🌺 Charming, Fun, and Fiercely Feminine: Not Safe For Work by Nisha J. Tuli🌺

Oh my goodness, where do I even begin? Not Safe For Work is an absolute delight that had me giggling and swooning from the very first page! Nisha J. Tuli has created a modern-day romcom that weaves the spellbinding allure of enemies-to-lovers with the tropical magic of Hawaii. 🌴✨

Meet Trishara Malik, our fierce and fabulous heroine, who is navigating the treacherous waters of corporate life at WMC Purcell. I couldn't help but root for her as she confronts the all-too-real challenges of facing white male privilege and nepotism. The glass ceiling may be making Tris feel a bit shaken, but her determination and resilience shine like sunbeams on a beautiful beach day! ☀️💪

Then we have Rafe Gallagher, the smoldering “eleven” (seriously, how is he even real?). Sharing a honeymoon suite with him? Talk about a twist of fate! 🙈💖 Their banter is sharp, electric, and filled with that delicious tension that makes you want to keep turning the pages into the very late hours of the night. You can practically feel the chemistry crackling between them as they navigate corporate challenges and ignite some sizzling sparks along the way.

The forced proximity trope is pure gold, and Tuli executes it flawlessly! Watching Tris and Rafe transition from rivals to teammates—and maybe something more—was like witnessing magic unfold before my eyes. ✨💕 The character development is genuinely heartwarming, and I found myself giggling at their witty repartee while also cheering for them to break down their walls.

With beautiful descriptions of Hawaiian sunsets and picturesque beaches, I felt as if I was on a sun-soaked getaway alongside Tris and Rafe. Tuli's writing style is as refreshing as a cool ocean breeze and as addictive as a tropical cocktail! 🍹🌊

This book isn’t just about romance; it’s a celebration of empowerment, ambition, and the bond of trust that develops through competition and collaboration. Will Tris choose to rise above past grievances with Rafe? Will she dare to let herself love instead of flee? You’ll have to read it to find out, but trust me—you won’t want to miss this adventure!

Not Safe For Work is a wonderfully vibrant escape that every romance lover deserves to experience. So gather your favorite beach towel, a piña colada, and dive into this enchanting tale of love, rivalry, and triumph. I promise you’ll be left with a smile on your face and a heart full of warmth! 🌺📚💖

This was a highly entertaining book to listen to. I was captivated by the workplace banter and the characters Tuli created. It was easy to listen to, and I felt like I was in the office and on location with them several times. Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy.

My first read of Not Safe for Work had me laughing my ass off throughout. I did not think it’d be possible, but this audio made me laugh even harder. I found myself going back a little bit because I was laughing so hard that I missed the next lines. Rinse and repeat.

Soneela Nankani narrates this audiobook and she is absolutely phenomenal. She was also a narrator for the Artefacts of Ouranos so I knew she would also kill it here. One thing I especially love about her narration is being able to separate internal thoughts and actual dialogue. Tris’ internal monologue has such great zingers and I’m so glad that the narration really allows you to get those separate from what she actually says.

I listened at 1.5x most of the time and felt that was a good speed for me, but the times I was listening at 1x or 1.25x also didn’t feel slow or dragged out. For a contemporary romance, I feel like a faster speed is easier due to not needing more time to mull over/think through world building.

Overall I had a great time listening to Not Safe for Work. The banter was phenomenal and the spicy scenes (and thoughts) had increased tension and yearning as compared to my initial read (and it was already pretty high!).

OMG. I read this a couple weeks back, so being able to listen has been amazing!! I loved it the first time, and even more the second time! Soneela Nankani did such a great job. She brought Trishara to life! I don't often like when women read mens parts, I prefer duets, but Soneela was AMAZING at not one Trishara, but Rafe too! Such a fun enemies to lovers. The side characters are also so fun, and I hope we get to see more of them!

Enemies to lovers
Workplace romance
One bed
Forced Proximity
Possessive MMC



review from first read:
I have a love/hate relationship with this book. For the most part it was so good, but there where some parts that felt so rushed...the ending being one of them. The tension and angst had me wanting more throughout the whole read. I was caught constantly saying "KISS ALREADY" lol.

The book was a fun read, but I don't feel fulfilled... If that even makes sense. I still have questions about characters, and I just have the feeling that there could have been more. Over all it was an enjoyable read. Definitely a nice pallet cleanser in between reads.

On a side note, the cover is stunning. *spoiler* but that part of the book was one of my favorite moments.

Work place romance
Rivals to lovers
Forced proximity
Only one bed
Women in STEM
Biracial fmc
Slow burn
ANGST

This was a perfect tension filled slow burn romcom!
I love Nisha's romantasy books and was over the moon to read her first contemporary romance and she blew me away.
Trishara is a brilliant and underappreciated engineer at WSC, where she's been striving for greatness for the past 5 years but she is starting to lose her spark in the wake of losing opportunities and promotions to white male nepo babies and she is at her breaking point. Out of nowhere she is selected as one of 2 engineers to go on a 3 week company retreat and compete for a chance at a once in a lifetime opportunity to go to the NY office and advance her career alongside the big dogs. Of course her ultimate rival, and the bosses son Rafe is the other engineer chosen for the trip. Tris is quickly suspicious as to why she was chosen and confronts her bosses, where they all but say she's being sent for their public image as a diversity pick, being a biracial woman in a white male dominated field and company.
Tris and Rafe suffer all the forced proximity throughout the trip and get to know not only each other but themselves and their goals much better while enjoying Hawaii and suffering through team building excersizes. Rafe is an onion with so many layers we get to peel away and I absolutely fell in love along the way!
Nisha's writing is fresh and fun and had me laughing from the first chapter, but also brings you on a range of emtotions and connects you so deeply to the characters. The tension builds up to an extreme level, but there are many bumps and obstacles along the way including exes, trauma, drama with bosses and family that complicate their feelings.
Will Tris and Rafe realize they're meant to be or will is just be a vacation fling?!

loved the narrator's voice, the book flowed perfectly in both audio & word format.

Audiobook narration for this was fantastic. It bumped my rating up to a 4.5.

I adore these two.


Book review:
OMG! This was everything!!!

I loved the banter, the enemies to lovers work place set up. It was so dang good. This is how I want tropes I love written. I feel like we got a story told where tropes were highlighted perfectly without feeling like it was written to hit certain tropes.

Rafe and Trish are everything.

Audiobook Review of Not Safe for Work

I have to start with how much this book got to me. I was legit fuming on Trishara’s behalf, like, full on rage. And honestly, this book is way more than just a romance. It digs into toxic workplace vibes in a way that felt too real. I know so many people who’ve been in her shoes. I flew through it and felt so satisfied by the end. Absolutely obsessed. If you’re into romance with actual substance, this one’s a must read!

4.5⭐

What!! When did this end! I need more of Rafe and Trish 😭 😭 😭 😭 This was so cute and adorable 🥹 I loved EVERYTHING from the plot to the characters and the issues discussed. Their tension and bickering is top notch, this solidified my opinions about choosing a partner who shares your interest not the partner who complete you. I prefer we laugh and cry together than just him being the grump to my shiny-ness or the dark of my shadow. And the narration is fantastic

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚𝕮𝖑𝖔𝖘𝖊𝖉 𝕯𝖔𝖔𝖗 𝕸𝖔𝖉𝖎𝖋𝖎𝖈𝖆𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓𝖘˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆

SKIP CHAPTER: 22, 23, 24, 25

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚𝕻𝖗𝖊-𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖉˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆

Just received this ALC from Netgalley and Hachette Audio ❤️ hope I enjoy it 🫶🏻

4⭐ (I will repost closer to publication date)

Thank you Hachette Audio and Netgalley for this ALC!

It was nice to hear this story once again as I thoroughly enjoyed it the first time. This book is for fans of Ali Hazelwood, those who enjoy STEM romances, but also workplace and enemies to lovers romances. This book is one of those books that you didn't have to guess whether or not they hated each other, it was very obvious and added to their chemistry!

The ALC itself was really good . The narrator added many nuisances to her voice that made the story better. The narrator did amazing in bringing the FMC, Tris's voice to life and this is exactly what I thought she would sound like too. This was a very easy audiobook to latch onto, even during daily activities, that I was able to finish it in one sitting!

I do wish her pace was a bit faster, as the 1x speed felt like it was slower than that, so I actually listened to this on 2.5x speed. I do have to admit that increasing the speed did not change her pitch or affect the reading at all, and my issue with the pacing may also be due to the fact that I listen to my audiobooks quickly anyways.

I think I was really spoiled with the recent audiobooks I've listened to- for example, SYRM or Deep End by Ali Hazelwood, so I enjoy having another narrator for the male dialogue. I think it would've improved the experience, but I understand that

I loved this so much! Rivals to lovers is one of my favorite tropes and this was done so well. My only wish was that it was longer!! It was such a slow burn I just wanted more time with them happy.

4.5 rounded up to 5

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing a free audio arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was very excited to get this arc as I've heard nothing but great things as I love a good enemies to lovers, close proximity trope, and this one did not disappoint! The chemistry between Trish and Rafe was palpable, and I loved the banter between them. I'm not one for smut, but when things happen, it makes you go, finally!

The setting was great in the story, and I thought that everything was paced well in the typical romance with conflict fashion. It's a great read for the summertime I feel, but you should read it as soon as it is released so you can root for Trish and Rafe too!

3.5⭐️ overall it was a decent read. I had had this on my ARV Shelf for a hot minute and kept picking it up, reading the first chapter and putting it down, rinse and repeat. That’s until the audiobook became available and I jumped at the change to do an immersion read and I’m glad I did as it got me over that hump.

The book is fairly faced paced with a few not so smooth transitions along the way that interior the flow. But that’s the beauty of an audiobook, it keeps going!

The narrator Soneela Nankani did a great job with the material albeit a touch on the slow side. But speeding up the playback rate was easy and didn’t impact the pitch of her voice too much. Had I not been reading along I would have listened at 1.5x speed comfortably. However, I used 2x speed in order to be able to somewhat keep
Up with my reading speed.

My biggest challenge with the book was the constant miscommunication. It just becomes too far fetched. I don’t mind it here and there especially when you can sink into your own world but this type of constant miscommunication was just anger producing.

I enjoyed the setting as well as the representation. I also “liked” the realness of exposing how women, particularly non white women have been treated in the workplace. However, that sub plot definitely overshadowed the romance.


I am thankful to have gotten a complimentary audio ALC from Hachette Audio and The eARC from Forever Publishing through NetGalley to read which gave me the opportunity to voluntarily leave a review.

My rating system since GoodReads doesn’t have partial stars

⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea (potentially DNF’d or thought about it)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but nothing special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again

I received an ALC of Not Safe for Work through NetGalley. Thank you to Hachette Audio for the approval. All opinions are entirely my own.

From the moment I got the email approving me for this audiobook, I popped on my headphones and devoured this in less than 24 hours. I had so much fun, this book gave me the exact energy I needed to start the summer (even though I live in a place with eternal summers). Not Safe for Work is Nisha Tuli’s debut contemporary romance, and I’m happy to report she brought all the same heart, humor, and addictive writing into this genre.

This is a workplace romance between Trishara, a brilliant engineer and her work nemesis Rafe, the boss’s son. Tris has been overlooked at her job and is close to burn out after dealing with sexism, racist microaggressions, and the exhausting politics of a male dominated field. When she is unexpectedly chosen for a 3-week corporate retreat in Maui, things get even more complicated, especially when she finds out she has to share a suite with Rafe (her long-time crush and the company’s golden boy). What starts as mutual annoyance and forced proximity slowly turns into something a lot steamier, as they’re forced to confront everything they’ve been hiding under sharp comebacks and stolen glances.

The romance itself? Deliciously slow-burn. The whispered words, the soft touches, the tension filled moments of longing… And when they finally give in? So worth it.

I especially appreciated how the story didn’t shy away from the real challenges women face working in male-dominated fields. Tris’s experiences with swork discrimination and the trauma of being silenced in the workplace were handled with so much honesty and care. Watching her reclaim her voice and stand up for herself was incredibly satisfying.

The narration was *chef’s kiss* Soneela did an amazing job capturing both Tris’s sharp wit and vulnerability, and Rafe’s charm and charisma. The pacing was great, and the performance gave the characters real depth without ever pulling me out of the story. It felt effortless to listen to, which made it even easier to finish in one sitting.

If I had a penny for every book I’ve read this year with a storm scene that triggered my hurricane ptsd… I’d have two pennies. Which isn’t a lot, but it’s weird that it happened twice.

On another note: I LOVED that the book briefly acknowledged the tourism and displacement issues in Hawaii. As someone from a place with similar concerns, that detail meant a lot.

Final Rating:
4 ⭐️
3 🌶️ (explicit language and only a few steamy scenes)

Read if you like:
🏝️ south asian fmc
🏝️ women in STEM
🏝️ work rivals to lovers
🏝️ force proximity
🏝️ slow burn
🏝️ beach/vacation setting
🏝️ chronic pain rep

Oh, this book was a delight! The slow burn was hot and the self-actualization was delicious!

Thank you to Hachette Audio for approving my advance listener copy request of this audiobook! I inhaled it in a single sitting. Soneela Nankani did an amazing job bringing these characters to life and immersing me in the story. That this is Nisha Tuli's first adult contemporary romance is a triumph! 

I was kicking my feet at the cuteness and smashing my fist on the figurative patriarchy.

The story follows Trishara Malik on a work retreat. Having been passed over for promotion time and again as a brown woman watching mediocre white men step in her on their way up, she is suspicious why the company has a sudden change of heart in sending her to this leadership development retreat. She pushes them to admit that she is granted this opportunity as a part of the company's DEI image improvement efforts, but of course, the only other person granted this opportunity from her branch is the boss' arrogant son, Rafe.

When they arrive at the Hawaiian resort, the hotel is fully booked and the office assistant has unwittingly booked Tris and Rafe for the same honeymoon suite...with one bed.

Enter the tropes we know and love:
🌟 Only one bed
🌟 Forced Proximity 
🌟 Rivals to Lovers
🌟 Just Bang It Out
🌟 SLOW BURN

Tris and Rafe already had a spark when they first met five years ago, but they've since buried it under years of rivalry and frienemy lines, but the fuse is running out and will there be a big payload at the end? 😏

I also enjoyed the subplot of an Asian woman breaking the bamboo ceiling. Tuli's experience working in tech as a brown woman tells no lies here and I love the way that she wrote Tris to give no 🦆 about finally calling out sexist, racist, and predatory behaviors in the workplace.

This was such a surprising delight!

This book was incredible. Cringy at times, yes, but it was incredible anyway. I loved the way the relationship developed. My girl is incredible, and the love interest is swoon worthy. I loved it so much, it was a wild ride and as soon as I can I’m buying a physical copy or two. I’m going to be recommending this book to everyone

I listened to the audiobook of Not Safe For Work, and Soneela Nankani really brings the story to life by immersing the listener into the story with appropriate tones, timing, and pauses, which helps make the experience more enjoyable. The narrator did a great job of holding my attention, and it felt like I flew through this audiobook with such ease. Nankani narrates a perfect Trishara, which reinforced my connection with the FMC. She is also great at creating distinct voices to differentiate between the other characters.

As for the story, I really loved this, there were so many times I was smirking, and the slow burn felt like a great pace. Their banter and tension are present throughout, but really kick it up a notch at around 50%, and I was all for it.

Tris is very admirable, she’s a great character all-around. She’s strong and stands up for herself. Tris’s concerns felt so valid in the story, and I loved how the resolution was handled. I also appreciated the workplace discrimination themes, which added thought-provoking notes to this rom-com.

I do wish Rafe had a little more depth to his character. It felt like what he had most to offer was that he was tall, hot, and protective. Aside from him being protective and sweet at times, he felt a little one-dimensional, but that didn’t prevent the characters from having chemistry.

Story: 3 stars

I was so excited for this story, a WOC in a STEM field fighting against sexism in the work place?? Forced proximity and only one bed?? Slow burn?? I love all of those things. But the story fell flat for me. Half the book is Tris ogling and describing Rafe’s body, even when she’s supposed to hate him. Both characters felt very 2 dimensional and so did their relationship. I also didn’t like the attempts to make Tris feel relatable (reading romantasy, calling Rafe dark lord, Taylor swift fan).

Narration: 5 stars

I thought the narration was wonderful and I would definitely like to read more audiobooks narrated by Nankani. I love the way she inflected certain phrases, it sounded so natural like how someone would talk in real life.

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!

Tris & Rafe
Workplace
Vacation filling
Hate to love
Woman in STEM
One bed

The fastest way to this book lover’s heart is through comedy and Nisha J. Tuli definitely delivers in this hilarious yet adorable rom-com, Not Safe For Work.

Tris is a biracial woman in STEM just trying to make it in a man’s industry. Rafe is her CEO’s son as well as workplace rival. Trish is determined to make a name for herself while attending a company retreat in Hawaii but as soon as she arrives she discovers that due to a booking error she is now going to be forced to share a honeymoon suite with the man she claims to hate most. What could possibly go wrong?

The tension and banter between the two was absolutely delicious. I devoured this book in one sitting.

If you are someone who loves a good slow burn, enemies to lovers, one bed, laughing out loud while simultaneously swooning then I highly recommend adding this to your summer TBR. Not Safe For Work would make for a fabulous beach read as well.

Soneela Nankani did a great job on the audio.

4.5⭐️ BUT ROUNDING UP

After reading Nisha J Tuli’s romantasy books, I already knew she could write an incredible romance & dynamic story, & this was NO exception!!

I loved the representation of Tris as a woman in STEM right away & just the representation of how so many women, especially WOC, get lost in the boys club of these corporate companies. I LOVED how she advocated for herself

And don’t even get me started on Rafe 😍 I loved how he had so many soft parts to his personality & how we learned about him throughout the story. Him & Trishara are truly the perfect match 😍

& I loved the ending so much 😭😭💗

Thank you to Nisha J Tuli, Forever Publishing & NetGalley for the advanced copy!!!