This book caught me completely off-guard. Tears are still drying on my face as I type.

I don't know why, but I was expective sortof a medical thriller, and was absolutely bulldozed by the beautiful and thoughtful exploration of grief and loss and friendship. Ava, Ray, Sasha, Sky, and Ellis are all such beautiful representations of the different ways grief manifests, and this book was a delightful reminder of the healing power of leaning on other people.

The story started off a little bit slow, but the twists started coming at about 45% and I couldn't put the book down after that. Now that I'm finished, that first half abosultely felt like the beginning stages of loss - kindof just existing, observing, listening. And then the dots start connecting and the absolute GUT PUNCH of the way the stories intermingle swept me off my feet.

I was gifted a copy of this book by the author and HarperCollins through Netgalley, but will 100% be purchasing a copy of this book for my shelves. I can't wait to read it again.

From the author of The Measure, @nikkierlick has us face another unique question. Would you want to sleep through grief? This story follows three people who journey to the Poppy Fields in a desert in California along with the story of the the field’s creator. This is really a fascinating question to ponder. I enjoyed this book a lot just as I did the Measure. I think this will be a hit with book clubs. I *think* I ended it knowing what I would do in the face of immeasurable grief. Erlick does a good job of weaving these stories together. I received an ARC of this book from @netgalley and @williammorrowbooks

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free electronic ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Nikki Erick is such a creative writer - her premise in both The Measure and now Poppy Fields are so thought provoking! This time we explore grief and a potential new treatment to help expedite the grieving process. I felt this book lands more in the science fiction genre more so than the magical realism of The Measure.

I enjoyed the premise and the exploration of the Poppy Fields treatment. I enjoyed the main 3 characters (Sasha, Ray, and Ava) and their stories. However, similarly to The Measure, there were just a few too many characters for me. I also found it somewhat difficult to be able to draw the connections between some of the characters mentioned by name but then referenced by their story in another part of the novel. I know there were some well thought out threads linking many people together but it was a tad hard to follow.

I thought the writing style was interesting the way from one paragraph to another we can go between different character POVs. However, I wish we didn’t do that with every character we meet (ex: Donna in the bar - do we really need her backstory?).

Overall, I would recommend this book! 3.5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC. I was so excited to get this book because of thoroughly enjoying her first book The Measure and this book did not disappoint. It did have a little Easter Egg from The Measure so that was fun. Her books have very interesting concepts and make you look at things in a whole new way. Good job. Looking forward to the next one!!!

I loved the premise of this novel, sleeping through the worst of your sorrow and waking up when it is not so sharp and debilitating. The beginning of the novel drew me in but the novel slowed down considerably halfway through. The main characters had good story lines but I felt that their inner monologues went on and on. I found myself skimming towards the end. I loved Erlick's novel The Measure - so maybe I am unfairly comparing the two, but I was not all in with this book.

Another thought provoking and poignant work of speculative fiction from Nikki Erlick. A Wizard of Oz inspired journey through grief in its many forms and facets. Anyone that has experienced loss will find something to relate to in this book. I know I highlighted so many passages that hit home personally. Grief can feel isolating but Erlick makes it approachable. Like she writes, “But grief was love in its second shape.” Thank you for the ARC, NetGalley.

The Poppy Fields by Nikki Erlick is a moving work of fiction that explores grief and the many paths toward healing and hope.

The novel follows a road trip taken by three strangers who, unable to catch a flight to Poppy Fields—a revolutionary sleep center designed to help people process grief—decide to drive there instead. Along the way, their personal stories unfold, revealing how deeply grief shapes each of them and how connection can lead to unexpected healing.

I found the story engaging, and I appreciated how the characters’ lives were thoughtfully interwoven. It’s a great book for a book club or group discussion, as it touches on emotions and experiences many can relate to.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collin’s Piblishers for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own

An interesting and unique storyline. The writing was excellent and the characters were well developed. There were several unexpected reveals that made for an enjoyable read.
Thanks to NetGalley an the publisher the digital ARC.

4.5 ⭐️

Thank you to William Morrow Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advanced readers copy. This book started with an Emily Dickinson quote, so right off the bat, I was paying attention. This book is literary fiction with scientific flair and dystopian vibes, and it dives deeply into the meaning of life, love, grief, and the journeys of many overlapping characters.

The main premise of the book involves a large treatment facility in California, in which thousands of "patients" are treated for the unbearable grief of losing a loved one, by being medicinally put to sleep for 1-2 months. The place is called The Poppy Fields. Potential applicants must be screened, interviewed, and approved by a board of scientists, and when they awake from the treatment, they are able to move on with their lives. Unsurprisingly, this treatment is viewed as strange and controversial, and an unexpected side effect causes additional opposition to the unconventional method.

"This sleep will not make things right, on that they can all agree. It will not give sense to the senseless; it will not fill the yawning hole. But maybe, just maybe, it will help. Because they have each been told, over and over, that the only way out of a hardship is through. But nobody ever told them that they had to stay awake."

The story begins by following several main characters: Ava (illustrator of children's books, pet owner of dog PJ), Ray (firefighter), Sasha (Korean-American occupational therapist), Sky (young woman who wants to travel the world), and Ellis Jones (founder of the Poppy Fields). Some of the characters are determined to get to The Poppy Fields, but their flight is cancelled due to a tornado. The group decides to rent a car and continue on to their destination, all of them travelling for different reasons. The story lines are brilliantly overlapped, with twists and turns being revealed throughout the story.

This was my first book by this author, and I am definitely interested in now reading her other bestselling novel, "The Measure." Her writing style is poised, philosophical, clever, and heartwarming. The characters are well-developed, and the setting descriptions placed the reader inside the lives of these people. This book explored the meaning of family, love, grief, adventure, regret, and so many other topics that we can all relate to in our lives.

By the end of the book, the reader is better able to understand the reason behind the actions of our main players. PJ, Ava's dog, was a wonderful side character, perhaps an emotional support animal (although not explicitly stated). I'm not sure if this was intentional, but this story felt like a modern-day reimagining of the Wizard of Oz. It included a "field of poppies," and four characters and a dog on a journey to a magical place where they would find the help/missing piece they were looking for. The person in charge of it all was assumed to be an all-powerful, career-driven figure, but we discover there is more to her character than what she seems. I thoroughly enjoyed this story of speculative fiction and would recommend it to everyone.

"Many former patients describe the feeling as 'having come out on the other side,' a bittersweet state of cherishing the past while being able to focus on the future once more."

Themes/Topics/Triggers
*Grief/loss
*Estranged family
*Controversial medical treatment
*Gun violence (mild)
*Physical altercation (mild)
*Death of a child

Speculative fiction can be hit or miss for me, but this was a definite hit.

I loved the sweet characters and their fun dynamic, and the exploration of grief, love, and how they intertwine that really touched my heart. The way all the characters connect, and the way the asides really add to the world building, was wonderfully done. This was a really wonderful book!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

The Poppy Fields by Nikki Erlick completely captured my heart. From the very beginning, I was drawn into the emotional depth and quiet beauty of the story. It’s one of those books that feels both intimate and sweeping, with characters that feel so real you can’t help but get attached. The writing is lyrical without being overdone, and the themes of memory, grief, and connection really hit home for me. I found myself pausing just to sit with certain lines because they were that powerful. If you’re looking for something heartfelt, reflective, and beautifully written, this one is absolutely worth reading.

The Poppy Fields by Nikki Erlick releases on June 25, 2025. Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review! 💖

I was SO excited to get an advanced copy of the Poppy Fields after reading The Measure. In her true nature, this was another winner!! Nikki Erlick's brain is wild. Her creative process and the worlds she creates are scarily realistic and also out of this world. 🌎

The Poppy Fields brings us into a world where the broken-hearted and grief-filled are able to sleep through their pain, and wake up fully healed. Would you try it out? What if there were shadowy side effects? We follow four strangers en route to the Poppy Fields from the Midwest to the Poppy Fields, where they are on their way to find Ellis, the founder. 💔

Grief, trauma, healing, loss, recovery, suffering. This is a heavy one! Just like The Measure, The Poppy Fields is a book that you continue to spend your day thinking about when you're not reading it, and will be a book I think about long after! 🤔

This was a pleasure to listen to on audiobook - even more fun that June is audiobook (appreciation?) month!! The different formats that the story is told in (transcripts, media, interviews, etc.) made it even more entertaining to listen to. 🎧

There was even a mention of The Measure - so cool! 📏

I can't wait to see what Nikki Erlick comes up with next!! The Measure was published in 2022, and The Poppy Fields is releasing in 2025 — all I'm saying is that it was worth the wait!! 👏🏻

Really enjoyed this one! I loved the multiple viewpoints throughout the book and having them all connect in some way. I like trying to piece together how they all connect throughout the story by getting bits and pieces and their viewpoint on something. It felt like an easy read, a page-turner which is great. I love these ‘what-if’ books that Erlick writes and will definitely keep picking up her novels!

3.5⭐️ Nikki Erlick has once again written a book that has me thinking, “What would I do?” if this could happen in real life.

The premise of this book pulled me in immediately. We meet all four of the characters pretty early on, and I liked starting the story having some background on them. Grief is such a complicated topic, and I think it was explored here in really interesting and meaningful ways; there were several quotes that I had to read twice because they stood out to me so much.

While I did enjoy this book, I did wish I had loved it more. There were some sections that felt repetitive that I had to skim over, as well as places where the plot dragged a little. I love a road trip story with a found family aspect, but this found family didn’t feel as close/bonded as I was expecting - it felt a little “telling rather than showing” at times.

That said, I’m glad I read this book. There were a few reveals along the way that surprised me and really kept the momentum of the story going. I also thought the epistolary sections in between chapters was a fun addition, and gave more information on the Poppy Fields that we didn’t get in the regular plot.

I can see a lot of people enjoying this book, and I think it would create some great discussions.

To classify this book as science fiction, might be somewhat off base.. .However, that being said... have you ever been so sad/desprssed/lonley that you just wanted to sleep it away? Then maybe a visit to Poppy Fields is for you! Follow along as 3 strangers meet during a storm at the airport and what how thier lives are changed, mostly for the better. I really enjoyed this story line, and it might not be too off base of what could happen in the future. A must read for sure!

I loved The Measure, so I was really excited for this book, and it did not disappoint! Nikki writes such thought provoking books…would you choose to go into a deep sleep for 1-2 months if at the end of that time you would wake up and have processed your grief? Would you still choose to sleep if there was a chance of a side effect that would cause you emotional apathy towards the loved one you were grieving? The Poppy Fields is such a beautifully written story, discussing the different types of loss and grief we experience over our lifetime and how we all process grief in our own way. I loved the use of different character viewpoints and discovering piece by piece how their stories all intertwine together.

𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓟𝓸𝓹𝓹𝔂 𝓕𝓲𝓮𝓵𝓭𝓼 explores the profound question: What if you had the chance to sleep for one or two months in a specialized facility and, upon waking, no longer felt crushed under the weight of your grief?

There are many characters introduced in the beginning of the book -- each on their own journey with their own issue they are grappling with. The novel has a more philosophical feeling to it than emotional (for me personally). Although there are so many deep and heartbreaking issues that each of the characters are dealing with, to me, these feelings are still suspended a bit at arms length.

The last third of the book was especially strong - and I think there are so many interesting questions and angles that grief is explored. How do we honor our loved-one's memories? How do we hold on to the past while still moving forward? How does our loved-one's memory become a part of our future?

Overall, this is a thought-provoking, moving, and philosophical journey.

Wow - Nikki Erlick at it again with another book that’ll make you contemplate life and choices. Set in The Poppy Fields, people attend this free treatment clinic when they need a break and some time to heal; by sleeping for a period of weeks, most patients will wake up restored, and feel less of the pressure and pain that grief has caused them. While most are success stories, some struggle in their recovery, due to a rare side effect.

The novel begs the question - what would you do to escape your grief? Would you try a month long nap to help your mind heal, if all of your other needs were taken care of?

Highly recommend. The storytelling and concept is top-notch and I really enjoyed getting to know these characters.

Thank you to NetGalley, William Morrow, and Harper Audio for my ARC and ALC in exchange for my honest review.

From the author of The Measure, this is another speculative fiction book that asks the question: can you sleep grief away? In California, Ellis has started a phenomenon called The Poppy Fields, where those accepted into the free program can sleep for 1-2 months and wake up without the grief they came with. Three people stranded at a Kansas airport are all trying to get there, and they decide to rent a car and road trip there together, sharing their stories along the way.

I really wanted this to be a 5-star book like The Measure! That book was so incredible and I still think about it all the time. This book was more slow moving, and while the concept was a good one, the execution fell flat for me. This read more like a road trip novel than speculative fiction.

3.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the free advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I received a free copy of, The Poppy Fields, by Nikki Erlick, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. In California their is a treatment center, like no other, people can sleep their way through grief, with side affects of course. I think one of the problems of the world today, is people want the easy way, grief is a process, different for everybody. but losing somebody we love is the price we pay for love. I would not go to this center, I have a very fresh grief, an unexpected death of a very close loved one, and I still would not go. grief and healing is part of lifes journey.