4.5 stars

This book will definitely get under your skin and make you think! If there was a way to alleviate overpowering grief, would you do it if there might be unwanted consequences? This book would be great for a book club because there is so much to think about. I would have given it 5 stars, except I questioned the choice that Ray took at the end. A very compelling read, might be triggering to someone who has recently experienced loss.

Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a digital ARC in return for an honest review

This was a quiet, character driven novel exploring themes of healing, hope and grief. Erlick's last book, The Measure, hit me over the head like a lead pipe... so I was surprised at the gentle nature of this story. I really enjoyed all the interconnecting storylines, characters and acknowledgment that there is no "normal" roadmap for grief. This book has the potential to be very healing for those experiencing loss. My only negative is that because of the gentle nature I felt there was a slight emotional disconnect to the characters' experiences. Still highly recommend!

📜Quick Summary: What would you do to overcome the pain of grief? Would you trust an experimental treatment center, and risk some serious side effects? In this remote land, patients who are suffering greatly can sleep off their grief…but at what price? Will they wake up the same person? Will they have the same memories? Feelings? Will it work? Four strangers- Ava, Sasha, Ray, and Sky-will journey to this mystical center from the Midwest out to California. Will they find this center before all of their secrets and individual motivations are exposed?

❣️Initial Feels: I am a deep feeler, and most things make me cry ,so I’m hoping for a tear jerker!

👀Trigger Warnings: grief

🌶️Spice Level: nada

📖Read if you want: a journey to healing, many different point of views

🗨️Thoughtful Words: “I guess I’m afraid of looking back on these years and feeling like I wasted that time. I’m afraid of missing out on life.”

💡Final Sentiments: Overall, I enjoyed this book. I did put it down a few times and then go back to it, and once it was about 60% of the way through, I felt like I couldn’t put it down. I also loved The Measure, so I was super excited to receive this arc and spread the news of her latest hit novel! The premise of this novel is super intriguing! Almost everyone can relate to grief at one point in their life, or know someone closely who has dealt with a loss. I love how everyone has dealt with grief in various ways in this novel, because it shows that grief can hit you on different scales, and that it’s okay to experience grief differently. One thing that threw me off was this book seemed more concentrated on the road trip, rather than the Poppy Fields itself. Yes, we jump into different points of views and we glimpse into their life, but I was hoping to see more of the scientific side, see the deep valleys of grief of those staying at the fields, and the founder more. I think that would have driven home the story more. When I got to the end, I was almost like wait, this is it!? Now I want more!

🌟Overall Rating: 3.75 stars

🔉Special thanks to Nikki Erlick, William Morrow Publishing, and NetGalley for this arc of The Poppy Fields!

📘Grab yourself a copy on June 17, 2025!

Grief is a universal experience, yet it hits each person in profoundly unique and personal ways. The Poppy Fields offers a hauntingly imaginative take on the journey toward healing, centering around a revolutionary—and controversial—treatment facility where people “sleep” through their pain. Nikki Erick’s novel explores the raw, painful process of loss through four strangers who come together at this remote desert center, each carrying their own burdens. The story asks a compelling, unsettling question: would you risk losing the emotional depth of your grief if it meant finally being free of its crushing weight?

What sets this book apart is its beautiful blend of heartfelt character development and thought-provoking, speculative fiction. Erick’s writing is both lyrical and honest, drawing readers deeply into the emotional lives of Ellis, Ray, Sasha, Ava, and Sky. The narrative navigates themes of guilt, trauma, and identity, while never shying away from the ethical complexities surrounding the facility’s treatment—especially the unsettling possibility that healing may come at the cost of emotional numbness. The interactions between the characters, along with the vivid, sometimes harsh desert setting, add layers of depth and tension that kept me fully engaged throughout.

Overall, The Poppy Fields is a moving, introspective novel that will resonate with anyone who has wrestled with loss and the desire to move on. Nikki Erick’s thoughtful exploration of grief and the human heart makes this a memorable and emotionally rich read. While it flirts with science fiction, its core remains deeply grounded in the very real struggle of finding peace after trauma. I highly recommend this to readers who appreciate emotionally nuanced stories that linger long after the last page.

Special thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for this advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

You spend the first 80% of the book getting to know the characters, their stories, and their hopes to some extent. And then in the blink of an eye, Nikki Erlick sneaks a sentence in that has my spidey senses firing on all cylinders and I’m both hesitant and immersed in finding out what’s next.

^ I wrote that in real time as I was reading and that one sentence was kind of a let down; nothing of extreme caliber happens the way I was anticipating but that may be because I read mostly horror/thriller/intense stories.

My favorite part of Nikki Erlick’s writing is how deep and through provoking it is- while I suffered my greatest loss nearly six years ago and I’m unsure if I had the option to do the sleep, that I would have been able to turn it down.

If you read this book, and somehow stumble upon my review I’d love to chat about your thoughts and feelings!

At the end of the day if you loved The Measure, you’ll enjoy this Inez it’s a strange beautiful story.

I really enjoyed The Measure and was very excited for this one. However, I found the concept to be more intriguing than the book itself. I really enjoy character-driven novels, but I wasn't really into any of the character's story lines making me wish there was more of an exciting plot to follow.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

I loved the start of The Poppy Fields. I found myself not being able to put the book down because I wanted to figure out why the characters were traveling to the poppy fields. I found this book to be very interesting and thought provoking. There were some parts towards the end that I felt were very slow and it took me a little bit to get through it. But ultimately, I would recommend!

The Poppy Fields is a moving, thought-provoking story about grief and the desire for healing. Set in a near-future facility where people can undergo a month-long sleep to ease their sorrow, the novel explores big emotional and ethical questions through multiple perspectives.

Nikki Erlick’s writing is easy to connect with, lyrical and heartfelt, though the pacing slows at times with some backstory-heavy sections. Still, this is a compelling and original take on how we cope with loss.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher
for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

With her second book, Nikki Erlick has solidified herself as an auto-buy author in my book. The Poppy Fields was a speculative fiction that bordered so closely to reality that I could easily imagine this story coming to life in the relatively near future. Because of that, the ethical and philosophical questions Nikki raises surrounding grief, coping, the true meaning of love and how we process it, the relationship between love and loss, human connection, and the role of science and experimentation in mental health felt all the more pertinent. But the best part of all the questions Nikki raises is that she doesn't answer them. She does not foist a right or wrong on either her characters nor the reader. It truly is about the journey and each individuals' self discovery.

In similar taste to her first book, The Measure, Nikki introduces us to a wide cast of characters, many with their POVs shared throughout the book (though some much more than others). This can create distance between the reader and the characters seeing as we don't get extended time in any one person's head, but Nikki creates connection in two other ways. First, not only do we get to see characters from inside their own heads but also from the points of view of other characters. Take, especially, three of the primary characters in this book, Ava, Ray, and Sasha. We get to know these characters by how they see themselves but also how they see each other. As the three travelers get to know each other, we get to know them too. Second, Nikki strings together the characters' stories in a six degrees of Kevin Bacon sort of way with the Poppy Fields at the center. At various points throughout the book, we are given these connections--be they big or small--and those revelations provide a great deal of empathy with the characters (as well as anticipation and surprise)!

I flew through this book, unable to stop reading. It is not a book full of action, but there is a sense of anticipation throughout the entire story that kept me listening well into the night. The character development was subtle and small but profound. The interjections of different media (such as newspaper articles, letters, and interviews) broke up what could have become mildly monotonous character POVs. They also served to provide insight into the Poppy Fields in a way that was interesting rather than expositional. I found the pacing to be perfect, getting little pieces to the character collage at just the right moments throughout the story.

*The Poppy Fields* by Nikki Erlick is a fantastic read that completely pulled me in. It’s emotional, powerful, and beautifully written. From start to finish, I was hooked. The characters feel so real, and the story stayed with me long after I turned the last page.

Big thanks to William Morrow and NetGalley for the advance copy! I’m so grateful to have had the chance to read it early.

This book has definitely solidified Nikki Erlick as an author I’ll automatically pick up every time. Can’t wait to see what she comes out with next!

• 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑷𝒐𝒑𝒑𝒚 𝑭𝒊𝒆𝒍𝒅𝒔 𝒃𝒚 𝑵𝒊𝒌𝒌𝒊 𝑬𝒓𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒌 •
★★★★★ 5/5 stars
pub day : June 17, 2025

~ Read if you like :
•speculative fiction
•multiple POVs
•roadtrips
•excellent on audio
•thought provoking + emotional reads
•character driven stories
•asking the question “what if?”
•would be perfect for bookclub discussions

~ 𝐌𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 :
The premise itself is one of the most intriguing I've ever come across: “𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘨𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘧?“ That question alone hooked me, & what followed was a story that resonated deeply, especially for anyone who has experienced loss.

Told through multiple POVs & timelines, the story unfolds slowly. It's nuanced, messy, & real — capturing how loss can look different for everyone, yet still connect us in unexpected ways. The road trip mirrors the emotional journey. The mixed media elements-news articles, comments, interviews—add a unique & realistic layer, making it all the more believable. I think listening to the audiobook really enhanced the experience & helped with pacing during the slower moments.

There's a quiet intensity to the story that builds so beautifully, & by the end, I was left both heartbroken & hopeful in the best possible way. Nikki Erlick has done it again. I wasn't sure how she'd follow up 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘔𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦, but let me assure you-there is absolutely no sophomore slump here. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if this ends up as one of my top favorite books of the year.

Thanks to NetGalley, william morrow books + Harper audio for the opportunity to read this arc ◡̈

THE MEASURE is one of my favorite books. I read it during a scary time in my life, intensifying my feelings for the story & characters. That is one of the most beautiful things about reading: we bring our own experiences with us when we venture through a story.

Nikki returns with another unique premise. THE POPPY FIELDS is centered on a controversial center for those who are grieving. They can sleep for 1-2 months in hopes of finding some semblance of peace on the other side. Most are grieving the loss of a loved one, but Nikki explores how grief materializes in various ways.

This will hit readers differently based on their experiences w/ grief. It’s evident that Nikki imbues her own experiences in her writing to bring her stories to life; the exploration of grief is so raw & authentic that I found myself reflecting on my own losses & seeing myself in the story.

I wasn’t expecting the journey (felt a little like THE ODYSSEY) I found myself on with the characters, & I appreciate the approach Nikki took. THE POPPY FIELDS is a deep dive into the characters’ stories & what drives them to the Poppy Fields, with self-discovery along the way. The characters are easily distinguishable, underscoring how well Nikki develops her characters; they could live off the page.

I love how Nikki embeds different media to make this story feel real — newspaper articles, comment sections, interview transcripts, etc. make it feel like society is reacting to the Poppy Fields, with references that portray how people might react if this were real (as you can imagine, it comes with mixed reactions).

While THE POPPY FIELDS is more character-driven than THE MEASURE, I feel the intrigue of the plot & the emotional dynamic also drive the story, allowing the reader to dig deep into their empathy, envision themselves in the characters’ shoes, & give grace to the characters as they navigate the many complexities of what it means to be human.

😭 count: 6 — the last was a big one.

This was a really interesting concept for a book. I’ve never read anything like it before. I also found it to be well-written and thought-provoking. This is my first book by this author, but I’ll definitely check out more.

I love a story about found family so I enjoyed reading about these characters connecting with each other on their roadtrip. The only character I really didn’t love was Ellis, and even though her behavior ends up being explained in the end, I still didn’t care for her.

I loved all the little ways that the characters connected to each other, and the stories got woven together. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and will recommend it to several people.

**ARC review. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read it early.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this audiobook! Wow is all I can say! This book is a beautifully painted masterpiece and, in my opinion, will be one of the most talked about books this year! Do yourself a favor and pick this book up!

The Poppy Fields by Nikki’s Erlick asks the question: What would you do if you could sleep away your grief via a treatment center?

OH MY GOSH! Nikki is seriously brilliant! The way her mind creates these very thought provoking concepts in her books then how she so masterfully weaves a story together around them just blows my mind.

Years ago I read The Measure by Nikki Erlick and it became an all time favorite book of mine. I knew back then that Nikki would be an “auto-buy” author for me, but The Poppy Fields just solidified that even more! This book was phenomenal!

What I love so much about this book is not only the thought provoking concept, but also the way Nikki tells this story surrounding that concept. You get snippets from multiple character’s stories and throughout the book you get to know each of these characters more and more and see how their stories intertwine while also having news articles and interviews peppered though that add even more to the story- it’s done so impeccably well, not to mention it is so wonderfully written that the imagery of the story plays out in your mind so vividly. Nikki explores both sides of the coin with the concept of sleeping away your grief and it is just fascinating and really opens your mind to so much about life itself and the grieving process. I could seriously talk about this book for hours (it would be a SPECTACULAR book club book) but I do not want to spoil anything here in my review!

I also had the pleasure of not just reading this book but also getting to listen to the audio which was phenomenally done! The audio features Marin Ireland and a handful of other amazing narrators! This story has snippets of interviews and news articles layered through it as well and the way it is done via audio is perfection! If you love audio books this is a great one to add to your list!

The Poppy Fields was one of my most anticipated new book releases of 2025 and it certainly did NOT disappoint! This book + the audio is a 5+ stars for me. A new all time favorite that I will think about for a long time to come and definitely will re-read in the future! I highly recommend!!

Thank you SO MUCH to NetGalley, William Morrow and HarperAudio for both the E-ARC and the audio for The Poppy Fields in exchange for my honest review! I am still on cloud 9 that I got to read + listen to such an anticipated book for me before the release date! THANK YOU! 😊

Grief is universal, but also so individual. Everyone handles it differently. Some can’t live with it…but what if you could forget? Does life without grief seem preferable if it means forgetting your loved one almost entirely?

Erlick’s novel is undeniably unique, her characters plausibly flawed, and the plot full of small twists and turns. She asks you to ponder your own thoughts on loss, but without telling you which option is best.

I received an ARC of this audiobook, and it was so well done.

Unfortunately, I found this book to be extremely boring. I went into it expecting a speculative fiction novel. I hoped to learn more about the science behind the poppy fields and see how people would grapple with the idea of sleeping at this facility, as well as how it would ultimately impact their lives. Instead, I got 300+ pages of repetitive backstory on three main characters with whom I personally felt no connection. I didn’t like that the entire novel focused on these characters taking a road trip together, rather than diving into the intriguing concept of sleeping through your grief—whether you would do it if it meant becoming apathetic toward the people you lost.

That said, I did appreciate the short chapters, and I can see how some readers might find moments of hope while navigating their own grief. Unfortunately, it just didn’t work for me.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC!

I absolutely loved Nikki Erlick’s first novel The Measure and recommend it to everyone. She comes up with the most creative premises for her books. While this novel is just as thought provoking, and emotional, I didn’t feel like I had the same connection to the characters and found the ending rather abrupt. I loved the prose on how grief affects people and what it means to be human. I loved the creative plot and how philosophical it is. I cannot wait to read Erlick’s next book!

Thank you so much to Netgalley, Nikki Erlick and William Morrow for the ARC it was very appreciated!

What if there was a cure for a broken heart? If your heart was so hurt that you could not move on, how far would you go to take it away from your life? (Warning - there's a 25% chance you might end up with a side effect. Would you still do it?)

Nikki Erlick is a masterful storyteller. Just like in The Measure, she delves into our human hearts through several very different people, each of them with different experiences and in different life stages. In her newest book, she explores grief, heartache, loss and healing in all its different nuances through a group of strangers whose lives become intertwined as they journey together to California. Cramped together in their run-down, bright yellow rental car, they come to understand each other through empathy and compassion...and eventually, discover their own ways to heal their broken hearts.

I love that there is an underlying theme for us as readers: in order to help ourselves, we must choose to listen to each other and put ourselves in their shoes, even when others are so very different from us. It is a beautiful message for our current world and society. Just like The Measure, there are some really deep questions you could discuss with fellow readers too - is there value in grief? How and why? How can we heal from a loss that cripples us? How can we help those we love when they are suffering a deep heartache? To what extent do we, or can we, help others heal?

The Poppy Fields will be released on June 17th, 2025! If you grab a first edition book, it comes with some gorgeous details too!

I was given an eARC via NetGalley for my honest review.

I adore Nikki Erlick. Her books are so unique with the ability to crack open your chest and steal your heart I really enjoyed this story’s premise and our motley crew of characters. While I definitely wouldn’t chance the side effects of the sleep. I see why someone might!