This was fantastic. I did an immersive read and couldn’t recommend more. The narration was wonderful. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this audiobook.

Sophomore books are always hard but it’s clear that Nikki Erlick is an author that will be around for a while. That being said it’s hard to read this and not compare it to The Measure and this one didn’t quite meet the level that The Measure had. It may be because the message around grief that this book explores; while universal, is a message that hits harder at certain times in a person’s life and now is not the time for me. I still really enjoyed it though and would recommend it.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperAudio for an advanced copy.

The Poppy Fields is an unexpected dive into grief and that bone deep desire to just <i>sleep</i>. I was surprised at how gentle and warm this book was to read. I had expected to be brought to tears and have my heart ripped to pieces but this book was not a knife or bullet and was, instead, a soothing balm.

The Poppy Fields follows five characters directly as they go about their journeys. Some are headed to a treatment facility for grief for various reasons, one is a scientist at the facility, and one is simply a free spirit looking for life and adventure. What starts as a bunch of strangers becomes a journey that ties them all together in ways they didn't expect. Through their respective journeys we learn a little of what makes these characters tick and what affects them.

Ava, Sasha, and Ray all end up victims of an unfortunate tornado that rips their intended mode of transportation from them while they are traveling to the Poppy Fields, which is an experimental facility set up to treat the symptoms of grief after losing a loved one. All three are headed there for different reasons and all three happen to meet and find one another and agree on traveling together to their shared destination. As they travel they learn about one another and become friends. What should have been a 24 hour journey turned into roughly 3 days of travel with them as they all work to untangle their own thoughts and emotions about the journey they are on.

Sky was also stranded at the airport, but instead of meeting our other heroes, Sky ends up on her own little travel journey while she explores life and sees what it has to offer her. She embodies youth and the desire to live and to thrive. She lives life like she wants to be swallowed up by the world and embraces it back.

Sky finds the other three protagonists fairly far into their journey, when the three had been ruminating and beginning to stagnate as they pushed forward without engaging in the world around them. After offering Sky a ride, we see how her short time with them completely changes the trajectory of their trip. In one day together, Sky's exuberance and unwillingness to bend to the tragedies life holds brings life back to the others who had remained stagnant since their own losses.

The Poppy Fields is an incredible exploration of coping with grief. How some people are able to get up and continue easier than others, but what makes grief easy or not? Who is afforded the time to truly grieve? What is the point of grief? Pain? Love? What is the right way to grieve? There's lots of interesting backseat questions like this through the book. The Poppy Fields does not aim to answer these questions, either, and instead just simply explore and make you look inward.

I think the book struggles a little in that we don't truly get to know our protagonists, only their pain. I find every character in this book to be relatable in some way, which makes the world feel small in a way I believe the author intended. Everyone feels grief, after all, and it connects us. However, I found that I personally was unable to connect with the core of who these people were beyond their pain, which made them feel a little shallow at times. I was heavily invested in the relationship developing through the story but was a little disappointed in the end by the lack of any payoff there as well. I am not a reader that needs things spelled out, however I just really <i>liked</i> these characters and had wanted to know more about them after this whole adventure.

I have a personal affinity for the inserts, though. I love the little insights into other people and their relation to The Poppy Fields and how it's affected them. I loved the stories of people finding peace, of the people that decided not to last minute, of those that loved and lost and kept going. I loved the ideas brought forth with the sleep, and what it could mean to different people. I really loved this and personally found this to be a strength of the book itself.

I did shed a few tears, these people are very relatable and grief is truly such a unifying emotion that it was hard not to have your heartstrings tugged during moments of personal story and tragedy. Overall though, The Poppy Fields just felt like that hug you get when you're hurting and need support. It felt warm and solid. Nikki Erlick wrote a beautiful book about how grief affects you emotionally, but only explored how people cope through it, which I found to be refreshing and a little different from what I'm used to.

I would highly recommend this novel to people who feel alone in their grief and how they've chosen to cope with the loss in their lives. I think this is a wonderful exploration of companionship and a really solid story of connection and how we heal through talking and sharing and grieving separate losses together.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC copy of the audiobook.

Wow. What a book. This author has a way of creating many different characters that are easy to keep track of that each give a slight variation on the theme so every reader can find one they resonate with. I found something I resonated with in each of them personally.
This story was absolutely magnificent and there were times I was listening that just took my breath away. The way the stories were told just kept me wanting more and I knew we were coming to a conclusion, just as we did in The Measure but I still wanted more.
The lesson for life is told so beautifully. I absolutely cannot wait to read (or listen) to every future title because they just hit.

Grief...sucks. It feels all consuming and like an anchor dragging you down to the bottom of the ocean. But given the chance, would you choose to bypass it altogether? Would you risk apathy toward your loved one just to get to the other side where the pain is gone? After finishing "The Poppy Fields" by Nikki Erlick, I have my answer.

Nikki Erlick authored one of my favorite novels to date—"The Measure"—so I was immediately drawn to this novel, excited to see what she would come up with next and I was not disappointed. "The Poppy Fields" is a poignant road trip by an unlikely cast of travelers, journeying to the controversial site where a new technology allows patients to sleep off their grief and come out the other side significantly "healed" from their pain. But not everything is so clean and simple as there is a potential side effect...

Theslow-burn explores grief and the concept of a cure allowing people to skip the majority of the grieving process, imploring the reader to reflect on their own perspective of loss and heartbreak. Erlick explores skipping vs working through it and what gifts may await on the other side—like the legacy of love, memories, hope, and even tears serving as a reminder of loving someone.

Through an outstanding cast of richly developed, diverse, and deep characters, Erlick crafts a beautiful story that digs into a variety of loss, experiences, and outlooks, even delivering a standout minor character introduced in the final leg of the novel. This character represents a mere pages of an appearance yet creates an impact which pulls the entire story together.

Shout out to a stellar cast of audio performers, all of whom delivered a top-notch narrative performance: Marin Ireland, Dan Bittner, Stacey Glemboski, Graham Halstead, Mia Barron, Callie Dalton, Janina Edwards, Shawn K. Jain, Christian Barillas, Jason Culp.

"The Poppy Fields" is a conceptually robust speculative novel examining something all humans must endure in their lifetime: heartbreak, loss, and grief. How far would you be willing to go in order to be healed?

Thank you to Nikki Erlick, HarperAudio, William Morrow, & NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my authentic review.

Nikki Erlick's debut novel, The Measure, was one of my very favourite reads of 2022, so I was beyond excited to receive an advance copy of her latest novel, The Poppy Fields.
In a sense, this book follows a similar formula to The Measure, with the introduction of a unique and thought-provoking concept. In The Poppy Fields, a new treatment facility for grief is available, where people can go for a month or two to "sleep off" their intense grief. However, a side effect affects 25% of those treated.
I really enjoyed the book, and the little nods to the Wizard of Oz were fun easter eggs to discover. While it is certainly more character driven than her first novel, and I would have enjoyed a bit more in the pacing, the way Erlick writes about loss and grief is accessible and relatable. This will be a fantastic choice for book club discussions.
In addition, the audiobook recording was extremely well done.

The way Nikki Erlick weaves storylines together is such a pleasure to read. This is a thought provoking novel about grief and healing. It follows multiple characters as they make their way to the titular Poppy Fields. It is a character-driven story where we slowly uncover the layers and secrets that make up these characters. Similar to Erlick's first novel, The Measure, this book had me thinking about it every time I had to put it down. Not because it is a thrilling page-turner, but because of the way it makes the reader reflect on their own lives and choices. Erlick has made her way onto my auto-read authors list.

The audiobook narration is excellent. There is a large cast because of how many POVs we have in the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperAudio for providing a digital ARC of this audiobook!

The Poppy Fields by Nikki Erlick 🛌🛌🛌.5

I would like to thank NetGalley, William Morrow, and HarperAudio for providing me with an advance e-galley and an advance audio-galley of this book. As always, these galley copies are provided in exchange for an honest review. Look for it in your local and online bookstores and libraries on June 17, 2025.

This is my second Nikki Erlick book, and I’m noticing a pattern. The premise and the first half of her books are excellent. Then they seem to fizzle out. Or they do for me. I really thought I was going to love this book, but it wasn’t meant to be. The audio is terrific, though. Marin Ireland is my absolute favorite narrator.

“Courage was not just running toward a crisis but also recognizing when you'd seen one crisis too many.”
— Nikki Erlick, The Poppy Fields

Grief, something that we will all inevitably face at one point or another in our lifetime. It’s unavoidable. But what if the pain that follows could be avoided? What if you could lesson the 5 stages of grief or even bypass them altogether? What if you could make the choice to simply sleep through your grief? Would you do it? Even if the risk could potentially outweigh the reward. Would you still take the chance in an attempt to simply avoid experiencing the weight of your grief?

The author of The Measure, Nikki Erlick has done it again with yet another thought provoking novel that will leave your mind reeling long after you turn the final page. The Poppy Fields is a contemplative story that follows the different stories of four strangers who are all on a journey to heal from their grief. Sky, Ray, Sasha and Ava make their way across the country to the Poppy Fields, a desert in CA where they will use extended sleep therapy in an attempt to heal their heartache. In addition to the four strangers we also follow the storyline of Ellis, a driven woman on a mission to do something great with her life. Being no stranger to grief herself, she comes up with the idea to create the Poppy Fields.

Nikki Erlick’s writing style is in a league of its own. For me personally it is always equally both frustrating as it is satisfying. Her books are no easy read. For the majority of the story I feel like my head is swimming with information overload. Each chapter alternates between the character POVs that share their different storylines. With everything being introduced all at once on top of the thought provoking content my brain struggles to keep up. It takes me a while to get into Erlick’s books but then once I do I’m completely invested. In the end, I am always blown away by her ability to make all of the different pieces of the story come together seamlessly bringing everything full circle.

This book will leave you feeling all of the emotions and one that you will want to discuss with other readers making it a perfect pick for book clubs.

I listened to this on audio format and it was so well done. I highly recommend giving the audio a chance.

Thank you Netgalley for this advanced audio edition of The Poppy Fields by Nikki Erlick.

I LOVED The Measure, her previous book. There is something so satisfying about exploring these existential hypotheticals. The Poppy Fields has some of the same book club fodder of "what would you do's" that could launch conversations for hours.

What would you do if you could go to sleep after losing a loved one, and then wake up with only a fraction of the pain. You would almost feel numb to the loss, as if this person wasn't near as important to you as they were. Would it be worth it if it meant skipping past the excruciating pain of loss?

When four unlikely strangers end up in a car together, all going to the Poppy Fields for their own unique reasons, we learn more about the purpose and controversy around them. We also learn about Ellis, the brilliant, if not somewhat misguided mastermind responsible for the month long grief comas that the Fields offer.

This is not only a good story, but a great philosophical question about the inevitability of grief, loss, and healing. It's written so well, and I loved the characters. This would be fantastic for a bookclub.

Ever since I finished reading The Measure, I have patiently been awaiting Nikki Erlick's follow-up novel! The Poppy Fields contains the same sharp writing, layered characters and surprising reveals as the Measure, but didn't quite live up the my expectations. The Poppy Fields is a place in California where people who are experiencing grief after a loss can go to “sleep away” their heartache. Ava, Ray and Sasha start off as three strangers who are brought together after being stranded in an airport and make a road trip across the county to seek different things at The Poppy Fields. Sasha has lost her fiancé, Ray his brother, and Ava is going there looking for her sister. All are hiding secrets from each other and as those secrets come to light, will they be able to make it to California together? This is a wonderfully done speculative fiction novel that really explores grief and how different people cope and process. The audio cast was phenomenal but there were just a few small things that kept it from being 5 stars.

This was my first five star read of the year. I highly recommend the audio book. This is about a place called The Poppy Fields, which is an experimental treatment center for those who are experiencing a loss. This book touches greatly about how everyone handles grief differently. It follows a few characters who are all heading to The Poppy Fields for different reasons. This has a great found family trope and it's great to learn how they are all connected.

*The Poppy Fields* is a thought-provoking, deeply emotional novel that examines grief, healing, and the lengths people will go to escape their pain. Set in a surreal desert landscape with an experimental treatment center at its heart, the story follows four strangers and a dog as they embark on a journey toward healing. With rich character development and a hauntingly unique premise, the novel invites readers to explore the complexities of loss and the unexpected ways we search for closure. The narration is good as well!

The Poppy Fields Nikki Erlick is a phenomenal writer. I loved The Measure, so I was thrilled to receive an early copy of her newest work. The thing about Erlick is that her writing is going to make you contemplate your place in the world and the quality of your relationships. This is set against the backdrop of an intriguing "what if" question. For The Poppy Fields, readers are left to grapple with if they would choose to sleep away their grief.

Many thanks to the author, narrators, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me.

This was a really unique idea and different from anything I have read in a long time. The plot was one that was very thought provoking. What if you could go to The Poppy Fields and "sleep" for a month or two under supervision to help you get through trauma or grief? When you wake up, the memories are still there, but the emotions surrounding the memory have been weakened. But be aware, there is a 1 in 4 chance of having the "side effect." The story follows the lives of 4 strangers and their cross country journey to The Poppy Fields, each for their own reasons. Through sharing their stories, the group of strangers find family, hope, and healing among each other, despite the secrets they are carrying. I was able to read and also listen to the audio. The full cast really brought the story to life!

Thank you to Netgalley, Harper Audio and William Morrow for the ARC and ALC!

Thank you to William Morrow, Nikki Erlick, and NetGalley for the advanced electronic copy of The Poppy Fields. All opinions are my own.
Summary: The Poppy Fields is a treatment center where those that are grieving can go to sleep through their grief. In this story, four strangers embark on an adventure to get to the The Poppy Fields and the bond that they form and experiences that they share along they way start to heal each of them unexpectantly.

Reflection: “Grief is love in its second shape”. May is always a very hard month for me. I lost my mom six years ago during the month of May, her birthday is in May, and of course Mother’s Day… so reading a book focus on grief and overcoming it was very personal and very timely. It certainly made me think about grief and knowing it never ends… would I consider a stay at The Poppy Fields? What about the possible side effects? What is the best way to heal? Lots of self-reflection!

This story is a tale of life not at The Poppy Fields, but the journey that Ava, Ray, Sasha, and Sky (along with Ava’s little dog PJ) take to get there. Nikki Erlick does a great job of developing the characters and developing their connections to one another. They are each holding secrets and insecurities that come into play during the three-day journey. They share their own struggles with grief and why, ultimately, they are looking for answers of one kind or another at The Poppy Fields. I enjoyed this character rich, emotionally charged book and couldn’t wait to see how it all came together at the end. I also loved the description of poppy flowers at the end and why this was a perfect title for this book!

Publishes on June 17, 2025

Nikki Erlick’s sophomore novel, “The Poppy Fields” does not disappoint! Just like “The Measure”, Erlick masterfully weaves her characters' storylines. The four main characters Ava, Ray, Sasha, and Skye are thrown together during their travels to The Poppy Fields, to escape their grief but instead form an inspiring bond. Along the way, they share stories of their loss and come to realize no two people can experience grief the same way but empathy and understanding can help them navigate the difficult journey together.

Erlick's creative use of media reports sprinkled throughout the story helps build this alternate world while demonstrating both sides of the controversial Poppy Fields. While society pressures the characters to pretend everything is fine it also criticizes their choice to visit the Poppy Fields as an easy escape.

This book will leave you wanting to discuss with friends and is perfect for any book club.

Thank you to Harper Audio via NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

I had no idea what to expect when I started this one and WOW. Welcome to The Poppy Fields, where there's hope for even the most battered hearts to heal. In a remote stretch of the California desert, there is an experimental treatment center that allows those of us suffering from the heartache of loss and grief to sleep through their pain...and they can be healed. If that doesn't sound appealing - you haven't suffered a loss that you can never get back. I have to admit this concept was so enticing to me after the loss of my brother. Listening to the stories and the experiences and the why of everyone who goes to sleep at the poppy fields was so unbelievably relatable. It definitely brought up some big emotions for me.

Along this journey we meet, Ava her dog PJ, Ray, Sasha and Sky as they attempt to travel from the Midwest to the Poppy Fields in California, where they hope to find Ellis, it's enigmatic founder, each for their own reasons that unfold as the story is told. The questions and the thoughts that this book provoke are so real and profound and we seem to go along a healing journey with each of our characters. It was great! The beginning, with the set up of everything, was a little slow, which was the reason for the rating. Otherwise, I was interesting to see how far each person was willing to go in order to heal from their own grief and loss.

Thank you to NetGalley, HarperAudio Adult, Harper Audio and Nikki Erlick for the Advanced Listener Copy of The Poppy Fields. The Poppy Fields by Nikki Erlick is set for publication 17 June 2025.

"Because they each have 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. "

In a remote part of California, there's a facility that can make you forget the pain of grief. Forget the pain of heartache, of loss, of feeling. After you sleep at the Poppy Fields, you wake up able to continue without the grief, but there can be side effects. We follow four strangers on their journey to the Poppy Fields. We learn their stories and how the Poppy Fields affect them.

What if we could cure a broken heart? Mend people back together after tragedy so they can seamlessly transition back to a "normal life?" What role does grief play in our life? How does it shape us? What if we can't cope with it? The Poppy Fields is everything I love in a book. Speculative fiction at its finest - it's not too deep, just layered enough to get me thinking. Our cast of loveable, broken characters were perfectly unperfect. Just living their routine lives, but abruptly stunted by loss.

This book made me cry at losses I haven't even experienced. If I am inconsolable at just the thought, what if it actually happened? If I could, would I choose to sleep? At what cost? Would risk the side effects for relief? I admire when a book makes me think like this. And of course, I applaud the name of the novel against the topic of the book. The poppy - a drought-resistant, self-seeding, ever adaptable flower. Able to thrive in the neglected, unlivable areas. Juxtaposed against the treatment and how grief hits us. I just really appreciated it. Erlick's second novel is just as though-provoking as her first. I highly recommend this book.

People will be impacted differently by this book based on how recently they've dealt with a loss and where they are on their own journey through grief. I could see myself reading this again and feeling differently about it. I've dealt with a lot of loss and I enjoyed considering the questions Erlick poses in this novel.

I listened to the audiobook and the full cast narration was excellent.

I'll be recommending this to just about everyone.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy.