The Painters Daughters A Novel (Emily Howes)

In the heart of 1700s England, Peggy and Molly Gainsborough, the beloved daughters of renowned painter Thomas Gainsborough, share a bond that transcends the canvas. Peggy's fierce devotion to her sister drives her to conceal Molly's periodic lapses into madness, shielding her from the harsh judgment of society.

But when the family relocates to Bath, the sisters find themselves ensnared in the rigid expectations of polite society. Molly's struggles with her mental health become increasingly difficult to conceal, threatening to unravel the delicate fabric of their lives. Peggy, determined to protect her sister at any cost, grapples with the looming specter of confinement in an asylum.

Amidst the constraints of their world, Peggy unexpectedly falls in love with Johann Fischer, a friend of her father and a talented composer. As Peggy's forbidden romance blossoms, tensions escalate, and the sisters' bond is tested to its limits. Peggy must confront the complexities of love, loyalty, and the boundaries between protection and control.

In "The Painter's Daughters," Emily Howes masterfully navigates the intricacies of family, love, and sacrifice against the backdrop of 18th-century England. It is a poignant exploration of sisterhood, individuality, and the enduring power of the human spirit.