Not Safe for Work

Two workplace enemies find themselves in close proximity on a tropical company retreat that challenges their assumptions--and just might make them to fall for each other--in this romcom by a beloved TikTok author.

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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Published May 20, 2025

352 pages

Average rating: 5.57

7 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

Anonymous
Jun 25, 2025
6/10 stars
Nisha J. Tuli’s Not Safe for Work is a contemporary workplace romance that offers a mix of steamy tension, witty banter, and timely social commentary. Centered around engineer Trishara Malik—one of the few women of color in her company—the story follows her reluctant pairing with her office rival, Rafe Gallagher, during a corporate retreat in Maui.

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.
Reading Gardner
Jun 21, 2025
3/10 stars
Never really liked Tris. She was kind of a mean girl. Never redeemed herself.
Stephanieviens
Jun 08, 2025
8/10 stars
This was a great read the MMC is def one of my top fav book boyfriends now I didn’t always agree with his choices but he was so great with our FMC and the banter back and forth with the aggression and animosity between the two was amazing I loved it!

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