How far would you go to heal from grief? And what would risk for the chance?

4.5 stars rounded up.

A treatment center deepen in the Californian desert called "The Poppy Fields" offers a narcotics-induced months-long sleep to those suffering from crippling grief, promising that upon waking, with the passage of time, the worst of the grief will be behind them - but with potentially disastrous side effects.

When a tornado grounds all flights at the Kansas City airport, three strangers all trying to make their way to the Poppy Fields reluctantly agree to travel to California together by car: Ava, who is looking for her sister who is at the Poppy Fields; Sasha, who is hoping for healing by sleeping at the treatment center; and Ray, a fireman whose brother was treated at the Poppy Fields but who suffered devastating consequences.

"The Poppy Fields" follows the three passengers and Ava's pup - and eventually an 18-year-old free spirit named Sky who they pick up along the way - as they make their way towards California. Intertwined with their individual backstories and their shared roadtrip is the viewpoint of Ellis, the Poppy Fields' enigmatic and brilliant founder, and the novel is further interspersed with brilliant multimedia elements, such as applicant forms of those hoping for a spot to sleep at the Poppy Fields and podcast transcripts discussing its controversial treatment.

Continuing the use of different viewpoints, converging stories and an all-encompassing moral question that made her previous work "The Measure" so compelling, the author once again offers both complex, well fleshed-out characters and food for thought: how do we, personally and as a society, deal with grief? How much grief is bearable (and socially acceptable), and how far would we go to avoid dealing with it, or to fast-track our healing? Is suffering through grief necessary to make us more resilient, and does the absence of grief make us lose our humanity?

The choice of naming the treatment center - and the book - Poppy Fields is brilliant because of what poppies represent: on the one hand, peace and relief from suffering and pain, on the other hand, a remembrance for the fallen.

At times unsettling, at others deeply moving, "The Poppy Fields" is a well-written novel that's both character-driven and philosophical, with a phenomenal ending. The audiobook features a stellar cast of narrators that further enhance the reading experience, and the audio production was exceptional.

Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult | HarperAudio for the ARC of the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

"The Poppy Fields" is slated to be released on June 17, 2025.

"The Poppy Fields" by Nikki Erlick is a poignant tale of hope and resilience in the face of adversity, offering a heartfelt exploration of life’s challenges and the beauty that often emerges from them. Erlick is a remarkably gifted writer, and, much like her previous work, “The Measure,” I found myself pausing repeatedly to reread passages that resonated deeply with me. I especially love the way she weaves together the characters’ stories in a manner that feels entirely natural and never forced, creating a seamless tapestry of interconnected lives. Erlick’s storytelling is not only captivating but also profoundly inspiring, leaving readers with a renewed appreciation for life’s fleeting moments. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking a thought-provoking literary escape!

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperAudio for sharing an advanced copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest opinions.

I enjoyed this read and it's an interesting premise for a novel! This story really makes you think about grief and how everyone processes grief differently. The Poppy Fields is a place where people can go to "sleep away" their grief, heartache, or pain. Would you be willing to try this method? Would you risk the chance of any side effects?

This novel was a bit of a slow start for me. However, once I learned more about each character I was more hooked and wanted to know about each of their journeys. A lot like The Measure, The Poppy Fields really makes you think! Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Audio for allowing me to listen to this advanced copy audiobook. The Poppy Fields by Nikki Erlick comes out on June 17, 2025!

RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

The Poppy Fields by Nikki Erlick is about a group of humans who come together to road trip travel to the Poppy Fields, which is a medical facility where people can apply for a month or two long stay to sleep and get over their grief of a loved one.

I absolutely devoured this book. I think the idea of it is so unique, and I was on the edge of my seat the entire time.

I thought the author did a great job of putting the reader in the heads of each character, as this one was multiple POV. Speaking of, I would highly recommend the audiobook, as it is read by multiple different narrators who I thought were each fantastic!

I really enjoy books where there is a theme of the invisible string theory, and everyone is connected, and there is a “small world” aspect, which this book had! It was done really well and I loved watching the stories all unfold and unravel together.

Not as powerful or emotional of a read as The Measure was for me. The Measure was so good that I found myself waiting for some big ah-ha moment with The Poppy Fields, but that’s not really what the book was trying to do. With that said, it was definitely just as thought-provoking and I loved the poignant exploration of grief and life after loss. The Poppy Fields will be an excellent book club pick! It begs for discussion.

As for as audio, each narrator did a fantastic job. I threw on the audiobook while I did chores, and it was easy to follow along. I did have some early confusing distinguishing between the female characters, but I eventually caught up! Each character had a distinct voice, so it was easy once I remembered who was who. Overall, an easy rec for audio if you like thoughtful fiction!

I really enjoy Elrick’s writing style and look forward to seeing what speculative novel she comes out with next.

The poppy fields

Will read anything by this author after The Measure !

In this speculative fiction, a California desert hosts an experimental project where people can go to forget their broken heart through long periods of sleep.

They will be healed if they accept the side effects, which not much is known about. A group of people set off to find the poppy fields and their founder, they all becoming connected in more ways that they realized.

Lots of thought provoking and pondering “What would I do?”, lots of grief and overcoming grief and hard times. So beautifully written and narration was excellent.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review. Release date 6/17/25!

I adored this book. It did not give me anxiety like the previous book, and I hope readers don't compare it to The Measure because the books both, provoke thought, they are very different. I imagine those who have dealt with grief will find some sort of solace with this book.

This novel is beautifully written! What a thoughtful novel that explores concepts of grief, choices, and the human experience through multiple perspectives. I listened to the audiobook version, and the full cast of narrators did a fantastic job! I look forward to reading more books by Nikki Erlick. I really enjoyed her writing style and the dynamic story. Imagine feeling so stricken by grief that you make the choice to sleep for one to two full months without waking up in hopes of feeling some relief. Would you consider sleeping at The Poppy Fields if this was an actual treatment option? Thank you NetGalley and HarperAudio for providing me with an ALC in exchange for an honest review! I highly recommend checking this book out.

An unexpected road trip. An experimental treatment. A journey of grief and hope.

Nikki Erlick crafts introspective novels that make me truly ponder so many aspects of the humanity and societal norms. In a way, her books are like self examinations that make one contemplate how they would react in a particular situation. Often I read to escape, but Erlick is more of a read to think.

From the Midwest to the California desert, I enjoyed this journey with Sasha, Ray, Ava and Sky.
I'll be interested to see what unique concept Erlick comes up with next!

Per usual, Marin Ireland's narration is superb!

Pub Date: June 17, 2025

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperAudio for this ALC!

This is such a unique and thought-provoking book. I think it hit me a little different than it might others, because some friends are ours were recently thrown into an unthinkable tragedy. The whole time I was listening to this audiobook I couldn’t help but wish that their family could go to The Poppy Fields and “sleep” for for several weeks and when they wake up, their grief wouldn’t be as unbearable. This book is labeled sci-fi which is generally not a genre I’m drawn to, but honestly this didn’t feel like something that is totally out of the realm of possibility. Probably one of the most interesting books I’ve read (or listened to) in the past few years.

This book is a captivating exploration of grief, healing and restoration. I found it to be deeply moving with excellent character development and profound depth. The author is very skilled at weaving multiple points of view into a narrative with a mystery to solve and a question to answer. A great book I will be recommending.

I paired the print with the audio and was absolutely lost in the narration. Marin Ireland is my favorite narrator, and she was phenomenal here as were the rest of the cast.

My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This book surprised me in so many ways. What is ostensibly a book about grief somehow manages to be beautiful, charming, and even hopeful. The characters are relatable in a deep yet simple way, and the prose is eloquent without being overwrought. The overriding theme of the individuality and complicated nature of grief is presented beautifully and gently. I will be thinking about this book for a long time!

It was good, but I think the general consensus will end up being that it doesn't quite live up to her debut (unfortunately you just can't not compare books in this way). Sophomore novels are always tough and even so this one is actually quite good. It's a little softer and a little more plotless. I don't think it will get the same amount of success and raving but I am still definitely looking forward to whatever Erlick gives us in the future. I think it's definitely worth the read, especially if you loved The Measure, but be prepared for a different tone and feeling in this story. The narration was done very well. I'm so glad it had a full cast because there are a lot of POVs to keep track of. I'm not sure if I could read this one with the audio alone, at least not at the beginning until I was more settled into the story.

I was a huge fan of The Measure when it came out, and I literally jumped for joy when I saw that Nikki Erlick had written a second novel. I absolutely loved The Poppy Fields. Erlick did an amazing job tying together parts of the story. It was un-put-down-able. I cannot wait to recommend this book / audio to patrons who I think will love it as much as I did. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced reader copy.

Grief is love's shadow. It wouldn't exist at all if love wasn't there first. So, if there were a way to sleep away the most painful of emotions and memories, would you? Would you be ok with apathy rather than pain? In The Poppy Fields, there is a special treatment center located in the California Desert that allows such a thing...but not without the risk of consequences.

I really loved this author's previous novel, The Measure, and recommend that one all the time. Erlick excels on shining light on the humanity of her characters and how we are all connected through the sheer fragility of life. This book is an intimate examination of grief and the way it shows up for various people.

Ultimately, The Poppy Fields, is a story of healing and resilience, and examines how people process heartbreak. It made me think on certain concepts long after I finished reading it. This book is on the slow and heavier side, but I wanted to discover more about each of the various characters and how their fates would evolve so I stuck with it.

If you enjoy books that explore deep topics and open your mind, and you like storylines of recovery and found friendships, then this is one to keep your eye on.

Despite the lulls and slow pace, the writing and certain concepts in the book were really good. This book is perfect for fans of authors like Ann Napolitano or Ann Patchett (hmm both Anns and both great authors). Now literary fiction lovers have a Nikki to add to the list and shake things up.

Nikki Erlick writes the most profound stories- she makes you think and she makes you consider and speculate upon the most fascinating ideas.

This is the story of The Poppy Fields, an experimental and controversial treatment center that allows those suffering from heartache to sleep through their pain. When patients awaken from this prolonged state of slumber, they will be healed; however…there are potential side effects. This story follows four very different characters, told in the form of alternating points of view.

I loved this story. The audiobook was beautifully done with fantastic narrators. I will reread this one over and over.

Thank you to NetGalley and to HarperAudio for the opportunity to have an early listen to this audiobook. It was amazing! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

3.75 ⭐️

Nikki Erlick’s sophomore, slightly sci-fi novel THE POPPY FIELDS comes after her hit debut THE MEASURE in 2022. In this novel, the author explores the concept of grief and whether “sleeping off” the grief for 1-2 months would be a viable option after losing a loved one. The risk is that there is a 25% chance of losing all feelings toward that person.

I don’t think the premise of this novel is as strong as the premise of her debut (would you want to find out how long you’ll live?). This also takes some features of The Wizard of Oz (a “road” trip of sorts, a woman with a little dog, meeting strangers and gathering them along the way, hot air balloon, etc.).

This is a rather slow, character-driven novel. There is a road trip, but it takes a backseat - pun intended - to the characters’ back stories. There is a found family element, and I was a bit lukewarm on it due to the suspension of disbelief required (renting a car with strangers, picking up someone several states away that was on the exact flight) and the beginnings of a romance that I didn’t buy. I think the main question of this novel will prompt some thought and discussion, and I did have an enjoyable reading experience.

I did listen to most of this on audio. I was a bit intimidated that there were many narrators listed, but Marin Ireland does do most of the novel and is a strong narrator, per usual. There are mixed media elements, and those are where the other narrators come in, I think. There was a perfect amount of these elements, and I thought the other narrators did a good job.

Thank you to NetGalley, William Morrow for an Advance Reader Copy, and HarperAudio for an Advance Listener Copy in exchange for an unbiased review.

It publishes June 17, 2025.

This was a beautiful look at how different people handle grief and the speculative part just adds to the emotion. The way the characters paths intersect is interesting and each of the characters brings something else to the journey.

I liked the interviews interspersed through the story, I listened to the audiobook and the additional narrators really made the story that much more realistic, despite the speculative elements.

I would have liked a little more time with the characters on the road trip, but I understand why it was paced the way it was.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Audio for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I find the Poppy Fields to be a novel that is very hard to describe. Its a road trip novel. Its a book about grief, and a speculative fiction novel, a story about sibling love and guilt, and like the authors previous novel, The Measure, it promotes self reflection and will probably be another winner for book clubs, although this one is more character driven.

Our story starts out with our four protagonists at a Midwest airport trying to fly to LAX with three of them trying to get to the controversial Poppy Fields, where people go to sleep away their grief after a significant loss. Each of them have their own reasons for going there, which are gradually revealed throughout the book. At the Kansas airport, however, there is a tornado, which cancels flights, and ends up putting three of our four characters into a rental car on a road trip to the Poppy Fields, allowing us to learn about each one as they learn about each other.

I enjoyed going on the journey with these characters, both the external road trip and their internal grief journey of self reflection and growth, and it did leave to some self reflection of my own. I really liked the addition of Sky, our fourth character who added some much needed lightness and levity to both the group and the story. I also enjoyed the Wizard of Oz references, with the four characters and the little dog and the tornado in Kansas, as well as the road trip to the Poppy Fields and what happens there. It is not a main part of the story, but it is there and it was fun for me to find the parallels.

I listened to the audio that is listed as a full cast, but in reality it is mostly done by the very capable Marin Ireland, and cameo appearances are made in the short interview, podcast and publicity articles that are in between some chapters, which are also very well done.

Thank you to net galley, William Morrow books and Harper audio adult for both the e galley and the e audio in exchange for an honest review.

I had the privilege of listening to the audiobook edition of The Poppy Fields by Nikki Erlick, provided by the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The narration by Marin Ireland was a significant draw for me; her exceptional ability to convey emotion and bring characters to life added depth to the listening experience.

The Poppy Fields presents a speculative exploration of healing and human resilience. The narrative follows four strangers—Ava, Ray, Sasha, and Sky—and a dog named PJ, who embark on a cross-country journey to a controversial treatment center in the California desert. This center offers an experimental therapy that allows individuals to sleep through their grief, awakening healed but potentially facing unforeseen side effects.  

Having previously read Erlick’s The Measure, I anticipated a thought-provoking narrative, and The Poppy Fields did not disappoint. The concept of “sleeping off” grief is compelling and prompts introspection about how we process loss. This novel, like her previous work, is character-driven, allowing readers to intimately witness each character’s growth and development as they navigate their paths to healing. Fans of Frederik Backman will likely appreciate this story as well with its emphasis on character evolution amidst life’s challenges.

Overall, The Poppy Fields is a well-crafted and beautifully narrated story that delves into the complexities of grief and the human condition. It’s a poignant reminder of the resilience inherent in all of us.