Welcome to my journey

My name is Simone van Bree, and this space is part of a new chapter in a life that’s taken many unexpected turns. For a long time, I lived a life that looked fine from the outside but was anything but peaceful behind closed doors. It wasn’t until I found myself on a cruise, yes, a real one, that I truly began to wake up to what I’d been surviving. That voyage changed everything. It gave me the strength to do what once felt impossible: to walk away and start again.

Since then, I’ve written a book, We Met on a Cruise, which shares the story of that turning point and the path that followed. It's not just about escaping abuse; it’s about rediscovering yourself, finding unexpected love, and believing that it’s never too late to choose freedom.

This blog will be a place for reflections, updates on the book and its journey out into the world, and maybe even some stories that didn’t quite make it into the pages. I’ll be sharing from the heart, the highs and lows, the lessons, and the quiet joys of rebuilding a life that feels like mine.

Thank you for stopping by. Whether you're here out of curiosity, support, or because you’re on your own healing path, you’re welcome here.

With love,

Simone x