Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! If you liked The Measure, you’ll like this one too. An interesting take on navigating grief. Funny and sensitive and sweet.

Crying so much! I adore the way Nikki writes books and showcases human connection. If loved her book The Measure definitely check out The Poppy Fields as well. Wonderful narration as well!

4.25/5. Thank you to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for the advanced listening copy!

What drew me to this book was the premise - what if you could sleep away your grief - and I think this book truly delivered on it. Those who apply, are chosen, and come to the Poppy Fields are given the opportunity to sleep through the worst parts of their broken-heart. When they awaken, the pain is gone and, for the most part, they can move on with their lives.

But there is a chance of a side effect that may make it all not worth the risk...

The novel follows a set of characters on their way to the Poppy Fields, and the creator of the Poppy Fields herself, and a twisty, entwined story that really reflects on what grief is, how individual it is, and how we all have to come to heal from it. It balances the two sides of the coin: do we have to be awake and aware of our intense loss, or is there more benefit to letting our body heal itself, relegated to the subconscious?

Going into this, I expected we'd focus more on the aspect of the actual process of sleeping through grief. Instead, Erlick takes us on a character-driven adventure to the west, creating memorable characters who work through their process in their own way. Just the fact that they have each other and the ability to talk through <i>why</i> they're choosing the Poppy Fields starts the process of healing.

I wasn't certain I was prepared for an introspective novel like this, but I am glad I took the chance to listen to it today. It was well worth it and the questions that it poses. The writing itself was beautiful and every character unique enough that none blended together. Marin Ireland (and every other narrator) does an excellent job of bringing them all to life. I find the novels like this with interviews, broadcasts, articles, etc. do really well with multiple narrators in an audio format.

If you're in the mood for a novel that makes you stop and look deep at part of being human, this is one for you.

How do you men a broken heart
How do you stop the rain from falling down?

Perhaps there is a place for you to rid yourself of a heart broken through loss? There is a place in the desert of California that can provide healing through sleep. Sounds amazing and something we might consider if we are among those that no matter how much time has passed find ourselves consolable.

Ellis, the brilliant woman who created the Poppy Field is the destination for four travelers, Ava, a book illustrator; Ray, a fireman; Sasha, an occupational therapist; Sky, a free spirit; and a friendly pup named PJ. They bond together and as they travel we learn of their sorrows, their hopes for the fields, and the secrets that may deter them from what they seek.

There are so many thought provoking concepts in this story and it is one that you will continue to ponder after the last word is read. Would you go there if you could, if this imagined place was available, if what they promised could be yours?

The Poppy is a flower that is ever so resilient. It was the first flower to grow after the devastation of the war and so the center seems aptly named. Can people come back after a devastating loss, the loss of a child, husband, wife, parents, brothers, sisters etc. or do our memories of our lost loved ones become something we wish to hold onto throughout our lives?

ARC - NetGalley AudioRead - Full Cast - Well Done!!

This book is shelved as a "Sci-Fi/Fantasy" story category. This is not your typical Sci Fi in my mind.

This is the story of the Poppy Fields, an experimental and controversial treatment center that allows people dealing with the loss of a loved one to sleep through their pain in a prolonged slumber. When they awaken from this sleep they will be healed. But there are some potentially shadowy side effects. The story follows 4 strangers who travel to make their way to the Poppy Fields. This was such a beautiful tale of love, loss and moving on in the most unexpected way.

What a beautiful story and characters. I loved Nikki Erlick’s The Measure and found The Poppy Fields to be equally enjoyable. Erlick has a special, unique way of sharing humanity’s struggles and celebrations and how we are intertwined with others. I’m excited for the publish date so I can share this with others.

Speculate about grief with strangers going on a road trip to a sleeping pod farm✨
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I’m always intrigued by how technology might help us cope with everyday problems, so I enjoyed this book’s exploration of grief, loss, and healing. The mixed media format and varied perspectives kept things interesting, breaking up the road trip narrative while highlighting how society might respond to controversial tech. But the plot was a bit thin, causing the story to drag towards the end. It felt a bit repetitive & preachy without much surprise or mystery. Still, the speculative concept of a sleeping pod letting you skip the worst parts of grief & the outcomes was fascinating. There were even some emotional moments that made me tear up based on my own experiences. Overall, it was enjoyable and thought provoking, even if it didn’t offer anything that thrilling.

3.5 rounded up. This would be a great book club/discussion type book. I didn’t really get pulled in to the book until the final few chapters. Loved the last line of the book. The audiobook was fine. This is a book with a smattering of interviews, news articles, etc. For an audiobook with 10 narrators, I found it odd the interview transcripts weren’t read in interview style and instead were primarily read by men, even though most of the interview subjects were female. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

5 stars and honestly so excited about it!

This book had high expectations, after loving the measure so much. I love how this author plays with some sci-fi elements in her books. In this book, we are following multiple POV's as these people explore what the Poppy Fields look like. Each person wants to go/has gone for different reasons. The Fields are said to be able to cure your heartbreak, but you must first apply and go through quite the process to be accepted into this program.

I really love how the author explores all possible scenarios of how a place like this could impact people around them and even the individuals themselves. As always, her work is filled with gorgeous quotes and while I love most of what she has to say, I found the topics surrounding grief to be heart wrenching and thought provoking throughout the story. I highly recommend reading this when it comes out!

Erlick’s latest novel did not work for me like The Measure, which was one of my favorite books of 2022. In The Measure, the characters were engaging, the story compelling and discussion topics were plentiful. Those three aspects were missing for me in her latest. The characters felt flat and their relationships with one another were not convincing. The story itself felt disjointed and confusing. I wanted a deeper examination of “why” and the purpose behind The Poppy Fields. I never felt fully invested in the story or the outcomes of these characters. I did really enjoy the narration.

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐎𝐏𝐏𝐘 𝐅𝐈𝐄𝐋𝐃𝐒 (Pub 06.17) is contemplative, introspective, speculative and highly discussable. No sophomore slump from author Nicole Erlick. 

The Poppy Fields, is a controversial treatment center in the middle of the California desert where people suffering from unbearable grief can sleep away the heartache. But there is a 1-in-4 chance of an irreversible side effect. Plus- there is a road trip aspect when people with different opinions/connections about the Poppy Fields are thrown together. 

I finished this over a week ago and I'm still thinking about the characters and the overall concept. The whole concept is provocative yet believable- I loved that.

READ CONCURRENLY in audio and print. Thank you @netgalley and The audio is full cast featuring Marin Ireland. I relished having both formats at my disposal so I could keep reading no matter where I was.

I was a little disappointed in this but I think mainly because I was a huge fan of The Measure. The characters were interesting but I just never got invested in th treatment facility.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Audio Adult for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review. What would you do if you could go to a facility where you could be put to sleep for 2 months so that when you wake up you don't feel that excruciating pain from losing a loved one. You would still remember them but you would not feel the heartbreak or pain that you live with each and every day. This book is about 4 strangers who are each making their way to this facility all for different reasons in hopes of easing their heartbreak. I didn't realise that this was the same author who wrote The Measure and after reading this one I can totally see this as the vibe from this book was that same kind of feeling.....if you liked The Measure, you will like this one as well.......Enjoy!!!

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperAudio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

I didn’t know I needed this book as much as I did. This is a book that will hit very differently depending on when you’re reading it and what your current connection is with grief and love. Maybe but this one on hold for a bit if you have a current intense grief, but if your heart is in a spot where you can explore different types of grief, different ways of showing grief, and acknowledging that grief stems from a deep well of love, then I think this book will hit you like it did me. The foundational ideas are beautiful- a place where science has found a way to have you sleep through your grief, at the risk of the “side effect”. The plot itself is minimal and could fall flat if you’re anticipating more plot, but this is a book of backstories and character development and looking at emotions, not plot.

For me? Solid five. But I can see this not being the right time or style for other people.

I enjoyed the book and the concept of the poppy fields. It really makes you think out side the box and what you would do in these situations if you had the opportunity. That being said, the book fell a little flat for me. The whole time I was hoping for more.

As a therapist who focuses on grief, I often find myself drawn to stories that explore the landscape of loss, memory, and resilience—and The Poppy Fields by Nikki Erlick is a beautifully rendered journey through all three. This novel doesn’t just tell a story of mourning; it tenderly unearths the way grief transforms us, shapes our relationships, and guides us toward healing, often in unexpected ways.

Erlick captures the emotional complexity of grief with striking authenticity. The audiobook narration adds depth to the story, making it a moving and intimate experience.

The Poppy Fields is a heartfelt reflection on how we deal with grief will always be personal.

Thanks NetGalley for this Advanced audiobook listen

Great read! Loved the storyline and characters. Very emotional read connecting to Ray,Sasha, Ava, and Ellis. Four stars!

Short Synopsis:
THE POPPY FIELDS is where you can go get treatment for grief or heartache. Patients sleep for one to two months and when sleepers wake up they’ll be through the hardest part of their grief. And be able to move on with their lives.

In THE POPPY FIELDS we follow along four travelers trying their best to get to the center - all for different reasons.

My Thoughts:
I read and fell in love with THE MEASURE in 2022 and have been impatiently waiting to see Nikki’s next move. And man was THE POPPY FIELDS worth the wait.

What a unique and interesting concept for a novel. Nikki is just so good and dropping hints and knowing the perfect time to to reveal information. I really loved the flow of the story, and the short chapters make it very easily digestible. The found friendships were absolutely a delight. (The secrets + comic relief were amazing.) The subtle nods to the Wizard of Oz were masterfully done and so much fun to find.

Definitely one to add your TBR. Highly recommend and a great book club read.

What You’ll Find:
Speculative Fiction with a dash of science fiction
Short chapters
Character driven
Page turner
Thought provoking

You lose a loved one. You experience pain like no other, knowing this person is no longer in your life. Would you enroll in a clinical procedure, a medically induced sleep for 2 months, with the promise that you will wake up with your grief overcome? But what if there is a chance that "the side effect" will cause you to erase all feelings you ever had for that person completely?
This is a deep and emotional story. This book discusses the grief of losing a loved one in such a unique way. The author reminds us that grieving someone is not always due to death but is also due to broken relationships and betrayal. In this novel, Nikki Erlick reminds us of the complexity of emotions experienced during the grieving process.

I enjoyed the narration of the full cast. Really nailed it on the article/interview parts of the story and it helped make the story come to life.

Thank you HarperAudio and NetGalley for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

Release date June 17, 2025

I was really looking forward to this book since I loved the author's last one. The premise was super interesting—if you could sleep off your grief, would you? But unfortunately, it just didn’t hold my interest, especially in the audio format.

Thanks to Netgalley, HarperAudio Adult | HarperAudio for my advanced audio copy in exchange for my honest review.

Publish date: June 17, 2025