In a near-future California desert, four strangers and a dog journey to an experimental treatment center that promises to heal grief through a month-long induced sleep—though a quarter of patients awaken unable to feel love for those they've lost. As they confront their own losses and secrets on the road, the story explores the ethics of erasing pain, the risks of forgetting love, and the universal, deeply personal nature of healing after trauma.

Reader Review Summary

Set in a remote stretch of the California desert, the story centers on an experimental and controversial treatment center called The Poppy Fields, where people suffering from grief can undergo a medically induced sleep to heal from their loss. The process is free for those accepted, but comes with a significant risk: about 25% of patients awaken unable to feel emotions toward their lost loved ones, raising ethical and existential questions about the cost of healing. The narrative follows four strangers—Ava, a book illustrator; Ray, a fireman; Sasha, an occupational therapist; Sky, a free spirit—and a dog named PJ as they journey from the Midwest to the Poppy Fields, each seeking closure or answers. The book explores themes of grief, healing, identity, and the complexities of moving forward after loss, with the enigmatic founder Ellis and her personal motivations playing a central role in the unfolding events.

Readers appreciated the book’s exploration of grief and healing, noting its thought-provoking premise and the philosophical questions it raises about the nature of memory, love, and recovery. Many found the depiction of grief to be realistic and emotionally resonant, with some readers mentioning that the book provided solace or made them feel seen in their own experiences of loss. The character development was highlighted, especially as the story progressed, with several reviewers noting that the multiple points of view and the gradual unfolding of backstories added depth. The audiobook received particular praise for its engaging narration by Marin Ireland and others, as well as its creative use of formats such as interviews and newspaper articles, which enhanced the immersive quality of the story.

Some readers expressed difficulty connecting emotionally with the main characters, especially in the early parts of the book, and felt that the pacing was slow, with much of the narrative focused on the road trip to the Poppy Fields rather than the treatment itself. The backstories of the main characters were seen as unfolding too slowly, leading to a sense of repetitiveness and a loss of narrative focus. The character of Sky was mentioned as feeling extraneous or less integrated compared to the others, and some readers would have preferred to follow the characters after the treatment rather than before. A few reviewers found the execution less compelling than the premise, and noted that the story sometimes dragged or became bogged down in reflection rather than action.

The book is categorized as speculative fiction with elements of science fiction, fantasy, and magical realism, and is positioned as a strong choice for book clubs due to its discussion-worthy themes and ethical dilemmas. Content warnings include death, child death, and grief. The novel is the follow-up to Nikki Erlick’s previous work, 'The Measure,' and includes a crossover reference for fans. The Poppy Fields was released on June 17, 2025, and has received over 4,700 ratings with an average rating of 3.83 out of 5.