Thank you to NetGalley, Nikki Erlick, and William Morrow for the advanced copy of this beautiful story.
Release Date: June 17, 2025

This was my very first read by Nikki Erlick, and what a powerful introduction. I went into The Poppy Fields curious about the idea of healing—and came out feeling deeply moved. This book feels like a gentle hand on the shoulder, a quiet reminder that we’re never alone in our grief.

The premise is quietly magical: there’s a place where broken hearts go to rest. A mysterious field where, after a long sleep, healing is promised. It sounds like something out of a dream—and maybe, it is. Four strangers, each carrying deep emotional wounds, set out on a journey to find this place. Alongside them? A dog that, like the humans, has its own silent sorrow.

Grief shows up differently for each of them, but their ache is familiar. And honest. This isn’t the kind of story that gives you quick fixes or perfect answers. It asks big questions instead:
Can we ever truly recover from loss? And what are we willing to risk for the chance to feel whole again?

One line in particular felt like a whisper straight to the heart:
“Poppies are a ruderal species, which means that they grow from the rubble. If something so spectacular can still blossom in even the most disturbed earth, then doesn’t that mean there’s hope for even the most battered hearts to heal?”
It’s breathtaking. And it captures the soul of the book in just a few words.

I loved every character and the stories they carried. Some parts were soft and comforting, others cracked me open in quiet ways. Erlick writes with empathy and grace—never rushing the pain, but always making room for the possibility of light.

The Poppy Fields isn’t just about grief. It’s about resilience, connection, and how healing is rarely a straight line—but it is possible. And we don’t have to do it alone.

I truly loved this book. I’ll be thinking about it for a long time.