Rival engineers dabble in personal chemistry while at a tropical company retreat in this smart, zippy romcom.

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?

My thoughts:

Oh, how I truly wanted to love this book unconditionally. Not Safe for Work possessed so many compelling elements, yet it ultimately landed squarely in “good, but not great” territory for me. It was an enjoyable reading experience, albeit one with noticeable flaws.

Let me begin with the absolute highlight of this novel: Tris. She is a formidable force in every facet of her life—intelligent, highly capable, and unwaveringly assertive about her value. Operating in a male-dominated field, her struggles are amplified not only as a woman but as a woman of color. Knowing that her experiences were inspired by the author’s own made her narrative resonate all the more powerfully.

That said, my primary criticism lies in Tris’s treatment of Rafe. There were moments where her behavior towards him crossed into being outright mean. To be fair, Rafe gave as good as he got, and his attitude was often equally off-putting. For a significant portion of the book, their dynamic felt less like playful animosity and more like genuine dislike, which made it difficult for me to root for them as a couple. While they did experience some growth, their relationship often bordered on toxic. Certain interactions, particularly those in a professional setting, were genuinely cringe-worthy. I also believe the story would have benefited greatly from Rafe’s point of view. As it stands, his character felt somewhat one-dimensional, and the romance leaned a little too heavily on Tris’s perspective. While she was vocal in her disdain for his personality, she was equally vocal in her physical appreciation of him, creating a confusing contrast.

Now, credit where credit is due: the spice factor was undeniably high. The tension between Rafe and Tris was electric and palpable. Some of their earlier intimate scenes, where they were still fiercely resisting their attraction, were among the best I’ve encountered. The two of them had undeniable, explosive chemistry behind closed doors.

I also want to commend the effective handling of the workplace setting. Although the story unfolds during a work retreat in Hawaii—infusing it with a fun, summer vibe—the professional element remained crucial. Tris’s career ambition was consistently evident, and we witness her facing challenge after challenge, pushing her perilously close to her breaking point. The novel doesn’t shy away from the systemic imbalances and hurdles women face in their careers, making it a story that will certainly provoke reflection on these important issues.

Overall, Not Safe for Work is a solid romance pick if you’re seeking a blend of spice and substantive themes. Nisha J. Tuli has crafted a compelling story here, and I look forward to exploring more of her work.

In summary, this book offers a perfect blend of tension, steam, and swoon-worthy moments against a stunning Hawaiian backdrop, all while tackling serious topics like workplace equality and nepotism. Even though I wasn’t entirely sold on Rafe and Tris as a couple, the overall narrative is memorable and has undoubtedly piqued my interest in Nisha J. Tuli’s future novels.