Not Safe for Work
Engineer Trishara Malik once dreamed of being the first woman of color to smash the glass ceiling at WMC Purcell, but after years of dealing with white male privilege and blatant nepotism, she watches her hard-earned promotion go to her nemesis, Rafe Gallagher--the boss's son. Teetering on the edge of burnout, Tris is stunned when she's picked to attend WMC's corporate leadership retreat in Hawaii. It's a chance to revive her stalled career and compete for a coveted spot in an executive training program--plus, three weeks in paradise! The only downside? Rafe is her co-attendee.
Tris plans to avoid Rafe entirely, but when she arrives in Maui, a booking error has them stuck sharing the honeymoon suite. Sure, it's not all torture. Rafe is a smoldering ten--okay fine, an eleven--but after years of competition, they can barely stand being in the same time zone. As they vie against each other during aptitude tests and team-building exercises, Tris begins to realize Rafe might not be the villain after all. With her dreams at stake, can she learn to trust the man who might have been standing in her corner all along?
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Community Reviews
The book leans into familiar romance tropes like enemies-to-lovers and forced proximity, particularly when a room mix-up lands the two in a honeymoon suite. These elements create entertaining (and often spicy) moments, and the chemistry between Trishara and Rafe is a consistent highlight. Their banter feels sharp, and their attraction palpable, making for some engaging scenes.
Where the novel shines is in its acknowledgment of real-world workplace dynamics—specifically, the subtle but persistent biases faced by women, especially women of color, in male-dominated fields. Trishara’s internal struggles and observations are thoughtfully handled, adding emotional weight and a sense of purpose to the story.
However, the book doesn’t always strike the right balance. The heavy focus on physical attraction and sex can at times overshadow the characters’ emotional development. Rafe, while charming, doesn’t always feel as deeply explored or compelling beyond the love interest role. Additionally, the pacing dips in the middle, and some of the conflict resolution feels a bit too tidy or rushed.
Overall, Not Safe for Work is a fun, quick read that blends romance and relevant themes with moderate success. While it may not fully break new ground, fans of steamy rom-coms and office drama will likely enjoy the ride.
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