Thanks to NetGalley and Forever for access to this eARC. I am always down for an enemies-to-lovers romcom. I could very much empathize with Tris and the struggles with men in the workplace. I enjoyed the banter between her and Rafe, and the interspersed humor. There were some very funny lines.

The forced proximity angle also worked well for the setting they were in. I liked the added cast of characters they met at the conference, although some could have been fleshed out a bit more. Towards the middle of the book, I was tired of Tris always running away from conversations. Once she and Rafe fully communicated, I was back on board.

Overall a 4 star read.

4.5 ⭐️ WOWOWOWOW this is her FIRST romcom?? Are ya’ll sure? Because she wrote this like she’s been doing it for years 😭

Tropes: One bed, Enemies to Lovers, Workplace romance, Forbidden Romance, Boss’ son
Blurb: Much to her surprise, Trishara Malik is chosen to go to Hawaii for her engineering company’s retreat for a dream getaway, only to turn into a nightmare realizing she’s going with her workplace rival, Rafe Gallagher.

I could not stop reading this book, it was obsessive! I love characters in STEM and Tris’ discouragement in her company constantly overlooking her for promotions due to her being a BIPOC woman is something many of us can relate to. She held to her convictions bravely and did not let her beliefs waver, despite having her dreams dangled in front of her 😢

Something I really enjoyed too was that Rafe and Tris TRULY despised each other, unlike a lot some “enemies to lovers” books nowadays. Their competitions were entertaining and it added more to their natural chemistry 😂♥️

Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for my honest opinion. Review on bookstagram to come 🤩

DNF at 25%

I was invited to ARC read Not Safe for Work as I have ARC read for this author in the past. I love this author and her fantasy books so I thought I would give this one a try too. I do enjoy contemporary romance books; however, this one was not for me. BUT...I know many who would LOVE this book.

This book is a workplace romance between Tris and her workplace rival Rafe. Tris has worked hard to get to where she is but keeps getting passed over for promotions and raises to her rival, who happens to be one of the Big Wigs sons. They soon find themselves on a work trip to Hawaii and are forced to be near each other for this trip. This is as far as I got with this story.

For me this is where I ended. Right around 25%. In no way am I bashing this book. I love this author, and I know contemporary romance girlies would love this book as far as I read. For me, I stopped reading here because I was not invested in the characters. I need a little more background between characters for the romance or insta-lust to payoff. I think if this book was written in a dual POV I would have enjoyed it more.

This is a slow burn romance; however, it did also feel like insta-lust to me. Even though Tris despises her work rival she does mention how attractive he is often. For me that didn't tug on my heart strings to want to see what happened next.

The premise of the story is promising. And while reading I could definitely envision the scene the author was setting. I hope to read more from this author in the future. Even though this book isn't for me, I know some of my romance book besties would love this. So, I will still recommend to them. I am just very particular in my contemporary romance reads.

My opinions are my own honest review. And if enemies to lovers, slow burn romance and forced proximity are your tropes then I would definitely recommend giving this a shot.

Thank you NetGalley for the early copy of this book.

Thank you NetGalley for providing this eArc in exchange for an honest review.

I'm starting to think everythig Nisha Tuli writes is 👌🏼✨ gold. I adore her romantasy and was super excited for the opportunity for "NSFW."

This is a workplace romance between Rafe and Trishana (Tris), who are selected for a retreat in Hawaii. Tris, frustrated after years of being passed up for promotions in a male-dominated industry, hopes the retreat will help her break free from her stagnant career.

✨RomCom
✨Rivals to Lovers
✨Banter👌🏼
✨One Bed/One Room
✨Workplace Romance
✨He falls first ❤️

First of all the cover is INCREDIBLE. Just perfection.
I truly loved the banter between Rafe and Tris. Tris is a strong female and I love seeing that represented in books!

There was a time when the idea of smashing through glass in a male-dominated field was thrilling. But over the years, it's just left me as wrung out as a threadbare dishcloth.

Thank you NetGalley and Forever for making this available for Read Now!! I jumped on it immediately and devoured it in less than a day!

As the name would suggest, Trishara and Rafe are both selected to attend a leadership retreat - and through some mix-up - end up being booked into the same suite with only one bed, which inevitably results in some juicy tension and some very NSFW activities.

This book came very close to perfection for me. I loved the BIPOC women in STEM representation. There are many quotes in the book hit a little too close to home. Despite that, the rivalry and banter between Tris & Rafe still made me laugh out loud multiple times. The ending & epilogue felt a little rushed and *pretty pretty sunshine*. I recognize that this is a romance novel and a HEA is a given, but the justice boner ending in the back of this book truly felt like something that only happens in an alternate reality.

Even so, this was hilarious and I would whole heartedly recommend this to someone looking for a spicy beach read.

Tris and Rafe have been engineering rivals for years and then are sent on a retreat for the company they work for, lumped together on the flight there, and stuck with sharing the resort’s honeymoon suite 🤭.

The setting and concept really make for the perfect summer book to pick up. Unfortunately, though, I did notice a few repetitive parts used over and over, almost in a cycle. 1. Rafe and his smiling. 2. Tris and denying her feelings. 3. Their inconsequential arguments, into a quick apology, into breaking the peace ..once again (usually with a small undermining comment). But that's just me being nit-picky. I still had fun and would recommend this for a day trip to the beach. Have you seen that cover too??

Thank you to NetGalley, Forever, and Nisha J. Tuli for providing this eARC (on Valentine’s day, no less)!

So so SO honored to have had the opportunity to read this arc! Nisha J Tuli NEVER misses and this book was as lighthearted and fun as it was reflective and informative. As a woman in STEM, the challenges are never ending and it’s so easy to just get stuck in the routine. This book is a reminder that you are so much more valuable and to never lose sight of your goals or compromise for people who don’t respect you! Thank you for this amazing book, I can’t wait to share it after it’s released!!!😍

3.5 stars // I had a lot of fun with NJT’s first foray into contemporary romance. I’ve read her fantasy stuff but I thought she nailed this workplace enemies to lovers rom com. The dialogue was great, there was chemistry and tension galore, and it genuinely had me smiling and laughing in multiple parts. I hope she does more in this space bc it was such an easy and fun read.

Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review

3.5⭐️ rounded up


I’m a huge fan of Tuli’s Artefacts of Ouranos and was super excited to see she was writing a contemporary romance.

I really liked Trishara as a FMC. I also love strong, intelligent women of color as leads and Tris was no different. I like that her strong will was both a huge asset and a negative at points. She was a fully fleshed character who wasn’t entirely perfect and that helped make the story more compelling and relatable.

Rafe was an awesome MMC and exactly what a male feminist should be. Speaking out against professional discrimination and sexism, especially in the STEM industries. I love that he has a secret passion he felt he couldn’t pursue due to family pressure, it made me love him even more and gave him depth.

I think as far as the story was concerned, it was a pretty standard contemporary work romance and it was an overall fun read. The spicier chapters were great and didn’t feel inappropriately placed.

A great first contemporary romance from this romantasy author.

Thank you to NetGalley for this advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

First off, I have been so excited for this book since it was announced. I absolutely loved The Artefacts of Ouranos series and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on her contemporary romance debut! Thank you so much to NetGalley and Forever for this earc.

I really loved this story from front to back. I felt like Nisha really delivered us a protective, possessive MMC without it feeling so out of place in a contemporary. This was a single POV book which felt like it really was the best move for their story. We got little moments where we could kind of tell the MMC, Rafe, was interested in Tris, but not being in his head meant we didn’t really know for sure. Trishara was a strong female lead. I love how even in a workplace rom-com, Nisha gave us a lot of depth and real world issues that women, and specifically women of color deal with in the workplace - especially engineering, which is a heavily white male dominated field. Tris also suffers from chronic migraines, which stays consistent throughout the book.

I felt like the pacing was well done, it never felt slow.

Tropes:

Workplace romance
Rivals to lovers
Only one bed
He comforts her
Protective MMC
Forced proximity

Thanks NetGalley and Read Forever Pub for the ARC!

I was already a Nisha stan from her two Romantasy series, and I think she did a pretty good job on her jump to contemporary! On top of the romance, it tackled a lot of issues women/minorities suffer in the workplace, which is always nice when these injustices continue to be called out.

It took me a little bit for the chemistry to come through for the MCs, but by the end, I was invested in their story. I still don't quite understand the crazy ex GF and why he didn't handle that better, but overall it was a cute little romcom.

Thank you Netgalley and Forever for an eARC.

I really enjoyed this book. Their banter was fun and I found myself laughing multiple times throughout. I think the main characters were good together and I liked to see them figuring out their feelings for each other. I also loved the women in STEM aspect and that the main character stood up for herself in this setting. This is my first book from Nisha J Tuli and it makes me want to pick up her fantasy series.

Loved it! Such a great story. 5 ⭐️ I liked that there was a personal connection between the author and the FMC. I feel like I got to know her better.

I enjoyed the writing and the story was fun. It’s just not going to be a favorite. The characters are interesting and I loved the slow burn, but it fell kind of flat for me.

I absolutely love Nisha’s fantasy work and I just have to say that she KILLED it with this contemporary romance! I was hooked from the start. Not only is the romance good and the spice hot, but the representation and conversations about modern day issues, like equality in the workplace, was all written so powerfully. Reading how the FMC learned to trust again was beautiful as well. Some parts really scratched that “fluffy romance” itch, but this story as a whole pulled at all my different emotions. So good!!

This was my first read ever by Nisha J. Tuli, and it did not disappoint! Not Safe for Work is a super cute, fast paced, and slow burn workplace romance that highlights the challenges women—especially women of color—face in male dominated industries. With sharp banter, forced proximity, and undeniable chemistry, this book delivered an entertaining read with some important themes woven throughout.

The STEM representation was perfect. A workplace romance set in an engineering firm? YES. Tris, a South Asian FMC, is a talented environmental engineer who has had to work twice as hard for half the recognition in her company, WMC Purcell. I loved how Tuli addressed the sexism, nepotism, and racial microaggressions that exist in STEM fields. It was frustratingly real, but necessary to see in romance. The author’s note at the beginning mentioning her personal experiences in engineering made this aspect even more impactful.

If you love your romance tropes, Not Safe for Work has plenty:
✔️ Rivals to lovers
✔️ Forced proximity (only one bed/only one pillow!)
✔️ Workplace romance
✔️ Only one honeymoon suite (in Hawaii!)
✔️ Banter and angst
✔️ Chronic pain rep (Tris struggles with migraines)

I loved Tris. She’s sharp, ambitious, and isn’t afraid to call out crap when she sees it. She’s been repeatedly overlooked for promotions while her male colleagues (particularly her boss’s son, Rafe) rise up the corporate ladder with minimal effort. Her frustration, exhaustion, and ultimate determination felt incredibly real, and I was cheering for her every step of the way. Also, her ability to serve up a well timed snarky comeback? Perfection.

Tris and Rafe have been professional rivals for years, but the tension shifts when they end up stuck together at a corporate retreat in Hawaii. Their back and forth banter was so much fun, and the slow burn buildup made the eventual payoff feel earned. Rafe being protective of Tris, especially when other men at the retreat got too handsy, was a highlight. And yes, the spice takes its sweet time to arrive, but when it does… 🔥

Rafe needed more depth though. While I liked Rafe, I felt like his character could have been fleshed out more. He’s obviously smart (he’s an engineer), he’s protective, and he’s got some family baggage, but I wanted to really get to know him outside of his workplace struggles and his drama with his dad. His character arc seemed to revolve around proving himself to Tris and escaping his father’s shadow, but I needed more insight into who he was beyond that. I think having his POV would have helped with this, but we did not have that.

The pacing and development was a little off. The slow burn was slow, and while I generally enjoy that, I think the story could have benefitted from a bit more development in the second half. The resolution felt a little rushed, and I wanted to see more of Tris and Rafe together outside of their work drama.

Overall, Not Safe for Work is a solid debut in the rom com genre from Nisha J. Tuli! It’s a fun, trope filled workplace romance with smart commentary on gender and racial disparities in STEM. While I would have loved more depth to Rafe’s character, I enjoyed the slow burn tension, witty banter, and the ultimate resolution for Tris’s career arc. If you love a good workplace rivals to lovers story with plenty of angst and forced proximity, this is worth the read!

There’s a sneaky reference to Tuli’s Artefacts of Ouranos series! If you’ve read her fantasy books, you’ll catch it but if not, it won’t impact your enjoyment of the story.

Trigger Warnings: Sexism, racism (including racial microaggressions), nonconsensual touching, past revenge porn incident, blackmail.

Would I read more from Nisha J. Tuli? Absolutely! Looking forward to seeing what she does next in this genre.

Thank you to NetGalley, Nisha J. Tuli, and Forever for the eARC of this book.

Fantasy or contemporary-this book absolutely proves that there isn’t a single genre Nisha can’t pull off to perfection.

I genuinely enjoyed Trishara and Rafe’s journey, complete with all the ‘love to hate you’ banter between the two main characters as they slowly realize what all their not-so-professional rivalry and animosity towards each other actually means.

I laughed several times, got mad along with Tris at the unfairness of the corporate world, both for women in general and especially women of color and I rooted for her every second of the way as she stood her ground amidst it all.

Not Safe For Work is sexy, witty and extremely topical, with rep for chronic pain sufferers (Tris has chronic migraines) and relatable to any woman who has ever felt it was almost impossible to succeed when the world is stacked against us.

I love Nisha J. Tuli. This was such a cute and enjoyable read. It wasn’t her normal fantasy I’m used to reading but this contemporary romance was just as good! It had the longing and yearning as well as the enemies-to-lovers trope that she writes so well. I hope Nisha writes more contemporary romance in the future.

I don't know if it's because l'm going through a career change, after 10 years in the same field, or because I struggled with often being the only Latina in the room, but this book hit home in a way that very few books have lately. Figuring out whether to stay at the same job or push forward when your needs aren't being met is one of the hardest things to do. Throw in a romance with your boss, a.k.a, the bosse's son, and you have a recipe for the BEST kind of disasters. This book made me laugh and brought me to tears, and it was 100% worth it! I loved every bit of it and I wish there were more books of this nature on the market.