4.5 rounded up. By the author of The Measure, another sci-fi book for everyone (not just regular sci-fi readers). As with her previous novel, this raises an idea great for book club discussions. Specifically, how we deal with grief.
What if you could choose to sleep for a month (or two), and wake up without paralyzing grief, able to resume a normal life? Would you do it? In the novel, this “service” is offered to the most desperate at no cost.
We follow three strangers who are each making a pilgrimage to the Poppy Fields for their own very personal reasons.
After a fairly slow start, the author and talented narrators bring them to life and we become invested in their journey.
My thanks to the author, publisher, @HarperAudio, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook of #ThePoppyFields for review purposes. Publication date: 17 June 2025. This is going to be big!

The story in this one was such an interesting concept. While I really enjoyed the story, I just wish this book gave me a little MORE and it would be at 4 stars. It kept my attention through the book, but when it was over, I kind of reflected on it and wish more had happened. It was interesting hearing the different stories about Patient and finding out a little “twist” I guess you could call it. I wonder if there will be a sequel or not. The author leaves it open ended enough that it definitely could.

The narrator did a good job with this and enhanced the read.

Another winner from Nikki Erlick! Her debut novel, The Measure, is the first book I recommend to others. I’m so happy that she delivered another well written, thought-provoking book with The Poppy Fields. That said, this book is completely different than her first. The focus is more on the characters and their journey, with the controversy of the Poppy Fields being a supporting plot line. Be ready for great twists and fun nods to Wizard of Oz throughout.

The cast of narrators did an amazing job with this audiobook. Thanks William Morrow and Harper Audio and NetGalley for the advanced read!

Book clubs, be ready to get this hot topic piece on your schedules as soon as it drops on June 17, 2025.

4.5 stars

I enjoyed every second if this book. Clearly a character study that dives deep into grief, depression, and PTSD. Coping mechanisms are put aside for the opportunity to sleep away the grief of loss in a coma to wake up in a more stable mental state to cope with life after the death of a loved one. Except it takes 4 to 8 weeks, and there is a rare side effect that's bothersome. And some people are desperate to try the sleep technique, while others range from skeptical to vehemently opposed.

While pondering the efficacy of such a technique, the reader gets to know multiple characters connected to The Poppy Fields and witness the healing journey of time, connection, camaraderie, and love. This is a feel-good book that deals with feeling bad throughout, and Marin Ireland is quickly becoming my favorite narrator for stories that require a lot of heart.

Good discussion points, very likable characters, and a subject we can all relate to, even if we don't have the option to sleep away the grief.

Nikki Erlick is a master at weaving together characters, lives, and backstories, and The Poopy Fields is no exception. Once again, she creates a cast of fascinating characters whose journeys intertwine as they embark on a cross country road trip, all drawn to the same mysterious destination. What truly sets this book apart is the light sci-fi element Erlick seamlessly integrates into the story, which adds just the right touch of intrigue and excitement. Engaging, imaginative, and beautifully crafted, this novel is a compelling exploration of grief, fate, connection, and the unknown. If you’ve ever experienced grief (and who hasn’t), this book offers a deeply introspective look at loss and healing.

Many thanks to NetGalley, HarperAudio, and Nikki Erlick for the audio ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.

⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thanks to @netgalley, @harperaudio and @nikkierlick for the opportunity to read and listen to this ARC for an honest review.

The Poppy Fields had narrators that definitely developed the characters appropriately, making you feel like you are with them, the author's writing does that too, it's a beautiful marrying of the two.

Grief is a road trip.

3.5 stars

Erlick's last book was such a smash, at least conceptually, that it's hard to imagine what could possibly follow. The answer is _The Poppy Fields_, a speculative novel about grief at a time and in a location where that seems pervasive.

If you've ever wished for an eternal sunshining of your not yet spotless mind, you'll likely also be intrigued by this concept. Those who have experienced loss can apply to go sleep at this facility, where their basic human needs will be quietly handled and their minds will be swept - to some degree - of the pain that brought them in the first place. Are there consequences? Of course. Do they care? Not as much about those potential troubles versus what they know is sure to give them some kind of relief.

As any passive observer will immediately suspect, this is a sad book in many ways. Everyone is suffering; otherwise, there's not really much point in pursuing this option. That noted, there are also some interesting points about hope and resilience and love.

Transparently, the execution did not leave me mind blown, which was my incoming expectation. I did enjoy this listen (quite a cast for the audiobook narration), but it didn't get me thinking like this author's earlier work has.

5 stars read! What a concept. People deal with grief differently, and the idea of sleep as a cure-all is very interesting. However, in death, you can find lost family and even new friends. The narration was truly amazing.
Thank you NetGalley.

WOW!!! Nikki Erlick can write a book!!! As in her amazing debut The Measure this book leaves you with a question…would you or wouldn’t you?

The Poppy Fields is a place where people who are experiencing grief after a loss can go to “sleep away” the grief. Sounds too good to be true and it is…there is a chance for significant side effects that not all patients can handle. This book gripped me from page one!!!

I listened to the audio version and the cast of narrators was absolutely perfect!!! Thank you Harper Audio and NetGalley for the chance to read and review this book!!!

The Poppy Fields by Nikki Erlick is a revelation. From the perspective of several people heading to the Poppy Fields, a place where you can sleep away your grief, this book is an exploration of what it means to love and lose someone, and try to come out on the other side. The choice of characters was inspired to drive the story forward. By the end, I was weeping. It was wonderful how it all came full circle. Everyone needs to read this book.

Thank you #netgalley for the opportunity to review this book for an honest review. What an interesting and thought engaging story full of grief, overcoming obstacles, growth, pain, and rejuvenation. As much as we all want to have a quick fix for times we are feeling sorrowful, pained, or depressed, this futuristic and sci-fi-ish take on sleeping for one to two months to wake up and no longer feel said feelings is an interesting concept that made me think the entire story. There have been many times in my life I felt sadness, pain, or other depressive type feelings and I have always wanted to sleep through those feelings. I think this relatable feeling really made me interested in this storyline and invested in Eva, Sky, and the others stories. I loved how all of the characters experienced growth in different ways, but all seemed very impactful to each individual, and the connections they had to one another on their journeys. I am not sure if I would chose to join the 1000s of others who chose to sleep at the Poppy Fields, but I definitely understand the appeal of the option despite the possible side effects. Overall, I really enjoyed this storyline, and would recommend to friends to read.

I want to say a big thank you to NetGally for a free audiobook review copy of Nikki Erick's, The Poppy Fields, in exchange for an honest review.

What Nikki Erlick successfully accomplished, again, in The Poppy Fields is to provide readers with a book that encourages them to engage in thought experiments: “What choice would I make?” and “How would others in my life respond to my choice?” She also successfully writes about universal topics (e.g., grief, love, compassion, friendships) that are well-trodden ground and so risk the chance that others have written a more convincing or emotionally charged book with the same theme.

For me, The Poppy Fields is about how critical it is that we provide space for all of us to grieve in our own way. It’s also a call to action- we could all benefit from being more open about grief and its impact on our lives. Because it is so deeply personal and unpredictable, it’s a challenge to want to read or write about grief. I think it takes a truly skilled author to capture the rawness of pain while also making it relatable to others. Nikki Erlick writes in such a way that I felt inspired by the choices each character made for themselves about how to deal with their unique pain.

Another important mention: Erlick has an uncanny ability to take a “science-fiction” idea and have it transcend the genre. Erlick’s books are for anyone who enjoys thinking, even if the premise is based in science-fiction. I can easily see recommending this book to folks who don’t typically read science fiction. It’s a bit like Kurt Vonnegut Jr.’s writing in that way.

The audiobook narration, a small cast mainly led by Marin Ireland, was excellent. I was so caught up in listening to her that I found myself wanting to get back to the story each time I was required to stop for a bit. In every regard, the audio version was perfectly cast.

I’m grateful that The Poppy Fields presented grief in a fresh and insightful way. I hope that it offers other readers, like me, a new perspective and the validation that struggling with loss is “normal.”

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Audio for the advanced audio book.

3.5 stars

Nikki Erlich likes to ask big questions in her novels. After reading THE MEASURE (Would you want to know when you were going to die?), I was intrigued to read THE POPPY FIELDS. Three strangers find themselves roadtripping to California to get to the poppy fields, an experimental treatment where patients suffering through grief can sleep away the worst of the pain. Along the way, each person in the car--Ray, Ava, and Sasha--must confront their own losses and decide whether the poppy fields is the place they will actually find what they need to move forward.

If I hadn't known, I would've thought THE POPPY FIELDS was Erlick's debut novel. THE MEASURE felt very assured and nuanced in the ways that each character approached the idea of whether they wanted to know when they would die. This novel felt less solidly put together. The question of what someone might do to move through grief is an interesting one and each of the characters brought a different perspective, but the plot elements of the book felt softer in their construction. Still a good read and worth picking up.

The Poppy Fields is out June 17, 2025

Overall, 4 stars. Intriguing and different approach to grief and good character development. Ava, Ray, and Sasha were brought together by unfortunate circumstances. I enjoyed watching their journeys unfold and seeing how each character opened up about their past. The part I liked most about this book was the different ways people dealt with grief and hearing stories that were for and against the Poppy Fields.

I loved The Measure by Nikki Erlick and was so excited to read this book. While I didn't love it as much, it was very enjoyable and still made me think about the different approaches to grief.

I would not apply to be a patient at the Poppy Fields, would you? Why or why not?

Thank you NetGalley and HarperAudio for the advanced audiobook!!

Spoilers, you have been warned!
The whole book was leading up to the moment that Ava confronted Ellis and once I learned about Ellis's "secret", I found myself underwhelmed and disappointed. Sky, I'm not sure what her purpose was in this story, I liked her, but her story didn't seem to fit in with the others.

Ava - going to the Poppy Fields to find her sister Emmy who is asleep
Ray - firefighter, lost his brother who was a paramedic
Sasha - Korean American, rejected from Poppy Fields application, should have been on her way to her honeymoon
Ellis - doc who started the Poppy Fields
Sky - 18 yr old traveling before college

I really loved 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 and I’m so sad that I didn’t love this one.

Like The Measure, there is what can be considered a controversial topic that a group of people are grappling with. The idea is that when someone is suffering from devastating grief, they can go to The Poppy Fields, a treatment center where people can sleep away the pain.

However, despite the provocative topic, the book isn't very exciting. Grief is a deep and complicated subject where there is so much potential for an emotional connection - but I felt nothing for any of the characters.

I read a few really fantastic reviews of this book prior to requesting an advance listen of the audiobook. I didn't realize when I made that request that this is the same author of The Measure. Similar to the that book, The Poppy Fields ponders an interesting question of "what would you do?" The parallels both of these books carry within the plot are multiple characters facing this same question. I wasn't sure how I felt about Erlick's other book when I read it but I did think the concept was ingenious and original so I applauded the probing questions it presented. When I read, I want to find a person/people to root for or enjoy following their journey throughout the story. This is what was missing for me. I didn't feel like Ava/Ellis were particularly interesting or had really much depth within their motivation. I did think Ray/Johnny story felt stronger in their connection but his reason for going to the Poppy Field felt a little... light in meaning. Sasha really felt pathetic to me. It also reminded me of a story I just read where the main character lost a boyfriend to an accident and had tremendous depths of grief. I almost with that character in Passion Project could have submitted herself to this experiment as her grief was written with such depth and exhaustion it felt like a weight within the book. That is missing within this book. The reason that someone needed this project didn't feel as compelling as I think it needed to be.

So with that said, it's a decent book and written well but didn't go deep enough with the "feelings" that I think would have made it a moving story. I really didn't care about any of them enough to do much more than look forward to the next character study to be discussed. Specific notes about the audiobook; There are 10 narrators but oddly there are really only 1 main narrator (Marin Ireland) and the other's are there for clips between the stories which read the patient applications or a podcast. I found it odd in one of those "side stories" that a female narrator is voicing a male character when we had so many other "male" narrators listed. Odd choice.

I think the rambling thoughts written to be meandering is what takes the reader out of the story at times. It just feels often like I'm sitting with a person that is telling a story without knowing where the story is going.. wandering around trying to figure out the plot points. That's what the "road trip" felt like when the characters encounter a weather event at the airport and they need to hit the road to get to their destination... there's so much "nothing" happening that I just didn't really tune in. The concept of the "what-if" is so interesting that it pulls the reader in to discover if there's going to be some profound revelation at the end but for me it just felt like what was the point?

I really really enjoyed this book. If you are a fan of THE MEASURE, this will be a win for you! The audio was well-done with beloved Marin Ireland and other narrators sprinkled in.

This will be a perfect option for book clubs with a lot to discuss and ruminate on. Similarly to THE MEASURE it will leave you with a question of what you'd choose if you were in this *semi* dystopian novel.

Part of me wishes we got even deeper with each character but there were too many to get too deep. I liked how they all connected and enjoyed the fast pace. I think this will be well liked!

The audiobook was excellent! Loved the multiple narrators. Story was engaging- though not what I was expecting. Most of the story is about their journey TO the Poppy Fields and not as much about their particular experiences at the Poppy Fields. I loved reading about each characters journey and how they grew through it. Wish it was a bit longer though!

I was a little bit worried to see if Erlick would be able to follow up her smash hit The Measure- but my worry was for nothing. Erlich penned another thought-provoking, beautifully-set novel, with a cast of characters that I adored. ADD THIS TO YOUR TBR ASAP.

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

5 Stars | Thought-Provoking & Heartfelt

If you loved The Measure, don’t miss The Poppy Fields by Nikki Erlick. It’s a beautifully told speculative novel about four unlikely and diverse strangers (plus a dog!) who embark on a road trip to a place where grief might be eased through a monitored “sleep.” Would you do it—even with the possibility of side effects?

Told through multiple POVs with a stellar full-cast audio and equally impactful print experience, this book is rich with reflection, emotional depth, and human connection. I felt like I knew these characters by the end. Absolutely unforgettable.