Another novel from Nikki Erlick! If you enjoyed her book, “The Measure,” then you will also enjoy this one. Her writing style is copy and pasted between each book. Multiple POVs, all the stories start out seemingly independent but weave together in the most perfect way. Interesting concept and exploration of love and loss.

Thank you to Net Galley and Harper Audio for this advance copy for an honest review.

The audio of this book was simply amazing! The Narrators did a fantastic job at bringing this book to life! I reread this digital book with the audiobook and I highly recommend doing both! It was entertaining, enjoyable, engaging and conversational! I give this audiobook a 5 out of 5 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley, Narrators Marin Ireland; Dan Bittner; Stacey Glemboski; Graham Halstead; Mia Barron; Callie Dalton; Janina Edwards; Shawn K. Jain; Christian Barillas; Jason Culp, author Nikki Erlick and HarperAudio Adult for this early copy of the audio version of this book in exchange for my honest review.

After reading (and loving!) Nikki Erlick’s debut novel The Measure a couple years ago, I was so excited to get my hands on a copy of her latest novel The Poppy Fields. Like The Measure, Nikki brings an element of science fiction in a creative concept that invokes the reader to do some deep self-reflection into the world around us. In The Poppy Fields Erlick tackles the subject of grief by introducing the readers to a facility where those experiencing significant grief can choose to go, where they will enter a deep coma-like sleep for upwards of 8 weeks. Upon waking, the patient will have completely healed from their distressful emotions caused by their significant grief. Unfortunately for up to 25% of those patients, there is a permanent side effect which results in them feeling complete apathy towards the cause of their grief—even including not feeling any emotions about the lost person at all. Knowing this, The Poppy Fields explores whether the risk of apathy outweighs the desire to be free from the crippling pain of the grief itself.

Through a cast of strangers forced to travel towards the poppy fields together in proximity, we explore each character’s tie to the poppy fields—why are they going there, and how have the poppy fields shaped their lives, either directly or indirectly? I want to say that I absolutely loved the concept of this story—it is so unique and different like nothing I’ve ever read before. I think the author has a brilliant mind for creating concepts that are completely outside the box. While it’s not fair to continue to compare this entirely separate work to its predecessor, I also feel like this sophomore novel had big shoes to fill after The Measure. As a result, The Poppy Fields just didn’t quite get there fully for me. I didn’t connect with the characters quite as much as I hoped initially, and they felt a little bit flat for me. The pacing was also quite slow, but I did enjoy how all the characters’ stories ended up weaving together by the end.

I listened to this story in audio format. Maren Ireland did a fabulous job narrating this story. She was joined by an entire cast of narrators, many who were responsible for the snippets of patient interviews or newspaper clippings, which added depth and dimension to the overall story.

The narrators did a wonderful job, there were no issues with audio or production quality! Story itself was fantastic and a really great concept.

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 audiobook is so well done, and made my mind just visualize it as a painting.

THE POPPY FIELDS
By Nikki Erlick

Narration was well done by the cast of: Marin Ireland; Dan Bittner; Stacey Glemboski; Graham Halstead; Mia Barron; Callie Dalton; Janina Edwards; Shawn K. Jain; Christian Barillas; Jason Culp.

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult for the
ALC

I was drawn to the unique premise of this speculative fiction novel exploring grief and healing through the treatment center, The Poppy Fields. I liked it being told through multiple POV and transcripts from the various applicants to The Poppy Fields. Ellis the enigmatic founder of The Poppy Fields, just wants to leave her mark on the world, and with the Poppy Fields, she has done so. We get to meet four people traveling together to The Poppy Fields for various reasons. Could there really be a cure for the broken-hearted? Can you sleep through the pain and accept the shadowy side effects? How do we heal in the wake of loss? How far does one go in order to be healed? Touching upon heartache, healing, self-discovery, friendship, forgiveness, and hope.

Nikki Erlick’s portrayal of grief in this speculative fiction read was compelling and engaged me from the beginning. The characters are dynamic and complex, with each carrying emotional burdens and seeking healing. This book would be a perfect book club pick. Her debut, The Measure, was a brilliant read and The Poppy Fields is another solid, enjoyable read as well. I can hardly wait to see what Nikki Erlick has in store for us in her next hit.

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! 😊

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. Love. Loss. This was a different read for me & I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked it. It does move at a slower pase, but It’s easy to follow and each character has their own characteristics and reasons for heading to this “Poppy Field”. Even though there is not a lot of conflict through out the book, you still want to get to the end of it to know more about this place and if it truly is as good as it seems. I was happy with the ending. Each character does come to a resolution of what they were facing in the beginning. Overall it is an easy and pleasant read.

The narrators do a great job at bringing each character to life. The fact that there are so many involved made the story really pleasant to listen to. Thank you to Harper Audio for the chance to listen to this audiobook prior to release.

5 ⭐️!!!
🎧

“There is only one reason anyone would sleep at The Poppy Fields. Love. Love makes people do wild things. Things they can’t understand. Things they have sworn they would never, ever do. So.. were they ever to lose that love, I imagine they might do just about anything. But here’s the thing: They haven’t lost that love. They’ve lost the physical, the visible, the tangible layer of love. But not the love itself. The love itself endures. The love itself is baked into our memories. The love itself is what slips across our cheeks when we cry, it’s what tugs at our lips when we smile. It’s the yearning pit in our stomach. The urge to make them proud. It’s the gratitude in knowing we were gifted something real.”

What. A. Book! Where do you even begin? Besides the intriguing storyline, the characters, the writing… the THOUGHTS it provokes are truly amazing.
Ava, Ellis, Ray, Sasha, Sky.. I love them all in their own unique way. I feel like I know them and THAT is a sign of good writing. Not to mention the question, “If you could sleep for a month or two to rid yourself of unbearable grief.. would you?” We’ve all felt it. Whether the loss of a loved one, a betrayal, or what feels like both… we’ve all been there. Would YOU risk the *side effect* for a chance at normalcy and peace?

Nikki Erlick is a force to be reckoned with. I will read every book she writes, and my next stop is The Measure, as I didn’t start with that. The Poppy Fields could have been her debut novel but I know how the former has been raved about.. and now I see why.

Chefs kiss. 😘

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult for this ALC.

I found this to be an interesting book with a unique concept. I enjoyed the audiobook as it was paced perfectly and kept me engaged and entertained.

Many thanks for my gifted ALC.

So of course I heard about Nikki Erlick and her debut "The Measures" (which is still on my TBR). Nikki is a very talented author and she does characters so well. Really interesting concept and great characters and character relationships. I really felt like I was going on a journey with Ava, Ray, Sasha, Sky, and Ellis. I thought each of their personalities and personal stories were so interesting and gave different perspectives on grief, heartache, hope and human resilience, as promissed in the description. There was just enough information on each of them to really get to know their story without going too far into their history. Great focus.
Also, absolutely great narration and loved the cast of narrators. I think it really elevates the book when there is a narrator for each character, especially since there are so many main characters in this one.
The four stars comes from the fact that this is characterized as a sci fi and fantasy genre and I didn't get that at all. Sure, what the Poppy Fields offer is not something "normal," but was it completely out there, not enough to be sci fi in my opinion. Also, the side effects, again not "normal," but didn't feel all that weird or even unrealistic. I kept waiting for something truely out there or fantasy like to be revealed and in the end I personally didn't think there was anything. Just really threw me off and I kept thinking I missed something. Now, normally I probably wouldn't have even noticed the genre thing because I don't really pay attention to that, but I find when requesting an arc I tend to notice it so it stood out.
This does not take away from the story and the characters. If you like books where the focus and drive of the plot is character building and growth, then this is a great read.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult | HarperAudio for the arc.

I loved the The Measure by Nikki Erlick so much that she will always be an auto-buy author for me. And this book did not disappoint! After reading, and considering, I still don't know if I would want to go to the Poppy Fields - but it is an interesting conversation to have with others. When this comes out I will be recommending it for my book club to read.

4.25 ⭐️ another deep, thought-provoking concept from Erlick for this book. If you had the chance to cure or minimize your grief after a loss, would you take it? Even if the cure meant you may not feel much affection towards the person you lost? It sparks endless discussion opportunities so would be a great bookclub choice. Loved the quote “but grief was love in its second shape”. Very poignant story that will leave you asking yourself “what would I do?” I’m in awe of the author and how she comes up with these life-altering concepts and how she examines them from every angle. She does a beautiful job of interweaving characters’ stories and revealing information and twists to the reader at just the right time. The audiobook version was well done and I enjoyed.

Okay, so… let’s just get this out of the way: this book was kind of boring. Not in a “nothing happens at all” kind of way, but in that meandering, slow-burn style that thinks it's doing deep character work—but ultimately doesn’t go anywhere.

The story centers more on a road trip than any real plot progression, and while I’m all for character-driven narratives, the arcs here felt unfinished. The development that’s supposed to be happening never really lands. I kept waiting for that emotional payoff, for some turning point that would make it all click—but it never came.

That said, the idea of the poppy fields was brilliant. Sleeping away grief? What a hauntingly beautiful and creative concept. I was immediately hooked by that premise, and it’s exactly the kind of high-concept storytelling the author nailed in her debut, The Measure—which, by the way, was a five-star read for me. I recommend that book to everyone. It was poignant, thought-provoking, and emotionally resonant. This one… not so much.

Instead, what we get is a flat, aimless journey. Just engaging enough to keep me from DNF-ing, but not compelling enough to feel satisfied by the end. Speaking of the ending: what even was that? I genuinely don’t remember how it wrapped up, and not because I wasn’t paying attention—I was just that underwhelmed. There were all these breadcrumbs for side plots (like Ava maybe having a thing for Ray?) that led absolutely nowhere. So many threads that could’ve added dimension, but they were either dropped or never fully fleshed out.

On the positive side, the narrators were excellent, and I did enjoy the inclusion of articles and interviews scattered throughout—it gave the story a little more texture. But ultimately, the book lacked momentum, emotional depth, and clarity in its character arcs.

This had the potential to be a profound exploration of grief and healing, but instead, it just kind of… dragged. I really wanted to love it, especially based on the author’s past work, but it fell short in a disappointing way.

Okay, so… let’s just get this out of the way: this book was kind of boring. Not in a “nothing happens at all” kind of way, but in that meandering, slow-burn style that thinks it's doing deep character work—but ultimately doesn’t go anywhere.

The story centers more on a road trip than any real plot progression, and while I’m all for character-driven narratives, the arcs here felt unfinished. The development that’s supposed to be happening never really lands. I kept waiting for that emotional payoff, for some turning point that would make it all click—but it never came.

That said, the idea of the poppy fields was brilliant. Sleeping away grief? What a hauntingly beautiful and creative concept. I was immediately hooked by that premise, and it’s exactly the kind of high-concept storytelling the author nailed in her debut, The Measure—which, by the way, was a five-star read for me. I recommend that book to everyone. It was poignant, thought-provoking, and emotionally resonant. This one… not so much.

Instead, what we get is a flat, aimless journey. Just engaging enough to keep me from DNF-ing, but not compelling enough to feel satisfied by the end. Speaking of the ending: what even was that? I genuinely don’t remember how it wrapped up, and not because I wasn’t paying attention—I was just that underwhelmed. There were all these breadcrumbs for side plots (like Ava maybe having a thing for Ray?) that led absolutely nowhere. So many threads that could’ve added dimension, but they were either dropped or never fully fleshed out.

On the positive side, the narrators were excellent, and I did enjoy the inclusion of articles and interviews scattered throughout—it gave the story a little more texture. But ultimately, the book lacked momentum, emotional depth, and clarity in its character arcs.

This had the potential to be a profound exploration of grief and healing, but instead, it just kind of… dragged. I really wanted to love it, especially based on the author’s past work, but it fell short in a disappointing way.

A fascinating, thought provoking and tender hearted story! Nikki Erlick has become my favorite speculative fiction author. Having read and loved The Measure, I was eager to delve into The Poppy Fields when I saw its release date. I was even more excited to have received an advance audiobook copy of her newest production!

The Poppy Fields followed four strangers and a dog on a road trip to a controversial treatment center in the California desert. The center, known as The Poppy Fields, offered a cure for grief through a prolonged sleep that promised to heal, though it came with the risk of potential side effects. The story highlighted how each of the characters grappled with their own unique experiences of loss and grief, embark on their own journey while their past secrets emerge and disrupt their voyage. Collectively, this was a story about heartache, hope, and human resilience. I was utterly immersed in this speculative novel.

I loved how the main characters confronted grief by exploring different ways to cope with their losses. They also had to overcome the loss of the relationships they once had and address the pain associated with it. Additionally, the characters navigated through self discovery by coming to terms with their identities. As the characters were traveling together, they created stronger familial bonds that provided support and companionship while navigating their individual grief journeys.

All in all, Nikki Erlick delivered a masterful and tender hearted exploration of grief. It was a thought provoking and fascinating story. I highly recommend this book if you enjoyed The Measure and thought provoking speculative fiction.

Thanks to Net Galley & HarperAudio for the advance audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

I loved Nikki Erlick’s last book and was eagerly looking forward to this book even after knowing little abut it. I recommend going into this one blind, too. Let me start off by staying the audiobook format was done so well, the cast of narrators really made the many characters come to life.

The Poppy Fields was another emotional gut punch and loved going on the journey with the 4 strangers on their road trip to The Poppy Fields in California. This book is looks at grief, but still has many twists and characters that you'll care for & connect with.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author & publisher for the ALC.
4.5 stars rounded up

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Audio for an ALC of the audiobook. I really enjoyed The Measure and was so excited to dig into this one! The narration was done by a cast, and I loved the main narrator. The news articles, FAQ, and additional information about the Poppy Fields sprinkled throughout was a fun touch. The story follows the POV of a few different characters and they are all facing grief in different forms in their life. All of them are connected in some way and on a journey together to the fields. I liked hearing about their backstories and the dynamics at play between them all. I would have liked to see more elements within the fields itself, and to dig deeper with some of the characters. Overall, it was a very entertaining story line and thought provoking. It made me wonder what I would do if I had the opportunity to go to sleep for a few months after hard loss, or if the best way to heal is to work through it. Similar to the Measure, this would be a great choice for book clubs or companion reads as there can be a lot of thoughtful discussion about the content.

After loving Nikki's book, The Measure, I was SO excited to get an ALC of her newest! What could be better than her new book by my favorite narrator?!
If you enjoyed The Measure, you will also enjoy this one. I truly loved all the characters introduced throughout the story and how they all weave in. I really resonated with the topic and found the story to be thought-provoking as someone who has experienced difficulty coping with grief, especially from Johnny's experience.
I enjoyed the Wizard of Oz themes going on throughout the story, too!
I will continue to regularly think about this story, along with her previous book.

Thank you Netgalley and Harper Audio for the ALC of The Poppy Fields!