This speculative novel revolves around The Poppy Fields, a location in the desert where those suffering from grief can undergo medically induced rest for a few months to help them heal. After a plane flight is cancelled due to severe weather, a group of strangers ends up on a road trip to the Poppy Fields, where each has a different reason for visiting.

Along the way, their individual grief stories are revealed and they form connections that have each reevaluating their feelings about The Poppy Fields in surprising ways.

Why Kirsten loves it
I was mesmerized by each character’s narrative and their growth throughout the novel. The pacing of the story was a perfect balance of quick, high-tension scenes and slower, thought-provoking ones. I found myself examining grief in a new light after reading about each character’s experience with it. I can’t wait to read whatever Nikki writes next. #gifted by William Morrow.

A gentle journey exploring grief and the way it molds us.

In this story, a buzzy new sleep therapy has claimed to heal people's grief. Someone completely heartbroken over a loss, uncoupling, or PTSD, can travel to The Poppy Fields and be put under a therapeutic sleep for a month or two and wake up without the stabbing sense of loss. There is a 1 in 4 chance you wake with the potentially damaging side effect, but is it worth it if you can get back to living your life?

The premise hooked me. I love speculative tech, but I will say this was more of a character driven story rather than sci-fi or dystopia. The characters are so fleshed out and real, I absolutely loved being on this trip with them. This book holds a beautiful exploration of grief; what it does to us, how it effects how we see and react to the world, what it means to go through it, and how we can be there for each other.

The style of this was kind of cozy mystery to me even though it feels weird to label a book about grief as "cozy". It's not action packed but key revelations are expertly dropped throughout the story to keep you wanting more. Additionally, the audiobook is masterfully narrated by Marin Ireland, along with a bigger cast sprinkled in. This book is written in third-person omniscient and Marin floated between the characters flawlessly even though, I imagine, it's incredibly difficult. Audiobook narration is an ART, people!

Thank you to Netgalley, Harper Audio, and William Marrow for the ARC in exchange for my honest review :)

This book 😭😭😭😭

I loved every second of listening to this. It was such a unique exploration of people and how grief is handled. The writing was so beautiful and I was so connected to these characters. I truly wish it was longer!!
The narrators did a wonderful job and the full cast narration brought this story to life in the most perfect way! I’m so excited for more people to read this and the story to be shared with the world.

Nikki Erlick has done it again and wrote a story that is thought provoking and deeply moving. This book was listed as science fiction, and while the premise is sci fi, it reads much more like a reflective, character-driven fiction with little emphasis on the science aspects. For anyone who has experienced loss, this book talks about grief in such a beautiful and powerful way. By the end, I truly felt like I went to the Poppy Fields myself. I highly recommend this book, especially to anyone navigating grief or to fans of The Measure. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

4.5 stars
A very lovely and touching book about grief. The story elevated even more by the incredible audiobook narration of Marin Ireland.

The premise is that there is a treatment center called The Poppy Fields where a person can go if they are experiencing deep grief that they are unable to handle. The person is placed into a prolonged sleep and when they wake up, their grief is manageable. However, for some there are side effects and some are protesting. Four strangers meet up in an airport trying to make their way to the Poppy Fields, each with their own reason for wanting to go. As they journey towards the facility they get to know each other and their motivations.

This book is very thought provoking. It touches on so many elements of connection, grief, friendship, family, longing, and guilt. I think the book would be an intriguing choice for a book club, as the decisions the characters make are complex and would make for a great discussion. There are multiple points of view, some are more developed than others. Yet even the supporting characters help to round out the tale.

Marin Ireland is my favorite narrator, and she definitely hits it out of the park with this one. Her narration gives nuance and meaning to the story, and she infuses the characters with heart. I highly recommend the audiobook version of this book because I felt very connected to the characters and the plot while listening.

Overall this is a wonderfully creative and touching story.

This is a beautifully written story about connection and grief. It was great to see how Nikki Erlick has grown as a writer since her first book. I found the plotting and character development very strong. This story follows several people dealing with grief or loss in different ways. They are brought together by circumstance, and we watch them travel across the country towards a grief treatment center called the Poppy Fields. There is also the perspective of the creator of the Poppy Fields. I appreciated how expansive and empathetic Nikki Erlick's discussion of grief was in this book. There is no sense of judgment concerning how individuals choose to deal with loss. The audiobook was very well done, and the cast of narrators did an excellent job of giving life to each character. I strongly recommend this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Audio for providing me an eALC in return for my honest thoughts.

Nikki Erlick’s mind amazes me. I was absolutely blown away by the details and ideas in this book. I had all the same feelings I did as when I first read The Measure, which is one of my favourite books.

The concept is genius and would make for a perfect book club discussion. What if you could go somewhere to “sleep off” the grief you’re going through?

The details are woven with such intricate care, not a single idea was glossed over.
I loved how all of the characters stories flow together and the mixed media aspects helped tell the story.

The audio narration by Marin Ireland was flawless, as usual.

Easily one of my favourite books of the year.

I absolutely love this audiobook. Marin Ireland is one of my favorite narrators and she did a fabulous job bringing Erlick’s story to life. After reading, and loving, The Measure I had high hopes for The Poppy Fields, and I was NOT disappointed. A road trip, an interesting premise of sleeping to ease the pain of grief (this felt a little bit like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind but also fresh and new), fantastic characters, and a thought-provoking story. The Poppy Fields is a fantastic success for me. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC.

I had loved The Measure when it first came out three years ago and I still admire the way Erlick’s speculations lined up with how people had responded to the pandemic. Stylistically The Poppy Fields felt very similar to the Measure, with (what I perceived to be, I didn’t count) fewer characters but with familiar exploration of backstories and current motivations. The road trip combined with different variations of grief is a popular theme this year and I liked Erlick’s take on these topics (although in a different year it may have felt entirely more original and more memorable). The multi POV definitely provided different takes on heartache and how different people might react to different situations. I also appreciated the nods to the Wizard of Oz here. The audiobook of this one is narrated by a full cast of 10 narrators and despite the number of perspectives, I found it easy to follow on audio. If you enjoyed The Measure and the topic interests you, I recommend this in either format.

The idea behind the book was great! However the story was very SLOW to take off. I couldn’t wait to find out what happened once they got to the poppy fields however it took over half the book to get there.

What a beautiful story about love, grief, and hope. Ava, Ray, Sasha and Sky meet unexpectedly at the airport after a tornado rips through the area and delays every flight. These strangers manage to grab the last available rental car and decide to drive west to the Poppy Fields, a controversial treatment center where sad people can go to sleep away their grief. Each of them have different reasons for heading west and over the course of their drive, which ends up not being the 'drive straight through' trip they initially agreed on, they share stories and laughter and end up friends. I love Nikki Erlick's easy to read, flowing writing style. I wanted to be in the car with these people, who were all unique yet also relatable. There were so many wonderful quotes on love and grief that I stopped highlighting them. When the book ended I felt understood and I also felt a positivity, remembering that grief shows up different for everyone, and yet we all have grief as an experience in common.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperAudio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review. This audiobook has a large cast of narrators who all did a great job with their reports and interviews. Marin Ireland is the main voice of the story and I love listening to her as she makes the characters instantly likable.

Ellis has created a controversial treatment for grief at what people call the poppy fields. Located in the middle of the desert this treatment allows people who have experienced a tremendous amount of grief a treatment where they sleep for 1-2 months. Thousands of people have done this treatment and swear by it- that after waking up the pain hurts a little less.

Three strangers are at the airport to the same destination but when they flight is canceled they all have the same idea to rent a car and drive there. When the last car in the rental lot is rented by a strange way of fate all three decide to drive there together. Each one has their own reason behind their destination but all they know is they need to get to california. they need to get to the poppy fields.

The Poppy Fields explores the idea of processing grief in an experimental and controversial way…by a medically induced sleep. MANY are applying and clamoring to be included in this program…some are protesting the poppy field’s existence. Meanwhile, three strangers with three separate motives find themselves working together to get to the remote facility.

I loved the audio version; the main narrator was perfect but I especially enjoyed the pops of individual voices apart from the story (candidate interviews, etc) using other narrators.

This was a SLOW book with an intriguing premise. I found myself asking why everything was taking so long, while at the same time being interested in the (extremely slow developing) characters and road trip plot, and even some of the quirky devices like including articles, transcripts, and interviews to provide more texture.

Overall, the concept of The Poppy Fields, a place where grieving people go to get a handle on their grief by sleeping, is compelling. I actually would have liked a bit more science behind how that might work! The novel grasps and articulates grief quite well, making the reader, if they have experienced grief, feel seen in at least a few of the stories that are told. I only wish it hadn't been so boring.

"This was the other side of love. This was the aftermath, the cost. The opposite end of the bargain."

The narration by Marin Ireland as primary narrator with a full cast beside her was extremely good, and indeed was probably why I continued all the way to the end.

I know Nikki Erlick received widespread praise for her debut novel The Measure, and I do still indeed to go back to read that novel. I'm hopeful that I may feel better about it. 3.5 stars rounded down.

Thank you to Net Galley and HarperAudio for this ALC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own. This book publishes today 6/17/25.

"The Poppy Fields" is an intriguing follow-up to Nikki's debut novel, It offered another thought-provoking premise that would be excellent book club fodder. I especially enjoyed the multiple narrators in the audiobook, which brought depth to the different perspectives. I did find myself wanting more detail about the Poppy Fields themselves, perhaps what it feels like to wake up, and the emotional aftermath. Overall, it's a solid read that I’d rate 3.75 out of 5 stars.

Three strangers are stranded in an airport in Kansas and when they discover they're all headed to the same place, for different reasons, they rent a car and begin the trek across the country. On the journey, we learn more details about each of them, their backgrounds, and their reasons for wanting to visit the Poppy Fields, a place in California where you can sleep through your grief and wake up healed from pain. As they inch closer to the fields, their motivations change and one by one, their desire to enter the fields changes as they learn about themselves through learning about each other. I loved this book. Much like The Measure, Nikki Erlick's debut novel, The Poppy Fields is beautifully written and gives the reader a great deal to think about. Highly recommend.

I haven't read Nikki Erlick's first book, The Measure, but her concepts are amazing! I was interested in this book the minute I read the synopsis. A new therapy that allows you to sleep grief away sounds like something that could benefit so many, but the side effect...now that puts it into another perspective. The audiobook features a full cast, which I always find to be very compelling. This book made me even more excited to pick up her debut.

I loved the concept of The Poppy fields. A place where you sleep away your grief. There have been many times in my life when I remember telling myself "one day you'll wake up, and it won't hurt as badly." Unfortunately, I've used that mantra more times than I can count. The idea that you could actually go and have the pain of loss taken away, even partially, is very appealing. Even the risks associated seem like they might be worth it.

I wish we would have gotten more details about the Poppy Fields and what it's like when you wake up and the feelings after. This felt very much like a road trip story, and I was bored. I wish I loved it. I gave up at 70%. 

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance listener copy in exchange for an honest review.

I am learning that one of the greatest things about a Nikki Erlick novel is how she makes you think. This time, she explores the idea of the Poppy Fields. In her world, people may travel to the poppy fields to help them recover from extreme grief. This is a controversial treatment, where you can apply and, if accepted, be put to sleep for months. When you awake, your grief from your loss is lessened. Throughout the book, we follow the creator of the poppy fields as well as four strangers who come together to travel across country to the fields after their flight is cancelled. Erlick does a great job of fully exploring all the nuances of grief and living with it. She is respectful and presents multiple points of view surrounding this idea. I love the ways in which she makes me consider and appreciate different aspects around the concept.

The audio version includes a multi-cast narration that works really well for all the characters involved. The performances were well done and having each character portrayed by a different narrator added to the experience as you moved through each point of view, without losing the reader at all. This book would lead to a fabulous discussion. The writing is just as strong as the idea behind it. I could not put this one down. I highly recommend this five star read!

THE POPPY FIELDS 🌼

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
@goodreads: 4.10
Author: @nikkierlick
Format: 🎧
Narrator: full cast
Length: 324 pages / 10 hours audio
TW: loss of a loved one
Pub Date: TODAY - 6/17 😊
Publisher: @harperaudio @williammorrow

Welcome to the Poppy Fields, where there's hope for even the most battered hearts to heal- an experimental and controversial treatment center that allows those suffering from the heartache of loss to sleep through their pain...and keep on sleeping.

After patients awaken from this prolonged state of slumber, they will finally be healed. But only if they're willing to accept the potential shadowy side effects. On a journey to this mystical destination are four very different strangers, and each of their past secrets and mysterious motivations threaten to derail their voyage.

💭 if you’re looking for a good audiobook, look no further. 🙌🏼 the narration was fantastic + felt very immersive with the full cast! it was so fun with little snippets of advertisements and testimonials also sprinkled throughout. :) truly such a unique concept for a book, but it’s definitely more of a roadtrip / journey story more so than a destination read. it is heavily focused on grief recovery + finding love and life after loss 🫶🏻 the four characters were so special & they really felt like family by the end 🥰 I think everyone can relate to at least of of them! as someone who just recently turned 30, I appreciated the dialogue surrounding everyone having a “by 30 mindset” + it being okay to not have everything figured out by 30. 🥲

Fave quote: “There’s power in small acts of compassion.”

“Maybe everything that’s happened in the past doesn’t have to dictate the future.”

Read if you enjoy: MRS. NASH’S ASHES, P.S. I HATE YOU

a huge thank you to @netgalley + the publisher for my ALC. 🤗