posted to Instagram and Amazon on 5/20/25

~~

The way I just KNOW Not Safe For Work will be a summer smash HIT!! Seriously, I had the best time listening to this delicious workplace romance and my gut’s telling me you’ll be catching this gorgeously illustrated cover poolside all summer long. Now don’t come at me… This was my first ever Nisha J. Tuli story, but holy moly, I have fallen head over heels for her writing! From the playful banter and spicy, spicy tension to the very real depiction of women working in a khaki-infested, male-dominated industry, I found myself completely enthralled by the dynamic MCs, the tropical setting, and the powerful message of being your authentic self despite any and all stereotypes.

Not only was the story an absolute delight, but the narration was straight up perfection. Soneela Nankani delivered Trishara’s sass and engineering boss babe badass-ery so effortlessly, I genuinely think this role was made for her. Every line she spoke held my attention in a vice grip- so much so that I hand washed almost every dish in my house to give me more multi-tasking momma listening time. Incredible, incredible work! 😍

Not Safe for Work 1000% belongs on your summer TBR if you haven’t devoured it yet, friends! There’s heat, there’s humor, and there’s a man with a deep appreciation for baked goods. I’m obsessed 😚👌

Why you’ll love Not Safe for Work in audio
☀️ Workplace Romance
❤️ Single POV/Narration
☀️ Rivals to Lovers
❤️ BIPOC Women in STEM
☀️ Forced Proximity
❤️ One Suite
☀️ Chronic Pain Rep
❤️ Steamy Slow Burn

The biggest thanks to Hachette Audio, Forever Publishing and Netgalley for the ALC! These are my honest thoughts.🖤

I’ve loved every book Tuli has written, and Not Safe for Work is no exception. She has been an auto buy author for me since I first read her romantasy series, and I love how seamlessly she was able to transition to contemporary. As a woman working in the STEM industry, this book hit hard for me on a personal level. There are scenes that people may read and think ‘that doesn’t actually happen’ only to learn, yes, yes it does. I appreciate Tuli bringing awareness to the reality of plenty of women in STEM fields. That’s not all, though. The romance is so well done. The chemistry between Tris and Rafe was off the charts. The rivalry between the two brought out their competitive nature and ultimately heightened the romantic tension. While this starts off as a slow burn, once the spark ignites, they are all in. I also loved Rafe’s surprise career passion. I loved the audiobook narration. Nankani absolutely brought Tris’s character to life. You could feel the passion, frustration, excitement, and worry that Tris experienced in Nankani’s narration. I could not stop listening to Nankani’s performance. I can’t wait to see what Tuli releases next.

𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐛𝐲 𝐍𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐚 𝐉. 𝐓𝐮𝐥𝐢
𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ★★★★

This was such a fun book full of great banter, a beautiful setting in Maui, delicious chemistry and moments that had me laughing hysterically.

The main characters were easy to love, both were driven and looking for change in their careers. I enjoyed reading their individual development throughout the story as well as them going from rivals to lovers over the course of their retreat in Maui. The rivalry did feel a bit forced and easy for both to decide it wasn’t even a thing, but even with that the banter and their connection kept me engaged the whole way through!

I read and listened to this book in tandem and I loved the way the narrator brought these characters to life. Soneela Nankani did a phenomenal job portraying these characters and story through her words.

I absolutely loved the vacation vibes in this one! The beach setting really added so much to the story and made it impossible for me to put down. The banter between Tris and Rafe was so great, I loved how flirty and sexy it was overall! The audio was done incredibly well and I by far recommend enjoying the story that way.

I ate this up and have NO REGRETS ❤️‍🔥

So Nisha J Tuli is gifted. I've read her romantasy/fantasy and now I've read her contemporary romance, and she is just so good at keeping you hooked and entertained. NSFW had me riled up, happy, frustrated, excited, and relieved by the end of it.

Trishara was a great leading lady with a character arc that I appreciated. Her hate-fatuation with Rafe was relatable and I liked how the story addressed how her own preconceptions created a nemesis in him, rather than them being true enemies. Trish throughout the whole book was very cheer-on-able, and hey, she's a woman in STEM as well for those of you who want more of those romances!

The audio was great and the narrator knocked Trishara's personality out of the park.

Thank you to Forever Publishing & Hachette Audio and Netgalley for the e-ARC and e-ALC!