I loved The Measure and have been eagerly awaiting to see what the author would come up with next. The Poppy Fields was an interesting commentary on grief and its impact on people. I struggled a bit to get into this one and didn't connect with the characters as much as I had hoped. I still enjoyed her writing style and the little twists and turns as the plot came together.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I can confirm for certain that @nikkierlick has done it AGAIN! No sophomore slump for this novelist, whose debut, THE MEASURE, was an instant bestseller and @readwithjenna book club pick! Her ingenious genre-bending and speculative nature are a combination that always make a thought-provoking reading experience. Onward to see where else this book takes me… how delightful!

This book was great from start to finish. I was a fan of Erlick's previous work, so this was a must-read for me; it did not disappoint. The way that the author portrays grief and loss and incorporates the idea of an advanced technology that works within this concept is extremely well done. I love the characters, their development throughout and the connections they make with one another. There is a continual message of hope throughout, even when discussing such a heavy and emotional topic.

The Poppy Fields is a story of love., loss and road trips.

While It was probably not the authors intention, the book beginning with a tornado in Kansas and the characters traveling together for various reasons to get to The Poppy Fields, made me think of The Wizard of Oz.

Like The Measure, I enjoyed the ending best.

This will lead to great discussion for book clubs.

Nikki Erlick is back with another family drama with a bit of futurism and magical realism. She tackles death, grief, and cryo in "Poppy Fields" which feels much more severe and weighty than "The Measure." While the genres are similar, the stories themselves are quite different in tone. This is a sad, straightforward novel that doesn't necessary impress but succeeds in conveying an eerie atmosphere.

Another beautiful book by Nikki Erlick. The Measure is one of my favorite books and I recommend it everyone I know. I was hoping this book would live up to the bar it set. Once again the characters started out simple enough, all grieving in unique ways. They didn't seem to have much in common, except their presence in the airport, but by the end I was rooting for each and every one of them and totally engrossed by the ways their lives intertwined. Erlick comes up with unique plots that keep you asking yourself, "if this were real, what would I choose to do?" I really enjoyed this book and wished it had kept going.

I'm unable to share a written review for this book as I'm the publicist working on it and have bias. That said, I loved it :)

This will be a good book to use for book clubs, as it will provide lots discussion. Between this book and The Measure, this author has become an auto-read for me.

Grief is a sensitive, deeply personal, and often triggering subject. Everyone experiences it differently, and the process is sacred, painful, and unique to each individual. While it’s said that grief has five stages, some people never move past the second or third, unable to find closure or a way to move forward.

Poppy Fields explores this 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? What if you could finally breathe without feeling like glass shards were stabbing your heart with every inhale—moving on without wearing your pain like an invisible scar? Would you take that chance, or would you still cling to your grief, even as it slowly eroded your sense of self?

Ellis, the enigmatic, fiercely dedicated founder of this remote treatment center in the California desert, believes she is helping people process their pain. The facility, an innovative yet highly controversial institution, was never about financial gain—she personally selects each candidate through a rigorous application and interview process, shaping the program based on her own life experiences. But her work is not without its critics. Protesters challenge the ethics of the treatment, and some former patients report an unsettling side effect: a small percentage emerge emotionally numb, detached from their past and memories, stripped of sentimentality.

Ellis’s sister, Ava, resents her for prioritizing this work over family. Determined to confront Ellis, Ava embarks on a journey to the facility, only to be rerouted by a natural disaster. Along the way, she finds herself traveling with two strangers—Sasha, a young Korean occupational therapist who was on the verge of becoming a runaway bride, and Ray, a firefighter grieving the loss of his brother Johnny, who underwent the treatment and came back… different. Convinced something sinister is happening behind closed doors, Ray is determined to uncover the truth. They are later joined by Sky, an adventurous 18-year-old taking a gap year, as their paths converge on the facility.

What awaits them when they arrive? Will they find the closure they seek, or uncover something far more unsettling? Most importantly, if given the chance to heal simply by closing your eyes and disconnecting from the world for two months—would you take it?

Overall, this is a thought-provoking, deeply moving, and philosophical journey with well-developed characters and unforgettable emotional depth. A compelling exploration of grief, healing, and identity, this book will resonate with anyone who has ever struggled to move forward while holding onto the past.

Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for providing me with this incredible digital review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

The authors first book was really tthoughtful and the story interesting. I really ejoyed the characters and their building and lasting friendships and awakening but the whole poppy fields concept was a bit unrealistic and silly.