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!

If you were a fan of the author's previous novel, The Measure, I think that you will fund plenty to like about this novel as well. Interesting premise, complicated characters, and a structure that slowly reveals all of the pieces a reader needs to tie it all together. I thought it was well done!

The Poppy Fields reminds me a lot of how I felt about The Measure, Nikki Erlick’s debut book. Her ideas and questions are very unique and interesting but then execution is just not there.
The Poppy Fields tells the story of three strangers traveling together to The Poppy Fields, an experimental site in California where grieving people can go to sleep for up to two months and subsequently forget their grief. The story of this road trip is interspersed with learning more about the Poppy Fields and Ellis, their mysterious creator.
My main criticism of the book, though it is well written and asks really smart questions about grief and memory, is that it’s simply boring. Really nothing happens. There are a few surprising reveals but they all prove ultimately inconsequential and the characters on the road trip are like paper cutouts. It may just be that Nikki Erlick is not for me.
The multi-narrator audiobook is excellent and really made listening to this book enjoyable even though I didn’t love the story. The different narrators are engaging and make the story go by very quickly.
Thank you to Netgalley and William Morrow and Harper Audio for an advanced reader/listener copy of this book.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Audio for the ALC.

Nikki Erlick did it again with another thought provoking novel. We all experience grief differently, but what if you didn’t have to experience it at all? This book explores the concept of healing grief through sleep.

The cast of narrators did an amazing job.

The Poppy Fields was a little difficult for me to connect with at the start, but was tugging at my heartstrings by the time I was finished. I had a harder time connecting with the characters than I did with The Measure, but I did finally find my way there as I followed along with their journey.

Each of the novel's characters is navigating their own loss and path through grief when they are unexpectedly thrust together. They learn to build friendship while on an impromptu road trip amidst all kinds of tumultuous feelings that their individual struggles present. These new friendships help them to grow and to recognize just how much they still have to be grateful for.

My only small disappointment with the book was that I wanted a little more from all the Wizard of Oz nods, as that had been a healthy part of my initial interest in the story, but putting that aside it was a spectacular journey and absolutely worth the read.

My first by Nikki Erlick and not my last. Although, next time I think I'll read rather than listen.

Deep in the California desert is an experimental and controversial treatment facility for those suffering from heartache and loss. This treatment allows "sleepers" to sleep through their pain and then awaken weeks later feeling healed. Four people find themselves on the same journey to this destination, all for different reasons, but all seek answers.

I was really intrigued by the concept of this novel: sleeping through the worst pain after experiencing profound loss. The plot was not what I was expecting but I found it interesting and deep. It made me think and feel and it is not a light story to mindlessly read after a long day. It required me to pay attention and while I love books like that, I think I went into this one not realizing that.

I listened to this book on audio and while I thought the narrator did a great job, I think this was a story I would have appreciated more if I had read it. I've had Erlick's other book, The Measure, on my TRB for a while and I'm hoping to get to that one soon.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult for the ALC. My review is honest and voluntary.

I received the audio ARC from Netgalley. If given the opportunity to sleep off the grief from a loss you were feeling, would you take it? Even with the possible side effect of not being able to remember your emotional connection to the person when you would wake up? The Poppy Fields explores that question. Four unlikely travel companions take a road trip to the fields when their flight plans get canceled because of a tornado. Along the way Ava, Ray, Sasha, and Sky learn why they are traveling out that way and the reasons why someone may or may not want to sleep away their grief.

I truly enjoyed this speculative fiction novel by Nikki Erlick. How many of us have been through a loss of a loved one or a traumatic experience that has left us utterly gutted. Feeling lost, stuck and/or hopeless? If given a chance to sleep and wake up not as connected so you could move on, would you?

A new clinic has opened up to help grieving humans through the process faster by "sleeping" for up to two months. Have you had to endure the loss of a partner, family member or friend? Have you found that therapy and time are just not enough? The Poppy Fields can help you "move forward".

Everyone grieves differently and the four strangers that embark on a road trip to The Poppy Fields are about to discover that.

This book forces you to think about grief and healing and love and life. It's beautiful and sad and thought-provoking, as only Nikki Erlick can do.

The Poppy Fields is a beautiful and thought provoking story about grief and loss. I was sucked in from the beginning of the book. I was able to listen to the audio version of this book and the narrators all did an excellent job. I loved the multi-cast narration. I thought the story moved quickly. I was connected to the characters and thought they were well developed. I liked how the writer is able to connect them at the end.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

"The Poppy Fields" by Nikki Erlick presents the unique idea of a haven for people experiencing grief. Upon entering the Poppy Fields they will be prepped for sleep, during their sleep they will process their grief and return to society relieved of their intense depression. While it sounds right out of the Land of Oz, the Poppy Fields is a medical facility and as during any medical procedure sometimes there is... side effects. During this story readers follow four different characters all with different connections to the Poppy Fields. Each with their own story of loss, perseverance and hope for a better tomorrow.

Erlick paints a world in a not so far off future where medicine is set to cure over manage. I came to really care for many of these characters as I read through their journey. Each has suffered a loss and seeks a solution, yet each stands out as an individual. As far as speculative fiction Erlick has really hit the nail on the head. I would not be surprised to see a similar treatment available in the next decade.

What a unique premise- a medical facility where individuals who had suffered a great loss could volunteer to sleep for 1-2 months and wake up relieved of their grief. This book had so many layers to it-each character had their own deeply personal reason for journeying to the poppy fields, their own traumas and motivations that we got to explore through each of their chapters. And the way fate had interwtined their stories and brought them together, so good! I found this entire book so fascinating, can't wait to go back and read this author's first book (The Measure) soon too!

Ava, Ray, Sasha, and Sky set off for the Poppy Fields. A new, controversial method to help those affected by grief . I enjoyed the concept of this , however felt the build up of actually getting to the Poppy Fields was drawn out much longer than necessary. I also felt there wasn’t a large sense of resolve after the story was said and done .

3 stars. Thank you to NetGalley for the Audio ARC.

"What is there was a cure for grief" is one of the most fascinating plot lines I've ever heard of for a book; and THE POPPY FIELDS will resonate so very deeply with anyone who has experienced a personal loss. Speculative fiction is not what I typically gravitate towards; but I was a big fan of Erlick's debut THE MEASURE and I was so curious to give this a shot. There is no sophomore slump here my friends; in fact I believe this will go in my top 5 favorite books of the year.

The book opens up in a midwestern airport where three strangers are stranded following storms; and all headed toward California; decide to take the last rental car available and ride cross country together. What's in California? The Poppy Fields is a new treatment center for those suffering a loss where you are induced into to sleep for 4-8 weeks and when you wake up, are told that your grief will go away and you should be able to return to your normal functions of life. All of our passengers in the car however; have wildly different reasons for wanting to visit the fields and their secrets are slowly explored throughout the course of the novel.

I could NOT put it down. This would also make an incredible mini-series. HBO, where are you????????

Nikki has some amazing stories! There is always some thought provoking elements in them. I loved this story! Make you really think how, if possible, this could truly benefit in real life!

Oh my. I love The Measure. Unfortunately, this one didn't have the same impact. I made no connections and was bored for most of it. I thought the concept was fascinating and bits and pieces were interesting, but overall I was sadly disappointed. (2.5/5)