Sneak Peek: Not Safe for Work by Nisha J Tuli
ON OUR BOOKSHELF
Not Safe for Work
by Nisha J Tuli
A pre-release sneak peek featuring workplace nemeses forced into a one-bed scenario.
Pack your bags, we’re heading to Maui for a work retreat that is certainly going to be frowned upon my HR. This romance is full of HR violations — both good and bad. But really, we’re just here for the good stuff… and Nisha J Tuli delivers. Between you and me, this reads more like a vacation romance than a “workplace” romance, making NSFW perfect for summer.
I am so grateful to have received advanced access to the audiobook of Not Safe for Work via NetGalley!
The Sneak Peek
Trishara Malik is a superstar engineer stuck in an old-school boys club firm that celebrates male privilege and nepotism. Year after year, she’s passed up for her well-earned promotion and she’s just about given up on smashing the glass ceiling… rather it seems to be getting further and further out of reach. And just when all hope is seemingly lost, she’s picked to attend WMC’s corporate leadership retreat and given an opportunity to compete for a coveted spot in the company’s executive training program. The best part? The retreat means three weeks in paradise. The worst part? Her nemesis, Rafe, (aka son of the big boss) is also attending.
When Tris sets off to her three week “vacation,” she’s got her company-expensed Louis Vuitton luggage by her side and a first-class ticket in hand. Then she arrives to Maui, and unfortunately, things don’t go quite as smoothly. A booking error lands Tris and Rafe in the honeymoon suite… now she’s stuck in one room with one bed with a smoldering 11/10 hottie when she could barely stand to be in the same conference room as him for the past few years. But close proximity has a funny way of clearing the air, and Tris quickly wonders if Rafe has been on her side this whole time.
What Victoria Loved
VICTORIA’S RATING: 3/5
Transparently, I was drawn to this book for its title. Then the cover. But when I read the synopsis, I was intrigued. I love a workplace romance, but I love that this wasn’t an alpha-hole CEO MMC. In fact, Rafe is full of surprises that flipped every initial thought I had of his character on its head— from his views of the company to his passions. And when he turns his beautiful eyes on you, well, apparently he sees right into your soul.
There’s something refreshing about seeing yourself from someone else’s perspective. When Tris finds her portraits in Rafe’s sketchbooks, it was a peek into the beauty she doesn’t see in herself. But just as he could see into her depths, she sees his talent, beauty in his confidence and honesty in how he captures the world around him.
All those years of working in close proximity, sneaking stares and smothering crushes, the tension was bound to overflow, and the retreat just sets the stage to take this relationship to the next level. The complements workshop opens the door for blatant flirting. But what’s new after so many innuendos exchanged throughout this retreat?! I mean where’s HR?! The banter is 4/5. They could definitely dial it up, but they’re at a work function so I suppose that makes sense. I’ll take what I can get and I am not upset.
For my audiophiles, Soneela Nankani’s narration was great! You can feel the annoyance and disdain dripping from her voice. Delivery and enunciation was solid, emphasizing words to draw out contempt or anxiety— all emotions were so well captured. Really made you feel like you were in Tris’ subconscious. Her breathiness when things get intimate. Soneela Nankani has narrated a few of my highly-rated authors, including Sonali Dev, Alisha Rai, Elsie Silver, Sara Desai so I was already excited to hear her voice in my ears.
Pre-order your copy of Not Safe for Work (Amazon) and read with me!
Favorite Scene
“I’ll follow you anywhere, Tris.”
- NOT SAFE FOR WORK by Nisha J Tuli
Similar Reads & Recommendations
A WORK TRIP WITH YOUR NEMESIS: It’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan (Amazon)
Jane an ex-child actor (“Poor Janey Jakes”) turned movie exec who is also eager to Manifest a Solid Partner and finally, finally, get her movie made. Dan is an award-winning photography director / cinematographer / photographer…. and once upon a time, Jane had a crush on him. But his success has made him pompous, and unfortunately for Jane, he stands in the way of her greenlit movie. And the universe keeps conspiring to bring them together — all the way across the country where they have no choice but to share a tiny room in his parents’ house. Similar vibes, different industry, different beach!
VICTORIA’S RATING: 3.5/5
A WORK RETREAT WITH YOUR NEMESIS: How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang (Amazon)
An HoH Book Club Pick! The story itself is beautifully paced and features characters so real I wish I knew them IRL. An author and a screenwriter (and the rest of the team) take a much needed break outside of confined walls of the writers room for a little wilderness R&R. But who knew stepping out of the room would open these characters to a dynamic beyond their wildest dreams. This romance sits among my all-time favorite books.
VICTORIA’S RATING: 5/5
TROUBLE (AND ROMANCE) IN PARADISE: The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren (Amazon)
Forced proximity, marriage of convenience on a private island? Check. The queens of romance? Double check. Need I say more?
VICTORIA’S RATING: 4/5
BY THE AUTHOR: This is the first of Nisha’s books that I have read. Stay tuned!
Until the next chapter!
xo, Victoria
P.S. Craving more books featuring these sub-genres, tropes, and themes? Tap the links below.
