Rafe and Thea are workplace rivals. And have been for like, years. And they get sent on a 3 week conference in Hawaii. Thea decides she will make the best of this time, clean out some *ahem* cobwebs, and spend these 3 weeks avoiding Rafe like the plague. The resort is huge. It won’t be that hard right?

I. Devoured. This. I yearned. I pined! I giggled and kicked my feet. I collected those HR violations and ate them up. I gasped. I screamed (and made my dogs look at me with very concerned expressions) Some of the things Rafe says and does I was right along with Thea telling my inner feminist to take a back seat and just shut up.

I love that, from the first page Thea is unapologetically herself. She knows she's hot, she knows she's a badass, and she knows she deserves better than what she's had in the past. There are times when she tries to shrink to fit someone else's ideals, and the next second she's like "you know what? Fuck this I'm going to be all of me" And I'm here for it!

This was such a sweet, fun, awesome book!

Love this author. This is different than her other books, but just as good! I loved Tris and Rafe and their chemistry was amazing!

I had so much fun reading this book. I was immediately hooked in and wanted to keep reading. The characters are flawed yet likable. Trishara and Rafe are at odds in the workplace, and wind up being sent on a three-week retreat in Hawaii with about 104 other people, mostly white men. I really appreciate that the author addresses the whiteness and maleness of engineering in a way that is realistic/factual.

The plot has so many of the things I want in a contemporary romance. Rivals to lovers. Workplace. Angry flirting. One room/one bed. Danger (a bit). A tropical location. All of those things can sound overwhelming and tropey, but it really works.

I desperately wanted to know what exactly was happening when Rafe was on the phone every time, and Nisha didn't give it to us too early -- made us wait for it and speculate just the right amount.

There were endearing side characters which rounded out the cast of characters and provided a wider story.

Nisha J. Tuli did a great job bringing these things together in an enjoyable and believable way.

A book that will transport you to Hawaii and leave you laughing at this enemies to lovers romance. I loved every bit of this story. The tension, the banter, these two had me laughing and turning the page just hoping that they would see the chemistry between the two of them! When they finally give in and have that f’ it moment the spice went from 0-200 real fast!! It’s fun but also covers some very realistic workplace issues many of us deal with everyday. I loved how these topics were covered and the feelings of the characters could really be felt. The competitiveness between Rafe and Trishara was a fun aspect to this enemies to lovers story.

“I want someone who makes me feel a little like I’m...burning in the best kind of way.”

If you think Nish J Tuli is only good at writing romance, you are WRONG!
I (so gratefully) received this book as an ARC from Netgalley and I BINGED it! Thank you Netgalley and Forever Publishing!

Trishara Malik has always been a shining star as she is an amazing Engineer with an outstanding performance record. But working in a male dominated field and being a woman of color has left her light, unjustly, being coming dimmer and dimmer. So imagine her surprise when she is selected to attend a 3 week all expenses paid corporate leadership retreat! The down side? Her arch nemesis in the office was also selected.
Trishara has had, a rivalry with Rafe Gallagher. Him being the boss's son meant he got opportunities without earing them. The last thing Tris wants is to spend 3 weeks with him in Hawaii. But what if he's not who she thought he was?

This book had me engaged the ENTIRE read! I'm very excited to review this book and share with others that this debut rom-com from Nisha J. Tuli is an infinity star read! She not only touches on subjects of sexism, racism, sexual harassments in the work place but she also introduces us to two very real characters. This book is relatable on a lot of levels. I LOVE that Tris is a STEM woman as well, showing the hardships of us women in STEM fields having to "grin and bear it" This book SPOKE to me. I love it so much.
If you have read any of Nisha's other books you know she gives her characters a sense of humor. This book did not stray! The banter and attitude that was written into Tris is so down to earth and relatable, I see myself in this character! It is a bit of a slow burn but the tension built up was much needed and well placed in the story. Its got spice!
If that's what you're looking for! Nisha is a QUEEN at spicy scenes! The care she put into Rafe's puppy, yet villain, nature is something only she could accomplish!
I could not put this book down!
INFINITY STARS!

Absolutely incredible! Not only was it an artful enemies to lovers which I’m an absolute sucker for, the handling of serious topics and intersectional feminism is top notch. Like she says in her authors note, this story is both. It’s a beautiful love story AND a look at the things we cannot continue to allow in the workplace. Will be reading the rest of her work immediately, absolutely no notes.

Overall this was a fun RomCom - starting with enemies to lovers I was here for it. Loved the representation of women in STEM work as it can be challenging to navigate.

Overall the banter and tension had me routing for them but there was too much miscommunication for me (this is starting to be one of my least fav tropes). I’m good with the initial mistaking of interest for hate but once relationships start and it has already been noted that it was a previous issue between the couple I really hate seeing it come back to break them up in the third act.

The spice was great, the friendships were wonderful and overall was fun.

I would like to thank NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy of this book. The synopsis immediately piqued my interest, and I was eager to begin reading.

The initial chapters were engaging, and I was quickly drawn into the narrative. I was particularly interested in the development of the relationship between Rafe and Trishara. However, I found the chemistry between them to be lacking. Even after reaching the 60% mark, I struggled to perceive any significant progression in their dynamic. While the banter was initially entertaining, its repetitive nature without substantial plot advancement became increasingly frustrating.

Overall, the book offered a decent reading experience. The workplace scenes were particularly compelling, providing valuable insight into the challenges faced by a biracial woman navigating a competitive, foreign environment dominated by white men. This book may appeal to readers who enjoy slow-burn romances and workplace rivalries.

Tuli has done it again! With sharp writing, layered characters, and a romance that sneaks up on you in the best way, this romcom sizzles with wit and chemistry, delivering both heart and fire.

I was so excited for this book because the cover is beautiful and i’m also a poc woman in stem. I think the book did a great job representing that. There were definitely some swoonworthy moments, but there was also a lot of push and pull from the main characters that was kind of frustrating. I do wish that we also got Rafe’s point of view because I needed more pining from him to really believe the romance. I was also not a fan of the other woman drama. Overall, it was a quick and enjoyable read. Thank you Netgalley and Forever Publishing for this e-arc!

“What I meant was it’s hard to believe in you’re an introvert because you shine in every room you enter”

So to my fellow brown girls, if you like Ali Hazelwood but want something with more spice, culture, and meaningful commentary on being a woman of colour in the STEM field then Nisha’s got you. No tea or shade, but Ali doesn’t get to be crowned as the romance STEM queen by the romance community when we need more diverse voices.

Not Safe for Work is a great beach read infused with the reality of workplace harassment and micro-aggressions that are sadly very relatable for many women of colour.

Trish and Rafe have such sweet chemistry and their tension built throughout the book is push and pull. Giving this a 4.5 because I wanted Trish to not take what Hannah said to her and snap back but I understand the pain.

Also some spoiler emoji related hints: 🍓🍰🐺🥂

Thank you so much Forever Pub for the digital ARC!

Such a spicy, engaging read. I loved the tension and tropical setting. The forced proximity trope was elite! I found some of the inner monologue of the main character a bit immature, and I had a hard time believing she would put herself in certain situations. Overall would recommend!

Not Safe for Work is an all around solid, swoon worthy romcom. Add in a BIPOC woman in STEM as icing on the top and I’m sold!

This story follows Tris, an engineer whose career has plateaued. Jaded and lacking drive after being repeatedly passed over, her luck turns around when she is invited to an exclusive company retreat in Hawaii. The only problem? Her archenemy, Rafe, will also be there. As the two butt heads, forced proximity causes them to discover more similarities between them than they might have imagined.

The romance in this book is beautiful. Rafe is an actual cinnamon roll, and I love the enemies to lovers workplace drama. The way that he cares for her and shows it in tangible ways throughout was really sweet.

The best part for me though was the social commentary on women, women of color, and women in STEM. Nisha J. Tuli poignantly wove in very real issues women face in the workplace, blasted stereotypes, and made the FMC a certified boss queen. I LOVED seeing Tris grow and come to accept herself fully, both in the workplace and in how she viewed herself.

A very enjoyable read! Fun hijinks all around, witty, hilarious, victorious.

Rafe and Tris. RAFE AND TRIS.

First: the nod to Artefacts of Ouranos made me squeal, so well done. I loved that series, but Nisha J. Tuli’s contemporary debut is definitely also going to stay with me. I’ll read anything she writes.

Scorchingly hot while also being a slow burn. The tension is so, so good — and this book is definitely how we all WISH work conferences could be.

As steamy as it is, it also does a great job of portraying the challenges Tris faces as a minority woman in engineering. Why yes, I DO like my romance novels with a side of social issues, thank you.

I will never get tired of certain tropes: only one bed being chief among those and used to great effect here.

Ugh. Loved it.

Thank you to Forever for the ARC!

I had only ever read Nisha’s fantasy books, and Not Safe for Work was truly a delight. The forced proximity trope did not disappoint, nor did their banter and tension. The writing was smart, playful, and insightful. I appreciated that Nisha wrote a bit about how things were from her own perspective, but with Tris’s story. I’m grateful I had the chance to read this early!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

3.5 rounded up. It was cute. Enemies to lovers/rivals to lovers, beachy forced proximity romance. Ask the makings of something fun. But I got kind of annoyed by how thirsty the fmc Tris is. Like “omg I hate him so much, he’s the worst, dieeee” but then she not-so-secretly lusts after him and thinks about his body like every moment of every day. Her inner monologue about it is just over the top horny. And this book just really lacked good tension, in my opinion. Like it was missing the rizz.

I was also kind of annoyed by how immature she acts, the woman is a grown ass adult. This wasn’t a book about like a young 20 something, she’s an established career woman. I also didn’t love the bit. A three week work retreat in Hawaii? In this economy? Unlikely.

And Rafe’s character having secret aspirations to be a baker also felt… a little out there. Like love that for him, go live your truth. But I don’t buy it.

Thank you Nisha & Dana for sending me this early! I wasn’t expecting it but was so happy to get it. Nisha is one of my favorite authors, and I am always ready to read what she writes. This is her first romance book, and it was so cute! I loved the characters, the setting and the sassy dialogue. This book addressed many issues women, especially BIPOC women, face in the work force/male dominated fields and it was refreshing to see it alongside the romance plot. Tris, our FMC, was sassy, intelligent, and a great main character (similar to others Nisha has written well). Rafe, our MMC, was kind, sweet, romantic, and so hot. The romance and tension between the two made for a good rivals to lovers book. Excited to see what Nisha has in store for us next! 4.5⭐️

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Not Safe for Work is told from the POV of Tris navigating the STEM corporate world as a woman and POC. The story starts off at pivotal time for Tris because she has been passed over 5 times for promotions in favor of less qualified candidates and/or nepotism and is trying to figure out if she should stay or go. As a woman and POC that works in STEM corporate, her dilemma really resonated. Throughout the story, Tris has to navigate different uncomfortable situations while also trying to revive her stagnant career. In addition, Tris has an “enemy” who also happens to be one of the company executives’ son… that she is extremely attracted to. Of course, they end up on a company retreat together. Of course, there is an issue with their hotel booking. Of course, chaos, hilarity, and steaminess ensues.

As much as I really enjoyed, the later half of the book, the first half was a little less enjoyable. While there were plenty of witty and snarky one-liners and descriptions, the emphasis on how attracted the Tris was to Rafe started to get exhausting. Some of the descriptions were also a little too dramatic and made Tris seem less like a 29 year old professional and more like a 19 year old college student. I think the first 50% of the book was just Tris pinning after Rafe in a not so subtle way and constant talk about his forearms, hair, and chest. It was a repetitive and almost resulted in me not finishing the book. This story might have benefited from Dual POV, if for no other reason, to break up the constant pinning we got from Tris

I’m glad I pushed through though because we got to see Tris make tough realizations and decisions about her career and love life. Rafe also had to make some tough choices. The side characters were great and acted as the voice of the reader a lot of the time. Overall, I’d say this was a great first contemporary romance from Nisha J. Tuli and I’m excited to read more from her.

I am grateful to Threads and NetGalley for this early access read because it was so yummy and the perfect kick my feet and giggle that I needed!

Nisha, this book was everything I needed in the moment I needed it and I cannot wait for the world to meet Rafe and Tris.

This contemporary romance is packed with the tropes we love to see:
Workplace romance
Banter
He falls first
Migraine Rep (this girl has never felt soooo seen!!)

and yessss NSFW... holy spice - yes, please!

I am obsessed and hoping for an audio because I would love for a reread soon **fingers crossed**

NSFW is an enjoyable contemporary romance, but it falls short in emotional depth. While the chemistry between Trish and Rafe is fun, their relationship development lacks the weight I was hoping for—key moments happen off-screen, which leaves their love story feeling a bit fake-ish.

I did appreciate how the book highlights migraines as a disability, showing just how debilitating they can be, which added depth to Trish's character. The critique of Hawaii's tourism industry was also a welcome touch, urging readers to be more mindful of the impact of travel.

While Tuli’s trademark wit and humour are present, the emotional arc just didn’t hit the mark for me. Still, it’s a solid, quick read with a lot of heart.

Thank you to Forever Pub for the e-arc.