First of all, thanks to Nisha, Forever and NetGalley for giving me a prioritized ARC as a woman in STEM.

This was Nisha's contemporary romance debut, and having read two of her fantasy romance series before, I can say that I can definitely find her in this book all over again. She even included an easter egg and had her FMC read one of her own romantasy novels where she mentions a specific scene.

In the author's note at the beginning of the book, Nisha talks about her personal experiences as a BIPOC woman in a male-dominated engineering environment, and it really shows in this story. As someone who works in the STEM field, I love stories like this. Ali Hazelwood is one of my favorite authors who writes about the academic world. And I can definitely say that Nisha also gets to the heart of the realistic struggles of this field of work. Unlike Ali, Nisha doesn't talk about explicit work issues but rather keeps the topic on a rather light level. I enjoy reading about different STEM or academic fields, but I can see why Nisha didn't elaborate. For most readers, those parts aren't that interesting. Nonetheless, she has given great insight into working in this industry, focusing on the social aspects.

Another thing I deeply enjoy in novels is mental or chronic illness (as this is part of my field of work) and this book revolves around chronic pain/migraines. It was portrayed realistically, with sudden, attack-like episodes triggered by stress. Most people think migraines are like simple headaches, but they are not. This book helps to realize that sometimes the only solution is painkillers and rest. Unfortunately, it’s only mentioned sporadically without further explanations, and is used to show his worries and a very swoony head/spine message, but that's about it. I would have liked it to have been addressed more.

But apart from that, it was a great summer/vacation read. The setting of Hawaii with all the nice tourist attractions made me want to be there too. The love story was a great mix of rivals-to-lovers, love at first sight and forced proximity („there’s only one bed“). And the banter! I highlighted so many scenes between the two of them and loved that they were both foodies! The theme around Rafe's smile was especially touching. I loved discovering all his smiles along with Trish. Golden retriever extreme. The spice was more on a mild level, there were a few scenes but they weren't as explicit.

Trish's trust issues and Rafe's struggles with his ex were also quite realistic, and I liked their friendship as well as the way Trish spoke clearly about her needs at the end.

I read the book in one night, despite only wanting to read one chapter before going to bed. The story immediately hooked me and I can recommend it to anyone who wants a sweet and funny summer romance. But I also have to say that it's best not to expect a deep summer story a là Emily Henry or an elaborate academic story a là Ali Hazelwood.

I’ve been kindly provided with the arc of this book by NetGalley and Forever with Grand Central Publishing in exchange for an honest review, thank you ⭐️

4.5⭐️

Oh my 😭😭😭😭❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹 I was honestly crying by the end of this book, just have one thing to say, Rafe Gallagher THE MAN YOU ARE 🙂‍↔️❤️

Not but seriously, apart from having one of the most perfect book boyfriends ever, this story is SO MUCH MORE than just the romance between Tris and Rafe, I loved how the author managed to portrait the very real problems for women and women of color at work places, I was moved by how sadly everything that happened to Tris was true at every level, from sexism, to nepotism, and even harassment, just because she’s a woman and even more because she’s a woman of color, but she’s more than that, she’s brilliant, hardworking, fierce, powerful, confident and she won’t take any bs from anyone not even the men who thought they could walk over her, I love how she took all her power and got everything she deserved and I love her so much! Tris is the perfect female character for every woman in the world and I no one can change my mind 🛐❤️

As for Rafe, oh my what can I say about him? I just love him so much, every time he defend Tris even when he knew he didn’t needed it was so sweet 😭❤️‍🩹 he was there for her from second 1 even when she didn’t even know he was, and I love reading how he was slowly gaining her trust and love and the last chapter and epilogue were just the cherry on top (iykyk🙂‍↔️)

This was one of the best books I’ve read and I’m so glad I got to read it early because is now one of my favorites ❤️

What you can expect:
Sizzling tension
Workplace romance
Rivals to lovers
Oh no there’s only one bed!
Are they fighting or flirting?

My thoughts:
I had a good time with this! It’s mainly set at a resort in Hawaii so the summer vibes are off the chart - perfect to get ready for the warmer months to come. While it is a romcom, the plot does touch some deeper themes, like racism and misogyny in the workplace as well as non-consensual publishing of sexual pictures (not coming from the mmc, but all experiences the fmc has gone/is going through). I appreciated the realism these themes added and that we get to watch Tris (the fmc) find her strength back. The main characters themselves were lovely and made such a HOT couple. Like seriously they were hotter than the sun on a hot summer day. From the very first chapter it’s clear that they are pulling towards each other like magnets, but their pre-existing rivalry kept things interesting. My only qualm with the book was the constant back and forth from Tris - while I understand her reasons, it got quite repetitive and never really stopped until the very last chapter.


I read this as an Arc but my opinion is wholly my own.

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 | 🌶️🌶️

This was so cute! I honestly love a rivals-to-lovers story, and when we've got a dash of workplace romance, forced proximity AND only one bed??? Sign me up.

I did find the back and forth with Tris and Rafe's relationship was a bit repetitive but I really did enjoy this story overall. The slow burn was buuuurning but the spice was so worth it, and their chemistry was off the charts.

I adored this book! I always love an enemies to lovers/workplace romance with great banter.
I also love a man obsessed and this book had all of the above. This was my first book by Nisha, and I know she writes more fantasy, so as a contemp debut I give her all the starts for it, she did an amazing job!

The premise of the book was interesting to me and the overall plot was easy to follow, but I had a hard time aligning myself with the main character. Tris seemed a bit indecisive to me and kept going back on her words. I also felt like the author kept using the same details repeatedly throughout the book and it disengaged me. After a quick search, I read about the male main character’s smile 149 times.

The perfect beach read: brilliant character development with a relatable heroine journeying to reclaim her voice and professional confidence in a male dominated industry—and did I mention the romantic slow-burn, can't put the book down, tension between our two leads!? Rafe is the ultimate book boyfriend and Trish is the girl we all can relate to. Worthy read, Nisha J. Tuli has just made a convert out of me.

I really wanted to love this book because it had so many elements that I felt connected to (I also worked at an engineering firm with such similar culture). But something fell flat for me. I would have appreciated a bit more humor in the book to get me more interested. The writing was beautiful but I didn’t feel like I got to know the characters well enough half way into the book and so I did have to put this book down, unfortunately at 55%.

I was so excited when I got my hands on this ARC! Everything Nisha writes is gold. She just knows how to write a man. I’m obsessed with the Only One Bed trope and this is NO EXCEPTION 😍

The cover is really gorgeous, and I loved some aspects of the book, particularly the emphasis on brown women in the workplace, but ultimately, it didn’t live up to my expectations. I think there was a lot of descriptive writing that didn’t really fit in the romance genre—I lost interest and wanted to skim. It was a fun read, but it could have used faster pacing and more character development.

This was alright! It was very much similar to many of the romances out there already (i.e., The Hating Game, The Unhoneymooners etc.) but, if you're into the genre or new to it, than this will not let you down. It was fun, it was steamy, the characters had some chemistry. I'm wasn't a huge fan of the FMC's constant inner dialogue surrounding how much she "hates" Rafe-it got a bit redundant (i.e., I want to feed him to a pit of sharks...etc.) but I get it was supposed to be comic relief/enemies to lovers vibes. Despite this, these two definitely gave of insta-lust vibes. Anyway, not my favorite, but not unreadable.

I first heard about this book while Nisha Tuli was touring for her Artefacts of Ouranos series and my excitement only built from there. Well, she did not disappoint! This book made me laugh, sometimes full snorting, it made my heart melt, and certain aspects made my tummy twist up. The romance is swoon worthy and the bickering was the best kind. But inside this adorable book there are also some serious issues brought up about the state of women in the workforce and the fictional depictions were far too familiar. I love that Nisha includes this very real struggle in her book and shows her character fighting back.
This was a 5 star read for me. The characters felt good, they felt real, I adore Tris’s flair and spice and Rafe had me blushing a few chapters in.
I loved it, you did so great Nisha!

This was a sweet and spicy contemporary romance that focused on two attractive people facing the attraction they have for each other. This was a quick and entertaining read, that tackled some large and important topics.

I do wish there was more emotional development of their relationship, it felt like there were a lot of plot points or character traits that we only got a taste of and weren't as fleshed out as I would have liked. Needless, this is a great beach read bc its cute, hot, and fun!

Tropes:
✨One bed
✨Workplace
✨Hate to Love
✨Woman in STEM

I will never get over how well Nisha can just pull you right into a book. This was one of the cutest, tension packed, and perfect for a movie, RomCom books. Did I tear up at the ending? I sure did!

I loved that the female main character was an engineer, and navigating that world of women in STEM. I am a woman in the engineering world and deeply related to those aspects of the book.

The tension between Tris and Rafe was so freaking good and had me laughing, kicking my feet and unable to put down the book because I needed to know what was going to happen next.

Workplace romance with high competition (rivals in the workplace), tension, an MMC who definitely knows how to speak his mind. Im going to be gushing about this book for a long time.

Also publishing gods if you’re listening this would make for the cutest movie ever!

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

I really enjoyed Nisha Tuli’s Artefacts of Ouranos series, so I jumped at the opportunity to read an arc of her newest romcom Not Safe for Work. It’s a departure from her romantasy writing, but I enjoyed it so much! A fun, quick romcom that’s perfect for spring/summer!

Woman of Color in STEM
Only One Bed
Rivals to lovers
Slow Burn

Trishara is such a strong, smart character and I love how much she stands up for herself in a male dominated field. The type of character we need!

Thank you to @netgalley and @readforeverpub for this arc for review! Not Safe for Work will be available May 20!

Oh I absolutely ate this book up. I adore all the characters and the angst?? Give me more! This was such a fun read, I really enjoyed it and will absolutely recommend it to everyone who wants a fun romance with a lot of banter.

I guess I shouldn’t be surprised by this, but the HR violations in this story are STAGGERING. If only all racist, sexist, toxic work environments ended with vengeance and a sexy HEA.

Not Safe for Work by @nishajtwrites is out May 20!

Thank you @readforeverpub and @netgalley for the eArc!

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5
🌶🌶/5
🎡🌺🧁✍️💃🏻/5

CW: sexual harassment, revenge porn, drowning, chronic pain, migraines, racist microagressions, toys that make too much noise, pleated khakis, team building exercises, corporate mumbo jumbo

4.5 Stars ⭐️

This was such a fun, easy read that totally delivered on the tension and chemistry between the main characters. Nisha J. Tuli proves she can write just as well in contemporary romance as she does in fantasy. I loved the STEM setting and how it tackled the challenges women face in male-dominated fields. Trishara was such a strong, relatable FMC, and I loved how she stood up for herself. Rafe was the perfect blend of broody and soft, and their slow-burn, rivals-to-lovers dynamic was everything!! Perfect tropes including: forced proximity, only one bed, forbidden love — and the spice was just enough. Some moments leaned a little heavily on physical attraction, but it still felt emotionally grounded. I’ll definitely read whatever genre Nisha writes next!!!

<i> Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for providing me with this e-ARC! <i>

A swoony, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, slow-burn absolute BANGER by Nisha J Tuli! Reading this made it impossible to believe this was her first contemporary romance book.

Trishara is at her wits end with being a woman of color in engineering after endless racism, sexism, and male privilege/nepotism. Rafe, the bosses son, is her nemeses, who earned the promotion she deserved. To Tris’ surprise, she is selected to go on the corporate leadership trip to Hawaii. 3 weeks in paradise, a revival for her career, and… 3 weeks with Rafe, and not only that but they are stuck sharing the honeymoon suite.

Rafe was charming, characteristic, sexy, and the best book boyfriend for everyone to obsess over! Tris was genuine, authentic, strong, hilarious, and so relatable. Their chemistry and angst was INSANE, and this was beyond bingeable and fun.

Lighthearted, interesting, humorous, sexy, great banter, and beyond cute. Love the STEM romance aspect as well as the only one room/one bed. Highly recommend and excited to see where Nisha goes with more contemporary romance!!!

Fun, flirty, and fresh! Perfect for lovers of a workplace rival trope! The forced proximity between Rafe and Tris was perfection!