Sim One: A Love and Then-What-Happens Story

by Tom Ahern

Simone sent me an email. The subject line: “Just read.”

Most of us spend our whole lives searching for the one. Some of us are lucky enough to find them, even for a moment. And some—like Simone and Tom—were lucky enough to find love, purchase a second home abroad, create a successful business, and build a life together for nearly four decades. But what happens after the love story?

Told through a series of notes and emails, Tom shares his raw, humorous, and heartfelt declarations on what it’s like living, loving, and losing the one, Sim One, to a disease that no one talks about: cerebral amyloid angiopathy. Sim One is a love letter meets memoir that asks what does it mean to love—and keep loving—when faced with the possibility of losing it all?

307 pages, Paperback

Published February 10, 2025

Reviews

[MARIA · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will be the last one to Judge how a book told through emails and messages sent can shape a person. However, when I was reading Sim One for the first time, it broke me… in the best possible way. I found myself deep in Tom's messages because I just had to read his messages over and over again. The thing that struck me was, “We don't stop loving just because someone is no longer here.” That was a harsh reminder. The way Tom processes grief is painfully honest. It made me remember the death of my grandfather. It was not just a tale about love; it was about grieving gracefully. When I came to the end, I felt, for some odd reason, that someone finally put into words the untold feelings I carried for so many years.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Something deep is honest about Tom's way of writing - as you are reading his heart, not only his words. I found myself stopping to re -prepare some routes, not because they were complicated, but because they were full of feeling. A line that stayed with me, when he said that love did not end, it just changed the shape. He hit barely. The way they described everyday moments, such as sitting in silence or cooking together, prepared me to think about small things in my life. Once the story is over, I found myself sitting in silence, wrapped in the warmth of memories and people I cherish the most.

[Surbhi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way Tom Ahern writes is so beautiful, it creates a beautiful picture of Simone in your mind. I can totally imagine his wife Simone and feel their love, sadness, grief. Simone's struggle with CAA was heartbreaking to read. She was unable to read, recall simple things due to her deteriorating brain health. She still tries her best to fully live her remaining life. She was resilient and courageous to accept and embrace that disease. And Tom's constant love for her shines through as a testament.

If u like nuanced emotional storytelling with beautiful writing that stirs emotions in you then this would be a rewarding read for you.

[Gourav Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book caught me from the guard. I felt that I was getting a romantic memoir, but it was much more than that. This made me think about long -term relationships and in the end what exactly matters. Tom's humor, even during the heart -wrenching moments, was such a human touch. I particularly liked the part where he compares his relationship with a well-worn record-cushion, but still playing his favorite tune. After reading, I felt more grateful to my partner and promised to tease them a little every day.

[Marnus · Rating 5 out of 5]

I raised it on the recommendation of a friend and I am happy that I did it. The structure was unusual, but it worked. Each email felt like opening one's private magazine. Whatever was standing outside was honesty - there was no pretense of being strong or intelligent. Just love, fear and memory. I liked how the book did not give easy answers. Life and love are complex, and Tom does not hide it. After closing the book, I felt emotionally complete and strangely peace, as if I said goodbye to just a dear friend.

[Sai · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about Simone, beloved wife of author Tom Ahern, married for 37 years with deep love. Author Tom recalls all his bittersweet memories of his wife in this book.

Simone, a lovely woman loved and cherished by many for her admirable nature. She's caring, bold, joyful, a person with high morality( Tom calls her his moral compass). Once she creates a bond with you, then she'll make sure that bond only flourish. Unfortunately, she's diagnosed with an incurable disease.

This book is centred around Tom and Simone's deep love despite a devastating illness.

[Sakshi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the books which makes you realise the value of loved ones. After finishing this book, you'll definitely feel like calling your loved ones and tell them how much you love them and you'll be with them no matter what.

I meant, Tom Ahern has kept the book so raw and authentic that it makes you reflect on your relationships with your closed ones and cherish them.

What I realised from this book is that in the times of difficulties, love matters the most. Someone can really get the strength to live despite an incurable illness if they know that people love them.

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very moving and true story. It is a story about love, life, and loss. Tom tells us about his great love for Simone, also referred to as Sim One. They lived a happy life together for many years. But then Simone becomes seriously ill with a rare brain disease. The book illustrates how difficult it is to lose someone you love. It is written down in emails and letters, and that makes it very real. Occasionally it's tearful but also full of laughter and hilarious times. It reminds us that love remains real, even once somebody has gone. A great and emotional read.

[Sarah Jose · Rating 5 out of 5]

“We don’t stop loving just because someone is no longer here.” Sim One is more than a love story, it’s a lesson in courage, grief, and the power of memories. It reminds us to cherish the people we have while they’re here and to hold on to the love even when they’re gone. This book will stay with you long after you finish it, making you see life, love, and loss in a new way. If you’ve ever loved someone deeply or faced loss, this book will speak to your heart. It’s painful, beautiful, and unforgettable a must-read for anyone who believes in the power of love.

[ANDREW · Rating 5 out of 5]

I met this book, but it didn't feel like a coincidence. From the first page it pulled me in. Tom's voice is so real, as you are as a friend who has gone for years. The way he talks about loving someone through illness - and then - something I will never forget. It was a line about time if you're ready. He barely beat. After ending, I thought it was changing. As I was reminded of how delicate and beautiful love really.

[Jonty Rhodes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading Sim was like reading someone's soul loudly. There is a line where Tom says something, "Every memory now echoes in silence with me," and I had to keep the book down. That one sentence pulled me completely into my world. The mixture of happiness and pain is so real and reliable. It is not polished - it is raw and dirty and beautiful. This wanted me to call my mother and just heard her voice. Till the end, I cried, smiled, and sat down in silence. It seemed that I lived only another life.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, I don't think this book will first attract my attention. But the way Tom tells his story is not attractive - it's real. Simple words, great emotions. I really liked when he talked about the construction of the dream house abroad, and how it ended, more than memories than furniture. That scene stayed with me. This reminded me that the spaces we make are just backgrounds for those we love. I felt emotionally quiet, later that kind of feeling of that gender for several days.

[Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone lost a loved one for a neurological disease, this book came close. I saw pieces of my story in Tom - especially confusion and the calm heart to see someone was broken. A line that really hit me: "She was forgetting things, but I was the one who was lost." How did it like it? I appreciate how Tom never cane difficult parts. I finished the book with tears in my eyes and a heart was more open than before.

[Sattaru Keerthana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sim-One tells a life story, not just a love story. I loved how the author depicted love as development, vulnerability, and choices in addition to passion. This is a great romance if you're searching for something unique. I found myself underlining a lot of passages that related to my personal experience. For anyone who has experienced intense love and pondered, "What comes next?," this book is a hug.

[Keerthana · Rating 5 out of 5]

A welcome departure from the usual romance genre. I had the impression that I was reading someone's actual diary because it was so intimate and genuine. Though I wished the climax had a little more impact, I really enjoyed the characters' depth. Overall, though, it was a lovely read. It serves as a reminder that love is a commitment rather than merely an emotion; it can be messy at times but is always significant.

[Gauri Shankar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tom's way of writing made me feel as if I knew SIM too. The emails and notes were not just words—they were memories, frozen moments in time. There was a note about him that made me laugh loudly while dancing in the kitchen. There is so much sadness in so many lives. I didn’t know what cerebral amyloid angiopathy was before, but now I do and I care. After reading, I felt motivated to write to my partner for Thanksgiving. I just wanted to say, I love you.

[Nazia Sultana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a touching love story about Tom and his partner Simone. For nearly 40 years they have exchanged emails and personal notes & letters, he shares his journey of their love, her illness, and the journey of the loss and healing and heartbreak that comes after. It’s a deep & moving story about love & healing & the strength of love endures even after loss. This book is extremely emotional and honest.

A short, heartfelt read for anyone who has experienced deep love and grief.

[Sophiya · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you appreciate emotionally rich stories then this is one of them.

It's a memoir wherein Tom tenderly recalls his life with his soulmate Simone.

The tragedy with Simone is really saddening. The nature of the book is emotional but author has appropriately balanced humour in the writing.
I liked how he recalls his father. It was funny but warming.

The storytelling is deeply personal and heartfelt.

[Ram Vinay · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I appreciated most was a balance. The book is not just about pain. It's humor, it's routine, it's happiness in small things. I first loved the story of his unsuccessful business enterprise - it made him so human. You often do not see the page in a memoir. Some that really were with me: "Even in his silence, I still heard his laughter." I think this is love. I closed the book and felt a strange mix of heartache and hope - and I feel anything.

[emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book grabbed my attention from the opening page and held it through with a story, that’s captivating from the very first chapter. Author, Tom‘s storytelling, style is amazing, and it’s genuine. He conveying great emotions through simple words.
This book is about someone who lost a loved one to a neurological disease. I finished the book with tears in my eyes, overall, it’s a rewarding emotional experience.

[Ruchi Vishwakarma · Rating 5 out of 5]

It must have been immeasurably difficult for Tom to lose a remarkable person like Simone. Tom's writing is unfiltered which makes us feel the intensity of Tom's grief and struggle to live without his life partner.
She was such a lovely gem. She was always passionate about making other's lives easy. She was outspoken and worked for social causes. May her legacy of working for creating a better society continues.

[Shanley Tate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sim One is beautifully written and emotionally rich. Tom Ahern explores love, identity, and connection in a way that feels raw yet comforting. The unique narrative style and reflective moments made me slow down and really absorb the characters’ journey. This isn’t just a love story—it’s an introspective exploration of what happens after “happily ever after.” If you enjoy books that make you think long after the final page, Sim One will stay with you.

[Madhumita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sim One is a beautiful love letter to a lifetime shared. It is told through a patchwork of emails and notes. The author, Tom Ahern invites us into the raw aftermath of losing his beloved Simone to cerebral amyloid angiopathy which is a disease rarely spoken about. What sets this memoir apart is its honesty about grief which in my opinion is not enough to forgive even in a lifetime. I loved reading this one.

[RK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sim One is a touching, real-life love story about Tom and Simone, their decades together, their happiness, and the heartbreak of losing her to a rare disease. Tom’s writing is honest, sometimes funny, and deeply emotional. Lines like “Every memory now echoes in silence with me” hit hard, making you think about your own loved ones. It’s sad but beautiful, and by the end, you’ll want to hug the people you care about. A short, powerful read that stays with you.

[Radhika · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an emotional rollercoaster. One moment it is fun, joy, laughter and another moment sorrow, grief, stress but one thing remains constant in both circumstances is their profound love for each other despite highs and lows of uncertain life.

In this book author Tom expresses his raw authentic full spectrum of emotions which makes the story relatable and engaging.

[Sejal Warwatkar · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a profound lovestory!!

Tom and Simone's lovestory offers powerful perspectives on life, true intimacy and love. Love which continues even in the face of adversity. Their affection for each other is unforgettable.

Simone was truly admirable. She was intelligent, loving, deeply passionate about her work and an inspiration for many. I can relate with Tom's loss.

[austen jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

What interested me most about this book wasn't the love story itself but the fact that it focuses on what comes after. So many books end when two people find each other. This one seems more interested in the decades that follow. The email and note format made the story feel intimate rather than polished, which I appreciated.

[Ella Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't usually reach for memoirs, but this one caught my attention because it asks a question most love stories ignore: what happens after you've found your person? I appreciated that it focused on a relationship that lasted decades instead of the excitement of first love. It felt thoughtful and genuine.

[Shubhadarshani · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a heart touching story. The journey from joyful lovely couple to navigating the complex challenges an incurable disease bring in.

Tom and Simone's story tells us that love isn't about just easy beautiful moments, it's also about supporting, loving each other amidst the toughest time.

[Surbhi Agrawal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chapter 66 " How it ends " was very emotional to me.

I can feel the loss. 37 years of togetherness comes to an end. It wasn't just a number, it was their life build together. I can totally relate with this separation and the pain comes with it.