The Poppy Fields by Nikki Erlick is a beautifully written, deeply emotional speculative novel about a controversial medical facility where people can literally sleep away their grief.
- Fascinating Hook: The premise of medically mending a broken heart at the cost of potential emotional detachment is instantly gripping.
- Rich Cast: Following four strangers on a road trip to the facility provides a wonderful, character-driven look at different types of loss.
- Tender Execution: Erlick explores heavy themes of healing and memory with immense empathy and hope, never letting it feel too bleak.
- Minor Flaw: The road trip features a few meandering stops and a side character that slow down the mid-book momentum.
Overall, it is a thought-provoking, beautifully crafted story that will leave you pondering the true cost of peace.