Woman 99 by Greer McCalister

I always enjoy this author's unique spin on dark topics and this time it is the women who were committed to insane asylums for a variety of reasons including prostitution, infidelity, frail nerves or just because their fathers and husbands needed them out of the way.
Many of the medical staff sought to offer these women help but the cures seemed more harmful than the disease.  Many of them were treated with less care and compassion than those in a prison.  Charlotte and her sister Phoebe came from a well off family in San Francisco and led happy lives until their father needed to settle a debt by offering Charlotte to marry not the man she loves but his harsh brother.  Phoebe who has suffered from some form of manic depression creates a diversion which lands her in an insane asylum.  Charlotte has herself committed willingly, a la Nelly Bly, to save her sister but what they go through will change them both forever.
An amazing tale of bravery, love, and one that will shock you to the core when you learn of the conditions these women faced under the auspices of help.