Thank you William Morrow and New Galley for this ARC! What would you do if you had a chance to sleep your sadness away for a month after losing someone? In this poignant tale of three people all in search of closure for losing something important in their lives. This heart felt story will have you asking yourself what would you do and how would I handle that. As with her first book The Measure; her stories really make you think of your own life and decisions we make. Lovely Easter Egg nod to that book in The Poppy Fields. Look forward to reading her next adventure.

This is the second book I've read by this author, and in both cases Nikki Erlick was able to take an intriguing idea and execute a thoughtful novel out of it. I love the questions she asks. In this book it is a question about grief, and whether or not a person should take an opportunity to, essentially, skip it. Of course it is a huge question, and there are lots of details to consider. I appreciate the self-reflection I get to do when reading books by this author.

This new speculative fiction novel explores the aftermath of grief and how people deal with it. What if you could sleep away your pain after losing someone you love? Would you do it?

Meet Ava, Ray, Sasha and Skye who are off to The Poppy Fields, a controversial treatment center that promises to cure your broken heart… but there’s a potential side effect that causes about 25% of patients to lose all feeling towards their lost loved one. These 4 characters each have their own reasons for wanting to visit The Poppy Fields and randomly find each other stranded at the airport and decide to travel together. As they travel, they reveal bits and pieces of their past and their stories to each other, but keeping their deepest secrets close to their broken hearts. Will The Poppy Fields be all that they hope for?

This novel explores the lengths people will go to heal their broken hearts and hide from their pain. But isn’t that what makes us human? Our resilience and ability to keep going even when we are broken inside? The novel also shares the backstory of the mastermind behind The Poppy Fields which gives another perspective to heartbreak.

I loved the found family aspect of these broken strangers headed together for a similar purpose. I also appreciated the backstory of “Ellis”. It is definitely a thought-provoking novel with no clear answers but causes you to pause and think about what you might do if an option like this was indeed available.

I liked this book, but not as much as The Measure. I applaud the author for tackling tough questions in her novels but to be honest, I think The Measure is a tough book to live up to.

And for those who have read her fantastic novel, The Measure, keep an eye out for a reference to it in this book!

Thank you to @netgalley @williammorrowbooks for a #gifted advanced digital copy of this novel

The Measure was one of my favorite books of the year in 2023. I still think about it. Needless to say I was excited to see what Nikki Erlick would write next. The Poppy Fields has a unique premise - what if there was a cure for broken hearts? Four strangers embark on a journey to find closure at a therapeutic center called The Poppy Fields. I am a sucker for a book that explores grief and trauma. Unfortunately I didn't feel like the execution was as interesting as the premise. This fell a bit flat for me. I will continue to look forward to what comes next from this author.

Poppies seem to grow on once fertile ground that is now almost uninhabitable. They burst with their readily identifiable scarlet tone upon even the aftermath of battle fields. Nature giving solace upon barren land.

I have such mixed feelings in regard to The Poppy Fields. The premise features a scientific method of sleeping through your grief. Patients woke with a surge of peacefulness after slumbering for a month. Time has passed. Somehow Grief filters through. The facility boasts thousands of satisfied patients who leave unencumbered by sadness and loss. But there is one side effect.......

A hail storm at the Kansas City Airport leaves three travelers seeking a way to their destination. They are all heading for the Poppy Fields facility for three different reasons. They decide to rent a car and split the driving between themselves. It becomes an unlikely roadtrip West. During this time, they pick up an unexpected traveler by the name of Sky. (Her character hardly carries the weight of the original three.)

I softened as I continued to read. It was pushing 3 Stars by this time and eventually became 4 Stars because of some of the back stories. Nikki Erlick lays grief on the table and spreads it thin in some places. To her credit, she does inject some individuals' responses that are anti-Poppy Fields.

Grief is like a fingerprint which is different for each and everyone of us. Everyone has to find their light in the darkness. And then wherever you go, the stars follow. But this is a bit of a sci-fi novel with the emphasis on choice. The thought of sleeping for a month and leaping out of this world for that time is mindboggling while others are left to sweep up the trailings of their own grief without you.

The Poppy Fields has its moments though. You may be more open to it than I was. It's a perfect book for discussion both pros and cons.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to William Morrow and to Nikki Erlick for the opportunity.

Three years after reading The Measure, I still think about the book often and regularly recommend it to others. So it’s no surprise I eagerly anticipated Nikki Erlick’s next release. Posing another esoteric question—this time about grief—I was eager to drop everything to read it.

In THE POPPY FIELDS, Erlick takes us to the Californian desert where scientists found a way for people to deal with grief through sleep. The distraught and broken-hearted flock to this new science that promises to lessen their pain. But, like anything touted as a miracle cure, there are questions, doubters, and potential negative side effects.

We accompany three individuals who find themselves stranded after weather disrupts their travel plans. As fate would have it, all three are headed to the Poppy Fields and each has a deeply personal reason for doing so. As they road trip together across the country, we learn more about their stories and motivation.

What Erlick does well is craft a story that explores tough questions while highlighting the interconnectedness of her characters. The character development here is quite good - to a point. The philosophical question of the merits of mitigating grief through science is a deep one. I applaud her for illustrating that grief is highly personal and manifests differently for everyone. Her point that grief is not limited exclusively to death is meaningful.

My issues with this book have everything to do with missed opportunities. While I found the reasons for each character’s pilgrimage to the Poppy Fields compelling, I felt their issues were resolved a bit too easily considering the depth of their grief. I also felt that ultimately the stakes were too low resulting in an absence of tension propelling the story forward. The ending seemed too simple for such a complex question.

I tandem read both the audio and print versions of this book. The full cast narration by Marin Ireland, Dan Bittner, Stacey Glemboski, Graham Halstead Mia Barron, Callie Dalton, Janina Edwards, Shawn K. Jain, Christian Barillas, and Jason Culp kept me listening when the story lagged. The news clips and documentary style segments were nice additions.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Audio, and William Morrow for the advance copies. All opinions are my own.

Nikki Erlick has a true talent for making the hard to believe and "futuristic" into something truly believable. Although I enjoyed "The Measure" much more than this novel, I can still see the value in this story. Not only are the characters expertly interwoven, but the story is a truly genuine page-turner. Thank you to @WmMorrowBooks for the advanced readers' edition of this novel.

Powerful and thought provoking about life, love and loss, and how we grieve and carry on. “Isn’t that what everyone wants, in the end? Just to feel a little less lonely!”- Poppy Fields applicant 784-551

Nikki Erlick did an exceptional job at simultaneously developing the 5 main characters, giving each their own journey, and developing the story itself, also while showing how we all are connected.

Unlike my experience with reading The Measure, for me, this was not a story in which I found myself asking would I or wouldn’t I. Instead, I found myself taking note of the very profound ways in which the author uses this fictional place and these characters to take you on a journey through the stages of grief and the many ways in which people can heal. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I’m quickly becoming a fan of Nikki Erlick.
Thank you William Morrow for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

The Poppy Fields is a heartfelt and thought-provoking story that explores love, family, loss, grief, and the consequences of our choices. Like *The Measure*, it encourages deep reflection on what truly matters in life. Through emotional and honest writing, Erlick captures how grief shapes us and how our decisions can leave lasting impacts. A moving and powerful read.

One of my favorite things about The Poppy Fields author Nikki Erlick is that she writes about such interesting CONCEPTS. As soon as I read about The Measure, I knew I needed to read the book. The same exact thing happened as soon as I read the premise of The Poppy Fields.

There are so many ways to experience loss, hurt and grief. Our culture has such a lack of understanding for these emotions, and a lack of language and training around them as well. That is perhaps one reason of many that some people might choose to go and sleep their pain away for a bit.. a bit being a month, or two! But will they have the same memories and feelings for their loved one when they awaken? Who goes to the Poppy Fields, and why? Who will get approved, and what might one learn on their way there?

All this and more was revealed. To risk love is to have such reward, and also to be open to such pain.

Thank you to Netgalley and William Morrow for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. There was much to think about reading this book. I recommend it!

Thank you to netgally and the publisher for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book focuses on grief and how people navigate loss and trauma. We get multiple points of view in this book, all unique and interesting. The pace of this book was perfect! I will definitely pick up Nikki's previous work and any she creates in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley, Nikki Erlick, and William Morrow for the advanced copy of this beautiful story.
Publication Date: June 17, 2025

This was my very first read by Nikki Erlick, and what a powerful introduction. I went into The Poppy Fields curious about the idea of healing—and came out feeling deeply moved. This book feels like a gentle hand on the shoulder, a quiet reminder that we’re never alone in our grief.

The premise is quietly magical: there’s a place where broken hearts go to rest. A mysterious field where, after a long sleep, healing is promised. It sounds like something out of a dream—and maybe, it is. Four strangers, each carrying deep emotional wounds, set out on a journey to find this place. Alongside them? A dog that, like the humans, has its own silent sorrow.

Grief shows up differently for each of them, but their ache is familiar. And honest. This isn’t the kind of story that gives you quick fixes or perfect answers. It asks big questions instead:
Can we ever truly recover from loss? And what are we willing to risk for the chance to feel whole again?

One line in particular felt like a whisper straight to the heart:
“Poppies are a ruderal species, which means that they grow from the rubble. If something so spectacular can still blossom in even the most disturbed earth, then doesn’t that mean there’s hope for even the most battered hearts to heal?”
It’s breathtaking. And it captures the soul of the book in just a few words.

I loved every character and the stories they carried. Some parts were soft and comforting, others cracked me open in quiet ways. Erlick writes with empathy and grace—never rushing the pain, but always making room for the possibility of light.

The Poppy Fields isn’t just about grief. It’s about resilience, connection, and how healing is rarely a straight line—but it is possible. And we don’t have to do it alone.

I truly loved this book. I’ll be thinking about it for a long time.

This was a unique and intriguing read. It examines some very heavy topics like death and grief, but it's also quite hopeful and healing. Like Erlick's previous book, The Measure, the story is woven together through various characters and POV's. I loved seeing all the different moving pieces slowly combine to create this larger picture and story. All these strangers invisibly tied together, in small and big ways, creating this wonderfully wonky and beautiful found family. Things wrap up quickly at the end, but this is definitely a story that celebrates the journey rather than the destination.

I mainly listened to the audiobook and the narration by Marin Ireland was fantastic. She gave such an emotional performance and voiced each character wonderfully. There are other various narrators (like Callie Dalton and Dan Bittner etc) who lend their talents to the book in small snippets throughout, but it's Marin Ireland who narrates the majority of the novel. Definitely recommend experiencing this one on audio if possible!

While I didn't end up loving this one as much as The Measure, I continue to be impressed by Erlick's writing and creativity. I can't wait to see what she writes next!

Audiobook Review
Overall 4.5 stars
Performance 5 stars
Story 4 stars

*I voluntarily read and listened to a review copy of this book*

Nikki Erlick has a song in her soul that appears will take a lifetime of gorgeous books to sing, and I do not mind that at all :) Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC of this audiobook & novel!

Specific to the audiobook, I want to say bravo to the narrators for making it one of my favorite listens in a long while. I usually am someone who has a difficult time listening to fictional audiobooks because the character voices can be difficult to listen to, but you all kept me on the edge of my seat (whether in the car or on the couch) and shushing my husband so I didn't miss a moment.

To all who open these pages: who is the person you have lost or fear losing? You lie in bed trying to keep their face etched into your eyelids, you feel their name echo between your heartbeats. The fear plagues you because not only will you face their loss but you fear you'll lose your life as well. Or maybe you don't fear that loss at all, you have resigned yourself to a life of shadow and grayscale; never whole again. Every moment is agonizing pain, but there is nothing you can do to stop it except to stop yourself--right?

Welcome to the Poppy Fields! *cue wii theme song* If the loss of your loved one has made you a shell of yourself or an angry alcoholic, please call 1-800-555-2212! We'll give you the best sleep of your life! All you have to do is make it here and cross your fingers that you won't be the 25% who gets THE SIDE EFFECT...

Grief is arguably one of the most potent emotions and experiences a person can experience, and rarely can be captured in the whole of its essence outside of experiencing it oneself. And yet, Nikki stepped up to the plate, rose to the challenge, and left me breathless with The Poppy Fields.
I was absolutely fascinated by the concept of "sleeping" to alleviate grief. I've worked in mental health for upwards of a decade, and as the book began I thought of all of the faces of the people who I've worked with and suffered from grief. I also thought of myself and how if I lost my partner and had the Poppy Fields as an option, I would have done most anything to get there to alleviate what I know will be borderline life-ending grief.

I think what is so haunting about this book is that it is a blink of an eye from being true. I can read all kinds of dark horror, but this is the kind of stuff that keeps me up at night. I actually had to wait a week before giving this a review because I felt a need to let it all sink in before sharing my mind here. This work of art is a book that will be in my top 5 for this year, guaranteed. I cannot wait for the general public to get their hands on it so I can FINALLY talk with someone about it!! I will be sharing it with all of my community and I hope all of you who find this review enjoy it as much as I do!

4.25 grief stars

There’s a saying that time heals all wounds. Could the same be said of grief? Can you sleep away the pain of grief?

Ellis is a scientist who has established a center to support individuals struggling with grief. Through a deep sleep of a month or more, the dark feelings of grief are moderated. There’s just one catch: about a quarter of people have a side effect. Would you apply if you are struggling with grief?

Everyone has to go through an application process, but there’s a massive demand for this facility, where everyone wears red pajamas while undergoing therapy. For now, it’s free for those who qualify.

We meet an odd group heading to the Poppy Fields in California, escaping a tornado in Kansas City. Ray has the last rental car, and he agrees to take Ava and Sasha along with him.

Each person is grappling with loss and hoping to find answers at the center. They bond over the journey and even befriend another traveler. We get to know them and the various reasons they seek out the center. There are some surprises along the way, and the journey takes longer than they thought. Even more twists await them at the center.

This one made me think about grief and how everyone copes differently. I would love to think there would be a treatment like this that would work.

I really enjoyed this author’s first book (“The Measure”), and while that one is still a favorite, I enjoyed the premise of this one.

I really enjoyed The Measure by this author so I had high expectations for this story, but I unfortunately didn’t like this one as much. I appreciated the focus on grief and how it explored different ways people cope and find community. The journey to the poppy fields and the characters’ connections were interesting, but I never felt emotionally connected to the main characters and one of them felt unnecessary. The pacing was slow and the personal backstories lacked impact. I did like the poppy field concept and the scattered articles/interviews throughout that gave more insight into the fields. While this wasn’t my favorite, I’m still excited to read more from the author.

A great follow up for this author - I liked The Measure a lot more, but this was still very good. I'd say not much happens in this more, it's more about the character as opposed to the plot, but would make for great discussion. An extremely inventive and interesting concept.

Thank you NetGalley, HarperCollins Publishing and Nikki Erlick for the opportunity to read and review an advanced copy of The Poppu Fields.
I could not stop reading this amazing story! This is a speculative novel of forgiveness, healing, self-discovery and new found friendships. The Poppy Fields is s place hope for the broken hearted. Patients sleep through their heartbreak and when they awake they are healed. Sounds like a done deal to me but, of course, not everything goes as planned.
This story really made me think of my own heartaches. How do we move on? Will these awful feelings ever go away? I could identify with all the characters and was deeply immersed in each one’s story. I loved how each character developed new attachments which helped them make decisions for their future. The story is mostly linear which helped me be a part of the story too.
There are many inspiring quotes that tugged at my heartstrings. I’m going to think about them often and apply them to my life. I highly recommend this book. No doubt it is my favorite so far for 2025.

If you could sleep for a month or two after a devastating loss, and wake up able to cope with your grief, would you do it?

This novel raises the question, as people apply to the Poppy Fields, an facility in California that allows you to sleep away your grief under supervision and medication. For a percentage of the patients however, they wake up with an emotional numbness, no longer feeling any emotions about the person they had lost. Is the time at the Poppy fields worth that risk, to be able to get on with your life after grief?

We follow Ava, Sasha, Ray and dog PJ who are making their way to the Poppy fields each for very different reasons. When a travel issue upsets their plans, they decide to road trip to California, and along the way they pick up free spirit Sky who decides to journey with them.

A reflective and philosophical novel, these travelers explore their grief, sharing their individual stories and discussing their feelings about the facility, and its creator.

I thought that the characters were all really well drawn, and the author did a great job of showing all the different aspects of loss and grief. The story is told in multiple POVs in this novel - from patient interview notes to articles about the facility.

I will have to try another of Nikki Erlick's novels.

No words can do this book justice. Trust me, just read it. It gave me goose bumps and made me smile and want to cry, sometimes all in the same chapter.