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Hotel Mirabelle and the Wonderful Wheelchair Company
280 pages, Hardcover
Published March 17, 2026
About the author
Valerie Sinason
47 books14 followersValerie Sinason, PhD, is a poet, writer, child psychotherapist and adult psychoanalyst. She specialised in working with abused/abusing and dissociative patients including those with a learning disability, and was Founder Director of the Clinic for Dissociative Studies until December 2016 when she retired from long-term clinical work.
Valerie continues with writing, supervision and short-term assessment work.
Dr Sinason’s extensive writing includes over 100 published, peer-reviewed papers.
She has written over 20 books and lectures nationally and internationally.
Valerie continues with writing, supervision and short-term assessment work.
Dr Sinason’s extensive writing includes over 100 published, peer-reviewed papers.
She has written over 20 books and lectures nationally and internationally.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 11, 2026
Valerie Sinason, has weaved an incredible unique splendid novel, Hotel Mirabelle and the Wonderful Wheelchair Company, based her characters being in a wheelchair.
Maanika, and her wounded hero brother together, run a holiday company called Wonderful Wheelchairs.
Maureen who can walk, but has to use a wheelchair, lived in a sheltered accommodation, that is a studio flat specially designed for people with disabilities.
She wants to go on a disability holiday.
Her key worker finds a hotel in Sunville with a company called Wonderful Wheelchairs.
This fabulous story is such a masterpiece, I highly recommend it to bloggers and readers, and book clubs.
Maanika, and her wounded hero brother together, run a holiday company called Wonderful Wheelchairs.
Maureen who can walk, but has to use a wheelchair, lived in a sheltered accommodation, that is a studio flat specially designed for people with disabilities.
She wants to go on a disability holiday.
Her key worker finds a hotel in Sunville with a company called Wonderful Wheelchairs.
This fabulous story is such a masterpiece, I highly recommend it to bloggers and readers, and book clubs.
March 19, 2026
This book follows an eclectic group of people in desperate need of a wheelchair-friendly holiday. The hotel itself is the vision of Charlene, who uses an inheritance to buy and renovate a rundown property after seeing how difficult travel can be for wheelchair users through her own parents’ experiences. Her goal is to create a place where accessibility isn’t an afterthought but the starting point.
As the guests spend time together, friendships form and barriers begin to fall away. The group ends up influencing each other and the people around them in ways they didn’t expect.
While I appreciated the message behind the story and the focus on inclusion and accessibility, the book didn’t quite work for me. I found it difficult to connect with the large number of characters, and I think I might have been more engaged if there had been fewer characters with more depth and development. I felt the characters were written to represent a complete range of wheelchair users, but this came at the expense of deeper, more individual character development, which made it harder to connect with both the characters and the storyline. I could see what the author was trying to do, but I felt the emotional and psychological side of the characters could have been explored more.
Overall, it’s a thoughtful premise with an important message, but it just wasn’t quite the right book for me.
Many thanks to the author and Literally PR for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
As the guests spend time together, friendships form and barriers begin to fall away. The group ends up influencing each other and the people around them in ways they didn’t expect.
While I appreciated the message behind the story and the focus on inclusion and accessibility, the book didn’t quite work for me. I found it difficult to connect with the large number of characters, and I think I might have been more engaged if there had been fewer characters with more depth and development. I felt the characters were written to represent a complete range of wheelchair users, but this came at the expense of deeper, more individual character development, which made it harder to connect with both the characters and the storyline. I could see what the author was trying to do, but I felt the emotional and psychological side of the characters could have been explored more.
Overall, it’s a thoughtful premise with an important message, but it just wasn’t quite the right book for me.
Many thanks to the author and Literally PR for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
March 18, 2026
I’ve just finished reading Hotel Mirabelle and the Wonderful Wheelchair Company and I honestly can’t stop thinking about it.
This is one of the most tender, truthful, and quietly powerful novels I’ve read in a very long time. Dr Valerie Sinason writes disability, ageing, dementia and later-life love with a depth of empathy and lived experience that you simply cannot manufacture. Every page carries the weight of real life - its fears, its humour, its heartbreak, its hope.
There were moments that stopped me in my tracks. Moments that reminded me so sharply of watching my own dad decline that I had to put the book down and breathe. Moments of joy so unexpected and human that they made me smile despite the sadness sitting underneath.
What Valerie has created is an ensemble of (primarily disabled) characters who feel utterly alive; flawed, funny, frightened, brave. People who fall in love, break down, make mistakes, grow, forgive, rediscover themselves, and find connection in the unlikeliest of places.
This book is a celebration of being human in all its vulnerable, beautiful forms.
And there is literally no one else who could have written it.
If you care about representation, dignity, later-life love, disability, hope, or simply good storytelling - you need to read this.
This is one of the most tender, truthful, and quietly powerful novels I’ve read in a very long time. Dr Valerie Sinason writes disability, ageing, dementia and later-life love with a depth of empathy and lived experience that you simply cannot manufacture. Every page carries the weight of real life - its fears, its humour, its heartbreak, its hope.
There were moments that stopped me in my tracks. Moments that reminded me so sharply of watching my own dad decline that I had to put the book down and breathe. Moments of joy so unexpected and human that they made me smile despite the sadness sitting underneath.
What Valerie has created is an ensemble of (primarily disabled) characters who feel utterly alive; flawed, funny, frightened, brave. People who fall in love, break down, make mistakes, grow, forgive, rediscover themselves, and find connection in the unlikeliest of places.
This book is a celebration of being human in all its vulnerable, beautiful forms.
And there is literally no one else who could have written it.
If you care about representation, dignity, later-life love, disability, hope, or simply good storytelling - you need to read this.
March 23, 2026
📆 single timeline.
👀 multi POV
🐢 -🐇 medium-paced
💬 "Whatever feels true to you is good
with me"
I love the front cover of this book, it feels very calm and soothing, which is perfect for the story it is part of. I also loved the back cover, which simply says "What if there were truly a place for everyone?" And isn't that a wonderful idea! Hotel Mirabelle is that place, if only it were real.
Hotel Mirabelle had an utterly fantastic cast of characters from all kinds of backgrounds, with all kinds of extra needs from physical to mental, some of whom had to face their prejudices head on. Others who just had such a wonderful learning journey, whether that was about numbers or words and the double meanings they can have in English.
I had an absolute soft spot for Maureen though. She reminds me of people with Down Syndrome that I've known in the past. I could see other real people in many of the characters, which shows how well written they are. Sinason really has captured the realities of living with disabilities.
The story was really quite gentle and beautiful. It's the kind of book where nothing much happens in terms of action and adventure; and yet, at the same time, so much happens in terms of characters and learning and healing.
I think this book was rather remarkable and different to anything else that I've read.
👀 multi POV
🐢 -🐇 medium-paced
💬 "Whatever feels true to you is good
with me"
I love the front cover of this book, it feels very calm and soothing, which is perfect for the story it is part of. I also loved the back cover, which simply says "What if there were truly a place for everyone?" And isn't that a wonderful idea! Hotel Mirabelle is that place, if only it were real.
Hotel Mirabelle had an utterly fantastic cast of characters from all kinds of backgrounds, with all kinds of extra needs from physical to mental, some of whom had to face their prejudices head on. Others who just had such a wonderful learning journey, whether that was about numbers or words and the double meanings they can have in English.
I had an absolute soft spot for Maureen though. She reminds me of people with Down Syndrome that I've known in the past. I could see other real people in many of the characters, which shows how well written they are. Sinason really has captured the realities of living with disabilities.
The story was really quite gentle and beautiful. It's the kind of book where nothing much happens in terms of action and adventure; and yet, at the same time, so much happens in terms of characters and learning and healing.
I think this book was rather remarkable and different to anything else that I've read.
March 17, 2026
Hotel Mirabelle and The Wonderful Wheelchair Company is an inspiring and warm story about kindness and helping others.
The story follows Charlene who transforms a hotel for people with disabilities, especially those who use a wheelchair. The story highlights friendship and caring for the community. The story teaches the reader about inclusion and being thoughtful. It is an uplifting and heartfelt story which I thoroughly enjoyed.
As a disabled person such as myself, I found myself nodding in agreement throughout the story especially with difficulties that characters face throughout. I'd love to go to Hotel Mirabelle.
The story encourages the reader to contemplate on how they can help others and how to make a positive, powerful and clear difference to people's lives.
The writing style is easy to follow, making the story suitable for YA or those that enjoy inspiring stories.
Overall, this is a lovely feel-good story that teaches the importance of valuing people and working together, to help others.
The story follows Charlene who transforms a hotel for people with disabilities, especially those who use a wheelchair. The story highlights friendship and caring for the community. The story teaches the reader about inclusion and being thoughtful. It is an uplifting and heartfelt story which I thoroughly enjoyed.
As a disabled person such as myself, I found myself nodding in agreement throughout the story especially with difficulties that characters face throughout. I'd love to go to Hotel Mirabelle.
The story encourages the reader to contemplate on how they can help others and how to make a positive, powerful and clear difference to people's lives.
The writing style is easy to follow, making the story suitable for YA or those that enjoy inspiring stories.
Overall, this is a lovely feel-good story that teaches the importance of valuing people and working together, to help others.
March 20, 2026
This review is based on the refreshing, insightful world of adversity that I have not had the privilege to be included in. Yet. The writing is direct from the heart and derived from first-hand experience in multiple layers of adversity that all stages of life can encounter. The story is laced with laughter despite these, embracing the positives that we often cannot bring ourselves to focus on, certainly not in the first instance. I immensely enjoyed the frank approach to the diversity of culture, gender and beliefs and genuinely hope we can all get there at some point. I admire Valerie Sinason very much for opening up, highlighting the possibilities of happiness wherever we are and whatever life throws at us. I really enjoyed reading this book. I took it at face value.
#HotelMirabelle
@literallypr
#HotelMirabelle
@literallypr
March 17, 2026
Oh my goodness me. I defy anyone not to openly laugh and openly cry reading this wonderfully relatable book about the Wonderful Wheelchair Company. The company partners with the Hotel Mirabelle in Sunville to offer holidays to those who have previously been or have felt excluded. We all deserve a break away and this partnership facilitates this for those in wheelchairs, dementia or carers needing a rest. The characters of Tom and Gerry, Maureen, Mary and Joan melted my heart as well as the support staff at the hotel. In a book about friendship and freedom, laughter and living life, reminiscing and romance there is a real feel good factor. I loved it and found myself wanted to offer to volunteer there!
March 26, 2026
Hotel Mirabelle and the Wonderful Wheelchair Company by Valerie Sinason turned out to be a really lovely and surprisingly funny read. It follows a group of very different guests who all end up staying at Hotel Mirabelle, a seaside hotel that welcomes people with disabilities and all sorts of life stories.
What I liked most is how the characters bounce off each other. You get awkward moments, touching moments, and some genuinely funny ones, especially with the late-night chats and the strange little situations the guests get themselves into.
It’s warm, thoughtful, and full of heart, but it also manages to make you smile along the way. Definitely one of those books that reminds you how wonderfully odd people can be.
An absolute pleasure to read and review!
What I liked most is how the characters bounce off each other. You get awkward moments, touching moments, and some genuinely funny ones, especially with the late-night chats and the strange little situations the guests get themselves into.
It’s warm, thoughtful, and full of heart, but it also manages to make you smile along the way. Definitely one of those books that reminds you how wonderfully odd people can be.
An absolute pleasure to read and review!
March 23, 2026
Hotel Mirabelle and the Wonderful Wheelchair Company was just a great change of pace for me. Being a big Sci-fi/ fantasy reader, my usual reads can be quite full on. But Hotel Mirabelle is wonderfully gentle, tender and soothing, with a pace that moves along steadily, effortlessly and easily.
We follow the tale of Charlene, who transforms a dilapidated seaside hotel for people with disabilities and what follows is the touching, heartwarming story of a week long holiday after a quite diverse group arrive at the hotel.
Told with the dignity and care that all people deserve, it's full of humour, love and friendship and is sure to warm even the coldest of hearts.
We follow the tale of Charlene, who transforms a dilapidated seaside hotel for people with disabilities and what follows is the touching, heartwarming story of a week long holiday after a quite diverse group arrive at the hotel.
Told with the dignity and care that all people deserve, it's full of humour, love and friendship and is sure to warm even the coldest of hearts.
April 26, 2026
This book is truly a heart warming read! What a wonderful and inclusive world the author has created and how brilliant is it that she has shared it with all of us ❤️ I really loved the representation of characters who had intellectual disabilities and how the author portrayed them as adults with valued ideas, and had suffered trauma. The relationships struck between the characters is transformative as they mutually help each other through their difficulties and celebrate what they have. The authentic insight into dementia is also very touching and comes from a place of love. It was a pleasure to read 🙂
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a really cute, interesting, and hopeful book with a lot of unique characters. It's a tender take on this style of work, and quite interesting. However, sometimes the writing felt a bit clunky. 4 stars. tysm for the arc.
March 23, 2026
I picked this book not knowing much about it, and I must say, it was a lovely surprise. A really lovely book, well written.
The writing was easy to follow, which I really liked. I did not have to stop and think too much, I just read. The feelings were deep. I found myself smiling at some parts and feeling emotional at other points.
It is a gentle and sweet story, this is a good book to read.
Many thanks to team @literallyPR for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
The writing was easy to follow, which I really liked. I did not have to stop and think too much, I just read. The feelings were deep. I found myself smiling at some parts and feeling emotional at other points.
It is a gentle and sweet story, this is a good book to read.
Many thanks to team @literallyPR for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy
The premise of the book was what sold it for me, you don't often find books where the main focus is on those with disabilities, or even on hotels primarily for the less abled among us.
It's has a diverse cast of likeable characters, all with different disabilities and needs.
However, I want to say that I did struggle with the continuation of the chapters. They didn't seem to gel and I found it a little disjointed which ruined the flow for me. And I found the author maybe tried a little too hard with the 'humour' side of things, and tried too hard to include as many disabilities as possible.
Feel good fiction.
It's has a diverse cast of likeable characters, all with different disabilities and needs.
However, I want to say that I did struggle with the continuation of the chapters. They didn't seem to gel and I found it a little disjointed which ruined the flow for me. And I found the author maybe tried a little too hard with the 'humour' side of things, and tried too hard to include as many disabilities as possible.
Feel good fiction.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews