A welcome diversion from the romantasy genre, Ms. Tuli’s first contemporary romance has hints of Ali Hazelwood, Tessa Bailey, and Ana Huang.

This is a single POV, and it follows the standard romance beats, allowing the reader to easily fill in the gaps left by not sharing the MMC’s POV.

We’re treated to a workplace enemies-to-lovers, while a sensitive treatment of the struggles women and minorities face in STEM and in corporate politics. It’s eye-opening and at times difficult to swallow.

4 stars because some of the characters choices and responses are annoying, and the story is highly choreographed to make a point. It’s still an enjoyable read.

This is my first book by this Author and I wasn’t impressed. This book had so much potential. The cover is adorable. The FMC was annoying. She sexualized Rafe but complained about others doing that to her. I loved the idea of the plot but to me it fell flat. I loved her resignation letter! Rafe was everything. His mouth, he bakes, chefs kiss.

Trishara is my hero!!! I love her so freaking much. This book had me rolling laughing and ready to cry at any given moment. The banter was so great. I loved the rivals to lovers and the slow burn to get there. This was so great and I can’t wait to read more by this author!!

Not Safe for Work is definitely one you wouldn’t want to be caught reading at work but one that is more than worthy of the risk. Our main character is Tris, bogged down by her corporate job that continually passes her over. She gets selected for their corporate retreat where she has the opportunity for a big promotion, but of course her nemesis, the boss’ son, Rafe, is selected as well. Is anyone really shocked? Tris end up being the most shocked when she discovers not thought he was the whole time, she’s known him .
What made this different for me versus other books with slightly similar premises, like the Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren was that the main character has a lot of emotional baggage in her personal and corporate life that made her feel real. I was as equally upset at the injustice she and her friends suffered in their workplace and at the retreat. I also ADORE a slow burn. It definitely paid off in spades. The one thing that took me out of it a bit was that Rafe was absolutely too perfect for words. He was definitely written by a woman, and I wish he was real. He didn’t always do or say the right things, but he always tried. If you were looking for a fun contemporary real romance, you can’t go wrong by picking up this book. 18/10 stars

3 ⭐️ This is a tough rating, on one hand the tension was great but that’s all it really had going for it besides a pretty great woman empowerment messaging at the end. The rest of this book was not my favorite for many reasons. For starters, the fmc is unbearably immature. She acts more like an early 20something than someone nearing her 30s. Trishara is also supposed to be some brilliant woman in STEM and every thought she had during this top performer training was lust over her “work nemesis” it just didn’t work at all. I actually thought about DNFing this book for the first 30% or so. There wasn’t much in terms of actual emotional connection between Tris and Rafe, I just didn’t buy it outside of lust. The story too felt pretty paint by numbers, I feel like it wasn’t very original and I can’t stand when non communication gets in the way as a main conflict. There’s just so much I didn’t like at all.

What redeemed this book at least a little, was the tension was pretty hot. This is a slow burn and I definitely felt the intense attraction between these two. I also liked the story of Tris standing up for herself and women in a male dominated workplace. The story wasn’t perfect but it tried to redeem itself at the end with a strong empowerment arc. The setting should have also been pretty dreamy but not much was done with it to really feel like this was in Hawaii. Overall it was a pretty mid tier romance that I would hesitantly recommend.

This was my 32nd book of 2025.
Format: ARC, egalley

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for the gifted egalley in exchange for my honest review. This book is set to publish on May 20, 2025.

3.5/5 stars
2/5 spice

You best believe I FLEW through Not Safe For Work by Nisha J Tuli. Nisha has such an addicting writing style, it is so easy to find yourself halfway through one of her books in the blink of an eye. I also am a sucker for STEM romances.

I really enjoyed Rafe and Trishara's romance, but sometimes it felt a bit whiplash-y. I love a good enemies/rivals to lovers plotline but I felt that Rafe was a bit too hot and cold throughout, despite being very obviously in love with Trish. I was definitely rooting for them, but also found their relationship a tad lackluster. I did find myself blushing a few times though.

I think this is easily a book I would pick up again in the future, and I really hope that Nisha writes more Contemporary Romances, especially in the STEM world! Overall, I had a good time with Not Safe For Work and can't wait for the romance world to get their hands on it in May!

✨Not Safe For Work✨

Author: Nisha J. Tuli
Release date: May 20, 2025

Contemporary romance is not my typical niche but apparently if it’s by Nisha, I AM 💯. After having read her Artefacts of Ouranos series, I knew that no matter what she’d take good care of me. And she ABSOLUTELY did that! Along with a few quips that nodded to her other writings that I ADORED and made me feel like I was in on a secret.

In NSFW, we follow the first person POV of our whimsical and feisty BIPOC FMC as she tries to break glass ceilings in a corporate man’s world. When she is awarded a 3-week work trip to Maui, Tris is set on not only moving forward but finding out what she truly wants and deserves in her life and career. However, it’s not all mimosas and poolside vibes when she finds out the other colleague joining her is her arch nemesis and boss’s son, Rafe. Oh, and the rooms had an issue so now they have to share a suite for the duration of the retreat.

I absolutely DEVOURED this book. In one day, I avoided as many duties as I possibly could so I could spend more time with Tris and Rafe. Their connection was tense, angsty, and desirable. I loved the whimsy, the humor, the depth, and seeing these characters unravel on their own and together. It was such a beautiful story that truly made me giggle and find joy during my time with it. I am honestly REALLY sad it’s over and I fully plan to reread this.

Tropes you may find in NSFW are rivals to lovers, forced proximity, workplace romance, slooooow burn to medium spice, comfort and anxiety rep, one bed, BIPOC and STEM engineer FMC, so much delectable banter, and a heartwarming ending.

Thank you, Nisha, Netgalley, and Read Forever Pub for allowing me to be an arc reader for this wonderful read!

An amazing swoony read that was a great look at corporate America and the disparages that women and particularly BIPOC women face in day to day corporate structures. The characters grew and grew together along with facing and overcoming their pasts in different ways. Definitely a great read. ❤️

I LOVE Nisha’s Artifacts of Ouranos series so I was really looking forward to this contemporary romance from her.

The first 40% is GOOD. I ate it up, couldn’t stop reading. But then it kind of just fizzled out for me. In the end, the characters were lacking a certain amount of depth and the romance was lackluster.

Not Safe for Work is Nisha J. Tuli's first romcom book after her stunning fantasy series and she did not disappoint. In this book, we follow Tris - a WOC in a STEM field where she has to deal with constant misogyny and sexism. We watch as she has difficulty navigating a world that is primarily men and we learn about her history of being passed over for jobs so that unqualified men who have connections can have the job instead. She is invited to a leadership retreat that, spoiler, she was only invited to because she is a woman and they wanted to show their company is diverse. The portrayal of a toxic work culture was great and watching Tris go back and forth between the internalized misogyny and not wanting to cause a scene to wanting to stand up for herself, felt very realistic.

The male love interest is the son of a high exec who is also struggling to find his role in a company he really doesn't want a part of. The two start off as work nemeses and slowly develop into friends and then lovers. And this was a SLOW burn but it was so worth it. There were times I definitely wanted to shake some sense into Tris because she often goes back and forth with wanting to be with him and trying to convince herself she hates him or that he's the worst (he's not, he's pretty amazing).

I also really liked the side characters in this book. I would love a story centered on Lan and Gabrielle, maybe post-retreat as they try to navigate long distance.

Overall, this was such a fun read! Thank you to Nisha J. Tuli and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’m not normally a contemporary romance reader but I have read the authors other works and like her writing style. This did not disappoint. It was well written, the main characters were fleshed out properly and had amazing chemistry. The side characters were supportive and I can see some great stories coming from them in the future. The storyline was amazing and probable, had great flow, and ended in a way that left you satisfied. There was just the right amount of spice to keep you engaged. It’s been a while since I’ve read such a good well written novel. Highly recommend.

Engineer Tris has tried to climb up the ladder at her company but one person has stood in her way - her nemesis Rafe, the boss’s son. She finally has a chance to resurrect her career and spend 3 weeks in paradise. The one catch - Rafe is coming too.

I loved this one! Nisha’s prose is witty, fun, and relatable. The tension between Tris and Rafe was delicious and those soft moments interwoven between the banter were everything! This one really hits the spot with the perfect blend of all our favorite tropes. Highly recommend!

𝑻𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒔:

🌴 Slow burn
❤️ Enemies to lovers
🌴 Workplace romance
❤️ BIPOC women in STEM
🌴 Only one hotel room and bed
❤️ Work retreat in Hawaii
🌴 Forced proximity

Potentially the vacation read of the summer!
Not Safe for Work is a rivals to lovers romance set at a company leadership retreat in Hawaii. Tris is chosen along with Rafe, the owner’s son and Tris’ work nemesis, to attend from their office, turning their rivalry into a steamy setting.

Tris’ story is so important, both being a woman of color in STEM and how she was treated when her ex basically blacklisted her in their industry. She had so much hurt and found new friends to open up to and her way forward in her career.

I enjoyed the pacing of the romance and the tension paid off when Rafe and Tris finally acted on their feelings! They both opened up so much throughout the book and got to know what the other was going through. I also loved how Rafe was looking out for Tris when it came to Evan and others who tried to put her down.

They are so hot when they finally get together but I also felt the ending was a bit quick. I would have liked to see more of their relationship after their feelings are realized.

Thank you to Netgalley and Forever for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was a nice change from Nisha. There’s nothing like a slow burn, enemies to lovers office romance. I’m forever a fan.

Thank you NetGalley, Forever (Grand Central Publishing), and Nisha J. Tuli for the early access copy of Not Safe for Work.

Not Safe for Work follows the story of Trishara, an engineer who has been dealing with nepotism and white male privilege in the workplace. After watching her hard-earned promotion go to her nemesis Rafe, the bosses son, Tris realizes that she is burnt out and ready for a change. That is until she is offered the opportunity to go on a corporate leadership retreat in Hawaii that may revive her currently stagnant role. The only downside is that Raffe is going to be there too. Tris planned to ignore and avoid Rafe through the entire experience. But, when she arrived in Maui, a booking error has landed both Rafe and Tris in the honeymoon suite.

Not Safe for Work is an enemies-to-lovers, co-workers, there's only one bed romance. The tension Nisha J. Tuli creates with her characters is unreal, and easy to get wrapped up in.

From the first chapter, the chemistry between Tris and Rafe sizzles. And not in a cute way—in a tension-so-thick-you-need-a-machete way. Every glance is loaded, every snarky remark flirts with danger (and desire), and every proximity-induced moment? It’s hot. Rafe doesn’t just pine—he simmers. He’s all protective, intense glances and aching restraint, and yes, it’s as addictive as it sounds.

I thought this author couldn’t get any better than her fantasy world building, but this rom com was explosive, addicting, and so so so good. I loved it from start to finish and adored all the little details in between. Tris was a cute character who has been through a lot but is still making the best of things, and Rafe is the tortured pretty boy drowning under his family expectations. match made in heaven really. would 100% recommend this book!

Nisha J Tuli’s contemporary debut did NOT disappoint. Some authors excel only in writing a particular genre, but NJT has proved with NSFW that she can write about strong and resilient women and ultra-fine dashing love interests in any setting, no matter if they’re battling magical evils or modern corporate ones. Trishara “Tris” is the romcom heroine I wish I saw when I was younger. She’s smart, sassy, and unapologetically herself, and how she overcame her struggles both internally and professionally tugged at my heartstrings. And as for the swoon-worthy love interest, I wouldn’t have written him any other way. I love a man that stops at nothing to swoop in and save the day. What I love more? A woman that saves the day as her man gives her uninhibited support, is in her corner, and has her back, EVEN DURING THE ENEMIES IN THE ENEMIES TO LOVERS PHASE. Nisha J. Tuli is a well-needed and well-deserved voice in the literature world and NSFW only further proved that to be the case.

Thank you to Forever for an early review copy.

Nisha J. Tuli makes the transition from romantasy to contemporary romance in "Not Safe for Work". This book follows work rivals, Trish and Rafe, as they are sent to a work conference in Hawaii. This was my first time reading Tuli's works and I enjoyed the relationship and the mutual pinning between Trish and Rafe.

4⭐️
This was such a fun slo burn romance! I have heard so much about Nisha from her fantasy series but have never read them so I was excited to see how she moved into romance. I loved the tie between the rom-com feels and STEM moments (very Ali Hazelwood coded we love!!). Tris is an engineer working in a male dominated field and is often working against the male prejudice in her workplace. She gets invited to a company training retreat where she ends up having to share a room with the CEO’s son, Rafe, our MMC. I LOVED the dynamic between Tris and Rafe in this. The tension and banter between them was apparent from the very beginning and only got better as the book went on. I liked that Nisha handled harder topics and moments in this but balanced it with humor. Tris did read a bit immature at times with her behavior but nowhere enough that I didn’t like her character. Tris is such a strong badass FMC and I loved seeing her learn to stand up for herself and demand her worth by the end! The ending of this book was SOO cute and had me grinning ear to ear. I will definitely be checking Nisha’s fantasy series out now because I loved her writing! Overall, this was such a fun cute read!!

Thank you endlessly to Forever for this e-ARC! 🤎