I really enjoyed the first half of this book, but into the second it felt like a slog. There is a rotating cast that we get to know throughout the book plus there are some chapters that look at a doctor’s perspective of the events. Also included our letters asking to be submitted into the Poppyfields overall, I did not warm up to the characters and found the road trip portion of the book really boring unfortunately I didn’t really relate to a lot of of the stories of grief, even though I have experienced a lot of grief in my life, that’s not a good sign.

I was super excited when I was approved for this eARC on NetGalley. Author, Nikki Erlick wrote one of my favorite books read last year, The Measure. Nikki delivered another wonderful read. (Keep in mind this is not my genre whatsoever; I have really stepped out of my comfort zone in books.)

The experience of grief is a deeply personal and complex journey that all of us will inevitably face at some point in our lives. It is a natural response to the loss of a loved one, a relationship, or even a significant life change.
What if you had the chance to sleep for one or two months in a specialized facility and, upon waking up, you no longer felt the weight of your grief? Would you take that chance, or would you still cling to your grief, even as it slowly eroded your sense of self?

"The Poppy Fields" is a treatment center where those experiencing grief can opt into going into a deep sleep for one to two months, waking up on the other side of the sadness and pain. There is a small 25% chance of waking up with a potentially undesirable side effect, but people are still coming in droves for a chance at peace.

We meet Ava, Ray, and Sasha - who are also just meeting - as they journey together to the Fields, each with their own reasons for making the trip. Nikki Erlick beautifully weaves these and other stories together, leaving the reader with a stunning and thoughtful story of grief, love, and whether it's all worth it in the end.

A beautiful novel. A must read for anyone who has experienced loss.

This book releases on June 17th, 2025, and I highly recommend it. I have already pre-ordered a physical copy for my shelves. Also, a big thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for a free eARC in exchange for my honest review.

#NetGalley
#ThePoppyFieldsDeluxeLimitedEdition

contemplative and awesome story that has some awesome characters that always understayed their welcome! 5 stars. tysm for the arc, and I hope there's a sequel!

I have been highly anticipating Nikki Erlick’s sophomore novel after loving her previous book, THE MEASURE.

THE POPPY FIELDS is a novel about grief, healing and found friendship. Deep in the California desert is a facility called the Poppy Fields where the one goal is to heal broken and grieving hearts. Readers meet and get to know a cast of characters all with their own reason’s for wanting to go to the Poppy Fields.

I’m truly so so so sad to say that this book was a bit of a miss for me :( Overall, I just found it boring and because of that I feel like I don’t have a ton to say. I didn’t hate it by and means it just wasn’t compelling or interesting. The writing felt a bit redundant at points like maybe it would’ve been better as a short story. The found family also felt a bit forced and cheesy to me as well. Ahhhh I’m sorry Nikki!! I wanted to love this book so badly. 2.5 stars.

I enjoy speculative fiction because of stories like "The Poppy Fields" . Over the last few years, I've found myself increasingly drawn to this genre, and it's all because of Erlick's first novel, The Measure. Erlick has a unique way of addressing speculative questions gently. In this upcoming release, she explores themes of grief and healing through an innovative and controversial therapy at the Poppy Fields. In a style like John Marrs, one can see how a solution like this could potentially be possible in today's society. Situated in a remote stretch of California desert, this research center allows those suffering from heartbreak and devastating loss to sleep through their pain and awaken 4-8 weeks later healed. ⁣
⁣This book centers around four characters who find themselves thrown together on their journey to the Poppy Fields. Each of them has their own reason for having a desire to get to The Poppy Fields, and I loved getting to know their stories and witnessing how their lives intertwine. I appreciated how this book was slow and meandering, much like the journey itself. The stories gently unfolded for each character. I found this read thought-provoking, and like her previous book The Measure, The Poppy Fields is sure to lead to great discussion, so it's a fantastic pick for book clubs.

I will be thinking about this book for a longgggg time.

The Poppy Fields is a treatment center where those experiencing grief can opt in to going into a deep sleep for one to two months, waking up on the other side of the sadness and pain. There is a 25% chance of waking up with a potentially undesirable side effect, but people are still coming in droves for a chance at peace.

We meet Ava, Sasha, and Ray - who are also just meeting - as they journey together to the Fields, each with their own reasons for making the trip. As she did in The Measure (a five-star read of mine from 2022), Nikki Erlick beautifully weaves these and other stories together, leaving the reader with a stunning and thoughtful story of grief, love, and whether it’s all worth it in the end.

I loved this. Four stars because I felt the stakes were a little low and I could have done with a tiiiiny bit more conflict (I know, I can’t believe I’m saying that either). Highly recommend adding this to your TBR immediately and picking it up when it comes out on June 17!!

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow Books for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was a slog. I didn’t find the lot or characters interesting and it dragged on so long with nothing really happening. I also didn’t like the premise at all. I didn’t appreciate the authors take on grief. This was not a book I enjoyed at all.

The Fields dives into a subject I don’t often read about: grief. It follows three strangers who find themselves at the airport and have to rent a car which the dub the Canary to make their way to California and find the Poppy Fields facility. Along the way they pick up another traveler. It also follows Ellis, who is the brains behind the sleep facility.

This is a very character-driven story and the author did a wonderful job writing distinct characters and interweaving their stories. If you liked The Measure you’ll surely enjoy this one, too!

This is a thought-provoking book. If given the choice, would you choose to “sleep away” your grief?

So great! I read it in less than a day. I loved the interwoven plots and subtle nods. The characters kept me invested in their stories.

Nikki Erlick has proven to be a master of the ‘what if’ concept and this novel is no exception. Beautifully explores topics of grief, loss and pain as well as how we deal with those experiences in our lives. The intertwining of lives and relationships along the journey were well written and developed but the plot line left me wanting a bit more activity. That said, this is classic Erlick and less about the plot and more about the thought/thinking which I can find no fault with.

I loved The Measure, so this was one of my most anticipated books of the year and it did not disappoint. Beautiful and thought provoking. It explores themes of love and grief and hope, and much like my experience reading Erlick’s first book, I found myself tearing up frequently. I loved the journey we take with the many characters in this story.

And as someone who is also obsessed with the television show Severance right now, this book is thematically a perfect companion read.

Thank you to Nikki Erlick, William Morrow, and NetGalley for my advanced. I cannot wait to tell everyone I know to read it.

"The Poppy Fields" is a novel that takes readers on an emotional journey through grief and healing. The story begins with three strangers on the same path - to the Poppy Fields facility in California, where you chose to sleep while grieving. The story’s conclusion was both satisfying and thought-provoking - the paradox between taking away the pain surrounding grief, and then being absent from those that need your support.

Thank you to the publisher, HarperCollins, for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

4.75/5 stars. Really enjoyed this ARC. This is an important take on grief. It felt a little less impactful than The Measure and a bit too long.

Huge, huge thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the chance to read this one! This was one of my very anticipated reads for this year and it didn’t disappoint!! This book, much like her last one The Measure, makes you think! This book was so well written and enjoyable. I loved the multiple, intertwined story lines of the characters! Highly recommend!

Oh my gosh!!! I was soooo excited when I saw that this book will be coming out this year and couldn’t wait to read it!! Absolute masterpiece!! Thank you NetGalley and publisher for early arc of this book!

After devouring THE MEASURE earlier this year, there was no doubt in my mind that I needed to get my hands on THE POPPY FIELDS immediately, so thank you to William Morrow and Netgalley for making that possible!

While THE MEASURE still triumphs as my favorite Nikki Erlick book so far, THE POPPY FIELDS was another captivating story that makes the reader ponder how they would choose to handle the situation detailed in this book. If you were struck with grief, would you try to sleep it away? That's where the characters find themselves within this new book, some of whom have decided this experiment could be right for them and others who are just trying to find answers.

I loved the motley crew that develops as a result, which worked very well in THE MEASURE as well. The found friendship, family forgiveness, and self-healing contained within this story will be one that lasts with me for a long time.

There was so much to this book, the characters were deeply written. I loved the journey through the emotional depths. I wasn't ready for it to end. I felt attached to the characters and the story. Very thought provoking. Highly recommend.

This was such a good book. I love the idea of the poppy fields. I also loved that the characters all had different reasons to be heading to them. Learning why each person wanted to be there makes you realize you're not alone. I loved the fact that it was a journey for each one with different results. This was just a good reminder of our loss and grief and how we all heal differently. Overall a great story.

I was so excited to read this after loving this author's debut, the Measure. This did not disappoint, I loved it. I loved the found family aspects, the examination of grief, the cool science aspect. It was all great. It doesn't beat the Measure for me, but a very close second. I will pick up anything this author writes in the future.

Ahhh this was so good. I absolutely LOVED The Measure and The Poppy Fields was one of my most anticipated reads of the year. It did not disappoint. It dealt with grief and life and I really enjoyed the themes of the book.