Title: THE POPPY FIELDS
Author: NIKKI ERLICK
ISBN: 9780063447912
Publisher: Harper Collins
Pages: 320
Source: Review Copy from the Publisher
Blog Tour Organised by Random Things Tours
Welcome to the Poppy Fields, where there’s hope for even the most battered hearts to heal.
Here, in a remote stretch of the California desert, lies 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 one little dog: Ava, a book illustrator; Ray, a fireman; Sasha, an occupational therapist; Sky, a free spirit; and a friendly pup named PJ. As they attempt to make their way from the Midwest all the way west to the Poppy Fields—where they hope to find Ellis, its brilliant, enigmatic founder—each of their past secrets and mysterious motivations threaten to derail their voyage.
Official Summary
23 June 2026
Sometimes reading something a little different is exactly what you need, and this book proved that. Thank you to Random Things Tours for inviting me to take part in the blog tour.
The Poppy Fields is a story about love, loss, grief, and a group of strangers brought together on a road trip. It explores how, at times, the people who understand us best can be those we have only just met.
I am new to Nikki Erlick’s work, although I have heard many wonderful things about her debut novel, The Measure, so I was excited to give this one a try. The fact that it has such a beautiful cover certainly didn’t hurt either.
Deep in the desert lies the Poppy Fields, a revolutionary clinic that promises to rid people of their grief. All you need to do is sleep for a month. The catch? You may wake up having lost not only your pain, but also the emotions and memories connected to the person you are grieving. Would you take that risk?
The journey to the Poppy Fields brings together four very different people. Sasha, who lost her fiancé, is travelling there to plead for acceptance after her application was declined. Ray lost his brother, James, shortly after James underwent treatment at the Poppy Fields, and he is searching for answers about his brother’s death. Sly, an eighteen-year-old free spirit, is simply along for the ride and has no interest in the clinic itself. Ava, whose sister founded the Poppy Fields, hopes to reconnect with a sibling who was once her closest confidante but now feels like a stranger.
The story focuses on the road trip and the relationships that develop between these four travellers. Through conversations, shared experiences, and personal revelations, they begin to understand one another’s grief and, in doing so, move closer to healing, acceptance, and hope.
This is a beautifully written novel that overflows with emotion. It raises fascinating questions about grief and whether we would choose to erase our pain if given the opportunity. Is grief something that should be eased through science, or is it an essential part of being human that we must work through with the support of family and friends?
As the story unfolds, you cannot help but wonder what choice you would make. We all grieve differently, and that is what makes the central premise of this novel so compelling. Is sleeping at the Poppy Fields the right solution, or is grief a burden we are meant to carry as part of love?
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. It is thoughtful, emotional, and deeply moving. There is now no question that I need to make time to read The Measure.
REMEMBER TO VISIT THE OTHER TOUR STOPS
Also by Nikki Erlick
THE MEASURE
Eight ordinary people. One extraordinary choice.
It seems like any other day. You wake up, drink a cup of coffee, and head out.
But today, when you open your front door, waiting for you is a small wooden box. The contents of this mysterious box tells you the exact number of years you will live.
From suburban doorsteps to desert tents, every person on every continent receives the same box. In an instant, the world is thrust into a collective frenzy. Where did these boxes come from? What do they mean? Is there truth to what they promise?
As society comes together and pulls apart, everyone faces the same shocking choice: Do they wish to know how long they’ll live? And, if so, what will they do with that knowledge?
About The Author
Author bio from the author’s site
Nikki Erlick is a writer and editor whose work has appeared on the websites of New York magazine, Harper’s Bazaar, Newsweek, Cosmopolitan, The Huffington Post, Indagare Travel, BookTrib, and Verge Media. As a travel writer, she explored nearly a dozen countries on assignment—from rural villages in France to the arctic fjords of Norway. As a ghostwriter, she has lent her voice to CEOs, academics, and entrepreneurs. She graduated Harvard University summa cum laude and is a former editor of the Harvard Crimson. She earned a master’s degree in global thought from Columbia University. The Measure is her first novel.
This one was a little different from what I usually read, but it proved to be a deeply moving story. I used to only read thrillers, but as I am getting older, I am starting to appreciate adding something different to my read pile. I hope you enjoy this book. Until next time…. Happy Reading!
