While this book had a pretty typical rom-com feel, and wasn't anything particularly spectacular, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. In fact, I hardly put it down once I started. The angst was strong in this one. It was an easy, and enjoyable read, but I particularly appreciated Nisha imparting her own experience as, not only a woman in a male dominated career, but a woman of color in a career dominated by Cis-white-males. Trishara was a wonderful expression of a woman who is trying to find her footing in the corporate world. She felt believable in her insecurities while also being kick-ass when she stood up to wrongdoing. And Rafe was pretty darn great. The whispered words were hot as hell. If you like an angsty, enemies to lovers, workplace romance, then this is definitely for you!

Thank you to Forever Publishing and Netgalley for this e-ARC. This is my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this fun romance. I really enjoyed the main characters and their relationship. I loved seeing it grow into a normal and healthy progression. Not insta-love. I loved Rafe! Loved the spice and loved the light hearted plot. I feel like it was also full of things to think about ethically, overall thanks for the advanced copy!

I love everything Nisha J. Tuli writes. And, I loved Not Safe for Work. This novel has it all… rivals to lovers, forced proximity, slow burn and gorgeous setting. I appreciated what a strong woman Trishara is throughout the novel and what a great book boyfriend Rafe turns out to be.

Nisha J. Tuli's Not Safe For Work serves up a deliciously sweet and sexy rom-com that will have you laughing and kicking up your feet.

This book was exactly what I needed. It was filled with witty banter, tension-filled moments, and some much heart. I loved getting to meet Trish and Rafe. They were just such a fun pair. I also loved the side characters we have in Lan, Gabrielle, and Molly.

Nisha does an amazing job of balancing the humor with some of the stark realities of being not only a woman, but a woman of color in an industry dominated by white men. The realistic moments from assuming that as the female employee you should "take notes" to the learnign that you have been passed over for advancement again and again, despite your work and achievements. It hits hard and true. I love that through all of that Nisha delivers a badass, smart, sassy FMC that takes no sh*t. She also does an amazing job of balancing those harsher moments with fun and powerful moments of solidarity amongst the women and learning to trust against despite previous experience. Also, Nisha truly gives the readers some pay out for all those tension filled moments between Trish and Rafe...when they finally give in to their desires...my god, I think the whole hotel felt it.

This story is everything I look for in a rom-com -- sweet, sexy realistic, powerful, with a take charge FMC, and an MMC with golden retriever energy. I truly hope to see more contemporary romance from Nisha J. Tuli in the future!

Love love LOVED this one from Nisha! It was lighthearted, funny, and filled with so much tension that when Rafe and Tris finally get together it’s explosive!

Having a POC STEM fmc was such a fun change of pace. Tris is smart, determined, hardworking with the perfect amount of badass hothead temper. Her backstory is so perfectly laid out without harping on it over and over again.

Rafe was such a fun surprise too! It was so interesting peeling back all of his layers and depth and learning more about him as the story went on. I love his dirty filthy mouth and texts!!

Reading this in the USA as DEI initiatives are being rolled back felt like perfect timing to reflect on why they are SO IMPORTANT to keep. Hearing other voices and perspectives of their lives is experiences is more important than ever.

I can’t recommend this book enough- easy 5⭐️ read!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Who doesn't love workplace rivals to lovers? But then add in the tropical setting of Maui, one bed, and lots of angst 🥵
The competitiveness between Tris and Rafe had me laughing so much, the constant need to one up the other, and Tris' sarcastic streak speaks to me! It was great how they both evolved throughout the book as things began to change. I also love how the book highlights some of the unfortunately common inequalities in certain workplaces, but Tris dealt with it amazingly!!

I was so excited to read Nisha's debut contemporary romance story after being a fan of her fantasy romance books.
What I have learnt after reading this is no matter what the genre, if Nisha writes it, I will read it!!

Thank you to Forever for the eArc for my honest review ❤️

🏝️ Summary:
Trishara is done with being under appreciated at her job and having positions and assignments get passed on to men who are undeserving of it. One man in particular is Rafe. Son of her boss, of course he will get special treatment.

When her office announces that Rafe and Trish will be going to Maui for a work retreat she doesn’t quite believe that she was chosen for her hard work. Nevertheless, she is determined to enjoy her time in the sun and try to avoid her dark haired office rival hottie.

Luck is not on her side when she realizes it will be very hard to avoid Rafe for 3 weeks in paradise.


🏝️Thoughts:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2
🌶️🌶️🌶️

Pleasantly surprised by this new contemporary romance by Nisha J. Tuli. It felt like I was reading a movie script. I could not put the book down. Gave me The Hating Game and The Paradise Problem vibes.

I read the Artefacts of Ouranos series and loved it so I was so excited to be accepted to be sent this ARC from NetGalley and the author.

Reading the backstory of why Nisha wrote this book sold it for me. I also love how she included some little Easter eggs of her other books in the story as well.

Rafe is top tier. His little smirks and his mouth had me kicking my feet while reading🥵

Thank you to NetGalley and Nisha for sending me this ARC.

Not Safe for Work edges at a lot of almosts, but never quite hits the mark. It's almost a rivals to lovers story, it's almost a discussion on women in male dominated spaces, it's almost a discussion on diversity in white dominated spaces and it was almost a good read. This book pales in comparison to Nisha's other works, which I'd be remiss to not mention are of the fantasy genre, where the character development and plot are for more expansive. I didn't find myself rooting for the characters to get together because any moment that implied any romantic development is cut out for sexual desire and intimacy, which didn't exactly further their relationship the way I hoped. Ultimately, things just happen one after another, but you're never really able to sit with it and reflect. Consequentially, neither do the main characters. The character development, the relationship between the main characters and even the workplace discrimination plot needed time to simmer for this to be a more stand out read.

Every single drop of Not Safe for Work is delicious.
I’m forever bowing down to the Queen of Tension. This burn is so slow I thought I was going to combust.
Their chemistry is electric and crackling.
Trishara is sexy and confident in who she is. She’s intelligent, sharp, and sassy. Rafe smolders but he is also creative, protective, caring, and dedicated.

The push and pull with the perfect amounts of give and take. Chefs kiss. Beautifully done. Nisha’s writing is always witty and full of depth. Captivating you right from the jump. I read this ARC in one sitting.

But this story isn’t just romance and banter. It’s woven with the realities of sexism, racism, and misogyny as seen through our FMC’s POV. It highlights the importance of advocacy and awareness in so many ways. We love an author who can do it all!

1000⭐️ would recommend. This book is fantastic.

Absolutely loved this one I totally read it in 24 hours (would have been less if I didn’t need sleep) the first thing to mention is that I felt seen by Tris’ character as a STEM girly. Yes, everything on that book happens in the real world it’s just not visible to everyone. The pass in promotions, the male-female ratio, etc. the setting was very real to me.

The idea of having a work in retreat in Hawaii would be a dream and I totally liked that both Tris and Rafe were going. Their rivalry had chemistry since the very start, I was so intrigued with them from the beginning. The banter was amazing and even Tris’ thoughts were amusing. The real surprise to me was the hidden side of Rafe. His drawing and his actual passions, seeing how slowly he opens up to Tris gave him a whole new side I liked better for him.

This was an amazing February read, I will totally recommend to my friends who love romance books. All the tropes, the spice and the banter was there and I liked how it wasn’t dragged out, it was the perfect amount of words. Loved the ending and can we get a bonus chapter from Rafe’s POV? I would love that too.

I’m so excited to have had the chance at an early read of this book! I DEVOURED it in less than 24 hrs! Loved the banter, and the whole enemies to lovers is always one of my faves. I can’t wait to add a physical copy to my collection. Such an enjoyable read.

I LOVED Nisha J. Tuli's first contemporary romance! I'm a huge fan of the Artefacts of Ouranos series and the Nightfire Quartet.

Not only does this romance have amazing banter, tension and spice, but it also explores a ton of important + tough themes that many women and marginalized groups unfortunately experience in the workplace.

I have no notes... I enjoyed every bit of it and I hope that Nisha continues to write contemporary.

Thank you to Forever Publishing for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Story: 5⭐
Spice: 2🌶 (This is a slooooowwww burn and so angsty.)

Hands down easy, 5 Stars. It was such an amazing read. It kept me glued to the pages.

Tris is intelligent, beautiful, funny, and sarcastic and works "in a man's world" of engineers. She hates their misogynistic way and wants the company to get with the time.

Rafe is the boss's son, charming, handsome, charismatic, but plays games with Tris. But don't let him fool you. He has a side you would never expect.

After receiving unexpected news in front of the entire staff about being selected to go on a retreat for her company. The duo gets forced into proximity for the duration of the retreat/training. It's all downhill from here folks, the tension and angst, banter, and finally some spice.

ohhhh... and the ending! The big *F-U* I freaking loved it.

It's definitely a must read!

I have read most of this authors books and damn does she love a good slow burn!! I’m honestly here for it, she always makes the wait worth it. I flew through this book! It was very fun, had extremely likable characters and the storyline was enjoyable. I loved how she made sexism in the workplace such a prevalent theme in this and how ridiculous it is. The MFC and MMC were easy to root for and I quite liked their dynamic. I did feel like their slide into actually enjoying each others time was a little odd though. They were so ruthless to each other in the day and when night hit they were suddenly so vulnerable, it didn’t seem plausible. BUT I still really loved the book!!

LOVED this book. Rivals to lovers always gets me all giddy. Based in Hawaii on a work trip. Thank you NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 rounded up
🌶️🌶️

Not Safe for Work is Nisha Tuli’s contemporary debut. I know and love her for her fantasy romance books. She did not disappoint with her shift to writing a contemporary romance either.

I think what I enjoyed most about this book is that while you get the fluffy romcom vibes, you also get a really meaningful story. The FMC in the book deals with sexism and racism in the workplace. Nisha bases this writing on real life experience.

Rafe and Tris have such great tension and we get to watch them go from office rivals to something more.

The writing is packed full of Nisha Tuli’s usual sharp wit and this story is the perfect escape.

Thank you to Forever Pub for the e- arc. All opinions are my own.

So beyond happy to have gotten an ARC of this book! I’m such a huge fan of Nisha, so getting the chance to read her first contemporary romance novel is such an honor. This was such a fun, easy romcom to binge! It’s as if The Unhoneymooners and The Hating Game collided and added more spice. This is further proof of why she’s one of my auto-buy authors!

As someone whose favorite author is Nisha I am BEYOND OBSESSED WITH THIS BOOK!

Writing the most amazing fantasy books AND an amazing workplace romance. She can do it all. 😗

This book had the amazing slow burn that Nisha does so well & some amazing romantic moments. NSFW also didn’t shy away from how hard it is to be a woman in a male dominated field (felt as a 24 year old engineer lol). Trishara and Rafe stole my heart and I’m already begging for another contemporary romance.

Also the rule of the aurora king reference AHH IYKYK

Thank you to netgalley for the ARC :)

This book is Nisha J Tuli's first foray into contemporary romance and it does not disappoint! I love how relatable the FMC is when dealing with her toxic work environment (which, by the way, is described completely spot on). Plus, amid a sea of mediocre men, Nisha somehow manages to write a swoon-worthy MMC. With lots of banter!

Yes I devoured this book in 1 day and recommend all romcom lovers to pick this up.

Thanks to Forever Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book!

ARC Review- I have been waiting for this one! I am the biggest fan of Nisha’s Artefacts of Ouranos series and could not wait to read her introduction to contemplating romance. As usual, she did not disappoint! This book is a love letter to girl power and demanding the respect that you deserve.

There is tension, there is romance, there are beautiful female friendships, and of course (the brilliant Nisha J Tuli knows her readers so very well) an accidental one bed only trope. And can we talk about that email at the end! Mic dropped. Thunderous applause. Gold star sticker worthy. I threw my kindle in the air with pride for our FMC. Fantastic. Nisha, your debut contemporary novel is a huge success in my very humble opinion. I beg you to keep them coming along with your romantasies!

Now to go and see if I can convince my husband to bake me lemon tarts like a certain pastry chef we know.

Thank you to Nisha J Tuli, NetGalley, and Forever Publishing for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.