Review

“That’s the thing about Bombay. It pushes you and humbles you, and it never slows down for you. But if you’re lucky, it gives you someone worth elbowing through the crowd for.”

I genuinely wouldn’t be surprised if this book is adapted for the screen someday because it has everything- drama, humour, memorable dialogues, romance, chemistry, emotional depth, and even a little mystery.

Radhika Agarwal delivers yet another masterpiece with Not Safe for Work. She has become one of my favourite contemporary romance authors because of the way she effortlessly balances humour, romance, emotional depth, and relatable characters in every story she writes. That’s exactly why I find myself reaching for her books every single time. A brilliant, witty, and refreshingly entertaining workplace romance, this is easily one of the most enjoyable office romances I’ve read in recent months. Having read Radhika’s previous works, I could clearly see her growth as a storyteller here. While she continues to retain her signature humour, conversational writing style, and Bollywood charm, this time she brings greater emotional depth, stronger character arcs, and a beautifully layered story that makes this one of her finest works yet.

Also Read: Red Flags and Rishtas by Radhika Agarwal is a charming Desi romcom that you won’t want to miss! – Book Review

The title itself is clever. At first, it sounds playful, but as the story unfolds, you realise just how perfectly it captures the emotional, romantic, and professional chaos that the characters navigate. The moment I started reading, I found myself putting everything else aside because I simply couldn’t stop. Reading this book felt like watching a complete Bollywood rom-com unfold, filled with laughter, romance, misunderstandings, friendship, family, heartbreak, hope, and endless entertainment. Just like a good Bollywood film, it leaves you laughing in one moment and emotional the next.

Not Safe for Work is the story of Kavya, a Senior Graphic Designer at Jharokha, who lives in Mumbai but whose heart still belongs to Mussoorie. She has never truly fallen in love with Mumbai and often feels that the city is a little too much for her. Yet, she chooses to stay because Mumbai represents her dreams, her independence, and the career she has worked so hard to build, even when home and the comfort of her family continue to call her back. While Mumbai constantly overwhelms her, Mussoorie remains the place where she finds peace. The contrast between the fast-paced chaos of Mumbai and the calm, comforting hills of Mussoorie is beautifully portrayed throughout the novel. In many ways, both cities become characters themselves, quietly shaping Kavya’s emotions, choices, and journey. Hoping that someone could take some workload off her shoulders, she’s surprised when her boss announces that she’ll be getting an intern.

The intern, however, is a year older than her, leaving Kavya wondering why someone at that stage would choose an internship. Adding to her suspicion is the fact that he’s close to the company’s founder. On the other hand, Neil Desai is determined to make the internship worthwhile. A small incident changes everything, and suddenly Kavya is no longer his boss. Thus begins a hilarious game between the two. How will the tables turn? What happens next? How will Kavya give back?

The plot is incredibly engaging, with a crisp, descriptive narrative and Radhika’s signature witty writing style keeping you on your toes throughout as we witness Kavya and Neil’s journey alongside all the office politics. One of my favourite aspects of the story was Neil’s determination to change Kavya’s perspective towards Mumbai. I loved how he introduced her to experiences she had never paused to appreciate. Through little adventures, shared conversations, and beautiful moments together, Mumbai slowly becomes much more than crowded local trains, endless traffic, and the daily hustle. It gradually transforms into a city of dreams, friendships, memories, opportunities, and unexpected love. Watching Kavya slowly fall in love with Mumbai was one of the most heartwarming parts of the novel.

With every event, the story becomes more engaging. Radhika keeps the narrative lively with Bollywood references, the workplace banter, friendships, everyday office chaos, and the countless Bollywood songs and movie references that perfectly complement the mood of the story. Those little pop-culture moments never feel forced; instead, they add even more charm to the reading experience. What I particularly enjoyed was how naturally the book captures the reality of corporate life. Beyond the romance, we see the constant pressure of deadlines, overwhelming workloads, career ambitions, office politics, and the burnout that quietly creeps into everyday work life. Kavya’s struggles feel authentic, making her journey all the more relatable. The story also offers readers an interesting glimpse into the behind-the-scenes world of branding, campaigns, graphic design, marketing, and social media, making the workplace setting feel authentic rather than simply serving as a backdrop for the romance.

On the other side, Radhika’s writing style is one of the book’s biggest strengths. Her narration is crisp, conversational, and wonderfully paced. It is a smooth-paced read where every chapter naturally flows into the next, making it incredibly easy to keep turning the pages. She keeps the storytelling light, engaging, and easy to follow while beautifully describing every situation and character. It is always fun to read her work because she balances humour with emotion so effortlessly. This time, however, the story has layers. Beneath all the humour and romance lies an emotionally mature story. On one side, we see Kavya trying to maintain professional boundaries while struggling to control her heart. On the other, Neil may appear carefree, but he is quietly trying to prove himself to his father. Their individual journeys beautifully come together. It also reminds us how a single lie can completely turn the tables when we least expect it, altering lives and relationships in ways we never imagined.

I loved the chemistry between Kavya and Neil. Their banter is effortless, their conversations feel natural, and watching their relationship slowly evolve from playful rivalry to friendship and eventually something deeper was an absolute joy. Some of my favourite moments were actually the quieter ones they shared together. It is through these simple conversations, shared smiles, and everyday interactions that their relationship blossoms so beautifully. Their chemistry never feels forced; instead, it grows organically, built on mutual respect, genuine understanding, and unwavering support for one another. I especially loved how Neil encourages Kavya to acknowledge her own talent. While she is always quick to appreciate everyone else’s work, she often forgets to give herself the same credit. Neil gently reminds her to recognise her own abilities and celebrate her own achievements too, making their friendship all the more meaningful.

The characters are brilliantly written and well-developed. Each one adds something memorable to the story. I absolutely loved Kavya. Her ambition, vulnerability, and quiet resilience make her an incredibly relatable protagonist, especially for anyone trying to balance career aspirations with personal expectations. But Neil completely stole my heart. His character is a reminder that privilege doesn’t always define a person’s character. There are so many layers to him, and Radhika uncovers them beautifully, reminding us that we never truly know what someone is carrying beneath the surface.

I also loved Kavya’s family. Their warmth, unconditional support, and the close-knit bond they share bring so much heart to the story. Whether it’s Keshav being the protective brother or the comfort that Mussoorie and her family represent, those moments beautifully highlight that sometimes home isn’t just a place—it’s the people who stand by you no matter where life takes you. They also beautifully explain why Kavya constantly finds herself torn between the peaceful home waiting for her in Mussoorie and the ambitious life she has created in Mumbai. Other than that, Tanya, of course, adds just the right amount of spice to the story. We see ex-drama, present-day complications, friendship, workplace rivalry, and altogether, the book feels like a complete Bollywood movie.

Another highlight is the pacing. The story never feels slow or stretched. The beginning beautifully establishes the characters, their relationships, and the workplace dynamics, allowing readers to settle comfortably into their world. But it is in the final few chapters that the story truly takes off. Radhika raises the emotional stakes with heartfelt moments, dramatic confrontations, and unexpected twists that make those final chapters impossible to put down. Even the conflicts and misunderstandings never feel unnecessarily dramatic or inserted simply to create tension. They arise naturally from the characters, making both the emotional journey and the eventual payoff feel believable and satisfying.

The climax is definitely one of the strongest parts of the novel. The way the story unfolds in its final act is both engaging and unexpected. It perfectly balances drama, romance, humour, and emotion, making for a thoroughly satisfying conclusion. Those final twists add to the excitement without taking away from the emotional core of the story.

Overall, Not Safe for Work is much more than just an office romance. It is a story about finding your place between home and ambition, comfort and growth, expectations and dreams. It beautifully explores family, friendship, self-belief, career struggles, and love, all while keeping readers thoroughly entertained. It’s light, funny, heartwarming, emotionally layered, and impossible to put down. If you’re looking for an entertaining workplace romance with memorable characters, sparkling chemistry, witty banter, and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, this book deserves a place on your shelf.

More than just a workplace romance, Not Safe for Work is a story about finding your place between home and ambition, discovering yourself through unexpected relationships, and realising that sometimes the people you least expect become the ones who leave the biggest impact.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Not Safe for Work by Radhika Agarwal about?

Not Safe for Work follows Kavya, a Senior Graphic Designer in Mumbai, whose life takes an unexpected turn when she’s asked to mentor Neil, an intern with more to him than first meets the eye. Set against the backdrop of corporate life, the novel explores friendship, self-belief, family, workplace challenges, and love.

Is Not Safe for Work a romance novel?

Yes. It’s a contemporary workplace romance that focuses on friendship, emotional growth, and slow-burn relationships while also exploring career struggles and family dynamics.

Is Not Safe for Work worth reading?

If you enjoy witty workplace romances, relatable characters, Bollywood references, and stories set in Mumbai, this book is a delightful and heartwarming read.

Is Not Safe for Work suitable for beginners?

Absolutely. Radhika Agarwal’s conversational writing style, engaging pacing, and relatable characters make it an excellent choice for readers new to contemporary romance.

What makes Not Safe for Work different from other workplace romances?

Beyond the romance, the novel explores corporate burnout, branding and marketing, family relationships, self-confidence, and the contrast between Mumbai’s fast-paced life and Mussoorie’s quiet comfort. It also beautifully shows how friendship and mutual respect form the foundation of meaningful relationships.

Who should read Not Safe for Work?

Anyone who enjoys contemporary romance, office settings, slow-burn friendships, emotionally layered characters, and feel-good stories with humour and heart will enjoy this book.

Reader_viddh’s Idea For

If you love workplace romances where friendships blossom naturally, Mumbai becomes a character of its own, witty banter meets heartfelt emotions, and every page feels like a Bollywood rom-com, Not Safe for Work is the perfect pick